Chapter 17
When I went back downstairs I found them all sitting at the table, food was sizzling away on the hotplate and Kasey had a beer in his hand.
"Would you like a wine son?"
"No thanks mum, I think I'll just have a coke."
Billy struggled down and went over to the small fridge and pulled one out for me.
"Thank you, brother Billy."
"Welcome brothers Stevie." He showed me his crooked toothy smile.
"So have you both thought more about moving to Canberra?" Dad sat and looked at us both.
"Yes dad, but it's not going to happen, Kasey will do well with his online university, and I can't go because I have a few businesses to run."
"But Kasey can come home on the weekends." You don't know my Kasey dad.
"No he can't go, and stop trying to intimidate him into saying yes."
"Whatever do you mean son." He put a shocked look on his face.
"You know exactly what I mean dad, stop trying to pilfer my husband. He's quite happy sticking to our plan, he doesn't need your help in this matter, but thank you for trying anyway."
"Okay son, I was only trying to help."
"No, you were looking for a top disposal expert to teach the new recruits, nothing to do with the law, ask Wilson or better still, ask Hargraves he's army through and through." he ignored what I just said, but he did look miffed, and he tried again.
"Well, he could do law studies while he's there."
"No, he can't dad, because he won't be there, end of." I looked at my potential husband and he was pissing himself laughing at our sort of stand-off.
"Stop it, John leave the boys alone, you know you can't help yourself." Mum interfered.
"Daddy stops it." So did Billy.
"I want to help, how about you take the Captain's rank, it's been offered to you twice."
"No can do, Adam with an A would kill me, he likes me as a lieutenant sir."
"It's just that the more rank you have the more clout you get."
"Offer the teaching job to the Commander, he's worked hard, he deserves a better position," I said.
"Are you ready to lose Tim in the process then son?"
"How the hell do you know about Tim, and by the way, how the hell did you know that Kasey was with me?"
"I made it my business to know all about gays in the military, and I knew Keith from way back he was helping me to come to terms with it all. He told me about himself and at the medal ceremony he told me about a guy called Tim, and Lieutenant Kasey."
"So you know him from way back then?"
"Yes of course son, I was only trying to further Kasey's career that's all, and he deserves the promotion. But you may have something there with Hargraves I need an offsider in Canberra, someone that understands military people."
Dad got up and loaded the platter with barbeque meats, he placed them on the table then started cutting up a sausage and hamburger for Bill. he seemed to be deep in thought then he looked at Kasey and said.
"If your struggling with the University can you at least let me know, and when you are qualified can the Military have first dibs on your services?" Kase looked at me for the answer, mum laughed.
"Well?" He said and smiled.
"That will be just fine dad." I caved in.
"Good, then there's no need for you to quit the military, just take a year of absence to study."
"I have to warn you General, if I do work for the Australian forces I will be fair, and I won't take any nonsense either, no cover-ups, no favors." Kase was adamant.
"I will have that noted in your new contract son."
"What new contract General?" I was the one asking this time.
"The one I have in my study, six more years with us and you immediately move over to the legal department. You don't do any bomb disposable stuff at all, just law."
"So what you're saying is, if Kasey signs that contract he will immediately be shifted to your legal department, and won't be sent overseas at all."
"Yes, son, that's of course if there's no legal stuff to be done overseas."
"Dad, can we take the contract home and look it over for a few days or so then give you our answer?"
"Sure son, but its Kasey's decision in the end."
"Oh no, it's not sir." Kasey giggled along with Billy and mum.
I wasn't against Kasey staying in the forces, I was against the awful job he signed up to do. If he had of known back then he could have done law and been at the top of his game by now instead of just starting. Billy and I talked a bit more over lunch then he squashed my balls getting across me to Kasey, who he also wanted to talk to. Mum was telling me I will have to come over and clean out my room, she's sure that the clothes I left wouldn't fit me anymore and the schoolboy underwear will never be worn again. I told her I will come over soon when I get some free time. Maybe most of it can go to a charity bin. Kasey whispered to save some of those schoolboy undies he wanted to see them on me.
