Date: Tue, 24 Dec 2019 06:37:03 +0100 (CET)
From: jacoblion@tutanota.com
Subject: A Neglected Boy The Twins LVIII

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Story is fiction, names fabricated, locations accurate. There may be some
sex; it will be gentle and loving.

Just a reminder that the story is told by either Jake or Kori in
alternating Chapters.

A Neglected Boy "The Twins LVIII ... Christmas"
jacoblion@tutanota.com

   Jake was driving and the trip home to New Haven was short and very
enjoyable with Kyle, Antonio, and Justin in the back seat and in that
order.  Antonio had the job of keeping peace on the way home and I got to
relax having called shotgun before we even had breakfast.  Ethan and Keith
left about an hour before we did so they could get home and start laundry.

   Just noon when we pulled in the driveway to our home in New Haven.  We
promised Keith and Ethan if they would have the laundry done or at least
half done we would stop at Great Wall of China and bring Chinese for lunch.
As promised, we walked in with Hong Kong-style dim sum, hot pots & Sichuan
beef stir-fry, along with pork fried rice and egg foo young; enough food
for 12 regular people but just enough for the 7 of us.

   Oh, I forgot the 14 fortune cookies.  Lunch was great, although the
Sichuan beef was a little on the hot side.  While we ate it was fold
clothes laugh about several things that happened like the horse peeeing on
my leg, Will, and Alex running around naked every chance they got and Kyle
and Justin trying to hide from Will and Alex because they were after the
rug-rats about every second they were awake.  Ahhhh yes, the almost
3-year-olds of Liam and Abby are young Tyrants too.

   We were finished with lunch and the boys were picking up the towels and
Antonio had his arms full and buried his nose in the freshly folded top
towel and said . . . . "ahhhh, these smell so good." ......... causing
immediate chuckles from me, Jake, Keith, and Ethan ...... they certainly
didn't smell like that when they went in the wash; ....... Antonio realized
what he had said and turned bright red.

   Moments later we heard Justin and Kyle calling us to come out and look
at the tree that had split.  It was our next project and we had to borrow a
chain saw from out neighbor.  Tree cut in small pieces and stacked to dry
for fire wood it was back to begin getting ready for the next two and half
weeks and then it's winter break and back to the farm.

   It was nearly 8 pm when Antonio's mother stopped to visit and pick him
up.  I think we were all a bit sad to see Antonio leave.  It was the look
on his face as we waved bye that said he was very sad .... The car stopped
and Antonio came running back and gave us all a big hug and he whispered
something to Jake and I heard Jake say . . . . "of course, Antonio
anytime." ...... he ran back to the car and we watched as they drove out of
sight.

   Jake took Keith back to the dorm and when he returned it was time to get
ready for tomorrow and school, showers and bed.  Things were back to normal
and as Jake and I crawled in bed I said . . . . "Jake, you told Antonio he
can visit anytime, didn't you? . . . . Jake said . . . . "he wanted to know
if he can visit us during Christmas at the farm and I said anytime not just
at Christmas I really like him, kinda a pain but a cute pain.".......... I
felt Jake's arms hug me and next thing I knew................

..................it was morning and I woke with my arms all wrapped around
Kyle and as I looked toward Jake, he was tracing his finger gently down the
side of Justin's face and slowly that little bugger opened his eyes and had
the biggest smile.  Just the start of another great day.

   The aroma soon had Jake's eyes wide open and yes it was his very most
favorite Amaretto flavored coffee and suddenly Jake just pushed Justin,
rather roughly, over to Kyle and me and rolled out of bed slid into boxers
and was on the way to the kitchen. ... Justin was not about to be left
behind by his rather "rude Dad" this morning and was hot on his tail.

   Kyle and I were not to be left by ourselves and walked into the kitchen
to find Justin on Jake's lap sipping Amaretto coffee from Jake's cup, it
was so cute and Ethan even got a photo of it.  Pancakes were already being
stacked up and hot chocolate and very strong tea had been made as well.
Breakfast finished it was off to University school for Justin, Kyle, and
Ethan.  For Jake and I it was one week of classes then finals.

   Excitement grew day by day with our 9-year-olds as Christmas approached
and seriously it was just about the same with Ethan and Keith too.  It
appears that Keith will be with us most or all of the Christmas break
depending on weather.  Plans for decorations at the farm are being made and
mostly by the boys.  Antonio has been over to visit and he's becoming just
another part of the family.

