Kismet, Chapter 6
After moving in with Derrick and Craig, Ashley's health improved rather dramatically. She had more energy than she'd had the prior week because she wasn't on her feet working long hours. She had fewer responsibilities in general, since the men assumed a lot of Oakley's care, and Derrick did much of the cooking.
When she wasn't spending quality time with her son, she did some light reading or watched comedies on TV which made her laugh. She also tried to make herself useful by playing sous chef to Derrick as he prepared dinner. Living in that home was like being part of a loving extended family.
Craig began to wonder if possibly Ashley would be able to beat the cancer by having a positive attitude, eating healthy, and getting plenty of rest. Derrick knew better, having nursed his grandmother, but he didn't say anything to burst the bubble of hope.
Having listened to Oakley read familiar stories with his parents, Derrick suspected that the child might be decoding on his own instead of simply parroting the words he'd heard many times. To test his theory, he looked for the books he'd had as a child. In doing so, he realized those books, if they still existed, were probably at his parents' house.
"Hi Mom, this is Derrick. Do you still have any of those kindergarten-level readers I had as a kid?"
"Yes, there's a box of them in the basement. I'd saved them for your children someday, but..."
"Great! I'm about to become the father of an almost five-year-old and I'd like to see if he can read them."
"Have you changed and found a girl?"
"No, Mother, I haven't changed. But I'm in love with a man who has a son and I plan to adopt the boy. It's rather complicated.
"You know I can't change who I am. I've always hoped you'd change and accept me."
"I do accept you! It was your father who wanted you out of the house, not me."
"True, but you haven't exactly maintained contact."
"Nor have you."
"Okay, I get your point. May I come over for the books?"
"Of course. Could you bring my new grandson with you?"
"I'm sure Oakley would be happy to have a grandmother. His mother's parents are dead, and his father's family wants nothing to do with them."
After she'd gotten off the phone, Becky Halverson stood in her kitchen with tears of joy running down her cheeks. Perhaps the addition of a child in Derrick's life could be the key to restoring family ties.
Don came into the room and asked her if she was okay.
"I'm fine. I just got wonderful news. Derrick is going to have a son."
"Great! He's come to his senses and manned up. So, when's the baby due?"
"Derrick hasn't changed his orientation; that's impossible. His boyfriend has a son, and Derrick's going to adopt him."
"Humph, that's no cause for joy."
"It is too. He and the little one are coming over after dinner to get his old books for the boy to read. You'd better either maintain a positive attitude while they're here or stay out of sight. One bad word and, so help me, I'll divorce you!"
When Becky was on the warpath, Don knew better than to cross her. He'd better be pleasant or hide out.
Derrick's mother met them at the door, while Don stayed out of sight but not out of earshot.
Becky hugged her son and told him how happy she was to see him. From her actions, Oakley knew she was a nice person and didn't hesitate to let her embrace him as she got on her knees to be on his level.
Once Oakley warmed up to a person, he became a little chatterbox. He told her about his swing and the sandbox. He talked about how much fun it was living with his daddy and his papa.
Before they left, Oakley sat on her lap reading a Dr. Seuss that he'd never seen before. Derrick grinned like any proud parent would. His theory had been proven true. The boy who would soon be his son could read!
Oakley had charmed his grandmother as well as his papa.
"Don, you should have come on in to see that child. He'd be calling you `Grandpa' in no time."
"I have my nieces and nephews," Don grumbled. "They're enough for me."
"And you have a son who could give you a grandson."
"He's living a life of sin. Why would I want either of them?"
"Oh, cut the bullshit!" Becky yelled. "Harriet was the only religious person in your family and she took Derrick in, like a true Christian should, when you wanted him out of our house! She finished raising our wonderful boy who, in turn, cared for her in her last years despite all the other things he had to do. When you do something that noble, then you can attempt to judge others. Until then, you'd better keep your mouth shut."
Don knew she was right, and he didn't attempt to answer.
Once Oakley had access to books written for his ability level, he read constantly. He kept Ashley entertained and helped her deal with the slow but sure deterioration of her body.
Derrick was certain that the child was extending her life by his lively presence.
In the meantime, Derrick's mother, Becky, asked if she could pay him a visit. He invited her to come over one afternoon for refreshments and conversation on a day when Craig wasn't at work.
Craig was a little apprehensive about meeting the "in-laws" because he suspected that Becky might not approve of their living arrangement. It was, after all, not exactly in line with traditional middleclass values.
Derrick told him not to worry. He wouldn't allow his mother to mess up their lives. If she made a scene, he would ask her to leave and wouldn't back down.
When Becky arrived, Derrick welcomed her into the family room where the rest of his household was sitting. Oakley ran to her, asking for a hug, which he quickly received. Craig stood politely to be introduced. Ashley started to get up too, but Becky knelt by her chair, so she wouldn't have to expend her energy unnecessarily. Then they visited for a few minutes.
At first their conversation was the stilted kind about weather and world happenings, but soon Becky remarked about Oakley's ability to read. He offered to read a new book to her, and after that, the ice was broken.
By the time Derrick brought out beverages and treats, everyone was comfortable.
When their visit was over, everyone felt it had been a good one.
The days stretched into weeks and the weeks into another month. It wouldn't be long before Oakley would start kindergarten and Derrick would be back in the classroom too.
During the second week of August, Ashley's health took a sudden turn for the worse. Had Craig not been by her side going down the stairs, she would have fallen and possibly died or suffered a serious injury.
"It's time for the hospital bed," she sighed. "I didn't want to give in, but I have no choice."
"I'll call immediately. I think the rental place opens at 7:30. They should be able to set it up today."
