Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 10:22:33 -0400 From: Eff Del Subject: Flights of Angels-Chapter 16 Flights of Angels-Chapter 16 By Eff Del There are times in our lives when we are forced to choose a course of action. Although it would seem prudent and wise to always consider the least dangerous alternative to also be the wisest, this is not always correct. Safety should never be the only consideration and often should not even be the most significant. There are times when life drives us to the edge of a precipice. While the safe choice would be to retreat from the brink, the alternative is to step forward. If we choose this later course of action, often we will fall but occasionally we discover that we can fly. Going backward is pitiful, falling is sad but to soar...is to be free. As I glanced around the large table in the conference room; I reflected upon how much I liked seeing so many trusted people sitting there. The strategic planning meeting was now in its fifth day and I was gratified at how much had been accomplished. After all these weeks of thinking and planning I was very close to actually taking action against the NEST and I was confident that the strategy was positive and well planned. We were now only days away before we struck those first preemptive blows and it was my hope that those who might be inclined to oppose us would never see it coming. One of the hardest parts of this week had been convincing Ricky Flores to assume the role I had imagined for him. While he was a confident and highly intelligent man, he somehow had a problem seeing himself as capable of managing and helping to re-direct the Nesswell-Turnbridge Academy. The plan was on the surface simple enough. The initial take-over would be done by a consortium of stock holders under the leadership of Commodore Tipton. The Commodore had agreed to act as a figure head for the initial transition. Besides his forceful personality, he would be lending the respectability of his excellent reputation to the project. This consortium was of course, purely fictional. The capital behind the take-over was all my money. If the truth be told, I was the consortium. It had been decided to attempt to avoid this looking like a one man operation. It was also decided to keep my name out of it for as long as possible. We all recognized that with the resources available to those in high places who were likely to oppose us, it was only a matter of time before my involvement was discovered at which point, the repercussions would certainly become more personal and, in all likelihood, unpleasant. Walter and Richard had worked out a series of contingencies designed to protect me but more importantly, to safe guard Sean and Jack. These would move into place as soon as the initial takeover of the school occurred. It was our hope...and plan that before any counter actions occured, we would be firmly entrenched and be in complete control of the Academy. On a more long term basis, the Commodore had also consented to serve on the advisory board along with Doctor Scott and of course, Doc Swaim. The old man's sole proviso for his participation in this project had been that the actual work; the hands on managing the school would fall on more youthful and energetic shoulders and he agreed with me that Ricky was the man for the job. Eventually, reacting to assurances from everyone and after a long private talk with the Commodore...the man he admired most in all the world, Ricky had agreed to take on the task. This certainly wasn't the direction he'd envisioned his life was going to take and therefore he still had certain misgivings. I'd assured him that I would personally make arraignments to guarantee he obtained his law degree and if, after giving it a fair trial, he wasn't happy in this role, he would be allowed to make a graceful exit. Mandy had assured him and everyone else for that matter that she believed he would discover that this was a task he had been born to undertake. After he'd finally agreed to assume the responsibility, she'd publicly kissed him and hugged him exclaiming happily; "You're the man Skeeter!" It occurred to me that she seemed to be the only one still using his Camp West Wind nickname and he seemed to relish her doing so. I had no doubt that as things progressed, Mandy herself would find her own important niche in the hierarchy of things. Taylor also had an important role especially during the initial take-over of the school. He was young enough that he would still be remembered by the older tiers of NEST boys although they would of course remember him as "Tip". He would be invaluable to us when we reviewed the staff at the academy; especially those who worked in direct contact with the boys. It was our plan that Taylor would also act as liaison between the boys of "special training" age and the training proctors...some of whom we felt we might keep on although it was anticipated we would be replacing most of them with new personnel. It had of course occurred to me that Jack would also be useful in this regard but I privately hoped involving him would not be necessary. We all recognized that our reforms would to a large extent come too late for many of