Keeping It in the Family

If your not 18, you know you don't belong here. All rights belong to the author/creator of this story, which is me, Michael McKinney. I can be reached at Aragon76@aol.com (mailto:Aragon76@aol.com) for comments, both good and bad. I respond to all letters, some days it might take me a day or two, but I will always answer them. Again thanks to Ton (he's in Holland) for all his help in getting this story out, without his help it wouldn't come out as good as it does. There are still mistakes although I've tried to catch them, but I'm human, I know, big surprise! I'll be honest, get the Kleenix box for this chapter now...you're going for a ride. Mike. Chapter Six "Come on, Michael, please, let's go in the house. You can see it tomorrow if you want. When it's daylight outside, please, babe, don't do this to yourself." With his heart out on his sleeve he begged Michael not to go and look, knowing that it probably wasn't cleaned yet and he didn't want Michael to see it. Michael stopped and looked Trent in the eyes. "Please, Michael, don't. Come on, let's go into the house. We'll come out tomorrow and you can look all you want." Michael caved in and his shoulders dropped down and he bent his head forward and rested it on his chest. Trent put his arm around Michael's shoulder and led him inside and up to his bedroom and put him into bed. Trent kissed him good night and promised him he would go out with him in the morning. He shut off his light and closed the door and sat down outside Michael's door. He wanted to make sure Michael didn't try and go downstairs before he himself had had a chance to go and see if he needed to clean up before Michael could see anything. He waited over an hour to make sure that he would stay in his room, Trent went to the front porch. When he got to the front porch he found Stephen still working on cleaning up the mess so Michael wouldn't see anything in the morning. Thanks, Stephen, I stayed up there to make sure he was asleep before I came down here. I thought you had already gone to bed." "I could still use your help; try and find some more bleach, there's still marks that I'm having a hard time getting rid of. See if you can find any in the garage or anything that might work on this to clean it off. I don't want Michael to see this in the morning. It's bad enough that it happened here and he's going to have to see it every day and be reminded. You're going to be extra patient with him Trent, don't push him too hard to be the Michael you want. It's going to take him a while to mentally process this. Not only did he lose his mother tonight, he also hadn't talked to her since he left home and he's going to feel guilty for not doing it, even though he had every right not to talk to her. She has not been fighting that hard to stand up for her son. I didn't see her or hear about her trying to reach out to him, not even on his birthday. No matter what his father thought, she supposedly loved him anyway, so why couldn't she have tried to get in touch with him outside of her home in some way? You're going to have to gently remind him of this somehow without offending him, he's still going to feel guilty, no matter what we think." Stephen put down the brush he had and walked over to his brother and put his arms around him. "This is going to suck, Trent, I'm not going to lie to you or sugarcoat this. Michael is going to be deeply affected for a while and it's going to show up in your relationship in ways you might not expect. I'm just trying to tell you to be patient and remember: there's no question of him maybe talking to her tomorrow or ever again, and with the way they parted he is going to regret it, no matter what." He just held his little brother with a hug only a big brother can give. His heart went out to Trent and wondered if he and Michael could survive this ordeal together? The whole family had protected Trent the instant he had come out to them. Perhaps there were times that the older siblings had over protected their younger brother from the realities of the world at least as far as Stephen was thinking. The only thing he could do now was to be there for Trent and watch over him and help him get through this, just like Michael was going to have to go through it. Trent just wasn't old enough to realize that yet but Stephen knew and it made his heart ache for him. Experience was life's greatest teacher and, at the age of eighteen, Trent hadn't had enough of it to realize the ramifications of Michael's loss. Not that Stephen thought himself all that older and wiser at the age of twenty-five, but he knew that much. The morning arrived all too soon for Trent he didn't look forward to taking Michael outside. He jumped from his bed and ran out into the hallway to see if Michael was still asleep but his door was already opened. He made a dash for the downstairs and as he descended the stairs he could see that the front door was already standing open. As he got closer Joshua came back into the house and stopped Trent before he could get outside. "Leave him be, Trent, Michael needs some time to himself. Get your father and mother up; he's going to need them this morning. Let them know that he' s already outside and that the porch has been cleaned. Don't wait Trent, move, do as I say, go on. Hurry, Trent, they need to be up for him." He physically turned Trent around and pushed back towards the stairs he had just come down a few minutes ago. Joshua knew that Michael was going to need someone much stronger than Trent to pull him back in from where he was headed mentally. Trent went through the motions of running up the stairs to get his parents. Joshua was right; he would need their help with Michael and learning to move forward with his life. He barely remembered running through their door and waking them up and getting them downstairs. Michael was just standing there, looking at where she had been and the scene played over in his head repeatedly. There was nothing else he could see or think of except his mother laying on the ground with a pool of blood growing ever larger and slowly running down to the first step. It was surreal to stand there and watch Michael. Racing through his mind he tried to imagine who could have done this to his mother. Kevin was the first one that came to his mind and his father came second. Michael wondered: could he really do this to his own wife? Could this whole fight bring him to this point and this drastic conclusion for his father? What would Kevin gain from this? Is he just out to destroy me for trying to

fight him off? Questions ripped through Michael's mind one after the other. He still couldn't believe that it had happened. Who was going to bury her? Would it be his father? But if he had done it, how could he bury her? They 'd taken him away and it would be up to Mandy and him to do the job. He had to call her and talk to you. He tried several times but was unable to reach her. He reasoned that she could be at work or perhaps she had gone away for the weekend with some of the other kids from the class. Perhaps she didn 't know yet. Clay walked up to Michael and put his arms around him. Come on, Michael; standing here and just looking at this over and over again isn't going to change things. I'm sorry this had to happen to you on a day that was for celebrating, not mourning a death. But you need to come inside and sit and maybe have some coffee and toast. You need something in your stomach. Come on, Michael, Trent and I will join you for coffee. Come on, son." Clay took Michael by the shoulders and slowly guided him back into the house. The whole time Michael seemed to stay fixated on that one spot where his mother had laid the night before. The breakfast table was quiet. No one was really saying anything, especially in front of Michael. No one wanted to bring up what the problem was that was glaring everyone right in the face. Michael broke the silence. "I know this is going to sound crazy, but it was Kevin. And if it wasn't Kevin, then I have to assume it was my Father." Clay and Sarah had the same thought and both looked at each other, unsure what to say to him." "Michael, how can you say that? He attacked you and I agree that would make me feel like that too, but why would he kill your mother? What would that accomplish? "He's trying to get at me, because he didn't get what he really wanted that day. I just feel it in my gut that Kevin isn't going away from me just yet; he wants revenge for some reason. I don't know that I did anything to him, but there is something. He's fixated on me." "But how? Her being here was a last minute thing, there's no way he could have known." Michael looked up at Trent and shook his head. "Maybe you're right, Clay, maybe. I'm just saying it to blame it on someone. That leaves one other possibility and you won't like this anymore than I do. But answer these questions for me." "I don't know who else ... your father?" "Bingo." "Michael, your parents might be fighting, but to kill her over this whole issue? Do you really think he'd be capable of doing something like killing his wife? I don't know. I think as a career man in the military his training is: doing what's right and not bring disgrace to the military in any way. I just don't see him doing that kind of thing." "Maybe you're right, Clay, maybe, I'm just guessing. As far as my father being capable, I've heard more than one story, growing up in the military, of men beating their wives and some shooting them for less than what my father might have done it for. Don't forget: he's ashamed of me, and his wife acknowledging me by attending my graduation party might have sent him over the top. I don't know him anymore; I don't like what he's been like since I was thrown out of my house. I don't know what he's been thinking or how he's been acting. My sister says that he's been quiet because my mother won 't talk to him because of what he's done, so I don't know if that would drive him to kill her or not. I told the cops everything I know and what I thought. It's up to them to figure it out now, I don't know what else to do. " Sarah was the protective mother instantly. "I want you staying close to the house, Michael, for a few weeks, just in case. I'm not saying you have to stay in the house, I just want you to be careful coming and going from here. I want you leaving with Trent and coming home with him. I don't want you driving alone, if need be I'll take you to work and pick you up." "Sarah, I know you mean well, but I can't keep hiding. I won't do that; someone isn't going to run my life on fear. If they want to get me, they're going to, like it or not." Trent piped up too. "And what about me? Maybe you're willing to keep running around like it's nothing, but what if something happens to you? Where are you going to leave me on that thought? What? I don't matter? You're just

going to decide how you're going to live your life, screw everything else? I'm sorry, Michael, but that doesn't work for me. I'm not letting you out of my sight. we come and go together, got it?" Trent wasn't pissed, but Michael could hear the slight anger in his voice. Mostly it was love and concern that radiated through his little speech. Come on, change your clothes into something comfortable and I'll be back in a few to join you and we'll take off for a little while." Trent walked out the door. As he closed it he could hear Michael break down in tears. As much as it broke his heart he thought it best to just let Michael cry for a few minutes. Perhaps it would do him some good. He took his time changing and it was Michael that came to his room. "I was beginning to wonder where you were. What did you do? Having a hard time deciding what to wear?" "Ha, very funny. I was thinking of maybe leaving tonight and finding a place to stay and spend some time away from here for a day or two? How about it?" "You know what, Trent, that sounds great. Have you packed everything?" "Yea, just go and throw enough in for two days, or better yet, make it three days, just in case we decide to stay longer." Michael hugged Trent and squeezed him as hard as he could. "I love you, Trent, I just want you to know that and I don't want you to leave me ever, promise me that." "I promise, Mikey, I wouldn't be doing the things I'm going to be doing if it wasn't for you believing in me. I promise to never leave you, unfortunately for you; you're stuck with me for the rest of our lives." "That's a promise I like hearing and am holding you to it mister!" The two went to Michael's room and he threw some clothes together. "How are we going to get out of here without being held back?" "Oh, yee of little faith. My father made sure we had a way out of the upstairs should we have a fire in the house, come with me" Michael followed Trent to Randy's room and opened the closet door. He pressed the back wall of the closet and it slide open. "What is this?" "Oh, just hush and come on." He followed Trent down the stairs that turned a few times and when Trent opened the door they were standing on the far side of the house where there were lights. "It is how we use to get in and out of the house when we were late coming in. The walls are built of fire resistant material. That way, if there ever was a fire, we had a safe way out. The girls have one that they can go to and the parents have one in their closet." "That's so James Bond." The two laughed. Trent was glad to hear Michael laugh even if it was just a small chuckle. "Okay, now what, genius? How do we get out of here without being seen? My car is parked near the front where there are a hundred cars blocking it in. Where's yours parked?" Mine is out on the road in front of the house. Just stay with me and we'll get out of here without being seen. Then I'll call my mother and tell her we're splitting for a few days, just to let you chill." Michael followed Trent into the wooded area outside the fence that enclosed the yard. A few seconds later, they were getting into Trent's truck. He started the engine and pulled away. Pulling out his cell phone he called his mother. "Mom, listen, I have Michael with me and we are taking off for a day or two. He needs to be away from all of this. If the cops are still there, tell them to look into Kevin and Michael's Dad. His dad would be the only one that knew she would be there. I don't think it's Kevin, that was Mikey's idea. Maybe it's nothing maybe it's not. I'll stay in touch and the phone will be on if you need me or the cops wanting us to come back, but right now I' m protecting my partner." "Don't go too far, Trent, just in case the police do want to talk to Michael. Go downtown and get a room at the Four Seasons. Use your fathers account. That way you'll have a suite and if I have to I'll be able to send the cops there, okay?" "All right, Mom. We'll go there and stay shut in, just to hide and get away, but don't tell anyone but Dad where we are. Not even Mandy right now. If

