Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001 11:01:21 -0800 (PST) From: eagle 42 Subject: Tanner & Robert, Chapter 4 Disclaimer: This story is a fantasy of my own creation. The characters are not real; they were born of my imagination. If a consensual relationship between two of-age males bothers you, then do not read further. If you are under the legal age in your area, stop reading now. Any similarities between a character and a real person, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any actions the reader takes as a result of reading this story are not the responsibility of the author. You may not reproduce, post, or distribute this story in any way without the author's expressed written permission. You may print out one copy or save one copy of this story for your own viewing and entertainment. By reading further, you implicitly are agreeing to the above guidelines. Many thanks go to Hal and Jason for volunteering their time and expertise to edit this story. Comments from readers are encouraged. I appreciate your constructive criticism and comments. Enjoy -- Tanner and Robert Chapter Four Deja vous (Robert) I nervously began, "Mom, Dad, I met someone today that I want you to meet. Believe me, you're going to find him interesting, to say the least!" I proceeded to the foyer door and opened it. Tanner walked in and approached the sofa where my parents were sitting. He extended his hand to shake with dad. "Hello, my name's David Kingston, sir, but most people call me Tanner. I think you knew my mother back in college. Her name was Nan, Nan McGarity. Chapter Four Robert My dad arose slowly from the sofa and offered his hand unconsciously in response to Tanner's outstretched palm. Try as he may, Dad's words couldn't, or wouldn't, find expression for a few moments. For the first time I can remember, he truly was at a loss for the right words. However, I could tell from the astonished look on his face that he was instantly aware of the similarities in appearance between Tanner and me and what that implied. Dad stammered, "I didn't know. I just didn't know! Your mother never told me." He then pulled Tanner to him, and they locked in a warm embrace -- father and son for the first time. After a few moments and with tears freely flowing, they released each other. And, in a loving gesture of a parent for a child, my dad reached up and wiped a tear from Tanner's cheek. They both smiled awkwardly at each other, momentarily unaware of others in the room, but totally caught up in this poignant moment that they would often recall with great emotion and love. Dad turned to my mom but again was at a loss for words. She stood up, squeezed my dad's hand, and then walked over to Tanner and hugged him tightly for a moment. Then she stepped back and said warmly, "Welcome to our home, Tanner. I'm not sure what I should be saying right at this moment -- it's awkward for all of us -- but you're truly welcome here." "Thank you, Mrs. Worthington, or should I say Justice Worthington?" Tanner responded. "A little premature for that maybe, but call me Dorothy," Mom insisted. "However, thank you for the thought." I broke in, "Dad, mom -- Kirk and I were getting ready to run the errands you asked us to do when Tanner showed up at the front door. I almost lost it when I opened the door and saw my 'twin' standing there." "Almost lost it? I had to help you off the floor, if I remember correctly," Tanner quipped with impish smile on his face. "He's right, if the truth be told," I continued excitedly. "Tanner accompanied us on our errands and told us about why he's here and everything." Mom turned to me and Kirk and asked us to help get some snacks together in the kitchen. We took the hint and left dad and Tanner so that the two of them might have some time together. Tanner "I don't know what to call you, sir -- Dr. Worthington, father, dad -- this is really awkward," I stammered. "Whatever you feel comfortable with, even Robert; however, that might confuse things with my first- born." (pause) "Damn, you are my first born!" He smiled. "Please, sit down", Dr. Worthington responded. He continued, "How is your mom, and what brings you to our doorstep now? Uh, that last part didn't come out right. I wasn't implying that you aren't welcome -- sorry! You know what I mean." "This isn't easy for either of us; I understand," I said, coming to his rescue. I paused, took a deep breath, looked him straight in the eyes and continued, "Sir, my mom and dad were killed in an auto accident about six months ago." "My God! I'm so sorry, Tanner," my dad whispered and reached out, grasped my right hand and pulled me into a hug. "I'm...I'm so sorry." "My mother's last wish was that I find you and ... and..." I sobbed and then lost it. For what seemed an eternity I cried in my dad's arms between gasps of breath. He just held me silently, allowing me to let it all out. I hadn't bawled like that since the funeral. Finally, I regained my composure, broke from the embrace and looked