Friends and Family Series

Mac

By: Ron Robbins
(© 2010 by the author)
Editor: Frank Perry

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

Chapter 21

Lance Smyth

Mac was in a cheerful mood as he walked into his office that morning. He was excited about the prospect of adding another division to his growing organization. His mind was racing through the many projects he was going to develop into a new service oriented division. He smiled then as he sat at his desk, at the thought of spending the next week with Drew on Paradise Island.

When he finally came back down to earth, he noticed the unopened envelope sitting on top of the stack of mail. The envelope was hand written and marked 'Personal & Confidential'. After reading the letter, he took it and walked through the archway into Drew's office. "Drew, please read this letter, I just received."

Dear Mr. MacDonald:

My name is Lance Smyth and I'm begging for your help. I am fourteen years old. I have lost both my parents in the last two years. My Mom died of cancer two years ago, and my Dad was killed in a car accident last year. Now I'm living with my Uncle Stanley Smyth and his wife.

I'm writing you because I'm desperate and need your help. My dad, Gordon Smyth, told me how kind you were to us, when my Mom died. He never got over the beautiful flowers, and sympathy cards you sent to my mom at the hospital, and your generous donation to her funeral expenses.

Dad praised you for your thoughtfulness when you took the time to talk to him after the funeral. He never forgot that.

I remembered you and thought I could turn to you now. I'm afraid, and too ashamed to speak to anyone here, and besides I'm certain no one will believe me, and I fear they would tell my uncle. You're my only hope, Mr. MacDonald.

After my dad died, everything my parents owned was sold and the proceeds were placed in trust for me until I reach twenty-one. I'm living with my Uncle Stanley, Dad's younger brother. He is my guardian. He and my aunt receive a check every month from my trust fund, to pay for my room and board.

Everything was okay in the beginning. Then the nightmare began. The first time I was awakened in the middle of the night. It was on a Saturday night that it all began. My uncle was lying in bed with me completely naked and had pulled my nightshirt up to my neck. I could smell the liquor on the breath. He was fondling me and playing with my penis and testicles. When I was fully awake, he lay on top of me and stuck his greasy-penis between my legs.

He warned me not to make a sound or he would beat the shit out of me and make my life miserable. I had no choice other than to do what I was told. My uncle is strong, and is mean when he's drunk. When I would cry, he became angry and whipped me with his belt until I stopped crying. He was careful not to hit me where it would show. After he uses me, he makes me take a bath and clean up the mess.

That first night was just the beginning of my weekend nightmares. I can't run away, because I have no money of my own, and even if I did, where could I go? I am terrified he could give me AIDS, because he never uses protection when he rapes me. I feel so unclean and wasted.

If you think you can help me, please don't call or write me at home, because all my mail is opened. You can reach me by phone at the Athletic department of the River Head High School, on Long Island. My coach, Mr. Newman, will see that I get the message. If you let me know the cost, I will pay for the telephone call. Unfortunately, I can only call you collect from school. You can reach me any afternoon, after 3PM, at the high school. I'm on the swim team and soccer team and I practice every afternoon and Saturday mornings.

I pray you can help me, Mr. MacDonald.

Sincerely,

Lance Smyth. River Head, N.Y.

Drew laid down the letter. "That poor kid", Drew said. "My heart goes out to him. If this letter is authentic, that uncle is a very sick man and a child molester. How do you plan to handle this, Mac?"

"I plan to get together with Pete this morning and check out this boy's story. If his story is true, we'll get the kid out of there. I sure hope this letter is not a hoax. If it's true, I know exactly what to do," Mac said. "Don't worry, I'll handle everything legally. Uncle Stanley won't know what hit him."

Mac took the letter and walked down to Pete Schneider's office.

Pete looked up from his desk, "Good morning, Mac," Pete said. "You don't look very happy this morning. What's up?"

Mac handed him the letter and sat down saying, "Please read this."

Pete scanned the letter and whistled, "Jesus, this is hard to believe. What do you want me to do?"

"Drop everything and get on this right away," Mac said. "I'll check out the employee records to see if I can find Gordon Smyth. I'll ask Lenore to check out the Suffolk County court records on Lance and the Uncle Stanley. Put as many men as you need on this right away, I want as much solid information as we can gather in the next few days. If the story checks out, I want you to send a snoop team into the uncle's house and bug the place. Have them get photos of the uncle and aunt if you can. Also check the school records. Find out what kind of a student Lance is." Mac smiled, "There I go, trying to second guess an expert. Sorry, Pete, that letter upset me. You know what I want and how to go about it. I know you're going to have to move cautiously checking this out, but if at all possible, I'd like to talk with Lance in two days. I'm sure we will have enough information on him by then. If he has fabricated this story the kid will need professional help. If not, we have an ugly situation to deal with."

