Saving An Angel
By Jason Finigan

This story is completely fictional. Any similarities to any persons or events, past or present are purely coincidental. This story may contain scenes which involve sexual situations between young males. If this type of material is offensive to you, or it is not legal for you to be reading this type of material, please do not read any further. This story is copyright © 2007 by Jason. Please do not copy this story for distribution or post on any online server without the author's permission. Please send all your comments to: jasonfinigan@yahoo.com You can also visit my site at: www.jasonfinigan.net. Thanks and enjoy the story.


Chapter 8

"Alright Ryan, why don't you start at the beginning for me," Darren suggested.

"Well, a few days ago I met this young ten year old boy who was living on the streets," I started.

"Ten years old? And living on the streets? What the hell could have happened to make a ten year old homeless?" Darren asked.

"I'll get to that Uncle, but if you keep interrupting me, it's going to take forever, and we still have lots to do."

"Sorry Ryan, go on," Darren said.

"I found out his name was Kyle and that he had been on the streets for a couple months after running away from the group home he was living in. I can't tell you right now why he did, but I can tell you that it was serious enough for him to fear for his safety."

"Jesus!"

"Yeah, I know. Any ways, I convinced him to come home with me where I made sure he was fed and clean. He didn't want to tell me at first what it was that made him leave the group home, but after he did, I knew I couldn't let him go back there. I contacted the CAS and set up a meeting at the house. By that time I had become very fond of Kyle, and he of me. I wanted to raise him, and see him have the chance to grow up happy."

"Damn, you don't start anything small do you Ryan?"

"No, I guess not Uncle," Ryan said.

"So what happened during the meeting? I've dealt with the CAS before, and it's no picnic let me tell you."

"Well, you got that right! The person I had the meeting with was Kyle's original case worker. A guy by the name of Tom Garreth. He was the one who had placed Kyle in the group home, and as it turned out, he was adamant about Kyle returning, which was something that I could not allow."

"No of course you couldn't. I know you Ryan. When you're not comfortable with something, you do everything you can to make things right. So what did you do?" Darren asked.

"Well, during the whole interview I had my cell phone on and I was connected to my lawyer. You remember Jerry Greibeck don't you?" Ryan asked.

"Do I?" Darren laughed. "I remember when he was talking to the lawyer for your parents' insurance company. He was vicious!"

"Yeah, they tried to cheat me out of the home, claiming that it wasn't fully covered under the policy. Jerry put a stop to their shenanigans fast."

"I wish I could have been there to see it," Darren laughed.

"It was a Kodak moment to be sure. Any ways, Jerry came into the house, and he was followed by Anna Jacobs who is the Executive Director of the Halton CAS. She dismissed Tom as Kyle's case worker, and took over the case herself. She interviewed Kyle and me, and filled out the paperwork for me to become Kyle's foster parent. I've already told Jerry to start on the adoption."

'Well, I wish you the best of luck with that Ryan, but why are you buying furniture for two other bedrooms?" Darren asked.

"Cause I've just fostered two more young boys," Ryan answered.

"You've done what?!" Darren exclaimed loudly, causing Ryan to wince and pull the receiver from his ear.

"They're actually friends of Kyle's, well actually one of them is, but by the looks of it, they're all becoming very close friends. They almost look like they are brothers."

"How old are they?" Darren asked.

"Well, Greg is the same as Kyle, ten, and Adam is eight years old."

"Ryan, are you sure you're able to handle all this?" Darren asked, concerned.

"I am Uncle, but that's why I need your help. I need to get these boys some more clothes and I need to pick up some groceries before we get home. The problem is, the furniture will arrive while we're still doing some shopping, and they really do need some more clothes and I don't have enough food stocked up to feed them."

"Damn, Ryan. You do get yourself into a pickle sometimes don't you?" he asked.

"Yeah, I guess so," Ryan admitted.

"Well, I'll do it, on one condition."

"What's that Uncle?" Ryan asked him.

"I'm moving in."

"What?"

"You heard me. You're the owner of a large company and you can't devote all your time to the boys. You need someone there who can help you. I don't think I did too bad of a job with you when your parents were away do you?"

"No, of course not, but I didn't expect you to offer to move back in," Ryan said, obviously surprised.

