Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2015 00:12:26 -0400
From: Eff Del <nolitimere156@gmail.com>
Subject: Green Grow the Rushes O- Chapter 24

Green Grow the Rushes O- Chapter 24

By Eff Del

Nolitimere156@gmail.com

If you would learn to fly, you must first learn to stand and walk and run
and climb and dance. You must understand the joy of this world and your
position on it.

Flying is essentially nothing more than throwing yourself at the ground and
missing. That sounds so simple but so many of us fail. That is what's known
as a crash.

Will Fletcher was waiting for us at the end of the tarmac with a broad
smile. Brian was along with us Jack had wisely decided that flying in a
small plane wouldn't be good for his ear.

I tried very hard not to giggle as I noticed that both Will and Sean were
wearing beige aviator shirts. I thought back to that day almost two years
ago when I'd first brought my little boy home and we'd joked about the
`dress code'.

"Shall we go see her?" he indicated a hanger on the other side of the
field. "Your Dad has rented a hanger here so your plane won't be exposed to
the weather. I've checked her out but I haven't taken her up Sean. This
will be her first flight. Are you excited?"

Sean grinned at him.

"That would be an understatement I think!"

Will clapped him on the shoulder and grinned. I suspected that they were
going to get along very well.

As we walked through the hanger door, Sean stopped dead in his tracks. The
model that I'd given him yesterday was a perfect replica of the wonderful
craft that stood before us. It was painted with a sleek blue over white
pattern and was just beautiful.

"Dad, is this really mine?"

I smiled and nodded to him.

"Mr. Eric, you and Brian please climb into the rear seats, I'd like to show
Sean how to do a walk around."

As we climbed into the cabin, Brian grabbed my hand.

"I-I've never flown before Dad. I'm a little bit scared."

I squeezed him close into me.

"Brian, walking down the road is more dangerous baby. I won't be surprised
if you don't ask me to give you flying lessons."

"I-I'd never ask for something like that. All I'd ever ask for was that
you'd be my Dad and I already know that can't happen except in my
imagination. Thanks' for letting me pretend Mr. T...I really love you."

I didn't know what to say or how to respond so; I simply put my arm around
him and hugged him tight.

Shortly, Sean and Will entered the sleek little plane and took their seats.
Sean's smile could have brightened a pitch-black room.

"I'm going to name it DOVE Dad."

"That's a great name for your plane Sean."

"Yeah Sean, it's almost colored like a dove."

Brian was grinning.

Will turned and looked at us.

"Now, I don't know if any of you have been up in a small plane before. It's
different than being up in a jet. The air turbulence can make for a bumpy
ride. I think that part is fun but for newbies, it can sometimes be a
concern. I want you to know that it's normal. Think of it as if we're in a
boat and just riding the waves only, the waves we'll be riding are
invisible.

Now Sean, let's go through the checklist. Every time you fly, you'll do a
walk around like we just did and then, you'll go through the
checklist...You'll do this every single time you fly. Got it?"

"Yes Will...Got it."

"I was told that you'd be a good student."

I smiled as he and my boy went through the rudimentary preflight checklist.
I noted that Will had given the clipboard to Sean.

"This will happen every time you fly Sean...every single time."

Soon we were taxiing forward. Will made certain that Sean had put on an
extra pair of headphones and listened to everything the flight control
person said. With a nod of his head and a smile to Sean, we were soon
racing down the runway and in moments, we were up in the air.

Brian had tensed up but I think the swiftness and the pure pleasure of
takeoff released his apprehension. He was soon smiling and looking out with
a face glowing with joy.

"That was so neat! This is so cool!"

Small planes fly so much closer to the ground that the experience is
actually much more charming and to a certain degree more exciting. This was
Brian's first flight and I was enjoying him experiencing it.

"That's your estate below us now." Will said over his shoulder.

"This kid is doing pretty good don't you think Eric?"

"What Will?"

He was grinning as he looked back at me.

"Sean has been flying for the past twenty minutes. Sean... wave to your Dad."

