Chapter 373: 2-2

“There is something else, and while I’m not sure – based on what Chelsea told me she heard from Kieran,” she heard his thoughts, not that I can tell them that, I hope I worded that right, Grant thought taking a moment, “when Kieran accidently bumped into her, he felt as though he were being shocked, almost tasered like – that may be the greater reason of his resistant to being touched.” “I didn’t know for sure of the abuse Gabriel spoke of, but it could be that he was tasered when he sought out touch, so he now believes and truly feels pain when he’s touched. Again I’m not sure without speaking to him to hear his explanation…” Mrs. Ryan lifted her hands to her mouth, her eyes glassy, her neck muscles strained as she swallowed trying to speak, my baby, “so even though he isn’t being tasered now, when we touch him, because he remembers that – he still feels it, without it even being administered to him?” she tested, her voice wavering, her eyes on her hands as she gestured. Grant nodded, “Again I’m not sure I’m only going by hearsay and observation to be honest.” “So they abused him, physically, emotionally, and mentally?” Mr. Ryan asked his anger apparent on his face, his eyes nearly all black, breathing heavily. “Yes, and I’m going to say this and I hope you two understand and truly listen to me, your little boy is gone. I don’t know how hard it is for you to hear such a thing, but whatever memory you have held onto in your head, hoping Kieran will eventually reflect, that will never happen. He doesn’t remember that boy, and he isn’t that boy anymore-” “So he’s dangerous, and you’re letting Oakley near him-” After an impulse snort, Grant was already shaking his head, holding a palm up to Mr. Ryan, while Marlon and Leland sat listening, “The only danger Kieran poses is to him self… He avoid contact because he relates it to pain, he went to that mountain to be alone because he didn’t want to be a problem, he thinks he is to blame, and you letting him go to the mountain only confirmed that thought. You let him go, so to him, he was to blame. He isn’t good enough to be around everyone else, he is ‘bad,’” Grant said his fist clenched on his lap. He leaned forward, “You two keep saying that you are dying to touch him, that it hurts you not to be able to comfort him?” they nodded, their eyes wide and focused on Grant. “Mr. Ryan how many times do you touch your wife in one day?” Mr. Ryan ducked back, his head cocked to the side, “I don’t understand… why does that matter?” “Just humor me,” Grant replied. “Uhm, I mean… it’s – I mean I don’t even think about it – a lot?” he stammered. Grant nodded, “What if I told you that you couldn’t touch your wife?” Mr. Ryan growled, doing the exact opposite, he put his arm around his mate pulling her closer to him. Grant gave him a sardonic smile; “it took you two seconds to do that, put your arm around her, pull her against you. You didn’t even think about that did you?” “For your son, he craves – desires to so much as hold someone’s hand for a second, but he doesn’t feel worthy, he doesn’t want to be rejected, and most of all, he doesn’t want to have it only for him to lose it – like he had you and then lost you.” When Grant rested back, “And I’m not even speaking about the feeling or sensation he gets when he’s touched, that he’s been conditioned to think he feels or truly feels.” Grants words stunned me for a moment, reminding me that I had that same feeling – almost – when I met Chelsea. Wanting her, but afraid of not being enough, then running to Maggie, only to not be satisfied and want what I craved originally. That was just for one moment though, Yeah, that kid feels that all the time, Max thought sadly. “So – what you’re saying is, by letting him isolate himself, all of us increased this – this affliction – this disorder?” Marlon asked, finally speaking, Gabriel we didn’t know, he apologized not even waiting for Grant to confirm his question. “We – we made so – so many mistakes, so many,” Mrs. Ryan said, her lip shaking, “Don’t make more,” Grant said, “Oakley isn’t your enemy, don’t hurt your relationship with Kieran because of jealously,” Mr. Ryan looked up abruptly ready to object but Grant just shook his head. “You’re jealous that some thirteen year old girl was able to hold his hand, touch him, before you, his parents,” he shrugged, “It’s petty and has no place in helping Kieran,” he chided them before standing and leaving the room. . . . Oakley POV When I had hurt myself in Middleburg, I knew Ben would want to see me, I never questioned it, in fact I thought that it took a bit long for them to let him, but I didn’t ask ‘why’ he would want to see me. Now Kieran was asking why his sister would be coming back, “She was here but she went to take a shower, she was here all night worried about you,” I replied when he didn’t respond or take it back. He nodded at me, giving me a small smile that I really liked to see, “Hey,” Tera poked her head in the door, and I waved her in, and noted that Kieran’s smile dropped, then he kept his head down. “How are you feeling Kieran?” she asked him directly, his head snapped to meet her face, watching her, “I’m good,” he whispered looking away as soon as he answered her question. “I’m going to go out and take a swim, Kieran you don’t have to stay down here anymore, but can you please take it easy, relax please?” Chelsea said standing. “Yes – and – and I’m sorry I bumped into you,” my shoulders sagged; it wasn’t his fault it was an accident! I wanted to scream so that he would understand, but I don’t think that would help. “It was an accident Kieran, and I’m happy that you’re feeling better,” Chelsea said calmly leaving Tera, Kieran and I alone in the room. “I’m happy you are okay Kieran,” Tera said the moment Chelsea left, “I’m so happy that someone finally put Connor in his place…” she slowed down when he looked at her confused. “What do you mean? Put him in his place?” he asked and I wanted to know too.