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"Not what I thought escape meant" Chapter 20
Carl ran to the bedroom door and saw Max's naked body curled into the fetal position and he could hear the sobbing from the door. Returning to the kitchen Carl got a large glass of water. Heading back he stopped at the bathroom. Taking a long needed pee Carl's mind was racing. Looking in the mirror at himself as he washed his hands. "Don't fuck this up. You can't loose him." he thought. Returning to the bedroom Carl placed the glass of water on the nightstand on Max's side of the bed along with a damp wash cloth. Setting on the edge of the bed Carl reached out and placed his hand on Max's shoulder. "Baby. I don't know what's going through your head right now but you have me scared. You need to let me in and let me know what's going on. I love you with all my heart and seeing you like this just tears me apart." Carl whispered. Max's sobs turned into a full on cry. Carl got up quickly and crawled over Carl in the bed. He had to be a little forceful as he unfolded Max's body. Laying on his back he pulled Max to him. Max had his hands balled up under his chin still crying. "Loosen up baby. I am right here. Everything is going to be fine." Carl said as he pulled Max's arms across his chest. He reached down and pulled one of Max's legs over his and pulled his head so that it was on his chest. With his arm around Max he pulled him as close and tight to his body as he could. "Your safe baby. Its alright." Carl whispered as he kissed Max on top of the head.
Carl lay there and stroked Max's face and then his back as Max began to calm some. "I am so sorry baby. You deserve better than this." Max whispered. "Baby I deserve exactly what I am holding in my arms right now. You have made my life complete and I know there have been rough spots but I don't think I would change any of it. To me these things have made our bond tighter and me love you even more." Carl whispered. Max began to cry almost uncontrollably again. "Baby just let it out." Carl said. Pulling Max even tighter Carl leaned over and placed his lips on the top of Max's head. "Take your time this afternoon is for just us. But before we get out of this bed you are going to open up to me and tell me what's going on." Carl said.
"What are you doing home so early ?" Mary asked. "Carl needed to spend some free time with Max." Daryl said. "Those two can't seem to get enough of each other." Mary laughed. "Well lets hope so." Daryl said. "What do you mean ?" Mary asked. "Well you know your brother. He is a true cowboy. If there is a problem in the past he would just try to ignore it and hope it worked itself out." Daryl said. "What are you talking about ?" Mary asked. "Max has been sort of distant for the last few days. I told him a couple of days ago that I was giving him two days to talk to Carl or I was going to. This morning was even worse so I pulled Carl in the corner and told him he better open his eyes and find out what was going on before it was too late. That's why we only worked a half day." Daryl said. "Why didn't you say something before ?" Mary said as she stood and grabbed her purse. "And where do you think you are going ?" Daryl asked. "To Carl's. This needs to be fixed now." Mary said. "Set down. Its time for your brother to start recognizing warning signs and fixing it himself." Daryl said. "But you know how he is. I can't let this go so far that Max leaves." Mary said. "Give them until this evening. Carl's eyes are open now. Let little bro try and figure this out. Max is a good man. He will explain things to Carl I am sure." Daryl said. "But I need too...." Mary started. "You need to what honey ? Go over there an lock the three of you in the bathroom and say we aren't leaving until this is settled ?" Daryl asked. "If it takes it." Mary huffed. "Honey just give them a few hours. If Max decides to leave I am sure that your phone will ring and you will have time to get there and lock them up." Daryl said. "I guess your right." Mary said. "Can I get that in writing?" Daryl laughed. "This is not the time for jokes." Mary said. "I know darlin' but just don't stress." Daryl said.
Brian sat quiet and anxious in the office waiting to talk to his attorney. Once seated in the office the lawyer pulled out his folder. "This is not going to be as easy as we thought. We contacted your wife. She said that she wanted two hundred thousand dollars up front. She wanted two thousand a month in spousal support and she would relinquish parental rights to the boys as long as you paid another two thousand a month to her in child support." the lawyer said. "There is no way I can afford any of that." Brian said. "I told her that your financial statement would not support that. She told me that if you really wanted the boys that your Uncle Max would make all this happen." the lawyer said. "I can't ask him for any money. Plus I don't think he could afford that either. What am I suppose to do ?" Brian said. "Can you call your uncle ? I wouldn't ask him for the money but I would explain to him what was going on. Him or the Uncle Carl that I talked to." the lawyer said. "I can try. " Brian said.
