Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 12:53:25 -0500 From: fsw99 Subject: Chapter 31 of Matt and Mike Warning! This story contains sex between minor boys. If you are underage, this is illegal in your country, or do not like this type of story, please do not read this. MATT and MIKE Chapter Thirty One Well, someone really should have stayed with Merriam that day. She got more and more depressed about allowing her bastard husband to ever take Brad away in the first place. She blamed herself for what had happened to Brad, even though it started almost ten years after their divorce. She drove to an instant teller and took out way too much cash. She really couldn't afford how much she was taking out. She went to her regular distributer for her drug habit, and bought the biggest purchase of cocaine in her life. She went on the biggest binge of her life. Nothing else seemed to matter. She woke up at noon, with Rick shaking her. She hadn't been to work in a week, and was a no show the day she was to report back to work from her vacation in France. Rick had hoped to get her up, and take her to work, but she was still way too high to even consider it. Rick put on a pot of coffee, and made her get up and get dressed. He basically had to dress her, which was very embarrassing to Rick. Even though he was gay, and had no attraction to the female body, Merriam had gone to bed completely nude. Merriam's underwear was no problem. Same design. Slide them up the legs and pull them up. Her bra was a different story. Bras have given men fits forever, especially straight men. The clasp in the back seems impossible to open or close if you are a male. (Author's note: Sorry. I couldn't stop myself from putting this in here. This relates to my first steady girlfriend. I was 16. I couldn't get the DAMN thing undone, to save my life. I almost started to carry a pair of scissors on dates! I still HATE bras, even though I now don't care if they attach by velcro.) Rick struggled with the bra, and almost gave up, but it finally fastened. God, he was glad he was a man and didn't have to wear one of those things! At least Merriam was properly covered up now. Rick could now get her dressed completely, and take her downstairs. He made her drink several cups of coffee, before he had to get back to work. "Merriam, look, I can cover for you today. I will make up something. But, you have to be at work tomorrow. Do you understand? You have already used up all your sick days. You have to quit going on these binges, or they will fire you. If they do, what will happen to Brad and Sam? You have to get your life back in order. Do you understand?", Rick almost yelled. Merriam cringed from his statement. Unfortunately, she cringed more from the noise, than what he had said. Rick had to get back to work. He wouldn't have any lunch this day. It was too late. He had done all he could do. Merriam's head seemed ready to explode. She needed something to make her headache go away. She looked in her medicine closet. She had Advil and Tylenol. Would that make her headache disappear instantly? No way. She took the only option she thought she had at the time. What is the old saying? Hair of the dog that bit you? It works for alcoholics. She went back to her new stash of cocaine. Her head felt better immediately. She felt lots better. That was good. The only bad thing was, she just threw away her future with her boys. She loved them both. All, for a fast high. She didn't report in to work the next day, either. She hadn't come home the previous night. Brad and Sam phoned Matt and Mike the next morning, when they woke up and found she wasn't home. Everyone was frantic. Rick eventually called the police. Merriam had been caught running a red light the previous night. Her eyes were blood shot, and she was very high. It was easy for the police to know she was on drugs. They searched the car, and found all the cocaine she had with her. She was now in jail on felony drug possession with intent to distribute charges. She had never intended to sell any of the cocaine, but the large amount she had on her at the time made them believe she was going to. She had just gone to the instant teller once more and drew out her limit, before spending it all on more cocaine. If she hadn't done that, she probably wouldn't have been charged with intent to distribute. Merriam was eventually convicted on both counts, and sentenced to serve two years in a woman's prison. Once Rick found out that she was in jail, he tried to bail her out, but the bond was too high. He did all he could. He told the boys, and consoled them the best he could. Sam took it the hardest, and he held Rick and cried for a long time. Rick took both boys to their grandparents house, but they were both not in good health, and he knew that they couldn't stay with them long term. He sent both boys up stairs and talked to the grandparents for a long time. They loved both of the boys, and wanted the boys to stay with them, but had to face the fact that they just weren't young enough any more to raise two more teenagers. They reluctantly told Rick that they thought that they might have to turn the boys over to the state so that they could be placed in foster homes until they could be adopted. This would probably mean that the boys would be separated once more. "Look, can you just give me a little time to see what I can work out before you have to do that?", Rick asked. "I think I might have an answer to all of our problems." "Sure, we don't want to rush into anything. We want what is best for the boys, too. We are sorry, but we just don't see how we can take them in.", their Grandmother said. "I understand. Let me go talk to some friends of mine. I will come over and talk to you tomorrow. Just let the boys spend tonight here, OK?", Rick asked. "That is fine with us. Please don't think badly of us for not letting them stay. We just can't raise two more boys the way we are feeling.", their grandfather said. "No, I understand what you are saying. I think you are right. If what I am thinking works out, I think the boys will be happier, anyway. I have to go now. I'll go up and tell the boys good bye and then I will be back tomorrow after work.", Rick answered. Sam didn't want Rick to leave. He held onto him like he was never going to see him again. "Look, guys, I will be back tomorrow. I promise. I