Date: Sat, 08 Jun 2019 14:08:29 +0100 From: Reickard Masters Subject: Caleb 35 This work is copyright protected © 2018. You may not copy or reproduce it in anyway whatsoever without the express permission of the owner. Please don't forget to help Nifty out with a small donation towards the costs of running this site. We authors give our stories free of charge, you readers get to read them free of charge so a little donation is not a lot to ask is it? Just follow the prompts from the donation button on the home page. Also this is the 35th chapter of this story. I would appreciate a little feedback to let me know what you think of it. succme@zoho.com Thanks Caleb For those not familiar with the term – in this chapter I refer to one having a "dummy" in the mouth. This is also known as a "pacifier" and is used as a comfort tool for babies because it helps the baby to simulate the action of nursing at the breast. Chapter 35 "I know someone else offered, but Mark and I will take the run up to KFC to get the food." Mr. Miller said. "Ah dad, do you need me? Can't I just stay here with the others?" Mark protested. "No, I can't carry all of the food by myself. I might be a wonderful dad, but I don't have that many hands." From the tone of his father's voice, Mark realised that further protest was not advisable and so he just shrugged his shoulders and turned to the other teens. "Sorry guys, it looks like you'll have to do without my company for a while." "I think we'll survive." Jerry said which got the all others smiling and nodding their heads. As the two left to go for the food, Ewan's father moved over and sat down next to Caleb, Sheila and Jerry. "So, you're the youngest and yet was the only one who could solve the puzzle box. Congratulations. I am right that it was at your house we brought that pizza when you all got together the other week?" "Yes sir, thank you for that. The pizza was very nice." Caleb responded. "Don't call me sir, please. Call me Brian. It was my pleasure to provide that because of what all you guys did for Ewan. He's been a different person since that got sorted out. But now, tell me about you guys. From what's been said, I'm guessing that there is no father around anymore?" Brian Jones said. "Our father got killed in the same accident that put Sheila into the wheelchair. That's why mum can only work when I'm not at school." Caleb said. Brian Jones continued to ask questions and was so gentle in the way he dealt with the couple that he learnt a lot more than most would have been able to. "Well, I think you two and your mum, of course, are real stars. I'm pleased that Ewan has made friends with this group because I think you all are a good bunch and will only make things better for each other." "I also think the Matthews' family are great. I've got your printing upstairs too, so don't leave without it." Jerry said. Brian picked up on this and asked, "Do you not have a printer at home?" "No, we don't. Until a few weeks ago we didn't have a computer either, but then Graeme's father managed to get an old laptop from his work and gave it to Caleb to use." Sheila explained. "What did you do before that?" an incredulous Brian asked. "I used the library computers and printers." Caleb said. "Goodness me, I didn't know that there were people like yourselves struggling like this. I think we've got a couple of old printers we don't ever use anymore at home and here you have nothing. It's a bit embarrassing." Brian said. "It's okay, we get by and will continue to do so." Caleb said. "I have no doubt you will." Brian said and got up. He went over to Ewan and had a quick word with him before he began to talk to someone else. Mark and his father, Alfred, were barely moving along the road when Alf asked his son, "So you think Caleb is quite a babe? Does that mean what I think it implies?" "Err ... umm ... er ... ah..." Mark couldn't get any words out. "I guess I'm right. Both your mother and I were surprised when you said that, and I think that just came out without your thinking about it. Does he feel the same way about you?" Alf asked. "Ahh ... sorry dad ... I can't ...Did I really say that out loud?" Mark began. "Yes, you did and the only thing you need to feel sorry about is being worried about talking it over with your mum and me. I have to admit that I didn't see this coming, even though your mum suggested it might be the case as you haven't brought any special girl-friends home. That was some months back and I just thought that it would happen when you were ready. Now it's happened and I was blind to it. But it doesn't change a thing that you want to date guys instead of girls. Both your mother and I love you very much and want what's best for you. If that means that you have a boyfriend then that's what it means and he will be as welcome in our home as any of your other friends. Believe me, son, we'll support you and love you no matter what." Alf assured Mark. Mark started to cry. Alf left him crying for the rest of the short journey to the outlet and then pulled into a parking in the darkest part of the car park. He dug in his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. Passing it to Mark he said, "Dry your eyes first, then blow your nose. Better tears on your nose than snot in your eyes." "Ewwwee, dad!" Mark said, but he was smiling again. "Well it is true, isn't it?" Alf said. He undid his seat belt and leant over towards Mark. He put