Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2021 14:35:37 -0400
From: JJ Rockwood <jjrockwood000@gmail.com>
Subject: Zachary All Grown Up Chapter 71

Zachary All Grown Up    Chapter 71
By JJ                     [ jjrockwood000@gmail.com ]

NIFTY HAS GIVEN COUNTLESS HOURS OF ENTERTAINMENT TO ALL OF US OVER THE
PAST 12 MONTHS. GIVE WHAT YOU CAN TO KEEP THIS SITE FREE!!!

Chapter 71

It is Palm Sunday one week before Easter. Anthony never got a chance to
come down but he keeps insisting he will soon, I think he realizes he is
disappointing Zachary as much as me. But Becky and he have been looking
at houses they have narrowed it down to five that they like and can
afford with no problem. The closest is two minutes away and the furthest
on a bad day maybe twenty minutes. Andrea's mother-in-law has been very
helpful and has put their house on the market and also his in-laws. She
is in heaven that she is making a little extra money plus keeping busy.
Anthony and Becky looked at all the houses Saturday and put in bids on
three out of the five the other two were new construction.

Stephen wanted to come shopping with me but thankfully he slept in. I
wanted to get Zachary and his Easter stuff. The three older boys and the
adults are getting chocolate solid bunnies but I was going to do baskets
with candy these two liked. I got a chocolate bunny for Charlie too.
Zachary and I went to the cemetery to bring palm crosses for his mom's
and my wife's grave yesterday.

This shouldn't be a busy week at work it is the beginning of a new
quarter but with having Good Friday off there will still be work Saturday
for whoever wants it. Charley is flying up Thursday morning and will stay
with Anthony's family till Saturday night then he stays with me till he
flies out next Tuesday morning. Zachary thinks I should take off next
Monday to spend the day with him one on one.

Monday (tomorrow) will be a big shopping day for the grandparents and
Maria is happy that Andrea is here to do all the traditional baking for
the holiday with her. If oyu think Christmas is bad with us Italians I
think Easter may be worse. I ordered 30 lamb chops for Easter
dinner there will be ten of us so that would be three each they are
always good for leftovers. Andrea is making a ham and stuffed shells and
the sides except I'm doing the sweet potatoes. Andrea and Maria are
making the stuffed shells and freezing them today. I think Stephen and
Zachary are helping so I can get their baskets made and hidden. From
Wednesday to Friday they will be baking everything from pizza chiena
to ricotta, wheat, and cream pies plus the Easter breads or panettones.
We all will be involved with the prep work for some of this.

Luckily when I get in the boys are busy making pancakes, bacon and
setting the island. I hid the candy downstairs before they even noticed
it. Zachary was teaching Stephen how to cook pancakes. I asked 'What time
did you guys get up?' and Stephen answered '8:40 or twenty to nine if you
like it that way.' He has gotten good at telling time between Maria, DJ,
Zachary and me that is all we quiz him on with the book I gave him. On
the other hand he sucks at tying his sneakers and I heard him tell
Zachary the other day 'What's the big deal soon I will be wearing only
sliders.' Zachary answered him 'You can't wear sliders to school.'
Stephen just shrugged it off. I asked 'Who wants eggs with their
pancakes?' I hadn't noticed the pan already on the stove Zachary told me
he would do it he needed practice with the eggs he added they are either
overcooked or undercooked.  I told him I would guide him. As we sat
eating I asked them what time they had to be across the street. They both
answered 'I don't know.' And then they laughed Zachary says 'I figure
after she gives my Poppy lunch so he can go to the club.' I told them
both to make sure they take some fruit with them in case they get hungry
and Stephen said 'We don't have too Noni has Halos.'

I got up to start cleaning and Zachary asked Stephen 'Do you want to help
Jared with the kitchen or me upstairs?' Stephen answered 'I'm gonna help
Papa we didn't talk this morning or go shopping together.' Zachary looked
at me and smiled and went upstairs. Stephen got on a stool next to me at
the sink and helped me wash. He asked 'How come you didn't wake me up?' I
lied and told him 'I tried but you buried yourself under the blankets
like Zachary does so I let you sleep.' It was a partial lie, Stephen
never moved when I got up this morning and getting dressed and so I let
him sleep.

While we were cleaning up I had Stephen answer my phone and put it on
speaker. It was Anthony and he and Stephen talked for a few minutes with
Stephen telling him about breakfast and what he had to do the rest of the
day and how he didn't get to go out with me in the morning. Anthony tells
Stephen he used to do the same things with me when he was his age.
Stephen was in awe. Anthony says the reason why he was calling that they
are moving a few streets away from us their bid was accepted. I asked
'Are you happy all this happened so fast?' Anthony said 'Believe it or
not Becky wants to move away from here she never really liked the area it
was too far from everything. If it wasn't for my in-laws we would have
moved long ago.' I said 'I am very happy you will be close to me.'
Anthony also told me that the real estate market must still be hot
because his in-laws and he have a few showings this week too. Zachary
came down with laundry and said 'Hi' to Anthony. Anthony says 'I am
coming down soon for some guy time I promise.' Stephen asks 'Can I come
too?' I answer 'Will see it might be too late for you.' Anthony also told
me that Charley texted his flight number and arrival info and said 'Jared
I hope he likes us and the area and wants to stay here.'  I say 'Anthony
we are giving him an option to get away from Michael that is all we can
do. The rest is on him.'

