Ring in Mine #3: Nephi and Jerome: Chapter 55
The family, especially Jerome, is dealing with the loss of their leader. I don't blame anyone that isn't happy with the Bingham family.
Jared has some hard decisions to make in this chapter.
Christmas is an especially hard time dealing with the loss of a family member.
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---------- Chapter 55
Christmas Eve morning arrived. Dressed in borrowed clothes Bryce joined the biggies taking care of the chickens. Jerome and Adam fed the animals at the event area petting zoo and the livestock used in the live nativity. Light Up Christmas was closed Christmas Eve and Christmas. It would be open until New Year's for families to enjoy the lights.
"I am doing it at breakfast." Jerome decided. "Hugo is yours, Jerry is mine, the contract with Sariah is unbreakable, would you follow me if I left Samaria?"
Adam dropped to one knee and took Jerome's hand in his. "I would follow you wherever you lead. You have Grace's place in Spain. It doesn't snow there."
Jerome pulled Adam into a hug and a kiss. "I love you."
Jerome was the last to arrive for breakfast. Jerome stood behind Nephi's spot at the foot of the table.
"Samaria is at a crossroads. Yesterday my family marginalized my relationship with Nephi." Jerome looked at his mother. "Some have decided I have no strength of character. You are the residents of Samaria Farms. Who will lead the Foundation? Adam and I are attending Midnight Mass with Marie. Let me know if anyone will join us."
Jerome left. Adam stood. "Jerry and Hugo when Bryce finishes, we need to take him home. Simon and Jeremiah, I would like you to come." Mike's little brother asked if he could go also.
The troop heading across the compound surprised Jerome. All of the littles, dressed to go out, followed Bryce and Jerry. Jerome shook his head. "Marshall it looks like we are taking the big van. Do we have additional team members to go with us?
"At least he recognizes he isn't up to the job. Look at what happened the last time he was in charge." The family looked at Mary. "It's not like it's a hard job. I still believe having a gay man in a relationship with yet another man shines a poor light on the Foundation."
Family members took turns expressing their opinions.
"What you all say is fine and good, Samaria needs a governing committee." Mary countered.
"It's hard to cry on a committee's shoulder and the Foundation needs a face. My vote is with Jerome." Clarke stated his opinion.
Jared was the last to speak. "I think yesterday's funeral charade was cruel and uncaring. He didn't have to invite the family to the ceremony in the Sanctuary but he shared something special with all of us."
Jared made eye contact with each family member around the table. He stopped with his mother. "I don't know what you have against Jerome. If we are replacing anyone, my vote is to replace the school teacher. Jerome is the Foundation and Nephi made sure Jerome holds the purse strings not Benny."
Jared stood to leave. "The decision you make will determine the future of the Foundation. My vote is to advertise for a new teacher."
"I am your mother and you will not talk to me that way."
Jared scanned the room. "I don't see my mother here. The position is vacant. Is there anyone interested in the job." Jared caught Mary's wrist before her hand contacted his face. His grip tightened. "You have hit me for the last time."
The boys would miss Bryce, but his family was spending the night at his Grandparents.
The mob arrived at Kmart. The adults divided the kids between them for some last-minute Christmas shopping. Simon and Jeremiah hadn't been at the compound long enough to earn pocket money yet. Jerome gave each boy a budget to buy presents for each other and other family members. The biggies enjoyed shopping for presents. Everyone spent more money than Jerome had expected. From all the happy faces Jerome felt it was money well spent.
Lunch was at Uncle Marco's. With the kids busy herding meatballs around their plates Jerome went looking for his uncle. Marco was in his office off the kitchen.
"Merry Christmas Uncle Marco."
Marco had only been part of Jerome's life since that snowy night, but he had learned to love and respect his nephew. He stood and pulled Jerome into an Italian hug.
"How are you holding up?"
"I miss him all the time. After yesterday I cannot show any sign of weakness. If they did that to Nephi's memory what do they think of me?"
Jerome held the tears in. "Remember, they are Nephi's family, you have your own. We will always be here for you."
"Except for mom. She's not willing to wait for me to fail on my own. She is always eating away at me and everything I do."
"Even growing up Mary was like that, picking away at everything. She had moved out of the house before I brought Bertram home to meet mom and dad. You need to be strong."
"I don't have a choice. Everyone is expecting me to fail. Nephi and I built the Foundation, now the gay guy is an embarrassment. I have my hands full with Tellerson Financial, but I am Jerome of Samaria first."
"Hang in there. I can't believe Nephi hasn't put a plan in place. We will have to wait and see what happens. Bertram and I were wondering if there would be room for us on Christmas."
