Companions and Pals
by: Will B
© 2008 by the Author
Ably assisted by: E Walk

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

The Major got a trolley with a kettle of boiling water and a teapot, and cups and saucers. He went to the door, and knocked and went in.

He saw Richard and Troy, each sitting on a couch, holding one of the boys.  Their tears had subsided, and they were just sitting, staring, being held in the arms of two men whose faces were also tear-streaked.

“You young men have had a shock, and the best thing for shock is a good cup of hot tea, with plenty of sugar, and maybe . . .”  He held up a bottle of whiskey . .  ; “If your Uncles would permit?”

Richard and Troy nodded yes, and the Major poured four cups of tea, ‘fortified” with a good dollop of whiskey.

After half-an-hour, Bill and Bob seemed calmer. The rain had stopped, and Richard thanked the Major, and said, “We’d better get home. We’ll have a lot to do tomorrow! Thank you so much, Major.”

“I’m just sorry we had to meet under these circumstances. Look, I’m probably going to sound like a ‘Mother Hen,’ but here’s my card. Give me a call when you get home so I know you made it safely.”

“We will, and thanks again.” Richard and Troy, shook the Major’s hand, and Bill and Bob were able to say, “Thank you.”

And so, our friends resumed their journey.

Chapter 4

When the four mourners got home to Bolton Hill it was late and Richard and Troy just wanted to go to sleep.

Bill and Bob had a different idea.  “Uncle Troy, can we talk?” Bob asked.

“Sure, Bob. How about we have a cup of herbal tea, to help us relax after we have this talk?”

Richard went in the kitchen to put the kettle on. He put out mugs, spoons, sugar and milk, and when the water had boiled he carried the tea things into the dining room. As he looked at other three, his heart went out to Troy and his nephews. All three had red-rimmed eyes, ‘and I guess mine don’t look any differently,’ he thought to himself.

“OK, Bob, what do you want to talk about?” Troy asked.

“Uhhhh…. Did mom and dad suffer?” Bob asked.

“Bob, Bill, I won’t lie to you, I don’t know. When they realized the plane was going to crash, there as certainly some fear, but I think the end came very quickly. And, boys, you must remember, they were together, and whatever pain there may have been, it was over very quickly.”

<Silence>

“Thanks, Uncle Troy. I have a question too,” said Bill.

‘Sure, Bill, what is it?”

“What’s going to happen to Bob and me? We won’t be separated, will we?”

“No, Bill. Your father sent me some notarized documents which stated that if anything happened to him and your mother, I was to be appointed your guardian, and while I know that I can never take the place of your dad, I hope . . . “

Troy broke down, and both boys got up and put their arms around him, and Bob said, “We love you, Uncle Troy, and if you are going to be here for us, we will be all right!”

Richard got up, and joined the other three in a four-way hug, and said, “And I hope you two know that both Troy and I want you to make your home with us, and I hope in time, you’ll come to think of me as an uncle too.”

“I think Bill and I already think of you as an uncle, Uncle Richard!” Bob said, and gave his Uncle Richard a hug.

“I think maybe we all need to get to bed now,” said Troy. “Good night, boys.”

“Yes, try to get some sleep,” Richard said.

“Good night, Uncle Richard and Uncle Troy,” said the two boys as they went to their bedroom.

Richard and Troy put the tea things in the dishwasher, and locked up the house. They too went to  their bedroom. They washed, did their teeth, and got ready to get in the bed.

Troy looked at Richard and said, “I guess we have become fathers.”

“Troy, I am a bit scared about this. I don’t want the same thing to happen to Bill and Bob that happened to my sons. . .  What if . . .?”

“Hush, my love. We learn from our mistakes, and I am here with you. Now, good night.”

<Kiss> <Hug> <Kiss> <Hug>

Soon all four of the inhabitants of the house on Bolton Hill were getting some much-needed rest.

* * * * *

August 4: Red Tape at the DSS

Troy had called the Division of Social Services and set up an appointment with Alicia Cross Heckman. At the appointed time, he and Bill and Bob, accompanied by Richard appeared at Alicia Heckman’s office. Troy introduced his nephews and Richard.

“I know you Troy and Capt. Vidmark. We’ve heard of the excellent work you’ve done in keeping the streets of our fair city safer than they have been for some time,“ Alicia Heckman said. “Now. What can I do for you?”

Troy explained that his brother and sister-in-law had been killed in a plane crash on their way to Peru, and that a few weeks earlier they had sent him a certified letter appointing him as the temporary guardian his two nephews. Now he wanted to have permanent custody of the two.

Alicia looked thoughtfully at Troy, and then at Richard, and then at Bill and Bob. “Lieutenant Hunter, this is a bit difficult.  On the one hand,” she said, “You have this letter from the boys’ parents, and that’s all well and good, BUT, you and Captain Vidmark are two unmarried men living together in a house, and it’s a little irregular to allow . . . .”

