A Forever Home, Chapter 5
Kain's bad dreams seemed to ease up over the next few weeks, but then something happened to stir up his emotions again.
In early April, local news media reported that two people were found dead in their home and the police were treating it as a possible murder/suicide case. The names of the victims would be released later, pending notification of kin. The news reports showed a house with crime-scene tape cordoning it off. The street numbers had been blurred, but Kain recognized the place as his parents' home.
Gabe and Rod both accompanied Kain to the police station when he decided he needed to go. He figured it might take the authorities awhile to find him, and he didn't want things to drag on longer than necessary. He assumed he might be their only living relative. He knew his father had a brother who lived on the West Coast, but he hadn't seen his uncle since he was a little boy and didn't know exactly where the man resided, or if he was still alive.
The desk sergeant asked them to take a seat while he contacted one of the officers working on the case. It took only about five minutes before they were ushered into a private office where their conversation wouldn't be overheard.
Rod introduced the boys and himself. He noticed a flicker of recognition at the name, Kaiser.
"So, you believe the victims might be your parents?" Officer Hinson asked of Kain.
"I saw the house on the news and I knew it was ours."
"There wasn't any evidence of another person living on the premises. Don't you live with them?"
"My father beat me severely a little over two years ago and I went to stay with Grandma. She died in the fall, so I've been living with Mr. Bartlett and his son.
"My parents' names are Kevin and Jennifer Kaiser. They're dead, aren't they?"
"Yes," Mr. Hinson nodded. "I'm sorry you had to find out like this."
"It really doesn't matter," Kain sighed. "I haven't had any contact with them in the past two years. They were messed up with drugs. I didn't want to go that route, plus Grandma had a restraining order to keep my father out of my life."
"Wow, that's heavy."
"It's okay. I'm making it without them."
"Aren't there any other relatives who could help you out?"
"Uncle Kris, my father's brother, supposedly lives out West, maybe San Francisco. I don't have any memory of him. My mother was an only child and her parents have passed away."
"We should probably try to contact your uncle if we can find him. Do you know anything about him besides his name?"
"He's about 10 years younger than my father, so that would make him in his mid-30's, I guess. He was considered the black sheep, though I don't know why. I don't know if he ever contacted any of them, including Grandma."
"Okay. We'll try to track him down. I assume you'll want to make funeral arrangements. We can't release the bodies until after the toxicology reports."
"I honestly don't care what happens to their bodies. I suppose that sounds cold, but they ceased being my family when they got into heavy drugs. I don't have any feelings toward them right now."
"I don't blame you," the officer said. "Don't beat yourself up for not grieving their passing. I suspect you've shed enough tears in the past."
"Thanks," Kain said, softly. "I have."
In his session with Dr. Dan a couple of days later, Kain shared everything from his interview with the policeman. He also confided that he was feeling uncomfortable that he couldn't shed any tears over his parents' deaths.
"I think the officer gave you sound advice. You can't berate yourself for having no emotions about the people who abandoned you. You were abused emotionally as well as physically. You can't be expected to feel differently than you do."
"But, they weren't always like that," Kain insisted. "When I was little, they were good to me. When we read Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde in my AP lit class last year, it made me think of them. In their case, it wasn't a medical experiment but drugs that transformed them into monsters."
"So, you do have some good memories of them?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
"If you can, try to dwell on those. I'm not saying you have to forgive them for what they did. It's inexcusable. Still, you know that drugs were responsible in large part. Just remember that your sentiments, whatever they are, are justified and valid."
"Thanks!
Later in the week, Kain received a call from Officer Hinson that he had located Kain's uncle, and the man would like to have a phone call if Kain were willing to contact him.
"I have his mobile number and he's okay with getting a text message if you'd rather do that. He seems like a nice person and he doesn't want to do anything which might cause you more grief. I shared the cause of death with him and he was surprised. He'd lost contact with you father long before your parents got mixed up with drugs."
"So, was it a drug overdose? No one's told me exactly how they died. The TV stations talked about a possible murder/suicide thing."