his arm around Mark's shoulders and gave him a gentle but firm squeeze. "What I've seen and heard about Caleb tells me you've got good taste. We'll run them home so I can be sure of where their house is. I'm guessing I'm going to have to pick you up from there at times." "That's the thing dad, Caleb's not sure yet, but I love him!" Mark said. "Oh! yes, that could be a problem then. Well, all I can offer in the way of advice would be the same if the unsure person was a girl. Give them time and keep being friendly. If it's meant to be it will happen. I know that's going to be hard on you, but you can always come and talk to me. Now we've sat outside here long enough and they will be selling our food to someone else if we don't get in there and collect it. Let's go." Alf gave Mark one last hug and they got out of the car. Despite drying his eyes, Mark's face still showed signs of his crying, but no one seemed to notice. Alf suggested Mark go to the toilet and wash his face while they waited in the queue. When they to the counter Alf asked for their order and soon both of them were carrying bags with one of the KFC workers following behind with the balance of their order. Once in the car and driving back to the Cobb's house, Mark asked, "Who paid for this, I didn't see you paying when we got it?" "The joy of mobile banking, son. Colin paid by credit card and we each just used our phones to pay him our share of the cost." Alf told him. As soon as they walked in the door carrying the food, Caleb noticed the red rims around Mark's eyes, despite him having washed his face. He made a bee-line to Mark and asked him what was wrong. "Nothing's wrong. At least I don't think so but I just outed myself to my parents by mistake." Mark told him. "How?" Caleb asked in a hushed tone. "By calling you a babe." Mark said. "When did you do that?" Caleb asked. "When my father made that comment about `out of the mouths of babes'. I said something like you are a babe alright. It seems my mum has suspected I might be gay because I haven't brought any girlfriends home and that comment was enough for them to put it together. I did tell dad that you were not sure if you're gay or not so I haven't really outed you as well." "Thanks for telling me, but why did it make you cry?" "Because I thought my parents would be disappointed in me." "Don't be silly. You're much too nice a person to disappoint anyone. And I promise you, that when I know what I am, you'll be one of the first to know." Caleb said. "Will you tell your mum first?" Mark asked. "Actually, it will probably be Sheils or you. But mum will know soon after. I know I can talk to her about it. But let's go and get some of that chicken before the vultures eat it all." Caleb steered Mark through to the dining table where the food had been laid out for people to help themselves. Amelia had put some aside for Judy as soon as it arrived; and made sure Caleb knew where it was so that he could get it when they left. Jerry had got some food on one plate for him and Sheila to share and was helping her to eat while eating his at the same time. When Caleb joined them Sheila asked, "What's the matter with Mark? It looks like he's been upset by something?" "Apparently he called me a babe and his parents overheard it and put two and two together. His dad talked to him about it when they went to get the KFC. But he's okay about it now. Seems his mum had already thought it." Caleb told them. Mark had taken his food and gone to sit with his mother and father, but after giving him a hug and telling him he was loved, his mother told him he could go and sit with Caleb, so he came over and joined them. "So, you think my girlfriend's brother is a babe?" Jerry teased. "Shit, I didn't even realise that I said it out loud." Mark said, and grinned. "Not only out loud, but in your parent's hearing. Way to go!" Jerry gave him a thumb's up as he said that. "Well, I think he's a babe too. A very handsome and well-developed babe, but still my baby brother." Sheila said. "Okay, okay! Enough of that now. Next you'll be wanting to enter me in the best baby competition." Caleb said. "Well you might look good in a nappy with a dummy in your mouth." Jerry teased. "Very funny. Be warned, when you come to change my nappy, I might piss all over you." Caleb retorted. When he had finished laughing Mark asked, "How do you come back with those responses so quickly? I'd have to think about it for a couple of days before getting anything half as good." "Self-defence – the only boy with two older females. I've had to learn how to shut them up quickly or they crucify me." Caleb said. "We don't! Anyway, when we tease you it's all easy to take fun." Sheila defended herself. When they finished eating, Mark collected their plates up and carried them out to the kitchen following his nose to find the way. Alf came over to Caleb and Sheila and told them that they would need to head home soon and asked if Sheila's wheelchair folded up. "Yes, it does and I know how to do it." Caleb said. "Thank you for taking us home. It will be easier than pushing it in the dark." "Not a problem. I'm guessing that Mark has told you what happened on the way to get the food. He might not have told you, though, that I assured him that you all would still be welcome in our home, and his mother and I mean that. He's chosen some nice friends and I'm happy for him. So please don't feel awkward around us." Alf