Gregory Patrick

02/21/2022

Jaiden – Chapter 154

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Greg Patrick

 

"Jaiden, this is Peter; sorry we got cut off yesterday; emergencies were the rule of the day." "I understand, Peter; Peyton and I did our time in the ER in Erie." "Yes, you did, and I remember the stories you both have told me."

 

"My day was compounded when Leon and I went to dinner after taking a drive late yesterday afternoon. We were sitting in that restaurant we like in the alley in Brevard, the one you and Peyton told us about. We were nervous about upsetting the people in the restaurant if we showed any affection, and the waiter noticed our angst and asked if anything was wrong."

 

"We told Jeff the truth, and he then turns around and tells everybody in the restaurant we were two guys who were as queer as a three-dollar bill and then walks into the kitchen with our order."

 

"To make matters worse, two brutes walked over and scared the shit out of us by comments he made and then making us follow him to the center of the room. In the center of the room, he tells everybody to stand and show us what they think of us, and I nearly peed myself – and so did Leon. We almost fainted when the people started applauding, and the two brutes told us everybody in the restaurant was gay - including them."

 

"We were asked to sit in the center of the group as their guests of honor. So then, when our meal came out, it wasn't the sandwiches Leon and I ordered - it was two of the most enormous, best Porterhouse steaks you have ever tasted. Also, we didn't get the sides we ordered because they served vegetables family-style on the table."

 

"We were so humbled by the way they treated us after scaring us to death, and the waiter apologized for what he had said to the group explaining everybody in the restaurant that night was gay, including the restaurant's employees."

 

"Then, before we left after finishing our meal, everybody put their names, addresses, and telephone numbers on a sheet of paper and told us that if anybody in the area gave us any crap about being gay, especially being gay and married, to call one person on the list, and the whole damned group would show up to defend us! We were floored by that."

 

"I guess so, Peter. That would have scared Peyton and me too. Peyton is good at defense, but not against thirty people in a restaurant. Did you pick out a spot to try and outrun them if you had to?" "I don't think we could have done that if we tried; the space was too confined and too crowded."

 

"They meet at the restaurant every Saturday night, and they invited us to join their group as regulars, so Leon and I are going to do that for as long as we are in the area. We can use the friendship of people who won't judge us. Besides, most of the people were professional looking and acting – and well dressed."

 

"That is wild, Peter; I can't wait to tell Peyton, Dale, and Charley. They'll be happy to hear of the friendships y'all formed; I doubt they'll be happy to hear how the friendships came about, but they'll be happy nonetheless." "I hope so. Leon and I weren't exactly happy with the beginning words spoken, but in the end, we knew we were among friends."

 

"Wow! Talk about a weird incident." "You're telling me, Jaiden. It took us a while to come down from the scare that night. Well, Leon is coming in, so I'm going to fix him a cup of coffee and something to eat. Give the children a hug and kiss for us." "Hold on a second, Pete."

 

"Hey guys, Uncle Pete wants me to give you a hug and kiss for him." When Jaiden did that for all ten children, he asked the children, "now, what do you say to Uncle Peter?"

 

"Tank you Unka P, lu you."

 

"Jaiden, that meant the world to me, and it will to Leon when I tell him what the children did. Later, bro."

 

"Who was on the phone, Jaiden?" "Peter, he told me what happened the night before last at the alley restaurant we like in Brevard." After Jaiden told Peyton, Dale, and Charley what Peter had told him, they all stood there with their mouths wide open and their chins on the floor. "Jaiden, that is unreal!

"Peyton, that's what I told Peter. They have been invited to be regulars with the dinner group every Saturday night. Peter said they intended to go as long as he isn't working. Maybe we can join them when we go through there for Dale's and Charley's graduation at Wellstone." "That would be fun to meet a group like that – especially knowing they will be a support group for Leon and Peter."