at my dad's face. His expression was full of love and concern. This time I reached out and wiped a tear from his cheek. "Tanner, Dorothy and I have kept very few secrets from each other. The college romance between your mother and me was one of those things I shared when we were dating -- back in the dark ages," my dad said. "Of course, I never knew your mom was pregnant. We had gone our separate ways by then. I heard from friends she had suddenly moved back to her home in California. I just assumed she wanted to put some distance between us. That's why I never tried to contract her after she left. Hoever, I must confess there's always been a special place in my heart for her, my first true love -- and now this." Tears appeared in his eyes again. "That's what mom told me. She said that she didn't want you to feel trapped, that you would feel like you had the obligation to marry her. She didn't want that. I'm glad you told me that Mrs. Worthington, uh, Dorothy knows. This makes it a little less stressful for me. I had no idea how she would react upon learning of my existence, let alone your relationship with my mom." Our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of snacks and drinks. Kirk and Robert were already stuffing their faces, much to the chagrin of Dorothy. "You two could have waited at least 'till we were in here. After all, we have company," she commented, yet radiating a warm smile. "Mom, Kirk and I are growing boys and, pointing to me .. and ... he's JUST my brother!" Robert responded. The moment lightened. Robert continued, "Hey, a disturbing thought just occurred to me -- I'm not an only child anymore! Boy, this is going to do wonders for my self-image. I've instantly become the younger brother." Kirk piped in, "You've always acted like the bratty second child anyway. Now you actually are. Remember when you used to talk about having a brother or sister? Well, bro, like I've always said, 'Be careful what you wish for -- cause it just might come true.'" We all looked at the expression on Robert's face and chuckled loudly -- at his expense, I might add. Thinking to myself, "I like this boy, my 'little' brother, and cute too." Dr. Worthington I could tell from the look on Dorothy's face that she was really anxious to hear Tanner's story. I decided now was the time. "Tanner is here because of a recent tragedy in his family, Dorothy. He'd just begun to tell me. Let's all sit down and let him start over." >From the beginning through today, Tanner related his story -- from my love affair with his mom, her getting pregnant and moving back to California, her meeting Dr. Kingston and their marriage, his brother Kyle, his mom's cancer and finally the auto accident. It was obvious that Tanner was still hurting from the blows life had dealt him and his family in the past year. There were moments of deadly silence as he paused several times, collecting his thoughts during his relating the events of the past 12 months. "My life went from one of being a carefree teenage college student living 'on top of the mountain', so to speak, to spending some dark times in the valleys this year," Tanner related with a shaky voice. "Knowing that you were out there somewhere provided a beacon of hope in some of my darkest moments, sir. I just prayed that you would be willing to establish a relationship with your hithertofore unknown son." When Tanner finished the sad saga, my wife went to him, embraced him in a warm hug, kissed him on the cheek and said, "Tanner, you're among family now. We'll be here to help you when you're in the valleys and celebrate when life takes you to those mountain tops." Tanner returned the hug, knowing that he was a part of this family now. His strained face relaxed for the first time since he entered our home, and, for the first time in a long while, I think he knew he was nearing a mountain top again. Soon one big family hug fest commenced with Kirk even joining us. Tears of joy freely flowed in our home as we celebrated this new member of the family -- like rejoicing in the birth of a child. This was our new child! Tanner "I need to call my uncle Jason and my brother. I'm sure they're near a phone just waiting to hear how this family encounter is proceeding. Please excuse me for a moment." I reaching into my day-bag, retrieved my cell phone, punched in the numbers and waited for someone to answer. "Hello. Uncle Jason? Yea, this is Tanner. What? Everything is great! You're gonna love them -- even my bratty little brother" I grinned at Robert who was standing behind the sofa where his parents were sitting. He made an obscene gesture to me, knowing his parents would not see it. "What? Say that again! Is he ok? When did it happen? Alright! Let me call you back after I've talked with them. Thank you. I love you too. Bye. Robert Tanner turned to us, pale and visibly shaken. He moaned, "Earlier this morning my brother suffered a severe head injury while riding his dirt bike. He's in intensive care. I need to get back home ASAP."