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"BRIARWOOD"
Copyright Ritchris, 2006
A dramatic saga
by
Ritch Christopher
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END OF BOOK NINE
"A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH"
Chapter One-hundred-four
"I have lived. I have loved.
I have laughed. I have cried.
I have tried to give my life some meaning.
I have tried to make it all make sense.
I have made my journey up the mountain
and the descent.
I have known the bitter taste of sadness.
I have fought some pretty hopeless fights.
I have lived the loveliest of days
and loneliest nights.
I have won. I have lost.
I have learned to my crust.
I have crossed and burned too many bridges,
If I could go back, perhaps, I would.
Then again, I don't take good advice
when maybe I should.
But I raise my glass to the good things in life.
To a place in the sun where our children can run
To green of the grass and the love of the world.
I've been right. I've been wrong.
I've been weak. I've been strong...
And I long to live in someone's memory...
And I long to live upon a hill...
And it doesn't matter that I know I never will.
But I raise my glass to the good things in life.
We are not here for long but there's time for a song
and some wine.
And as time runs away...I will look back and say
that the good things in life were all mine."
***"The Good Things In Life" from the London musical.
"The Good Old Bad Old Days"
music and lyrics by Anthony Newley and
Leslie Bricusse
copyright 1971.
*** Author's note: Of the tens of thousands of songs in my repertoire as a musician, actor, director, conductor, etc. THIS song is my absolute favorite and its lyrics became my credo the first time I heard Anthony Newley sing it and if you've read "Briarwood" thus far, you might see that practically ALL of its characters' lives are fitted to the confines of these lyrics....R.C.
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"DADDY JEFF! DADDY JOHNNY!" little Cliff and little Roger screamed. "THEY'RE HERE! THEY'RE HERE!". The two youngsters were jumping up and down with glee when they saw two taxis drive up in front of the house. Mackintosh Cab Company didn't have one cab big enough to accommodate Cliff, Roger, Billy, Marc, Rob, Tim, Lee, and Hunter, so they took two taxis to Jeff and Johnny's manse.
Jeff, Johnny, the two kids, Alex and Ted, all came running out of the house, down the stairs before the taxi doors were open. It was time for a celebration with hugs and kisses for everyone! The six residents of Mackintosh had never met Hunter or Marc, but that didn't matter. They were included in the Briarwood serendipity as if they had been Briarwood Boys forever. Johnny, Alex, Ted, and the twins couldn't get near Cliff as Jeff was hugging Cliff so hard, it was as if they would never stop.
"Dear God, it's so good to see you, Cliff!" Jeff said.
"You share my feelings exactly, Jeff," Cliff replied. "It seems like forever since I held you in my arms."
"I suppose we'd better stop and let the other members of my family share you with me," Jeff said, releasing Cliff. Almost immediately, the twins jumped out of Roger's arms and both jumped into Cliff's...one on each of his arms. Little Cliff and little Roger were plying kisses to either side of Cliff's cheeks.
"You two are getting so big, it's almost impossible to hold you at the same time!" Cliff said to them.
After Johnny and Cliff had greeted Roger, they went to put their arms around Tim and Rob. Billy was fascinated with the two twins and took little Cliff to hand him to Marc while Billy took little Roger into his arms and bounced him up and down. Ted and Alex were now embracing Cliff and Roger before they went to Rob and Tim. Jeff was giving big hugs to Lee and Hunter, followed by Johnny who did the same thing. Jeff looked at Hunter and then to Cliff and said, "I don't know who I just hugged, but could someone introduce me?"
Cliff laughed. "After your warm embrace, you think you need an introduction?"
"Not really. I mean if he's with you and Uncle Roger, he MUST be part of the family."
"You're SO right, Jeff," Cliff said. "All right, it's time for everyone to meet everyone! Jeff, Johnny, Alex, Ted, little Cliff and little Roger, this is Hunter Morgan. He just joined our family. He's a very talented young man who sings and dances and will soon be one of the stars of Tim's new show which Roger is producing. I think all of you, with the exception of Alex and Ted, know Lee Malone. At any rate...in order, may I present Jeff or 'Father' Jeff and his better half, just kidding, Johnny. This is Alex, Jeff's brother and his other half, Ted. Ted is the mayor of Mackintosh...and these two blue-eyed innocent cherubs are Jeff's and Johnny's, who also happen to be Roger's and my namesakes...little Roger and little Cliff. And Billy has a new friend or boyfriend, I might add...Marc Carlton, that's he with little Roger in his arms. Marc is also a VERY talented young man who will star with Hunter in the new musical!"
