Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 03:01:58 -0400 From: Jamie Haze Subject: DOOBY rhymes Scooby Part 9 DOOBY rhymes with Scooby Part 9 By Jamie Haze Kevin caught up with Tom and Christian in the garden shop, "Hey guys, Dooby's got so much shit picked out already we'll never get it home in the Tahoe. If one of you drives me back to our place, I'll get my pickup, and Rob and I can haul it. Remember its Sunday, they don't deliver," he reminded Tom. Tom and Christian both looked at the flat cart of annual flowers they'd picked out already. Tom nodded and handed his keys to Kevin, "Okay, thanks, can you two go? Why is it that everything has to get so complicated so quickly?" He grumbled, "Between tools, lumber and flowers, do you mind making two trips?" They actually had to make three trips because the plants they bought weren't compatible with Dooby's lumber or the boxes the machines were packed in. While he did his share of unloading and carrying, Dooby always managed to be in the basement to direct the others in the placement of everything, so, he explained patiently as if he was working with kindergarteners, nothing needed to be handled twice. When they finished they all looked around the basement. Tom had been frowning at his cousin for five minutes each time Dooby looked at him. "SO, what's wrong, did I spend too much money? We can return some stuff if you want to know, but I want to thank you Uncle Tommy for shutting that wise ass salesman's mouth by letting me get everything on my list." Tom grinned, "Yeah, that did feel good didn't it. We aren't returning a thing, not after we lugged it down here. I was staring at you because you continually amaze me. You're the most organized kid, almost unbelievable." Kevin and Rob agreed with nods and smiles. Dooby had them lean plywood and pegboard against a wall and against the better wood he'd use to build the summer kitchen. Other lumber was carefully stacked on the floor on two by fours so it wouldn't warp, hardware and supplies all went into one corner and the boxes containing the wood working machines were placed around the room where they eventually would be positioned permanently. Dooby giggled, "If you think I'm organized, you should work with Dad. The rule is; first in last out. I'll need the machines to build the shop first, so that lumber will get used up, then I'll build the counter," he shrugged and added, "simple." His stomach growled, "OOPS! If we don't eat lunch pretty quick it's going to be dinner time. I suggest we head on down to Spelling's. We can get some big hoagies and buy a rib roast for dinner. We need to practice cook one so we know what we're doing next week." The Spelling's store manager accompanied them through the store. Tom pushed one buggy and Dooby another. Cory started shopping and was keeping items separate, food and supplies they'd need for the week went in Tom's and food items for the show went into Dooby's until the manager told them that they wouldn't be allowed to pay for anything, "The big man's orders," he shrugged. "Everything goes on one checkout tape and the manager on duty signs it," he quoted Charlie. The manager of the meat department explained what to look for in the selection of a quality roast. Dooby and Cory paid rapt attention, while the others watched. "You know we should start this segment out just like this. This is informational," Tom told Christian. "Yeah, and they'd be wearing their team Spelling jerseys," Christian agreed. "What about expanding that concept? Like the butcher's white coat, Team Spelling." "How about everyone in the whole store or the whole company, do you think Charlie would go for that?" Kevin asked. "We're all on the same team; it would be a neat tie in. In fact it would be neat to start every segment in a store with the guys shopping for stuff that they'll use in the segment, even if it's only a minute long." Tom nodded, "Good idea, you can ask him when you resign to come to work for us. We need idea people. Remember how Charlie jumped on your idea of substituting any brand for a sale item if you sell out to avoid rainchecks?" While Kevin was thinking the offer over Rob was grinning down on him and nodding. Tom turned to him, "We could also use someone to keep our books. There's the ad agency and now suddenly were developing an office and retail complex. We'll get you a computer and you pick out whatever accounting software you want to do the job. You can work at home and in the office when you have the time." Tom raised his eyebrow at Christian to ask him what he thought of the spontaneous idea. Christian nodded emphatically in the affirmative before he started laughing, "You know we're a unique company, we're a whole week old and already the largest part-time ad agency in the state!" The flower planting was finished rapidly after the five of them ganged up on Dooby and wrestled control of the garden hose away from him when they found they we're spending more time watching him trying to sneak up behind one of them to administer an impromptu douche without regard to the hose pressure. Dooby collared Cory to help or show him how to prepare the roast for the oven and Tom found them pouring over a cookbook of his they got from the den. "Hey guys," Tom eyed the roast sitting in a pan on the counter. "Did we need one that big? Although it sure looks good even before it gets cooked." Dooby was making notes on a pad, "Yeah it's huge, but consider that when you order it in a restaurant, Mom never cooks it, I never get enough, and I could always go for seconds. Tonight there's seconds for everyone and if we're lucky we'll have leftovers for sandwiches." He looked at the pad, "We're having a salad and a rebaked potato to go with it. How's that sound? Oh, and garlic bread, French bread from the bakery. There's other shit on sale too but it doesn't go with the meat. Do you think you can get the Team Spelling jerseys by Tuesday afternoon so we can start taping the brownie show as soon as we get here? We want to work all night if necessary to get enough tape to edit it down." Tom nodded, "Sounds good. I'm glad to see that you're taking this job seriously; our asses are on the line with this infomercial thing. I should be able to get the shirts Monday especially if I wave a big contract at them, but you can only tape during the day for now, because of the lighting here in the kitchen and coming through the windows. This isn't a studio remember. About working at night," he blushed, "Christian and I were wondering if you two would mind boarding at Charlie's for the week." Cory giggled, "Are you asking or telling? You guys want to be alone for a while, huh?" "Yeah we do. It's okay with your mom and Charlie." "Does that mean we'll be staying with them at our house?" Cory couldn't stop giggling. "Not exactly, with them, but at Charlie's, he and your mom are going to play house for a while there, and if your mom doesn't like it there, I guess they'll move to your house. From what Charlie said on the phone this morning, they haven't set a date yet, but they're going to." Dooby slammed Cory on the back, and then hugged him, "Hey congratulations man! You're going to be a two parent son again!" Cory beamed his pleasure at the news, "Wow that is great! I need to call them." He slapped his bare thigh where his cell phone would normally be