just need to go talk to some friends right now. Just trust me, OK? I will always be here for you. Now, let me go, Sam, so I can go talk to them. It is really important.", Rick said softly. Sam reluctantly let go of him, and Rick quickly left. Both boys were in tears, since their future was so uncertain. They consoled each other the best they could, but both were really hurting. Rick drove straight over to the Walton's. Like always, Matt and Mike were already there. They seemed to spend more time there than at home. Rick knocked on the door, and they let him inside. "Boys, I need to talk to Troy and Pat alone. Why don't all of you go over to the mall for a few minutes. I need about an hour. OK?", Rick asked. No one but Rick knew about Merriam at this time, but they could all see that something was wrong. "OK, but can't you tell us what is wrong first.", Seth asked. "Does it have anything to do with Brad and Sam?" "I can't tell you anything right now. I will, after I have talked to your parents. That is all I can say about it. I am sorry.", Rick said solemnly. The boys just looked at each other and got up and left without another word. All had worried looks on their faces. After Rick watched them drive off, he sat back down and turned to Troy and Pat. "Look, I know that I have no right to ask you this, but I don't know where else to turn. You remember me telling you that Merriam had a bad drug problem? Well, all of this has been too much for her to take, and she started doing drugs again. This time, she went too far. She missed the last two days of work, and got caught by the police last night. I think she is going to go to jail this time.", Rick said. "Oh, no, that is awful. What is going to happen to Brad and Sam?", Pat asked, concerned. "They are with their grandparents right now, but neither of them are in any shape to help raise them. They want to put them up for adoption. I think that will mean that the boys will have to go into separate foster homes.", Rick continued. "Oh, we can't let that happen. They just found each other. That would tear both of them apart. It would also hurt Jerry tremendously. Can't you think of any other solution?", Pat asked. "I have thought of one solution. The two of you could adopt them.", Rick said softly. "Rick, we would love to help the boys, but we already have two sons to raise. We don't have the kind of money to raise two more. The DMV doesn't pay a lot. You know that.", Troy said. "I know, but I think I have the answer to that, also. Their Dad is going to be sending $500.00 every month for child support. That should be more than enough to support them through high school. They would both have to work like Matt and Mike to pay for their college, but I am sure that they would agree to that. I know I don't have any right to ask you this. I would adopt them myself if I could. I just don't see the court system awarding custody of two boys their age to a 21 year old gay man. Do you?", Rick asked. Troy just laughed a little, and said, "No, I guess you are right about that. Rick, can Pat and I talk alone for a few minutes? This is a big decision." "Sure. I understand. I'll go walk around outside for a few minutes. Take your time.", Rick answered. "You really love them, don't you?", Pat asked. "Yes. I would do anything to help them right now.", Rick answered, walking out the door. Rick nervously paced back and forth, waiting to be called back in. He wracked his brain trying to come up with a second plan in case that Troy and Pat said no. He just couldn't think of anything else. He knew that he didn't have enough room to take them into Jim's house. The courts would never let them, anyway. He was getting more and more nervous. He didn't have to worry. Troy and Pat finally called him in. "We have decided to adopt them like you want us to. On one condition. We want you to also play a part in their lives. We want you to stay on as their big brother and help in any problems that come up. You can also help us with Seth and Jerry, also, even though they don't really give us much trouble.", Troy said. This brought tears to Rick's eyes. "I would be glad to do that. It would be a honor to be considered part of your family. Thank you.", he said, as he walked over and hugged both of them. They decided to go and talk to the boys right then. They were let inside the house, and again the boys were forced to stay upstairs. Everyone talked for a few minutes without them until everyone was in agreement. "Guys, can you both come down here now?", Rick called up to them. They were downstairs in a flash. They had wanted to be down there the whole time. After all, this was their life everyone was talking about. They had listened a little earlier and had heard their grandparents say that they did see how they could let them live with them. Both boys were scared to death about what was going to happen now. Rick, Troy, and Pat were standing up when the came down the stairs. "Boys, your grandparents don't think they are well enough to take care of you full time. They would love to have you come visit, but two boys your age to take care of is just too much for them. They both love you, but neither of them is very well. Do you understand?", Rick asked gently. Both of them just shook their heads yes. "They have decided to put you up for adoption.", Rick started. "No, they can't do that. They will make us live in different houses. I can't lose Brad right after I finally met him.", Sam yelled. "Sam, calm down and let me finish. Troy and Pat want to adopt both of you. They want you to become their new sons. What do you think about that?", Rick asked. Both boys eyes just got big, until Sam got up and ran over to Pat. "Thank you. Thank you so much for wanting us.", he cried, as he hugged her tight. Brad also got up and hugged Troy. Then, they switched so that they could each hug their other new parent. Everyone was either crying or had tears in their eyes. "We won't be any trouble. We will both help you out around the house. I had to take care of our house for my Dad, and I am pretty good at cooking and cleaning.", Brad said. "I want to help, too. Mom did most of the cooking and cleaning at our house, but my job was to do the laundry. I am real good at that.", Sam added. Troy and Pat just looked at each other and grinned. Maybe this would work out better than they thought. "Is it all right if we