Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2022 01:39:18 +1100 From: max dowling Subject: Kasey with a k / chapter 43 Adam 43 Maxieplus When Jimmy collected himself, I said we had better go pick Sam up. Kasey said he will do that, and he will see me at home. He shook Jimmy's hand and left kissing me deeply before he got in the lift. "He loves you very much Adam, I can see it in his eyes." "He does, and I am the same." "I will get to know him better then. He's a very astute person. He deliberately baited me at the Museum didn't he?' "Yes." I smiled. "Just like my Johnny, he was always pushing me to do new things, and giving the orders." "Kasey does the same. I nearly didn't come today but he gave me all the positive reasons as to why I should turn up." "She tried hard, Adele I mean, to get me to meet you. She said you would be good for me, but I resisted her. Meryl pointed you out at the funeral, so I have seen you before." "I wasn't in a good space for a long time after that, I reluctantly accepted her gift and I still sit on the balcony talking to her." "I do the same Adam, I talk to both of them like they were with me." "They never left Jimmy, they are always in our hearts." "This place was her and her husband's city residence, they bought it many years ago. Johnny loved it here but he also loved the hills, so when he and I got together he started making plans to build our cabin, we were sixteen at the time, still in school. Adele had an inkling we were gay, and on his eighteenth birthday, he announced our partnership to everyone that was at a party here. I could have crawled through the floor. Adele took it in her stride and kissed and congratulated us both. It was a time when free love was around, there was nothing it seemed we could do wrong, in our choice of partners, drugs and hippies were everywhere." He smiled. "No, we didn't partake in that scene or the drugs." "So you moved to the cabin?" "I did my best work up there, so many things to photograph it was like an Aladdins cave for me. Johnny traveled to work, he was stationed just outside of Brisbane, its something he has always wanted to do Adam, it was his choice to change the world. When the war came he spent much of his time dealing with recruits and teaching them bomb disposal. The North Vietnamese had laid millions of them, then he was deployed towards the end of Australia's involvement to disarm them. He was there for two years and in the end, he never came home to me again." "It's so sad Jimmy, I know Adele never got over it, and I suspect neither did you." "Oh we propped each other up, many nights were spent on the wine, and our tears were plenty but in the end, we figured we were making it harder for ourselves to move on. So I gave her the cabin and she gave me this place in exchange. I continued the party but alone up here. My photography suffered for a while because he had taken all my colors with him." And Kasey took all my smells with him. "Well I'm hoping that will change a little in the next month or so, you need to meet Sammy and you need to get to know Kasey and me better, we have so much in common." "We do Adam, just let me try and slide my way into your lives it may take me some time. In the meantime, I have something to give to you both." "Theres no need for any gifts," "They are a gift but not what you think. I want you to do something special for me and Johnny, and Adele." "Anything." "Would you wear our wedding bands when you get married, just for the ceremony then you can pack them away in the box again?" "We would be honored to wear them Jimmy, but we would much rather wear them all the time, we would like that a lot." "Then you wear them for us and yourselves." He smiled. I thanked him for the wonderful day, and the information. I told him it is too soon for dinner invitations but we will get together very soon, and he can meet Sammy. It had been a draining afternoon for me, and after I left I called into the cafe and bought a big glass of wine then sat at the window people watching. I messaged Kasey to let him know, and he said he would be down shortly. He placed his hand on my back and told me Sam was in with Trish so we had plenty of time. I bought him a beer and then updated him on the information I had collected. "Hes wants us to put the tin box back under the floor, it was there so he didn't have to cry over the photos whenever he felt like it. He also wants us to wear their wedding rings at our wedding. I told him we would be very honored, if that's okay with you." "Then we will wear them all the time Adam, they are vintage looking but there's a catch, we will have to ask him." "Whats that?' "We add A and K after their initials." "Not S and L?" "No Adam, Adam with an A and Kasey with a K. I like that better." "So do I baby, more than you