Mr Jones Neighborhood

Part 5

I wake up feeling better than I have well since I got shot. I didn't wake up at night once in pain. I am thrilled about that. The pain this morning is a dull ache. Its not great but I am not going to take a codeine tablet because its not that bad. I slip out of bed and head downstairs after I pee. I get some coffee going and see its 5 am. So that's better than 3am. I don't think I slept too little today. I feel it was just right. I wait on the coffee and am tapping my foot waiting. I think what the fuck am I doing? It will get done shortly. I grab a cigarette and fire it up. I sit down at the table and wait thinking about going to the bank today and finding out how the Hell to get a mortgage. I have never had one and haven't a clue how to even go about it. I am thinking of people I know that may have gotten one. Nikki and Juan paid cash like I did. Dee got hers willed to her. I don't know about Mitchell and Quinton. But I don't want to ask Mitchell it might hurt his feelings I would rather borrow from a bank and pay interest than take a chance on ruining our great friendship. We have some sticky buns left. I don't think the boys will put up any fuss on having them again this morning. If they had them everyday I doubt they would. Not just because they are really good boys. But because they enjoy them that much. After nearly a century of waiting the coffee pot does its gurgling telling me its done or close to it. I grab a mug and pour in some coffee and add a spoon of sugar. I sit and start to wait for the boys to get up. I think you know I could be making money right now. I fire up the old computer and start working on a project. It goes really fast. Cha ching $200. Next!

I keep my eye on the time on the corner of the computer to make sure the boys don't over sleep. I get another one done pretty quickly. Not as fast but in half an hour Cha ching $350 for that one. I have made $550 in less than an hour Now I guess I know what lawyers feel like. I add into my email asking if they know of any other companies that may need some help. I explain I have more time to work on them now and hope they can help me out. I tell them I would happily pay a referral bonus if it pans out. As I am starting the third one Tremay comes down first today and sits on my lap.

I kiss the top of his head as he snuggles in.

"I love you."
"Love you too. Why are you working already?"
"I figured I was just sitting there doing nothing since we have left over sticky buns. I didn't have to make breakfast. So I thought make a few more dollars."
"Makes sense to me." He says still half asleep.

He snuggles in and I work a while on the program and get it fixed in about fifteen minutes.

"Let me up so I can heat your breakfast up."
"I'll get it Mr Jones. Did you eat yet?"
I look at him.

"I actually didn't think about it. I'm not hungry so I just don't eat."
"The pills do that?"
"Yes they do. Guess what?"
"What?"
"I slept all night and didn't wake up for a pill."
He grins at me and wraps his arms around me.

"I feel like I'm getting better. But I also don't want to push it again."
"Like last Friday?"
"Just like that."
"Jason has another game this Friday. Do you think we can go?"
"If things keep like they are I see no problem with it."
"Cool I like Jason and his dad. They took us out for pizza after the game."
"Really? I didn't know that."

"Yeah he paid for like everybody. Even Quinton and Mitchell."
"Grants a very nice man."
"Mr Jones do you think Jason is cute?"
Now see I don't know how to answer this. Because I don't know why he is asking. So I do the politician thing don't answer.

"Why do you ask?"

"I don't know. I guess because I think he is really cute."
"I think you are right. He is a cute boy."
"I wish he was gay."

OK now I have been entrusted with a secret about Jason. But this is Tremay I am talking to. Do I break that trust or not?

"You would have to ask him about that buddy."
HM Senator Jones? Has a nice ring to it.

"Do you think he would get mad if I asked?"

"I doubt it. But just make sure you are alone if you do. That way if he is he wont have to lie in front of people."
"Why would he do that?"
"Because buddy. Not all people are as understanding as me. Do you tell people at school your gay."
"Nobody asked. But if they do I'm not going to lie. Like you say its just one little part of who I am that makes up the whole me."
"And a wonderful you that you are." I tell him and kiss the top of his head.

He slips off my lap and goes and I guess is getting his breakfast ready. He comes back in a second and grabs my now empty coffee cup and brings it back filled and sweetened how I like it. I hear the microwave beep telling him his food is ready. I am working away and a plate appears next to me.

"Eat it." Tremay tells me. He doesn't suggest it or ask. He tells me.

"Yes sir." I answer which makes him giggle a bit.

About this time Jamal appears and he takes my now empty lap.

"Can I have that?" Jamal asks pointing the sticky bun on the plate. Before I can even say yes Tremay tells him.

"No Mr Jones has to eat and he isn't hungry from the pills if you eat it he may not eat anything after."
"Oh OK."
"But I will make you one if you want." Tremay tells him.

"Thank you." Jamal says still hoarse from sleep.

Neither of my boys are get up and go kind of people. They have to wake up in stages. Its wake up and then snuggle a while to wake up all the way. So if it was Tremay that got up later Jamal would have offered to do the same I'm sure.

I hear the microwave beep and Jamal goes to have his breakfast. The boys get dressed and I watch as they wait for the bus. I go to the kitchen and get back to work. Maybe I can make all the money and not have to get a loan? But I want this to happen yesterday. I will make the money and pay back the loan fast. But I also want to replace the money for the boys college fund. A conundrum for sure. Around 10 I stop working and call my bank. I ask to speak to a loan officer. He explains everything I will need. So I ask where I go to get the blood drawn for the DNA testing they want. Also which doctor to go to to remove my left testicle. OK they don't go that far. But fuck they wanted all kinds of shit. He emails me over a loan application. I tell him I will be sending it back in the next day or so after I get everything together. I'm glad I have always been s stickler at keeping paperwork. I get to work on the information they want. It takes a good while. I get it all together and email it back to him by around 2. I think about heading to the restaurant but I didn't tell the boys I would be there so I don't go. I make a bologna sandwich because I'm starving. I didn't eat lunch. Hey it hits me I'm hungry. I smile as I take a bite of the sandwich and pop a chip in my mouth. I'm so happy I'm hungry. Not the I have to eat hungry. But a regular hey buddy lets get a bit of something eh?

When I get done I think I want to try the game that the boys were playing on their system. Its a racing game and it looked like it would be fun. I'm looking at it thinking. Now how the fuck do I do this?
"OK turn this on here."

"Let me see here OK so the boys go to the game and app section. Cool I think I got it figured out. How to get a game anyway. Why am I talking to myself." I just giggle at myself.

I find the game I want and load it. Sure is different then the days of Nintendo when I was a boy. But better less messy. That and you don't have to try to figure out where the Hell you put a game. I get it started and select a car.

"Design it? I don't want to design it can I just have a car and go?"

I figure out I can. I hope its not one of the boys cars and I fuck something up.

"Choose a track? Are you kidding me. I just want to try the trucking thing not create a fucking game." I say irritated. I do choose a track. I figure Daytona should be easy enough its big with four turns. I start and some dick head crashes me almost immediately.

"You bastard!" I scream as I race my car from the grass chasing him. I catch up to him and shove him in the wall. I start chuckling. I'm getting road rage during a video game. Cant help it that cock sucker deserved it. I finish the race and finish nearly last. I sure didn't expect to win. But I used to play games all the time when I was younger. Nikki's dad liked it because I was in my room and not anywhere near him. That man hated me from day one. The feeling was mutual I assure you. The only good thing ever came from that man is Nikki.

I start a new game and choose Daytona again. I think I got the track figured out. I race and this time I finish in second. Yay go me. I can push buttons almost well enough to win. I am having fun and think I want to smoke a bit of weed. So I wait to start another game and smoke a bowl. I go and make a couple bags of popcorn because the boys will be home soon and I don't want them to be hungry. That and I want some popcorn now that I'm way blazed. I grab a Coke and pour some of the popcorn in a bowl for me and go back to the couch and star the game again. I choose Bristol. I bet it will be fun. Its so small the whole track is almost a turn. I start racing and fuck up major and cause a 20 car crash. I'm rolling laughing at this. I start speeding out of the grass parts of my car flying off I'm still laughing when the boys come in.

"Whoa Mr Jones is playing a game?" Jamal says.

I pause it.

"Yeah this one looked kind of fun. I made some popcorn for you guys. Its on the counter in a couple bowls for you."
"Thank you Mr Jones."
"Anytime guys."

They both come and hug me and give me a kiss and grab their homework and head to the kitchen. I really just want to let them play when they first get home from school. But when I was a boy it wasn't enforced for me to do my homework after school. So I would put it off. Most of the time so long I never did it. I bet I only did about 60% of homework in my school career. So I enforce it. I don't want them to be slackers like me. I mean I do OK. But if I had been taught better habits I bet I would have gone further than this. But I am really happy with this. So I guess its OK. For me that is. Not for them. I want them to reach for the stars and catch them.

I catch a guy that's been messing with me. I tap his bumper and spin him out.

"Ha ha take that cock sucker."
I hear the boys giggling in the other room.

I just smile. I'm having fun playing this silly shit.