"To be honest Ryan, I miss the place, and while working with you in security is almost like old times, it's still a job. It's not the same. Kira is pretty good, she can take over security here. In fact, I've been giving her more and more responsibility, seeing if she would be good enough to replace me."

"And?" Ryan asked.

"She's the best," Darren answered.

"I thought that was you," Ryan said.

"Ryan, I'm not a young man any more. I'm almost sixty years old. I want to do something meaningful with my life. Working security is just a job. Honestly, I was happier helping your father raise you than I was writing the same old things on a piece of paper day in and day out."

"Okay, okay, I get the idea. But are you going to be able to handle three young boys?" Ryan asked.

"I looked after you didn't I?" Darren said, laughing. "You weren't exactly an innocent angel when you were growing up. If I can handle you, I think three boys aren't going to be much of a problem."

"Uncle!" Ryan exclaimed.

"Well, it's true," Darren said.

"Okay, yeah, you got me there. But I don't want you to just be there for security. You're a part of the family, and I'm sorry for not asking you to come around more often. I would have really liked your company, I was just not comfortable after my parents died."

"I understand Ryan. Losing Jim was the hardest thing I had to deal with. He was the best friend I ever had, and I miss him a lot. Listen. I still have the key to your house. I'll tell Kira that I'm leaving early and ask her to take over my position. Can you make the promotion permanent?"

"Of course Uncle. If she has your recommendation, then I have no problems with her taking over security. I've seen her work. You've done a good job training her."

"Bah, I think it's more her determination rather than my training methods that made her as good as she is. Anyways Ryan, I'll finish up here, and I'll head on over to the house. I'll have everything set up by the time you get home," Darren said.

"Thanks Uncle. By the way. I left your bedroom just the way it was, though I had someone come in and clean up the place last week. If you want it, it's yours."

"I presume you've taken over the master suite then?" Darren asked.

"Of course. It is a comfortable bed," Ryan said, laughing.

"I guess so. Okay Ryan. Thanks. I'll be there soon. Oh and by the way. Which two rooms is everything going in?" he asked.

"Well, the one across the hall from me belongs to Kyle, and that one is almost set up. I was thinking of having Adam's room beside Kyle's and Greg's beside Adam."

"Okay, I had better get moving. I'll talk to you when you get home Ryan."

"Thanks Uncle. I love you."

"I love you too Ryan, see you shortly."

"Bye," Ryan said, then hung up the phone.

"So Uncle Darren is going to be moving in with us?" I asked Ryan.

"Yep, it looks like it. You guys will like him."

"I'm hungry," Adam said, rubbing his stomach.

"Okay squirt," Ryan said smiling down at him. "We're almost finished here and then I'll take the three of you to McDonald's.

"McDonald's? Yay!" Adam said excitedly.

"Sounds pretty good Dad. It's been ages since I've eaten at McDonald's," Greg said.

"Well, I don't often eat there, but this is a special occasion and I think we can indulge a little. Just so you know, don't expect to be going to McDonald's on a regular basis. The last thing I want is for you guys to be getting fat."

"All the other guys used to call me fat," Adam said. "I don't want to be fat." He was almost crying now.

"You're not fat Adam," Ryan said. "You know what you are? You're the most adorable eight year old boy I've ever met. You're my son now, and I love you for who you are, no matter what."

"Thanks Daddy," Adam cried. "No one's ever said that to me before."

"Well, I think that you deserve to be treated with love, because you are loved. You have me and your two brothers who'll make sure you'll always be happy," Ryan said, gathering the sobbing child up into his arms.

"I love you Daddy," Adam said.

"I love you too son," Ryan said, giving Adam a kiss on his forehead before letting him back down.

Just then, Nigel cleared his throat to get Ryan's attention. "Mr. Adams, we have everything ready. I gave you a deal on the computers since you are buying two more so you're saving a hundred dollars off the total."

"Thanks Nigel," Ryan said. "But you didn't have to do that. It wouldn't be fair to your other customers."

"Actually, it's the same deal I give to all my customers who buy more than one computer. Besides, seeing you with your family really makes me happy. I think this world would be a whole lot better if people showed the kind of love you show your sons."

"I agree with you there Nigel. So how much do I owe you?"

"Well, after the government demands you pay for their travel expenses and food, the damage comes out to seventeen-hundred, thirty-six dollars and seven cents." I guess whatever Nigel had said was funny because both he and Ryan started to laugh while Ryan pulled his wallet out from his back pocket.

