Part One

"Mom! Hey MOM!" Twelve year old Christopher DeSoto ran through the house. "Where are you Mom?"

"Christopher Robin!" Joanne DeSoto gave her son a look. "What have you been told about running in the house?"

"Sorry, Mom." Chris secretly liked it when his mother called him Christopher Robin. His real middle name was Michael, but his mother had dubbed him Christopher Robin when he was a small baby. "Guess what?"

"I give up, what?" Joanne loved her son with all her heart. More and more was the boy looking like his father.

"I made the team!" Chris had been worried that he wasn't big enough to make the Pony Team now that he was too old for Little League.

"That's great! Who's the coach this year?" Jo was an avid baseball fan, and now that her son was playing, she loved it even more.

"Well..." Chris grinned, just like his father. "Uncle Johnny's the Assistant Coach, and since he can't be there for every game or every practice, Mr. Ammons is going to be the head Coach."

"Isn't he from the Middle School?" Jo finished slicing the carrots she had been cutting up for dinner. She then pulled a bag of potatoes out of the cupboard. "Here, wash up and peel these while we talk."

"Sure, Mom." Chris walked up to the sink and washed his hands. He then started peeling potatoes. "He's the Football Coach and Phys. Ed. Teacher at Goddard Middle School."

"Well, that's nice." Together mother and son fixed dinner.

After dinner was eaten and the dishes were done, Chris sat in the living room thinking. "Mom? The first game's on Friday. You think Dad'll come?"

Jo and Roy were separated. Their marriage having fallen apart over the years.

"You know where his schedule is kept." Jo had insisted that even though Roy wasn't living there, his children would always know when he was working.

"Hello?" Roy DeSoto answered his phone.

"Hi, Dad. Guess what?" Chris said.

"Hi, Son. I have no clue." Roy smiled he missed seeing his children on a daily basis, but knowing that his wife had insisted that he stay active in his son and daughter's lives helped dull the ache he felt.

"I made the team! I'll be playing short stop until I'm a little bigger, then I'll probably move out to right field or maybe pitcher." Chris spun in circles as he talked to his father. He rarely stood still these days.

"That's great. Is it the team Johnny's helping out with?" Roy wasn't the sports type, but he didn't hold his children back when they showed both an interest and capability.

"Yeah, Dad. It is. The first game's on Friday. Will you come?" Chris twirled the opposite direction to untangle himself from the phone cord.

"You know I'll be there." Roy assured his son. "I mean, I have to keep an eye on Johnny, make sure he behaves himself."

"Yeah, Uncle Johnny does need adult supervision." Chris giggled.

Roy couldn't help but laugh, "Yup." He sighed, "Well, I need to go now, you have a good night. Tell everyone I love them." Roy hated it when the conversations ended.

"I will. I love you, Dad." Chris said.

"I love you too." Roy hung up the phone and sighed.

"What's wrong?" A voice asked from the kitchen.

"That was Chris. I miss him." Roy sat down at the kitchen table and put his head in his hand. "I know the divorce was necessary, but I miss them."

"I know you do." Strong hands started massaging Roy's aching shoulders. "Come on. Lay down on the floor and I'll give you a proper massage."

"Thanks, Johnny." Roy stood and pulled his shirt over his head. He then walked into the living room.

Johnny laid a blanket out on the floor followed by a sofa pillow. He then opened a door in the end table and pulled out a bottle of almond scented massage oil.

Roy laid down on his stomach and cradled his head and the pillow in his arms. "Be gentle." He whispered.

Part Two

Chris walked slowly up to the truck. It was now the sixth week of the baseball season and he was feeling down. Things had been changing on the team and he wasn't sure what to make of it.

"Why so blue, Christopher Robin?" Johnny had asked after practice.

All Chris could do was shrug his shoulders.

"Well, I hope you're ready to come over to our house this weekend. It's only us guys." Johnny had talked to Jo about letting just Chris come over for a guys night.

"I know. I'm ready. Mom made me pack a bag with clean underwear and my pajamas. Doesn't she know that only babies wear pajamas?" Chris groused.

"Now, that's not entirely true, Chris. Why I've been known to wear pj's on occasion." Johnny tousled the boy's hair. He frowned when he saw his lover's son flinch from the touch.

"Can we go now, Uncle Johnny? I don't want any ice cream." Chris asked. He hoped he didn't sound like he was whining.

