Tad and His Manny, Chapter 3
New Year's Eve was spent quietly at home. Preston had no desire to go out as he had done when his wife was alive. Their mutual friends hadn't invited him to any parties because they all assumed it was too early in the grieving process.
Camden had an invitation to party with some old college buds, but he felt like it was his responsibility to be with Preston and Tad. Besides, he didn't like the idea of being out on the streets when there was likely to be more than one impaired driver making his or her way home.
Tad watched some of the earlier celebrations on TV but was sound asleep long before midnight. Preston and Camden split a small bottle of Champaigne starting around 11:30 and toasted each other at 12:00. No kiss was exchanged; however, Camden wouldn't have minded one.
Sometime in the wee hours, he had an awesome dream which included Preston. He woke up briefly with a sticky mess in his sleep shorts. He hadn't had a nocturnal emission in quite a while. He would have to take himself in hand more often.
After the winter holidays, time seemed to compress. Preston's caseload increased, Tad's school work kept him occupied and happy, and Camden immersed himself in two counseling classes required for his advanced degree, one online and the other face to face. Camden realized that his current job wasn't a forever-position. He needed to prepare himself for a professional career while he had the time and support to do so.
Sometimes, he felt sad that he was essentially a well-paid babysitter. It would be nice for his current situation to continue for the rest of his life. He had the unconditional love of a child, and a kind of brotherly affection from a handsome adult male. Often, in his dreams, that love was expressed in an intimate way. He would awaken feeling guilty for the subconscious desire he had for his employer.
Winter merged into spring with crocus and tulip blossoms followed by fresh bright green foliage on the trees, and soon Tad's school would end for the term. That would mean Camden would have more responsibility for his care. Among the plans were swimming lessons and T-ball. Tad was excited about both.
Preston was pleased to have someone who could chauffeur his son to activities and be there to encourage him.
Camden hadn't played on the baseball team in high school, but he had been involved in informal games with his peers in the park. Thus, he was good enough to teach Tad about throwing and catching. That additional practice helped the boy do well in games with his team.
Swimming had been Camden's sport. Therefore, although the Rowe home had a small pool, he frequently took Tad to the city pool close to their house and played with him in the water. He felt that the larger venue and the presence of other kids would be beneficial for Tad both physically and socially.
The extra tutoring would help Tad advance rapidly. By the middle of summer, he'd be as comfortable in the water as a fish. Not only did the boy become stronger and more muscular from his experiences, but he gained in confidence as well.
One afternoon in June when they were at the pool, a good-looking young teenager came over to Camden and hugged him tightly.
"Brendon! Is this really you? Wow, you'll soon be as tall as I am."
"Yeah, it's me. I thought I saw you here last week, but when I saw this kid, I figured I was mistaken, and you were a father with his son. Um, he isn't yours, is he?"
"Nope, that's Tad and I'm his manny. Let me introduce you. I hope you don't get in trouble for talking to me."
"Nah, no one's here to catch me. Dad dropped me off and won't be back for a couple of hours. He drove me today because I have my sports physical after he picks me up. Usually, I ride my bike. I've been wanting to see you. You were always like another parent to me."
When he was introduced, Tad suddenly became shy. He was enthralled by this big boy in a skimpy Speedo who had a lot more muscles than he did and who even had a little fine hair growing in his armpits. He didn't know how Brendon might react to him, but he had an immediate feeling of hero worship. Brendon was the epitome of what he hoped to be in a few years.
To his surprise, and pleasure, Tad found that Brendon was friendly and didn't treat him like a little kid. They actually swam a few laps together before Camden said they should find shade while he put more lotion on Tad's back.
They hadn't sat for long when one of Tad's school friends challenged him to race across the pool. Brendon was relieved when the boys scurried off because it allowed him to chat with his brother, uninterrupted.
"Things have changed at home since Father O'Mally was arrested for abusing boys," Brendon said. "Mom and Dad have had a lot of arguments over it. It's gotten ugly at times. Mom says you and the other guys who came forward after all these years are just trying to get money. Dad says that he's sorry they didn't believe you back when you said you were molested. Did the priest really do that?"
