DISCLAIMER:
M/M, m/m, M/m
This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This story contains descriptions of explicit sexual acts of boys and men discovering their sexuality. It contains graphic scenes of sex between consenting underage boys, consenting adult males and boys with adult males (eventually). If this type of content offends you or you are under the age of 18, do not read it.
If it is illegal to read such material where you live or if you find the topic distasteful, then please stop reading now. You have been warned.
This story is the property of the author. It can be downloaded for personal reading pleasure or sending to a friend, but if you wish to re-post them at your own site, please contact the author for permission.
Copyright 2016 WSC, all rights reserved.
A copy of the story has been assigned to the Nifty Archives under the terms of its submission agreement. Comments on the story are appreciated and may be addressed to enderwiggin61@outlook.com
All flames will be politely ignored.
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Author's Note:
I started writing this story, never intending it to grow into what it has become. It seems to have taken on a life of its own. I hope you enjoy.
Also, if you are enjoying this story, my first story can be found here:
https://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/moments
"Geez, why does it sound like I'm opening a meeting for Gays Anonymous or something? Who was supposed to bring the coffee and doughnuts `cause I didn't see them?" I asked while receiving some chuckles from the staff. "Oh well, moving on. For those of you haven't put two and two together from what Lee talked about, I'm the crazy brother she alluded to. Thankfully for me and luckily for you, she's already told you a lot of what I intended to share, so it looks like my portion of this workshop has been shortened just a bit." After seeing several smiles and hopeful looks, I continued, "Now, don't get your hopes up for an early dismissal because I still have some very important things I'd like to say. And, we still have four more people to hear from, so I'll try to be quick. The best way I can think of to drive my point home is to give you a short autobiography, so bear with me.
"I knew a long time ago who I was, who I was attracted to. But, I also knew, in my family, anyway, that if I expressed those feelings openly, my parents would disown me because of their strict adherence to their religion, which, quite honestly, hates people like me. Knowing what their reaction would be to the truth, I suppressed that part of myself, buried it deep inside my mind and locked it away for many years. I was a good little boy." I caught the teeniest bit of a snort of laughter from behind me as Lee almost lost it. "I went to Sunday school and church with my parents every Sunday. I was well on my way to becoming just like my parents. About the age of fifteen or sixteen, I quit being that good boy and stopped attending church. I just couldn't agree with their teachings anymore, on many things, not just their views on homosexuals. I threw myself into my schoolwork in an attempt to keep my mind off other things.
"After graduating from high school, I left home for college and spent three and a half years working towards a teaching degree. While I was having my mind expanded at the U of I, I was also spending what little spare time I had writing my first book. That book was released around Thanksgiving of my senior year. It was well-received and soon became a best-seller. I'm still not exactly sure how that happened, but I wasn't going to argue with success, either. Due to the demands of a publicity and book-signing tour my publisher insisted I take, I knew there was no way I could complete that final semester of school and dropped out. I am one semester and four finals from having my degree and becoming one of you. While I really wanted to finish out the year, and receive my diploma and degree, I knew that was going to be impossible.
"With the income I earned from the first book, I bought some acreage with nothing on it but trees, then had a house built in the middle of all those trees. For many years, the only evidence that someone actually lived there was the driveway cut through the trees into the property. The house has four bedrooms, a study, theater, in-ground pool, all the goodies a single guy hoping to one day have a family would eventually need. Once it was completed and I'd moved into it, it was time to decide what came next. I was comfortable financially and had a beautiful house, but was more than a just bit lost as to what my future held.
"After the surprising success of that first book, I decided to write another, and then another one, and then another. I knew that when I did eventually have the family I so desperately wanted, I wouldn't want to be away from them on book tours and such any more than necessary. I wanted to make as much money as I could so I could stop writing and actually be a part of a family and not some absentee dad. Those three books took me almost twelve years to write. I used my writing as a form of self-therapy and poured my heart into them. If you read them, and read between the lines, you can see the pain I was in, the struggle I was dealing with. Even though I wasn't fully conscious of what I was doing, that didn't keep my subconscious from taking advantage of the situation.
"The biggest problem I had during those years is I was still denying who I am. I spent them trying to figure out what I wanted out life, beyond being rich and famous, of course." A loud peal of laughter ran through the group and when they quieted down again, I continued. "After the release of the fourth book, I decided to quit writing and, for the first time in many years, really focus on myself. I'd finally come to terms with and accepted the fact I was gay. I finally told my sister what I thought would be big news, just to gauge her reaction. To my surprise, her response was, `Yeah? Big deal, you want a cookie?'. While I was munching on said cookie, she added, `Took you long enough to figure it out, ya bonehead. So, what's next, you gonna write a damn book about it?'" Another round laughter floated through the crowd.
"I told her that I didn't really know `what's next', but I thought I should probably tell our parents. She recommended I keep my mouth shut and let that sleeping dog lie. Unfortunately, I don't know how to do that. In my mind, I figured that if, someday, I got lucky and found the right guy, they'd find out the truth then, but announcing to your parents that you're gay by introducing them to your boyfriend just didn't seem right to me. So, against my sister's better judgment, I told mom and dad who I am. Big mistake. Big. Huge. I have to go crawl in a hole now and hide. As usual, Lee was right and I was wrong. I just couldn't win for losing.
"I sank even lower into the depression I'd been fighting for years. There I was, thirty-four years old, living alone in a giant house in the middle of nowhere, a house meant to be shared with a family. My parents hated me and wished I'd never been born. I suddenly realized that any hopes I'd ever had for having a family had been tossed right out the window. I mean, let's face it, what sane woman would marry a gay guy just so he can live out his fantasy and have a family. Not even an insane woman would want to do that and I sure wasn't in a position to ask. It was at that point I was seriously considering suicide. I had nothing in my life to look forward to except more loneliness and pain. The only reason I didn't follow through with it was I couldn't hurt my sister that way. Well, that, and like Ken, I was just too big of a chicken.
"Once I got past those unbearable months and had decided suicide was not an option, I made a resolution, which was kind of fitting since the new year was rapidly approaching. Since I obviously wasn't going to have a family the normal way, I'd have to go about building a family some other way, hopefully through adoption. As I'm sure you know, most child welfare agencies don't like to consider a single straight person, man or woman, for adoption, and for single gay people like myself, well, we get told, quite literally, to `take a hike, pervert'. My attorney, however, came through for me and actually found one agency that, while not exactly thrilled at the prospect, was at least willing to talk to me. After meeting with them a couple of times and some serious work by a wonderful advocate at the agency, I met four young boys needing forever homes and my dream of having a family was suddenly becoming a possibility. That possibility has now become a reality and I've never been happier.
"I've also met a wonderful man who is funny, witty, kind, and loving. He and our boys have given me a reason to live, a reason to look forward to tomorrow and beyond. Add to that, the fact that both of my parents finally understand me, accept me for who I am, and now support me in everything I'm doing, I'm practically on cloud nine. I've been told a couple times recently that I'm way too chipper in the mornings and I need to `chill out', but I can't help it. I'm so happy with my life now. I absolutely love waking up to a new day and all the possibilities of what this new life has to offer. I love all of it except for one tiny thing, the alarm going off at six, every blessed morning, reminding me I have to wake five boys and get them ready to hop on a bus." Another polite round of chuckles reached my ears. "I no longer think about taking my life because I know I'll never be alone again and I'm very thankful for that.
"One of the biggest problems we, as gay people, have to deal with is religious zealotry. Let me say right up front that I'm an atheist and as such, my opinions are based on the fact there is no God. I'm sure that disturbs some you even more than the fact I'm gay, but that's not my problem, it's yours. Gay people must deal with the problem of religious persecution our entire lives. It gets a little easier when you can get away from your parents and they can no longer drag you to church, but the pressure is always there from other sources.
