"Kidnapped"
By: Ofelia Reveles
Email address: juanarev@arn.net
All Disclaimers Apply!
Special thanks to Betty for editing my story.
Challenge # 81: Steve ends up missing for several days. Why?--
Betty
Summary: A distraught man lures Steve away from his parents.
Rated: PG
**********
The man sat in his car, a few houses down watching Steve play
kickball. He would have to find the right opportunity grab him
but also he had be careful not to be spotted.
**********
Little Steve was playing kickball outside. He would kick the ball
and then he would chase it down and kick it again. Steve then
kicked the ball real hard and it rolled into the street. He ran
to the edge of the yard and was about to go into the street when
his mother hollered at him.
"Steven Sloan don't you dare go into that street. Come here
at once, young man."
"But mommy, my ball. I want my ball," Steve whined.
"I said come here to me, right now," she scolded.
Steve began to cry but he slowly walked to his mother.
"How many times have I told you not to go into the
street," she said very sternly. "Now you are going to
stay in the house." Katherine grabbed his hand and marched
him inside the house.
"But mommy, I want my ball and I want to play outside,"
Steve cried as he was being marched into the house.
**********
The man was watching from his car as Steve was being led into the
house. He was disgusted on how Katherine was treating Steve.
After the man saw that they were inside the house, he still
continued to watch the house and for the right opportunity.
**********
"I will go get your ball but you are not going outside until
you learn to stay out of the street," she answered sternly.
"But mommy that's not fair. I want to play outside,"
Steve cried and he ran to the door. "Please mommy?"
"I said no," answered his mother. "I told you I
will go get your ball but you are staying inside the house."
Just then the phone rang. "You stay right here, young man,
we are not finished with this talk," and she went to answer
the phone.
When his mother turned around, Steve walked slowly and quietly
out the door to get his ball. Katherine didn't notice that Steve
had walked out the door.
"Hello honey," answered Mark when Katherine answered
the phone.
"Hi honey," answered Katherine with a big heavy sigh.
"What's wrong honey?" asked Mark with concern.
"Oh it has been one of those days," Katherine answered.
"Steve has been a little terror today. And just now I caught
him going into the street to get his ball."
"Let me talk to him," said Mark. "Maybe I can get
him to settle down."
"Okay honey," Katherine answered. She turned around to
talk to Steve but he was gone. "Just a minute Mark, Steve
has gone outside to get his ball. I'll be right back."
**********
The man had seen Steve come back out and go for his ball.
"This is it," he thought to himself as he was about to
get out of the car.
**********
Katherine walked to the door and saw that Steve had gotten his
ball and was playing kickball again. She marched right over to
him and took the ball right out of his hands.
"Didn't I tell you, you were going to have to stay inside
the house," Katherine scolded him. "Now your daddy
wants to talk to you and then young man you are going straight to
your room until you are ready to listen to mommy," and she
marched Steve back into the house.
"No mommy," cried Steve as his mother marched him back
into the house.
**********
The man had stopped when he saw Katherine marching over to Steve
and then became very angry on what he had witnessed.
**********
"Mark, I'm sorry it took so long," said Katherine.
"Here's Steve," and she handed the phone out to Steve.
"No, I don't want to talk to daddy," cried Steve.
"I want to go outside," and he ran to the door.
"Mark, Steve is not going to come to the phone. In fact I
think Steve is headed straight to his room for a talk and a
nap," Katherine said staring straight at Steve.
"Okay honey," said Mark. "Good luck. I will see
you when I get off work, which should be in a few hours. I love,
honey."
"I love you too honey," answered Katherine. She hung up
the phone and turned her attention to Steve.
"Now young man, we are going to your room for a talk and a
nap," said his mother as she picked him up.
"No, I want to go outside," cried Steve and he began
kicking and screaming.
But Katherine held him tightly until they reached his room and
closed the door behind them. Katherine sat down on the bed with
Steve on her lap.
"Now I want you to tell mommy why you went outside and into
the street after mommy told you not to?"
"I'm not talking to you," said Steve angrily. "I'm
mad at you mommy," and he started to cry again.
"I think what you need is a nap. We will talk after your
nap," his mother answered firmly. As Steve continued to cry
his mother began to sing Steve a soft lullaby until he fell
asleep.
Steve slept until his father came home from work.
**********
The man had left for lunch but was back in time to see Mark drive
up. He swore to himself but he continued to watch the house for
the right opportunity.
