Jason remained quiet until the Adam turned the van onto the main road. Adam was finally able to start driving, but he could not drive for long distances or in heavy traffic.

"So what do you think Uncle Bill is in trouble for?" Jason finally said. Jason had always favored Uncle Bill for some reason.

"I don't know," Adam said in a very carefree manner.

"I mean, it has to be pretty serious. I hope Dad can help him," Jason replied. "I can't imagine Bill doing anything serious enough to have Dad scrambling like he is."

"Don't know," Adam said, as he entered the small town of Emerald Beach. He wanted to be supportive to his brother, but he could never support Bill.

"I mean he always took us places and did the neatest things. I just don't understand what he could be accused of?" Jason said, watching out the window. Adam had just pulled into the parking lot of the only bank in town. "It was a treat knowing that when Mom and Dad had to go on a trip, he would come and we would explore the coves and stuff."

"You mean 'you', he never took me anywhere," Adam said as he got out of the van. He was trying to block his memory, but parts of it came flooding back. He could remember fearing and loathing the times that his parents left them with Bill. He also remembered the way that Bill grabbed him and yelled at him for any reason. Most of all, he did remember those exploring trips. Adam remembered them well. He remembered Bill always asking Jason to go and get something from upstairs or outside and then he would come after him. "You are a stupid little ignorant brat. I would not take you out the door. There is no way you are my brother's son you stupid little sneak. Since you like closets so much, you can stay in one until we get back!" At that Bill would always lock Adam in his bedroom closet with a piece of bread and a cup of water. "You better remember this because if you say anything you sneak, this is what you will get not to mention your family will hate you forever." He always said that right before he closed the door. The memories of those haunting words "your family will hate you forever" made Adam stop before he went to the other side of the van. He could almost feel his chest close in on him and he leaned against the van for support. The sweat started to bead on his face and in the palms of his hands. "And your family will HATE you forever" replayed in his head.

"Adam, you never wanted to go. You always went and hid in the closet! Bill said that---," he heard Jason say as he interrupted his thoughts. Jason caught glimpse of his brother's condition and ran up next to him. "Adam? Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Adam barely mouthed as he crouched down beside the van. He put his head between his knees to hide the tears that swelled in his eyes. The thought of losing his family always scared him to death.

"I don't know Adam. You don't look good, maybe we should go home," Jason said as he kneeled down beside his younger brother. He was always very observant and protective over his brother ever since the accident.

"I will be fine, just a dizzy spell," Adam said, feeling a little stronger.

"Are you sure?" Jason said, trying to see Adam's face. He wanted to check his eyes. He reached over and gently pushed his brother's head back. "Well, your eyes look fine. Let me get you a towel."

Jason got into the back of the van to get one of the beach towels to wipe off Adam's face.

"Thanks, Jas. I feel a lot better now," Adam said as he steadily and slowly got up.

"Well, let's at least get you something to drink and eat. You haven't had dinner yet," Jason said, locking the back door of the van. "My treat!"

"I can't pass up that deal," Adam said with a smile. He knew that he could never reveal his secret. He had made a promise and he always kept his word. Plus he would never want to lose his family. He did not want to jeopardize his relationship with his older brother.

The brothers had an enjoyable night at the festival. They even met up with Chuck and Craig. Chuck Cooper was a jolly, red head who was a little on the chubby side. He was Adam's best friend while Craig Johnson, a six foot seven; stocky boy with long sandy blond hair was Jason's best friend. Both boys played on the football team, even though Craig did participate in some of the same activities that Jason did like debate and chess.

"They are having a lip sync contest. Do you want to do something for the fun of it?" Chuck said pointing towards the grandstand that sat in front of City Hall. A lip sync contest required that the contestants to act like they were singing the song. The boys had always done little numbers for fun at parties, but rarely did anything in public. The contest was a very popular event in Emerald beach.

"Yeah, we thought it would be fun. I know you can't play football yet, but you can do the fight song with us," Craig said, trying to coax Adam into it. Adam was looking very suspiciously at Craig.

"I don't know guys. I don't think I can do the move in front of these people," Adam said, referring to a very famous part of their routine. They always did the dance before every game as a motivator. They also sometimes did the dance along with the school band after a victory.

"Adam had a dizzy spell earlier, maybe he should sit this one out," Jason interrupted. He did not know if getting up on the stage and moving around would be the bet thing for Adam.

"Come on, I will do the part since I am not a man that is chained down," Craig said, referring to Adam's new status of being a boyfriend.