Billy eventually ran out of steam between telling Kasey and I he was the best soldier in the world and his second sausage drenched in tomato sauce, his head rested on Kasey's chest and he gently closed his eyes and went to sleep.
I helped mum clean up but I kept one ear on dad and Kasey's conversation just in case he was manipulating him again.
"It's alright son, he's just overjoyed your back, he wants to genuinely help your man through the ranks, he's read his history to death and told me he has the mark of a really good leader and a brain to match. Did you know Kasey topped all of his classes at Duntroon?"
"No I didn't he never told me, mum I did know he was brainy because his sister told me he was dux of his college and blitzed everyone in the state in his final exams."
"Well, you should be very proud of him." She put her arms around my neck and looked me in the eye.
"Dad will settle down soon, what he's doing is welcoming your man to the family the only way he knows how."
"Yeah I get that mum, but he doesn't have to dangle carrots in front of him, Kasey already likes him. And mum, we were planning to get him started at University early before he left the military. I was going to go out to work and he was going to study all day. I kind of liked that idea mum, a little bohemian perhaps, but nice. I don't know if Kasey wants to continue in the forces, but if it's the Law that he will be working on, then I don't have a problem. His father pushed him into enlisting, he's always wanted to be a lawyer and was so crushed he didn't get his dream, I am going to make that happen for him, mum."
"You and Kasey do what's right for you both, forget all the stuff your father is telling you, and to be perfectly honest I like your idea the best. Kasey can always contract himself to the Army when he's got his Law degree." She kissed my forehead. I think I have found some answers today thanks to her, I knew she would help me and her squeezy hugs helped.
I helped dad put Billy on the big sofa and cover him up with a blanket, I left the two DVDs on the table for him to watch later, then we went back outside. Kasey was laughing with mum and she went red-faced when she spied me.
"So what disgusting story were you telling him, mother?" She laughed.
"Nothing son, I was telling him how you would always have a boner when you watched those damn war movies with your dad, I was so sure you would enlist. It never occurred to me it was the uniform that turned you on."
"MUM!!, that's terrible, and no I never had a boner when I watched the movies, that's just pure lies."
"Not from where I stood son," She slapped Kasey's arm and they both screamed with laughter. Of course, I blushed for miles until dad saved me.
"Son, do you think you might take Bill for a night next weekend?"
"Of course I will, why?"
"We have a dinner date with the Prime Minister so will be in Canberra. I usually get one of the cadets to look after him but now you are back, we think it should be you."
"What day will I pick him up?"
"We will drop him off on the way to the airport son, we want to see your place anyway. I will message you with the time."
I didn't know what to say really, I was so happy inside to get to look after my brother and happier that my parents trusted me to do that precious job.
"We had better get some more kid-friendly DVDs in then bub." I looked at Kasey.
"It will be a piece of cake Adam, he's a very sweet kid no trouble at all, and he does what he's told or ordered to do. Read him a story help him say his prayers and he will sleep soundly through the night."
I remember when I was small I seemed to be always saying my prayers, I liked that time of my life.
"Okay, it will be all good, if he gets scared he can jump in with us." Dad almost hit me on the head with a serviette and ordered.
"No fooling around in front of him you hear me?" "Yes General." I laughed and saluted as if we would do that to the poor little fella.
We didn't leave mum and dads until late, and by the time we left Kasey was a little tipsy, so it looks like I am driving tonight.
Billy had woken up and we sat with him until it was his bedtime, I told him he was coming over for a sleepover he got pretty excited because then we can watch that big orange dog cartoon together. Kasey was amorous and so was his hands, it started just as I drove off from the curb and it didn't stop until I parked in the basement. At one stage I had to force him to sit up because there was an accident upfront and police cars were everywhere. I managed to get him in the lift and he attacked me like a sleek black panther, his lips were all over me and my shirt was now down below my waist as he sucked on my swollen nips.
I checked that Carol was tucked up in bed and I steered him to the bedroom where I got him undressed. When I got back from showering he was fast asleep, so I took a photo and turned the lights out, all horned up and nowhere to go.
We slept rather well, and after I started to get ready for the day he started waking up, so I went to make him a coffee while he headed for the toilet. Carol was up and had her head stuck in the brochure she had got from the granny flat place.