**********
"Hi honey," said Mark as he gave his wife a kiss.
"How did it go with Steve?"
"Hi honey," Katherine answered. "Not too well. We
still need to have our talk. Steve fell asleep before we could
talk or should I say he was too upset to talk."
"Let's talk to Steve now," suggested Mark.
"Okay," Katherine answered and together they walked to
Steve's room.
Katherine slowly opened the door to Steve's room and looked in.
Steve was coloring a paper on the floor when he saw his mom and
dad at the door.
"Get out mommy. I don't want to talk to you," Steve
cried angrily and he ran to his closet and closed the door.
Mark and Katherine looked at each other and couldn't help but
grin at Steve's effort to get away.
Mark walked to the closet door and opened it despite Steve's
effort to keep the door closed.
"Okay Steve, I think it is time we all had a talk,"
said his dad firmly as he picked him up. He sat Steve in his lap
and Katherine sat down next to them.
"No daddy. I don't want to talk," said Steve angrily.
"I'm mad at mommy. She's mean."
"Steve, I know that you are mad at mommy but that is not
nice to say. Mommy loves you," his dad said firmly.
"But mommy is mean," insisted Steve angrily.
"Mommy took my ball away from me and wouldn't let me play
outside."
"Steve why did mommy take your ball away and why didn't
mommy let you play outside?" asked his dad.
Steve remained silent for a few minutes before he quietly said.
"I went into the street after mommy told me not to."
"That's right. Mommy doesn't like to punish you but what you
did was wrong. What would have happen if a car was coming and hit
you because he didn't see you in the street. Mommy and daddy
would feel really sad because we wouldn't be able to hold you or
kiss you anymore. Mommy and daddy would miss you so much. We
don't want to see you get hurt. Do you understand?" asked
his dad gently.
"Yes," answered Steve slowly. Then he turned to his
mother. "I'm sorry mommy I didn't listen to you. I love
you." Steve reached over to his mother and gave her a hug
and kiss.
"I love you too, Steve," Katherine answered as she took
him from Mark.
"How about we go out to eat?" asked Mark. "Then
maybe we can do a little shopping."
"Let's go," said Steve excitedly.
They all got ready and left to the mall.
**********
The man followed close behind Mark. He wanted to make sure that
he didn't lose him in the traffic.
**********
Mark, Katherine, Steve and Carol finally reached the mall. Mark
held Steve's hand while Katherine pushed Carol in the stroller
and started toward the entrance to the mall. They were unaware
that they were being followed close behind.
When they walked inside the mall, Steve spotted the playroom and
let go of Mark's hand and took off running.
"Steven Sloan come back here at once," yelled his
mother. But Steve was to far ahead to hear his mother.
Mark went chasing after his son and caught him as he reached the
playroom. He picked up Steve and turned him around to face him.
"Don't you ever run ahead of mommy and daddy again," he
said scolding his son.
Steve wasn't listening. "Daddy, I want to go play. Please
let me go play," begged Steve as he tried to get away.
"Steve did you hear what I said?" asked Mark firmly.
"Don't you ever run ahead of mommy and daddy again. Now you
have to hold daddy's hand, we will play later."
"No daddy, I want to play now," cried Steve and he
continued to try to get away.
"I said no," answered his dad harshly. "First we
will go eat and then do a little shopping and if we have time we
will go to the playroom."
Steve began to scream and kick but his dad held him tightly as
they proceeded to the eating area of the mall.
**********
The man stood horrified as he watched Mark yell at Steve. First
his mom and now his dad. How could they be so mean to their son.
Steve had only wanted to go to the playroom. The man made up his
mind he had to get Steve away from his parents and very quickly.
**********
They got to the eating area and found a spot to sit down. Mark
continued to hold Steve, who had quit kicking but continued to
cry on his dad's shoulder.
Once they sat down, Katherine asked gently, "Steve, honey,
what would you like to eat?"
Steve didn't answer but kept on crying.
"Shsh Steve. It will be all right. After we eat, mommy and
daddy are going to buy you some new shoes and clothes. Don't you
want some new shoes?" asked his dad gently.
"No!" cried Steve angrily. "I want to go
play." He got down from his dad's lap and pulled out another
chair. Steve sat down facing away from his parents.
Mark and Katherine looked at each other and shrugged their
shoulders. Finally Katherine walked over to Steve and knelt in
front of him.
