The Mark and the Mole
by: E Walk

(© 2007 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 9

Take No Captives

Grandmother looked at Mike, “Michael, call your parents and see when the Wilkins are returning home.  It would be nice if Kendra was here to help me take care of the twins while their Dad and everyone went to get their Uncle.”

Chad wanted to say something, but I nodded my head no and he acquiesced.

Mike went to the phone, “Oh hi Dad, are Frank and Elaine still there? … Oh they left about a half hour ago.  Frank has a case going to trial tomorrow.  … We want to thank you so much for your hospitality.  I think I'd better warn you that you might be about to gain another grandson, and perhaps even more. …  Why don’t you and Mother swing down here after church on Sunday?  … That way you can meet the new arrival. … Love you, Dad.”

Mike hung up, “Chad, Dad says to give Mark and Jon a big kiss from him and Mom.  Grandma, I’ll call Kevin and Kendra in half an hour and get them here in the morning.  Dad W., what time would you like to leave?”

Dad looked at Chad, “Grandson, what time would you like to leave?  Don’t give me any grief about not being able to go, because you are going to be the link that connects us with Tim.  If you aren’t there, he will be very insecure.  We need to make darn sure that he feels good about what is happening as soon as possible.  We’ll take Kevin with us too, so that Tim feels surrounded by people his own age.”

I was becoming increasingly amazed by my father. He was taking complete charge of the situation.  He was so entirely different than I remembered him being for most of my life.  I think he was enjoying not being encumbered and trodden on by my mother.

Chad didn’t look very happy, “Granddad, why don’t we plan to leave by eight.  That way I can take care of Jon and Mark before we leave.  We should be able to be back before five.  Now, if everyone would please excuse us, I am going to take Mark and Jon and get them ready for bed.  I want to thank all four of you for making us feel so at home and being willing to help my brother.”  Chad hugged us all tightly for several seconds each and then he disappeared carrying the two bassinettes one under each arm.

Dad and Grandmother excused themselves and went to their rooms.  Mike looked at me, “Doug, my mind is boggled by everything that has happened.  As soon as I talk to Kevin and Kendra, I want us to go to bed and enjoy ourselves.  I guess we will need to lock the door from now on.  I can’t imagine where everyone will be sleeping.  Yes, we have six bedrooms, but five of them are already spoken for.”

I pulled Mike close and held him, “Michael dearest, I just want you to take me and use me and keep me from waking up from this dream that I am having.  We have always wanted children, and now it looks as if we are going to have at least two sons and two grandsons.  I have to wonder what sex the other Harmon siblings are.  I know there is at least one more boy.  Now go make the call to Kevin and Kendra; my body is wound up so tight that it is quivering with anticipation.”

Mike looked at me funny, “Does that mean your body is quivering back and forth, or are you the case that is waiting to hold my arrow?”

“Michael, just go make that call and when you are finished, you will find out.”

Mike made the call and Kevin and Kendra were set to arrive at 7:30.  Mike and I locked up the place and started toward our room, but we noticed that Chad’s light was still on.  We stopped and I gently knocked, “Chad, are you still awake?”

Chad came to the door in his briefs, “Please come in, Dads.  Dads, I am just very overwhelmed and confused by what everyone has done for Mark, Jon and me and now you are going to do the same for Timbo.  Dads, will you still love Tim even if he is gay?”

Mike was almost at a loss for words, but from somewhere in his depth he pulled, “Chad, why wouldn’t we love him if he is gay, as long as he behaves responsibly.  The important question is, ‘Chad, will you and your sons be able to accept Tim, even though he is gay?’  Chad, don't be silly, I mean if we didn't accept a gay son, we would be a couple of hypocrites. After all, we are two old gay men.”

Chad got a big grin on his face, “Dads, I already love him, and I am sure that if we condition Jon and Mark properly, they won’t even know what is happening.  Heck, if they have two Granddads, why shouldn't they have two uncles.”  Chad started to really giggle, “If Kevin and Tim would become attached, they really would be real uncles so to speak.”

Both Mike and I started to laugh and Chad came and hugged us.

“Goodnight Dads, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.  I need to get some sleep.”

Mike and I went to our room and took a shower and indeed my quivering did stop and I had to take another shower.  The next thing I remember was Mike leaning on me, “I think we need to get up,  I think someone is already cooking breakfast.”

I could smell the bacon that was sizzling.  When Mike and I walked into the kitchen, “Good morning Dads, it is nice that you could join us.  I got a good night’s sleep.  The guys slept through the night until six this morning.  They have already eaten and are dressed for the day.  Now go check on Grandmother and Granddad.”

Mike went to check on Grandmother and I went to check on my father, “Dad, it’s Doug.  Chad has breakfast just about ready.”

“Come on in, Son, I’ll be ready shortly.”

I opened the door but was not prepared for what I saw.  Dad was standing there in all his glory, drying his hair.  I had never seen my Dad naked before.  He was a well developed man.  I couldn’t think of a thing to say.

Dad started to laugh, “What’s the matter Doug; did the cat take your tongue?”

