Chapter 5

I see Jacob smile through the rearview mirror. He is silent and doesn’t introduce me to anyone. I cringe as he turns into my neighborhood and the driveway to my house. Wait! How does he know where I live?

“Not now Joseph, but soon,” Jacob says. I get out of the car as Jacob gets out also. “We have to follow what is written in the gospel. When it is time, I will let you know. In the mean time I will watch over you while my daughter awaits her soul mate and to be by your side.” We are half way up the drive as mom plows me over in a hug. She is crying.

“Joe, what were you thinking,” she cries as I feel her tears running down my neck. “I’ve only been gone six hours. What the fuck! “Don’t listen to Cindy, she didn’t mean what she said. And we need you to keep her safe, which you always do. I love you Joe.”

By this time, I’m crying. “I love you too mom. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

My dad walks to Jacob and shakes his hand. “Thank you for bringing my son back,” dad says as I see Jacob give him a look of anger. What was that about?

“He needed a ride, so I brought him here...”

Emily cuts him off. “Come on father, you promised us an evening ride” as she grabs his hand and pulls him back to the car and they drive away.

After mom releases me, I get a crying Wayne in my arms. “Oh, Joe. Don’t ever leave us again.” I hug him back. This is my family. I shouldn’t have put them through this. “Cindy didn’t mean what she said. She’s just being a bitch.” He releases me as dad shakes his head.

I look at the front door and see Cindy standing there with tears running down her face. Dad points at her in anger for her to go back into the house. Dad looks at me and points to the gate to the backyard, where I had made my escape. He follows me to the backyard as he looks up at the window to my room that is still open.

Dad points at it and says, “You got out, so you get in.” I look at the window. It is high maybe 20 feet.

“Dad, you taught me how to get out, but never get in,” I plead.” The next thing I see is dad running towards the house, jumping as his right foot hits the side of the house, then his left, launching him up and into the window. It looked like he was walking up the side of the house. He looks out the window and points to my bag as I chuck it up to him.

I back up a few steps and run towards the house and plant my right foot on the side of the house. Instead of going up, I go down, landing on my back, knocking the wind out of me as I hear dad laughing.

“You no run away again,” dad says still laughing as I’m thinking about running away from home again. “Focus, Zen!”

I stand up and get into Zen. I run, jump, and put my foot into the side of the house, then my left and I am in my bedroom. I walk to the door to remove the chair from the door as dad grabs my hand and shakes his head no. We sit in front of my bed in the lotus position and get into Zen. When we come out it is dark outside.

“My son,” dad says as he grabs my shoulder and I start crying. “You have been through a lot of pain and I am sorry, but you belong to this family now and you are my blessing. I asked for a son and finally got a son.” I look at him confused and see that he is crying too. “Wayne? I love him. He has his own personality. A woman in a man’s body, but I love him as much as I do you.” We both chuckle as dad continues. “Cindy was hysterical when we got home. She told me what she said to you. Please remember that we all love you. I love you Joseph. You are my son and you are part of this family.”

“I love you too dad and I’m sorry I ran away.”

“I told you I’d find you,” dad says as we laugh.

Monday morning, and I am walking down the hallway to my first class. The rest of the weekend went without incident. I stayed away from Cindy as much as I could. And she did the same. Mom and dad said that Cindy was grounded for a month for going to the party. Wayne was grounded for two weeks for letting her get into the car with Tommy to go to the party. Mom and dad grounded me for one week for running away. Damn, it’s nice being in a family.

I see Damien walking up beside me on my right side and Kevin coming towards him. Kevin throws a punch at Damien’s face. With the quickness that my dad taught me, I now have Kevin’s fist in my hand, squeezing it as he is on his knees.

“Joe, that’s my throwing hand.” Kevin says as Damien runs off down the hallway. “I need that hand for my football scholarship.” I release his hand before anyone notices as he stands up.

“Kevin, I’m so sorry about you and Cindy.” He looks at me with hate. “She is a slut and an inconsiderate bitch.” Now he looks at me surprised. “All she cares about is herself. She treats people like shit.” He looks at me as if he is asking a question. “But she is my sister and I will take care of her. Just like, you will take care of your sister.” He shakes my hand, nods his head in agreement, and walks away.