Max had calmed down and his exhaustion had taken over. Carl still lay there holding the man that he loved while he slept. Max's cell phone rang This caused Max to stir so Carl quickly grabbed the phone from the nightstand. "Hello." Carl whispered. "Well hey Uncle Carl. I thought I called Uncle Max." Brian said. "You did. He has had a rough morning so I answered his phone." Carl said. "Oh sorry. Anything I can do ? " Brian asked. "I don't think so. He will be fine. What's up buddy ?" Carl asked. "I am at the lawyer's office and I needed to talk to Uncle Max. I can call back later." Brian said. "You need some more money for him buddy ?" Carl asked. "No its not like that. The attorney talked to her and I just need to talk to Uncle Max." Brian said. "Are you sure I can't help ?" Carl asked. "Nah I can call him back later." Brian said. About that time Max reached up and took the phone from Carl. "Hey buddy. What's up ?" Max said. "Have you been crying ?" Brian whispered into the phone. "Its alright. Just a little melt down and no its not Carl's fault. So what's up ?" Max said with his head still on Carl's chest.
Brian explained what the lawyer had told him. "Let me talk to him for a minute." Max said. The lawyer took the phone from Brian. "Have you mailed anything to her yet or just talked to her by phone ?" Max asked. "Just phone." he said. "How quick can you file for the divorce, give her nothing in the papers but her clothes and give Brian full custody. Even list that she has to pay him child support." Max asked. "Well we can do the papers today. But it will take a while to find her in Florida to serve her." the lawyer said. "Well I bet her license still lists their home in Georgia. File it against her at that address since its still her legal address She will not be there but the deputy can say he served it to her last known legal address. Then start divorce by publication." Max said. "Well you know that will be shady since we know she is somewhere in Florida. " the lawyer said. "Is it legal though ?" Max asked. "Well yes its perfectly legal. You know if she finds out that she will get her own attorney." he said. "She doesn't care and will never know until its too late. I bet she is setting with her family right now planning how they are going to spend this money she thinks she will get. " Max said. "It can be done but I am not totally comfortable." the lawyer said. "Fine then. I will call Bob and ask him to recommend another attorney then." Max said. "Sir there is no need in that. I can handle this." he said. "Good. I want the papers served tomorrow. That will start the thirty days." Max said. Handing the phone back to Carl and laying his head back down.
"What's going on there Uncle Carl ?" Brian asked. "Not sure buddy. How are you and my boys ?" Carl asked. "He is right there isn't he ?" Brian asked. "Yep." Carl said. "Its not my business but have you two had a fight ?" Brian asked. "Not that I know of." Carl said looking down at the top of Max's head. "Has he heard from you know who ?" Brian asked. "I don't think so." Carl said. Normally Carl would have been upset with all the questions but he was hoping that Brian could shed some light on the problem. "Have you gotten or spent a bunch of money lately ?" Brian asked. "Sort of." Carl said. "That's it. If you have gotten a bunch of money or are getting some from that law suit that's Uncle Max's problem. " Brian said. "Why ?" Carl asked. Brian began to tell Carl about some of Max's past. How everyone around him for most of his life had been all about money. He explained that many times his Uncle Max had either paid off people's bills or even taken his money to start businesses for some. Once they were on their feet or doing well they turned their back on Max. Carl learned that money had been the down fall of every friendship and relationship that Max had. "He is scared Uncle Carl. Even this last guy. It finally came down to money. I got the impression that he didn't feel like Uncle Max had enough money. He had no clue what Uncle Carl had or did not have. He just assumed since he didn't drive a brand new car and take long expensive trips." Brian said. "I didn't know that." Carl said. "He would never tell you that but I am sure that if you got a good bit of money from the courts that Uncle Max is afraid that the playing field changed drastically and he is about to get dropped." Brian said. "I hope you know better." Carl said. "I am certain you are not about to dump him. Me and the boys love you Uncle Carl but you have to understand that this has been the results Uncle Max's entire life including his two brothers. Just be careful with this Uncle Carl." Brian said. "We both love you and the boys very much. Give both of them and hug and kiss from both their uncles and thank you." Carl said as he ended the call.
