Gregory Patrick gp932260@gmail.com
Jaiden – Chapter 29
05-26-20
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G. A. Patrick
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, welcome about Delta flight 1158 to Atlanta, Georgia. This is a direct flight to Atlanta where passengers can change planes to continue to their destinations. Please pay attention to the television screens for important safety information.
Ladies and gentlemen, the flight to Atlanta will take approximately twelve and a half hours landing in Atlanta at approximately 4 am Eastern Time on Sunday. There will be approximately one hour between connecting flights. Sit back, keep your seat belts fastened, and enjoy your flight."
As the flight attendant completed the required announcements, they took their seats as Delta began the push-back. Once in position, the pilot started the right engine and then the left. He announced that the control tower had given permission to taxi to the take-off runway. After we taxied to the runway, the pilot announced we had been given permission for take-off.
The engines revved up and Charley's eyes increased exponentially in size as he began a death grip on the armrest of his seat. We couldn't help it, but we started laughing. As soon as we were in the air and ascending to 30,000 feet, He let loose of the armrest and began looking out the window. Just like the flight over, he was mesmerized by the sights he could see from nearly 6 miles up in the sky.
The Rabbis and their families were sitting about 5 rows behind us and their brothers two rows behind them. We did get to speak to each other prior to boarding the flight. We also called Mom and let her know we should be arriving at TRI in Blountville at about 8 am Sunday morning. She said she would meet us at the airport. The Rabbis, their families, and their brothers would be flying a separate flight to Erie, but we have pictures of them for Mom to see.
We got great roast beef sandwiches about halfway through the flight home. We would eat breakfast when we got home.
It's sad that this honeymoon phase is ending, but it is extremely exciting to plunge into the next phase of our lives; to move into our first home; to find an accepting and loving synagogue filled with people willing to accept Peyton and I and our same-sex marriage; to meet the Rabbis and their families in Hawaii of all places; to meet the Rabbis' brothers who are our ages. Hashem has blessed us and is working out and exciting life and journey for all of us.
Peyton has leaned over and placed his head on my shoulder and I have rested my head against his and the scent of his hair and his body was intoxicating to me. We both fell asleep and slept until it was announced we were flying over California. Only five more hours to go.
The lights on the ground resembled the Hanukah holidays when Christmas decorations would be up for Christian families. They were so beautiful being seen from the sky. It's sad that Charley is fast asleep and isn't getting to see them. He and Dale are sleeping so peacefully and looking so cute together. Every time the stewardesses walk by, they look down and smile, a smile they keep on their faces for a while.
I raised my left arm so I could touch Peyton's hair. I softly ran my fingers through his hair without waking him. There is something I love about running my fingers through his hair, it's sort of like a reassurance to me that he is actually with me. And it plays in my mind how much I truly love him. It's a magical feeling to me that I have never felt before.
The pilot came on the speaker system and announced we were about 35 minutes ahead of schedule and that we had been cleared to land. We should be on the ground at TRI in about 15 minutes and in the terminal about 15 minutes after landing. The stewardesses started waking passengers who slept through the pilot's announcement to tell ask them to return their trays and seats to the upright position. I woke Peyton with a gentle kiss and a whisper in his ear. What I whispered in his ear left a smile on his face.
I had cards with a gift in each for each stewardess. I pulled the large envelope from the seat pocket in front of me and took the cards out and gave them to each of the ladies as we deplaned. The stewardesses seemed pleasantly surprised that four young men would think of thanking them for their service on the flight.
In the terminal, we hugged the Rabbis, their families, and their brothers and told them we would see them in about a month and then headed for the carousel.
When we got there, Mom was all smiles waiting on us. We walked straight to her and hugged her like it had been years since we had seen her. Mom said, "so, how are my four sons? I hope your flight was pleasant and uneventful." Peyton replied, "Mom, it was awesome and we have so much to tell you that is absolutely going to blow your mind. Mom raised her eyebrows at that statement.
Meanwhile, I had retrieved Peyton]'s and my luggage from the carousel. Dale had already retrieved their luggage and they were giving Mom bear hugs. You could tell, Mom is on top of the world – with all of us.