she calls just say that we took off but not sure where we are. Like I said right now I'm protecting Michael from everyone, unless the police need him. Try and stall them unless you and Dad think we should come home." "We love you two, and be careful. Tell Michael I'm worried about him and if he needs your Dad or me, he can call us at any time. I don't care what time of day or night it is." "Here, you tell him, Mom." "Michael." "Yes, mam." "I just told Trent what to do and where to go and stay. I want you to know that if you need to talk to me or Clay you call. I don't care what time of day or night it is. I'm worried about you, and Clay is very concerned. Just know that we both love you and will protect you just as much as if you were one of our own. I mean that Michael. Now go with Trent and try and relax. Clay and I know where you will be. Do you still have your pills from Dr. Davis?" "No, damn, I left them at the house." "I'll drop them off at the front desk later today or by I'll send them by currier first thing in the morning. Make sure you take them to help you relax. Will you promise me to take them?" "Yes mam, I will." "Good, then go back to Trent and you two go and relax. I'll see you soon, Michael." "Yes mam and thank you." Michael handed Trent his cell phone. "So are you going to tell me where we're going, hot shot?" "We are going downtown to the Four Seasons. My father's company keeps a suite there. The folks will know where we are and we can charge everything to

the company account so we can spoil ourselves. Mom wants us staying in." "I don't know if I'd ever get used to this lifestyle you seem to take so easily, Trent. I guess it's because I just never grew up with it and it's probably what makes the difference between you and me." "Michael, I want you to know that sometimes I'm not happy I can live like this, knowing how some people have to struggle. And then there are other times that I'm glad I live like this. Tonight is one of them, because I can take my lover with me and spoil him like I want to all the time. So, no arguments. I just want you to relax for the night. I still have a small present to give you for graduation. I just was waiting for the right time to give it to you, Buddy." "Trent, I didn't get you anything. I was going to take you away for a weekend before we started school in the fall." "You can, just don't tell me where we are going and it will still be a surprise. Look at it this way: Dad gave us the summer off because it's the last one we get off before we work for the rest of our lives. Oh yea, when we pull up to the hotel watch what happens when I tell them to park this for the Sanders Suite, watch people go into overdrive. Personally I think it's funny." Before long they pulled up to the Four Seasons and Michael was in awe of the beauty and its splendor. "We'll be staying at the Sanders Suite If you'd let them know, tell them my name is Trent Sanders." The kid's eyes popped open. "Do you have any luggage sir? "Actually there are just two small duffel bags in the back; you can have them delivered to the room if you don't mind." Trent took Michael by the hand and whispered in his ear. "Are you ready to have some fun and watch some jaws drop?" "Trent, what are you going to do?" "By now that kid has notified the front desk that someone is here and will be using the Sanders Suite, which is really the top floor Penthouse in case

I forgot to mention it earlier." "Yea, that part must have slipped your feeble mind." Trent couldn't help but laugh. "Yea, feeble my ass." "That's one thing I'm hoping to get tonight." "You are such a horn dog, Michael. Okay, now let's walk in slowly, hand in hand and I'll bet at least four to five people will be at the front desk to get us signed in and will ask nine hundred questions if we need anything special, the chef is still on duty if we are hungry, and blah, blah, blah."

"This might be something you are used to, but not me, let me enjoy it and don't ruin it by making snide remarks about everything." "Okay, in that case I'll let you handle it, I'll just sign the book." "I love you, Trent, thanks for getting me out of the house tonight; I needed it more than you know." "No, Michael, I know you and could see it in your face that you needed to get out of there and I knew I was the one that could accomplish that. But you can thank me later while I ripe off your clothes." They laughed as the doors were opened for them and Michael really began to grasp the grandeur and opulence of the hotel. Its rich tones of gold's burgundy's and deep rich blues. The furniture style befitting King Louis VI. Everything gleamed and shone. Large bouquets of fresh flowers hung from the high ceilings and smaller arrangements sat on coffee tables, one on each side of the front desk. It smelled freshly cleaned. "I'd like to check into the Sander's Suite for my partner and me." Trent couldn't believe what Michael had said. He wanted to burst out laughing. He had never heard him say that out loud to anyone, except to a few close friends that they both knew. "Yes sir, no problem. Would you like the chef to send up anything?" Michael looked at Trent for a second. "Honey, are you hungry still or do you want to wait for breakfast?" Michael kept a complete straight face and Trent was about to double over and have fits of laughter. "That would be wonderful, doll, order whatever you want and then just order me the same. We haven't eaten since the party earlier today." "We'll have Filet Mignon, make sure they are prepared Black and Blue, Baked Potatoes with sour cream and butter served on the side. We'll have fresh Broccoli steamed with Lemon and for dessert make it a French Chocolate Mousse with Mango dusted with Cinnamon and to drink with that we'll have a bottle of Dom Perignon, chilled at 33ď œ, not at 34ď œ or 35ď œ, but 33ď œ. I think that will do it. A shocked attendant stood there speechless, unsure whether to ask if Michael wanted anything more or not. "Anything else, sir, we can do for you?" He stood there on baited breath, wondering what Michael was going to request. "I'd like that dinner delivered in one hour exactly and also I want a dozen yellow roses, a dozen white roses and a dozen red roses, all long stem. Tell the florist to make sure they are cut at a 45-degree angle; they will live longer that way. Deliver them with dinner." Trent stood in awe at the performance Michael was delivering at the desk, as if he had done it all his

life. "Now, if you have a register I can sign I'm sure you'll show us to our room" Without batting an eye the attendant slide the book to Michael and he signed Mr. & Mr. Trent Sanders. "Now, if you would be so kind as to show us to our suite, we'll go upstairs." "Yes, sir, Mr. Sanders, right away, sir, if you would follow me, please." Michael took Trent by the hand and followed Mr. Kiss Ass to the penthouse elevator. "Here's your key, gentleman. Would you be requiring a wakeup call in the morning?" As Trent entered the elevator leaving Michael to handle the man he

heard him quite clearly. "My dear man, I hope to hell I'm still having sex tomorrow morning. However, I am expecting a special package by currier. I will need that delivered right away, so I guess you will have to wake me for that. Just make sure they send up a fresh pot of steaming hot coffee and some Danish to go with it. Thank you and good night." He turned and walked into the elevator and Trent pushed the button to the Penthouse. As soon as the door closed he fell to the floor into fits of laughter. "I didn't know you had it in you, Michael. That was some performance. Had I know I would have recorded it. Your sister will never believe you just acted like that. "Oh, Trent, honey, I know how to play the game, but I just never had the chance." I hope I didn't go overboard with the dinner and flowers?" "You did not, I was impressed with the choice of dinner and the flowers just topped off the whole thing. I thought it was very romantic. It will be perfect when I give your gift later on. The elevator door opened and Michael just gasped at its beauty and view of the city form the large windows. Trent took his hand and showed him his favorite view from this room. They could

clearly see the airport and the ocean from there, and all the lights were beautiful. "If you ever want to bring me someplace that brings peace to my heart, bring me here, Michael. I love this view from here. I like it more from outside. Come on, let's go out." Trent opened the door and they walked onto a patio that was surrounded by statues of art and countless arrangements of flowers. Large flowers, small flowers, all kinds of colors. Even at night it was beautiful and now Michael understood why Trent liked it so much. "Come, sit with me, Michael." Michael went over to the lounge chair and sat in between Tent's legs, resting his back on Trent's chest. Trent wrapped his arms around Michael's chest and kissed the backside of his neck. Michael's head fell to the side exposing his neckline to Trent's kisses. "Isn't this perfect out here right now? Just the two of us, with no one bothering us?" "Yes, Trent, it is, something we haven't had in a long time: time for just us. I'm glad you thought of this." He pulled up Trent's hand and kissed it. "I wish we could just sit here for the next few weeks and let the world go by, Trent. I'm not even sure I want to go to my mother's funeral. I know my father will be there and I don't think I can face him. I blame him for this; somehow I know he's to blame. I feel it in my bones, Trent. Believe me: when and if the truth ever comes out, he'll be the one behind it." "Michael, you could be right but you should go to her funeral. My family will go with you and protect you from him coming near you, do you hear me?" Michael nodded his head in agreement. "I will call the entire family together and they will build a wall around you to protect you from him getting to you. Or, if I have to, I'll hire my father's bodyguards to protect you. Either way, he will not get near you. Will you go for me? I just don't want you to regret this ten years from now. I want you to be able to stand there in ten years and know that you were the bigger man by showing up. Remember: she came to your graduation and to the party afterwards, at least she was trying to reach out for you." "Hold on a second." Trent dialed his phone. "Mom? Yes we are settled in. Listen, Michael is going to his mother's funeral, but I want family support and him being guarded by the family so that his father can't get near him. He's afraid of him and, frankly, so am I. Call the kids and have them flown in as soon as we know when the funeral is. Just call Mandy and ask her and let her know that Michael is attending. It will make her feel better. But don't tell her any more than that. I trust Mandy. I just want Michael alone right now so he has time to think, Mom. And just wait till I tell you what happened when Michael checked us in. I thought I was going to fall on the floor and pee myself. It was too funny. I wish I had had a movie camera when I watched him with the front desk attendant. I thought he was going to have the guy pee himself. Yes, I know Michael, right, who would thought that. Yea I'll tell you about it. Night Mom." "Was it really necessary to tell her that about the guy at the front desk? They'll tease me forever on that one, Trent." "I know. That's the point." "And here I thought you wanted sex tonight. I might have to change my mind now, just for that." "Aw, come on Buddy, you can't do that to me. I've been thinking of what is insides those clothes for the past few days, and we've been so busy and haven't been able to do anything. You wouldn't do that to a guy with blue balls, would you?" "First of all: having blue balls is a crock of shit made up by some guy who was just so horny he'd say anything to get into his wife's panties. It worked and he told a few guys and before you knew it the story was out of control. Horny, yes, but you don't have blue balls, and squeezing them until they turn blue doesn't count, sport." "I don't have to squeeze my balls. I've got something better and that works every day." "What's that?" "Come back over here and sit down in this chair for me." Michael sat in the chair that Trent directed. Trent pulled up the chair that was on the other side of the table, and sat himself in front of Michael. Michael could see that Trent was clearly nervous. "Come on, Big Boy, what's making you so nervous all of a sudden? Is there something that you're holding back on me and haven't said anything about?" Trent just kept shaking his head. And his legs were jumping a mile a minute at the same time. "Well then, just spit it out. You want to hold my hand and then tell me, will that help you?" Trent looked at Michael and went to move his lips, but the doorbell rang, announcing their dinner. "Fuck" was the only thing Trent could say. "I'll get it, Baby, just wait here." Michael went to the door and directed the waiter out onto the patio, who then proceeded to set up dinner for them and open their champagne, pouring them each a glass. Michael tasted it like a pro and Trent smiled, wondering where he had gotten this knowledge for someone who was never supposed to have lived in this fashion. This knowledge came from upbringing, not a class taught here or there. But that was a conversation for another time and place. For now it was time to eat and ask other questions. They were both hungrier than they thought and they devoured dinner in short order. "Babe, you can order a meal for me like that anytime. That chocolate dessert was the best I have ever eaten. And the flowers are beautiful. And now there is something I have for you. Just sit still. Trent got up and began talking to Michael about going away to school and not seeing each other for long periods of time. He told Michael how afraid he was of losing him to some sweet talking guy when he wasn't going to be there to protect him and chase him off. And as good looking as he was, guys were going to be hitting on him and the jealous side of him just couldn't deal with it. It was eating him alive now. "Trent, you have my heart and no one else will ever have it. No matter how much sweet talking someone did, I would still be saying no to them." He tried to assure Trent that no one would come between them in any way, shape or

