Gregory Patrick

02/07/2022

Jaiden – Chapter 152

 

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Greg Patrick

 

Peyton walked to the kitchen, got a cup of coffee, and then walked to the French doors in the den to look outside. "Jaiden isn't going to be happy this morning." "Why not, Peyton?" "Look out the door, Charley. There's three feet of snow outside, and he wants to go to services this morning, and as soon as the children see the snow, they will pitch a fit to go outside and play in it."

 

"They may do that, Peyton, but I have checked the temp outside, and it is bitterly cold. So, I bet once the children stick their heads out the door, they will come back inside and say it's too cold."

 

"We'll see in a few minutes. I hope Jaiden makes it downstairs to get something to eat before the boys get up." "Well, you've eaten something, so when the boys get up, you can help them with their morning routine while Jaiden eats something."

 

Jaiden walked into the kitchen, kissed Peyton on the cheek, and popped him on the butt. "Good morning, blue eyes. You smell so good this morning that if we weren't going to temple services..."

 

"If we weren't going to temple this morning, Jaiden, you wouldn't have had the thought that just went through your mind because you'd still be asleep; I know how tired you were when you came home last night."

 

"Love, being tired doesn't stop me from dreaming about utopian ecstasy."

 

"What's got you so worked up this morning?" "When I felt the softness of your skin and your scent hit my nose as I kissed you...geez, it feels like my glans is about to burst." "Well, let's hope it doesn't, because I would like to use it tonight!" "Interesting, love, I would like for you to use it tonight – really like for you to use it."

 

"Guys, don't forget we're in the room too." "We won't. You know when we talk to each other this way that you and Dale get just as horny as we are."

 

"That's the problem, Jaiden; our horny is worse than your horny, and with no way to take care of our horny, we get ornery!"

 

"Charley, ornery or horny, there's no relief for your stormy-normy!"

 

"Jaiden, you had to work on the rhyme, didn't you?" "Nope, I'm just naturally smart with rhymes like that." "Yeah, right!" "OK, give me a rhyme and see if I can answer it."

 

"Alright, how much wood would woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?" "Charley, a woodchuck would chuck as much wood as a woodchuck could if a woodchuck could chuck wood!"

 

"Charley." "Yes, Peyton." "Give it up; Jaiden really is good with rhymes." "Give me time, Peyton; I'll come up with a rhyme Jaiden can't answer." "I betcha don't." "We'll see." "Yes, we will, and my bet is on Jaiden."

 

Suddenly, ten screaming little meanies ran into the dining room to eat and get ready to go to the temple. But, of course, the workers at the temple nursery spoiled the children rotten; and they laughed at the adorbs mischievous antics - and the children take advantage at every chance presented.

 

"Ah, here's one Jaiden: can one absorb an adorb, or do they sit there and be bord?" Jaiden replied, "Neither, Charley, you can never be bored with an adorb since an adorb is an adorable child." Peyton said, "As I told you, Charley, Jaiden will win every time when it comes to a rhyme." "Not bad, Peyton." "Thanks, Jaiden." Jaiden smiled.

 

When breakfast was finished, and the dishes were put in the dishwasher, the dads got their children cleaned up and dressed for playtime at the synagogue.

 

The children get so excited about going to the temple to see the ladies who watch and play with them, that they earned their dads a dedicated parking space to keep them from racing across the parking lot to get into the nursery.

 

As soon as the children were safely in the temple's nursery, the dads headed upstairs to the sanctuary. After being given time to get upstairs and settled, Mrs. Eddleman looked in the hallway to make sure the coast was clear. When she was satisfied the coast was clear, she sat the children at the art table and gave them a tootsie-pop. Therein lies the mystery of why the children love going to the synagogue nursery every Saturday morning.

 

When the service was over, and the dads went to fetch the children to go get lunch, Jaiden remarked how amazed he was that the children loved going to the nursery so much. Mrs. Eddleman looked at him and said, "Why, Dr. Jaiden, I'm amazed as well, but we love to see the children excited about being with us." Not a word was mentioned in the nursery about what the children were given every Saturday morning. That mystery would forever remain with the ladies who kept the children at the synagogue. They knew what they were doing; they were bribing the children to get them happily into the temple every week and to enjoy being there.

 

Whatever anyone thought about that tactic, it worked, and it worked well!

 

It was decided lunch would be had at B. B. Kings. The children saw Ginny and Granny when the crew got there and ran to them, yelling, "Ginny, Ganny!" There was a large table next to the ladies and their husbands, so Dale and Charley helped get the children seated and ready to eat.