in his pocket, before he reached for the kitchen phone. "Wait up, there's something else; Charlie's wondering if you'd be interested in a name change with your mom. He'd like to adopt you if you agree. He asked me to run the idea by you. If you want to keep your own name that's cool I guess, he understands. It's a big step." Cory didn't hesitate, "My only problem will be remembering to call him Dad instead of Gramps. Cory Spelling," he tested the sound of the name. "I like that. I wonder if mom would let me change my first name while we're doing this." He put the phone back, "Would you take us over there? This is too important for a phone call." "Sure, let's get dressed." Tom agreed. "Come on Dooby." Cory started across the great room. Dooby stayed leaning on the counter, "You go by yourself. This is a family thing for you." Cory turned and frowned, "Yeah it is dope, your part of our family. You're kind of their son-in-law if I'm their son." He grinned, "You know this coming week, just us alone together like Tom and Christian; it could be kind of like a honeymoon for all of us. That sounds kind of hokey I guess, but we talked about it. Maybe we should get like gold rings or something?" He looked at Tom, "Are you guys getting rings?" Tom smiled, "We hadn't talked about it but it's a great idea. Don't mention it to Christian though; I think I'll surprise him." Cory suddenly disappeared under Dooby when Dooby tackled him, "WOW! We're going to be partners!" He exclaimed before he stopped Cory's giggles with a deep throat kiss. Cory wrapped Dooby with his arms and responded by spreading his legs in invitation, oblivious to where they were or that they were being watched. Tom rolled his eyes, "Damn two buck rabbits," he muttered wearing a grin and gave Dooby a gentle push on the side of his thigh with his bare foot to throw him off balance when Dooby went up on his knees preparing to mount. "Give me a break guys. Now is not the time and the middle of the living room is not the place. You need to do something with that roast, get dressed, and then we're making a quick trip to Charlie's. You can mess around after we get back all you want providing you don't fuck up dinner. No one even cares if you eat." When he was ignored he pushed harder until Dooby rolled to his back with a sorrowful moan. "Damn Uncle Tommy, what a fucking grouch. Weren't you ever young and horny?" Dooby asked with a grin. He got to his feet and pulled Cory up. Both were fully erect. Dooby ignored his and grabbed Cory solicitously with both hands. "Come on partner let's go get dressed. I'll just carry this and steer so you don't topple forward and break it or bump into anything." Cory giggled and leaned his weight on Dooby willing to be led from the room. After they got out of sight, Tom heard Dooby ask, "Hey, what's all this clear sticky stuff you're leaking?" Then Dooby called, "We'll be with you in FIVE MINUTES Uncle Tommy! Sprout has a problem but I'm on it, I mean I will be!" The bedroom door slammed on their laughter. Tom was about to call Charlie to give him fair warning that they were going to have visitors when the phone rang. It was Charlie, "Tom, good, I was hoping you'd answer the phone," he began without even a simple greeting. "I have an emergency, something private and personal and I need your help." "Sure Charlie, any time and anything, name it, what's wrong?" The smile left Tom's face. "Well, right now we're sitting by the pool, or I am. Laura's in the pool, she can swim like a fish, like you boys I guess. The problem is I can't. It didn't matter before, but now it does. We've been talking about honeymooning in the Mediterranean and the whole area is rumored to be covered with water." Tom began to smile, "I've heard that, lots of little islands, crystal clear warm water, totally private little places where a couple could spend a day or a week without even wearing bathing suits. Too bad you can't swim, watching your new wife from shore won't be much fun for you." "Don't rub it in. That's my emergency; I need you to teach me how to swim. I don't want anyone else around to laugh though, I just want to learn how to fuckin' swim. Will you teach me?" Charlie sounded desperate. "Sure, at least I'll try. When and where? We can't use your pool, how about over here? The guys will be leaving tonight, so we've got tomorrow and Tuesday morning before they're back for the summer. Oh, I forgot I was just about to call you. Cory very much likes the idea of having someone around to call Dad. I was just about to bring him over so he can tell you himself, if that's all right." Charlie almost broke Tom's eardrum, "ALL RIGHT? That's fantastic, absolutely fantastic! You mean adopted right? I can adopt him? Oops, hold on Laura wants to know why I'm hollering." Tom listened to a brief muffled laughing conversation. When Charlie came back on the line, Tom added one detail; "One thing though Charlie so you and Laura aren't surprised when we get there, this is a two boy package deal. You're getting a son and a son-in-law, which would be Dooby." "Son-in-law?" Charlie sounded puzzled but not upset, "I don't pretend to understand the life style, but if they want to play house for as long as it lasts, Dooby's welcome to join the family. About swimming," he lowered his voice, "how about tomorrow morning at your place, say at seven o'clock?" Then before Tom agreed he asked, "Do you think this will take long? I've got an important nine o'clock, I'm buying out a little fifteen store chain and we're down to the nitty gritty on details like price." He giggled suddenly, "You know I'll just cancel anyway. I'll leave them a message saying I have a more important meet." He laughed hard, "We'll be able to hear their sphincters grinding under water when they get that message. They might even drop the price a few bucks. Okay, that's settled. We'll see you soon so we better go and get some clothes on, BYE!" Tom heard some laughter coming from the pool when he was in the bedroom getting dressed. He started laughing too when he looked out the window. Rob and Kevin were lying on the double wide float in the middle of the pool and Christian was in the process of joining them without capsizing the inflatable. Rob was spooned against Kevin and held him in position with his arms. From the way Kevin held one leg up, his facial expression and his erection it was obvious that they were attempting something new. Christian walked them to the shallow end and used their joined bodies to pull himself aboard so he ended up lying on his side with his long legs dangling in the water beyond their heads and his mouth exactly where he wanted to be. Kevin claimed Christian's cock for his mouth after he watched his disappear in Christian's. "And I just called the kids rabbits," Tom told them from the edge of the pool while he held himself through his shorts. If I wasn't taking them to Charlie's, I believe I could find some space right there behind you Rob." Rob giggled without missing an erratic stoke; "You're the boss, boss, welcome aboard anytime," he invited. The waves that emanated from the raft grew in size slowly with the excited mariner's movements while Tom watched. "Hey, why didn't you think of trying that?" Cory scolded Dooby when they joined Tom. The sound of Dooby's waist snap was loud in the silence as he kicked off his