 

"Guys, you know what's funny about what happened?" "What, Charley?" "Leon got a little taste of how we felt that day in the park, and he got another big taste of feeling supported." "That's the remarkable thing about what happened, Charley; I hope Leon tells them his story since it parallels what happened to him and Peter in the restaurant."

 

The following morning when Ginny and Granny walked into the house, the children went running to them excitedly, saying, "Ginny, Ganny, Unka P call las nite; he send us kisses and hugs." "He did?" "Uh-huh, he did." "What did you say to him?" "We say tank you Unka P, we lu you." "Now that was sweet; I'm proud of my babies."

 

All the children were smiling from ear to ear after Ginny and Granny said they were proud of them. The dads were all smiles watching from the dining room; they, too, were proud of their children.

 

Later that morning, Peyton called Leon to tell him how excited the children were to get hugs and kisses from their Uncle Peter. He and Leon laughed about the children's reactions, and Leon said he would let Peter know how much the children enjoyed their Uncle Peter's hugs and kisses."

 

That night, Peyton and Dale sat down and wrote a short note to Peter and Leon and gave a copy to each child to see if they could write down what they saw. They also gave the children a sheet of paper with their names written down. Not only did the children copy the note Peyton and Dale had written for them, but they also signed their names. Peyton put the notes in a manilla envelope, and Dale said he would mail it from his office.

 

Two days later, Leon called Peyton to let him know he and Peter had received the envelope and that the notes inside had brought them to tears. He told Peyton Peter was having them framed to go on the den wall.

 

"Leon, Peter doesn't need to do that!" "I tried to tell him that, Peyton, but the notes meant so much to him. He even called his parents and told them what the children had done. They are supposed to be here next weekend, and Peter wants to have the framed notes on the wall when they get here."

 

When Peyton told Jaiden, Dale, and Charley how the notes from the children had touched Peter and Leon and what Peter was doing with them, Jaiden said, "Guys, let's see if we can get Friday off and drive to Brevard Thursday night and stay until Sunday morning. I think the kids would love to see their uncles and the animals in the yard."

 

"If we can get Friday off, Peyton, can you call Leon and make sure it's OK if we drive up?" "Sure, no problem."

 

The next day the guys talked with their supervisors and got permission to not only take Friday off, but they were also told to take the whole week because they had worked hard and earned the break.

 

That night, Peyton called Leon and asked, "Leon, we were thinking of taking next Friday off and driving up to Brevard to spend the weekend with you and Peter. But when we asked our bosses if we could take Friday off, they told Jaiden, Dale, Charley, and me that we had earned a break and to take the whole week and enjoy it."

 

"So, would it be OK with the two of you if we drove up Saturday morning and stayed through the following Saturday? We'll buy all the food needed for Peter's parents and us, and Dale said he'd be more than happy to do the cooking?" "Hold on a second and let me run it by Peter."

 

"Peyton, Peter said if y`all will bring the children to come on up." "We'll bring the children; it's a surprise for them since they got so excited about the hugs and kisses from their Unka P. We'll try to be there by noon on Saturday. Oh, don't try to fix a place for the children to sleep; we'll bring mats and sleep with them on the floor in the basement." "Great, we'll see y'all then."

 

"Peter, Peyton said they'd try to be here by noon on Saturday." "Babe, now I'm excited. I miss those babies horribly, and it'll be nice to see their dads as well; plus, mom and dad will get to meet the children and see what we have been telling them about. Damn, this is so exciting; I can hardly wait. We can take them to Brevard for dinner on Saturday night and let them meet the group." "Now that's an idea; they'll enjoy that, and the group will have a ball spoiling those babies."

 

A few minutes later, Leon shot Peyton a text that said he wished the guys could see and hear Peter dancing around the house because he was so excited about getting to see the babies. Peyton showed the text to his hubby and brothers, and they all said, "WOW!"

 

Friday evening, they got the van loaded for their Saturday morning trip and decided to get breakfast on the road. They drove as far as Knoxville before they stopped at a Krystal, went inside, got the children seated, ordered cheese Krystals with ketchup, and got fries for the children and chili for the dads.

