Adam 42
Maxieplus
The pizzas were a triumph, and very well received by the family. Sam licked his lips and fingers loudly, Kasey had two and was looking for more. We made up another one, he can have that for lunch tomorrow, and if he's still hungry he can have a sandwich for now.
"So what is the verdict councillor?"
"What verdict Trish?" Kase said.
"Is he married?"
"No, he's just under forty, lives in Brisbane, and is stationed on the HMAS Canberra."
"Gay?" I asked.
"He's not Adam." Kase knows everything.
"Three kids and an ex-wife, divorced five years ago, and now he's single."
"Nope, too handsome to get involved with, I would have ladies crawling all over him, and with three kids, and an ex, no way."
Trish has decided he's not for her, but she had to go and say.
"But I would fuck him every which way if he wanted it, just on the side."
I laughed and looked at her.
"You so have fallen for his good looks and want to be one of those women, his poor ex-wife probably had to put up with."
She blushed.
Evans knocked on the door and Trish answered it, there goes Kasey's pizza because Evans had been so busy he didn't have time to eat.
"How come you were busy?" I asked.
"Three plain loads of Chinese tourists, bags full of food that has to be destroyed. They can almost buy all that stuff here, I don't know why they bother."
He loved his pizza then they all had to say good night, we put Sammy to bed and showered. It was the same routine tonight I hope we aren't getting into a rut, maybe we should invite Admiral Peters over.
We dropped Sam off at Kindy and then made our way to the lawyer's office, he was happy to see us as usual, and he passed over the paperwork for us to sign. Kasey talked lawyer talk to him and he got on the phone with someone. The extra bit for Sam will be ready in a moment he told us.
"I wanted to ask you something about the cabin if I may?"
"Yes Adam, how can I help?"
"Well I know it was in Adeles son's name then Adeles, but I have intel that his friend Jimmy Brady lived there also, did Adele buy it from him?"
"And where do you get your intel from Adam." He smiled.
"We found a tin box under the floor boards and it suggested that John and Jimmy built the cabin together. I was just wondering that's all."
"Let me have a look." He tapped away at the computer and sighed.
"You are correct the cabin was in both their names, a year after Adeles son passed Jimmy sold it to her."
"Okay, so that's all you know."
"That's all I know Adam, if you want to pursue it further I can make some inquiries for you."
"It's okay, I know he's still alive, and I know his address. I might just turn up on his doorstep one day."
"Where does he live Adam?"
"Above my apartment, penthouse number one." He tapped away again.
"Yes, it was Adele's apartment and by the looks of the timeline, the transfer was done about the same time as the cabin was. Maybe they did a swap, there's no sign of any money being exchanged but that apartment would have cost a lot more than a log cabin in those days."
"I see, I will try and visit him then, it's just that I wanted to return his photos to him."
"You do that Adam, now can you both sign this please, and Sam will be added to the title sometime today. This is also the total amount, and if you wouldn't mind can you transfer it over before noon tomorrow."
We signed both documents and that was it, we now own our cabin in the hills.
Kasey walked me to work, then he went back home to do some banking.
"Did you get it all done?" Trish asked as I leaned against the door.
"Yes, all done, so anytime you want to go up there, just let me know so we don't clash and I'll tell Eva and Wilson also."
"Did you ask about the tin of photos?"
"Yes, he didn't know, only that the cabin was changed into Adele's name the same time the apartment was changed to Jimmys."
"Maybe he wanted to sell it and Adele made him a better offer."
"I reckon that's a fair comment Trish, I would like to think she looked after her son's lover and not ignored him."
"When do you think you might go see him?"
"I don't know, I might do it on the weekend."
Just as I turned to go to the tea room a gorgeous tall red-headed lady walked in and Trish stepped up and asked her name.
"Angela I'm here to see Gloria, if I may."
"Yes good to see you Angela, extensions today. Are you available now Gloria?" Trish looked over my shoulder, Gloria was behind me.
"Adam Trish this is my friend Angela," She introduced us properly and we greeted her accordingly then Gloria walked her to her station. On the way, she looked around the salon and even lingered on a glass shelf holding a dressing table set of green Uranium glass. She looked around the salon again as she sat in front of my huge deco mirror. The elegance that red-headed woman extruded was enormous, and the type only a trans could pull off.
"Wow," I whispered.
"Wow to you Adam, put you two together in a photo shoot and it would look amazing." Thank you, Trish, I try my best.