When I finish the race I put the game back to the main screen and put the controller on the coffee table. I tell you what the games have gotten way better since last time I played. Not to mention no chords on the controllers is fucking awesome. I take a drink of my Coke and finish the last bits of popcorn. I grab a cigarette and light it when I'm done with the popcorn. I lean back on the couch and realize I'm not in pain. I think about it and think through it and I don't have any pain at all. I think about it and think the weed probably is taking it away like a tablet would. Maybe I don't know. I'm just really happy about it. Its been a really good two days in a row. Finding out I can adopt Tremay even though its going to be shady. But good shady. It will cost loads. But its so worth it to me. Whats money anyway. People are more important for sure.

I'm thinking what to do for supper. I'm thinking I want White Castles. But that involves driving and I'm stoned so I'm not doing that. I think I know I will call Nikki.

I grab my phone and punch her name and it dials.

"Sup Gar?"

"I want to go somewhere and cant because I'm stoned. Think Juan will drive me?"
"Sure Gary. Where too?"
"Need to go to Trotwood."
"Gary no please I couldn't stand being around that man. He kept farting and blaming the dog. You know we don't have a dog."

I start out sounding all sad and dejected.

"Here I am got shot and trying to recover. All I want is a few little bitty White Castles.
"Give me a fucking break you pansy ass. When do you want to go?"
"I guess around 5 if that's good."
"Are you kidding me. You call him at 3am he is ready to go. I wish we never found those things. Give me heart burn something fierce."
"I cant help what I love. I love you."
"I said he would take you."
"I know just wanted you to know."
"I know you do Gary. I love you too. But you pull that shit like you did the other day again. So help me god I will drag your ass out of the house and beat your ass. You cant do that shit to people you love. I get why you were feeling that way. But it really hurt."
"I know it did. I am truly sorry."
"I know. Anyway I will let the big ox know he can have some White Castles. Oh god I may stay with Dee tonight."
I laugh and we end the call.

I used to get White Castles frozen at a bodega I used to shop at. I loved them like that. So when I could I had to try the real thing fresh. My goodness a little taste of oniony heaven for sure.

The boys walk out and are smiling.

"So I guess you heard?"
"Yes sir." They answer in unison.

"I thought they sounded good and we haven't had them in forever. So I thought as a treat. Probably ought to get Dee and them a suitcase huh?"
"Yeah I bet Uncle Juan gets one just for himself." Jamal says giggling.

"Yeh he will. I ast him once why he didn't get fries. He said he didn't want to waste the space." Tremay tells us laughing.

The boys start playing their game after asking permission. I don't care but its nice they ask. Sometimes I tell them no because they have been playing too much. They don't get mad or anything. They just find something else to do. They have tons of games and Legos. If they want something I usually find a way for them to get it. I look at them playing in their jeans and stocking feet. I cant help but to smile. I see Jamal has mismatched socks on. But I guess that's the thing nowadays. I don't know if he did it on purpose or just didn't care. Hard to say with him sometimes.

Around 4:30 I smoke another bowl. I think about a pill but decide the pain isn't that much. Just a bit. I know it being gone for good was too much to ask for just yet. But it was really nice while it lasted. It like having a tooth ache that you get the tooth pulled and the feeling when the doctor gives you the shot you don't feel any pain. That exquisite relief. Except this hurts a whole lot more than a fucking tooth ache. I hear Juan pull up and I start to get up.

"We got your shoes." Jamal says running to get them and is back in a flash. He is putting them on me while Tremay lets in Juan.

"Love you uncle Juan." Tremay says wrapping his arms around the big man.

"Love you too May." He says rubbing his back.

"I can smell why you want White Castles."
"Fucking right." I say laughing.

Jamal finishes tying quickly gets his on. We grab our coats and head out to Juan's car. I climb in after he unlocks it with a beep.

He gets in and the boys get in the back and fasten in.

we start off on our quick journey. Its like 8 miles each way HUGE journey. But not one I take often really. Once a month at most. I get my fill and then I'm good for a minute.

"Nice car. What is it?"
"Cadillac XTS. Got a real good deal on it. I figured I don't have to pay for parking. We got not rent or mortgage. Why not get something nice?"
"Maybe I should become an accountant so I can rob people and drive a nice car."

Juan just laughs at me.

We just talk about him getting used to Ohio versus the big apple.

"Driving here is so easy man. Its like a dream."
"Who you telling? Remember I didn't own a car in the city."
"Fuck driving in to Manhattan every day was fucking brutal. I hated it every day. When your sister suggested moving here I thought about that drive and was on board the second it left her lips."
"Not to mention shit is cheap here."
"No kidding. Pays not nearly the same either though."
"I guess it evens itself out mostly."
We pull up and we decide not to be dicks and go through drive through since we are getting a lot. We walk in and the boys each walking next to me arms around my waist I guess helping me walk. Or maybe just wanting to feel close. I don't know and I don't care.

When we get in Janie Sue from Bobs church. I see she is with her family and they wave us over. Her mom and dad are really nice. We have chatted a few times. Her dads a Vice President of a bank I think and her moms a doctor. Don't recall what kind. Maybe GP I don't recall. Sometimes its hard for me to remember details like I used to. But the doctor says he thinks that will probably come back in time. But he isn't positive of it.

"I see you guys had the same idea we had. Get some indigestion for supper." I say.

They of course chuckle at my attempt at humor.

"Yeah I just love these little things." Her dad says to me.

"Yeah about once a month we make the trek over. Its a nice treat once in a while. Of course Juan eats a couple dozen on his own. Me and the boys usually get that but we spread it out over the night a bit more."
"So how are you feeling?" Her mother asks me.

"Some days are better than others. I was really excited today because I was watching the boys play a game and I realized I didn't have any pain. Its the first time since I got shot that's happened.
"You make sure he rests boys. Don't let him over do it." She tells them.

"We wont. But sometimes he doesn't listen." Tremay tells her.

"He should listen because you are giving him good advice." She adds.

"You know how it is sometimes you just want to do what you want to do regardless of the consequences." I put in.

"I understand. Its hard I can imagine."Her dad says.

"It was really good seeing you guys." I tell them because I keep smelling White Castles and I really like them and would love to chat. But I'm really stoned and I really want White Castles.

"Here let me buy them for you." Her dad stands up as he says it.

"I couldn't ask you to do that. We are getting a lot."
"Four dozen wasn't it?"
"No see we are getting Dee and hers some as well. So its five dozen. It wouldn't be right to take advantage like that." I tell him.

What I am really thinking is it wouldn't be right because I cant even remember your fucking name.

"Now don't be ridiculous. It would be my pleasure to do it for you. With all you have done I think its the least I can do."

OK the rule is offer three times he just did so I just say no one more time I win. Yay go me.

"You know I really do appreciate it. But with the program Janie Sue set up I think its me that should get yours. She has an amazing spirit that i think is going to really take her places. You can just tell she has a kind soul."
He grins at the compliments of his daughter. She blushes and hides her face with her hand and turns away.

"Yes we are really proud of her. When she asked us my wife and I were so overcome with feelings I think we both shed a tear or two. She really is a kind girl I couldn't be more proud of." He says heaping the praise in his well deserving daughter.

"Yes with the money that she is donating we are using it for after school snacks for the children because otherwise they would have that after school hunger that was so awful when you got home and then find nothing. So they are really helping a lot. I guess we should write a letter or send an email explaining what we are doing with the funds they are providing. I think they would appreciate that."
"I'm sure they would. I tell you I'm sure glad that we found out about your place. Its just the neatest place to go and to talk to people. I was talking to this one old man there the last chem I was there. He was a porter on a train in the 50s. He has some pretty um wild stories let me tell you." I laugh after he tells me this.
"I know who you are talking about. He is a character for sure. Thing is he has plenty of money. He just comes down to visit. I think part of the day our little place is kind of a social club for seniors to come visit and catch up. Whenever he eats he always pays and he gives a little extra to help too. I tell you we have met some of the nicest folks doing this. You guys included."
"We can sure say the same."
""GARY JONES!!!" The counter person hollers with a shit ton of White Castles. on the counter.

I look at Juan like how did you do that.

"I didn't do it." He says to me.

The good doctor laughs.

"I figured while you two were arguing about it I would just put in a mobile order. So your foods ready." She says smiling.

I point my finger at her and start shaking it

"You are sneaky. I like that." I tell her and laugh.

"Thank you Dr Felton." Tremay says.

"Yes thank you Dr Felton." Jamal adds quickly after.

Felton. Duh Mike Felton what an idiot I am.

I shake his hand.

"Thanks Mike and thank you Mrs Mike." I say causing her to laugh. I figured if I can make her laugh she wont notice I don't recall her name.

"Anytime."
The boys and Juan walk over and start getting the burgers and apparently fries and shakes as well. Oh my.

We head back home and I have the boys run Dee's burgers over to them and we go in and Juan heads home.

We have a fun night we sat around watching videos and teasing each other. They go and get their bath done and we head to bed around 9. I get a text at 3am from Nikki telling me shes going to kill me.

I chuckle and go back to sleep for another hour and a half.