form. "What would it take me to convince you that I am yours and yours alone?" Michael's back was to Trent's as he looked over the cityscape. Trent's stomach was in knots. He felt like throwing up, unsure of what Michael would say to him. Well, at least he was pretty sure he would say yes. Up to now they hadn't really discussed it seriously and he hoped he didn't think that he was pushing Michael. But it still took all of his strength and courage to make this next step. He walked up behind Michael and told him to close his eyes. With his eyes closed Trent put a golden chain around Michael's neck and fumbled for a minute but finally turned the lock and secured the chain. He told Michael to not to look down yet but to come with him. He took him by the hand and led him to the first mirror he walked into in the bedroom, placed Michael in front of it and told him to open his eyes. Michael looked in awe at the golden chain and the pendant attached to it. It was about two inches long and a half-inch wide. On the face of it was a symmetrical design with carved ivory and small pieces of garnets. The carvings, set in the gold, were of two snakes intertwined with each other. One snake had garnet for its eyes, representing Michael's birthstone, and the other snake had a reddish yellow topaz. And then, scattered around the two snakes, were small baguettes of emerald green for blades of grass. It was beautiful. Michael looked at the reflection in the mirror and met the gaze of Trent, looking at it with tears in his eyes. He was speechless for all his worrying and his wondering if he would say yes or no. To actually see it on Michael took his breath away. Trent finally looked up to see Michael looking at him and blushed. "I don't know what to say, Trent. This is a beautiful piece of jewelry. Did you get a loan from your Dad for this? This thing even feels heavy. The gold alone weighs a ton. I like the way the snakes are done. I take it they represent us?" Trent nodded gently and kissed the back of Michael's neck. He wanted to see it on him with nothing else on his chest or hiding behind a shirt. He was happy with the design. He had worked hard coming up with this for him. "I had it made for you, Mike. I designed it, then worked with the jeweler for about a month until we got it to a point that I actually liked it and thought it was time to put it all together." Trent took his arm and put it around his waist and picked up the remote, put on some music and they started

dancing, whispering in his ear. "Mr. Michael Wayne Evans, it's not an engagement ring but I've already designed it and if you'll make me the happiest man in the world, then marry me, and I'll order the rings to be made." Michael stopped and stood stunned in amazement at the chain on his neck. He threw his arms around Trent and began to cry. "How could I say no to you? Yes, Trent, I'll marry you, of course I'll marry you. And if getting married before we start school in the fall is what you want, than it works for me. I just wish we were going to the same college our first few years of marriage. How long have you been thinking about this, Trent? "Since you got out of the hospital after you got attacked by Kevin, I've known ever since then that I wanted you to be my partner for the rest of my life. And Mom and Dad thought I made a good choice. She'll be so excited to find out. She wasn't sure when I was going to ask you." "Come on, Big Boy. This calls for a celebration in the bedroom, don't you think?" "You're so romantic, you think I'm going to say no to you, Little Buddy?"

Michael began to undress and Trent began to do the same and within seconds the two stood naked. "Like to dance?" Michael smiled "I thought you'd never ask, sir." "What better place than out there under the stars with the skyline behind us, a moment we'll never forget, Trent. I know I won't." Michael dropped to his knees and engulfed Trent's cock into his mouth. Trent grabbed Michael' s hair and held his head in place as he slowly drove his cock gently in and out of Michael's mouth. His knees grew weaker the longer Michael sucked on his cock. Not being able to stand it any longer he pulled him up by his armpits and wrapped his arms around him. "It's my turn to make you feel that good." Just as Michael had dropped to his knees Trent dropped to his and swallowed his cock as far as he could until he gagged. Attacking him a little more slowly he went back to his job of sucking his cock and soaking it. He wanted Michael inside of him tonight; he wanted to feel his love inside him. But for now he was content to run his tongue up and down his shaft, sending shivers through his body. Michael grabbed onto his ass and kneaded the flesh, stretching the skin around his hole, making Trent that much hotter and desiring him that much more. Trent pulled away and grabbed Michael further down on the lounge chair spreading his legs. Michael dove his face into Trent's ass like a man on a mission, someone who hadn't eaten in weeks as his tongue lapped his hole. He soaked his hole with his saliva. "I need you, Michael. I've been wanting you inside of me but I want you now, let me have that hot cock of yours. Please baby, I'm begging you. Shove that cock into my ass. Make me beg for it baby." "Do it, Michael. Make me feel like only you can. I need to feel your thickness inside of me, but be gentle with me tonight, okay? I want to remember this for the rest of my life." "So do I, Buddy, so do I." Michael pushed Trent's legs open and slowly aimed the head of his dick at his hole. Pressing gently and slowly he began to

gain entrance, stretching his sphincter wider and wider. Michael's cock stroked over his love button again and again, driving him to the brink of a blissful orgasmic high. "Harder, Michael, I'm so close, take me over the edge, Trent .... so close, so near. What you do to me. I'm cumming, Trent! Cum with me now, Trent, let it happen, baby, cum with me NOW TRENT!" Ropes of cum covered Michael's stomach and then more was replaced with Trent's as his orgasm hit and his semen mixed with Michael's, covering them both with heated sperm. Their spent bodies collapsed on each other, spent from a glorious round of sex. Separating themselves before the semen stuck them together they got up and led each other to the shower. The hot water cascaded over their sexually drained bodies, refreshing them and recharging their sexual drives. Of course at their ages a strong wind could recharge their sexual thirst. Michael began to wash Trent's body and shampoo his hair and sat him in the tiled seat that was in the shower. As Michael washed his hair and upper body, Trent began to wash Michaels lower half, not sexually, just gently caressing affectionately. Soon they changed positions and continued with their gentle foreplay. They washed each other for fifteen or twenty minutes before

getting out and drying each other off. Both shaved and brushed their teeth and climbed into bed. Michael curled up on Trent's chest, closed his eyes smiling. "I take it that I picked the right thing for an engagement ring?" "You did great, Trent, did your mother help you? And you better be honest because I'm going to ask her, AND she will tell me, Trent. And you know it."

"Okay, I had help, but not from her. I asked my oldest sister Susan. She went with me and helped me decide to do something different for you. Not only

that, but her husband owns this awesome jewelry store and he helped just as much, they were the first ones to know. Mom and Dad were second. Sue and Denver knew as soon as I left store and when I walked in the door, mother said she wanted to see what I bought at the jewelry store. But since I couldn 't show it to them at that point they haven't seen it yet." "Trent Nicholas Sanders, do you think your mother and father would be mad if we called them right now and I told them that I say yes to you asking me to marry you? Besides we don't have much time to plan this if we are going to do this before school." "About that, Michael, my mother has been doing a little planning, just in case you said yes, and it's lined up for the third weekend of August, so we have time for a honeymoon before school starts. She picked out a few caterers and a few cake places so we can decide on what we want and the colors and invitations have to be picked out and sent out in about two weeks. Of course there's no pressure on you; Mom will help with anything you want her to do, as will dad. He's so excited that he's getting another son-in-law." "I just wish that my mother was alive to share in my happiness. I know we hadn't talked since I was thrown out. I should have called but they could have come to me too. They had my phone number and my sister checked their phones to see and even my father still had my phone number in his cell phone.

"I think her coming to your graduation and to the party says to me that she was happy with you, Michael, I really do. Just hang on to that memory. And

you still have Mandy and you know she'll be happy to help or at least be a part of it." "I think I'll ask Mandy to give me away and walk me down the aisle, what do you think?" "I think that would be a great idea, Michael, and I'm sure she'd love doing it.? "I have a weird question to ask you, Trent, and I want you to think about this before you answer me. And I don't mean for two or three minutes, I mean a few days. But is it going to be Mr. & Mr. Michael Sanders, or Mr. & Mr. Evans or Mr. Trent Sanders and Mr. Michael Evans? Which one do you want? "Okay, I'll think about it, but you have to think about it too. Think about what you want too, not just what I want, and in three days we'll write it

down on paper and put it in a sealed envelope and then pick one of them out. And that's what we'll go with, how's that?" "Sounds good. Now let's call your folks, ask for your Dad and hand me the phone, I want to tell him first. He's been so good to me, Trent. I want to be the one to tell him first. I just had a great idea for your Dad and I'm sure he'll go along with it." Trent picked up the phone and hit home and the phone dialed. His mother picked up. "No, mom, Michael needs to talk to Dad. Can you put him on?" Trent handed over the phone to Michael who had a huge grin on his face. "Yes, sir, I'm sorry for calling late but there's something I have to ask you. Do I have to keep calling you Clay or can I call you Dad, now that your son has asked me to marry him? Thanks, Dad. Now I have one other question, but hold on one second. Trent, go in the bathroom and close the door. I have something I want to ask your er.... Dad and I don't want you to hear this. Turn on the water and I'd better hear it running real quick, hurry up, you're the one that woke them up." Trent begrudgingly walked into the bathroom, turned on the shower and closed the door. "Okay, so I have to ask if you'd give me away. I know I'm asking a lot from you since you've already done so much for me and given me so much, you've helped so muc..." "Slow down son, slow down, one thing at a time. First I'd be honored to give you away, Mike, second you don't mind if I call you, Buddy, do you? I know the nickname comes from Trent, but I like it, it fits you. He told me just never say Little Buddy, or I might get slugged." Both of them laughed at the shared joke, it gave Michael a feeling of belonging to the family. Michael hadn't felt in a very long time the true sense of family. "There's something else you and I have to sit down and have a talk about. At least now that you're going to be family it will make it much easier for me and for you, I think, but that will wait until you and I have some time alone, okay? " "You got it, Dad, can I talk to Sarah now" "Sure thing, Michael, and take it easy while you're there. You two deserve some down time. You been busting your asses at school. I know your influence over Trent is what got him to go to school. I don't want to know how you talked him into it, or maybe I shouldn't ask and just be glad he's going."