Stephen helped Zachary with the laundry while I got things ready for the
upcoming work week. I was doing a little cooking for the week and Stephen
started yawning I suggested he go take a nap before he went across the
street I was surprised I didn't get an argument. Once he was sound asleep
on the couch. Zachary attacked me and dragged me downstairs into the
cellar.

Zachary lay down on the weight bench and pulled me on top of him. We were
both hard instantly. He was moaning and whimpering while we were kissing.
I was turned on by the idea we could get caught. I told him 'Let me get
up and get the lube.' He let go of me and I went up to the kitchen to get
the cocoa butter and grabbed a towel, by the time I got back downstairs
he just put his sweatshirt over his head but still was wearing it an I
did the same, ha had taken his sweats off. Zachary lubed himself and
yanked my sweats down and I mounted him. With us being on the bench he
was able to really wrap himself around me. It didn't take long for us to
come. I was still hard when I pulled out. He stood up and propped himself
against steps and shoved his ass out and I knew what he wanted and I
mounted him again. Zachary was moaning and getting loud and I took his
sweatshirt and covered his mouth with it as he whimpered and bit on it. I
tweaked and squeezed his nipples and I knew that I was leaving a 'love
bite on his neck. With my other hand I slowly was jerking him off all I
could hear was his moans , whimpers, and the sloshing sound coming from
his butt. He still had my first load in him and his hole was twitching
like crazy. Zachary ass was clamping around my cock and I knew he was on
the verge of blowing again. He went wild and I could feel his cock
release I was nowhere near ready so I kept pumping away at him. Zachary
whimpered and cried I whispered in his ear if he wanted me to stop and he
shook his head no. I pounded away for a while enjoying the warmth of his
ass, he was hard again and telling me not to stop. But I'm only human and
I couldn't hold off any longer. I sat down on the bench and put him on my
lap and he was sweating and face was tear stained. I got scared and asked
if I hurt him and made him stand up and bent him over and looked at his
butthole he was a little red but no rawness or blood. Zachary assured me
he was fine the tears were happy tears. He then whispered this was our
third best time. I laughed we sat and kissed I told him to go shower give
me the dirty clothes and I will clean up down here. There was lube and
cum on the bench there was his cum on the floor and I was covered with
cum and lube.

He showered fast and got dressed then I ran in and showered. As I was
drying off I told him to start waking Stephen he had already been
sleeping over an hour. I looked at clock and it almost 1:30. I had
Stephen wash up and brush his teeth and give me his pajamas I had another
load of laundry now with everything that just happened. Stephen came down
gave me a kiss and he and Zachary headed across the street.

As soon as they were across the street I went up the attic looking for
Easter baskets. I found two decent ones and went downstairs. I got the
grass and filled them with the candy and a few little incidentals I got
them. I figured this would be one of the last years for Stephen to
believe in the Easter bunny. I wrapped them up in cellophane I still had
and put them in the closet of the other bedroom upstairs.

I had lunches set for two days and the other two days would be leftovers.
I put together a turkey meatloaf for supper all I had to do was sides. I
put the meatloaf in the oven now it was time for me to take a nap. It was
almost three when I got on the couch. I got to sleep almost forty minutes
when my phone went off it was Anthony again.

Anthony knew he woke me by the way I answered and started to apologize
and said he would call back and I assured him it was fine. I asked 'Is
anything wrong?' He laughed and said 'I just got off the phone with Marci
and I couldn't wait to call you. She was afraid to call you; she thinks
you have become a very stubborn volatile person in your old age.' He is
laughing hard. I asked 'Are you serious?' and started to chuckle myself.
Anthony goes 'First things first then we will get into that. It seems our
brother Michael doesn't like the idea of having our reunion where he has
to pay, if we are not having it at either his or Sarah's he doesn't want
to do it. I hope oyu don't mind but I told Marci to go herself that you
and I weren't going to do that.'

I said 'You did the right thing what makes that little dickhead think he
is going to make money on us.' Now explain the rest.' Anthony says 'Don't
interrupt me till I'm finished. After I said that to her Marci says Jared
has changed and of course you are changing too but you always side with
him anyways. The old Jared would have gone along with it so the five of
us would be together.' (I'm laughing now myself) Anthony says 'I hope you
don't get mad but I spoke for you again. I asked her 'Are you as fucked
up as those two down there?' Jared has changed how because he isn't going
to coddle us anymore wipe our noses and give in to keep peace he is no
longer the mother duck. Who took care of Mommy and Dad? Him and I, who
cleaned out that house? You think he has changed of course he has changed
he tired of wiping all your fucking spoiled asses and yes I agree with
him I will always agree with him and before you read anything into this
both of us never had a problem of taking care of our parents it was the
least we could do for what they did for us.'