"I'll keep you posted, Mac," Pete said.

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Pete was waiting in Mac's office when he returned from lunch. "My men have talked to Lance's former neighbors and teachers. The boy is an honor student, class president, is active in sports and is popular in school. The neighbors all gave the kid high marks and have not gotten over the tragedy of him losing both parents within two years' time. We've made copies of the newspaper photos of Lance, Uncle Stanley and his wife from the funeral photos. We also got some pictures from his High School yearbook. Lance is a good looking young teenager."

"Do you have anything on the Uncle?" Mac asked.

"He owns a small insurance business. His office is in Patchogue, about a twenty-minute drive from River Head," Pete said. "He's also a volunteer fireman and active in the Chamber, a good old boy type. His wife is a registered nurse and works three twelve-hour weekend shifts, from Friday to Sunday. She is home the rest of the week. Friday night is Stanley's night out with the boys."

"Lance's estate is estimated at $500-thousand. The uncle gets a thousand a month for food and board. Uncle Stanley is doing alright by the kid," Pete said. "Lance receives the bulk of the estate upon graduation from college. Lance is only alone Saturday until Uncle Stanley returns late Saturday night."

"Lenore checked with her friends in Suffolk County Courthouse and got a copy of the will and the custody papers, and everything checks out there," Mac said. "She also talked to the law firm that handles Lance's trust. Again, everything checks out."

"What is your gut feeling on Lance?" Mac asked.

"The kid is getting screwed by the uncle," Pete said. "I believe what the boy wrote. It would be out of character for Lance to lie. If possible, I'd like to listen in to your telephone conversation with him. I'd get a better feel after listening to him over the phone."

"If all goes well, Drew and I plan to adopt Lance," Mac said. "Lenore is going along with it and has started the wheels turning with the Judge in charge of the Juvenile Court in Suffolk County. Lenore said we are going to need solid evidence against Uncle Stanley before we can adopt the boy.

"We're going to need a psychologist and a proctologist to examine Lance," Mac said. "They must be board certified and licensed to practice in Suffolk County. Now the hard part: we are going to need graphic evidence that Lance has been raped. Once we have that in hand the rest will be easy. I want to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Surveillance teams on the uncle, video equipment in Lance's room, and a team in the house every Saturday until we have it on videotape. Have your best team search that house for child pornography. I'm willing to bet the uncle is into that. Whatever your men find, photograph it and leave it where they find it. Don't remove anything; we'll let the local authorities handle that if we elect to go that route. When we have the proof we need, we'll force Uncle Stanley to sign the papers transferring his guardianship of Lance over to me.

"Do you see any holes in my plan?" Mac asked.

"It's a good plan, except for one important detail. I don't think you should meet with Lance in the beginning," Pete said. "I'll go, or send one of my best operatives. You can't expose yourself, Mac. Someone could be using Lance as an elaborate trap to snatch you. I can't let you do it, Mac, and Drew won't allow it."

"You're right, Drew won't let me take that kind of a risk," Mac said. "We'll make the final decision after I talk to Lance. In any event, I'm going to meet him face-to-face. You can assign as many people as you want at any location you wish, but that's the bottom line. You do your job, Pete, but it's important that I speak to Lance in person. I think you can guess the reason why. I'll only need a few minutes with him to know if he's telling us the truth. If you feel more comfortable, maybe we can have one of your men pick him up and take him to the Suffolk County Airport for our meeting."

"I'll buy that," Pete said. "As long as we can control the meeting place."

"Good. Hang loose until Lance calls," Mac said. "I've left a message with the coach."

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Barbara announced that he had a collect telephone call from Lance Smyth, needing to know if he wanted to accept the call. "I'll take it in Pete's office," Mac said.

Mac closed the door behind him and he rushed in to Pete's office and pushed the speakerphone button on Pete's telephone.

"I almost fell over when the coach gave me your message, Mr. MacDonald," Lance said. "I really didn't think you would call." Lance broke down and cried. It was several minutes before he could speak again. "I'm sorry, Mr. MacDonald. It's a relief to know that there is someone I can turn to. There is a God after all, and he has answered my prayers."

