Gregory A. Patrick

 

01/28/2021

Jaiden Chapter 101

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Greg Patrick

 

"Mom, while I enjoy visiting with Ginny and Gampy at their church, I can't wait to get back to my synagogue; I truly love being Jewish. My temple, my Rabbis, the members are extended family members in every sense of the word, and when I am not around them, I feel lonely; it's the same feeling I had when I left home and went to Brevard."

 

"Jaiden, you and Peyton have made Erie home, and the entire community has embraced you because you have done everything you could to make life better for them. The people of Erie bring out the best in you, and make you shine brightly, more so than you normally do. When we ride around Erie, I see a look in your eyes that I haven't seen since you were a little boy; you really love Erie." "I do, Mom, and I am going to miss the area and my friends in the synagogue horribly while I am in Tennessee, and I know Ginny and Gampy are going to miss their church."

 

"The most painful thing about going to Tennessee to me is leaving Dale, Charley and the children behind; the thought of that is about to kill me. They'll be completing their internship while we are gone, and begin their careers. If they move away or out of the house, that will be so hard on Peyton and me, and I am sure the children will miss each other. They don't know they aren't brothers and sister, and I'd like to keep it that way if possible." "Jaiden, life can be hard, and sometimes it's downright cruel, and there is nothing we can do about that; it happens. Even if the four of you are apart, you can remain close and stay in touch with each other."

 

"I know, Mom, but it wouldn't be like having them in the house, eating dinner together every night, going on dates together, having dinner with the children at Tony's, and watching them enjoy their favorite spaghetti. Waking up every morning and looking for Dale, Charley, and the children, and realizing they aren't here anymore, is a thought that is so painful to me." "Jaiden, have you talked with Dale and Charley about how you feel?" "No, mam, Peyton and I haven't. Honestly, we have been scared to because we don't want to hear they want to move somewhere else. There is money in stocks and bonds to build them a house like this if they want to move, but, damn, the idea of that hurts my heart."

 

"Jaiden, Peyton, and you, need to talk to Dale and Charley about how you feel, so you'll know how they feel about your situations. They may feel the same way you do, and be just as worried about approaching you as you are about talking with them."

 

Charley and Dale walked down the steps from their bedroom and said, "Jaiden, we didn't mean to eavesdrop, but we did, and we listened to what you said to your Mom. Charley and I intend to establish our practices here in Erie, and we have the same concerns we heard you express. We worry about separating the children, and we are concerned about looking for you and Peyton and realizing you aren't here, and have chosen to live somewhere else. We don't want to move anywhere and split up our family, and as long as Peyton and you can stand us and our children, we want to stay here."

 

"Dale, you have no idea how badly Peyton and I needed to hear that. The idea of having to move to Tennessee and being gone for three years is eating at us and making us miserable. I wonder how that time away is going to affect the children, and how they are going to react when we come home. We are concerned about separation anxiety on one hand, and resentment when we come back on the other hand."

 

"Jaiden, we'll have to deal with whatever attitude surfaces when the time comes. There is nothing else we can do about what life has dealt us. We must do whatever it takes for us to be tops in our fields, and that is a simple fact. Will we like it? Probably not. Will we do it, yes, because we don't have any other choice. It doesn't mean, however that we need to move to accomplish that. It may mean traveling more than we want at some point, but if that is what it takes, so be it. We're family and nothing is going to come between us, we won't let it." "Charley, thank you for saying that. We're all on the same page with our thoughts and feelings. I don't think any of our parents will be too happy with us if their grandchildren aren't together when they visit."

 

"Jaiden, Dad has already talked to me about that happening, and he quickly let me know he won't be happy with us if it happens." "When did that conversation happen, Charley?" "About three weeks ago." "Jaiden, my Dad had the same conversation with me about the same time. He said it would break his heart if the children weren't able to stay together."

 

"Dale, I didn't know our parents had the same concerns we have, that means a lot to me." "Us, too, Jaiden, so Charley and I want to do whatever is necessary for us to stay together as long as we can stand each other. I won't even discuss leaving Temple Anshe Hesed, we all have grown too much there, and they are family to us. Mrs. Tubberman would probably hunt us down and hurt us if we took her children away from her and moved." "Dale, you're probably right about that, I think having the children on Saturday is the highlight of her week."

