Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 12:07:05 -0700 (PDT) From: John Colorado Subject: Logging Camp Chapter 11 and epilogue Logging Camp by John of Colorado clrdjhn@yahoo.com Chapter 11 and Epilogue If you are not of age or man/man sex bothers you, then I suggest you leave NOW! Why are you still here, I told you to leave! The names have been changed but the story itself is basically based upon facts. However, some of it is fiction. I told Grandpa that I would call my Dad after we went into town. I wanted to invite Mrs. Gray and Jon to go with us. Grandpa thought that this was a wonderful idea. Mrs. Gray became so excited that I though that she was going to have a heart attack. We had to take her to the emergency room to get some medication to calm her. Now she would be able to fully enjoy herself. Jon was something else. He refused to go. He knew how Mother felt about gays and didn't want to upset her. It took Grandpa and I a long time to convince him that we would have a motel room and that he would not have to go to the care center when I went to see my mother. Grandpa told him that he wasn't going to go to her room either because they didn't get along and how upset she would be with him in the same room with her. Finally, he agreed to accompany us. Now all I had to do was make a call to Dad. It took him by complete surprise when I told him who would be coming with me. I made him promise not to tell Mom. He could tell her that I was coming for a visit but not about the others. After I hung up, I called and made motel reservations. Everything was all taken care of now. All we had to do was wait a few days. Finally, it was time for us to leave. We decided to take Grandpa's big luxury car so that we would all be comfortable and it would have enough room for all our luggage. I am glad that I wasn't paying the gas bill. Jon and I would take turns driving and Mrs. Gray and Grandpa would have the whole back seat to themselves. We only have a 3 hour drive so we didn't have to leave real early. Grandpa had to take one of Mrs. Gray's pills to calm him down. Grandpa and Mrs. Gray became so relaxed that they went to sleep and didn't wake until we pulled into the motel.. We checked into the motel and I wanted to go assisted living home when my mother was. I knew that Dad would be there also. Grandpa, Jon and Mrs. Gray all wanted to go and would remain in the car, while I went and visit with Mom. I was to send Dad out to the car. I had called Dad and told him we were almost there. When we pulled into the parking lot, I though that I would have to call 911 for Grandpa and Mrs. Gray. I got out and went into the building. I got the surprise of my life. Now they would have to call 911 for me. Just inside the door in the lobby, were both of my parents. They both grabbed me and we had a long three way hug. The tears were really flowing now. "Mom, you look absolutely great. I can't get over how you have changed. Why didn't you tell me that your were doing so well?" "Jim, your Dad wanted to but I wanted to wait and make sure that my improvement was not just temporary. We were just getting ready to call you when you called and said you were coming over. We have so much catching up to do. Shall we go to my room?" "Mom, I would love to. Dad you had better out to the car. Grandpa and Mrs. Gray are out there waiting for you!" Dad let out a yell and took off on the run. "Shall we go Mom?" "Mom, when I went to Grandpa's you were going to be placed in hospice. I want to know what happened? "Jim, My old doctor moved and I was assigned a new doctor. He put me on some new medicine and now my cancer is remission. I will start chem. Therapy next week and in five weeks I should be cancer free. As you know we have sold the house and are planning to move to Bend. To be near you and Grandpa. "Mom, do you think that is a good idea? I know how you and Grandpa feel about each other. You know that I am gay. Is all of this going to cause family problems?" "Jim, not only has my body changed but I am a changed person altogether. I met a woman, one of the nurses, here at the facility. Your dad and I have been going to her church. It is so much different from my old church. The old church was based on a lot of hate. You know hate gays. Hate this and Hate that. This new church is built on love. All people regardless of race, sexual orientation and etc. are treated as equals. I have been taught to forgive and forget." Tears were flowing down my cheeks. "Jim, Do you think that you and Grandpa could find it your hearts to forgive me for the way that I have acted?" Now Mom was crying also. I took Mom in my arms and kissed her. "Mom, this is the happiest moment of my life. I have prayed so much for this moment. Of course, we can forgive you. We can't hold you responsible for something that you didn't know. You were taught one thing and we went another way. I think all of us have things to work through. I know that Grandpa feels the same way. Mom, I have met a young man and I have fallen completely in love with him. He is Asian. Do you think you could accept him? We plan on becoming domestic partners." "Of course I can. I told you, I am a new person. When do I get to meet him?" "Right now! He is in the car with Grandpa, and Mrs. Gray. I can go out and bring them in." "No, Jim. I want to walk out the car with you. Then we can come back in. Your dad is talking to them and telling them what I have told you.' "I love you Mom and right now I am the happiest person in the whole world." "You aren't the only one. Love you too, son. It is so good to have my son back and we can all be a family again." Mom and I walked out to the car arm in arm. Our live were completely changed forever. So things are worth waiting for. Epilogue: Grandpa and I hired a private detective and with the pictures Grandpa had of Dad's mother, help from the Internet and all the newspapers in Idaho, we were able to find his birth family on his mother's side. What we told him in the book about his birth father, he decided not to try and find his father's family. After all, he had Grandpa who was his dad except by blood. We all went to Texas and Grandpa found his family. One sister had died of cancer but the rest were all well and had multiplied by great numbers. His mother was very old and frail and was living in a assisted living facility. Her mind was still very active and was thrilled to see Grandpa. Jon and I became domestic partners with Mom and Dad standing up for us. Our minister found two little sisters and a little brother who were orphans and had no other relatives that we could find. Jon and I were able to adopt all three. Of course, we found another "Mrs. Gray" to help us and keep us from making too many mistakes. Neither one of us can get over the feeling that we have towards our `family' and we are going to be the best parents we can be. Our guardian angels are looking out for us and we count our blessing daily. Of course, our children are being spoiled not only from Jon and I but by Grandpa, Mrs. Gray and Mom and Dad and Jon' parents. Jon parents have always supported him and have moved to Bend since they retired. Needless to say, they were very quickly adopted by my family. I love them like they were my own. Mom is still cancer free and we all go to the same church. Jon and I still sing in the choir. Mom and Mrs. Gray have become the best of friends and beam with pride every Sunday when they hear us sing. I am in the process of writing their life stories (family histories). Of course, they are doing the picture albums. Mom and Dad, spend most of their time volunteering at the half--way house and homeless shelter. When they aren't "baby-sitting. I don't know what they will do when the kids start to school. I think the teachers will get full time unpaid aides! Grandpa and Dad have a special bond now, Nothing sexual but they are very close. It is very evident, that nothing will ever come between them. Grandpa sold his hotels in Portland and made a killing off them. He spilt his fortune between Dad and me. He held back enough to live comfortably for the rest of his life. He found a man about his same age and they became companions and live together. Neither on wants to become domestic partners but it is quite evident that they will share the rest of their lives. They spend a lot of their time traveling and leading a live of leisure. Jon and I bought a piece of prime real estate and built a supper classy Chinese restaurant(no upstairs apartments). We found a young couple and made them managers. We only work when we want to and Jon's parents couldn't take all the free time and came out of retirement and went to work for us working as host and hostess. They love what they are doing and the customers love them. SO LOOK OUT WORLD! WE ARE HERE TO STAY!!!!!!!!!!