In Sebastian’s room, he had to close the door. He did not like it when his parents fought. He also knew Ashley did not like him. Sebastian looked to his friend and apologized for fight out in the kitchen. The funny reply he got was just Leo shrugging his shoulders, not saying a word. “Are you okay?” Leo shrugged again, “Can you keep a secret?” “Yes,” Sebastian smiled, thinking that it was something about school, a girl Leo liked or something. “Keep the door closed, please,” Leo now wore the serious face. Sebastian reassured his best friend that no one was going to enter, and he locked the door for this secret. His sister or parents did not even hear the door click. Leo asked, “Are you ready?” Sebastian nodded his head, slightly excited but also unsure of what was to come next. Leo turned his back to Sebastian and raised his t-shirt, revealing fresh bruises. Some were even days old. They looked like a whip or a heavy belt had been the form of punishment. “Please don’t tell,” Leo started sob, pulling down his shirt. As he turned to face Sebastian, he saw his friend’s jaw slack. “Please don’t tell,” Leo repeated. Sebastian just stared and shook his head slowly. Finally, he managed to ask, “Who does that to you?” “My Dad, because…” his voice trailed off, nearly cracking. “You can stay here,” Sebastian offered. Leo’s eyes widened like a wild animal. “No I can’t. I’ll just be hit again.”
Suddenly Sebastian had the idea of his sister. Because she was a doctor, it was possible that she could help Leo and he asked Leo about the suggestion. “Will she tell anybody?” “I do not know,” Sebastian bowed his head. “I know she does not like me, but I want to help you.” Sebastian had a good heart that way, always thinking of others first before himself. He quietly unlocked the door to his room and ran out to his sister’s room, passing his Mom and Dad in the kitchen. He knocked on Ashley’s door, seeing it closed which also meant she did not want to be disturbed. “Go away,” she yelled. “It is Sebastian, Ashley.” She opened the door and asked, “What do you want?” At first, Sebastian did not know how to phrase his words and he stood there with a sheepish face. “Well?” “Can you keep a secret? Like a doctor?” Sebastian looked at her in the eyes. Ashley gestured him in her room, closed the door and explained the rules of the patient/doctor confidentiality, everything down to the letter. “Now, what is the problem?” “Can you come to my room?” Ashley looked at her brother strangely. She began to think there was something that Sebastian or his friend, Leo wanted to know. “Please?” Sebastian’s tone was of concern. Ashley said, “Sebastian is something wrong?” Her brother began to tug on her shirtsleeve and said, “Only if you can keep it a secret.” Ashley started to follow her little brother to his room, and their parents saw them together. They thought it was nice that Ashley wanted to take time out of her job to play with Sebastian and his friend, Rachel smiled as they passed the kitchen.
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