I was beaming with pride my little brother got me he understood me
completely. I said 'Thank you I couldn't have said it better myself. I
hope this doesn't hurt your relationship with Marci as far as I'm
concerned I have no problem writing her off too. This may sound selfish
but I have my daughter and grandsons here, you are going to be down here
soon, and of course there is Zachary.' Anthony replied 'It is not selfish
at all I don't care if she stops bothering with me too. I told her she
should still go and visit with Sarah and even Michael. I was so pissed I
didn't even tell her we bought a house and were definitely moving. You
can hit me if you want but I am glad you stuck by your guns Jared you
could always be kind of a 'Pollyanna' and for that matter so can I. I
roared saying 'That is true but that was how I was raised our parents
really wanted us all to get along until they realized that it wasn't
meant to be.' Anthony says 'I know and so did I but I was happy just
being with you and even now you are the only family I am concerned
about.' I then added 'Good thing we didn't tell her about Charley or me
telling her about Zachary, I guess that shortens my wedding guest list.'
We both laughed at that. I then asked 'So how did you leave it with her?'
Anthony continued 'I told her to tell them it is off that it isn't going
to happen and if they ask why just say what the hell is wrong to going to
a place to be served where no one has to worry about cooking or cleaning
up that was it in a nutshell and I told her again she should go herself
and have fun and also she didn't have to call me back there is nothing to
discuss the whole idea is over with.' I asked 'Did she say anything to
that?' Anthony laughed and said 'She asked me you won't go? I told her
hey this was Jared's idea not mine and I agreed with where it should be
held I don't want to sit in someone's backyard. You can call Jared after
you talk to them again if you want I'm done. Marci just said okay and
hung up.'

I again apologized if I put a strain in his relationship with Marci.
Anthony laughed and told me something I didn't know was that Marci was a
die-hard Republican, so they have been at odds the past 4-plus years. He
also added he talks to me more than her anyway she is the one who calls
him whereas he is always calling me.

I laughed and he said 'That would prove to anyone we don't gossip about
our siblings. You know Jared I really can't wait to move down there and
see more of you. You are my big brother and I do miss you at times.' I
replied 'Boo stop you are going to make me this stubborn volatile guy
cry. You know I am always here for you right?'

Anthony quietly says 'Yes I do and excuse me for getting sappy
but I always miss Mom around these holidays (Easter, Thanksgiving,
Christmas). She and Dad always made the holidays so special for us kids.
He started to cry quietly. I told him to let it out, he needed too. The
tears were streaming down my own face while I listened to him sob,
wishing I was there to comfort him. I talked him to softly telling him it
was going to be alright that as time passed the hurt would get less and
less. I told him it will never go away it just becomes bearable. But when
you look at your kid's faces or as I do with him and Stephen you will
find peace. Anthony apologized again for being this big ex-jock and
carrying on like a wuss. I laughed and said 'You can cry on my shoulder
anytime, you always did since you were born. Go wash your face and go
talk to your boys. I will talk to you during the week. I love you little
brother.' Anthony answered 'Love you too and Thanks.'

To be honest I couldn't wait for him and his family to move close as I
stated before he was like a son more than a brother. I got up and went to
the kitchen and I heard the other two 'brothers' come up on the deck.
Laughing and talking they come through the back door and Stephen comes
right over and hugs me. Stephen says 'Papa we finished you should see all
the stuff shells we made. There are trays and trays of them.' I asked
'How many?' Stephen looked at Zachary and answered 'It was an even 100.'
Zachary nodded that was the number. Then Stephen added 'But Maria and Mom
made some more so Mario, you, me, and Zachary can have them for supper
today.' I asked 'What about your Dad and brothers?' Stephen answers 'Mom
got a roast beef in the oven for them and I don't really like that. I get
to eat here.' Zachary said 'They made four trays of twenty-five each, one
for each of them for Easter and the other two would be saved for a meal
later. They made a dozen for us and six for Noni and Poppy.' I told them
both there was meatloaf and they both said 'No.' I was set for lunch and
supper this week now.

I said 'I guess you guys are ready to eat. Anyone want a salad with their
meal?' They said 'Yes' and they proceeded to make it while I proceeded to
heat up the stuff shells. I asked Stephen 'What did he do to help with
the shell making?' Stephen explained 'Noni boiled them Zachary and Mom
mixed the cheese with eggs and green stuff in this big bowl. I said
'Parsley'and Stephen nodded  Then Zachary took these shell things out of
the boiling water to cool I couldn't touch them they were very hot and
Zachary was the only one tall enough to take them out. When they were
cool Noni and Mom had these big plastic bags with these metal things on
the end. They had one for each of us. They put that cheese stuff in the
bag and we had to squeeze the bag to get it out to fill the shells. I did
all the ones Noni, Mario and us are eating tonight.'