About that time Carl's phone rang. "Baby this is the grain company. I am going to the kitchen to talk. I promise I will be back in a few minutes." Carl said leaning over to kiss Max on top of the head and sliding out from under him. The call was quick but Carl took the chance while he was out of the room to call Bob. "Hey buddy. How's it going ?" Bob said as he answered. "Got a question buddy. Max said that he had discussed getting you to help me get this money set up." Carl said. "Yeah. I told him I would be glad to help." Bob said. "What did he say about himself as far as the money is concerned ?" Carl asked. "I'm not really sure I should discuss that." Bob said. "Look Bob. I really like you but I have a major problem here today and I am trying to get to the bottom of it. If you can't tell me then I will just get another attorney to handle that part. I will find out anyway before I sign any papers." Carl said. "I guess you are the client in this case." Bob said. "Forget the attorney client bit for now. I need help friend to friend. " Carl said. "Well Max asked me to make sure that the money was tied up so that he had no access to it so he could not be accused of trying to take your money. He also wanted it safe guarded so that no one like Brent could take advantage of you." Bob said. "Well forget that shit. At least that part about Max. Thanks for the info buddy but we will discuss that when the time comes." Carl said. "Is the problem something to do with all this ? " Bob asked. "Brain thinks so. I am beginning to think so too." Carl said. "Well buddy. You need to get Max to tell you about more of his past and I think you will understand better. I was afraid this might happen after he said what he did about locking up them money and especially from him." Bob said. "Well I have to fix this and fix it today. Thanks for your help buddy. Give Paul and the babies a hug from both of us." Carl said.
"Hey sis." Carl said. "Hey Carl. How is everything there ?" Mary asked. "I guess Daryl told you something was up." Carl said. "He knew he better so now whats going on ?" Mary said. "Max is sleeping right now. Right after Daryl left Max had a melt down." Carl said. "I am on my way." Mary said. "Not yet sis. I need to get him to tell me exactly what's going on first. But I do want you and Daryl to come over later. I found out a few things from Brian and I don't want Joe here but I do want you when I get Max to talk about part of this." Carl said. "Sure. I will bring you two guys a plate for supper." Mary said. "Thanks sis. I will call you later. Do you still have those sleeping pills you got last year ?" Carl asked. "Yeah I still have a few, why ?" Mary asked. "Just bring one. I only need one. I have a feeling that Max is going to need one for tonight." Carl said. "Sure brother. You know I love you and I love Max too." Mary said. "I know sis. Thats one reason I want you and Daryl here later." Carl said. "Just let me know. We love you guys." Mary said. "Love you guys too sis." Carl said. Entering the bedroom Carl realized that Max had not moved from when he left him. Sliding back into the bed. "Sorry about that bay. I am here now. " Carl said as he pulled Max's body back to him.
Carl lay there with Max for another hour or so. "Baby you know you are going to have to talk to me about what's going on." Carl whispered. "I know. I don't know how." Max whispered. "A kiss would be a good start." Carl whispered. Max lifted his head even though if felt like it weighed a ton and leaned forward to lightly kiss Carl on the lips. "Good start." Max smiled. "Now baby. Please talk to me. Tell me what is going on. I promise I wont get mad." Carl said. "Its hard to say what's going through my mind and it not come out as an insult to you and you don't deserve that." Max said. "I promise I wont be. I just need to know what's going on so we can get past this and on with our lives. When you hurt baby I hurt too." Carl said. "Is this about Brent ?" Carl asked. "No but in some ways yes." Max said. "Its about the money isn't it ?" Carl said. Max just turned his face from Carl and lay his head back down on Carl's chest.