thongs. Tom blocked him with his body and held Dooby's shorts in place. "Oh no you don't, we can try that when we get back if you want. Right now you two just march into the kitchen and get that fucking roast in the oven or we won't eat until midnight. Besides you just got done doing whatever you did that took fifteen minutes just to pull on your shorts." Dooby looked indignant while Cory attempted to look angelic. "For your information Uncle Tommy, all we did was take a shower to get some of that suntan oil off before we dressed." Dooby claimed with a straight face. "Yeah," Cory joined Dooby in their defense, "then klutzy here dropped the soap and couldn't find it for the first five minutes. When he did find it finally he gave it to me and I dropped it." Dooby nodded his agreement before they both burst out laughing and hugged each other while Tom herded them to the door absently as all three of them kept turning back to the pool, the float and the three occupants. "It's our turn when we get back!" Dooby called from the doorway over Tom's shoulder before he turned his attention to Cory, "Man you would have to go and get yourself adopted at a time like this, just when someone thinks up a new place to fuck and suck." He got Cory in a playful head lock, "You know the penalty for that don't you? No, of course you don't, I just thought of it. Here's your penalty; you have to fuck me as many times as I want in whatever position I want and wherever I want to do it, so there." He stretched his neck for a last look at the pool, "And I warn you we might get wet." Tom rolled his eyes, "Man Dooby you should be a judge, that's some sentence, you'll kill your new partner the first night." Dooby did a classic double take and giggled pointing to Cory's crotch, "Uncle Tommy, I mean really, to quote my little sister, have you really looked at Sprout's balls, I mean really looked? They're the size of oranges; my man is a walking cum factory. I've tried everything and he just comes back for more." Cory blushed, "Damn Dooby you're embarrassing me, I can't help how I'm hung, blame my father if you want, over sized and over sexed are both his fault." Dooby turned serious suddenly, "Hey you know speaking of your real official dad, doesn't he have to agree to you being adopted? I mean if he says no, what happens then?" Cory shrugged, "He probably will say no, until Gramps pays him off. Mom doesn't know I know that she gives him money all the time. Until she told us he was gay, I couldn't figure out why. Then I got to thinking that maybe she was paying him to stay away from me, like being gay was catching instead of maybe hereditary." "So now that she knows that you've already caught it or inherited it and you can't catch it twice, it doesn't matter does it? He could start seeing you couldn't he?" Dooby asked. Cory frowned, "I guess he could, but he won't and now I don't really want to see him anymore either." His eyes glistened and he turned away, "Don't you understand that the motherfucker sold me to support his queer life style? He parties all night, and sleeps all day, Mom didn't say, but probably with a new guy or guys because of his dick all the time. He could have refused the money and insisted on his visitation rights, he could have gotten a job and worked for a living like every other divorced father, but the fucker sold me just like I was this fucking roast." He slammed the oven door closed, the interior light went off and the roast disappeared in darkness, "There I am, filed and forgotten until payday." Dooby wrapped Cory in his arms and whispered in his hair, "Okay, well then we'll just try to forget the motherfucker exists. If he comes around after Gramps pays him off, I think Gramps can be one mean motherfucker himself if he's crossed. Let him handle it if it happens." He reached to the oven and turned on the light manually. He giggled, "There you are back again, you big bad beautiful roast you. Come on lets go. Someone's going to have to turn this down in twenty minutes," he frowned at the pool just in time to see the over loaded raft capsize. "OOPS! I hope they were finished." Dooby kept his arm over Cory's shoulders while they jointly issued instructions on tending the roast to the guys in the pool. In the garage, Dooby steered Cory to the Vet's passenger door and looked at Tom hopefully, "If we take this, maybe we can practice on Gramps' driveway. I'm tired of parking lots, its time for some serious hill climbing. Okay?" Tom rolled his eyes in mock horror before he nodded, "At least I haven't eaten yet. One of you can drive up and the other down." He looked up, "Lord help me," he begged the ceiling. "Home sweet home," Dooby sang and blew the horn as he stopped the Vet opposite the imposing front entrance of Charlie's home, "I could get used to living here in a heart beat!" Tom thumped his chest after Cory abandoned his lap to run at the open front door, "I'll be happy just to get mine going again." Dooby giggled while he watched Cory throw himself at his mother and hug her tightly before he gave Charlie equal time. Charlie held his arms out hesitantly until Cory greeted him, "HI DAD!" Charlie's arms locked around his future son. "Boy that sounds good! Congratulations, when are we getting married?" Before anyone answered him he cocked his head to look at his mother. She was wearing a large tee shirt. A very brief bikini underneath it was clearly visible. "Wow Mom, look at you, nice body for an old girl. Hey that shirt looks familiar, I've got one just like it, or had one just like it. Where'd you get that sexy bikini you're hiding? Where are we going on our honeymoon?" Charlie eyed his wife to be and nodded, "Your mother does have excellent taste in clothing but she's way too modest. As for getting married, soon, your mom is picking a date, and as far as the honeymoon, she and I are going to check out some islands in the Mediterranean, while you my son will stay home and work, you just started a new job remember, and you don't have any vacation time, yet." He began to reminisce about when he was their age, having to walk the traditional two miles to school in all kinds of weather and then rushing to his first part-time job as a grocery stock clerk while they walked inside. Laura put her arm over Charlie's shoulders and he surrounded her waist. Dooby moved to Cory's side and imitated them unconsciously with his arm over Cory's shoulders. Both laughed silently and rolled their eyes listening to the classic litany of hardships until they stood in the two story entry hall at the foot of the wide staircase to the second floor. Tom followed the two couples silently wearing a constant grin on his face. Dooby pointed up, "Is our bedroom upstairs?" He asked with a giggle, "I think we should check out the accommodations before we agree to get ourselves adopted don't you Sprout?" Charlie laughed and started Laura up the stairs, "That's right; I forgot this was a package deal, I'm getting two sons." "Nope," Dooby corrected, "one son and one son-in-law. I've got two parents already; you guys are going to be the auxiliaries, kind of like Uncle Tommy when we're staying at his house." Laura and Charlie turned together to look at Cory and Dooby. Both were struck by how much they looked like a couple; how comfortable they appeared to be walking along touching each other, looking