Now he was being sarcastic, knowing how easily Michael got flustered when sex was mentioned in the family. "DAD! I ... I, oh hell, never mind, you're doing that to get me going and I know it." Michael could hear Clay snickering in the background, trying to be quiet. Oh, Sarah, you should see what he got me. I was never expecting something like this. No, he didn't get me a ring, but I like it better, besides, he said he's already designed the rings and if they are anything like this, they should be awesome. I can't wait for you to see this, it's .. Yes, I promise I'll take the pills as soon as they get here in the morning. I'll let Dad tell you what I asked him to do, so I'm going to hang up now and let Trent come out of the bathroom so he can breathe. Okay, I love you to, thanks for everything Sarah." The door opened about two seconds after Michael hung up the phone and he was drying his hair with the towel walking around bare ass. Trent began drying himself off seductively, using the towel in between his legs. Riding the towel back and forth would be a better description of Trent's ability to be kinky and funny at the same time. What started as a sexual come on to his boyfriend became more of a nude comedy act, something off Broadway, way off, way, way off Broadway. And just about then the phone rang. "I'll get it Michael, it's probably just my mother because I didn't talk to her about anything when we all just talked." Michael picked up the phone

anyway. "Hello." Michael was waving his hand at Trent to stop what he was doing, signaling to him that it was his mother on the line. He held up his finger to quiet Trent down. "Yes, mam, I'm listening. Your son was being an idiot trying to make me laugh while answering the phone. Is there a problem? Should we come back now? " "No, there's no reason for you to come here now, Michael. The police were here, looking for you. They haven't been able to find your father. I don't mean to break your happy mood right now, but they will be back at eleven, looking for you and I told them I would have you here. Dad and I will stand with you on this matter and he will have one of the companies lawyer first thing. He's already put a call in to him tonight to be here. Just make sure you two are okay. I love you, Michael, and I'm glad Trent has finally asked you. He's been a nervous Nelly since he got that thing. I can't wait to see it. I love you, Michael, and we'll see you in the later with Trent's little butt with you. Tell him this is a family gathering tomorrow, one because of the engagement, and two: you're family now and now we stand together. You will meet the rest of the clan tomorrow. Be prepared. We've got some planning and few decisions to be made. I've set up a lot of stuff so that you and Trent just have to make decisions. Between me and the rest of the girls in the family and I invited Mandy to join us but I haven told her why, just told her you said she had to come those were your orders when you left with Trent. So she doesn't know yet. I wanted you to surprise her." "Yes, mam, we'll be there in time don't worry. I'll make sure he's awake and his butt is in gear in plenty of time don't worry. If he doesn't get up, he'll find out what a cold shower in a warm bed is like. I'll try and wake him up nicely, but I've lived long enough with him to know how he is getting out of bed in the morning". They curled back up in bed and Michael just laid on Trent's chest, running his fingers up and down, not saying anything, just listening to his best friends heartbeat. Before long they had fallen asleep on each other. At eight thirty there was a knock on the door. Michael ran to the door and went to open it, when Trent yelled at him. "He'll get a nice view if you open that door in your current state of undress, Mikey." Michael instantly realized that he was naked as the day he was

born. "Throw me a robe, smarty, please." Trent threw the robe and he put it on. The package had arrived as promised from Mom and so had breakfast. Michael signed for the room service and pushed the cart into the room. "You want some coffee, sexy? Or would that be Mr. Michael Sanders?" "Depends on what you want, sweetheart, you tell me what you like best. Oh yea, by dinner tonight the whole family will be there. Happens every time someone gets engaged in the family. Expect to be treated like royalty and to receive presents form the older crowd, the young ones will be taken to the mall to get us something, it's just the way it's always been. The same thing will happen when the time comes for Yvonne, Randy and Daniel. Then it will be our time to spoil them. In the meantime, let me Ă"ÏĂ"ÉĂ"Ă... ×ÁÛ ÐĂ...Ă"Ă'È?" "What in the hell did you just say, because I have no idea." "I told you last fall you should have taken Russian." "So that tells me it's something dirty. Of that I'm certain. And it's either you want me to fuck you or you want me to suck you." "What make you think I'll do either? "Cuz, brother, things like that excite you. I can see the boner in your pants, Mikey, and don't tell me you aren't excited by the idea of either one but Ă'ÁtÈÎÉĂ"Ă... ÍĂ...ÎĂ` if I know which one I want the most, Sweetheart." "Just for that, asshole, you get nothing zip, nada" "Man, you are heartless, even after than nice pendant I gave you last night." "That worked last night, today is a new day and It will take more than sweet Russian to talk me into something sexual." "Okay, okay, you win the first one. Patxhnte mehr is the best way. I can translate it into English but you get the drift. It means suck me and of course the last one means fuck me, Big Boy!" "Oh, you are so dirty, Trent Nicholas Sanders." "What can I say, you bring out the best in me, and besides I haven't heard any complaints from my little sexy rabbit yet, unless there's something you're not telling me." Michael jumped on the bed and directly on to Trent, tickling him unmercifully. "Stop, stop, okay, you win. If you don't stop, Mikey, I'm going to pee on the bed." "Ah, you would, you'd explain that bill." "I wouldn't have to, because you signed the bill, smarty-pants." "You win this one, but you better get in there and piss, or, so help me, I' ll push you in the tub and tickle you until you do pee. And it won't matter, because it will just go down the drain." "You are a kinky fucker, Michael, why I never knew. We might have to explore that side of you in the near future, you kinky sex pervert." Michael jumped off the bed and Trent ran for the bathroom. Michael rattled on the doorknob with his hands and Trent yelled at him to stop or he wouldn 't be able to pee. He tried to tell him he was pee shy, when people tried to push him along to fast. Michael slid down the door, laughing his ass off the whole way down. "Okay, Big Boy, but let's get busy we have to be back at the hose for the cops. They have more questions. Your Dad, or should I say Dad is going to have the family there and I'm to talk to him first, before talking to anyone. That especially means the cops, Michael, and I'm serious about this: do not piss off Dad this time. You do exactly as he tells you. And he'll get you through this or he'll have three hundred lawyers so far up the prosecutors ' asses they won't see you until your fifty. Just trust my Dad, Mikey. If he thought for one minute you have something to do with this, he wouldn't care what happened to you. And you certainly wouldn't still be in the house and him taking care of you. He knows good people when he sees them, and he sees that in you. When we get to the house, I'm going to drop you near the James Bond door. Get in and just knock on the sliding door, just in case he 's in there jerking off. He gets so pissed if we catch him doing it, even though we keep telling him that we all do it to. But I understand where he' s coming from." "I'll make sure to knock to get in before I just bust in there." "All right, Mikey, just get in the house and into your room and follow Dad' s lead when he comes to get you for the cops. Listen to Dad, Michael, he knows what he's talking about and you're one of his favorites right now. I can tell." "Trent, I don't think I'm one of his favorites, I think he and I just have a good relationship." "Call it whatever you want, Michael, but I know my Dad better than you do, and believe me when I tell you: you're special to him. Just enjoy it; it's

not a bad thing. You haven't gotten your graduation present from him yet. I know he gave you the Rolex watch but there's something he's holding back on, and when the time is right he'll give it to you and you will under no circumstances tell you can't accept it. It would break his heart, Michael, remember that. Promise me that, Michael. Promise you won't break Dad's heart when he gives this to you. He has given it a lot of thought and has asked all of the kids what we thought and we agreed with him. Just hug him and thank him when he gives it to you and I will love you eternally, Michael Wayne Evans. But then: I'd love you for eternity even if he didn't give you this one special thing he has lined up for you. So relax for now and enjoy it. Soon enough he'll give you your present, cry if you want, babble if you want, but make sure you thank him. I don't even think he'd mind if you kissed him on the cheek when he gives it do you." "All right, Trent, please, don't say anything else or I'll be wondering what he could have gotten me that it makes you say some of the things that you're saying. And I'll be afraid to open any box he gives me." "Who says it comes in a box?" Trent smirked as he looked over at Michael' s face. Michael smacked his hand on Trent's shoulder. "If you're going to keep that up, I'm going to claim that I fell and in trying to hold on before

falling I hit you, and then I tell you how sorry I am, and I make it all better. No one would believe you anyway. I'd be the saint." "After the performance I saw last night at the Four Seasons, I will be so watching you and catching you on tape, just to show them." "Me? I'll claim the whole thing was staged and that I was tricked into the whole thing. They'll still believe me more than you. May I remind you who is the pro here?" Michael walked off smirking and wiggling his butt. "There will come a time, Mr. Evans, and you will show your true colors and I'll catch it for someone else to see and then I post it on the Internet, a

place for the world to see!" "Yes, the place for the world seeing things that get doctored and photo shopped all the time. Sorry, you just can't win this one, Baby." "You're too damn smart for your own good sometimes. Good thing I love that quality about you. So, are you about ready to head home? Oh, and start looking at houses that you might like to live in. One of our wedding presents from the folks will be our first house. Nothing major, something small for starters but something not too far away, usually within ten to fifteen miles, so we can visit and so can they." "How about something in between our schools? We won't have to live on campus and I think we can find something still get close enough to make them happy." "Talk to your future mother in law, Buddy. She's the one that will give you a hard time if she doesn't like it." "Face it, Big Boy, Mom likes me best!" And with that statement Michael broke down in tears and plopped down on the bed. "It's okay, big guy, you're going to make it and you'll be okay. It's just going to take some time." Trent hugged Michael and stood up and brought him up with him. "Come on, let's get out of here. I'll call and have the car ready for us when we get down there for you. After all, you're the one that's been signing for everything and I JUST can't wait to tell Dad what you spent, he's gonna have a cow!" Michael couldn't see the smirk on Trent' s face. He was totally white and looked like he was going to pass out. Trent couldn't stand it and burst out laughing. And Michael realized he had been had. "Oh, you asshole, you will so pay for this. If you thought my performance was good coming in, wait until you see it on the way out, Trent. And of course my husband will be right by my side. The staff will be talking for the next two years about these two guys that spent the night in the penthouse. What do you think of those apples, Trent, old boy?" Trent looked pleadingly at Michael. "This will be so good, just give me time to get dressed to think something up." "Okay, I'm sorry; you'll be good going out right? Remember, this is a company account and my Dad does a lot of business with them. We can't draw to much attention to ourselves at this hour of the day, Michael. I'm just trying to tell you we do have limits to what we can pull off without getting our asses kicked by Dad, whether he likes you or not. Just remember that." Trent had a strong hold of Michael's hands, kissing them and pleading with him not to make too much of a scene. Now it was Michael's turn to laugh. "Okay, Big Boy, I guess we're even on this one. But it was fun while it lasted. You should have seen the look on your face just then. How does that commercial go about being priceless? That was the look you had on your face and it was priceless to say the least. Damn good thing. You're cute." As promised, Michael and Trent made their way back to the house in time to meet with the local police. It was something Michael didn't want to face. T he police were aware of Michael's relationship with his parents because of the attack from Kevin Cranston. Which, going through his mind, kept him thinking: how could he not be a suspect? His greatest answer was the number of people who were there and saw Michael going out the door a few seconds after it happened. Michael was always one that worried about the smallest detail and had done that all his life. Hiding his sexuality had inadvertently honed his skills of observation and to tap into a person's emotional state. There were times he was grateful, but for Michael it was a double edged sword. Just as he had known that Kevin had presented himself with an instability to connect with people. Trent knew something was eating at him. He hadn't said two words since they had left the city. He patted the seat next to him to let Michael know he wanted him close by. He didn't move but held out his hand and interlaced his