The 'hello's', 'glad to meetcha's', welcome to the family', idioms which followed, prompted another round of hugs and kisses.
Hunter was so glad that he came to Mackintosh, as was Lee. Hunter had never been a part of a large family gathering, filled with so much love, and it gave him a safe, warm feeling inside.
Rob spoke up, "Jeff, I know you weren't planning on this many visitors to accommodate, but Tim and I, just had to..."
"Stop! Don't say another word," Jeff said to Tim. "Families don't accommodate families. If you're worried about sleeping on the floor or sharing a bathroom with a dozen people, FRET NO MORE! I would have loved it if you had brought more of the Briarwood Boys, including my dad and Daddy Dave. I would love for the kids to see Jay and Troy...and vice versa. We have LOADS of room between Johnny's and my house and Alex's and Ted's."
Roger put his two cents in..."I just can't believe how wonderful you all look! I'm so proud I could pee in my pants!"
Little Cliff and little Roger were tickled at Roger's remark. "Come on, Granddaddy Roger," little Cliff said. "We'll show you where the bathroom is..."
"I...I didn't mean I HAD to go...I just...oh, heck! Take me anyway!" Roger said, following the two kids into Jeff's house.
"My God, it's beautiful up here," Hunter said.
"It's surely not like Texas!" Lee added.
"Everything is so green! The mountains are so majestic! I always thought Briarwood was the prettiest place on earth," Hunter continued. "But THIS...THIS place! I can't find words to describe it!"
"That's the way I felt when I first saw it, Hunter," Jeff said. "I brought Johnny up here to get his opinion before I accepted my position at St. Aloysius and after five minutes, HE was ready to move up here. Then along came Alex and Ted. They loved it so much...well, as Cliff said, Ted soon became the mayor of Mackintosh. That speaks for itself!"
Johnny interrupted, "Jeff! Are we going to stand out here all day and talk while the food I prepared inside, gets cold."
"You cook now, Johnny?" Roger asked.
"He's good enough to get his own show on the Food Network. Of course, the Food Network already has a 'naked chef'!" Jeff added.
Roger and Cliff chuckled and Johnny eased the crowd up the stairs into the house. The succulent aromas of Johnny's feast met everyone at the door. Alex and Johnny had borrowed a couple of tables from the center to make one long banquet table to conciliate all their guests. Even though it was weeks before Thanksgiving, Johnny had cooked a large turkey and ham with all the trimmings. Jeff had borrowed several candelabras from the church to decorate the table.
The 'guests' all went to one of Jeff's two bathrooms to freshen up, wash their hands, etc. They went in as couples...Rob and Tim, Billy and Marc, to one bathroom. Cliff and Roger waited for Hunter and Lee to finish in the other.
Jeff, Johnny, Ted, and Alex began placing the many dishes of hot food from the kitchen onto the table.
"They all look good, don't they?" Jeff said to Alex.
"I just wish Dad and Daddy Dave were here too!" Alex replied. "I thought for a second when I saw Cliff and Roger, I was going to break into tears."
"I DID!" Jeff replied. "Every time we get together for a reunion, it occurs to me just how lucky we all are."
Johnny was listening to Jeff and Alex and offered, "I might not be blood kin, but I've never once felt like an outsider since the first day I met you. Cliff, Roger, Walter, and later, Dave...all became fathers to me. I know ALL of us feel the same way. I've often wondered if any other group of guys were bonded with so much love as the Briarwood Boys?"
"Well, it appears we've just added two more, Hunter and Marc. We lost Ryan and almost immediately received Hal into the fold. If the Briarwood Boys keep expanding, the whole world might become part of our family in a decade or two," Jeff replied.
Ted joined Alex to say, "We should talk about whom is staying with who. Did I get that right...or is it 'who' is staying with 'whom'?"