"Hatred and bigotry, in any form, is not something we are born with, it is something we learn from our parents, families, churches, and peers. A newborn can't hate anyone for anything. It's only after we start to grow up and we begin to absorb the attitudes of our parents, when they start telling us, forgive me for this example Sergeant Brock, that black people are inferior, or that poor people deserve to be poor, or that being gay is wrong, that we learn this hatred. That type of thinking is so damaging to a young mind, I can't believe any god would approve of it, especially one that is supposed to be so kind and loving. A majority of religions focus on the select few passages from the bible that supposedly denounce homosexuality as proof they are right in their beliefs. What they seem to miss from the rest of the book is simple fact that we are all human beings and we are all supposed to love each other.
"The problems I had with my parents were all based on their religious beliefs, mostly the false belief that had been pounded into their brains that I was somebody to be feared, somebody to be hated, a sinner, simply because of who I loved. I'm sorry, but anybody who loves their church more than their child doesn't deserve to be called a parent. I consider that to be one of the cruelest forms of child abuse which a parent can inflict on their child. Unfortunately, that type of abuse is not against the law, whereas spanking as a punishment can be. I just don't grasp the logic in that. If your religion requires you to hate someone, you need a new religion, or even better, no religion at all.
"Since I've accepted and embraced being gay, I've told relatively few people the truth of who I am, mostly because it's none of their business. Telling you, today, quadruples the number of people who know. I don't exhibit any of the traits normally associated with being gay, you know, the limp wrist, the lisp or the effeminate behavior, so unless I tell someone, they'd never know." I noticed Eileen blush at being reminded of her earlier comment. "Of the people who do know that truth, only two, besides my parents, have really given me any trouble because of it.
"Those two used to be the foster parents of our sons Joey and Alex. I first met them when they brought Joey and Alex to spend a weekend at my house, along with T.J. and our other son and their case worker. During the course of conversation at Steak `n Shake that night, I was outed by one of the boys and when this couple heard that news, they called me a pervert and stormed out of the restaurant. Just before their hasty exit, they told everybody in the restaurant that Joey and Alex would not be allowed back in their home since they didn't `have a problem with it', me being gay, that is.
"Thanks to the unwavering support of my case worker, new arrangements were quickly made and all four boys were allowed to move in with me that weekend. When I went to this nameless couple's home the next day to retrieve the rest of Joey and Alex's belongings, I discovered their room had been stripped bare. There was no hint they had lived in that house for four years. Thanks to some backup arranged by my case worker and the timely intervention of Sergeant Brock, we finally found the boys' belongings in the garage. Everything they owned had been unceremoniously dumped into garbage bags and these people had planned to have a bonfire somewhere out in the country that night.
"To add even further insult to the injury they had already caused, the only picture the boys had left of their parents, who they lost in an auto accident, was shredded beyond repair. I can't imagine the level of hate that can drive anybody to do that type of thing to such wonderful and loving boys as Joey and Alex. The couple's hearts must be as cold as ice, if, indeed they actually have one. I'm more inclined to believe they don't.
"Among the people I've known for some time, the most common reaction to the news I'm gay is surprise. That's it, surprise, because I've kept it hidden so well, and for so long. Well, that time has obviously ended. Though it's taken me years to get to this point, I'm proud of who I am, who I've turned out to be. Never, again, will I hide who I am. The price you pay doing that is way too high. Either take me as I am and accept me for who I am or take a hike. If me being gay is a problem for you, then I'm fine with not knowing you. I don't need and won't accept that negativity into my life any longer.
"I don't think any young person who is struggling with their identity should have to deal with the hate, derision, and abuse from ignorant people who know nothing about us. People who wrongfully believe gay people are the scum of the earth, who also believe we don't have the right to live our lives in peace. It's my opinion that people like that need to sit down and shut up.
"I want to raise our sons to be free thinkers, critical thinkers, who will know the difference between right and wrong simply by using their common sense. I will not brainwash them with any religious beliefs while they grow up. If they should choose to join a church when they're adults, then that will be their own informed decision and not mine, and I will not love them any less if they choose that. I may question their sanity, but it won't change how much I love them. Living your life based on 2,000-year-old myths, fables, and parables is not conducive to moving forward in the 21st century.
"What it all comes down to, people, is love, plain, simple, unconditional love. Whether it's from parents, siblings, friends, teachers, it doesn't matter. A person on the brink of suicide needs to know they are loved and needed by someone, by anyone. I will never understand how a parent can stop loving their child to the point of disowning them, simply for the alleged sin of being gay. If that's how they react to finding out their child is gay, that they're so disgusted with the idea that they no longer feel they can claim their own flesh and blood, then, by god, they don't deserve to be parents. If you ever find a child in that dire situation, call me and let me know. I'll give that child a home and a family that will love them with all their hearts, a family that will give them the desire, no, the need, to live another day."
Holy crap, did I really just say that out loud? These people are going to think I'm a raving lunatic.
"Well, I guess that's all I wanted to add to what Lee already told y'all, so I think I'll let Tom take his turn so we can keep this rollin' along. Thanks for your time today and for listening to what we have to say. With luck, we may save some lives." I noticed more than just a few of the staff were wiping their eyes when I finished.
As I turned to take my seat, one of the teachers, stood and asked, "Excuse me, please, Mr. Sanders..."
I turned back and interrupted her, "Please, my name is Max. Mr. Sanders is my dad."
"Okay, Max, my name is Peggy and I teach fifth grade here. I heard Mr. Furman say the three boys with you today are three of your five sons, but you just said four. Which is it?"
I gave a little chuckle and answered her, "Well, I started out with just four boys from the agency assisting me with their adoptions. Then, we ended up adding another one quite by accident when his mother was recently arrested on some serious charges. He is a friend of our youngest son, who's not here today. At this moment, we're just kind of being a foster home for him, but if it becomes possible to adopt him with the other four, I won't hesitate to do just that."
"Okay, thanks, I was just a bit confused." She retook her seat and wiped her eyes again.
"Don't feel bad Peggy, I spend most of my days the same way, thanks to having five boys in the house. Anybody else have a question?"
One of the men stood and asked, "Yeah, if you're gay and adoption agencies don't like you people to adopt, how can you be in the process of doing just that? Who the heck did you pay off?"
"Bob!" Steve exclaimed. "What the hell kind of question is that?"
I looked to Steve and said, "Don't worry, Steve, I got this." I turned back to the questioner and calmly answered, "Well — Bob, is it? — first of all, I didn't `pay off' anyone. Second, I don't believe it's any of your business. But, if you feel you must know, I'll tell you this much, there are special circumstances involved and I'm sure the three sons with us today will be more than happy to tell you all about it in just a little bit."
"Damn right we will," Joey muttered. I shot a look at Joey that told him he'd crossed the line. He clamped one hand over his mouth and then slapped his own cheek with the other before removing the hand over his mouth and whispering, "Sorry, dad, that just slipped out."
"Any other questions?"
"Yes, Mr. San..., uh, Max. My name's Carolyn. I teach high school English and I've used your books in my class a couple of times. When are you going to have another one?"
I chuckled and answered, "You must not have been listening very well, Carolyn, or you'd already know the answer that question. I've stopped writing so I can concentrate on my family. I don't know when, or if, I'll ever write another book. Maybe someday, we'll see. Anyone else?" With no takers, I turned, stepped back to my chair and said, "Your turn, Tom," as I sat back down.
"Thanks, Max. I hope y'all don't mind, but I'm gonna stay seated," Tom started. "I've never done well speaking to large groups and I'm afraid if I try to stand, I won't stay that way for long. In fact, I'm so bad at this type of thing that I failed my high school speech class for refusing to stand in front of the class and give the dang speeches." A few of us laughed along with Tom.
Carolyn interrupted and offered, "If you'd like to give it another shot, Mr. Wright, you're more than welcome to sit in on my class next year." Her comment elicited another round of laughter from everyone.
