Pity The Child

Monte bit his lip at that.

"It's ok..." Lennon said, hugging him. "It doesn't hurt like that now."

Monte nodded. "I got the candle once," Monte mumbled lowly.

Lennon hugged him tighter. "...'least it was only once..."

"Hated hearing you cry like that...." said Monte

Lennon nodded. "I know...mama said she'd make sure we don't ever get hurt by them again..."

Monte nodded. "Momma loves us, she'll take care of us."

"I know." Lennon smiled, looking over at Sammy.

"Daddy's happy now," Monte smiled.

"Course he is," Lennon said. "She doesn't hurt us..."

"Or him," said Monte.

"That too." Lennon nodded. "Hated seeing dad sad..."

Monte nodded. "Me too... he wouldn't even talk to uncle Anthony...."

"Not when it was real bad, no..." Lennon sighed.

Monte sighed. "I wonder how much he's told momma about what happened to him."

"Probably not much..." Lennon guessed. "I don't even know if he told uncle Anthony all of it."

"Uncle Anthony could probably guess what he hasn't told him though," said Monte.

"Maybe..." Lennon said, shrugging his shoulders.

"There's some stuff I might never tell though," Monte admitted.

"Like what...?" Lennon asked.

"What I got....instead of the candle," Monte mumbled.

"Oh...right." Lennon said, frowning.

"You won't tell, will you?" asked Monte

Lennon shook his head. "Not if you don't want me to."

Monte shook his head. "Daddy will do something dumb if he finds out."