the boys already involved in the sexual training and actual contracts and my advisory board were working on alternative agendas for these young men. For the past month, Uncle Phil and Chris, working closely with Barry, had been surreptitiously acquiring Nesswell-Turnbridge stock. Thanks to Barry's computer skills, they had done so in such a manner that on the surface, there were no big blocks of stock suddenly moving around that would easily be noticed therefore triggering a reaction. Despite this subterfuge, we had acquired enough stock to be the unquestioned majority holder in the school and all of its assets. The plan was for the Commodore, Ricky and Uncle Phil, accompanied by Chris and Tip, all of them ostensibly representing this consortium of investors, to show up unexpectedly at the next board of directors meeting. At this point all of our stock proxies would have been signed over to the Commodore. At the first opportunity during what was planned as a routine meeting, Commodore Tipton would present his credential as proxy vote for the majority share-holders and demand a vote of confidence in the current board. This of course would result in a vote of no confidence since the Commodore controlled the majority block. Once the vote was carried, he would essentially dissolve the board right there on the spot and establish his own acting board which would of course consist of himself, Ricky, Uncle Phil as well as Chris and Tip. That would of course cause a great deal of rancor among the displaced board members but it would give us the element of surprise. Surprise was important because we intended to move into the school as soon as we had control of the board so as not to give those who would naturally oppose our take-over a chance to counter any of our plans. The one wrinkle in this well thought out tactic, was my desire to do what I considered the right thing by Bernie Turnbridge. He was the current chairman of the board and the grandson of one of the founders of the academy. More than that though, he was a classmate and frat brother from the University. To a certain extent, he was a friend and I wanted to treat him decently. I also knew that he wasn't personally very enthusiastic about what the school subjected its young men to and I wanted to give him an honorable way out. Bernie was decidedly heterosexual and aside from the fact that the place bore his name and that he was a third generation board member, I suspected he'd consider a generous buy-out a gift from heaven itself. Walter, Richard and Barry had argued vehemently against my plan in this regard feeling there was a real chance that our advantage of surprise might be compromised. I found it a bit amusing that the one obvious flaw in our well-conceived plans was my own obstinacy but I stood fast on my desire to treat my school chum with decency and dignity. To this end, Bernie was flying in tomorrow. All he knew at this point was that he'd be staying overnight as my guest for a visit and to play some golf. He had no idea what was really going to happen. "Well folks," I smiled at the collected group at the table, "It seems we've planned as best as we can. The board meeting takes place next Monday in Houston so you'll all fly down there on Sunday night. I've agreed to abide by your recommendation that I keep myself out of things...for as long as that's possible. Chris will be carrying one of Walter and Barry's little spy devices so I'll be able to watch and hear the entire board meeting from this room. You've all done a wonderful job and I can't tell you how pleased and grateful I am. I'd like for you to spend the rest of the week playing things over in your minds just in case you come up with some new ideas but also, I want you to relax and enjoy yourselves. We'll have a review meeting on Sunday morning before you all fly out." This was greeted by smiles from everyone and I excused myself and headed down to find Sean and Jack. As I suspected I would, I found them both in the classroom on the second floor. Although Dr. Swaim had been very involved in the strategic planning for the NEST assault, he had not neglected his personal responsibility to the boys' education. They had both been assigned a series of independent projects to be working on. I was not in the least surprised to discover that even though they were free from direct supervision at the moment, they had been proceeding on these diligently. When I entered the room they both looked up at me with expressions of pleasant surprise. I almost never came into their classroom because I considered it a private space they shared with their tutor. "Hi Dad!" Sean beamed one of those smiles that melted my heart upon contact. "Is your meetin' over? Give me a sec to save these files." He quickly typed something on his keyboard and then hurried over to wrap me in a hug. At the far end of the big oak table, Jack was doing something with a screwdriver. He had an electrical device of some sort spread open on a static resistant mat. He looked for all the world like nothing so much as a surgeon performing an appendectomy on a robot. I had no idea what he was doing and I suspected I'd be happier if I didn't bother to ask. "Uncle Eric! You