"Thanks, Carolyn, but I think I'll pass on that kind offer. I'm quite content with the way things are. Okay, let's get a couple of obvious things out the way real quick-like. First, my name's Tom Wright and I'm gay. Hey, did anybody ever find the coffee and doughnuts?" Yet another round of giggles filtered through the group. "I know, big surprise, right? Second, Max and I are getting married in May and we're both looking forward to that day with great anticipation. Third, we plan to raise our sons to be good men who will accept who they are and be happy with their lives. Just your regular old normal family. The only difference is our family will have two dads.
"Now that that's all out of the way, let me move on. While I didn't have all the problems Max and Lee described, I most certainly had some of them. When I was twenty-three and came out to my parents, the reaction was about what you'd expect from a couple of god-fearin', bible-thumpin' religious folk. First, there was disbelief that their son could possibly be gay. They actually said, `What have we done to deserve this?' I could only think, `Uh, yoo-hoo, what about me, folks? What did I do to deserve this?' The answer for all of us was nothing. Nothing the three had done caused me to be gay, it's just who I am.
"That was followed by a deep concern of how their lives would be effected, what their friends would think, what their church would think? Like their friends and church were more important to them than I was. They never once showed any concern for my feelings or well-being. Then, finally, came the complete rejection many gay youths are subjected to. Shortly after I gave them the news and had been sent packing, I accepted a job with the Sangamon County Sherriff's department and moved to Springfield. For the next two years, we only talked a couple of times each year, simply because they refused to accept reality. I didn't go back home for visits and they certainly didn't make the effort to come up to see me, even though we're less than a two-hour drive from each other.
"About half way through the third year, they finally extended an olive branch and asked me to come home for Christmas and New Year's. I figured if they were finally willing to have me back home, I was willing to go and give it shot. It was a tense week and we spent the whole time skirting the issue of my sexuality, but it was a new beginning of sorts and we all survived it. Over the next several months, we started talking on the phone on a pretty regular basis. By the time I went back home the next year for Christmas and New Year's again, we were back to being a normal family.
"Before I came back to Springfield, I asked what had happened that had changed their attitude so much. My dad told me that he'd spent a lot of time doing research about homosexuality and also on their church's teachings of it. He said that he and mom had discovered there was no actual religious basis for what the church taught and they had finally accepted that nothing had happened that made me gay, I just was. Just like they were straight and couldn't change that, even if they wanted to. They'd also left the church and were no longer hearing their negative message towards people like us. While the level of hate their church espoused was nowhere close to that of the Westboro Baptist Church, they really weren't that much better. We've now reached a point in our relationship where they've decided to move up here to be closer to their new family. I'm ecstatic with these new developments in our relationship and we all look forward to them being here.
"During all of that, even with all the hurt of losing my parents, I never reached the point of considering suicide. I think that was partly due to my job, knowing how much I could help others every day. I thought if I wasn't there to help people when they needed it, who would be there to pick up my slack? Don't misunderstand me, while I never reached the point of killing myself, I can certainly see how someone could. It's also quite possible if my parents hadn't reached out when they did, things may have gone an entirely different direction for me. I just don't know, and I hope I never find out.
"What I do know is this, in a very short period of time, I've gone from being a very lonely single gay guy to becoming an integral part of something way bigger than anything I could have ever hoped for. I've never, in my life, been happier than I am right now and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for all of us. Well, I guess that's all I have, so I'll sit down and shut up. Oh, wait, I am sittin' down, guess all I have to do is shut up. Thanks."
Steve stood and said, "Thanks for your stories and the information you've provide this morning. Why don't we take a short break before we wrap this up with what your boys have tell us? Let's be back here in ten minutes please." Everyone stood up and stretched for a minute before ambling out of the library to visit a bathroom or get a drink.
While people scattered, I tapped Joey on the shoulder to get his attention and when he turned to face me, I knelt in front of him so I could look into his eyes and he would know I was serious about what I was going to say. I held his hands in mine so he couldn't turn away from me and said, "Look, I know you have something to say today and I'm happy to support you in that. But you crossed the line with your little outburst and I'm not going to just let that slide."
"I know, dad, and I'm really sorry about it," he whined. "But that pompous ass pissed me off, big time."
"I know he did. I was pretty upset with him, also, but you saw how I handled it. I was as calm and as polite as I could be. That's how you have to learn to deal with people. You need to learn to show respect for someone, even when you disagree with them, otherwise, your message gets lost in the background noise. Do you understand that?"
"Yeah, dad, I got it." He leaned in closer so nobody else would hear him and whispered in my ear, "I guess I'm gonna have to get used to wearin' clothes again, aren't I?"
"We'll see." I pulled Alex and T.J. into the conversation and told all three of them, "Okay, I know you guys have said you have this figured out and are ready. But, it's not too late to change your minds."
"Oh, no you don't, we're doin' this," Alex insisted.
"Okay, Tom and I will be right behind you if you need us. Just remember, respect your audience and," I turned to face Joey again, "watch your mouths." After receiving nods from all three, I continued, "Okay, why don't you hit the bathroom real quick, get a drink and get back here. You're up next." They took off while I stood back up.
Tom stepped over from talking with Lee and Shawn and asked, "What was that all about?"
"I felt the need to remind Joey to control his tongue. We have to do something about that."
"Yeah, I know, but what?"
"I've got an idea, but I don't know how effective it will be."
"That's more than I got, fill me in."
"Let's talk about it when we get home. This isn't the time or place for it. You did well, by the way, even if you were sitting down."
"Thanks, babe, I hate giving speeches and I was nervous as hell. I just knew if I stood up, I'd probably pass out and fall over."
"Good thing that didn't happen," I chuckled.
"No shit, I'd never have lived that down."
Steve joined Tom and I and said, "Looks like your sons are all that's left. They ready?"
"So they say, Steve," I answered. "I just told them it's not too late to change their minds, but they insist on going through with whatever they're going to say."
"Wait, you don't know what they're doing?"
"Nope, they flat refused to tell us," Tom replied. "And, believe me, we asked."
"Oh, lord help us," Steve laughed.
"Tell us about it," Tom agreed.
"By the way, I think you both did great. I know it wasn't easy for you to tell your stories here today and out yourselves to a group of people like this. But, I think the overall reception was positive. I really think this workshop was a good idea."
"As hard as it was to do, I think so, too," I agreed. "It actually felt good to say some of that out loud and get it off my chest. I feel like the elephant has finally decided to quit sittin' on my chest."
At that moment, I felt a tap on my shoulder and heard a familiar voice ask, "You're not talking about me, are you?" I turned to find my parents standing there, wide smiles plastered across their faces.
"Mom, dad, what are you doing here?" I asked with a combination of surprise and terror in my voice.
"Well, we called ICASA to talk to Lee about something and they told us she wasn't in the office today. When I asked why, they told us she was out here and why. I thought that maybe I should come out and give a real first-person account of how someone can get so low they actually attempt killing themselves."
"Dad, you don't have to do this. Especially so soon after..."
"I know that, son. But, if by telling about my experience, I can help save a young boy or girl's life, then I need to do it. And while it's all still fresh in my mind, there's no better time to talk about it. Besides, it'll give me some good practice for when I talk to the shrink on Friday."
I turned to Steve and said, "Steve, I'd like you to meet my parents, Jim and Rose. Mom, Dad, this is Steve Furman, President of the school board and the man who's responsible for today's workshop."
"Nice to meet you Mr. Furman," dad replied as he shook Steve's hand.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sanders. You, too, Mrs. Sanders," he added while shaking mom's hand.
"What do you think, Steve, do we have time for a late addition?" I asked.
"I don't see why not." He turned to dad and said, "We've already heard about your close call. I'm glad you're still with us and willing to share your story today." Steve turned back to me and asked, "Why don't we have your dad go next and save the boys for after him?"
"That should be fine, Steve." The boys returned and immediately wrapped mom and dad in hugs.
"Mama, Papa, what are you doing here?" T.J. asked.
"Your papa thought he should be here to tell his story, boys," mom answered.