I hadn't seen the shells yet they were covered in the oven heating up.
Zachary said 'It didn't take us long at all. The bags were a good idea it
took us almost two hours from start to finish.' Stephen added 'Everything
is cleaned and put away. Noni and Mom are happy.' When the shells came
out of the oven I was surprised they looked so good they were kind of
overfilled but who doesn't like ricotta? Being me I did have to ask 'Hey
you two, you guys did wash your hands before you made these right?'
Zachary nudged Stephen before he started to answer and said 'No we peed
and pooped and farted and forgot to wash our hands.' Stephen was sitting
there not knowing what to do I know he didn't want to lie to me and
nodded in agreement. I went 'Oh gross I think I will just have salad.'
Stephen looked at Zachary then me 'Duh Papa of course we did Noni would
have never let us near the table.'

I was telling Zachary about the phone call from Anthony. Stephen yells
'Papa when is Uncle Anthony coming down again. I like him he is like you,
he told me he has sons too.' I answered 'I'm not sure but in a month or
so we will see him a lot because he is moving close by.' Stephen asked
'Real close?' I answered 'Only a few streets away.' Stephen yelled
'Woohoo!'

Zachary got quiet and I knew the reason. While Stephen ran to the
bathroom, I got up and went behind him and held him. I whispered 'I know
you feel like you created this whole mess sincerely you didn't I think
you helped confirm what was in the back of my mind all along. I sat back
down and told him what Marci told Anthony about me 'changing' and the
answer Anthony gave her back. I told him it was actually kind of freeing
for both of us. So don't beat yourself up over it.' At that Stephen
laughed at that, he likes it when I yell at Zachary or DJ. Zachary looked
at him and asked 'Has Papa ever yelled at you?' Stephen smugly replies
'No' and made a face at him. I thought to myself I'm living my life all
over again that was Anthony.

I told them let's clean-up if you want to dessert it is getting late and
we have to shower yet and looking at Stephen you have to get home (much
to his dismay) you have to get up early to go food shopping. Stephen told
us he was going to be with Mario while Noni and his Mom shop. They
cleaned up while I got our lunches ready there were enough shells for the
both of us. I went up and got our gym and work clothes and by the time I
was finished so were day. Tonight they were having Klondike bars and I
had a pear. Zachary asked Stephen 'Do you make a list for the Easter
bunny?' Stephen looked at him and went 'Duh he is not Santa where you ask
for stuff the Easter bunny only brings candy and maybe some little game
or something.' Zachary says 'I always made a list I would get things like
a bike or a football or something.' Stephen goes 'Really?' Zachary
replies 'No I was just teasing you, but if you could what would you ask
for?' Stephen says 'I thought so, you are a swamp butt but if I could I
would ask for a TV and a dvd player for my room.' Zachary says 'Maybe
before school gets out we will go shopping for them you have all that
money still in your bank. I'm thinking right now you have the TV all to
yourself everyone else is in school. But when school gets out you will
have to share.' Stephen looked at him and said 'You will do that with
me?' Zachary says 'Of course I wouldn't have said it.'

I said 'Let's get going it is time for oyu to go home.' Stephen hugged
Zachary and told him 'Goodnight' and when we got outside he whispers
'Papa can we go the long way?' I just smiled and we went down the street.
On the way Stephen asked 'Before I start school can I stay at your house
for a few days like I did before?' I asked 'Why you live right here?' He
answered 'It is not the same as waking up there and sometimes I need a
break from my brothers it can get loud.' I had to keep myself from
laughing thinking to myself you're a five going twenty-five. I answered
him 'Of course you can I was going to suggest it myself but I didn't want
to take you from your new room.'

I went inside and they were having dessert and Stephen to my surprise
didn't want anything. I sat and had coffee with Sr. and Andrea. Sr. liked
his job the place was small but was growing and they were busy for tax
season and he had enough clients for the rest of the year. They have
bought a new Expedition and he is getting a fairly new truck next
Wednesday. The house is finished so Andrea is concentrating on getting a
job even though Sr. says they can live on his salary, but she can afford
to get something now that doesn't involve every weekend.

I told her about Anthony moving a few streets away and she was happy her
sons would have a chance to get to know more family all the boys will be
attending the same middle and high school. Sr. asked about our reunion
and I laughed and repeated the story again. Andrea then says 'Hopefully
you and Uncle can persuade Charlie to stay here.' I told my grandsons
goodnight a got a hug and Thank you from Stephen and left. I got home we
took a shower got off and were in bed early.

The week flew by Zachary was over with Maria almost every night either
kneading dough or doing other prep work. I got the lamb chops on Monday
and froze them till I needed to marinate them on Saturday. Our work was
quiet but I was letting whoever wanted to work the Saturday could. I told
Jim I might be off Monday, he said no problem.

Charley arrived at Bradley early Thursday morning. Anthony liked him
right away meaning he felt very protective of him. Once he landed Anthony
took him to two of the nursing homes he deals with and showed him around
and then took him to his office and had him sit in on the three patients
he had for the day. There weren't any appointments at the office for Good
Friday and he only had three at each of the nursing home. There was never
any therapy on the weekends. Anthony showed him UCONN and took him out to
lunch. By the time they got home the boys were just getting in from
school and Becky would be home in an hour. Anthony told Charley to nap
take a shower if he wanted just relax till supper. Anthony texted me
'This kid is nothing like Michael I want to adopt him. He didn't think it
took Charlie long to feel comfortable.' Anthony gave Charlie the option
of staying home and explore the area himself on Friday or he can come and
help him at work if he wanted too. Charlie opted to go and help Anthony
to see if he liked this type of physical therapy. All in all Anthony felt
that they had a good two and half days together, Charlie fit right in
with Becky and the boys and they never brought up Michael. So Anthony
assumed it would fall on me and snickered saying 'You are the big bro/dad
figure.'