around together, interested in the same things. One would point at something and the other would nod wordlessly in agreement with the unspoken comment. Charlie pushed open double doors opposite the head of the stairs. "I think you two might be comfortable in here. This is the master bedroom, a suite really, lots of room. I had it remodeled after my wife passed, but there were still too many ghosts, too many memories, so I moved." He hugged Laura tighter, "I guess we like the rooms we have now after they get them spruced up a bit while we're away," he looked at Laura and cringed mockingly. Laura laughed and patted Charlie's shoulder, "You did them beautifully for a man," she looked around the suite's sitting room, "but they're just like this, all dark wood and leather and very comfortable for a man, or men." She looked at her son and Dooby standing by the big leaded casement windows checking the spectacular view since the mansion was built on the top of one of the highest hills in the county. "Cory's bedroom and his study room are similar to this. You'll be happy living here won't you darling?" "Oh yeah, this is just like home only bigger." Cory bubbled his enthusiasm, "You like it Dooby?" Dooby scowled before he grinned, "I guess so but where did you hide the bed Gramps? Rich people do sleep in beds don't they, and this is a bedroom isn't it?" Cory elbowed Dooby, "Man you got a one track mind. This is a suite," he looked questioningly at another pair of doors, "Through there I'll bet, come on let's look before you start complaining." "You're the one with the one track mind; beds are for sleeping too you know." Dooby protested feebly. "I'll just remind you of that the next time we're in one." Cory whispered too loudly while he opened the door. Dooby pushed the door closed on his giggling response. Tom scooted to the door and opened it again, "Oh no you don't, remember the roast in the oven," he reminded them. Then, "I knew it," he said and stepped back so Laura and Charlie could see into the bedroom. Dooby and Cory sat up in the middle of the massive four poster bed quickly and began bouncing their butts innocently. "Just testing Uncle Tommy, geese what a grouch," Dooby declared with a red face before he pushed Cory off, then followed him into the dressing room and the bathroom beyond that so that their laughter echoed back. Tom blushed and shrugged, "Rabbits, a pair of rabbits. I hope this place is sound proof." Charlie laughed, "It doesn't matter, we're at the end of the hall and no servants live here. We won't hear them ah, sleeping and they won't hear us ah, sleeping either." Charlie winced when Laura elbowed him in the ribs, "Speaking of rabbits darling, I think all men are if they're properly motivated. In your case, the sight of a bed is all it takes, but that's just one of the reasons I love you." Dooby and Cory found everyone sitting on the sofa when they returned from their tour. Charlie pointed to opposite chairs. The boys settled into one after they discovered that either was wide enough. "Okay, now I've been thinking about our cooking show. We don't have a problem all summer with you two living here or at Tom's, but how are you going to manage one a week after school starts in the fall?" Dooby shrugged, "Just bust ass every weekend I guess." Tom agreed and added, "We'll go into the school year with at least four weeks of shows finished and hopefully maintain that cushion. I don't know how else to do it." "I didn't either until recently. Dooby lives what, twenty-five miles away and you two attend different high schools. School five days a week, Dooby traveling back and forth and then everyone as you say, busting ass all weekend. That would be like working seven days a week and that would get old fast. I suggest that you both attend the same school close by you could live here or board at the school, although I only mention boarding in passing. That would put a kink in your lifestyle. Living here would be ideal, there's no need for pretense or secrets." "You mean a private school?" Cory asked, "There's only one close by and the dudes that go there all think that their," Cory grinned at Dooby, "crap doesn't stink, it's so exclusive." He looked at his mother and Tom, "You've seen them around town," he put his head back and crossed his eyes so he looked down his nose at them. "The Blair Academy assholes can kiss my ass, and we'd never be accepted anyway." Dooby nodded, "If you don't like them, they can kiss mine too." Charlie laughed and opened a folder he'd been carrying since the boys arrived. He offered them a thick booklet. Tom grinned when he saw the cover, "Hey I printed that, those cost about ten dollars each after they got done with all the changes they wanted, but it turned out well if I do say so myself. Check it out guys, they offer every sport including Lacrosse and even hockey. They've even got their own ice rink on campus." "Hockey, man I wouldn't mind trying out for that. I wonder if Christian can skate. I'll bet he can, we'll have to ask. Hey, what about Christian, if we go here, he has to transfer too." Charlie shrugged, "Going there with you would eliminate a lot of travel time for him, plus he could help out by driving you two birds back and forth," he reasoned. The boys skipped the academics section in the front of the book and read each page where individual sports were listed with team pictures and the trophies acquired the previous school year. They carefully scrutinized each photo of individual athletes, and looked at each other with approving smiles frequently before Cory turned the page. Tom recognized the looks, "Hey that is not a catalog of preppy studs guys," he groused at them although he spent some extra time in his office double checking the galley proofs himself, particularly the swim team but he was not about to tell them that. Cory blushed and Dooby's grin widened in response to his scolding. Cory found the listing of school clubs and scanned it quickly, "They've got a computer club and a chess club, and hey look at this they've even got an investment club. I'd like to join those," Dooby made a face, "How can you be a jock and a nerd at the same time?" "Don't give me that, you are too, you look like a jock but you're really kind of nerdy, meaning you hide the fact that you get good grades and go out of your way to look like a stupid jock. I look like a nerd and I guess I am, but if I was taller I'd be a top jock too. It is possible to mix the two you know." Dooby immediately got Cory in a head lock and was about to pull him to the floor so they had room to wrestle. Charlie was on his feet in a flash and instantly separated them by pulling on their opposite ears, "You two will settle down until we finish this discussion, is that clear?" He asked in a quiet voice, giving Dooby's an extra twist until he let Cory's neck go free. Dooby rubbed his ear, "Damn Gramps, I thought we were done. We'd both go to Blair if we could get in but we can't. Those dudes in that book all look like they're old money and if we had any, which we don't, it would be new money, so you'll have to think up something else." Charlie resumed his seat and got a hug from Laura, "You handled that just like an experienced father my dear," she congratulated him. "Thank you darling, I'll learn as we go I guess. Now back to Blair. Those dudes as you