The ‘den’ Triplets
by: E Walk
(© 2009-2010 by the Author)
 

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 3  

The Celebration Service

When we walked into the church, the funeral director met us and ushered us to a separate room.  We were joined by the pastor and he said a prayer.  At the appropriate time, the parents were escorted down the center aisle and shown to the second pew.  The other relatives were in the pews behind.

Three ushers came and took the carriers that the triplets were in and placed them in the first row.  The funeral director practically pushed me down the aisle after them.  I was having a very difficult time maintaining my composure when I saw how many people were in the sanctuary.

I really don’t remember much about the celebration service except I remember hearing the pastor say loud and clear, “It is time for Michael to move on and provide the best possible life for the three beautiful boys that he and Jill have brought into the world.  I knew Jill and I’m sure that she would demand only the best for their three new sons, Aiden, Jaden and Kaden.”

As the service was concluding, the pastor announced, “After brief service at the grave, there will a light lunch served at which time you will be able to visit with the family and meet the three newest Naylors and welcome them into the world.

The first usher led me out and that’s when the finality of what was happening hit me.  I saw so many familiar faces and they all had tears in their eyes.

The next three ushers brought the triplets and took them to the room where Todd was going to attend to them while those of us who were going to the cemetery were gone.

The graveside service was very touching and brief.  I just wanted to go home, curl up and forget everything that happened, until I remembered my three boys.

When we got back to the church, the family life center was set so it could hold the people who would be staying for lunch.  A table for the family had been set to the side so the guests could get a glimpse of the triplets.  I was glad that I was able to tell the people who stopped by which boy was which.  Finally, Todd went and got me a sandwich, some salad and a dessert, “Mike, sit down and eat.  I’ll make sure that everyone who wants to, can meet the boys.”

After most of the people had cleared out, the funeral director approached us, “Mr. Naylor, what would you like to have done with all of the floral arrangements?”

I was at a loss because I had requested no flowers.  I looked at Mom and Jill’s parents.  They shrugged their shoulders.  Todd saved the day, “Sir, why don’t you take them to some of the retirement centers.  They could be a bright moment of hope to the people who can’t get out to enjoy nature.”

The funeral director handed me a box, “Mr. Naylor, here are the memorial envelopes from today.  I’ve included two boxes of thank you notes so you can write and thank the donors.”

Mrs. Gray approached us carrying a box, “Michael, here is some food to make sure you don’t starve.  I’m sure that you will be receiving more food over the next several days.  Make sure you call me if you need any help.”

When we arrived back at the house, Mother was putting the food away, and Jill’s parents, Grandma and Grandpa Majors, were helping Todd take care of the three boys.

I was sitting just starring into space when the Majors approached me, “Mike, we need to go now.  Call us if you need any help.  It appears that Todd has everything under control.  We’ll be back this weekend.”

Mother came and sat on the arm of the chair, “Mike, go get some sleep.  Todd can handle the boys.  If he needs help, he can call me.  You’re not going to be any good to anyone if you don’t get some rest.”

I reluctantly stood and decided to check on the triplets. They were sleeping in the nursery.  I went to tell Todd where I would be if he needed me.  He was in the kitchen eating,  He looked up at me, “I thought I had better eat something while I had a chance.  I thought your mother said your were going to go rest.  Do you need me to come and help you get changed, too?”

Todd’s comment struck a sour note, “Todd, we just buried my wife and you have the audacity to suggest that we do something like that?”

Todd stood up, “Mr. Naylor, I wasn’t suggesting anything of the kind.  I was trying to be funny.  It is becoming very apparent that my working for you isn’t going to work out.  I suggest that you start looking for someone else to take care of the boys immediately.  It’s a good thing that I only took a week’s vacation time instead of resigning.  I was afraid that something like this would happen.”

Todd wasn’t finished, “I'm sorry but we gay people do think of other things other than sex.  Sex doesn’t equate to love.  Love usually involves sex.  We gay people have the same feelings and needs as those of you who are straight.”

He turned away from me and I saw a hurt look in his eyes, “Now, go get some rest as your mother suggested.”

I stood for a minute, trying to think of something say and decided it would be best if I just left without saying anything.