"Sure, kiddo." Johnny stood up and led the way to the truck. He was using Roy's Ford today as his was again in the shop.

"When are you getting a new car, Uncle Johnny?" Chris asked.

"Why? Something wrong with the old one?" Johnny knew that would bring a smile to his friend's face.

"Yeah, the driver!" Chris giggled.

Later that night, Johnny and Roy were lying in bed watching television. Johnny had been quiet most of the evening. Chris had been too, for that matter.

"So, you going to tell me what's wrong?" Roy asked.

"What?" Johnny had been miles away lost in thought.

"What's wrong, John?" Roy took Johnny's chin in hand and turned his head. "Tell me."

"Chris." Johnny said. "Something's happened."

"What?" Roy sat up straighter. He turned on the bed side lamp and turned off the TV..

"I'm not really sure. Since I've missed so much practice the last two weeks, and then missing the games...." Johnny trailed off. He had missed several practices due to work and a minor injury. Same thing with the games.

"I know. But what do you think the problem is?" Roy was curious now.

"Not sure. I mean, it's not just Chris, it's the whole team." Johnny had watched as the kids had gone from energetic, rambunctious pre-teens, to sullen boys. They were quiet and their game was effected. They'd lost the last two games badly.

"What kind of problems?" Roy pulled Johnny into his arms. "Talk to me, Johnny."

"It's hard to say. I mean, they've lost the last two games, they don't listen to the Coach. They're making mistakes that they hadn't made in weeks."

Just then they heard a noise. Both men scrambled from the bed and ran down the hall.

"NO! STOP! I WON'T TELL!" Chris was screaming. He was stuck in a powerful nightmare.

"Chris?" Roy sat down on the right side of the boy's bed. "Come on son, wake up."

Johnny went into the bathroom and filled a glass with water. He then wet a wash cloth. Taking both back into the bedroom, he watched from the other side of the bed. He put the glass down and handed the cloth to Roy. "Here."

Chris finally settled down and woke up. "Dad?"

"Hi." Roy handed his son a tissue.

"What are you doing in here?" Chris asked after blowing his nose.

"You were having a nightmare." Roy said as he softly wiped the sweat off Chris's neck. "You need a hair cut."

"DAD?!" Chris and Johnny said at the same time.

"Not funny, guys." Roy turned to Chris. "You remember what the dream was about?"

"No." Chris shook his head. He then yawned. "I'm going to go back to sleep now."

"Okay. Call us if you need anything." Roy stood and pulled the sheet up to cover his son's chest. He then leaned down and kissed his son on the forehead. It didn't escape his notice that Chris flinched.

The two men walked back into their bedroom.

"He's scared, Roy." Johnny whispered. "Really scared."

"Why do you say that?" Roy asked.

"He doesn't want to be touched anymore." Johnny said. He then walked into the bathroom and closed the door.

Part three

The days passed fast, as Chris continued playing ball. His team won the next two games. Johnny had only coached one of the games. The other one, both men had to work.

Chris was sitting in a chair in the day room at Station 51. He had ridden his bike over from his house. He knew he would be in trouble once his father got back to the station, but he had to talk to someone.

Chet Kelly walked into the room. "So, Christopher, how's your game?"

"Okay." Chris sighed. "May I have some more water, please?"

"You know where it is." Chet said. He then sat down on the couch.

Mike Stoker walked up to the boy. "Here you go, Chris." He refilled Chris' glass.

"Thanks, Mike." Chris gave the man a small smile.

"You're most welcome." Mike set about putting together the dinner they were eating that night.

Johnny jumped out of the squad before it could come to a complete stop. He then all but ran for the latrine. "Man, I gotta piss so bad."

"Walk, Johnny." Roy called after his partner then headed into the day room. He stopped in his tracks when he saw his son. "Christopher! What are you doing here?"

"Dad." Chris's face crumbled.

Roy went to the boy. "Hey, it's okay. I'm not mad."

Mike handed the boy some paper towel.

"Come on, Chris. Let's go in the bunk room and get you settled down." Roy led the boy into the bunk room.

"What's wrong?" Johnny asked as he came out of the locker room and saw Chris and Roy heading towards him.

Chet Kelly smiled. "Hey Gage. You get kicked out?"

"Up yours, Kelly" Johnny said as he plopped down in the chair closest to the television. "Just leave me alone."

"What's the matter, Johnny?" Marco Lopez asked.

"Nothing." Johnny said. He then started sulking.

