Ask Me

Chapter 82.

Conner was banging away at the piano today, I had closed the doors in case he frightened the babies. John was pottering round in the kitchen with Teddy and from the sweet smells coming from the ovens I believe he is making almond biscuits. Instead of a chef's hat, he had that fireman's hat on, it looked so cute so I had to have some photos.

"How many did you make son?"

"About one hundred thousand dads, plenty for me and some for you too."

"That's nice son, thank you."

I had been playing with Jack off and on and Curtis had decided to have another nap. I had a thought I wanted to run by Ted a few days ago but forgot to.

"Hey Teddy, have you got a new boy at school called Brody?" I wanted to know if Doctor Breen's son went to Ted's school.

"I think so dad, I see him in class. I think his name is Brody but I'm not sure."

"Okay, that's good I think he's your new doctor's son."

"I don't see him with any other kids dad, I think he is shy. I think."

"Well you had better make a new friend of him, I'm sure he would love to join your team."

"Do you think so, dad?"

"Yes I think so, he might be an asset to the team."

"I don't think so daddy, he's sick."

"What do you mean baby?"

"He has a funny leg I think."

What makes you say that?"

"Well, he sits on his own at playtime because he can't run around. I think I saw something like straps and things one day. He wears long pants and I can't see properly."

"Oh, then you might want to sit with him one day and see if you can help him."

"Dad, I think he doesn't want any friends, he sits alone around the corner from us all."

This is perplexing, I did think that maybe he had a leg problem he was wanting to hide. I must ask Mrs, Green next time I see her.

I forgot about it and decided to watch out for him, maybe I can bring in the big guns and he can make him a friend after all Conner is his idol.

He wanted to go to Nans today to nut out the small concert he was doing Friday night, so I bundled up the kids and we all headed for Geoff's café. Conner had his cap on, as usual, it sometimes works, but today it didn't, once one guy recognized him, the rest followed.

Heaps of selfies and loads of hugs for Conner then it settled down as workers had to leave for their jobs and girlfriends giggled as they went about doing some more shopping.

Geoff and Conner were in conference mode over at the counter, so I sat with John and the kids sipping my coffee when a hunky man walked into the Cafe. He spied us and came over.

"I'm finally on a lunch break, my first in two weeks." He grinned at us.

"Sit with us, Conner won't be long, he's just talking to Geoff about Friday night."

The waitress came over and doctor Breen ordered a ham tomato and pickle sandwich, we ordered another coffee.

"So I see by the posters Conner's appearing here, does he do that often?"

"Not really, it's just this place was once owned by Teddy's grandma, sadly she passed away and we have a sort of bond with the place. Con has done a few nights here because he likes the new owner, they get along well."

"Good for him, can kids come or is it a headbanging full-on rock show?"

"Of course kids are welcome, and Conner doesn't do any of his rock songs. He does his better ones, softer and quieter, more intimate." I smiled at this hunk who had jammed his sandwich in his mouth. He called the waitress over and started asking her about the show, she replied.

"I'm sorry doctor Mike, it sold out in the first two hours."

"It's okay Michael, you can sit at our table, I think we have one that seats ten don't we Trudy, the waitress excused herself and went to check the booking. When it was confirmed she went on to another table, and from what I was hearing they were trying to book a table too.

I wanted to know more about Brody so I opened the dialogue with.

"I think your son goes to Ted's school, he told me he sees him in class sometimes."

"He does Brent, only for three days for now, and when he's feeling better he will go for five." He was sort of putting up a little barrier.

"Is he ill?"

"Not really, he's just got some adjustments to make, we are working on it. Anyway so much for lunch, I must away duty calls. And thank you for the table invitation too."

"You're more than welcome doc, enjoy your day." I smiled.

"It's like getting water out of a stone John. He's not forthcoming with any info on Brody."

"Maybe its Brody that's stopping him." John was deep in thought.

"How so?"

"Well the boy has a problem he doesn't want to share with his school mates, and I think daddy has maybe been silenced."

