Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2012 20:25:15 -0700 From: B.E. Kelley Subject: The Foundling Chapter 12 This story is a work of FICTION. The events described are my own invention. Any similarities to actual events or persons are strictly coincidental. The author retains the copyright, and any other rights, to this original story. You may not publish it or any part of it without my explicit authorization. This story contains depictions of consensual sexual acts between teenage males. It is intended for mature audiences only. If you find this type of material offensive or if you are under the legal age to read said material; please proceed no further. Comments are always welcome at: hailcaesar2011@hotmail.com The Foundling Chapter 12: Boston Bound Brian Blair, or Uncle Brian as I'd always called him, had been my father's best friend. He and his wife, Auntie Liz, had gone to college with my parents and had been a fixture in our lives, until they'd moved to Switzerland last year. Uncle Brian was an investment banker, just like dad, and his firm had transferred him to their Geneva office, to manage European accounts. Needless to say, I did not expect to see him in our living room. "I came to see you, of course," he smiled, then hugged me tight, "Gosh you're getting so big and you look just like your dad." "It's good to see you too, I just didn't expect to, I thought you were in Switzerland," I explained. "Yes, we just moved back a couple of weeks ago, the cold weather didn't agree with your Auntie Liz so we're back in Boston," he explained. "But it's cold there too," I stated. "You know your aunt," smiled Uncle Brian. "Right," I smiled back, Auntie was a little fickle. "Listen Benji, I was really sorry to hear about your dad, you know how close we were and the first thing wanted to do, once we got settled, was to come check on you, are you doing ok?" "Yeah, I'm fine, I'm on the swim team, and George and Nancy are taking good care of me," I gushed. "I'm happy to hear that," said Uncle Brian. "How are Auntie Liz and Preston doing?" I asked. "They're both fine, Liz hasn't even been back for a month and she's already got some charity fundraiser to put together and Preston is at the Hill School," said Uncle Brian. "I guess that all sounds good," I replied. Ok, I'd known Uncle Brian all my life but I'd never spent any time alone with him. I didn't really know what to say to him but he took care of that for me by making an abrupt announcement. "Listen kiddo, I should have called before I drove up, I didn't know you were going to be away for the weekend, I've got to head back to the city but I wanted to ask if you'd like to come and visit us for a weekend," said Uncle Brian. "Uh, is that ok?" I said, to Nancy. "It's fine sweetheart, I've been talking to Mr. Blair for a couple of hours, I think it would be nice for you to spend some time with someone that was so close to your dad," said Nancy. "Please, call me Brian," he said, "Benji, next weekend is Valentine's Day and we've got plans, but would the following weekend be ok? You don't have any swimming commitments?" "Yeah, I guess that would be fine," I replied. "Excellent, Preston will be home from school, he and Liz will be so happy to see you," he smiled. "Yeah, yeah it will be nice to see them too," I replied. "Great, well, I'll see you then," said Uncle Brian, giving me another powerful hug. He shook hands with Nancy, thanked her for taking such good care of me and then he was gone. The whole encounter was over in less than five minutes. "Well, that was interesting," I stated. "Are you ok sweetheart?" asked Nancy. "Yeah, I'm ok, I just didn't expect to see him," I replied, then changed the subject, "Look, I won the silver medal." Nancy took the medal from me, so that she could admire it closely, then she smiled. "We'll have to find somewhere special to put this," said Nancy. "Would you put it with Dylan and Jamie's trophies, in the study?" I asked. "Sure, if that's where you'd like it," she smiled. "Thanks, I'd really like that," I replied. Nancy honored my request by taking the display box, that had come with my medal and placing it on a prominent shelf, with Dylan's wrestling ribbons and Jamie's soccer certificate. "Where is everyone?" I asked, once the medal was on display. "Well, George had to take care of an emergency at work, and the boys are in their rooms. Are you sure you feel ok honey, you look a little pale," said Nancy. "I always look like that," I quipped. "Ok, your sense of humor seems to be intact, I guess you're fine," Nancy laughed. "Yeah, I'm just tired and it was a little weird seeing Uncle Brian, I'm going to go lay down I think." "Alright honey, dinner in an hour," Nancy advised. I didn't want to tell Nancy, but I was a little freaked out by Uncle Brian's appearance. It's not that I didn't want to see him, it's just that he was a face from the past and I would have appreciated a little heads up so that I could prepare for