We put the luggage in the trunk of the car, got inside the car, and yelled in unison, "WE'RE HUNGRY!" Mom died laughing and said we were going to breakfast at Angie's in Abingdon. By the time we got to Angie's, we were all asleep. Mom put her arm around me and pulled me over to her and asked, "Do you want to go inside and eat with me or do you want to sit in the car and sleep?" I woke everybody up and we went inside and had breakfast.
We laughed at Charley being so excited about the flight that he started telling Mom every detail about it. As for Maui, we would tell Mom about that part of the trip after we got some sleep.
The clothes were all clean and folded, so all we had to do when we got to the house was to take the luggage inside and put the clothes in the drawers and closets where they belonged. I couldn't wait to get into the soft, clean bed and snuggle with Peyton.
We quickly stripped and climbed in the bed. I set the clock to wake us up in two hours. Holding the person I loved more than anything in the world, skin to skin, and falling asleep with him in my arms: indescribable.
We woke up about two hours later and smelled the most wonderful smells wafting down into the basement living room. Mom was cooking lunch, or so I thought. We got dressed and headed upstairs to the most wonderful surprise: Ginny was there preparing lunch for us and Gampy was there helping her. Mom could not have arranged a better surprise for us.
After lunch, we hooked the computer's HDMI cable to the television and began showing Mom, Ginny, and Gamy the pictures we took in Maui. Ginny and Gampy were amazed by the Highway to Hana, the waterfalls, the bamboo forest, the lava tube we walked through, but especially the scenic views of the ocean from the highway.
When we showed Ginny the pictures of Black Beach, she said, "So, we really do have our own beach in Maui." We all howled when she said that. I looked at her and said, "Ginny it's true and one day after we graduate med school and get out practices started, you and Gampy are taking a vacation with the four of us to see the sites we were blessed to see. And, by the way, if anybody ever has anything negative to say about you and Gampy being on a beach with us In Hawaii, I promise you, they will regret ever being born.
After we showed all the pictures we had taken, I talked with Mom about having davened for over three weeks for Hashem to lead Peyton and me to a synagogue where we would be welcomed, wanted, and loved; a place where we would have a spiritual home while we were at LECOM. I had tears in my eyes when I told her Hashem had not led us to such a synagogue.
Mom seemed to be tearing up with the four of us boys until I told her, "Mom, Hashem did not lead us to the synagogue, he sent the Rabbis to us in Maui!" She exclaimed, "WHAT!" I said, "Hashem sent us the Rabbis from Temple Anshe Hesed in Erie.
"Dad Riley had suggested a really good Cheeseburger restaurant in Lahaina where the sightseers got off the ship to tour Lahaina. We went there for lunch one day, and after the meal, I took Peyton's hands and said the usual blessing at the end of the meal. Two men got up, approached our table apologizing for interrupting our lunchtime."
They thanked us for saying the blessing at the end of the meal, for not being ashamed or hesitant to say a Jewish blessing in public, and then said we had been examples to their four sons of what was expected of them even when in the public.
We invited them and their families to have orderves with us the next night at 8 pm. We went to Costco and bought several dozen fresh figs, cream cheese, some dates, and honey and made stuffed figs for them to eat. We also got a cake and went to the coffee orchard and got some coffee that had been picked, roasted, and ground that day.
We finely chopped the dates and cooked them in the honey, and about 10 minutes before our guests arrived, we put the figs and the honey-date syrup under the broiler to cook until the cheese was lightly browned. As we were eating together, I asked the Rabbis where the ministered and they said at the temple in Erie. I teared up and had to walk out on the balcony to compose myself.
Peyton came out to check on me to make sure I was ok and then walked me back into the kitchen where we were all gathered at the table. Rabbi Kravitz asked what brought on the tears and I explained how I had been davening for weeks for Hashem to lead us to a spiritual home, how Hashem had not done that, but rather He sent the Rabbis to us in Hawaii of all places.
We had mentioned that Peyton and I would be moving into our new home in Erie and Rabbi asked us where it was. I told him it was at 5860 Landings Way in Erie. He looked at the Rebbetzin and their chins hit the floor. Rabbi looked at the four of us guys and said, "Jaiden, the Rebbetzin and I live at 5862 Landings Way." We were all floored that we would be neighbors.