"It doesn't matter, Mayor!" Ted replied. "Whoever stays here or at our house will only use double beds...Roger with Cliff, of course, Rob with Tim, Marc with Billy, and Lee, with Hunter."
"Lee seems happy with Hunter, don't you think? I mean, after losing his brother so tragically, a couple of weeks ago, I didn't think the kid would ever smile again." Johnny said.
"That's how the Almighty works through Cliff, Johnny," Jeff replied..."Or is it vice versa?"
Rob and Tim were out of the bathroom and had gone into the dining room, shortly followed by Billy and Marc. Soon they were joined by Hunter, Lee, Cliff, and Roger. The kids were playing in the living room.
Jeff had written place cards to arrange the seating. Everyone stood in back of his chair and waited for Jeff to stand at the end of the table with Johnny at the other end.
"Father Cliff?" Jeff asked. "Would you say grace, please?"
"I would, but I think with all the musical talent we have amongst us, it would be nice if we all joined hands to sing the Doxology."
"What a splendid idea!" Roger exclaimed.
The Briarwood Boys joined hands and sang:
"Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."
All sat and ate for the next hour...including pumpkin and mince pie a la mode for dessert.
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The phone rang at the Danforth estate and Valerie answered.
"Hello?"
"Valerie?"
"Yes..."
"This is Walt Clayton."
"Good morning, Walter. It's so nice hearing your lovely voice so early in the morning."
"Well, uh, thanks, Valerie. I've tried many cases in front of many juries and judges, but no one has ever referred to my voice as being 'lovely'."
"Well, it IS...so deep, dark, professional sounding. A man's man's voice, so to speak."
"I'll accept the compliment, Valerie, thanks."
"I don't suppose you rang to speak to me, did you?"
"On the contrary, I always enjoy speaking with you, but I'll be honest. I have some news for Forrest, whom I believe is staying at your house."
"Oh, no, Forrest isn't just 'staying' at my house. He's living here now."
"I'm afraid I don't understand, Valerie."
"I thought it only reasonable if Forrest is to be my new son-in-law, he should live here with Will."
"Valerie, I'm at a loss for words on what you're telling me," Walter replied, honestly puzzled.
"Oh, Walter Clayton, for heavens' sake. Do you think I'm such a fuddy-duddy to also be homophobic with a gay son? Heavens to Betsy! Don't you realize that I've known about you and David Royer living together all these years?"
"David and I have never tried to hide our relationship, nor have we flaunted it."
"I've been a member of St. Genesius, LONG before Father Cliff arrived. I've always known about him and Roger Cole and the menagerie of Briarwood Boys that help fill up the vacant pews in the church. That's really not true because since Father Cliff arrived, there have been NO vacant pews at the church. As I recall, Roger had to enlarge the sanctuary to accommodate the overflowing crowd of parishioners."
"Valerie, you've certainly taken me by surprise. I had no idea that..."
"That I was so liberal in my thinking? My husband's family and my family have been liberal Democrats for generations. I think if any of either families had ever voted Republican, he or she would have been ostracized completely and thrown out of the family flock!"
"Valerie, you and I must have lunch together real soon and let me get to know you better."
"I would love that, Walter!"
"So is your new son-in-law there?"
"I'll go see. He and Will stay so busy behind closed doors in Will's bedroom. I can only imagine what the two of the are doing," Valerie chuckled quietly. "I'm going to put you on hold and return with Forrest if he's available."
"Thanks, Valerie."
Valerie placed the receiver on the side of the table and climbed the left staircase up to Will's room. She put her ear at the door to listen before she knocked.
"Forrest?" Valerie called, quietly.
"Yes?" Forrest replied from the bedroom.
"Son, are you decent?"
"Yes, ma'am. Please come in," Forrest invited.
Valerie opened the door. Forrest was arranging his closet with the new clothes Will had bought him.
"If you're looking for Will, he's in the shower," Forrest said, hanging up a blue serge suit.
"No, I actually came to see you, Forrest."
Will opened the bathroom door, completely naked except for the towel he was using to dry his hair. Valerie was amazed, seeing her son unclothed. He had a massive build, just as his dad. Unable to see Will's face because of the towel, Valerie thought for an instant that she was seeing her late husband.
