Boy without a voice

Gossip

Tyler had been staying with Anna for 2 weeks now, and in a small town of only 212 people, rumors get around real fast. Anna was shopping alone in the local Winn-Dixie, when she heard Peggy Sue and Donna talking.

“Oh, I heard she got herself a boy toy. I do not blame her one-bit, poor thing must be all lonely. Cougars are the new thing in this day and age.” Peggy exclaimed. “You know it, that is why he hasn’t left that house. I bet he is too embarrassed, but a gold digger will do anything for a free ride” Donna responded. “Did you see him mowing her yard the other day? Oh my God, he was topless and those abs!” Donna announced. “I heard about it from Sarah and I cannot blame Anna one bit, but she could keep her dignity a little bit. The whole thing is very distasteful” Peggy replied.

“Hey Ya’ll” Anna shouted with excitement to Peggy and Donna. “It sure has been a hot minute since I saw you girls. How ya been?” Anna asked. “Oh, nothing. Getting ready for the fair and perfecting my Apple pie before the contest.” Peggy responded. “Haven’t seen you around the farmers market in a while. I hope you have been okay. Who’s that guy over at your place?” Donna asked.  “I thought you’d never ask and would keep making up your own stories!!!” Anna smirked. “He is a young man who stole from me. I felt a calling from God that I needed to help him. He was homeless. I am helping him get back on his feet. I was hoping to get him a job as a bagger here.” Anna explained. “I promise you, I am not a cougar, just doing my Christian duty and doing something Edward would have done.” Anna proclaimed as she turned and walked away from the gossipers. “Well I never…” Peggy said as she looked at Donna.

*********

“Good Morning Tyler, I hope you slept well” Anna stated as she walked in. Tyler ran out and helped her carry the rest of the paper bagged groceries inside. “I love that you have been here for a few weeks, but I think it is time that you get a job and start helping to earn your keep.” Anna stated. “Mr. Day the owner of the Winn-Dixie, said he would love for you to start bagging groceries starting Monday. He gave me this job application for you to fill out.” Anna said as she handed him the paperwork.

Tyler took the paperwork up to his room and started looking at it. He had not worked in a long time. Not since that night his life changed forever. He closed his eyes but all he could see was the barrel of the pistol looking him dead center in the eye. “SHUT UP OR I WILL BLOW YOUR f*****g BRAINS OUT” were the last words Tyler remembered hearing before he looked up to see the gun face his mother. Before he could turn his head, he heard a loud BOOM, and he was splattered in blood. Tyler, running out of the double wide, running on the hard gravel barefoot…as his father screamed “GET BACK HERE YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF s**t”. Tears started to form in Tyler’s eyes, as he shook it off. Tyler recalled in his mind, had he not worked a shift at the local seafood place that night, maybe he could have stopped his father from killing his mother. With an unsteady hand, Tyler began to fill out the paperwork…as he replayed every detail of that horrific night over and over in his mind.