Mike and Marco finished working on dinner while Chet read the paper and Johnny sulked.

In the bunkroom, Roy sat and talked to Chris.

"What's the matter? You know you can tell me anything, Chris." Roy waited for his son to pull himself back together.

"Something's bothering you, Chris. Please, talk to me." Roy was really beginning to worry.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I didn't mean to cry." Chris again blew his nose. He then looked around the room. "I guess, uhm, I guess I'm in trouble, huh?"

"No, Son. You're not in trouble. Does Mom know you're here?" Roy spoke in his usual quiet manner.

"No, Sir." Chris hung his head. "Guess I better call her." He stood and headed for the door.

"Use the phone over by Cap's bunk, Chris. Make it quick though, then we'll see about throwing your bike on the squad and giving you a ride home."

Part Four

Jo sat in the bright kitchen. She hadn't been to Johnny's house in a long time and was amazed at what he'd done to the place. "I like the way this looks."

"Thanks, I grew up in small, stuffy houses, so when I bought this place, I knew the first thing I would have to do is open it up." Johnny set down the tray with three glasses and a pitcher of Lemonade.

"Thank you, Johnny." Jo said as she took the glass he'd filled.

Roy sat on the other side of the rectangular table and watched his lover and ex-wife interact. "Is Chris still having nightmares?"

"Yes, Roy. He also wants to change schools." Jo was really concerned about her eldest child. "Jennifer isn't even talking to him. All he does is sulk and snap."

"Will he talk to you?" Johnny asked.

"No, he won't. I'm really scared, Roy. I don't know what to do." Jo sighed.

Johnny sat there thinking. He came to a decision. It was time to step in. There were only two more weeks left in the baseball season, then the next week school would be starting. He had to do something.

"Jo, may I ask you something?" Johnny toyed with his glass.

"Sure, Johnny." Jo watched. She saw a look come into the dark eyes of one she considered to be one of her best friends.

"Does Chris, uh, does he flinch or pull away when you touch him? Or when Jenn touches him?" Johnny crossed his fingers.

"You know, now that you mention it.." Jo looked from Johnny to Roy then down at her glass. "I can't get near him. He doesn't want to be touched. He also takes at least three showers a day."

"When he has the nightmares, and he wakes up; are you holding him?" Johnny's heart began to sink.

"Once he wakes up, yes." Jo's heart began beating fast. "Do you know what the problem is, Johnny?"

"I think so. I'm...uhm, I'm going to tell you two something that I've never told anyone else." Johnny squirmed in his seat.

Roy reached across the table and put his hand on top of Johnny's. "Take it slow. We're here for you." Roy knew enough about his partner, friend and lover to know when Johnny needed support.

"When I was about Chris's age, I played baseball. My dad wasn't around much as he went where the jobs were. It was mostly Mom, me and my little brother." Johnny sipped his drink. "Anyway, the coach, Mr. Benton, he took a liking to me. Gave me attention that I'd never had before, at least that I could remember."

Roy had a feeling he knew where this story was leading. He stood and walked around the table. Standing behind Johnny, he put his hands on the younger man's shoulders. "Go on." He softly urged.

Jo watched the two interact. She'd seen them go from being friends to being closer over the years, but she'd never seen Roy act like this.

"Benton used to take me home after practice or games. He seemed to know when my dad wasn't there. One day, I guess it was after the third game, he took me to his house. He said that since I was the MVP of that game and that we'd won, then he wanted to treat me to a special treat." Johnny's voice got softer.

Jo took one of Johnny's hands and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"He, uh, he did things to me that confused me. Not to mention hurt me. I mean, it was vile, what that man did to me. I was twelve years old! He took my innocence that summer." Johnny found himself being held by two of his best friends while he cried out his grief.

"Did you ever tell your parents?" Jo asked after Johnny had calmed down.

"Not right away. I became like Chris is now, sullen, withdrawn. No one could touch me. I even picked fights with team mates and my brother. I even picked a fight with my Dad one time he was home. He didn't bite, instead he took me out to the shed and sat me down. We talked for a long time. I finally told him what was happening. Boy, did Pop get mad." Johnny giggled at this.

"What happened to Benton?" Roy asked.

"Before or after my dad got through with him?" Johnny again giggled. He wiped his eyes with his right arm then took a sip of his drink. "Pop went to the town council, the people who hired that man to coach my team. They asked a lot of questions and Pop answered them. They then called in some of the other boys on the team, some of them were really scared, Roy, Jo, they wouldn't talk because of what Benton told them. He told me that he would kill my little brother and my mother if I told anyone."