call them are not from old money despite appearances. They're all dressed alike in blazers and school ties but you can't tell who paid for the clothes. That school has been accepting students whose father's are still actively earning their wealth because recent generations of old families have pissed their fortunes away." Charlie grinned, "I think they call it living in genteel poverty. The old money more often than not is only there because of quiet scholarships." "How do you know all this Charlie?" Tom wanted to know. "Remember Carl the investment banker? He's both an alumnus and a trustee and I happen to know that he supports the scholarship fund there heavily, just so the grandsons of old friends can list Blair on their college applications. He hit me up for a contribution during our game. In fact he gave me the idea of sending you two dudes there, I made a contribution large enough to make even old Carl blink, so filling out the entrance applications is just a formality." He gave them all a satisfied grin, "And you won't be going on any scholarship so you can hold your heads as high as the rest of the new money attending, BUT, don't you dare to breathe a word about this to anyone unless you don't mind walking around with one ear," he warned them with a shaking index finger. Dooby reached for his cell phone and speed dialed, "Hi it's me. Tell me you turned the roast down like you were supposed to." He grinned with Cory after he nodded. "Hold on a sec. Hey if you two don't have plans for dinner, how about coming over to eat with us?" He asked Charlie and Laura. He giggled when they hesitated, "Come on, you paid for the food, so you may as well help eat some of it." After they agreed, Dooby warned whoever he was talking to that they were having company and everyone needed to be dressed. He giggled and rolled his eyes, "My in laws that's who, DUH, Charlie and Laura, you know, like Cory's parents?" He dropped his phone in his pocket, "In this extended family, if you snooze you lose. Rob didn't know we were getting adopted," he explained to Cory. "Did you get around to hiring him?" Charlie asked Tom. "I thought you might which was the reason I didn't last night." Dooby and Cory burst out laughing, Tom looked uncomfortable when he answered, "Yeah I did, and I hired Kevin too. He suggested putting Team Spelling jerseys and shirts on your whole company and we're going to start every segment with a shopping trip, very brief, to a store. Is that all right?" Charlie frowned in thought, "Good idea about the shirts, do it. As for Kevin, I'll be sorry to lose him. He would have been a full manager in a year, then move up to corporate in another year or so, but I imagine he'll do just as well with you. Fair warning though, don't try and steal any of my older people, without asking first anyway," he met Tom's eyes with a strange look, "that would be like stealing from yourself," he added cryptically with a wink. Laura joined them after changing clothes and Tom didn't get around to asking what Charlie meant by the comment when Cory started teasing his mother. "Damn Mom, no wonder you took so long, you didn't have to take the time for a full overhaul, makeup even," he grinned and studied his mother's chest, "and in all that time, you still forgot to put on a bra." Laura swung at him and missed, "You are an infuriating little brat sometimes." She eyed his shorts and grinned, "I'll start wearing a bra when you start wearing underwear, those old shorts are way too tight, they leave nothing to the imagination, so there." She grinned when Cory looked down, "Of course to anyone who didn't know you, you look like someone who just stole a pepperoni and was trying to hide it." Dooby fell to his knees laughing and pointing, "You forgot the oranges!" He gasped when he could. Cory gave Dooby the finger and grinned, "At least it doesn't look like I've been in some industrial accident, how does it feel to be so under hung or did you just have an operation to begin the big switch?" He got in the Vet's driver's seat and closed the door on Dooby's advance to make the fight physical. Charlie stepped in and got his hand on the back of Dooby's neck. He squeezed until Dooby winced, then steered him toward the Navigator, "You will ride with us son-in-law so we can get to know you better." "Ah Gramps," Dooby complained, "We were just ragging each other, you know, having some fun." Charlie guided him to the back door, "You can have fun with yourself in this big back seat," he laughed and slammed the door on Dooby's protests and explanations. Everyone left Tom at the same time after a leisurely dinner and a protracted leave taking between him and Christian and Cory and Dooby behind closed doors. Cory went with his mother and new father to Charlie's. Christian and Dooby headed to their homes with the Blair Academy admissions booklet. They planned to do a team sell on both sets of parents starting with the Dunn's and didn't anticipate any real objections since Charlie was planning to pay the tuition for them all. Kevin and Rob drove off to celebrate their job changes. Charlie released Kevin from giving two weeks' notice and Rob planned to give Bally's just one week. Kevin was going to meet Tom at noon for lunch, and then they were going to start equipping the office. Tom had planned to wait until after the sale closed, until Charlie gave him the key ring and explained the mysteries of real estate closings. The deal was between them, there was no outside lender. A title search was done when Charlie bought the property and there were no liens or judgments since, which eliminated the need for a title search or even title insurance so the transfer of ownership could be accomplished anytime with a few signatures. Charlie suggested the next day, a Monday after swimming lessons, but Tom wanted Christian to be present to watch since he couldn't sign yet, to reinsure his belief that he was going to be a full partner on his eighteenth birthday. Tom fixed himself a nightcap, turned off all the lights in the house and around the pool and then turned on all the jets in the spa. He sank to his neck and reviewed the events of the day and planned a schedule for the next. Tom greeted Charlie at the door with a steaming cup of coffee. The smell of cooked bacon was pervasive. He'd already finished doing his morning laps in the pool and waited to pull on an old tank suit until he heard Charlie's truck on the driveway. Charlie looked around the house, everything was neat and tidy. It did not look like a home where six young guys just spent the weekend. "Damn son, when did you get up this morning?" Charlie asked as he sat down at the breakfast table set for two. "Late today, not until four, when I wake up, I get up because I can never get back to sleep. My mind turns on and I start thinking about things I need to do. I usually make coffee and work for awhile, get my laps in now that the pools' finished, have breakfast and get to the office by seven. This morning the house needed some attention and there was a lot of laundry, sheets and towels." Tom sighed, "This morning it was house work." Charlie eyed his breakfast, "Won't I get cramps if I eat all this before going in the pool?" Tom shrugged, "I'm not sure that's not an old wives tale, I've never heard of it actually happening because of food. We'll be in the