It was decided that Charley would fly back out of White Plains it was not
only cheaper but more convenient seeing he was with me now. Charley also
decided he was going to rent a car to come down to stay with me and also
to drive to the airport. I figured that this could also be his alone time
and if he wanted to check out the area he could. Charlie was also an
early riser like Anthony and I and he was at my house by 7:15 Saturday
morning. I had just finished working out and was ready to shower when he
arrived. I gave him a coffee and asked him about breakfast and he told me
Anthony and he had coffee before he left. I brought him up to
Zachary's/Stephen's room and had him stow his stuff. Whether or not he
could hear Zachary's whistle I wasn't sure but told him to give me twenty
minutes and I would be all his. Charlie was warm and friendly, (Anthony
was right) and he told me to take my time he had things to look up on is
phone.

I showered and got dressed and Charlie was semi spaced out on the couch.
I put on coffee and started oatmeal. When he snapped out of it I motioned
for him to sit with me at the island. I gave him coffee, oatmeal, and an
English muffin with butter and honey. I asked him 'What do you think of
Connecticut so far could you settle here for a while?' Charlie liked what
he saw so far up where Anthony lived and I laughed and told him it was
okay but I liked it better around here and he might too. Charlie thanked
me again for letting him visit, I told him family does for family. He
said 'I'm sorry the reunion isn't working out.' I said 'Hey I tried but
I'm fine with it.' Charlie then said 'Do you mind if I ask why?' I asked
'What did your Uncle say?' Charlie answered 'We really didn't talk about
that much with everything that we had to do; he just said it wasn't
happening.' I looked at him and asked 'Can I be honest with you?' Charlie
nodded. I told him the story how it was told to me. With a big laugh
Charlie just said 'I'm not surprised. My dad is tight when it comes to
certain things.' I looked at him and said 'I'm not here to belittle your
Dad he is your Dad and he is my brother but ask anything you want to
know. To be perfectly honest I hope you decide to move north.' Charley
looked happy to hear that. Anthony showed Charley a lot of family photos
when we were young, he said 'If my Dad has any we never saw them.'

We were there about an hour when Zachary came down the stairs. Charlie
was surprised and Zachary went right up to him shook his hands and
introduced himself. Charlie looked a little shell shocked. I told him
there were a couple of muffins in the oven and oatmeal. I told Charlie
that I have known Zachary since he was four years old and how we work
together and he lives here and his grandparents live across the street.
Zachary says to Charlie 'Your Uncle Jared is like a dad, big brother,
mentor all in one.' I laughed 'That's it there is nothing else?' Now
Zachary looked shell shocked and I let him know that it was okay. Zachary
looked at me smiling and said to Charlie 'Oh yeah and he is my future
husband.' Charlie just looked and Zachary got next to me and we kissed.

I said 'Charlie we just let you in on something only a few people know.
That is my kids, his dad and grandparents and your Uncle Anthony not even
his wife or my grandchildren know. I am assuming you are mature enough to
respect it also and keep it to yourself.' Charlie looked at us and said
'Unc you have no fear with me saying anything.'

Just then my phone went off, I showed it to Zachary and he went to the
front window and watched and announced Stephen was with Eric who brought
him across the street. I got out another bowl I always make a lot of
oatmeal. There was a knock at the door and I said 'Come in it is open.'
Stephen comes in with a hoodie and his ski hat on and looks at Charlie
and says 'Hey I know you we are cousins.' Charlie smiles and says 'That's
right.' Zachary goes 'Woohoo look at you in your new hoodie, damn I have
good taste.' Stephen just puffed out his chest and smiled. I asked 'Do
you want oatmeal and a muffin?' Stephen answered 'Yes please I waited to
come here to eat.' I asked if anyone else wanted oatmeal. I sat and
Stephen got on the stool next to me to eat. Stephen asked 'Charlie are
you going to move here too?'  I was happy to hear Charlie say 'I'm pretty
sure I am.

I told Charlie that he was more than welcome to stay here with me even
before he gets a job and decides which end of the state he wants to live
at. Stephen pipes up and says 'Papa has plenty of room; you can stay in
Zachary and my room. You don't want to sleep with either one of them one
snores and the other has a whistle. I looked at him and said 'Didn't you
just tell me the other night you want to sleep over that you miss it.'
Stephen says 'I did Papa but that won't be till you are on vacation.'
Charlie says 'My older brother has a whistle.' Stephen and he laugh. I
asked Charlie if there was anyplace he wanted to see and he said no
that until he decided which way he was going it wasn't necessary he
already looked at the colleges nearby on his phone. I then asked if
Stephen and he wanted to go to the cemetery with Zachary and me to plant
flowers. I asked Charlie if he remembered his grandparents and he told me
a little that he only saw them a few times when they came down to visit
he never remembers coming up here. Charlie told Zachary and Stephen that
his Uncle Anthony and I look like his grandfather where as his dad took
more after his grandmother. I told him he was built like his dad but
resembled both his parents.