"You may have something there John, another coffee?"

"No thank you, son. I've had too many today, I might head back home."

"Okay John, we won't be far away."

"Do you want me to take the twins?" he offered.

"If you could, I want to join Conner and Geoffrey."

He tootled off with the babies and I finished my cake then joined in on the conversation.

"I can't believe that." Conner was saying.

"Well we are getting calls from all over the world to book seats, you are popular you know."

Con looked at me and said.

"Did you hear that Brent, the night sold out in two hours and a hundred times more are waiting for cancellations if Geoff's figures are right."

"Well, you had better not do the casino Con and make it a permanent thing here." I smiled at Geoff's face, it lit up in anticipation, then I had to go and say it.

"And of course Geoff will pay the million dollars a month you are accustomed to." I laughed as I pulled my man off his stool and said.

"Let's go home Mr. Popular."

"Where are the boys?"

"They got bored and went home with John."

"We had better catch up then." He almost ran me home, we didn't catch up with John but when we got in he was putting them in their cribs for an afternoon nap, I can't wait until they get some sort of rhythm going, I know they need loads of sleep when they are this young, but this is ridiculous.

"Thank you, John, you're a godsend."

"That's what all the spunks tell me, Brent." He laughed and started pottering around the kitchen while Conner tinkled on the piano some more.

When he had finished he grabbed Conner's laptop and was searching the net.

"New recipe Johnno?"

"No Brent, just something I thought about at the café."

I started picking up pieces of Ted's plane and was trying to sort them in some kind of order. John made a sound and moved into his house to read whatever he had found. I didn't see him for another hour when he started making rolls for afternoon tea, his eyes were bloodshot so he's either been crying or drinking. I doubt too much he would be drinking this time of the day, so crying was a sort of answer.

"Everything all right John?"

"Yes son, all is good, do you think the boys will need a bottle before we go?"

"They will let us know I suppose, I had better pack a couple just in case."

"We can wrap them in a newspaper to keep them warm." He started looking for a paper but I had hidden them in my laundry. I got up and found one for him then I asked Conner if he wanted to come to the park.

"I certainly do, I need a break and I need to go over my list for Friday night too."

"How many songs are you doing?"

"About six, maybe seven I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too Con." I caught him by the arm and kissed him.

"Maybe we should stay home with the boys today."

"They will be awake in an hour, no time Conner, but if you come into the laundry I can caress your lovely buns for a minute or two." I grinned. He didn't like that idea so I think he's going to wait until tonight.

My man went missing on Thursday, he was at the café sorting out his playlist, he has a backing disc now so he doesn't need the band only his guitar.

When he came back he told me everything was okay with him, that Geoffrey had made more space for the small stage that Con will perform on. We gathered up the boys and the granddads and headed for Teddy's school, he was sitting on the pavement this time and I instantly knew something was wrong.

I kissed him, he didn't kiss his brothers and was distant. Conner rattled on about the concert and he knew Ted would be so excited to be present, and he was happy his son will be there. That got a small fist squeeze.

"Con, can you take the boys I want to talk to our son for a minute."

"Sure baby, but I can talk to him if you want."

"No, I want daddy." We heard him whisper. I had no idea what was happening but Con was happy for me to listen and tell him later on.

I got out of the car and into the back seat, his head flopped over to my chest and there was silence for some time. He finally said.

"That boy told me to go away."

"What boy son?"

"The doctor's boy, I tried to talk to him today but he screamed at me to go away."

"Well, you tried your hardest, sometimes people like to be on their own, you did nothing wrong, Teddy, you tried to do a good thing, and I'm very proud of you."

"Is he going to die?"

"Why would you ever say that Ted, of course, he isn't going to die." I hoped I was right.

"Cause when I said hello, he said go away, I want to die on my own."

My god, what a terrible thing to say, or even think. That poor boy must have had some real trauma in his life to even think that, let alone say it.