My little boy turned around and grinned.

"How cool is this Dad? I'm flying my own plane!"

"Pretty cool indeed Sean. Pretty cool indeed."

After we'd landed, we confirmed that Sean's first lesson would be next
Friday. Will explained that for a while he'd be using a flight simulator
but that in a rather short time he'd really be taking off and landing.
After that, it was just doing it...practice makes perfect.

************

"Could there be a cooler birthday present? Could you be a cooler Dad? Could
I ever be luckier?"

I grinned.

"The answers are no, no and no but could I have ever been a luckier Dad?
The answer is NO. Now, let's do lunch and I vote for Deegan's but Brian
gets the deciding vote."

The brown haired boy smiled and said;

"Of course Deegan's. Could there be a better burger?"

Sean grinned and hugged his friend.

"Dad was just testing you weren't you Dad?"

"Well yes in way. Man does not live by carne asada burritos alone. I was
actually wondering what we were going to eat for lunch but it seems like
I've gotten my way so, there's no argument from me."

There is nothing more fun than sharing a burger lunch with two little boys.
It is a time of giggles and noshing and really fun conversation. This of
course is not to mention a furious consumption of food.

************

Sean and I were bent over the chessboard. Jack and Brian were curled up on
coaches reading as Daniel entered the room. He approached, bent close to my
ear and spoke very softly;

"Eric there is a telephone call for you. It's Brian's mother. I've taken
the liberty of having it transferred to the telephone in your study."

I nodded.

"Thank you Daniel. That was very thoughtful of you."

I told Sean that I had an urgent telephone call and walked down to my
study. I made a quick drink before I picked up the phone to speak to Mrs.
Wiliams.

"Maria, its Eric how can I help you?"

The call was tear-filled but not unexpected. Brian's grandmother had
passed. Her remains were going to be cremated tonight and there was going
to be a gathering tomorrow. Following that, Maria and I would have a
meeting with Brian.

After hanging up the phone, I made myself a new drink and walked down the
hall.

"Spider, come take a walk with me."

He rose up and by the very way he came to me I already knew that he
understood what I was about to tell him.

I held him close and tight while he cried out his grief.

I had three boys in my bed and while the configuration was awkward, it was
certainly delightful.

Our group shower was a pleasant but then it was time to get serious.

"Right after breakfast, it's suits on boys. Brian has to stand at his
mother's side today and I expect you to support him."

Brian took my hand.

"Thank you for letting me be a part of your family. I really liked
pretending that you were my Dad. Now, I have to do what I need to do. I
just wish...I j-just wish. "

I held him close as he wept silently.

********

It was a formal Catholic service, Brian was at his mother's side for the
entire time, and he escorted her hand in hand into the Church Hall for the
reception.

Maria Williams was a very active member of this church and therefore, it
was well attended. Brian stood at his mother's side just as a strong young
son should.

As the guests left, I asked John if he would take Sean and Jack out to the
limo.

"Brian, your mother and I would like to have a talk with you. Is that OK?"

"Sure" He didn't look that sure though.

"Brian, I've always loved being your mother but I've always felt compelled
to the Holy Orders. Now that my mother has died, I wish to take on that
vocation but I'd only do it if I knew you were happy and well cared for.

Eric and I have talked a great deal about this and he is willing to take on
full parental responsibility for you.

I'd sign over my parental rights to him and enter the convent. You'd become
his legal son."

"D-Does that mean you won't be my Mother anymore?"

"No Brian it just means I won't be an active parent anymore. You'll always
be my son and I'll always love you."

He turned to me and he was obviously confused.

"What this means Brian is that if you agree, your mother will sign over her
parental rights to me. That means that after we go before a judge, you'll
be legally and in every other way my son. That means I'm your Dad if you
agree."

"S-So I can really call you Dad and it's for real not just in my
imagination?"

I didn't get the chance to answer because he was onto me like an avalanche.

I left him with his mother because they obviously had a lot to say to each
other. I walked over to the limo and sat down with Sean and Jack.