 

"Charley, you don't usually watch football on television." "You're right, I don't, but this is a Florida team and Tampa Bay is whooping Kansas City 31 to 9, and right now I am watching an interesting beer commercial." "Charley, Mom spoiled me on beer when I got interested in having one with some friends in high school." "How so, Jaiden?" "She said she didn't see how someone could drink anything that looked, smelled, and foamed like horse pee. I haven't had a beer, or anything else with alcohol since." "I wondered why you were so against consuming anything with alcohol."

 

"That isn't the only reason. A friend, who was a neighbor at the time, had a vintage Ford Mustang from the year they first came out; talk about a beautiful car. It was green and didn't have a scratch on it. He was headed home and was only a block from his house. He'd been out drinking with his buddies and missed a stop sign at a dead-end where he needed to make a left turn; he went straight and through the Kenny's chain link fence. His Dad got rid of the Mustang that night. When his parents got him out of jail and home, I have never heard someone catch hell the way he did. They were in their garage and you could have heard his Dad screaming a mile away. There was no telling what happened when his Dad got him inside their home. Not too long after we graduated from high school, George wound up spending six months in jail for habitual violator. I had no intention of letting that happen to me; I had, and still have, too much respect for myself, and my mother."

 

"Well, I wondered and now I know. Dale and I liked to go to Luke's Pub and have a beer before we met you and Peyton. We haven't had a beer since Peyton crawled our case and you backed him up. I have to give the two of you credit for keeping us together and keeping us sober." "Good, I'm glad we had a part in that."

 

"I'll be! 1:33 left in the game, Tampa Bay is winning 31 to 9, and Tampa just intercepted the ball. They just snapped and downed the ball. One more snap and downing it, and Tampa Bay wins the Super Bowl!"

 

"Charley, the Buccaneers just won their second Super Bowl in franchise history. Tampa wanted this game, and they played hard and took it. I don't know what happened to Kansas City." "Jaiden, that was an awesome game for Tampa Bay, and they played their hearts out. My grandad would have said, "hot damn, wham bam, thank you mam – Tampa Bay won. I bet he is in Heaven looking down and jumping up and down and shouting to the mountain top." "I hope so, Charley, I hope so."

 

"You know what is so impressive about the Super Bowl tonight?" "What's that, Dale." "Tom Brady was the winning quarterback and he won with a fully inflated football." "Dale, that was mean." "Maybe so, but it's true. You have to hand it to him though, he did a heck of a job tonight. He connected with nearly every throw, and his offensive line didn't let anyone get to him. The defense brilliantly shut down Kansas City; the Buccaneers deserved tonight's win."

 

"Seth, since you have to fly home tomorrow, would you like to go to The Wharf Seafood House tonight for dinner, it's buffet night?" "Heck yea!"

 

"Dad, are you and Mom up for seafood tonight?" Dad winked and said, "Jaiden, I don't know if I could eat seafood tonight, I don't feel too well. I know it is a buffet night, and I don't know if I could resist eating too much and getting sick." You could see Seth's heart drop to his feet. He loved seafood night at the Wharf, and he had hoped his Dad would agree to go, that he wouldn't tonight was a letdown for Seth.

 

Dad said, "I don't feel too good, I think I am going to lie down for a little while." Dr. Mom said, "it's unusual for Jim not to feel too well, I am going downstairs and check on him. Mom Riley went downstairs with Dr. Mom, and it took all they had not to burst out laughing. They stayed downstairs for about ten minutes before they came back upstairs with their coats on.

 

"Seth, why aren't you ready to go eat?" "Dad, that was mean. I didn't think we were going." "Son, I got you just as good as I can get Peyton. He should be here in a few minutes, and we'll head to the restaurant as soon as he changes clothes. Seth ran downstairs, washed up, and got dressed to go eat. Just as he got back upstairs, Peyton walked in the door. He took about fifteen minutes to wash up and change clothes, and then everybody drove to the Wharf Seafood House.

 

A few minutes after everybody got seated, Richard and Sally joined the family for dinner. When their drinks were served, Seth looked at his Dad to get his approval to head to the buffet. When Seth got back to the table, Richard looked at him and said," Seth, my word, where are you going to put all that food?" "Richard, watch. It's seafood, and it's the only food I eat like this, and I don't do it often. Besides, this is just plate number one." "Dad!" "Richard, he's right. Seafood is the only thing he eats this way. He's good about watching what and how much he eats, so when it's a good seafood buffet, Mom and I let him eat what he wants as long as he doesn't waste food."