"Steve, how about we get something to eat, buy your shoes
and then go to the playroom," she suggested gently.
"No!" yelled Steve angrily. "I want to go play
now."
"I'm sorry, honey but we are not going to the playroom now.
What do you want to eat?" she asked again.
"I'm not going to eat. I want to play," and he
continued to cry.
Mark and Katherine just shook their heads in disappointment.
"I'll pick him up a hamburger," said Katherine.
"But I just hope he is not too upset to eat." She left
for the hamburgers for everybody and then returned ten minutes
later.
"Steve, look mommy has brought you a hamburger and some
French fries," said his dad. "Won't you please turn
around and eat?"
"No!" Steve cried angrily.
Mark and Katherine looked at each other and slowly began to eat
their own hamburgers.
**********
While Mark and Katherine were talking and eating their
hamburgers, Steve stopped crying long enough to notice the man
that sat a table away, staring at him.
The man put his finger over his lips. He then pulled out some
candy from a bag that he was carrying and showed it to Steve.
Steve smiled when he saw the candy but he kept quiet.
The man smiled in return and made his way to the where Steve was
sitting. He sneaked the candy to Steve as he walked passed him.
The man hoped that Steve's parents didn't notice him as he passed
them. They didn't and he smiled to himself.
**********
Steve slowly turned around in his chair eating his candy that the
man had given him.
Mark noticed the candy in Steve's hand. "Steve where did you
get that candy?"
"A man gave it to me, daddy," answered Steve happily.
"What man?" asked his mom becoming concerned.
"He's gone, mommy," answered Steve as he wiped his
mouth with his hand.
"Steve can I see that candy?" asked his dad also
becoming concerned.
"No daddy," and Steve stuck the rest of the candy in
his mouth so his dad couldn't take it.
"Steve, mommy and daddy don't want you to take candy or
anything from people we don't know," said his mother.
"It can be dangerous. Do you understand?"
"No mommy, the man is nice. He gave me candy," answered
Steve happily.
Katherine looked at Mark in concern.
"Steve listen to daddy. I don't want you to take candy from
anybody. Is that understood?" said his dad a little bit to
firmly.
"No daddy," answered Steve getting angry. "Man is
nice. He gave me candy," and he again turned around in his
chair away from his parents and began to cry.
Mark walked over to Steve and picked him up. "Steve, I'm not
mad at you and daddy is sorry that he scared you. But we will
talk about this later, okay?"
"Okay daddy," answered Steve wiping away his tears.
"Do you want to go buy your new shoes, now?" asked his
dad with a smile.
"Yes daddy, let's go," Steve said excitedly.
"Mark what about his hamburger?" asked Katherine.
"He needs to eat."
"Mommy, I'm not hungry. I want my new shoes," insisted
Steve.
"Okay honey. We will take it with us," said his mother.
**********
The man overheard the conversation between Steve and his parents.
He was happy that Steve's parents were not able to convince Steve
not to take candy from him. He would use that to lure Steve away
from his parents when the right opportunity presented itself.
**********
That time came very soon.
Mark, Katherine, Steve and Carol finally arrived at the shoe
store.
"Daddy, look at all the those shoes," Steve said in
surprise.
"Yes I see them," answered his dad laughing.
"Let's go over here and find your new shoes. These are about
your size." Just as Mark was about to pick up a pair of
shoes, Carol started to cry.
"What's wrong honey," asked Katherine.
"Oh, she has dropped her toy," answered Mark walking
back to Carol. He bent down to pick up the toy and handed it back
to her.
Carol promptly threw it down again and continued to cry.
Katherine bent down to pick her up. "I know what is wrong
with her," she said.
"What?" asked Mark.
"She wet," answered Katherine. "Let me go change
her in the bathroom while you help Steve try on new shoes. That
is when Katherine noticed that Steve was gone. "Mark where
is Steve?" she asked in a panicked voice.
Mark turned around and he noticed that his son was gone.
"Let me go look for him. He has too be around here. Don't
worry."
"Steve, Steve where are you?" yelled Mark as he began
to check each aisle for his son. When he got no answer, Mark
began running through the store calling Steve's name in a panic.
Katherine and Carol were following close behind Mark, crying.
**********
While his parents were busy taking care of Carol, Steve had
walked over to the shoes.
"Hi there Steve," said the man who was suddenly
standing next to him.
Steve looked up at the man that was speaking to him and said
excitedly, "Hey you gave me candy."