I get up nad head downstairs. I did grab my robe. Its starting to become my custom instead of being naked. I'm guessing because its been chilly and I'm cheap. Or just I feel cmofortable that way. I don't know I'm getting weirder anymore I think. I get coffee brewing and make myself a couple pieces of toast with light butter on it. I really want an English muffin. There is one major problem with that. I don't have any. Maybe later today I will rectify that because I know that if I go to Walmart they will have some ready for me to buy. They are like that. I eat my toast and have a smoke. I'm thinking about everything I need to get done today. Its a lot. I figure fuck it and start working on some programs. I see I have several new clients. I see an email from one of the guys I do work for. I open it up he says he doesn't want anything for referring me. He was just really happy I was taking on more clients because he has friends that own businesses and cant find a good computer guy. I look and I have about ten jobs for today. For me that's a lot. Usually I get one maybe two at most. I skim through the emails and see the issues. Some super easy fixes. Others maybe easy, maybe not. But what I have in front of me with the new requests is about two grand in business. Give or take a few hundred. If this happens every day I will be rich. OK not rich but maybe I wont have to borrow the money for very long. I don't want a mortgage on my house. But sometimes well you have no choice. This is one of those times.

I see I have an email from the bank.

"What the Hell could I have possibly forgotten?"

I open it up and smile when I see who its from.

I see the header from Mike Felton. I knew he worked at a bank but really didn't recall it was mine. I read it and in it he basically says he doesn't see an issue with it going through and I should be getting a response in a few days to a week. I think great. Now I have to figure out how to get it turned into cash. I'm already taking out about 4 grand a day. Its going to take a while. I hope they don't report it to the feds. If they do I will say I have a gambling addiction. Fuck them they don't need to know everything. I think from now on I am going to keep like 20k in cash in a safety deposit box to make things easier if I need a large amount of cash again. I start working on a program and its a tricky fucker for sure. I'm going through it line by line now. I made a couple fixes and its still not acting like it should. I'm on it going through each line of code and getting frustrated I keep finding so many errors. I'm thinking who the fuck wrote this piece of shit? Jamal and Tremay come in the kitchen at the same time. That doesn't happen often. I roll the chair back for them to get on my lap and do the wake up snuggles. I like those the best I think. After a couple minutes I ask them.

"Hows about a full English for breakfast?"
"Huh?"
"Its eggs, toast, bacon, beans. sausage, blood pudding...…"
"Eww no."
"OK how about just eggs and sausage with some toast?"
"Sounds good to me." Jamal tells me. Tremay agrees.

"Why do they eat beans at breakfast?" I'm asked.

"I don't know they are weird I guess. I bet they think we are too with what we eat as well."
I get a couple nods and they let me up. I make their breakfast and get them off to school.

That's how it goes the next few days. I get an email telling me I got my loan and I need to go to the bank and sign the paperwork. So I go and do that. I ask them for 5 grand in cash. I also get a safe deposit box as well. I put that and the now 40 grand I have taken out and put it in the box. Just feels safer that way. Their guard has a gun. I don't have a guard or a gun. Their plan seems safer. I also take out another 5 grand from my personal account. So I'm half way there. I write a check at the restaurant for 10 grand and cash it later that day. I deposit the check with the rest of the cash. So now I got 60 in cash. Who knew getting cash would be so fucking hard. It takes me another week but I finally have the 100k in cash. I text Mitchell and tell him to come to my house I need to talk when he gets a chance.

He arrives an hour and a half later.

I let him in and he and Quinton sit on the couch.

"OK it took a minute but I got the cash for our friend. How long do you think it will take after I pay him?"
"Seeing as how I got the CPS person we know to already submit the paperwork he is just waiting on the payment. So it would be almost immediately." Mitchell tells me. Quinton has no idea what we are talking about but he is also not asking questions. Sometimes its best that way. Deniability is a nice thing at times.

"Have you told him?" Mitchell asks me.

"Not a word. I want it to be a surprise."

"He is going to be so happy Mr Jones."
"Me too. I just wish I could do it less shady."
"I hear you."
"Do I need to go with you or anything?"
"Yeah you need to sign paperwork and stuff for the judge."
"When do you think we can do it?"
"Not sure. Let me call him."
A few minutes later he hangs up.

"Hows 8 tonight sound?"
"Sounds perfect."

We sit and chat a while and they take off with Mitchell saying he will be back with Quinton around 7:30 so we can go talk to him. I am thinking do I want to tell Tremay today or wait until Saturday and have a big ass party? I'm thinking party. A surprise party. If it actually happens that fast. I don't know how quick shady works. I know that if it was done legally it could take literally years. I guess time will tell. I'm getting more excited as the day goes on. I text Nikki.

I need you to watch the boys overnight is that OK?

I get a ping back pretty quickly.

Sure. Whats going on?"

I text back to her.

Its top secret I cant tell you or anyone else yet.

Are you OK? she tests back.

I'm so OK I couldn't be more OK.

I grab a soda and a sandwich because I'm hungry. I eat and decide to go to the restaurant to do the paperwork. I'm thinking as I pull in. Sure they get people to replace me to cook. The fun shit but I still get the paperwork. I shrug as I walk in and am greeted by most of the people as I am walking by their tables. I smile and say hi to everyone that greets me. I go to my office and sit down light a cigarette and do the paperwork. I get the checks ready for Friday and have them printed. As I finish up putting them in envelopes Nikki walks in.

"So whats going on?"
I look at her and grin.

"Nikki I really cant tell you anything. But I can say that it will make a lot of people very happy. Myself included."
"Did you buy a farm?"
"No I didn't buy anything."
"Did you....'

"Nikki even if you did guess there's no way I can tell you. Even when everything is done I still wont be able to tell you much. But trust me you will be thrilled."
"Alright so long as your OK."
I give a legitimate grin to her and she smiles and goes to do whatever she needs to be doing that's not bothering me.

I get done with everything I needed to get accomplished. I'm pretty pleased even after paying everyone and everything. We are also putting back a portion of our profits to do the redecorating we want to do I still cleared over $800 for me and the boys. So not too fucking shabby seeing as how I don't work for it anymore. OK I do the books. But that's all I do anymore. I cant imagine how much Shay and Sharne are making. I know what they get for their hours and their cut of the profits. But the tips I have no idea about. Except the little they claim on taxes. I head home because I didn't tell the boys to meet me here. But they would see the truck and figure it out. More than half the bus gets off at the corner so they can come in and get an after school treat. I make them some apple turnovers. They like those a lot. I usually make cherry but I guess the New York is coming out today and wanted apple. I am so excited and full of energy I can hardly sit still. I do take a tablet because the pain is there and I don't have any desire for it to be there. Like many people think gee I want to have a lot of pain today. Not a big request in prayers I'm sure. When they finally get home I get them their treat and they get their homework done. When they do they come and sit by me on the couch.

"Oh I forgot I got the mail Mr Jones." Tremay tells me hopping up and grabbing the mail he put in his coat pocket.

"Thank you buddy."
I open the mail and the bank sent me a payment book. How considerate. I think and roll my eyes.

"Whats that Mr Jones?" Jamal asks.

"Its a payment book buddy."
"For what?"
"For the house."
"But I thought you owned it all the way?" Tremay asks me.

"I did. But I wanted to borrow some money and I borrowed on the house."
"What did you get?" Jamal asks.

"Its just for something we needed. Don't worry about it."
They take it at that.

"You boys are staying with your Aunt Nikki and Uncle Juan tonight. I have some things to do with Mitchell and Quinton tonight. I will be late I think and it just better you stay with her tonight."
They look at me with questioning eyes and I allow them to wonder. Because I'm sure not going to tell them. I decide that I don't want to cook today. OK I am too excited to cook anything I think. I figure we will go to the restaurant and eat. So that's what we do and when we get done its time for the boys to head to Nikki's. I had them pack an overnight bag and I drop them off.

Nikki tried again to get me to let her in on whats going on. I didn't answer a single question she had. I just kept asking her questions back. She hates that when I do it. So of course her being my sister I love it. I always love getting under her skin just like I know she loves to do the same to me. I get back home and I'm not really sure what I should wear. I mean I've never paid off a judge before. I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter. But I want to look nice anyway. So I shower shave and get on a nice suit and tie. I figure look professional versus regular. I put the cash in a manila envelope and put it in a brief case. I chain smoke until Mitchell arrives at my house. I grab my coat and slip on my loafers and walk out and get in the back of the car. We drive to a house in a really nice neighborhood and we get out and walk to the door. An older man opens the door.

"Your honor." Mitchell says and nods as he walks in ahead of me. We all four go to his home office which is a Hell of a lot nicer than mine. Seeing as how mines in the kitchen now. Not really sure why I haven't moved it back upstairs. But it doesn't really matter. I have enough room to work and that's all that matters to me. The judge takes his seat behind a large walnut desk in a green leather chair. I have never understood why people get green leather chairs. It seems to be a rich guy thing. I don't get it because I think its ugly and think red would look nicer. But its not my house what the fuck do I care.

"Alright lets get down to business." The judge says.

I open the brief case and pull out the envelope and hand it over. He opens it and glances in.

He smiles and sets it aside and he pulls some paperwork out of a file on his desk.

"So Mitchell you know Mr Jones pretty well correct?" the judge asks him.