 

When Peyton asked the children what they would like to eat for lunch, half the children yelled `kickin ivers and the other half yelled `bwokwee sahwed."

 

Jaiden's only comment was, "Does anyone have any Beano on them?" Charley started laughing as he left the table and went outside. When he got back to the table, he held up a small green bottle and said, "Prepared, bros," drawing a laugh from Ginny, Granny, and their husbands.

 

As they got up to head to the park, Jaiden looked at Peyton and said, "Love, I'm gonna let you have bathroom duty when the children are ready. I was inclined to get them catfish and fries since we know what chicken livers and broccoli salad are like when they reemerge from the children a few hours later."

 

"Jaiden, you aren't going to help with the boys and the bathroom break?" "Nope, chicken livers result in `chitty-chitty bang bang,' and I don't desire that today."

 

Charley put his arm around Peyton when they got onto the playground at the park and said, "Peyton, my brother, looks like you're going to have a chitty afternoon," after which he started laughing. "Charley, so are you; don't forget your children had chicken livers and broccoli salad too!"

 

Suddenly, Charley thought about how right Peyton was, and his demeanor changed from laughter to dread. There was going to be a blow-out when they got home, and it wouldn't be in a football game. Dale sensed Charley's concern, turned, and smirked at Peyton; he wasn't going to help Charley with the bathroom duties.

 

As the dads watched the children, Nathan Robert and Abraham Dovid ran up to Jaiden and said, "stinky, daddy." Jaiden looked at his boys and said, "tell Daddy Peyton so he can take you to the potty." If looks could kill, Jaiden would be dead from the glance Peyton shot toward him.

 

Peyton didn't say a word as he took his sons to the park bathroom. When they were inside the toilet, Dale looked at Jaiden and said, "Jaiden, that was mean, funny as hell, but mean." Jaiden smiled and replied, "Yeah, it was, and it was fun too. I bet Peyton will order the children fish and chips next time we go to B. B. Kings."

 

When Jaiden had said that, Charles Logan and David Alexander ran up to Charley and let him know they needed to go potty. Dale looked at Charley and smiled. Then, as Charley got up to take the children to the bathroom, he looked at Dale and quietly said, "Damn."

 

Then, as he got his sons into the building where the bathroom was, Dale and Jaiden started hysterically laughing. But, what was really funny was as the dads got back with the children, Jaiden began to sing, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang We love you. And, in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, it's what we'll do. Near and far in our motor car, oh what a happy time we'll see. Dale mused that one has to love the Sherman brothers who wrote the song.

 

While it was humorous to most of the guys, Peyton didn't find Jaiden's singing at all funny. He put his face in Jaiden's and stared into Jaiden's eyes, sending him the message, "it ain't funny, honey." Jaiden got the message, but when Peyton turned to watch his boys, Jaiden put his hand over his mouth and silently laughed until he started coughing.

 

As he was laughing, his phone rang, and he told Charley and Dale it was the hospital calling and he needed to take the call. As he walked off, all Dale and Charley heard him say was, "Hello, this is Dr. Jaiden, what's up?"

 

They didn't know it was a call from the hospital – in Abingdon – and the caller was Jaiden's mother. Jaiden told her what he had done to Peyton and why and that when Peyton and Charley returned with their boys, he had sung the song Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. From the smile on his red face, you knew that his mother was dying laughing and clapping her hands in her usual style.

 

When Jaiden returned to sit with the other dads, Charley said, "I'm sure that call was from the hospital – in Abingdon; wasn't it?" Jaiden snickered and shook his head yes. Then, Dale asked, "And you told your mom what you did, didn't you?" "Jaiden was laughing as he replied yes to Dale's question. "Dude, you better be careful if you don't want to wind up in the doghouse."

 

Peyton heard Dale's comment, turned, and asked him, "What do you mean about Jaiden being in the doghouse?" "Nothing, really; he just got a call from the hospital." "About what, Jaiden?" "Nothing; they called the wrong doctor."

 

"Charley got up and started walking around to keep from bursting out laughing. When Peyton walked over to where the children were playing on the merry-go-round, Charley leaned over and said to Jaiden, "that's the way to get your ass out of trouble: lie like hell!"

 

"Charley, I may be a little dumb sometimes, but I'm not stupid!" Charley smiled and stood there shaking his head. Dale cautioned Jaiden not to get Charley so cracked up that it would make Peyton ask what was so funny.