"You sure you're ready for that, Papa?" Joey asked with serious concern in his voice.
"I think so, Joey," he replied, ruffling Joey's hair. "It is Joey, isn't it?" he chuckled.
"Yeah, you got me," Joey answered as he hugged his granddad again.
"Let me grab a couple more chairs for your parents, Max, and we'll get going, again."
"We'll get `em, Mr. Furman," Alex volunteered. The boys headed to the other side of the library and returned shortly with chairs for Mom and Dad.
When we'd taken our seats, Steve turned to the school's staff and announced, "Okay, everybody, let's take our seats and quiet down so we can continue." He waited a few moments for folks to get comfortable and continued, "We were going to hear from Max's sons next, but we've had a bit of a surprise. Max's parents, Jim and Rose have joined us and his father would like to speak to you, so I think we'll have him go next." He turned to the boys and asked, "Is that all right with you guys?"
"Fine with us, Mr. Furman," Alex replied.
"Yeah, age before beauty," Joey added, receiving a huge laugh from everyone except dad, who faked a frown at Joey.
After quiet had been restored, Steve continued, "I guess we're ready for you then, Mr. Sanders. The stage, such as it is, is all yours."
"Thank you, Mr. Furman," dad responded as he stood up and stepped forward a few feet. "Hi, there. As Mr. Furman said, my name is Jim and I'm Max and Lee's father. I apologize for arriving so late, but my kids didn't bother to tell me what they were doing today, so I couldn't plan ahead." He turned to look at Lee and me and said, "Thanks, you two," to a resounding laugh from the assembled staff. "I'm sure you've all learned a lot today when my son and future son-in-law spoke earlier, but, since I'm sure neither of them have done what I`ve done, I thought maybe you would like to hear it straight from the horse's mouth. Just how does a person get to a point in their life where they decide death is the only solution to their problems? Let me answer that question for you.
"In my case, I created my own problems. Sure, I could blame my church for filling my head with bogus ideas about gay people and how they don't count, how they don't deserve to be treated as the human beings they are. Sure, I could also blame my son for choosing to be gay when he should have been straight. I mean, his mother and I are both straight, why isn't he? But then I also have to ask the question, who in their right mind would choose to be gay. No one, that's who. Besides, it's not a choice, it's who they are. I could blame all sorts of people for what I did, but, ultimately, it was my decision, and mine alone. Nobody else suggested I should kill myself, nope I came up with that brain fart all on my own. Let me tell you how.
"I've been a member of the same church for many years and I've heard what our pastors have said over the years about gay people. I had no reason to disbelieve what they said because that's what I'd grown up believing, so it just seemed natural to continue those beliefs. Then, six months ago, from out of the blue, our son comes to us and drops a nuclear bomb into our lives. He sat there, in our living room, and, bold as polished brass, said, `Mom, dad, I need to tell you something. I'm gay.'
"After those words left his mouth, my brain basically shut down. He kept talking, but all I was hearing after the word `gay' was `blah, blah, blah'. I'd suddenly lost all ability to process what I was hearing. I can't really explain it, I was still hearing everything he said, but it wasn't making any sense because I was still stuck on that one word, gay. Suddenly, everything I'd ever heard in church about gay people was yanked from the back of my brain and shoved front and center, overpowering everything else. I found myself in a very awkward and unforgiving position and couldn't figure out what to do.
"I loved my son with all my heart and always have, even though we didn't always see eye to eye on some things. I also loved my God and didn't want to disappoint Him by admitting or accepting my son was gay. What the hell kind of choice is that? Your son or your god? I'll tell you, it's horrible. I choose my son and risk damnation in hell, or I choose my God and risk losing my son. I'm ashamed to say this, but I made the wrong decision, I chose my God. I talked to my pastor many times, trying to resolve my conflict, and each time, I came away convinced I'd made the right decision. He told me many times that if I just prayed hard enough, my son would change his sinful ways and I could have him back. And I did just that, hoping each and every time that God would hear me and answer my prayers.
"Then, just a few weeks ago, my son called us with even more disturbing news. He told us that he was adopting four boys. Can you imagine the thoughts that flew through my short-circuited brain, trying to reconcile this announcement with what my church teaches about gay people? A week later, our son showed up on our doorstep, unannounced, five boys in tow. He had the audacity to enter our home and introduce those five boys as his sons. Then, as if that weren't enough to deal with already, he tells us he's getting married. Married, damn it! I couldn't believe my ears. My god had failed me. What hope did I have for the future if God can allow such an abomination occur? I spiraled downhill pretty quickly after that, lost, confused, hurt, angry and torn, between my love for our son and my love for our church. My mind was roiling in turmoil over all the conflicts I was dealing with.
"I loved my son, but he's gay, and according to the church, he's a sinner. But I know Max is a good person. What right does the church have to call my son a sinner? They don't know him, don't know who he is, don't know how noble his heart is. I couldn't make all those puzzles pieces fit together properly in my head and I just got tired of fighting it. So, last Friday afternoon, while my wife was out of town visiting with some new friends, I decided I just wasn't going to deal with it any longer. I swallowed a bunch of sleeping pills and laid down on the bed to die." There was a collective gasp from the staff.
"Yeah, I know, stupid, right? Fortunately, my wife got concerned that she hadn't heard from me and called on a neighbor, Helen, to check on me. By the time Helen found me, I was almost toast. She called nine-one-one and got me help. I was pretty much out of it until late the next night. During that twenty-four hour period, I kept slipping in and out of consciousness. Also, the weirdest thing kept happening to me, I was hearing this voice in my head. It kept telling me how wrong I was about everything. Wrong about gay people, wrong to hate my son, wrong to worry about my son adopting boys, wrong about my son marrying another man. Wrong, wrong, wrong. When I finally woke up for real late Saturday night, I told the doctor that I needed to see my son and his family and the doctor made the call. Max, despite his confusion at my request, agreed to come see me Sunday. Hell, he wasn't the only who was confused, I was, too.
"When Max and his family came that afternoon and I finally got them all in the room with me, it was my turn to drop a bomb into their lives. I apologized for all the pain and anguish I had inflicted on them, told them how wrong I'd been about everything. When Max asked what had brought about my sudden change of heart, I told him about the voice I'd been hearing and I attributed that voice to God, because at the time, that was only person I could think of who would be talking to me. Nobody else would talk to me because I was being such a hateful jerk. Even my wife didn't want to hear what I had to say, anymore. However, the more I've thought about it these past couple of days, I've come to realize it wasn't God speaking to me. No, God is way too busy to waste his time on old fools like me, the voice had to belong to someone much closer to me."
Dad slowly turned and looked at me, Tom and the boys, then quietly asked, "Joey, would you join me for a minute, please?" Dad waited patiently while a very perplexed Joey nervously walked over to join him. When he finally got there, Dad turned back to face the staff, moving Joey so he was standing in the front, and then placed his hands on Joey's shoulder. "The voice I was hearing, the one that kept telling me I was wrong about so much, belonged to none other than the brilliant young man standing before me right now." I nearly fell out my chair in shock.
"This inquisitive and rather astounding little cuss is the only one who had the gumption to stand up to a crotchety old fool like myself and make me face the fallacies of what I believed. The first time I met him, after I showed my disgust at the thought of my son marrying another man, he bluntly asked me why I believed it was wrong for two men to get married. When I answered him with `because the bible says so', he promptly confronted me with several other versions of marriage from the Bible and how, even though they're still in there, we don't consider them to be right these days. That's the first thing I remember that little voice telling me last Saturday. And it got me thinking, if the bible is wrong about marriage, what else could it be wrong about. And this young man's voice kept telling me about all the things that have changed in 2000 years.
"Now, don't get me wrong, I still believe in God, but it's a very different belief than I once held. I believe God created this brave young lad just so he could be there with me and for me when I was at my lowest of lows. When I needed his help and guidance. And without his help, I don't think I'd be standing here today." Dad turned Joey around, knelt down in front of him, and took Joey's hands in his own. "I will never be able to thank you enough for the gift you given me, Joey, but know this, I owe you my life. And I will always love you for giving my life back to me."
