The Mark and the Mole
by: E Walk

(© 2007 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 11
Meeting the Authorities

We were finishing dinner when the phone rang.  Mike went to answer it.  “This is Mike Long.  How can I help you?”

“Mike, this is Tom Lawler, or should I say Father Tom Lawler.  I met Chad, Tim and Mr. Walker today and told the young men that I would look into what was happening with their brothers and sisters.  Father Leahy and I made a house visit to the Harmons’ house this afternoon, and it was as the two young men indicated.”

“The other five children are practically under house arrest.  Father Leahy has called the State Children’s Protective Services Agency.  They are going to get involved tomorrow.  Is there any way you could take care of the children until we get this mess squared away?  They would at least have their two older brothers to help them.  I understand that Chad has two infant sons to take care of, but these five children also need a loving home right now.”

“Father Leahy is going to recommend that Mr. and Mrs. Harmon seek psychiatric help and attend counseling.  They have evidently become very confused by the biblical teachings.  They have selective hearing and only hear what they want to hear.”

Mike spoke for the first time, “Tom, let me check with the others here.  Hold on, or perhaps I should call you back in fifteen minutes or so.  I really don’t think we want Chad to be involved anymore than he already is, because he needs to take care of the twins.  We had planned to call the Harmons tonight to tell them that we were going to be coming tomorrow to collect Tim’s credentials.  Tom, I’ll call you back as soon as we can have a family meeting.”

Mike returned to the table and told us what Father Lawler had said. Chad, Tim and Dad knew from the conversation what was going on.  Mike quickly explained to Grandmother and me what had happened.

Chad was the first to speak, “Please Dads, Grandma and Granddad, please bring the other five children here.  They need to know what real love is.  Tim and I will do whatever you want us to do as long as it doesn’t interfere with Mark and Jon.  I’ll sleep on the floor in the twins’ bedroom if I have too.  Tim can sleep with the other two boys on the bed in our room.  The three girls can sleep in the last bedroom.  They share a bedroom now.

Perhaps we could make two bedrooms downstairs if they are going to be staying here for any length of time.”

Chad looked at Tim, “Tim and I will get jobs to help pay for their expenses.  The children need to know what it is like to have a real family who loves them.”

Everyone around the table had tears in their eyes.

Dad was the first to speak, “Michael, call Father Lawler and tell him we will be in Iowa City at 10:00 in the morning.  We will talk to Frank when he gets here and see how he wants to handle this.”

I watched as Chad and Tim let out a sigh of relief.  Kevin and Kendra had no idea what emotions the two guys were feeling.  They could feel some very strong attachments as could we all.

Mike made the call and made arrangements for whoever to show at the parish offices in the church at 10:00 and then they would proceed from there.

The twins started to stir and Chad and Kendra went to take care of them.  Tim and Kevin took care of the dishes and we were waiting for the Wilkins to arrive.

Frank and Elaine arrived and Grandmother didn’t waste anytime.  She had Mike explain his conversation with Father Lawler and then had Tim tell his story.

Frank and Elaine looked a little shocked, but Frank finally spoke, “I need to think about how to handle this.  I’ll call Dad Long and ask his advice.  But in the meantime, I think we need to think about getting to bed since we need to leave here by 7 o’clock in the morning.  I think we'd better plan to take three cars just in case.”  You could tell that Frank was thinking about what to do. 

He shook his head.  “Mike, I think you need to stay here with the twins.  Kendra and Kevin can help you take care of them.  Part of me tells me that you should go, but part of me tells me you need to stay here so we can assure the authorities that the twins are being well cared for, since Chad and Mrs. Walker need to go if we are going to make it work.  So what I guess I’m saying is that you will be staying here with Mark and Jon and Elaine will come with us to help.”

“Chad, before you say anything, it is crucial that you go.  You are probably the one person that will be able to convince the social services people that it is in the best interest of your brothers and sisters that they be placed in Doug’s and Mike’s care.  Okay, we’ll meet here at 7:00.  Come on Kevin and Kendra, we need to let these people get some rest and I need to talk to Dad Long.”

Frank called about half an hour later.  “Dad Long thinks that Mike should go too.  Tell Chad that Elaine will be there to help Kevin and Kendra with the boys.”

