Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001 05:19:57 -0500 From: Tom Cup Subject: Kevin - Series Chapter 26 Kevin by Tom Cup Copyright 2000, 2001 by the Paratwa Partnership: A Colorado Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, except in the case of reviews, without written permission from the Paratwa Partnership, Inc, 354 Plateau Drive, Florissant, CO 80816 This is a fictional story involving youth/youth or adult/youth sexual relationships. If this type of material offends you, please do not read any further. This material is intended for mature adult audiences. Names, characters, locations and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. ************************************************************************ This story is part of the Tom Cup Library For a list of the stories featured in the Tom Cup Library visit our website at http://tomcup.iscool.net. and follow the link to the Members Preview page. I am please to introduce a very promising author in Richard Dean. His first work, "The Innocents" is now available to Library members. The story deals with an American who falls in love with a Brazilian street boy. This story is full of insights from Richard's experiences in Brazil. You may sample additional works by Richard by going to: http://www.eroscities.com From all of us at the Tom Cup Library, have safe holiday season. We know many of you will be traveling to see friends and loved ones; return safely to us. Our best wish for a joyous and prosperous holiday season. Thanks for your support. All our best, Tom and the gang ************************************************************************ Kevin By Tom Cup Easter Sunday From the Biography of "The Lion of Bolognia:" It was William that told me the truth. I was heartbroken. It seemed my life had come to an end. At the very least that it had no meaning. Antonio was lost to me. I knew that he loved me, that he would always love me. But things had changed. We were no longer children clinging to one another. I sat beside William. We drove first to the airport. Then we changed cars. I am not sure how it was managed but the plane I was thought to be on went down on its way to Philadelphia. Kevin Bolognia died that day. "What happens now?" I asked William. "The family has provided a residence on Martha's Vineyard. Your father bought it for you when you were born." I looked at the ID and birth records in the envelope that Michael Robbins had given me. I looked at the name on the birth certificate. "William Prescott Chamberlain II?" "He was my son. He died about two months before you were born." "But..." "Kevin, I have served the Bolognia house since I was a boy. I was heartbroken when my wife and child died. As your father was heartbroken when his brother was killed. We understood each other. So when he arranged to have William kept alive on paper. I did not object." "But why?" "For a day like this, a day when you might need a new identity. Your father slept with your mother but once. He was distraught over his brother's death. There would be no more Bolognia's after him. He was... different." "Gay William. You can say it. Gay." "As you wish. The point being he wanted to try. He wanted to... change...so he had me drive, aimlessly through the streets of Philadelphia, sometimes crossing over into Camden, searching for the woman that might... inspire him. Most of the time we roamed Broad, Walnut, Market, and South Street. He didn't truly know what he was looking for, except, maybe, for a woman that would change him so he could settle down and continue the Bolognia line. He met your mother quite by mishap. He was distraught. She was needy. Not much for a pairing but for one night..." "And he knew she got pregnant?" "No. He gave up the search after that night. He accepted that he was... as you say, gay. He focused on raising Antonio as the Bolognia heir. Then quite by mistake your mother reentered our lives. She moved into a neighborhood still controlled by the family." I nodded. "It wasn't an accident, him picking me up that night." "No. You must understand, master Kevin, he was on his way to get you. He visited the neighborhood as often as seemed prudent, sometimes, if you don't mind me saying, when it wasn't. Many times he thought of declaring to you who you were and taking you from your mother. But things would get better and he would recant. Besides, it took time for him to mop up the aftermath of his brother's murder and to become, for all intents and proposes, legitimate. Then Chuck entered your life. The neighborhood was abuzz with his activities. The time came to get you out. It was an accident, or perhaps providence, that you were on the street that night. He struggled with how to tell you." "And you knew. That's why my room was ready." "Yes. Your father told me what he hoped to do. He didn't know if you would accept him and come with him but... yes I knew." ***** Rich ran, leapt, into Kevin's arms. The weather was prefect, a light breeze