Joey threw his arms around Dad's neck in a strangling hug and whispered in his ear, "I love you, too, Papa." There wasn't a dry eye in the room. When Joey finally let go of my dad, he put his hands on dad's shoulders, looked him straight in the eye and said, "Don't you ever do anything that stupid again, okay, or I'm gonna have to kick your butt, got it?"
"Got it. You have my word, young man. Now, would you please help an old man get back to his feet?" Joey stepped back and helped pull his papa back up from his kneeling position. With that, dad gave Joey a little swat on the behind and added, "Now, go back and sit with your brothers and dads, okay?" Dad waited while Joey floated back to sit with the rest of us before continuing. "So, that's how a regular person can reach the point of committing suicide. They get so confused, distraught, depressed, they don't know how they'll ever again live a normal life. I got lucky, I had people who loved me, jerk that I was, and that love is what pulled me out of the depths of my despair and through to the other side, where I've received a new lease on life. Many people, most especially young ones, don't get that second chance.
"Since you are with these kids seven to eight hours a day, five days a week, you see more of them than many of their own parents do. You need to be aware of what's going on in your student's lives and how they're doing emotionally. And when you see a child struggling with something, you need to get involved and help him or her. They don't have to be gay to have problems that could lead them to take their own lives, but gay kids are sure to face more problems than others. Don't sit back and think that it's someone else's problem, take action immediately and help save a life.
"I have one more thing to say before I sit back down. Gay people have gotten a bad rap for years upon years from people like the man I used to be. But I have to tell you, right now, some of the best people I know are gay, starting with my son, Max, his fiancé, Tom, and our neighbor, Helen, who, despite how I've treated her, put aside her animosity for me and stepped in to help save my life. Well, I guess that's it for me. Thanks for listening to my story and I hope it helps make a difference in somebody's else's life." Dad turned and as he returned to his seat, the group stood as one and gave a him a quiet round of applause. I stood and gave him a hug as did Tom and our boys. After he sat down, he turned to Mom and asked, "Did I do okay?"
"You did just great, honey." The she pulled him into a hug and planted a big old smooch on his lips. I could see the old man's ears turning bright pink from embarrassment. "And if you don't listen to what our grandson told you just now, he's going to have get in line behind me to kick your butt. You got that, mister?"
"Got it," he grinned.
Steve stood and said, "And then there were three. Left, that is. It's my understanding that Alex, Joey and T.J. have worked up something they intend to present together. So, without further delay, boys, the floor is yours." Steve retook his seat and our sons took their place in front of the group.
"Hi, I'm Joey and I'm a faggot." Several staff members visibly flinched.
"Hi, my name's Alex and I'm queer." More flinches.
"Hidey-ho, I'm T.J. and I'm a pervert." Several jaws dropped open in surprise. I could do nothing but shake my head in disbelief, wondering what the hell was coming next. I just knew we should have pushed those three harder to tell us what they had planned.
"In case you ain't figured it out yet, we're all gay," they chorused.
"No way!" exclaimed Eileen.
"You're too young to know that!" yelled Bob.
"First, Mrs. McMurdo, yes way," Joey replied.
"Second, Mr. Clark, we know," Alex continued.
"Third, all of you, it's who we are and we're done hiding it," T.J. ended. The three of them continued, trading places randomly so you never knew who was going to speak next.
"We saw you all jump in surprise when we said those words."
"You didn't much like `em, did you?"
"Well, guess what, we don't like `em either."
"But, unlike you, we're gonna hear those words directed at us for the rest of our lives."
"Calling people like us and our dads fags, perverts, queers, pansies, fairies..."
"...is just as bad as calling black people, like our friend Dylan, the n-word."
"They're all slurs meant to demean the person they're aimed at."
"And that crap has to stop."
"Alex..." I hissed.
"One thing we knew would happen today..."
"...was at least one of you would say..."
"...we couldn't know we're gay at our age."
I was amazed at how seamlessly T.J.'s words flowed and connected with Joey and Alex's as they continued to mix things up. It was almost as if one mind was speaking through all three boys, cuing each of them when to stop and when to start.
"Thanks for making us right, Mr. Clark."
"But, you couldn't be more wrong."
"Why do adults think kids can't or don't know who they are?"
"When did you know you were straight?"
"Sure, we don't all figure it out at seven or eight ..."
"... some of us don't put it all together until we're in our thirties," Alex said, turning his head to look at me, causing me to turn a bit pink.
"For most kids, though, it's usually happens in the early to mid-teens ..."
"... when their bodies start changing and the hormones kick in high gear ..."
"... and they suddenly realize they don't care about the opposite sex."
"We may be younger than most ..."
"... but that doesn't mean we don't ..."
"... know who we're attracted to."
"Knowing us can't make you gay."
"Touching us or hugging us can't make you gay."
"Being kind to us can't make you gay."
"Accepting us for who we are can't make you gay."
"Treating us with the respect we deserve can't make you gay."
"You don't need to hide your kids from us."
"We can't make them gay, either, by the way."
"It's really pretty simple, folks ..."
"... you're either straight or you're not ..."
"... and nothing you do can change who you are."
"Oh, sure, you can fake it ..."
"... lie about it to yourself and others ..."
"... but it really doesn't change anything."
"We don't want anything you don't already have."
"We don't want special treatment."
"But we do deserve to be treated ..."
"... the way you want to be treated ..."
"... with love and kindness and respect."
"One thing we won't do is stand by ..."
"... and watch while one of us is being ..."
"... bullied just for being who we are."
"Would you think it's okay if a gay kid bullied a straight kid?"
"Simply because he or she is straight?"
"Of course, you wouldn't. So why should it be okay in reverse?"
"Easy answer, it isn't, never was and never will be."
"Just because we're a little different from you ..."
"... doesn't mean we don't want to be loved and ..."
"... needed by the people in our lives, our families."
"We're lucky, though, we have two dads who've found us ..."
"... and they've given us a home where we don't have to ..."
"... worry `bout that `cause, in our home, we're not different."
"And we know that our ..."
"... dads and brothers will ..."
"... always love us, no matter what."
"We know we can't be the only gay students in this school."
"But the others are hiding it because they're afraid or ashamed of who they are."
"They're worried others will treat them differently or hate them for being gay."
"Let's face it, this is a small town and a small school."
"It's not gonna be easy for a kid to be openly gay out here."
"We three took a risk today by telling you all who we are."
"But we're willing to do that to prove there's nothing wrong with it."
"We want to work with you and Mr. Furman to create a support group for the gay kids in this school."
"We want all those other students to come out of hiding and be proud of who they are."
"We want them to know they are loved and someone really cares for them."
"Even if it's just us three munchkins."
"Only by doing that will they see their true selves and know they're okay," T.J. said.
"Only by doing that can they embrace their futures and the joys that await them," Joey continued.
"Only by doing that can they be at peace with themselves and live the life they were destined for," Alex concluded the train of thought.
"I think that's about all we wanted to say," Alex started. "But I want to give you just one more thing to think about. If you have a problem with us being gay, then the problem is yours and yours alone. We don't have a problem with being gay, our family doesn't have a problem with us being gay. And you know why? Because it isn't a problem! It's just who we are. And since we certainly don't have a problem with most all of you being straight, how could you possibly have a problem with us being gay? Being gay is such a teeny-tiny part of who we are as a whole, that it's really inconsequential in this grand thing called life. And all of us intend to live that life to fullest."
"And to be bluntly honest about it," Joey started, "we don't much care what anyone thinks of us. We're not gonna live our lives to make you happy, we're gonna to live it so we're happy, so our dads are happy, and so all our family is happy. Beyond them, we're really not too worried about what other people think."