"No Teddy he was probably mad, and he's angry at something, but not at you. I want you to believe dads, and I will try and find out what the matter is with him. I might ask Mrs. Green."

"Don't daddy, I don't want him to get into trouble."

"Okay I won't, but I will talk to his daddy when I see him next. Just smile at him and try to be happy around him for now. Dad will get you an answer very soon."

"Okay daddy, I feel so sorry for him."

"We all do son."

He lightened up a bit then we kissed and he skipped off to find his mates. I will have to make an appointment with the doctor soon and find out what's been happening in that poor kid's life.

I told Conner what was up, he wanted to go see the doc too, so I said we would go together.

"I think you should leave it until next week sons, give the doctor some breathing space and Con maybe you could make a small fuss over the boy tomorrow night, and we will see how he reacts," John said.

"You know something don't you?" I replied.

"A little Brent, but the story won't come from me, it's too painful, his father should be telling you"

I trusted John and I trusted his judgment not to tell us anything terrible. I left it at that, but if my boys going to be upset by another kid at school, I want to know about it. Maybe I can talk to the doc tomorrow night, although it's hardly the place to have that sort of conversation.

He was a good looking kid, a t-shirt that said 'Rock-it' and jeans that dropped at the waist, his hair wasn't short but wasn't too long either. Doctor Breen introduced him to us and sat at our table. I watched as he caught sight of Teddy and leaned into his daddy's shoulder, he was trying to hide. Everybody at the table was trying to get a smile out of him, but in the end, I saw a terrified little boy who wanted the earth to swallow him up.

Di knew Michael, she had been seeing him for a few weeks now so he wasn't a stranger to us all. He chatted away until the clapping arrived. The audience wanted Conner to get his ass on stage.

When Con did make an appearance he screamed into the microphone then went straight into one of his loudest rock songs, no backing. He had only done two verses then he stopped and said.

"That's all you get of Rick Conner's tonight, the rest is just me." I looked over at Brody his mouth was open and his eyes as wide as dinner plates, his hero was on stage and he again leaned into Michael's arm trying to hide his tears.

Conner noticed because we were right up in the front row. He shushed the crowd and sat on the edge of the stage, around three feet from Brody, without any music he started singing a blues song `Don't cry baby' an Etta James song I have loved forever. The words were appropriate without bringing the audience's attention to the very upset boy.

He did the first verse sitting then he worked the stage like the pro he was. Now and then when he repeated the chorus he moved back to where Brody sat. Michael was moving him back and forwards to the rhythm whispering in his ear, I caught him nodding and he did smile for a second.

The applause and feet stomping were enormous, and the café rocked. Conner will start his proper show now, but that song tugged at my heart, his voice had been vibrating off it.

"Thank you, that song was for a very special friend of mine, I believe he is my greatest fan and I am so happy he came to see me try to sing tonight." He once again looked at a smiling Brody.

"I believe, my biggest fan is also learning to play the guitar, and I wondered if he would accompany me with my next number, it's called, Us." He looked at Brody who wasn't believing what was being said then Conner came to the table and held his hand out. Brody looked at Michael who nodded his approval and to the audience's applause he got up on stage with my man.

"Now a little bird told me you are a wiz with a guitar, I have a very special signed one for you to play tonight. Would you do me the honor of working with you?" His head went at a hundred miles an hour. I felt Teddy climb onto my lap to get a better view and he leaned back into me. Conner played a few chords on his guitar and Brody mimicked him then he indicated he was about to start the show. Brody kept up on his smaller guitar and it was magic when Conner broke the song to congratulate him. I was being drawn into Us, those heartstrings were at it again.

At the song's conclusion, Conner thanked him very much for his help, then he said his cheque was in the mail, everyone laughed as Brody gently stepped off the stage and landed in Mikes lap, again he was so excited, and we had more tears. Mike kissed his head and spoke quietly to him and Conner started the next song, Ask Me. He's trying to break my heart tonight and he knew it, as he pranced like a peacock and smiled at me.