I could tell that Chad needed to talk.  I sent Dad and Grandmother to bed.  Mike and I sat down with Tim and Chad.  Chad started to tear up, “Dads, I can’t always be running around the countryside,  I need to find a way to take  care of my sons.  If I am always gone, they won’t know who I am.  I know I must go as Uncle Frank suggested, but I don’t like it.  What if the authorities take the boys away from me?”

Both Mike and I went and sat next to Chad.  Mike spoke for the two of us, “Son, we will use all of our resources to see that doesn’t happen.”

We looked and Tim who had a concerned look on his face.  I looked at the two guys,  “Tim, we will do whatever we can that to see that neither of you have to go back to that awful place that you left.  Right now guys, the most important thing is to see if we can make it a better situation for your brothers and sisters.”

Chad finally acquiesced, “Dads, please forgive me, but I have grown to love you all, in the short time we have been together.  Tim will probably even become more enamored because he has never been away from the control of our parents before.  But I also have the two boys I need to be concerned about.  Dads, I am going to bed to make sure that Mark and Jon are okay.  I love you.”  He hugged us as he left.

Tim looked at Mike and me, “Mr. Long and Mr. Walker, I am having a difficult time calling you Dads yet, even though you have treated me better than my own father ever has.  I am just overwhelmed by everything that you and your families are doing for us.”  He started to say something else, but the tears started to flow and it was evident that he was on overdrive. 

Mike and I both moved so we could put our arms around Tim.  I pulled him close, “Tim, we understand.  Please go get some sleep.  Tomorrow is going to be a long day, and you need to be able to put on a good front for the authorities and your brothers and sisters.  Your brothers and sisters are going to need all of the support you can give them.  Besides, you wouldn’t want Kevin to think you weren’t strong, would you?  Now son, get your fat butt to bed.  I pulled him close and gave him a kiss on the cheek and the dam really opened.

Mike leaned over and kissed him, “I guess I’ll see if you can create a Niagara Falls here in our living room.”

That was more than Tim could handle, “Honestly Dads, you don’t take anything seriously.  At least you could have said Victoria Falls or Iguazu Falls.  Are you saying I am just a little kid?”

Mike looked at Tim, “Timothy, how in the world did you know about Victoria Falls and Iguazu Falls.?  They are on other continents.”

Mr. Bartlett, my previous Social Studies teacher, showed us videos of the three falls when we were studying water power.  He said, that the power of the water falling over the Falls at Iguazu could supply half of the United States and half of Canada with enough power to provide to the electricity to keep the homes going as long as they had the mechanical equipment to support it.  He said that Iguazu Falls made Niagara look like an infant.”

I hugged Tim, “We’ll continue our social studies lesson tomorrow.  I suggest you go get ready for bed and be quiet about it, or Chad will have your tail for breakfast.”

Tim went up the stairs he leaned back and sneered, “Chad isn’t interested in the tail I have between my legs.  Good night Dads.”

I looked at Mike, “I think we have two very sharp young men as sons, and they are as different as day and night.  I think we may be in over our heads.  Let’s go to bed.  I don’t even want to think about getting up at 6:00.”

When Mike and I were in the shower, I looked at Mike, “Michael, please take me so we can both have a quick release so we can get to sleep.  The drama of this day has my mind boggled.”

Mike did as I asked, and we straggled to bed, Even though it was cold outside, we were so overheated that we didn’t even put on any clothes, and just crawled into bed and cuddled and I think we both dropped off  into a sleep, induced by an overactive sandman.

The next thing I remembered was a quiet knock on the door, “Dads, it is five forty five, may I bring your coffee in?”

Mike and I were both startled and quickly pulled the sheets over our naked bodies.  Mike called out, “Come in, Tim.”

Tim came in and put our coffee on the night stands.  “Chad said to tell you to get your butts out of bed.”  He looked at us, “I think, what he meant to say was for you two get your two overgrown cocks out of bed and hide them for the day.” 

Tim left without saying another word.  I looked at Mike, “I think we are doomed to a life of torment or celibacy.”

Mike started to laugh, “I vote that we follow the life of torment.  I sure don’t want to be celibate.  I am too young and I love you too much.  I guess we had better get with the program and get ready to go.”