said and then stopped as Mark came back. "I've just told Sheila and Caleb we'll be leaving soon so you all better say your goodbyes to your friends." Alf told his son. Jerry began to call some of the others over to say goodbye to Sheila, because that was far easier than trying to manoeuvre her wheelchair through the people. Mark and Caleb began making the rounds together and as others became aware that they would be leaving soon, Jerry no longer needed to ask them to come to Sheila as the ones who had not yet greeted her came over to do so. This included their parents as well. Jerry wheeled Sheila out of the lounge into the hall, where with a little more privacy he was able to give her a fairly lengthy goodbye snog, before they were interrupted by the others coming out to leave. They got Sheila into the car and then Caleb deftly released the stays and folded her chair up. Alf lifted it into the boot of the car and they left. The ride in the car was a short one with Caleb giving Alf directions. When they got there, Caleb, Mark and Alf got out first to get Sheila's chair set up again. While they were doing that, Mark's mother, Gail, spoke with Sheila. "I had thought that Mark might be gay for a little while, but he really only confirmed it to us by accident tonight. It is going to take some getting used to, but he is a great son and we're very proud of him. We're also very happy with the friends he has chosen and all of you will be most welcome in our home so feel free to visit when you can." "Thank you, Mrs. Miller. It is very kind of you to invite us." Sheila replied. "And it's Gail and Alf, none of this missus and mister malarkey, okay?" Gail responded. "Thank you again. I'll make sure Caleb knows too." Sheila said. "Caleb knows what?" Caleb asked as he came to Sheila's door to help her out and into her wheelchair. "That Mark's parents are Gail and Alf, not missus or mister." Sheila said smiling. Caleb leaned into the car and got his left arm under Sheila's knees and lifted her legs a bit as he pulled on her legs to turn her so that he could then pick her up in the same way he used when transferring her to her shower seat. Alf watched in awe as he did it. Mark just looked on with pride at the person he loved. Mark followed Caleb and Sheila into the house pretending that he was helping Caleb, but really trying to get to where his parents couldn't see him give Caleb a hug and a kiss good-bye. Of course, his parents weren't fooled by that, but allowed him his bit of privacy and patiently waited the few minutes it took for him to come back out to the car. As they continued on their way home, Alf spoke to Mark, "I know you said that Caleb wasn't sure yet if he is gay or not. I want you to promise me that you'll wait for him to make his mind up without putting any pressure on him. He seems to like being with you and that will have to be enough for you until he knows what he wants." "I know that dad. Sometimes I think that he really is going to be gay, but then he also helps his sister have her shower and all, and talks about other girls and it leaves me wondering. I don't know if it's just my being too hopeful. But I could never force him. I don't think he would allow that. He's really a strong person. You know he stood up to all of us older ones when there was four of us all bigger than him and just Caleb by himself. I knew then, that I wanted to get to know him better. And I think the others realised it at the same time." Mark told his parents. He surprised himself as this was the first time he had felt he could talk so freely with them. "Seeing how confidently he got Sheila out of the car and into her chair amazed me. It also made me so happy that I had insisted they stay with us and that we buy enough food for him to take home for his mother. That is one special family and I think we'll be making an effort to get to know them better." Alf said. "Anyway, now that we're home," Gail began as they pulled up outside their home, "You've got school in the morning so make sure you get your shower in quick and get to bed. Remember that we love you and are proud of you. You make us so happy and you've got some great friends who make us happy too." "So, you're okay that I'm gay then?" Mark asked, looking for the confirmation that it hadn't all been an act. "Mark, you are our son. We love you, no matter what. Yes, we'll have to rethink some of our expectations for you, but not all of them. Our desire that you have a happy and successful life is still there. And as your father told you, your boyfriends will be welcome in our home and we know we can make that promise because we know we can trust your judgement." Gail said. "Now come on. The car is not really the place to hold this sort of discussion. Let's get inside." Gail opened her door and got out before anything more could be said. "You heard the boss, son, we better move." Alf said. Mark got out of the car and Alf pressed his key to lock the car then put his arm around Mark's shoulders and the two walked to the front door like that. Mark felt then the love his parents had for him and a huge weight lifted off him. Deep inside he knew, with complete certainty, that what they had said to him was the truth. He obeyed his mother's instructions and within half an hour of entering the house he was lying in his bed with the light off. Sleep came easily, as did the happy dreams that left him with a sticky patch to wake up to.