 

Everybody watched Seth and he wasn't packing the food in as fast as he normally would. Dad looked at Seth and said, "Seth, you aren't eating the way you normally would, is everything OK?" "Dad, it's hard to eat when that young guy looking in the window looks like he is starving. May I get him a plate of food and take it to him?" "Son, go ahead, that is very nice of you to want to do that."

 

Seth got a to-go plate and filled it up with seafood, got a large to-go cup and filled it with hot coffee. He took it to the counter to have it weighed so his Dad could pay for it; the cashier told him to give it to the boy, that there would be no charge. Seth took the food outside and gave it to the young man. He had some sugar and Splenda in his pocket for the coffee, and handed it to the teen. He sat with the guy as he ate his food, and when he was finished, he thanked Seth for his dinner, and for sitting with him while he ate. Seth asked him how old he was, and he said sixteen. "Why are you outside by yourself in this cold weather, and without a coat at that?"

 

"My Dad kicked me out of the house this afternoon because he was looking on my computer and saw something he didn't like." "What did he see?" "My boyfriend. He didn't know I was gay because I never let him know; I knew what he would do?" Seth said, "Oh, hell no. Wait right here, I'll be right back." Seth went inside and told Jaiden what was up. Jaiden turned red in the face, put his fork down, and his napkin on the table, and walked outside. He brought the teen into the restaurant and had him sit with the family and help himself to the buffet until he had eaten all he could. Jaiden excused himself, walked outside, and made a telephone call. A few minutes later, the Reverend and Granny drove up.

 

When the Reverend and Granny got out of their car, they walked into the restaurant and met Jaiden. He told them what was going on with the young man, that he had already called DFCS, and they said if the Reverend would let the boy stay with him and Granny, they would interview the boy in the morning. The Reverend talked to the young man as they ate. Granny didn't say anything, she just listened to the conversation between her husband and the boy.

When everyone finished their dinner, the Reverend asked the boy if he would like to stay at his and Granny's home for the night, and talk to the DFCS workers the next morning. The teen said, "Reverend, you are kind to offer me a place to stay, and I would love to stay the night with you. What time will the DFCS workers want to talk with me?" "Son, we'll meet them at nine. We'll figure out what is best for you." Granny shot the Reverend a glance that spoke a thousand words; she had already made up her mind where that boy would be staying.

 

When they got to the DFCS office the next morning, Granny was on the phone with the Reverend and had him put her on the speaker phone so she could hear what was said, and to say her peace. Jaiden had already called Don, who had called his friend, the chief in the DFCS office. If the Reverend and Granny wanted the boy to stay at their house, it was already approved. Jaiden told Granny to take the boy to a particular store at the mall where the manager knew him, and get the manager to call him when they got there.

 

"Jaiden, this is Charles at Men's Wear, a lady said to call you and tell you Granny was at the store with a young man named Joseph." "Charles, thanks for calling me. There is a special circumstance with the young man that I can't go into, but suffice it to say he needs a weeks' worth of everything from underwear to a suit. I want him to get two weeks' worth of under clothes, and I want them to be the best you have. Fit him with a casual outfit for everyday: nice shirts, jeans, and two pairs of Skecher's in any style he wants, a nice suit for church on Sunday, and a good pair of shoes to go with the suit. Put it on my account and I'll come by and pay you tomorrow when I get out of school, or you can put it on my charge card tonight." "It'll be OK if you come by tomorrow. We'll have to get the suit altered to fit him properly, so tomorrow is fine." "Thanks, Charles!" "Anytime, Jaiden."

 

An hour later, the Reverend and Granny pulled into Jaiden's driveway so Joseph could appropriately thank him the way they thought he should. They took the clothes inside so Jaiden and Peyton could see them. Jaiden and Peyton were impressed with the boy's tastes. When he thanked them for helping him and feeding him the night before, Peyton and Jaiden hugged him and told him he was welcome. Dr. Mom walked up to Joseph and introduced herself. She inquired if he had any injuries from his run-in with his Dad, and he said he didn't, that he was mentally upset but would have to handle it. He let Dr. Mom know they were supposed to have a meeting with DFCS, and his parents, tomorrow at nine, and she told him she would be there. Jaiden looked at Peyton and said, "Oh, hell, Mom is going to let his parents have it!" "Jaiden, wouldn't you like to be a fly on the wall?" "Peyton, what do you think?"

 

The next morning, when the Reverend, Granny, and Joseph got to the DFCS office, Dr. Mom was there waiting on them. Don had made a call to the DFCS supervisor, so Dr. Mom would be allowed in the meeting. Don also warned his friend that if the parents got nasty about the situation, to back up, get out of the way, and let Dr. Reynolds handle the situation.