"So, suppose I told you that you had another brother?"

They exploded all over me.

"Abought time Dad."

Jack was almost scowling.

"He needs to be part of this family."

"Whaddaya mean? He's my brother already just like you Jack."

"Well, I feel like I'm his Dad so...I guess that we all agree."

Brian walked out from the church and his cheeks were burnished red. I was
concerned about his conference with his mother. He entered the limo and
suddenly his eyes grew bright and he gave me a larger than possible smile.

"So, can I really call you Dad?"

I tussled his hair and tickled his ribs.

"No, not until Friday when we stand before the judge."

"DAD!"

Two other voices shamed me.

"OK, I guess you can call me Dad even before the judge makes it official on
Friday.

But it is going to be official Brian. Your Mom is taking her holy vows and
has signed over her parental rights to me.

She'll be entering the convent tomorrow and has chosen to be cloistered for
at least a year.

That means even you won't be able to see her or speak with her.

 Is that all right with you? I want you to understand that you do have
legal rights and don't have to agree to any of this.

"DAD!" he threw his arms around me and buried his face into my chest. As he
snuffled against me, I told him that he'd be responsible for getting the
snot off my shirt.

He giggled against me but didn't move.

This was a closeness of body, mind and heart that he didn't want to forget.
Neither did I.

Sean and Jack knew instinctively not to attempt any contact or to make any
comment at this point. They sat and smiled as Brian and I embraced.

I glanced at John's face in the rearview mirror. There were tears running
down his cheeks but his face had an enormous smile.

"I've already called ahead Eric. They're waiting."

"Thank you John.

Boys, aren't you going to say anything to your new brother-to-be?"

"What are you talking' about Dad? He's been our brother since before you
first brought him home! Haven't you Spider?"

The teary brown-haired boy smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Y-Yes, it's felt like that and you all let me pretend b-but I never
believed it would actually become real."

Jack responded;

"Remember I told you that he'd figure something out Brian.

Dad always figures something out. Great job Dad!"

Brian raised his up his tear-streaked face. He gave me a wet but
smile-filled kiss.

"Yea, great job Dad!"

All of us in the car laughed.

*********************

All of our Joyous Gaurde `family' was waiting on the front steps. I'd
informed them of my intentions and my hopes for the out-come but it had not
been certain until I'd talked to Mrs. Williams the night of her mother's
passing.

I knew that I was going to have to spend more time with Brian helping him
to understand his Mother's action and making him believe that no part of
this was his fault but at this moment, I wanted him surrounded by love and
welcome.

John had called and let everyone that things had gone as planned and the
small celebration was prepared.

The already shell-shocked twelve-year-old was practically mobbed by I group
of wonderful people that he'd already allowed himself to imagine to be his
extended family.

He was cuddled, hugged, and kissed as we all walked down to the solarium.

How Martha had been able to create the fantastic cake even with Jenny's
help in just one day, was beyond me but it was beautiful.Daniel's staff was
moving among the guests handing out champagne.

I raised my glass and hugged Brian to my side.

"Friends, this is going to be a short celebration especially since we all
know about Brian when he's allowed to have too much wine."

The boy blushed and the rest of us broke out into loud laughter.

"Tonight we're celebrating the fact that a week from now, Brian Andrew
Wilson has agreed to allow me to make him a legal part of my family; my
Son."

There was a raucous round of applause to this.

"Dad!"

Sean called out;

"Ain't he gonna be Brian Tucker?"

"Only if he wants to Sean although we've had a conference here and it's
pretty much been decided that if he wants to change his name, we'll have it
changed to `Spider' Tucker.

Everyone giggled.

"On a serious note, let's toast the reasons that have moved this into
possibility.

First, God has taken Brian's grandmother home releasing his Mother from the
burden and responsibility of her care.

Second, this sad death has accelerated the desire in his Mother's heart to
fulfill a longing she has harbored for most of her life; the taking up of
Holy Orders and committing the rest of her life to God.