 

Nathan Robert, being the straightforward child he is, asked his dad if he could taste the chili, so Jaiden gave him a taste. But, of course, that was the wrong thing to do!

 

"Daddy, more?" "Did you like the chili, Nathan?" "Uh-huh, more?" "Charley, do we have some Beano in the van?" "Jaiden, I can tell you with certainty, there is no Beano in the van." Jaiden looked dejected when Charley said that.

 

"Jaiden, don't be so sad. The Beano isn't in the van because it is in my pocket. I brought it inside when we got here in case we needed it."

 

Jaiden smiled, got up from the table where they were sitting, went to the counter, and got four bowls of chili, which he divided between the children. Charley made sure each child got two drops of Beano on their first spoon of chili; he wasn't going to ride three and a half more hours to Brevard after the children ate chili that was full of kidney beans – no way!

 

After the children ate their breakfast, the dads got them pottied, back into the van and headed for Brevard. About an hour down the road, Alaina Noelle said, "Daddy, I on go to potty."

 

Jaiden pulled into Burger King, took the children inside, helped them potty, and then got them a kiddie meal with a cheeseburger, fresh fruit, and some milk.

 

The children ate their lunch and then played for almost an hour on the playground slinking through the tubes and sliding down the slides. Then, finally, the dads helped them potty one more time, got them back into the van, and drove the rest of the way to Brevard. They were amazed that the children weathered the trip so well.

 

The children enjoyed the trip with Charley showing them clouds that looked like animals and other objects. Once he got the children started on gazing at the clouds, they did that for the rest of the trip and didn't complain one time about being tired.

 

They pulled into Leon's and Peter's driveway precisely at 12:30 pm. Peter and Leon came out to greet everybody. When the children saw them, they went wild to get to their Unka P and Unka Le; the uncles were just as excited to see their nephews and their beautiful little niece.

 

It was a grand reunion for the uncles who had missed the children so badly. They played so hard that it was difficult to tell who the adults and the children were. The joy was contagious.

 

Peter's parents arrived about an hour after the Riley-Reynolds, and Leonard-Anderson clans arrived. Peter was holding Alaina Noelle when he met his parents in the garage.

 

"Mom, Dad, welcome; we hope you will love the house and enjoy getting to meet Leon's family." "Peter's mom said, "I'm sure we will, son. Who is the beautiful little girl you are holding?" "Mom, this is my new niece, Alaina Noelle. Jaiden and Peyton have five boys, and their brothers, by choice, have four sons and this beautiful little girl, and all ten children live in the same house."

 

"Oh my word, Peter, how do their parents stay sane with all those children in one house?" "Mom, you and Dad keep your eyes and ears open and watch the children; you will be amazed at their intelligence and how they interact with each other. When she's had enough of her brothers trying to protect her, this little girl will quickly set them straight. What happens when she does that is hilarious. Just watch; you'll see eventually."

 

The adults went inside, and Peter introduced his parents to Peyton, Jaiden, Charley, and Dale. They sat on the screened back porch, had coffee and peach knishes Dale made and swapped stories about how Leon had met Peyton and Jaiden.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Andrews were intrigued at how Peyton, Jaiden, and Leon had met and how Peyton and Jaiden helped Leon get over everything he had gone through since he was 14. They were especially appreciative of Peyton's parents being willing to adopt Leon after doing the same thing for Richard and Seth.

 

"Leon, I hope you realize how much God has blessed you by bringing all this about; and the fact that you are such a close family...that is amazing to Peter's dad and me." "Yes, mam, I more than realize how I have been blessed by becoming a part of Peyton's family."

 

"Peyton is remarkable beyond belief, and Jenny, our sister, she is amazingly loving. She has helped me adjust more than I can describe. She calls me every couple of days to talk and make sure I am doing as well as possible."