"I told Mom we had gone to Little Beach to get rid of our tan lines." Mom said, "Jaiden, the four of you went to a nude beach and laid there without a stitch of clothing on and tanned? Where did that modesty you once had go?" Then she started laughing and clapping her hands.
"Mom, that's not all. Two guys who had seen us at the Jewish Center the Friday before walked up and sat down beside us, also san clothing. We struck up a conversation and learned they were the brothers of the two Rabbi's and that they had gotten married a few weeks before Peyton, I, Charley, and Dale. I told David, Rabbi Kravitz's brother, that his and his mate's brothers were on the island. He pulled out his phone and called Rabbi Kravitz and found out he was just down the street from the beach we were at, or so David was told.
Rabbi Kravitz said he and Rabbi Belson would meet us at the beach in 20 minutes. Then he told David that would give the 6 of us time to get dressed and get off Little Beach. David asked how his brother knew we were on Little Beach. Rabbi Rob told David he was a very wise Rabbi and that he knew his little brother well. Then he told David, "besides, I am standing on the hill right behind you looking down on all 6 of you guys. David started laughing and we asked why he was laughing so hard. He told us to look on top of the hill behind us. The Rabbis were waving and laughing at us.
Charley spoke up and said, "Mom, when we got up the hill the Rabbi said that from what he saw of me and Dale, there was a question he wouldn't have to ask at the confirmation ceremony. I made the mistake of asking him what that question would have been. He looked down at me and asked if I knew what a Bris was. I told him no."
At this point, Mom was laughing so hard she was about to lose her breath. Charley continued, "then Rabbi said from what he saw he of me and Dale before we got dressed, he could forego the question about circumcision and the procedure in the temple. Rabbi then said, "you are already circumcised." That is the point when I laid my head on Dale's chest and said, "Thank goodness, I don't think I could have gone through that without passing out." Mom and Ginny were laughing so hard at this point that they could hardly get a breath. We were laughing right along with them, Charley included.
Mom got up and hugged Charley and said, "Son, thank you for telling me about such a funny situation and conversation. I haven't laughed this hard in years."
I told Ginny that if the man next door saw her and yelled, "Good morning, Ginny!" that it would be Rabbi Kravitz since we found out he lives right next door to us on the left. Mom found that hilarious as well.
I told her we would be having brunch with them and their brothers once we got moved in and settled. That is something we are looking forward to.
Mom chimed in, "Jaiden, Rabbi living next door assures me you will stay on the straight and narrow. That is so hilarious to me. I can't wait to meet the Rabbis and their families, and I would love to visit one weekend and go to the temple with the four of you. I will definitely be there for the confirmation ceremony. I wouldn't miss my sons going through that ceremony for any reason.
I am so proud of the four of you and I am beyond elated that you had such a great vacation and honeymoon. We'll have to call Jim and Phyllis tomorrow and tell them all I have heard. That is going to be so fun knowing Jim's sense of humor.
Dale walked up to Mom and pulled her tightly to him and said, "Mom, thank you so much for what you have done for us. We really appreciate it; we love you so much." Mom cried at this point, and so did Ginny and Gampy.
It was Sunday and we had nothing to do but spend the day with Mom, Ginny, and Gam[y. We talked all day and had the best time together. Mom said, "Let me call Jim and Phyllis and let you young men tell them what you have told me, Ginny, and Gampy. She dialed the number and Mom answered the phone. "Good morning, Phyllis, is Jim where he can get on the telephone with you. The boys are home and have been telling me about their Hawaiian escapades and I have never laughed so hard." "Hold on a moment, Peggy, Jim is out back with Peyton the jackass. I think he has been missing our mutual son and was pretending to be with him with Peyton the jackass." Mom started laughing and so did we since we were listening in over the speakerphone.
Dad answered the phone with his usual thundering voice: "Good morning, Peggy, so good to be able to speak with you on such a beautiful day. Did our four sons get home ok? "Boy did they, Jim, wait until they tell you about some of their escapades, especially meeting their new Rabbis and their brothers!" OK young men, the phone us yours.
Peyton began telling his Dad about all they had done, about going to the Jewish Center where the Rabbis brothers saw them and how they happened to see our sons on the nude beach.
