Unexpected 22
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This document contains homosexual themes and acts. If you are underage or don't like the subject, then don't read it.
The story is not autobiographical and is a product of the writer's fertile imagination.
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Author Comments.
I hope that all my American readers had a great Thanksgiving and didn't spend too much money on Friday or Cyber Monday etc.
For a number of reasons that I hope will emerge, I have decided to write this chapter in the third person. I realize this must break some writing rules but I am not expecting a nomination for the Giller prize or the Governor General's Award (Canada's top literary awards), the Man Booker Prize (Britain's top award) or a Pulitzer (top US award). I hope that it works the way that I want it to. I didn't bother to change the Previoulsy below to third person; it was written originally in the first person, James point of view.
Previously
We drove back slowly and ate at really good small town diner that the two guys had recommended heartily. They were right the food was not expensive and really good. We arrived back to our place tired but refreshed and I am certain that Jeremy and David felt the same. I could almost feel a reluctance from David to leave us. I would have to think about that.
We settled back into work. It felt good to be back with such a delightful time in the country. The guys were working hard at their project and I was busy formulating plans for the forensic side of the business. I had tentatively decided on making David head of the unit and hiring a full time person to work under him as we started to expand that side of the business. It was a bit of a gamble but I was convinced that I was on the right course.
I discussed my plans with other managers and they agreed from what they had seen in David's growth that it was a good decision. I wanted to fill out my plans with more detail and then I would approach David with it. I would wait until they had basically finished their work on Philipo's case. Philipo and I had agreed that Jeremy would work the entire week with me. His case was just too important. That breakthrough came quicker than I expected with ramifications and outcomes not at all as I would have anticipated.
On the Friday after July 1, David and Jeremy came into my office. "Boss, I think that we have cracked the case but I don't know how to proceed."
Present
It would have been interesting to video the reactions around the room to David's words. Jeremy didn't know what to say and his eyes flicked between David and James. David looked upset that he had no answers. James decided that this was a learning moment. "Guys there is no shame in not knowing what to do. The shame would be to give up finding an answer." He stopped and looked at each of the young men.
David sharpened his look; he was thinking quickly. "Synergy. If we sit down and discuss the situation and share alternatives, we are bright enough to come up with some answers and a course of action together. Several good minds are better than one."
James smiled. "Points to David."
Jeremy, "Master ... you have taught me a lot and now more. Good thinking."
This time his tone of voice was not a gibe; it was filled with admiration for his mentor. James smiled on both of them and gave himself yet another pat on the back for how he was dealing with these two. James' mind had already jumped a few steps forward. "This whole situation actually affects the entire Marchese family business."
"You are right Dad, this affects Pops, Mamma, Gio, Tony and Susanna."
James decided to take the matter in hand. "I think that we should talk to Philipo and have his input. I am sure that he will want to do it his own way. So supper at our place? OK?"
"Any time that I get a free meal and people to eat with is a bonus. I'm in." The enthusiastic David.
This was the new David who James was liking more and more. Now they just had to develop the social side outside of work. Maybe Brandon would act as a catalyst but not by stealing him away.
Philipo came in and looked into the living room after putting his jacket and briefcase down. Jamie got up and gave him a hug and quick peck on the lips. Philipo smiled. "Something tells me that this group is waiting for me. It is news and not that great. OK, spill it quickly and then eat."
They all looked at David. "I think that Jeremy and I have broken the case and we don't know how to proceed." Good old Philipo, he was beside Jeremy and ruffled his hair in a wonderful, loving manner. Jeremy smiled.
Jeremy spoke up. "David suggests that we use some synergistic thinking and come up with some plans."
"Wow, synergistic! I better find my dictionary quickly. That may be just too much for my fragile brain."
"It means ...."
"It's OK David. I love words, just having you on. I do know what it means."
Jeremy, "I'll be honest. I had to look it up."
David couldn't help himself. "Yeah but you are just a kid, wet behind the ears." Jeremy moved fast and grabbed David in a headlock. "Kid. Wet behind the ears!"
They tussled for a minute laughing. Jeremy was having a bit of a time holding David down. He was stronger than he looked. It turned out that David had done some wrestling in high school. James kept on learning more about this enigma all the time.
"OK children." They attacked Jamie. They all ended up laughing and joking.
"Nice interlude. You have something to tell me. Get it out!"
They were all pleased that the interlude had broken any tension. David as usual was concise and logical.
Philip looked at the group. He was obviously thinking. "If there is a problem with the one foreman and his crew, we have to think of a way to find out what is happening on his work sites. There has to be some phony billing going on. We need eyes on the site. It has to be done so that no one can suspect the person there."
All the guys were quiet for a moment. Jeremy finally spoke up. "I have been in James' accounting office for over a week. You could assign me to the site full time to make up for my lost time with you. I have gone from crew to crew anyway; it wouldn't be suspicious. I haven't found a foreman yet who hasn't welcomed an extra pair of hands."
David, "But what good would that do."
