Saving An Angel
By Jason Finigan

This story is completely fictional. Any similarities to any persons or events, past or present are purely coincidental. This story may contain scenes which involve sexual situations between young males. If this type of material is offensive to you, or it is not legal for you to be reading this type of material, please do not read any further. This story is copyright © 2007 by Jason. Please do not copy this story for distribution or post on any online server without the author's permission. Please send all your comments to: greywolf_0173@hotmail.com, or jasonfinigan@yahoo.com You can also visit my site at: www.jasonfinigan.net. Thanks and enjoy the story.

Chapter 7

"Where are we going now, Dad?" I asked Ryan, as we were leaving the group home.

"Well, Greg and Adam need some furniture for their rooms, and we need to get some more food for the house," he replied.

"Oh cool! You guys get your own rooms and everything!" I exclaimed, looking back at Greg and Adam who were following us and holding each other's hands. "Just wait till you see the house, it's huge!"

"I don't want my own room. I want to be with Greg," Adam said. I could tell he was scared of being left alone, and I looked up at Ryan who had stopped next to the car.

"Wouldn't you like to have your own room though, Adam?" he asked. "Then you get to have your own bed and have some privacy when you need it."

"I've never slept on my own. When I was living with my mom and dad and brother, he and I always shared a room together. I don't have my brother any more, and I'm scared to sleep on my own," Adam almost cried.

"Hey, it's okay Adam," Ryan said, kneeling down in front of Adam and putting his hands on Adam's arms gently. Adam still hadn't let go of Greg's hand, and Ryan looked up at Greg who right away knew what Ryan was asking of him. Gently letting go of Adam's hand, Greg stood close by as Ryan picked up Adam and held him close.

"You will never be alone, buddy," Ryan said, rubbing Adam's back. "You have us for a family now and we will take care of each other. I'll tell you what. I'll get you both bunk beds for your rooms. How does that sound? That way if either of you gets scared or needs some company at night, you can just climb into each other's beds and that way you won't be alone at night."

"Okay," Adam sniffed, wiping the tears from his eyes.

"You really do love us, don't you?" Greg asked Ryan.

"I really do. Kyle told me so much of you and the time the two of you had when he was living in this place. I could see how much he loved you, even though he never told me he did. You two had a really strong friendship when he was here."

"We still do Dad," I said, putting my arm around Greg's shoulders.

"Yeah, but I bet I can still kick your butt at basketball," Greg said with a smirk on his face.

"Anytime you want me to prove you wrong buddy, just say the word," I said playfully.

"Hey! What about me? I like basketball too!" Adam said, half turning in Ryan's arms looking down at Greg and myself.

"Of course you can play with us. You're our brother now," I said.

"You boys are really special to me, all of you. But we need to get to the store if we're going to pick up your furniture. And then we need to get you boys some new clothes and do some grocery shopping," Ryan said, putting Adam back down and unlocking the car.

"This is a really cool car!" Greg said.

"Yep! And just wait till you hear it start up," I said chuckling slightly, knowing full well that when Ryan turned the car on it made no noise whatsoever.

Greg and Adam hopped into the back seats and Ryan made sure they were securely buckled in before opening his door. I had already climbed into the front passenger seat and done up my seat belt by the time Ryan got in.

"Come on Dad, start the car. I want to hear it!" Greg said excitedly in the back seat.

"Yeah!" Adam exclaimed right after.

"Okay boys, here it goes," Ryan said mischievously as he put the key in the car and turned it. I saw the lights on the dashboard come on. "Oh oh. I don't think it's going to start," Ryan said trying to hide the smirk on his face.

"What are we going to do then? How are we going to get our stuff?" Greg asked worriedly.

"Just fooling!" Ryan said, turning around to look at Greg and Adam. "It's an electric car. It doesn't make any sounds."

I couldn't stop myself from laughing when I saw the looks on Greg's and Adam's faces as they took in what Ryan had told them.

"Hey that's mean!" Greg said.

"Yeah! No fair. We didn't know," Adam piped up.