take the boys with us now? We all need to have a talk with our sons about this.", Troy asked the boys grandparents. "That would be fine with us. I think you all need to be together right now.", their Grandfather said. The boys quickly ran upstairs and got their bags, which were still packed from coming here to start with. They were back almost instantly, excited about being able to live with Seth and Jerry. They each hugged their grandparents, and everyone left. "Boys, we have two extra bedrooms, so you can each have your own room.", Troy said, as they drove home. Sam blushed, but said, "I was hoping I could just share Jerry's room." Troy looked at Pat, who just nodded her head. They both laughed at the same time. "That is what we thought both you and Jerry would say. That is fine with us.", Troy laughed. Brad didn't say anything, but you could tell he was deep in thought. They finally got home, and went inside. Home! Brad and Sam sure had never thought they would call it that. "Where have all of you been? What is going on, anyway?", Seth asked, fuming at being left out. "Just calm down. All of you sit down. We need to have a family discussion.", Troy ordered. Everyone immediately sat down, even though some had to sit on the floor. "Brad and Sam's mother is in big trouble. She has been caught with drugs in her possession. Rick is almost positive she will go to jail for several years. Brad and Sam's grandparents can't take them in, so they are forced to put them up for adoption.", Troy said. "No! They can't. I might not ever see Sam again.", Jerry cried. "Dad, can't you do something?", Seth yelled. "Will both of you let me finish? We are doing something. We are going to adopt them both. You two are going to have two new brothers.", Troy added. Seth and Jerry's eyes got really big and both jumped up at the same time. Jerry ran to Sam and hugged him to him. Seth did the same to Brad. This kind of startled everyone. "Dad. Mom. Thank you so much. I know I love Brad. He doesn't love me yet, but I will make him love me. I wanted to tell you before, but I just couldn't make myself.", Seth said. "Well, it looks like we still have two extra bedrooms.", Troy said, laughing. That broke up everyone, and then everyone started hugging everyone else. A situation that started out in tragedy turned out good after all. The adoption took several months, but it was finally official. Brad and Sam were officially part of the family. All the boys did start to help out. Brad actually was a very good cook, and took over most of the cooking. Sam did all the laundry. Seth and Jerry had always done anything their parents asked them to do, but now they even started volunteering for jobs. If anything, it was easier on Troy and Pat having two extra people in the house than it was before. Matt and Mike continued to spend more and more time there. Rick was there a lot, also. Zack started coming with him. All of them were accepted as members of the family. Brad got closer and closer to Seth. He finally began to love Seth as much as Seth loved him. All the hurting he had inside finally started to heal. All four of the boys finally made the decision to come out of the closet totally, even at school. Once their friends found out the truth, they did give the four of them more than a little grief, but all four boys didn't let it get to them. They never returned any of the comments that were made to them. Pretty soon, it all died down, and they were accepted for what they were. Matt and Mike were always there for them. They had been through far worse than what the other four were going through, and helped them through their tough time. Troy and Pat really appreciated the support Matt and Mike gave all four of them during this time, and became closer and closer to both of them. When everyone, including Rick and Zack, were over for dinner one night, they sprung the new surprise. "Everyone, Pat and I want to talk to all of you for a few minutes.", Troy said. Everyone came in and all sat down. "Matt and Mike are over here so much that they almost live here.", Troy started. "I hope we aren't coming over too much, Troy.", Mike said quickly. "No, nothing like that. Pat and I just don't think we have enough boys living with us right now. We want you and Matt to move in with us permanently. Rick and Zack too, if they want to. We worry about all of you leaving so late at night, and this would ease our minds. We both have come to love all four of you. We know we can't adopt you, but we would like to treat you as our sons, just like Brad and Sam.", Troy said. All of us just stared at them with our mouths open. We all enjoyed living with Jim and our grandparents, but it really wasn't the same as having a Mom and Dad. Mike and I just stared at each other. We both knew that we wanted to do it. We stared over at Rick and Zack, who were sitting on the couch. They just grinned at us, and shook their heads yes. "We would all love too.", all four of us shouted almost at the same time. And that is what happened. We all moved into the other two unoccupied bedrooms. Mike and I still didn't trust adults very much, but we gradually began to trust Troy and Pat more and more. Sorry, Mom and Dad. They insisted we call them that. It was hard getting used to calling them anything but their first names, but we gradually became used to it. Mom and Dad even joked with us not to go and find any more kids who needed help. They said "8 Is Enough", like the old TV show. We all agreed, but we also knew that if we did find someone who needed their help, they would find a way to do so. They were both loving and caring people, who could never turn their back on anyone who needed them. It was a very refreshing change from what we had been used to. You know, maybe all the bad times are finally going to be over. We all hoped so. To Be Continued Any reader's comments or criticisms are appreciated. The more comments I get, the quicker I will forward more chapters. Again, I am trying to tell the story using actual facts, but I do insert parts of the story that did not really happen. The boys always give me permission, before I submit my version. I hope you like this method of telling a story. Any comments can be sent to fsw99@mindspring.com. The only gratification I really get out of writing is your comments. I have made good friends out of Matt and Mark, and could use some more.