"Yes sir. I wouldn't have ever done anything like this if I didn't."
"So you think he is a good man to be this boys father?"
'Yes sir. Tremay is my cousin and when his dad was going to beat him possibly to death I had to find him somewhere I knew he would be loved and taken care of."
"HM. I see here his parents have signed the paperwork giving up any parental rights is that correct?"
"Yes your honor. His father didn't want to have a gay son."
"Mr Jones how do you feel about Tremay being gay?"
"I don't feel one way or another about it your honor. A person is born gay just as they are born straight. I love Tremay with all my heart and nothing else matters."
"Why do you want to adopt this boy Mr Jones?" He says looking at me with eyes that seem to bore into my soul. It would make me feel nervous if I didn't have good intentions in mind.

I don't even have to think to answer this one.

"I love him with all my heart. Like I said before. I was shot about 6 weeks ago and since then I have been extremely worried about him if I had died. I mean where would he go? If I'm his father legally I can control that to a degree. I want him to be taken care of and loved if something happens to me. I want to be able to say if something happens he lives with my sister. At this time I have no say in anything like that. But most importantly I want to have him as my son because that's what he wants. He asked me if there was any way possible for it to happen. I told him I didn't see any way it could happen. So I asked Mitchell if he knew of any way possible for it to happen. So he told me that he would find out. When he told me that I could I was overjoyed."
"I know who you are Mr Jones."
The judge informs me.

"Please sir don't let my past stop this. It will mean the world to Tremay. I promise I will always love and respect him. I had started a college fund for him. But well, its sitting in front of you now."
He looks at me surprised.

"You had a 100,000 in a college fund for him?"
"No sir. I had about 40. I had a little savings too. But I had to get a mortgage on my house and use his college money for this to happen. But I will get it back in time and he will be going to a good college. I want nothing but the best for him."

"So how is your restaurant going?" The judge asks.

"Pretty good sir." I answer.

"Your honor Mr Hones loves that restaurant with a passion. But when he found out how much it would take to get this adoption to happen he instantly offered to sell me his share in it so he could make this happen."
"Did you buy it?"
"No I couldn't do that to Mr Jones. I offered to loan him the money on friendly terms. I even offered no vig on the money. But he wanted to do it without risking our friendship. That's what he said when I offered. That and they ladies would kill me if I did that."
The judge listens and is thinking.

"Mr Jones I have read your criminal file from New York. I didn't want to give a boy to a man that was going to abuse him sexually. But after reading your file I don't see what you did as heinous or hurtful to your victim. Everything I read says that he wanted you to do things with him and that it was his idea and you told him no on multiple occasions. That's what your victim said. Would you agree with that?"
"Yes sir. I did refuse many times over many months. I regret giving in as its not ruined my life. But I thought for years it had. But now I have an amazing life that if I had to give it up to be free from my past I wouldn't do it. I enjoy each and every day now. I love waking up and taking care of Tremay and Jamal. I love to make sure all the boys and girls in the neighborhood have full tummy's. I love the fact that I have helped William get his life on track and he is doing great now. I wouldn't trade any of that for all the money in the world. But I would give all the money in the world for any of those children to give them a better life."

"So what is your ultimate goal in this adoption?" The judge asks me.

"To love Tremay with all my heart. To make sure he is taken care of. To make sure that he can and will reach his full potential as a human being on this earth. To guide him to be loving and compassionate to others regardless of their race, religion economic background. To accept people as they are and to love them regardless of their flaws. To help others when and where he can. To teach him to do the right thing at the right time. To learn to love life and to take every day and grasp it by the balls and hold on for dear life and enjoy it and live his life to the fullest."

"So you aren't in a few years going to toss him aside for a new younger boy?"
"Never. I will love Tremay as he is supposed to be loved by a parent. With no conditions.
"You have mentioned another boy Jamal I think you called him. Why aren't you adopting him as well?"
"If his situation were the same I would in a second your honor. But his mother is alive. She has just gotten out of drug treatments and she loves him very much. He also loves her very much. He will be going back to live with her at some point. But if something happens to her I would without a doubt step forward and raise him without any questions or doubt in my mind."

"So since you didn't take the money from Mitchell how did you get the remainder?"
"I got a loan on my house."
"Will it be a problem to pay it back with the new financial constraints of raising a boy?"
"No sir. Not at all."
"Have you had sex with this boy?" He asks me straight out.

"Your honor I would never do anything that Tremay didn't want to do."
"You didn't answer my question." He looks at me.

"I did."
He ponders it for a moment. he scratches his temple with his index finger and I see a little smile appear on his face.

"I suppose you did."
He signs his name to several papers in the file he has on his desk. He closes the file smiles and hands it to me.

"Congratulations its a boy."
"Thank you so much." I say grinning. I couldn't stop grinning if I had to.

"Now gentleman if you will excuse me I would like to spend some time with my wife. Have a nice evening."
He walks us to the door the file in my hand saying I'm now Tremays dad legally. We get to Mitchell's car and head out. We get about half way to my house and Mitchell pulls into a club.

"What are we doing here Mitchell?" I ask him.

"Well, Mr Jones I want to buy the new father a drink."
"But I don't really drink."
"I know but I want to get you at least one. It time to celebrate."

"I suppose that I can have one."
We all three get out and walk into the club. Shay and Sharne are sitting at a booth I see. Its loud and I really don't enjoy loud. But it is a song I like. I walk over before either of them sees me and grab Shays hand. She looks up surprised and then smiles when she sees its me.

"Lets dance!!!" I scream at her because its the only way I can be heard. She smiles and slips out of the booth. We go over and dance and I'm having a lot of fun honestly. When the song ends Sharne comes over and pushes Shay away with her hip.

"My turn." she tells her smiling.

I just smile and dance to the next song. When the song is over we start to walk to the table and a lady I know asks me to dance.

"Sure why not. I'm here to have fun."
She smiles. So after about 8 songs of dancing with 8 different women I finally find my way over to the booth. I sit on the ladies side because there just isn't room with the two guys on one side.

"Looks like your pretty popular Mr Jones." Quinton shouts over to me.

I just laugh.

"Shoot I bet Mr Jones could have his pick of any of those women." Shay says teasing me.

"Only two women I want those two big fuckers wont let me have." I say pointing to the guys.

Everyone laughs at my joke.

"Seriously Mr Jones. I mean I know your gay and all. But I bet you and Miss Dee would be great together. Shes real pretty too."
"I think what we have now is perfect. But thanks for the thought."
I respond.

The waitress comes over.

"What can I get you Mr Jones?"
"Gosh its been so long since I had a drink. Let me see I guess I will have a long pour of Johnny Walker double black neat."
"We ain't got double black just black."
"That will be fine Rita."
She comes back a few minutes later with my drink and fresh beers for the guys and whatever the ladies are drinking. I take a drink of it and taste the rich woody flavor of the scotch on my tongue. I swallow it and feel the heat from it as it goes down into my stomach.

"MM That's good." I say and look through the amber liquid in the glass.

"Why don't you drink Mr Jones? I mean usually."
"I have no tolerance. If I drink more than this I will be drunk. I don't really like being drunk. Stoned I like. Drunk not so much. But I do like the taste of a really good scotch though. I also like a good Irish whiskey. But like I said I just have no tolerance for it."
"Whats not to like about being drunk?" Sharne asks me.

"I get sick and who likes that? I would rather smoke a bowl and eat a bag of Doritos. I never get sick that way."
"Good point." She responds.

"So why are you drinking tonight?" Shay asks me.

"I'm celebrating. I say grinning at the guys who smile back.

"What are we celebrating?" She asks.

"I cant tell you yet. But you will know very soon."
"Pleeeeease you can tell us. We wont tell no one." She returns.

"I cant. I at least have to tell Nikki first. It wouldn't be right if I didn't do that."
She nods understanding. Much to my surprise a young man about 18 walks up and asks me to dance. I look at my company and they all smile and shrug.

"Sure." I get up and dance with him. He is one sexy young man let me tell you. After we get done he asks me.

"Can I buy you a drink?"
"I have one. But thank you."
"Mr Jones I just want to tell you thank you." He says hugging me.

"You are welcome. But what are you thanking me for?"
"I cant tell you in here its too loud. Can we go outside and talk a few minutes?"
I don't see any harm in this. I go tell my friends I'm going outside for a minute. They all smile and nod thinking I'm going to fuck this boy. I'm not of course. At least I don't think so. I do grab my drink and carry it out with me. I don't want to waste it. It is really tasty and I like how it feels going down. Besides its cold outside and it will give me the illusion I'm warm anyway. We get outside and he hugs me again. I just hold him.

"Are you OK?" I ask him because I can feel him crying.

"I will be."
I just hold him as he cries. I don't know how long it was but it was a while for sure. He finally pulls away.

"You don't know me Mr Jones. But I know who you are. I'm Mike."
I just smile at him.

"Michelle is my big sister."
I nod at him and understand now who he is. I really had no idea. But a lot of people know me and I meet a lot of people and I never want to say I don't know who you are. I wouldn't want to hurt their feelings.