After Ryan paid for the computers, Nigel helped him carry out the components of my computer to the car. Once everything was loaded up Ryan shook Nigel's hand and we then climbed into the car. I got in the passenger seat beside Ryan, while Greg and Adam were in the back seat. Ryan made sure we were all buckled in before he turned the car on, and pulled out of the parking lot.

The drive to McDonald's had to have been the shortest drive ever, as it was only a block down the road from where Nigel Computers was. Ryan pulled into the parking lot and found an open spot close to the main entrance.

I can't remember the last time I had been to McDonald's, but I knew it was back when I was still with my mom. We used to have so much fun together. Every time she took me to McDonald's she always made sure I had all the toys they had available. Before the fire, I even had complete sets of Hot Wheels cars, and movie figures. My mom had put them on some shelves by my desk. That way I could always look at them. She wouldn't let me play with them until I had finished my homework, but afterwards, she used to sit in the living room with me and play with me.

When I had some friends over, or when Simon was babysitting me, they would often play with me, and each time I got a new toy from McDonald's I would call some of my friends over so we could play. I think Simon even had a few toys from McDonald's, though I never saw him bring any over.

The ones I missed the most were the Monster Inc. toys. I had the whole set, and I used to play with those a lot. I lost them sometime before the fire, and I figured they were gone forever. Nothing survived the flames. Nothing that is except me.

"What is it Kyle?" Ryan asked, turning off the car. I hadn't noticed that I had begun to cry, but Ryan did.

"I miss my Mom," I told him. "She used to take me here all the time."

"I know you do my angel. Did you want to see her again today?" he asked me.

"Please?" I asked, looking up at him.

"We'll go see her after dinner Kyle."

"Thanks Dad," I said.

"Now, lets get out of the car and get something to eat. If Adam's stomach gets any louder, it'll cause an earthquake," he said, smiling at me.

"Dad!" Adam protested in the back, causing all of us to laugh, even me.

When we got inside the restaurant, it wasn't very busy, which I was grateful for. I wasn't very fond of standing in large lineups, and I was quite hungry. The hot dogs we had at Ikea weren't anywhere near enough to fill me up, much less Greg or Adam. The person behind the counter asked to take our orders and Ryan looked at us.

"Okay guys, what do you want?" he asked.

"Can I have some nuggets?" Adam asked.

"Sure thing," Ryan answered. "You want the Happy Meal?"

"Yeah!" Adam said excitedly. "Does that mean I get a toy Dad?"

"I think so, what about the rest of you?"

"My Mom used to get me a Big Mac meal, but I think I'd like to have some nuggets instead if I can please Dad, but not the happy meal," I told him.

"No problem sport. What about you? Do you want the toy as well?"

"Can I?" I asked hopefully.

"Of course. You can never be too old for a McDonald's toy."

"Oh, does that mean you have McDonald's toys yourself?" I asked, snickering lightly thinking about Ryan playing with one of those cars in his living room.

"As a matter of fact, I do. I kept all the toys my parents got for me when I was a kid, and every time McDonald's comes out with a new toy, I come in and get it. Sometimes not even getting anything to eat."

"Wow really?" Greg asked in shock.

"Yep," he replied simply.

"I used to have a whole collection too, until it got burned up in the fire," I said sadly.

"Don't worry Kyle, I'll help you start a new collection. In fact, if you all want, you can all start your own collections. It's a pretty good hobby for you guys."

"Hey, I like flying model rockets Dad," Greg said.

"We'll go to the hobby store and check some out Son. Our back yard isn't big enough to do that, but I know a few parks where we can fly some rockets."

"Yay! Thanks Dad," Greg said, a huge smile on his face. I laughed slightly as I could well imagine what Greg was thinking of at that moment.

"What about me? I don't have a hobby," Adam said.

"Don't worry sport. I'm sure there is something that you will like doing. I know when I was your age, I liked to collect baseball cards."

"I don't really like cards, but I like playing games on the computer though," Adam said.

"Well, we'll see what we can do then, Adam. Now what would you like to eat Greg?"

"I think I'll have a Big Mac please Dad," Greg said.

"Okay, and do you all want fries and a drink?" he asked.

"Yes please!" we all answered.

"Coke is okay with you boys?"

"Can I have a Sprite please Dad?" I asked.

