"Woooah! Its shiny!"

"I know. I thought it was cool. Maybe its from space or something, like a piece of star!"

"Mom!!!! Look Mitchy got me a space rock for my birthday!" 

"Wow! That's really neat, honey! Did you tell him thank you."

"Yeah, yeah. Can he stay for dinner? Please? Please please please!"

"As long as it's ok with his parents, it's fine."

"It is! C'mon, we can go jump on the new trampoline I got."

"Be careful, boys!!!"

"We willlllllll" They chorused together as Scott grabbed his hand and drug him out the back door, his mother shaking her head as she watched, glad he'd adjusted so well to this new town. It had only been a couple of months but the boys were already inseparable.

Mitch was awfully quiet for a 5 year old, but Scott was slowly beginning to bring the adorable boy out of his shell.

She just knew the two would end up the best of friends.

___

"Mom?" 

"Yes, dear?"

"Can we make a cake?" 

"I really don't think you need anymore sugar." She laughed a bit.

"It's not for me." He looked sad as he shifted back and forth. "Mitch said he's never gotten a cake for his birthday."

"Is he allowed to eat cake? He may be allergic, baby."

"But he ate cake at Lindsay's party?"

She thought back to her daughter's party not long before. Mitch had filled up his plate with cake and ice cream and ended up the cutest little chocolate covered mess. They'd giggled the entire time she was cleaning him up.

"I'll talk to his mom and we will see what we can do, ok?" 

He nodded and gave her a quick hug before running outside, more than likely headed next door to get his best friend. She made sure the curtains covering the glass door were open so she could see them and searched for Mitch's parent's phone number.

--

"Happy Birthday to you......" They finished singing and she set the messy cake in front of the tiny boy.  She'd let Scott decorate it which meant very messy cake/ kitchen/ boy, but he'd been so excited she couldn't bring herself to make him stop.  Mitch's grin was huge and his eyes were lit up by the 6 candles in his cake.   

"Make a wish Mitchy!" Scott was practically bouncing on his toes as he waited for his friend to blow out his candles. 

Mitch scrunched his eyes shut tight, wishing as hard as he could before opening his eyes and blowing out the candles. Everyone clapped and she had honestly never seen him look happier.

"Can he open presents yet, dad?" Scott turned to his father who laughed and nodded. 

Scott disappeared and quickly returned with the giant bag full of gifts.  She'd let Scott pick out three and the girls each got to pick out something as well. She knew his family was having a bit of money trouble, and Mitch was such a good kid she just couldn't help herself when she'd gone a little bit overboard.

He looked so confused when Scott began to pile the presents on the table next to the cake. 

"Open this one first!" Lindsay hopped up and grabbed the one she'd wrapped for him and put it in his hands.

"These are... for me?"

"Of course they are silly, it's YOUR birthday." She rolled her eyes with a laugh. "Now open it! I picked it out." She danced from foot to foot as she watched him carefully, meticulously open the paper and his eyes were so big and bright, his smile practically splitting his face.  It was only markers and a few coloring books but he acted as if she'd bought him a playstation. 

"Look, Mitchy, there's glitter in the markers!" Lindsay pointed and he all but tackled the girl in a tight hug. 

Connie had to turn away for a moment to blink away the tears.  She caught her husbands eyes and they shared a moment, both of them clearly grateful for the things they had ... and that they could provide their children.

"It's AWESOME! I love it so much!" Mitch still hadn't moved on from his glitter markers, but the kids were too excited and were shoving gifts at him left and right.  

It didn't matter the mess she'd had to clean up or how much money she'd spent, all of the giggles and all of that laughter and happiness was completely worth it.

When she passed Scott's room later that night to check on the boys and their sleepover, she couldn't help but eavesdrop just a little.

 ..

"Happy Birthday, Mitchie." 

"This was the best birthday ever."

"Good. You're the bestest friend ever and you should be happy on your birthday."

Mitch giggled. "I am really, really happy. Best friends forever?" 

"Forever."