"That's right I did. Do you want some more candy?"
asked the man.
"Yes," answered Steve excitedly.
The man reached into his bag and pulled another piece of candy
for Steve.
"Here you go," he said handing the candy to Steve.
"Thank you," said Steve as he put the candy in his
mouth.
"Now how about we go to the playroom and play," said
the man.
Steve looked over to his mom and dad. They were still busy with
Carol. He knew that his mom and dad didn't want him to go to the
playroom but he wanted to go play.
"Okay," answered Steve as he took the man's hand.
"What's your name?" he asked as they walked away
unnoticed.
"My name is Jack Price," he answered with a big smile.
"But you can call me Jack."
Jack thought to himself, "Now I have my son back. It had all
been a lie. His son had not died in no car accident but was
walking happily next to him."
**********
"Sir my name is Stanley Murphy and I'm the manager here. Is
there something wrong?" he asked.
"My son, Steve is missing," answered Mark as he ran up
and down the aisles.
"What is your name sir?" asked Stanley as he tried to
get information from Mark.
"I'm sorry. My name is Dr. Mark Sloan and this is my wife,
Katherine and my daughter Carol," answered Mark anxiously.
"Where can he be?" he asked as he began to pace back
and forth.
Stanley put his hands on Mark's shoulders and said firmly but
with gentleness.
"Dr. Sloan, you need to calm down. It will do you no good to
panic. You have to be strong for your family."
Mark looked at Stanley. "You're right. I'm sorry. What do
you need to know?"
"First I need a description or a current picture of your
son, Steve and what he is wearing. Also how old is your son? Then
we need to call the mall security and the police to help search
for your son," answered Stanley.
Mark took out his wallet from his pocket and pulled out a current
picture of Steve. He handed it to Stanley saying, "Steve is
four years old and he is wearing blue shirt with dark blue jeans
and white tennis shoes."
"I've seen your son," said Stanley excitedly.
"Where?" asked Mark and Katherine at the same time.
"He was leaving with a man, who I assumed was his
father," answered Stanley slowly.
"A man. What man?" asked Mark desperately.
"Let me think," answered Stanley slowly. "He was
about five ft. 8 in., blond hair, blue eyes. He looked around
thirty-five years old. He was wearing a Hawaiian shirt with black
jeans. I'm sorry if I would have known, I would have tried to
stop him."
"Steve wasn't crying or scared to go with him?" cried
Katherine.
"No, I'm sorry. He seemed happy and excited," answered
Stanley sympathetically. "In fact that is why I paid
attention to them because he seemed so happy to be with his
father. Stanley suddenly realized what he said so he quickly
added. "Oh I am sorry, who I thought was his father."
"That's okay," said Mark. "I know what you meant.
Do you know which direction they went?"
"Towards the playroom," answered Stanley.
"The playroom," said Mark excitedly. "That's why
Steve went with him. Steve wanted to go to the playroom and I bet
the man took him there. Let's go," and he and Katherine
started to run to the playroom.
"I'll call security and the police to meet us their,"
shouted Stanley to Mark and Katherine who didn't seem to hear
him.
**********
Jack had fun watching, who in his mind was his son, Adam playing
in the playroom. He looked at his watch thinking it was time to
leave for the movie.
"Adam, we need to get going if we are going to see the
movie," said Jack to Steve.
"My name is not Adam, it's Steve," answered Steve
laughing. "Are we going to see a movie, too?"
"That's right, I forgot," answered Jack laughing.
"Steve, do you mind if we play this game calling each other
different names. Like me calling you Adam instead of Steve and
instead of calling me Jack, you can call me Peter?"
Steve thought a moment. "Okay Peter," Steve answered
laughing. He had always liked to play different games with his
dad and mom. "Peter are we still going to the movies? Did my
mommy and daddy say it was okay?"
"Adam, I've just talked to your mommy and daddy and they
said it was okay for you to come with me and even stay the
night," answered Jack in a different voice. "Is that
okay with you, Adam?"
"It's okay with me Peter," answered Steve trying to
change his voice too.
As Jack and Steve drove to the movie, Steve became very hungry.
He hadn't eaten the hamburger that his mom had bought for him.
"Peter, I'm hungry," said Steve.
"How about we get a hot dog at the movies, Adam?" asked
Jack in the same rough voice he had used earlier.
"Okay Peter," answered Steve changing his voice. Then
he burst into laughter with Jack joining him.