James spoke up. "Well we know that the costs are higher on this crew; therefore that billing is higher. Are they actually receiving all the material that they are submitting bills for?"
"I see why you are the accountant and the boss. Of course, watch how many deliveries of lumber or premixed concrete that are delivered every day and see if they tally with the receipts."
"I can only be on site for one delivery. I have to be on the concrete crew or the in the lumber area."
Philipo looked at the guys. "Nice work. David, you were right. Synergy works. Thanks. I am a little concerned about Jeremy."
"Dad, I am going to work my ass off on the crew and I am just going to count deliveries from the trucks." He stopped, looking at us. He was thoughtful. "I know I could put a small counter in my pocket. I could put some candies or something else with it to make it look more plausible when I go into my pocket. Besides there aren't going to be that many deliveries in a day. I can manage it."
He looked at his dads and they finally both nodded that they would give it a go next week. But first they had to raise the issue with Pops and the rest of the family.
"But thanks to you guys, I have a plan to present to them. This deserves a bottle of wine, some food and a celebration."
Both Philip and James were really pleased with how the group bonded over this issue. Both David and Jeremy were growing with each step they took. Later as they walked down the hall, Philipo turned to Jamie and quietly murmured. "Does synergy apply in the bedroom."
"If two people's input makes the sum greater than the two acting separately, then I would say absolutely, absolutely."
"So if we each add something to the effort ...."
"I have a feeling that we have been practising synergy for quite a while."
If the moans, other assorted noises and the looks on their faces as they finished was any gauge, then synergy worked for them in the bedroom as well. It also appeared to work the next morning as Jamie turned Philipo, still half asleep but hard as a rock, onto his stomach and quickly entered him. "Philipo, I just cannot get enough." Philipo murmured something in response. Jamie chuckled as he thought it was an order to get to it. They were a little rushed that morning after some very inventive additions by each of them. The joys of synergy. Philipo had arranged to meet his father at 9:30.
Philipo explained the situation to his father at one of the local Italian bistros. His father's first reaction was an explosion. "Those sons of bitches when we find out who did this I'll kill them. Sorry son, I have known all those guys for years and Pascali, the head of that crew, I almost see as family."
"Pops, calm down. We don't know anything yet except the figures that Jamie's firm has come up with."
"Sorry son. You are correct but what the hell do we do. My language, I, I, I guess I am upset."
"We have a plan. Jamie, David, Jeremy and I sat down after they told me and we came up with something." He outlined it.
"You two make quite a team and the two others are great as well. I am still a little embarrassed at how I acted when you told me about yourself and Jamie. Now your relationship seems so natural and great. Mamma and I are so happy for you. You seem so satisfied with your life. Jeremy is just the icing on the cake. What a great young man. You know, both your mother and I feel that he is our grandson."
"Thanks Pops that means a lot to me, to us. How about a get-together after church on Sunday. We can tell the rest and discuss the plan. By the way, I have never been happier. Let Jeremy know how you feel about him. I think he knows but it never hurts to say it again."
They parted with a big man hug. For anyone watching, there could be no doubt that Pops accepted Philipo for who he was.
Philipo had phoned all his brothers and sister and told them that he some important things to talk about after church on Sunday. Gio and Kevin had planned something with Bill that day so Philipo told them to bring him along and they could do something with him later. Gio had seemed very pleased to have Bill along as he explained to Philipo that they wanted him to see a good family working together and enjoying each other. So it was a large Marchese group that greeted Father Gregory at the end of the service.
Father Gregory had commented on how great it was to see the entire family out together in the summer. He smiled as he said it. It was obvious that he had a special greeting for James and Jeremy. He had whispered to James that he would be pleased to attend their wedding and he had set the date aside on his calendar. Amongst all the other things happening in their lives, James and Philip had settled on the place and had arranged for a minister to officiate at their wedding. They had not sent out the invitations but they had talked to a few of the people that they most wanted with them on that day. Father Gregory was very high on their list.
They invited David to come to church with them. He seemed to fit right in with the family. He was greeted warmly by Father Gregory at the end of the service. David looked a little overwhelmed by all the family gathered together but he soon found Gio and Kevin good company and he glowed when Marcus and Anna called him uncle David. Pops even gave him a special welcome to the table when he said the grace.
What a lunch. Everyone brought something delicious to add to Mamma's usual delicious fare. She was constantly saying that they shouldn't have brought food but they all took James' lead and just smiled at her. James could tell that she was touched.
After lunch they sat in the living room and Philipo explained why he had called them together and then turned it over to James who immediately asked David to outline his and Jeremy's findings.
He did his usual excellent job of presenting the facts making it clear that this was an analysis and had to be backed up by receipts and hard facts. Everyone was a little hesitant about Jeremy going in alone. It was at that point there were looks passed between Gio, Kevin and Bill. They said a few words to each other and they all looked so pleased with what they had agreed on. Gio spoke up reminding them that Bill was working for the summer with the Marchese business and he wanted to help. He had suggested that he could take the other area that was receiving deliveries. Everyone was thankful and impressed by his volunteering but they were concerned about two new people being put on the site at the same time. It was agreed that Jeremy would go first and then at some point in the week Philipo would phone the foreman and place Bill in the other area. They could work in tandem and there would be less risk.