"Adam and I are going to Midnight Mass with Grandma Marie, you are welcome to spend the night and Christmas at Samaria. It will be great having someone I know in my corner."
Marco agreed and gave Jerome a final hug. Jerome tensed up.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure. I need to talk to the priest before tonight."
Jerome entered the dining room as the kids were finishing their fruit filled cannoli and spumoni. Jerome insisted on paying, he could afford it.
With the bus loaded Jerome informed Adam of their quick stop at the parish chapel. Adam didn't ask why. He has seen the look before, but not on Jerome's face.
Jerome found the priest on his knees. Jerome lit a candle and knelt. After a moment the priest looked to see who had joined him. He turned back to the Lord. "Thank you, Father." He wrapped up his prayer.
Jerome met the father's eyes. "From your prayer, I assume there is something I can do for you."
Jerome returned to the bus carrying two suitcases. The priest followed with a trunk, a teenage girl, a younger boy and a toddler in a little pink coat with pigtails. Jerome introduced the children to the others. Jerome was juggling room assignments in his head. He agreed with the priest, a room they could share would be best for now. He would leave it up to Kenton and Eve to buy presents for Christmas Morning. Garrick could take them shopping. Nephi had purchased and stuffed extra red felt stockings.
Jerome introduced the little family to Sariah and let her decide what would be the best room assignment.
Jerome was mulling over a new organization format for the Foundation similar to his relationship with Tellerson, letting others handle the day to day management but keeping the overriding vote. He would announce it over dinner. As the number of younger residents grew, Jerome considered assigning them to one of the straight couples. They could cluster the couple and their charges rooms in the same basic area.
Brock interrupted Jerome's train of thought. "I invited Bella for Christmas. I hope it is all right. She is between boyfriends and I didn't want her to be alone on Christmas."
Jerome wrapped his arms around Brock. "Thank you for watching out for your sister. You are both family and held a special space in Nephi's heart. Where will she spend the night?"
"She can use my room. I have a special Christmas gift for Oliver." Brock winked.
"I am sure he will enjoy it even if he is walking funny tomorrow." Jerome answered.
Brock turned a bright shade of red. "It's a little early for that."
Holly walked across the compound carrying a laundry basket.
"It would work better if we had three couples. Maybe I need to find someone for Holly." Jerome wondered.
One of the security guards took the basket from her and carried it to her rooms. His reward kiss was more than necessary for carrying the basket. He picked up the basket and carried it into her room. Holly looked around the compound before closing the door behind her. Jerome may have only imagined hearing the click of the lock.
Jerome spent the rest of the afternoon wrapping presents. Adam helped but didn't interrupt Jerome's introspection. With the last present wrapped and labeled Adam asked, "Do you want to talk about it."
"I'm not sure yet. Let's put these under the tree." Jerome answered.
During Nephi's last two weeks Luke made numerous deliveries to the old boy's dormitory. Jerome unlocked the door. A comfortable gathering area greeted the family. The rugs and comfortable furniture weren't new. A large living pine tree stood decorated in the corner. Family members contributed to the decorations. A pile of presents spilled out from under the tree. The dark blue wrapping paper were presents from Nephi. Jerome grew teary eyed looking at them.
The gong rang for dinner before Jerome could talk to Adam about his plans. He hoped Adam would approve of his idea.
Unlike breakfast, Jerome stood at the head of the table. "The charter gives me the right to reorganize the operations of the Foundation. I am taking a page from Grace's playbook." Jerome looked at his mother. "I am not giving up my spot as the CEO of the Foundation."
"I am appointing Chief Operations Officers. Sariah and Clarke, will you take the position? They will oversee the daily operations including room assignments and be the public face of Samaria. They are doing most of the job already. We will discuss my vision for the foundation."
Jerome looked at his mother. "Mary, before you get excited about the changes you want to make, my single vote overrides all other combined votes. My job is to hold the course outlined by Nephi's vision. We will not discuss this further until after Christmas."
Jerome reminded the family of the gathering in the boys' dormitory after dinner and invited those who wanted to join Marie for Midnight Mass to meet at the bus at ten o'clock. Jerome nodded to Adam who blessed the food. Adam felt good about the changes. Jerome was stepping out of Nephi's shadow and into the light of his own accomplishments.
