Out Of The Past

The alarm went off at six local time and I knew it left me two hours to get everyone up, fed and ready before the hearing started so I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed and headed to the shower.

After completing that I then went out and started some French Boast and Bacon. I hoped 4 loaves of bread would be enough not to mention the 5 packs of bacon. I set the oven onto 200 to keep the bacon warm and then started mixing the batter for the bread.

After that I began the bacon and then went to wake Samantha and the boys.

They were decidedly unhappy to be awoken at such an early hour and it was with much grumbling that I got them up and staggering, sort of, towards the bathrooms. 

I can't say that Samantha was particularly thrilled either but she grumbled slightly less anyway.

Finally I used my secret weapon.

Food. 

"Got French Toast and Bacon if you get out in time" I told them which got glares but movement out of them.

I just smiled, I didn't like being up at this time of night either.

I went back out and saved the bacon which Samantha had been watching for me and started more going. It was nice having so many burners on the stove. I then started dipping the bread and placing them in the frying pans. I was going to start them off with three each and see what happened.

By the time the first ones came stumbling in to the kitchen I had four plates ready with slices of butter melting nicely in the center of each top piece and several slices of bacon alongside.

It was like phasers being locked on as all eyes settled on a plate and they never left as I handed it to them.

I honestly think I might have been attacked if I had not brought it directly to them.

I barely got my fingers away before they pounced; it was quite a sight to see.

I went back to making more and wasn't paying attention until I heard giggling and turned to find Peter, Danny, Kevin and Randy stumbling into the kitchen.

"Uuhmmm" I said to the four as they too locked onto the plates of food.

"Yeah Uncle Mike?" Randy muttered. 

I was trying to stifle laughter as I said "Did you all forget something?"

I watched as four heads shook in the negative while 5 others began giggling even more and Samantha even joined in.

"Guys...clothes" I said chuckling.

"They're in my room Uncle Mike" Kevin said "Can we eat now?" followed by "Can we" from the other three.

"Umm guys you really need to get dressed" I told them.

"Why?" Danny asked. 

"Let them be Mike it doesn't bother me and obviously they are used to it, don't forget I used to have two nudists of my own" Samantha said chuckling.

Which was followed by two "moooooooooms" from two boys leaving us chuckling

"Ok I give up" I told everyone as I walked over and handed the remaining four plates. 

The funny thing was that their eyes had never left the plates during the entire conversation.

Fascinating.

I then started work on requests for seconds and finally got myself a plate hoping that they were finished as I was about out of bacon.

After a nice breakfast I looked at the clock and saw it was 7:10 already and when the boys were finished I shooed them all to clean up and some to get dressed after that of course which got me glares but they did head off.

I went into the office conference room and got everything set up there with various cameras in place to best capture all of us and the control board to access each of them. 

By the time I finished; the set up was organized to show all of us together or individually and I placed a call over the secure phone to Alan.

"Hello" he said.

"Hi Alan" I said.

"Well hello how's it going?" he asked me.

"Pretty good, I think we have it set up on this end if you're ready to link up and synchronize everything" I told him.

"Yeah, turn it on" he said.

I activated the sat uplink and waited while everything talked to everything else until suddenly a picture popped up on the large screen against the wall followed by different shots elsewhere in the courtroom.

We adjusted this and that until all the camera positions were set where we thought we wanted them. We would have to do a few last minute adjustments no doubt but mostly it was now set up.

"Well that's about all we can do for now, get everyone in a little early and we'll put the finishing touches on it" he told me.

"Ok Alan thanks" I replied.

"Mike, one more thing, let them know that the state's prosecutor is going to get mean and say some stuff, give them some warning" he said to me.

"Ok Alan this is going to be hard for them" I told him.

"Yeah I know" he replied "it's about 20 minutes til court starts so get them settled soon" he finished telling me

"Ok will do" I told him reaching over and muting our video and audio.

I went out to find the boys nervously sitting around in the living room but at least they were all dressed.

