Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2021 17:27:07 -0400 From: Eric Murphey Subject: Transitions: Continued Journey Section 1 gay adult youth OK I sent this in yesterday and was totally disgusted with it. So I redid it. If you've read it it's not exactly the same. I did add some changes. Nothing that will change the outcome of the story. But, it's better. I added some dialogue and a few other things that should have been there. I got laid off from one of my jobs so it was very hard to write this section. It took me forever to do it and it was hard. But, I need to keep busy or go insane. A very special person lifted a huge worry from me and for that I am thankful and feel a little less stressed. I am really pleased with the emails I got so far though. People are giving me ideas of work to do. A blog was one idea. I think thats a neat idea. I have never thought about it. But, I dont know how they make money. But, Im sure I can google it and find out. Anyway, enough of my boring bullshit. Lets get to the story. Now this story is made possible by readers like you. So donate to Nifty They are Nifty folks. Eric Continued Journey Section 1 A Murphey Family Story As they landed on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier Eric and the boys got off. Jorge holding onto Alejandro tight due to fear. These are all new and very loud things to the little guy. Alejandro keeps petting him and telling him its going to be OK. Eric and the boys are led over to the ships Commanding Officer and several others on the flight deck waiting with smiles on their faces. The two sailors jumped from the giant helicopter when it was still a bit off the ground and then helped the boys and Eric onto the deck. The helicopter is idling down and the motor going still and they could all hear again. Jorge starts to calm down with it being a little more quiet. "That was cool as shi.....um all get out!" Joey shouts. "Yeah it was." Tran adds smiling. They walk over and meet the CO and the other high ranking officers on the ship. "Its a pleasure to have you and your boys aboard Mr Murphey. A lot of people were pretty worried about all of you." The man says as extends his hand. Eric of course shakes it. "Well, thank you for rescuing us sir." "Its our job." He replies smiling. "Cool job." Eric says. The CO smiles. "Yeah it is. Now we need to get you all checked out. We are going to take you to the infirmary, and the doctor will makes sure you are all doing OK in the health department. Then its my understanding we need some what was it hamburgers?" He asks a member of the flight crew. "No sir it was fucking hamburgers." The sailor says smiling knowing the CO had a good sense of humour. "That's right some fucking hamburgers." The CO says laughing. Alejandro is turning red as he knows they are making fun of him in a way. But, not in a bad way. More like he understands now laughing with not at. He never really got that until now. "Yes sir. I would like that very much." Alejandro says smiling. "You going to join the Navy son? You already swear like a sailor." The CO says chuckling. Alejandro answers in all seriousness. "Oh no sir. Cindy says I'm going to be a doctor and I'm going to do what she says. Cuz I like Tom Tom and he was a good doctor and helped Tran." The CO looked at him and smiled. "I know what you mean I got to listen to my wife too." "Well, she isn't my wife yet." "Buddy trust me she is." He says and runs his fingers through Alejandro hair. "Lets get you all checked out and something in your bellies." The CO says to them. As he does a female sailor appears. "I will show you where you need to go." The young sailor says, as she is at attention. "I will see you gentlemen in awhile." The CO says and they follow the young sailor down into the depths of the ship. Once they got there and take s seat to wait. Tran speaks up. "You know I knew these things were big. I mean you see them on TV, and you can see they are big. But, once you get on it. Its like a moving island or something. Its huge." "Yes it does make it more real doesn't it? When I was about your age maybe a little older. I was really into reading about the assassination of John Kennedy." "He was a president that got killed right poppi?" "Yes buddy he was. But, Mr Brown decided to take me on a trip to Dallas so I could actually see it. I had watched the Zapruder film a hundred times. I had seen pictures of all of it thousands of pictures of Dealy Plaza. When we got there. I took it all in. I was on the corner of North Houston, and Elm. I looked to my left and I looked to my right. I looked directly up to the sixth floor of the Texas Book Depository. I looked at the Dal Tex building. I walked down and I looked from behind he fence at the grassy knoll. I