The man became angrier, running straight toward Ethan like a raging bull. When he sidestepped the man, he shook his head and shrugged, looking at the other men.
“You warned him,” said Patrick.
River, Quinn, and Finnegan watched with interest, knowing that they would learn as much from this encounter as from training with the men.
Talbot was so angry, he was no longer thinking straight. A wise man, a sober wise man, would have known that he was outmanned. Obviously, Talbot was neither wise, nor sober. He danced around Ethan looking for his opportunity and when he charged him once again, his fists raised, Ethan simply took him down with a roundhouse kick to the jaw.
They all heard it. The cracking of bone as the big man fell face down in the dirt. The sheriff knelt to feel for a pulse and Ethan raised his eyebrows.
“Gotta be sure he ain’t dead. That’d be a whole lotta paperwork. You boys help me throw him in the back of the car?” They laughed, nodding at the sheriff as Talbot was taken away.
“We’re gonna keep that boy safe at our place until school is out and then help him get away,” said Christopher. “Does he have anyone? A mother? Grandmother?”
“Not that I know of,” said the sheriff. “Coach? What do you know?”
“I’ve only ever seen his father bring him to school and come to the games. I’ve never once heard him mention a mother.”
There was a reason for that. When they were finally able to see Brian and ensure he was okay, he spoke at length about the abuse he’d endured and about the spot in their backyard where his mother was buried.
His father had beaten her head against the floor, leaving the bloodstained carpet for him to see every day as a warning. Some men are just mean to the core.
“You have any living family, Brian?” asked Patrick.
“No, sir,” he said quietly. He looked at the triplets and smiled at Quinn. “Thanks for stepping in. I’d be dead if it weren’t for you.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” said Quinn.
“What do I do now?” he asked.
“You stay here, finish high school and go to college,” said Ethan.
“Sir, I can’t afford college and my dad will come for me sooner or later,” said the frightened teen.
“Your father will be going to prison, Brian,” said Patrick. “We offer scholarships through a program at the school. I’m certain you qualify.”
“R-really?” he said with tears in his eyes. “I can’t believe it.”
“Are your grades okay?” asked Ham.
“He’s the smartest kid in the class,” smiled Quinn. “Aces every test.”
“Well then, I think you’ll do just fine.”
The boys stayed with Brian until he became tired and finally drifted off to sleep. For the remainder of the school year, he stayed with Chase and Maeve. At first, he was shy, quiet, and almost afraid to move. In time, he learned that this was what life was supposed to be like for him.
In June, Brian testified against his father for the murder of his mother. The evidence was overwhelming. Tank Talbot would be in jail for the rest of his life.
“Thank you, Quinn,” said Brian hugging his friend. “Thank you all.”
“You’re welcome,” smiled Quinn. “I hear you’re going to the University of Michigan, pre-law?”
“Yep. Seems logical, right?” he laughed. He’d grown two inches, put on twenty pounds and looked happy and healthy.
Quinn and his brothers went off to basic and eventually all three were SEALs on the same team. When Quinn came home for his brother’s wedding, he was surprised to see a fit, handsome, Brian Talbot seated at a table at the reception.
“Brian?”
“Quinn,” he smiled. “Nice to see you, man.”