guys must have ended early today." He put down his screwdriver and covered his project with a white cloth and joined Sean in overwhelming me in an embrace. "Well Jack, by now you should know that I always keep my promises. I promised you a trip to the DMV five days ago but things got a bit hectic around here very quickly. Today though, I finally make good on my word. Sean, I figured you'd like to join us and then we could grab some lunch. Is Mexican all right with you guys?" This last part was met by looks of exasperated incredulity from both boys as if to imply that there was something wrong with me for even asking. ************************************************************************************ John had offered to drive us but I'd decided that the three of us rarely got an opportunity to spend time together off of the estate. Sadly, since the Jag F-Type we called the "Red Cat" was only a two seater, I'd had to select another car from my large stable. I wanted to use something fun and exciting and I'd chosen a vehicle that had wonderful childhood memories for me. The boys were quite pleased as we headed out the gate in my classic 1968 Jaguar XKE 2+2. This long, sleek forerunner of my F-type had been my grandfather's originally. Painted in traditional British Racing Green, the 4.2 liter straight six engine still purred and roared like the magnificent old thoroughbred she was. She had been scrupulously maintained over the years by Mathew and then by John (not to mention who ever had preceded Mathew). Running through the gears of her four speed manual transmission seemed rather primitive by today's standards but she was still loads of fun to drive and seemed quite capable of her originally touted 0 to 60 mph in just over seven seconds. She was a magnificent old car and still looked sexy as hell. Jack, being by far the bigger of the boys, sat next to me in the passenger bucket seat while Sean climbed back into what comically posed as a rear seat behind us. I seemed to remember that the 2 + 2 designation was some sort of marketing ploy back then and no one in their right mind ever considered that two adults could occupy that "back seat"...at least not comfortably for any length of time. I thought to myself (almost sadly) that although Sean was still a tad small for his age, he was due for a growth spurt and it wouldn't be much longer he could sit very easily back there unless he stretched his legs across the seat itself. Oh well, I decided: `carpe diem'. It was a 20 minute ride to the county DMV but it was a lovely day and this car being one of the rare "drop head" 2+2 models, I'd lowered the soft top before we left the garage...no electric tops back in those days. I was going to turn on the old Blaupunkt radio but I found myself too amused by the boys' banter. It was funny to consider that in its day this AM/FM radio was considered state of the art...it even pre-dated 8-track. We've certainly come a long way since this car was new. I ignored the radio choosing to pay attention to the boys. When they were together they had a tendency to exhibit an unabashed shared goofiness that I always found delightful. ********** To my utter astonishment, we only waited about ten minutes before our number was called and a matronly woman was explaining to a wide-eyed Jack the procedure for testing, what he must do once he obtained his permit and finally what would be required for his final actual driving test. "It's all in the first three pages of this booklet young man so read them carefully" she admonished with an air of authority that she wore matter-of-factly and with the same ease that another person might wear a comfortable old shirt. Jack just nodded his head and didn't utter a word. Fortunately, I was making mental notes of everything she said because for the first time since I'd known him, I believe my gorgeous little red head was completely overwhelmed. Very soon after, we were seated at a table in Cocina Alfredo efficiently destroying our massive carne assada burritos. Sean seemed to be almost as excited as Jack and I sipped my cold Corona and watched their animated discussion with great pleasure. With a slight twinge in my heart, I couldn't help but think that their obvious deep affection for each other reminded me so much of the rapport I'd had with my brother Kyle. I wasn't certain if they had begun a physical relationship with each other since I'd brought Jack to Joyous Gaurde. With the obvious exception of those times when they'd both been in bed with me, there had been no indication that anything had taken place between them and... those times we'd all three been intimate had really been more of a shared experience with me and not with each other. I also realized though, that in his own mind, based upon his personal experience Jack must feel that when the time came he was designated to be the first person to sodomize Sean. By his standard though, that event would be at least two years in the future. Jack had not been outside of the NEST environment long enough to understand that those strange protocols didn't apply in the real world. It must be far more confusing for Jack than it was for Sean who I'd brought to Joyous Gaurde before