I shook my head, “Dad, this is the first time I have ever seen you naked.  You have a beautiful body and must have a lot of people chasing after you.”

“Doug, I have been going to a gym three times a week for years, after work, so I wouldn’t have to listen to your mother’s drivel.  I have had a lot of offers from both sides of the fence, but I think I might prefer to stay with the female side.  Now mind you, I haven’t closed any gates yet.  Go tell my Grandson that I will be there in ten minutes.  I still need to shave and brush my teeth.”

Dad was rocking my entire world.  This was not the father I knew.  It was like he had been replaced by an alien from outer space.

I went back and reported that Dad would be joining us shortly.  Grandmother walked in just as Kevin and Kendra arrived.  Chad started to serve breakfast before Dad arrived.  Chad looked at Dad, “Granddad, I’m  sorry, I only know how to cook for six; I guess you will have to have a stale piece of toast since you were the last person here.”

Chad put a piece of toast in front of Dad and Dad calmly started to eat and asked, “Might I have a glass of water to wash this toast down.”

Chad glared, “Granddad, you are no fun.  You were supposed to rant and rave?”

Dad looked at Chad, “Chad, why would I rant and rave?  I haven’t eaten breakfast at home in the last ten years.”

Chad was rattled, but challenged, “We’re about to change that; here, eat your ham and scrambled eggs.  Grandmother said you liked your coffee black and make sure you drink your orange juice.”

Dad was so blasé, “Well, if you say so.”

I watched as Dad shoveled his food in.  “Chad, my boy, I may have to make you my personal cook.  Does Tim know how to cook also?”

Chad started to laugh again, “That’s a no brainer Granddad, when you are the oldest of seven and your parents are always going to church meetings, you learn to cook real fast with whatever you can find.  Speaking of which, Dads, the cabinets are looking a little bare here.  I made out a list of things we need, and perhaps Grandmother can fill it in.  Now, if you ate, then you can take your dishes to the kitchen and rinse them and put them in the dishwasher while I check on the boys.”

Kevin was laughing, “Uncle Doug, are you sure that is the same person you brought to Granddad and Grandma Long’s house?  He seems so different.”

I looked at Mike and he nodded, “Kevin and Kendra, Chad is putting up a good front.  He is still insecure and is overwhelmed by what has and is happening.  You are going to need to be a strong support for him and probably his brother, Tim, as well.”

We all took our dishes to the kitchen as Chad had requested/directed and he came  in with the boys.  “Okay ladies, the twins have been changed and will probably be hungry in about two hours.  Granddad, let’s roll.”

Dad handed the keys to the Lexus to Chad, “Grandson, you drive and Kevin, you sit up front and be the navigator while I rest in the back.”

Chad started to say something but Kevin shook his head and Chad did as he was told.  I watched as the they pulled away and then hugged Grandmother and Mike, “I need to get going also.  Fridays are always a busy day for me.  I’ll see everyone about six thirty.”

Mike didn’t need to leave for a few minutes, so he stayed to talk to Grandmother and Kendra and made arrangements with Kendra to go to the grocery store to get whatever Chad had on the list.   “Grandmother, you might look it over to see if you can think of anything else we might need.  I looked at the list and it seems fairly comprehensive.  He even included the things that Jon and Mark will need.”

Mike left for his office.

Chad really impressed the heck out of Dad and Kevin.  He was able to navigate from the house onto Interstate 80 heading East without any help.  Once he was on the Interstate, he watched the speed limit signs and made sure that he stayed under the speed limit by 2 miles per hour.  Dad was even more impressed when Chad pulled into the driveway at 702 Heister street without asking directions.

Dad looked a little concerned, “Chad, push the button on the visor and drive into the garage after the door is open, and how in the world did you know where I lived?”

As the door was opening, Chad turned to Dad, “Easy, my Granddad Watson, I heard you tell Tim where to go.  Tim and I used to deliver the morning paper to your house.”

After the garage door was shut, the three of them went into the house.  They were met by a young man who certainly looked almost exactly like Chad, except for having a better defined body.  Chad hugged Tim, “Tim, you need to take a shower.  When was the last time you had one?  Oh, by the way, I want to introduce you to Granddad Walker and Kevin Wilkins.”

Tim went to shake hands and after the introductions, Granddad took charge.  “Chad, take Tim to my bedroom which is at the back end of the hallway and have him take a shower.  Everything he needs should be in there.  Kevin and I are going to go get some basic clothes for Tim to wear on the trip home.  We’ll take care of the rest later.  I don’t want either of you to leave the house or talk to anyone else since someone in the neighborhood might recognize you as the two young men who delivered their papers.  Come on Kevin, let’s go.  Get the keys from Chad, please.”

Tim looked at Chad with a puzzled look, “How did Granddad Walker know about us delivering papers in this area?  I never saw him before and who is Kevin?”

“Tim, let’s go get your shower and after you have showered, I'll explain what is happening.”  Knowing Granddad a little, he won’t take long to get the basics, so just do as he told you to do and wrap yourself with a towel or a robe if there is one in the bathroom until he and Kevin get back here.”