his visit. When I walked into my room, I tossed my bag in the corner and flopped down on my bed. Jamie was sitting against his headboard and for the first time since I'd met him, he looked sad. "Hey, what's wrong?" I asked. "Are you leaving us?" said Jamie. "What, what are you talking about?" I exclaimed. "That guy was your Uncle, right? Are you going to go live with him?" asked Jamie. "What! No way, first off he's not my real uncle, he was my dad's friend and secondly, you guys are my family now, I'm not going anywhere," I explained. Jamie jumped off his bed and practically tackled me with his hug. "Good," he sniffled, "I don't want you to go." I hugged him back and held him for a minute, giving him a chance to compose himself. I wasn't going anywhere but I thought it was sweet that Jamie was worried about me and I was glad he wanted to keep me around. I didn't let him go, until he gave me one of his smiles, then I lie down and took a nap. I wasn't worried about visiting the Blair's, and the next day at school, when I talked to Avery about it, he encouraged me. Avery thought that it would be good for me to spend a weekend with them, that they knew my father better than anyone and that I'd be glad I had a relationship with them, as I got older and had questions about him. Avery proved, once again, that he was as wise as he was handsome. The school week went quickly, we had a swim meet Friday, and then I was spending the night at Avery's on Saturday. Avery's parents were going out to celebrate Valentine's Day and we were going to watch his little sister, Aribella. Coach picked me up early and Avery and I hung out in his room, while his parents got ready for their date. They were going to dinner and then out to see a play; they left at five o'clock and said we shouldn't expect them until after midnight. Once his parents left, Avery and I spent the evening playing with his little sister. She's an adorable little girl and having never had a little sister of my own, I doted on her. I discovered quickly that Aribella loved to tease her big brother and she really let him have it when I laughed at her jokes. Avery was very good with his sister, most 14 year old boys wouldn't want anything to do with a 5 year old but Avery got down on his knees and romped with her, tickled her, tossed her up in the air, anything to make that little girl smile. It was clear to anyone who looked that little sister worshiped big brother and that big brother adored little sister. The three of us ate pizza together and then played in the living room until Avery announced that it was eight o'clock and time for Aribella to go to bed. "Ok munchkin, its bed time," said Avery, "go put your jammy's on and I'll read you a story." "But Abery, I want Benji to tell me a story," said Aribella. "Oh, gee Ari, I don't know, I'm not a very good story teller," I protested. "Come on Benji, pretty please," she pleaded. "Yeah Benji, pretty please?" Avery grinned. "Ok, I'll try," I replied. Aribella put on her pajamas, then Avery tucked her in and took a seat at her bedside. I sat on the other side and tried my best to think of some kind of story for her. "Come on Benji, you can do it," she encouraged. "Ok, uh, once upon a time, in a kingdom far, far away, there was a handsome young prince named, uh, hmm, Elliot, yeah, Prince Elliot," I began, flubbing my way through a fairytale that I was making up as I went along. "Prince Elliot was very sad, his mommy and daddy, the king and queen, had been taken away and could never return," I continued. "Awww, poor Prince Elliot," said Aribella. "Yes it was terrible, he was so lonely and he didn't have any friends but then one day, something wonderful happened." "Oooh, what happened?" asked Aribella. "Well, one day, a beautiful princess moved into the kingdom, she had golden blond hair and the most beautiful green eyes that anyone had ever seen." "The princess sounds like Abery," Aribella giggled. "You know what Ari, you're right she does sound like Avery, but that's ok, you know why?" "No, why?" she replied. "Cause my middle names Elliot!" I exclaimed. "Wow, just like the prince!" she exclaimed. "That's right, just like the prince," I smiled, then winked at Avery. "I didn't know your middle name was Elliot," said Avery. "You never asked," I smirked, "speaking of which, what's yours?" "Hmm, um, I uh, don't remember," said Avery. "It's Oswald," Aribella laughed. "Oh well that's uh, different," I giggled. "It's sooooooo dorky," laughed Aribella. "Ok, ok, enough picking on Avery, I wanna here how the story ends," said Avery. "Yeah, me to," said Aribella. "Right, well, the beautiful princess went to Prince Elliot and said, `fear not little prince, for I have come to be your friend, and you will never be alone again because I will take care of you.' And do you know what happened then?" I asked, leaning in close and whispering. "No, what?" Aribella whispered back. "They lived happily, ever, after," I smiled. "That was a good