Ashley spent the rest of the morning on the ground-level of the house. Around 11:00 o'clock, after Craig had gone to the restaurant, she napped on the couch in the family room. She fell to sleep listening to Oakley reading Hop on Pop.
With the change on Ashly's condition, and Oakley's school situation on the horizon, the men would have to arrange for someone to be at the house when they were gone to their jobs. They realized they should have begun the process of interviewing people earlier in the summer. They had dragged their feet, partially because they hesitated to admit that Ashley wasn't going to make it much longer. They didn't want to do anything to dash her hopes.
She, on the other hand, was more realistic about the outcome than they were.
A hospice worker began coming in the morning to aid Ashley with bathing and eating. That took some of the stress off Derrick, but it still wouldn't provide help for transporting Oakley to and from school when that time arrived.
Because Craig's schedule would be later than Derrick's, he could take his son in the morning. However, despite the fact that high school classes dismissed earlier than the elementary, Derrick wouldn't be able to pick him up. Fortunately, the elementary school did have an onsite daycare for working parents in that situation. It wasn't ideal, but it was doable.
On hearing of their dilemma, Derrick's mother announced that she was going to retire in another year. In light of that, she would be working only in the morning during the coming school year. She would be happy to pick Oakley up from school and stay with Ashley and him at Derrick's home until he could be there. That made everyone feel better.
The last of November, Ashley passed away in her sleep while everyone was gone but the hospice worker and Derrick's mother. It was probably best for everyone, but it would be a time of sorrow.
The men had prepared Oakley as well as they could, but they knew it might hit him hard.
When both of his fathers came to pick him up from kindergarten that day, he sensed that she was gone. They sat in the car to officially break the news. He shed a few tears but wasn't inconsolable. He did want to see her again before she was buried.
Derrick talked with his mother and their minister before deciding what to do. Their advisors both felt it was right to grant his wish. It might be important for him in finding closure.
In the visitation room before the doors were opened to admit other mourners, Oakley knelt on the prie-dieu beside his mother's casket. He offered a simple prayer from his heart, asking God to let her be in heaven with Kitty-cat. Then, he read her one last story from a book that was at the second-grade level.
His fathers' tears flowed freely.
A year and a half later, Oakley proudly carried two wedding bands on a satin pillow down the aisle of the side-chapel for his fathers' service. It was a small but beautiful ceremony. Derrick's father and mother both attended.
Nine years down the road, on a warm spring day, Oakley breezed into Derrick's room on the last day of his freshman year. He was a happy, healthy, well-adjusted, kid that anyone would be proud to claim.
"So, how would you rate your first year in high school?" Derrick asked.
"AWESOME! I know that's an old over-used word, but I can't think of a better one."
"Certainly, with your vocabulary, you could come up with `awesome' synonyms," Derrick joked.
"Okay, how about stupendous,' astonishing,' outstanding,' over-the-top' and `supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?'"
"I think those cover it pretty well. What's put you into such a good mood, other than the fact school's out for the year?"
"Lots of things. Dad's new restaurant is doing even better than he hoped. I have a papa who's one of the best-liked teachers in my school, and Adam wants me to come for a sleep-over this weekend."
"Will there be a big group?"
"No, just him and me."
"Hmm..., just the two of you. Does that signal a new plateau in your relationship?"
"Kinda. He asked me to be his boyfriend and I said `yes.'"
"Let me be the first to congratulate you. Adam's a super kid. Um, you know where the supplies are if you need anything."
"Papa! We're not doing THAT!"
"Did I say anything to imply it? I'm neither pushing you nor holding you back. As you know, I've always felt that friendship should precede sex, but you've been friends since fourth grade and you've been dating most of this year. So, I can understand how things could develop between you."
"I'm not sayin' we don't, um, mess around some, but we're taking it slow."
"Good for you! You know Dad and I have your back, whatever you decide is right."
"Thanks!" Oakley hugged his papa. "I'm so lucky. Adam's dad is finally coming around, but it's been hard for him. I wish every gay boy could have parents like you."
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company so early in the evening?" Derrick asked. "Did the restaurant burn down?"
"Nope, the new manager I've hired is great. I trust him completely in running it like I would. I'm gonna spend a lot more time with my family from now on."
"I'm sure Oakley will be as pleased as I am with that news."
"By the way, where is he?"
"Sleeping over with Adam again. I think he gets more time in bed with his lover than I do."
"I told you that's about to change. So how long will he be gone?"
"Most of the weekend."
"Hmm... That gives us a shot at a second honeymoon. I plan to take my angel to heaven."
"Darn, I thought you might be interested in doing something devilish while our cherub is out of the house."
"Oh, I am."
"AWESOME!"
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Author's notes: Thanks to all who emailed after the posting of chapter 5. The list includes: GCD, Ott H, Randy McC Rick P, David B, Bill T, Walter S, Geoff S, Chandra B, Jim M, Peter M, Joe W, bt, Allen, Charles G, Mark F, Ray M, Hotrod, Nick Dew, Gordon, John L, Reagan, Steve C, Marlin S, Tom A, Mendy D, Tony C, Don M, Paul R, Max P, Paul F, Greg W, Tony F, Bill K, Gary P, Adrian M, Tim T, Rich H, Si R, Micha C, Wayne. Unfortunately, I know I've missed someone. I had the whole thing made and lost it on Monday morning. So, if you're not on the list, it wasn't intentional!
Yes, I hate to end this tale, but I need to move on. I was planning to post another story related to "Guardian Angel," but I need to figure out where it's going first. So, I'll post something short while I'm working on it. I may take a couple of weeks off before I do.
If you're on my "alert" list, you'll be notified.
Thanks to David and Tom. Yes, Tom has agreed to edit when he can. So, he'll likely find things David and I miss.
Thanks to Nifty for making his site possible.
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