Peyton told Jim about the brothers finding out their older brothers, the Rabbis, were on the island and how David had called his brother who said he would meet them at the beach in 20 minutes. When Peyton told them he and the four amigo brothers were on a nude beach erasing their tan lines when the Rabbi told how the 20 minutes would give the six of them time to get dressed and get off Little Beach, how they asked Rabbi how he knew they were on the nude beach only to be told he was standing on the hill behind them looking down on them. Charley chimed in and relayed the Rabbi's comments seeing no need to ask about or having a bris ceremony at the conversion in the temple, you could hear Jim and Phyllis exploding in laughter with Phyllis clapping her hands as she laughed.
All four of our mutual sons each spoke to Phyllis and Jim for a minute and when Dale and Charley thanked them for the love they had shown them and for what they had helped do for them, you could hear the emotion in Jim's and Phyllis' voices. But, when Dale and Charley each said, "Mom and Dad, we love you with all our heart," you could hear Jim and Phyllis start crying.
After a moment or two, Jim and Phyllis told the boys they loved them too, and when Jim told Peyton he would call `their' grandparents to relay the events to them, the boys got a tad emotional.
Both Dale and Charley said they had never been loved and accepted the way I and the Rileys had accepted and are loving them, that for the first time in their lives, they felt they finally, truly had the parents and family they had prayed for. That is when I lost it. Thank goodness Ginny and Gampy were at the house to support me. I know Abe Is looking down on us and smiling, I can feel it.
"Dr. Anderson's office, this is Becky. How may I help you?" "Good morning, Becky, this is Rabbi Eichmann at the temple. May I leave a message for Dr. Anderson to call me this evening when she is free?" "Rabbi, she is free right now, let me put your call through to her." "Thank you, Becky." You are most welcome, Rabbi.
"Dr. Anderson, Rabbi Eichmann is on line 2." "Thank you, Becky." "Yes, mam."
"Rabbi, this is Peggy, to what do I own the honor of your call today." "Peggy, it's your son, Jaiden. Are he and Peyton going to be in the synagogue with you on Saturday?" "Rabbi, all four of my sons have asked to attend synagogue with me this weekend."
"Four sons, Peggy?" "Yes, my son, my son-in-law, and my adopted sons, Dale and Charley."
That is great because Hadassah has voted to give Jaiden and Peyton a Courage in Faith Award for displaying his and Peyton's Jewish heritage by offering a prayer in front of an entire restaurant and for performing a mitzvah to four young Jewish boys by showing them it is OK to show their faith in public and for providing an example of what is expected of them both in public and in private after they had eaten their meal. It is to be a sizeable award, so I was hoping they would come with you to the synagogue services." "Rabbi, I will speak to my four boys tonight and they will be with me Saturday morning." "Thank you, Peggy. I hope you have a great day today." "I wish the same for you, Rabbi, thanks for calling."
"Becky, have we cleared the schedule for the day?" "Yes, mam." "Good, I am going to head on home. I need to talk with the boys about this weekend. Will you be in the temple Saturday?" "Yes, mam, I had planned on it." "Hadassah is going to give Peyton and Jaiden an award for publicly displaying their faith in Hawaii. Now I have to make sure they are in the temple as well. See you in the morning." "Yes, mam, have a good evening." "You, too, Becky."
Now, how am I going to needle Jaiden and Peyton when I get home. I think I'll act upset and call them into the den for a discussion. That should make him quiver a bit. I hope I do it as well as Jim and Phyllis would.
I walked into the kitchen and closed the door rather hard. I got on the intercom and called for the boys to get their butts in the den now for a discussion.
All four boys came into the den with a puzzled, worried look on their faces. I told them to sit down and listen, that they had done something we needed to discuss. Jaiden's eyes told me I had done it as well as Jim would have. I was about to bust a gut to start laughing, but I would have to hold off for a moment.
"Jaiden, Peyton, Dale, Charley, do you boys have any idea what you have done. I got a call from Rabbi Eichmann this afternoon wanting to discuss your actions. Jaiden spoke up and asked, "Mom, what did we do? We have worked hard to keep our noses clean." "Well, son, you four have managed to do just that!" Now Jaiden's eyes were very wide and worried looking.
"Dale, Charley, you had asked to attend synagogue with me and Jaiden when you got back from Hawaii. You will get to do that this Saturday morning because the Rabbi requested that all four of you be in the synagogue on Saturday. Jaiden, you and Peyton will be presented an award from Hadassah for the way you shared your faith by praying after your meal at the Cheeseburger Restaurant in Lahaina this past weekend. From what I was told by the Rabbi, it will be a sizable award."
