Cheddar's, Chapter 21
It was early August, and summer school was almost over. Finals would begin in another day. Adam and Parker had maintained good grades the whole time. It looked like smooth sailing to the end, with no storms on the horizon.
As they were finishing up their reviewing before deciding what to eat for supper, they heard a sound, like a muffled explosion. It seemed to come from the apartment below.
"Jeez! What are those dumb-shits up to now?" Parker grumbled. "They probably can't boil water without causing a catastrophe!
"Isn't that smoke I smell? This might not be a laughing matter!"
"Okay, let's stuff our coursework and laptops into our bags and get the hell out of here just in case."
As the guys bounded down the stairs to second floor, they heard an alarm going off, and saw smoke billowing out of the apartment through a gaping hole in the door. They tried to go in to see if they could help the boys who lived there, but the acrid fumes burned their eyes and drove them back.
Adam banged on the door of the apartment across the hall, and told the occupants they'd better clear the building. Meanwhile, Parker ran to the first floor to roust the tenants down there in case they'd missed the alarm. He called 911 on his way.
Within a few minutes, help arrived in the form of a firetruck, a police car, and an ambulance.
"Thank God you're here," Parker addressed the firemen. "We couldn't get to the guys in that apartment because of the heavy smoke," he continued, pointing to a broken window. "There are two who live there, but they might have company. I thought I heard more voices earlier."
The truck was quickly positioned on the front lawn, and as soon as the ladder was in place by a window, the firemen knocked the rest of the glass out and entered. All eyes were on the team of firefighters, as they carried three people down to the ambulance. EMT's administered oxygen before getting ready to transport the victims to Mercy Hospital which was only a few blocks away.
Several of the guys captured videos of the operation.
Once the firemen were sure there were no more people in the building, they made quick work of extinguishing the blaze. Remarkably, the major damage was confined to that one unit.
The firemen asked a police officer to accompany them on their inspection because they suspected it was a crime scene. As soon as they were done, Parker conferred with them to see when it would be safe for the rest of them to go back in.
"I'm sorry," Office Valentine said, "It may not be fit for occupancy for some weeks to come. We'll need time to gather evidence. From what we can determine, those guys were operating a meth lab. Even if we could be sure the fire's completely out, the place is dangerous until a hazmat team can go over it thoroughly."
"Shit! Where ARE we going to go? I have a final tomorrow!" Mark, one of the guys from first floor exclaimed.
"I'm in the same boat," Jared from across the hall grumbled.
"Is there some way that everyone can retrieve their books and laptops, and maybe some clothes?" Adam asked. "We're all facing the end of the term."
"This might get me in trouble with the chief, but I have a couple of breathing masks I can loan you if you're quick about it," the head of the fire-team offered. "I know what it's like not being able to get to the stuff you need. I was in the same fix during the flood of 2008. The guys on first floor won't need masks because the fumes aren't down here, and are likely to continuing rising instead of down-drafting."
"I appreciate that, but we need somewhere to stay tonight," Mark persisted. "Will the Red Cross be able to place us?"
"Okay guys, I have a plan," Adam spoke up. "You can stay with me. Load up your cars with whatever you can get out. I'll put the back seats down in my Fit to help with the excess. We already have our electronics in Parker's car, and I don't know if we can get our clothes.
"I own a large house that's empty at the moment, and we can all crash there. You'll have to double up, and there are only three and a half bathrooms, but we can make do. I'll give you the address so you can put it in your phones to find it, or you can follow me. It's not far away."
"I'll have to get statements from everyone before you go," Officer Valentine said. "And I'll need contact information as well."
He interviewed the roommates in pairs, so it didn't take too long. He wanted to know what they had heard and seen before the fire. He also needed to identify the victims.
Parker supplied the latter information because he had been getting ready to see about having them evicted. They were Ryan Blasberg and Aiden Geary, both from Omaha. He had their home addresses and parents' numbers in his phone, and gave those as well.
When Phil and Austin from second floor had retrieved their things, they handed the masks to Adam and Parker so they could go upstairs to see what they could salvage.