then walked to the center of Elm street when the traffic wasn't coming of course." He says making the boys giggle. They have two X's in the street. One was where the first shot connected. The other, the second shot. The one that was probably the fatal shot. At that moment I could feel the terror, and chaos that was ripping through the people and the streets of Dallas that cold November morning in 1963. I could smell the gun smoke. It was so real. It all became so very real to me at that moment. See you can study something forever. But, until you experience it. Its not really real. Not truly in your mind. Its kind of like two realities. What is your concept of what it is and the truth of what it really is." "I understand what your saying." Tran says smiling. "Like two realities. Like when you always say when us boys are fighting about something that there are three stories. One for each of us then the truth." Eric smiles. "Your a smart boy." "So you tell me." Tran says smiling. The Doctor walks out and he is an older man about 55 or so with peppered hair. He has a manila folder in his hand. "Alright gentlemen if you would be so kind to step this way we can begin the process of making sure you are in good health." They all rise and follow him in the female sailor waiting outside. They enter the exam room. "Gentlemen would you all please disrobe." The doctor asks. A male nurse is in to assist. He is taking everyone's temperature with an ear thermometer. He makes notes as he does. The guys are all undressing which only takes a second because they only had on shoes a tee and shorts. They only put that on because they saw the helicopter. There was no shame from any of them. The doctor poked and prodded each and everyone of them in each, seemingly every place. If there is a hole he is poking at it. Ears, nose, mouth, and others a little further south. He told them that he needed a stool sample from them if they had a bowel movement before they left the ship. When he examines Alejandro he had to laugh because the monkey was on his shoulder. When he moved to listen to his heart and lungs the monkey scurried to the other side of the boy and made him giggle. Jorge was not helping in the process of the exam. As the doctor put the thesascope to his chest Jorge has to touch it. So the doctor shrugs and he just includes Jorge in the process. He listens to Jorge's heart and lungs. Jorge just gives him a confused look until the doctor says. "Good. Very good." Which makes Jorge smile. He understands good as Alejandro always says that and its a happy thing. So he smiles at the doctor. "You are both done. I cant believe I got it done with all this monkey business going on." The doctor says smiling. Which of course has Alejandro in peels of laughter. The doctor looks at Eric and Alejandro with a frown. "I am afraid I will have to quarantine the monkey. Not just for our safety but for his. This is all new to him and I think he would be safer in a cage for right now." "But, hes my friend. You wouldn't put your friend in a cage would you?" Alejandro asks. His eyes big and pleading. The doctor looks at Alejandro over his glasses directly into his eyes. "If it was the best thing for my friend I would." Alejandro thinks a moment then says. "Like poppi says. I guess you cant argue that. But, I can visit him and stuff right?" "Buddy we are only going to be on this ship for a few hours. I think Jorge will be OK for that short of time." Eric says. "Yeah But, I still want to see him." "Young man I don't see how that's a problem. He must be a very good friend indeed." The doctor says as he looks at Alejandro and continues. "You all seem to be in actually excellent health. Why don't you go to the mess and get something to eat." With that everyone smiles. They walk out and the young female sailor without a word guides them to the mess area of the ship. They go through a line and get what ever their heart desires. Alejandro got two hamburgers about fifty eight pounds of fries. OK not 58 pounds. It was a big plate full though. Joey got meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Tran got fried chicken with all the fixings, and Eric got coffee and a little of everything. When they got sat down Eric picks up the coffee cup and takes a sip. He savors the flavor of the sugar and cream mixed with it. It is simply divine he thinks. Alejandro already has a bit of burger in his mouth followed by couple fries dipped in ketchup. Joey and Tran aren't wasting any time either. "Oh poppi this is so good. I think its the best hamburger I ever ate." He says then takes an even bigger bite. "Buddy it isn't going anywhere. Take smaller bites." Alejandro looks up and smiles his cheeks full like a chipmunk. The boys eat and sip on sodas and