 

"Peyton, how did your family become such a loving family with Leon so quickly?" "Mrs. Andrews, all I can say is it was Hashem's doing; outside of that, I have no idea. It was like Leon was supposed to be and always was a part of the family; he was a missing link in the puzzle of life for all of us."

 

"Peyton, what a lovely thing to say. Your family must be amazing." "They indeed are, Mrs. Andrews. My mother is hard to describe. Mom has such love in her soul that she lights up everyone's world, and she loves Leon, Richard, and Seth as if she birthed them – especially Seth, who lives with her and Dad and has been spoiled rotten."

 

"Seth had been in the hospital for a month and a half after his bio-dad assaulted and almost killed him when Mom and Dad adopted him and Richard. It's weird to me how Mom and Dad loved Seth and Richard from the time they met them at the hospital. Dad paid off Richard's medical loans and paid in advance for his last year of medical school. We'll be in practice together once we get back to Erie. When Leon completes his degree at Wellstone, he has a scholarship to attend the doctoral program in counseling psychology at Penn State."

 

"Peter will be part of our family medical practice, and Leon will join us as our counseling psychologist when he gets his doctorate and passes the board exams."

 

"We open the medical practice on June fifteenth, and we are already booked solid for three months. We'll have a general pediatric medical and surgical practice specializing in oncology and oncological surgery."

 

"It sounds like you guys have everything on the ball." "Yes, mam, we do. We worked in the practice for almost a year before going to St. Jude's for specialized training. Our staff is in place, and when we get back to Erie, we're going to have a grand reunion with a big party at the country club."

 

"It sounds like you are really looking forward to getting back to Erie." "Yes, mam, we are; Erie is home to us. We have been so blessed by being a part of the city."

 

"Mom." "Yes, Peter." "Do you have your laptop handy?" "I do; why?" "Google Peyton and Jaiden Riley-Reynolds and Dale and Charley Leonard-Anderson. If you need the router code, it's on the side of the router by the television."

 

Mrs. Andrews Googled the information Peter told her to, and when she read what appeared on the computer screen, her mouth became agape as she looked up at the guys in total awe."

 

"Peyton, is this information true?" "Yes, mam, it is. But, we don't talk about it because people's reactions can get overbearing for us. When that happens, our anxiety goes through the roof." "But in education instead of medicine?"

 

"Yes, mam, a teacher made me mad at the way she was treating the son of friends of ours in our synagogue in Erie. One thing led to another, and the next thing we knew, we were in Oslo to receive the award." "

 

When we got back home, we were honored when the Erie Board of Education named two elementary magnet schools after the four of us. We used part of the Nobel award to equip each school with the best teaching aids possible to benefit all students, especially those who struggle in school."

 

"Gentlemen, I don't know if I am in awe of the four of you or if I am jealous." "Mrs. Andrews, either way, it doesn't matter; what matters to us is that Hashem is pleased with what we do to honor Him and His children. It is a commandment in and of our Jewish faith."

 

"How can you young men accomplish all of what I have seen and be such friendly, loving individuals who seem to be simple everyday folks?" When Mrs. Andrews asked that question, everybody pointed at Jaiden.

 

"I don't understand." "Dale said, "Mrs. Andrews, Jaiden is exceptionally brilliant and focused. He pushes us mercilessly to do and be our best. If it hadn't been for him after Peyton caught Charley and me in a knock-down argument, we wouldn't be a couple today. Everything we have and everything we are is all because of him and his love for all of us – and Peyton is a huge part of that love."

 

"Dale, please don't be so free with your praise of me; I haven't done anything that Hashem has not placed in front of me. Whatever has been accomplished is because of Him and only because of Him."

 

"That may be true, Jaiden, but you listened to what Hashem told you to do, and you submitted to His will to get everything done that He placed on Peyton's and your plates."