In the new gathering room, the family played games, ate snacks, and drank cocoa and eggnog. Jerome sniffed his mug for the telltale sent of rum. Adam smiled. At nine everyone settled on the couches for the Christmas Story. Oliver and Mike sat on either side of Brock. Adam noticed each had a hand resting close to Brock's package. Jared and Drake sat on the floor near Jerome rather than taking the open seats next to Mary. Mary looked lonely. Jerome whispered into Jerry's ear. Before Jerome began the Biggies piled onto the couch with Mary. Jerry hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. "I love you grandma."
"If you have presents to go under the tree put them there tonight. The door will remain locked until after chores and breakfast tomorrow.
Jerome had a surprise waiting at the van. Brock, Oliver and Mike had joined Jared and Drake. Adam arrived with Jerry and Hugo. Clarke and Sariah left Rebecca and Sean watching over the compound. Marshall and another member of the security team rounded out the troupe.
They arrived early enough for Jerome to take a moment to pray. Jerome lit candles for him, Jerry and Adam. Marie found her three men and Adam kneeling with security and Drake watching from nearby. She missed Nephi, but he had explained Jerome's changing relationship before he passed. Marie took time on her knees, she felt blessed. Even knowing he was dying Nephi still had worried about Jerome's happiness. She promised to love Neil as much as she loved Jerry.
Marie beamed with pride as her family filled a full pew. Jerry didn't make it very far into the Mass before being overcome with sleep.
Jerome had set their alarm for 6:00. He and Adam wanted to exchange presents before chores. Then there was the mysterious present from Nephi. From the size and shape, it had to be one of John's paintings. Jerome knew there was another one wrapped under the tree.
Jerome opened a small package from Nephi. Inside was a ring to match the pair Nephi and Jerome had worn. Jerome wore Nephi's around his neck on a chain. Jerome placed the ring on Adam's finger.
The last present they opened was a painting. Nephi resting his head on Jerome's chest with his eyes closed. Nephi's pigments were faded; Jerome was bright and vibrant. An angel like hand rested on Nephi's shoulder. A metal plate bore the title, "Time to Come Home."
Jerome held his head in his hands and sobbed. By the 6:30 double ring, he had pulled himself together enough for chores.
Jerome smiled as Brock, Mike and Oliver all came out of Oliver's room. It looked like they were working things out.
Jerome wasn't on the chores roster. He assigned himself to shovel duty. Jared was glad to see his brother. It gave them time to talk.
"I miss Nephi and he wasn't even my partner. How can you be so strong?"
"I'm not strong. I have Jerry; there is something special in holding your son." Tears slid down Jerome's cheeks. "Nephi will never get to hold his boy. He gave up his son to save mine."
Jared held his brother to his chest as Jerome's tears soaked into his shoulder. "Jerome, Nephi wouldn't have made it to June. He ended his life early giving you two boys to raise. That's the way he lived his life."
Jerome broke from his brother and shoveled another scoop of manure into the trailer.
"If I were dying, I don't think I could give Drake to someone else. Nephi really loves you."
With the job done, Jerome joined his man in the shower. Adam was washing Jerome's back when two naked boys walked into the bathroom.
"Uncle Marco and Uncle Bertram are in our shower doing guy things. Your shower is big enough for two more." The men stepped out as Hugo and Jerry stepped in.
As the boys stepped out the shower Adam's curiosity drove him to ask. "What guy things were Uncle Bertram and Marco doing in the shower?"
"They were washing their guy things." Hugo looked down at his guy things.
"And they were kissing." Jerry added.
"Were they washing each other's guy things?" Adam had to ask.
"They would have locked the door if they were washing each other's." Hugo admonished his dad.
Standing at the head of the table Jerome remembered the first time he saw the huge table. Now there were few empty spaces. Jerome still felt uncomfortable with the Bingham family after the funeral. He had invited them for Christmas because Nephi would have wanted them here.
"Today is Christmas morning. Who can tell me, besides presents, why we celebrate Christmas?"
All the biggies hands went up. "Okay Donny, why do we celebrate Christmas?"
Jerome had primed the biggies on the answer to his questions.
With the dishes out of the way Jerome pulled his ring of keys out of his pocket and rang them like sleigh bells. Like the Pied Piper he led his family through the corridor around the courtyard not wanting to take the short cut through the falling snow.
The biggies took turns delivering packages to family members with a little reading help now and then. As per Nephi's instructions, they left the dark blue ones untouched. Jerome with help made sure there were presents for everyone even yesterday's arrivals.
With the wrapping paper in garbage bags, the time had come for Nephi's presents.
"Nephi has asked no one open their present until we watch his video."
The biggies delivered the presents. The last five gifts bore odd labels.
Adam read the labels aloud. "The boys from my quiet place." Simon and Jeremiah accepted their presents from a man they had never met.