"Is it what you wanted?"
"Yes Adam, perfect for what I have in mind and Chris found the perfect spot for it too. Hopefully, the sale of the property will be pushed through a lot earlier than normal and they will start the installation after that."
"Good, we are going to build a garage for you on the side as a house warming present."
"No you're not, I don't even know if I will get a car yet."
"You will, and we will do the garage, we know people." I winked.
"Where's Lance?"
"Probably leaning over the toilet bowl, he matched my dad one for one, but I don't think he is a big drinker, he's suffering this morning." I smiled.
"He's not Adam, he's too smart for all of that, he likes a clear head."
"Yes, he is too smart." I sighed as I grabbed our mugs and headed for the bedroom. He was wiping his face with a towel when I arrived then he threw it beside the bed and crawled back in. He moaned I sat beside him and ran my hand through his hair.
"Baby?"
"Yes, Kasey?" "Don't ever let me do that again."
"I won't, do you need a headache pill?"
He rubbed his manly goods and smiled.
"Took one, can I get my Adam special now?"
I obliged him and took my time because he was so very very tasty today.
He didn't have work and neither did I so we decided to take Carol to Maree and Chris's new house to have a look at it, maybe have some lunch somewhere while we are out.
The house was quite lovely and was on four sprawling acres of land north of Brisbane. It was empty as the owners were living overseas and she said they wanted settlement as fast as possible. A five-bedroom seventies house that badly needed upgrading and opening up, Maree said Chris has that all in hand and she was confident she will get the best open plan renovation he could give her. We looked at the spot where Carol's bungalow will be placed and all agreed it was the perfect setting. We hung around for an hour or two then headed for a cafe to get something to eat.
Kasey ordered a greasy hamburger and chips, and I had pasta, my usual fare when I can't make my mind up. We talked about the move and Maree said they had offered to rent it for four weeks so they could move in earlier, maybe even next weekend. I told them about Billy's sleepover and Carol was excited to have a small kid in the place again. She did do some reminiscing much to Maree and Kasey's embarrassment, but it was nothing major, just kiddies stories.
"You have the place to yourselves tonight boys, I'm going to stay at Maree's and help with some more packing, the sooner we get that out of the way the better." I had wondered why she had bought an overnight bag with her.
"Okay mum, I think we are going to have an early night tonight, you won't miss anything."
"Are you rostered to work tomorrow Kase?" I wanted to know.
"Yes, the airport again then the Embassies."
"Is it okay to do that, like isn't it like spying?" I asked.
"Not the way we do it, we sit in a van and scan the place, just for any explosive material."
"We have to discuss dad's offer too."
He groaned and looked at me.
"Can't we just do the original plan; by the time I get my certificate he will have me upgraded to a Colonel." He smiled.
"Take it easy Kase, mum, and I have your back. He won't be allowed to go overboard. I think it's because he sees you as the son he never had, maybe like he said he was only giving you a leg up. After all you have well and truly earned it."
"Well he shouldn't because you know how I feel, my life's changed so much since I have met you, and I don't want to give my dad anything to brag about." He looked at Carol who was smiling.
"I know Kasey, let us work on dad, but mum did have a really good idea when we were talking on the quiet."
"What's that?"
"We will talk about it tonight." I smiled.
After the lady's left we coasted down the beach road for a while, there are heaps of little towns hidden away here, and my navigator had me in every one of them, then he had the sudden urge to get on home for some reason.
We all know what that urge was, and if it wasn't for others using the lift I would have been pushed up against the wall and thoroughly and swiftly stuffed. But he made up for that time-lapse when he took me on the balcony overlooking the city. One day I am going to film it with a hidden camera and that will be my perv material for the rest of my life. I chuckled to myself after we cleaned up, Kasey had ordered from the cafe and while we waited for that we had our family discussion.
"Now, what did your mum say?"
"She said that when you finish your course you could contract yourself out to the military, like a money boy." I laughed at his face he blushed.
"Is that how you see me?"
"Of course not, just having a small joke."
"Because if that's the way you see me, you owe me four hundred dollars for that last fuck I just gave you." he put his hand out, I slapped it and said.