I get into first period when the bell rings and I notice that Meagan is not there. I think about what I saw Saturday. I haven’t really thought about it since I saw Meagan and her dad having sex, until just now. Coach Taylor, having sex with his daughter. Did it really surprise me that much?

Five years ago...

Eve and I get home from school as we notice Mr. and Mrs. Shields’s car in the driveway. They are our new foster parents that we have been living with for two weeks. They are an older couple with a 14 year old daughter and a 15 year old son. Mr. Shields lost his job a year ago and Mrs. Shields works as a waitress, which I realized throughout the years, is why some families take foster kids. For the extra money.

Eve and I enter the house and head to the kitchen for a snack. Eve shouts that we’re home, but no one answers. We walk through the family room and pass the sliding glass door as I hear Eve gasp as she looks out the window. I look and see the whole family lying out on a blanket in the backyard naked. Mrs. Shields is having sex with her son and Mr. Shields is having sex with his daughter. Mr. Shields sees us looking out the window and smiles as he keeps pounding into his daughter.

I snap out of it as I see Emily smiling at me. I give her a light wave as class starts. Five minutes after class starts, I am called to Coach Taylor’s office. Fuck! Why did I know this was coming? I wish I were grounded from school too. I get a hall pass from the teacher and leave the classroom.

I slowly trudge to Coach Taylor’s office. I know that he has to be worried. From being tossed around from foster care home to foster care home, I know that having sex with an underage girl, whether consensual or not is illegal. Coach Taylor could lose custody of his children, his job and be put into jail. I know that he is going to beg or demand my silence.

I think more as I trudge down the hallway to the gym, Does knowing that Meagan has sex with her brother and dad effect our possible relationship? Is that why Meagan didn’t come to school today? I’m not perfect and it really doesn’t bother me. Hell, I’ve seen more fucked up shit than that. I’m having sex with my twin sister for Christ’s sake. Who am I to judge? If anything, Meagan and I make a perfect couple. I need to talk to her. She must be feeling awful and worried that I will never talk to her again.

I tuck my hall pass into my pocket and walk out the back door. Instead of heading to the gym, I start running to the main road running as fast as I can to Meagan’s house. It doesn’t take me long, maybe ten minute. “I didn’t make the track team for nothing,” I laugh to myself.

I get to her house and ring the doorbell. After five seconds of no answer and being impatient, I start pounding on the door. Meagan answers the door as I scoop her up in my arms and plant a kiss on her lips and push my tongue into her mouth. At first, she is tense, but after a few seconds, she melts into my arms and twirls her tongue around mine. I pull my mouth off hers and let her down.

“I don’t have long to talk, because I need to get back school before I get in trouble,” I say as I stare at her. She has her thick glasses on and her hair is messed up in a sexy way. She is wearing a one piece pajamas with the feet. I have to stop looking before I decide to cut school and stay with her the rest of the day. “Meagan Taylor, I am falling for you. I know you didn’t come to school today, because you’re worried about what I think. Meagan, we all have secrets, but I want to know your secrets as well as share my secrets with you. If we are ever going to have a relationship, we need to be honest and open with each other. Can we do that?”

She smiles the sweetest smile as she says, “Yes Joe, I want to share secrets with you, and be honest with you. I didn’t stay home from school, because I was worried. I have the mumps.” My mouth hangs open. Oh, shit! We had each other’s tongues down our throats.”You better get back to school silly,” she smiles.

I run out to the end of the driveway and turn to see her smiling at me. “I’m grounded until Sunday, but I’ll see you later.” I blow her a kiss and start running back to school.

I make it to the end of the school day and head to track practice. The day went without incident. It was at lunch that I learned from Sheila and Karen that Meagan has the mumps. Fuck! Now they tell me. I tried to sound surprised while trying not to breathe on any one.

During track practice, we work on speed and endurance. Then we work on our specific trades. I train in high jump and hurdles by the other coaches as Coach Taylor is avoiding me. After practice, Coach Taylor hurries to his office. He doesn’t know I’m following him as he opens his door and I slip beside him and in front of him. Wow, what dad taught me worked? He didn’t see me as I’m standing directly in front of him. He sees me and sits at his desk with a frown on his face.