"Do you want to shower?" Will asked Forrest, dropping the towel and seeing his mother standing before him. He didn't bother covering himself...after all, she was his mother and had seen him naked many times when he was a child. "Oh, hi, Mom!"
"WILL! Cover yourself in front of a lady!" Forrest ordered.
"Oh, sorry, Mom..." Will placed the towel around his waist.
"Will, pardon my being so blunt," Valerie said, "but I can easily see why Forrest finds you so attractive."
"Mom, you're making me blush."
"Oh? Perhaps I can catch Forrest some time when he's getting out of the shower to find out why you find HIM so attractive." This made Forrest blush. "Oh, boys, I'm just kidding. I'm still so proud that you've found each other and are making a 'go' of it."
"We're in love, Mom!" Will announced.
"Well, I certainly hope so. I'd hate to think that the two of you were living in sin under my roof."
"We don't think of it as being a sin, Mom."
"NOR DO I!" Valerie exclaimed. "The reason I interrupted is that you, Forrest, have a phone call. It's Walter Clayton on the line."
"Thanks, Mother Valerie," Forrest said. "Can I take it up here on the bedroom phone?"
"Of course. I'll be downstairs if you need me OR if you're hungry. I also am a nosey old biddy who would like to know what Walter has to say to you."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll tell you everything he has to say."
"Thank you," Valerie replied, closing the door behind her and going back downstairs.
"Hello?" Forrest said, answering Walter's call.
"Forrest?"
"Yes?"
"This is Walter Clayton. I...I have some good news for you, but I also have some bad news as well."
"What is it, Mr. Clayton?"
"I...I took the afternoon off from work yesterday and drove to Richmond to see your friend, Barry. I went to tell him that I would represent him at his hearing."
"Thank you, sir."
"When I got there, I learned that Barry was being represented by two U.S. JAG Army Corps lawyers."
"I don't understand why since we both were kicked out of the military."
"Somehow the army felt that it was partially responsible for Barry's PTSS and they bypassed or overlooked the fact that he had been less than honorably discharged."
"And so, the JAG lawyers are going to represent Barry?"
"Completely. Now here's the good-news/bad-news part. In spite of the fact that Barry was accused...and confessed to murdering his wife and children without provocation, they had Barry examined by two army psychiatrists whom were both willing to testify in Barry's behalf that he acted out of severe PTSS. Normally, it would be impossible to cop a plea of insanity for murder in the state of Virginia, but due to the fact that Barry was in active combat in Iraq, it would look bad for the Commonwealth to execute a veteran."
"And...?"
"The state D.A. offered a life sentence to a mental facility without parole...or at least until he was deemed sane. Of course if he was declared competent in the future, he could still stand trial for murder."
"I see what you mean by good-news/bad-news. At least they won't put Barry to death. I just hope they don't put him in one of those haphazard state mental holding tanks."
"No, he'll be sent to a military mental facility with proper treatment, doctors, and medication. The state will see to that as they don't want any bad publicity. Sending ANY American soldier to a place similar to Abu Ghraib in Iraq would make headlines around the world, especially if the New York Times or the Washington Post got wind of it."
"This makes me sad and at the same time, it relieves my mind. I don't suppose there's any way that I can see him."
"Not at the present, Forrest," Walter replied. "I...I've heard about your new relationship with Will...I won't say who told me, but I'm sure you have a good idea."
"I do...believe me!"
"Are you happy with Will?"
"Very much so, Mr. Clayton."
"Then, will I see you two at St. Genesius, next Sunday?"
"I suppose so. I...I'm not an Anglican, you know..."
"I know, but I have a feeling you soon will be in confirmation classes under Father Cliff."
"I don't know what confirmation classes are, but if I need 'em, bet your ass, I'll take 'em."
"How's Will?"
"Happy as I, Mr. Clayton."
"Forrest, since I'm no longer acting in a professional capacity and we might be sharing a prayer book at church, I think you should call me 'Walter' or 'Walt'."
"Thank you, Walt...for all that you did. Is there any kind of fee I owe you?"