shallow end so if you get a cramp, just stand up." Charlie was satisfied, "That's good because I'm hungry. I get up early too and I like to work when it's quiet. Now that my lovely Laura is with me I've been going down to the library so I won't disturb her," he grinned, "until I can't stand thinking about her up there in bed by herself, then I disturb her and she's always willing, no headaches so far. She makes me feel like a new man, fantastic! What a way to start the day!" "Does she know you're here learning to swim?" Tom asked with a chuckle. "Nope, not swim, I told her I was meeting with you early for breakfast; she didn't ask why so I didn't have to fib. I want to surprise her by just jumping in that damn pool and swimming." He offered Tom a laughing leer, "For which I hope to be rewarded appropriately for all the hard work." When Charlie pulled off his shirt, Tom was surprised to see that Charlie had the physique of a man of forty not someone into his seventies. "Wow Charlie, do you work out? Super body and I'm not just saying that to stroke you." "Thanks Tommy, what you see is the result of using what must be about seventy-five thousand dollars worth of equipment in my gym. That's another thing I always make time for in the morning come hell or high water. When I was a kid, there were a lot of magazine ads selling barbells. There was always a cartoon of some muscle bound asshole kicking sand in a ninety-eight pound weakling's face. I was that weakling, or thought I was. Fourteen-ninety-five plus postage and satisfaction guaranteed. That was a lot of money in those days, but I was so sensitive about my height, I sent for a set. It took me two hours to lug those hundred pounds of cast iron home from the post office. I set up in our barn and I read the workout program until I knew it by heart. Then every morning before school I followed it. I was already used to lugging heavy boxes of canned goods after school so I got me a double workout without realizing it. I didn't get taller and I never got muscle bound, just leaner and harder and more confident that I could handle myself. I never walked away from a fight, but I never started none either and them that thought they could pick on me got more than they bargained for. If nothing else I got respect after a few scraps I couldn't avoid." Charlie looked Tom up and down and stopped at his Speedo, "Do you think I'd look okay in one of them little suits? I know them European dudes wear them at the beach," he laughed and quoted; "'when in Rome' as they say." Then laughed, "Dude, the boys have me talking like they do." "Just wait until they live with you for a week. Come on, I've got lots of these, you can try one on." In the walk in closet, Tom pulled open a drawer revealing a kaleidoscope of color. "Here pick out one you like and try it on. Charlie grabbed at random. Tom walked back into the bedroom so Charlie could change in privacy, but Charlie followed him and changed suits standing by the bed. After a couple of tries at pulling the little suit up to his normal waist line, he gave up to look at himself in the bathroom mirrors across the room. "Damn, not too bad for an old geezer. What do you think Tommy? Remember no one's going to know me where we're going." Tom looked at the mirrors and whistled his appreciation, "You look great Charlie, and even better once that sunburn changes to tan." Tom was referring to red belts around Charlie's waist and thighs, the obvious result of skinny dipping with Laura over the weekend. "Does that hurt? You need to be really careful of burning your, ah, you know what, it could spoil your love life for a few days." Charlie giggled, "Nope, not much, it's just red and my butt is warm. My Laura kept getting out of the pool to slather suntan oil on me everywhere." His face turned as red as his sunburn, "In all my life I never before got so bold as to actually do it out in the open in broad daylight! That alone is almost reason to never learn to swim. Did you ever," he started to ask the obvious then thought better of it, "never mind answering that, I imagine you have." Tom laughed and nodded, "Yeah, and that's just another reason for you to learn to swim. It's fun to do it in the pool too, preferably without drowning. Do you have a spa?" He asked suddenly. Charlie grinned when he realized what Tom was implying, a possible additional therapeutic use, "Nope, I don't know why not but that's correctable. I'll get us a portable while I get someone to get one dug in the ground." He looked down, "Can I wear this today?" "Sure, you can keep it." "Thanks Tommy, I'll replace it. Come on, times' wasting." Charlie ran ahead and jumped into the pool without regard to the depth. He chose the shortest route and sank in six feet of water. Tom dove and nudged him a few feet until he could stand. He coughed and sputtered, "Thanks again Tommy, I guess that was the first lesson; look before you leap." Tom laughed, "You get points for being fearless anyway, at least until you drown." Charlie knuckled the water from his eyes, "You know a secret, why I think I never learned? I hate getting water in my eyes. I can't put drops in my own eyes and it takes three people to hold me down just to get through an eye exam, once I see them coming with that eye dropper. I know it's irrational, but that's the way it is." Tom giggled, "Shit Charlie that's easy." He vaulted out of the water and ran to the collection of water toys piled on the deck. He picked two pairs of goggles from the pile, and then dove in again to surface near Charlie. "Here, I wear them all the time doing laps and always when I raced. Everyone does because there are always too many chemicals in the water. I'm blond but my hair still bleaches out lighter." Charlie put on the goggles and laughed, "Will mine bleach out from white to blond, do you think?" He sank below the surface and looked around. "Holy shit, there goes that excuse! Okay, enough fooling around, teach me." Three hours later, without intermissions, Tom had Charlie doing a modified doggie paddle, almost a breast stroke. He touched the side of the pool and imitated Tom's easy vault out. He grinned down on Tom, "Okay, now for the acid test, you be ready to fish me out in case I get confused about which way is up." He ran to the diving board, got a running start and jumped hugging his knees. Tom watched him sink without struggling, and suddenly unfold his body and stroke for the surface. Then he swam toward Tom without being aware that Tom was walking backward until his back touched the shallow end wall. Charlie stood up puffing and giggling his pleasure. "Man what a trip as Dooby says; what a trip!" He looked at his watch, "We better call it a day, we really do need to meet these guys; I don't want to piss them off, just worry them some. I brought clothes to change here if that's all right." "Sure, I thought you would, you can use my bathroom to get showered." "There's two heads in there, come on, we can dress and get to our meeting." Charlie climbed the ladder and offered Tom his hand. Tom frowned, "OUR meeting? You want me to go with you to this acquisition thing?" "It's pretty simple really. Do you read the Wall Street Journal?" "Nope, I guess maybe I should now that big things seem to be happening to me so fast thanks to you, why?" Charlie laughed, "I thought you might not, or