"I know you saved her life and probably Mike and Dave's too."

"I don't know if I did or not. But I knew I had to do something."
He starts crying again.

"Why don't we go to my house where we can talk and not freeze to death?"
"I would like that."
I go in and tell the guys I'm going home and they give me a smile again thinking I'm going to get laid.

"Hes Michelle's brother." I tell them.

"Good keep it in the family." Quinton says to me smiling.

"We aren't in fucking Alabama buddy." I look at him and laugh.

(I mean no disrespect to Alabama its just the first state I thought of.)

They all laugh and I go out and Mikes waiting for me. He doesn't have a car and my trucks at home. I grab the paperwork from Mitchell's car and we walk about 9 blocks to my house. I open the door and we go inside.

I take off my coat and slip off my loafers. I take of my suit coat and tie and finally am comfortable again. Mike takes off his coat and shoes and I sit on the couch and he sits not right next to me but pretty close.

"So Mike tell me about yourself. I love to meet new people."
"Yeah Michelle told me that."
"First are you staying at your sisters or are you guys from Dayton originally. I never asked Michelle I just assumed she was from Cleveland."
"Yeah she is. I moved down here yesterday because I'm having problems with my step dad. He don't like that I'm gay and is always giving me a hard time about it. So Michelle sent me the money for a bus ticket and here I am."
"So how old are you?"
"16."
"So why were you in the bar if your only 16?"
"I like to dance. I don't drink that much just a beer here and there. But I just wanted to listen to some music and stuff. That and I feel like I'm intruding on Michelle and my nephews."
"I know they don't feel that way at all. I know them all pretty well."
"I know its just I dont feel like I belong anywhere. Does that make sense."

"Your sister told you about me right?"
"Yeah about your past and how its bullshit."
"I know what it feels like to feel like you don't belong anywhere. But I know that you belong with your sister or at least someone who loves you."
"I know she loves me, and I love her too. Its just I want to find my own place in the world."
"Your 16 you have time. You need to focus on school now. Definitely get a job for the weekends so you can help your sister. I know shes doing OK. But I also know she could use help too."
"I already got a weekend job."
"Cool where at?"
"I work for you Mr Jones."
"Oh that's good. I didn't know. I'm kind of out of the loop now."
I grab a cigarette.

"Do you mind if I smoke?"
"Its your house. If I minded I would leave."
"Do you smoke weed?"
He grins.

"Reach under the couch there and pull out the tray. Roll us a fat one."
He does just that and we smoke about half of it and put it out.

"That's some good weed." He says through is lidded eyes.

"Yes it is." I say and lean back and melt into the couch. I feel like pudding I think would feel. Its nice, really nice. I'm admiring Mikes beauty. He is a lovely looking boy. Hes about five feet six inches. I don't guess he weighs more than about 135 pounds. He looks like he is well muscled for sure. I feel my cock get about half hard admiring him. His coloring is really nice too. I always think its like middle black. He isn't black like an African. But he isn't so light that one of his parents was white. Its a nice color for sure.

"Mr Jones can I kiss you?" He asks me timidly.

"I think I would like that." I tell him.

He leans over to me and presses his lips against mine and it feels really nice. I run my hand up his back and feel him under his shirt. We kiss a moment me licking his lips with the tip of my tongue. He leans back his eyes slitted from the kiss and the weed.

"That was nice. I thought it would be."
"You haven't kissed anyone before?"
I see the crimson in his face.

"No. I never done anything before."
"I think that tonight then all we should do is kiss. I want you to think about if we do anything else. You can only have one first time and I want you to make sure its OK with me."
"I'm totally OK its with you. I want to suck you off." He responds quickly.

"Now as tempting as that sounds........" I start to say and he grabs my cock in my suit pants and it feels really nice. Once he touched my cock my resolve had ran faster then a thief when the homeowner gets home. I reach over and lift off his shirt revealing his gorgeous muscled body.

"Oh my your beautiful."
He blushes again.

"Thank you."

He unbuttons my shirt and opens it up.

"Oh fuck." He say as he traces his fingers over my scars.

"I can leave my shirt on if it bothers you."
"Oh no. It turns me on."
I'm shocked.

"My scars turn you on?"
"OH yeah they do. They show how brave and caring you are. You got shot to save my sister and my nephews. That's so sexy." He says as he unzips my fly and works my raging hard cock from my trousers. I watch his lovely fingers wrap around my cock and slowly start to jerk me.

"Oh that's nice." I moan out as he does.

I reach down and feel his cock and holy shit. Its fucking huge snaking down his leg.

"I have to see you." I say and pull away from him. I stand in front of him and unfasten his jeans and pull them down revealing his sexy yellow boxer briefs and see his long pole bulging down his leg.

"Oh my." I say as I pull his undies down and off revealing what has to be a foot of fat black cock. I see his large hanging balls and admire his beauty. His young 16 year old body is blemish free. I take his massive cock into my hand and its bigger then any cock I've ever felt. Not seen. I've seen bigger in movies. But this is the biggest one I have seen in person.

"Your huge." I tell him and he smiles at the compliment.

I take the head of his cock into my mouth and he lets out a hiss as I do. I suck in about 5 inches until I feel the need to gag and let it out and suck and stroke his cock a minute and am starting to really enjoy it and he lets out a long moan and starts to unload in my mouth. I nearly gag at the copious amounts of cum he unleashes. But I swallow and savor each drop not letting any go to waste.

I let go of his beautiful piece of teen boy meat look up at him and smile.

"My god Mr Jones that was amazing. Sorry I shot so fast." He pants.

"That's OK you are young and I'm guessing that's your first blow job."
He nods yes it was.

"Can I do you now?"
"I'm not going to argue with you. If that's what you want to do."
I sit down and honestly I'm a little disappointed he came so fast. But It was his first and he is 16 I'm sure that I will have another chance in just a few minutes. I know at 16 I could go five or six times a night and not think twice about it. He bends over and takes my cock in his mouth carefully.

"Oh that's nice." I tell him as he lowers his mouth over half my cock. I'm not nearly the size he is so he doesn't have any difficulty taking in most of my cock. He moves around and gets on his knees so he can work my cock better. I run my hand down his back and cup his lovely ass cheeks in my hand. I run my hand up and down it feeling the smoothness of it. I reach with a finger and brush it across his anus and he moans as I do.

"Oh yeah. Mr Jones I want you to take me."
"I hardly think you are ready for that. The first time can be kind of painful."
"Oh no. I've been playing with things down there for ever. I want to feel what its like to have a real man take me. Not just toys." He pants out.

I'm thinking he is 16 and its actually legal in Ohio for me to make love to him. That will be interesting thinking I am doing something taboo yet its legal. I slip my finger in my mouth and get it wet and return it and slide it in his hole. I meet no resistance and he moans as I bury it in his lovely milk chocolate colored ass.

"OH yes." He moans around my cock and continues to work it.

I move my finger in and out and add a second and its tighter now. But I can tell he has worked it so he can take a cock. Its nice tight and oh so very hot. He lifts off my cock and looks me in the eyes.

"Please fuck me now."
I'm not about to argue because he has got me so worked up with his mouth I want to feel that ass tightly wrapped around my cock.

"I think the first time is easiest dogie style. But I so want to look at your face and body as I make love to you." I tell him. He smiles and spins around on the couch and lifts his legs exposing his star for me to see. Its lovely and its winking at me. I reach over and grab some lube out of the end tables drawer and lube up my cock and then slip some in and around his ass. I line up and he looks at me.

"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Please."

I place the head of my cock up to his pucker and press and the head pops in and he gasps.

"You OK?"
"Yeah just give me a second."
His beautiful black rod seemed to have lost some length and I want to see it rock solid as I pound his ass. I reach down and start to stroke his cock. I still have lube on my hand as I had nowhere to wipe it so its sliding up and down very well.

"More." He pants and I side a couple inches in wait and continue stroking his cock. I pull out slightly and push back in gaining an inch of ground. He seems to really like that from the expression on his face. I work it until its buried to the root and then start to slowly push in and out of this beautiful young teen. He quickly reaches up and grabs my hand stopping me.

"You OK?"
"Yes. I just don't want to cum yet. It feels so good."

I slip down a bit and start pushing up into him so I know I am hitting his prostate and he gasps and moans.

I work him slowly into a frenzy until he is soon begging me to fuck him faster and faster. Now I am never one to deny a boy what he wants. So I pound into his ass as fast as a piston on a race car. He is loving me getting as deep as I can and going as fast as I can.

"Oh god yes." He screams out and I watch as his cock unleashes his seed coating his chest and belly with cum. Seeing his very white cum against his dark skin sends me over the edge and I slam my cock in as far as it will go and unleash a massive cum into him.

"Yesssssssssssss." I hiss as I cum.

After my cum I leave my cock seeded in him and admire his now sweaty glistening body. He is so fucking sexy. I bet this is how Jamal will look when he is older. Hell he looks like it now just a mini version. My cock twitches thinking about my boys.

I pull out of him and it makes a slurping sound as I do.