"Put it on a tab, I'm sure I will be using your excellent services again." I then pulled him in for a big smacker.
"Kasey, putting the disposal unit aside for a moment, do you like being in the Military, or do you want to be a civilian again?"
"I don't know Adam, I like the Military but I don't like the thought of leaving you and going overseas, you changed my life, and I love it now."
"So let's just say for argument's sake, if you sign up for another three or more years and take a year off for studies, then return to the forces in their legal division you would be happy to go with that?"
"Probably, it's just my dad, he will try and interfere again."
"I don't think that's going to happen, not with the ace card up our sleeves." I grinned.
"Yes, but I don't want to be seen as leeching off your father either, I want to earn this all on my own"
"Okay, you have already been offered a promotion, I get that you don't want to take it because of your dad's big mouth. Mum said you can contract yourself out to the Military I don't agree with her, but she got me thinking. Why don't you sign up for another three years, take this year off for studies, work with the Military legal department take your promotion because with a higher rank you will get more respect and cooperation? Stick it out for the three years and make your mind up where you go from there then."
He was thinking about it as I made more coffee.
"Adam, I like the military, but I love being with you more, and I want to be more independent. But and it's a big but, if I could stay in the forces I could help in ways I never thought of. Like bullying, for one thing, gays being bullied for what they are, be a fighter for their rights and there are other guys I can help too. Single fathers, divorcees, shell shocked men and women loads of stuff I can help with."
I smiled at him, he's already holding the flag for justice and humanity. I will be very proud of my legal eagle I think.
"Then do it that way, what was in dads contract?"
"Nothing, he handed me a blank piece of paper and said I was to write my demands down and give it to him when I'm ready." He laughed.
"Two things Kase, you will never have this golden opportunity handed to you again, and secondly if you go into private practice, will you succeed as much as the Military is offering?"
"But if I take the promotion I won't be a lieutenant anymore?" "In the military's eyes only, you will always be Lieutenant Kasey to me, and I kind of like we have that "personal thing" between us." I smiled at him then stroked his face.
"So in other words, you want me to still wear a uniform?" I blushed because it is the truth.
"Yes, I'm not a fan of suits and wigs." I laughed so much he tapped my hand and told me to stop being naughty.
"Oh, you haven't seen how naughty I can be Lieutenant."
"Show me."
"What now?"
"Yes, show me how naughty you can be."
I showed him when we had our bath, and I was naughty too, very, very, naughty.
I still had no idea what Kasey will decide to do, maybe he will do his course and join the civilian wigs, but he is mainly suited to the Military he knows it back to front. He's going to think about it for a few days,
When he left the next morning I headed for the salon, I will leave it all up to him but in the meantime, I am going to have a very special visitor next Saturday night and I was excited as a newborn puppy. I got to the salon to be met by two hunky guys hanging around outside. Cody Mitchell and Daniel Lawrence his boyfriend and star footballer, they were here to have another look at the space I offered Cody. I couldn't take my eyes off Dan he was a hunk and a half but I much prefer him in his footy shorts.
"So what do you think?" I asked him.
"Adam this is awesome, Cody you should do this, it's a perfect combination and the perfect out of the way warehouse too."
"So what are the outgoings, Adam?"
"You are on a separate meter for gas and electricity, the heating and aircon do the whole warehouse we can share costs with that or we can make a deal. I have something you want and you have something I want." I grinned at them both.
"And what do you want Adam, if it's my Dan forget it, he only dances with me." Cody chuckled at Dan's red face.
"I'm not like that Cody he's all yours, I will stick with my lieutenant Kasey thank you very much." I giggled.
"I heard he's a hunk too."
"He is, but let's not get too smutty Cody, I want your apartment."
"Oh, this is very interesting Daniel."
"Come on we need some coffee and a good talk." Trish had turned up and the others won't be too far behind her, I introduced Dan to her and she made her coffee while I made ours she kept nudging me I was nudging her back and winking. I think Evans has been forgotten. I put buns and biscuits on the table and waited for the others to leave with their drinks, looking the boys over as they passed.