fingers with Trent's. "We still have about a half hour ride. You want to talk about it? Is it your mother you're thinking about or your sister? You haven't talked to Mandy

since Friday night at the party. It's not like you to go this long without

talking to her. Why don't you call her and see how she is. She might need you right now, even if it's only a five second conversation." "I've thought about her all weekend, Trent, along with losing my mother. I feel half heartless for not crying much over her death. She was my mother and she did love me. Her biggest problem in life was living with an overbearing husband, who wouldn't have it any other way but his. I felt bad for her sometimes, but it was her choice to stay with him and live the life that he wanted and commanded. She taught me a lot, Babe, mostly how to love someone. If it hadn't been for her, I don't know where you and I would be. As much as she taught me to love, she taught me about taking a chance and to let it happen when the right person came along. I heard her say so many times that when it happens and you find that one person you'll know. Perhaps it was her pride that kept her marriage to my father together all these years. " He picked up Trent's hand and kissed it. He didn't move any closer to Trent; instead, he laid his head on his lap. Trent reached his hand down onto Michael's chest and rubbed it slowly, trying to bring him comfort without speaking. It was a problem for Trent to tell Michael how inept he felt discussing his insecurities with him. It also made it harder for Trent to find the right words to use that would make Michael feel better. He just didn't realize how much of an impact his words had on Michael. Growing up Michael sought acceptance, not just as a gay man but also as a man in his own right. Something he felt he lacked due to the rigidity in his

life. A belief that came from his father repeatedly telling him that tears were a sign of weakness and that only girls cried. It was part of that verbal abuse his father used that lashed out at him like a Australian bullwhip with its tips striking directly into his heart, leaving it hurt and s cared. He made a promise to himself when he thought of having a family: that he would never treat a child of his in a manner that cut so deeply, knowing full well the sting the whip left upon his heart. The tears began to fall ever so slightly and Michael buried his face in Trent's thigh. The flood gates had opened and Trent brushed the hair away from Michael's face, quietly holding on to the man he loved with every fiber in his body. He wanted more than anything to take away his pain. A few minutes away from the house Trent pulled over and got Michael to sit up next to him and put his arm around him to hold him. He took the Kleenex box from the door panel and handed Michael a few at a time, taking away the ones he had soaked through trying to compose himself and to stop crying. He just sat there with his head hung low, his chin sitting upon his chest. The sobs began to subside. Trent reached over and picked up Michael's chin and made him look him in the eyes. "If you have any problems with the cops when we get to the house, just look at me and say my name. That's all you have to do. I will end it right then

and there. I will take you from the room and we'll go upstairs to your bedroom and I'll lock the door. And before we go in there and I forget to say this: I love you, Michael Wayne Evans. You're the best Little Buddy. Most importantly: you're my Little Buddy. I know you don't like me using that name but that's what you are to me, Michael: you're my one and only Little Buddy. Don't you ever, ever, forget that. Promise me. " "I promise, Trent, more than you'll ever know how much. I promise. I guess we should just go and get this over with, so that by tonight's dinner we' ll be in better spirits than we are right now." Trent pulled back onto the road and five minutes later they were pulling up to the house. Michael looked and said nothing. There were three local police cruisers, a state cops car and two limousines. "This is just way to many cars, Trent; I don't like this at all. Something isn't right with this picture. I just can't put my finger on it. Stay close, Trent, I mean it this time, like within a foot or two, I want you that close. Promise me?" "I promise, Baby, now come on. Hey, did you take any of those pills this morning?" Michael looked away from Trent trying very hard to avoid his gaze. Trent had told him specifically to take one when they came and then another one right before they left the hotel. He hadn't done either and he knew Trent was going to be pissed and the last thing he wanted was an argument. Trent spoke before Michael could say anything. He just looked up into Trent's face. His took his arm away from his shoulder and Michael immediately reached behind him to get the bag that had the pills in them. "Damn it, Michael Wayne, why didn't you take them. I purposely put one by your glass of juice when I reminded you and you said you wouldn't forget. I know you don't like taking them, but this is a day that it might be the smart thing to do, so you can keep yourself calm. That's why I got it out for this morning and put it right by your juice, so you wouldn't forget." Michael wasn't showing anything, no emotion, nothing just a blank stare. "I'm sorry, Trent, you're right. Maybe I did it intentionally. I don't know. I certainly didn't think that way when you reminded me and I looked right at it. I'm not making any excuses for what I should have done and you' re just trying to protect me. It will only take about twenty minutes to half an hour to work, well not fully but it will at least start." "That's bullshit, and you know it. Don't do that to me, Mike; I don't like getting shit shoveled at me. It's beneath you to do that." Michael could

tell that Trent now was pissed and he was right, which didn't give much room for Michael to say anything at the moment. "Just sit here for a minute and don't get out. I'm going to buy you about five to ten minutes if I can. I'll take the bags in and just harness Mom by

telling her you need a few minutes and she'll take care of it from there and any problems that arise she'll squash. Now give me a hug and a kiss, I want you to know I still love you. I'm not mad at you, I'm just mad you didn 't take the fucking pills, which I can't say I blame you for it. I wouldn' t want to take them either." Trent leaned into Michael and grabbed him and rubbed his back almost roughly but with understanding. He got out and opened the back door and took the bags. Michael watched him walk around to the back of the house. He wondered why he hadn't gone up the stairs like Trent had originally thought of when making plans to come here this morning but it was too late for that now. He sat there and let his head lay against the head rest. He was startled when there was a knock on the window Sarah stood there, looking at him and he reached for the door to open it but she was a second or two ahead of him and he missed the handle. She had the door open and grabbed him out of the seat and put her arms around him. She held him as a mother holds a child that's hurt and needs no words, just an understanding hug. He sighed a heavy release from that hug, knowing that he would be okay and come through this next event in his life with his head held high. "Trent told me about you not taking your pills." Michael hung his head like a small boy, about to be chastised for forgetting to do his chores. "Don' t let your head hang, Michael, it won't do you any good." He looked up at her and half smiled at her, but she could see he was holding back the tears. Not knowing how much he had or hadn't grieved since seeing him Friday night, she didn't want to push him too far today. Today was a day to support him and get him through the police horseshit, which is what she was calling it as she and Clay discussed this morning over coffee. Right now she had anyone who was here to see Michael busy eating, and she told him not to worry. Joshua was keeping them at bay in the kitchen, feeding heaven knows what since it was still stuff left over from Friday night. "And now, as your future Mother-in-Law, I want to see exactly how this piece of jewelry he created looks like." Michael had purposely worn a loose shirt that he could unbutton easily to show it off. "OH, Michael. It's beautiful. Much better than a ring for you guys. I like the stones and the two snakes, but the grass really makes it look nice. It 's not overdone or dumb looking, very classic and manly. Now I have a little more of an idea on the rings, and sometime this week we are going to the jewelers and get them ordered. Never mind that. There are other pressing matters at the moment. I'm going to prepare you a little for what's going on in there and why they wanted you. Dad and the lawyer will be out in a few minutes for you to meet him and decide how this is going to be handled. First, Michael, sit down in the truck. You know this is going to be bad news. You know most of it, but there are a few details you didn't or don't know about. I'm sorry about your mother, honey. I think she came that night in hopes of talking to you. I invited her by asking your sister for her to come. I feel awful that it happened when it did." "Do the cops know anything at this point of who might have done it? I know you said last night that he couldn't be found. Any word on him this morning?" "Not that the cops are saying anyway. They have Kevin Cranston in custody; I think that's his name. Anyway, they have him and when they picked him up on Friday night he didn't have a very good and believable alibi from what I 've heard." "Have they found my father yet?" Michael wasn't sure if he cared or not where his father was. He wasn't sure that if he even cared anymore. "Not that I know of and I think that's the main reason they're here today. They want to ask you what you may or may not know. I know you don't know anything, since you've been here and you haven't talked to him, so how would you know?" "I know they're just doing their job, so I might as well just do this and get it over with." Clay and the lawyer turned the corner from the back walk, heading towards Michael and Sarah. Michael got out of the truck and hugged Clay. "Thanks, Dad, for everything today." Clay patted Michael on the back. "You just tell me when you've had enough if the cops get out of hand on you. It's the other reason I brought my lawyer here." Clay let go of Michael and turned to introduce the two. "Michael Evans, this is Mr. Richard Brockton. Richard, I'd like you to meet the newest member of the Sanders growing family. I have been fortunate to

be gaining both another son and son-in-law come the end of the August. I'm sure you'll be getting an invitation to come. Trent and Michael will be exchanging theirs vows on the third weekend in August, I believe." Richard stepped forward and shook Michael's hand. "Nice to meet you, and my congratulations to you and Trent. Since the police are awaiting our arrival, I'll make this brief, Mike. Do you mind if I call you Mike?" Michael shook his head agreeing with being called Mike. "Ok,

Mike, I don't see any problems here at all. from the conversations I've had with Clay and Sarah this morning, my understanding is that you have had no contact with your father since moving in here with the Sanders, is that right?" "Yes, sir." "Then this shouldn't take long. I'll be standing beside you the whole time, or sitting, whatever happens. If at any time for any reason you don't want to answer a question, just look at me. I'll take it from there in consideration of whatever is being asked. If at any time I tell the police that my client doesn't want to discuss that unless it becomes completely necessary, then that means you don't talk until I tell you to, okay?" Michael liked this man; he was straightforward and held no punches back. "It's in your hands than, Mr. Brockton. I think I'm ready to handle this. I will say this and I'm not trying to sound like I'm trying to hide anything, but I have just lost my mother and I have taken a sedative the doctor ordered me to take. If it anytime I say I want to be left alone, you will ensure that will happen?" "You have my word that it will end at that point, Michael, but I will tell the police that, if you are needed after that, you will be more than happy to make yourself available to them. How's that sound?" "Perfect, let's go do this." The four of them walked into the house. Michael entered first and all eyes were on him. Joshua had just rounded the corner coming from the dining room. He immediately came to Michael and hugged him. "I'm glad to see you're back. You want something to eat or drink, or do you want to wait? "Just some of your good coffee, Josh, will be good right now and thank you. " Michael went into the living room and the police that were sitting all stood. "Good morning, Michael, I'm Captain Jack Barrolls from the Massachusetts State Police, this is Detective Charles Ryan and Detective Brandon McGuire from..." There were two other local policemen standing between the dining room and the kitchen. Jack Barrolls was a big man was Michael's first impression. He had to stand at least six foot six or maybe seven or eight inches tall. He was trim, but his shirt was tight around the chest. He was definitely in good shape. Michael laughed at himself when he caught himself thinking that the man would make a good poster boy for the State Police. Gay or straight, he was someone that commanded attention. "Good morning, and I know the detectives from earlier. They've been helpful with my problems with Kevin Cranston." As they sat down, Joshua brought Michael his coffee and a Danish so he had something to munch on in case he was hungry. He knew he would at least pick at it while sitting there and talking to all of the cops that were there. Jack Barrolls was the one to start