"Well now you do," Ryan told them, beginning to chuckle lightly. Pretty soon we were all laughing at the joke Ryan played on them, but I knew that Ryan started something just by seeing the slight mischievous smile appear on Greg's face which told me he was planning to pay him back for that. I didn't know whether I should warn Ryan or not, but I decided not to say anything, opting to see just what prank Greg was going to come up with.

Eventually we settled down, and Ryan pulled out of the parking lot, driving us to the one place I knew that he liked to shop for furniture. Ikea. I had to admit, Ikea did make some really good furniture as the bed I slept in the night before looked really nice and felt so good. Dad still hadn't gotten me a computer desk yet for the computer he had ordered from the computer store the day before, so I was betting that he would be getting me that as well.

Greg and Adam were giggling excitedly in the back seat as they watched the scenery go by. All I could do as I sat there beside Ryan in the front was think to myself how lucky I was to have such an amazing dad as he was. After I had lost my mom, I didn't know what to do. She was the only person who had raised me and I loved her so much. I still do. Ryan could never replace her, but he quickly filled a hole in my heart that I never knew was there. I had always needed a father, I just never knew that, until I met Ryan.

When Ryan took me to the group home, I was at first a little scared. With what happened to me there before with Gary, it was the last place I wanted to be. The only thing that made going back to that home easier was the fact that Ryan was with me, and that I would again be able to see Greg. I really did miss him. He was the only person in that home that I missed when I left. Now that he was my brother and that we would be living together, we'd be able to do all the things we used to, and probably a lot more. The prospect of playing Mario Kart with him, Adam and Ryan really made me happy. I once again had a family.

Although Adam was a couple of years younger than Greg and I, he was a really cool kid. He reminded me so much about myself when I was that age. Always wanting to impress someone older, and always so desperate to fit in and feel wanted. I was the same way with Simon who used to babysit me. The more I thought about him, the more I began to wonder what he was doing now, and if he missed me as much as I missed him. It would be nice to see him again, and I hoped I'd get the chance to one day.

Eventually, Ryan drove the car into the Ikea parking lot. I should say, he tried to drive into the parking lot. It was packed. There was even a police officer standing at the intersection leading into the lot itself directing traffic. I couldn't believe how many cars there were coming and going. Never before had I seen a place so busy as this. And it wasn't just people from around the area that were shopping here. Several of the license plates told me that some of the people shopping here had come from as far away as Florida. I couldn't believe it. New York, New Jersey, Florida, Ohio; I never saw so many cars with so many different license plates.

"Dad is it always like this here?" I asked Ryan.

"Usually Son. Although I think it's a little busier today than it normally is," he answered.

"Hey! There's a car from Florida!" Adam said excitedly.

"Yep, you're right. There are a lot of people from the States that come up here to shop. That's because Ikea is very well known and the prices up here are cheaper than they are in the States," Ryan said.

"Yeah, look there's one from Michigan!" Greg pointed out.

"Well don't worry boys, we'll find ourselves a parking spot and then you can see what it's like inside.

"With this many cars in here, I bet we're not even going to be able to walk in there," I said.

"Oh don't worry," Ryan assured us. "There's plenty of room inside. But you guys make sure you stay close to me, and I want you all to hold each other's hands. I don't want us getting separated at all."

"Okay Dad," I said.

"I have to go pee!" Adam suddenly said.

"Okay buddy, we're almost there," Ryan said, looking around for a parking spot.

"There's one over there dad," I said pointing him out a spot in front of us where a car was pulling out.

"Good eyes Kyle," Ryan complimented me.

"Thanks," I replied.

Within a few seconds the other car had pulled out of the parking spot, and Ryan maneuvered the car to take it's place. There was another car trying to get it before us, but Ryan beat him to it. I looked at the driver in the other car and the man inside looked absolutely pissed.

"Dad, I don't think that guy liked it that we got this spot before him," I told him.

"I know, I saw son. Some people are very selfish and greedy, and they only think about themselves. I was never raised like that, and I hope none of you becomes that way."