“You didn’t come to my office this morning, so I’m assuming that you are going to report me.” I look at him concerned. “I am a bad father. Go ahead and turn me in to the police.”

“Why are you a bad father, when your children love you,” I ask. He looks at me surprised. “I would never do anything to have Meagan and Damien in foster care and have them go through what my sister and I went through. I like Meagan a lot and I don’t ever want her to suffer. Yes, what you did was wrong. I learned in the foster care system that having sex with underage people is wrong and can get you into a lot of trouble,”

“I’m sorry Joe.” I look at him as he continues. “I am so busy taking care of my kids and work...” he pauses as tears fill his eyes.”I miss my wife. After Meagan’s mom died, I vowed to never marry again. It’s just ... It’s just Meagan reminds me so much of her mother. I’m sorry Joe ... I miss my wife so much. Meagan loves you so much. Please don’t punish her for wanting to comfort her dad.”

“Your secret is safe with me Coach, and thanks for the hall pass this morning. It gave me enough time to run to your house, give Meagan a hug, and kiss. I am falling in love with her and don’t want to lose her,” I say.

“You dumb ass,” Coach yells. “She has the mumps. You.re going miss a week of practice if you get the mumps.”

“I’m grounded anyway.” I say grinning at Coach as I’m walking out. “If I have the mumps, then I’ll see you next week. What a way to catch the mumps,” I add as I hear Coach Chuckle.

I get home and run to my room. I hear mom cooking dinner. What am I going to do? I don’t want to give my family the mumps. I hear a knock on the door and mom walks in. Oh, fuck.

“Are you ok? You usually come and help me with dinner or go to the basement with your dad,” mom says worried.

“I have the mumps,” I sigh closing my eyes and waiting for the worst as mom starts howling in laughter. “It’s not funny mom.” Dad walks in and looks at mom then at me. “I have the mumps dad” as dad howls in laughter. What the fuck is wrong with my family.

Mom finally stops laughing. “Joe, you and your sister Eve had the mumps when you were six.” I give her a questioning look. “Joe, the foster care system keeps medical records and they were transferred to our Doctor after our review.” I still give her the ‘look’ as l am still looking at her confused. “Joe, you can only get the mumps once, but if you think you have them, I’ll take you to the doctor tomorrow.” I breath a sigh of relief. “What makes you think you have the mumps?” Oh, shit. She would have to ask the question of the day as I look at dad for help.

Dad nods at mom, who smiles and leaves the room knowing that dad will tell her anyway. He sits on the edge of the bed as I tell him about finding Coach Taylor and Meagan having sex to when I skipped school to catch the mumps at Meagan’s house. I also told him about the conversation between Coach Taylor and I. Dad looks at me with concern.

“We better not let your mom know about Coach Taylor having sex with his daughter. Very bad. Your mother will have him removed if she finds out.” I look at him concerned as he looks at me knowing what I’m thinking. “I will talk to him and let him know that if he does it again I will notify the authorities. That should keep him from doing it again. If you have a relationship with his daughter, make sure that it is open and honest.”

“Thanks dad. I told her that and I love you.” Dad nods his head and smiles.

It’s Saturday morning and the week went without incident. I’m assuming dad had his talk with Coach Taylor, because he is treating me differently. He looks upset that I told my dad about him having sex with Meagan, but is very nice to me and helping me out the best he can. I’m guessing that he doesn’t want me upset and go to the cops.

Track practice has been great. All of the coaches are impressed with me and tell me that I am close to both school and state records. Our first track meet is Friday.

After my morning run, I head to the basement to workout. I get down the stairs, take off my shoes, and see a spear coming towards my face as I catch it in mid-air. I look and see dad with the same weapon I encountered last week. Two handles with a rope connecting them. He is flipping them around in some sort of pattern.

Dad closes in on me. “Before you can learn to use a weapon, you must first learn to defeat it,” dad says. I look at dad as I feel a sharp pain in my side. “Focus! Zen! Concentrate on the movements, not the person.” I stand in place and concentrate on the movement of the weapon. I figure out the pattern and snatch the weapon from dad. “My son is a quick learner,” dad grins.