he'd really been exposed to any part of the sexual nature of the Academy curriculum. His introduction to physical pleasure had come from me and had actually happened at a much younger age than it would have had he stayed at the NEST. I knew that Taylor; AKA "Tip" had spent his first two nights at Joyous Gaurde in Jack's room and (assumedly) in Jack's bed but he had since spent his nights in his own room in the guest wing. While I was curious about that relationship, I'd had neither the time nor a convenient opportunity to question the boy about it. Although they never seemed to stop talking, I noticed that both boys had managed to devour every scrap of food on their plates. "Do you guys have room for a stop at Mirrelli's?" I asked foolishly...because I already knew the answer. Mirrelli's was located at the west end of town and it was a reincarnation of an old time ice cream parlor from the 1950's. Its flavor varieties seemed to be endless and the gooey concoctions they offered were almost sinful. All in all, it was nothing short of heaven for two healthy active boys. As I sat across the imitation marble table eating my pitiful two scoops of (admittedly delicious) dark chocolate ice cream, I watched as Jack plowed into a six scoop banana split while Sean was laying waste to an impossibly large hot fudge sundae. They were both so occupied with their energetic consumption that there was no extraneous conversation going on. When faced with the task of eating treats like large ice cream confections, young boys have the ability to behave as if they had not eaten in days. Jack was so involved in his overflowing bowl that he didn't even look up but Sean noticed me watching them in fascination and he acknowledged this by raising his head up and flashing me a "Sean Smile". This particular smile was accented by a large amount of sticky hot fudge on his upper lip; not unlike a chocolate mustache and a small but conspicuous blob of whipped cream on the tip of his nose. I reached across the table and removed the whipped cream with my index finger and placed it in my mouth with exaggerated pleasure. This caused his smile to grow larger...something that almost seemed impossible. "Jack I've changed my mind about something." I said conversationally. This got his attention and those hypnotizing green eyes were riveted upon me instantly. He'd only been with me a short time and considering the fact that Sean was still at times exhibiting insecurity regarding his position in my life, I realized I must be much more careful in how I spoke to the boy. "I know I told you that we'd get the car of your choice in time for you to take your driving test." I licked my ice-cream spoon causing a melodramatic pause and both boys were looking at me braced for impending news of an unexpected change in plans. "But, you see John and I were talking about it and we both agree that it would make much more sense if you did your practice driving in the actual car you're going to take your test in...the one that's going to be your own personal car. So...after you've taken your written test and gotten your permit, I guess we're going shopping for a car." You might have thought a small landmine had just exploded across the table from me because the reaction from both boys was so immediate and enthusiastic that we drew stares from all over the ice-cream parlor. On the ride home, after a remarkably serious discussion, it was decided that Jack, with Sean's help, would research cars and that after he'd obtained his permit, he would submit three proposals to me along with reasons why each had been selected. I would then review these with John and then we'd agree upon the vehicle. As I waved to the Skugor agent manning the gate, I said to Jack only half seriously; "I suggest you head right to the pool and do a bunch of laps to swim off some of that ice-cream. You've got a fight at the club in two days remember?" That devilish grin I'd come to love the first time I'd laid eyes on him lit up his freckled face and he said; "Uncle Eric, it's going to take more than ice-cream to make me lose this fight." Sean giggled and patted him on the shoulder. I thought to myself; "The Devil's best imps must all be red heads." **************************************************************** I hadn't seen Bernie Turnbridge in almost three years and I'd been pretty much under a drunken fog even then. I recalled that had been the only time in our association that he had beaten me at a round of golf. I thought to myself that wasn't going to happen today. As John held open the limo door, he almost jumped out and strode briskly over to shake my hand. I noted that his hairline was receding notably and that it wouldn't be too long before his pate was as bald as his father's had been. His dark eyes were twinkling though and he wore a smile of genuine pleasure as we moved from formal handshake to a tight sincere hug. "Eric! Man, I can't tell you how much better you look since the last time we got together." "Yeah Bernie, I'm a lot healthier and a whole lot happier since then...and a lot of it is thanks to you." My mind flashed back to that first meeting at the Academy with Director Coleman essentially telling me that