"You have to realize. The playing field is about to change tremendously." Max said. "What do you mean playing field ?" Carl said. "Babe you are about to get a very large sum of money. And no its not that "we" are, "you" are. I can't compete with that." Max said. "What are you trying to compete with ? I never realized this was a competition." Carl said. "You see I said this was going to be hard to say in words without upsetting you. I should have kept my damn mouth shut." Max said. "Baby I promise you that the only thing I am upset about is that you are upset. If it means our lives going back to the way it was I will give every damn dime to charity." Carl said. "No that is your future. You earned every penny of it. " Max said. "I am trying to understand here." Carl said which caused Max to begin to cry again. Carl got up from the bed. "Be right back." he said. Going to the kitchen and starting the coffee pot he took his phone and called Mary. "Sis I am going to need your help. I am just making matters worse." Carl said. "Me and Daryl will be right there." she said and hung up the phone.
"Come on baby. This has to be fixed tonight. I have to understand and fix this. Mary is on her way. She is bringing us supper and maybe she can help me understand. " Carl said. This was the last thing that Max wanted to happen but he tried to get out of the bed. Carl saw that Max was in pain. "Baby what's wrong ? Are you hurting ?" Carl said. "I will be fine. I am just so stressed my whole body hurts." Max said Carl helped him up and helped him to put on a robe. Dressing in shorts and a t shirt Carl caught up with Max half way to the living room. "Baby are you going to be alright ?" Carl asked as he placed his hand on Max's back. "I hate to get them involved." Max said. "Babe they love both of us to death. All they want to do is help and right now we both need help." Carl said.
Mary and Daryl arrived a few minutes later. She tried to get Max to come in the kitchen and eat some dinner. Knowing that food was the last thing his body would tolerate Max begged that she just leave it alone. Mary sent Daryl into the kitchen to set with Carl. "I know Max can't eat right now but brother if I come back in here and you haven't made a happy plate I am going to kick your ass." Mary said laughing as she carried both her and Max a cup of coffee to the living room. Once seated Mary turned to Max. "Now. Do you mind talking to me ?" she asked. "Mary I am scared. Plain, pure and simple." Max said. "Scared of what ? What did my idiot brother do ?" Mary asked. "See that's it. He hasn't done anything wrong." Max said. Max began to tell Mary some of his history in short form. Everything in his life including his family turned into a money issue and he got pushed aside. He told her of circumstances where he had even paid for houses and cars and once done the friends or family member had no more use for him. "I know this sounds stupid but this has been my whole life. The thing is that Carl doesn't deserve to be placed in the same category as the rest but I am scared. I also can not explain this to him without him feeling that I am unfair to him because he has done nothing. But when he gets this money I am scared things will..... I really am not sure what I am scared of except that it will end up bad for me once again." Max said. "He didn't spend that much on that house." Mary said. Max just looked up at Mary with a strange look that let her know that she had no clue what happened in court.
Mary went to the kitchen and brought both Carl and Daryl into the living room. Knowing the conversation was about to get deep Max felt like if his body could move he would either run or at least throw up. "Alright little brother. Time for honesty. Exactly what happened in court. " Mary said. Carl looked at Max and got no response. "Well we won the case." Carl said. "Already knew that. And ?" Mary said. "Well at last total we will be getting almost three and a half million dollars." Carl said. "HOLY FUCK." Daryl said. Mary sat there with her mouth open. "No damn wonder Max is stressed out. Hell Mary and I would be going through the same thing." Daryl said. "Its just money." Carl said. "How much have you gotten so far ?" Mary asked. "None until next week." Carl said. "Well then its easy for you to say right now its just money." Mary said. "Hell when I was working at the mill and Mary graduated nursing school I freaked out. Her first check was more than mine." Daryl said. "I don't see what the big deal is." Carl said. "Look little brother. You have never been around rich people. Max grew up around them and has seen what money can do. He was so scared that you would not want him anymore or that you would hold the money over his head because he couldn't match your money in the relationship." Mary said. "Why in the hell does it matter ?" Carl asked. "Told you it would happen." Max said as he curled his body even tighter. "Yeah I understand now." Mary said. "Well I don't " Carl said.