   With school, swimming lessons, 3 meets the time just flew and tomorrow
we pack and head back to the farm.  Oh, did I mention that Keith is taking
his car again and he and Ethan will be leaving early to open the house and
turn up the heat? ...  Well, that is the plan and Jake is betting that we
will hear something from Antonio tonight.

   All the bags are packed and at the back door and Keith just arrived.
Justin, and Kyle have Keith pinned on the couch telling him all about the
huge tree we'll have at the farm and how Jake and I will put Christmas
light all around the front porch.  While the rug-rats have Keith and Ethan
busy the phone rang and Jake said . . . . "ahhhh bet that's Antonio"
. . . .  I grabbed the phone and Jake was ... wrong! ... it was Peter and
he and Neil will be arriving at the farm day after tomorrow.

   Now hearing that Ethan and Keith have a slight change of plans as to
sleeping arrangements and will now be sleeping down in the music room
instead of Ethan's room ... rug-rats just got hyper because that means Lars
and Lukas will be sharing their room again.  Jake decided that with the
house full we needed to take more sheets and for sure more towels.  We all
helped pack Keith's car, made popcorn and punch to have with our movie
... "Home Alone 2". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjmmrM2cK28 ... I hope
the kink works.

   Ten minutes into the movie and it was the phone, now who could that be?
Of course it was Antonio and he had a question . . . . "Hi Kori, would it
be Ok if I went with you up to the farm tomorrow Mom says I can stay till
the 23rd then she'll pick me up, unless, Keith can bring me back when he
comes back for Christmas with his family?"

   Hmmmm, Well, all I could say was . . . . "Antonio that's fine see you in
the morning" . . . . then I heard Antonio ... "It's Ok Kori, I'm ready now
and mom is dropping me by in a few minutes." ......  It seems Antonio is on
the way.  I walked in the living room and told everyone that Antonio was on
his way and will be going to the farm with us .....surprise!, ... Not
really........... Ethan, Keith, and the rug-rats all looked excited and
happy and Jake never even looked up just kept watching the movie.

   Fifteen minutes later there was a knock at the door, yep you guessed it,
Antonio was standing there with a huge smile and wearing a Santa Claus hat;
he looked perfect.  Now that little mischief boy Antonio was carrying a big
Christmas stocking, it was stuffed full to the very top, and that caused
tons of excitement with the rug-rats.  It was nothing but fun as Antonio
began handing out Santa Claus and elves hats to everyone including me and
Jake.

   Another hour of rug-rat confusion and almost understandable English and
it was time for bed.  The sleeping arrangement for tonight were the same as
at Thanksgiving a "Twin" size inflatable mattress for Keith, and Ethan on
the couch and Antonio will sleep in Ethan's bedroom.  All the boys were in
bed and Jake and I had just settled down when 2 cute Asian boys wearing
little elves hats came running in saying they were cold.  Sure ... did you
believe that or did they just want to cuddle up with their dads?

   Night passed quickly and soon it was mornings light.  There was that
amazing aroma of Jakes favorite coffee and Jake and I were being dragged by
Justin and Kyle to join Ethan, Keith, and Antonio, if he's up, for
breakfast.  We walked in the kitchen to find a cute Italian boy and that
was it.  Keith and Ethan had left about an hour ago and woke Antonio and
explained to him how to make the coffee and tea ... and the tea was
perfect, it nearly ate the finish right off the spoon.

   Now let's sit and have a nice breakfast ... Nope! ... Kyle already had
cereal on the table Justin was feeding the toaster and Antonio was setting
bowls and spoons.  The conversation turned to the need to get moving
because we had to go shopping for a huge Christmas Tree at Wal-Mart.  It
had to be really big and it had to look like it had just snowed and it had
to have all beautiful lights.  This is what the rug-rats were explaining to
Antonio as we inhaled breakfast.

   Time wasn't wasted and in just 1 hour we were on the road.  Jake was
driving, I was riding shotgun and Antonio was the peace keeper sitting
between Justin and Kyle.  Two hours right to the minute and we pulled in
the driveway and right to the back porch at the farm.  Ethan and Keith
quickly had the SUV doors open and were carrying the few things we thought
to pack before leaving New Haven.