I really didn't want to explain any nude children today for this hearing. I stopped in the middle of the room and looked at all of them taking a deep breath before speaking "ok guys you all know that they are going to be having a hearing today back in Montana about us" which got hesitant nods "well I need you to understand that the state prosecutor is going to be saying some things that are going to probably hurt us and make us feel bad."

"Like what?" Brian asked.

"Well some of it you guys know already like with Chris and Derek" I was saying as they hung their heads getting me mad.

"Both of you stop that right now! Do you hear me?" I told them.

They looked up at me kind of shocked at my raising my voice I think "you didn't do anything wrong and neither did any of us but you need to understand that the prosecutor is going to say a lot of things that will try to make it seem like we have done something wrong. He will twist everything and make things that happened one way sound like they happened another. Just because he is saying it doesn't make it true" I went on and told them.

They were all looking at me again as I continued "none of us have done anything to be ashamed of so I want you to hold your heads up when you get in there and don't be ashamed no matter what" I told them.

They nodded their heads and then Sammy asked "why is he doing this dad?"

I shook my head and told him the truth "I don't know honey." 

"Something else you need to know is that yesterday the prosecutor basically came out and said that I want you guys so I can have sex with you"

I told them which got gasps from them before I heard Sammy say "that's a load of shit!" 

"Sam..." I started to say but he interrupted me clearly angry and with fire flashing in his eyes "it is dad and you know it. You never do nothing with us really and some of us have tried remember the first day I met you?" he asked with an evil look in his eyes and a grin on his face that didn't lessen the anger still present in the least.

"Yeah you wouldn't even help me that day when I wanted you to" Chris whispered softly causing Samantha to look back and forth between us carefully.

"I know but that is the kind of thing he is going to be saying, so be prepared. I know some of you have wanted that and I am honored you would want to share that with me but it is something I chose not to do with any of you and I'm sorry but with the laws the way they are and what would happen to you if I did, it's just not worth it to me" I told them.

They were all looking at me and I knew that Sammy at least wasn't through with this topic but finally he nodded his head as I maintained eye contact with him.

"Ok then go on in and get settled, any of you need the bathroom use it now" I said and they all shuffled around for a bit before all but Peter and Danny headed off to the conference room while those two headed for the bathroom.

Samantha came up and asked "did I miss something?" 

I looked at her and finally said "Chris, in the hospital hadn't been able to take care of himself for some time, I helped him use the restroom and it left him in a state you could say. He asked me to help him and I had to tell him I couldn't but got Derek to come in and I assume help him out"

"Assume?" she asked.

"Yes, assume. I went outside the curtain and sent Derek in. I don't know for sure but it's a pretty safe bet" I told her.

"And Sammy?" she asked.

"The first time I met Sammy was when I went to the bathroom in a service plaza and while I was using the restroom I heard him ask me if I wanted a hand job for 10 dollars or a blow job for 20" I told her matter of factly.

She gasped but didn't say anything for a minute "what did he mean about them trying?" she finally asked.

"Look Samantha children are sexual creatures and they are very loving ones as well. They love me and know it feels good so naturally they may want to love me in that manner. To a child it is rather simple, they want to do something for the adult to make them feel good and show their love and as we and society tell them on TV and in books, sex is supposed to be about love, so they know it feels good and they want to make me or some other adult feel good and they offer. They think they can love someone that way too and they don't understand why it's bad. They are right for a lot of reasons but it's just not possible" I told her.

"The idea doesn't bother you does it?" she asked looking at me intently.

"No, it doesn't. Why should it? If you understand children and that they are not adults and that it is and isn't like we would look at a sexual relationship then no it doesn't bother me. The idea of and their wanting to express their love for me that way doesn't bother me at all, matter of fact I find it quite an honor that they would want to share something like that with me" 

"I just don't know Mike, I can't accept child molestation as being acceptable at all" she said shaking her head slightly

"No and neither can I" I told her which caused her to look at me strangely.

"That is what you are talking about isn't it?" She said to me.

"No not at all, to molest means to give unwanted attention in it's simplest definition. I am not talking about force of any kind being used, think about something, when your sons were small like 3 or 4 and you washed them did you wash their penises?"