there was no way I was getting a young boy out of his school. It had only taken a single phone call to Bernie and the miracle that was Sean had entered my life. Similarly, after a traumatic evening in Houston, a single call to Bernie had paved the way for my freeing Jack from the horror of further contracts and his eventually coming to live with me as my permanent ward. Not for the first time I reflected; `It may be the family business and he may be the chairman of the board, but I was convinced he didn't have an evil bone in his body'. We walked into the house together. I'd purposely told the boys to stay either in their schoolroom or out by the pool. They were also going to take their dinners in the kitchenette in my room. I didn't want Bernie to see them and be reminded of their existence. I didn't want any distractions this afternoon. "How about a drink Bernie?" I guided him out onto the patio by the wildflower garden. "Are you still a vodka martini man?" With a smile he replied; "Until I'm called up yonder or I take the pledge and climb on the wagon Eric. That last part isn't likely to happen any time soon by the way." Walter was waiting on the patio in his very best "butler mode" and he artfully poured the Grey Goose vodka and Noily Pratt vermouth into the ice filled stainless steel shaker at a ratio that only Walter's skilled mind had worked out though I suspected it was rather stiffer than the customary three to one. After vigorously shaking, he strained the drink into a lovely Reed Barton martini glass and garnished it with a lemon twist rather than the more traditional olive. Handing this to Bernie, Walter then handed me my less complicated tumbler of single malt. Raising his glass in salute Bernie said; "It's really good to see you again Eric. I've been looking forward to this visit ever since you called with the invitation." I smiled warmly at him returning his salute and pausing to take a small sip. I decided to charge right into the heart of the matter. "Well Bernie, our tee time isn't for a couple of hours yet. Feel like talking a little business?" He raised an eyebrow in a reaction of surprise and I took a slow sip from my drink before leaning forward. "Bernie, we've known each other for a long time and we've shared a good many secrets and adventures between us. I know you well enough to be able to say, that given a choice, you'd probably rather be doing anything in this world other than run that boy's academy your grandfather helped start." He was looking at me with focused surprise; no doubt trying to figure out what I was driving at. I geared up to present the largly fictitious story I'd come up with to try to make this transaction easier for him. "Bernie, I've been approached by a group of people that desire to become the major stock holders in Nesswell-Turnbridge. It is their intent to change err...some of the "things" that go on there. I know you personally detest those "things" but that without them, funding for the home would dry up rather quickly. These people are willing to chance those losses and to put the school on a new course...head it in a new direction; one that I believe you would personally approve of." "Why were you approached Eric? I mean...frankly, you've been a really good client of the services the Academy provides...it's one of the few things about you that I've found hard to like over all these years if the truth be told." I nodded in agreement and pressed my point. "Well probably because of the change in the direction of my life since young Sean...my adopted son came into it...again, thanks to your assistance. These people feel that the NEST can continue to produce outstanding young men without the need for those unfortunate three years they're currently being subjected to." " NEST...I hate that fuckin' nickname for the place!" he muttered almost to himself and then looked at me earnestly. "That would be wonderful if it could actually work but Eric..." I raised a finger to silence him and gestured to Walter who walked over and handed me a leather bound folder. "This group is prepared to purchase all of your Academy stock for twenty percent above market value." Bernie's eyes opened wide as he considered the large amount of money this represented. I opened the leather dossier and withdrew a folded piece of paper. "Also Bernie, in consideration and thanks for your co-operation they are offering this honorarium in return for your immediately relinquishing any and all involvement or claim to involvement in the present and future activities of the Nesswell-Turnbridge Academy for boys." I handed him the check in its trifold form. He opened it and stared at it with his eyes and mouth wide open. "B-but this is..." he couldn't finish his sentence. I leaned forward and place a hand on his arm. "Bernie...THIS is a life changing amount of money. Enough for you to live in stylish comfort should you choose to never do another thing in your life though I know that's not your style. It's also enough to allow you to leave clean and know that a sincere effort is going to be made to change things for those boys. All you need to do is sign these papers." I handed him the legal documents that had been drawn up. I'd