He didn't leave Ted out he thanked him for being his best son and Teddy took a bow, much to Brody's surprise Ted also got up on stage and did his forest friends dancing. I guessed nobody told Brody he was related to Conner. When he finished Teddy pulled the microphone down to his level and said.

"That will cost you a thousand dollars by the end of the business, tomorrow daddy." The audience fell in love with my superstar son. `At last', another Etta James song was next, and Conner sang it, as he has always been singing it, he knows I love that woman's voice so he must have been practicing elsewhere because I hadn't heard him sing it before at home.

"This is just wonderful Brent, I love him like this. It's the way his fame should have taken him years ago." John was talking in my ear.

"Me too, I wish all his concerts were like this."

Teddy was now sitting on the stage and watching his dad after the fifth song Brody had joined him and they both were smiling at each other. When the last song arrived it was a little more upbeat and Teddy showed him how to do his moves, they were both giggling and now and then Brody would look at Michael and Michael would nod his approval. I also went through a few serviettes.

Two more bonus songs were sung and then it was over for another year but Conner did an audience whip around and they all voted for more concerts here at the café.

It was decided later on with Geoffrey, that Conner would do an appearance once every other month, that's if he doesn't have any other work on. The counter was mobbed with fans booking for the next one and the one after.

Ted bought Brody over and he introduced him to Con and his other daddy, me, by now Con was sweating and had a big glass of iced lemon tea in front of him.

"You did very well tonight Brody, I want you to think about something, you don't have to answer me just now, but would you let me give you some lessons at my place sometime?'

"Yes!!" His arms went up and he leaned into Conner's sweaty chest, I so wanted to do that to him tonight.

The night was a blast, and because it was getting late we had to leave, but not before Mike thanked us all for what we had done for his son.

"You people are amazing, I can't thank you enough for tonight. My boys so happy, it's been a while since I saw his smiling face, Conner you put it back and I am forever grateful to you."

"My pleasure Mike and the lessons are genuine if you can drop him off for an hour now and then." Con laughed.

"As if I wasn't busy enough." Mike laughed back.

"If you want we can pick him up from school, then you can collect him from our place after work."

"I will talk to him about it, and that's a great idea."

I carried Ted home on my back, he was horse riding tonight and after he told us how much fun he had he also told us he was dog tired and wanted to go to bed. No story tonight, just sleep.

I caught Conner before he headed for the shower.

"Where do you think you're going, mister?"

"To shower baby, I'm all sweaty."

"You have a choice, after getting me all hot and bothered tonight, and don't deny it, that's what you deliberately do. I have decided you can either shower or you could get me to wash you with my tongue from head to toe." His jeans dropped immediately and he lay flat on the bed.

"Wash away." He grinned. I had a ball doing that his sweat was so sweet and musky it turned me on to no end. We had a very dirty night and I believe Con was all squeaky clean by the time we turned the lamp out.

Around five the boys wanted a drink as if it isn't enough in the daytime they have to dictate when I sleep now. I dragged myself out of bed and did my much-needed chore, they were hungry tonight I had hoped Grant had fed them enough last night because he was the one babysitting them.

Ted was out the back playing with Benny when the doorbell went off. It was Michael looking very sexy in some running shorts, his hairy thighs were like anvils.

"Good morning Brent, can we talk for a moment?"

"Sure, come in, coffee?"

"Yes thank you, I've been up since daybreak and went for a run and found myself here. I need to tell you something and I don't want to repeat it ten times over so can we talk in private?"

"Of course, Teddy come inside your footy shows on." He dropped Benny and started for the Tv, which gave us the back garden to ourselves. I organized coffees and steered Mike to the outside table.

"Now, Mike what's up?" I could hear Conner's music coming from his piano room, I didn't know if he saw Mike come in. He took a deep breath and looked a bit nervous, but he shook that off and begun.