 

"Dale, that's all I have tried to be. I believe that Hashem blesses you most when you listen to Him and do your best to accomplish His will on this old earth. It's like when Charley stared at my grandfather's picture in the den at Mom's and said the painting spoke to him. It's the same for me when I focus on Hashem."

 

"Jaiden, what was so special about the photograph?' "Mrs. Andrews, my grandfather, my mom's dad, was a very wise Hasidic Shepfardic Rabbi. Mom's family originally came from the region of Portugal in World War II. My grandfather became an Orthodox rabbi in America and forged a rich heritage for my family."

 

"My, Jaiden, you certainly have been blessed." "Yes, mam, I honestly have been blessed beyond measure. The only exception to those blessings is that my father was killed in a plane crash in Africa when I was three years old. Pictures and books he wrote, advances in childhood orthotics he pioneered for children with cancer, and his reputation as a doctor at St. Jude's are all I have left of him. It hurts horribly and drives me to be the best father and doctor I can be."

 

Peyton spoke up and said, "Mrs. Andrews, Jaiden's dad was such an awesome man that his memory and his reputation drive all four of us to be the best we can be."

 

"His mother is also one of the most amazing persons I have ever met and has given me the honor and privilege of loving me as one of her own – it's that way for all four of us. If anybody messes with any of us, she is worse than a lioness protecting her cubs – and she won't ask questions before she bites and bites hard; just ask Charley and Dale."

 

"Dale, Charley?" "Mrs. Andrews, my dad, and Charley's dad disowned us for being gay, and Charley's dad beat him up pretty severely before kicking him out of the house. We didn't know it at the time, but Jaiden's mom flew to Florida and confronted our dads in their offices, backing them up against a wall. She's a petite lady, but when she got finished biting our dads in their butts, they were crying. Both publicly apologized before five thousand people. They have been a massive part of our lives since, and in the lives of our children since they were born."

 

"Jaiden's mom flew back to Virginia and didn't say anything to us about what she had done until after our dads told us she tore them a new one. Then, when we asked her if she had done that, she admitted she had."

 

After we moved to Erie to live with Peyton and Jaiden and work on our Master's degrees in Engineering, we visited her at her home one weekend. When we arrived at the house, a strange car was sitting in the driveway, a vehicle Jaiden didn't recognize. So we checked the house, and nobody had broken in, so we got our stuff in the rooms where we would stay."

 

"When Mom got home, Dale had prepared dinner for her, so we sat down and ate together and talked for the longest about anything and everything that came to mind. After that, we cleared the table and cleaned up the kitchen and dishes, and then went to the den to have some more coffee and conversation."

 

"Mom came back downstairs with a set of keys in her hand and handed them to Dale and said, "That car sitting in the driveway is for you and Charley; y'all are going to need a good vehicle to get to school and back home once the snow hits Erie."

 

"Mrs. Andrews, Mom bought us a brand new Subaru Forrester with all-wheel drive. She made us go out and drive the car around Abingdon and through the mountains with Jaiden and Peyton."

 

"We didn't know what to say or how to say anything except thank you. Mom told us she bought us that car because we were her boys like Jaiden, and she loved us just as much as she loved him. That love has never waivered – ever. It was after that that she flew to Florida and did what she did."

 

 

"Charley, that is an amazing story. Jaiden, I would love to meet your mom; she sounds like a truly blessed and loving woman." "She is, Mrs. Andrews. She gives Charley and Dale a large allowance each month to help them with school and living expenses. In addition, she supplements Peyton's and my income until we complete our specialized training at St. Jude's. She recently said she'll pay that stipend through our first year of practice in Erie."

 

When Jaiden had said that to Mrs. Andrews, the doorbell rang at the garage door. Peter said he wondered who in the world that could be. He went to the garage, opened the entry door, and it was Jaiden's mom.

 

Peter had called her to let her know the grandbabies would be there for a week with their dads, so she had arranged to take off that week to be with her sons and their families – and neither she, Peter, nor Leon had said anything to Jaiden, Peyton, Dale, or Charley.