Parker and Adam grabbed a few large garbage bags and hastily stuffed them with clothes, pitching them out the window to save time and breath. They looked sadly at their beautiful bed, knowing it would likely have to be sent to the dump because of contamination.
Then, they helped the four guys on first floor with the rest of their stuff. When all was loaded up, they formed a caravan with Adam at the front and Parker bringing up the rear. As they drove toward Adam's boyhood home, Parker could see a Channel 9 news crew descending on the scene. He was thankful they could avoid being interviewed.
Adam used his remote to open one of garage doors and got out to open the other one with the control by the kitchen door. The guys parked their vehicles in there and in the driveway. It was packed, and it would take a bit of juggling to get everyone out when they needed their cars, but most of them could walk or bike to class in the morning. At least they were off the street.
"Wow! This is a cool place!" Mark exclaimed. "How come you've been living in the attic when you have a McMansion?"
"It's a long story," Adam said. "This house would have been sold already if I could have gotten my grandparents to withdraw their claim against it. It's been difficult to attract renters with the possibility that it might be sold out from under them as soon as they got settled. Anyway, for those of you who are remaining in Iowa City for fall term, you're welcome to live here rent-free until clean-up and repairs are made. I promise not to put it on the market until we all have a place to stay."
"Tom and I will be done with school in a few days, as you know," Mark said. "But we really appreciate having a safe, clean place to live until then. Thanks! I'm gonna be okay to take finals tomorrow."
"Ben and I will stay," Jared spoke for both.
Phil and Austin also expressed their thanks, and their desire to remain in Adam's place as long as they could.
Adam asked Parker to put in an order for pizzas from Pagliai's to feed them all, while he took the rest of the guys around to see the layout of the house so they could decide which rooms they wanted. Parker said he'd go pick them up to save time. They'd missed supper because of the fire, and were hungry as bears waking up from hibernation once the excitement was over.
"Um, I assume you're aware that Parker and I are boyfriends. We'll keep the master bedroom with the king-sized bed for us because we already sleep together anyway. Here's another bedroom with a queen bed, and there are two more down this hall with a pair of twin beds in each. If anyone has a serious aversion to sharing a bed with another guy, there are two futons in the basement rec room where someone could bunk. You guys can draw straws for them."
"Mark and I can share the queen bed," Tom offered. "We'll be leaving town in a week or so. I think I can put up with him that long."
"It's preferable to having one of us fall in the crack when we push our beds together," Mark grinned. "We're kinda like Adam and Parker, but we've been keeping a low profile until we're out of school. At this point, no one can cut off our support money if they don't like what we're doing."
The other guys said nothing derogatory, and congratulated them on their relationship. Adam loved the attitude of his peers. He also thought it was fun to have an additional gay couple occupying the house which had belonged to his homophobic parents.
Their tour of the upstairs was finished when they heard Parker's voice.
"I'm home!" he called up the stairs. "Come and get the pizza, guys, before it gets cold. I tried to score some beer, but they IDed me, so I have four liters of soda."
"We had two six-packs of Sam Adams in the fridge, and I brought them along," Mark grinned. "I'll get them from my car so we can use them up before they go stale. I've heard it's not good for them to warm up and be chilled again, anyway."
As they began to relax from full tummies and a little alcohol, the guys got ready to contact people who were likely to worry about them when they heard the news at 10:00. Parker led a discussion on how to approach the subject without causing undue trauma for their loved ones.
He suggested they begin with a little small talk, and then let their families know they were unscathed and not in need of housing after a small fire in one of the units in their building. After that, they could give more of the details if they wished.
Edgar and Ellie took the news in stride after being assured that the boys weren't hurt. Parker said he'd add video clips to an email so they could see the evacuation process.
"We should have let you manage the building in the first place!" Ellie exclaimed. "I know you already had misgivings about the tenants who caused the fire. I'm sure your judgement would have been superior to the rental agency's. They didn't care about anything but their commission. You have to live with the other people and they don't. We were afraid the responsibility would take too much time away from your studies. I guess we live and learn."