"Max is trying so hard to be an equal in this relationship. This has thrown a big kink in it. When you started talking about this renovation Max said he was paying half. That was just a small argument. What would you have done if Max had stepped up and said don't worry I will pay, I have over three million in the bank ?" Daryl asked. "I would wonder what the hell he was here with me." Carl said. "Bingo. Now put that shoe on his foot." Daryl said. "But I am not like all those others." Carl said. "That is why Max was scared to tell you how he felt. He said it was not fair to you and he was afraid that it would upset you that he would even think about you in that way." Mary said. "I can see that. I could imagine how I would have felt if Max had told me he had that kind of money. I just want to protect him from what happened in the past and to make up for some of it." Carl said. "That's just it baby. You have done nothing wrong. Its not your place to make up for the past. I don't want to walk in the bathroom and see gold plated knobs because you can afford it. I like things just like they are." Max said. "But wont it be nice to not have to worry. If you want something you just buy it ?" Carl asked. "All I want is setting right there in that chair. Well that and Bo curled up by the fireplace. I told you Carl that all this was material. I don't care about material things. I care about you and your heart. That's all." Max said. "Well answer this then. Why did you ask Bob to tie up this money in a way that you could never touch it or any amount of it for that matter ?" Carl asked He could tell from the look that Max was not pleased that he had found that out. "Smart man." Daryl said. "Why would you say that ?" Carl said. "Think Carl, think. How did you end up with this money ?" Mary asked. "Brent took advantage of me and the ranch's money. OH shit. I am so sorry Max baby." Carl said. "Carl. You have done nothing wrong. " Max said and began to cry. "Yes I have. I didn't stop to look at the over all picture. I didn't consider what this was doing to you. I can't loose you Max. I won't loose you." Carl said. "Well honey I think we need to go now and let them talk. They have broken the pavement now." Daryl said as he got up and hugged Carl first and then leaned over and hugged Carl.
Carl noticed the wrench in Max's face as both Mary and Daryl hugged him. Once they were gone Carl walked over and got on his knees in front of Max. "Baby I love you with all my heart. Please never doubt that. I understand now why you said that how you were feeling was not fair to me." Carl said. "Baby you don't deserve it. I just didn't know how to say it without you thinking I was comparing you to others. You are nothing like any other person I have met. My feelings are not fair to you but as hard as I tried to bury them I just couldn't." Max said and lowered his head. "I understand now thinking about Brent why you asked Bob to do what you did. Don't be mad at him. I had to remind him that I was the client for him to tell me. I had to find out what was going on." Carl said. "Baby there should be no secrets between us. I am not upset. Really if it had not been for Bob, Mary and Daryl this could have gone bad really fast." Max said. "Brian too. I talked to him about this while he was at the lawyers office." Carl said. "The little shit. Already on Uncle Carl's side." Max said with a small laugh. Carl had a look of fear on his face from that statement. "No baby. I am not upset. I am really happy that Brian and the boys love you and trust you as much as they do." Max said. "You finish your coffee. I will be right back." Carl said as he headed to the bathroom to run a tub of hot water.