"The family from the parish." More presents surprised the newest family members.
"How did he know?" Myles asked Garrick.
"How did he know about you and Clarke? There has always been more to Nephi than meets the eye." Garrick hugged his special guy.
The video began.
"I wish you weren't watching this video. I wanted one more Christmas. The doctor said I might make it to Kazoo Days before the growth in my brain killed me. I knew I wouldn't make it."
"Paula thank you for being my mom. I love you and Peter. Benny thank you for being there. Please be there for Jerome. I hope you like your presents. These were Jerome's idea. He found the negatives in the safe. You may open your packages now."
Nephi continued with one family member at a time, delivering a message and asking them to open their gifts.
Paula and Benny had stopped listening to the video. They turned the pages of the photo albums. Tears traced a path down their faces.
"Jared and Drake congratulations on passing the GED. Grace and I worked together on this one. Open your envelopes."
Nephi paused. "Jerome, we're going to Berkeley in January. I have a scholarship."
"If they can pull themselves together, I will continue. The keys are to a small apartment off campus and a car I can trust to get them across the desert."
Myles and Garrick planned their trip to Grace's Florida house. They would fly out the week New Years. Sean and Rebecca, and Sariah and Clarke were excited about their trips.
"Jerome, Grace pulled strings to get you admitted into a fast track program for professionals already in the field. It requires an internship. Mick and Dan have agreed to offer you an internship with their company."
"Adam and Jerome before you open the last presents, I have an extra gift. Family, Adam is courting Jerome with my blessing. I love Jerome enough to wish him happiness. If I approve, who are you to pass judgement.
"Please open each painting in order. I don't know how he does it, but the artist is gifted. Take time before opening the next. The last is for when Adam and Jerome take it past courting and realize their souls are one."
"Remember, I love you all."
The first painting was two boys. The older boy held the hand of the younger. Paula leaned over Jerome's shoulder. "That's an older Jerry, who is the younger boy?"
Hearing his name Jerry left his toys for a moment to look at the painting. "That's Neil. Open the next one."
It was the painting at the studio. Neil replaced the teddy bear. A proud Nephi looked down at his son. Jerome wasn't the only one in tears.
Adam knelt on one knee in front of Jerome and held his hand. "Jerome, when I lost Tony, I was sure it had been my only chance at love. Then I met you, but you belonged to someone else. When you are ready, we can open the third painting. I am wearing your ring, and I give you my heart."
Jerome answered by ripping the paper from the last painting. Hugo stood between Adam and Jerome. Jerry sat on Adam's lap. Neil sat on Jerome's.
Adam stood and hugged his man. I've dreamed of having a real family and now I have one.
It didn't matter it was Christmas, as the snow grew deeper the men of Samaria took to their snow plows. Lunch turned into sandwiches in paper bags and thermoses filled with hot soup. It would be easier tomorrow if they cleared the current foot of snow now.
Clarke claimed the teens to clear pathways to the animals. Donny convinced the women that spaghetti was the perfect meal for snowy nights. After dinner the biggies gathered the blankets from their beds and gathered in front of the fireplace. The younger teens and the Christmas Eve additions joined the biggies. The women provided snacks. They played games and told biggie style ghost stories.
Adam and Jerome sat next to each other watching their extended family playing together. They had sent the other adults to celebrate some Christmas Cheer of their own making. Kenton soon joined the group on the floor. "Things are getting a little loud in the apartment."
"You said you wanted a family. Is this big enough? Nephi would have loved this. Kids given a second chance." Jerome buried his head in Adam's shoulder.
"I'm sorry I keep bringing Nephi up."
"Don't be. Nephi will always be part of us. I owe him for all of this." Adam looked across his family and pulled Jerome closer. "Nephi invited me into his life and bed. He will always be welcome in mine." He lifted Jerome's chin and pressed his lips to his partner's."
"Celeste, they are kissing!" Juan whispered to his sister.
"Those are two of my dads. They kiss all the time." Jerry was quick to explain.
"How many dads do you have?" Celeste asked.
"I have three. Dad Nephi has gone to heaven. He died saving me from a bad guy."
Jerry took Juan's hand and led him to Adam. "Dad, this is Juan."
Adam picked up the six-year-old and placed him on his lap. "It's good to meet you, Juan. What did Santa bring you?"
Juan relaxed as he recited his many gifts. Juan's little sister soon joined her brother on Adam's knee. Hugo gave his dad a thumbs up.
"With three dads it's easier to share." Hugo reassured Celeste. "Trust them. They are the good guys."