----

"Scott Richard Hoying, what were you THINKING?" She still hadn't calmed down the entire ride back from the school. Her son... FIGHTING. 

"They were making fun of Mitch. He was crying!"

"That's not an excuse to push anyone." 

"I hate them! They're always mean to him! It's stupid."

"You know we don't say that word-" 

"I had to do something!"

"You should have gotten a teacher. You know better. I will not tolerate fighting." 

"I didn't hit him! I just pushed him down."

"It is still fighting and it is still wrong!. No computer privileges and no friends over for a week!" 

"BUT-"

"No. Go to your room!"

"Mooooooooommmmm" 

"NOW"

His shoulders slumped and he ran off to his room.

Later when Mitch knocked on the back glass door he did so with an apology at the ready.  He was so upset that Scott got in trouble for him that he tried to bargain to get him out of it.

Those sad, tear filled brown eyes melted her heart as they had a tendency to do and she took Scott's punishment down to two days, but only when it came to Mitch. Still no computer and no other friends.

Just Mitch.

__

When she walked in the door she was a bit surprised to see all three kids with construction paper spread all around the table and crayons and markers and scissors being passed around.

"I thought Valentines Day was last week." She chuckled a bit remembering the look on Mitch's face when Lauren had given him a valentine and placed a kiss right on his lips. Scott had been quite possessive claiming that Mitch was his valentine.  That had sparked the whole 'but you're a boy' conversation which had been awkward for all of them but they'd made it through it.

"We're making get well cards for Mitch." Lindsay looked up at her. 

Her heart sank. "Mitch is sick?" 

"He wasn't at school today so I went to see him on the way home. His face was all purple because he fell down the stairs.  He was really sad, but he said his parents would be home soon so." He shrugged.

She had to clench her fists to keep her emotions in check. She couldn't keep being quiet about this. Something had to change.

------

"We have to call someone."

"Maybe we should talk to him first. Maybe we're overreacting." Richard tried to reason.

"You and I both know that child is being neglected... and worse. When I pack Scott's lunches I pack enough food for two because I know its the only way he's going to eat. He's here almost every night for dinner. Have you noticed the only clothes he wears are the ones that WE bought him." 

"Maybe he just likes them."

"Richard he wore the same shirt three days in a row."

"Kids are weird that way."

"You and I both know he didn't just fall down the stairs." She covered her mouth, full on crying at the thought. 

He sighed, knowing she was right. He hated when Scott somehow managed to get the boys in trouble and he had to raise his voice. He'd never seen a kid as submissive as Mitch and it had always bothered him the way he immediately slumped down, eyes on the ground and head hung.  He tried to dismiss the signs, hoping against hope that he was wrong.  His parents had seemed like nice people the couple of times he'd spoken to them, but he'd heard the rumours about his father turning to alcohol after losing his job..

But Mitch was so small, always polite and so sweet and thankful for every little thing. He'd become like another son and the thought of someone hurting him... 

"Scott will never forgive us if they take him away. None of them will." 

"If I do nothing and something happens to that boy I will never forgive myself."

"Alright. We'll call."

---

They did call, but somehow Mitch was still living there, still showing up with random bruises, still the same meek little boy who'd stolen all of their hearts.

The kids were all in the rec room playing when she started going through the kids book bags. She liked to buy them new books randomly and put them in their bags as a surprise with a sweet little note inside.  She always did the same for Mitch and the hugs she always got the next time she saw him were always extra tight.

As she slipped his new book inside the bookbag that she had gotten him at the beginning of the school year, she found a folded up piece of drawing paper. 

What she saw made her feel like someone had smashed her heart with a hammer.  It was a really good drawing, as good as a 7 year old can do with glitter markers (still his favorite). It was a picture of her and Richard and the kids ... and Mitch.  Scott and Mitch were holding hands and underneath in neat handwriting it said "my family"

She knew she shouldn't, but she took the drawing, unable to stop herself. She'd never felt more helpless in her life, but she had to do something.   

She had to.

---

"Sweetheart, can I borrow Mitch for a couple of minutes?" 