"For what? You got me out of my madhouse for a full afternoon. I loved the drive to Richmond. The leaves are in full autumn colors...flaming reds, yellow, brown, and gold. Just seeing the outdoors was enough payment for me. I should thank you."
"Walt, I'll look forward seeing you in church."
"Perhaps, you and Will can join my better half, Dave, for lunch after church."
"Your better half? You're saying that you're gay?"
"Isn't everyone?"
Forrest laughed. "You know, if Will and I come to lunch Sunday, we might have to bring along another guest."
"You mean Valerie?"
"Who else?"
"BRING HER! I owe her a lunch anyway. We'll turn Valerie into Briarwood's most predominant, elite fag hag!"
"You'd better not let her hear you call her that because who's going to defend her when she kills all of us or sues you for slander?"
"Forrest, you're a fine young man. Will could do no better than having you as a partner. When Father Cliff and Roger return from New Hampshire, we'll all have some gay old times together!"
"I'm looking forward to that!"
"OK, Forrest, that's all I have to say."
"Thanks again, Walt!"
"You bet!"
"See you, Sunday."
"For sure!"
Walter and Forrest hung up their phones to end their conversation.
"WELL?" Will said, patting his bare foot on the carpet. "Are you going to tell me what he said or do I have to play 'twenty questions'?"
"Why don't you take another shower...only with me, this time...wash my back and I'll tell you everything he said."
"It's a deal!" Will replied, chasing Forrest into the bathroom.
Downstairs, Valerie hung up the phone in the living room.
"FAG HAG, HUH?" Valerie said. "Well, that's better than being called 'Mother Danforth' by what's-her-name...!"
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Thursday evening was 'confession' time for the Danforths as long as they had been members of St. Genesius. Will offered to take his mother, although he was very reluctant about seeing Chris, himself. What had started out to be a relationship between Will and Chris had fizzled out without so much as a phone call, let alone an explanation to Chris after Forrest arrived in Briarwood. Forrest's and Will's whirlwind romance came on as quickly as Will's and Chris' was gone with the wind.
Chris wasn't hurt or upset by not hearing from Will in almost a week. Chris had enjoyed the night Will had spent at Chris' and Ed's house, especially the sex. It wasn't often when an occasion arose for a priest to have an evening of impromptu sex. Chris' main concern about not hearing from Will was that Chris hoped Will had continued taking his new medication and had not suffered a depression relapse.
Will insisted on Forrest's coming to confession with him and Valerie. Forrest knew about the Will/Chris brief fling and since Forrest was not an Anglican, he wouldn't have to participate in the confession. He probably wouldn't even get a glimpse of Chris and vice versa.
Will always let his mother go into the confessional first, but after Valerie's revealing conversation with Walter, Will felt sure that his mother would spill the beans about him and Forrest before Will got a chance to explain or, perhaps, apologize.
"Mom, since you only stay a minute or two in the confessional, would it be all right if I went in ahead of you?"
"Of course you can, Will," Valerie replied. "As I recall, last week, all I did was give Father Chris the recipe for my apple-brown-betty."
"You honestly gave a recipe to Father Chris instead of telling him your confession?"
"Will! Will! Will! At my age, what's an old lady got to confess? I mean, I WOULD confess something IF I had sinned...but honestly, my sin slate is clean and has been for a long time. Then again, I COULD offer a prayer of Thanksgiving for the Lord taking Kathy out of our lives. I USED to confess to Father Cliff...all the nasty things I said or thought about her. But now that she's gone, all I have to say is, 'hallelujah'!"
"Mom, you're a card! You know that?"
"Yes, the fifty-third card in the deck...the joker!" Valerie chuckled.
The person whose turn to confess just before Valerie OR Will finally finished and came out of the confessional to pray and say his penance. Valerie motioned for Will to go on ahead of her while she sat quietly on the pew with Forrest. Will arose from the prayer bench and walked toward the confessional.
Forrest whispered to Valerie, "This place is gorgeous. I've never been inside a church this big. I...I don't understand all the statues with small altars built around them."