"Take a few deep breaths and listen very carefully to what I have to say," Mac said. "I want you to think of a good excuse to leave school at lunchtime tomorrow without causing any suspicion, can you manage that?"

"Yes, sir, I can."

"Good! My assistant, Pete Schneider is with me on the speaker phone," Mac said. "Take down these two telephone numbers. One is to my answering service, and the other is to Pete's cellular phone. Pete's people will make arrangements to pick you up tomorrow outside the high school and take you to a place where we can talk. When you call in the morning, Pete will give you instructions on how to make contact with his agent. He will also need to know the clothing you will be wearing tomorrow, and will work out an identification code.

"Do you have a pen to write these numbers down?" Mac asked.

"Give me the numbers, Mr. MacDonald, I will commit them to memory," Lance said. "I don't need to write them down."

Mac gave Lance the toll free telephone numbers. "Photographic memory?" Mac asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Begin calling tomorrow morning at eight," Mac said. "Is that a problem for you?"

"No, sir," Lance said. "I'll give you a description of myself now. I won't have a lot of time in the morning. I'm five-ten, medium build, with light brown curly hair with brown eyes, and I'll be wearing tan slacks with a burgundy turtle-neck sweater and a dark tan ski jacket."

"That's fine. Could you find a recent photograph of your uncle?" Mac asked. "Do you have any living relatives other than your Uncle Stanley?"

"No, sir, my mother was an only child and my Uncle Stanley was my dad's only sibling," Lance said.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow," Mac said.

"Yes, sir, and Mr. MacDonald, thank you, and goodbye," Lance said.

"That boy almost had me in tears," Pete said. "He is a smart kid."

"We can meet in my office tomorrow morning to work out any last minute glitches," Mac said. "We'll put him on the speaker phone so we can both talk to him. You can brief him on your driver and all the identification codes. Who are you sending?"

"Joan can pick him up in front of the school," Pete said. "She is one of my best female agents and won't attract any attention."

"Smart move; you're doing a fine job, Pete," Mac said.

"Looks like Drew and I will have to postpone that trip to the Island for a week," Mac said. "We can't possibly leave for vacation now. I wouldn't dare leave until this Lance situation is settled. You and Doug go on down as planned; we'll meet you there and still go sailing, Doug can use the extra time getting his villa in shape."

"Only if this case is wrapped up this weekend," Pete said. "I know Doug will agree with me on that. If not, we can wait and fly down with you."

"Sounds like a winner," Mac said. "I'll see you in the morning."

Lance called the next morning and made arrangements to meet Joan outside the River Head High School at eleven. Mac and Pete took the helicopter over and arrived at the Suffolk County Airport a little after eleven.

Mac was sitting alone in the helicopter when Joan arrived with Lance. Joan made the introductions and left.

"I'm happy to meet you face-to-face," Mac said. "I'm sorry you waited so long to contact me. I know everything will be better for you from this point on. Now I want you to sit down and tell me everything from the beginning."

Lance sat across from Mac and told him the entire story, up to last weekend. The tears were rolling down the boy's cheeks as he told his story. Mac was scanning his brain as he spoke. Everything was there, the pain, the humiliation and the hate. Mac could never understand how the man could abuse his brother's teenage son like that; it was inconceivable.

"I believe everything you have told me," Mac said. "But in order to take you away from your uncle, you are going to have to endure this one more time for the cameras. Do you think you are strong enough to handle that?"

"I can face anything, now that I know you believe me, and can get me away from my uncle," Lance said.

"I want to bring my associate, Pete Schneider, in so he can be a witness to what I have to say about how I plan to handle this from now on." Mac called Pete in and made the introductions.

"Pete knows all about your story and has been working very hard to help you," Mac said. "I know this may be embarrassing to you, but it will go no further than the three of us, I promise you that. I want you to listen to everything I have to say first. Then you will have your say. If there is something you don't understand, interrupt me.