"She looks like that cartoon redhead in who shot roger rabbit."
"She sure does, where did she get that figure from?"
I looked Trish up and down and answered.
"Well, she certainly doesn't shop where you do." Then I walked off laughing, as I walked past Glorias station I heard her say.
"I told you this is an amazing place." I was very proud of my salon and worked hard to get it just right, and little comments like that always made me feel it was all worthwhile.
I headed for the tea room and made a coffee, Gloria came in to make her friend one and she looked at me.
"You don't mind do you, Adam?"
"Mind, mind, why would you ever think that Gloria?"
"I don't know some people are funny about having trans in their salons, even worse some gays even dislike it."
"Not us lovely there should be more of it, brightens the place up."
"Thank you, she loves your trinkets and is an avid collector herself."
"I guessed that, I think I am going to love her a lot." I hugged her then she moved back to her client.
I found out later from Marko, that Angela and Gloria used to work for the strip clubs together and they made a lot of money. Angela is still doing the clubs, but Gloria wanted something more normal.
It was when Angela left looking a lot better than she did when she walked in, if that was ever possible, I took the opportunity of having lunch with Gloria.
"Honey, if your friends want to be pampered in a salon, please make it ours. There's no one here that's pointing fingers and laughing, not that they have much to laugh about, you and Angela both are stunning women."
"You know don't you?"
"Yes baby, but don't hold that against me, if the guys hadn't said anything I would never have known."
"They know me from the club, I didn't ask them for the job I wanted to get it on my own merits."
"And you're doing very well, anything you want, just ask."
"There is something I have wanted to talk to you about Adam."
"Yes?"
"Well many of my friends, and clients, would love to come to a proper salon and get pampered for an hour, but they are afraid they will get sprung and treated differently."
"No here, you tell them to come here there won't be any trouble for them."
"I can do them out the back."
"Nup, never going to happen, they get the same treatment as everyone else."
"Thank you, Adam, that makes my life a little easier, my apartment is small."
"You said your clients?"
"I am set up at home to do the girl's hair, not wigs I don't do them. They are either starting or have been in the outside world for years, some are married, some are strippers, some still live with their families, all are good people, they are not your run-of-the-mill drag queens."
"I know what you're talking about, and they are most welcome to come here."
"Thank you." She hugged me and I must get some of that perfume she's wearing, Kasey will love it.
"Hello Adam, has your man's memory come back fully?" She poked her head into the tea room.
"Good afternoon Zena, yes, but he still has some grey areas, I'm sure it's nothing too drastic. How are you today my lovely?"
"I am good Adam, I was going to ask you if he remembers the threesomes he had with Luca and me."
"Get out, go get your hair done and stop being so insolent." I pointed into the salon.
"Sorry Adam, no need to be like that. I was just asking if he remembered the night."
"Get," I screamed, she scuttled off laughing and patted Marko's bottom as she sat down at his station.
I did get the chance to have a serious talk with her on our own, and she said she had been so worried that he wouldn't remember how much he loved me. I assured her he was on board again in that department. Then I had to go and ask her how to make an authentic pizza, her answer was too long and sounded too hard, so I will go with Trish's recipe, and just buy it all.
"Thank you nona, I will give it a try."
"Or you can buy the dough and toppings at the supermarket like I do." She grinned.
"Go, I will see you next time, have a good day and give that man or yours an extra hug from me." I could see my man poking his head in so I wanted to be with him, he's not as crazy as some of my clients.
"Did you transfer the money?"
"Yes Adam, all done, two hundred."
"That's not right Kasey it should be more."
"The note said otherwise,"
"What note?"
"The one stapled to the account. It said in big letters, No Arguments."
I don't know who to thank there are only Meryl's two daughters that still patronise my salon, maybe I will ask them who I have to thank.
Sam was happy to see us and he grabbed a ride off Kasey while I carried his pack. I wanted to duck into the chicken shop to grab a roast chicken, I can do that with gravy in rolls tonight, better get two just in case.
"What am I going to do about the photos Kase?" I was now thinking I will leave it for now, I just don't want to intrude.
"He's a nice guy Adam, give it time he is a little standoffish but was pleasant to me."
"You talked to him?"
"I went to the gallery for an hour, he was there photographing some paintings. I only asked him if he was the famous Jimmy Brady, and he said he was. So I introduced myself to him as his downstairs neighbour. He asked if I was the one that can summon helicopters at will."
He smiled then went on.