I went to my bedroom and was reliving everything that had happened since New Year’s Eve.  I must have fallen asleep and I had a dream and a voice was saying, ‘Michael, make sure that Todd doesn’t leave.  He is just exactly what you and your sons are going to need.  You need to make it clear to him that you want him to stay.’

Something awakened me, and I had no idea what time it was.  I had fallen asleep with just my briefs, but I thought maybe the boys were fussing and that was what had awakened me.  I went to check on them but they weren’t in their bedroom.  I didn’t hear any sounds so I went down the stairs.  I heard a voice in the kitchen, so I went to see what was happening.  The triplets were in their carriers and there were three empty bottles next to them so they had obviously just been fed.

Todd was talking on the phone and was standing so he couldn’t see me. I heard him say, “Aunt Millie, I probably won’t be here after this weekend.  Mr. Naylor has a problem with my sexuality even though he says he doesn’t.”

“He accused me of something, after I said something when I was trying to be funny and it really hurt. I can’t work where people can’t accept me for who I am.”

That was all I could take.  I went and pushed Todd against the wall and grabbed the phone from him, “Mrs. Gray, Todd isn’t going anywhere.  We had an unfortunate misunderstanding.  My boys and I are desperately going to need him here.”

Mrs. Gray responded, “I just called to tell you that Mrs. Homan is going to be bringing dinner tonight.  Tell Todd I’ll talk to him later.”

I hung up the phone and Todd pushed me away, “Mike, I am going to be leaving for sure now.  You just did two more things that I will not tolerate.  You used force on me and are telling what I’m going to do.  Those are precisely the reason that my last partner and I parted ways.  You‘re batting  .000 today.”

Why I did what I did I’ll never understand.  I leaned against Todd, and kissed him on the lips. “I’m sorry, sir.  I try harder next time but I can’t let you leave.  I had a dream that told me you had to stay.”

Todd pushed me away.  “Go get dressed, we wouldn’t want Mrs. Homan to faint from seeing your fat body, would we?  We’ll discuss this further when you are not so obscenely dressed.  I’m afraid that you’ll frighten the boys.”

I hugged Todd again, “Todd, please be patient with me.”

I went and put on a warm up suit with a turtle neck and as I was going down the stairs the doorbell rang.  I answered and a lady and gentleman were standing there with two trays of food. 

Mrs. Homan spoke, “Mike, we weren’t sure how many people would be here tonight, so I made plenty.”
 

I invited the Homans in and we took the food to the kitchen.  Before I could introduce the Homans to Todd.  Mrs. Homan spoke, “Hi Toddy, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
 

Before Todd could say anything, I answered “Mr. Stodola is going to be the boys resident nurse.  He’ll be staying here with us to make sure that nothing happens to the triplets.  Would you like to see the boys?  They’re asleep right now.  It seems like all they do is eat, sleep and go to the bathroom.”

Mr. Homan laughed, “Enjoy the peace and quiet while you can.  By the time they get to be teenagers, you’ll be deaf and then watch out, your food bill will triple.”

After the Homans left, Todd looked at me, “Mike, you’re backing me into a corner again by telling the Homans that I am going to be the boys’ resident nurse.”

I looked at Todd, “Your objection is overruled.  I didn’t mention how long you were going to be the boys’ nurse did I?   Now let’s eat before the boys wake up.”

It was extremely quiet as we were eating.  I felt as if I was in a morgue, “Todd, is something bothering you?  Would you like to talk about it?”

Todd looked at me, “Mike, I don’t know what you expect of me.  Could we just sit down and discuss what is happening and going to happen.  It’s as if you are pushing me away and pulling toward you at the same time.  I’m especially confused since you kissed me on the lips.”

Now I was confused, “Todd, where else would I kiss you.  On your butt?

“Mike, you don’t get it at all, do you?  If you are talking with an acquaintance you might pretend that you are kissing him or her on the cheek.  Whatever you do, don’t kiss the boys on the mouth.  Just think of the germs you might give them.”

I put my hands to my forehead, “Todd, are you saying that I am a carrier of diseases?”