"Well yes" she said not understanding where this was going.

"And when you washed them did they respond?" I asked.

"Respond?" she repeated.

"Yes, respond. Did they get hard?" I asked her.

She smiled and said "oh yes" 

"And did they seem to be aroused?" 

"Yeah they really liked that part of their bath" she said smiling but not getting it yet

"Did you ever wash it a bit longer than maybe you needed to or maybe they asked you to wash it extra good or again?" I asked her

She blushed slightly and said "well they always wanted to make sure it was clean so they would ask me..." and then she suddenly stopped as everything clicked, cha ching, and her eyes got big as she glanced towards the room where they were.

"Oh my God, they...I..." and then just laughed as she realized what I was saying; "I don't believe it" she said shaking her head.

"Well that's a good example and they knew how to get you to essentially play with it while not coming out and saying mommy rub it for me" I said chuckling.

"I never..." she started to say but I broke in.

"Most parents don't. They either pretend it's not what it is, think it's cute or are very uncomfortable with the feelings they experience. Most don't put two and two together and realize that their little angel is trying to get mommy or daddy to get them off." I said laughing.

"I just can't believe it though, I mean I remember them touching themselves but I never thought for an instant that..." she trailed off

"You never thought for an instant they could be that cunning?" I said smiling.

"Yeah they were so innocent" she said in wonder.

"Yes they are and when small they don't know yet that there is anything wrong with their bodies or what they are feeling. It is only with time that they learn shame and guilt about their bodies and what they can feel." I told her.

"But..." she began before I interrupted her "Samantha, too many people have the idea that sex and sexuality is a sin and therefore evil meaning that an innocent child couldn't experience those feelings. They can't accept the fact that sexuality is part of us from birth and the child epitomizes that innocence with theirs not a loss of it." I told her. 

"I never thought of it that way, they were so open with it when they were little. I thought it was so cute they would just sit there playing with it sometimes and except for when they would take it out and do it in the grocery store I didn't have a problem with it" she said chuckling a bit.

I laughed with her thinking all parents have that problem. One lady I knew had her four year old jump on the lap of the preacher one time pull it out and proceed to play away. I still laugh about it, she said she didn't know whose face was redder hers or the preachers, the kid of course was perfectly happy.

"You aren't the first parent to have that problem believe me" I said smiling.

"Mike this whole idea of adults with children though....I don't know" she said.

"I know Samantha, there are a lot of factors why it wouldn't work in our society, and most of them have to do with what happens to the child after the sexual contact is discovered" I told her.

"Take a child who is in a loving and caring relationship that gets discovered. The adult of course goes to jail which causes enormous distress to the child as well as guilt. The worst thing though is the 'counseling' that the child will be subjected to afterwards. The shrink will twist and turn ever single thing that happened in the relationship to something else. By the time the 'counseling' is over the child will most likely hate the adult for having 'molested' him or at best question for the rest of his life whether he was or not. I have seen it happen Samantha and it destroys the child, not the sex but what is done to them afterwards by the 'experts' trying to supposedly help" I said to her sadly.

She was shaking her head but I went on "this morning four of the boys were naked which is more the norm; than not with them but was there anything sexual to it?" I asked her.

"No, not at all" she said confused.

"Ok but if someday I did something sexual with them you know what would happen? The shrink would tell them that being naked like this was something I set up so I could eventually do more" I said.

"That's horrible how could anyone do something like that to a child?" she asked me clearly not wanting to believe it.

"They can and do all the time" I told her sadly.

"Years ago when I received training in child abuse prevention and detection we were told that 92% of all adult child sexual contact was non-coercive and voluntary. 7% involved some kind of emotional or non violent coercion and only 1% were actually violent molestations. Of the contact half was initiated by the child and the remainder was mutual and/or agreed to by the child. We were instructed that the most important thing of all was that the damage done to a child in most instances of adult child sexual encounters was from the reaction to the discovery by adults around the child not the encounters themselves." 