 

"I guess you're right, Dale; I don't want to get cut off for a while." "I understand completely, Jaiden."

 

When the families got home, Mark Anthony, Elijah James, and Jason Scott told their dads they needed to potty - badly. However, before the children finished telling Jaiden of their need, Peyton feigned a sudden need to visit the toilet, ran to Jaiden's and his room, went into the bathroom, and closed and locked the door. He stayed in the bathroom long enough for his sons to finish pottying before he flushed the unused toilet and walked back to the den.

 

Charley looked at Peyton and said, "you didn't, did you?" "I'm not saying a word, Charley." Dale said, "I know Jaiden is really smart, Peyton, but I'm beginning to believe you are smarter." "Again, Dale, I'm not saying a word." Dale looked at Peyton once more and said, "Peyton, that was brilliant," to which Peyton replied, "yes, it was, wasn't it, Dale?"

 

As Jaiden walked back into the den and pulled the mentholated cotton balls out of his nose, Dale quickly said, "how about some peach knishes and coffee?" "Jaiden said that would be wonderful as he tried to recover from breathing through his mouth. Dale had a good laugh in the kitchen as he put the pastries into the oven; Peyton had gotten Jaiden good.

 

As Dale walked back into the den, he noticed the dads had taken the children outside to play in the snow. Dale wondered why they had done that since it was so cold out. But, before he could make an inquiry of the dads, Jaiden looked up and said, "the cold kills the smell." After that, nothing else was said or asked.

 

When Dale heard the oven timer go off, he went inside, got the knishes and coffee, and brought them outside to serve the other guys. The hot coffee and knishes were always good, but today, they were exceptional in the cold weather.

 

Peyton went to Jaiden, put his arms around him, and said, "Babe, what I did was mean; I'm sorry." "Sorry, for what, sweetheart?" "For acting like I had to suddenly and badly use the bathroom and then going in and sitting there until you helped the boys finish pottying." "That's OK, sweetheart, you can make it up to me when we go to bed; be clean and ready!" Peyton's eyes bulged at what Jaiden said. Still, he knew what Jaiden's comment meant: Jaiden was going to send him into coital orbit when they `retired' for the evening.

 

While Jaiden, Dale, and Charley watched the children playing outside, Peyton excused himself, when upstairs, and prepared himself for what awaited him.

 

Shortly afterward, the children let their dads know they were ready for their baths and bed. While Peyton and Jaiden bathed their sons, Jaiden looked at Peyton and asked, "Are you ready?" "Very ready, love." "Good, you owe me, and I'm about to collect!"

 

When they got into their bedroom, Jaiden started a warm bath, undressed Peyton, and got into the jacuzzi with him. They got out of the jacuzzi an hour later, dried off, and walked to the bed.

 

"Peyton, lie down on your back and be still. As Peyton did that, Jaiden got some ski cord out of the nightstand and tied Peyton's hands to the headboard, and his feet spread wide on the footboard. Then he put a cloth loosely in Peyton's mouth to muffle any sounds he would make during their love session.

 

Peyton was petrified, remembering what had happened at Jaiden's mother's house. However, that fear was much misplaced. Jaiden got the lube and tenderly prepared Peyton for what was about to happen to him.

 


As Jaiden was satisfied Peyton was ready for what he wanted to do, he lovingly climbed on top of his husband and whispered into his ear, "Love, this is what I wanted and intended to do those years back."

 

Then, he slowly and ever so gently slipped inside Peyton and began making slow, methodical love to him. Peyton cooed in amazement at what he was feeling and enjoying to its max. Next, he grabbed Jaiden's face and began to French kiss him in a way Jaiden couldn't remember happening before. Jaiden returned Peyton's kiss and kept up his slow, sensual thrusts until he and Peyton climaxed together.

 

"Jaiden, do you think you can do that one more time without stopping?" "Maybe, sweetheart. The only way we'll know is for me to try." "Please, babe."

 

Jaiden quickly rose to the occasion and began making slow, deliberate love to Peyton. The make-out session lasted almost another hour before they again climaxed together. As Jaiden started to climax, Peyton locked his legs around Jaiden's and held him tightly inside him until Jaiden naturally slid out.

 

As Jaiden untied Peyton and pulled him on top of his body, the two were drenched in sweat. He held Peyton softly as he cried at what had just happened.