I told them we would be there a good hour if not more. I asked Charlie if
he had any track pants that it would be kind of messy, he was in jeans,
If not we have plenty that would fit him. He said he brought plenty
figuring he would be going out for runs. Stephen piped up and told him
Papa and Zachary run and he has a treadmill downstairs. I said go and
Change and Stephen you know what you have to do and he went to the
bathroom and Zachary and I cleaned up. We left after I visited the
bathroom.

This was the first time Stephen had been to the cemetery since he was
little. We planted tulips at my parents, Zachary's mom, and my wife
Carol. Stephen said Zachary 'Do you miss your Mom?' Zachary explained to
him 'I was 4 years old when my Mom died and I don't really remember that
much about her but I had Noni, your grandmother Carol, and your Papa to
always make me feel safe and loved and never sad.' Stephen says to him 'I
don't remember my Noni at all was she nice?' Zachary tells 'Oh boy yes
she did things with me just like a Mom would, she played catch with me
and would shoot baskets. I was over with her just the way you are always
over with my Noni.' He whispered to Zachary 'Was Papa sad when she went
to heaven?' Zachary nodded 'But I came over every day to see him and your
Mom and Uncle Chris were around too.' Stephen said 'That was good.'
Charlie and I just listened to the two and kept working. When we got to
my parents Stephen asked 'These are Uncle Anthony and your parents?' I
answered 'Your great grandparents.' He looked confused and Charlie did a
good job of explaining it. We were there almost two hours and put 18
tulips plants in the ground.

On the way back I showed them where Anthony's new house was. I showed
Stephen the school he would be going to in September and he remembered it
was where we went sled riding. He told Charlie his sled was in the garage
that Zachary bought him. We got home and I made tuna salad and a green
salad for lunch. After lunch Stephen was sent home to nap and Zachary
went over to Maria's to help her do a few things before tomorrow. I
marinated the lamb chops and I hoped Charlie liked them and he did. I
decided to give Charlie a treat with takeout pizza for supper.

As I was working on the lamb chops Charlie sat at the island and watched
me. I told him if he wanted to he could go stay with Andrea and Stephen
could stay here if the gay thing bothered him. He laughed and said Uncle
Jared 'I am gay.' Charlie looked at me and said 'Can I ask you how, why,
and what not. You were married, you have kids and grandkids. Neither you
or Zachary come off as being gay.' I told him how Zachary was like a son
or little brother to me there was always a bond, etc. I explained how
Zachary came out to me, the two year wait, etc. (basically everything you
longtime readers know) Until I kissed him I never knew that it would be
possible I fell in love with him. On Christmas Eve he proposed to me then
went on to explain all that about work, etc.

Then I said 'To be honest when Marci, Anthony and I went out a few weeks
ago to eat, she told us how your Aunt Sarah told her in confidence that
your dad was not happy about you being gay and how he wanted you to move.
We told Marci what we were planning and that is why we have reached out
to you to give you a shot of escaping if you wanted it. We weren't going
to bring it up unless you did. Don't forget we were getting this story
second or third hand. But it also opened up my eyes about my brother and
two sisters if they would accept me. I figured if you were comfortable in
who you were you would tell me after meeting Zachary and if you didn't
that would be your problem. The only problem I would have with is my
grandchildren finding out right now they are too young to grasp it or
have to deal with stupid society because of me. Charlie got up and we
hugged and I told him he was safe and loved here.

I had decided we would have a big breakfast tomorrow seeing that dinner
wouldn't be till at least 2-2:30 tomorrow. I asked Charley if he liked
French toast, bacon, eggs. Charley says going away to college he learned
to eat everything.

I asked if he was dating or anything telling him other than Zachary that
neither one have been exposed to the gay life. I told him about the few
people we had met in Maine. Charlie explained that similar to Zachary he
knew by 10 he liked men not boys men. He never acted upon it till he went
away to college and in his second year he met this senior a big hulking
football player. They dated for a year then for six months after the guy
graduated.

Charlie goes 'Uncle it was all sex he was handsome, masculine, Italian,
and a good person. We might still be together if he was closer, he was
offered a job that he couldn't refuse. By the time I graduated 18 months
later he was in a serious relationship. It was never really a love thing
and then I dated a grad student for a while and that lasted only a few
months, I didn't realize he was telling everyone my business and it was
because of him my Dad questioned me and I didn't lie and that was little
over a year ago. My Mom and older brother Kyle have no problem with it
but my Dad just went nuts.'

I told 'Charlie, I really don't know your Mom she always was nice to my
family and me. Once they got married your Dad wanted to move away. I
don't know what went sour between us but I don't think about it and don't
feel guilty anymore.'

Charlie replies 'My Dad never really talked about family to be honest
other than Aunt Sarah. Kyle and I always forgot that we had family in
Connecticut. But when Uncle Anthony reached out it was like a godsend. I
can't thank you guys enough.'