story," said Aribella. "Yeah, I liked it too," said Avery, reaching over to pat my hand. "Alright munchkin, get some sleep," said Avery, kissing his sister on the cheek. "Goodnight Abery, goodnight Benji, thank you for my story," said Aribella. "Goodnight Ari, sweet dreams," I replied. Avery closed the door and we walked back out to the living room. "You were great with her," said Avery. "Really?" I asked, "I've never had a little brother or sister, but I always thought it would be fun." "Well, you made her night, she loves you," said Avery, "ever since that first time you slept over its Benji this and Benji that, it's enough to make a guy jealous." "Alright smartass," I smiled and gave him a smack on the butt, "what movie do you want to watch?" "I don't know, any ideas?" said Avery. "Yeah, actually I brought one with me," I replied. I grabbed my backpack and fished a DVD out, then passed it to Avery. "Love Actually?" said Avery. "Trust me, you'll like it," I smiled. "Alright, I'll give it a shot." Avery popped the DVD into the player, then sat next to me on the couch, he put his arm around my shoulder, we put our feet up on the coffee table and settled in to watch one of my favorite romantic comedies. I will admit, the movie is a little slow at first, so I didn't mind that Avery was being talkative. "So tell me more about this guy you're going to see next week," said Avery. "Who, Uncle Brian?" I asked. "No, didn't you say they have a son that's Dylan's age?" said Avery. "Oh you men Pretentious, I mean Preston," I corrected. "Is he really that bad?" asked Avery. "Yes, but it's not his fault, he's about the most spoiled person I've ever met," I explained, "Still, he's not all bad." "Is he cute?" asked Avery. "Yeah, he's really cute, he's tall, well built, brown hair, big brown eyes, he's a hottie." "Gee you don't have to get so excited," said Avery. "Aww, you don't have to be jealous, baby." "I'm not jealous," said Avery, "But I'll kick his ass if he hits on you." "Relax tough guy, he's as straight as it gets, besides, you know I prefer blonds," I smiled, then kissed Avery, "now, watch the movie." I don't know what it is about this movie but I always get choked up at the end. I just think it's so beautiful that even though Colin Firth and Lucia Moniz speak different languages, they still fall in love. I also think it's incredibly romantic how he flies to France and asks her to marry him in front of an entire café full of people, without any thought of how embarrassing it might be. When the movie ended, I got Avery to admit that he liked it and we talked for a while, until we fell asleep in the couch. When I woke up in the morning, Avery and I had our arms around each other, my head was resting on his shoulder and his cheek was resting against my head. I couldn't figure out where the blanket had come from, then I realized that his parents must have put it over us when they got back from their date. I felt a little sheepish, when Avery's mother kept smiling at us, when she didn't think we were looking, but overall, I didn't care. I love Avery's family, they don't care that he's gay and I don't care if they know I love him. The week after Valentine's Day passed quickly. We didn't have any swim meets and our teacher's didn't heap to much homework on us, so I wiled away the time hanging out with my buddies. By Friday, I was ready for my weekend in Boston. When I got home from school that day, there was a black Range Rover in the driveway. I expected to find Uncle Brian waiting for me, when I walked into the house, but instead, I found his driver. "Mr. Blair sent me to pick you up, he was unavoidably detained in the city," said the driver, "but he will be there when we arrive." I'd packed my bag the night before so I hugged George and Nancy, said a quick goodbye to Dylan and Jamie, and then climbed into the waiting Range Rover. It's a long drive from Tyson's Corner to Boston and I slept while we cruised south on I-95. I woke up to the driver shaking my shoulder; I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and found myself in front of the Blair's Beacon Hill townhouse. Preston was just coming down the stairs, as I entered the grand foyer. "Oh, hi Benji." "Hi Pretenci..., I mean Preston, did you just get in?" I asked. "About an hour ago, flew in from Philadelphia," said Preston, "I'm at The Hill School you know." "Yeah, that's what your dad told me," I replied. "And you were at Choate?" said Preston. "I was, you know, before all this," I replied. "Right, you know we beat them at their homecoming?" said Preston. "Yes, I was there, that was before I left," I replied. "Do you really go to a public school now?" asked Preston, his haughty manner already starting to get on my nerves. "Yes," I answered tersely. "I don't know how you stand being among all those philistines," he scoffed. "It's not so bad, most of their parents work for me so they treat me like royalty," I replied. I didn't think my classmates were