   The teens had the house warm and everything looked great and they even
had all the beds made.  Jake and I decided that we'll keep the teens even
if they are a little trouble every so often.  Quick decision we'd go for
lunch on the way to Walmart.  It was a quick stop at Elmer's store for some
sandwiches and off for that huge Christmas tree the rug-rats wanted
... that's not the truth ... we all wanted the biggest tree we could get.

   Arriving at Walmart with a list ... but, first it was right to the
trees.  It took only 3 minutes to find the perfect one with a perfect price
too.  This year it was to be everything for the boys, all the boys.  It was
a unanimous decision; it would be the 9-foot flocked Blue Ridge Spruce
Christmas Tree and it is huge.  The tree has 1,652 tips and 750 white
lights and the tree looked amazingly real and just as if it had been
standing in new fallen snow.

   The tree was loaded on the cart and now it was off for 10 boxes of multi
colored twinkle lights for the front of the house.  With each item we
bought Kyle, Justin, Ethan, Keith, Antonio became more excited.  Then for
the front porch a wireframe sleigh, deer, and Santa all with a small motor
to make them move.

   It really wasn't long and we were home then realized we needed a staple
gun and zip ties so a quick to Elmer's store for Jake while I along with
the elves began the outside decorations.  Jake returned and before dark the
front porch was finished and very beautiful in what looked like thousands
of brightly colored twinkle lights.

   The big job was the that Huge 9-foot flocked Blue Ridge Spruce Christmas
Tree.  Jake and I found out just what teens are for.  Ethan, Keith, and
Antonio, with the help of those rug-rats of course, had the tree up and lit
in just an hour.  It was dark out and we turned off the living room lights
and with the flick of a switch ... Ok, I have to admit this was just about
the most beautiful tree I've ever seen.  Justin and Kyle just sat and
looked at it.

   I don't think the reaction from any of the boys was what Jake and I had
expected.  They all just stood and looked at the tree and Antonio sat with
Justin and Kyle and looked much younger than he really was.  Keith and
Ethan began to tweak each branch to make it look it's best.  Jake and I
headed for the kitchen and began making a big meatloaf for dinner with
country fried potatoes and corn.

   The evening went by quickly and we watched TV, ate popcorn and laughed
as Keith and Ethan would keep getting up to find just one more branch that
need to be turned to the left or the right to look just perfect.  It was
that time and Jake and I took our little Tasmanian devils for their shower
while Antonio, by himself, had his shower then Ethan and Keith.  Finally,
the house had settled down and Jake and I had our turn in the shower and it
was just a shower.

   A long day for Jake and I had come to an end.  We were both happy to
crawl in bed for a restful and peaceful nights sleep ........ hmmm, we were
both happy to crawl in bed with 2 unexpected/expected cute rug-rats who
were already asleep right in the center of the bed.  I think we both had a
contented smile as we watched them sleep and wrapped our arms tightly
around them till mornings light.

   Bacon, I smell bacon, Oh yes it was the hickory smoked bacon I love and
I was almost out of bed first, almost, Kyle and Justin never even said good
morning, no hug, no little kiss on the cheek nothing just kinda pushed me
aside and the next thing Jake and I heard was Kyle hollering . . . . "Ethan
I love you" . . . . then Justin chiming in with . . . . "Me too Ethan"
........ ahhhh, but Jake and I had to laugh when we heard Ethan say
. . . . "Hey! No bacon till that naked butt of yours is in PJ's or shorts
and t-shirts ... go!"

   Jake and I quickly jumped in shorts and t-shirts and scrambled to the
kitchen; we grabbed the bacon plate and took all the bacon except 1 piece
and hid the rest in the microwave.  Keith poured me a cup of tea and
Antonio poured Jake his morning coffee and we sat waiting for the little
devils to return as Ethan continued making scrambled eggs. ... Ahhhh how
sweet it is as our rug-rats came skidding into the kitchen, stopped short
with their big eyes on the Bacon Plate.  The expression was priceless as
they looked at Jake and me with a very accusing expression.

   Our day had started with laughs and we were sure it would continue that
way.  We needed to get things ready for Neil, Peter, Lars and Lukas and
thought they would drive in around 2 pm.  We won't have horses until 2 days
after Christmas and then only until December 30.