Dad shows me how to use the weapon and I tell him about my encounter with the three guys.

Sunday afternoon, I am sitting in my room when the door opens and Cindy walks in my room and closes the door. I am sitting at my desk doing my home work. She stares at me as I continue my work. I finish a math problem and put my pencil down and stare at Cindy.

“Can I come in,” Cindy asks. I chuckle and shake my head. “Right, I’m already in. Uhm ... How long are you going to keep avoiding me.” I keep staring at her as I am amazed at her questions. I know that she is only trying to get me to talk first. “So, what am I supposed to do? I said some things that I didn’t mean and wasn’t true.” She stares at me waiting for an answer.

“I don’t know,” I say as a question. Cindy puts her hands on her hips getting agitated. “Maybe apologize,” I say it hanging out the question as Cindy gets more agitated.

“Ok, I know I’m a stuck up bitch,” she breaths as if she was holding her breath. “That is who I am. I’m a bitch. I like to have fun and I think I’m better than everyone else. I piss-off everyone, but you’re my brother and you’re supposed to deal with my shit ... and love me ... and take care of me ... And...” She bursts into tears and jumps into my lap, hugs me and sobs into my shoulder. “I love you Joe.”

“It’s ok Cindy. I love you too,” I say trying to calm her down. “You need to understand that people have feelings. And words can hurt, whether you mean them or not.” I pick her up, lay her on my bed and spoon against her, holding her tight. I look up and see mom and dad peeking in the door way smiling. I’m guessing they heard the whole conversation.

Monday afternoon after track practice, I’m standing out in front of the school where Wayne was supposed to meet me. The day went without incident. Meagan still isn’t back to school yet, but will be back tomorrow. Track practice was fun. I think my favorite events are the high jump and hurdles. The coaches are excited to have me on the team. They said they have never seen anyone with my athletic skills.

After an hour, I give it up and start to walk home. Like my mountain runs, a good long walk lets me think. I think about Eve. I get to see her this weekend and I’m excited. I wonder if she will like Meagan. I wonder if Meagan will like Eve. Either way I need to tell Meagan about Eve and I. I told Meagan that we need to be honest with each other and share our secrets.

I am about two miles out when a Ford blazer passes me and then stops about fifty feet down the road. I keep walking and when I get close to it, Coach Marcos steps out of the driver’s side door.

“Hey Joe,” he says walking towards me. “Do you need a ride?” I look at him and then at the blazer as the three guys I beat up get out of the blazer. “We were on our way to Karate practice you should come join us.”

“No thank you sir,” I say as a car pulls up behind me. I hear a car door open then close.

“Joe,” I hear dad say as I sigh in relief.

“Kang, is that right,” Coach Marcos says as dad nods. “Did you enter your son in the martial arts tournaments in August?”

We are on a deserted street, with few cars passing by. “My son learns to protect his family and friends. He fights for real, not some tournament.”

“So, you think I don’t teach that to my students,” he says as dad nods. “Your son can never match up to my son. I teach to kill. Match your son against mine now and if your son wins, I will leave him alone. If he is alive when my son is done with him, he joins my dojo and will be entered in the martial arts competition.” I look back at dad with a smirk as he nods

“I hope the school has good insurance for your son,” dad says as I see Andrew running towards me.

He gives me a series of kicks and punches which I easily avoid. He is good, but he is just too slow. I am used to sparring with dad, who is lightning fast. He screams in frustration and comes at me with another series of kicks and punches as I give him a punch to the chest, which puts him down.

“Get up Andrew,” his dad screams. “I taught you better than that. Take him down!”

Andrew jumps back up. I’m thinking that I need to end this without any broken bones or hospitalization as I look at dad and he nods. Andrew gives me a kick as I disappear to my opponent, the way dad taught me. I am now standing behind him. He turns around and his first instinct is to take a swing at me. I grab his arm the way dad taught me and hear a pop and a scream as I dislocated Andrew’s arm from his shoulder.

“You fucking asshole,” Coach says pulling that weapon with the two handles from behind him. He starts whipping it around as I figure out his pattern and snatch them away from him and toss them to dad. “You broke my son’s arm.”