**********
Mark and Katherine rushed into the playroom just missing Jack and
Steve. They began to look all around for Steve. They stared at
each child in the room but soon realized that Steve was not
there.
"Now what?" asked Katherine as she began to cry again.
"I don't know," answered Mark as tears began falling
down his face.
Just then Stanley came running with security and the police.
"Did you find him?" Stanley asked desperately.
"No, Steve's not here," answered Mark with despair.
"Dr. Sloan, Mrs. Sloan, this is Detective Chad Goodwin of
the police," said Stanley disappointed.
"Nice too meet you Detective Goodwin," said Mark.
"Are you here to help me find my son, Steve?"
"Yes," answered Detective Goodwin. "I'm sorry
about your son, Dr. Sloan and I will do anything in my power to
find him and bring back to both of you. Then Detective Goodwin
turned to Stanley.
"You said you saw who took him? Is that right Mr.
Murphy?" asked Detective Goodwin.
"Yes, I did," answered Stanley and he went on to
describe Jack Price to Detective Goodwin.
"I think I know who it is," answered Detective Goodwin.
"Who is it?" asked Mark, Katherine and Stanley
together.
"His name is Jack Price," answered Detective Goodwin.
"He lost his son in a car accident a few weeks ago to a
drunk driver. He could never accept that fact that his son died
in the accident." Then he remained silent for a few minutes
before he continued. "I bet he kidnapped Steve thinking he
was his son. You see Mr. Murphy showed me a picture of your son,
Steve and he resembles Mr. Goodwin's son.
"Oh my God. Do you think he will hurt Steve?" asked
Katherine desperately.
"No, I think he would really take good care of Steve. He
won't harm him," said Detective Goodwin trying to reassure
Katherine and Mark. "Let me get some patrol cars to meet us
at his house."
When Detective Goodwin, Mark, Katherine, Carol and Stanley
arrived at Mr. Price's house, they found no one at home.
Detective Goodwin had surrounded the house with police and waited
for Jack and Steve to come home.
**********
After leaving the movies, Jack and Steve headed back to Jack's
house. Jack had noticed the police had surrounded his house and
kept on driving. Finally he pulled into a motel and rented a room
for Steve and him.
"Is this where you live?" asked Steve.
"Yes," answered Jack. "But I am still moving in so
I don't have many things here. It's getting late and time for bed
Adam. Let me show you where we are going to sleep."
"Okay Peter," answered Steve with a big yawn.
"Will you tell me a story before I go to sleep?"
"Of course," answered Jack with a smile. "But then
I want you to go straight to sleep."
"Okay," answered Steve as he walked up to Jack to hold
him.
Jack picked him up and put him to bed but not before telling
Steve a bedtime story. After Steve fell asleep, Jack sat in a
nearby chair next to Steve's bed with tears coming down his face.
He couldn't believe that he had his son back. Then Jack got up
and laid down next to Steve. He put his arms around Steve and
fell asleep thinking he was sleeping with his son, Adam.
**********
After a few hours of waiting, Mark had taken Katherine and Carol
home and then had headed back to Jack's house. Detective Goodwin,
Stanley and Mark had waited all night waiting for Jack to come
home.
"I think Mr. Price has spotted the patrol cars and avoided
coming home," said Detective Goodwin disappointed.
"Now what are we going to do?" asked Mark desperately.
"You are not giving up, are you?"
"No Dr. Sloan, I'm not giving up," reassured Detective
Goodwin. "But if you have any ideas, I am ready to
listen."
"I have one," answered Mark and he went on to explain
his idea to Detective Goodwin and to Stanley.
"That is a very good idea," said Detective Goodwin.
"I'll meet you at your house when I can get everything set
up."
"Okay," answered Mark sadly. He hated going home to
face Katherine without bringing Steve home with him. Mark also
knew it was going to be a long sleepless night for both of them.
**********
The next morning Jack had woken up and had ordered breakfast for
Steve and him. He had turned on the TV to watch the news but what
he saw tore his heart out and he began to cry.
*********
"Are you ready Dr. Sloan?" asked Detective Goodwin.
"Yes, I'm," answered Mark as he looked at his wife.
Mark began to speak to Jack Price as if he was standing next to
him.
"Please Mr. Price bring me back my son, Steve. I know you
have lost your own son, Adam to a drunk driver and I am very
sorry for your loss. But Steve is not Adam. He is not your son.