Tim went into the bathroom and took off his clothes and Chad went back downstairs.  He was looking at a magazine when the phone started to ring.  He looked at the caller idea and realized that it was Mike’s and my number.

“This is Chad, is something wrong with the boys?”
 

Grandmother was laughing, “Chad, the boys are fast asleep and Kendra went to the grocery store with your well thought out, extensive list.  We’ll put the perishables away, but you can take care of the rest when you get back home, since I don’t know how you want to arrange things.  Now, is Bryce there.  I need to talk to him.”

“Grandmother, Granddad and Kevin went to buy some basic clothes for Tim since he has nothing with him.  Tim is in the shower as we speak.  Wait a minute, I hear the garage door.”

Dad and Kevin walked in carrying some packages and Chad announced, “Granddad, Grandmother wants to speak with you.”

Granddad put the phone on speaker, “Hi Mother, what’s up?”

“Bryce, I have been thinking about Tim and what to do.  I think you should call the boys parents, and tell him that you have him in your custody and that he will be fine.  Don’t call them from your home phone or they will be able to trace the call to you.  Now, I suggest that you all get out of Iowa City quickly before someone recognizes either Chad or Tim.  Dinner will be at 6:45 since Doug has to do the five o’clock news broadcast.”

Kevin spoke up, “Mr. Walker, why don’t you and Chad use my cell phone while I help Tim get ready to leave?  The Caller ID will only show ‘Cell Phone, Des Moines, Iowa’.”

Kevin left with Tim who was dressed in Dad’s bathrobe..

Dad had Chad dial his parents' house.  Chad and Tim’s father answered with a distasteful quality, “This is Harold Harmon, how may I help you?”

Dad looked at Chad with a twinkle, “Oh Mr. Harold Harmon, it is not what you can do for me, but what I am going to do for your son, Timothy.  I have him in custody, and I will be taking him to somewhere where he will never embarrass you again.  Now, I must warn you, I am about to call the social services division and report you and your wife for child neglect.  Please don’t try to find Tim, because you will be the losers.  Our attorneys will be in touch with you shortly.”

In the meantime, Kevin was watching Tim get dressed and couldn’t contain himself, “Tim, you have a beautiful body and make Chad look like a wimp except in the department that most men prize the most.”

Tim scowled, “Kev, you did not have to remind me.  I am well aware that my twin has a better endowed sexual package than I do, but please don’t rub it in.”

Kevin grabbed Tim and just hugged him, “Tim, I think you are beautiful and I also think that Chad is beautiful, but I think Chad is straight.  From what I have heard, I gather you might not be of the same mold as your twin.”

Tim looked at Kevin, “Kevin, yes I am gay, and have known so for two years.  I only recently let myself do anything with another male.  I’m sure that Chad knows, because I tried to get Chad to do things with me before he and Jody had their short affair.”

Kevin started to laugh, “Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger.  I have been trying to get Chad to do things, and he keeps treating me like a brother.  He is totally devoted to his two sons.  Now we'd better join Mr. Walker and Chad before they come looking for us.”

When Tim and Kevin appeared, Dad mandated, “Okay boys, we are going to leave now.  Kevin, you drive and I will sit in front with you.  Tim, you sit in the back with Chad so no one can see either of you.”

Dad made sure the house was secure and set the security system which was almost never used.  They were about to depart when the phone rang.  Dad answered, “This is Bryce Walker, how may I help you?”

A voice was on the line, “Mr. Walker, can you verify that you want to activate your alarm.  It has been over six months since it was activated.  Would you please give me the password and answer these questions?”

Dad must have passed the test, because the voice came on, “Mr. Walker, I apologize for any inconvenience.”

Ordinarily, something like that would have sent my Dad into orbit, but it passed over him like water on a duck’s back.  He turned to the guys, “Let’s bust out of this joint.”

Oh dear, it is only noon.  How much more can happen to the gang?  I hope Chad can last until they get back to West Des Moines.  I have my doubts.

To be continued...

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Editor's Notes:

I'm afraid that I am getting absent minded. I blame it all on my Editor, who's name I won't mention because I don't want to really embarrass him for telling me to do something, which was actually rather outside of my way of doing things.

When I got chapters in, I simply saved them to the C drive. Now in all honesty, the advice he gave me was to make separate folders for each author, which was quite sound advice. However, now if I look at my C drive I don't see new chapters that have arrived. I have to go and look at each separate folder to see if there is a new chapter that needs editing, and with authors that have several stories, I made separate folders for each story.  Are you getting the picture?  Now if I wish to know if I have new chapters from someone, I might have to go three folders deep to accomplish it.  In my old method, I left the folder of the c drive open most of the time so if I looked at the bottom item, I would see the latest incoming file, no matter who it was from.  Now, unless I open the folders for each author I don't see new files sitting there awaiting my attention, so I have to think to look in the various folders.  I try, I really do, but sometimes, things distract me. Let me see, what was I talking about oh yes scrambled eggs, I remember, or was it this week's episode of South Park? Never mind I loved this chapter. Now where did I put chapter ten?

I love you Uncle Ed.

Darryl AKA The Radial Ranger

Posted: 02/22/08