"That is not the case any more, not the figures and not where the emphasis is placed" I told her then said "you don't have a problem with the boys playing around but what if it was Chris wanting to be with a 16 year old, 20 year old or even a 30 year old why is one ok and not the others?" I asked as I glanced at my watch and realized that the conversation was over.

She looked pensive now thinking about what we had just discussed as I said. 

"We have to go" turning quickly towards the room and entering. 

"When you hear 'all rise' everyone stand up until the judge says sit down" I told everyone as I took my place and put the headset on that would also obscure my mouth from observation. 

"We're here Alan" I said into it as I pressed the button activating it and leaving it on for the moment.

"It's about time, it's going to start any minute now" he told me. 

"Sorry was talking to Samantha and lost track of the time" I apologized as I activated the visual aspect of our link while keeping the sound muted. 

"You guys need to put on those headsets in front of you and put the end in front of your mouth like I have it ok?" I told them as they nodded and did what I had told them. 

A minute later the bailiff stood calling "all rise for the honorable Judge Jamie Kendall." 

We all stood as I glanced down to make sure that my microphone was activated only for Alan at this point then I said "this should be fun" to him but got no response as the judge took his seat and said "be seated."

We all sat mimicking the actions in the courtroom as the judge said "good afternoon, I take it these are the young men in question as well as the infamous Mr. Reynolds?" 

I activated my mic and said "yes your honor." 

"Very well would you introduce me to everyone please" he asked.

"Certainly your honor" I said as I killed my mic saying "I'm turning on your mics so watch what you say" then flipped the switches 

I began with Sam and went around until I reached Samantha before turning to the judge and saying "well that's all of them sir" 

He chuckled and said "I hope so" and I couldn't resist saying "I hope so too" which earned me a smile from the judge and a scowl from Sammy. 

Then he said to the children "I am glad to meet all of you and I want you to know that you have nothing to fear here and there will probably be things said in this courtroom that disturb you. If they get too bad let me know and we'll take care of it. I don't want you all getting unduly upset."

As we all nodded and mumbled ok's to him, he then proceeded. 

"Well then I guess we should get this show on the road. Mr. Jennings please remember we have young children present so watch yourself" he said to the prosecutor.

"Yes your honor and for the record I would like to object to both these proceedings and the fact that the children along with Mr. Reynolds have not been compelled to appear" he finished 

I made sure all the microphones were muted and then said to Alan, "smug bastard isn't he?" 

"Yeah and I don't know why" he responded which got me worried as the judge looked at Jennings and said "anything else."

"No your honor...at least not right now" which earned a scowl from Kendall.

"Well your objection is noted once again and once again overruled. As to an order to compel just how would you like that to be enforced Mr. Jennings?" 

Jennings wisely didn't answer and the judge continued "Mr. Reynolds and the children are present via live video conference which I might add he is paying for on his own initiative and they didn't even have to do that so what is the problem?" the judge asked him.

"Your honor I would feel much better if the children were present" Jennings replied.

"So you can get to them eh Mr. Jennings. In case you weren't aware of it that is why they aren't" the judge told him.

Jennings didn't say anything else but he clearly was not happy.

"Very well Mr. Jennings proceed" he instructed the prosecutor.

"I would like to call Sandra Kendricks to the stand" and we watched as a young woman of about 28 or so walked towards the front of the court.

Alan said to me "she's formerly with CPS" 

We watched in silence as the sour faced young woman was sworn in and then Jennings approached.

"Miss. Kendrick can you tell me your educational and employment background please" he asked her

"Certainly. I have a Masters degree in social work with a minor in child development as well as a BA in abnormal child psychology. Until yesterday I was employed as a supervisor with the state division of child protective services" she stated primly.

"How long were you employed there?" Jennings asked.

"4 years" she replied.

"Can you tell the court why you are no longer employed with that agency Miss. Kendrick?" 

"Yes I can. New management has come into power in the CPS system and they have been attempting to establish damaging policies into place, policies which I in good conscience I could not continue to follow." She stated.

"Can you tell us what these policies might be?" Jennings asked.

"Certainly the new management team had put into place policies which encourage and promote the continued abuse of children, they..."

"Objection!" Alan called out sharply.