"Don't worry Dad, I won't," Greg said.

"Me neither. That man was mean," Adam said.

"You just stay close to us Adam and we'll make sure you don't have to worry about people like that man," I told him.

"Okay. I love you Kyle. Greg was right. You are a really nice guy."

"Thank you Adam. I love you too," I said, reaching behind me and quickly patting his knee.

"Let's get out of the car and do some shopping guys," Ryan said, undoing his seat belt.

"Yeah!" Greg said excitedly.

"I have to go first," Adam said again.

"Right, bathroom trip first!" Ryan said, as we all got out of the car. We hurriedly walked across the parking lot towards the front doors of the store. There were a lot of people walking in and out of them, and Ryan had us holding hands as we went inside. Once we were in the store, we found ourselves in a large lobby. To our left was a large kids play area where we could see a bunch of children, no older than about five or six playing about in a ball cage, or watching some movies, or doing some activity books.

"Dad, I really have to go!" Adam said again, doing what is commonly referred to as the pee pee dance. It's funny, but no matter if it's a girl or a boy, the dance is exactly the same, and usually involves the boy or girl grabbing their crotches as if that's going to stop them from having an accident. I should know, I've done it myself many times before.

Thankfully, aside for when I was younger, I never had an accident, and managed to make it to the bathroom in time. Although there were numerous close calls. Right now Adam looked as if he was ready to burst, and Ryan saw this, taking a hold of his hand and leading him to the bathroom which was just to the right of the doors.

"Kyle, Greg, I want you two to sit out here on the bench until we come out. Don't wander away," Ryan told us.

"We won't, Dad," Greg said.

Adam and Ryan walked into the bathroom while Greg and I took a seat on the bench just outside the bathrooms.

"So, Kyle. You didn't tell Ryan..." he said quietly.

"No I didn't. I mean, I know Dad is gay and everything, but I didn't tell him about that," I said, blushing from embarrassment.

"Okay good," Greg said, obviously relieved.

"You know I wouldn't have said anything to him about that, Greg. I value our friendship too much."

"I know, I'm sorry. I just don't want Ryan thinking that we were doing something bad and then he wouldn't want us anymore."

"Hey, don't think like that Greg," I told him. "Dad's a cool guy and he wouldn't judge us like that. Remember, he's gay, and I bet he did stuff like we did when he was a kid.

"Yeah, but I'm not gay," Greg said.

"How do you know?" I asked him.

"Cause I just ain't is all."

"Well, I don't think I am either, but still it was fun," I told him.

"Yeah it was. But what if Dad finds out?" Greg asked me.

"Unless we tell him, how will he? Don't worry about it. I'm not going to say anything to him about it. Though honestly, from some of the things he's asked me, I think he suspects that we did something."

"And did he say anything to you about it?"

"Nope. Nothing. If he knows, he's keeping it to himself."

"Well, I still don't want to get caught."

"You mean you want to do that stuff again?" I asked him.

"Yeah, it was fun."

"What about you and Adam then?" I asked him.

"No, all he and I have done is cuddled together in bed when he get scared. You know I really like him. From the first day he came to the home he was like the little brother I never had. It felt good to be able to look out for him."

"Yeah, and now you are his brother for real," I said, smiling.

"Yep, and so are you," Greg said returning the smile.

"We're all lucky to have met Dad. I didn't think people like him existed. My mom always told me that most people only cared about themselves and not anyone else unless it was their family. Dad was like nothing my mom ever said people were like."

"My Mom and Dad didn't care at all about me. They were too busy getting drunk and high to pay me much attention. If it wasn't for my teacher waking me up in class, I doubt anyone would have known that things were bad in my house."

"I'm sorry Greg. I wish your mom and dad treated you better. I at least had a mom, and I wish she never died. I miss her so much," I said, tears threatening to fall from my eyes.

"Hey, we've got a really cool father and we're brothers now. We are a family."