I get up and go get a couple cans of Coke from the fridge and walk back out and sit one on the coffee table for him. He is still laying on his back with his legs up. I sit in my spot and open the soda and take a big drink.

"Before you ask the bathroom is off the kitchen. Just follow the light and you will find it." I tell him this and he looks at me confused why I'm telling him this. Then it hits him. He races to the restroom and I just smile.

My chest is hurting now. I probably shouldn't have done this. But I already have and I did enjoy it very much. I think the pain is worth it. I grab a tablet and pop it in my mouth as he is walking back out I close the bottle.

He sits next to me and leans into me and I put my arm around him.

"So was that OK?"

"OK? Are you kidding me? That was great and I cant wait to do it again. I thought it was good with toys. But the real thing is remarkable."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. But I got to be honest. Your cock is so big I'm not sure I can take it. But we can try if you want."
"Nah I'm good. I'm a bottom. I don't see that changing."
"You don't know if you don't try it."
"Nah I don't want to. I want a cock in my ass. But it feels wrong to me the other way around."

I'm thinking I kind of do want to try it. I figure its what it would feel like to Jamal and Tremay when I put my cock in them. I kind of want to feel what they feel. I want to feel the pain they feel when it first goes in and then the extreme pleasure after a while. I'm really not a bottom. But I do enjoy it once in a while.

We lounge around and sip our sodas for about half an hour.

"I better get going so Michelle doesn't worry about me." He tells me and gives me a kiss.
"Yes she has enough to worry about without worrying where you are."

I slip my slacks on and walk him to the door when he is dressed. I give him a kiss as he is leaving.

"It was nice meeting you Mike."
He grins.

"It was really nice meeting you Mr Jones."
He heads home and I watch as he crosses the street and looks back a few times as he does. I grab my clothes that are scattered everywhere and head upstairs. I decide a quick shower and do just that and head to bed. I am asleep in an instant. Not surprising I slept like a rock. I wake up in a little pain. Its tolerable but I still take a tablet just to be safe. I head downstairs and make some coffee and grab a cigarette and sit at the table. I had grabbed my robe thankfully. Because it just got more frigid in the Buckeye state. An Arctic blast moved in last night which means. You freeze your fucking nuts off. I look at my phone and its -10F (-23C) the windchill is -40F (-40C) So its walk outside your testicles fall off and roll down your pant leg cold. I don't mind cold. But this shit is ridiculous. (As I am writing this we just got past the first winter storm and its was a doozy. One area got 77" of snow. 195cm. Thankfully I only got 17.5 inches.)

I suck on my cigarette and wait for the coffee to finish. When it gurgles its last bit out I get up and grab a cup. I add a bit of sugar and sit back down. I text Nikki.

Honey its way too cold for the boys to be out. I will come pick them up around 8 or so if that's OK?

I noticed its 6:30 ish. I get a text back a few minutes later.

I'm not dumb Gary.8 Is fine.

I laugh and start to text back questioning if she is dumb or not and my phone pings.

Don't you fucking dare.

She texts back. I start laughing. Oh my sister knows me too well I think. So I text back.

Dare what? You said 8 is fine.

I just chuckle when I get back.

You fucking know. I know you were probably texting it as I sent the second.

I just laugh.

I decide to have some honey nut Cheerios and some toast for breakfast. I should have had oatmeal, it will warm a body from the inside out. Cold cereal not so much. I get done and clean my mess. I see the mail from yesterday still on the coffee table and open it. Yay I got my payment book from the bank. I look and have ten years of monthly payments of $392.98. I sigh and think it was so worth it. They wanted me to do a 30 year fixed but I was not having that shit. 10 years is enough and I wont pay on it more than a year I don't think. Maybe two so I can add more to the boys college fund faster. Maybe I will use the money from just the restaurant for bills, groceries and whatever is left each month send it as the payment. I'm guessing my payments will be around $2,000 a month. So I wont be making them a small fortune in interest payments. Because after a quick calculation in my head if I drag it out I will be giving them a bit more then 12 grand in interest. That seems stupid and I don't want to do it. I set the book on the end table where I'm sitting and look through the bills I have. Gas, electric, internet, cable, water, sewer, trash. You know a lot is induced when I rented in the city. But it doesn't add up to the massive amounts I paid there. I go to the app on my phone and start paying them all. Now I'm about $600 lighter than when I woke up. I look and its 7:30 I walk to the door and hit the remote start to the truck and it roars to life. Never understood remote starts until I started driving and its so cold. I always turn the heat up full blast when I get out now so if I do this it will be warm fast. I go upstairs and put on some jeans, and a hoodie. I grab some socks and head back down. Grab my new cool ass tennis shoes and sit on the couch. I lift my foot up instead of bend over. Its not as easy but it doesn't hurt as much. So it makes total sense to me. I grab my ski coat because I figure its my warmest coat. I walk out and fuck its cold. I step back inside and grab a hat and scarf. I slip the hat on my head and make sure my ears are covered to stay warm and wrap the scarf around my face because that air was so cold it hurt my lungs. I figure the scarf might warm it some. I go tot get the boys and pull up in Nikki's drive behind Juan's car. I leave the truck running and lock it as I get out. I go in Nikki's house and Juan is on the couch watching the news. I look at him and feel a bit naughty. I like to fuck with Juan. I wait until he takes a bite of his toast.

"So I hear you got a great big cock."
He spits and sputters toast all over the living room and I'm laughing my ass off. He does this just as Nikki walks in.

"What the fuck Juan?"
"Got me the fucking guy just started spitting toast everywhere." I say laughing.

Juan gets his composure back.

"No apparently the boys told him they busted us."
"Yeah sis I hear you got a big mouth. But I always knew that."
Nikki turns a really pretty crimson. I wish I knew the Alabama fight song I would so sing it now. Instead I say to her.

"Gosh if you had on a green shirt you would be ready for Christmas."
"You should go back to being an asshole." She tells me laughing.

"Fuck you."
"You see this Juan now hes stealing my best line? Beat him up for me."
"No fucking way." he tells her.

"Come on Juan he is puny you can take him." She says smiling.

"Yeah then I got every kid in the neighborhood after me. Egging the house and cars. Fuck that. Besides you do have a big mouth."
I cant help it I have to sit down I'm laughing too hard now.

"Oh it hurts when I laugh." I say grabbing my chest.

I see two heads pop around the corner and smile when they see me.

They are quickly on next to me.

"I left the truck running guys so it wont be freezing. Grab your stuff."
Not a word is said and they race off to do what I asked.

"You got those boys trained." Juan tells me.

"No its respect. The other day I walked in the living room and told them it was time to take their baths and they stopped mid game. I felt bad about that. Next time I'm telling them when there game is over."
"Dam I used to argue and fuss and fight about it with my parents." Juan tells me.

"Yeah but you have to think about their upbringing to buddy. If they back talked like that they would have probably gotten a good beating out of it."
"Yeah." He says nodding.

"I think Tremays dad is like Nikki's dad was."

"He was a piece of fucking work." Juan says.

"Only good thing I ever saw from him is her, and she ain't that great." I say pointing at Nikki.

"Fuck you. I'm amazing."
"So what do you unhinge your jaw or something. The boys said its massive."
She turns red again and walks out of the room.

"HM. She never leaves when I'm picking on her."
"You cant pick like me. She would put your nuts in a vise."
"I wouldn't put it past her. She can be mean as fuck if shes mad."
I just look at him.

"Who am I telling right?"

"Exactly."
"When she was little I hated her half the time. One time I used the last of the milk for cereal and she was all mad and threw it on the floor and then told her dad that she was eating it and I got mad she used the last of the milk and did it."
"I could see her doing that."
"She was vicious. But that was the last time she did that. Her dad beat me so long he took a break. Then started in again. She actually apologized later for it."
The boys show up as I finish the story.

"You guys have breakfast?"
"Aunt Nikki made us waffles."Tremay tells me.
"No she didn't she put frozen things in the toaster."
"Aren't those waffles?" Jamal asks.

"Barely. You want real food?" I ask.

"No I'm full from fake waffles." Tremay tells me and makes me laugh.

"One day I will make you real waffles. But I don't own a waffle iron. Lets get home guys its freezing out there."
We head to the house and get inside. I sit in my usual spot after I take off my coat. The boys are there to help with my shoes.

"I think I can do it. Let me try first OK? Its not that I don't appreciate it. Its I need to start figuring out different ways to do things or at least do them even though it hurts a little so I can get the muscles used to moving like that again."
"Makes sense to me." Jamal answers for them. I lift my foot and put it on my knee and untie my shoe and then pull it off and do the same with the other.

"See easy peasy."

They still grab them and put them by the door where they belong.

Tremay picks up the payment book and is flipping through it.

"Whats this?"
"Its a payment book. When you get a loan they give you one. Would you be so kind as to put it on my desk please."
"Sure." He says and does as I ask and is back in a moment.

"So what did you buy?"
"Nothing I just borrowed a little against the house. I wanted to do something and needed the money."
"What?"
"Its nothing you need to worry about."
He looks at me confused because I always give the boys an answer. But I don't want him to know I pretty much bought him. Because I know if he knew about the money changing hands he would have said not to do it. But he wants to be my son and so do I. Legally he is right now. I have the paperwork that says he is now known as Tremay Jones. I think he will be thrilled when he finds out.