Bill interrupted, “Excuse me, ma’am, but I think I know what you’re going to say. You’re wondering if my brother might be ‘corrupted’ by living with two of the kindest, most loving men we have ever known .  . apart from our Dad! You see, Bill and I are already ‘corrupted.’”

Alicia sat back in her chair. She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know what she wanted to say. She didn’t know what she could say!

Bill went on, “You see, ma’am, Bob and I are not just brothers. We love each other in every sense of the word. Our Mom and Dad knew that, and they loved as just as much. Our Uncle Troy, and Uncle Richard--if I may call him that—know we are lovers. Please, PLEASE don’t take us away from them.”

“Well! . . . Well! . . . WELL, OK, then,” Alicia said. “I think we need to call Judge Jones. He’s been a friend to this department for many years. He’s 78 and about to retire, but I think he will give us good advice.”

She picked up the phone, and dialed Judge Jones’ office.

“Hello, Judge Jones? This is Alicia Heckman. How are you?” . . . . “Oh, that’s good! Look, Your Honor, I have four people in my office with a problem, and I think you might be the just the right person to straighten things out.” . . .  “Captain Richard Vidmark and Lieutenant Troy Hunter of the Baltimore City Police Department, . . . and two nephews of Lieutenant Hunter’s.” .  . . . “What? Why that’s very nice of you. Let me check.”

Alicia turned to the two adults and said, ”Judge Jones would like us all to be his guests for lunch at Phillips’s Seafood Restaurant. Would that be convenient?”

The four petitioners agreed enthusiastically, and Alicia Heckman returned to Judge Jones on the phone, and quickly made arrangements to meet him at 12:00.

“Now Lieutenant Hunter, I would like to talk to these two young men privately for 20 minutes or so before we have to leave for lunch. Would you be kind enough to wait here while I talk to these two fine, brave, gentlemen in the conference room?”

Richard and Troy agreed, and Alicia led Bill and Bob into another room, and shut the door.

In 20 minutes exactly, the three returned. The two boys looked happier than they had for several days.

“I’m sure you know that you gentlemen know that the Division has to follow certain procedures and protocols, and  . . . well, red tape! I have had an excellent conference with Bill and Bob and I will have some comments to make to Judge Jones when we meet.”

Alicia picked up her purse and out some papers in a brief case, and they all left for lunch with the Judge.

* * * * *

Here Come de Judge, Here Come de Judge.

When the five arrived at the restaurant, the host greeted them and escorted them to a private dining room. “Judge Jones is an old friend to this restaurant. He has helped several of the staff with ‘little problems,’ and when he asks if he might have a private room we are delighted to oblige. If you would just follow me. . . .”

The private dining room was on the 3^rd floor of the restaurant. Light green walls were pierced by windows on two sides, which allowed diners to look over the hustle and bustle of the City, and yet dine in comparative quiet. Gold draperies flanked the windows. At night these could be drawn over the windows.

A circular table was covered by a deep crimson tablecloth and the table was set for six. Just as the party of five entered, Judge Jones joined them. He was 78 and his hair was white, but his carriage was erect, even if he did have to walk with a cane. His most noticeable features were two blue eyes that looked as intelligent as the day he first ascended the bench of Baltimore’s Circuit Court, and a mouth that looked like it would break into a smile at the drop of a gavel.

Introductions were made, and the Judge suggested that Bill and Bob sit on either side of him so he could ‘make the acquaintance of these two fine young men,’ as he put it. Troy and Richard each sat next to one of the boys, and Alicia sat opposite the judge.

“Now, you all are my guests, so please order anything you want—except oysters. It’s August, don’t you know. Heh heh.”

They all decided on a cup of clam chowder for an appetizer. Alicia ordered broiled crab cakes, and a salad. Troy and Richard each ordered a ‘seafood medley’ with a crab cake, fried shrimp, some flounder, scallops, and clams, French fried potatoes, and cole slaw. Judge Jones ordered lobster and butter, and a boiled potato with butter and string beans.

“What will you two have, my friends?” the waiter asked Bill and Bob.

“It all looks so good, but I think I’ll have the fried clams, French fries, and cole slaw,” said Bill. “I’ll have the same,” said Bob.

“Excellent, excellent,” said the Judge. “Now we are going to enjoy this meal, and talk about television, the Orioles, movies, anything at all, but no business talk until after we’ve eaten.”

The meal passed pleasantly with small talk, and jokes. Judge Jones did talk to the boys about sports and drew them out, so that any nervousness they might have felt was dissipated.

The Judge asked the boys what they had been doing recently. “Well, Your Honor, we had been visiting with Uncle Troy and Uncle Richard. . . .”

‘Hmmm!’ thought the Judge to himself. ‘They’re calling him Uncle Richard. That’s a good sign.’

“. . . . When we learned that out Mom and Dad had . . . “ Bill started to fill up.