came from the waterfront, the sun warmed the earth to seventy degrees, the sky was a deco blue with hardly a cloud. It was to be a beautiful Easter weekend. Kevin invited all the kids. They would spend Saturday together, doing whatever the kids wanted. Sunday they would attend morning mass together and then return to the house to celebrate with family and friends. William and the staff were already busy with the preparation. The house was alive with excitement. A tent was erected in the backyard. Easter eggs and candy were being prepared; Easter baskets and flowers arranged. "I missed you," Rich said. "I missed you too. Come on, the others are already here." Marie laughed as Marcy, Robby and Jimmy chattered at her, each trying desperately to get more of her attention than the other. Antonio leaned against the north wall of the library taking in the scene. Donna sat quietly watching her younger siblings climb all over Marie. "Hey," Kevin announced entering the room, "Richy's here!" Marcy, Robby and Jimmy greeted Rich excitedly. He didn't mind that they called him `Richy.' Coming from them it was a term of endearment. He turned to Donna. She finally smiled and went to him. They hugged. "Now before we all get too busy," Marie said, "We need to get everyone fitted for their Easter suits and dresses." "Mom," Kevin said, "They just got here." "We can do it tonight or spend part of tomorrow in fitting. I promise it won't take long." "Give it up, Kev," Antonio said, "You know it's useless. Besides, if they get fitted tonight then Saturday's free." "I know," Kevin said, "I just need to talk to Richy and Donna." "That's fine," Marie said, "Antonio can keep Robby and Jimmy company while Marcy is fitted. I'll send for them when Marcy is done." "Come on Robby and Jimmy," Antonio said, "Let's go mess up Fran's kitchen. That'll really get the weekend started right." Kevin waited for the others to leave before looking at Donna and saying, "OK, what gives?" "What?" She answered. "You've hardly said a word since you've been here. You sit there and stare at everyone. What's wrong?" "Nothing." "Bullshit." "She doesn't want to see mom," Rich offered. "Shut the fuck up," Donna said, "What do you know about it?" "I do know," Rich pouted. "We all know," Kevin said. "Ha!" Donna said, "You are so full of shit. You think cause you live in this big house you know everything. I shouldn't have come." "I'm doing the best I can for everybody," Kevin said. "Yeah right," Donna answered, "You got your mom and dad. Why do you have to rub our noses in it?" "I want you to be happy too," Kevin said, "I really do." "Yeah right," Donna whispered. Kevin looked at Rich. Rich shrugged. ***** The fittings were done in fairly short order. Marie had the patterns and fabrics pre-selected for the suits and dresses. The children had learned from the previous visit that remaining still, and doing exactly what they were told, shortened the amount of time it took to get fitted. One after another they entered the room were measured and released to entertain themselves. They all ate dinner in the formal dining room. Fran smiled when Jimmy's eyes enlarged at the "whole chicken" he got to himself. Kevin told him it was called a Cornish Game hen. Robby said that it still looked like a chicken and after a few bites said it tasted like chicken too. Marie listened to the stories of their foster homes but her eyes watched Donna. Donna was the only one that didn't have a story to tell. "She's mad cause you didn't come and get us," Marcy said. "Shut up," Donna said. The table fell silent. Marie stared at Donna. Donna refused to meet her gaze. "Is that true Donna?" Marie asked, "Is that what's upsetting you?" "No." "Because if it is we should talk about it." "Why? What good would it do? You have Kevin, we have foster homes; for as long as that lasts. Or maybe we'll all get to go and live with our mom again. Wouldn't that be great?" "Don't be that way Donna," Kevin pleaded. "I hate you," Donna hissed. Her chair slid back and she ran to her room, slamming the door behind herself. Donna didn't mean the words. Kevin knew it but still they hurt. He was silent for most of the evening, deep in his own thoughts, trying to figure out how to make things work out. Marie came to him after the other children were in bed. He clung to her and she spoke comforting words to him. She held him until he drifted into an uneasy sleep. ***** Marie knocked lightly on Donna's door and then entered the room. Donna was sitting up with her arms wrapped around her tightly bent knees. She looked apologetically at Marie. Marie's expression was blank and emotionless. "Donna, I want to tell you something. Kevin loves you very much. What you said to him hurt him." "I know. I'm sorry. I'll make it up to him tomorrow. It's just I get so jealous of him. It makes me mad." "You're mad that he is happy?" "No, that's not it. I'm mad cause I like it here. I want... never mind.... It's impossible anyway." "You want to be a