"Yeah, you're right," I said, sniffling and wiping the tears from my eyes.

"Okay boys, we're all set," Ryan said, coming out of the bathroom with a now smiling Adam. "Are you okay Kyle?" he asked looking down at me.

"Yeah Dad. I was just remembering Mom," I said.

"You want to go visit her again?" he asked me gently.

"Can I?" I asked him back.

"Of course you can. I told you that when ever you wanted to see her you could."

"Thanks Dad, I'd like that very much."

"Okay, then we'll go as soon as we get the shopping done and unload everything at the house," Ryan said.

"Hey Dad, how are we going to get all the furniture to the house?" Greg asked.

"Well, we're going to have it delivered today. It'll cost more to have it delivered so soon, but I don't fancy sleeping on the couch again. As comfortable as it was, it's not exactly my favorite thing to sleep on."

"Okay Dad," Greg said laughing.

"So what's first?" I asked Ryan.

"Well, lets go look at some beds," he suggested.

"Yeah!" Greg and Adam said excitedly.

I grabbed Ryan's hand and Greg's who took a hold of Adam's and together we walked up the stairs leading to the upper floor. I thought when we got there we were just going to see some sample furniture or something like that, but what we saw was completely different. The whole upper floor was beautifully arranged as if it was set up like a living room. There were couches with pillows, coffee tables, bookshelves, televisions sitting on top of stands, and pretty much everything you would find in a living room. But it wasn't just one room set up, it was several of them, all decorated in a different style using the many pieces of furniture that Ikea sold. It was amazing.

"Wow," Adam exclaimed.

"Yeah, wow!" Greg echoed.

"Welcome to my favorite furniture store guys," Ryan beamed.

"This is so cool! It almost looks like the furniture in our home Dad," I said to him sitting down on one of the couches that I swear was an exact replica of the one Ryan had in our living room.

"That's because all my furniture was bought here Son," he replied.

"That's so cool!" Greg said.

"Come on guys, lets go," Ryan said, motioning us out of the makeshift living room.

The store's layout was so different from any other store I had ever been in. It was as if we were walking along a path with various different styles of furniture on either side of it. We passed the makeshift living rooms and entered an area that was just filled with various couches. After that there was a section with coffee tables and then one with things for a dining room, including some very ornate tables and chairs. Everything was set up to be aesthetically pleasing.

Finally, we entered the bed room section. Just like when we first entered the showroom, there were several rooms set up to look like a fully furnished bedroom. It was amazing. What was even better was that one of the rooms had the same furniture that I had in my room. Actually, aside from the size of the room, it looked almost identical.

"Hey Dad, all this stuff in here looks like my room!" I said.

"That's right Son. I took pictures of this room and then bought everything that was in here. I did change a few things like the bed sheets, the lights and the window dressings, but other than that, it's exactly what you have in your room," Ryan replied.

"That's so neat!" Can we have rooms like that too Dad?" Adam asked.

"Well, lets see what they have set up for rooms with bunk beds. How does that sound?" he asked.

"Sure!" Adam and Greg said enthusiastically.

We continued down the path, passing by various types of beds which were all completely made up as if someone was going to sleep in it. When we got around to the other side, Adam and Greg both saw some of the best looking bunk beds any of us had ever seen. They were so unlike the rest of the beds in that they were made of a thick rounded metal that was painted gray.

There was one that Greg in particular was looking at. I could tell that Ryan was watching them carefully, and I knew that he didn't miss Greg's fascination for it. I didn't blame Greg either. It looked really nice. It was a metal framed bed, painted black, but in the same style as the gray ones. It had a single bed at that top, and a double bed on the bottom. At the end of the frame was a ladder that allowed access to the upper bunk. To prevent someone from rolling out of bed and hurting themselves, the upper bunk was protected by a small railing on all four sides. Both the upper and lower bunks were dressed up in kid's bedding, which I knew that Greg would want to change, but it really did look good.

"Dad, I want this one. Can I have it please?" Greg almost begged Ryan.

"Of course Son," Ryan said. "I think that's a really good one."