"You pick out the saint which you wish to be your intercessory, light a candle and pray that he, the saint, will offer your request to God. Then the next person who prays at that particular altar prays HIS prayer, while at the same time, he prays that the person or persons who have lit candles before him...their prayers will be answered along with his," Valerie explained as SHE loved to educate a non-Anglican to the ways of the church which she loved so much. She felt if Forrest was serious about becoming a member, she would dearly LOVE to be in charge of Forrest's indoctrination, leading to his confirmation.
"There are so many people here and it's so quiet..." Forrest observed.
"It's quiet like this during the mass, Forrest. We, Anglicans, come to church to worship, NOT to gossip as some evangelical churches do. I've heard that the pastors at those churches all but need a gavel to quieten the congregation just to get their attention!"
"That's the way MY church back home is..."
"Well, you won't find that kind of irreverence here. NOT that we don't gossip, it's just that we do it at the coffee clatch AFTER church or on the telephone, Monday morning...but CERTAINLY NOT while Father Cliff is at the high altar."
"Just sitting here like this...in the quiet, makes me feel so...I don't know, so reverent. It's like God lives in this church and I don't blame him!"
"Forrest, you've just revealed a side of yourself to me, I didn't know existed. I can't tell you how proud I am to have you in my family. You're good for Will and Will, being my son, I KNOW he's good for you. Have you two talked about a commitment ceremony?"
"No. Will mentioned it and said we'd discuss it more fully when and IF I'm confirmed. However, I'm SO glad I came to church tonight with you and Will. I DEFINITELY want to be confirmed as soon as possible."
"I...I don't suppose you have a hanky, do you, Forrest?"
"Yes, ma'am, I have a brand new one in my pocket from Lord and Taylor. Would you like it?"
"Yes, please. I...I seem to have something in my eye because I'm getting rather teary."
Forrest reached into his pocket and handed his new white handkerchief to Valerie. He could see that she was crying, but he wasn't sure of the reason. To comfort her, Forrest put his arm around her and she nestled her body next to his. Valerie had fallen in love with her son's lover and she felt warm and safe being embraced by his arm.
Will stepped inside the confession booth, knelt, crossed himself and said, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned."
"Is that you, Will?" Chris asked.
"Yes, Chris."
"It's so good to hear your voice. I'm so glad you came by. Are you all right?"
"Yes, Chris, very much so."
"I heard that one of your old army buddies came by to see you..."
"Is that ALL you heard?"
"I'm a priest, Will. I can't lie. I...I heard that you and your buddy had become very close."
"God, Chris, I'm so sorry..."
"For what? For finding happiness?"
"I feel so guilty. I mean after the things you and I said to each other in bed..."
"Will, 'I'm' the one who should feel guilty. We both were trying to ease our losses together...and for one evening we did. We got rid of the immediate pain...YOURS with Rick and mine with Ed. We both knew...or at least, I did, that it couldn't work out for both of us. There were TOO many obstacles to overcome with my position at the church and YOURS in the community. I doubt if we could have withstood what people would have said...especially since you were engaged to Kathy the night of our tryst. Her parents would have tarred and feathered me and only God knows, what they would have said to Cliff and Roger."
"You know, I never gave that a second thought...but I can see now that you're right."
"You're friend..."
"Forrest."
"Forrest. Are you happy with him?"
"Very much so, Chris."
"So, WHEN am I going to meet him?"
"I'm bringing him to mass next Sunday. I'm sure Kathy and her parents will be here staring daggers at both of us."
"Ha! I suppose I should say, 'better thee than me'."
"Yeah, I can REALLY see your point now."
"So, is he Christian?"
"Yes, but not an Anglican...but I think he's willing to become one for me."
"I'd rather Forrest become an Anglican for himself."
"I'm sure he will."
"I think we can speed up the process of his confirmation with one or two lessons. It takes longer for a child or young person, but if Forrest is willing to accept the way of the cross and abide by the doctrines of the church...I don't see why we can't call the bishop to stop by and finalize everything in no time at all. HOWEVER, I DO need to meet him...or are you afraid that Forrest and I might strike up a buddy-buddy relationship?" Chris joked.
"Hell, no! I WANT you to become friends...REAL friends. I...well, my mother and I are the only family Forrest has. I want him to fit in at Briarwood...just as much as I want to fit in like I never did before."