I asked 'Does anyone know you are here? Anthony and I figured if your Dad
he would maybe try to stop you even though you are 28. He does really
dislike Anthony and me.'

Charlie answered 'Only Kyle knows he is having Easter at his house. Oh
yeah he is married with a baby girl. Believe me my Dad will be relieved
I'm not there. This way he doesn't have to make small talk. Kyle hopes it
works out for me here and is very happy for me even though we will be
apart. The only consolation is my Dad and him don't get along that well
either. My Dad isn't happy with Kyle's job, wife, in-laws, or even
house basically any of the choices we have made in life'

I laughed and said 'My brother Michael hasn't changed one bit. He was
always whiney and miserable as a kid. I would try my damn ness to make
him laugh or be happy. But your Mom did, does she still? What does he do
for a living?'

Charlie smiled 'She is the only person he listens to. As I got older I
realized he is a person that should have never had kids. It interrupts
his life with my Mom.

I laughed 'Unfortunately some people are like that. Don't feel too bad
I'm sure your dad cares about you boys in his way.'

He works for Cracker Barrel he is in purchasing dept. been there almost
30 years. He laughed and said you guys could have had your reunion at one
of those they are all over the place.'
I looked at him 'Seriously we would have been more than happy with that.
We didn't want anything fancy but not in a backyard.'

Charlie cut up the challah bread and defrosted it as I put together the
filling for the French toast. I told him we are having real pizza
tonight. I got an idea I have some old family movies from when the five
of us were small I had them transferred to dvds. I keep forgetting about
them I don't think Zachary has ever seen them I know I had two sets made
and Anthony has the other. That will be something to watch after supper.
Charlie, Zachary, and Stephen can see some family history. After I put
the French toast together Charlie helped me cleanup and was going to nap.
I went in search of the dvds I knew exactly where they were.

I had the pizza ordered and would have Zachary pick it up or I would take
Charlie for a ride to get it. I figured six was a good time to eat. I
found the dvds there was almost 3 hours of film it was from my birth
till about 17-18 meaning Anthony was about 5-6 when my parents stopped
taking the movies. I just got on the couch when Zachary came in and got
on top of me. I told him about the pizza, movies and my talk with
Charlie. Zachary says 'He is a nice guy hopefully he can find someone if
and when he moves up here.' I think we slept for maybe twenty minutes
when my phone rang. Of course it was Stephen and he wanted to know if he
could come over for supper. I laughed and asked 'Why are you asking?'
Stephen whispered 'Mom is making me. She said that is the right thing to
do.' I answered 'Okay you can come and I guess that is a good habit to
get into.'

Charlie came down with a bottle of champagne and wine to chill for dinner
tomorrow. I was impressed and told him he didn't have to and thanked him.
Just then Stephen came through the back door. I asked 'Who walked you
over?' He said 'Stuart this time. He wasn't happy and Mom told him get
over it how long will it take and you need to get some air.' Then he
laughed 'Papa he is going to end up going blind and wearing glasses.' I
asked 'Where are the other two?' Stephen laughed again 'Eric is helping
Mom set the big table for tomorrow and DJ is in his room on the phone
with his girlfriend.' I asked 'How is that going?' Stephen says 'I'm not
sure there aren't any 'love bites' yet.' Zachary asks 'How do you know?'
Stephen goes 'Hell-o DJ and I wash up together in the morning and at
night. Sometimes he reads to me in bed and sometimes I wake him up by
farting on him. There isn't too much I don't see. Papa I told you he has
a hairy butt like you.' Charlie and Zachary are taking it all in and
looking like they are shitting their pants. Stephen heads to the bathroom
and they both ask 'How do you keep a straight face?' I tell them this is
all second hand to me it is like deja vu. It is Anthony and I all over
again.'

Charlie asked if he could use the treadmill and I told him of course, you
have a good hour and a half before we eat. He went up to change and came
back Stephen asked if he could watch him and Charlie told him if you
want. They went downstairs. I told Stephen to show Charlie the TV and
music if he wanted it on. Stephen came up and told us 'Papa you should
see Charlie run it is like the way the deer run so light and easy. You,
Zachary, and DJ don't run like that. He doesn't make any noise on the
treadmill. Listen you can't even hear him on the treadmill' You can see
he was impressed. I said 'That is because he is a runner I bet Eric and
Stuart would be the same if they took up cross country in high school.'
Zachary asked Stephen if he wanted to go with him to get the pizza. He
refused once he heard he still had to be in the car seat. This is getting
to be a problem with him I'm going to have to weigh him soon. While we
were sitting there I looked it up, Stephen is going to be disappointed.
He will be in a booster seat till he is four feet tall or weigh 120
pounds the only good thing he can go into a backless booster seat now.

Charlie came up and I told Stephen to show him where the towels are.
Stephen let him know he likes the way he runs and if he won any races.
Charlie told him a few and when he moves up he will show him the scrap
book his Mom made for him. By the time he showered and changed the pizza
was here.