part of this family, to live here. It's what Marcy said the last time you were here." Donna began to cry. Marie sat with her and hugged her. Donna cried and told Marie about Matthew, about the night they spent together. Marie listened. She listened and learned the Coleman's were a good family. They showered love not only on their own girls but on Marcy and Donna as well. Donna knew that the Coleman's loved her. She had settled into the normal life of an adolescent girl. Donna just didn't know what to do with that life. That was the real problem. "I think you should stay where you are Donna. Not because I wouldn't love to have a daughter but because you are becoming a family, you have a home and a boy friend. Why give that up to come here?" "I don't know... I just... I don't know." "Just think of me as your dear old auntie. It's better that way. That way, when your parents are getting on your nerve, you always have someone to bitch too. You call your auntie up and tell all. And I get to spoil you rotten, hear all the latest gossip, and never have to tell you `no.'" Donna laughed. She lay back in Marie's arms and thought it wouldn't be so bad to be adopted by the Coleman's. "Thanks for all the clothes and stuff you sent," Donna remembered. "Oh honey, didn't you know. I didn't send those things. Kevin did." She hadn't known and it didn't matter. She realized it wasn't about the clothes. She loved Marie. And Donna was happy knowing that Marie would still be a part of her life. ***** People began to arrive around eleven on Sunday. Tony, Marie, Antonio and Kevin greeted the guest and welcomed them to their home. The children played in the back, searched for eggs and treats. People spread out throughout the estate. Some boated, some stayed near the banquet tables, some played bocci on the lawn, others preferred to stroll through the gallery ^Ö admiring the art. Antonio and Kevin were happy to see Vince arrive. He winked at the boys as he entered. He and Tony greeted each other; Vince spoke briefly to Marie and then vanished inside ^Ö making a security check ^Ö Then Tariano arrived with his wife; Monica and Dominic were also with him. Antonio excused himself to escort Monica to the banquet table and to no doubt, Kevin thought, steal a few kisses. "I don't like that guy," Kevin said as Dominic smiled and made his way inside. "Now, now, little one," Marie smiled, "Dominic is harmless. A little over religious for my tastes but a good boy." "He gives me the creeps." Tony decided to use the occasion to donate a statue of St. Michael to the diocese. Everyone gathered around for the unveiling and were duly impressed with the work. Kevin watched Dominic as he made his way though the crowd, moving to the front, just in front and to the right of Tony. Kevin looked for Vince, their eyes met. Vince moved quickly toward the front. Other men seeing Vince's moment started to coordinate their movements to meet him. Tony looked at Kevin. Kevin was staring at Dominic. Tony's eyes found Dominic just as the gun became visible. "No!" Screamed Marie. She saw the flash. She remembered another time. Vince had been coming to save them then too. But he had been too late. She had burst into the room in time to save Tony but Vince's brother and father were killed. Tariano had warned them of the danger. Marie heard a second shot and then a third. The room was moving in slow motion. She looked at Kevin. He was all right, standing, and staring at her in disbelief; his face a white as a sheet. Chaos filled the room. Another shot rang out. Marie looked at Tony. He was on his knees. He was falling. No, it wasn't him it was her. She was falling. There was a rushing in her ears. She looked back toward Dominic. Vince was firing at him. Dominic was hit. He went down. "Mom!" Kevin screamed. "Little one," Marie whispered. "Don't talk, don't talk. We'll get a doctor. Help!" Antonio and Monica rushed to the front of the room. Vince was standing over Dominic He kicked the gun away from the boy, out of his reach. Monica picked it up. Dominic laughed. "I win," Dominic said, "I win." Kevin was weeping over Marie. Antonio knelt beside him. "Mom? Oh please God, mom...please..." Antonio wept. Another shot went off. Vince's men grabbed the gun from Monica's hand. She had used Dominic's gun to end his life. "You lose you bastard," She said and then wept bitterly looking toward Antonio. Confusion bounced off the walls of the Bolognia home. Kevin watched Vince move to the podium. Tear rolled unashamedly from the big man's eyes but he wasn't moving toward Marie. He was moving toward Tony. Tony was lying still on the floor. Kevin turned and saw him. He screamed in agony. They were gone. They were both gone. *********************************************************************** Send comments to: tom_cup@hotmail.com To support this and other stories by Tom Cup, join the Tom Cup Library at: http://tomcup.iscool.net. ***********************************************************************