“I know, Bill and Bob, I know what you must be going through. I remember when my Mom and Dad . . ., “ The Judge had to stop talking for a minute.  . . .  “When my Mom and Dad died, I was heartbroken. Fortunately, I had an Uncle and Aunt who took me in and raised me, and showed me as much love as my parents would have. . . “

“Yes, you do understand, Judge. Uncle Troy and Uncle Richard have treated us as if we were their own sons. They’ve taken us places, they’ve talked to us, they’ve listened to us, and they’ve even given us . . . “ Bill stopped. He didn’t think it would be a good idea to tell the Judge that the Uncles had given them douche bags.

“What have they given you, Son?” asked the Judge.

“Oh, just practical advice about healthy living, and stuff like that.”

“Do they play games with you?” Judge Jones asked.

“Sure. We play Scrabble and Monopoly.”

“Are you comfortable around them?” Judge Jones inquired.

“Yep, because they never try to be like us, They are the adults, and they treat us like young adults, and . . . why one time we were at this lake, and we were going to go ‘skinny dipping,” and they said, they would sit on the porch and talk to the other old  . .”

Bill stopped, in some confusion.

Bob saved the day. “They wanted to talk to the older guys,” he said.

Again the Judge thought to himself, ‘It sounds as if those two men are going about this parenting business the right way.’

After a delicious dessert of apple pie and ice cream, the Judge looked at Alicia and said, “Well, Alicia Heckman, you had some matters you wanted to discuss with me, so I guess we’d better get down to business. What do you have for me?’

“First of all, Judge, thank you for a delicious lunch. I know we all had a delicious lunch and the company was pleasant,” Alicia began.

“That’s right, flatter an old man! And you know I like it!” Everyone smiled.

“Judge, sadly, Bill and Bob Hunter have been orphaned by the sudden death of their parents. Before their parents left on their trip, they sent Troy Hunter a certified letter appointing the boys’ paternal uncle, Troy Hunter, as temporary guardian and appointing him administrator of their estates, should anything happen to them.”

“Wise thinking on their part,” the Judge said. “Go on, my dear.”

“Now Lieutenant Hunter wants to be made permanent guardian of the boys,” she continued.

“What is your recommendation?”

Bill and Bob held their breaths. Richard and Troy each uttered a silent prayer.

“Judge, Captain Vidmark and Lieutenant Hunter are members of Baltimore’s Finest. I know of their careers through the media, and . . . I have talked to the boys privately, away from their uncle. They tell me he has been an excellent guardian, and Captain Vidmark has been an excellent role model as well. So . . . my recommendation is . . .”

“Please, Dear God, please!” Bill and Bob both prayed silently.

“ . . . is that Lieutenant Hunter be named permanent guardian of the two boys, and I will add, that Captain Vidmark, who shares a home with Lieutenant Hunter, has indicated that he is willing to welcome the boys into the home.”

“Hmmmm! Hmmmmm!” said the Judge.

“Alicia, I gave always found your judgment to be sound, and  . .  After listening to these two young men, I can feel the  love and esteem they feel  for both their Uncles, and so . . . .”

‘Yes!’ thought Alicia. ‘He’s going to do it.”

‘Thank you, Dear God,” thought Richard and Troy.

‘I almost can’t breathe. This is so important!’ Bill and Bob each thought to themselves.

“ . . . and so, I will sign the order. And, knowing you Alicia Cross Heckman, I’ll just bet you’ve brought the necessary papers. You have, haven’t you?”

Bill and Bob jumped up and each one hugged the Uncle who was next to him.

Richard and Troy had to use their handkerchiefs, and Alicia, found that she didn’t care if her makeup got smudged. She was happy for the boys and for their uncles.

She handed Judge Jones the papers, As she did so, she gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

The Judge said, “It’s times like this that make me unwilling to retire. Maybe I’ll wait until I’m 88!”

General laughter filled the room.

Before he left, Judge Jones shook Bob and Bill’s hands. “You two young men have had a terrible tragedy, but you are now with one Uncle and one ‘Honorary’ Uncle who care for you and want the very best for you, and so do I. Good luck to you both, and  . .  since I am not on the bench, I will add God Bless you!”

“Thank you, Your Honor,” Bob said. “Yes, thank you for everything,” added Bill.

The judge then shook hands with Richard and Troy and went to shake hands with Alicia, but she was too quick for him. She gave him a tight hug, and kissed him on the cheek, and said, “Thank you, Judge.”

“Always a pleasure, my dear.” The Judge left, and Alicia gathered her papers, and took the new family back to the Division where Troy had left his car.

The two uncles and the two nephews went home, and breathed deep sighs of relief that everything had gone so well.

Emotionally exhausted by the events of the day, the two couples went to their respective bedrooms for a nap before a light supper.

We will leave them there, sleeping peacefully, all anxiety about the future erased.

At the end of the working day, Alicia went home to her husband, who had thoughtfully prepared dinner for her. She told him about the events of the day, and he told her how proud he was of her.

The Judge also went home, thankful that once again he had been able to help two young people.

To be continued...
Feedback always welcome:     

Encourager’s Comments:  And so once again the good guys win.  As they ride off into Never Never Land of sleep who knows what evil awaits them.  E

Posted: 10/10/08