Charlie liked the pizza there is nothing like this down south. His Mom
makes good pizza and sauce and this was close to hers. Stephen wanted to
start watching the home movies. I said 'No laughing either at how we all
looked.' Stephen looked at Zachary and Charlie as if to say humor the old
man.

Needless to say there were only three slices left from the two large
pizzas. For dessert there were Klondike bars, Maria with all the Easter
baking she was doing she did not make any sugar cookies this week for the
boys.

Once they cleaned up we settled in the living room. First off Stephen was
annoyed there was no sound, so you couldn't hear what we were saying. I
haven't seen them in years and didn't realize the first dvd mostly me
then Michael. Stephen got a big kick of seeing me being given a bath at a
few months old. Then it was my 2nd birthday, me running around at the
beach with my dad, being on swings playing in the yard where we first
lived. Christmas time and Easter then Michael came along. It showed us
outside, sledding, Christmas morning, etc. Michael always looked
indifferent you would see various relatives bouncing him and what not
trying to make him laugh. We did play good together trucks or cowboys.
Then it was Sarah and the movies were basically the first day of school,
Christmas morning and Easter. There was mom cooking and baking with Sarah
and Michael and I with our dad out in the garden. It showed the three of
us at the beach Sarah hated it she didn't like getting sand on her, but
Michael and I were always in the water.

Then Marci and Anthony came along and it was again the first day of
school Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The only other
things my dad took movies of if he had a project going. Michael and I
were shown having to decorate the outside for Christmas he seemed to
enjoy that. The girls were with my Mom making cookies and you can see
that Sarah was not happy getting dirty my mom would be rolling her eyes
and laughing. Anthony would be outside with us boys once he started to
walk. Michael only dealt with him if he had to. Other than that Anthony
was with me. Anthony would walk around in my cowboy or work boots. The
last were of us three boys putting up the lights outside I was already
out of high school and working, Michael had to be a senior in high
school. I was driving a truck and I had gotten I think the last real tree
we had. Anthony was in the front seat. Stephen yelled 'How come he is not
in a booster seat and where is your seat belt?' I told him 'In those days
you didn't need them.'

The next two scenes was Christmas morning and my dad shot my mom making
pancakes and bacon, the two girls still sleeping, Michael sleeping flat
on his back like he always did. Anthony's bed was empty it was undone,
and then you followed my dad going up the stairs. In my room there I was
sleeping on my side shirtless and goes around the other side of my bed
and Anthony is up against me holding on sleeping. My dad must have bumped
into something because Anthony woke up smiled and went back to sleep.
Stephen commented 'Papa you didn't have much hair on your chest and where
are the toys?' He asked Charlie 'Is that your dad you kind look the
same.' but he meant built wise. When we all sledding he yelled 'Papa
that's the sled you still got.'

Then there were all of us opening presents. Stephen goes 'You guys got a
lot of stuff what are those things? (Record albums and 45's) Anthony got
toys he got a tricycle, Legos (Wow they had Legos then), some other
games. I got him a pair of cowboy boots. Then my dad took a shot of the
house lit up outside, the tree, and other stuff. Stephen said 'Papa you
got a manger like that.' I told him 'It was the same one.' He just went
'Wow.'

Charlie says 'That is one thing my Dad still does he always makes
Christmas a big thing. Our house is decorated outside and till we went to
college we always had a real tree. So I guess there is some of his
childhood that has rubbed off on him. He loves the water we do have a
pool.' Stephen says 'Papa you and Uncle Anthony were always together like
DJ and I are.' I replied 'We still are and you and DJ should always be
too.'

It was almost 9pm and I told Stephen it was time to go it was late and he
better sleep in tomorrow. Stephen asked 'Can I come for breakfast?' I
answered 'It is Easter you should have breakfast with your family, but if
your Mom says it's okay you can.' Then he asked 'Will you and Zachary
walk me home so you are not by yourself when you come back.' Zachary said
'OK.' Then Stephen asked 'Charlie would you like to come too?' Charlie
answered 'I'm kind of tired do you mind if I just went to bed.' Stephen
seemed a little disappointed but said 'Ok.' We all said goodnight to
Charlie and left.

We set off across the street. Because it was so late we took the short
cut. At the door we hugged and kissed and he went inside. By the time we
hit the street he was in his room waving to us. Zachary and I stayed on
the back deck for a bit it was cool out but the tulips should be fine. By
the time we got in Charlie was ready for bed and said goodnight to us. He
asked what time is breakfast and I told him I am up by 6:30 having my
coffee. I let Zachary sleep in till 8:30 or so then we eat so if he wants
to go for a run or use the treadmill he is free too.

Zachary and I waited for the water to get hot again because it would a
long shower for us. We showered fooled around and went to bed. Zachary
says 'Geez it is almost 10pm and we are still awake.' I laughed and said
'The last time we up this late was Christmas Eve.' But in a few minutes
we were both out. Tomorrow is a big day for everyone.

JJ

I want to thank everyone for their great feedback and comments. Feel free
to write me at [ jjrockwood000@gmail.com ]

PLEASE REMEMBER TO GIVE WHAT YOU CAN TO NIFTY. IT IS A WELL DESERVING
SITE!!!