"Now Cody and Dan, I have a dear friend who helped me so much when I needed it the most and I want to repay her. She lives five minutes away from here but the place is noisy and not very nice, it's full of undesirables and I worry about her."
"Okay we get it, Adam how can we help?"
"I own the apartment under me and eventually I want to turn the two into one, but that's another story, and don't worry the features stay the same. It's leased to the military for a year and I would like to move my friend into it but can't at the moment."
"Okay." Cody moved closer.
"For your apartment, I will give you free rent here, the only accounts you will pay is your electricity and gas, you share the tearoom, and the office is yours if you want, we never use it. I want to move my very trustworthy friend in and she maybe will move her boyfriend in, who incidentally is Kasey's workmate, so everything will be looked after you needn't worry about that side of things." I smiled.
"She will pay your outgoings like Body corporate fees and whatever you pay to keep the apartment going. I want it for a year, then we can revisit the deal."
"Sounds okay with me, Dan are you on board with this deal?"
"Yes Codes, you know we were only going to leave it unoccupied anyway."
"Good, you can start moving in whenever you want here Codes, also I need your vote at the Body corporate meeting when I submit my plans to renovate." "Anything else, a kidney or heart, or something?" Dan laughed.
"No, I think that's it, but in future when you open more outlets I would like the opportunity of placing a salon in them too. I think the warehouse-style suits your collection, it's more human-like."
"Deal." Cody shook my hand, he knows he's getting a good offer.
"Good, I will start asking clients if they need work and in the meantime, you need some hunky guys to work in the shop. Hire casuals then you will get a variety of eye candy for the guys and gals."
Dan had a pen in his hand and was trying to figure out the money side of things, Cody placed his hand on Dan's and said.
"It's a good deal Dan, to be honest, it's a great deal. The apartment will be in good hands and Adam has offered more space than I could ever afford in any shopping center." Dan leaned in and kissed him, I got a boner.
"Of course the apartment will include the three parking spaces won't it?"
"Yes, of course, they do belong to it." Dan laughed Cody was silent then his face lit up.
"You cagey devil Adam, the rent from them will make the apartment debt free for your friend, way to go." We slapped hands.
"I will drop the keys off this week Adam, and thank you so much for the ideas and your most welcomed help." They got up and I said.
"Just give them to Trish your new tenant if I'm not here, the other salon opens Wednesday."
Cody winked and as we walked out he screamed.
"My God! I love that style." He pointed to a poster of a guy with a shaved head.
"Forget it Squirt, come on." He grabbed Cody's arm and they walked out saying their goodbyes to everyone.
"But Dan I love that style."
"Over my dead body Cody Mitchell, wait until I get you home."
"What's going to happen when you get me home Daniel?" he then roared laughing.
I laughed so much my side started aching and when I looked at my first appointment I almost yelled.
"And what trouble are you going to give me today madam?"
"No trouble Mr. Adam just a nice fix up if you don't mind." Butter wouldn't melt in Zena's mouth but it was lovely to see her again. I showed her to my work station and she handed Trish her Tupperware container full of biscuits.
I was feeling pretty pleased with myself after Cody and Dan left and I reckon I got a good deal too.
"Now my lovely what do you need today?" "I will leave it up to you Mr. Adam this old lady thinks you have your lady's problems on today." Her face was dead straight but I laughed again, this time I will give her the works I loved her that much.
It was lunchtime before I knew it and I went to the Italian takeaway shop to get some of that nice Lasagne they make. Armed with a list of food to get I walked up to the shop, I didn't know what was happening behind all the closed doors on the way but I could hear men shouting and machines going, it intrigued me as to what they were making in those small warehouses. Anyway, I had no sooner sat down when I had a visitor, and after he bent over and kissed me I went and got him a plate, he can share my lunch they always give me too much.
"Have you finished for the day bub?"
"Yes Adam, I thought I would come here in case you needed a hand with something."
"You must have psychic powers Kase, yes I do need you for something."
"What?"
"Do you know how I can get my hands on a truck large enough to put furniture in, and two or three fit guys to load and unload it?"
"I might, what have you done now?"