"Yes, he did."
"Did it hurt a lot?"
"He didn't do, um that to me, but I heard he raped some of the other altar boys."
"Oh, at least you didn't have that happen. Dad says the priest probably turned you gay and he wishes he had gotten you help back then. Mom says you probably tempted the man."
"I wonder how they figured I'm one of the people who is suing O'Mally and the church. The plaintiffs are listed as a `John Doe' with a number after each name. Perhaps they're speculating since they must have a guilty conscience for not believing their own son.
"Father O'Mally didn't turn me gay. I already knew I liked other boys. But I always figured I must have done something that made him know I was gay. I've since learned not to blame myself."
"Um, how DID you know you were gay?"
"I just knew. Photos of naked women didn't do anything for me, but naked guys, that was a whole other thing. You're obviously old enough to spring a boner when someone excites you. So, I don't have to draw you a picture.
"Are you just curious, or is that another reason you want to know?"
"Um, did you ever, um, jack with another boy?"
"That's kind of personal, but yes, I did. I'm going to assume you've done that too. It's a part of growing up. It doesn't mean that you'll always like males better than females. So, if you're questioning your own sexuality, don't get stressed out."
"It's about time for Dad to pick me up. I'd better go shower and dress," Brendon said. "Maybe we can talk more another time."
"Yes, I'd like that!"
As Brendon was about to head for the locker room, Tad came running over and asked if Camden could take a picture of them together. The result was a cool photo of two grinning boys, the taller of whom had his arm around the shoulders of the other one.
For the rest of the summer, Camden saw his not-so-little brother at least once every week at the pool. It was a wonderful time for both of them to get reacquainted.
In August, before the city facilities would close for the season, Camden's father, Bryce came to the pool with Brendon. Camden was concerned about his reason for being there. He hoped there wouldn't be an ugly confrontation. If there were, he would have to cut Tad's time short and get him the hell out of there.
At least, for the moment, Brendon and Tad were swimming laps side by side.
"It's good to see you, Camden," Bryce began. "I want to tell you how sorry I am for the way we treated you. I'd like to blame it all on your mother and Father O'Mally, but I'm an adult and I should have had enough sense to follow my own instincts. I know you'll never be able to forgive me, but I still have to apologize. Brendon told me that you two have been talking. I'm glad of that. He needs to have you back in his life."
"Wow! That's not at all what I expected when I saw you coming in my direction. It will take a while for this to sink in. I'll bet Mom isn't going to let Brendon and me see each other."
"She won't have a say in it. We're separating, and Brendon will be living with me. I've just broken the news to him, and he insisted that we come to the pool to tell you."
While Camden didn't immediately run to his father with open arms and forgive him, he did feel like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He could hardly wait until Preston got home from work to share the news.
On the way home from the pool, he stopped at the supermarket and splurged on some bacon-wrapped sirloin filets to grill for dinner. He wanted to celebrate. Instead of picking up potato salad from the deli, he made it from scratch the minute he got into the house. By the time Preston came home, everything was ready but the steaks. He hadn't wanted to overcook them in case Preston was delayed.
"This looks spectacular!" Preston exclaimed. "What's the occasion?"
"I saw my father at the pool today. In fact, he came looking for me. He said he regrets how he treated me. I take that as a positive step. At the very least, he's good with Brenden and me seeing each other. If nothing else comes of it, that's still a big thing."
"Brendon's really awesome!" Tad spoke up. "Grayson's sister says he's a fox. I'm not sure what that means, but it has to be good."
"It's her way of saying she'd like him for a boyfriend," Preston said. "How old is Grayson's sister?"
"Thirteen, I think."
"Well, she's at the right age to know that."
"Do you think he likes girls?" Tad asked. "He usually hangs around with me and Grayson."
"It looks like my son has a bit of a crush on your brother," Preston grinned at Camden.
"Perhaps." Camden nodded.
"I didn't try to squish him," Tad responded, indignantly.
