“Why the heck you like spending so much time in the kitchen Billy?” Eric asked his brother.

“I just like cooking is all. It’s fun to me.” Billy replied.

The Blossoming of Billy
Part 6
By AshleyTS

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“Why the heck you like spending so much time in the kitchen Billy?” Eric asked his brother.

“I just like cooking is all. It’s fun to me.” Billy replied.

It had been a month since Billy first became interested in spending time with his mother in the kitchen. Barely a day went by without Billy helping his mother with dinner. The two had become very close and developed a great relationship with each other.

“Well it seems like a pretty sissy thing to do bro. You need to spend more time outside doing physical stuff big time. I mean look at you. You’re weak bro. Dad is going to be pissed when he finds out that you can’t even do 10 push ups now.”

“You’re not going to tell him are you?” Billy replied in a panic.

“No, I’m not gonna but you need to stop this weird freaking behavior.”

“I’ll think about it ok? I’m just trying to spend more time with mom too.”

“Gotcha. Suck it up and stop being such a wuss. Come on.” Eric stated as he joined his friends outside. Billy felt he had little choice and went outside to join in the action. The game: Tag Football.

Billy joined the group of neighborhood boys including his buddy Adam. He felt a little out of place since he didn’t have his strength back and was hoping he could rely on his speed to get him through the game.

Everything was going well although maybe a bit rough. “Tag” was just a starting point for the rowdy boys and it soon became tackle football. The ball was hiked and Billy received the pass. Crap! He kicked his stride into overdrive and ran as hard as he could. What the heck? Three boys were gaining on him at a very fast pace. He used to be the quickest kid on the block and now he was moving in slow motion.

“Move your ass Billy!” his brother yelled.

Slam! Suddenly he was barreled over by one of the boys. He fell hard onto the grassy field. Billy was stunned. It felt like he was hit by a Mac truck. He was used to being tougher than this. He gasped for air as the wind had been knocked out of him.

“You ok Billy?” Adam asked.

“Yes…that…really…hurt” he replied gasping for air.

“Come on bro, brush yourself off and get back in the game!” Eric yelled from across the way.

“Just relax for a minute if you need to. Don’t let your brother bother you.” Adam stated. Billy caught his breath but noticed that his elbows had been scuffed enough to bleed. He felt embarrassed that everyone’s eyes were on him as they not so patiently waited for him to suck it up and continue the game. It was then that something happened. Something stirred inside of Billy. It progressively built as the teasing continued.

“Dude, do you want me to call my sister to fill your spot?”

“Are we going to play or what? I thought your brother was tougher than that?”

“Hey Billy, are you ok? You doing alright?” Adam asked with concern at the teasing.

All that was building inside of Billy welled up until he could take no more. He bit his lip and tried to contain his emotions but they were too strong and it was way too late. His lower lip began to frown and quiver as the boys around him grew more impatient. Billy looked around, then suddenly, tears began forming in his eyes. He wiped them quickly, but it was beyond control.

“Damn Eric, your brother is crying man!”

“Oh hell no! I thought we only invited men to play?”

“My sister is home if you want to go play house or dolls.” As the teasing continued the tears flowed more and more. He became a complete mess and had no way to control his emotions so he did the first thing that came to mind. He ran!

No one bothered to follow him. He knew that they must have had a great laugh at his expense.

What happened?!?

His lack of speed was somewhat surprising but understandable since his strength had yet to return. That tackle did hurt like crazy but what was up with the crying? He had always been very much in control of his emotions. His dad instilled in them that showing emotion is a sign of weakness so why was he so helpless to his all of a sudden?

He composed himself and headed into the house.

“Did you have fun outside Billy?” his mom asked.

“Yeah mom, I just got bored so I decided to come in for a while.”

“Okay…oh my, what happened to your shirt?” she asked noticing the grass stains on the side.

“It’s nothing mom, I slipped out there on the wet grass.”

“Sweetie, your elbows…oh honey, they are all scraped up. Are you ok?” she asked.

The look on her face and the worry in her voice was all it took to trip Billy’s tear ducts. That barrier he had to protect his emotions from the outside world seemed non-existent.His eyes welled up with tears without notice.

“Oh baby, come here.” His mom sympathetically said as she gave him a big hug. She was stunned at how emotional her son was. It was so unlike any of her boys.

“I…got…hit…hard…and…every…one…made…fun…of…me” Billy sobbed.

“Those mean boys! That’s just how they are. It’s ok because I’m here for you now.”

“Thanks mom.”

“Can we get you cleaned up?”

“OK”

His mom treated his scrapes and got him all bandaged up. He felt way better after that. She made him feel like everything was going to be ok.

“Much better! So how about forgetting about those silly boys and come help me out with dinner?”

“I’d like that mom.”

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To Be Continued...