Lyle T Lachmuth

NaNoWriMo Novel Excerpt #4

DISCLAIMER: The following excerpt deals graphically with a scene that is the lead in to seduction and rape of a young boy.

COPYRIGHT 2007 Lyle T. Lachmuth, ALL Rights Reserved

[Beginning of Excerpt]

The priest smothered the boy's cries for help.

The priest held the boy firmly against his body. His arms wrapped around the boy. The boy couldn’t move, feared to breath, yet somehow, cried out. The priest’s lips pressed against the back of his [] neck, nibbling like a marauding eel, breath reeking of gin like the boy’s mother.

Father [] cooed, “Edward be a good boy now. You know how much you like me to touch you. Don’t struggle now. I love you Eddie. You know you love me. There, there, be a good boy. I’m going to slip off your shirt now. I need to kiss your [], soft shoulders. You are such a dear, sweet boy.”

Father [] holding Edward carefully, firmly in place with his left arm, slowly undid the buttons on the boy’s shirt. All the while kissing his way round the boy’s neck, moving from one side to the other, slowly like a great, [] earthworm inching its way along.

“You are such a treasure Eddie. The best of all the boys in the choir. The best of all the boys who have been with me. Such a love. Turn now Eddie and kiss me, full on the lips, like I’ve taught you.”

The priest gently, softly, turned the boy in his arms, still holding tight, so the boy could not, dare not flee. Father [] tilted back the boy’s golden haired head, leaned forward, and softly covered the boy’s [] mouth with a [] kiss.

“It’s time Eddie. Time to take of your trousers. Time for . . .”

[End of Excerpt]

Why I Didn't Say Anything

I was standing in the checkout line at the library when I spotted Sheldon Kennedy's expose of childhood abuse, "Why I Didn't Say Anything: The Sheldon Kennedy Story".

For those who aren't hockey fans or those who were living in their cellars the fly leaf of this chilling memoir sets the stage for Sheldon's story:

"In 1996, Sheldon Kennedy rocked the insular world of Canadian Hockey by announcing that his former minor-league coach, Graham James -- the Hockey News 1989 Man of the Year had sexually abused him more than 300 times"

The story unfolds from Sheldon's life on the farm, where he learned to skate and play hockey. To his fateful meeting with Graham James. And, the subsequent abuse he suffered at the hands (mouth and prick) of this charismatic pedophile.

Like many abuse victims Sheldon took on the shame and the blame for the abuse. Shame lead to alcholol and drug abuse... even while his junior hockey team (coached by James) won a world championship.

Eventually, James went on to play successfully, or at least on the surface, in the NHL. All the while struggling with his demons.

Finally, the internal pressure became too much and Sheldon told his team mates -- and the police. This lead to an investigation and charges against James. But, James decided to plead guilty. Thereby avoiding the risk of a trial.

Sheldon and his demons were restless. So, he set up a Foundation and decided to inline skate across Canada to raise funds. He succeed after 5 months, quite literally, on the road.

But, success was fleeting and his demons took over. Soon cocaine and booze drove him to bottom. Finally, he got the help he needed from the NHLPA substance abuse program.

Today, Sheldon lives and works in Calgary, Alberta as youth counsellor.

If you care about children, especially children who have been abused, this book is a must read.

Contact Sheldon at his web site.