"What did the other kids say?" Jo asked.

"There were only four others who were abused." Johnny had a hard time saying that last word. "Two of them wouldn't talk, the other two came to the council with their parents and told basically the same thing Pop had said. The council then held a closed door meeting."

"Were you living on the reservation then?" Roy asked.

"No, we were living in a small town just outside of the reservation. After what happened though, Pop packed us up lock, stock, and Woody and moved onto the Res. I changed schools and everything. That was some of the worst times of my life, but what could we do? Pop worked in construction and moved from job to job. Most times, he stayed in the area so he was home on weekends, and in the winter, he was home more often than not because the jobs were scarce in the winter. When I turned sixteen, we moved one last time, this time to California." Johnny sat back in his chair. "Benton was fired, and arrested. He went to jail for twenty-two months. That was the maximum they could put him away for. When he got out, I saw him walking down the street in town. I got so scared, I hid."

"Oh, Johnny." Jo stood and took Johnny into her arms. "I am so, so sorry you had to go through all that."

Christopher had been sitting on the deck listening to his parents and Uncle Johnny talk. He thought about what he'd just heard. Pulling himself together, Chris headed into the house.

Johnny walked out of the bathroom that was off the kitchen when Chris came in the door. "Hey, Tiger."

"Hi Uncle Johnny. Can I talk to you? Man to man?" Chris looked the man in the eyes.

"Sure, Kiddo. Uh, do you want to go out to the barn?" Johnny put his hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Yeah, can we?" Chris seemed to relax at that thought.

"Sure, let me go get us some drinks then we'll go out there and talk." Johnny walked into the kitchen and filled two glasses with lemonade. "We're going to go talk." He told Roy and Jo.

Roy and Jo watched their friend walk out to the barn with Christopher.

"I hope he helps." Jo said.

Part Five

Chris sat on the ground and pulled his knees up. He wrapped his arms around them and put his head down.

Johnny sat crossed leg across from the boy. "Whatever you want to tell me, Christopher Robin, I promise, I won't tell another soul."

"Is it true?" Chris looked up.

"Is what true, Chris?" Johnny asked.

"What you were telling Mom and Dad?" Chris grabbed his legs tighter.

"Yes, Chris. Mr. Benton molested me when I was your age." Johnny opened his arms letting Chris know he could come to him.

"OH, Uncle Johnny. He hurt me so bad." Chris fell into Johnny's arms sobbing.

"Shh, I know, Buddy. I know." Johnny rocked the boy in his arms. He felt tears running down his face as he cried along with the young man.

"What I can't understand is why? Why did he do that to me?" Chris sniffed and ran his arm across his face. "And why did I let him?"

"Chris, I can't tell you why he did this awful thing to you. I can tell you why you feel you let him. You're growing up. You feel you should have been able to stop him. Trust me when I say, this is in no way your fault. You had no control over the situation, until now that is. By telling me, you've given yourself the power to fight the man. Since I'm part of the coaching staff, I'll be able to take action." Johnny helped the boy sit back. "Now, are you ready to tell your parents what you told me?"

"Yes, Sir." Chris stood and ran his hands over his face. "Thank you, Uncle Johnny."

Four weeks later

"MOM! Hey Mom! Where are you?" Christopher DeSoto ran into his house full of excitement.

"Now, Christopher Robin, what has you all happy?" Jo laughed at the sight. She would never again scold her son for calling for her.

"I made the football team!" He jumped up and down. "I can't believe it! I made first string of the Goddard Commanders Middle School Football Team!" Chris was so happy.

"I am so proud of you, Sweetheart. So very proud." Jo smiled.

"They fired Coach Ammons, Mom. He lost his job with the school district after what happened last week." Chris spoke softly. He was beginning to look and sound more and more like his father.

"I know, Chris." Jo sighed.

Coach Stephen Ammons had been arrested and charged with fifteen counts of Child Molestation two weeks after Chris had told his parents and Uncle Johnny what had been happening. All in all, fourteen other boys ranging from age eleven to 19 came forward and told the judge and jury their stories. Chris was the last one on the stand. He was brave, like his Uncle Johnny had been almost twenty years earlier.

After the trial and sentence, Ammons was sent to Chino for Psychiatric evaluation, then placement into the California Penal System.