I have been informed that it would be a good idea to state a few warning comments. There may be graphic sexual scenes between men in this story, so please, if this offends you, or it is illegal or you are underaged to read such, stop here and hit your "back" button. If it is okay with you, read on and enjoy.
From Chapter 25:
"Dear Cuz and cuz-in-law,
"First the local news. It seems like there is an early spring were. It's been so warm - in the upper 50's - when there should still be snow in the ground. The trees are starting to bud out. Another freeze could mess up the normal blooming. I hope it doesn't. Spring here is so beautiful! The two scuz-bums that attacked Seth have been convicted, and not only for the things we knew about. They were up for several other, even worse charges. They attacked and raped a 12 y.o.boy and his 13 y.o. sister over in New Hampshire, and also robbed a convenience store in that same community. They have been locked up for a long time.
"We are planning to come for Easter. We have a big favor to ask you. Do you two think you could consider being godparents to our 2 new children? We have all but completed all the paperwork and are adopting 2 refugee children from the Ukraine. These are such beautiful kids! I can't believe they aren't already taken. But I guess there are kids all over Eastern Europe like this. They both have curly blond hair - lots of it. The little boy, Uri, is 3 and his sister, Ursula, is 4.
"Now here's the hard part. We want you and Craig to come here the week before Easter to a special blessing that will occur when the papers are finally signed, and the kids are delivered to us. They won't be here from their native country until the day before, so the timing is really critical.
"We of course want and have asked that everyone be here, but it may not be possible at that time. Of course my dad and I (heavy on the DAD side!) would take care of the accommodations, flights and all.
"Love, and hope it all can work out! Jake (and Colin too!)
Chapter 26
What a pleasant surprise! Well, shock, actually. It meant a number of things. Most importantly, it meant that Jake was feeling confident enough with the new medication (The GE-132) that he was willing to make long range plans. It meant also that Colin agreed and was willing to risk raising them by himself if it did not work as they planned. Of course everyone who takes on the responsibility of a child takes that one on.
It also meant that both of them were pretty confident that Craig and I would make it - as a couple. I wish I was so confident. But I have to say, things look better than ever before. Once bitten, twice shy, I guess!
We were on the bed, the lights were out, and just pillow-talking.
"So, how do you feel about this, Chris?" Craig said to me.
"Oh, I - I don't know. Honored? Humbled? What are you asking?
"We have discussed this in the past. I got the feeling you don't approve of - gays adopting."
"Oh! Well, that is conditional. I think that what Jake and Colin are doing is wonderful!"
"So if it's wonderful for them," he asked incredulously, "then why is it not wonderful for others?"
"I'm still not sure why you are asking. Do you have strong feelings about it, yourself? Do you disagree with me?"
"Wow, you sound a little defensive, answering my question with a question!"
"Well, I assumed since you asked me how I feel about it that you must have some feel for your own take on it."
"You assumed, eh?" It was not said with any ire.
"Maybe I shouldn't have. Okay, here's how I FEEL: I think that what Jake and Colin are doing is wonderful because I believe it is better for undesirable children - and by the way, I HATE that term - but it is what they are called, and for good reason. Because they are - obviously - by most people! And it is better for them to be in a family than with an orphanage. And if that is a single parent family or a gay or lesbian family, then it is still better than in an orphanage."
"I guess now it's me assuming - that there is a `but' in your last statement."
"Well, yes there is." I replied. "I really believe that a child has the best chances to turn out reasonably well rounded in a family with a mom and a dad and siblings. When you take away any of those, it is a strike against him. It's also a strike against him if one of the parents is an alcoholic, a smoker, or has emotional problems of his own which affect the family adversely - and there are a lot of families which are screwed up for that very reason." I paused for air - and to think.
"And?"
"Well, there are so many variables. To grow up without siblings. How was that?"
"It sucked! I always wanted a brother - or a sister. I didn't think of it as someone to share with, but -"
"But that is the most important reason for not having an only child. Excuse me, but as much as I love you, you do have certain things which are directly related to being an only child."
"I know that!" He said rather defensively.
"Please, I don't want to start anything in that realm. I love you just as you are. Your cockiness that is sometimes tiring is one of the things I love most about you."