"I told him it was your apartment and Adele Banks had left it to you, and I was your boyfriend."
"How did he react?"
"Well this is where it got strange, he went quiet and ignored my comment, so I thought I had outstayed my welcome and left."
"We better not push it then."
"That's the reason I went there Adam because I knew you wouldn't."
"Thank you, did you see any art?"
"Not a lot, but I did see some of his photos in one gallery they were beautiful."
"We must go there one day and have a look."
"Yes we must, he works on Wednesdays, I asked at the reception desk." I love it when he grins.
Sam had some homework today, he had to do another project on his favourite holiday. He said he didn't want to do it because some of the kids have never had holidays and didn't know what they were.
"You can do one on the beach or at the cabin."
"No daddy it's not fair, I get a holiday but they doesn't,"
"That's don't son, but you like doing projects."
He stood firm and I couldn't help but be a little proud of him, and the teachers shouldn't have set such a specific subject.
"Sam, have a look at this properly." Kase handed the note to him and he slowly spelled out the words then he got to holiday or day out. His papa explained that he could do one for any day out, or a holiday.
"Can I do one on the day we went to the beach with private Smiths?"
"Of course we can I even have some photos, that was the first time you ever saw the beach baby."
"It was beautiful dad, I want to do that one it's the best day."
I smiled at Kasey and went to find some project paper, I then found the photos, and Kasey printed off a few.
He titled it `my first beach ever' now I was even prouder, he had picked a spot where most of his classmates have been.
I pulled the chicken apart and made up three rolls with gravy, we sat at the table to eat, he sat on a towel on the couch so it will catch the spills hopefully. Trish and Evans didn't arrive so I have enough for tomorrow night and even some for his sandwiches for lunch.
I told Kase about Gloria's friend and he was happy and said the next time she has an appointment, he wants to be there to see this beauty.
I also told him about Zena's comments and he laughed then shuddered at the thought.
"I know you like Luca Adam, but he's not my type at all."
"He is a handsome man, but not my type either."
"What is our type Adam?"
"You, only you."
"Right answer." He went back to his reading.
I let him be, he was engrossed with the big volume he was reading and I went to fill the bath that will shift him.
I cleaned Sam up and deemed he didn't damage anything except his t-shirt.
"Come on baby, time for a bath." Kasey looked at me, no I wasn't talking to him I was talking to Sam.
"I have to ring Billy."
"Bath first then you can call."
"Ok, daddy."
I opened a wine and undressed Sam, the temperature isn't what I like but when he's finished I will put some more hot water in it. No bubbles tonight just some plastic toys and good hair shampoo.
Twice Kasey popped his head in and twice I said.
"Another minute."
I called him to come and get Sam as I turned the hot water on and added some suds. He dried our son off and got him into his bedclothes then he said he could ring Billy. It didn't take him long to strip, and then he was basking in the bath with me, he's all toes and feet my Kasey, and he likes to rub me up in all the right places.
We fooled around some, then it was time to put Sam to bed so we dried off and went to do that job.
"How was billy?"
"Good daddy, he said he had a good day and can't wait to go to the ship with us."
"Well it will be next week baby, papas got studying this week."
"He knows daddy, he said his daddy tells him that uncle Kasey is very busy." Which reminds me I must ask Kase what Admiral Peters wanted him to do for him.
After a short story, Sam went off to sleep. Kase installed himself at the table and I asked him about it.
"He wants me to map a route so the navy covers the shipping lanes and the smuggler's routes more efficiently."
"And have you?"
"Yes Adam, done last night, I only have to check it."
"That was quick."
"It was easy, I only had to extend a couple of already in-use routes."
"And what are you studying now?'
"Boring Adam, court procedures I already know them but there may be something I missed."
"Okay." I stood up and dropped my underwear then said.
"Kase can you have a look at my left cheek, it's a little itchy." He dragged me into the bedroom to check, and he only returned to lock up the house and turn the computer off.
I had a few clients in today and did some guy's cuts, but nothing very exciting, that was until Admiral Peters walked in the door in full regalia, wow.
Trish met him and they talked while I finished up the lady I was working on, she looked fabulous for her date with her new man. When I escorted her to the desk I said hello to Markus who shook my hand.
"Sam hasn't forgotten next Wednesday has he?"
"No he's excited about it, his first big ship in all his life, so he says." I laughed.
"Well, we may throw in a helicopter ride if he's lucky, and if you have the time."
