Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2023 19:04:35 -0400
From: D Dragi <otcdave@gmail.com>
Subject: The Courage to Care Chaper 1 Adult/Youth

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Chapter 1: Dark Days Ahead

It was a gray November day.  Darkness came early.  I was engulfed in
darkness.  The man who is my savior is dying.  The man who took me off the
streets, gave me a home, taught me to love.  He gave me an education and
the opportunity to be someone.  He didn't see me as an abomination going to
hell.  How can I go on without him.  When I got to my house I was greeted
by my husband Jeffrey.  We have been together for over thirty years.  He is
my rock.  I asked how Uncle Matt is doing.  By the look on Jeffrey's face I
knew the answer to that question.  It was not good.

I went to his bedroom and was greeted by the hospice nurse Suzanne.
Suzanne was a Godsend .  A kind hearted woman who deeply cared for her
patients.  I took a seat next to his bed and held his hand.  He had tubes
in his nose to help him breath.  His breathing was slow and it looked like
each breath was difficult.  He was attached to a heart monitor and the
amber light slowly flicked up and down.  There was an IV hooked to his arm
and the bag dripped its sustaining liquid.  He turned his head toward me
and squeezed my hand.  I patted his hand and told him to rest.  He just
stared at me like he wanted to say something.  Jeffrey came behind me and
was rubbing my shoulders.  I reached back and patted his hand.

As I sat there I was remembering the first time I met Uncle Matt.  I was in
a homeless shelter for boys.  One of those government facilities with the
cinder block walls painted white and heavy steel doors with the small
square window at the top.  I was arrested numerous times for petty theft
and solicitation.  I was living on the streets after my evangelical
Christian mother in Kentucky threw me out when she caught me making out
with a neighborhood boy.  It was myself and her and she worked as a
waitress at the local diner.  She called me an abomination before God and
that she was sorry I was ever born.  I packed my things grabbed the money I
had hidden in my room and got a one way bus ticket to New York.  When I got
to New York I got in with the wrong crowd and was working for a pimp who
provided room and board in a run down tenement on the west side of New
York.

I was in the facility for about three months when my case worker Angela
said she found a foster home for me and that she was arranging a meeting
with the family and I to see if it would be a good fit.  We were in the
meeting room which had a couch and chairs and was where informal meetings
were held.  I was in the room waiting when Angela came in with a tall sharp
dressed man.  He had perfectly styled red hair and green eyes.  The suit he
was wearing looked like it was painted on and showed off a muscular body.
Angela introduced him as Matthew McNulty and she said I was Jake
Pennington.  We shook hands and sat down.  Angela said Brad called and he
was running late but would be here soon.  Angela and Matt were making small
talk and I was sitting there quietly sizing up Matt.  The door opened and
in walked this tall lean man with light brown hair and brown eyes.  He also
had a toned body.  He was wearing Khaki pants and a polo shirt.  The polo
shirt pulled against a muscular chest and his nipple were pressing against
it.  He walked over to Matt and kissed him on the cheek saying he was sorry
he was late.  Oh great I thought.  I was going to a fag family not a normal
family.

Angela said why don't we go around and tell something about ourselves to
the break the ice.  Brad went first.  He said his name was Bard Peterson
and he was a social worker at a major New York hospital.  He said he was
with Matt over just over 10 years and that he was the love of his life.  He
went on to say he loved the theater, working in his flower garden, and
spending time with Matt.  Matt went next and said he was a Wall Street
broker, who was a big sports fan especially basketball, and liked being
outdoors as often as possible.  When it was my turn I said my name was Jake
Pennington, I'm originally from Kentucky where my bitch of a mother threw
me out when she found me fooling around with another boy.  I've sold my ass
and sucked and got fucked for money.  I'm told I have a nice ass.  I'm in
this hell hole because I have nowhere else to go.  I wanted to shock them
and do my best to push them away.  Angela said to me that Brad and Matt
wanted to help me out and give me a home.  I said yeah right.  I'm not
going toe be their butt boy taking it up the ass whenever they want me.  Or
will these two faggots be my sugar daddies and take care of me as long as I
put out for them and their friends.  It figures the only ones who want me
are a bunch of faggots.