philistines, well Richard Dockins was but not everyone else, and I didn't care if their parents worked for. I only said what I did to remind Preston that my family had more money than his. I didn't care about that either, but I knew Preston would and his attitude made me feel like annoying him. "Right, well, you're just in time for dinner, my parents are waiting in the dining room, come on," said Preston, beckoning me to follow him. One of the Blair's servant's took my bag to a guest room and I followed Preston into the elegant dining room. Auntie Liz started fawning over me almost immediately. "Benji darling, it's so good to see you my dear," she said theatrically. "Hi Auntie Liz, it's good to see you to," I smiled right at Preston while his mom kissed me on each cheek and then gave me a hug. "You come right over here and sit next to me, I'm sure you must be starving after that long drive," said Auntie. Before I go on, you should know that I only call her Auntie because she makes me. Well, she's never come out and said "Benji, I command you to call me Auntie," or anything like that, what she does is ignore me if I call her anything else. It frustrated me to no end, as a child, so I eventually gave in and let her have her way. She was my mom's friend and she'd always been kind to me so putting up with this foible wasn't such a bad thing. "Have a seat son," said Uncle Brian, "cook made your favorite." "Filet mignon?" I asked. "You bet," said Uncle Brian. "Great, I haven't had that in ages," I exclaimed. "What, they don't have beef up in the hinterland?" said Preston. "Oh Preston," laughed Auntie Liz, glossing over his rudeness, "eat your dinner darling." Preston grumbled something at his plate but I ignored him. He'd always been stuck up but in the year since I'd seen him last, it seems to have gotten worse. Oh well, if he wanted to be a dick, I had my own bag of tricks up my sleeve, I'd let his mom dote on me like I was her long lost little boy, knowing full well that would get under his skin. Besides, the steak was excellent and I wasn't about to let him ruin it for me. "So Benji my dear, how are you getting along, my poor little lamb," said Auntie Liz. "Oh fine, I'm staying with a great family and I'm really doing well with my diving, I brought home a silver medal the day Uncle Brian came up to see me," I stated. "Bravo darling, that's wonderful, but how are you getting on with public school," she asked. "It's fine, I have some wonderful friends," I replied. "Hayseed's," said Preston under his breath, earning a stern look from his father. "Actually, they don't grow hay in New Hampshire," I retorted, with a wicked grin. That's how dinner went that first night. After we ate, Uncle Brian went into his study for a conference call with some finance nerds in Japan, Auntie Liz disappeared to talk to her society friends and Preston ditched me as quickly as he could. I ended up in my room watching TV and wishing I was home. I couldn't complain about the room though, it was large and comfortable, there was a fire in the fireplace, so it was nice and warm, and there was a beautiful view of the city. I didn't mind the 50 inch LCD TV either. I rested comfortably until midnight. A thunder storm struck that evening and I immediately missed Jamie, I've always been afraid of thunder. I paid attention in science class and I knew that thunder was the result of a shock wave in the air due to the sudden thermal expansion of plasma caused by a burst of lightening, but knowing what caused it didn't help me sleep. I tossed and turned but finally got up and walked across the hall. I knocked on Preston's door and after a moment's wait; he opened it, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "What?" asked Preston, testily. "Can I sleep in your room," I asked. "My room, why?" he asked. "I can't sleep, the thunder," I said, shyly, looking down at my feet. "You're 14 and you're still afraid of thunder?" asked Preston. "I can't help it, do you think I want to be asking to sleep in your room?" I complained. "No, I guess not," said Preston, almost sympathetically. "So can I sleep with you?" I asked. "Look, why don't you go back to your room and if it doesn't stop within the hour, then you can come back," said Preston. "Ok," I sighed. Great, that was embarrassing and I still had to sleep alone, I wish Jamie was here, I told myself. The next day was better, Uncle Brian spent hours on the phone but Auntie Liz regaled me with stories about she and my mother and their time at Yale. We went through old photo albums and I really had a good time. She had some of her society friends over for lunch, they all wanted to pinch my cheek and tell me how cute I was and that their daughters would be coming out at such and such debutant ball and how they would love for them to meet a nice young man like me. In response, I played the piano for them and smiled at Preston every chance I got, the sour look on his face assured me that I was getting