A Character Conversation from “Bias Hearts” by Paul Nosach

Slowly Sebastian climbed to his feet, still feeling the pain inflicted at his groin. He rested his hands on his knees and gestured the boy to come closer with a single motion of his head.
Hesitant, Adam took two steps. “Are you okay?”
“Adam, I need to tell you something very important – and I will tell you in Spanish.”
Adam took one last look at Jaysen before taking any further steps.
“It is okay,” Sebastian reassured him.
“What do you want to tell me,” the boy looked quizzical at his uncle.
Sebastian put a hand on Adam’s shoulder and finally spoke the words: “Maté, a su Padre.”
At first, Adam couldn’t speak. He didn’t want to believe his ears. He didn’t want to believe it at all! A frown started to grow on his face when Sebastian had nothing else to offer other than ‘lo siento.’ Adam did not even want to accept the apology.
He started stepping backward, tears welling in his eyes. Shaking his head, he didn’t even ask ‘why.’ The dam was about to break, and Adam felt his feelings only get stronger by the second. His heart was knocking against his chest, and his breathing became erratic. He let out one scream. “Nooo!”
Sebastian stood to his full height. “Adam,” he said, reaching out with one hand in a ditch effort to comfort him. But it was futile. The damage had already been done.
Still shaking his head, he asked, “Where is he buried?”
“Adam.”
“Please, tell me,” he began to cry. Wiping his eyes on his coat sleeves to keep a clear view on his uncle, he never felt so awful in his life. He not only felt crushed but betrayed – betrayed by his own uncle who took him in and treated him like a loving parent. Now hate filled his soul. It was the same hate that he felt towards his uncle.
“Do you really want to know?” Sebastian asked, taking a step closer to his nephew.
He nodded his head.
“I can take you.”
“Is it far?” Adam asked still wiping his eyes.
“No,” Sebastian still offered his hand.

Jaysen woke up, feeling like he had a seizure. Nausea, the headache, and the roller-coaster filled his body. He quickly shook it off and took in his surroundings. He wondered why Adam was bawling his eyes out and Sebastian had an out-stretched hand. He asked the obvious stupid question, “What’s going on?”
Adam shot him a glance.
Sebastian turned to face Jasyen. “Can you show where Leo is buried?”
Oh, shit!
Jaysen thought this day would never come, but it had to eventually. Adam had to find out one way or another. He extended his hand in the same fashion Sebastian did. “We’ll go together.”
With great hesitation, Adam took Jaysen’s hand and was led to the door. Leading out to the patio and down the steps to the backyard, Adam wondered where they were going.
This can’t be right, Adam thought.
He walked by Jaysen’s side along the pool and towards the flowerbed beyond, stopping just short of it. Adam looked up at Jaysen as if to say ‘here?”
“He’s right here, Adam.”
Nearly cried out, Adam asked, “How do you know?” He was still sobbing.
Jaysen had to tell him the truth. He sighed, “I helped dig the hole,” he paused to see the boy’s reaction. “But I didn’t kill him.”
Shifting his loathing from Sebastian to Jaysen, Adam said, “You helped!”
Jaysen gave a slight nod, disapproving his own actions.
Adam took one stern look at Jaysen and said, “I don’t care about your epilepsy.”
That hurt, but his following words hurt more.
“You can fuck my uncle all you want. I know you love him.” Adam said it loud enough for even Sebastian to hear.
“Adam!” Jaysen looked back to the house. He saw Sebastian standing by the railing of the deck stairs. His head was bowed in shame.

You can find “Bias Hearts” 
by Paul Nosach at:

Amazon