The days fly by and before I know it its party day and wont everyone be surprised. I have invited everyone to the surprise party at the restaurant. I haven't told a single person other than Jamal I am trying to adopt Tremay and to his knowledge its still not done. I'm sneaky that way. Maybe Mitchell is rubbing off on me.

Mike has come over a few times to visit and he likes the boys and they sure like him. We haven't done anything since other than when he comes over he hugs me and kisses me on the lips. The first time the boys looked at us funny. I told them what happened and they are like. Oh cool. I didn't tell them about his massive cock because I know my boys they would HAVE to see it. To be honest I wouldn't mind seeing it again anytime soon. I have the party planned for noon that way I know all the children will be there. I have made a few massive cakes so everyone will get cake. I even ordered a banner to hang. I am so excited as I wake up. I throw on my robe grab a tablet and take it. I head down and make coffee and I think sticky buns are in order for a special day.

I text Mitchell.

Did you get the sign?

A moment later he answers back.

Yes and it looks great.

I respond.

Cool. Don't hang it until we get there I want to see his face when he sees it being put up.

He replies with a smiley emoji. Hes so silly. I start making sticky buns and I get the first rise done and roll them out and put the cinnamon and sugar on them. Today I want to be all fancy and shit and put crushed pecans in with it. It will be yummy for sure. Of course I make two pans because honestly its as easy to make two as one. Well kind of. I let them rise and Jamal comes down and looks at them on top of the stove. He grins at me.

"I put pecans in them today."
"Yum!"
He sits down after he gets himself some juice. I light a cigarette and smile at him.

"I'm not complaining at all. But why are you making sticky buns so much?"
"I know you guys like them as well as myself and honestly I don't have much to do anymore."
"When you are better are you going to work at the restaurant again?"
I think a minute because I haven't really thought about it. I mean they are doing really well without me. I kind of figured I was retired from it.
"No I think when I'm back to good I will go in and serve the children their after school snacks. I'm also thinking I want to start making the pies for the restaurant so its cheaper for one and two they are better."
"You make good pies."
"I only made the one for you guys."
"Yeah but it was really good."
"Check and see if the rolls are ready to go in yet?"
He gets up and looks.

"I think so. But not positive."
I get up and stand next to him.

"Yeah they are pretty much fully risen. I can see the confusion. I think we will give them a few more minutes to rise some more."
"We should let them get HUGE."
"I get it that you want massive ones. But it wont work right if we do that."
We sit back down and in a few minutes we put them in the oven. Right after that Tremay comes downstairs all sleepy.

"Morning buddy."
"Morning Mr Jones. Morning May." He says giving Tremay a hug then me and then climbs on my lap. He stays until the rolls are done and I slip him on a chair and pull them out and let them cool a while. Now usually the boys would go to the living room and watch some cartoons or something. But with sticky buns in the future they aren't going anywhere that's out of sight of them. I get two out of the pans for them and put them on a plate as well as two for me. I put them in the freezer and sit down. I let them sit a few minutes and pull them out. I can see it is perfection on a plate. We dig in and enjoy every morsel. When I get done I make up a box of them for Dee, Kenny, and Jenny.

"Jamal take these over to Dee and them."
"Yes sir." He answers and races upstairs to get dressed. He is back quickly grabs his coat and the treats and races over to Dee's. Tremay gets up and goes and gets dressed. As he is upstairs Jamal gets back.

He starts talking as he is taking off his coat.

"Kenny says hes excited about the party today. What party Mr Jones?"

I hate to lie to him but Tremay is walking down the stairs.

"I have no idea buddy. Maybe he is going to a party at his church or something?"
"No he said he would see me there."
"Whats going on?" Tremay asks.

"I have no idea. Something about a party. Maybe your aunt Nikki is behind this It wouldn't surprise me if that sneaky witch of a sister of mine planned a party for me and didn't tell you boys so it wouldn't slip to me." I tell them.

I got to say it sounds pretty convincing.

They look at each other then back at me and laugh.

"What?" I ask.

"That's prolly it. Aunt Nikki is shady. But good shady." Tremay says laughing.

I laugh.

"Oh my she is going to be so pissed I found out." I say laughing.

"You cant tell her you know. It would ruin it for her." Jamal puts in.

"Yeah I will try to act surprised. Hows this.?" I say making an hilarious facial expression. The boys laugh.

We play around a few minutes making crazy surprise faces to each other each of us laughing our asses off.

"Oh guys I got to quit this." I say grabbing my chest. "It hurts when I laugh too long now." I say still chuckling.

A look of concern comes on their faces.

"You need a pill Mr Jones?" Tremay asks.

"No buddy I'm good." I say smiling at him "Its just I got to keep things kind of calm on my body just yet. Soon we can do everything we used to do. Not sure how soon. But I know I have to push the limits a bit so I get better. But not too much. How about I whip your boys butts at the racing game?"
Smiles instantly appear on their faces.

"You ain't gonna whip nuthin." Tremay continues the trash talk.

"Shoot if I cant beat you two then I ain't breathing." I tell him.

"Whatever. You is so old you cant move your fingers fast enough from the Arthur ritus." Jamal holds up his hand fingers all curled up.

"Shoot you so old you be farting dust Mr Jones." Tremay adds.

"I may fart dust but I cant see my circumcision scar on my forehead like you two."

Tremay says in the whitest voice he can muster.

"I do believe he just called us dick heads."

I lose it I cant help it. He is so fucking hilarious. I think of him saying Pardon me. Do you have any Grey Poupon? Its so funny.

"Start the game boys." I finally manage to get out.

"Mr Jones you want more coffee before we start?" Tremay asks me.

"That would be great. Thank you."
"I just offered cuz I figure you cant walk that far without a nap."
"Fuck you." I say laughing it out.

He and Jamal both laugh and he does go get me some more coffee.

What they don't know is I am becoming addicted to this fucking game. I have been "practicing" so I can beat the boys about 6 hours a day while they are at school. Hee hee.

"Alright whose little butt am I kicking first?" I ask as Jamal hands me a controller.

"Jamal can go beat you first. Seems fair he set up the game." Tremay tells us.

"Sounds good. Jamal will be my first victim."
"Shoot I'm going to be nice Mr Jones I'm going to count to five before I even start. Give you a head start."
I just laugh. I have gotten pretty good at this game and I am pretty sure I can beat him. Not positive but with a head start I know I will. We select our cars and the track. I picked the Brick Yard. I like that track. A massive oval. Easy to gain speeds fast. I thought about Detroit and run the grand prix. But thought nah I want Indy. The announcer counts down and off I go him counting one one thousand. I'm screaming through the gears and passing on the inside of the first corner.

"Dang Mr Jones." Tremay remarks at my 4 car wide pass. I'm actually in the grass passing Fuck it go for the gold right. I'm going into the second turn smacking the ass of the car in front of me before Jamal starts.

"I'm so screwed." Jamal says already knowing he is defeated.

I come out of the second corner and shout.

"Get the fuck out of my way cocksucker." to the car that's in front of me.

"Mr Jones got some race track rage going on." Tremay quips.

"Your fucking funny." I say as I chuckle.

I keep trying to pass and this prick in front of me keeps moving down so I cant. I'm irritated at him now. As we go into the third turn I get under him and lift up and hit his rear quarter panel and spin him out. Seems fair to me.

"I ain't riding with Mr Jones no more. No sirreee." Tremay laughs.

"Not my fault he wouldn't move. So I just helped him."
Jamal is not far behind and he is trying and amazingly succeeds at not hitting any of the multiple cars I made crash. I just giggle. I wish I could hit the lotto so I could get a 1974 Ford LTD the biggest car I can think of and when someone pisses me off I just push them in a ditch. Hop out and scream. Tag your it. Then take off. People are normal and rational people until the get behind the wheel of a car and then they turn into idiots sometimes. I am thinking this as I pass the start/ finish line and we are in yellow. I have to slow down. I have learned that yellows in this game last one lap. The game is set up for ten laps. So losing one is OK. Especially just the second one.

I would tell you about the rest of the race. But it was rather uneventful after that. I did manage to beat him. I shouldn't have caused the caution because it allowed him to catch up. Granted he was in last and I was in first. But he was in the pack right behind me. He managed to make it up to second as I crossed the finish line. I was impressed at his ability.

We play back and forth until about 11:30 when I say.

'You know I'm hungry. Whats say we go down and get a pizza buffet at the restaurant?"
"Shoot yeah." They agree.

"I best go get dressed then huh?"
"Mr Jones I bet you could show up just like that and wouldn't nobody say nothing." Tremay tells me.

"Yeah to my face. Then the whole neighborhood would be talking about me going crazy after I got shot. No thank you."

They both laugh at me.

"First I want to have a cigarette. Do you guys mind putting it off say until I get done. I have a hard enough time trying to get dressed let alone doing two things at once."
"Its cool." Jamal says.