"Sure thing."

"I'll have a Coke please Dad," Greg said.

"Me too please!" Adam said.

"Okay," Ryan said, turning back to face the person behind the counter who was patiently waiting for us to make up our minds. "I'll have a Nugget Happy Meal, a six pack Nugget Meal, a Big Mac Meal, and I'll have an oven roasted turkey sandwich. With the Nugget Meals, and the Big Mac Meal, I'll get fries, and with the turkey sandwich, I'll have a salad with Italian dressing. Two Cokes and a Sprite as well, please. And I'll also have three toys please," Ryan said, placing the order.

It took about ten minutes for them to put together our order. Since there was so much, they had to put it on two trays. Ryan carried the heaviest one, and I picked up the other one, which had our toys and fries.

Sitting down with our food, we all began to eat, Adam often looking at his toy. It was actually a little funny watching him eat and look at the toy sitting on the tray. I remembered that feeling. Just opening up that little package to get at what was inside was so tempting. I thought it was really cute.

Eventually, we finished our meal, and Greg and I took the trays with the garbage and put them in the garbage container. We had left the toys on the table, with Adam already tying to open his. I had to laugh when I saw him struggling with the bag, and Greg looked over at me.

"What?" he asked.

"He reminds me of what I was like when I was his age. I used to be so excited to get a toy with my mom, that I had trouble opening the bag. She had to open it for me, and was laughing some of the time. I used to think she was laughing with me, but now I see that she was laughing because she was happy for me."

"You miss her a lot, don't you?" Greg asked.

"Yeah, I do. But Dad said we can go visit her today, and I'd like you to meet her."

"I'd like that very much Kyle," Greg said.

"Okay, you boys ready to go?" Ryan asked.

"Dad, I can't open my toy!" Adam complained.

"Want me to open it for you bud?" I asked him.

"Would you? Yes please," Adam said, holding up the toy for me. I took it from him, and carefully opened the bag, taking the toy out and handing the toy back to him.

"There you go bud," I said, smiling at him.

"Thanks Kyle." He said this to me, but his eyes never left his toy, holding onto it, as if he'd lose it if he let go. I looked over at Ryan and saw that he was smiling just like me, and I knew that the same thing my mom used to feel, he was feeling too. He was proud of his new son, and he was happy to see Adam having fun.

"Okay boys, we've still got a couple more things to do before we can go home," Ryan said, getting up from his seat.

"Where are we going now, Dad?" I asked him.

"Well, Jason's coming over tonight, and I need to make sure we have everything I need to make dinner tonight. So we're going to pick up some groceries. But first, we need to get Greg and Adam some more clothes."

We left McDonald's and went out into the parking lot. Greg and Adam were holding each other's hands as we made our way to the car. "They look so cute like that, don't they?" I whispered in Ryan's ear.

"Yep," he said back to me quietly.

Standing beside the car, Ryan unlocked it, and we all got back in. Once we were all securely buckled in, he started the car, and drove out of the parking lot. Ryan then headed for the same place that he first took me to to get my clothes, and that was Zellers. The parking lot wasn't as full as it was the last time, and he was able to get a parking spot closer to the entrance than before.

Inside, Greg and Adam had a lot of fun picking out clothes that they wanted to get. I could tell that Ryan was having just as much fun with them as he did when he was getting my clothes. I couldn't resist the temptation to pick out some of the more silly clothes for them, which had them groaning in embarrassment, but had Ryan laughing out loud.

Ryan made sure there were several complete outfits, which consisted of pants, and shirts, and shorts, and of course socks and underwear, Ryan also had them pick out a couple of swim suits each. Most of the swim suits were the long shorts style, which suited me fine as I didn't like those really short ones that I had seen swimmers use on TV.

I don't know how long we were there, but I noticed the amount everything cost, and again Ryan didn't even blink when he saw the total, calmly handing over his credit card to pay for it all. It was twice the amount at least of what he had spent on me.

"Dad, how much are you spending on us?" I asked him. "This costs a fortune!"

"Don't worry about it, Son," Ryan said. "You guys deserve anything I can give you. And remember, I own my own company. I make enough a year that I can afford this. I just want to make sure you guys have everything you need and that you're happy and have a chance to be successful," he said.

"You're the best, Dad!" Greg said.

"Only because I have you three," Ryan said.

