Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2023 18:57:01 -0400 From: D Dragi Subject: The Courage to Care Chapter 4 Please give to Nifty and support this wonderful site. By giving to Nifty you keep the stories coming. If you have any comments or suggestions please feel free to send me an email. My email address is tughill1383@yahoo.com. I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Chapter 4: A Dose of Reality I was sitting out in the kitchen reading the paper and I was getting nervous about going to Melanie's house for dinner. I pretty much put my past behind me and was only focused on the here and now. I was living in the here and now where I was popular in school, had a hot girlfriend, was spoiled rotten by two loving men, and was living the good life. I started thinking what if Melanie's parents start asking me questions about my family and my past. I was getting nervous. I asked Brad if I could talk to him and he said "Sure." What is it sweetheart?' "I was thinking about dinner at Melanie's house and I'm worried about them asking me about my past." "Where I come from." "Who is my family." "You know stuff like that." Brad said let's get Matt in here and we will all solve this together. Brad went and got Matt and said what is it? Brad told him my concerns and Matt was quiet. Matt said "you do not have to tell them everything about your life. " "Just give them the basics." "You left a lousy home life in Kentucky, came to New York and landed in a homeless shelter for boys, and now Brad and I are your foster parents. That's it." Matt said "be yourself." "Let them see you are bright charming young man." Brad then chimed in "I'm sure they'll like you." "What's not to like." Brad then went to the refrigerator and pulled out a beautiful bouquet of flowers. He said he went to the florist so I wouldn't go empty handed. I said how did you get the flowers the shop is closed on Sunday. He said he was good friends with the florist and said "we gay bitches stick together." I laughed and gave him a hug to say thank you. That was Brad. He never missed a trick and his love for me was always evident. When it was time to go Matt and I got in the car. Brad said have a good time and don't forget what I taught you. When we got to Melanie's house he told me "remember be yourself." I said I would. I rang the doorbell and Melanie and her mom answered. Her mom was stunning. She was dressed in slacks and a blouse with pearls around her neck. On her finger was a diamond the size of an oval button. She was wearing makeup and her nails were painted a light pink. There wasn't a hair out of the place. I said hello and that these are for you. Melanie's mom took the flowers and said they were beautiful. We went in to the house and it was palatial. Melanie's dad was the chief executive at the large local computer manufacturing plant. Mr. Albridge came out and introduced himself. He was in his mid 40's average height and in good shape. He had a demeanor about him that said he was a man who was used to being in control. Mrs. Albridge said to sit in the living room while she checked with the maid to see how dinner was coming along. A Hispanic woman came out with plates of cheese and fruit. I was asked if I wanted a soda and I said sure. We sat in the living room and the questions started coming at me. Mrs. Albridge said `so Melanie tells me your were living in a homeless shelter for boys in New York." I said that was true and that Matt and Brad rescued me and I'm their foster child. Mrs. Albridge wanted to know about my family. She asked how I wound up in a homeless shelter in New York.. I told her I was originally from Kentucky and ran away. Mrs. Albridge asked why I ran away and why didn't my parents come for me. I told her it was just my mother and I and my mom never really wanted me. I told them my mom got pregnant in high school and dropped out. I never knew my father and my mom was a waitress at the local diner. We were poor and lived in a run down shack near the highway. I thought if I came to New York I would find a better life. She asked me how I survived. I lied and told her I worked as a busboy at a midtown restaurant. I lived with some other kids in an abandoned tenement. I sure as hell was not going to tell her I sucked cock and took it up the ass for $20. I told her the police threw us out of the tenement building and that's how I wound up in the homeless shelter. Oh that's so tragic. That must have been so hard on you. A teenage runaway living on the streets of New York. Youre lucky you survived. I told her I was a survivor and toughened up to make it. She then turned her attention to Matt and Brad. You know most everyone around here just love Matt and Brad. Well at least the more intelligent liberal minded people. They are both so generous to our local charities and Matt is a big donor to the Watson Family Charitable Fund. As a Watson family member I run the charity to help those in need in our community. I can always count on Matt to help out either with his checkbook or his time. I just love him. She went on and asked how did I feel being the foster child to two gay men. I told her I didn't care. I just wanted out of the homeless shelter. She pressed on asking "weren't you worried about living with two gay men and what some people might say about you. You know some people can be so cruel. I told her I was just grateful that Matt and Brad took me in. I started getting defensive and I told her they treat me well and I'm happy to be living with them. They were willing to take a chance on me and get me out of that hell hole of a shelter. If anyone tries to insinuate anything funny is going on then they can expect me to kick their ass. From the look on Mrs. Albridge's face I knew I went too far. She said she was sorry and said I hope I didn't offend you. I told her I was not offended and said I was sorry for losing my temper. In reality I was offended and resented her making those accusations. Melanie was upset and said to her mother Jake is a great kid who is in the top ten of our class and is a rising star on the basketball team. He just needed a chance and who cares if it's two gay men willing to help him. Really mother sometimes you can be so provincial. Melanie's