"Yeah! What my brothers said," T.J. said. And with that, our sons turned around, wrapped arms around each other's shoulders and headed for their chairs while everybody gave them a long and loud standing ovation.
Tom and I caught them before they could sit down and Tom exclaimed, "You boys were perfect! I can't believe you came up with all that on your own."
"You scared me at the start, but I'm so proud of you right now I could burst," I added as I knelt and grabbed them all into a hug.
Once we'd all taken our seats and things had quieted down, Steve stood and said, "Boys, thank you for that. I think what you did today was very brave. To stand here, in front of all these people, and expose yourselves the way you did, well, that took a heck of lot of nerve."
While shaking his head in disagreement, Joey countered with, "Huh-uh, Mr. Furman, we all kept our pants on and didn't expose nothin'." The laughter almost blew the windows out of the room.
"And we're very thankful for that, young man," Steve replied. He then turned back to the employees and said, "Well, folks, I think that wraps up today's workshop unless you have any questions." With no questions forthcoming, Steve added, "There is one more resource available for people at risk of committing suicide I want to make sure you know about. That is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This organization can be reached by phone at (800) 273-8255 or on their website, https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. I'm going to get some informational pamphlets printed that will contain more detailed information about each of the services discussed today. I am doing this at my own expense and we will have them available in the office and in every classroom. I encourage you all to make sure our students know they are available."
Ken stood and said, "Mr. Furman, I'd like to volunteer to work with the boys to help set up the support group they talked about. They're right, they can't be the only students here who would benefit from it and I think we should get started on it next week."
"I gladly accept your offer, Ken, but I will still be involved with getting things going. Anything else?" After a moment's hesitation with no takers, he continued. "All right, then. Oh, there is one more thing I'd like to add. I didn't say anything before we started because I didn't want to inhibit our guests today, but this whole meeting has been recorded on video and audio and will made available to any other school district who requests it. Providing, of course, we can get permission from our guests to do that." He turned and looked at all of us, and after a quick poll of the family and Shawn, and receiving a hearty thumbs-up from all, I looked back to Steve and gave a simple nod.
"Excellent, Max, I was hoping you'd all agree. I would like to extend our thanks to our guests for helping us make today a resounding success. Won't you all please show your appreciation to them one more time as we head for home." As we stood to take our leave, the entire group of staff again showed their thanks by giving us a raucous round of applause that I thought might never end. We all received more than our fair share of handshakes, hugs, and pats on the back, and in the boys' case, pats on the heads and shoulders with a few scattered hugs as we weaved our way through the crowd to find the exit.
When we finally stepped outside the building into the chilly March afternoon, I breathed huge sigh of relief that the ordeal was over and we could move on without this hanging over our heads any longer. "Man, am I ever glad that's finally over," I commented.
"I am, too. I've been stressing about this thing ever since you roped me into it," Tom replied.
"Not me, that was fun!" Alex crowed. "And I said `crap' at school and got away with it," he added with a giggle.
"I think we did a good job in there," Lee commented. "We got our message across and I think we managed to do it without alienating anybody."
"Except for poor Horace," Shawn laughed. "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't laugh at someone losing their job, but I loved seeing that prick get what he deserved. Oops, sorry, boys."
"No big deal, Shawn, he is one," Joey replied. "None of the kids liked him."
"Yeah, he was always mean to us," T.J. lamented.
"Guess you don't have to worry about that anymore, do ya?" Tom asked.
"Nope," Joey chimed. "I love it when the trash takes itself out," he added with a laugh.
I turned to mom and dad and said, "You two never cease to amaze me. You surprised the heck out of me by joining us today, but I`m glad you were here. I think those people needed to hear your story, dad."
"I was happy to do it, son. I wish we'd been here from the beginning so we could have heard everything, but I'll just have to wait for the movie," he chuckled.
"Yeah, I didn't know Steve was doing that. It was a good idea, though, as I wouldn't want to visit schools all over and repeat that experience. Once was more than enough."
"I wish I could say that, son, but I get to do it all over again on Friday afternoon. Damn head-shrinker, anyway. But, I did the crime, guess I gotta' do the time."
"You headed for home now or do you want to come to the house?"
"Thanks for the invite, Max," mom began, "but Helen is coming over for supper and we need to get home to finish getting everything ready."
"Then I guess we'll see you later," I replied, giving them both a hug. "Please tell her we said hi." After getting hugs from the boys and Lee, they got in their car and headed for home.
Just as we were about to get in the car, I heard a shout from behind us, "Hey, you guys in a hurry!?" I turned to find Dylan headed our direction. When he finally caught up to us, everybody shook hands as I introduced him to Shawn and Lee since we didn't have time for proper introductions before the workshop started. A handshake, of course, wasn't good enough for the boys who insisted on hugs. Dylan was only too happy to share hugs with them and he picked up each one and swung them around, eliciting wild giggles from all three. "I just wanted to thank all of you being involved here today. I know it wasn't my idea or anything, but the more people we can get involved in things like this, the greater the chance we're gonna have to help someone."
"We were happy to be here, Sergeant," Lee replied.
"Oh, please, my name's Dylan. If you ever need help with anything, call me. Well, look I just wanted to say thanks. I'll see y'all later."
"Wait a second, Dylan" I started, "I wanted to talk to you about something, anyway. You got just a minute?"
"Sure, Max, I always got time for my friends."
I turned to the others and asked, "Why don't you guys wait in the car. I'll only be a minute." As they climbed in to get away from the brisk wind and chill, I returned my attention to Dylan. "Look, I know you're a busy guy, but the boys have been driving us crazy about when you might come back out. I wanted to see if you'd like to come out for supper next Saturday. I'll grill some steaks and throw in some baked potatoes and salad. What do ya say?"
"Max, that sounds delicious. I've been hoping for an invite, but I know you folks are busy, too, and I didn't want to impose. What can I bring?"
"Wine, if you want, to go with the steak, or just beer, if you prefer. I usually don't stock much in that department as I'm not a real big fan of drinking."
"Ya know, with my job, I'm not either. I'll be fine with whatever you got."
"Sounds like a plan then, Dylan. Six o'clock sound good to you?"
"Sounds perfect. I'm off duty at four that day. That'll give me time to get home and get cleaned up and put on some clean clothes." He leaned in closer and whispered, "Um, will this be a clothing optional dinner?"
"With our boys, what do you think?"
"Ha, right. I figured as much. Lookin' forward to it, Max. We'll see you guys next Saturday, then. Thanks, again, for being here today. You all were great."
"Be careful out there," I said as he walked away, waving a hand over his shoulder. When I got in the car to make the trip home, I said to Tom, "We need to call Malcom tonight. Dylan's coming out for supper next Saturday at six." Alex, Joey, an T.J. let out a `whoop' of joy on hearing the news.
"Who's Malcom?" Lee asked.
"An old friend of Dylan's and they lost track of each other after Malcom and his family moved away," Tom answered. "I found him and we're making plans to get them back together."
"I thought you were going to do private investigations, not matchmaking," Lee retorted.
"Ya just never know, do ya Lee" Tom laughed.
After I pulled in the garage, it suddenly hit me that I'd forgotten to call home when leaving the school to let Carl and the boys know we were on the way. "Uh, Tom, I forgot to call when we left the school. You might want to run inside real quick and let `em know we're here."
"Why?" I gave him a quick look that said, `are you kiddin' me?' "Oh, yeah, that. Hang on guys, be right back." Tom returned thirty seconds later and yelled from the door to the house, "Okay, all clear."
As the rest of us got out of the car and headed inside, Shawn asked, "What's that all about, Max?"
"We have a very relaxed dress code around here and I didn't want you to be surprised or offended."
"Pf-f-f-t, no sweat, man. Our family goes to the Forty Acre Club south of St. Louis almost every weekend in the summers. The kids love it."
"You've never said anything about that, Shawn. I've always wondered where you go on the weekends because I know you're rarely at home," Lee responded.