Eric is on his second coffee. In no time flat the plates are empty and the boys bellies are poking out. They all look about to burst. "So you guys ready for ice cream?" Eric says smiling. "Aw dad I need some of that pink stuff." "Well, maybe the third plate was a bit much buddy." "Oh but, it was soooo good." "Ba I think I at two whole chickens." "Not to mention about half of Idahos potato crop." Eric says with a smile. "Oh don't remind me." He says rubbing his belly. "I'm ready poppi." Alejandro says smiling. "You cant be serious." Eric looks at him. "Sure its just a little bit of room for ice cream. I got a little bit of room left." He says patting his belly. Eric laughs at him. "Well if you got room. I got room too." Eric says. Of course Eric didn't overindulge like the boys. Well, not as much anyway. They go and get some ice cream and Alejandro gets chocolate syrup and nuts whipped cream about 6 cherries. When he gets back Eric looks at it. "You don't have to eat all of that." Eric says thinking Alejandro's eyes maybe were a bit bigger then his stomach. Alejandro smiles and glares at the container of ice cream. "I know poppi." He says regular. Then he growls. "But, I want too." Then he shoves the spoon in and pulls up a huge bite and shoves it in his mouth. He has whipped cream on his nose his mouth his cheeks. He doesn't care he just digs in and is smiling the whole time. "Buddy, How many scoops of ice cream did you get?" Alejandro smiles takes a bite and holds up four fingers. "Aw jeez your gonna get sick." Eric says. "It will be worth it." He says and shovels more in. It takes him about 5 minutes but he drops the spoon with a clatter into the glass dish. "Ahhhh." He says and leans back in his chair and rubs his belly. "I'm stuffed poppi." "I should hope so." "For now anyway." He letting a belch escape. He covers his mouth quickly. The other two are giggling at him. "Excuse me." "Your excused." Eric says smiling. Eric couldn't help think of the "for now" Alejandro said. This is a big ship. He would guess there's like a few thousand sailors on board. They are going to be on board around eight hours an hour and a half of which is gone already. Eric looks over at the line for food. He thinks. I hope we leave them enough food. He smiles at the thought. "We need to take Jorge some food too poppi." Alejandro says sitting up and heading to the line. He grabs a plate and puts on a nice bit of lettuces, some fruit and veggies as well. The sailor that was assigned to him walks them all back down to where Jorge will be staying. "Man its far. I ate so much I can barely walk." Joey groans. "Me too." Tran agrees holding his tummy as they walk to where Jorge is. The sailor opens the door. Alejandro races in. He turns around and tears are in his eyes. "Poppi they got him in jail." Sure enough Jorge was in a jail cell. He was swinging on the bars after Alejandro walked in and is chattering away. "I'm sure they did it so he could have more room. Otherwise he might be in something he couldn't run around in." Eric says. "That's correct sir. It was the brig or a little cage he could only stand up in sir." The sailor says finally breaking her silence. "See buddy. He will be just fine." Alejandro sits the plate on the open area to slip food trays through. Jorge swings down and starts eating. He seems to really like the lettuce. He hasn't ever had it before. He isn't so much happy with the carrots but, loves the pineapple. He makes a funny face when he eats it though. They are all laughing at him as he does. "So Joey what are you going to do when you get home first?" The sailor asks smiling at him. "I don't know. I guess we will find out in a few weeks. Probably just play with my brothers. Maybe bowl some." The sailor looks at him confused. "Why a few weeks? You can be home maybe tomorrow." "I got to finish my tour. All those people was waiting to see me. They paid a lot of money. I owe it to them." He says meaning every word. "Joey no one will expect you to do that." Eric says. "But, dad you always say to do the right thing. At the right time. All the time. I think this is the right thing to do." "Are you sure?" "Sure I am dad. But, if you want you guys can all go home." "I wouldn't think of leaving you." Alejandro says wrapping his arm around Joeys shoulder. "Me neither little bro." Tran says agreeing. They look at Eric "Well, you all know I will be where my boys are. Wherever that may be." He says smiling. "So its of to China then." The sailor says. They all look at her like shes nuts. "No Tokyo is in Japan. You know with Japanese people and stuff." Joey says. The sailor giggles. "I know that. The ship you are getting on is going to China. So then you will I guess fly to Japan." She says smiling. "Yeah that then." Joey