"Okay - getting back to the subject -" he said, seemingly trying to deflect the direction of the conversation away from himself.
"Getting back to the subject, I just think that if at all possible, a child deserves a mom, dad and siblings."
"But there are so many screwed up heterosexual families -"
"I know that! That is precisely why I said, `all things being equal'. I said, getting a little defensive myself. "You still have not told me how you feel on the subject!"
Craig got a strange look on his face, which turned to a smirk. "Exactly like you do!"
"Really? You're not shittin' me?" I said. Then why were you -"
"I never gave it that much thought before. I just now made up my mind. You obviously have given it a LOT of thought. I agree, that's all"
"Man! I feel exhausted!" I said. "That was hard! It seemed all along like I was defending my stance!"
"You were - and you did a superb job of it!"
"Thanks." I moved to kiss him goodnight.
"Oh, uh - -" He started, then stopped.
"Mmm-hmm?"
"Please pass me some of that Ass!"
"You on top?"
He hands were immediately on my boxers, helping me out of them. The sex was surprisingly good, seeing as I was so exhausted!
Easter was here before we knew it. When I was younger, I used to pine away my time wishing time would go, faster. Now it seems to go so damned quickly!
None of the adults could get away for the blessing. Wait a minute! I'm an adult! So why do I not feel like one? Could it be because I am 19 and still going to college? I talked Mom and Dad into letting Seth go though. Actually I thought it was going to be a fight, considering the last two times he was there. My dad actually agreed with me that it would be good for him. Even Seth seemed a little spooked about going back to the scene of the crime. That's what cinched it for Dad. He didn't want Seth to carry this with him any longer than necessary.
Seth insisted on paying his own way. I was so proud of him! Even I was not paying my way. But Seth wanted so much to feel like he was an adult, too! When Seth, Craig, Rob, Carrie and I got to the gate, almost mysteriously, we were all bumped up to first class. Craig and I glared at Rob. Carrie was happy with it, and Seth was like, "Cool"! (Completely Oblivious!)
Damned if we didn't get the same flight attendant. Damned if he was not noticeably disappointed that Rob had a girl on his arm! His name was Eddie. Then he noticed the cute little teen with us! I saw this and I made sure Seth sat next to the window, next to me, opposite from where Craig sat. But we all got special treatment anyway. Seth didn't notice how extra nice Eddie was to him! Maybe I was overly sensitive. Maybe it was just first class. Whatever, it was nice. And whatever happened, I was not going to let anything happen to my little brother.
Colin picked us up at the Airport. "Is Jake alright?" I asked.
"He's fine. He's with the kids right now. Omigod, they are beautiful children! They both look like little cherubs. Angels! Uri somehow knows well that he, being the boy, is the more superior! He's a year younger than Ursula."
"Certainly, you are not going to encourage that!" Carrie countered.
"I don't think we are going to try to DIScourage it. I mean look at you and Jake!"
"What's THAT supposed to mean?!"
"Well, obviously he is the more superior of the two of you!"
"What?" She said, not believing he could dare to say that.
"Well, after all is said and done," Colin said, "He did get me! Remember I dated you first!"
Carrie shot a very quick finger toward Colin, making sure he saw it even though he was driving.. Colin just said, "Huh! You wish!" She then punched him in the arm. Rob was smiling broadly and red as a beet! This was fun. I never saw this kind of jousting between these two before.
We got to Jake's and Colin's place, and Colin started to pick up Carrie's bags. She jerked them away. "Hrmph! I am well able to carry my own stuff." She said. She did, but it was a struggle. She had two travel bags, a hand bag and an extra shopping bag with more stuff in it.
"Why is it women have to carry so much crap with them?" Colin said as we entered. Jake heard this and said, "It's because the male of any species is always more beautiful! The female human animal is the only one to know it, and try to remedy it - and I emphasize 'try' - with all that 'crap'!"
Poor Carrie was seriously outnumbered! Seth was almost in stitches on the ground! I'm surprised he did not wet his pants! We were all acting like a bunch of preadolescents.
"Jake?"
"Yeah?"
"And Colin. Do you guys still feel like - er - teenagers? I - well I guess technically, I still am - but I surely don't feel like an adult!"