"Jimmy and I met at school, we were good friends throughout our years there. When he went off to college and I went and did medicine, we called each other, we even wrote emails but didn't see each other for a further six years. It was when I started practicing medicine he came into the surgery and it was just like old times again." He took another deep breath.

"I hadn't realized it earlier but I had fallen in love with him. If I was, to be honest, I had always loved him, and to my surprise, he had the same feelings for me. We dated a little but decided we both knew what we wanted and within a month we had moved in together. It was after the first year I met Brody in the surgery. He had come in from a foster home badly bruised and extremely shy and frightened of adults." He paused for a minute or two.

"Michael if this is too painful for you we can leave it for some other time."

"You're the only person I have told this too except my shrink, and I owe it to you after what you wonderful people did last night, I owe you the truth."

"Okay."

"We took over Brody's care, and we got him back to trusting us. But he was always distant, preferring his headphones and music to waste his day away. That was okay with us, and Jimmy myself and Brody got close. I would often wake up with him snuggled in with us some nights. Then the accident happened, Jimmy was killed instantly and Brody was so damaged they didn't think he would live longer than a few hours."

"My god, I thought it was bad but not this bad," I said with tears running down my face.

"Well he proved us doctors wrong, and spent six months in hospital, they had set up another bed and I stayed the whole time with him, they also gave me a job which I will forever be grateful for because that meant I could watch over him in my free time."

"I didn't have time to grieve for Jimmy, but Brody did big time, and he withdrew again. His leg was smashed in the accident and for the past four months, the surgeons have been stretching the bones to make it the same size as his other one. He wears a brace now and it's that brace that is helping him steady his walk, his bones have more than healed. He has the brace to keep him upright while he continues to improve, but I'm afraid his mind hasn't caught up. We thought it better he goes back to school while that's happening, a distraction for a better word. It will come off in a month and then we will reassess him. I am confident it has worked and he won't have a limp, but I have been proven wrong so many times before, but I am also hopeful"

"And Jimmy?"

"I can't talk about him in front of Brody, he gets too upset he thinks it's all his fault. I can't even think about him at the moment, I miss him so desperately."

"You poor man, my god if there's anything we can do just ask us, I can only imagine the pain you have in your heart now."

"I also feel you want me to get more friendly with Grant, I would love to in a perfect world, but not now." He made a hopeless hand gesture.

"That can wait, but you can't. I have a great friend up the road, and I think she might be able to give you some hope. I used her quite a few times when I was having some personal troubles."

"I know about it, I read the news and your medical records, you certainly have been through the mill and a lot of personal pain."

"It's over now, I have my family to get me through my everyday demons. And you know what Mike? it was Conner that pulled me through in the end, love healed me with Mary's help." I tried to smile.

"Who is your shrink?"

"Mary, at the halfway house it was her that put us onto you."

"Yes, the social worker, I remember her coming by for our local meet and greet meetings, and she's a psych too?"

"Yes, she helped me, she helped Conner and she helped Teddy when his grandmother passed away, he was very close to her and I think Brody should talk to her too, she has the knack of turning the kid's way of thinking around to be more positive." I offered to introduce him properly and he was eager to get his healing started. I think at the mention of Brody he wanted him to get help as soon as possible.

"It's not only him Mike, but it's also you too. You need to move on from that horrible accident and breathe again."

"I know, God knows how many times I have silently screamed inside."

"I know all about the screaming," I whispered when I took his hand I gripped it. Just to show him I was on his side and I understood.

"What you guys did for Brody last night was nothing short of a miracle, I have never heard him talk so much in the whole time he was with us. I almost had to drug him to go to sleep, he was so worked up. I want to ask Conner to please honor his promise to teach him his guitar, please don't disappoint him."

"That will never happen, Mike, Conner is a beautiful soul, he's a great daddy and he loves making kids smile. And Mike?"

"Yes, Brent."

"Stop being his doctor and try to return to being his daddy."

"What do you mean?'

"He's had enough of doctors, he just wants his daddy to hold him. He told Teddy to go away the other day he wanted to die on his own. I think the sooner he talks to Mary the better." He dropped his head.