Returning to the living room Carl walked over and reached out his hand to Max. Max took his hand and moaned loudly as he stood. "I am so sorry baby that it got to this point." Max said. "Its not your fault." Max said as he leaned over and lightly kissed Carl on the lips. Walking into the bathroom Carl reached down and untied the belt on Max's robe. Lightly pulling the robe off. Carl was concerned that just the cloth was hurting Max. Holding Max's hand Carl held him stable as he slid down into the warm water. "Is that helping baby ?" Carl asked. "It feels good. Thank you." Max said with a slight smile. "Baby please believe me when I say that this money will not change things between you and me. I love you. I want you to enjoy some of the things that this can do but I promise I wont go over board and surprise you.......... Too badly anyway." Carl said. "Baby I just want you to use that money for the ranch and for your future. I don't need material things." Max said. "I understand now. I should have in the beginning because of what happened with Brent but I just didn't think." Carl whispered as he used his hands to rub Max's body while in the hot water. "What do you plan to do with the money ?" Max asked. "First I plan to pay off the small loans I have on the ranch. I thought about expanding the operation. I will have the money to do that and pay the extra payroll until it starts paying off. " Carl said. "Baby while I have you where you can't run I want to discuss something very serious to me." Carl said and could feel Max's body tense up. "You have been stressing out about a job. You already do some work for that company. You have your rental properties. I want to pay you to keep the books for the ranch. I hate doing it myself. So I want to pay you to do it. Besides the ranch pays all the bills around here including groceries. " Carl said. "Baby you don't have to pay me to do the books. I will do that gladly for free. I just don't want to be dependent on you. I don't want to be an anchor to you financially." Max said. "Baby you already anchor me but not financially. The ranch will be expanding. I also don't want you to worry about coming up with money if Brian and the boys need it. I plan to help them too. What good is money if you can't use it to help the ones you love." Carl whispered. "Well I wont let you pay me a pay check for taking care of this ranch." Max said. "Compromise then. I want to do some traveling. I want to take you with me. So if you wont let me pay you then you can't argue when we plan a vacation that you have to help pay for it." Carl said. "I promise I will try." Max said.
Carl leaned over and kissed Max while he relaxed in the water. "Feeling better ?" Carl asked. "Yes and thank you." Max whispered. "Baby you never have to thank me for taking care of you. I want to take care of you for the rest of our lives. I have asked you to marry me but tonight is not the time to discuss that. But I still want to." Carl whispered. Helping Max to stand Carl took a towel and slowly dried Max. "Baby I could touch this body all day every day." Carl whispered. "Its your to do with as you want and anytime you want." Max whispered. Finally getting Max dried Carl helped him out of the tub. Turning Max to face him Carl leaned over and kissed Max passionately on the lips. For the first time that day Max's lips automatically opened to allow Carl's tongue the entrance it had desired all day. Carl broke the kiss and pulled the small pill out of his pocket. "Baby I know you don't like pills but I got Mary to bring one of her sleeping pills. As exhausted as you are you are going to need some help sleeping. Please take this. " Carl said. "I don't know. I have never taken a sleeping pill before. " Max said. "They are mild. If you don't get a good nights sleep then you will be miserable tomorrow. I need my lover's bright eyes and smile back." Carl said as he helped Max into the bed. "I am sorry about today and tonight." Max said. "No reason to be sorry. Let me turn out the lights and I will be right back." Carl said. "Not dressed like that though." Max whispered. Carl stood at the end of the bed and removed his clothes. Turning and facing Max, holding his arms out and looking towards the floor. "Better ?" Carl asked. "Much better." Max said. Max watched Carl's gorgeous ass muscles work in unison as he headed from the bedroom down the hall. "Damn he his sexy." Max thought. Letting Bo out for his night run Carl stood in the doorway and watched the moon light reflect off the slow falling snow. Happy that at least he knew what was wrong with Max he was trying to figure in his mind how he could keep from letting this happen again.
Bo returned and Carl locked up the house and headed to the bedroom. Stopping in the door way he took a deep breath. As his eyes gazed the bed the light from the lamp showed the most beautiful naked man Carl felt like he had ever seen. Climbing into bed he realized that the pill had taken affect. Sliding in beside Max, Carl leaned over and kissed Max's cheek. "Sleep my beautiful prince." Carl whispered as he pulled the covers over both their naked bodies and then pulled Max's back into his chest and wrapped his arms around his lover. As both men fell deeper into their sleep they both seemed to move as if one person. Max moved his hips up and down as if it was missing something. Carl shifted his hips even though asleep until his cock became nestled in between Max's ass cheeks. Both men seemed to settle immediately and both let out a long sigh. Peace had come in the bedroom for the first time all day and both men relaxed into a deep sleep.