A Father's Love

Zachary James Baker sighed contentedly, as he leaned back on the davenport. Even though hard rock was his favourite genre, and he had aspirations of starting a rock band - he also had a certain appreciation for the blues. His ex-mistress, Baroness Suzy Haner, was a fan of Jimmy Reed - and would sometimes play his music, when Baron Brian Haner Sr wasn't around.

Zacky shuddered at the thought of Lord Haner, as he reached his hands to pat his bandaged back. Lord and Lady Haner were about as opposite as night and day. Lord Haner was a major tyrant, and much of the neighbourhood feared him. Lady Haner, by contrast, was a sweet-natured woman who disliked being forced into an arranged marriage with that tyrant.

Nobody suffered worse at the hands - or whip, rather - of Lord Haner than poor Zacky himself did. The other servants weren't exactly treated much better by him - but, unlike Zacky, the rest of the Haner servants were adults. Zacky was only seventeen years old. Brian Haner Jr, who was the same age was Zacky, was the less favoured one by Lord Haner - who had preferred the bratty younger brother, Brent.

At least, inside of Sir Jimmy Reed's mansion on the Reed property, Zacky felt safe and secure. Even though Sir Jimmy Reed was every bit as wealthy, if not more so, than Baron Brian Haner Sr - the former was as gentle and kind as can be. After all, Jimmy hadn't always been that wealthy - and he never forgot his humble beginnings, when his parents were gardeners in Wales.
As Jimmy Reed's I Told You Baby began to play on the phonograph, tears filled Zacky's eyes. Jimmy's voice was so soft and tender - and, for much of Zacky's life, he had been deprived of that sort of tenderness.

"Zacky?" asked a soft voice. Zacky looked up, and saw that Jimmy was standing over him. "Are you all right? Why are you crying?"

"Uh, Jimmy, I... I..." Zacky began to stammer.

Jimmy sat on the couch, as he placed his arm around Zacky and drew him close - which made the tears flow harder.

"Aw, poor Zacky," Jimmy murmured, softly. "You didn't deserve to be treated the way you did." After pausing momentarily, he added, "I'm not making you uncomfortable, am I?"

"No, not at all," Zacky sobbed. "This is... just what I... want."

"Hey, Zacky, if you ever need a hug... or cuddles... or whatever," Jimmy commented, softly, "then just come to me. We just can't do that when we have company here, but... Otherwise, I'm more than happy to give you the... the affection that you've been... deprived."

Zacky sighed, as he reached up to wipe his eyes. He then leaned against Jimmy, who was gently rubbing his shoulder. At that point, Matt Baker entered the room. Matt was Zacky's younger brother, and they were separated for over a decade. Matt had just turned three, as Zacky was nearing the age of six - when the Baker brothers were ripped apart from each other. It felt so nice to be reunited.

"Hey, Matt," Jimmy asked, softly. "You wanna join your brother and me for a cuddle session?"

"Of course, Jimmy," Matt replied, smiling.

Matt then headed toward the couch, as he sat on the other side of Jimmy. Zacky smiled contentedly, as he enjoyed the cuddle session with his reunited brother and the blues musician acting as his host.

Notes