things. "Michael, I understand that you haven't lived at home but have been staying here since the beginning of the school year? Can you tell me what happened in your own words why that is?" "My father threw me out of my house and the Sanders took me in until things got resolved. Unfortunately they did not get resolved." "Who threw you out and why?" "My father threw me out when he found out that I was gay. He's a major in the military. He doesn't like someone doing something he thinks they shouldn 't be doing and being gay was one of those things. I would be an embarrassment to him if the military found out." "Did your father physically abuse you, Michael?" "No, sir, not physically." "You said not physically. Did he sexually abuse you?" The question threw Michael off completely. He didn't say anything for a few minutes. He looked over at Trent who had been standing against the wall since they had come in. "Mr. Evans, did he ..." "I heard what you said officer. Every word" "I won't answer that question; it has nothing to do with this. Let me correct myself and tell you: no he did not sexually abuse me. And from now on questions that have anything to do with sexual innuendos will end this whole

session, period. Does that make it clear for all of you?" Trent was never as proud of Michael as he was right then. He had never seen Michael stand up to people of authority like that. Clay sat next to Michael, just as pleased to see him defend himself. "My apologies, Mr. Evans, if I offended you. That was not my intention, I assure you." Michael said nothing more, waiting for them to continue so that

this would end. "Have you seen your father or heard from him in the past seventy-two hours? " "No, I have not." "We are looking for him. Do you know where he might be?" "No, you might want to check with the base. He might be out on maneuvers. Other than that there's nothing else I can tell you about him. I'll be honest: I'm not really concerned with his whereabouts as I'm sure you can imagine. If you have any questions about my mother I'll be happy to answer them. But questions about my father are over." "The detectives looked at each other. Michael picked up his coffee and ate some of his Danish. He was glad that Joshua had brought it to him after all. Thinking of Joshua his arm went by Michael to pour some more coffee for him and Michael looked up at him and wiggled his Danish, signaling Josh for another one. He smiled at him and gave Michael a nod. "Do you have any idea who might want to do this to your mother? "No, sir, I don't. My mother and I got along. I know she and my father weren't speaking to each other very much after I was thrown out. My sister would know how much they were actually talking to each better than I do." "We have talked to your sister." "Did you invite your mother here that night?" "No, sir, it was Mom's idea." The detectives looked at each other. "Excuse my confusion. Do you mean your mother called you so she could come here?" "I'm sorry, I'm just used to calling Sarah Mom, since I've lived here as long as I have and since she's going to be my mother-in-law soon. I just call her that all the time." Sarah sat a little taller in her seat and smiled. She felt so proud of Michael at this very moment. Not so much because of the mom thing, but because he was handling himself so well at the moment. Sarah spoke up to close that line of questioning. "I was the one that invited his mother. I had asked his sister Mandy to tell her mother that she was welcome to come to his and Trent's graduation party. Michael didn't know that I had done that. I was hoping that it would help them talk to each other or at least open the door and give them at least a chance. I'm sorry now that I had. Michael. Maybe this never would have happened. "It's not your fault, Mom; you didn't know someone would do something like this. And I'm still glad that you asked her and that she came. At least it

told me that she wanted to talk to me. I think maybe, from what Mandy was telling me what was going on at home, Mom was accepting me being gay and was using this party as a way to talk and not get all emotional. My mother didn't like making scenes in public places. She believed that was for at home when there was a problem." "Did your mother work at all, Michael?" "No, she did a lot of helping veterans and wounded soldiers, things like that, and she also helped with new families." "I don't think there's much left that we want ask you at the moment, Michael, but please let us know if you plan on leaving anytime soon." "I'll be going on my honeymoon at the end of August. I'll be here until then, Captain." "Thank you, Michael. Thank you all for your hospitality and I'm sure we' ll be in touch, Michael, if we find your father or hear any new leads about your mother. If you hear from your father, please, let us know where he is. We definitely want to talk to him. I want you to know that he is not considered a suspect at this time. But the longer time goes by and we don't hear from him, the more suspicious it makes it look for him." The crowd of police all left and everyone was quiet for a moment. Richard Brockton broke the silence. "Michael, I think you handled yourself very well, you were articulate and kept to the point and made sure they did to. If they come around while you' re alone, say nothing but be polite and call me directly and immediately. If they want to stay, tell them they will have to wait outside until your attorney comes here. If for some ungodly reason they want to arrest you for who knows what, go peacefully and call me the first chance you get, or have someone here call but call as soon as you can. The quicker I can step in, the faster I can have you out of jail. But as I said, I don't see that happening. I don't think they are looking at you as a suspect in this matter, so don't worry about that. And now folks, I'm going home to relax. One of my grandsons has a birthday today and if Pops isn't there, Pops will be what' s for dinner." Trent was on Michael like a new suit. "You surprised me, sir; you really ran the show here today. I was truly impressed. I think you impressed the Captain as well. Did you see how big that

sob was?" "Trent Nicholas!" "Sorry Mom, kinda of slipped out." "Come on everybody, sit down here and let's have Joshua feed us and we have a few hours before everyone shows up. Just don't eat much, keep it light. I know Joshua has a feast for tonight, and everyone will be here, the whole clan is coming. I've checked so there will be a full house again tonight. But this will be strictly family. Michael, I've tried calling Mandy all weekend, but I haven't gotten a call back. Have you talked to her?" Michael hadn't talked to Mandy in the past few days, possibly even since before the party. He would try calling her after they enjoyed themselves a bit. Come to think of it: she hadn't even called about her mother either. Well, she must have figured that the major would be taking care of all those details. He remembered then that Mandy had mentioned something about going away for the weekend with her boyfriend. He'd wait until tomorrow to really get in touch. She'd probably either call or show up by then. "Hello there, Michael? Are you with us?" "I'm sorry, but my mind was roaming about my sister, but then I remembered she did mention something about going away this weekend with her boyfriend, at least I think it was this weekend." By now Michael was getting a little worried about her. And where was his father? He may have hated the man right now, but he was still his father and he didn't want both of them to just drop out of sight, especially right after his mother being killed. Maybe they both took off; Mandy went with her boyfriend and maybe his father didn' t feel like dealing with anything at the moment or anyone. That was most likely what the situation was. Tomorrow he'd hear from her and she would know where their father was. As much as Sarah said that everybody would be there that night, most of them had already arrived earlier in the day. Some had gone riding, some were out by the pool, entertaining little ones. Trent's brothers would surely be the last ones to arrive. Stephen, Peter and Roy were always the last ones to arrive when it was a command performance. They didn't mind. The three of them were very competitive and each involved with one or two sports teams or coaching young kids. Susan and Melanie were here with their kids already and their husbands Kenneth and Denver took off to get a round of golf. Danny and Yvonne and Randy were here. So the house was going to be pretty busy for the day. Trent wanted to get away but knew his mother wasn't going to let that happen today. She had the day planned from about four and on. Clay wanted to talk to Michael alone and was nervous as hell about asking him his current thoughts. Michael was hard to read sometimes and his pride was easily shaken by Clay's generosity, although he had made great strides in doing better since being here. Getting married to Trent had really pushed a lot of Michael' s walls down in accepting things. His thoughts today had actually started back about two months after Michael moved in and he had discussed it with Sarah at length and she liked the idea from the start. But he wasn't so sure that Michael would like it and now

Clay thought the timing might suck since his mother had just been killed. But it had to be done. He had to plant the seed in Michael's head. "Michael, can I have a few minutes of your time? I'd like to talk to you about something?" Michael looked at Trent and he just shrugged his shoulders. "Just go talk to him, babe. I'm sure he's just worried about you. He has been since you've been here. You know he loves you, Michael, just like he loves the rest of us. He considers you as his own. He's liked my other friends that have stayed here, but you are different and you got into his heart just like you got into mine. Well, you know what I mean. Don't be nervous. Just talk to him and whatever he says: just tell him you'll think about it."

"You honestly don't know?" Trent picked up Michael's chin and looked him in the eyes. "No, babe, I don't, but I've known him my whole life. When he' s like this I know he's up to something. But I just don't know what. He was ecstatic when you finally said yes to the car. He made me promise not to tell you, but I will, he cried the night you came home with your car. It made him so happy. He feels like you've been let down in your life by people that shouldn't have let you down. He's just trying to make you feel like you belong here, whether you're my boyfriend or not. Oh hell, Michael, I can 't do this. Just trust me and listen to Dad. I do know what's going on, the whole family does, all the kids know and they have agreed to what he wants to do. I've already said too much and if I keep talking I'll be telling you and he'll be pissed at me for saying the things I already have. I'm not going to say anything else, babe, but know this: my father loves you very much and feels you have been dealt a raw deal in life and that your parents have been fools not seeing what other people see in you. Promise me that you will listen and think about what he's going to say? For me?" Trent kissed Michael and pushed him towards his father office and gently patted on the ass as he passed by him. Michael turned and smiled at him and was suddenly scared to death as to what Clay was going to say to him. His mind was racing at one hundred miles. Michael entered his office and Clay walked behind him and closed the door. Michael felt like he was going to faint. He was shaking like a leaf. "Michael Wayne, stop, you are shaking and I can feel it from here. I'm not going to bite your head off and I'm certainly not going to throw you out of this house. Stop your worrying." "And just how much did big mouth tell you?" Clay and Michael were facing each other and Michael just laughed for a minute and he finally relaxed." "That's better. Now sit down. I do want to talk to you so I won't drag this all out and keep you guessing, because I'm sure he's said enough to make

you wonder but hasn't told you what it's about. Am I right? And remember,

Michael, I know my son better than you do." Michael smiled and nodded his head. "He just told me before I walked in to just listen to what you have to say and think about it before I say no. And it seems that, whatever it is, all the rest of the kids know about this and are in agreement about it and that, Dad, is all he told me." "That's one of the things I've come to love about you, Michael. You're honest and don't pretend about anything. You know what you want and you're willing to sacrifice to get it. And I've seen you show me time and again that I'm right. What else did he tell you?" Michael looked at Clay and wondered what he had missed and then he remembered how Trent told him about his father crying about Michael and the car. He wondered whether he should say anything or not." "This is going to stay between you and me?" "Yes, Michael, I promise, it will stay between us, and that's something I need you to remember: anything you and I ever say to each other when we are

alone is between you and me, just like all my other children. And I think Trent the big mouth will tell you the same thing." Michael laughed about Trent. "He told me about you after I brought home the car. That's all he told me, Clay." And it was enough because Clay knew exactly what Michael meant by it. "I'll have to remember to have him thrown in the pool by his bigger brothers. I'm getting too old to do that but they will throw him in if I tell them to. That includes you too, you'll get to help him go in and just before he goes, in make sure you whisper in his ear what it's for. Just say: Dad says you're a big mouth." They both laughed. "Okay, Michael, now that's all cleared up I'll tell you what I want to do. Actually, there are two things. I know this is a hard time for you right now because of just having lost your mother. But you have gotten to know me, and you know I get impatient when I get an idea in my head." Michael just shook his head in agreement. "Sarah and I and the rest have all come to an agreement and want you to be part of this family. And I know that you will be by marriage in a few weeks but we'd like to adopt you on paper, Michael."