known from the beginning that his pride would never have allowed him to let me give him money in return for walking away but, the small fortune that this check represented presented as an abstract business accommodation was entirely palatable. He looked at me intently for several minutes and then smiled happily. "Of course I'll sign." He took the pen from me and as he was putting his signature on the indicated lines he muttered quietly; "I've always hated that place and what they did to those kids. It's just that it's always been the `family business, you know? It's like I never had any choice about being involved with it." I patted his arm and smiled. This had gone gentler and more positively than I'd hoped. "Well Bernie, let's both hope these people can change those bad things. There are many other parts of what the Academy has accomplished that you should be really proud of and remember...it will still bear your name. Let's each have another drink and then head out to Deer Run so we'll have plenty of time before we tee off. He actually looked relieved as he leaned back into his chair and accepted a new drink from Walter. ************************ I'd beaten Bernie that afternoon but only by a couple of strokes; not nearly as badly as I actually could have. That evening we'd shared a private diner in the main dining room dwarfed by the large space even though all the leaves had been removed from the big table. After dinner, we'd moved to the library and sat up late into the night drinking and talking. We'd laughed and shared memories in a manner totally appropriate for two old friends and as he finally bid me good night, I'd watched as he walked to the elevator with a slightly inebriated roll to his gait, I thought to myself that he looked as if the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. I was glad for him. The next morning as I'd walked him out to the waiting limo, he seemed relaxed and happy. I'd cautioned him on several occasions that our business deal had to remain secret until after the board meeting. I'd also suggested that he find a plausible excuse not to attend the meeting himself. As the limo pulled down the drive, I walked out back to see what the boys were up to. As I walked through the house, I glanced into the kitchen and was surprised to see Jack sitting at the counter with Martha. She had him leaning against her and she slowly stroked his hair as she spoke to him so softly I couldn't make out what she was saying. I felt an aching in my heart because just then, he looked like the frightened little boy I had left in my bed that horrible first night months ago. Neither of them saw me as I stood watching and so, despite my initial instinct to find out what was going on, I decided to let them alone and I walked out to the pool. Ricky, Chris, Mandy, Richard, Taylor and to my delight; Barry were all in the water. There was no one else on the deck. "Hi guys, has anyone seen Sean?" I called out my greeting and question. It was Richard who answered; "He and Walter are in the solarium Eric. Might not be a bad idea if you were to go there." I raised a quizzical eyebrow but he just shook his head more or less indicating no further information was forthcoming. I turned and walked back into the house. As I walked into the solarium, I saw them sitting on a settee in the far corner. Walter had his arm around the small boy who sat with his head buried in the older man's chest. From the spasms in his back, I could tell he was crying. Walter saw me as I walked softly towards them and he rubbed the crying boy's back and softly said; "Sean, your Dad's here. You can tell him. It'll be all right just like I promised." Sean raised his head and his large beautiful eyes were flooded with tears. His face was streaked and dirty. He looked as though his heart was thoroughly broken. Walter looked up at me; a picture of concern and without words, he indicated I should speak. I placed my hand on top of the boy's head and gently ruffled his hair. "Hi Son, would you like to tell me about what's going on? Nothing can be that bad honest." Walter gently guided the boy up and nudged him in my direction. He needed no urging. His arms were around me in seconds and he cried pitifully as he nuzzled his face against me. I let him cry for a few moments before I walked us over to a large chair, sat down and helped him crawl up onto my lap. "Now, tell me." I said gently. He raised his face up to look at me, He snuffled snot back up into his nose noisily and Walter surreptitiously handed me a handkerchief that I used to wipe his tear streaked face. Sean took a deep breath and then said; "I hate Rufus an' he hates me! I hope I never see him anymore an' I hope he gets beat up real bad in his fight this afternoon!" This was all he could manage to blurt out before he was once again racked with sobs. I held him close to me and after a few moments I softly asked; "You don't really mean any of that do you?" "N-no." "Something happened between you two today. Would you tell me about it?" "K-kay." I rolled my eyes at the long silence that followed. "Would you tell me now or do I have to wait a couple of days?" That got through his cloud of misery directly to his