Jake answered, "Well seeing how most adults act, I will have to say I refuse to grow up, if that's the result!"
"I'll ditto that!" Carrie said.
"Me too!" the rest of us said almost as if on cue!
"So I guess," Seth said, "I am the only one here legally allowed to act like a kid, huh?"
"GET THE KID!" Jake hollered!
Immediately, Rob grabbed Seth from out of anyone's grasp, and he said, "No! Don't!" brooking no argument. Jake, Carrie and Colin looked surprised at that reaction. They didn't know! I saw a look of deep gratitude pass from Seth to Rob.
"Okay, we won't `get' him," Colin said, "but c'mere, kid!"
Seth immediately ran to Colin and hugged him so close! That started a huge hug-fest! When we were through, Colin said, "C'mere! - Shhhhh!"
He entered through a door. It was a door I didn't notice last time I was there. "What - ?"
"We were able to rent to place next door, too." Colin said.
"Isn't that kind of - er - expensive?" I said. By that time we were in the new place, and Colin was leading us to a hall.
"Jake's dad is helping out." he said. "Look at that!" There were two rooms, one definitely a little girl's room and the other more masculine. Ursula was in Uri's bed, and they both were asleep, looking like something just out of heaven. All those blond curls! "They are not quite ready for their own rooms, I guess. The adoption agency insisted that they needed them, being a boy and a girl."
"Girl and boy, you mean!" Carrie corrected. "They are absolutely adorable! I want one!"
"Maybe you can borrow them sometimes!" Jake said. "There may be times when we want to travel or something without them."
"I want to take them home today!"
"Well, Sis, they will be with us next week, when we come for Easter."
The blessings and the completion of all the paperwork went without a hitch. One would suppose that two children that age would have been very shy and afraid, but they were quite content to go to any of us! The state psychologist said that is not all that unusual. They have been so starved for love that any attention is welcome. She said that Jake and Colin would have to be very careful and actually teach them a healthy fear of people they don't know.
Seth was in his element, playing with Ursula and Uri. He always loves playing with his nieces and nephews at home. Little Ursula really took to me, and Uri was very drawn to Craig. Ursula would sit on my lap and stroke my stubbly face - very feminine-like. Uri would pop Craig in the stomach, and seemed to think it quite funny, once when he jumped on Craig's crotch. Craig let out a yelp, and Uri laughed and laughed! So did everyone else, so Uri took that as a go and every chance he got, he zeroed in on Craigs jewels!
Finally Jake sat down with him and tried to explain to him - in English - that it hurt Uncle Craig. And the only way he could do it, with the language barrier, was to squeeze Uri's crotch- specifically his balls - until Uri looked and frowned. Then Jake said, wagging his finger, "Uncle Craig - no!" Uri responded by getting a mischievous look on his face and placing his foot firmly and suddenly in Jake's nuts! Jake yelped, everyone laughed again, and Jake just threw up his hands.
On the plane trip home, whom did we meet once more, but Eddie the cute flight attendant. This was not the same aircraft, and as it was not a wide body jet as before, there were only two seats on each side of the aisle. So Rob and Carrie sat opposite Craig and me, while Seth sat in front of us. He sat next to the widow, leaving the aisle seat vacant. I really had to wonder if Eddie had any way of knowing we would be back on this particular flight. Eddie sat down next to him, which first raised my hackles a little, but I could hear everything that was spoken. I relaxed after awhile. If Eddie was getting off, he was keeping it pretty discreet. And Seth didn't mind the company. I was wishing I could see his face or even lower, to see if he was reacting in any particular way. I still was not convinced that Seth was not somewhat attracted to guys.
We had left the SUV in the long term parking lot this time, since it was only a weekend. Mom and Dad were there waiting for us at the bottom of the escalator in luggage. We went out for a quick bite and said our good-byes. They said they were not coming up for Easter. Seth looked like he was hit with a baseball bat. "We already considered this, Seth." Dad said. "You can drive up by yourself if you want."
"Dad?" I said.
"Yes?"
"When does Easter Vacation start - for Seth?"
"It starts tomorrow". Mom said. She brightened. "We thought of that too, but were not going to assume anything. Seth, dear, would you like to stay with Chris this week?" She reached in the trunk of their car for a suitcase full of Seth's clothes. "I hope I chose the right clothes for you, sweetie."