"We're assuming it was an overdose," Hinson said. "We'll likely never know for certain. Your father passed first and there were traces of fentanyl in his system. But that doesn't mean your mother killed him. Some drugs have been laced with toxic materials to make them more potent. There was a note in her handwriting which told us were to find a copy of her will which leaves everything to you. Evidently, your father left everything to her and since she outlived him, her will is the important one."
"There can't be much left with all they spent feeding their habits," Kain shook his head.
"I wouldn't be so sure. Despite their use, they both held down fairly decent jobs. There's bound to be equity in the house and there are two relatively new vehicles in the garage."
Kain talked with Gabe and Rod as the boys ate their late dinner after getting home from work. Kain wanted their advice about how he should proceed.
Rod suggested he begin by writing a short text to his Uncle Kris and go from there.
"You don't know him, but he's evidently your only living blood relative. Getting in touch with him might make you feel better. If he doesn't turn out to be a good guy, you still have us as family."
"I appreciate both of you more than I can express," Kain sighed. "But I suppose it wouldn't hurt to at least touch base with him.
Kain sent a short message just before Gabe and he shared their shower.
By the time they'd dried off, Kain had a response from Kris who offered to fly to Iowa the next week if he could help in settling things. He wasn't going to make a claim against anything his brother might have left. But he would be willing to aid with whatever funeral arrangements Kain wanted to make. Basically, it sounded as though he wanted to do a good deed.
He offered to call Kain's number at a time when they could talk. He wanted the long-distance minutes to be charged to his account instead of his nephew's. That convinced Kain that he probably wasn't going to try to take advantage of him financially -- not that there was likely to be much to inherit.
Kain's conversation with his uncle the following evening turned out to be a revelation in several ways. He put his phone on speaker the minute he answered it so he wouldn't have to repeat everything to Gabe and Rod later.
"Hello, Kain," Kris began. "I'm concerned about how you're surviving. Will you be living with Grandma, or do you have someone else to take care of you? I'm not even sure how old you are."
"Oh crap, you don't know about Grandma. When she passed away in the fall, I didn't know how to get in touch with you or if you'd even care. My dad was alive at the time, and I guess I figured he'd notify anyone who was left of the family. I was staying with her until she got really sick. It's a long story.
"Um, I've been living with a classmate and his dad. I'm 18, though only for a few months."
"Wow! I've lost touch completely. I had no idea you were an adult. I guess I still picture you as a toddler. Sorry about that! I was going to ask if you wanted to come to San Franciso to be with Bruce and me. The offer is still open, but I'll understand if you don't want anything to do with me. We have the financial means to provide a home for you, but before you think it over, I have to be transparent. I'm queer, and Bruce is my husband."
"I'm cool with that, Uncle Kris. It might be fun to live in California, but I don't want to leave my boyfriend, and I don't like the word you just used to describe yourself. I fussed at Gabe for using it."
"Yeah, he did!" Gabe chimed in. Um, sorry, I wasn't going to butt in. I'm Gabe, his soulmate."
"I should have introduced Gabe and Rod to you," Kain apologized. "I didn't mean to come on so strong about the word you used."
"That's okay," Kris said. "We tend to use it among ourselves, like some African Americans use the `n' word.
"I'm glad your boyfriend and his dad are there. We should Skype next time so we can get acquainted. Anyway, what can we do to help? Would you like us to fly there soon?"
"Kris, this is Rod. You're welcome to come anytime you'd like to, but I think we can handle the estate things ourselves. I know getting last-minute tickets is pricy, though I think the airlines give a bereavement break. We have room to put you up. We'd appreciate your input about a memorial service or whatever you'd like to do. It is your brother, after all."
"Whew," Kris sighed. "I know this is going to sound cold, but I'm not interested in attending a funeral for the people who cut me off when I came out. I'll help pay for cremation or whatever, so it won't be a hardship for Kain."
"I feel the same way," Kain said. "When their bodies are released, I'm in favor of getting it over as soon as possible so I can move on. I haven't seen either one of them for about two years."