"Well, that's not the kind of info you normally share with people outside your family, is it, Lee?"
"No, I guess it isn't," she laughed. "You'll have to let me know when you're going some weekend this summer. Carl and I might like to join you."
"And you're always welcome to come out here any time, Shawn. I'm sure the boys would love to make some new friends."
"I'll think about it and let you both know when it's warmer."
"Fair enough," I replied. Carl came into the living room from our bedroom and the boys were slowly filtering back in, also.
"You finally ready to go, Carl?" Lee asked.
"Sure thing, sweets."
"How were Mike and Andy?" I asked. "I hope you they didn't give you any problems."
"Perfect angels, Max." I rolled my eyes in disbelief and Carl added, "No, man, I swear. They were sweethearts."
"Did you guys eat lunch?"
"Yep, fixed `em dogs and D'ito's. They acted like they was eatin' at the Ritz."
"Well, you just happened to hit on one of their favorite meals."
"Pure luck, but I ain't gonna argue with it. Hey, how was the workshop? You all do any good?"
"We think so," Tom answered. "There was a lot good information shared and the boys were fantastic. We had a big surprise when Jim and Rose showed up, though."
"What!?" Carl turned to Lee and asked, "Your old man showed up? Unbelievable."
"He surprised the hell out of us, too, hon," Lee responded. "But he was perfect. Even got a round of applause when he was done."
"Lee and Shawn can tell you all about it on your way home. The school also videoed the whole thing, so I'm going to ask for a copy and when I have it, you can see it."
"I want to, just to watch your dad, if nothin' else. I'm glad it went well," Carl commented. "Okay, you two let's hit the road."
The boys passed out hugs to all three while Tom and I shook hands with Carl and Shawn and gave a hug to Lee.
"Carl, thanks for stayin' with the boys, and Shawn, our door is always open. We'll see you all later," I called out as they strolled down the sidewalk to get in their car. When they moved on around the circle drive, I closed the door. As I turned around, I found five boys rapidly removing what few clothes they had on and Tom was on his way to our bedroom to do the same. Monsters, I tell ya, I've created nothing but a bunch nude lovin' monsters. Not that I was much better as I was pulling off my shirt and carefully dropping my trousers as I moved off to join Tom in the bedroom.
When I entered the bedroom, Tom was sitting on the bed and after I'd finished undressing and visiting the bathroom, he was still there, somber look on his face.
"What?" I asked.
"I really didn't want to do this thing today, but now I'm glad I was there. Like you said, it feels like a weight's been lifted just by saying that shit out loud. And, I know you told me some of what you went through, but you said a lot more about it today. I guess I didn't realize how close you really were, but I get it now."
"Water under the bridge, lover. I'm way past all that now. The airline lost all that baggage for me and I hope they never find it. You have nothing to worry about."
"I'm also gonna quit bitchin' about you bein' so damn cheery in the morning. I guess you have good reason to be as happy as you are after all that other crap."
I gave him a quick laugh, "Not to worry, I'm sure that'll wear off someday. Not soon, mind you, but someday."
"I hope you never lose it."
"Look, I don't know about you, but I'm famished, and I bet Joey, Alex, and T.J. are, too. What say we go rustle up some grub?"
"Good idea, babe, we didn't get lunch today, did we? Lead the way."
We headed to the kitchen to figure out what we were going to fix for supper and found the fantastic five lined up on their stools, waiting patiently for food. After a quick perusal of the available foodstuffs, we decided on hamburgers and fries. I got busy with the grill while Tom started work on the fries and the boys got busy setting the table. In very short order, we were ready to sit and eat.
"So, Mike and Andy, did you two have fun with Uncle Carl today?" I asked.
"You bet dad. We got to swim this morning and then watched a movie," Mike answered.
"Uncle Carl even played Uno with us. And I WON!" Andy crowed.
"Well, way to go, Andy, that's great," I enthused.
"Well, we're glad you guys had fun and got by without the ropes," Tom laughed.
"How was the thingy at the school?" Mike asked.
"It was good. When we get the DVD of it, you can watch it and see for yourself."
"Cool. Sorry for not going with you, but I ain't ready for that."
"No worries, Mike. To be honest with you, I wasn't ready, either."
"Really, dad?"
"Yes, really. When I got out of bed this morning, maybe twenty people outside our family knew I gay. That number is well over a hundred, now, and bound to grow as word spreads."
"Wow! Now, I'm really glad I didn't go. Having that many people know `bout me is scary. I'd be `fraid the other kids would start pickin' on me again."
"Not in our school, bro'," Joey said.
"Yeah, they'd have to get through us first," T.J. added.
"And we ain't gonna let that happen, Mike," Alex concluded.
"I think the twins have added T.J. to their link," I commented.
"I know they have," Tom retorted. "After listening to the three of them at the school, there's not a doubt in my mind."
"Yeah, it's pretty cool, isn't it?" T.J. grinned.
"I'm not sure `cool' is the right word, T.J. More like spooky," Tom commented.
"Oh, c'mon, big guy, don't tell me your scared of those sweet and innocent boys," I joked with an evil sneer.
"Only if they start readin' my mind. They got no business knowin' what's rollin' `round up there."
I snorted with laughter and added, "Ain't that the truth." I turned to the boys and asked, "What's on the docket tonight, kiddos?"
"Can we watch more Star Trek, please," T.J. asked.
"I don't see why not, you good with that, Tom?"
"Works for me. No work or real thought involved, sounds like the recipe for a perfect evening."
"But after I have a short chat with Andy, Mike and T.J."
"What, we in trouble for something," Andy asked.
"Not a bit, just something I need to find out from you guys. However, talking about trouble, I do have something to say to the other two."
"Uh-oh," mumbled Alex.
"I knew this was comin'," Joey muttered.
"While you both did a great job today, I do believe there were a couple things said you both know shouldn't have left your mouths."
"Yeah, dad, we know and we're really sorry," Joey grumbled.
"Well, I think I've come up with something that just might make you stop and think before it happens again. While I'm talking to the other three, Tom is going to supervise the two of you as sit at the kitchen counter and write in your notebooks `I must learn to control my potty-mouth'."
"Really, that's it?" Alex asked with relief in his voice.
"Yeah, I think so. Alex, since it's not as big a problem for you, I think fifty times should do."
"FIFTY!? Oh, man, that su..., uh, stinks."
"See you haven't even started writing and it's already working. But Joey, you have a real history of uttering things better left unsaid. I think you should probably do a hundred."
"You gotta' be kiddin' me. That's way too much."
Well, if you think that, I guess I can always give you a choice of punishment."
"Yeah? Cool, what's my choices?"
"You can either write the sentence a hundred times or you can wear clothes for a couple days, again. I'll leave it up to you."
"Well, I ain't wearin' no stinkin' clothes `cause that sucks worse than writin', so I pick the writin'."
"You just bumped yourself another twenty-five, wanna' try for a hundred and fifty?"
"No, no, I'm good," he grumped while holding up his hands to stop it from getting any worse.
"Glad to hear it. We'll wait `til you're done with that to start our shows."
"Gee, thanks, dad, you're all heart."
"And don't you ever forget that, son," I replied with a grin. What little meal time was left passed rather quietly. When everyone was done eating, we got busy with our clean up. That small task dealt with, I took my three to the study to talk while Tom settled in to supervise the other two. After closing the study door, we found chairs and got comfortable.
"What's up dad?" T.J. asked.
"Well, as you know, tomorrow is Alex and Joey's birthday and I wanted to find out what kind of present you'd like to get them."
"We can't get nothin', dad, `cause we got no money."
"I'll take care of the money part, you just tell me what you want to get them. Tom and I have to pick up their cake in the morning and then do our own shopping, we'll get whatever you tell us to." They looked to each other and whispered back forth for a minute then looked back to me before T.J. answered.
"When you got the pictures of their mom and dad redone, you got a bunch of extras, didn't you?"