When we got to the kitchen, everyone else was there eating.  Mother started, “Okay, here is what we are going to do.  Doug, you drive your van.  Bryce will take his van and I’ll go with Frank.  We’re going to leave as soon as you two old men finish eating.  Mike, you ride with Doug to keep him awake.  Chad and Tim, you go with Bryce and make sure he doesn’t get lost.”

We all laughed at the last comment.  Everyone was getting ready to leave as Chad kissed his sons and whispered something.  I had the feeling that he would give up his life for them.  He looked at us with a ‘do I really have to go’.  Grandmother took charge,  “Chad, you heard what Frank said last night.  You may be the only person who can pull this mess off so we can make a better life for your brothers and sisters.”

Everyone looked at Chad.  We could tell he wanted to say something but he took a deep breath and all he said was, “Let’s get going.”  He turned to Kevin and Kendra and reminded them, “Don’t spoil Mark and Jon.  Just because they cry, doesn’t need they need to be picked up and held.”

Dad reported later, that Chad and Tim were very subdued on their way to Iowa City.  It was apparent that they were apprehensive about what was going to happen.  Mike and I were planning how we could accommodate five extra young people and I guess Grandmother was filling Frank’s ear about what she wanted to happen.

We pulled up at the Parish church office building at exactly 9:58.  We noticed that there was a distinguished looking gentleman and lady approaching at the same time we got out of the vehicles.

We entered the foyer and were met by a young priest, “Thank you all for coming.  If you will follow me, Father Leahy is waiting in the library.  Mike, it’s good to see you again.”

When we entered the library, an older priest took charge, “Let me introduce myself,  I am Father Ian Leahy.  I would ask each of you to introduce yourself and tell why you are involved in this unfortunate matter.   Mr. Stone, would you please start?”

The gentleman who arrived at the same time we did stood, “Hi, my name is Jerry Stone. I am the Director of the Iowa Children’s Protective Services and we came over from Des Moines this morning.   I assume this be very important to have Father Leahy call and ask us to come here on such short notice.”

The lady who was with Mr. Stone waved, “My name is Rosa Young and I  am going to be the caseworker on this case.”

The rest of us quickly introduced ourselves.  When I had finished introducing myself, Mr. Stone asked, “Mr. Walker, I recognize you from the news broadcasts on channel 7.  Are you here looking to do a story?”

I shook my head, “No sir, this is a personal matter, as you will find out.”

Mr. Stone and Mrs. Young were taking notes as everyone introduced themselves. Father Tom Lawler went last.

After Tom had finished, Father Leahy took charge again, “Father Lawler, would you explain how we became involved in the unfortunate matter?”

Tom explained how he had met Dad and the two young men at the truck stop and became concerned after he heard what Chad and Tim had told him.  He ended by saying, “I was a bit skeptical at first, until Father Leahy and I met with Mr. and Mrs. Harmon, and they made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that they never wanted to see Chad and his two bastard sons, as Mr. Harmon called them, again.”

“When were talking about Tim, they simply said, ‘We’re glad he ran away, he saved the couple thousand bucks it would have cost us to get the queerness knocked out of him.’”

Mr. Stone and Mrs. Young both were looking as if they couldn’t believe what they had just heard.  Chad and Tim were scrunched like they were trying to be invisible.

Father Leahy noticed, “Chad and Tim, you have nothing to be ashamed of.  I think all of us outsiders are trying to figure out how you became involved with the Walkers and Mr. Long.  It is obvious that they care enough about you to be here with you.  Mr. Wilkins, I get the distinct impression that you are involved with the matter more than just being their legal representative?”

Frank took the bull by the horns, “Yes Father Leahy, I am.  I am one of their legal representatives, but I am also Mike’s brother-in-law.  In fact my wife and my two sixteen year twins are now taking care of Chad’s two beautiful sons as we speak.  I think if Chad explained in detail what has happened, everyone could better appreciate why we are involved and care enough to be here.”

Mr. Stone looked at Mrs. Young who nodded.  He spoke to Chad, “Chad, please tell us everything that you can remember.  We may stop you and ask some questions if we have any.”