"Did they throw you out for being gay too?"
"Nope, it was about drugs. THEY were into them, not me! My father beat me up badly when he was on a bad trip or something. Grandma took me in."
"I'm so sorry you suffered abuse. I'm glad Mom provided for you. She must have been more caring than I gave her credit for. I was so angry with her for not intervening when my father threw me out, that I guess I didn't give her a chance to reconcile. I feel guilty."
"Don't beat yourself up, Kris! I'm sure your feelings are valid, whatever they are," Kain said, repeating almost verbatim the advice he'd been given.
"That's what I've tried to tell him," Bruce entered the conversation. "Maybe he'll believe you."
"I hope he does. I don't seem to feel sad that my parents are dead. I kinda wish I did. My counselor and my family tell me it's okay if I feel nothing."
They talked for nearly an hour before Kain's yawn reminded them that it was two hours later in the Midwest than it was on the coast. As they said their goodbyes, Kain thanked his uncle for calling him and promised that they could Skype about things in general later.
Then it was off to bed after a quick, no-nonsense shower.
Gabe asked Dr. Dan if he might have a few words with him alone during the next week. Dan said it would be fine and that he certainly wouldn't charge him for their conversation -- especially since it was being done for Kain's welfare.
"So, what do you want to discuss?" Dan asked.
"I, um, have some thoughts about doing something which could give Kain a stronger sense of security. He has no family except for Uncle Kris whom he has no memory of and who lives hundreds of miles away. I love Kain completely, and I'd like to get married when I turn 18 in May. I think Dad would probably sign for me before my birthday, but I don't want to put him on the spot in case he thinks we're too young."
"I take it that you've given this a lot of thought. Are you sure you're ready to pledge yourself to him for life?"
"Yes, I am."
"You do realize that people can change as they continue to mature."
"Yes. And I think they can survive those changes if they make them together."
"I would agree with you on that. However, I know from experience that it's difficult to maintain a relationship in college even when you're going to the same institution."
"So, did you lose a girlfriend in college, or is that none of my damned business," Gabe grinned.
"It really isn't anyone's business but ours," Dan said with a bemused look. "However, I'm going to tell you. We had a big fight and broke up our sophomore year. Then, we reconnected as juniors and moved in together our senior year. We got married a week after I finished graduate school. So, I guess you've made your point.
"Just remember that Kain has been hurt deeply. A fight like Kari and I had could send him over the edge."
"Yeah, I know he's emotionally fragile. I would never do anything to hurt him. I'm hoping my love will strengthen him."
"I believe it can, as long as you have that attitude."
In April, several details in Kain's life got settled. With Rod's help, he arranged for his parents to be cremated. He put their ashes in a plastic jar with a tight lid and set them adrift in the Cedar River. It might seem strange, and it might not be exactly legal. However, for him, it was a way to let go of the past.
The house, he'd lived in most of his life, sold quickly for enough money to satisfy the mortgage and have a small nest egg left over. He also sold one of the cars and used the proceeds to pay off the other one, with money to spare. Since late-model vehicles were bringing a premium because of the shortage of computer chips for making new ones, he did very well.
At first, he'd been hesitant to own anything his parents had touched. However, Rod assured him that a mechanical object was just that -- an inanimate thing without an essence of good or evil. Kain certainly deserved to have something nice and he should enjoy the vehicle he was keeping. Rod suggested having it professionally detailed so there would be no trace of its previous owners.
All of these events helped Kain to feel more at ease, but there was one more which was the icing on the cake.
Gabe drove them out to a quiet spot, known to the locals as bare-butt hill, near the man-made lake south of the city. They took a blanket, sunscreen, and a pair of very skimpy swimsuits. Although many others sunned there nude, they were kind of shy about exposing everything.
In this secluded place filled with the vibrant colors of spring, Gabe said what was on his heart.
"Kain, I love you more than anyone I've ever met. I know we haven't been together for even a year, but I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I hope you feel the same?"
"I do. I suppose I'm too young to know much about what love is, but I feel like we're as close as anyone I know."