Once he had paid for everything, we brought everything back out to the car, and he loaded it up in the truck, right beside the computer. For such a small car I was amazed at the amount of space the trunk had. Even with the clothes and the computer, it still had plenty of room for more stuff.

"Where to next, Dad?" I asked him, after we had climbed back into the car.

"Now we need to get some groceries for tonight," he said, making sure we were all buckled in before turning on the car. Once again he pulled out of the parking lot, heading for the last store we had to go to. I began to realize just how compact a city Burlington really was. It didn't take us more than five minutes to get to the grocery store, which was in a large strip plaza located downtown. I looked up at the sign that hung over the grocery store and reading the name which was No Frills.

I recognized this place, as I used to come here with my mom all the time when she picked up the groceries. What I remembered most about the place was that it was cold inside, which was fine with me since it was summer and was pretty hot outside.

It took longer than I thought it would to get the groceries Ryan needed, but then I remembered that it wasn't just two people he was buying for, it was six, including Jason who was coming over for dinner. In a little under an hour, Ryan had filled the cart full of food, and we were just then passing the snack isle. Naturally our faces lit up when we saw all the bags of potato chips and dips that they had there.

"Forget it guys," Ryan said, noticing the looks on our faces when we saw all the snacks. "I've got something special planed for desert tonight."

"What is it Dad?" I asked.

"You'll see. It's a surprise. Besides, like McDonald's, I don't want to get you too many snacks. Uncle Darren didn't get me much when I was a kid either, and I'm thankful to him for that. They just put too much chemicals in those things. All it's guaranteed to do is make you fat.

"Ew, I don't want to get fat, but I do like how it tastes," I said.

"I agree. They do taste good. They're made that way so you want to eat more."

"I used to eat a lot of chips. That's probably why I got so fat," Adam said, lowering his head.

"Hey, remember what I said? You're not fat. You just haven't had an opportunity to get the exercise you need to burn off all the calories you take in."

"What's calories?" Adam asked.

"Well, it's the amount of energy you eat. If you don't use it up, your body makes fat cells where it's stored. The problem is, if you don't exercise, the fat just keeps building up. The best way to lose weight, or to keep from gaining weight, is to get plenty of exercise and watch how many calories you take in," Ryan said.

"Oh," Adam said. "So, I didn't get enough exercise then?"

"Probably, and also probably you weren't given the proper foods to eat, and most of what you had were junk food."

"Yeah. I used to eat a lot of chips and candy bars when I was living with my parents," Adam said.

"Well, I'm not going to make you stop eating them, as I like to eat them on occasion myself, but you won't be eating as much, and I'm going to make sure you'll have plenty of exercise."

"Does that mean I'll lose weight?"

"Yep. Don't you worry Adam, by the time this summer is done, you're all going to be in pretty good shape. After all, we do have a pool in the back yard, and swimming is one of the best things you can do for exercise."

"A pool? Really? There's a pool in the back yard? Oh man! Can we go swimming today, Dad?" Greg asked excitedly.

"Yeah me too!" Adam piped up.

"When we get home, I'll let you go swimming. But there is a rule. No one goes into the pool unless either Uncle Darren or myself are watching you. Is that understood?" Ryan asked. He said it in such a way that we realized that this was one thing he would not compromise on, and we all nodded our heads in agreement.

For the last time that day, we stood at the cash desk, waiting for the cashier to ring in all the groceries that Ryan had picked out. The cart was so full I didn't know how we were going to get everything in the car. But then, I remembered how much space there was left in the trunk and guessed that there was more than enough room.

Once he had paid for everything, we put the bags into the shopping cart and wheeled it out into the parking lot. Locating the car was a little more difficult as the parking lot had filled up quite a bit since we had arrived. Ryan opened the trunk door, and I started helping him put things into it, pushing the bags as far back into the trunk as possible to make room for more bags. By the time the cart was emptied, the trunk was now completely full. There wasn't anything else we could have put into it even if we wanted to.

Closing the trunk back up, we then climbed into the car, and he started it up one more time, making sure again that we were buckled up safely. It was time to go home finally, and despite the thought of going swimming, I was getting pretty tired. Looking back at Greg and Adam, I could tell they were equally tired.

"Dad, maybe we should hold off on the swimming today. I'm pretty tired," I told him.