if you did, you didn't think you were qualified for the position, so you didn't apply. Last weekend I started advertising for my replacement as CEO and President. I used a blind box, really just an e-mail address but anyone who knows me and my company could figure out who was advertising. I've worked hard all my life to build a fairly large, successful and very profitable company. The day I first met Cory, I wished he was my son, then the minute I met his mother I realized how to make my wish come true and enjoy some of the fruits of all the work with her." He sighed, "I was planning to retire, my wife, my helpmate got sick. I promised her, we were going to travel, see the world, do stuff we always dreamed of, talked about. Then she, well, after there was no reason to retire I mean, until my darling Laura appeared. Six feet under and pushing up daisies is not my idea of fun by the way. I'll stay on as Chairman of the Board and I'll be around a lot at first until you get comfortable with the position, but then you'll be pretty much on your own except for major policy decisions." Tom's mouth moved but only noises came out until he swallowed. By then they were outside and Charlie was pulling a hanging suit bag from the back of his truck. "What are you saying Charlie? Are you offering ME the job?" He laughed nervously, "ME? I'm just a printer." Charlie slapped Tom's bare back and pushed him back inside the house. "Yes you are," he chortled, "and young, dynamic and a very organized one at that." He looked around the great room, "Just look at this place, last night it was a wreck. Now it's so neat and tidy, a stranger would never guess that six young men, two of them hellions just spent the weekend here. What time did you really get up this morning?" He didn't wait for Tom to answer, "You cleaned your house, did the laundry, swam laps AND I'll bet you did a day's work before you got breakfast ready for me at seven o'clock. I call that organized and that's what management is all about, make decisions and then act on them." Tom turned on both showers and got under one. He used the bar of soap absently. Charlie watched him silently with a smile fixed on his face. He took a deep breath, "Thanks Charlie, but I just don't think I can do the job. I've got too much on my plate already between the plant, the agency and suddenly developing real estate, plus I don't know shit about groceries." "Fuck groceries I've got a building full of grocers, and a pool of experienced store managers chomping at the bit to move up. I'm more than certain that there's someone at your printing plant who could run that for you. Kevin's only got another year of college. He could manage the agency for five years until Christian comes on line and by then, well you'd have some sort of reorganization figured out among you." He stared at the ceiling a moment, "Maybe create a parent like a management company, put Kevin in there and let Christian run with the agency if he wants to. You'll figure it out. You've got Rob to handle your books from the get go and everyone will grow as the organization grows. Just hire someone to develop the property; you'd have to do that anyway." He snapped his fingers, "If I was doing it, I'd make that a separate arm, do your own building and involve Dooby in that gradually just like Cory will be involved in growing Spelling's as a public company. You know Dooby has a serious side to him that he hides well. On the ride over here last night we actually talked, well he talked; he dropped his act. He wants to be an architect and build what he designs. I thought too that his thing with Cory was mostly sex but it isn't, there's love there too. They really consider themselves to be partners. He even had the balls to ask me for an advance so he could buy rings. When I agreed he asked me if I'd take him shopping Tuesday afternoon as soon as he and Christian get here, a secret mission." "I wonder why he didn't ask me or Christian." Charlie frowned, "Oops! He didn't because he's buying four rings, four matching rings, two of them were supposed to be a surprise for you two, so act surprised." Charlie laughed, "Last night on the way home, my son, boy I just love those two words, my son asked me the same thing, including the advance. Anyway, at least Christian will be surprised. Are you guys going to have some kind of ceremony?" Tom shrugged, "Not that I know about but maybe that's going to be part of the surprise too." He watched Charlie open his garment bag and remove a suit, starched shirt and tie and then underwear, a pair of socks and dress shoes from the bottom. Charlie started to dress and watched Tom disappear into his closet. When he returned he was also wearing a suit and tightening a tie. Charlie rushed him, shook his hand and when that didn't seem to be adequate, he hugged Tom hard. "We didn't ever get around to discussing compensation!" Charlie laughed. When Dooby and Christian arrived at the DuBois home and rushed into the kitchen, the first person Dooby saw was his brother Arthur sitting at the kitchen table with their parents. The second thing was a huge and vulnerable Black Forest cake sitting in the middle of the table. Dooby realized suddenly that he'd missed his older brother, and hadn't seen him since he came home from the University of Miami for the holiday break at Christmas. "Artie! Hey, welcome home man!" Dooby batted Artie's proffered hand aside and hugged him impulsively when he stood up to greet his younger brother, temporarily abandoning his half eaten slice of cake. Artie and Dooby looked much alike and except for the obvious age difference, Artie's more mature body, two inch height difference and his wire rimmed glasses, they could be mistaken for twins. Artie blushed in response to Dooby's bear hug and limited his greeting to a pat on the back and a simple, "Hi, yourself," before he manually opened Dooby's arms and resumed his seat to continue eating his cake, his personal favorite treat, baked by their mother in honor of Artie's return for the summer. "Hey Artie, this is Christian Dunn, my buddy," Dooby giggled, "and I guess you could even say my boss or one of them. Uncle Tommy's my other one." Dooby took his seat at the table and pulled out the vacant chair at his side for Christian after Christian and Artie shook hands. "Did Mom or Dad tell you I'm gay?" He asked without preamble and then thumped Christian's shoulder, "Check that, we're gay." He ignored Artie's shocked look and renewed blush and turned to his mother, "Guess what Mom, I cooked dinner tonight, a whole rib roast; twelve pounds of beautiful rare beef. Of course Cory helped, more than helped, I get distracted. Prime rib is on sale next week so we practiced. Charlie and Laura came over, they're engaged and Gramps is going to adopt Cory so he'll be Cory Spelling." He turned his head back to Artie, "Uncle Tommy and Christian started an advertising business and just do work for Gramps to start with. I'm going to be on television every week cooking something that's on sale. Can you believe that I can cook? That's pretty far out I know, but I can. This week, Tuesday, as soon as we get there, we, that would be Cory and I, he's my partner on the show and real partner for life the rest of the time from now on by the way; we're baking Mom's brownies and Gramps is selling exactly the same