"Our spring break is the week after Easter. But it is starting to warm up, and Seth can comb the beaches while we are at school and work. Did you put in a bathing suit for him.?"
"I brought my own." Seth said. "Hey, Chris, do you think it would be all right if I tagged along with you to school a day or so?" I wanna check the campus out."
"Shoot, little brother, your grades are good enough to get you into UCLA or even USC. Why would you want to come up here?"
Seth just looked at me and said, "Duh!"
"I wouldn't mind having you to look after him, Son." My dad said.
"Well, of course you can tag along. There are people auditing classes all the time. The faculty is usually pretty liberal about letting prospective students take a look." I turned back to my mom. " We could bring him back home next weekend! We will plan on being there for Easter. Is that okay?"
"Won't you miss Jake and Colin - and their children?" She said.
"They are following us home on Wednesday." I said. "Maybe they will come with us - would that be okay? Ursula and Uri are a handful, but they are as cute as can be. They probably would get along fine with the grandchildren."
"Let's see. That would be you, Craig, Jake and Colin and the two little ones? Oooo - with your sister and her family - it would be crowded, but if they are game for it, we will somehow make room."
"I'll ask them when I talk to them on the phone, tomorrow."
Rob drove home. I was so glad, because I was still exhausted, and I knew Craig was as well. I guess that was the advantage - the ONLY advantage of Rob's self-imposed celibacy. How ironic that Carrie would fall so hard for a guy like that! Rob wouldn't talk about it much, but he said he knew she was experienced and that it didn't bother him. And I knew Rob well enough that I believed him. I can't think of anybody more honest than Rob.
And they definitely had a similar appreciation of abundance. He had it- and expected it - and so did she. That is not a bad thing. It's not as if they selfishly demanded things for themselves. They just expected things to go their way - and they did. I kind of felt that way, but I have had enough disappointment in my life that I am a little more wary - a little more skeptical.
But there is, I believe, a universal principle that you get back what you put into the universe. In the Bible, it says we reap what we sow. The thing is, most people think that only refers to good or bad things we say or do. Expectations can be the same. If we expect the universe to deliver something enough, it will usually deliver.
When we piled into the car, I got in first, then Craig, and then Seth. It was not long before we were all asleep. I had a pillow propped up between the window and my head, Craig was leaning on me and Seth was sprawled out all over Craig. And as usual, he was drooling on Craig's neck. I wondered if he would ever grow out of that. Craig didn't seem to mind. He loved having a little brother.
We arrived home pretty late. Our classes were early the next morning, so we let Seth sleep, while the three of us quietly ate some cereal and toast. We decided that we would not be doing any shenanigans with Seth in the bed, so he slept between us. I don't think he woke up all night. But I know I did - and I think Craig did too, as Seth traded partners all night. First me then Craig and back. He either spooned or backed into one or the other all night long. What a kid!
When Jake and his "family" arrived Wednesday afternoon in a car they rented at the airport, little 3 year-old Uri saw Craig and bee-lined to him. Craig lifted him up and swung him over his head like a helicopter. Uri giggled and giggled! Ursula shyly walked up to me and thrust her arms up to me. I picked her up and she immediately stroked my five o-clock shadow. She was going to melt some guys heart - or more likely melt AND break lots of guys' hearts when she got older.
Wednesday night we made up the couch for the kids. It was long enough for both to sleep, end to end. Craig, Seth and I had just gotten to bed, when the door crept open, and there was Ursula looking demurely up at me. I beckoned and she ran to me. As soon as she was up on my bed, Uri came running and almost jumped all the way up onto Craig, missing his jewels by mere millimeters! "Well, Seth, I guess it's the couch for you! Seth looked crestfallen.
"Nonsense!" Colin said form the other room. Seth can sleep with us!" Seth grabbed his pillow and nearly skipped to Jake and Colin's room.
In no time, Uri was asleep on Craig's chest, with his face buried in his neck, his curls nestled under his chin, while Ursula backed up to my chest and hugged my arm.
I think we were all in heaven that night.
As always, comments can be sent to Steve, at s4d@hotmail.com