“Mike, think about it.  You kissed me on the mouth and you have no idea what diseases I might have come in contact with.”

That got my attention, “Todd, are you trying to tell me that you have a communicable disease?”

“Mike, I have always practiced safe sex.  In addition, we medical people have to be tested periodically to see if we have been infected with any of the social diseases.  I had my last check up three weeks ago and I tested clean.”

Our conversation was interrupted because one of the boys started to fuss.  Todd laughed, “That has to be Aiden, he’s like his Daddy.  He needs to be taken care of instantly.  I swear, he inhales his formula.  Wait and see, Jaden will be next to wake up and Kaden may sleep through the feeding.  I guess he’s lazy like me.  Other things are more important than eating.”

I was feeding Aiden when Jaden woke up, and Todd changed him and started to feed him.  I took Aiden to his bassinette in the office/nursery.  When I returned, Kaden was starting to stir so I changed him and gave him his bottle while Todd took care of the dishes.

When I had put Kaden in his basinette, I went back to the kitchen, “Todd, it’s going to take both of us to take care of the triplets.  Can we at least be friends?”

Todd turned to me, “Mike, we need to talk about what your expectations are.  I think I have made it clear what I will not put up with.  I honestly don’t know what you want out of this relationship.”

I looked at him, “Todd, I don’t know what I want.  All I know is that the three boys have to come first.”

Todd looked at me, “Let’s take the three boys to their bedroom.  I need to take a shower and think about everything that has been happening.  I promise you, though, that as long as I work for you, the three boys will receive my full attention.”

I was lying on the sofa in the boys’ bedroom when Todd came in with just his briefs on.  I challenged him, “Why are you walking around flaunting your obscene weapon in front of my sons?”

He turned around and took a deep breath, “If I remember correctly, Mr. Naylor, you were parading around like this earlier this afternoon.  So are you saying there is a double standard in this house.  You’re the master of the house and can do what you want, but the rest of us can’t do what you do?”

We were interrupted by Aiden again.  I began to wonder if I was like that as a child.  If I was, I pitied my poor parents.  As Todd was feeding Aiden, I was thinking, ‘I can’t seem to do anything right.’

Todd handed Aiden to me, “Take Aiden to your room and watch him so I  can take care of the other two boys.”

I carefully put Aiden in the center of the king sized bed and took a quick shower.  When I was entering the bedroom, Todd was coming in with Jaden, “Nice pendulum you have there, Mr. Naylor.  It’s easy to see where your three sons got their endowments from.  Don’t ever yell at me again for walking around in my briefs in front of your sons.”

He turned and left after he placed Jaden on the bed.  I pulled on a  pair of briefs and was thinking, ‘I can’t seem to do anything right.’

I laid down on the bed with the two boys on either side of me.  Todd brought Kaden and placed him on my chest,  “You need to bond with all three of your sons.”

I was almost asleep when Todd came in, “Bonding time is over.  I’m afraid you’ll crush them if I let you go to sleep with them here.  They are too precious to allow that to happen.”

He took Kaden and Aiden and I climbed out of bed and took Jaden to their bedroom.  I looked at the Todd, “I’ll set the speaker system so we can both hear them when they awaken during the night.”

Todd shook his head no, “I’ll sleep in here with the boys.  Your wife had the foresight to have a sleeper sofa put in this room, so I will be just fine.  You need to get some rest so you can earn enough money to pay for me and the boys.  Now go to bed.  We’ll be fine.”

As I was walking to my bedroom, all I could think of was, ‘Now the hired help was telling me what to do.’

To be continued...

Editor's Notes: It looks to me as if someone needs to tell him what to do. He is floundering and not really connecting to what is happening.  He still hasn't completely registered what is going to be needed to make a good life the him and the boys. 

Todd seems to have a good head on his shoulders.  I do think he needs to lighten up a little too. They seem to both have a few hang-ups and they need to be able to talk to each other without one or the other having a hissy fit.  It is obvious to me that they both care deeply about the boys, and that they can, if they try, work together to take very good care of them.  I believe that with time and a little patients, they will be able to get along and stop pushing each other's buttons.  I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens, won't we? 

I am ready for more chapters, as always.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 09/03/10