"No, a crush means that you are very fond of him," his father replied. "That's true, isn't it?"
"Yup, he's big and strong, but he's still nice to us little kids. You should see the picture of us together!"
Once the fall term began, things got busy as usual. Camden looked back on the year he'd spent as a part of this family. He was sad for the events which had necessitated his being there, but he was happy with his life. He hoped that perhaps, if Cathy had known him, she might have hired him to help nurture Tad. However, he knew in his heart that if she hadn't died, he'd likely never have been interviewed.
Given the fact that he had his board and room provided, every cent he earned, after taxes, was kind of like an allowance. He'd managed to pay for tuition and had paid off the school loan which had the highest interest rate. In another year, he would have his master's degree and be almost debt-free. But what would he do then? He would love to have a higher-paying, professional career. Yet, he would hate to leave this family. His love for both father and son had grown exponentially in the past 12 months. It would be difficult to leave.
On another note, he saw more of his own father and brother. Preston had invited them over for a picnic supper the night before the new school year began. Everyone had hit it off well. To Tad's delight, Brendon had sat on the family room floor beside him and played with Legos.
As the adults visited, Bryce expressed his dissatisfaction with the Catholic Church, especially after the sexual abuse charges against their own priest. Preston suggested that he come to Trinity to see what it was like.
"You know it's not a big leap from the faith you've been brought up in. I'm not pushing, but I think you might like it. Camden certainly has."
"Uh, Preston introduced me to the place, and I've become a member," Camden chimed in. I think you'd like Father Cavendish. He's young and full of life. His wife is delightful too. And, he has a pair of twins who are very well behaved as well as cute."
"Let me know if you'd like to go some Sunday, and we'll have brunch at the country club afterwards, my treat." Preston added.
"Hmm... You're tempting me, like the devil," Bryce joked.
Interestingly, the sermon topic for the Sunday, when Bryce and Brendon came to visit Trinity, was the parable of the prodigal son. Bryce was impressed by the priest and his message.
As the men were going to their cars to head for the country club, Bryce asked Camden if he could give him a hug. Camden nodded. The two stood in the parking lot embracing with tears in their eyes.
"I feel like the prodigal father," Bryce said. "It was I who deserted you, and you've let me back into your life."
"Thanks, Dad! This means more to me than you can imagine."
"Well, let's celebrate with the fatted calf like they did in the story," Preston grinned. "There will be a rare standing rib roast available. That's pretty close to the biblical cut of meat."
And so, the various holidays came around again. Tad was Spider Man for Halloween this year and Brendon went with him, dressed as a pirate. He felt like he was getting too old to trick or treat and stood back. However, many of the people in the neighborhood insisted that he should also partake of the treats. He was rewarded for his kindness to his little buddy.
This year for Thanksgiving, Preston, Camden, and Bryce all helped serve the free meal for the less fortunate. They took Brendon and Tad along. The boys were assigned to take the dessert cart around to the tables toward the end of the meal. Their fathers felt it would be a good experience for them to get a taste of doing charitable work.
Dora had a grand dinner prepared for them in the evening. Bryce was thrilled to have an invitation. He was impressed with their gracious hostess and noticed how she treated his son as if he were family. Camden, he decided, had landed in a good place.
Christmas and New Year's were celebrated in much the same way as the previous year. Camden felt even more at home than he had 12 months before.
He would be wrapping up the studies for his master's in the coming term with a practicum in the office of a psychiatrist who was eager to have students assisting him with his easier cases. Camden's schedule would be fitted around his duties with Tad, so that the boy wouldn't miss his ride to and from school. Preston had been fine with the arrangement when Camden had broached the subject because he wanted to see the younger man get the best education he could, even though it might mean losing him as Tad's manny.
Author's notes:
Author's notes: Thanks for reading this story. If you enjoyed it, please feel free to contact me a dlee169@hotmail.com and let me know. Your emails are the only reward I receive for writing. Please put the story title in the subject line in case your email goes into the spam folder.
Thanks to David S for editing. He finds the typos and missing words! He also makes valuable suggestions.
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