My wife, Katherine and I are begging you. Please bring Steve home
where he belongs. I am willing to get the help you need in
getting over the grief over your own son. Also I will not press
any charges against you. Please Mr. Price, we love our son, Steve
very much and we miss him. Here is our phone number so you will
be able to contact us," and a number flashed on the screen.
After his speech Mark and Katherine began to cry.
**********
Jack saw the picture of his son Adam and a picture of Steve
displayed on the TV screen. The resemblance between Adam and
Steve were very close.
That is when Jack remembered the last time he had seen his son,
Adam alive and happy. They had been at the same playroom where he
had seen Steve play a day earlier. He remembered Adam's laughter
as he slid down the slide and yelled, "Look at me daddy.
Wee." Jack remembered his son's smiling face when he told
him that it was time to go see the movie they had planned to go
see and never did. Jack remembered Adam's eyes and how they
glowed with excitement and of live. Then the terrible memory came
back. Jack remembered as they drove to the movies, the truck that
was coming straight at them. He had swerved to miss the truck but
not in time for them to collide. His son, Adam had killed
instantly. Jack remembered finding his son and holding him until
they carried him away. His son, Adam had died that day and that
is when Jack finally realized that he had made a terrible
mistake. Steve was not Adam and he began to cry uncontrollably.
**********
Steve had woken up and noticed that Jack was not in the bed. He
got up and walked into the living room and saw Jack crying.
"What's wrong Jack? Why are you crying?" asked Steve as
he put his hand on his shoulder.
"I am very sad," answered Jack trying to hold back his
tears.
"Why are you sad?" asked Steve as he gave Jack a hug to
make him feel better.
"I did a terrible thing," Jack answered as he tried to
regain his composure.
"What did you do?" asked Steve with surprise.
"I will tell you but after I take you home to your mommy and
daddy."
"Okay Jack," answered Steve gently.
Jack picked up Steve and took him to the car and they began the
slow drive to Steve's house.
**********
"Do you think it worked?" asked Mark after he composed
himself.
"Let's pray to God that it did," said Detective
Goodwin. Mark, Katherine, Detective Goodwin and Stanley said a
silent prayer together for Steve's safe return.
They didn't have long to wait.
Mark, Katherine, Detective Goodwin and Stanley heard a lot of
excitement outside. Detective Goodwin got up and went to
investigate. He walked outside and quickly called out excitedly.
"Dr. Sloan, Mrs. Sloan please come outside. I have something
to show you."
Mark and Katherine quickly ran outside to see what Detective
Goodwin was so excited about. Stanley followed quickly behind
them.
Mark and Katherine saw Steve in Detective Goodwin's arms and they
both screamed with joy.
"Steve!" They both ran to him. Katherine grabbed Steve
from Detective Goodwin and began to hug and kiss him.
Mark hugged Katherine and Steve and said in a tearful voice.
"Thank you God for bringing my son home to us."
"Hi daddy, mommy. Why are you crying?" asked Steve with
concern.
"We're just so happy to see you," answered his dad and
he took Steve from Katherine. Mark hugged and kissed his son.
"I love you, Steve."
"I love you too, daddy," answered Steve and he gave his
dad a hug. Steve then turned to his mom and added. "And I
love you too mommy."
"I love you too, Steve," said his mom.
Mark carried Steve with one arm and the other wrapped around
Katherine as they walked towards the house.
"I'm so sorry Dr. Sloan," Jack cried as he was being
handcuffed and being led away. "I didn't mean to hurt
anybody," and he began to cry uncontrollably.
"Daddy, why is the policeman taking my friend, Jack
away?" asked Steve with concern.
"Steve, Mr. Price is not anybody's friend," answered
his dad firmly. He did a bad thing in taking you without telling
mommy or daddy. Do you understand?"
"No daddy," answered Steve as he wiggled away from his
dad and ran over to Jack. Steve hugged Jack's leg and added.
"Jack is my friend. Don't let the policeman take him away.
Please?"
"Dr. Sloan, I know that I have put you and your wife through
a lot of grief and I don't deserve your sympathy. But please give
me the chance to explain to Steve what I did to him and your
family. He deserves to know," cried Jack.
Detective Goodwin looked at Mark. "It's your call. We can
get him out of your way, if that is what you want."
Mark turned to Katherine. "What do you want to do
honey?" he finally asked.