"Yes, your well and truly slotted in." I grinned at Trish.
"Now what can we do for you today?"
"A trim if you don't mind Adam," he took his cap off and he has got a fine head of hair.
"I like it a little longer, less navy looking that way."
"I get it, and if you walk this way you will get exactly what you need." I winked at Trish she was bursting to laugh but she held herself nicely.
"Did Kasey send you the work he did?"
"Yes Adam, I have just come from a big meeting with General Sutton, he won't let him transfer to us no matter what I offered."
"He's a very clever man, he can just about achieve anything he puts his mind to."
"That's what your father said, I was wondering if I may ask you, is he super busy with military business?"
"No Markus, he profiles old cases, and he has had a lot of wins. At the moment he's up to his ears in law books."
"Good, I want to ask him about something we would like him to work on."
"It doesn't involve him going overseas does it?'
"Not at all, this is all navy stuff, profiling to be exact."
"So you have some cold cases too?'
"Yes, and they annoy the hell out of me."
"How come you got to be an Admiral so young?" I wanted to know, so while we are having a good catch up I may as well ask.
"Lots of luck, loads of ship hours, and a brain Adam."
"That easy?"
"No, very hard work, but I'm book trained no active service just mainly schooling and sailing a big boat around Australia."
"So you have a brain like Kasey's then?"
"Not quite, my dad was navy through and through, and an Admiral to be exact, but don't tell anyone I had inside help." He laughed.
"I won't."
"Who the hell was that guy?" Gloria was asking at lunchtime.
"Admiral Peters honey, I don't know him that well but he is gorgeous."
"He sure is." She sighed, then asked.
"Are all your customers so bloody good-looking?"
"Yes." I giggled.
At that very moment Kasey decided to poke his head in the door, she moaned and said.
"Lucky bugger Adam.'
"I sure am Gloria, one day your prince will come."
"I wish."
I summoned my man over and kissed him, he was here because he needed a break, so I got Lynnie to get us some lunch from across the road. Tim got a message then he stood by the back door, the commander must be wanting a trim.
"Have you read much?"
"Yes, just getting to the interesting bit, Adam why don't you just work in the afternoon for an hour or so, I miss you."
"Kase I can't take any more time off work, and what would I do at home, measure up for drapes?"
"He looked at his crotch and smiled.
"Oh, I see your randy again."
"A little."
"That's not a little baby, I can assure you." Lynnie came in with lunch and we thanked her.
"The Admiral wants you to do some more work for them, cold cases."
"I can't do that Adam, I'm contracted to the military."
"He was in here earlier and asked me if you were busy. I don't want you working for all the forces Kase, it will get too much for you."
"I know, at the moment they are leaving me alone but I expect the general to knock on the door any day."
"I will go talk to him again."
"No Leave it, I think the last effort scared him, baby."
"But he will forget soon enough and then pile more work onto you."
"Did you go back to the museum?"
"No, I thought about it but I don't want to scare him off, maybe next week I will try again or maybe we might spend the day there."
"Good, I feel the same it's enough at the moment he knows we live beneath him."
We dined then he wanted me to go home with him, I didn't have much on so I told Trish I was taking the rest of the afternoon off. He walked me home and if I'm lucky he will have cleared the table so he can play out his fantasy. As it was the table was covered in books so the bedroom got to watch us in all our glorious rapture.
He was looking much better and that scar on his head had faded a little from red to white so it's healed. It will always be a reminder that I nearly lost him that day but I will still cover it, he is lucky his hair naturally flows that way.
My phone rang and I went to answer it, it may be urgent.
"Hello, Adam?"
"Yes."
"It's John from downstairs the janitor?"
"Yes John, how can I help you?"
"Well, this may be a little thing but I just got off the phone with apartment one."
"Yes, tell me."
"He wanted to know if you were both reputable people because all he knows is there is always military coming and going."
"What did you tell him?'
"I said your partner is in the military and you were the owner of the salon that got bombed. But that's all I said, plus you were both very nice young men."
"I wonder why he's asking around."
"Well I never talk to him, he's a recluse and no one sees him. It made me feel uncomfortable so I wanted to give you a heads up."
"It's okay John, I know what it is all about, he is just checking up on us. I guess he doesn't speak to many people and has decided he must get to know the neighbours at least. He's harmless but if he rings again let me know."
"I will Adam, have a good day."
"Thank you John."