will ever realize. Are we eating here tonight?" "Yes Trish has nuggets for Sam, and they are going to watch a movie." "That apartment is like a football field, it's enormous." "It sure is, he must have gone crazy walking from room to room at first." "He said he used to sit on the balcony drinking and talking to ghosts." "Like you did." "Yes, and I did the same when you went away." "I love you, Adam." "I know." I smiled at him, I am the lucky one in this relationship this man is so genuine it hurts to even look at him sometimes, but not tonight. "When are you going to get hungry Adam?" I gave him a few seconds and answered. "Right now, let's look at the specials board." He didn't have to look long because his old-time favorite was on it, steak and kidney pie, and I had the fish and chips. After we showered and kissed our son good night we made love and I felt guilty that we could and Jimmy couldn't, then when we lay there I was wide-eyed and couldn't help but compare my life with his. Kasey was watching me and I sighed turned into him and he stroked my back until I went to sleep. Trish was on my doorstep first thing, she wanted to know all about the meeting so I told her word for word almost. "Have you got a shorter version, Adam?" I laughed. "How did you go with your nephew?" "Was good Adam, we watched Cars the movie. I enjoyed it, it's the fifth time I've seen it." "I better buy some different ones for you then," I smirked. I was off to work today and I did the same routine, walked up the street bought the iced buns, opened the door and took in all the wonderful smells, then moved to the tea room. I turned the urn on and then made a bun for myself. Anne was first in today, she sat with me and I brought her up to date on our new friend upstairs. She felt sad for him but thought maybe seeing him trying to get people into his life he's probably decided to finally let go and move on. "It has taken him so long to do this Anne, I hope he succeeds." "Sometimes it takes a lifetime Adam, I could see where your life was going when Kasey disappeared. You were ready to shut your doors and put up walls for everyone at one stage." "Yes, thankfully it all turned out for the best, I would have missed this place so much." "Well, you have us, Adam. Jimmy only had Adele, didn't you say they didn't have any friends other than the family?" "I did, well that's what he told me." How clever of her and yes I would have had my friends to lean on, maybe Adele wasn't the right person for Jimmy or him for her in the end. I was getting a headache thinking about it and also black clouds were returning remembering the horror of Kasey's disappearance. I greeted the rest of the staff and answered some questions, the kids must have gone out last night James, Marko and Lynnie looked a little overhung, but Gloria and Trish looked wonderful. "Trish, did you get the totals from the north side salon?" "Yes Adam, it's a milking machine over there they are so busy." She shuffled her paperwork around and handed the total to me. I know I don't have to worry about that salon, it's doing great guns. Next on my list was to get the Melbourne totals, I mentioned it and Trish handed me the paperwork. I guess I don't need to worry about Janice and Trev's ability to rake in the customers their figures were just as good as ours. "Okay, what have I got on today?" "Walk-ins two tips and three wash and sets." "Thank you." I waited for my first client, blonde tips, and a walk-in just turned up. "Adam, have you go time for a cut and style?' "Of course I have, good morning will you follow me?" He was a nice young cadet I think, and he wanted one of my special military look cuts. I was busy again and teasing up a storm on a dear old friend who comes in regularly, she updated me on everything her grandchildren were doing then a gorgeous young man appeared with lunch in his hands. He sat in the tea room talking to Gloria who was on her break. I finished off my lady friend and she left. "I'm at lunch Trish." "Better hurry up you may lose him to Gloria." She laughed. I did hurry because I was hungry and wanted to kiss my man. "What have we here baby?" "Chicken schnitzel rolls Adam, have you been busy?" "Yes, it's good to be back fully, did Sam get to kindy ok?" "Yes he's still pumped about next week I think we had better take a change of clothes he may pee himself." He laughed. Gloria said her farewells and went back to work so it was just us two at the moment. "I will ring mum and see if she and Billy are staying the night before." "Not the general?" "If he wants Kasey, he may even want to come with us." "Then I will have both of them in my head." He laughed again. "That's the price of being so brainy. Has the Admiral talked to you yet?" "No, I think he will say something next Wednesday Sam wants to wear