Everyone was pleased with the arrangements and felt better about sending Jeremy in. Gio had already explained to Philipo that Bill was a young man who he and Kevin were trying to help. In fact, Philipo already knew that Bill was working for the company to help pay for his schooling and his living expenses. Kevin had done an excellent job of not letting Philipo know about his life on the streets. That was no ones business.
After it was all discussed, they sat back to enjoy the rest of the afternoon. Marcus and Anna asked Jeremy to play a board game with them. Jeremy quietly told them to include Uncle David.
"Uncle David we are going to play a board game. We'd like you to join us."
David quickly joined Jeremy and the kids on the floor and a boisterous game ensued. The first game went very quickly and Anna looked up and asked to Bill to join them. Bill smiled and ended up on the floor with the cousins and was as enthusiastic as anyone in the group. James looked at them with such pleasure. Jeremy was a member of the family. David was changing by leaps and bounds. He was right in the thick of it, yelling and bad mouthing Jeremy for his sneaky moves. Bill sided with Anna and Marcus trying to defeat Jeremy or David. The kids loved the three of them and it was clear that the three young men loved being on the floor with the younger cousins. James could see that he was building his own family. At one point, he looked at Philipo who was watching him and the players. There was a such a loving look that passed between them. Philipo moved his hand and held Jamie's for just a minute while they looked at each other.
A short time later Jamie was up to get a bit more wine. Mamma followed him into the kitchen. "I just have to tell you how much you have added to the family."
"Mamma, it is nothing."
"Young man, I watched your loving look at the kids on the floor and then I saw the look and the touch to Philipo. I count my blessings that you share the same love that I have for my Luigi with Philipo. You have added so much to the family. You are my son and I will be so proud to announce it to the world when you and Philipo are married."
"Mamma, you are my rock. I am the one who is so blessed and happy."
With a smile, "You always know how to answer me, don't you?" With that she gave him a huge hug and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Now some more of this wonderful Prosecco that you brought."
Gio, Kevin and Bill ended up staying for supper. Kevin had quietly said to Jamie that this was better than what they had planned for the day. They could see that Bill had bonded with everyone there. This was exactly what they had planned on doing with Bill. They wanted him to see that it was possible to have a life different than one he had been forced into. He was doing extremely well at night school but was having a little problem with Mathematics; it had been a long time since he had taken it. Jeremy had overheard them talking and volunteered to help. They exchanged email and Facebook accounts. Jeremy stressed that he really meant it. Bill looked surprised but pleased. Especially after James had pointed out that he had won the best aggregate mark prize for Mathematics in the graduating class. Bill had smiled and accused him of being a brain. Jeremy had deflected that by showing off his very solid bicep. Bill just smiled again.
Jeremy was excited but nervous as he got ready for work on Monday. Philipo had phoned the foreman and explained that Jeremy was a friend of the family who was working part time with James and James didn't need him this week so he was going to work full time with Philipo. He emphasized that he wanted Jeremy to be worked hard to give him real experience. He suggested the hardest job, the concrete crew. That was where he was going to be placed. As Jeremy said all the foremen were ready for another hand. The foreman promised to work him hard.
Jeremy had bought a very small counter which could not be seen in his pocket with his keys and money. He had decided to do one other thing that he had not told the others about. He had come up with an excuse to stay later than the crew foreman. He had suggested that David pick him up after work and go for something to eat to discuss the day. He brought some reading to look as if were busy. Jeremy was going to see if he could photocopy the receipts for the day and see how they tallied with his counter. It would be a bit more difficult but surely not that hard or dangerous.
Let me know your thoughts on this chapter preecherdave@gmail.com
If you liked this story, you might want to read the others that I have published on Nifty. In particular, my first story, Unexpected Change which has had the most positive comments and one of my other favourites, What a Difference a Year Makes. I have recently reread Introspection and it is worth a read.
Unexpected Change, Nifty, College, April 16, 2011
Friendship, Nifty, Adult Friends, May 20, 2011
Surprising Last Year at University, Nifty, College, June 9, 2011
Murder Changed My Life, Nifty, Beginnings, July 8, 2011
What is Love?, Nifty, Beginnings, August 31, 2011
Getting My Act Together, Nifty, Adult-Friends, November 10, 2011
Surprised, Nifty, Adult-Friends, January 14, 2012
Surprised Eric and Dave, Beginnings, February 10, 2012
Surprised Graham and Robert, Nifty, Adult-Friends, March 22, 2012
What a Difference a Year Makes, Nifty, Adult-Friends, September 13, 2012
Discoveries, Nifty, Beginnings, November 1, 2012
Introspection, Nifty, Relationships, August 1, 2013
Bad Boy Series, Nifty, Beginning, January 2, 2014
Unexpected, Nifty, Adult Friends, November 20, 2014