"I know what you mean Brent, things have slipped by since the accident."

"Well start by reading him bedtime stories again, because that's what daddies do."

Conner broke our chat and wanted to know if everything was all right. I told him we were just getting to know each other properly and I also winked at him to indicate now is not the time. He left to join Ted on the sofa, but he kept looking over at me. John bought out more Coffee and his famous almond biscuits. Michael took three, I told him he would get fat, he told me that Jimmy was always saying the same to him. I think he's starting to listen, and I wanted so much to take him up to Mary's.

He left about a half-hour later, thanking Conner again and he also looked at Grant and nodded to him. I looked at John who had been fussing around, he wanted to know if everything was okay.

"Did you know about it?"

"Yes, son I read the writeups the other week on Cons computer," I remembered that day he had shut himself in his house for a couple of hours and as I suspected he was crying his eyes out.

"So how did you know Grant?" I shocked him because he was being cool as a cucumber, and I suspected he knew more than he was letting on.

"It's my job, you didn't think I would let you go see any old quack would you. I did a check before you went that's why I was playing it cool with him when you introduced us. I thought it would be better to get to know him properly than to ask him for a quick tumble."

Conner had joined us and between the three of us we told him what happened and he burst out in tears and wanted to call Mary urgently. I allowed him to do that, then he and I went for a walk up the street to see her.

"When he comes to see me, Brent, I want you to bring Teddy with you. You may or may not know this, but he's a wonderful strong little boy, and a good mate. The things I will talk to Brody about concern Teddy too, and if I know him as well as I think I do, he can help me heal that poor little boy's heart."

"It won't upset him, Mary?" Conner had concerns.

"No, he is stronger than you two put together, just you wait and see he will be healing that boy's heart with his unlimited love."

"And Michael?"

"He needs to find his son again, up to now it's all been doctors and hospitals, he need to love again, you of all people know that Brent." She smiled and then she did something odd, she patted her drawer.

"You still have them?"

"Yes I use them all the time on my patients, they are wonderful teaching tools." She still had my drawings and write-ups, now I do question her mind, is she sane or crazy?

We thanked her then left, when we got home Marty was there, he looked like he had lost his favorite Yo-yo.

"What are you up to Marty?"

"Doing free concerts once every other month at a café is what's up. Don't deny it I heard your announcement I was there remember?"

"Oh that, well I have retired and don't want to do the casino, why would I do that when the café is just around the corner, Brent can walk me to work?"

"What about my commission?"

"Settle down Marty it's a public service I'm doing for a friend, you don't get a commission on that one."

"Well, you should have told me I would have written up a contract."

"No need, a handshake was all I needed."

"Okay have it your way." He asked John for a coffee.

"Why are you here Marty?" He blushed.

"Dianna's got me tied to the bedpost trying for another baby. I'm exhausted Conner and my balls are aching." He whined.

We laughed and as I suspected there's no show without Punch, Di's going to catch up with me baby wise at any cost, even Marty's balls.

John handed him some biscuits and coffee I looked at him so he went and found some more.

"Teddy it looks like we will have to make another batch, we are running out."

"Okay granddad, can I watch my replay first?"

"Of course grandson, when you're ready." He went to start measuring out the flour.

"These are terrific John, you should sell them." Marty was all business.

"They are for family and friends, and my mother would turn in her grave if she knew I had shared her recipe about." John was all business-like too.

Later in the day, Conner rang Mike, well he wanted to talk to Brody about something. He was all smiles when he got off the phone.

"We will pick him up on Monday with Teddy and he can come here for a lesson, Mike will pick him up around six."

"Good, what about training?"

"I will keep him occupied teaching him how to read notes and things."

"What about our run?"

"It's just one day Brent." He stared at me. I took the biscuit out of his hand and placed it back on the plate.

"You're so unkind Brent can't I just have one more?"

"Eat up porky." He ate it before I changed my mind.