"Then, will you marry me?"
"Yes!"
"You look especially well and happy today," Dr. Dan said to Kain in their next session. Does this result from having a lot of things fall in place and nearing the end of your senior year?"
"I think you know there's a bigger reason. Gabe and I don't keep any secrets from each other. He told me that he talked with you before he proposed."
"How do you feel about being his fiancé?"
"It's AWESOME!"
"Congratulations. I'm pleased for both of you. I'm going to give you a little engagement gift. It's in the form of a compatibility test. I know you're madly in love and that love is sometimes blind. I'm not saying that you don't fit well together. I am, however, aware that in the euphoria of a new relationship couples may overlook things that will eventually annoy them. I hope what I'm saying doesn't offend you."
"Dan, you've never steered me wrong. I'm into anything which can make my bond with Gabe stronger and more lasting."
"Cool! Bring Gabe with you next week, and we'll do it."
The test Dan administered proved that the two young men were remarkably compatible. It bolstered their resolve to become husbands as soon as they could. All they would have to do was go to the courthouse on Gabe's birthday and sign the papers.
"Do you think you could wait until after graduation and have your wedding in early June?" Rod asked. "Uncle Kris and Bruce are coming then, and I know Pastor Christine will officiate if she has a date open. She would require a few counseling sessions before she would marry you, but you've already done the test she uses. It might be a nicer event than just going before a judge."
"I'm open to whatever my fiancé wants," Gabe said. "What's your pleasure, Kain?"
"I like the idea of doing it at the church and I like having my uncles present. Let's set a date with Pastor Christine as early in June as possible. I want to change my last name to yours before we start at Kirkwood in the fall."
Late May and early June was a particularly busy time in the Bartlett household. All three of the males were involved in school activities. Rod would have finals to give and grade in his AP language arts classes. The teens were occupied with taking finals and doing all the other requirements for participating in the graduation ceremony.
In addition, they were preparing for their guests, Kris and Bruce, to come for graduation and the wedding. Because of their upcoming nuptials, the boys had decided to forego having a graduation party. That would have been one more thing on their plates, and they would be inviting their close buds to the event which they thought was more important.
Pastor Christine had the first Saturday in June open because a couple had canceled after she advised them to get more counseling before she would agree to officiate at their wedding. The groom-to-be became angry and demanded that his fiancée find another venue, proving that he had the unresolved control issues which had raised red flags.
Christine was impressed with the results from the compatibility test Dan had administered. Thus, there wasn't a lot of counseling to do in their case.
For Gabe and Kain, wedding plans were relatively easy because the lady at church who coordinated such events was eager to help with preparations. The guys were thrilled that she didn't bat an eye about its being a same-sex affair.
Rod arranged to have it catered, so that would take a lot of the stress out of it. When Uncle Kris heard about the arrangement, he insisted to go halves on the cost. That made it even better.
Author's notes: The news from Kentucky is grim with the death toll as high as it is. The governor seems to be doing what he can to house people. I understand that the cabins in a nearby state park are open for them to use. Lots of charities are helping. The owner of Willy Ray's Q Shop here in town is down there making hundreds of meals for people. He did the same thing here after our derecho in August of 2020, and he went to Louisianna to feed people after the hurricane. His generosity touches me since he's a Black man helping people in an area where the color of his skin would have kept him out of mainstream society 50 years ago.
Thanks to all who emailed this week: Paul R, Steve C, Tony C, Allen, Ken McC, Bobby H, Walter S, JLF, Ott H, Randy M, Charles G, Frank K, Geoff S, Jim W, Jack, Geoffrey, Bill T, Mendy D, Joe W (2), John L, Dale W, Cary and Ken, John H.
Thanks for reading this story. If you enjoyed it, please feel free to contact me a dlee169@hotmail.com and let me know. Your emails are the only reward I receive for writing. If you put the title of this tale in the subject-line, I'll be able to find it if it ends up in the spam box.
Thanks to David S for editing. He finds the typos and missing words! He also makes valuable suggestions.
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Happy Holidays and peace to all,
David