 

When the meeting started, everything was going well until the DFCS worker told Joseph's parents that what they had done was against the law, and that the police had been contacted. That's when Joseph's Dad started yelling at him. That's also when Jaiden's Mom stepped between Joseph and his Dad and the DFCS worker backed up. Jaiden's Mom exploded and backed Joseph's Dad against the wall, and when she finished what she had to say, both of Joseph's parents were in tears and apologized to him for their behavior.

 

They wanted Joseph to go home with them, but the DFCS worker said he had to stay where he was until the family completed some intensive family counseling; she estimated Joseph would be with the Reverend and Granny for at least six months. When the supervisor said that, Joseph's mom broke down and sobbed uncontrollably. Joseph went to his mother and said, "Mom, I'm sorry, I didn't mean for you to get hurt like this. I wish I hadn't written anything on the computer for Dad to find. I didn't know he didn't trust me, and that he would go through my computer that way." Joseph's Mom grabbed him, hugged him tightly, and apologized for his Dad not trusting him, for going through his computer, and for kicking him out of the house. She said they knew his grades were well above average, that they knew he wasn't doing drugs, and that he wasn't hanging out with the wrong people, so she didn't know why his Dad did what he did.

 

Joseph looked at his Dad and said, "Other than being gay, and in the closet, I have never done anything suspect to cause you to not trust me, and I never will! I will tell you this, I no longer care how much you love or hate me, if you EVER upset my mother like this again, I will become your worst nightmare; you stepped way out of bounds upsetting my Mom the way you have." Joseph's Dad started to say something to him and Joseph stopped him. That's when the Reverend stepped in and said, "Son, listen to what your Dad has to say. When he has finished what he has to say, you can decide to accept it or not, but keep in mind, God said if you can't forgive someone for their trespasses against you, God won't forgive you of your trespasses. You and your parents need to complete the counseling process before you decide anything. Do you understand what I am saying?" "Yes, sir, I do. Thank you." "You're welcome, Joseph." Joseph's Dad was stunned at what he just heard.

 

Sunday morning, the Reverend was delightedly happy to see two people sitting on the second pew in the church. He walked over and hugged the guests, welcomed them to the church, and told them he hoped they would enjoy the service. Joseph walked into the church holding hands with Granny. When he saw his parents, he went and sat next to his Mom. Granny and the Reverend had smiles from ear to ear. The fact that Joseph's parents were in church was a sign to them that everything was going to be OK.

 

Joseph's Mom noticed he was wearing a new suit, new shoes, and complemented him on how nice he looked. He told his Mom Jaiden had purchased new clothes for him since he didn't have any clothes with him the night he went to Granny's and the Reverend's home. His Mom asked him if he was doing OK, and he told her he was, that he loved being at Reverend and Mrs. McDonald's home, that they have been very nice and loving to him, and Granny was an incredible cook. A tear rolled from his Mom's eye as she said she hoped he could come home soon, that his Dad was really punishing himself for what he did.

 

When church was over and everyone was headed home, Joseph's parents hugged him, and his Dad apologized for not understanding, and for being so insensitive to his fear and feelings. Joseph told his Dad they were going to have to work through what happened, that what had been done hurt him worse than anything he had ever experienced. As his Dad turned to walk away, tears were flowing from both of his eyes. He asked himself how he could have done what he did. He couldn't answer his own question.

 

When the McDonald's finally left the church with Joseph, they didn't tell him they were going to Jaiden's for lunch. When they pulled into Peyton's and Jaiden's driveway, they went to the garage door and rang the doorbell. Charley answered the door and invited them inside. As they came in, he hugged all three of them, as did Dale, Peyton, and Jaiden.

 

Dale looked at Joseph and said he hoped he liked prime rib. Joseph said he didn't know, that he had never eaten it. "Joseph, you are in for a treat. Nobody anywhere cooks prime rib as well as Dale. We're having grilled asparagus and baked potatoes as the sides." Joseph said, "Mr. Jaiden, I love asparagus, but I've never had it grilled." "Joseph, Dale prepares it a special way like he does the prime rib, so I think you'll enjoy it."