"We did promise Mr. Price if he returned Steve that we would
help him get the necessary help that he needs," answered
Katherine. She began to feel sorry for Mr. Price. She knew how it
felt too almost lose Steve and couldn't began to imagine loosing
him for good. "Besides it may help Steve understand why Mr.
Price took him and why he is so upset."
Mark turned back to Detective Goodwin. "Okay bring Mr. Price
into the house."
**********
Once everybody had settled down in the house, Mark turned to Mr.
Price.
"You may begin, Mr. Price," he said very sternly.
Jack turned to Steve, "Come here Steve and come sit down
next to me. I need to tell you something."
Steve walked over to Jack and said, "Why was the policeman
taking you away?"
"That's why I want to talk you about," answered Jack as
he picked Steve up and sat him in his lap. "Do you remember
when you saw me crying this morning and I told you I did
something terrible?"
"Yeah," Steve answered slowly. "You said you would
tell me after you took me back to my mommy and daddy. Are you
going to tell me now?"
"Yes, I am," answered Jack with tears in his eyes. He
took a deep breath and slowly let it out before he began.
"You see Steve, the terrible thing I did was that I took you
away from your mommy and daddy without telling them.
"You mean my mommy and daddy didn't know I went with you to
the movies?" asked Steve with surprise.
"That's right," answered Jack. "In fact your mommy
and daddy didn't tell me that you could spend the night with
me."
"You mean you tricked me?" asked Steve getting angry.
"Yes I did and I'm so sorry Steve," answered Jack as
tears began to fall down his face. "Please let me explain to
you, why?"
"No, I don't want to listen to you anymore," said Steve
angrily and he jumped down from Jack's lap and ran to his mother.
"Steve, please let me explain?" cried Jack desperately.
"No. You're not my friend anymore," Steve cried angrily
and he buried his face on his mother's shoulder.
"Steve look at me," said his mother gently. She turned
Steve's face to look at her. "I want you to listen to what
Mr. Price has to say. It is very important. Okay?"
"Okay mommy," answered Steve slowly. He walked back to
Jack. "What else do you want to tell me?" he said
angrily.
"May I please hold you in my lap?" pleaded Jack.
"No," Steve answered angrily as he sat down next to
Jack.
Jack looked at Steve and sighed heavily before he continued.
"Steve do you remember when we were at the playroom and I
called you Adam instead of Steve?"
"Yes, I remember," answered Steve. "That's when we
played our game. I called you Peter and you called me,
Adam."
"That's right," answered Jack. "Well Steve, I
really did have a son named Adam. But he died."
"How?" asked Steve with surprise.
"Adam was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver,"
explained Jack. "But what I really want you to know is, that
in my mind I really did think you were my son, Adam. I couldn't
believe my son, Adam was dead.
"Why did you think I was Adam?" asked Steve with
surprise.
"Because you look like my son, Adam," Jack answered. He
took out his wallet and pulled out a picture of his son. He
handed it to Steve.
"He does look like me," Steve said with surprise.
"Look mommy, daddy. See?" as Steve ran over to show his
parents.
"Yes he does," answered his dad with tears in his eyes.
It was the first time he had seen a picture of Jack's son, Adam.
Now he understood why Jack in his grief thought that Steve was
his son, Adam. The resemblance was unbelievable. "I'm so
sorry for your loss, Mr. Price and now I do understand why you
took Steve. We will do everything in our power to get you the
help you need in getting over the death of your son."
"Thank you Dr. Sloan," answered Jack with a slight
smile.
Steve walked back to Jack and handed him back the picture of his
son. "I'm sorry your son died," he said and gave Jack a
hug.
"Thank you Steve. That means a lot to me," said Jack as
tears came streaming down his face.
"Don't cry Jack," said Steve as tears came to his eyes.
"You can hold me if that would make you feel better."
"It would make me feel better," answered Jack as he
picked up Steve and put him in his lap. "But do you know
what would really make me feel better?"
"What's that," asked Steve as he wiped his own tears
away.
"I don't want you going with anymore strangers including me
and especially without telling your mommy or your daddy
first," said Jack firmly.
"But you're not a stranger," said Steve. "You're
my friend."
Mark and Katherine were shocked to hear Steve say that.
"Steve listen to me," insisted Jack. "When you
first seen me, did you know who I was?"
"No," answered Steve. "But you gave me candy.
Remember?"
Katherine and Mark looked at each other in surprise.
"You're the man that gave Steve the candy at the mall?"