Clay stopped talking to watch and gauge Michael's reaction. Michael kept repeating in his head what Clay was saying to him. And it just kept running through his head. Unable to think at the moment, Michael just looked at Clay. "It's alright if you don't say anything. I'm glad that you aren't. I know

this is a lot to digest at the moment. So the next thing I want to say will probably go right over your head. But I'm laying it all on the table at this point in time. So bear with me, and I'll just finish what I have to say. You know that all the kids have trust funds. Sarah and I and all the kids think you should have one too and that's regardless if you want to be adopted by us or not. The trust fund is partly due to you marrying Trent. It won 't be as big as the others but that's only because it won't have the time to mature like theirs all have. All theirs were set up when they were born but it will still be sizeable. That's all there is, Michael. I've said everything I've wanted to. Well, except to give it some thought. I know you won't give me an answer right now; it's not how you are. Feel free to talk to any of the kids if you want, especially Trent. I would hope you would talk to more of them about this so you know that it truly has been discussed by all of them and they won't lie to you either." Michael sat in silence and disbelief. Of all the things that ran through his mind before he walked into this room, none of them came close to this. And he could feel the moisture building in his eyes and knew that it wasn't going to stop. Clay stood up and went over to Michael to get him to stand and put his arms around him. "It's going to be okay, Michael. I know it's a lot to take in, so just take some deep breaths. There's nothing you have to say, okay?" Michael just nodded yes, There was no way he could talk without completely losing control of his emotions. Clay just held Michael, and for the first time in his life Michael felt like he was at home. Something he never felt while living with the Major. Michael's heart gave him the answer. There was no one he needed to ask or talk too, it was the feeling of being at home in his heart that told him what he needed to do. Now he just had to get the words out of his mouth. Michael just held onto Clay and leaned back and looked up at the man that had given him the world on a silver platter. And more than that: he had given Michael love. Something his own father had ever given to him. "I know what I want to say I just don't know how with it coming out all wrong." "Okay, Michael, let me say this: just say what you want to say and then, if you don't think something is right, we'll address each issue separately, how's that sound?" "Good idea." "First, I'm blown away by all of this. From the moment I came into this house, I've been shown nothing but acceptance from everyone." Michael took some deep breaths, trying to maintain his composure. He was shaking again and was trying so hard not to. Clay got him to sit down and got him some water. "Just take your time, Michael, you're doing fine." "I'm not so sure of that but if you think so." "Oh, hell, I just have to say this and get it out: yes to both." Clay looked at Michael wide eyed and admittedly surprised. "Well, that wasn't what I was expecting from you, Michael. I was expecting no at first or waiting six or seven months before you made up your mind. But this decision so quick, no, I wasn't expecting that. Now you have blown me away. Are you sure?" "Yes, I'm sure." "There is something I have to mention just in case you want to reconsider. If you and Trent ever have problems and decide to separate, I want you to know that you will still be welcome here with Sarah and me and the rest of the kids. It's something that you and Trent would have to work through, so that we can remain intact as a family. I know this complicates everything, but just as long as you want to, then I'll make it happen. Can I ask you one more thing?" "As long as it's not something more you're offering." Clay and Michael had to laugh. "It's not, I promise. But I know how analytical you usually are. What made you decide so quickly?" "Because for the first time in my life I feel like I'm at home and I have since I first started living here. Maybe because I was just accepted without question. That did it. I don't know but that's the best way I can explain it." "That's a believable answer Michael." And with that Michael burst into tears. Clay called Sarah on the intercom to get Trent into his office. About three seconds went by and Trent came flying through the door. "Wow, slow down son. I think someone needs you at the moment. I'll leave you two alone and I'll tell Sarah, Michael, is that okay?" Michael could only nod his answer and with that Clay left the room to find Sarah. He felt like he was going to burst. He was so happy and just like Michael he could feel the tears running down his face. Trent just held onto Michael as he sobbed hard. Trent just let him cry. Michael finally began to slow down and got control of himself. The front of Trent's shirt was soaked from Michael's tears. He began to wonder if he was going to be able to make it through the rest of the day, knowing what was coming tonight at dinnertime. And with everyone being here - and Michael knew what this meant - with telling everyone. He was able to look at Trent and he immediately slapped him off the side of his head. "What the hell was that for?" "For not telling me what you weren't supposed to tell me." Trent just looked at him and laughed. "You think you're so damn funny. Just wait, mister. Now I know something about you and I'm not telling because Dad told me not to tell you. That would ruin it." "Okay, smartass, you want to play that game, do you?" Trent began to poke his fingers into Michael's ribs, being merciless in his attacks. They fell to the floor and Trent was continuing his assault. Michael began to thrust his hips in an attempt to throw Trent off of him, but Trent's weight kept him from being successful. Michael finally was able to get his hands into Trent's armpit. He wiggled his fingers as hard as he could and Trent stopped poking Michael. He tried to get off of him and Michael rolled over on his side so that Trent fell over and Michael was now the merciless one. Clay and Sarah walked in on them. They both stood silently and Clay wrapped his arms around Sarah and rested his head on her shoulder, watching the two, waiting to see how long it would take for them to notice them. "OH, you little shit. Michael, STOP, I'm going to piss myself." Sarah had enough. "TRENT NICHOLAS AND MICHAEL WAYNE!" Both of them froze and slowly turned to see the two of them looking down on them. Both of theirs faces were red and sweaty from laughing and wrestling on the floor. "That's not fair, sneaking up on us like that. How long have you been standing there and listening?" Sarah grinned at Trent's usual attempt of worming his way out of being in trouble. "Long enough to hear someone swearing." "Sorry, Mom, but he started it." Trent pointed at Michael "You rat, you wait, you just wait until they aren't standing here." "That's enough, out of both of you. Now get up off the floor, because I want a hug from Michael, and as bad as I want one, I'm not getting down on the floor. Did you tell Trent or were you two just wrestling around too much? " "Tell me what?" "No, we hadn't gotten that far, when someone started poking me in the ribs, so I had to defend myself. Well, you saw the rest. So he started it, I didn't." Sarah just laughed and put her arms around Michael and squeezed him to death. "Mom, can I breath now?" Sarah loosened up on her hug but didn' t let go right away. Clay walked over to Trent and hugged his son. "Thanks for not telling him. He told me you broke on his way to door, but you didn't spill the beans." Trent looked over at Michael with a questioning look, wanting to know what had transpired behind closed doors. "Would someone please tell me what's going on and what happened? What did you say, Michael? And don't horse around, just tell me: yes or no." "Yes or no." Michael repeated exactly as Trent had requested him too. Trent let go of his father and lunged towards Michael and he took off down the hallway, laughing at him. As they entered the living room most members of the family were relaxing and talking when the two of them came running out from the hallway into the living room. Michael had turned around to look how close Trent was behind him and lost his footing and fell to the floor. His immediate reaction was to protect himself from being sat on. "Okay, I need help or he's going to kill me guys." Trent jumped on Michael and began to jab his fingers into his ribs and stomach. Peter and Stephen came to Michael's rescue and pulled Trent off of him. Both of them had Trent held by the arms. "Okay, guys, he's in the pool, per Dad's order for opening his big mouth." A chorus of voices rose. "He did what? Michael was going to have some fun. "He didn't tell me the whole reason but he told me part of the reason." "That's not true, Michael, and you know it. Tell them the rest of what I said." "I don't know what you're talking about." By now Kenneth and Denver had joined in and Trent was lifted from the floor. "Come on, guys, I haven't even heard what he told Dad yet. He didn't tell me what his answer was. Come on, I got to know what's going on and what he told Dad." Michael grinned like a Cheshire cat. "To the pool with him" was Michael's reply as they were heading out. Sarah yelled from the living room to be careful. No one was to get hurt or there would be hell to pay. Michael laughed. "To the pool." By now the group had left the house and was on it' way to their destination. As they stood by the pool all eyes were on Michael. "Dad said to tell you that - and his exact words were - you're a big mouth. And before you go in: I said yes to both." The boys threw Trent in the pool and then they turned on Michael and picked him up. "Wait, no guys, this isn't fair, he went in, I'm not supposed to get thrown in." The boys looked at Michael and said. "This is from Dad: you're a big mouth for telling what Trent told you and said not to tell Dad." And with that Michael was thrown in right next to Trent. By now Clay and Sarah were outside too and ordered towels for the boys. The two of them made their way to the shallow end of the pool and when they could stand above the water they hugged each other "Did you really say yes?" "Yes, I really said yes to both, so now you know. Are you happy about this? " "Oh hell yes." His grin was from ear to ear. "There are some things that we still need to discuss, but now is not the time. Let's get out of the pool and get dried off. I'm getting hungry and I' m sure it will be time to eat soon." Trent pulled Mike by the hand and they got out of the pool with helping hands and towels being thrown at them. Clay came up behind the boys and draped his arms over both of their shoulders. "Okay, listen up for just a minute, because I know some of you were still in the house when Michael gave some of us the news. I have to be honest and Michael will tell you I was shell shocked by his acceptance at both of the things the family talked about. I'll let you know that he made me cry again!" He pulled Michael into him a little closer and kissed the top of his head. "But your limit is up, Michael, that's twice now and I won't be doing it again." There where words of disbelief from his new family. They got a little loud and Dad gave everyone a look of love that he had for all his children. He had really wanted to have a dozen to spoil, but it just wasn't in the cards for him and Sarah, but they were happy with each and every one of their children. Clay thought that he still had three more under Trent before the house would be empty. Who knows what would happen before they all moved out, and that, he considered, would be years from now. "And now I think that these two have an official announcement to make. The rumors amongst the brothers and sisters had been whispered all day but no one was sure. It was Susan, Marie's oldest sister, who was the first to pick up on the necklace on Michael's neck when he pulled his shirt off. She caught sight of it right away. "Michael, I have a question to ask you before you say anything. When and where exactly did the necklace come from? You didn't get it for Christmas or your birthday. I would have remembered that piece." Melanie looked and added her two cents. "And you didn't have it on at the graduation. That leaves between the party Friday night and this morning. What's up guys, give it up. We think we know but we want to hear it from you, Trent." There was a quick chant that began. "Give it up, give it up, give it up!" "Okay, okay" Trent took Michael by the hand. "Would you like to do the honors or do you want me to? Michael nodded at Trent and Trent moved to stand behind Michael and wrapped his hands around his waist. Michael rested his arms on Trent's. "Most of you already know. It's not that big of a secret, but thanks for making it special for us. It means a lot to both of us. We've had many talks

about a lot of things, mostly about all of you and how you've taken Michael in. I know sometimes being gay has been hard on some of you when I first came out. However, no one ever made me feel any less important or unloved. And then this man stepped into my life and all was right with the world for the first time in my life. So with that being said, we escaped to the Four Seasons Friday night. I gave Michael the necklace instead of an engagement ring. Oh, by the way, Dad, I'm just telling you now: Michael signed for everything so you can yell at him for going overboard." Clay smiled and shook his head. "He'll wear the ring I have designed on the third or fourth weekend of August in a ceremony we'll be having at the house before we go to school. It will be mostly family and a few friends. We don't want a large party. And we're going to start looking for a house somewhere in between our schools so that neither one of us has to travel far to go to school every day. I think we'll end up somewhere between Boston and Worcester, just aren' t sure yet. You can thank your future brother-in-law for persuading me to go to school for Construction Management. We're going to build houses in the future after we have completed school. That's it. Everyone now knows, so it's a formal announcement and thanks to all of you for not spoiling it beforehand. We both love all of you." Brothers and sisters rushed forward and hugged and kissed Michael and Trent. His older sister's and mother were in tears. He even got through to his tough macho older brothers. There was a clanging of bells and everyone grew silent and turned to see what the noise was. Joshua and Andy told all of them that dinner would be ready in about fifteen to twenty minutes and all of them where to be on time. Joshua put the bell down and came over to the boys. "I'll make everything for you two on that day. The cake too, I insist, and I would be insulted if you dare go anywhere else." Michael and Trent pulled Joshua away from every one and Michael was the one that spoke up. "Joshua, Trent and I have a special request for you for the wedding and we won't take no for an answer. You and Andy work for us every day, you never get to relax." Joshua started to back up a little. "Come here and listen."