 

Just before lunch was put on the table, Ginny and Gampy walked in the door. They got a big hug from Jaiden and Peyton, and when the boys saw her, they came running to give her a hug. Joseph asked Jaiden if the babies knew Ginny and Gampy. He told Joseph they did, because she was helping to raise the boys while he was in school during the day, and that she would sometimes keep them when there was an emergency at the hospital and he had to work in the ER. Granny, he said, was helping raise Dale's and Charley's boys and daughter. Joseph asked if he was a doctor, and Jaiden explained he was a Physician's Assistant, but that Peyton, Richard, and he would become doctors on May 15.

 

Joseph looked Jaiden in the eye and asked, "Why did you help me, and buy me the new clothes, you didn't know me or anything about me?" "Joseph, it isn't about knowing someone in order to help them. Peyton and I have been involved in several cases where children were almost killed when they came out to their parents. We have helped each of them because we have the means and desire to help abused children."

 

"Do you remember the boy who brought you the food outside the seafood restaurant?" "Yes, sir." "His brother brought him to us because he suspected he had been hurt in ways he didn't tell his brother about. Peyton and I talked to him and then rushed him to the hospital. We called a doctor we work for and he met us at the hospital. He checked Seth from head to foot and took him straight to surgery. Seth was in surgery for six and a half hours because he had severe injuries inside his body." His biological parents went to prison, and Peyton's Mom and Dad adopted Seth and his brother, Richard."

 

Joseph looked at Richard who said, "Joseph, Jaiden is telling you the truth. Our biological Dad is serving life in prison, and our biological mother is serving 45 years because of what happened to Seth. Jaiden is an incredibly loving and accepting person as you have found out, but when it comes to children being abused, that crosses a line with him, and he makes sure it can never happen again. He's the person who called the judge so you could go to the McDonald's home instead of being put in foster care where your situation could have been worse." "Jaiden, you did that for me with everything else you have done?" "Yes, I did, Joseph. I did it because you deserved to have something nice happen for you. If your Dad had beaten you, I would make sure you would never again be subjected to being beaten by anybody."

 

"But why?" "I've already told you why: because you deserved to be helped, and you deserved and deserve to be in an environment where you are loved. I don't know of a better place you could be right now besides with the Reverend and Granny, except maybe with Ginny and Gampy. Ginny raised me from the time I was born until I went to high school."

 

"When I moved to Erie to attend medical school, I didn't know she was living here. When I came to see the house before Peyton, Dale, Charley, and I moved in, Ginny was here cleaning the place, and I had no idea who she was; I had not seen her in almost ten years. When I realized, with my Mom's help, who she was, I cried like a baby and decided I would never again lose contact with her. When she found out Peyton and I were going to have five babies last June, she told us she was going to help raise our sons, and we weren't going to argue about it with her. Since Dale and Charley also had five children on the way, we asked Ginny to get one of her friends to help raise the ten babies; she chose Granny."

 

"Granny came to the house one day with Ginny so we could interview her. We asked her if she was Ginny's friend, she said she was, that they attended church together, and that her husband was the pastor. We said, "OK." We didn't ask anything else, and Granny wanted to know why; we told her there was no need to ask her anything since she was Ginny's friend. If Ginny trusted her to help raise our children, we trusted her, too. The rest is history. They and their husbands are just as much our parents as our biological parents are, and we won't tolerate anyone being disrespectful to them; just ask Ginny."

 

Ginny said, "that's right, Joseph, they don't. Peyton is a world champion in martial arts, and if anybody is disrespectful to us, they will have to answer to him, and I promise you, they don't want to do that. Some man tried to rob them and their surrogate Moms at the beach, and Peyton beat him up pretty badly, and he was lying on the ground when the police got there. The judge made a fool out of him in court." As Ginny said that, the doorbell rang.

 

Jaiden answered the door, and it was Don and Jay. Jaiden invited them in, and since there was plenty of food, he asked the two to join them for lunch. Don asked what they were having for lunch, and Jaiden told him. Don said, "Dale's coffee?" "Jaiden said, yes, Dale's coffee, too." Don said, "In that case, we'd be glad to join you for lunch."

 

They went to the dining room and sat down for lunch since Dale and Charley had just set the food on the table. Everybody laughed and had a good time as they ate what Dale had prepared. Granny and Ginny had pureed the meat and vegetables leaving them a bit chunky. The children ate their food and didn't spill a drop. When the table had been cleared and the dishes had been put in the dishwasher, everybody went to the den to have coffee and conversation.

