Alex's POV
After we got done eating, I head upstairs without Brian noticing.

I'm on the floor with my stuff animals-which I missed very much when Brian walks in, and sits next to me.

"Alex, I wanna talk to you bud."
Brian says.

I just look at him.

"Alex, do you want new clothes? Those are worn down pretty good."
Brian says.

I nod slowly.

"Ok. You tell me what happened, and you can have the clothes, bud."
Brian says.

'What is this Brian!'
I think.

He grabs a comb, picks me up, and caries me over too the bed where he sits me on his lap.

"So, Alex. I don't wanna ask you this, but you know I have to. And I'll so get the yell card from Keith if I don't, so......
Brian says.

I look at Brian with saddened eyes, and starts to cry as I leaned my head into his chest.

I closed my eyes.

Brian stopped, and let both of his arms fall on the floor beside him-adjacent too his knees. He looks up at the ceiling before looking at me.
He strokes my hair, and attempts to get answers.

"Alex, you have to tell me so we can make it all better. I'm sorry we had too send you back there, we had no choice. I'm sorry.
Brian says.

"H-he, he came for me, and hurt me."
I stuttered to Brian.

"Who, Alex. What did he do?"

I'm quite.

"Did Frank hurt you?"
He says.

I shake my head yes.

"What did he do?"
Brian asked.

"He-he hit me."
I say crying.

"Ok, keep going baby. What else happened?"

"He grabbed me, and his nails were digging into my skin."
I say.

Brian makes a face.
He's probably imagining the pain.

"Alex, what else? Your doing good. Keep telling Brian what happened."

"He hit me."

"Yes, I believe you all really told me that bud. W-what happened when you were at the orphanage? Did they hit you there?"
Brian asked.

I shake my head yes.

"Do you know why he hit you?"

"I-I, I wet the bed."
I say backing away from Brian.

Brian sighs.

"Baby, I'm not going to hit you. I promise, your my son-and I love you. You will never give me a reason to hit you."
Says Brian.

I nod once with my head down. Brian strokes my hair softly.

"Did Frank hit you then?"
Asked Brian.

I shake my head 'no'-lying too Brian.

"Did your old daddy come for you?"
Brian asked.

I nod.

"What did Jeff do-did he hit you too?"

I don't say anything.
I just can't find the words.

"Alex, I figured asking questions would be better than you just telling me everything that happened, but obviously not."

I stare at the ground. I can't look into Brian's eyes, I don't wanna see the anger.

"Bud, I'm not mad at you. You have never, ever given me a reason to be mad at you. I love you Alex, I'd never hurt you, or yell at you. I promise."
Brian says a bit louder.

(Brian, are you reading Alex's mind!?)

"So Frank, hit you?"

I nod.

"Ok. I just wanna make sure I'm gonna yell at the right person!"
Brian sighs.

"Son, come here."
Brian says.

I walk over to him, and he holds out his harms as he picks me up, and hugs me.

"I'm so, so sorry this happened bud."
Brian whispers to me.

Brian brushed the hair out of my eyes, and carried me into his room.
He gets up, and heads to my dresser.
He pulls out a frilled white dress-shirt from the top drawer, then black pants from the bottom drawer. He grabbed my boots, new black socks, my jacket, and scarf that I usually wear.

"Get dressed buddy, if you need any help, I'll be just outside of your door."

I nod, as Brian shuts the door on his way out. I try to get dressed into my new clothes-the same clothes I wore at my party, but am having difficulties.

"Daddy, I need help."
I say as Brian comes in.

Brian helps me with the shirt, and jacket, but can't believe what he just saw.

Only Patti had ever seen them. Brian was horrified!

I saw a tear roll down his left cheek.
Brian helped me get dressed in silence.

I knew something was wrong.🏴