says giggling. "So how long have you been in the Navy?" Eric asks. "About 2 years sir." She answers. "Do you like it?" "No sir.... I love it." She says beaming. "It is pretty cool. What do you love about it?" Joey asks. "I get to go all over the world. I get to see all kinds of things I never would have dreamed of seeing. I saw temples in Thailand I saw paper being made in Japan. I have seem so many things and learned so much I never would have if I stayed and worked in the factory." "Wow that is cool." Alejandro says smiling. "So where do you live when your not on the ship?" Tran asks. "I stay at home with my mom and three little sisters. I like to save money that way and I get to help out mom with some money too." "Its good to help." Alejandro says smiling. "Yes it is. How old are your sisters?" Eric asks. "They are all littler then me. But they are nine, eleven and thirteen. And they all love you guys. They are going to be green with envy when I tell them I met all of you." She says smiling a true smile. Eric can tell she is just a truly nice person. Salt of the earth if you will. "Do you want to take some pictures with us?" Joey asks. "Oh I wouldn't be so forward to ask that of you." "You didn't ask. I offered. I would give you some stuff. But, we kinda lost all of that. I figure pictures would be cool too." "I don't know. You guys just got rescued and stuff. You probably need some rest." "We been resting for like ever. You know we are on an island. Its time to do stuff." Joey says. "I cant disagree I'm kind of anxious to so some things too." Eric says. Alejandro slips his hand in her pocket and pulls out her phone. "Whats your code?" He says fiddling with it. "Its face recognition." "Oh." He says and hands her the phone. She turns it on and for the next ten minutes they all take pictures with each other and Jorge. They thought it was great fun when the boys acted like they were in jail. The sailor whose name is Denise was having a lot of fun. As were the boys. Once they get done they walk back up and she shows them to a room they can rest in. It has a TV in it and Eric looks up and see he and the boys pictures are on it. They show the video of them getting off the helicopter. Eric smiles when he sees the caption under saying the flight crew made it safely home and the world knew that Eric and the boys survived the crash. But, that's all the crew knew. He was really worried about them. Because well, that's just his nature to worry about others. "Look poppi we are getting off the helichopter." "Don't you mean helicopter?" Joey says "Nope its a helichopter. I like how it sounds better." He says smiling. "That and it will chop up anything too." Tran says smiling. "Yeah see." Alejandro says giggling. "I think I wouldn't mind napping on a soft cot for a while." Eric says. "Is there a shower?" Tran asks. Everyone's ears perked up at the question and every head turned towards Denise. "Yes its around the corner....." All of them raced to the corner. "I'm first." Tran says. "Second!" Joey shouts. "You can go before me poppi." Alejandro looking up at Eric with his big brown eyes. "I wouldn't hear of it." He says and runs his hands through his boys hair. Joey and the boys were already stripping off their shirts and were pulling their shorts down. "I will just um wait outside here." Denise says. "Sorry they have no modesty. I guess its my fault." Eric says smiling. "No its refreshing. I just figured you would want privacy." She says slipping out the door. Eric starts laughing. "Whats so funny dad?" "You boys made a sailor blush." He says making them all laugh. Joey gets into the little shower stall first. He turns on the water and enjoys it. He scrubs his body and then uses the shampoo and loving it bubbling up in his hair. He rinses off and Tran gets in within seconds. They have formed a line. Joey dries off as Tran is soaping up. He puts his shorts back on and climbs on one of the bunks and lays back. Eric can still see his belly is still pretty full. Tran rinses off the soap after he washes and steps out. Alejandro steps in and washes his little frame and lathers up his hair three times. Just because it felt so good. Tran has also gotten into a bunk. Eric steps in after Alejandro finishes and he dries off and gets into a bunk as well. Eric takes his time and takes a good ten minute shower and then gets out. As he is drying off he hears the snores of three very tired very full boys. Eric smiles and thinks. I wouldn't want to beat them. But, I do want to join them. He slips on his shorts and slips into a bunk and is asleep in seconds. They are awakened in two hours by a knock on the door. "Yes come in." Eric says sitting up and clearing his throat. Denise the young sailor comes in carrying bottles of