 

Jaiden looked at Joseph and said, "Joseph, do you remember me saying I had called a judge so you could stay with the Reverend and Granny?" "Yes, sir." "Joseph, this is Judge Stanislauski and his husband, Jay. Judge Stanislauski is the judge I called when we met you at the restaurant." Joseph walked to Don, shook his hand ,and said, "Judge, thank you for what you did. I have been very happy with the Reverend and Mrs. McDonald. They let me call them Reverend and Granny like Jaiden, and I love staying with them while we get things worked out with my parents. Granny is a much better cook than my Mom, but I won't tell Mom that."

 

Granny and Ginny laughed when they heard Joseph say that, and so did Don." "Joseph, I'm glad things are working out for you. We got our son after his bio-donor tried to kill him when he came out as gay, and Jaiden was responsible for getting him to us. He is sixteen now, and attending Wellstone University; Jaiden got him a scholarship there. He is doing extremely well, and is now very happy. I hope we can help you become as happy as Jeremy is."

 

"Judge, are you talking about Jeremy Bronowski?" "I am, why?" "Jeremy was my first boyfriend. We made sure my parents didn't know about our relationship." Don pulled out his phone and called Jeremy. "Hello." " Son, this is Dad. I have someone here who would like to talk to you." "Jeremy, this is Joseph, how are you doing. Joseph, I couldn't be happier. I started college in January, thanks to Jaiden, and my classes here will count toward my graduation from high school. So far, my GPA is a 4.0. I am in a relationship with a young man named Carl, and we are deeply in love. We hope to get married when we graduate from Wellstone. If we can take some Clep exams and pass them, we can get out of college a year earlier than normal; we're going to try to do that next year. How are you doing, Joseph?"

 

"Jeremy, my Dad went through my computer while I wasn't at home, and found out I'm gay. When I got home, he kicked me out of the house. I was at the pier looking for something to eat because I was so hungry. A boy named Seth was in the restaurant and brought me a plate of seafood and some coffee. The coffee was really good since I was freezing." "Joseph, are you talking about Seth Riley?" "How'd you know?" "He was injured by his Dad after I was, and he was in surgery six and a half hours, and in the hospital for a month and a half. Peyton and Jaiden arranged for him to be adopted by Peyton's parents. I talk to him every couple of weeks. He lives in Orange Beach, Alabama, and is happier than he has ever been. He lives on a farm and has a mule he loves and a lot of sheep he plays with in their pasture. He did go fishing in their lake until he saw an alligator in the lake. DNR got the gator, but for safety, when Seth goes fishing now, his Dad must be with him in case another gator finds a home in the lake, and his Dad has to shoot the gator. The gator they caught was huge."

 

"Seth is studying Marine Biology, and Marine Biodiversity, and is going to be a veterinarian like his Dad. He wants to work with animals from the sea and help them get well from boat accidents, diseases, and other problems. He is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to that subject. He is even helping his Dad do surgeries at his vet clinic." "That's wild, Jeremy, I didn't know where he was, or what he was doing. I'm glad he's finally happy." "Joseph, I have a rare weekend class I have to be in shortly, so leave your number with Dad and I will call you later." "I will, Jeremy, have a good weekend." "You do the same, Joseph."

 

"Judge, Jeremy said to leave my number with you, but since I don't have a cell phone, I hope he can call me at Granny's and the Reverend's home if they don't mind." The Reverend spoke up and said, "Joseph, we don't mind at all."

 

Jaiden stood up and asked, "Reverend, may I speak to you on the deck for just a moment?" They walked onto the deck, and Jaiden asked the Reverend if he minded him getting Joseph a cell phone. The Reverend said he didn't, so Jaiden got his permission to run to the mall with Joseph to get him a phone. They walked inside, and Jaiden said, "Joseph, come with me, we're going to the mall for a few minutes." Don and Jay smiled because they knew why Jaiden was taking Joseph to the mall. Don looked at Jaiden and said, "See you guys when you get back."

 

When Jaiden and Joseph got home, Joseph had a new I-phone, and was reading the manual to know how to operate everything. Don gave him Jeremy's cell number, which he put in his phone contacts. "Joseph, when you call Jeremy, call him in the evenings so he won't be in class. If he is busy studying or with something else, he'll call you back as soon as he can. He and Carl are really in love, so they may be busy together." "Judge, you don't mind him having that relationship?" "Not at all, Joseph. Jay and I are gay, so we understand young love. Besides, Carl is the best thing that has ever happened for Jeremy. We all hope they will get married one day and be a happy couple."