Scott looked up at her in confusion but Mitch just shrugged when he looked at him and got up and took her hand.  He always did that, like it made him feel safer holding someone's hand.

"Want me to pause?" He looked at the video game and hit the start button to pause it.

"It's ok. I can watch more when we're done."

"Alright." He turned back to the game letting his mom lead Mitch away. 

She led him to the dining room and sat him down at the table.  

"Am I in trouble?" He whispered.

"No, sweetie. I just need to talk to you about something very serious. I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but these are things I have to ask."

He looked almost afraid, but he nodded and looked down to stare at the floor.

"You didn't really fall off the monkey bars at the park did you." His arm wasn't broken, but it had swollen up quite a bit. A teacher had seen it and sent him to the school nurse. He'd then told her that  he'd gone to the park by himself and fallen from the monkeybars onto his arm.   They all knew better.

He didn't answer just stared at the ground.

"It's ok to tell the truth, honey. I won't be mad or yell or any of that. I promise." 

He looked up, lips pouting ever so slightly as he pushed back tears. He shook his head no as he looked into her eyes and she felt her heart sink at the confirmation.

"Can you tell me what really happened?"

He looked down again immediately, closing off. 

"Was it your mom?"

He shook his head, face still downturned.  She watched the tear fall from his face to the floor and her heart broke. 

"Was it your dad?" 

He tensed and he turned terrified eyes up to her, full of tears. "It was my fault. I wanted to see Scott and he told me I couldn't go. I shouldn't have cried."  He wiped at his eyes frantically.

"Why did you tell the nurse you fell off the monkey bars?"

"Mama told me to say that or he would get mad again."

She had to take a deep breath to keep herself together.  "Can I give you a hug?!"  She didn't know what else to say and all she wanted to do was hold the delicate child close and comfort him.  He hopped up and ran into her arms and it took every bit of self control she had to keep herself from sobbing.  "I'm going to help you, I swear. I'm going to do everything I can to protect you ok?" He just squeezed her tighter.

 "I love you." 

And those words...    they tumbled all of the self control she had inside and she kissed the top of his head. "I love you too, Mitchy."

___

She'd called again and again and there was another scheduled visitation which they notified Mitch's family of.  She hadn't seen him in a couple of days and to say she was worried was an understatement. 

Finally she heard the little knock on the back door and knew exactly who it belonged to. 

Scott beat her to the door and she heard the tiny giggle as he all but tackled Mitch in a hug. "Where were you?"

"I wasn't feeling very good, but I feel better now. Do you think your mom would mind if I stay here tonight? My mom said it was ok to ask." 

"You never have to ask Mitchy. You're always welcome here."

He smiled up at her and she felt a bit more at ease now that he was where she could keep him safe.

She made it into a bit of a family fun Friday night. They all went shopping and bought some movies to watch and some snacks. They ordered pizza for dinner and played a few board games before they all curled up around the living room to watch Finding Nemo, the movie Mitch had chosen. Scott and Mitch shared their popcorn in the corner of the oversized couch underneath the big blanket Scott had stolen from his dad. The dogs were cuddled close to the girls and she and Richard let themselves relax for just one night.

----

"Mitchy?"

"Yeah?" 

"I wish you could live here with me." 

He was quiet for a minute before looking at Scott. "Me too."

"Y'know... I think I want to be an actor in movies when I grow up." 

"No." He giggled. "You're going to be a singer." 

"You're going to be a singer.  I'm going to be a movie star."

Mitch held his stomach as he laughed. "No, no. You're going to be a singer and you're going to be super famous and have lots of money and cars."

Scott laughed. "You are too. You are going to be on tv one day." 

"Maybe." He laughed. "Hey, Scott?"

"Yeah?" 

"Can we go camping in the backyard again soon? The telescope is my favorite."

"Dad likes when we do boy things and camp and stuff. Lindsay says he's a science nerd."

"Well, I like when he camps with us. He's funny."

"He's alright."

"He's the best dad ever." 

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

 "I'm always right." 

"Nuh uh." 