Third, in order for her to feel free to do that, it was necessary to find
Brian a loving caring home, and to be convinced in her heart that he would
be raised in a loving, supportive environment.

More important than that, she needed to be convinced that it would be an
environment where Brian himself would be happy and know he was loved.
Without meeting these last criterion, she would have given up her vocation
and never considered entering the convent.

She and I talked about this for many long hours and I did some
soul-searching.

After ensuring that he'd received all of his shots, had been recently
flea-dipped and had no indication of mange, I agreed to take him off her
hands."

I pulled him into a hug as everyone laughed.

"Now before we have our cake and I pack these boys off to bed, let me tell
you that Brian and Sean have a baseball game on Tuesday, you're all invited
to Brian's adaption diner on Friday which will also celebrate Sean's first
`official' lesson in his airplane which he has christened; `DOVE'.

Then on Saturday, Deer Run will field the first baseball team with two
members of the Tucker family."

The cake was delicious and the celebration was joyful.

****************************

I wasn't in the least surprised to find three beautiful, smiling and
completely naked boys sitting on my bed when I entered my room.

"What's this all about?" I asked trying unsuccessfully to look gruff.

"We want to sleep together as a family Dad."

Brian seemed almost afraid to have spoken. I realized this was a terribly
emotional day for him.

"OK, but `sleep' is the optimal word tonight got it?"

"Of course Dad."

They were all three grinning like the wicked little boys they could be.

"If you guys try anything, I'm going down to the trophy room, getting
Sean's paddle and tanning your asses."

Jack leaned over and kissed me.

"Is that a promise?"

I issued a very pretend growl as I shed my clothes and slipped in between a
pile of smooth little boy flesh. There are far worse ways to end a day.

Sean was kneeling at my side.

"Dad, you're not really gonna make Brian change name to `Spider' are you?
That's just his nickname when he plays sports."

I giggled.

"You didn't really believe that did you?"

Sean and Brian answered in tandem and a little timidly;

"Well...yeah; a little bit."

"Well, the truth be told, although that would certainly be an exotic name,
I suppose `Brian' sounds better."

At some dark hour, I felt a kiss against my cheek and then a whisper in my
ear.

"I'm sad that my Mom doesn't want to be my Mom any more but I'm sure happy
that you want to be my real Dad."

I grabbed him and rolled him up onto my torso. I smiled as I felt the
sleeping body of Sean instinctively roll up against my right side while the
cutely snoring larger body of Jack huddled against my left side.

I knew that soon, Jack would turn over and press his succulent ass into my
hip and he would out sleep us all in the morning.

Sean's leg had already been thrown over mine and sometime in the night, his
arm would cross over my body or Brian's.

I sighed as I rested among the warm bodies.

"I love my Tadpole, my sailor and my Spider. How about you Dad and Mom?"

I'm certain it was the champagne but I distinctly thought I felt two sets
of lips kiss my own.

Before sleep took me, I made two mental notes;

I wanted to call Coach Chino Lopez and make certain I talked him into
changing the pitching order. I didn't want Brian pitching Tuesday's game, I
wanted him pitching next Saturday's game as my son.

I also wanted to make four appointments with Jerry at `Sheerz'. We were all
shaggy and I wanted us all to look good for the adoption and the party

 (To be continued)

*****************************

First of...to all you sharp eyed readers; I'm from Coastal Georgia I'm a 20
year Georgia Bulldogs fan. I don't know what kind of Brain-fart I had last
chapter regarding the piano player in `Casablanca' but, I ASSURE you that I
DO know that Vince Dooley was Head Football Coach and Athletic Director for
the University of Georgia. During his 25 year tenure, them `Dawgs' had an
impressive 201-77-10 record but to my knowledge, Vince Dooley plays no
musical instrument. If he does, he certainly didn't play and sing `As time
Goes By' in the classic Bogart film. That gentleman was Mr. Dooley Wilson.

Thanks for all of your wonderful emails about this story and wonderful
concerns about my health. I assure you that I am fighting the best fight
that I can.

Eff