Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2009 00:37:24 -0400
From: Chris Johns <chris-johns@hotmail.com>
Subject: You're in Trouble Part 6

Usual Rules Everyone

			     You're in Trouble
		  Part 6 -- The boys work their Miracle

Todd could do no more on the sporting front to make his Father proud of
him. He already captained the football team and that team was at the top of
the schools league. Next semester he would go out for athletics and make
sure he did better than ever there as well. The only thing he could change
was his academics results so parties went out the window and he practically
lived in the gym and the library. His standards climbed and a good
scholarship looked certain.

Timmy was the same. He couldn't improve on his academics, he was already a
4.0, but he now took to the gym as well and made the swimming team. He was
never going to be a star athlete but his Father was so proud of him going
out for his school and doing passably well.

Tom tried to blot out of his mind what the boys were doing behind closed
doors. It wasn't working with the result that the household remained a
house of sadness. He praised the boys and frequently told them he was proud
of their achievements but the old style love where cuddles and hugs were
common place didn't return.

Pam watched her three men with sadness in her eyes and in her heart.

Tom realised after a couple of months that the only way to handle it was to
stay at work longer so that he didn't see the boys except at their sport
meets, but of course that meant he didn't see much of Pam either.  `The
course of love never runs smooth', was definitely true in the Hanlon
family. They all loved one another but in the case of Tom it carried a huge
burden because of the disgust he felt at his boys sexual activities. The
end result was that after several months Pam offered him two options.

"I love you Tom, I will probably love you until the day I die. The boys
love you as well but they won't stop what they are doing. You have two
choices with me. You can go for counselling or you can move out. You are
turning this once happy house into a morgue. What the boys are doing is
wrong, the reason they are doing it is wonderful. You have to come to terms
with that. I'm sad about it but I accept it."

Tom was shattered, he had never considered that his manner was destroying
his family. He packed a bag and left the house that night.

"I love you all so much Pam, perhaps I'll be back one day."

Then he was gone.

The house may have been a sad place before but now it just got worse.

The boys missed their Father, at every football game Todd looked round the
crowd hoping to see his Dad, at every swim meet Timmy did the same. They
never saw him but they still performed at their best, just in case.

Tom still never missed an event but he wouldn't let the boys see him. He
noted that Timmy's once sparkling eyes and funning with his friends had
gone. It was a sadder and much quieter young man that came and went
nowadays. Todd was the same. His team kept winning but while the others
celebrated he went home alone. Summer came and nothing changed. Todd did
exceptionally well on the athletics field but there was no joy in his
performance.

Eventually the damn broke and Tom went for counselling.

For a 100% male, counselling was anathema to Tom and the progress was slow,
very slow. The first break through was Tom openly watching the boys swim
and athletics meets.

The boys were ecstatic when they got home to tell their mother. Todd was
first and then Timmy. Pam crossed her fingers and prayed that the road back
to normalcy had begun.

Final exams for Todd had finished and he had worked his butt off to make
sure that when his Father saw the results he would be proud of him.

Graduation and Todd almost cried when he saw his parents arrive together
with Timmy between them and his Father's arm over Timmy's shoulder.

After receiving his diploma Todd almost flew off the stage to hug his
Father.

"Look Dad, I can go to any college I want. I've done it for you. I promised
I would."

Tom had tears in his eyes when he saw the joy in those of his eldest
son. He would come to terms with the love his two sons had for each
other. He loved them both so much and was so proud of what they were
achieving, apparently for him.

Todd got his first choice college to study sport science and on the day he
left for college his Father presented him with a new Jeep Wrangler.

"Look after yourself son, and know I love you very much and am so proud of
you."

Tom blanched a little at the goodbye kiss Todd gave to Timmy, it oozed
passion and love.

As he drove off he shouted back.

"I love you all, I promise I won't be a stranger."

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