 

Peyton rubbed Jaiden's back and stroked his hair as he said, "Babe, that was a milestone for both of us, and I hope it happens the same way again; you were amazing, and I enjoyed every minute of you making love to me." "Really, Peyton?" "Really, my love." Jaiden let his tears freely flow at that point, and Peyton turned and laid Jaiden's head on his chest and cried with him. It would be a night neither of the two young men would ever forget.

 

The next day, Jaiden asked Dale if he and Charley would watch the children so he and Peyton could take a long walk. Dale could sense something sentimental in Jaiden's face and said he and Charley wouldn't at all mind watching the children.

 

Jaiden took Peyton by the hand and said, "Sweetheart, let's take a long walk together."

 

They walked out the house door and began walking in a northerly direction. Neither said a word until Jaiden took Peyton's hand, lifted it up, kissed it, and said, Peyton, I'm sorry I hurt you the first time I tried to make love to you as I did last night. I've never been able to get over that until last night."

 

"Jaiden, I know you didn't mean to hurt me, and I've tried as hard as I know how to help you get over the hurt you've felt; I let that go a long time ago, and I hope you can finally do that too." "I think I can, babe. I think I showed myself last night that we can get excited in bed and still be tender and loving."

 

"Jaiden, that's what I've been trying to tell you all this time. But it's as your mother has said, sometimes you have to figure out things for yourself, and you've finally done that – and amazingly so, I might add. I hope we have many more nights like last night." Jaiden stopped Peyton and leaned into him.

 

"Jaiden, remember, we're in public on a public street where everybody can see us." "Screw them, Peyton, I don't give a damn what they think, I want to kiss you, and I am going to do just that." Jaiden gave Peyton the most tender, most loving kiss Peyton could remember. Peyton laid his head against Jaiden's shoulder as they continued their walk around their neighborhood.

 

As they were walking back home, one of their neighbors, whom they considered to be a bigoted redneck, yelled out to them, "Hey, you guys, just a minute!

 

Peyton got ready for a fight that didn't happen. "My wife and our kids saw you kiss in the street. So I had to explain to them what they saw so they wouldn't get the wrong idea."

 

"Sir, we're sorry if we embarrassed you and your wife in front of your children."

 

"My wife and I have watched the two of you walking these streets for the past several years, and it has been more than evident that something existed between the two of you. But, when the two of you kissed in the middle of the street, I knew I had to say something to you, so here it is: we've waited a long time to see the two of you do what you did. It's evident you dearly love each other and that you've tried not to show affection in public."

 

"Everybody thinks I`m an old-fashioned, southern redneck, but I'm not. When my wife and I saw the two of you kiss, we both said, "finally, they feel safe enough to publicly show their affection and love for each other. The wife and I had tears in our eyes as we waited for you two to walk back by our house so I, we, could tell you to please don't stop showing the love for each other that we saw today. I'm sorry if you were concerned when I yelled for you to stop; it's just that we wanted you both to know you have our support and our friendship."

 

Tears were flooding from Jaiden's and Peyton's eyes as they shook the man's hand and thanked him for his kind words and sentiment.

 

When they got home, they told Dale and Charley what had happened. Charley said, "Let's put the children in their prams and take a walk together. Maybe that neighbor is still outside, and Dale and I can meet him, and he can see we are a natural, stable family."

 

They did as Charley suggested. When they got to the neighbor's house, he ran to the street, told them he was cooking hamburgers and invited them to stop and have dinner with his family. They hesitated until he insisted. It turned out to be the best night they'd had since they moved to Memphis.

 

The family asked the four guys what they did for a living. When Peyton and Jaiden mentioned they were pediatric oncologists at St. Jude's, the neighbor and his wife said they felt honored to meet someone like them and have them dine with their family.

 

One conversation led to another, and the family's swapped information with the neighbors saying they hoped to travel to Erie with their children to spend some time vacationing with the guys and their children.

 

To say, Peyton, Dale, Charley, and Jaiden were on cloud nine would be an understatement. They were ecstatic at the support and love their neighbors offered. But unfortunately for them, it was apparent they had misjudged their neighbors out of their fears over how the neighbors would see a same-sex marriage and family.

 

For whatever reason, Peyton's, Dale's, Charley's, and Jaiden's parents called them on the same night at almost the same time after they got home. Their parents mentioned to their sons that they seemed to be upset about something. When their sons told them what had happened with the neighbor, they were all crying when they hung up. What a day it turned out to be, and what milestones were achieved that evening.

 

When the guys got the children in bed, they decided to turn in early. As Peyton laid down with Jaiden, he noticed Jaiden was still letting his tears flow. "Babe, I am so proud of the milestones we achieved today. I don't know when I've enjoyed you making love to me the way you did last night; you were magnificent."