Prayers took a while. Adam returned from the bedroom wearing shorts and a t-shirt and carrying a blanket. Jerome returned in similar attire. He turned off all but one dim lamp. Jerome and Adam each reclined their half of the love seat.
There was a lot of quiet talking and laughing. Which ended as the kids fell asleep.
Early the next morning Rebecca woke the sleeping men, taking their place on the love seat. There was snow to plow followed by chores. This was new for Adam, but for Jerome there was comfort in routine things.
Adam had never pushed snow, so he paired with Jerome. During the winter, every truck sported a plow. Jerome commandeered a pair of snowblowers. They had a pickup so they would handle smaller jobs like Bertram's and residential customers. Jerome pushed snow while Adam did the walks.
Adam pushed the blower up the ramp and into the truck bed. Climbing into the cab, Jerome's tears were obvious. Adam chose not to say anything.
Marie invited them in for cocoa and to get warm. Sister Thompson provided pastries. Paula had egg sandwiches and milk.
Jerome's last stop was Paula's church. Adam looked at Jerome with an unspoken question. "We are doing this for Paula."
"We've a truck down. Who can plow the canyon? Over." Jerome told Sean they would do it.
With only the pickup it was slow going. They first plowed to the ranger station.
"Have you made it to the cabin yet?" Jerome shook his head `no'. "Prepare yourself. Things have changed."
Jerome had a sick feeling in his stomach. The cabin had played an important part of his time with Nephi. They had first committed to each other at the cabin.
The first change was at the property line. A stone and iron gate marked the entrance to the `Retreat.' They plowed the road to the cabin to find it gone. In its place was a large log building and a dozen smaller log cabins. Jerome stared in silence.
Adam picked up the mike. "Sean, do we do the Retreat?"
He pushed the snowblower down the ramp and cleared the paths from the lodge to the cabins. With the job done and the snowblower back on the truck, Adam found Jerome slumped over the steering wheel. He scooted Jerome into the passenger seat.
The cabin predated Adam's time at the farm. Adam wasn't sure what was wrong with his man. In desperation he drove not to the compound, but to the ranger station.
"I've got a problem, something is wrong with Jerome. He hasn't said a thing since we plowed up to Benny's lodge in the canyon. The ranger explained about the missing cabin. Now that Adam knew the problem, he also had a solution.
"You'll need the snowmobiles." Jerome wrapped his arms around Adam. Trees sped past as they followed the ranger.
"I'll get things going while you carry Jerome in."
The lights came on when the ranger started the generator.
"Jerome, we're here. Come on Jerome open your eyes." Adam pleaded
Jerome shook his head `no'. "It's gone. How could Benny do this?"
"Open your eyes, please."
Jerome opened his eyes for Adam. "How, it was gone?"
"Grace bought it and moved it. You own the cabin and the land it's on. No one can take it away."
Jerome threw his arms around Adam's neck. The ranger popped his head in. "I turned on the propane and started the generator. Jerome knows how to close the cabin when you leave. The snowmobile is in the shed. I'll call the farm and tell them you are at the cabin for a couple of days."
Jerome took Adam on a tour of the cabin, telling stories from the past. They stepped out the backdoor to a deck free of snow. Fog filled the air. Under a thermal pad was a stone walled pool of hot water. "The cabin sits over a hot spring. It heats the cabin. The pool is always hot."
Jerome stripped off his cold weather gear. Adam soon joined him in the pool after turning the timer knob by the backdoor. Air bubbles turned the placid water into a frenzy.
Lying together in a warm bed, Adam explained something Julio had mentioned about Grace's investment in Benny's project. Adam hadn't realized the significance of the cabin. Jerome's happiness filled Adam with joy. It seemed he could do so little that Nephi hadn't already done.
Adam had fallen asleep when Jerome heard someone enter the cabin. The ranger put perishables in the fridge, a cooler that smelled of Uncle Marco's, and a duffle bag. Seeing Jerome in the loft, the ranger gave him a thumbs up.
Jerome was hungry but food could wait. He had a handsome man in his bed. Jerome snuggled up behind Adam's naked body with a silent thank you to Grandma Grace.
Jared stepped in to take care of his nephews. Jared wanted to spend time with the boys before he left for college. The night brought another sleepover in the main house and another six inches of snow.
Finding the way back to the ranger's station was more difficult in the dark at least it wasn't still snowing. Adam located the red ribbons tied on tree branches until they reached the ranger's cabin. They finished plowing the canyon before starting with Bertram's. They knew they would have to return later and shut everything down.