"I like it too, but I like the gray one better," Adam said going over to the gray bunk bed. This one was a little different from the black one in that the lower bunk actually turned into a two seater couch, like the futon that my mom used to have in the basement.

"Why that one Adam?" Ryan asked.

"I like the colour better. And I like that it has a couch that can turn into a bed if I have some friends over. We will be allowed to have sleep overs right Dad?" he asked hopefully.

"Of course you will Son," Ryan answered smiling.

"Good. My mom and dad wouldn't let me have anyone sleep over. They didn't let me have friends at all, making me do things for them instead," Adam said sadly.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that Adam. I promise you you'll be allowed to have all the friends you want, and they are welcome to come visit you as often as you want them to, so long as we're not doing anything as a family. All I want from you boys is that you be really good boys and enjoy yourselves, and do good in school. Just like every boy should be able to do," Ryan told him, though I think he was telling all of us.

"Can I have this one then Dad? Please?" Adam asked, smiling.

"Of course you can Son. Now, lets go get you some dressers so you have a place to put your clothes in."

Over the next hour Ryan took us around the whole store, letting Adam and Greg select the furniture that they wanted. Surprisingly, they ended up picking up furniture that would go well with both the house and the rest of the furniture that they selected. I think that Ryan had a hand in steering their choices though, which was good, because if he left all the decisions to them, they'd end up with a mismatch of furniture that wouldn't have looked good in any room.

By the time everything had been chosen, we headed back downstairs to the delivery area where Ryan ordered all the furniture to be delivered to the house. He was lucky in that he was able to get the furniture delivered that day, and surprisingly, he also paid for Ikea to have everything put together for us.

"Why'd you pay to have them do that, Dad? We could have put it together ourselves," I pointed out to him.

"Of course we could have Son, but with that much furniture to set up, we wouldn't have had any time to do anything else today."

"Oh yeah. I almost forgot that you have a date with that Jason guy from Future Shop tonight too."

"I see you have a good memory Son," Ryan laughed.

"Well, I just want you to be happy, like you've made Adam, Greg and me," I told him.

"Son, just having the three of you with me makes me very happy. I love you all very much."

"I love you too Dad," I said, pulling him down to give him a hug. I then did something I had never done with anyone else other than my mom, I gave him a kiss on the cheek. When I let him go, I swore I could see tears forming in his eyes, but he turned away too soon for me to be sure.

"Okay boys, I need to get one more thing, and then I have a phone call to make."

"Who's that Dad?" I asked.

"I need to call work and see if I can have Darren Hall, my chief of security, to come to the house to be there when the furniture arrives and to look after the house while they're setting it up."

"But how will he know which rooms Greg and Adam will be using?" I asked him.

"Don't worry Son, Darren has been the chief of security since before I took over from my parents at Adams Consulting. He was actually my father's best friend in college. Darren was taking Police sciences while my father was studying business and computer sciences. He's actually been to our house more times than I can remember, though as I think about it, I haven't asked him over in a while."

"Well I'd like to meet him Dad," I said.

"Don't worry Son, you will. In fact, I'm thinking of a few changes."

"What do you mean Dad?" I asked.

"Well, With the three of you now living with me, and with me soon having to go back to work, and deal with the business, I won't be able to spend as much time with you as I would have liked, and I would feel more comfortable with someone there that I can trust to make sure things will be okay."

"Oh," I said simply.

"Don't worry Son," Ryan said, obviously noticing how disappointed I was at not being able to spend more time with him. "You'll like Darren. I call him Unlce Darren, since he helped my father raise me when my father had to go away for a business trip and my mother went with him."

"You think he'd mind it if we called him Uncle Darren too?" Greg asked.

"I don't see why not, but lets see what happens when he comes over okay boys?"

"Okay Dad," I said.

"You boys want something to eat and drink before we leave?" Ryan asked us.