"You want to lie down and have a nap before dinner then?" he asked me.

"If you don't mind," I said.

"Of course not Kyle. There will be plenty of time for swimming later."

"I'm a little tired too Dad," Greg said. "And I think Adam's ready to fall asleep now."

"Okay boys, we're almost home. If they have everything set up by the time we get there, you can get into bed and take a nap. If not, Greg, you and Adam can sleep in my bed for now."

"Thanks Dad," Greg said wearily. Like me, I could tell that Greg was ready to nod off. Thankfully the ride back home wasn't a long one, and in a few minutes we were pulling into the driveway. There was another car in the driveway, and behind it was a truck which had the Ikea logo on it.

Greg was now wide awake as he looked at the size of the house. Adam was beside him, and had already fallen asleep, his head resting against Greg's shoulder. Greg nudged Adam, who slowly opened his eyes and yawned.

"Are we there yet?" he asked, just as Ryan stopped the car.

"Yep, we're here," I answered.

"Yeah, and you have to look at the size of this place!" Greg exclaimed.

"What do you mean?" Adam asked?

"Have a look for yourself." Greg said, pointing out the window. From where Adam was sitting he couldn't see much, so he undid his seat belt and got out of the car. When he did, he looked up at the house. The look on his face was priceless as he looked up, and continued to look up, taking in all four levels of the home before him. If his mouth had opened up any further I would have sworn it would be hitting the ground.

"It's huge!" Adam said.

"Yep! It's a mansion!" Greg said, adding his own description.

"Not quite boys, but it is one of the larger homes on the lake," Ryan spoke up, getting out of the car himself. I had already climbed out, and was standing beside Adam.

"Pretty neat huh?" I asked them.

"Wow! This is your house?" Greg asked Ryan.

"No, it's our house. This is where you guys live now."

"Come on Adam, lets go inside!" Greg said, rushing to the front door of the house.

"Hey Dad, is that Uncle Darren's car? I asked Ryan, pointing to the car we had parked beside.

"Yes it is Son, and it looks like the Ikea people are still here too. Go ahead Greg, Adam, go on inside, just make sure you take off your shoes when you get in" Ryan called out to them, as they waited by the front door. They didn't have to be told twice and opened the door and walked inside, leaving the front door open.

"Hmmm, we'll have to work on that I think," Ryan said smiling.

"I'm sure it's just because they are excited," I said.

"Me too. Let's go find your uncle and the boys," he said, leading me into the house, and closing the door behind us. We could hear some voices upstairs, after taking off our shoes and putting them beside Greg's and Adam's shoes by the door.

"Well, at least they didn't just leave their shoes in front of the door," I commented.

"Yep," Ryan laughed.

We went up the stairs, heading for the sounds of a couple of children talking to someone much older. Nearing one of the bedrooms, its door wide open, I saw an older gentleman standing in the center of the room, which was filled with furniture, only half put together. Greg and Adam were looking around the room, while the man was standing there, bewildered at the site of two young children running around.

"Ryan, there you are!" he said, finally seeing Ryan and me standing in the doorway.

"Hi Uncle Darren," Ryan said, stepping into the room, giving his uncle a big hug.

"It's nice to see you Ryan, but who are all these children? Are they the ones you were telling me about?" he asked.

"Yes, the older one over there by the window is Greg, and the younger one who's in the closet is Adam. And this one right here is Kyle," he told him.

"Hello Kyle, my name's Darren. It's really nice to meet you."

"Are you our uncle too?" I asked him.

"Well, If you're Ryan's sons, I guess in a way I am."

"I've never had an uncle before," I said.

"Well, it would be an honor for me if you would consider me yours."

"I'd like that, Uncle Darren," I said, smiling at him.

"Are you our uncle too?" Adam asked. He had left the closet and was now tugging on Darren's pant leg.

"Yes I am, little one," Darren said, bending down to pick Adam up. "And you're Adam aren't you?"

"Yep!" he said, giggling.

"And Greg, isn't it?" he asked, looking over at Greg.

"Yeah. I can't believe this place, it's huge!" he exclaimed.

"I know. I had the same reaction when my best friend, who was Ryan's father bought it. I had to help them move there stuff in, of course I was a lot younger back then."

"Speaking of moving, where are the Ikea people?" Ryan asked.

"Oh, well, they're in the other room, putting some furniture together."