his uniform." "He can do that, I suppose Bill will want his on also." "You smell nice Adam." "Don't get any ideas, I have clients to attend to." "You are such a tease." "I know." "I have to go next door will I ask the general if he's coming?" "Yes, but I think it will only be Bill and Sam." "Okay, I will pick you up at three." He kissed me deeply and I gave him a rub just to let him know who he is sleeping with tonight. The next three hours were hectic, four walk-ins threw us into a spin and everyone pitched in to help. "We have met Adam, the other week at your place. I was with Admiral Peters, he recommended I call in here." "Yes I remember you now, Admiral Thomas I believe, Dieter?" "That's it, now I want one of your special cuts like Peters got." "Coming up sir." I fussed over his thick pepper and salt hair and cut it into a better shape, he was a very handsome man in his sixties, I think, but it's hard to tell these days, men have so many creams and lotions to use now. He did smell nice and it wasn't aftershave he was wearing. He thanked me and said he would see me on Wednesday, I told him the boys were overexcited to see a big ship and I thought I may have to put a leash on them. He wasn't fussed he just said there will be many eyes on them I wasn't to worry. Next blonde tips, a guy, he was a regular now and military, he worked in the building a few doors up and said he had run into Kasey and he didn't look so good. I suppose my father is loading him up again, so much for giving Kasey a beak. Finally, it was three in the afternoon, and he poked his head in the door. I said my good nights to all and squeezed his hand to let him know I was on his side. We walked towards the kindy down the alleyways and he was very quiet. I didn't want to ask him on the busy street but I will when we get home. "I had Admiral Thomas in today, he's a nice man." "Yes, he was in the fed building and said hello." "We had better check out Sam's uniform. Make sure it is clean." "Yes, we can do that." He threw a twenty in a vets hat and saluted him. He's down at the moment I had better make him an offer when we get in, maybe a jock strap or stark naked, that might lift his spirits a bit. Sam was eager to get home to ring Billy, he has news to tell him and they have to compare notes, I told him I wanted to talk to mum when he was finished. "What about daddy?" "I wanted to let her know not to forget Bill's uniform." "Oh that, he has it already packed." "Ok son then I don't need to speak to her then." "But she's your mummy you have to speak to her daddy." "Okay, I will when you are finished." "Okay." He went back to his conversation, I placed the coffee in front of Kasey and snapped my fingers. "What's that for." "Hand it over." "Hand what over?" "What dad gave you." "Oh, that." "Yes that, give it to me." He dug around in his valise and pulled out a huge folder full of paperwork. I looked at the heading which read. Top secret drug cartels throughout Papua New Guinea and Torres straight islands. "He wants a follow-up of Timor, right?" "Yes, Adam I cant refuse to do it, I feel I owe him." "Leave it to me, baby." "Jesus no, don't get involved Adam, he will hit the roof and I will suffer." "Will you?" I smirked, bring it on. I put the folder on the table then I went into the bedroom. Standing in the doorway I had my black jock on he looked twice then ran to grab me. Adam is in charge and it will be Adam that will stop his father from annoying his husband, well potential husband. My head hit the wall as Kasey humped me his hands were everywhere, I suppose he's horny. "Adam you cant return that folder to the general, I said I would look at it." "Here have a quick look then I will return it." "That was awesome Adam." He blushed. "Well there's plenty more where that came from baby, you had better drink some more of your vitamin juice." "What vitamin juice?" I rubbed my crotch. He started with his computer then when he finished he snuggled up to Sam with a big book he was reading. I talked to mum and was assured that Billy will be dropped off at our place and he will be staying the night. I then checked Sam's uniform out, it was clean and ready to go. Dinner was easy, spaghetti tonight and no visitors so we all ate in front of the tv. Kasey was rubbing his eyes and I noticed he squeezed them a few times. "You may need glasses, Kase." "It is the small print I cant see properly." "I'll get you a pair of the magnifying ones try them first." "Where do you buy them?" "In the chemist up the road." "I might go in the morning, I may be missing something important." "They will be worth a try Kase." He put the book down and looked at Sam, he had gone to sleep so he gently prised him off the couch and went to put him into bed. I kissed him goodnight and then poured myself a wine. I opened