I am thinking good. Because I shouldn't have said it yet. I jumped the gun a few minutes. I reach over and my pack is empty. I knew it was. I crumple it in my fist.

"Darn it. Tremay upstairs in the night stand is a carton. Will you grab me a pack please?"
"Sure." He races off. I'm thinking I'm a dick. I know they aren't there. They are in the drawer of my desk. From the top of the stairs I hear.

"In your room right?"
"Yeah I thought I put them there. Aren't they there."
"No sir."
"HM where the hell did I put them?" I ponder out loud. "Stupid pills make me forget shit all the time. Maybe they are in the kitchen cabinet?"
He thumps down the stairs like all boys seem to do and races in there.

I hear every cabinet open.

"Nope." He says as he enters the doorway to the kitchen.

I see I have managed to waist five minutes. I think that might be enough. I smack my forehead.

"Try my desk drawer."
He rushes over there.

"Yep. Right here." He says and comes back in and hands me a fresh pack.

"Sorry I had you on a wild goose chase."
"Its OK, its the pills."
"Yep." I say smiling and nodding feeling like an ass lying to them.

I take my time and act like I cant get the pack open. I get it lit in about a minute. I take my time smoking it too. I get up and its quarter of. I snuff out my cigarette and head upstairs. I get dressed pretty quick. I'm getting better every day. I head downstairs. I put on a blue oxford with jeans and put on some black dress socks and loafers. Casual but nicer than I usually dress. I should have know better.

"Why you dressed up?" Tremay asks.

"Buddy this is hardly dressed up. I just thought I wanted to look a little nicer today. I mean everyone always sees me in a t shirt. So I thought dress a little nicer. I am a business owner now."
I look at them and I think they bought it.

"Get your shoes on boys."
They do it quickly.

"Tremay there is a file on my desk will you grab it for me please."
"Sure." He races into the kitchen and as back handing it to me in a flash.
"Thank you."
We head out to the truck after we put on our coats and climb in. Tremay takes the middle seat as I suspected. He usually does. I climb in and hand him the folder.

"Here hold that for me."
He doesn't even answer he just takes it.

We drive to the restaurant and the parking Lt is packed.

"We may have to wait for a table guys."
"Its OK. Means we are doing real good." Jamal says to me.

"Yeah it does."
We climb out and walk up to the door and a sign is on it.

Private Party. Invited guests and hungry children only.

I thought oh boy this plays right into my lie earlier about Nikki.

"Did you guys know about this? I bet this is your aunt Nikki's doing. is this the party?"

They both look at me dumbfounded.

"I didn't know nothing. You Jamal?"

I hand Tremay the folder back.

"Here hold this so I can act all surprised."
"Sure."
We walk in and nothing looks out of the ordinary. Every one is eating and talking and having a good time. Like always.

I look at the boys.

"I guess we were wrong." I see they saved a table next to the little podium I asked them to build for me. Its really just a box about a foot high and about the size of a four top table. I walk with the boys over there and they start to sit down and I step up on the podium.

When I do the entire place gets quiet.

"Now I asked all of you to be hear today for a very special occasion."
Jamal and Tremay are looking at me with the. What the fuck look.

As I say this Mitchell and Quinton walk out of the kitchen Quinton holding the banner rolled up.

"I think I will let Tremay tell you why we are here."

He looks at me like I'm insane. But gets up from the table.

"Buddy you need the file folder."
He turns around and grabs it.

I nod to the guys and they unroll the banner.

It reads.

Congratulations Tremay Jones.

He looks at it confused as do most everyone else.

He looks at me with a questioning look and I point to the file. He opens it up and starts reading it. He starts smiling then grinning.

He looks up at me.

"Is this real?"
I nod and smile.

"Yeah it sure is."
He wraps his arms around me and hugs me so hard it hurts. But I don't give a fuck. Nikki of course hollers.

"Whats it say?"
"Tell them buddy."
"It says Mr Jones is my dad. For real."

The entire place erupts with clapping, shouts of approval and congratulations. All I can hear is Nikki screaming over and over.

"Oh my god." As she races to where we are.

She swoops up Tremay and is spinning him around hugging him, and giving repeated kisses on the cheek. Jamal I see is just laughing and clapping loving every second of it.

"Alright everyone lets party and have a good time!" I scream. "Michelle get the music."
Soon everyone is eating and laughing and cutting up.

We are having a great time. The boys and I eat our fill of pizza and talk to everyone in the place. It is truly a great day and we have a great time. The children that are coming in for lunch are surprised but not in a bad way. Some of the little girls started dancing and before you know it the place looked like a club. We start winding it down and by 3 its over. We do have a business to run. So everyone clears out and the place is getting cleaned up and the sign comes out of the window and we are back to business as usual.

I reach in my coat pocket and pull out a small box.

"I got this for you since your my son. I'm so proud of you I want the world to know."
I hand him the box and he opens it and it snaps open.

"I love it."
He slips it on his finger. He admires it. Its a small ring with a J on it. "Now your a Jones. Be that good or bad you are family now."
Jamal is watching and hes smiling but I see hes a bit sad too. He wants to be a Jones too.

I pull out another box and hand it to him.

He opens it and sees another ring just like it.

He grins at me.

"You are my son too. Regardless of what papers say. You are my son in my heart. Both of you are and that's more important than a paper any day."
He slips it on his finger and I reach in my pocket and pull out the one I got for me and slip it on my finger.

"Cool." They both say.

What they didn't see is inside both is engraved. I love you, dad.

"Well boys lets go home. I hear a sticky bun calling my name."
"I hear one too Mr Jones." Jamal says.

"Me too Dad." Tremay says with a grin.

______________________________

ericmurphey1971@gmail.com

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So well thats it. I hope you have enjoyed my writing. I may post again in the very distant future. I suppose we will see.

Anyway, I had a reader GSJ send me this because he thought I wasnt going to complete the story. I thought it was fun so I asked if I could share it and he said sure. I think he captured my writing style pretty well and the feel of the characters.

Andrew will be posting the coclusion of Daily Life and then he has a new Transtions story from my understanding of our communications. So let the Murpheys live on.

Eric

This is CSJs take on the ending.

It was about 9 months now since I was shot. I have been trying unsuccessfully to get the funds to have Tremay as my fully adopted son. I am frustrated and angry that it is taking this long. I am at the moment up against a brick wall. But that aside it is a glorious Sunday morning and as usual we have the day off and are languishing in bed. I ask you what better way to wake up than to have a beautiful young body curled up against you in the morning.

But I am busting to relieve myself, so I gently get out of bed and do my business in the bathroom. When I return expecting to see my lovely young man still asleep, the bed is empty. I wander downstairs to find him getting breakfast ready. “Up so early? What’s the rush?” I say. “Well I thought it would be a bit different if we went to the restaurant for a change today, what do you think”. We hadn’t been in on a Sunday for months so I agreed it was a great idea.

After a quick shower we were on our way. When we arrived it seems as though everyone else had the same idea, I see Dee and her two, Kenny and Jenny. I even saw Mitchell and Quinton at a table having breakfast.

Well I went out to the kitchen and Shay and Sharne were there already setting up for lunch, so I say I’m here to help if you want. They smile and indicate where to start.

It’s a couple of hours later, lunch is organised so I look out the serving window and see these three big guys come through the main door. They look ominous in dark suits and sunglasses. They just wander in and start looking around. I’m getting a bit worried something might be up but just as I am going to go out and ask they leave. Next thing I know there is a long convoy of black vehicles lining up out front. One is enormous and such a beast of a thing. Turns out to my surprise that is just what it is “The Beast” cause who should get out but Joe Biden himself.

With his entourage in tow he enters the restaurant. I go out and he comes over to greet me. Nervous as hell I stick out my hand to shake with him and he says “Mr Jones, you have a nice place here”. I am flabbergasted and try to maintain my composure. He says “I have been reliably informed you are doing great things for the community around here. I guess you must be wondering what I am doing here?” I say “that would be an understatement!”

I look around and for some reason the place is packed. Joe puts his arm around me and says “son you are doing such a fantastic job and this has been brought to my attention on a number of occasions so we thought it deserved somewhat of a reward”. So he proceeds to turn to his aid and comes back with a box. “In honour of your continued and unflinching service to your community I have the honour of bestowing on you the Presidential Medal of Freedom, congratulations. To say the least I am at a loss for words. Everyone is congratulating me. Joe says “is there anywhere someone can get a bit of lunch around here”. I direct him to a table and say that I will get him a menu and drinks as soon as I can. He stops me and say “what about Rule No 1 son”. I do a double take and smile that he is aware of this. “the youngsters get fed first don’t they” and he has the biggest smile. “That’s right sir, sorry my mistake”.

So he sits down and Tremay comes over and he tells him to sit on his knee. I don’t know what to say, but he looks at me and says “well this must be Tremay, I have heard so much about you young man! I hear on the grape vine that you would like Mr Jones to be your real Dad, is that right?” Tremay just nods. “well I have some other news, it is no good being President if I can’t do a presidential decree every now and again so from here on out Mr Jones is your real Dad, what do you think about that?”