"When we confront your uncle," Mac said, "I'm going to force him to sign a paper giving up his rights as your guardian. It is my intention to offer your uncle a cash settlement of $100-thousand in order to entice him to give you up. That will keep your trust fund intact. My feeling is that he will take our offer, and you will never see him again. After I become your guardian, and to insure that nothing like this will ever happen to you again, I want to adopt you and raise you as my son. If you decide you are not happy living with me, I will let you select a boarding school of your choice. I will support you as my son no matter what you decide, until you become twenty-one and come into your estate. After you graduate from college, you are welcome to join any of my corporations, if that is your desire. I'll only make three demands of you. One, that you undergo therapy until you can cope with these terrible memories; two, that you promise to tell me the truth; and three, that you graduate from college. I will give you all the support you will ever need or request. I've asked Mr. Schneider to be present to answer questions you may have about my character and personality and to attest to everything I have promised you today."

Lance smiled, "Mr. Schneider, it's not necessary to tell me about my future father's character, I already know. I gratefully accept everything you offered me and willingly agree to your demands," Lance said. "I will be proud to be your son and bear your name. I promise you that I will work hard to make you proud of me." Lance's voice became husky and he could no longer speak. He threw his arms around Mac and buried his face in Mac's shoulder and cried. Mac held him and let him cry. Finally, after ten minutes, he had stopped sobbing and was able to speak. "I'm sorry I broke down," Lance said. "It's been a rough three years."

"Now I feel much better," Mac said. "Are you free for the rest of the day?" Lance nodded his head.

"Pete will be handling everything in the field for me from now on," Mac said. "He will give you a cellular phone. You are to call the number I gave you, every day. If I'm not available, leave a time I can call you back. After we catch your uncle on video, this will all be over with, and I will take you home."

Pete took over and gave Lance a detailed briefing on their complete plans for the rest of the day, from his doctor's appointment this afternoon to the surveillance on his uncle, and the team of men who would be with him in the house from Friday night to Sunday. He was instructed to wear PJ's to bed every night from now on. "Do you have any questions?" Pete asked.

"Will you need a key to get in?" Lance asked.

"No, your aunt will let us in," Pete said. "Your home telephone will develop trouble starting tomorrow and we will be out to repair the problem. My people are professionals and will take care of everything."

"Is there anything in that house that you want?" Mac asked.

"Only some picture albums of my folks, and some trophies I've won," Lance said. "Everything else can stay."

"Pack everything you want to take into pillow cases and leave them in your closet. Pete's agent will take care of everything," Mac said. "Only take two changes of clothing with you when you leave. Now we must get going; we have a lot of work ahead of us."

They all stood up, "Don't look so sad, Lance, you'll be fine," Mac said. "I'll take care of you from now on, remember that." He held out his arms to Lance, "Come give me a hug."

Lance didn't hesitate as he walked into Mac's arms. "Please, please don't let me down," Lance said. "I can't take it anymore."

"I gave you my word, son," Mac said.

Pete took Lance out to join Joan. Mac waited until they left, then walked to the waiting limo and took off to the courthouse to handle the paperwork for the adoption.

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Late Saturday afternoon Drew was lying in Mac's arms on their favorite lounge. "I'm concerned that our Lance may cut into some of our quality time, sweetheart," Mac said. "Maybe I let my sympathy for Lance rule my brain. Do you feel comfortable with this, Drew?"

Drew smiled and kissed Mac. "I think you did the right thing, my love. After all, we made this decision together. Has Duncan, or his two brothers cut into our quality time? We play with them two or three times a day. You know we both love them and enjoy them; they are all a wonderful blessing. We will grow to love Lance just the same as our younger children. Look, baby, we have a lot of love to share with the children. When you give your love to children, they will return it three fold. We cannot be selfish about this boy. You'll give him the same love you give everyone else. Remember what he said about God answering his prayers. We can afford to give up a little of our quality time for another human being. I think Lance MacDonald-Stevens will turn out to be a fine son and elder brother to our other sons."

Mac kissed Drew tenderly on the lips, "God, I love you so much," Mac said. "You're so wise and understanding. I have never known a kinder or more understanding person. You're right; God has sent us another of his lambs to care for."

"I don't envy you your meeting with Lance's uncle," Drew said. "I don't think I could stand by and watch Lance being raped again."

"Don't think it's going to be easy for me, knowing Lance as I do," Mac said. "He's a gentle, sensitive teenager and our future son. God, do I hate that Stanley Smyth. I only hope it's going to be tonight. Another week of this will drive me up the wall."

"I know the feeling. I've had a hard time thinking of anything else," Drew agreed.

At nine o'clock, Mac received a call from Pete letting him know that Stan was intoxicated and was on his way home. "You better stand by," Pete said.