Dad tosses the weapon into the field and walks over to Andrew who is screaming in pain. He stands him up and pops Andrew’s shoulder back into place as I hear a car pull up behind dad’s car and I hear Coach Marcos say, “Oh fuck.” I look back and see a cop car and a policeman walking up.

“What’s going on here,” the police officer asks. Dad stares at me with a grin and I smirk.

“Nothing officer,” Coach Marcos says, who seems very nervous. “My car broke down and these kind gentlemen helped get it going again.”

The police officer stares intently at him and says. “Then get out of here, before you cause an accident.” We scramble to our cars and drive off.

I look at dad and say, “Wayne didn’t pick me up so I had to walk.”

“Don’t be a tattle tale, and don’t tell your mom what just happened,” dad says as we both laugh.

It’s Tuesday and I’m standing in the lunch line with George and Fred. I think about what happened yesterday and remember dad telling me that enemies can be dealt with. My top priority is taking care of family and friends. I am beginning to understand what he means. I am surely racking up a list of enemies that want to get me, speaking of enemies I see Andrew sitting at a table with some of the wrestling team and what I am assuming are their girlfriends. I see that Andrew has a sling on his right arm, which I’m assuming must be sore. I can actually hear their conversation Andrew is talking. Apparently telling his friends and girlfriend how he injured his arm.

“At Karate practice last night, my dad wanted me to demonstrate breaking two-by-fours,” he says as everyone is looking intently at him. “He lined up a two-by-four. I asked dad for three more.” He pauses, trying to keep everyone in suspense. “Dad lined them up on top of each other as I got into position and concentrated, just like dad taught me.” He pauses again as everyone waits in suspense. “I came down hard, breaking all four two-by-fours. I hit them so hard, that I dislocated my shoulder.”

His girlfriend scoots closer to him and kisses him on the cheek. “Andrew, I am so proud of you, but you need to be careful,” she chastises him as Andrew sees me and quickly looks away.

I quickly scan the lunch room looking for Meagan. I see Shawna and Johnny sitting at our table, who always brings sack lunches. I see Sheila and Karen walking towards the table with their food. I look back and see Meagan at the end of the line. She still looks pale as I wave for her to come forward. She finally gets to me and we hug.

“Why did you come to school if you still aren’t feeling well,” I chastise her. “She looks up at me with those sexy eyes with her thick horned rim glasses covering them. “Go sit down at our table and I’ll bring your lunch.” She smiles as I kiss her on the lips and she slowly heads to our table. I see Andrew looking at me with a smirk on his face, nods to Meagan and smiles at me. I nod to his girlfriend and smile as his eyes widen in fear as we come to a non-verbal agreement to leave our girlfriends out of this.

I get to the table with Meagan’s food and mine. I set her plate down in front of her and sit beside her. “Joe you didn’t have to do that,” she says. She looks at me and kisses me on the lips. “But thank you,” she says in a husky voice.

“Guys,” Johnny says. “Let’s go to a movie Saturday.” Everyone agrees except me.

“It’s my weekend with my sister.” Everyone is silent, because they know how my sister and I were taken away from each other and given restricted visiting.

“I want to meet her,” Meagan pleads. Shit we haven’t had our talk yet and I don’t know if she will take it well. Ask her to come along. I can get my brother to come along, so she won’t feel like the odd one out.” I nod as everyone finishes lunch and we head off to class

The rest of the week goes by without incident. I’m sitting at our lunch table with my friends. It’s Friday and I am amped up for the track meet. The cross country has already started and the rest of the events start after fifth period, because the visiting school came from the southern part of the state. I’m nervous, because the school made sixth period mandatory for all students to come and watch the track competition. We are eating and everyone is talking and having a good time when Johnny opens his mouth.

“I should’ve made the track team,” Johnny boasts as we all start laughing.

“Yeah, you could enter the barrel roll. Lay on your side and roll,” Sheila fires back as everyone howls in laughter.

Karen stands up with her milk carton in her hand. Karen is the silent one, but has warmed up to us. “To the ‘geek squad’,” she says as everyone at the table stands up with their milk carton and toast.

“Shut the fuck up you geeks,” someone says from the jock table as we start laughing. And we sit down to finish our lunch.