I told Kasey about the strange call and he said Jimmy would just be checking we were okay that's all." I agreed with him. If he has gone to all that trouble of ringing John, Kasey's visit must have stirred something up.
I didn't dwell on it, if he wants to know us he will knock on our door otherwise I will keep the tin box safe for him in my treasure cabinet.
It was time to pick Sam up so we dressed and headed to his kindy. He was all happy because his project was well received, we had spoken to the head lady and she said her experiment was successful. None of the kids had done holiday projects only day-out ones. She said she has a pretty good bunch of kids in this class she was proud of them all.
"Admiral Peters came by today baby, he's looking forward to your visit."
"So am I daddy I can't wait to see the big ships."
"Really?"
"Really papa." Kasey beelined down the alleyway into the car park, he said we can go and have a look if we wanted, but just from the car today. Next week we can go on board. He jumped up and down while his dad drove down to the navy wharf, there were two ships and one had helicopters on it, I told Sam that was the one we are going to tour. He wowed screamed and saluted it all from the back seat window. I had to take some photos so he could show Billy then after a half hour we were moved on, so Kase drove us home again
in our shiny new car.
I unpacked his backpack and he settled in front of the tv, his phone was to his ear, and guess who had to be told about the boats. I asked Kasey if he would mind having chicken again, he likes chicken so that was okay with him. I hadn't checked the mail because we had come up from the car park, so I told him where I was going and grabbed the lift down. A few for Kasey, some advertising stuff, and a card for me.
I opened it on the way up and it was an invitation made out to me. It read 'Coffee at one tomorrow, please come on your own, and it had his name and address on it. Strange person, but I will go alone, that's after I show Kasey the invite, he must know where I am, otherwise, he will go ape shit.
He looked at the card and deemed everything okay.
"He wants to meet you, not me. I presume it will be because he has trouble interacting with the military, and he's gone to some trouble finding out your surname."
"Well, I understand why he hates the military but he doesn't know you at all, you did tell him you were my boyfriend didn't you?"
"Yes Adam that was deliberate, I wanted him to know we were gay like him."
"I won't go alone Kase, maybe I'll just send him a card back."
"No you must go baby, there are two things you have in common you might like to discuss, the military, and Adele."
I didn't think of that, so many questions, and I hope I find some answers.
I stressed about it all night, what if he was just going to tell me to mind my own business, do I take the tin with me, how do I approach the subject of Adele and the cabin?
"Go to sleep Adam." I pretended I did but it was an off-on kind of sleep.
I was stuffed in the morning and got up early and sat looking out at the black sky. I didn't want to disturb Kasey's books they were all open at particular pages so I used the space I had cleared last night. I lifted my legs onto his chair then I fell asleep.
He woke me when he came out and I noticed Sam sitting on the sofa so I put my legs down which hurt and indicated to him it was ok to turn the tv on by nodding and smiling.
Kasey kissed me then handed me a hot cup of coffee, he handed Sam some toast, then he sat opposite me.
"I will clear these books away today, it's just I was on the trail of some information and wanted to follow it through."
"That's ok Kase, do whatever you are comfortable with." I smiled.
"You're worried aren't you?"
`"A bit."
"So much you didn't sleep last night."
"Maybe."
"He is going to be alright Adam you have to believe that."
"I'm worried he's going to tell me to mind my own business."
"He invited you for coffee, if he was going to say that he would have put it in the note. Adam he wants to see you, he's made his first move you have nothing to worry about."
"I wish you were coming."
"So do I, but you will message me please."
"Yes I will let you know how it's coming along."
I didn't go to work I fell asleep when Kasey walked Sam to kindy, that refreshed me, and the shower we had together relaxed me. I dressed to impress even Kasey said wow so I know I had hit the mark today. He came with me downstairs and we went up the alleyway, there was a bold entrance to the penthouses with a lift, I have never been in this part of the building and it was magnificent.
He kissed me then he waited for me to press the button on the intercom, within a short minute the lift door opened.
I didn't have to push any buttons it just cruised its way silently to the top of the building, I so wanted Kasey with me.
When it stopped the doors opened and the first thing I saw was a young man standing there then I noticed the room, it was huge.
"Adam Sutton." I offered my hand, his face had that shocked look he rubbed his hands over it and looked at me again.
"She was right, it's like looking into my Johnnies eyes again after all these years."
"You're talking about Adele aren't you?"
"Yes, Jimmy Brady and welcome to my home."
I shook his hand then I stepped further into the apartment, I looked around and it was almost the same as mine, only twice as big and high.