 

"I wish my Dad felt that way." Jaiden spoke up and said, "Joseph, he'll come around. I understand my Mom chewed him a new one in the DFCS meeting." "Jaiden, I haven't ever seen anyone as mad as your Mom that day. That was something I won't forget." Dale said, "Joseph, she did the same thing to Charley's and my Dad, and they both apologized to us on a stage in front of several thousand people. Our relationship now is amazing, and they are very active in our children's lives. Your Dad will come around, just give him some time. Be positive and loving when you and your parents are in counseling together, and things will work out; ask the Reverend and Granny."

 

On their way home, Joseph asked the Reverend if he thought Jaiden was right in what he said. "Joseph, I think Jaiden was correct in what he said. Your parents being in church last Sunday shows they care about and love you very much. Like Jaiden said, give them some time." "Reverend, I have one more question if you don't mind." "And that question would be, Joseph?" "May I call you and Granny Pop and Mom?" "Joseph, if that is what you want to do, and you are comfortable with that, I don't mind at all. To me, that would be a great honor." Granny spoke up and said, "I feel the same way, Joseph. If that is what you want to call us, and you are comfortable with that, it would be an honor for us."

 

When they got home, Joseph gave Pop and Mom a hug and thanked them for everything they had done to help him. Mom gave Joseph a hug, rubbed his back a little, and kissed him on the forehead. "By the way, Joseph, the kiss on the forehead is a Riley family tradition, so get used to it. That's what you will get when you meet Peyton's parents, and see Seth when they come up for spring break in March."

 

After everyone had gone home, Jaiden, and Peyton put the boys down for their afternoon nap, and then walked into their room, closed, and locked the door. Jaiden put some soft, saxy Jazz on the stereo, and he and Peyton undressed and danced together for almost an hour.

 

Jaiden laid Peyton in the center of their bed, and turned to the 69 position. They gave each other the most sensual oral pleasures ever. They took their time and made sure to make their intimate foray last as long as possible. When the expected finally happened, they snuggled as close together as they could and fell asleep.

 

They woke up and got dressed when they heard their sons stirring around through the baby monitor. They took care of baby business, and then took their boys to the den where they laid on the floor, and wrestled with their sons who laughed the whole time. As Charley usually does, he filmed Jaiden and Peyton playing with their sons, and texted a copy of the video to their parents. Their parents called them and told them how cute they thought their sons were playing with their boys.

 

While their parents were on the phone, Jaiden asked his sons if they wanted to tell Grandma and Grandpa hello. Each of their boys said, "Hi Gamah, Gapah." The grandparents melted when they heard their grandbabies say that, and commented how unreal it was to hear children so young say that. Without any doubt, the grandsons had their grandparents wrapped around their little fingers.

 

Dale and Charley looked tired and asked Jaiden and Peyton if they would mind watching their children while they took a nap. Jaiden smiled and said, "Sure, guys. Enjoy yourselves and be careful; I think the chandelier may be working loose from the ceiling. Charley started laughing as he took Dale by the hand and headed to their bedroom.

 

Dale and Charley got themselves ready, and then made slow, intense love to each other. They were so pent up with sexual energy that they made love to each other no less than three times. By the time their amorous activities were over, they were so tired they fell asleep in each other's arms, and slept for almost two hours. When they awoke, they showered, and dressed in their favorite shorts and tee-shirts before going to the den. When they got to the den, Charley looked at Dale, wrinkled his nose, and said, "Love, we should have slept for another thirty minutes. One of their children had cut the cheese, so they took them upstairs and helped them potty.

 

Jaiden and Peyton were right behind them doing the same thing with their boy's. Jaiden and Peyton started laughing when they got back to the den and Charley and Dale were in the room. Dale was as green as he could possibly be without being sick, and the guys weren't so sure he wouldn't take a trip to lean over the deck railing. After a year, Dale still hadn't gotten used to the smell of his children pooping. Charley was doing all he could not to laugh, because when he did, Dale got a bit miffed.

 

Peyton looked at Charley and Dale, and asked, "By the way guys, did you get enough rest?" "Dale said, "Peyton, we took three naps; so, yes, we did." "Peyton knew what Dale meant, and blushed a soft crimson red. He wished he hadn't asked the question. Jaiden and Charley were sitting on the couch laughing their butts off because they knew how embarrassed Peyton was at Dale's answer. Dale was looking rather pleased with himself for answering the question the way he did, and making Peyton blush. Certain things are private, and should be left that way.

 

When Ginny and Granny came in Monday morning, Granny said, "Jaiden, I don't know where you found Joseph, but I have to tell you, he is the nicest young man. You know the small building projects Taylor has been trying to get done at the church, Joseph went to the church with Taylor Saturday morning and he finished everything Taylor wanted done. That boy is a hard worker, and smart as a whip. He has been such a blessing to us."