Meagan looks up at me and says, “Good luck,” I give her a kiss. “You are going to do great. My dad says that you are a great athlete.” I can’t help but cringe when she talks about her dad.

The track team is warming up as the school files out and heads to the bleachers not allot of the students look excited. The Coach scheduled me to compete in the high jump and the 110 meter hurdles since that’s the event that he thinks I can win.

As I am warming up, I look into the bleachers and see mom and dad. My heart jumps when I see Eve sitting beside them. Then concern when I see Meagan and Eve in a deep conversation. As I scan the bleachers, I also see Tommy and his gang of thug-wanna-bes. I cringe as I see Jacob and Emily sitting behind them.

The girls track team starts the high jump and the boys start the shot-put and the one mile run along with other events going on in the center of the field. Since I am only scheduled for two events, I cheer the girl high jumpers. The school we are competing against is small and since we did not have a large number of students try out for track, I think we have a good chance of winning today.

I am cheering on the girl’s team when I realize there is a girl standing beside me. She is dressed in the other team’s colors. She looks like an older version of Eve maybe seventeen or eighteen.

“What events are you playing in,” she asks. I’m surprised that a person from the other team would engage me in casual conversation.

“Today, the coaches are only letting me play two events. The high jump and 110 meter hurdles,” I say answering her question.

“That’s great,” she says. “My Coaches did the same thing when I was a freshman.” All of the sudden, I feel like I’m talking to my big sister. And how did she know I am a freshman? “Don’t worry, because the coaches know your talent and are trying to bring you up slow so don’t feel left out.”

“Thanks for the advice,” I say wondering why I’m getting the feeling that I know her.

“Well, I need to get ready for my event. It’s good seeing you again, Joseph,” she says as I look at her surprised. “Oh, I’m sorry cousin Joseph. You were too young to remember. I’m Mary and can’t wait until you are back to lead our church into the Promised Land as it is written in the gospel.” I don’t have time to react as I’m called by the coaches to get ready for the 110 meter hurdles.

The 110 meter hurdles are being set up as we line up. There are six of us. Three from each school. I’m nervous as I look at dad as he mouths the words, “focus. Zen.” I see Eve and Meagan standing on the bleachers, screaming my name and pissing off the people sitting behind them. I smile and shake my head as I get into Zen.

The gun goes off and I am gone. There is no one in front of me as I quickly reach the finish line and I hear the cheers when I feel a sharp pain on the back of my head. As I come to a stop, I look into the bleachers and see Jacob holding one of Tommy’s gang members as teachers and security are descending on Tommy’s group.

I feel the back of my head and feel moister that I am assuming is sweat. I’m staring at my bloody hand as Coach Taylor grabs me and leads me to the side line so that the trainers can attend to me.

“What is your name and what day is it,” one of the trainers asks. I give him a ‘what the fuck’ look.

“My name is Joseph and it’s Friday. My first track meet. DUMBASS!” I say getting irritated with all of the stupid questions.

“He’s okay Coach,” the trainer says with a chuckle. “I’ll tape him up and he’ll be ready to kick ass again.”

As the trainer is taping the back of my head, I hear over the loud speaker, “everyone halt the activities.” There is really nothing going on anyway, because they are switching the track for the girl’s events and preparing the high jump for the boys. “Joseph Wang has set two records in one event.” The crowd cheers as I look in the audience and see mom and dad looking at me with pride and Meagan and Eve jumping up and down hugging each other. “Joseph Wang is now the new record holder for the high school and state for the 110 meter hurdles.” Everyone is cheering as I am in shock.

After the crowd settles, the games begin again. I am lined up at the high jump. There are twelve of us competing. Five from our school and seven from the visiting school. Thirty minutes later, there are two of us left. Me and a person from the other school. The bar is raised as my last opponent jumps and falls short, which means I need to make this jump to win the high jump event.

I look into the crowd and see mom and dad. They took me into their family as their own flesh and blood. Dad teaches me his family Kung fu and mom teaches me how to be me and not be scared to make friends. I will make them proud, because I love them.

I feel a pain in my head as I get into Zen and run to the bar. I land on the mat as I hear cheers from the crowd. I stand up look at the bar, which is still up there. I look around at the crowd and then I black out.