Angela cut in and said Jake that's enough.  These two men are willing to
give you a chance and make something of your life.  Brad then added we want
to give you a better life and hope you will give us a chance.  Matt just
sat there silently looking at me.  I turned to Matt and said I'd bet you
are the man of the house and keep this boy toy on a tight leash with all
your money.  I'll bet Brad here gives good head and has a tight ass you
fuck.  Angela said Jake that's enough.  She then apologized to Brad and
Matt.  Matt stood up and said that he would like to talk to the boy alone.
Brad looked worried and Angela said is that necessary?  I just need five
minutes with junior here and you can come back in.  Brad and Angela got up
and left the room.  Matt sat down and told me to sit down.  I said you
going to drop your pants to get a quick blow job.  He said cut the crap.
I'm not buying your tough boy act.  You're going to sit down and listen to
me and then you can respond to what I say.  You understand.  Matt's voice
was so stern and forceful I knew I should agree.  Matt said I see you have
two choices facing you Jake.  You can stay here and age out of the system.
You'll then have a lousy minimum wage job you hate.  You'll go back selling
your ass because you can make more money.  You'll probably get hooked on
some drug and before your 30 you'll be found dead in an alley.  I was about
to say something and Matt stopped me saying I'm not done yet.  Your other
choice is to live with Brad and I.  You live in a nice home, provided with
all the necessities, go to a good school and get an education, then go to
college where you can determine your own future.  I don't give a shit about
your past.  I'm focusing on your present and future.  I read your file and
I think you've got a chance to be someone.  By your school record I see
your smart and that you got some real potential.  I always do my research
and after checking you out I think you got potential.  The question is what
will you choose.

Let me tell you if you choose to come with us you'll be expected to follow
the rules, do well in school and contribute to the house doing some chores.
I'm not going to take any of your shit and I'll ride you so you don't wind
up another wasted gay youth.  I'm going to leave and let you think it over.
I'll be back in a few minutes in with Brad and Angela.  And if you ever
call me a faggot again I'll knock you into next week.  Am I making myself
clear.  I meekly said yes.  Matt left the room and I started pacing the
room running over everything Matt said in my head.  I thought this was too
good to be true and what did I do to deserve this.  I thought what do I got
to lose.  It's only a three month time period and if it didn't work out I
would just come back to the shelter. I thought what the hell do I got to
lose.  I went out the door and saw the three of them standing in the
hallway talking.  I said I'm ready.  We all walked back in to the break
room and sat down.  I told them I was willing to go with Brad and Matt.
Brad yelled out "Yeah."  Matt just sat there in silence.  I wasn't sure
whether he really wanted to come with him and didn't know what it would be
like to live with him.  Angela brought all the paperwork and we signed it
all.  Angela then said for me to pack up all my staff.  Brad and Matt
followed me in to my room and helped me get my things together.  When we
walked out of the facility I had not idea at the time at how much my life
would change for the better.  That I found two men who were willing to love
me unconditionally and give me all the love and support I needed.  That
they would be there for me with no questions asked.  As I sat there holding
Matt's hand thinking back to that day my eyes filled with tears.  This
beautiful man out of his infinite love gave me a home and the chance for
life I never thought possible before I met him and he was now dying.  How
could I ever repay him for what he had done and let him know how much I
loved him.  I just sat there silently with tears streaming down my face.

We left the facility and got in to Matt's car.  It was a brand new Jeep
Grand Cherokee with all the bells and whistles.  I got in the back and on
the ride home Brad kept on telling me what I could expect when we got home.
Matt just drove in silence and didn't say a word.  When we got to the house
I was awestruck.  It was a huge big two story house with a big two car
garage.  The grounds were perfectly manicured and Matt pressed a button on
the remote in the car and the garage door automatically opened.  We got out
of the car and walked in to the house.  Bard insisted on giving me a tour
of the house.  The large kitchen with its stainless steel appliances, the
living room with a sectional couch and large big screen television, the
tiled bathrooms with glass door shower stalls, and the fully furnished
bedroowms.  There was a study and a library.  There was a full basement
with exercise equipment, a pool table, and ping pong table.  I couldn't
believe what I was seeing.  I never even dreamed that people lived like
this.  He then showed me my room.  A big four post queen sized bed.  A huge
closet with mirrored doors.  A five draw dresser with a mirror over it.
Attached was my own private bathroom.