under his skin. That'll teach him to be a dick. That night, we went to The Boston Pops and it was awesome. I had a blast and without any thunder, I slept soundly in the king size bed I had all to myself. I slept in Sunday and when I woke, I stretched and packed up my bag, I would be going home after brunch. When I had all of my things together, I walked down to the dining room and found the Blair's waiting for me. I thanked them again for the pleasant visit and told them how much fun I'd had at the concert the night before, then tucked into my omelet. "Benji, there's something Liz and I wanted to discuss with you," said Uncle Brian. "Sure Uncle Brian, what's up?" I replied. They traded a look, Uncle Brian took Auntie Liz's hand in his and then she spoke for the two of them. "Benji darling, do you like it here?" she asked. "Of course Auntie, I've had a wonderful time," I replied. I wasn't even lying. The concert was great, I couldn't complain about the royal treatment, and I'd had fun watching Preston squirm. This had been a nice little vacation but I was ready to get back to reality. "I'm so happy to hear that, love, because we wanted to ask you, would you like to live here with us?" said Auntie Liz. "What?" I asked, flabbergasted. "As you know, we were your parents closest friends, we feel it's incumbent upon us to raise you now that they're no longer here, that is if you'd like," said Uncle Brian. "What about the Prescott's?" I asked. "I'm sure they're perfectly lovely," said Auntie Liz, "but don't you think we have more to offer you, they're strangers." "They are not strangers," I exclaimed, "they took care of me when I had no one else, they have made me feel loved and wanted and I want to go home, right now!" "It's alright darling, it's alright," said Auntie Liz, coming around the table to comfort me. I was getting upset and I felt myself starting to choke up, it took considerable coaxing before I calmed down. "It was just a thought," said Uncle Brian, "we didn't mean to upset you." "Can I please go home now?" I sniffled. "As you wish," said Uncle Brian. It took a few minutes for the driver to show up with the Range Rover and in that time I calmed down enough to thank the Blair's for the visit and assure them that I wasn't angry with them and would be happy to visit again. I was anxious to get home and the drive seemed to take longer going north then it had coming south, but when we pulled into the driveway, I grabbed my bag and raced inside. George was the first person I found and I threw my arms around him, hanging on for dear life. "Hey, hey, hey, what's the matter?" asked George, "didn't you have a nice visit." "They asked me to come live with them," I explained, then buried my face against his chest; I felt the tears welling up in my eyes. "Sweetheart, what's going on?" asked Nancy, when she came into the room. "The Blair's asked Benji to come live with them," said George. "I see, what did you tell them sweetie?" asked Nancy. "I said no, I don't want to leave." "Did you think about it, it's an important question," said Nancy. "I don't want to leave, do you not want me anymore?" I asked. "Of course we want you," said Nancy, pulling me away from George, so she could hug me herself, "I just wanted to make sure you weren't making a choice based on loyalty to us." "I don't want to go, I want to stay with you, please," I pleaded. "Shhh, shhh, shhh, It's alright," said Nancy, "You're not going anywhere." That calmed me down and when I was relaxed enough, I sat with George and Nancy, then told them everything that Uncle Brian and Auntie Liz had said. "Benji, everything's fine, they just wanted to ask because of their relationship with your parents, I'm sure that they saw how happy and well adjusted you are, you have nothing to worry about," said Nancy. "Really, you think so?" I asked. "I think so," said George, "I know that if I was in a similar situation, I'd feel the same way." The conversation with George and Nancy set me at ease, in fact, I felt silly for making such a fuss. Still, I stayed close to them that night, drawing comfort and reassurance from them and at bedtime, Jamie slept in my bed and let me hold him tight. He and Dylan were far better brothers then Preston could ever be. The next day, I told Avery all about my weekend, leaving out the part at the end. I didn't want to think about it, let alone talk about it; instead I decided to focus on the nice parts of the visit. After practice that day, Dylan and I found George waiting in his usual spot, he drove us home and we found a strange car in the driveway. Nancy was standing at the front door, her mouth hanging open in surprise, a document in her hand. The man who had given it to her, nodded at us as he passed by, then got into his car and drove away. "Nancy, you look like you've seen a ghost, what's the matter?" asked George. "We just got served," said Nancy, holding up the document in her hand, "The Blair's are suing us for custody of Benji."