"Oh yeah!" we all shouted, making Ryan chuckle. He led us over to what looked like a small restaurant, and got in line. There were a few people waiting to be served, but the line moved fairly quickly. Eventually it was our turn and he ordered us each a hot dog and some pop. I asked for a coke, while both Adam and Greg wanted a root beer. Ryan ordered a few bottles of water as well, and soon we were walking out the doors and into the parking lot.

We quickly made our way to the car, and Ryan unlocked it, allowing us to open the doors and climb inside. Since the temperature outside had risen considerably since this morning, the heat inside the car was almost unbearable. Thankfully when Ryan turned on the car, he turned on the air conditioning, which quickly made the car more comfortable to sit in.

It seemed to take us forever to leave the parking lot, as the traffic was still as congested as it was before. That police officer we saw earlier when coming in to the parking lot was still standing there directing traffic. He looked really hot in that uniform.

"Hey Dad, can I give the police officer some water?" I asked him.

"If he wants it, sure Son," Ryan said, slowing down as he reached the officer. I rolled down the window and waved to the officer to come to the window.

"Is there a problem here?" the officer asked.

"Yeah, you're looking a little hot in that uniform sir, and I thought you would want some water to cool down," I said, holding up the bottle of water.

"Thank you Son," the officer said. "That's very kind of you. I wouldn't mind at all if it's okay with your father."

"No, go ahead," Ryan said, looking back at the officer. I took one of the cold bottles of water that he had bought and handed it to the officer.

"Thank you very much, Son. What's your name?" he asked.

"I'm Kyle, this is Adam and Greg, and that's my dad, Ryan," I told him.

"It's very nice to meet you, all of you. Ryan, I have to commend you on your son, he's a very polite and giving individual."

"Thank you officer. I'm very proud of him," Ryan said smiling.

"Well you folks have a good day, and thanks again for the water."

"Don't mention it sir," I said. I then rolled up the window and the officer waved us through, stopping the rest of the traffic so we could make it out of the parking lot.

"I meant what I said Kyle, I am very proud of you. In fact I'm proud of all of you. You were vey well behaved in that store."

"Thanks Dad," we all said in turn.

"Even me?" Adam asked.

"Yes Munchkin, even you," Ryan said.

Leaving the parking lot, and once again driving on the streets of Burlington, Ryan drove us towards our next destination. I thought it was going to be the Burlington Mall like we went before, but he surprised me by pulling into a small strip plaza across the street from the mall.

"What are we doing here Dad?" I asked him.

"Don't you remember what we were doing here yesterday Son?" he asked me, pointing to the sign above the store we were parked in front of.

"Oh yeah! I almost forgot!" I said, looking up at the sign and seeing that we were in front of the same computer store we had been to with Jason the day before.

"Yep, and now it looks like as I'm going to have to place an order for two more," Ryan said.

"Two more what Dad?" Greg asked.

"Two more computers, son. This is a computer store where Kyle's getting his computer that I ordered for him yesterday, and since you and Adam are now a part of the family, it's only proper that you two have your computers also."

"YIPPPEE!" Adam squealed in the back seat.

"I think someone's excited!" I said to Ryan.

"I think you're right about that Son," Ryan snickered.

"You mean Adam and me get a new computer too?" Greg asked still a little bewildered.

"Of course you do Son. You both deserve the best," Ryan answered.

"Thank you so much Dad, I love you so much," Greg almost cried.

"I love you too Son, now let's get in there and see what we can do," he suggested.

"It didn't take any convincing for Adam and Greg to unbuckle their seat belts and open the car doors, with Ryan and me following after them. The four of us entered the computer store, Ryan holding the door open and waiting for us to enter before himself.

"Hi Nigel," Ryan said upon seeing the owner of the computer store behind the counter.

"Why hello Ryan," Nigel said, coming around the counter to shake Ryan's hand. "And how are you doing today?"

"Pretty good. We're here to pick up the computer we ordered yesterday," Ryan said.

"And it's all ready to go. I see you have two more young boys with you today. They your sons also?" he asked.