   Jake had laundry duty and asked Ethan, Keith and Antonio if they had
more towels and Keith replied . . . . "Nope just the ones from our showers
today Jake." ........ Now Jake just couldn't let it go at that and asked
. . . . "Hey are you Ethan and Antonio feeling Ok?" . . . . and Keith said
. . . . "We were just a little tired last night." ...  There were some
funny little smirks from the teens; maybe towels weren't needed last night
for their activity.

   Sure enough it was just about 2 pm when Neil drove in driving a
brand-new Ford 350 crew cab, long bed with a cap.  We all ran to take a
look at his new toy.  Justin, Kyle, Antonio, Ethan, and Keith were looking
in the cap and asking what was all the plywood for.  Neil said
. . . . "Well we've got lots of work to do right after we have something to
eat and you'll have to wait till then to find out." . . . .  Lars and Lukas
never said a word never even hinted at what was in the back of that
brand-new Super Duty 350 extended cab Ford.  Nope not a word!

   Back in the house and in the kitchen, it was double stack sandwiches,
chips and almost a gallon of OJ and sprite mix for Neil and Peter and his
boys.  Rug-rats did the best they could to get Lars to tell them what was
in the truck but not a word.  Lukas couldn't take much more and looked at
Kyle and Justin and said . . . . "if you ruggies ask one more time you
won't get to see till tomorrow." ...  Sure thing Lukas.

    It wasn't just Kyle and Justin that wanted to know it was all of us and
I think I was as bad or worse than Kyle, if curiosity killed the cat then
I'm nearly dead.  Neil and Peter, Lukas and Lars pushed back from the table
and headed up to the play room and began moving everything around.  Then
Neil started barking orders . . . .  "Hey find a place for this, put that
chair in the corner and that lamp next to it, this has to go somewhere and
there is no room for it here."

   Soon the attic playroom had much more space, all the center of the room
was clear and all along the long wall everything had been moved.  Peter,
Neil and his motley crew turned and headed for the stairs, stopped looked
back at us and said . . . .  "Don't just stand there follow us and help."
. . . .  Justin and Kyle were hot on Neil's tail and the rest of us were
hot on the rug-rats tail and out to that new truck.

   Peter unlocked the cap .......... it was just a 4 x 8 piece of plywood.
Lars, Lukas, Peter, and Neil carefully, as if it was some great prize,
pulled this piece of plywood from the back of the truck leaving 3 more
pieces that needed to be removed along with several boxes that looked like
maybe old junk.  So, what was so damn important about this 4 x 8 piece of
plywood?

   Then .............. the discovery and both Jake and I had tears.  Neil,
Peter, Lars, and Lukas turned this large sheet of plywood over to reveal
the most beautiful model train layout.  It was an almost exact replica of
Liam's train layout but even more beautiful and in stunning colors.  Again,
Neil was barking orders and we each had our hands full carrying the other 2
long pieces of plywood and boxes of trains, tracks, village houses and
everything that makes for a great train layout.

   It was after 11 pm with only a brief break for dinner and a snack that
everything was assembled.  We thought that it was finished when Peter ran
back to that new Ford 350 and returned with a box about 18 inches long, 5
or 6 inches high and 4 inches wide.  We all stood wondering what was
inside.  Peter opened the box and it was an exact wood replica of the model
engine he had made for Liam.  Neil opened another box and it was a mounting
plate for the engine to be mounted on the wall near the door.

   The night ended long past midnight after everyone had been the train
engineer.  I stood with Peter as we watched Neil and Jake sitting on the
top stair.  Peter and I knew what Jake and Neil were thinking, they were
back visiting a time when they were kids and then the years after when Jake
saved me and Liam.

   Neil and Jake never said how close they were when they were kids but as
Peter and I watch them now we know they were brothers and their love for
each other was as strong as the love Peter and I have for Neil and Jake
now.  It was time for bed and dreams of years gone by.  All the boys were
sleeping and there was a warm feeling when we looked in on Justin, Kyle,
Lars, and Luks and found them all curled up together.  I'm sure they were
on some far-off island playing with mystical dragons.

   The next few days till Christmas eve was all fun and games and
everything we did, everyone we stopped to see, and everyone that stopped to
see us were the constant reminders of those day some 20 years ago.  It
seemed that breakfast was our favorite meal and laundry always brought
smiles, and silly remarks about how good the towels smell after drying.