dad stepped in and told Melanie that was enough. The air in the room was tense and fortunately the maid came in and said dinner was ready. We went in to the dining room and it was very formal. The china, glasses, silverware, and napkins all screamed out wealth. There was a candelabra in the middle of the table and three candles were lit. I placed my napkin on my lap and tried to remember what Brad taught me. There were two forks, a knife, and spoon next to my place. There was a smaller plate on top of a larger plate. A large salad bowl was passed around and I was able to put the salad successfully on the small plate. When we were finished the maid came out and cleared the plates. The main meal was prime rib of beef, baked potatoes, and green beans. A basket of rolls was placed on the table and passed around. Mr. Albridge began cutting slices of prime rib and he passed plates to everyone. Right now I laugh at myself, but back then a meal like this was so unusual for me. After dinner we went back to the living room. Melanie said to her dad that I am a basketball player just like him Melanie went on to say that her dad played basketball. I asked Mr. Albridge what position he played. He said he was a starting forward for Watson High back in the day. That started the conversation and Mr. Albridge and I talked basketball till dessert was served. We went back to the dinning room and dessert was an apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream. After dessert we sat around and talked some more. I wasn't sure how I was doing because I noticed Mrs. Albridge looking me over like I was an exhibit at the zoo. She barely said a single word and Mr. Albridge and I did most of the talking. He asked me if I planned to go college and I said I did. He asked me if I took my SAT's yet. And I said what are the SAT's. He looked at me stunned and said you need to take that test in order to apply for college. I told him I would look in to it. Melanie said to her dad, Jake is not only good in school he's also a great athlete. I felt like Melanie was trying to sell me to her father. By the look on his face I wasn't so sure she was succeeding. Matt arrived a little after 6 to pick me up. Mrs. Albridge told Matt I was a polite well-mannered young man. She went on to say that she thought it was so nice for two gay men to be foster parents. She said I thought you gays were just in to going to discos and staying with your own kind. It's quite admirable what you're doing. She then said to Matt that the holiday fund raiser was coming up for the Foundation and Im counting on you. Matt said don't worry Ill be there. Mrs Albridge then gave Matt a kiss on the cheek and said you are such a darling. Matt said thank you and we left. When we got in the car Matt was pissed muttering "going to discos". "Such a darling." When we got home Brad was all over me asking how things went. I told him I think I passed and thanked him for all his help. I told him what Mrs. Albridge said about people making insinuations. Well that just set Brad off. Let me tell you something the only one probably making insinuations is that bitch. Oh how I'd like to knock her off her high horse. She thinks just because she"s a Watson she runs this town. Then he looked at Matt and said And you give to her damn charity to buy in to this town. Well let me tell you no amount of money is ever going to keep that bitch's mouth shut. Matt didn't say a word and just sat back on the couch. Then I told them about the SAT and Matt said he would contact the school and sign me up for preparatory classes. I just hung out watching television until bedtime. The next couple of weeks flew by. We got copies of the upcoming game schedule which I gave to Brad and Matt. Games were scheduled on Tuesdays and Fridays except for the Christmas tournament. The first game wasn't until just before Thanksgiving. Matt and Brad went to their Halloween party and their costumes were impressive. They looked like the television characters from the show Batman except Brad's tights were so tight you could easily see the outline of his private parts. Matt commented on this saying looking at Brad "well there is no wonder in this Boy wonder." Brad quipped "just want to let the boys know what there missing out on." At basketball practice the offensive formation Coach drew up had Connor and I as the focal point. We either took the shot or passed it to the center Mikhail. Coach showed us the article in the local paper predicting that Watson would only finish fifth in the conference. Coach used this article as a motivator. The first two games were home and against the weaker teams in the conference. Both games were blowouts as Connor and I torched both teams with our shooting. Matt and Brad sat in the stands cheering me on and I really liked looking in the stands and seeing them there. Thanksgiving arrived and Matt told me that he and Brad invited some of their friends from New York to spend the day. He told me they were not welcomed by their own families and their families wanted nothing to do with them because they were gay. Matt said he wanted to give them a home for the holidays and that no one deserved to be alone at the holidays. Brad asked me to come out to the kitchen to help. He asked me to peel potatoes and after he boiled them he asked me to mash them. I also helped snapping off the ends of the string beans. Brad made sure the table was perfect and the food was set to go. I got to meet Matt and Brad's friends and they were all fascinated that Matt and Brad had a foster child. I was questioned by them about school and how I liked living with Matt and Brad. One of them joked that Brad finally got a child he wanted. The entire day there was this relaxing jovial conversation and everyone seemed do relaxed and comfortable. This was also unusual for me to see gay men enjoying each other's company and the warmth of friendship between them. After dinner I helped Brad clean up and put away the leftovers. The Christmas season was upon us and this was going to be one of the most memorable in my life. It was going to be a roller coaster ride with tremendous highs and devastating lows. But it was during this time that I learned the true meaning of family and all it entails.