"I'm going to fly over to River Head, Drew," Mac said. "If it's a false alarm, I've only lost a few hours, but if he runs true to form, I'll only be a few minutes away." He kissed Drew good night and headed for the chopper pad. Forty minutes later the chopper landed at Suffolk County Airport.

Pete met him and said the uncle had raped Lance. They drove to the Smyth home and drove in the driveway. Pat O'Connor, Pete's inside man, was in the second car with Lance. One of Pete's other team got into the back of the limo and gave his report. "Everything is on tape and Lance is waiting in the car parked at the curb with Pat," Jay said. "Stanley is passed out drunk in his bedroom. All our equipment has been removed as well as the things Lance wanted."

"Have Pat bring Lance over. I want to speak to him alone for a minute before we talk to Stanley." Lance got into the back seat with Mac.

"I was worried sick about you," Mac said. "Did he hurt you too much?"

Lance hugged Mac and cried, "I'm fine now, Dad."

Mac waited a few minutes and said, "Okay, Lance, we only have a few more things to do, and then we can go home," Mac said. "There is one more thing that you must do. I want you to go back inside the house and close the front door. When we ring the front door bell, wait a few minutes, turn the outside porch lights on and let us in. As soon as we are inside Pat will escort you to the doctor's office and stay with you until I come to pick you up."

Lance smiled, "You bet! Catch you later."

Mac chuckled, "Alright, let's go, our public awaits us." Pete's agents were standing next to the limo as Mac and Lance stepped out. Lance did what he was instructed to do. Once he was inside, they walked to the front door and rang the doorbell. Lance turned all the lights on and opened the door and let them all in. Pat escorted Lance to the car and they left.

Pete sent the two agents to wake Stanley and escort him into Lance's bedroom where Pete and Mac were waiting for him. Mac sat down at Lance's desk and waited for Stanley Smyth.

Stanley staggered in and said, "Who the hell are you? What right do you have breaking into my house in the middle of the night and dragging me out of bed?" Stanley shouted.

Mac said, "Sit down on that bed and shut your stupid mouth, or I will personally beat the shit out of you, then cut your useless balls off and shove them in that big mouth of yours. Don't open your mouth again, until I tell you to." Mac explained exactly what Lance had told him.

"We have videotaped your little performance this evening and will be happy to show it to the police if you would like to call them," Mac said. "In addition to the videotape, we have two witnesses who will be glad to testify to your raping a teenager.

"Now, I'm going to tell you what you're going to do," Mac said. "You are going to read this document, then sign it. The first document states that you are giving up all rights and claims to Lance's trust and to his estate. The second document states that you are resigning as his legal guardian. The third document is to the court advising them that you're giving me full custody of your nephew. I've retained the firm of Bellringer & Bellringer to handle Lance's estate. You are never to try and contact Lance again. You will tell everyone who asks that you've sent him away to boarding school. I have set up a trust fund in your name in the amount of one-hundred thousand dollars to compensate you for the money you would have received from Lance's trust fund if he had remained in your custody. However, if you try to contact him or cause him any trouble I will revoke the trust.

"If you try to make any trouble, or if you don't live up to your side of the agreement, I will destroy you," Mac said. "A duplicate tape will be sent to the Chamber of Commerce, the fire department, to your Insurance Company and every major customer you have. Rest assured this is not an idle threat."

Mac asked Pete to hand him a copy of the papers. Mac stood up "Now read those papers, and sign all five copies," Mac said. "Lance has removed the keepsakes he wants from this house and does not care what you do with what he has left behind. He suggested you donate everything to charity. Pete, I'll wait down stairs for you. Show the child molester where to sign and ask your men to witness his signature."

Mac was waiting outside when Pete and his men came out. "I want to thank you all personally for all you have done," Mac said. "I know what happened here was unpleasant, but I had no choice. As long as we have this tape on that pig he will stay in line. My new son knew what he had to do tonight and he played his part well. He told me it was a small price to pay to be rid of his uncle forever, and to know that he can never touch him again." He shook each agent's hand, then got into the limo with Pete and sped away.

"Thank you for running such a smooth operation, Pete," Mac said. "You did a fine job. I would like you to make two copies of the tape and return them to me. I could never bring myself to view that tape."

"I understand, you did a fine job of controlling yourself tonight," Pete said. "I could see the hate in your eyes for that man. My men said they are proud to work for you, and they understood why you had to let Lance go through with the ordeal. You knocked them all for a loop when you told them that Lance was your son."