"Okay, but you do the part," Adam said with a grin. He thought that it might be fun. "You know the dance, want to join us, Jason?"

"Oh, no. No way, you go and make a fool of yourself. I will stand here and watch," Jason said. "Just be careful. Don't go getting yourself dizzy again."

It wasn't long before the trio was announced and Jason could hear the familiar song, "Hang on Snoopy" playing from the grandstand. He watched as his brother did the dance with his fellow playmates. He had to laugh when it came to the part of the song when Craig stepped ahead of the others and pulled his shirt off and revealed the message, "Go Wildcats!" written on his chest. The girls screamed with delight because Craig had a very well formed chest from weight lifting. Adam always did that part and caused the same reaction from the audience. Jason might have been the oldest and taller by one inch, but Adam was more built than his brother. Then Chuck pulled forward, threatening to take his shirt off, but as usual, the girls jokingly begged his not too. One even offered a Butterfinger into the air to discourage him. Chuck walked over to the end of the stage and gladly accepted the bribe. Jason also had to smile at the fact that his brother was even able to perform with his friends. It made him feel a sense of normalcy, something that he had not felt for a long time. Even though the boys did not win, they still had a great time and they all enjoyed their own victory by sitting down and enjoying steak gyros along with the traditional funnel cakes.

Adam felt a lot better, but he was dreading returning home. He knew that he still had to deal with Uncle Bill, but he felt a little stronger. Jason did not bring the subject of Bill up on the way home. Instead he talked about the festival. Jason turned the van into the long driveway and as he got closer to the house they notices a familiar car. It was a black Lincoln.

"Dad must have called James. This means that it must be serious," Jason said as he parked the van behind the Trans Am. James Martin was a lawyer, one of the best in LA. He had been a friend of the family since the boys could remember. Both boys liked him as well as his wife and one daughter. The brothers made their way into the house and were met by their father in the dining room. James had paperwork spread out all over the table.

"Hey guys," Mr. Martin said coming forward to greet the boys. He was a very thin man with a rather large balding spot on his head. He was always dressed in a suit and tie, a very kind and professional man. "How is everything going?"

"Just fine. We are so glad to see you. It has been awhile," Jason said, returning the greeting.

"How about you, Adam? I thought I always told you to keep it between the ditches!" Mr. Martin said referring to Adam's accident. "I am so glad that you are going to be fine."

"You know me. I always have to learn things the hard way," Adam said jokingly.

"So what is going on?" Jason asked. Adam knew that he had been waiting for an answer ever since Uncle Bill had called.

"Well, let's go and sit down," Mr. Kramer said as the group went over and sat down in the living room area.

"Okay, as you know Bill has been living in the town of Airdale in northern California. He has been working as a clerk for a gas station and has been the leader of a youth group sponsored by the Airdale Community Christian Church," Mr. Kramer explained. "Well, I guess some things have happened and he is being investigated by the Airdale Police Department. James said he is going to check in on the case and represent Bill in the case. I will be investigating the case in my free time because we are swamped at the State Department with doing criminal checks for the local school systems."

"Maybe we can help out too," Jason chimed in. Adam cringed at this thought, but he his emotions.

"I don't know, maybe. Mostly I want you guys to concentrate on getting your lives back to normal after the accident," Mr. Kramer said with a serious tone. "You will be going back to school after the festival."

"What did he do, Dad?" Jason asked again, very impatiently.

"Your Uncle Bill is being accused of molesting two teenage girls in the youth group," James continued for Mr. Kramer. "The girls have came forward to the police and the police have charged his with two counts of child molestation, two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and two counts of child endangerment."

Adam could feel the tension in the room. He saw the horrified look on his father and brother's faces. Most of all, though, he felt a sense of disgust and guilt. So many emotions overcame Adam as he had flashbacks of that one night when he was seven and he was with his uncle and cousin, Maria. He thought that he would never be faced with that again. He thought that it was in the past and that life could go on. But now it was all coming back to haunt him. Adam felt that same feeling that he felt earlier by the van, except this time it was more intense. Adam knew he had to get out of that room and out of that house. He could not tell his secret because he feared that his uncle's haunting words would come true. He heard the chilling phrase repeat in his head over and over, " And your family will HATE you forever".

Before Jason or anyone in the room could react, Adam jumped up gasping and ran out the front sliding glass door and into the darkness that hid the beach.

Jason tried to catch his younger brother, but Adam was very quick.