the balcony door and walked outside, it was still chilly but sometimes I like chilly, it does get a bit stuffy inside sometimes. His big arms went around me and he whispered sorry in my ear. "Sorry for what?" "Bringing more work home." "Kasey I don't mind, but it's not your job to clean up other people's mess. If you feel you cant read it I will tell dad, he will listen to me and he knows he can't put one over on me." "I told him I would look at it, thats all Adam no running off again. What the hells that?" "What?" "That over in the corner." He pointed to Sam's chiminea I had shoved it in the corner out of the way. "It's a chiminea, Sam wanted to camp outdoors so we went and bought that, but he decided it was too cold to sleep outside and we slept on the floor instead." "So you never used it?" "No, I was going to give it to mum, but you came back and I forgot all about it." "Wow." He looked it over, even picked up the wood, I suppose he will want to sleep outside too now. I will watch him this time and when he starts sitting on the computer all day then I will put a stop to it. He can look at it but do nothing else, and there's a problem with the navy wanting a piece of him, never going to happen. He dragged the fire out and I told him it heats a ten-foot surround. I could see his mind ticking over. "I think I might take Sam camping tomorrow night." "And not me?" "Of course, and you that goes without saying." "There's no tv, that's what stopped him the last time." "I had better figure out a new strategy, hey can we have our beef stew tomorrow night so we can cook it on this stove?" "Yes, I better get some marshmallows also, he likes them." Yes, the windows will be most welcome just about now, we can put the overhead gas heating on instead of the fire. He didn't look at the paperwork, he sat on the couch with me, he was reading and I was playing with his awesome body. Eventually, we headed to bed and he looked at that fire once more and smiled. Yes looks like I'm going camping again. Our big day arrived too soon, at least the rain had let up and it was potentially a nice day ahead. No camping was done because the weather wasn't the best, but the casserole was delicious and Sam loved his marshmallows. Billy and he had a great night they ran up and down the apartment, screamed, and generally caught up with all their news, they did camp out on the floor but Kase and I took the bed. Uniforms were at the ready and they practiced their saluting with Kasey and Evans. Trish had made pizzas again and with twice the toppings everyone was fully stuffed by the end of the night. I heard them before I saw them, I opened my eyes slightly and they were hanging around the bedroom doorway whispering. "I'm awake," I yelled out, Kasey giggled. "Daddy we better get up because we will be late." "No, we won't we can go there anytime." "But they might sail away." "They won't baby, what do you want for breakfast?" "Something fast daddy." he grinned. "Scrambled eggs on toast coming up." I threw the blankets back and crawled out of bed. Kasey turned over and tried to go back to sleep, but the boys had other ideas they kiddy bombed him. I left him giggling under the blankets and went to put the coffee on, then I looked in the fridge. They were all fed and watered and it wasn't nine yet, so Kasey kept them occupied while I showered, and then it was my turn. The sun was streaming through the white clouds so that's a good sign. I dressed them both then sat them on a chair to do their hair, spray also. They didn't want to mess it up so their caps were left at home. Kasey had his lawyer's uniform on and he did wear his small cap because I insisted on it, it's so cute on him. I had to settle them down because the talk in the back seat had reached a fever pitch. Kasey had a good talk with them before we let them loose from the car. They understood they have to be more grown up and quiet because they had a lot to look at. I took photos and they stood still for a minuscule second, then all hell broke loose when they were greeted at the gangplank by two cadets. The saluting started about then and they were presented with a whistle and navy berets, which I had to hold for them. After saluting just about everyone that was on board Admiral Peters started their tour. I noted I have to buy Kasey some white navy pants they fit beautifully as I watched Markus's ass move in his. We ended up in the galley with some other sailors, the boys asked many questions and wanted to know how they can get to use the cannons they had seen. Cakes and coffee with sandwiches were provided, and they did a really good job on them too, it was like a party. They both got a bag full of surprises and when we finished we were taken to the upper deck. "Wow." They screamed as the helicopter burst into life. They