"I sure did, what are you thinking?"
"I want to get them some kind of frame than could hold maybe six to ten pictures. Then, I want to go through `em, pick the really good ones and put `em in the frame."
"That's a great idea, T.J., and I bet they'll love it. Okay, that's one down, what about you two?"
"How about some Nerf guns?" Mike asked. "You could get some big ones for them and maybe some smaller ones for us so we could all play."
"I like that, Mike. That would give you all something else to do when it's cold or raining. There'll have to be rules with them as far as what rooms you could play in, but we can figure that out. Down to you, Andy, what are you thinking about?"
"This is gonna sound crazy, but as much as they like math, I was thinking maybe some puzzle books or something like that, only with numbers instead of words. You think they'd like that?"
"That's a great idea, Andy. For those two, I can't think of anything better. I'm sure I can find just the right thing at Barnes and Noble. Okay, guys, sounds like we have a plan. Tom and I will get those things tomorrow, along with wrapping paper and some cards. When we get home, we'll put it all in our bedroom and when you get home from school, you can help wrap it all up. Sound good?"
"Yeah, dad, thanks," T.J. answered.
"Okay, then. Let's get out of here and get ready for some Trek." When we joined the others in the kitchen, Alex was done with his writing, but Joey was still plugging away at it. "Are we doing popcorn for tonight's snack, or do you guys want something different."
"Can we have cookies and a juice box tonight, dad?" Alex asked.
"Sure. Why don't you grab some of the small paper plates from the pantry?"
"I got `em," Andy called as he disappeared around the corner. Half a minute later, he stuck his head back around the corner and yelled, "Okay, I don't got `em, they're higher than I thought. Can I get some help?"
"Alex, would you help your brother, please? And no licks."
"Ha! I'll try to control myself, dad." The two lads turned into the pantry. After a couple of minutes, I was beginning to wonder what was taking them so long. I knew the plates we up a little bit, but I didn't think they'd have to climb Everest to reach them. When they finally reappeared, both were red-faced and Andy was carrying the plates, but they were each holding a hand in front of their crotches. As they stepped into the kitchen, they turned to face the counter and moved their bodies as close as they could to it without actually crawling into a cabinet. They were pretty well hidden from the others, who somehow had not noticed their odd behavior. After they nonchalantly laid their arms on the counter, I could easily see both were sporting erections glistening with wetness.
I knelt behind the counter and wiggled a finger to have them come closer. To avoid facing me, they crab walked sideways, keeping their torsos aimed at the counter, hard little peckers being dragged across the doors and drawers as they did. When they were close enough, I whispered, "What did I just tell you two?"
"I swear, dad, we didn't lick nothin'," Andy protested in a low whisper.
"Yeah, it was way more than a lick, but I ain't sayin' nothin' else since I don't want to have write no more tonight," Alex whispered in explanation.
"Come with me, boys," I said as I stood and turned to the study. "We'll be right back," I announced as I headed down the hall with two sad sacks following me. I closed the door and directed them to sit while I took a third chair that faced theirs. "Okay, explain what happened, please."
"I'll do it, but I don't want to have to write no more." I nodded in agreement and Alex continued. "When I picked Andy up to reach the plates, I did it so he was facing me and I wouldn't be tempted to lick his butt. It started out okay, but I didn't have him quite high enough, so I kinda bounced him up higher and wrapped my arms around his legs instead of his butt. He could reach the plates, then, but his pecker was right in front of my face. I ain't never sucked him before and wanted to see if he tasted like Joey, so I wrapped my lips around him and gave him a little suck `til he got hard. When I quit and set him back on the floor, he said he wanted to taste mine, too, so I let him. When I got hard, he quit and we came back out."
"Andy, is that what happened?"
"Yes, sir. We're awful sorry, but we couldn't help ourselves."
"Okay. You know what you have to do. Until Saturday morning."
"Oh, c'mon, dad," Alex argued, "we weren't anywhere close to the stove, and even if we were, it wasn't hot."
"I'm aware of that, boys, but you also weren't in one of your bedrooms, where that type of activity is supposed to take place, were you."
"No, sir," they answered together glumly, looking to the floor.
"Look guys, I know you all want to have fun together, and, really, I'm cool with that. But you have to follow the rules, that type of play happens in your bedrooms, preferably with the doors closed. Understood?"
"Yes, dad," Alex moaned.
"Good. Go get dressed and we'll start our shows. GO!"
The two scampered through door as I ambled back towards the kitchen, solemnly shaking my head and trying to figure what, if anything, I could do to control the sexual urges of five boys for the next—what—fifteen years!? Ha! Good luck with that shit, Max! I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment. And none of them have even hit puberty yet. Hopefully, when they do reach that magical time, they'll have learned some better self-control. Probably not, but, hey, I can dream, can't I? But, if I think about it realistically, they'll be fucking each other silly whenever and wherever they feel the urge.
When I returned to the kitchen to finish getting snacks ready, I found they'd already been done. Tom came over as asked me, "Um, didn't you have two boys with you when you disappeared? You didn't have to hide their bodies in the trees, did you?"
"Not yet, but I may have to before it's all over," I chuckled.
"What now? Or do I want to know?"
"Seems they got a bit too interested in each other in the pantry and they now have to wear clothes until Saturday morning."
"Alex and Andy did that?" Tom asked, surprise evident in his voice.
"Yep. I tell ya, Tom, it's gonna be a challenge keeping these five in line the next fifteen or so years."
"If they're anything like I was, yeah, they're gonna be a handful, all right," he snickered. He looked down at his crotch, then back to me, "Okay, maybe more than a handful.
"Thanks, big guy, some great support, you are," I cracked, punching him on the shoulder.
"Always happy to help, babe. Joey's done with his writing, so can we get our shows started now?"
"Yeah, let's go. The other two should rejoin us shortly." I turned to the other three and said, "Let's boogie, boys." We followed three dancing boys into the theater where they took their regular chairs while I loaded the Blu-Ray player with the next disc. By the time I took my chair, Alex and Andy were coming in to join us.
When Joey saw his brothers were dressed, he moaned, "Oh, man, Alex, what did you do?"
"Later, bro'," was Alex's terse response.
I started tonight's first episode and they quieted down as they always do. When the second episode ended, it was time for the boys to get to bed. They tossed their empty plates and juice boxes in the trash on the way by the kitchen before continuing to their rooms. After adding a few things to the dishwasher, I set it to run in a couple of hours and we headed to say our goodnights, stopping in the trio's room first. While planting kisses on foreheads, Andy whispered, "I'm really sorry dad, I hope you're not mad at me."
"Just a little disappointed, Andy, I could never get mad at you guys."
"Thanks, dad. I love you."
"We love you, too, munchkin."
"Sleep tight, boys," Tom called out as we turned out the light and headed for the twin's room. We found them curled in the middle of the bed and pulled the covers up.
Before saying goodnight, I said, "Tomorrow's your big day guys. Did you two want to give each other something special for your birthday?"
"Well," Joey started, "We kinda planned on tryin' somethin' new tomorrow night, but horny boy here screwed that up since he can't get naked `til Saturday."
"Sorry, guys, you all have to learn to live by the rules, some, apparently, the hard way," I said.
"I hope whatever you had planned will wait until after your party Saturday," Tom added.
"Guess it's gonna have to, dads," Joey moped.
We traded, kisses and said our goodnights, then turned out the lights as we left the room and headed to our own.
"I wonder what the heck they were planning," Tom commented as we moved through the house.
"I don't know, for sure, but if they need to be naked, I can only assume sex was going to play a major role in whatever it was. Joey sounded pretty pissed off that it's not gonna happen."
"That, he did. Hope he can wait a couple more days. Hey, I'm gonna run through the shower before climbing in bed, you want to join me?"
"Gee, let me think about that a moment...okay, long enough, you talked me into it. Let's go get wet together."
And we did exactly that, for the next hour or so. God, I was gonna sleep well tonight.