 

Peter went back upstairs and said it must have been a bear or other large animal rubbing up against the doorbell, that he didn't see anyone outside. That was not true; Jaiden's mom was putting her luggage in the basement bedroom since the dads would be `camping' with their children on floor mats in front of the fireplace.

 

As everyone was talking in the upstairs den, Jaiden's mom went up the stairs and stood where the children could see her, but the adults couldn't.

 

When the babies finally saw her, they yelled "Gamma' and ran to her. Jaiden jumped up to see who the children were running to, and when he saw his mom, he shrieked, "Mom, when did you get here; I didn't know you knew we were coming?"

 

"I didn't, Jaiden; Peter called and let me know y'all would be here. So I rearranged my schedule to be here too. If you want me to, I can go back home." "No, mom, we were going to call and let you know after we got here; we just didn't know Peter had beaten us to the punch."

 

"This is really gonna work out. We want to take the children and eat breakfast at Wellstone on Monday, introduce the children to our friends there, and then take them to see Tony. We didn't let him know we were coming, and I hope nobody else did."

 

"We are going to `camp' with the children in front of the fireplace downstairs; what room are you going to stay in?" "The bedroom downstairs. I'd say I could camp with y'all, but I am in my 50s, and camping for me when out of style years ago." "Mom, it may be out of style for you, but we'll find out for us tonight."

 

Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, this is my mom, Dr. Peggy Reynolds." "Dr. Reynolds, it is nice to finally meet you; we've heard so many good things about you."

 

"Please, it's Peggy, not Dr. Reynolds, and who's been telling you lies about me? "I'm a stern taskmaster; ask Jaiden." Mrs. Andrews, Mom is a tough taskmaster, but she's also a very loving one. I wouldn't be who I am without her."

 

"Peter, you've never said that about me!" "Yes, I have, Mom; I just haven't said it where you could hear me say it." "Really, son?" "Really, Mom; ask Dad." "Dan?" "He has said that Josie; he didn't want you to hear it because he didn't want to spoil you."

 

"By the way, Peggy, please call me Josie. And like you are stern with Jaiden, I am with Peter, so we should get along fine and boss them around together." "Josie, somehow, I think we are going to get along just fine." "Oh, heavens no; please tell me I didn't hear my mom say that, Peyton." "Nope, love, you heard her loud and clear, and I think It's funny as hell. I'm going to really enjoy this week."

 

"I've said for six years, Josie, I have the best son-in-law in the world." "Mine is pretty good too, and both of our sons-in-law are so handsome! Why if I wasn't married...just saying!" Both of the moms laughed at Josie's comment.

 

The dads took the children downstairs and put them to bed on their mats. Then Jaiden, Peyton, Dale, and Charley went outside to sit on the porch and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

 

"Jaiden, Josie, and Dan don't remember, but I met them at Peter's and Leon's wedding in Memphis. They must be incredibly busy individuals to forget that." "I don't think they are busy, Mom, just forgetful; Peter has said they tend to be forgetful about things they don't focus on."

 

"Peyton, can I ask you to do me a favor?" "What is that, Mom?" "Nah, never mind. You and Jaiden are sleeping in the room with the children, so I can't ask you to do what I am thinking." "Sure you can, Mom; we'll just `sleep' in the bedroom, and you can sleep on the floor with the children."

 

"Get that idea out of your head, Peyton; that ain't gonna happen today, tomorrow, or the day after – even if you get blue balls!"

 

When Jaiden's mom commented about blue balls, Charley lost it, and you could see the gears start turning in his head.

 

"Jaiden." "What, Charley?" "What is a willy that has gone nilly because it can't be silly with the fellow holding it dearly?"

 

"Charley, it's a limp dick with no hope of being more than a prick!"

 

"Charley." "Yes, Peyton." "As I said before, you aren't going to beat Jaiden at rhymes, so give it up; you're only going to frustrate yourself."

 

****