"You did what you thought was best for me, Grandma, and I appreciate it. We're going to be fine since Adam's house isn't on the market yet. It's all working out. Isn't it cool how he's returning the favor of me giving him a home last fall? By the way, the other guys in the building are really great too, so we can't fault the rental people completely."
While Parker was informing his family, Adam sent quick texts to a bunch of the guys he'd been close to in high school. Nearly all of those associated with the swim team offered to take Parker and him in if they needed housing, including his former coach. It was heartwarming to know he had so many people in his corner.
He spent a little more time talking, over the clatter of dishes, to his bro who was working that night. Rob said he'd text Darrin who was next on Adam's calling list. Adam reminded him that they could move into the room Mark and Tom were currently using as soon as they moved out.
"In a couple of weeks, we'll be like one big family living together. I know Darrin's parents will have a cow, but it will be best for him to be out."
"It's more like they'll shit a brick," Rob snickered. "He's already come out to his Grandpa Bud, and he took me with him like you guys suggested. Bud is awesome! He's gonna pay Darrin's tuition bills, and he's changing his will to leave everything to him. He wants to make sure the `rents can't screw him over."
"That's great news. Hey, look, I need to cut this short so I can call Kyle, the manager of Baxter Motors. I know he'd offer us shelter like your mom and dad."
"You know they would, but I'm glad you have a place already, and that we'll be joining you there soon."
When Adam called Kyle, he spent a few minutes telling him about his half-brother and asking if Rob could have a car of similar value to his Fit very soon. Kyle said he would be happy to do whatever Adam wished. If they put the decal on the back window that gave the link to dealership's website, they could write it off as advertising. Adam ended his calls feeling great.
As the household settled down for the night, some of the guys were still cramming for their exams. The layout of the house made it possible for everyone to find a quiet place to concentrate. Besides the bedrooms, there was the kitchen, dining room, living room, den, and basement rec room to spread out in. Thus, if one of the roommates needed to sleep more than to review, they could all be accommodated.
Parker and Adam studied for a while, but decided to turn in not long after supper. They felt that busting a nut might do them more good than busting their brains.
They showered together, and then headed for the big bed.
"Wow, look at this!" Adam exclaimed. "They must have purchased a new bed with the money they saved by not feeding their faggot son. This is like the one you bought for the apartment, only bigger!"
"It's definitely the deluxe model," Parker agreed. "But, I do wish you'd stop using slurs in referring to yourself. I know you're bitter, but it's like saying the "n" word about a black guy."
"I'm sorry, Love. I'll quit. I know it doesn't do anything positive for my self-image in the long run, but being in this house brings back some very unpleasant memories."
"Here's something to chase away the past. Think about the fact that we're naked, hard, and about to share our bodies in the very bed where your homophobic parents slept."
"That's so cool!!! I hope the dead can see us from wherever they are. I'd like them to watch while we pleasure each other to the max!"
Once they started making out in earnest, Adam tuned out everything but the fantastic sensations Parker was stirring in his body. His senses were filled with the touch, scent, and taste of his lover, crowding all else out.
Their orgasms were hot and satisfying. They slept peacefully through the night.
Adam woke up early, and drove Parker's car (which wasn't blocked) to the supermarket. He loaded his cart with cereals, milk, eggs, bacon, orange juice, cranberry juice, and English muffins. Then he hurried home to start breakfast. Parker immediately pitched in to help.
As they heard guys getting up, Parker went upstairs and told them about the menu. There was bacon in the oven so it would be crisp and warm. They would scramble eggs in batches and toast muffins as people were ready to eat. The guys should come to the kitchen in any state of dress when they were hungry.
Mark and Tom had the earliest finals, and were soon seated at the table clothed in what they were wearing to class.
"This is like a bed and breakfast!" Tom exclaimed. "It's over the top in hospitality."
"We just wanted everyone to have a good start to their day," Adam replied. "We've been through enough! Now don't expect this every morning. Tomorrow you're all on your own."
The others showed up shortly, some in the boxers they'd slept in, and others half dressed. Everyone appreciated a hot meal to start their day off right.
All the young men living in Adam's house did well on their finals. They credited part of their success to the fact that he'd found a way to lessen their anxieties.