recipe in all his bakeries starting Thursday." He cocked his head, grinned and hoisted an eyebrow at his brother. Artie held his fork half way to his mouth; he looked paralyzed, "Are you waiting for that bite of cake to get stale? You better eat up man, Mom baked this cake for you, but it's my second best favorite, so if you snooze you lose around here." He accepted his generous slice after Betty served Christian, and started eating hungrily. Between the first and second mouthful he nudged Christian, "Show them the preppy book. I have more news; Christian, Sprout and I are transferring to this school in the fall if it's all right with you guys. Christian's parents said he could. Gramps is paying the tab. He wouldn't even tell us how much, but you can bet it's a bundle. It's a very high class school," he giggled, "or it is until we get there. Gramps wants us to be closer to the action, so we can work on the ads and shows without running back and forth like idiots trying to meet deadlines and stuff. I'll be living with Gramps and Laura and of course Sprout in Gramps' mansion. Man you have got to see that house, there's even a bowling ally in the basement and you should see his gym, we can work out there whenever we want. We'll give you a tour Sunday. Christian will be living at Uncle Tommy's since they're partners too." Dooby looked around the room after swallowing, "Hey where's Jennifer? I want to hear all about her date with Lane. Lane's invited to the big cookout we're having next Sunday. Of course you all are invited too. WILL SOMEONE PLEASE TALK TO ME?" He shouted and without a pause in his lengthy disjointed monolog he looked at his brother again and grinned, "Man what a beautiful tan you've got already this year. You must have gotten your nose out of your books long enough to get to the beach this winter, too bad I'll be going to Harvard with Cory. We'll have to get really dark this summer to make it last until spring or maybe get a tanning bed. I'll do that; I'll buy one as a gift for Cory. I can afford to you know, you wouldn't believe me if I told you how much we're getting paid to do the show and its not even work, it's fun." "South Beach," Artie said in a quiet voice. Dooby and Christian looked at each other in surprise, "HUH?" They said together. "You've heard of South Beach, I can tell by your reaction, that's where I got my tan." Dooby grinned, "Do you mean what I think you mean? Sonofabitch, all this time in the same room, DUH, but I was younger then." "Exactly what is so special about South Beach?" John DuBois broke his silence since somehow his oldest son shocked his younger one into silence, "I've never heard of it." Dooby and Christian both looked at Artie, waiting for him to explain the facts or just makeup a story. He chose the former and looked his father straight in the eyes, "Nothing really, its part of Miami Beach. Lots of people go there, but we gays outnumber straights there that's all." "JESUS H. CHRIST! Both of you, shit, there goes my chances of seeing grandchildren from either of you. Jennifer better get busy," he thought about what he said. He looked up, "Oh God, make believe you didn't hear that, she already is," he moaned. "Busy doing what?" Jennifer asked from the doorway, tall lean Lane looked over her head. Both dripped water from skin mostly, very little from very brief bathing suits. Lane was still wearing Dooby's, a generous gift from Jennifer. Lane was busy dobbing at her back with a towel until she walked to the table leaving him alone. Dooby and Christian eyed Lane's body. Dooby frowned, "Hey, is that my Speedo?" Lane looked down and quickly wrapped the towel around his waist while he looked to Jennifer to give her brother an explanation. Dooby grinned, "Busy making babies. Artie just announced that he's gay too, so you're it for making grandchildren for Dad. Are you?" Jennifer stomped her foot and put her fists on her hips, "We most definitely are not!" She declared emphatically with a frown at her father, then a loving glance back at Lane, "We're being so really careful." Jennifer repeated her argument to her mother the previous evening, "If you can enjoy sex whenever you want, I can too! It's only fair after all!" "Fair!" John exploded, "Just because your mother bought that fair crap, don't try it on me. If I had known what you two were up to yesterday, one of you would have his leg in a cast." He looked at Lane pointedly, "And I don't mean the two you use for walking." Lane wilted back into the shadows. John got to his feet, brought another chair to the table, placed it near his, then pulled Lane by his arm and pushed him into it. He got a glass from the cabinet, filled it with milk, handed it to Lane and asked his wife to cut a piece of cake. "There, eat up, you'll need all your strength when you start working for me Wednesday won't you my future son-in-law?" "Daddy, you don't need to be so intimidating, I mean really, it wasn't his fault. Lane couldn't help it, I made him." Jennifer stood at Lane's side, patted his back and leaned into his shoulder with the side of her hip. Lane felt his flesh starting to burn wherever she touched him. He looked up at her adoringly, helplessly. John studied the looks the young couple exchanged, "Shit, I need a beer or three. Okay I give up." He offered his hand to Lane and smiled, "Welcome to the family." Lane shook hands cautiously. "Just don't plan on any extended trips out of the neighborhood anytime soon," he warned holding his smile, "and we'll get along." "Yes Sir," Lane squeaked and picked up his fork. Dooby burst into giggles, "Glad to see being scared shitless doesn't affect your appetite." He laughed harder when Lane choked in response. Christian collected the last crumbs from his plate and sighed, "Say Betty, could you write up this recipe? It will fit in great with Oktoberfest; Momma DuBois Black Forest Cake," he intoned. This one will be a boomer in the bakeries. Maybe you could bake one for the cookout Sunday? Charlie will love this." While Christian and Betty talked, Lane looked across the table at Dooby, "Too?" He asked just above a whisper, "Are you gay too Dooby?" Dooby shrugged, "Yup I guess you could say that." He leaned his forearm on Christian's shoulder and started tickling his neck. Christian and the others were used to Dooby's hassling playfulness. Christian ignored him except to absently grab Dooby's hand, hold it and continue talking while he pulled the annoying hand down under the table. Dooby crossed his eyes suddenly. Christian glanced at him and grinned, "If you like pain, keep it up and you'll be the one wearing a cast," he warned playfully, barely pausing his conversation with Betty. "You'll meet the rest of the gang Sunday." Dooby promised in an exhale when Christian released his hold. "Brother-in-law," he tested the words out loud, "I like the sound of that, BUT," he qualified his statement, "That better not happen anytime soon or you won't need a cast, you'll need stitches if you can find it." "DOOBY!" Jennifer was both outraged at the threat and pleased that her brother was proving to be so protective. John thumped Dooby on the back, "Hey son, I liked that." Lane pointedly looked down and closed his legs, "I didn't," he moaned and continued to eat while he looked back and forth between Dooby, Christian and Jennifer sitting at his side.