Brad and Matt helped me unpack and put my stuff away.  The few belongings
barely filled the dresser or closet.  Brad said we would go to the mall
tomorrow to get me clothes and shoes.  Matt was still mostly silent and
said hardly a word.  Matt said he would order pizza and asked me if
pepperoni was ok.  I told him it would be great.  Matt said he would order
the pizza and then was going to take a shower and change.  While Matt was
upstairs getting showered and changed, Brad and I went to the living room
and were watching television.  They had cable television and more channels
then I ever saw.  The home had only the broadcast channels you could get
with the antennas on the television.  I asked Brad how big was the
television.  He said it was a 72 inch state of the art Sony television.  He
said Matt liked watching his sports on this television.  He showed me how
the remotes worked.  One to turn on the television and the other to run the
cable box.  Brad gave me the remote and let me click through the channels.
As I was looking at all the channels, Matt came downstairs wearing sweat
pants and a t-shirt.  The man was ripped and had big biceps.  He was a
formidable figure and I sure as hell wanted to get in a fight with that
guy.  The door bell rang and Brad answered it, The pizza was here.  He took
the pizza boxes and put them on the dining room table.  The dining room had
a chandelier hanging over the center of the table.  The table had high back
chairs and the table was this big oval covered in a pure white table cloth.

Brad brought out three plates and asked what I wanted to drink.  I told him
Coke would be fine.  He handed me a drink and said eat up.  As we were
eating our pizza Matt said that tomorrow we needed to go over the house
rules.  He said he would enroll me in school on Monday.  Brad then started
talking about the school.  How it was one of the best schools in the area
with all the modern conveniences.  He said they had great athletic
facilities and asked if I would like to try out for any of the sports teams
that would be offered for the winter season.  Since it was October the fall
sports were already in full swing.  I told him I might like to try out for
the basketball team.  Matt said there is a basketball hoop over the garage
and he would be more then happy to shoot around with me.  As were sitting
there eating and talking I just couldn't believe my luck.  I'm in a big
gorgeous house with my own bedroom and bathroom.  I'm getting new clothes
and shoes tomorrow.  What's the hitch I kept thinking.  Does Brad and Matt
have ulterior motives.  I mean six months ago I was selling my ass and
giving most of my money to a pimp.  The dramatic change in my life was
overwhelming.

After we got done eating we cleaned up and went to the living room to watch
television.  At around 11 pm Matt said it's bed time.  We got a big day
tomorrow.  We went upstairs and both Brad and Matt wished me a good night's
sleep.  They went into their room and the thought that two men shared the
same bedroom was just another thing I had accept.  I woke up the next day
with my morning wood.  I was feeling so good I started jerking my dick
looking for some morning relief.  I didn't hear Brad knock on the door and
come in.  He saw me jerking off and said Whoa and high tailed it out my
room.  I was embarrassed that he walked in on me.  I heard him call that
breakfast was ready and to come on down.  When I got to the kitchen Brad
apologized for walking in on me.  Matt asked what was going on and I told
him I was taking care of my morning wood and Brad walked in on me.  Matt
just said matter of factly no big deal.  Don't ever be embarrassed of doing
what comes naturally.  It's just how men are programmed.  We need to get
off.  Just next time lock the door.  I was taken aback by his comments and
was like this guy is cool.  I thought I was going to be in trouble.  On the
kitchen table were scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, toast, and pitchers of
orange juice and milk.  Brad said eat up.  Don't be shy.  I've never seen
so much food in one place at one time.  I had two plates and Matt said it
looks like someone has a healthy appetite.  We cleaned up after breakfast,
headed out to the car to go to the mall.

We got to the mall and Matt said pick out whatever you like within reason.
We hit all the major stores buying pants, shirts, underwear, socks belts,
jackets, but the best off was when we got to the athletic shoe store and I
was able to pick out any sneaker I wanted.  I picked out the latest pair of
Nike Air Jordon's I kicked off my beat up old sneakers and put the Air
Jordan's on.  It was awesome.  I was so excited and just couldn't believe
how much was being spent on me and it was like no big deal.  Matt just kept
on whipping out that platinum American Express card and carefully folded
each receipt in his wallet.  Matt saw the look on my face when I put on my
Air Jordan's and he said looking good.  I got this rush of intense
gratitude and I just couldn't help it I hugged Matt and said Thank You.
This is the best day of my life.  I saw Brad start to tear up.  Matt said
to Brad will you please get a grip.  Brad said cynic.  He said let's go
grab some lunch and get out of here.  There were so many shopping bags that
all three of us had to carry some of them.  When we got to the restaurant
Brad said order anything you want.  No limits for our Jake.  I was like
"What the fuck."  Could this get any better?  After lunch we loaded the
bags in the car and headed home.  When we got home I started putting my new
clothes away.  When I got done the closet was full of brand new clothes
that were mine.  The dresser draws were filled with socks, underwear,
sweaters, and sweat shirts.  I gathered all my old clothes together and
tossed them in the garbage.