water in a bucket with ice. "I figured you would all be thirsty with all the salt in the food you ate without having any for a few weeks." "That's good thinking." Eric says taking a bottle and nearly draining it. The boys are groggy but, take one and do nearly the same thing. "I had to wake you the CO said its time for you guys to get ready to transfer ships." "Plus we got to get Jorge." Alejandro says sleepily. ""Yes and you guys have to get Jorge. I'm not sure he would make a good sailor. Denise says giggling. "Well, he wouldn't bonk his head like dad." "No I guess not." She says chuckling. Eric it seems has hit his head a minimum of ten times since being on board. "We better get going guys. Finish your water and get on your shirts." Eric says then he drains his bottle. The boys follow suit then go to pee. Eric didn't need to. But, after all the boys he figures he better just in case. Once they re done they go to the flight deck and the CO is there once again. They all chat briefly and Eric tells the CO how great Denise has been and the boys all thank him for sharing his ship with them. "You are very welcome guys. You can visit anytime we are in dock." "Thanks." They all say smiling Eric and the boys go to the "helichopter" And fly to the cruise line that is now just a few minute flight from them. Once they land on the deck of the passenger ship they step out of the helicopter and all of them give Denise a nice hug. Even Jorge got in on the hugging action. The captain of the ship met them when they landed and he had a ship worker take them to the brig to put Jorge back in holding. Jorge's quarantine isn't really working out like that. But, when they get to China, Eric will have no choice but, to turn him over to the Chinese government and they will no doubt keep him until the quarantine is over. Then wherever they are he will be shipped to them. The captain of the ship and Eric didn't hit it off at all. Eric thought he was an asshole and the captain felt Eric is just some rich prick. So there was no real love lost there. One they were shown to where they would be staying until they dock in China Eric was less then thrilled. It was one room with a bathroom and 4 beds. Two on each wall, a very small desk and a porthole. A small bathroom was connected to the room. Eric tried to get something bigger but, the captain said its just for a day. One thing that pissed off Eric. Because its not like he wanted it for free. Which is what the captain thought. So they weren't very happy with each other. However the boys did seem to like that you can eat anything pretty much all the time. When they landed and got things situated and Eric and the boys bought a couple new outfits on the ship. He just didn't feel that shorts a t shirt and flip flops are attire he wanted to stay in for very long in the real world. He felt uncomfortable in them and wanted a pair of slacks and an oxford. A polo at the very least. A decent pair of shoes So after paying twice what he usually would he and the boys had new outfits When they got to Japan he would get more. Might be fun shopping in Japan he thinks. Especially in Tokyo. Its like NYC he has heard. But, with shorter people. Once they were situated in their room and got another shower and new clothes on they went to the buffet line. Tran, Joey , and Alejandro got a pizza to share. Eric didn't want any and got a nice thick steak with a baked potato. The waiter asked if he wanted butter or sour cream. He opted for both. Once they got done eating Eric and the boys were pretty wiped out and went back to the cabin and went to bed. He knew when they woke they would either be docking in China or really close to it. Alejandro ended up sleeping with Eric in the what seemed to be smaller then twin sized bed. Eric complained in his head that the bed isn't big enough for one person let alone two. But, he wasn't about to tell his young son no. Hell if they all wanted to sleep with him they would have figured it out. When they woke up Eric was a little stiff. He had morning wood too. He went to the tiny ass bathroom and took care of business. Eric walks into the cabin and looks at it. "My closet is bigger then this room." He mumbles. "Mine too Ba." "I didn't mean to wake you." Eric whispers. "I was awake. I was just laying here thinking." "About what?" "Just everything. Its kinda weird Ba. But, I think I'm going to miss the island." "Its not weird. I think I will too. It wasn't luxurious by any means. But, it was nice just it being us. No outside distractions. Just us." "Yeah it was nice. When I get bigger I'm going to buy that island and live on it." "Really?" "Yeah. But, I will have a house and stuff too. I don't think I will live there all the time. Just like vacations and stuff." "Well, buddy