"I'm sorry I couldn't let them know before hand, Pete. It became official this afternoon. I didn't have time to talk to you about it first. Drew pulled a few strings after we received the doctor's report and Lance's letter. Your detective work helped a lot."

Dr. James, the proctologist, was waiting for Mac and handed him a copy of his report. Dr. James said, "I've extracted the semen from Lance and sent samples out to the lab for testing. We also found bruises and welts on Lances back, buttocks, and thighs, indicating that he was beaten before. It's all in the report."

Mac thanked the doctor for his time.

Half an hour later, Lance and his analyst came into the outer office and talked for a bit. The doctor said he would mail his report and would like to speak to Mac tomorrow. He shook hands with everyone and they all left.

They drove to the airport and took the chopper to the Retreat. Lance sat next to Mac and fell asleep with his head on his shoulder. Mac woke him up, "We're home, sleepy head." All three got off the copter. Lance said, "This is a castle. It's beautiful."

"Good night, Pete, see you Monday", Mac said. "Let's go, Lance, I'll show you to your bedroom suite." They rode the elevator to the second floor to Lance's suite. Lance was wide eyed.

Mac said, "This is your bedroom suite. I know you must be exhausted and ready for bed. We'll have plenty of time to talk in the morning. Is there anything you need?"

Lance said, "I'm tired, but I must shower before I go to bed; I feel dirty."

Mac said "Come with me; I'll give you the instant tour. He led him into the dressing room and said, "You will find your night clothes in here; everything in this dressing room belongs to you." He led him to the bathroom and said, "This is your private bathroom. One hard and fast rule is that you can never use the whirlpool without someone else in attendance. Please do not leave your bedroom tonight or you will set off an alarm. If you need anything at all in the middle of the night, call Kim, our house manager, or me. Kim will be in the first thing in the morning to help you with everything. Tomorrow I will give you all the codes to bypass the alarm system. We're both tired tonight, but tomorrow we'll have a long talk. You need your rest tonight."

"Now all the buttons on your telephone are marked. I want you to promise me you will call me if you need me for any reason, day or night. Let me give you a quick rundown on the control console next to your bed. Are you familiar with this type of equipment?"

"No, you're going to have to explain it to me."

Mac explained all the controls until Lance understood everything.

"Well, Tiger, I'm off to bed. Sleep well and I'll check on you tomorrow morning," Mac said. "If you wake up early and want to eat breakfast, ring the kitchen and they will bring you up a breakfast tray. I'm happy to have you here and I hope you won't be disappointed in me as a substitute father. We will all try hard to make you happy with us and to make sure you are safe and content."

"Dad, would you be embarrassed if I hugged you like my father did every night?"

Mac walked over and hugged him, kissed him on the forehead, and said, "Good night, Son."

Mac closed the bedroom door and walked up the hall to his own bedroom. Drew was already asleep. Mac went quietly into the bathroom, showered and slipped into bed, nestled next to Drew and was soon asleep.

Mac woke up at five, did his usual workout, and showered and slipped back into bed next to Drew. He began kissing him in his usual fashion until he had aroused Drew. They made love and fell back to sleep again. Mac woke up again at seven and dressed. He was working in the library when Drew walked in. "You look very handsome this morning, dear," Drew said. "I'm sorry I fell asleep before you returned last night. What time did you get to bed?"

"A little after twelve," Mac told him. "It was an exhausting day, both mentally and physically. I'm glad it's over with now," Mac said.

He told Drew every detail of his trip the previous night, including Lance's parting request.

"I'm always amazed how resilient children can be," Drew said. "It's obvious that he has accepted you with open arms. I hope he's able to accept you when he learns the truth about us."

"I would be disappointed if he rejected us," Mac said. "I think it would be worse to lie to him if he asks. Time is on our side for now. I hope you're not disappointed that we had to postpone our vacation until Wednesday."

"Of course I don't mind," Drew said. "How often do we adopt a son? When is Lenore planning to arrive?"

"She will be stopping by for brunch, to meet her son and then return Wednesday afternoon," Mac said. "Lenore is a curious lady and will want to know all about Lance. It's not every day you adopt a full grown teenager."

"I'm anxious to meet him as well. I think I'll shower and dress and we can have breakfast," Drew said. Mac took Drew in his arms and kissed him tenderly. "I love you, baby. Let me check on Lance and see how he's getting along."

To be continued...

Posted: 03/09/12