Brad made chicken for dinner and after we just sat around watching college
football and later went up to bed.  I was woken up when I heard moans
coming from down the hall.  I got up out of bed and followed the sound of
the moans.  I went to the bedroom door of Brad and Matt and I clearly heard
the moans and Matt saying, yeah that's it.  Take it.  Take it all in.  It
was Brad who was moaning.  I got undressed and opened the door and saw Brad
on all fours on the bed and Matt behind him fucking his ass.  At first they
didn't see me and I cleared my throat real loud and they both jumped.  When
they were looking at me I said you looking for some company.  Matt got out
of bed still toting a hard dick.  It was impressive a thick long cock at
full mast.  He went and put a robe on.  Brad got under the covers and
stayed in bed.  Matt asked what the hell are you doing here.  I said I
heard the noise and join in.  Matt was pissed off and told me to get the
hell out, put some clothes on and meet me downstairs in the living room.

I got dressed and went downstairs and there was Matt with a pissed off look
on his face.  He told me to sit down.  He said we didn't want you as our
foster child for sex.  Our hope is to give you a chance and have a
meaningful life.  Don't you ever enter our room without knocking and if you
hear anything you ignore it and talk to us about in the morning.  I told
him I was sorry and it would never happen again.  He accepted my apology
but I could see he was still pissed off.  He told me to get back to bed and
that we would talk more in the morning.  I said good night and went to bed.

The next morning while having breakfast Brad and Matt said they needed to
clear a few things up.  Matt went first and said Brad and I are a loving
gay couple who are committed to each other.  As is true with any loving
couple we express our love through physical sex.  We may get loud at times
but what we do in our bedroom is not anyone's dam business.  We expect you
to respect our privacy and don't ever think we want you to join in.  I hope
you can find a good as lover as Brad and can have a meaningful gay
relationship.  Matt walked over to Brad and gave him a kiss on the lips and
said I love you.  Brad kissed him back and said you will always be the love
of my life.  Matt went on that I needed to learn that gay men can have a
meaningful loving relationship just as a man and woman.  He asked me if I
was clear on things and I said yes.  Brad then stood up and embraced Matt
and gave him a deep passionate kiss.  Matt looked at me and said Brad and I
going to finish what we started last night and you stay down here until we
get back here.  You got it.  I said no problem.  Matt and Brad then went
upstairs and they didn't come down for another two hours.  When Brad came
downstairs he was singing the Carly Simon song "Nobody Does it Better."
Matt came down five minutes later and slapped Brad on the butt and said
knock it off.  We were all in the living room and Brad was snuggled up to
Matt as we watched the NFL games.  After the game was done we had dinner
and went up to bed.  Matt told me we had to be up early to register for
school I said I would be ready.

Thinking about that first few days together a smile broke out on my face.
The purchase of everything at the mall and having a pair of Air Jordans I
couldn't believe it.  How the two of them let me run wild like a kid in a
candy store and get whatever I wanted seemed like a dream. Now I know I was
being spoiled by two men and they took delight in the joy it brought to me.
I didn't know then that his was just the first of many kind acts that the
two of them would bestow upon me.  They made me feel wanted and that they
wanted me to be happy.  I didn't understand why they were being so kind to
me because no one in my life had treated me so well.  I thought back and
remember how I had trouble coming to terms with everything.  I didn't know
then that these two men would open their hearts and pour all their love
unto me.  I know now how deeply they loved me and to see Matt slipping away
was tearing me up inside.  When Uncle Brad died three years ago I became
more protective and attentive to Uncle Matt.  I remember Uncle Matt crying
bitter tears over the loss of his one true love.  They were together for
over forty years and they were the role models of how a true and loving
relationship between two gay men