Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2018 15:13:48 +0000
From: Jonah
Subject: Letter From America  Chapter 9

A Letter from America

The usual disclaimers apply. No character in this story is a real person,
so if you think you spot any resemblance to anybody living or dead, you are
in error, however several characters deliberately resemble characters
created by another author.  All my characters live in England, but, if you
want to know more about their American visitors, you can visit the story A
Neglected Boy, by Jacob Lion, currently serialised by Nifty on the"Gay
Adult/Youth" site , or visit https://jacoblion.weebly.com/

If you wish to send feedback to me, you can email me at
lfa4321jonah@outlook.com

This is the final chapter of Letter from America, though Jacob's story, A
Neglected Boy, will continue and, who knows, now that they are such good
friends, our English friends might well resurface in the future.

Please consider donating to Nifty - keep this site going.
http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html


Chapter nine:  Not Goodbye, but Au Revoir.

The morning of Boxing Day began cool, crisp....and early.  During the night
several of us had realised that a solution to the overcrowding problem
could be top-tailing.  I found that Simon, Kori, Jake and Liam had all
retreated to the other end of the bed.  Peter was snuggled up and cuddling
Jake's feet, and Kori was trying to arouse me with his.  I gently massage
them for a time and, thinking that might be an effective way to gently
bring Liam to wakefulness, began massaging his cute little feet.  As I
touched the front part of the balls of his feet, just under his toes, he
giggled.

"He's ticklish there" said Jake.

Now some people might have made a remark like that, under those
circumstances, to shock, or just to be clever, but I knew Jake didn't work
like that.  Jake, his boys, my boys, and myself had the kind of free and
easy relationship where friendship and good intentions can be taken for
granted.  You can only have that sort of relationship with very special
people.  That's why Liam didn't feel uncomfortable with what I was doing,
and it's why I knew that Jake wasn't trying to show off that he had worked
out what was going on.  His remark was merely information.

"He's also kind of cute", I replied happily. "If he's awake though, he
might want to think about getting up.  You folks have a plane to catch".

Instantly Kori was on his feet and making for the door.

"Kori," I said, "Steady on!  There is no way Joe is going to be up at this
hour".  "Kori", said Jake, "You was taught better English than "Ain't" ".

"Well I ain't gonna be caught two days running, " he said.

"Were taught" replied Kori .

"Woah! " I said.  " It 's too early in the morning for all this wit and
repartee.  Will all you clever and educated beings give us ordinary mortals
a chance?"

Suddenly Jake burst out laughing, which quickly spread to Liam.  Now when
Liam laughs, it is impossible for anybody within a ten-mile radius to be
angry or sad. Even Simon, who has never woken up without a grumpy frown on
his face, made an exception this morning.  So we were quickly out of bed
and queuing for the shower.

  In no time we were showered and dressed and Kori and Simon had taken
charge of breakfast.  The taxi had been booked for 0645 hours, so after
breakfast I went up to the boys' room and knocked.  I told Joe, quietly,
for Miriam and Jacob were sleeping, that we expected to be back around ten
or half past, but that, if any ladies bearing knitwear materialised before
then, well he knew his way around the kitchen and to feel free to offer
whatever there was.

I cut short his expressions of grattitude by reminding him we had a taxi to
catch.  We had our guests checked in at Heathrow by 0730 and ready for
their 0850 flight They should be back in Boston before half past one after
a layover of just over an hour in Dublin.

We were not allowed to accompany them to the departure lounge but took our
leave when their flight was called.  I was touched but embarrassed when
Jake insisted on a hug and a farewell kiss ON THE LIPS.  Simon turned away
but Peter just laughed.  I was surprised when Kori insisted on doing the
same thing.  Imagine my surprise when Simon, did the same thing.  Hell, his
tongue even found mine.  The shock must have shown in my face because he
looked straight at me, burst out laughing and said,

"Well Monica's right.  We SHOULD appreciate you more."

That earned a spontaneous round of applause from Jake,Kori and Liam.

We trooped up to the viewing area and watched for their flight departing.
As the big Airbus A321 sped down the runway we waved until our arms were
ready to come off.  You can't possibly tell if somebody inside a 321 is
waving back, but they couldn't have missed us.

Then it was back to Harrow and life without Americans.  Well almost.  We
could never forget them, and there was a small child there who had an
American Godfather.  In a few days the Davis family would move in with
Monica in Pinner.  That would stop the district nurse complaining about
overcrowding in our flat, and they would be company for Monica.  The
Christmas story will always mean something different to the Methodists of
North Harrow, and we will always remember when God used our humble home to
make a difference, but that is as it should be.  Life is for living.  Every
day SHOULD be an adventure, and it only remains to wish Jake,Kori, Liam,
and all my unseen readers A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS, and, as Tiny Tim said,
God bless us,every one.