Michael pulled him back towards them. "We insist that you make our wedding cake, we wouldn't dream of someone making that for us. Only you know what we like. But that day we want you and Andy to come and relax with us. You do so much for us, the both of you, and we would be hurt if you had to work all day and not get to enjoy it. Promise you'll do that." Joshua looked at the both of them and hugged them both. "All right. For once I will listen and relax and enjoy the day with you two. I know Andy will like the idea. I know he won't tell anyone and don't you dare say anything to him about this or I'll never make French toast for you Michael. And Trent: I'll burn every piece of toast I make for you." Both of the boys leaned in closer to hear what he had to say. "He's gay and is terrified to say anything. I keep telling him that he has to look at you two and how the family treats you. Do you really thing they would care? But he won't say anything. But, like I said, NOT one word to him. You'll never have Foie Gras. And if two don't stop taking the cans I try to keep hidden, I'm going to kill you both. Your father is going to start thinking I'm eating it too!" They all laughed. "I've got to get in to make dinner, go get changed so you are dry for dinner, hurry up." All three made their way into the house and the boys made their way upstairs to dry off and change. Dinner was amazing. Joshua and Andy had outdone themselves but that wasn't a big surprise. They always outdid themselves as far as Michael was concerned. He thought he wouldn't stop eating but finally the table was cleared and coffee and drinks were served. It was one thing he had become to enjoy: having drinks after a special dinner. It was the one time that everyone was allowed to have a drink, even the youngest were allowed, not the little kids though. But if you were at least a teenager you were allowed. As all sat there and relaxed and drank, Joshua and Andy brought out a cake and placed it in front of Trent and Michael. It was beautiful as always. Joshua loved doing pastries, especially cakes and he was a master in decorating them. On top in big letters was written "To the Newest Member of the Sanders Family. Welcome Michael Wayne Evans (Sanders).With Love and then everyone's name was on the cake below that. Michael immediately welled up and thankfully Trent came to his rescue and poked his ribs in the right places and got him laughing instead. Trent's oldest brother Stephen caught what Trent had done and just to pick on Michael he started saying speech, come on speech, we want a speech. Trent gave Stephen a dirty look, but he just stuck his tongue out and repeated himself. Michael gave in, knowing he probably wouldn't make it all the way through it. It took a few minutes around the table and everyone was waiting. "Thank you all. I mean it. And Stephen, I'd like to say as your future brother: screw you!" Everyone laughed and I thought Stephen was going to explode, but he conceded and winked at me for getting even with him. Michael liked Stephen. He was one of the first of Trent's brothers who had told him not to hurt Trent or he would get his ass kicked if he did. He had taken Michael shopping for Trent at Christmas time, and it then that he and Michael bonded as friends. He was also the first one to shed some light on the history of the family and how his mother had two miscarriages after Randy was born. He had told Michael that Dad had taken it pretty hard but Mom was better at accepting it than Dad was. But eventually he had come around, and things had gotten better and the family got really closer after that. He remembered when Dad first came to him about adopting Michael, and setting up a trust fund for him. He had said he was against it at first but after a few more months of thinking about it he talked to Dad again and said it would be a good idea. He admitted at being a little over protective of Trent in the beginning and that was the reason he didn't agree at first about the adoption thing. However, he saw how happy Trent really was with Michael and that' s what made him change his mind. The cake was the best cake Michael had ever eaten. It was a lemon cake with a really dark chocolate mousse and a layer of strawberry cream with almonds on top of that. It was covered with a wonderfully light lemon icing and wasn't sugary at all. He told Trent that was the cake he wanted for the reception and Trent agreed. Monday first thing Michael made a call to his sister's phone. There was still no answer and now he was getting worried. This wasn't like her at all. Now he wasn't sure what to do. He had to talk to Trent and see what he thought, because the next phone call he thought he might have to make made him sick to his stomach. He sat in his bedroom thinking of what she had said to him exactly when they had talked on Friday "Trent, I can't get a hold of my sister and now I'm getting worried. I haven't heard from her since Friday and I don't know what to think. It's not like her to go this long. I don't know what to do at this point." "Maybe she's just not answering the phone because of your mother. She was here when it happened." "I know. I talked to her about half an hour or so before it happened, but since then I haven't seen her or heard from her and it's not like her to go this long since I left home." "Maybe she took off for the weekend to go to the beach. A lot of kids went up to Hampton Beach for the weekend, Michael. Maybe she spent the weekend getting drunk." Michael couldn't see his sister getting drunk for the weekend, but it was graduation time. "She might have been off with her boyfriend and just having a good time and is trying to not think of everything that has taken place." At least thinking that way made Michael feel better for the time being and he figured that at some point today he'd hear from her and everything would

be fine. The Major walked around the empty house in silence, thinking about how his life had spun out of control since he and Michael had their fight and Michael walked out, not giving the Major time to think of anything or what to say. He hated that his son was gay, he blamed himself for it happening. Perhaps his way of life had made Michael this way and to some degree he blamed the military for having been gone so long at different times as Michael was growing up. Perhaps if he had been there none of this would have happened to him or to his wife. And now he wasn't hearing from his daughter. What was it exactly that he had done so wrong that what was left of his family hated him so much? For the first time in his life Frank Larson Evans felt alone but more than that: he felt hated. And yet he knew he had done nothing to deserve this kind of reaction from his family. He had been a good father and husband; he had done what he had to do to provide for his family. It was his place in life to provide for his family. He did provide for them as far as he was concerned; they had had a roof over their heads since he had married Beatrice and they had lived in houses since the twins were born, they had never been in an apartment. He had done everything for the twins. He couldn't help it that the military had made demands on him to travel from one location to another; it was his duty to follow orders. That's what he had done and they had been ungrateful at times, not considering what he had sacrificed to get them what they wanted. His son hated him. He didn't hate Michael. He just didn't understand how he could make the decision to be gay. How could he embarrass him that way in front of his peers? And his wife had supported him. How could she have been misguided and actually still love the boy, once he admitted to him out loud what his sexual orientation was? And for the first time in his life Frank Evans wondered how much he had done for them as much as he had done for himself. He decided that he hadn't done it for himself, he had done it for them, why couldn't things be the way he wanted it as well? In the end he decided that they had been the ungrateful ones, considering the sacrifices that he had made on their behalf. And the insubordination that his wife had shown taking sides with his son was the final straw for him, it was the straw that had broken the camel's back. But Frank Evans had his own demons in his life and no one knew them well almost no one. Michael had taken Clay with him to the funeral home, once his mother's body had been released from the coroner's office. He intended to make sure that

his father was eliminated from the process of burying his mother. He had directed the coroner which funeral home to release the body to, and instructed them to not disclose where the body had been transferred to. Michael decided that cremation was the best thing, considering the damage that had been done from the bullet striking her head. Michael's phone rang while they were with the funeral director. It was Mandy. "Mandy, where have you been? I've been trying for days to get in touch with you?" "I went to the beach with Brian for a few days. I just had to get away, Mikey. I'm sorry I didn't call you. I just didn't want to deal with it. I'm back and staying at Brian's house. I can't stand the thought of going home right now. I just know he had something to do with this Michael. I don't know why, but I know he did." "I won't argue that point right now, but I don't know who did it yet and neither do the police, I'm letting them do their job for now and see what they turn up with for evidence. I know they were looking in the woods across the street from the Sanders and have found some things." "Did they say what they found, Mikey?" "No, Mandy, they haven't said anything as to what it was. I'm sure they' re not saying anything for a reason." "You're probably right, Mikey. Guess we'll just have to wait and see what they say." Michael could hear the disappointment in Mandy's voice and understood her frustration just as he felt his own, being kept in the dark as to what the police had found. "I'm sure we'll find out soon enough, Mandy. Listen, I'm at the funeral home, I've made some decisions and I hope you're okay with them. I am having mom cremated because of what happened. Dad doesn't know yet. I got to the coroner and with Clay's help I got the body released to me. So if the Major asks, just tell him that you haven't been told what I've done at this point, okay?" "I won't say anything, Mikey, just let me know when you and I can have a service for her and I'll be there with you." "I think we'll scatter Mom's ashes on a quiet beach somewhere. She always liked going to the beach when we were kids. I think it would be the best thing to do, how about you?" "It is fine by me, Michael, I'll go with you. When I was at Hampton Beach, there was a beach just north of there, it's called Rye Beach. It would be the perfect place to scatter her ashes; we'll make a day of it, just you and me, and remember Mom." "Sounds good, Mandy, I think it would be the best thing we can do. I'll talk to you later, sis." "Bye, Mikey." Their conversation ended and Michael felt uneasy still, but knew that it was probably the situation itself and where he was at the moment. He couldn't help but sit down and let the tears start to flow again. Clay sat beside him and put his arm around Michael's shoulder and just held him, trying to give him some comfort in his moment of grief. "It's all right, Michael; it's going to be all right. It's just going to take some time. I lost my mother when I was fifteen. I know how you feel right now and I promise you that it will get better. You won't forget her. I still think of mine almost every day and with fond memories. Just remember the good times that you shared Michael." Michael just sobbed harder as Clay finished speaking. Mandy and Michael carried out their plan of scattering their mother's ashes at Rye Beach and spent the day together talking about her and remembering their lives together and some of the things that they had done with her as children, some of the places she had taken them and how often it had been to the beach. And so the saga continues for Trent and Michael, will they get married this summer? Who killed Michael and Mandy's mother, more importantly, why? Kevin is still looking to get even with Michael and hurt him somehow, was it him or the major? Was there anyone else that had enough motive to get rid of her by shooting her in the head? That's a drastic step to take when killing someone. Was it accidental and could someone else have been the intended target?

Stay tuned for Chapter Seven.... Michael McKinney