 

"Really, Peyton?" "Really, Jaiden. Somehow, what happened today has made me realize I love you way more than I thought I did, and I didn't believe that was possible."

 

Jaiden laid his head on Peyton's shoulder and Peyton felt Jaiden's tears as they rolled across his chest and down his side. Tonight, the two realized it was possible to love each other more than they ever thought they could – and they did. Damn, what a night!

 

Sunday morning, when they got up, it seemed to be a new world to the young men. First, all four guys hugged and kissed each other on the cheek. Then, Jaiden took his coffee outside and sat in his chair, looking over the mountains. Next, Dale, Charley, and Peyton joined him as they waited on their children to awaken.

 

Dale was watching Jaiden as he appeared to be lost in reality. "Jaiden, for what it's worth, we all feel the same way." "I can believe that, Dale. I couldn't say that day before yesterday, but today, I can, and what an incredible feeling it is."

 

"I understand, Jaiden. I wonder if you had not been the person you are and had you not taught us so much about each other, and others for that matter, if last night would have ever happened." "Dale, it has and had nothing to do with me; it was all the Almighty's doing."

 

"I can't for the life of me understand why Hashem has blessed me, us, so abundantly, I just can't." "Jaiden, I have no doubt that when your time comes, and you stand before the Almighty, he will tell you why and say to you, `well done, my good and faithful servant.'"

 

"Dale, I pray you are right. I love Hashem with all my heart, and I am so grateful that he allowed me to be raised with the Jewish faith and a loving Jewish family. I don't know if I would be the person I have tried to be if that had not been a major factor in my life."

 

"Jaiden, no matter how Hashem set up your life, I have no doubt you'd be the same person either way." "Thanks, Dale, your saying that means the world to me."

 

When the children awoke, had their breakfast, and got cleaned up, Jaiden spent extra time with each child loving on them – all ten of them – realizing just how blessed he and they are. Then, they went to the river and watched the ducks and geese in the cove, got an i-keem for the children, and played in the park.

 

Today, Jaiden realized how much he, Peyton, Dale, and Charley, and their children have been blessed; it's the day he learned how grateful he is for the blessings he, his family, and his brothers and their family have received.

 

That evening, they again retired as soon as the children were in bed and asleep. But, unbeknownst to Peyton, Jaiden had plans in mind and had prepared himself for an epic night. When they went to their room and undressed to go to bed, Jaiden looked at Peyton and said, "Love. I have a favor to ask of you." "What would that be, babe?"

 

Jaiden laid on his back on the bed and asked, "Peyton, would you get the rope out of the nightstand and tie me to the bed as I tied you?" "Why, Jaiden?" "Peyton, I want you to tie me to the bed and make love to me so I can know what it feels like to be put in that position. I want to feel what you felt the way you said you experienced it."

 

Peyton reached into the nightstand and retrieved the rope. Then, he tied Jaiden to the bed, arm by arm and leg by leg. Next, he got the lube from the drawer and began to prepare Jaiden until Jaiden stopped him. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" "I've already taken care of that. Please, just make love to me."

 

Peyton gently laid atop Jaiden, inserted himself into his husband, and began making slow, deliberate love to him. He did everything he could to ensure it would be as pleasurable and as memorable for Jaiden as it was for him the night before; it would be and was.

 

Jaiden buried his head in Peyton's shoulder and sobbed as they climaxed together. He couldn't fathom how someone could and would love him as much as Peyton does. It took nearly an hour before Jaiden calmed down.

 

"Jaiden, talk to me." "Peyton, why do you love me the way you do? What have I done to be loved so deeply by you?" "Jaiden, get out of bed and come with me." "Peyton, as soon as you untie me, I will." Peyton started laughing before he said, "Sorry, sweetheart, I forgot."

 

Peyton untied Jaiden, who then got out of bed and followed Peyton into their bathroom. Peyton turned Jaiden to look into the mirror with Peyton standing directly behind him.

 

"Jaiden, tell me who and what you see." "Peyton, I see a young, Jewish man who has no idea why he has been so blessed by Hashem." "Jaiden, look again; tell me who and what you see."

 

"Peyton, I honestly can't."

 

"Then I'll tell you what I see. I am looking at a young man who just happens to be Jewish, a young man whom I am blessed to be married to and to share biological children with. I am looking at the most loving and honorable man I have ever met, bar none. I am looking at the only person I have ever wanted to snuggle up to every night of my life."