 

"Granny, I'm glad to hear that, I know he has enjoyed being with you and the Reverend, and he has been working hard in counseling to reconcile things with his parents. I hope it won't be too long before he can go home." "I hope so too, Jaiden, but until they can get things reconciled, I think Taylor and I would like for him to stay with us. Our boys were excited to hear about him, and they will be home this weekend to meet Joseph. Everybody is excited about getting together."

 

"Geraldine, I told you my boys were the best!" "Martha, you sure did. I have to give you credit; you raised a good young man in Jaiden." "Geraldine, I didn't have to do too much; Jaiden has always been just like he is now. He has always tried to do right by people, and he treats everybody like he wants to be treated. Don't get me wrong now, that boy has a temper when people get out of line, but it takes a lot to make him lose it; you remember what he did to those two preachers in that restaurant. Now he is best friends with them. Their churches fired them immediately, and Jaiden got the congregations to forgive and rehire them. Joseph came from the Pentecostal church. Now, Peyton...I didn't meet him until they came to see the house the first time. I surprised them and showed up at their wedding in Mobile. I don't think Jaiden and I have ever cried so much."

 

"Geraldine, those two boys have a special love. They were in Orange Beach at Peyton's parent's home, and something had gotten to Peyton. Jaiden took him onto the deck and held him in his lap. Everybody figured they'd eventually get up and go to bed, but when Peyton's mother got up to prepare breakfast the next morning, Jaiden was still holding Peyton who was sleeping hard. Phyllis, Peyton's Mom, noticed they still had on the same clothes, and realized Jaiden had held Peyton all night on the deck. When Jenny went downstairs for breakfast, she found her Mom crying and asked her what was wrong. Phyllis took Jenny to the door and pointed at Jaiden and Peyton. Jenny told her Mom Jaiden was holding Peyton again the way he did the night before, and Phyllis told her to take another look. Jenny said they had on the same clothes from the night before, and realized Jaiden had held her brother all night. That was when they figured out just how much Jaiden loved Peyton. Jim went downstairs, saw Jaiden still holding his son, and he, Phyllis, and Jenny sat at the kitchen table and cried their hearts out."

 

"Peyton woke up at ten that morning, and when he realized what time it was, he panicked and started apologizing to his Mom. Phyllis told him to stop apologizing, that seeing Jaiden holding him, and realizing he had held Peyton all night, was the sweetest thing she could ever remember seeing. Phyllis has to have seen a lot of loving things in her lifetime, she and Jim have been a couple since they met in kindergarten."

 

"You remember when we were at LECOM at a ceremony to honor Jaiden and Peyton when Jaiden's Mom, Peggy, finally admitted how much it hurt her to see Jaiden struggle over his Dad's death in the African plane crash, how much she wanted to try to help him, but didn't because she knew his strengths lay in his ability to handle things his way, and in his own time. I had never seen those two cry that hard, much less cry at all, and I certainly have never cried that hard. Yep, my boys are special; I just wish I could have been part of raising Peyton too." Tears were streaming down Ginny's cheeks as Granny went and hugged her.

 

Jaiden and Peyton got home from school early, and when they walked into the kitchen, Jaiden took one look at Ginny and knew she had been crying about something. He walked to Ginny, looked her in the eye, and said, "OK, I know something has upset you, and I don't like it, so spill it!" "Jaiden, I have been reliving some memories about you and your Mom, and telling Granny about them, that's all." "As long as nobody upset you, I'm ok, but if someone had upset you, whoever it was would be having a discussion with Peyton and me." "I love you, too, Jaiden." "Ginny, you've shown me that love all my life, I love you, too."

 

Jaiden walked up the steps headed to his son's room as Granny watched in amazement. Jaiden got the boys out of their beds and on their potty seats. When they finished their business and their Dad got them cleaned up and dressed, he carried them to the den. When everybody was in the den, Jaiden laid on the floor on his back and yelled, "Daddy Hug." The babies waddled over to, and jumped on top of their Dad to get their afternoon kiss and hug. Then they started tickling each other and laughing like crazy. They love their special time with their Dad, and he relishes his time with his sons. Jaiden has a rough schedule with rounds on the surgical floor at the hospital, working in the ER, and finishing his last semester of med school, but he always makes time for his boys. He is quick to tell anyone that his boys come first – period!"