better nature and he giggled just a tiny bit before he finally spoke; "W-we were in the game room playin' pool an Rufus was actin' funny all morning an finally he says to me; `how am I suppostta concentrate on this game when you alla time have to keep movin' your step stool all aroun' the table? You really shouldn't be playin' games you're too little for.' That got me angry an so I told him that just bein' taller didn't make him better and that pretty soon I'd be so good at pool I wouldn't even waste my time playing him no more." I let out a soft whistle and I kept in direct eye contact as he paused to noisily snort snot back up again. "I was mad but I didn't want to stay mad so after a while I said that I was tired of playin' pool anyway and why didn't we go down to the library and look at cars on the computer. He turned to me real quick an' said `why should I do that with you? You're just a little kid! What do you know about cars? I wish you'd just quite hanngin' around me and taggin' along with everything I do!' Then...I got madder an' I said that at least I had my own electric cart and he didn't. Then he grabbed me and looked real mad like I never ever saw Rufus look before and he says...'Big deal! All I gotta do is ask Uncle Eric and I bet he'd get me one too' an then...an then..." Sean began to shudder with sobs again. I rubbed his back soothingly but I urged him to continue with the story. He snuffled loudly and rubbed his eyes with his little knuckles and looked directly in my eyes and said; "Oh, I was mad and confused an' I said such a MEAN thing...I told him you weren't his real Uncle that you just let him call you that an THEN I said you were my REAL Dad cause we'd been to a judge an everything and then...an then ...an then I told him he was still just a dumb orphan. After I said that, he looked like he was gonna' hit me but instead...oh, Dad... instead... he started to cry...then he pushed me down an ran out of the room. I guess everybody heard the mean things I said and Walter came in an' brought me down here and then you came." I softly stroked his hair and looked at him before speaking; "You didn't mean any of those things you said to Jack did you?" "N-no `course not. I love Jack...It's just that I was so surprised that he said those mean things to me. He's never been mean to me ever before and when he said mean things to me I was so surprised...I just wanted to say meaner stuff back at him. O...oh Dad! What am I gonna do now? How am I ever gonna make this better?" The sobs were returning but not quite so violently. "Well son, what you're going to do...if you choose to that is... is tell Jack that you're sorry for the bad things that you said. Tell him that you didn't mean them...AND...tell him why you said them. Then... it'll be his turn to tell you why he said what he said and...if I know Jack... he'll also tell you that he's as sorry as you are. How about we do that?" "K-kay. B-but will you an Walter come with me?" "We'll come with you, but you have to do your own talking." I raised him up onto his feet and took his hand. Walter fell in step along side of us momentarily placing a hand on Sean's shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze of assurance. Just before we reached the door however, Jack appeared with Martha standing behind him. It was obviously the red head was greiving and it was also obvious that Martha had given similar counsel to him as I had to Sean. The two boys stood looking at each other for a few moments before Jack, tears streaming down his face spoke; "Oh Tadpole...I'm Sooo sorry! I didn't mean even one of those things I said to you. I don't know why I said them...I guess...I guess I was just so nervous about this afternoon. The guy I'm boxing against hasn't ever lost a fight and this is my first fight ever. I guess I was scared and nervous and I took it out on you Tadpole. What a crappy thing to do." They were now hugging and crying profusely, I guided them to the settee and told them to talk things out and that we three adults would be in the kitchen if they wanted us. While Martha and Walter sat at the table in the eating area, I poured her a glass of wine and made stiff drinks for Walter and myself. Martha shook her head slowly and said; "Nothing about that exchange sounded like either of our boys. They don't say and do things like that." "Well," I interjected, "despite our best efforts, they ARE growing up you know. Hormones and emotions do strange things to otherwise good kids. " "Besides," Walter added "I know from experience that when you're nervous or confused, sometimes lashing out against a person you love and trust is the safest way to vent...even when you don't know why you're doing it and don't actually mean a thing you say." After about fifteen minutes, both boys walked through the door. They had obviously washed their faces and seemed normal and none the worse for wear. It appeared their peace had been made and thus; (as is the nature of boys) they moved innocently into the progression of the day. "Mrs. Edwards, are there any cookies?" Sean asked. Jumping up Martha seated them both at the table and quickly produced two tall glasses of milk and a plate of chocolate chip