to buy an island is a lot of money. I don't even know if I can afford it." "You an Ba. I saw a while back an island for sale for only 10 million dollars." "Only ten? Well, I better get two at that price." Eric says smiling "Well you know what I mean. Its not as much as you were thinking." "I'm sure it was a small island. But, if that's your dream son I certainly wont stand in the way of it. I will help you any way I can." "I know Ba." Eric sits down on his bed and Tran goes to pee. He starts to rub Alejandro's smooth little back and slowly waking him up. His eyes open and when he sees Eric he smiles. "Good morning Alejandro. Are you ready to start the day?" "I'm ready for some pancakes." He says groggily and wipes sleep from his eyes. "With blueberries?" "Of course silly." "I got to wake your brother." Eric says. "I got this." Tran says as he reenters the room. He walks over to Joeys bed and starts tickling him. Lets just say that Joey does not enjoy being awakened by tickling and let it be known with his harsh sounding voice to Tran. They all got dressed and went for breakfast. Eric found out that the ship will dock in about two hours. He figures his plan was almost perfect. But, this way they get breakfast so its better then he had actually planned. They all have blueberry pancakes and each have probably more then they should have and are feeling bloated from the pancakes. They head back to the cabin and wait. The family doesn't really want to be bothered. As people kept coming up to them telling them they are happy they survived. Which is nice. But, when you just want to eat pancakes. It gets bothersome. Eric took this time to call Joy on the phone in the cabin. It will cost a small fortune he figures. But, its the right thing to do. Its also the first chance he has had to call her. They talk for about 15 minutes and she is telling him how upset Lucas, (Her son) was he was missing classes and things like that. Eric told her to tell him to get his skinny butt back into classes that everything is fine and dandy. He told her that they are going to reschedule the last two concerts in the tour and would be home after visiting the farm. He told her probably a couple weeks. They shared their I love yous and their good byes and it was time to go into China. Amazingly they all still had their passports. They were in one of the boys bags. So gaining entry to China was not a problem. They found a very nice hotel and Eric signed the papers for Jorge and they took him to wherever they quarantine animals and it was a tearful separation for Alejandro. Though he understood now that it had to be done. Once they got to the suite Eric rented for him and the boys he looks around and sighs. "Guys I think I'm spoiled." Eric says. "Why you say that dad?" "Well, I was actually kind of pissed that we had such a tiny cabin. Then I get here and think this is better. I am a spoiled jerk anymore. I know that people have saved for years to get the accommodations that we had and it was actually fine. A little small but, fine. One of the things I guess I learned on the island is we just really don't need that much to survive." "True Ba but, you earned the right to be spoiled." "Have I? What about the guy or woman that works two jobs and has hardly enough time for sleep let alone anything else as they struggle to survive. Don't they deserve it more. I mean they worked a hell of a lot harder then me?" "Ba you know we don't need all this stuff. I know we don't need all this stuff. My brothers know we don't need all this stuff. But, it is nice." He says smiling. "I guess I'm having a bit of feeling I don't know. Like undeserving I guess. Feelings of guilt I suppose." "Ba I don't see why. On the way into the hotel you saw a homeless man and gave him some money. Come to think of it. How did you get money? Chinese even." "On the ship. I still have my wallet and cards. I got some Chinese currency because I knew we would need it for something." "Oh." "Poppi. You always take care of people. Just look at us we would be somewhere not being loved as much as we are with you. So you need to stop being stupid about stuff now." "Yeah dad stop being stupid." "Well, I don't know if I like being called stupid by my sons. But, you boys may be right." "We are poppi. You are a good person and you help lots of people. You always tell us the only reason to obtain wealth is to help others. I think that you do that pretty well." "Yeah Ba. I wouldn't begin to be able to guess how many people you help." "Yeah dad I mean look at your employees. You give them lots more then anyone else would." "I guess. I need a nap though. I got the pancake sleepies." "Yeah me too." Tran says. They decide to all take a nap and figure out what to do when they wake up.