I told him about moving Trish to our apartment block he was amazed I had done such a good deal with Cody, he also said they can borrow a truck from work and his men will move her in whenever she wanted. I thought he might do that, but it's polite to ask. I will get her to be packed by next Monday, we don't work Mondays so that should give her plenty of time.
"What are you doing for the rest of the day Kase?" "I don't know Adam, I'm at a loose end at the moment. I don't suppose you will come home with me and we can play mummies and daddies?" "Very tempting my honey, but I have clients to attend to, but you can expect me home early, around four."
"Okay, I will do some studies then. Is mum coming back today?" "No, I think she will be there until the weekend."
"All right don't be late then, I will be naked." He wiggled his eyebrows.
He left then I had to make time to talk to Trish. When I finally got it through her head that she was moving and I wasn't open to any arguments, she nearly screamed and grabbed me in a bear hug kissing my face and thanking me for doing that for her. After she settled down she told me she was thinking about moving but didn't have the money as her current rent was quite high. I told her about the parking spaces and how much she could get for them then I mentioned Evans, she went quiet for a while then she said she would put it to him. That will leave Hargraves and Wilson in my flat, I know Wilson wants to do internet schooling but Hargraves is a career Military man maybe dad would like him for an arms teacher after all.
I told her the boys would move her next Monday and she should go home and start packing if she needed a hand I could come over one day. She had a lot to think about that's for sure but I'm confident she will love the move. When I got in I was attacked by someone in a military uniform, he didn't even take the time to undress me, he just covered me in Kaki and green, it was like being in a tent when he undid his shirt and the intimacy was awesome.
"What are we doing tonight?"
"I don't know Adam, we got to eat first then maybe I can take you to a movie."
"That sounds nice." We decided to have a cheese platter for dinner and the movie was on Netflix later on, my kind of date.
Arriving at the new old shop I felt a pang of panic but soon shook it off. Today is my first day back into my old world. Eva and Tim arrived then, we three sat in the tea room and mapped out our day. Tim was to set up his wig room and Eva and I were to take any off the street customers, I hadn't called the casuals in because I didn't expect to be busy.
"Have we decided who we are going to get in permanently yet?" I asked them because they have to work with others too.
"I thought James would be ideal, he's very good and I think he's looking for full-time employment," Eva said.
James was a gay guy that they had met at the club one night, I hired him part-time for a while and I agree he had a special knack with hair, his styles were modern and up to date more so than mine.
"Okay, who else?"
"Karen, she's very good we get along well." Tim offered.
Karen was just out of her apprenticeship, I wasn't too sure about her but if Tim thinks she's up to the job then I will hire her.
"Good, I think that's all we need for now I will ring them this morning." The doorbell went and we moved to our stations, two guys come in to have a haircut, they were from that building two doors down. By the time they were seated, I had to call Tim in because three girls arrived for last-minute touch-ups. As I said I didn't expect to be busy the first day back but there was a constant flow of off the street customers.
I made time to call James and Karen they will start tomorrow and were very happy to receive the call. Eva went across the road to get our lunches and Tim and I had a girly catch up.
"He's wonderful Adam, and he's talking about me moving in with him."
"Has he asked you?" "Yes, I am still thinking about it, I have been sharing a house with two others and I don't want to let them down, rent wise."
"I'm sure they will find another housemate quickly, and you should be living with the commander. He does love you, and I know you love him." I grinned and looked sideways at him he was blushing. At one, Trish rang and said Cody's workmen had arrived and were starting on his fit-out, I didn't think he would start so early but I was happy to have that void filled with his wonderful clothing range.
James called in later in the day and was so happy he had a call from me, I showed him where everything was and he picked his work station. He was a bubbly kid around nineteen we had used him on and off so there were no awkward moments. Three more customers walked in and he decided he would start straight away. That gave us a break to play catch up and to sweep and clean a bit. I have to do something about an apprentice, we really can't do without one, maybe Janice will know someone.
By the time we closed shop we were all exhausted mentally, we agreed that the salon was back in business in a big way and the disaster we thought might have happened didn't. We thought because of the bombing we may have to eventually close it up permanently, but that wasn't the case. We had phone calls for booking and by the looks of it, we are back on track.
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