"Why didn't they finish with this room first?" he asked.

"Because I'm perfectly capable of putting together furniture myself Ryan," he said.

"Well I know that Uncle, but I did pay them to do it."

"Bah, I missed doing things around the house, so I decided to do it myself. And I think I'm doing a good enough job as it is. I noticed you bought bunk beds for the boys," he said.

"Yes, just in case they have someone over for a sleepover or if one of them needs someone to sleep with them if they get scared."

"Ah yes, just like you used to come running into my room during a thunderstorm," he commented.

"Oh and you didn't do the same when you were with your parents?" Ryan asked, knowingly.

"Okay, okay, so we all need someone when we're young. Actually, I'm glad they have each other. Though you know you can expect some arguments to crop up."

"Why do you think you're here?" Ryan laughed.

"Me? I'm the uncle. It's my job to spoil them," he said mischievously.

"Yeah, well, I know you have a way with keeping order in a place."

"Comes with years of experience Ryan,"

"Okay, well, listen. The boys are very tired after what we've been doing today. They practically fell asleep in the car, actually I think Adam did just as we pulled into the driveway."

"No problem Ryan. Okay boys, go into Kyle's room and get changed into your pajamas." Then he turned back to Ryan. "Where are they going to sleep? This room isn't done yet, and they've only started with the other room."

"Well, Kyle's room is ready, so he can sleep in his own bed, and meanwhile, Greg and Adam can use my bed for now. By the time supper is ready, both the boys' rooms should be done. Could you make sure they get some sleep, Uncle?"

"Of course Ryan, but what are you going to do?" he asked Ryan.

"Well, I have to unload the car and put away the groceries. Then I need to find a place to put the computer until the computer desk I bought has been put together."

"Okay Ryan, no problem. Alright boys, get going. The sooner you take your naps, the better you'll feel for dinner. Oh and Ryan. Don't you even think about making dinner. That kitchen is mine!" Darren said, smiling wickedly at Ryan.

"I know better than to get in your way in the kitchen, Uncle," Ryan laughed. "Oh and by the way, there will be someone joining us. As soon as I get everything put away, I need to go pick up someone."

"You found someone you like then Ryan?" Darren asked.

"I don't know. Maybe. He's older than me, but he doesn't look it. I do like him though. He actually tried to apply for a position with us a while back, but decided not to follow through with it, even though he was asked to come in for a second interview."

"Oh, and why was that?" Darren asked.

"It's because he is gay, like me, and he got the feeling that he wasn't welcome there because of it."

"That's rediculous," Darren said. "Who was it that was interviewing him?"

"He said it was Rick."

"Rick? Well that explains it then,"

"What do you mean Uncle?" Ryan asked.

"Listen, you haven't been to the office lately, and when you are, you don't spend a lot of time there. I don't know what it is, but lately Rick has been harder on some of our gay employees than anyone else has. I was going to look into it before you called me."

"Damn, I need to be at the office more often. I thought Rick was fine with people who are gay. He never displayed any animosity towards me or any of our gay employees when I was there."

"Ryan sometimes I think you can be the most blind person on the planet," Darren laughed. "He's not going to do anything when you are there. But when you leave, it's a whole different ball game. You want my opinion, and I think I gave this to you the first time I met him; he's a kiss-ass."

"Damn, why didn't I see it?" Ryan asked.

'You were still new, and didn't have the experience you have now in judging people."

"Alright, I want you to call Kira and have her investigate any complaints that people might have had against Rick, no matter how small. I want to get to the bottom of this, and I want to have something I can confront him with if I have to."

"Oh I think you'll have to Ryan. From what I've been hearing, there is a lot of dissatisfaction with how he is treating people."

"Okay Uncle. Thanks for telling me. Now I've got to get going if I'm going to pick up Jason in time for dinner."

"I'll have the boys in bed and dinner started by the time you get back Ryan."

"Thank Uncle," Ryan said.

"Don't mention it. This is what I like doing best."

"Okay boys, I need to get going. You be good for Uncle Darren, and I'll be back before dinner."

"Okay Dad, see you soon," I said, giving Ryan a big hug. "I love you."

"I love you too Kyle," he said.

Adam and Greg also gave Ryan a hug, each of them saying they loved each other, then he left.

"Okay boys. Lets get you boys ready for bed. Kyle, would you take Greg and Adam to your room and get changed?" he asked.