"Wow, just wow."
"Is it what you imagined?"
"No, and yes, it's the same as mine but much much bigger, it's like an old bank building."
"Not quite Adam, it lacks the sobriety of a bank." He smiled. He was young, no lines on his face and a full head of hair, you could be believed if you said he just stepped out of one of those photos. It was just an illusion I knew he was older maybe in his late sixties but he looked forty.
"Please come and sit with me," It was when he motioned me over to the big sofas I saw it. He had a fireplace with the most desirable mantlepiece that screamed deco, over that was a painting, or was it a photograph of Adele and her two boys?
"I took that the day Johnny signed up."
"I thought he may have been in the draft, I couldn't recollect if Adele had told me the situation or not."
"He was military through and through Adam, please sit with me."
"This place is so wonderful,"
"Wait until you see the bathrooms, you can check them out when you go to message your fella."
I smiled back at him and answered.
"My forever friend, the one I plan to marry soon."
"You found it didn't you?"
"Found what?"
"The biscuit tin." I was shocked he would know that.
"Yes, and I wanted to return it to you."
"I left it there so Johnny would have something to look at if his ghost ever returned. And I tried to bury that wonderful time of my life, you have no idea what I went through at that cabin."
"I do in a way because I have just been through much the same thing, but my man returned to me."
"I have much to ask you Adam. I have put this meeting off for far too long. Adele tried to get me to go to her place when you were there but I was too scared because of your eyes and my memories. I did promise her I would look out for you before she passed, another promise I didn't keep, and I am sorry."
"I'm here now Jimmy, how did you know we bought the cabin."
"Bill Walsham, I rang him and he told me it had been sold. I am so happy another gay couple will enjoy our little home in the hills. Adam, is he good to you?'
"Who?"
"Your man, is he the one?"
"Oh my god, you have no idea the trouble he went to to get to know me, he pursued me relentlessly. I thought he was joking but he was awesomely genuine and still is."
"That is good to hear, I will send him my apologies, but I have trouble with the military as you would guess."
"He's not like any ordinary military Jimmy, he is a wonderful human being and daddy."
"I heard you both have a son, Irac wasn't it?"
"Yes somewhere around there, he's a beautiful kid, we love him to death."
"Adele told me you were a very talented hairdresser and an avid collector of all things Deco. She said you made her life so bearable, and I am sorry I didn't want to know you back then. I find it hard to interact with others that I perceive I have something in common with. Bad memories and a heavy heart stopped me from being a participant in this current world. I shut myself away because I believed others would never understand how I felt."
"They do, believe me, they do. I can't imagine what you went through but I had a similar situation not long ago, I thought Kasey would never come home, I went insane for a moment."
"That's the way I felt for such a long time, I couldn't stay in our little home, so Adele gave me this apartment in exchange for the cabin. I know she went there regularly when she was well. I couldn't bring myself to go back, too many good and bad memories. So I immersed myself into my work."
"I can call him."
"Who?"
"Kasey, he is worried you may be an axe murderer." He sat back and thought about it then said.
"Call him, I have to start somewhere if we are going to be friends."
"A big step for you Jimmy."
"A long overdue one Adam." He smiled.
I rang Kasey and he was with me within minutes, Jimmy was pleasant and it was then he offered coffee.
"Have a look around Adam and Kasey,"
We did, the bathrooms were three times the size of ours, mirrors everywhere, and the telltale pink green, and blue tiles were the same as mine.
There was a butler's pantry, a maid's quarters and ensuite, office space, and a landing that overlooked all of Brisbane, my whole flat would fit on it.
"It's gorgeous, how the hell do you clean it?"
"I go out for the day once a month the cleaners do the work."
"So young man how do you like being in the military?"
"It's okay but not my first choice, my father forced me into it."
"So what do you want to be?"
"A lawyer. I am still contracted to them but to do law only now."
"What was your job with them before?"
"Bomb disposal." His hand went to his throat but he kept his calmness.
"Just like my Johnny."
"He was killed by one wasn't he?"
"Yes, he was the brave one. I missed the call-up lottery and had already made plans to object and go to jail, I would have been no use to them and history tells us it was a senseless war. But Johnny was military and was eager to go, Adele could have stopped it, but he was certain he could make a difference. In the end, he did, he saved all those men, then he stood on a mine." I saw tears and moved to sit beside him, Kasey did the other side and we both held him fo a long moment.
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