Chad looked at Grandmother and she nodded and he began.  He started and he very precisely covered the events that had brought us to this point in time.  I thought it very odd that neither Mr. Stone, Mrs. Young or either of the Fathers interrupted and asked any questions.

When Chad finished, Mr. Stone commended him.  “Chad, thank you for being so open.  I have several questions for you, first, I believe you told us that Mr. Doug Walker and Mr. Long are more than just friends.  Am I correct?”

I was wondering how Chad might handle that question.  “Yes sir, I did and I think they would be the first to tell you so.”

Mrs. Young looked at Chad, “Doesn’t it bother you that they are gay?  How do you feel about Tim being gay?”

Chad was very poised, “No, it doesn’t bother me in the least that they are gay.  The are willing to share the love that they have and I am not talking about a sexual way.  Both of their families have welcomed me and my two sons with open arms and I have been overwhelmed by their love and generosity.  Before you ask, “I will make sure that my sons know as soon as possible that it is not someone's sexual orientation that is important, but rather how they care about other human beings that is important.  I think that answers the second part of your question also, Ma’am.”

Mr. Stone looked at Mike, “Mike, what is it that you do for a living?  Where do you live and can you afford to take care of the four boys you have living at your house now?”

Mike was very calm, “Sir, I am a pediatrician.  We live in West Des Moines, well actually we live in Urbandale, and yes we are prepared to provide a nice lifestyle for Chad, Tim, Mark and Jon.  Just so you know, Grandmother Walker and Dad Walker are also going to be living with us so they can take care of the twins when Chad and Tim go back to school next week.”

That caught Mr. Stone and Mrs. Young’s attention.  “Aren’t you being a bit too sure of yourself assuming that you will be permitted to keep the four boys.”

Frank stepped in, “Mr. Stone and Mrs. Young, Chad forgot to mention one very important thing that happened.  Chad’s parents relinquished guardianship and signed the papers necessary to make Doug, Chad’s legal guardian.  They signed the papers and it was like they were delighted that they wouldn’t be responsible for him anymore.  Five of us were there when they signed the papers.  We have all of the vital documents on Chad that we need to file for adoption, if Chad so wants.”

“I came prepared to make the same offer to Mr. and Mrs. Harmon concerning Timothy, and from what the Fathers have said, I think they would be more than willing to sign the guardianship of Tim over to Doug also.  We had decided to not let the relationship between Doug and Mike throw a monkey wrench into the works.  Mike’s father, who couldn’t be here today, is also a lawyer, but he thought Mike should make the trip today so that the people who counted knew all the players.”

Mrs. Young looked at Mike, “Doctor Long, I thought you looked familiar.  I have been to your office with my grandchildren several times.  I am Lois Henderson’s mother.”

Mike started to laugh, “Yes, I have seen the six Henderson children on a number of occasions.  They live about a block from where I live.  I believe they live in a house that has the same floor plan that Doug and my house has.”

Mrs. Young had a twinkle in her eye, “I think you just answered another question I had.  I think you just told me that your house had six bedrooms.”

Grandmother had to get her two cents in, “Yes, and Chad has decided that we could add two bedrooms in the lower level if we were to have his other brothers and sisters living with us especially for any length of time.”

Mr. Stone couldn’t handle that comment.  He put his hand in a time out signal.  “Aren’t you putting the cart before the horse?  I think we need to take a break and go to the bathroom and then get some lunch.  It has been a long morning.   Fathers, is there anyway that you could have Mr. and Mrs. Harmon bring their children here to the church, so we could meet with them in a controlled environment.  I think we need to figure this out and proceed with the children’s best interest in mind.  Let’s meet in the foyer in ten minutes.

Chad was pacing in the foyer waiting for everyone to reassemble.  He mumbled, “I guess I really blew any chance of my living with you.  I just know they are going to take the boys away from me.”

To be continued...

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Editor's Notes:

Uncle Ed, I am really unhappy now. Please hurry and give us another chapter as soon as possible.  How could you be so mean to everyone and leave them and us hanging off that cliff like that?  What have any of us done to deserve that?

Seriously, It was a wonderful chapter............................until that last paragraph.  Of course I don't expect you to take that paragraph away, but seriously please hurry with the next chapter PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darryl AKA The Radical Rambler

Posted: 03/07/08