"Okay Uncle. But Dad has Greg's and Adam's pajamas."

"That's okay Kyle. They can sleep in their underwear for now. I don't want any playing around. Dinner will be ready in a few hours, and I want you to get some rest before then," he told all of us.

"We will Uncle," Adam said. "Can Greg sleep with me?" he asked.

"Of course little one. You'll share Ryan's bed with him for now. Your Dad was right, it is a very comfortable bed. I've slept in it on more than one occasion myself."

The three of us went to my room, with me leading the way. This was the first time I've been alone with Greg in a long time, and it's the first time I've been alone with Adam.

"Okay, you guys just get undressed, and you can put your clothes on the chair over there," I said, pointing to the chair that was in my room by the window.

"What about you?" Adam asked.

"I've got my pajamas right here," I said, holding them up after taking them from under my pillow.

"You keep them under your pillow?" Greg asked.

"Yep. Keeps them nice and warm."

"But it's the summer," Greg pointed out.

"Yeah, but this place has air conditioning. I'm not putting on any cold clothes. No thank you," I laughed.

"I guess not," Greg snickered. "Wouldn't want you to have to suffer major shrinkage."

"Ha, not that you have anything to talk about," I joked.

"Keep dreaming buddy," he said.

"Hey, what are you talking about?" Adam asked.

"Nothing sport," Greg said, suddenly realizing Adam was still there. "Don't worry about it. Just a private joke between Kyle and me when he used to share my room at the home.

"Oh. Tell me?" he asked.

"Maybe when you're older. Anyways, we'd better get ready for bed as Uncle Darren said."

"Yeah. I don't want to get on his bad side the first day meeting him," I said.

"Nope, that wouldn't be good."

We spent the next five minutes getting ready for bed. I got undressed, turning my back to Greg and Adam, then slipped on my pajama bottoms. I then turned back around and put on the top. I saw that Greg and Adam had stripped down to their underwear, Greg in his boxer shorts, and Adam wearing the same kind of briefs that I wore.

"Okay guys. Dad's bedroom is across the hall. I'll see you when we get up okay?" I told them.

"Yep, see you soon. Come on Greg. Lets try out Dad's bed," Adam said excitedly. He pulled Greg out of my room, and I smiled after them. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear those two were a couple. As it was, I was beginning to get tired again, and I climbed into my bed, pulling the covers over top of me. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was fast asleep.

* * *

Ryan pulled into the driveway to the apartment building that Jason lived in. Before leaving the house he had phoned Jason to let him know he was on his way to pick him up. Jason had given him his apartment number and told him that there was no buzzer, and that he should just come up to the apartment.

Parking the car in the visitor's parking area, Ryan got out of the car, and walked to the front of the building, finding that there was indeed no security on the door. He opened the door and headed for the elevators. Pressing the button, he waited for the doors to open. It seemed to take forever for the elevator to come down from wherever it was, but once it arrived, the doors opened, grinding slowly as they did so.

Inside, he pressed the button for the floor on which Jason's apartment was, and waited as the doors closed again, and the elevator began to rise. Something about the elevator unsettled him, and he wondered how Jason could live in a place like this. Then he remembered where Jason worked, and he realized that he had to take what he could afford. He began to think of ways that Jason could improve on his situation, all of them resting on him having re-applied for a position in his company.

Ryan didn't know what to think of Jason. He knew that he liked him. He was really cute looking, had a very nice sense of humor, but there was a sadness about him that he couldn't figure out. Maybe tonight he'd have a chance to learn more about him.

The elevator stopped on Jason's floor, and opened up, letting him exit the elevator. Jason had told him that his apartment was on the left hand side. Heading down the hall, he looked at the numbers that were on the doors until he found the number that Jason had told him was his. Bracing himself, he knocked on the door and waited.



Editor's Notes:
That was a really sweet chapter. I know now what TSL meant when he said there was a sort of cliffhanger. Let me say this calmly; I don't hate you, Jay. I am not happy that the chapter ended there, but I could never hate you. (Can you imagine me hating someone that writes such wonderful stories?)

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher


Well it looks like Ryan is finally going to get to have that date with Jason. I know a lot of you will hate where I left the chapter off, but I think you'll agree why I did it when you see the next one. You can reach me at: jasonfinigan@yahoo.com