"Yes, actually as of today. I just fostered Greg and Adam here. They used to live in the same home that Kyle did before I fostered him."

"You have my sympathies. My wife and I just had our first child and he's a handful let me tell you," Nigel said laughing.

"Yes, well, they're actually very well behaved young men, and I'm very happy that they're a part of my family."

"Well, knowing Jason as I do, he doesn't pick friends easily, but the ones he does have are very nice and generous people, and it seems his choice in friends hasn't diminished in the slightest."

"Thanks."

"Okay, well, your computer is ready, and we have it right over here with everything you need. We've installed all the software and all you need to do is get an Internet service provider to get it hooked up to the Internet."

"Thanks, there's just one problem though, Nigel," Ryan said, looking serious.

"Oh, and what's that? You changed your mind?" Nigel asked, looking a little dissapointed.

"In a way, yes. I'm afraid that I'm going to be keeping your staff busy as I need two additional computers with the same set up," Ryan said smiling at Nigel mischievously.

"Oh you just about gave me a heart attack," Nigel said laughing. "That's not going to be a problem. We ordered enough of the same type of parts for us to build five more of those computers."

"Well, I don't think that I'll need that many, but I will need to get a router and two wireless cards to go with them. And we'll need the router to be an 'N' class router as the property is fairly large."

"What are you installing these computers in, a mansion?" Nigel asked bewildered at what Ryan was telling him.

"You might think so," Ryan said. "Not quite, but it's close. I own a large four level beach front property along the lake."

"Oh wow. No wonder you need an 'N' router," Nigel said.

"For sure. A 'G' router just isn't good enough to cover the distances I require."

"Well, you're in luck, as we have some Linksys routers here that just came in. They're a little pricey, but otherwise they're an excellent brand. In fact, in my opinion, they're the best."

"You know your routers. I'm in total agreement with you. I do know a little about networking, and the company I work with uses nothing but Cisco Systems routers and switches."

"Looks like you do know your stuff," Nigel said, impressed.

"I should, I'm the owner of Adams Consulting here in Burlington," Ryan said.

"Damn, you do know your stuff!" Nigel exclaimed. "Oh sorry guys," he apologized referring to the swear word he used.

"Don't worry Nigel," Adam said. "We don't mind."

"Maybe you don't, but don't let me hear you using words like that," Ryan said sternly to Adam.

"I won't Dad," Adam said, looking down at his feet.

"Hey," Ryan said, kneeling down in front of him, and raising Adam's head with his finger under his chin. "You did nothing wrong. But I just think you are too smart a kid to use language like that. Okay?"

"Okay Dad," Adam said, smiling at the compliment Ryan gave him.

"Now, how long will it take you to get the other two computers built?" Ryan asked Nigel.

"Since I have the parts ready to go, I should have it ready for you tomorrow morning."

"Sounds good. Let's get this all paid for and we can then get you guys some new clothes and some groceries so we can eat later," Ryan said.

"Alright!" we all said together.

"Nigel, while you're ringing that in, would you mind if I use your phone?" Ryan asked.

"No not at all Ryan," Nigel said, going around the counter and picking up the phone to put it on the counter. "Just dial nine to get an outside line," he instructed Ryan.

Ryan picked up the receiver and dialed a number, then held the receiver to his ear while he waited for someone at the other end to pick up the phone.

"Hello Uncle Darren?" Ryan said into the receiver. "Yes, it's me, Ryan."

"Ryan! It's been a while since you called me at home on my day off," Darren said.

"Oh shoot, I'm sorry Uncle. Listen, I hate to bother you, but I'm over here at Nigel Computers and I'm picking up a computer for Kyle, and I just came here from Ikea. I ordered some stuff and they're delivering it to the house today, but I need someone to be there when they drop it off and assemble everything."

"Why, aren't you going to be home?"

"No, I still have some things I need to take care of and that furniture is for two of the bedrooms upstairs."

"Ryan, just what are you getting yourself into, and who the heck is this Kyle you're talking about?" Darren asked.

"Uncle Darren, It's a long story."