cookies. As the boys reached for their treats I spoke up; "Now guys, when you're finished, I want you both to take a shower to cool off and then Jack...you're going to take a nap." He looked at me horrified and tried to say something in protest but I stopped him with a gesture. "This isn't up for discussion. You need to calm down and get your head straight before the fight of the century." I walked over to him and gently massaged his strong young shoulders. As I did so, the thought struck me and I spoke without giving it any further consideration; "That kid may not have lost a fight yet, but today he's going to know he was in the ring with Jack Tucker." It took a second but then what I'd just said registered on the beautiful red haired boy. "B-but I'm not Jack Tu..." I silenced him again with a quick gesture. "That's something else we need to talk about but not right now. Sean, Jack is going to nap alone in his room and you are not to disturb him. I'm sure that there are enough people out in the pool right now to keep you occupied...just don't forget to put your swim trunks on first!" He flashed my a totally mischievous grin and said; "Man! You're no fun at all anymore Dad." He and Jack headed for the elevator side by side-as if the earlier incident had never happened. As Walter and I walked out of the kitchen he said to me; "I've been meaning to tell you...Those boys mean a lot to me Eric. It wasn't just your life you changed when you brought them here. Your father would have loved them a lot and...he would have been mighty proud of you if he could see you with them." A lump was rising in my throat and my eyes were welling up but I managed to say; "I believe he does see and I think he IS proud Walter." As we parted and I headed down the hall to my study, I couldn't get a bothersome thought out of my head; there HAD to be more behind Jack's initial actions this morning than just anxiety over a youth league boxing match. He was too level headed a kid to let that get to him so badly and frankly, he'd faced far worse situations in his young life and come through strong and confident. No, something else was bothering my young Rufus and despite everything else going on right now, I had to figure out some way to find out what it was. The first shot against the NEST had been fired. We'd won the first skirmish and they didn't even know the war had started. This afternoon I had a boxing match to watch and then three days to see if I could find out what was going on inside young Jack's head. I also had to talk to Sean about a course of action that I was suddenly considering regarding a major change in both of our relationship with the older boy. I would never make such an important decision without discussing it with Sean. I sank down into my wonderful leather chair and swiveled around towards the credenza and made myself a drink. As I held the tumbler in my hands slowly rolling the cool crystal between my palms, my mind filled with a jumble of thoughts. This was going to be a busy week for almost everybody I cared about. The NEST take-over was one of the first major projects I'd initiated since coming to my senses less than a year ago...I was startled as I reviewed all of the changes that had taken place in my life in such a short time. Before thrusting so much of my energy into the NEST project, I wanted to get this latest idea I'd had regarding Jack at least beyond the formative stages, in order to do that, I decided to ask Doc Swaim, Walter, Martha, John and Uncle Phil to meet with me after dinner. With regard to this idea, I felt all of their feedback would be invaluable. With a potentially dangerous and difficult effort as the NEST take-over might surely prove to be, I wondered if I was crazy to be thinking about anything else much less something as serious as adopting another boy. I raised my tumbler to my lips but before taking an actual sip, I lowered it down and stared into the glass intently. After just a few moments, I got up from my chair and walked into the adjoining bathroom. Standing over the sink, I turned the crystal tumbler over and emptied the full glass of whisky. Smiling to myself I walked out of my study and headed for the pool hoping all the gang would let me play. (to be continued) ********************************************************************* Once again I'm sorry this chapter has taken so long. Thank you all for sticking with me and most of all thanks for the wonderful notes. I seem to be feeling better and I'm up walking for a while every day. I'm hopeful that the next chapter will follow in a much more timely fashion. The battle will finally move to Houston and with-in the walls of the NEST. I'm interested in whether or not you think Eric should officially adopt Jack or make some other official arraignments. As you've no doubt guessed, relationships around Joyous Gaurde are getting complicated. By the way, if you haven't read "First Light"...a little story that came to me several days ago I'd love it if you did so and let me know what you think. -Eff nolitimere156@gmail.com Also, don't forget to consider a donation to NIFTY. You can do so by clicking here: http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html