Mark asked in disbelief.
"Yes I did," answered Jack slowly. "In fact that
was how I lured Steve away from you at the shoe store and the
fact that you two were busy with your daughter. I'm so sorry. Can
you please forgive me?" he asked tearfully.
"Mr. Price, my husband and I know you meant no harm to
Steve," said Katherine. "Also we both do understand
your loss of your own son, Adam and how your grief brought you to
take him. But I want you to finish explaining to Steve why he
should not have gone with you or anybody else even if he was
offered any candy or any kind of treats. Will you do that?"
she asked.
"Certainly Mrs. Sloan," answered Jack with a smile. He
then turned to Steve and asked again. "Steve did you know me
when I gave you the candy?"
"No," answered Steve slowly.
"Did you know me when I asked you to go to the
playroom?" asked Jack.
"No, but I wanted to go play in the playroom and mommy and
daddy wouldn't take me," answered Steve. "That's why I
went with you. You took me to the playroom and gave me
candy."
"But Steve that was wrong because I was a stranger,"
said Jack firmly. "You never go with strangers, no matter
how nice they are to you. They can be nice to you one minute and
hurt you the next. Then you may never see your mommy and daddy
again. Do you want that to happen?"
"But Jack, I wanted to go to the playroom but mommy and
daddy wouldn't take me. You did," insisted Steve.
"You're not a stranger, you're my friend."
"Steve sometimes my son, Adam wanted to do things like play
in the playroom," answered Jack. "But sometimes I
didn't have the time or we had something else to do. But Steve
that doesn't mean that I would not have taken him another day and
Adam understood that. And I also think that if you would have
waited until your daddy and mommy had bought your shoes that they
would have taken you to the playroom themselves or would have
taken you another day. Do you understand what I am trying to tell
you?"
"Yes," answered Steve. "That means I have to wait
for mommy or daddy to take me and nobody else."
"That's right," said Jack. "Not even if they give
you candy or any kind of treats. And if somebody tries to take
you or give you candy, you need to tell your mommy or your daddy
real fast. Okay?"
"Okay," answered Steve giving Jack a hug. He then
jumped off of Jack's lap and walked over to his dad and mom.
"I'm sorry I went with Jack and made you worry," said
Steve with tears in his eyes. "I won't do it again. I
promise."
"Steve, daddy and I love you so much that we don't want
anything to happen to you," answered his mother. "Do
you understand?" as she wiped his tears away.
"Yes mommy," answered Steve. "I love you too. Then
he turned to his dad. "I love you too daddy."
"I love you too Steve," answered his dad and he took
him from Katherine and gave him a hug.
Detective Goodwin looked at his watch and said, "It's time
to go Mr. Price." He then motioned for the police officer to
handcuff Mr. Price.
"No you can't take him," cried Steve and he ran to the
police officer and began to hit him. "Let him go. Jack is my
friend."
Mark grabbed Steve away from the police officer. "Steve
listen to daddy. Mr. Price had to go with the policeman."
"No daddy, I don't want the policeman to take Jack
away," cried Steve. Jack don't go. Please don't go."
Jack walked over to Steve and took him from Mark. "Listen to
me, Steve," he said as he sat down with Steve in his lap.
"Can you tell me something?"
"What?" asked Steve with tears in his eyes.
"Will you tell me what mommy or daddy do to you when you do
something naughty?"
"They put me in my room until I listen to them and then
mommy and daddy talk to me," Steve answered slowly.
"Well Steve, I did something real bad by breaking the law
and taking you away from your mommy and daddy. Now I have to see
a judge and he will tell me what my punishment will be,"
said Jack gently. "Do you understand?"
"But Jack, I don't want you to go," cried Steve.
"I know you don't but your daddy is going to talk to the
judge so maybe he won't punish me too bad," answered Jack.
"Also with your daddy's help I am going to see a special
doctor that will help me talk about Adam's death so I won't be
too sad. But Steve it takes time and I have to go with the
policeman until I can see the judge. Do you understand?"
"Yes," answered Steve. "Will I get to see you
again, Jack?"
"Steve, you will get to see Jack again. Hopefully real
soon," answered his dad with a smile.
"Thank you Dr. Sloan, Mrs. Sloan for your understanding and
your help," said Jack with a smile. Then he turned to Steve.
"I know we just knew each other for a night but I love
you."
"I love you too Jack," answered Steve and gave Jack one
last hug.
The End!
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