   Peter and I made jokes about some of the stuff we did and heard a few
stories from Jake and Neil that made Peter and me blush.  It was the
Christmas eve and Keith was just about to leave with Antonio for their
return to New Haven when Liam pulled in with Abby and their boys.  Keith
had to wait until Liam saw the trains.  The description of Liam when he
walked in the playroom could be a story all of its own.  Liam took one look
at the layout and then he spotted the carving of that engine.  Peter and
Liam just stood hugging and yes there were tears but happy ones.

   Keith and Antonio said goodbye and Keith would return tomorrow night and
to please not to open his gift till he returns.  The rest of the day was,
eat, tell stories, games, eat more and friends stopping to visit.  There
was Morgan with a bottle of Jamaican Rum, Mrs. Benson with an amazing
Christmas cake and Helen with not one but 3 large pies, I guess she's not
so bad after all.

   Ethan had the friendship of Antonio but still looked a little lost
without Keith and not so happy when Neil and Peter said we were all going
up to Elmer's store to sing Christmas carols.  Finally, it was 9 pm and
Lars, Lukas, Justin, and Kyle wanted showers in the master bath and the
heated tub.  Jake started the shower and gave the boys large fluffy towels
and let them have fun.

   The 4 boys had been in the tub for some time and I went in to check on
them ......... Oh, ... geeeeze, ... well Jake and I had some suspicion that
the rug-rats knew more than just a little and I guess they had learned
something from Lars and Lukas at Thanksgiving because Lars and Lukas were
getting a pretty intense sucking when I opened the door.  I'm glad they
didn't see me and I think by the sound Lars was very close.  The door
closed without a sound and it was only another 7 or 8 minutes when 4
smiling and happy boys appeared all ready for bed.

   Christmas morning was like the past few days a very happy and fun time.
Jake and I had had the bed to ourselves and I was just putting a towel in
the washer when Ethan came around the corner with 2 towels for the washer
and I didn't have to ask, it was very evident what those towels had been
used for. I wanted to ask Ethan how times he can do it. He was just so
funny when he said . . . . "I wasn't that tired last night." ... I thought,
Obviously by the smell.

   Christmas day went fast dinner was at 2 but Jake and I agreed it just
wasn't the same without Keith.  We were all in the living room slightly
exhausted from an exciting day and chasing 2 little naked twins around the
house.  Liam or Abby would have them all dressed and in 10 minutes they
were naked again.  I heard the back door then Keith's voice then Antonio's
voice and I was all smiles and very happy!

   Now it was time to open the remainder of gifts.  From Antonio it was fun
little things for Justin and Kyle, something to Keith and Ethan they
wouldn't show any of us, and they both got a bottle of Listerine Mint mouth
wash.  Antonio is bad!  However, from Keith and Ethan ... Antonio got a
bottle of Listerine blue mint and something he wouldn't show us.  Jake and
I got ties, and we both got really nice new pens.

   It appeared everything had been opened and we were all laughing when
Neil said . . . . "hey what's that thing there?" . . . . as he was pointing
to a small thin box about the size of a book.  Antonio grabbed it and read
. . . . "To: Jake and Kori, ... From: Ethan" ........ and handed it to Jake
who was sitting beside me.

   Jake and I together began to unwrap the box, it was about the size of a
piece of printer paper 8x10 maybe and an inch thick.  Jake was holding the
box as I took the top off and there was a small envelop that said "open me
first" ... it read ... "this is from Ethan, don't try to say no, don't try
to say anything but thank you and you love him, Signed, the Judge"

   Jake removed a leather folder ... the room was completely silent
... when the folder was opened it simply said ... "Love you, Ethan"
............ it was the clear deed and title to the farm with all taxes
paid in full for the next 5 years.  Neil and Peter had been paid in full
...........

   Ethan had worked it out with the Judge on one of the visits and it was
all part of what Mr. Hallas had worked out for Ethan. Ethan had finalized
everything with Peter and Neil at Thanksgiving and that little brat Antonio
was in on everything and so was his mother.

To be Continued: A Neglected Boy "The Twins LIX"

                                     jacoblion@tutanota.com

Photos: https://jacoblion.weebly.com/a-neglected-boy-the-twins.html

To all My Faithful readers:
Merry Christmas 2019 and a Very Happy New Year 2020

Jacob and Family,
Jake, Kori, Justin, Kyle, Ethan, Keith, Antonio, Peter, Neil, Lars, Lukas,
Liam, Abby, Will, and Alex
Remember to tell someone you love them,