He reached over to tickle his best friend and they both rolled around laughing.

----

She knew exactly what it was the moment it broke the silence and she shot up out of bed. Richard was doing the same beside her. The sound went off again and again and fear gripped her heart. 

Then... silence.

"Go get the kids and stay together. Call the police. I'll be right back." 

"Richard, no!"

"He's like my own son. I'm not leaving him there." There were tears in both of their eyes as they kissed and she went to gather her children ...     and pray.

----

So many flashing lights, officers, questions.  Fear had gotten the best of her and she'd made the children stay inside as she came to check on the small boy who she loved so much. The reality was still setting in and she wasn't sure what to do next.  Richard was still holding her tight as they cried it out together. That's how they missed their son running past them and into the neighbor's open front door. He didn't get far, but she knew it was him the moment he screamed his best friend's name. A police officer carried him kicking and screaming from the crime scene and her heart broke even more.  Richard took his son and he had to physically hold him tight, restraining his limbs as he fought to get back to his friend.

"Scott, honey you have to calm down ok. You have to stop." She tried to keep her voice even despite the fact that she wanted to do the same thing he was doing. 

"He's hurt! I need to help him! I saw blood!!! DAD HELP HIM" He cried/screamed still trying to free himself from his father's arms.

"Honey we can't help him, now." 

"MITCHHHHHHYYYYY" He cried out for him as if he could hear him and come running like he always had.

But Mitch wasn't coming back.   

Her littlest angel was gone.

----

It had been a month since the funeral.  So many people showed up to pay their respects to a boy they had ignored in life.  It had been so hard on all of the kids, but particularly Scott.  He rarely left his room, and only did if she made him. He remained quiet, despondent and she knew it wasn't going to change any time soon. The girls would burst out crying if they saw anything that reminded them of the friend they'd lost who had been more like a brother to them. Dinners were quiet, somber, but the world kept turning and they kept on living. 

Lindsay's birthday came and she said she didn't want to have a birthday party, she was still too sad.  They still did a little party with just them, but they were only able to forget for a little while and the moment they brought out the store bought cake Scott had ran off to his room, locking himself in.

----

They piled out of the car the morning of July 24th with heavy hearts. They each went one by one, having their own private conversations with their lost boy. Scott asked to go last and it was hard for the adults to hold it together for their kids, but they somehow managed. They would come back later when they could really say and feel the ways they wanted to.

----

He walked up slowly, careful not to step on the area Mitch would be beneath. He could see the birthday gifts his family had left behind - the flashlight from his dad so he wouldn't be afraid of the dark,  the two little cat figurines from Lauren, the glitter markers and paper from Lindsay, and the book from his mom.

He carefully carried the cupcake with the lit candle and set it at the base of the concrete angel and sang Happy Birthday softly.

"So, I was going to get you a telescope so you could see the stars, but then I realized you don't need a telescope anymore since you're up there with them."

He paused and looked at Mitch's name carved in stone. "So I talked to dad and he got me a new telescope, a really good one so we can try and see you." He stopped to think about what he wanted to say.

"I know you wanted to go to the museum on your birthday, but we're still going for you. I'll bring you back a dinosaur or something really cool, mom promised. I still wish you could come, though.

He stared at the angel's face for a minute or so in silence.  "I really miss you, Mitchy."

A small breeze suddenly broke the stillness and blew out the candle and he couldn't help but smile.  "I know."

---

He sat with his son outside, the sky clear and stars bright up above. The new telescope had been a pretty penny, but it was worth every cent. Scott had been quiet as he looked around the sky, asking questions every now and then.

"Hey dad?"

"Yeah, son?" 

"Which one do you think is Mitch?"

He was glad Scott wasn't looking as he nearly lost every bit of composure he had, his heart aching for the tiny boy who should have been right there by Scott's side.  He couldn't help the tears that fell from his eyes.  "The brightest one, son. Look for the brightest one."

~*Through the wind and the rain she stands hard as a stone in a world that she can't rise above. But her dreams give her wings and she flies to a place where she's loved...     Concrete angel*~