The three guys who had accidentally caused the fire didn't fare so well. The one who had been visiting and was an adult in his 30's, had evidently been instructing the younger two in making the drugs. Because he was physically closer to the operation than the others, he was more severely hurt and succumbed to his injuries before reaching the emergency room. So far, none of the names of the victims had been released. However, bits and pieces of the story came out in the news media over the following days.
Ryan and Aiden were facing several pending charges. While Adam hated to see them thrown into prison with seasoned criminals, he hoped they'd get a stiff enough penalty to scare them into changing their ways. Although he didn't buy into the "affluence" defense for excusing spoiled brats from paying their debts to society, he did blame the parents of the boys who had evidently bailed them out over the years instead of letting them suffer the consequences for anything they did. In that sense, he was thankful that his parents had been strict with him as he grew up.
After finals, Adam's house wasn't quite as full as it had been the night of the fire. Most of the other guys were spending a few days at home before the fall term began. Mark and Tom had left for their new jobs in Kansas City, but Rob had moved enough of his things into that bedroom to make it his new home. Darrin was going to move in with him tomorrow, after coming out to his parents. It should be an interesting week.
Now that the hazmat team had completed their work, Jon and Bart were coming to spend a couple of days to look the damaged house over to get some idea of what it would take to restore it. Parker and Adam were planning to buy it for their own, and they wanted to see it brought back to its original elegance whether they kept it or sold it.
Instead of putting Parker's dads in a motel, the guys decided to give up their bedroom for their guests. They didn't want to impose on any of their housemates by using their beds, so they folded down one of the futons into a double bed, and decided it would be big enough, if they snuggled. The basement tended to be a bit chilly when the AC was running, so being in close contact would be good in more ways than one.
They were dusting in the living room when their efforts were interrupted by the doorbell.
"Hello Mrs. Cooper. What can I do for you?" Adam smiled at his next-door neighbor.
"Don't give me that innocent look! I'm here to serve notice on you for violating the neighborhood covenant! This is a special, historical area, and you're not allowed to rent out rooms. I plan to take you to court!"
"Aren't people allowed to have guests here? If not, you're in violation when you have your old classmates stay at homecoming time."
"Of course you can have guests! I'm not charging them rent."
"Neither am I. In case you haven't seen the news, the building we were living in was damaged by fire, and I've invited my friends to live here until it can be suitably restored, or they find other places to settle. I've already discussed it with Carl Novotny, my lawyer, and he says it's perfectly legit. I could even operate it as a bed and breakfast since there are a couple of homes nearby that have set the precedent."
"Humph! You may be able to get away with it, but if I hear any extra noise from here, I'll call the police! Then they can close you down."
"These guys are all decent, law-abiding citizens. None of them has been arrested for vandalizing cars with a pellet gun," he said, knowing he'd strike a nerve.
"That wasn't my son's fault; the others got him into it."
"Ah, was it your son who was charged for that?" Adam asked with feigned surprise. "Well, if there's damage to any of our vehicles, I'll know where to send the authorities. Good day, Mrs. Cooper. It's been a pleasure. Thanks for your warm welcome."
"Were you on the debate team?" Parker laughed after the door was shut.
"It was my junior year, but I had to drop out last year when I got hired at Cheddar's."
"It shows! You think well on your feet. It reminds me of how you handled that Gloria what's-her-name."
"Thanks! You said something about crossing swords with me back then. What say we finish the vacuuming and cross swords before changing the big bed for company?"
"Yeah, I'm all for that!"
Author's notes: Thank to Jim M#1, Wayne, Walt Sz, John L, Ott H, Steve C, Jack W, Bill K, Rob R, Randy McM, Joe W, Ray K, GCD, Tony F, Charles G, Mendy D, Tom A, Frank K, Bill T, Zero M, Jeremy R, Keith A, Jim W, Derrick M, Skip M, Paul R, JLF, and Dick M who commented on the chapter.
Thoughts for Dick M who is facing medical problems.
Our headlines are filled with hate, violence, and strife. Consider doing a small random act of kindness this week for a friend or stranger. I believe it will make the world a better place in which to live.
David