"Facts not in evidence, conjecture and unsupported allegations" he added as he sat back down.

"Sustained, try again and back it up Mr. Jennings" the judge ordered scowling at him while I wondered why the CPS attorney was sitting there doing nothing.

Jennings didn't answer but addressed Kendricks again. 

"Miss. Kendricks, you have said that the new management at CPS is instigating new policies which you disagree with, could you please specify which policies and why you disagree with them?" he asked her.

"Yes, primarily the polices in question which have been instituted by the new management are ones which encourage and promote the sexual abuse of children and the continued abuse..."

"Objection your honor!" Alan yelled out again.

"Yes, sustained again, Miss. Kendricks you may factually state what the policies are and why you disagree with them but you may NOT continue to make inflammatory statements without any basis, is that clear?" the judge asked her directly.

"Yes your honor" she said not happy clearly with his admonition.

"The policies which CPS instituted state that children engaged in sexual activity with other children may be permissible and not harmful. The policies further state that we are not to presume that sex play is detrimental to children and we are not allowed to look at it as a situation where a child is molested by another unless there is something that would lead us to believe so under the new guidelines. The new guidelines state that sex play amongst children is normal and natural and is not abusive unless some form of coercion clearly takes place." she stated pausing as she finished.

Jennings then spoke up "that sounds reasonable can you tell us why you believe it isn't?" he asked

"It isn't, because the policies and guidelines are wrong. Children do not want nor enjoy being forced into any type of sexual contact. To say that they might is the first mistake. Everything else is compounded from that initial error. Children do not willingly engage in sexual activity and certainly not deviant sexual activity" she stated

Jennings didn't look quite as happy with that response glancing quickly at Alan before returning to Kendricks. 

"So you believe that the policies are detrimental to the continued welfare of children and you could no longer follow them is that correct?" he asked her.

"Yes that is correct based on my extensive knowledge, training and experience" she concluded looking like she was quite pleased with herself.

"Nothing further at this time, your honor" Jennings said as he went back to his seat.

Kendall looked at Alan and the CPS attorney but once again it was Alan who spoke up.

"Miss Kendricks, I am curious you said in your testimony, lets see here, ah yes here it is. You said, and I quote 'It isn't, because the policies and guidelines are wrong. Children do not want nor enjoy being forced into any type of sexual contact. To say that they might is the first mistake. Everything else is compounded from that initial error. Children do not willingly engage in sexual activity and certainly not deviant sexual activity'. Is that correct?" he asked her.

"Yes I said exactly that and it's true" she answered him.

"Ah I see" Alan said sitting there thinking for a moment. Then he stood up quickly picking a book up with him as he walked towards her. 

"This is your training manual from CPS is that correct?" he asked her.

"Yes" she responded.

"Could you please show me in here exactly where it states that children enjoy or want to be in forced sexual activities?" Alan asked of her.

Miss. Kendricks looked uncomfortable and didn't answer. 

"Miss Kendricks you have stated the CPS has told you that children like being forced into sex and you had to allow it under these new guidelines and policies, this is the manual regarding those policies and guidelines so will you please show me exactly where that is located?" he asked again still nicely.

Miss Kendricks looked beseechingly at the prosecutor as Alan said "Miss Kendricks?" before she turned her gaze back to him and mumbled.

"It doesn't exactly say that." 

"I'm sorry can you repeat that a bit louder?" Alan asked.

"I said it doesn't exactly say that but that is what they mean" she added.

"I see, can you tell me exactly how you know they mean that?" Alan asked

"Because children don't want that and the only way a child could engage in that behavior is by being forced" she said.

"Dipshit" I heard and looked up to find Sammy scowling at the screen.

"Ah I see. So in actuality nowhere in CPS manuals, training or policy does it say or imply that they advocate child molestation it is simply how you perceive children and sexuality that is the issue" Alan stated.

"It is fact not my perceptions" Miss Kendricks said angrily.

"Really because I am not seeing any facts here, so can you just answer the question?"

"It doesn't say it but I know it" Kendricks shot back.