 

"I am looking at a young man who is more gifted than I can describe, who loves people more than anyone will ever know, whose main desire is to leave this earth infinitely more profound than he found it."

 

"Jaiden, I am looking at a young man who I believe is the most amazing young man Hashem has ever created. I am more than honored you are my spouse and a father to our children. There is nothing I won't do for you – nothing – ever!"

 

"You truly feel that don't you, Peyton?"

 

"Jaiden, from the top of my head to the soles of my feet, with Hashem as my witness, I believe it with every ounce of my being. You are, always have been, and always will be the love of my life."

 

"Damn, I've done it again!" "Done what, Peyton?" "Made you cry." "Sweetheart, it isn't from sadness; it is from feeling like I'm the luckiest man on earth."

 

The following day at work, Peyton got a call from the head nurse asking him to meet her in the physician's lounge. "I'm on my way, Kelly."

 

"What's up, Kelly?" "I'm concerned about Dr. Jaiden. He seems to be a hundred worlds away today." "Kelly, it has to do with what happened this past weekend. The weekend was so incredible that I don't know if I can explain what happened, much less why. Jaiden made strides over the weekend that we wondered if he would ever make after something happened that tore him apart. I won't say what it was, but it all but destroyed him after we got married."

 

"He finally got over it over the weekend; it took him 7 years to get to that point. Then we were stopped on a sentimental walk by someone we thought was the biggest redneck southerner in our neighborhood. He spoke to us for quite a while, and we discovered he wasn't the person we thought he was – and neither was his wife."

 

"So, Dale, Charley, Jaiden, I, and the children wound up having a grilled hamburger supper with the family that night, and now we have an excellent relationship with them and their children."

 

"Plans are for them to vacation in Erie once we get back and for them to stay with us at our home. That was one of the happenings that blew our minds over the weekend. We have always worried about what neighbors would think if we walked hand-in-hand through the neighborhood or shared a hug or kiss. We found out Saturday evening, and the reaction wasn't what we thought it would be."

 

I won't say what happened between Jaiden and me, but suffice it to say we discovered we love each other and our brothers far more than we ever thought we could or would. We're at the point of wondering if we should leave Memphis to go back to Erie or not. I know we will in May, but it will be decidedly more difficult after this past weekend."

 

"Dr. Peyton, I'm not supposed to say anything about this, but have you talked with the hospital's CEO yet?" "About what, Kelly?" "The letters he has received about you and Dr. Jaiden. And I might add, he has received several about how Dale and Charley have worked with a few patients about their lack of confidence."

 

"What about Jaiden and me?"

 

"The hospital has received at least 75 letters stating the intent of families to relocate to Erie so Dr. Jaiden, you, Dr. Richard, and Dr. Andrews can continue to be their children's physicians." "Kelly, are you kidding me?"

 

"No, sir, I'm not. You should get a call from the CEO in the next day or so. I can tell you he is sick to his stomach over the two of you leaving in mid-May to return to Erie, but he is ecstatic that you will still be a member of St. Jude's family there."

 

"Dang, I had no idea, and neither does Jaiden that I know of. And we certainly didn't know that Dale and Charley had worked with any patients on their confidence levels; that is part of what we won the Nobel Prize over."

 

"The Nobel Prize, Dr. Peyton?" "Oh Lord, you didn't know." "No, sir, nobody up here knows about that." "Kelly, if that information gets out, I don't know if we will be able to find any peace and quiet here. Of course, it's all on the internet, but it's something we don't talk about to avoid the fanfare over it."

 

"What did you receive the Nobel for?"

 

"Jaiden, Dale, Charley, and I started a movement in Erie that caused worldwide changes in the way children are educated, how they are evaluated, and how they are disciplined when they act out. We also helped change the ways school system administrators evaluate and hire new teachers. They named an Erie elementary magnet school after Jaiden and me. Once we were notified of the honor and toured the school, they had built and named another elementary magnet school after Dale and Charley. They took us to the surprise unveiling of that school."

 

"And all this is on the Internet?" "It is if you know where to look for it." "Everybody loves the two of you – and Charley and Dale – but they really don't know why. I'm beginning to understand why."

 

"Well, Kelly, just watch Jaiden. If it seems he is distracted and might be missing something, let me know." "If anything, Dr. Peyton, Dr. Jaiden is more focused than we have seen him since he has been here."

 

"Thanks, Kelly." "Yes, sir, Dr. Peyton."

 

***