were strapped in with Kasey and with their phone cameras in hand I watched them take off gently from the HMAS Canberra. Admiral Peters saluted it then he and I were escorted to the captain's cabin, which was more of a small flat where coffee and cake were once again produced. "You don't like flying Adam?" "Not a lot Marcus, I have had a few run-ins with helicopters so I don't want to ride in one." I smiled. "Thank you for today, the boys will be talking about it for weeks after this, it's been awesome for them." "That's okay we like doing the small things sometimes, is Gloria single?' "What?" "Gloria in your salon is she single? I know Trish isn't but I was wondering about Gloria." "Yes she's single Marcus, why, do you want to ask her out?" "I thought I might if she's single that is." "Well she will be happy you asked Marcus, she will probably say yes." I giggled, of course, she will say yes. "I don't get to meet too many beautiful women in my line of work and she is a very intriguing lady I would like to get to know her better." "You treat my staff well Mr. Admiral, no thinking they are easy prey." He blushed. "I wasn't thinking that Adam, I only wanted a dinner date. I don't want to marry her." "Good, because they are all lovely girls and yes you have my approval to ask Gloria out." I grinned. "They are back do you want to greet them or shall we wait until they arrive here?" "We wait that will give them time to think up some more questions." He rolled his eyes. We heard their whistles for some time before they appeared, both jumped on Marcus's lap and started with the questions. Kasey kissed me and said they got some beautiful photos of our building it looked awesome from high up, then he took a big wedge of sandwiches and blushed. The visit was closed down when we headed for the gang plank, the kids were now tired and the crew were needing some quiet time, I think. Kasey drove us home and the first thing they did was look in their special bags. They started playing with their boats, one went off on the couch and the other fought it but finally fell asleep next to him. Now I get some peace as Kasey slipped on some tight shorts and wanted me to play in his secret garden. Mum had arrived and dad will pick them up, later on, she heard their stories several times and looked through their photos, then their toys, the caps were on and uniforms were smoothed down so they could play parades, just to show mum how it's done properly. "Steven, we are flying to Indonesia next week would you like a house guest for four days?" "Yes mum, sounds good to me, I will ask if he can tag along with Sam to kindy. Has dad some official work to do over there?" "Yes son, the president wants him there, some official ceremony or something I wasn't listening but it will be fun. I believe the shopping over is amazing." She smiled. We would love to have Billy here, it is always a fun time when he stays. They had set themselves up at the coffee table and restarted playing with their boats and small helicopters, Kasey went to look at their presents and was playing along. Dad arrived and Kasey was forgotten, as he got saluted and jumped on. He picked both of the boys up and started kiss farting them, they giggled away and then wanted him to play with them. He sat on the sofa and they started telling him about their day, dad listened patiently for some time. Eventually, he got up and came to sit at the table, nup they weren't finished yet, so they followed him. I made him coffee and then asked Sam to go and change back into his civvies. Billy followed but he didn't change only my son did. "So major Kasey, what are you doing next Wednesday?" "Study general, all bookwork." "Did you have a chance to look at the files yet?" "Not yet sir. I will look on the weekend." "Good, I would like you to accompany me to Indonesia for a few days, the president wants to meet you." "He's got study to do." I interrupted. "It's only a few days he will have escorts wherever he goes son, I think the president wants to award him something special." "He's got study," I said once more. Kasey started laughing and said. "Not this time general, as your son said, I do have to study." "I could order you." "You could, but you won't. He's not going anywhere, if the president wants to give him a medal he can put it in the mail. Quite frankly dad I think this is more about doing some work for the Indonesian government than any old medal." Dad stared at me, and then he laughed. "Would you like a job with military intelligence son?" "No." I was right too, once there he will be up to his ears in cold cases. Mum mentioned they had better be moving along and I was grateful to her. Billy and Sam hugged goodbye and they will ring each other in an hour or so. I hugged dad and whispered. "Good try." "Sorry son but it