"It seems the manager and the owner of the restaurant called Rabbi Eichmann and relayed what had occurred including the applause after you two had paid your bill and were leaving the restaurant. Rabbis Kravitz and Belson also called the Rabbi and bragged on you two to no end."
"I called Jim and Phyllis and they will be here Friday night and will stay in the upstairs guest room so you boys can still have your privacy."
"All four of you continue to amaze me in ways I would have never expected and you all have made me so proud of each of you. To celebrate, we are going to the club for Prime rib and asparagus. Y'all know that is Jaiden's favorite, so y'all might as well get used to eating it. Be ready in 15 minutes."
We all piled into Mom's Benz and headed for the club. When we got there, we were shown to our table which was already prepared. When we got to the table, Rabbi Eichmann and his wife were sitting there. Rabbi and the Rebbetzin both stood and the Rabbi shook our hands and gave is a hug. The Rebbetzin gave us a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Our food had already been ordered including the salads. Mom got the dressings right on each salad. Amazing. Rabbi began to tell us he was so proud of us and the way we displayed our faith at the restaurant and he was especially proud of how we had been examples to Rabbi Kravitz's children by showing them that it was OK to display their faith in public, that it is OK for them to daven in public and to thank Hashem for the blessings He has bestowed upon them.
Rabbi also said that he, like Rabbis Kravitz and Belson, found it most unusual to see young people today displaying their faith and thanking Hashem for the blessings He had given them. Rabbi said he found that reality to be most refreshing to his soul. We would be recognized in synagogue Saturday morning for our actions.
Huge tears started pouring from Jaiden's eyes and he began to softly weep again asking Hashem what he had specifically done to deserve all the blessings he had been experiencing lately. I went over to him and said, "Love it is for being such an amazing young man and for all the mitzvahs you have performed. You know, everybody at this table knows that. Love, you deserve everything you have and will receive in your life. I am so thankful you made me a part of your life and that I get to see your blessings materialize."
When we had completed our meals, we all joined hands and Jaiden said the same blessing he said in Hawaii. Then he asked the Rabbi, me, Dale, and Charlie to join him on the terrace at the club. Mom and the Rebbetzin stood in the background as the men joined hands and raised them to the Heavens as Jaiden and I again recited the Shema from our hearts and our memory.
When Jaiden finished reciting the Shema, the Rabbi, the Rebbetzin, and Mom were in tears. Jaiden walked over to the railing of the terrace to compose himself before he came back and gave me a quick kiss and hugged everyone and thanked them for their support and their love.
We got back home and Jaiden and Mom again went out to the patio and sat together for some time without saying so much as a word, as they held each other's hand and rested their heads against each other.
I walked outside with Dale and Charley and walked over to Jaiden and hugged and kissed him telling him how proud I am of him and how proud I am that he chose me to love. Charley and Dale hugged Mom and told her that what they had witnessed was exactly why they love her so deeply. We all cried.
I went to my and Jaiden's room, took a warm shower, and got ready for bed. Dale and Charley did the same thing and we met back in the commons, turned the lights low, and put some soft jazz on the stereo. I was wearing the same baggy shorts, sans briefs, and a tee-shirt just like the night Jaiden and I laid on the flat rock at the beach.
Jaiden and Mom came in and she quietly walked upstairs. I went into the bathroom and started a warm shower for Jaiden. I went to the commons, took his hand, and led him to the bathroom where I undressed him and gave him a soft bath in the shower. I had laid out his baggy shorts and a tee which he put on. While I bathed Jaiden, Charley and Dale went to their room to watch television and give me some private time with Jaiden.
Jaiden and I went outside and sat on the chaise lounge just as we did on the balcony at the resort. We loved each other just like we did on the balcony on our last night there.
We went inside and cleaned up a bit and went to bed. Jaiden quickly went to sleep in my arms and we slept that way until we awoke the next morning for breakfast.
What a wonderful young man and family I now have in my life. Two new brothers Jaiden and I adore and a Mom who loves us all with no reservations.
I would definitely say Jaiden and I are more blessed than we feel we deserve.