"Ah very well, 'you know it' that's good. Let's see now Miss Kendricks you graduated locally from the University is that correct?" 

Miss Kendricks was clearly thrown by the question but finally said "umm yes." 

"Very good and you graduated 4 years ago you said?" Alan asked.

"Yes" she said sounding unsure.

"And you took courses in child development and child psychology?" Alan asked next.

"Yes I did, abnormal child psychology as well, I have a degree in it" Miss Kendricks stated sounding more sure of herself.

"Good, I happen to have spoken to the heads of those departments from the University and they have volunteered to testify if needed and I do have affidavits from them but do you happen to recognize this book?" he asked walking over to the table and picking up what was obviously a textbook and walking back towards Miss Kendricks.

"Objection your honor" Jennings stated.

"Yes Mr. Jennings" Kendall replied.

"Foundation" Mr. Jennings responded.

"Oh I think anyone can see the foundation Mr. Jennings, overruled." 

"Do you recognize it?" Alan asked her.

"I believe so" she reluctantly answered.

"Good because it is one of the books used to give you your training and knowledge" Alan said to her.

"Please open the book to the marked passage and read it for us Miss. Kendrick" Alan then ordered her.

She took the book like it was a live snake and opened it to the appropriate passage reading it to herself, before looking up and I noticed her face had paled considerably. 

"I do not believe this to be valid" she stated.

"But its what you were taught and trained with Miss. Kendricks" Alan shot back instantly.

"I do not follow these...these claims" she spat out.

"Ah I see, so your claims based on your 'knowledge and training' have just been proven to be lies" Alan hammered home.

"OBJECTION" Jennings yelled standing up and coming forward.

"To what Mr. Jennings, your witness being caught lying?" 

"Your honor" Jennings said while Kendall told him "sit down" he sat.

"Tell me Miss. Kendricks just where do you get the ideas which you seem to have because they are not from any formal schooling you seem to have been subject to and they aren't from the policies or procedures nor the training you received at CPS, so where do they come from?"

Two things happened simultaneously at that point.

Miss Kendricks uttered the comment "God's Word" and Mr. Jennings was on his feet screaming "OBJECTION, OBJECTION" while Alan looked exceedingly pleased.

"God's Word?" Alan queried before anyone could say anything else. Jenning's face had gone red as he cried hopelessly "objection your honor" again while Kendall looked on with a surprised expression on his face before saying very softly almost in a state of shock.

"Overruled"

"Miss Kendricks?" Alan asked all friendliness gone from his voice.

She didn't answer just sat there staring ahead.

"Miss Kendricks, is it God's Word then that you espouse instead what you have been trained to do?"

Again Miss. Kendricks didn't say anything and Alan started to speak again.

"You cannot deceive me son of Satan, nor can your filth which has descended upon the very institution charged with protecting the innocents" she said loudly into the courtroom.

It was unbelievable and I watched both Alan's and Kendall's eyebrows raise completely in an impressive imitation of a Vulcan while I just muttered "Jeeeeeesuuuuuuuus Christ!" and Sammy uttered "no shit Sherlock" as everyone sat there stunned.

Mr. Jennings finally shook the shock from his face as he said "objection" half heartedly to which Kendall's eyebrow once again rose before he said.

"You are objecting to your own witness?" 

"Ummm well..." Jennings stuttered before just giving up and sitting back down.

Kendall was shaking his head as Alan said softly "and who would you be hearing this Word from Miss. Kendricks?"

Miss Kendricks just looked at him and didn't answer for a moment before saying defiantly.

"The First Fundamentalist Church of Christ" as Alan looked as if he had been punched in the gut and I heard the softly whispered .

"Oh shit" as he tried to recover from something that had clearly shaken him, walking back towards the table and saying softly in a daze. 

"No further questions at this time, reserve the right to recall."

At that I noticed Judge Kendall's face and he also had a shocked and pale look on his face as he said "there will be a 30 minute recess" and quickly got up from the bench and exited the courtroom not giving anyone time to even stand. 

As I watched this Sammy asked "what's that dad?" and I could only say "I don't know son, I don't know."