was a special request." He then looked at Kasey and said. "I will collect the medal when I'm there son." "Thanks, dad." They shook hands then my parents left. "I could have gone Adam." "You wouldn't come back, they will have you strapped to a computer as soon as you got there." "I could have gone to see Ti." "We will do that later on, together." "So I'm back to studying again?" he grinned. "After we have a bath." That went well for now, but he will be back dangling carrots in front of Kasey again, he can't help himself. I began getting dinner ready, Kase sat with Sam and explained all the gizmos to him and I think now he knows how to fly a helicopter and drive a boat. We all sat at the table while we ate then I started the bath Sam went back to playing with his special toys and Kasey and I went to have a bath. We talked for some time and Sam came in a few times just to check up on us, so there was no sex in the bathtub tonight. I finished up by dumping my son in and giving him the once over, his hair was still clean so I won't annoy him by washing it. After I dried him off he ran naked into the bedroom to dress for bed, then it was a phone call to Billy and some tv. We made love then we talked some more, he said he was still doing stuff online and he has to read that report. "I want you to concentrate on your studies Kasey, I mean it." "I will, a lot of it I already know about but there's a hell of a lot I don't. It's fascinating the way the law is structured, I reckon I could streamline it but I had better not start doing that there are so many of them." He smiled. "If you feel the need to return to Indonesia you can go, but don't test my patience Kasey. I won't have you away for weeks at a time. This is not only for me it's for Sam also, he needs his father here." I guess I had better cut him some slack, I won the battle tonight but the next time I may not be so lucky. My next sort of problem is what do I do about Jimmy, I need to invite him down and he has to meet Sam, so I will do that job tomorrow. I set about finding a nice card in the morning and wrote a note to Jimmy to come for coffee on Monday my day off. Before I went to work I slipped it into his letterbox. I had told Kasey and he agreed with me coffee would be a good start. He also grabbed me when he sat down and whispered in my ear. "I'm not going Adam, if they want me to work for them they can send stuff here for me to look at." "Ok it's settled then, but please don't ignore your studies they are really important." "I won't baby, and I had better start cleaning all this stuff up before our guest arrives." I laughed because he's got until Monday to put his stuff away. Sam walked out and hugged us he's in a bit of a hurry today, he needs to tell his mates about his big day out yesterday, but first the tv. I started breakfast while Kasey tapped away on his computer. I have to get him some glasses today he has forgotten he needs them for the fine print. "When do you think we will go to the cabin again?" "Probably next weekend Kasey, if you are up for it." "I sure am, it's nice up there do you think Jimmy will come with us?" "We can only try, if he doesn't want to come then we don't push him. I was thinking about your suggestion to develop it a bit more, if we fill in the verandah that will give us another four or five feet in the living room, and then we can extend that with a new one." "Sounds good to me, I can get a copy of the plans and give them to Wilson to look over." "Good thinking, and we had better warn Jimmy we may be renovating. But I don't want to overdo it Kase just the extension of the lounge room should give us more room to move." "I agree, we don't need more bedrooms, I like sleeping on the floor with my son anyway." Sam looked over his shoulder at Kase, he smiled then went back to his tv and toast. "What are we going to do about the, you know what on the balcony?" "Too bloody cold Adam, and we can't use it in summer. Maybe leave it until we see what Wilson comes up with and move it to the cabin." "It can stay where it is and we can think about it." "Good." I will leave that in Kasey's capable hands, then maybe give it to mum for Christmas. My day was great, my smells were awesome and my first customer with a baby bump walked in all smiles. "Susan, it's so good to see you again, where have you been?" "Adam setting up the baby's room, baby showers, randy husband all that stuff." She smiled, she still had the look, but it is waning, and it is so good to see she is starting a family also. "Same look or a different one?" "Well, I am glad you asked, how about a thirties bob, I can manage that into my everyday life better than the soft curls at the moment." "Awesome, and the flapper's frocks will be good for your baby bump." "I was thinking along those lines, my friend."