"What do you mean?"
"My mother is very close to Father Cliff and Roger Cole and I feel that I hardly know them."
"Ah...I can see that you want to become one of Father Cliff's Briarwood Boys..."
"What's that?"
"You've never heard of Father Cliff's Briarwood Boys? Of course you haven't. You were straight when you went off to Iraq."
"Boy, THAT changed when I got home."
"Will, the Briarwood Boys are a bunch of guys that Cliff AND Roger seemed to have adopted, in the truest sense of the word. They're spread out from New York to California. It's like a brotherhood or a fraternal group of guys whom have come to know and love Cliff AND Roger and once they're bonded, there's nothing in the world that can separate the love between them. I, honestly, believe they would die for one another."
"Are you one?"
"Oh, no. I...I haven't been in the position to become a full-fledged Briarwood Boy. In my capacity at the church, I'm sorta like a substitute overseer. BUT, as soon as Cliff gets back from New Hampshire, I'm going to make sure that you're invited to Cliff's and Roger's house. I know that YOU would fit in...and if Forrest is your lover, he's bound to make a hit with them as well."
"I...uh, suppose I've stayed too long in here, talking with you."
"Do you have sins you wish to confess?"
"I came here, actually, to ask YOUR forgiveness for my wronging you...but it appears that you just forgave me."
"Should I give you your penance?"
"Yes, please!"
"All right, Will! Your penance is to love Forrest every day for the rest of your life. Make HIM important to you. Learn to share, to comfort, to care until you become as one entity."
"Chris, WHEN and IF the time comes, do you think Forrest and I could have a commitment ceremony at St. Genesius?"
"Not IF, but WHEN that time comes, both Father Cliff and I will give you the biggest and best commitment ceremony we've ever given at St. Genesius."
"Chris, don't take this the wrong way...but I DO love you."
"I won't take it anyway but the way which you meant it because I love you, too, Will."
"Thanks, Father."
"You're welcome, son. GO and sin no more!"
Will felt as if a ton of steel had been lifted off his shoulders when he left the confessional. He was smiling from ear-to-ear as he walked back to the pew where his mother and lover were sitting.
"Hey, Mom!" Will said. "Your turn!"
"Oh, dear, what in the world am I going to say? I'm so happy...I feel like sinning just for the hell of it!" Valerie exclaimed in a whispered voice as she went to talk with Father Chris.
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When Johnny's and Jeff's dinner was over, they and their Briarwood and New York guests sat in the living room and talked constantly for two hours. It was then decided that Billy, Marc, Hunter, and Lee would go to Alex and Ted's house to sleep while Cliff and Roger would stay in one of Jeff's spare bedrooms and Tim and Rob in the other.
Johnny invited all of the guests to come to the center tomorrow and he would give them a tour, followed by Ted's tour of the town of Mackintosh.
Rob and Tim offered to help Johnny and Jeff with the dishes and Cliff and Roger decided to take a walk in the evening autumn air. It was a bit chilly, around fifty-two degrees. The wind was blowing slightly...enough so to rustle the leaves across the yard and street. Cliff took Roger's hand and they strolled like two junior high students walking home from a date.
"The boys seem happy, don't they?" Roger said.
"I can't believe how much little Roger and little Cliff have grown."
"Jeff and Johnny have made wonderful parents for them."
"All kids should be that lucky," Cliff replied.
"Do you think Billy feels about us as Jeff and Johnny's kids feel about them?"
"I'm certain of it."
"Yes, but it seems now that he might be growing out of the nest by wanting to spend every weekend with Marc in New York," Roger said.
"That's fine with me as long as the two of them are happy. I mean, could anything have stopped US being together...outside of your little trip to Nepal?"
"You've never really forgiven me of that little jaunt, have you?"
"Forgiven you? Yes. Understanding completely WHY you did it? I'm not really sure."
"You should know that I had just given up my priesthood and needed to find a new faith...SOMETHING 'I' could believe in...deep in my soul."
"You really COULD become a Buddhist, couldn't you?" Cliff asked.
"Cliff, no one knows for sure WHICH religion is the RIGHT religion. The Buddhists, the Muslims, the Christians...ALL believe that theirs is the true religion. Atheists die with NO religion. Who knows? Maybe THEY'RE right. None of us will know for sure until we take that first breath after our last breath on earth. Then if we die and that's the end, then it won't really matter. Kids in Africa die from AIDS every day without knowing any god whatsoever. Do you think that God or Buddha or Mohammed can deny them everlasting life if such a thing exists? Whichever way is right, I'm sure justice will be done after life is over."
"Oh, ye of little faith..."
"I have faith, Cliff, and you know it. I have faith in you, in our boys, in life, generally...speaking of which...have you thought of a way to tell Hunter what the doctors found out about him at the Institute?"
"I've thought about it...sure!"
"And...?"
"I'm not going to tell him?"
"What?"
"I'm not going to tell Hunter that he has a non-curable disease."
"Do you think that's fair to him, Cliff?"
"I don't think it's fair for God to take him after he's found the happiness he's searched for, all of his life...and LEE! Dear GOD! That kid has been through SO much, I can't ruin their lives right now with a message of doom. I keep asking myself, why does God want him to die?"
"Have you asked yourself, why God wanted him to live? Cliff, if we believe what YOU believe, then we have to have faith that everyone was put here on earth for a reason. God let him live...to come into the world, share his talent, his love. Have you ever thought why God put you into this world? Cliff, do you realize how many lives you've changed for the better by just living YOUR life."
"You've done as much as I, Roger."
"I'm aware of that...REALLY! I used to wonder why I had a zillion dollars in the bank when no one else did. Whether it was God, Buddha, Mohammed, or a totem pole who gave it to me through my grandfather, I was given it to give it to others."
"Tell me, Roger. Would YOU want to know if you were Hunter's age on the brink of life, fame, and fortune."
"I doubt it, Cliff. I mean if I were up in years, of COURSE, I would want to know to get my final transactions together and try to face death on my own terms."
"Then WHY should I tell him? This is one of those rare instances where ignorance CAN be bliss! If he's going to die, why add that burden to a young person? Let him live as long as he can without the dreadful knowledge of the inevitable! Look at Jake! He didn't see death coming. Ed, God rest his soul, didn't either with his Alzheimer's. IF Hunter should get REALLY sick or bedridden, then THAT might be the time to tell him. He's just found love with Lee and he's on the brink of fulfilling every dream he's ever dreamed. Roger, are you sure that there's no cure for chronic lymphocytic leukemia?"
"Not now, but who's to say we won't find a cure tomorrow? I guess I'm glad you've decided NOT to tell Hunter OR anyone. I've got my team of scientists working day and night for a cure. Hunter has survived this long on his HIV medication. I can have John fly back up to New York, take some of Hunter's tissue samples and anything else he needs without telling Hunter the real reason. They can work on his body chemistry as if he were in the Institute while Hunter's is dancing up a storm on Broadway. I'm sure that one of my doctors can give him a stronger drug to keep his white cells down for the time being. Cliff, I'll call Switzerland, Germany, Russia, or wherever to see who's closest to finding a cure. If the FDA or CDC doesn't approve of the medication or treatment, I'll fly Hunter AND Lee to that locale to prolong his life ANY WAY that I can! Hell, Hunter's going to be all right! TRUST ME! He's going to be a BIG BROADWAY STAR!"
"Then, you agree that I shouldn't tell him?"
"Not him! Not Lee! Not Tim! Not Rob! Not ANYONE! I agree totally with you!"
"Roger, I'll never question God why he let YOU live and put you on earth. I've often wondered all the years we've been together, why I was chosen to be your other half."
"That's a dumb thing to say. It's obvious. God or Whomever WANTED us to be together! It's what you've always called, divine intervention."
"Would it be all right if I kissed you...right here in the open?"
"Only if you beat me to it!"
Cliff put his arms around Roger and kissed him passionately as if it was the first time. Roger responded in kind. The wind suddenly picked up and became chillier, but Cliff and Roger could only feel the warmth from the other.
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END OF BOOK NINE:
(To be continued in "Briarwood"-BOOK TEN: "Chris and Beyond..." chapter 105.)