Family Life Part 21
\nOur Life
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 3,638<\/p>\n
Steven was coming into town and William had asked Jim, Blair and the boys to come over for dinner. Of course, Jim said yes, he was anxious for Steven to meet the boys. So was William. William was as proud of the guys as Jim and Blair were. <\/p>\n
When Jim, Blair, Drew and Max arrived at William\u2019s house, William seemed a little off. But that didn\u2019t stop Jim from going and picking up his brother in a huge bear hug. \u201cSteven, I\u2019m so glad to see you. It\u2019s been too long.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steven didn\u2019t hug him back and said, \u201cListen, something came up and I have to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean, something came up?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
Blair and the boys just stood there, not knowing what to say. <\/p>\n
\u201cI got a call from my boss and I have to meet him at the office,\u201d Steven said grabbing his jacket and not even saying hello to Blair. I\u2019ll see you the next time,\u201d Steven said as he walked out the front door. <\/p>\n
Jim just stood there with his mouth agape and didn\u2019t even know what to say to everyone. He knew his brother was lying, he just didn\u2019t know why. <\/p>\n
\u201cDad, do you know what\u2019s going on?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s not worry about it now, Jim. We\u2019ll talk later,\u201d William suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe guys can handle it, dad. What\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSteven arrived about an hour ago and I told him about you and Blair being together, which was news to him. He was in shock about that. But then I told him about you and Blair taking in the boys and he went ballistic. He said he couldn\u2019t believe that I allowed such terrible things to happen in our family. He said you were both sick and disgusting and he didn\u2019t want anything to do with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim looked like someone had punched him in the stomach. \u201cHell, I thought he knew about Blair and me before he left for Japan. I had no idea he didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter, Jimmy. He\u2019s being an ass and doesn\u2019t deserve to be in the family right now. Until he grows up, he won\u2019t be welcome in my home, that\u2019s for sure,\u201d William stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s just shook up, he\u2019ll come around,\u201d Blair said evenly. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, he\u2019s an ass, it\u2019s as simple as that,\u201d William replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe might be, but he had every right to his opinion. Just because it\u2019s not our opinion doesn\u2019t mean we\u2019re always right. Jim will have to talk to him later on, once he calms down and comes to his senses,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cFuck Steven. I\u2019m not talking to him anytime. He\u2019s an ass. Dad\u2019s right. He didn\u2019t even have the nerve to tell me this to my face. What a chicken shit, sonofabitch.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, we have the boys here,\u201d Blair reminded Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, guys. I\u2019m sure it\u2019s nothing you don\u2019t hear at school every day,\u201d Jim said as casually as he could. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re sorry that your brother doesn\u2019t want to meet us or hang with you, Jim. That\u2019s a shame, he\u2019s missing out on a really good guy,\u201d Max commented. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax, he\u2019s also missing out on meeting you and Drew, which would have been the highlight of his night, if he\u2019d stayed and been civil,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is how our life is, if he doesn\u2019t like it, tough. Then it wasn\u2019t meant to be. I\u2019ll never see my brother ever again,\u201d Jim remarked sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh Jimmy, he\u2019ll come around, don\u2019t you worry,\u201d William promised, but wasn\u2019t so sure himself. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
Dinner went well at William\u2019s considering and then they drove home. Max said, \u201cMaybe you could talk to your brother when you\u2019re alone sometime.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMax, I know you mean well, but I don\u2019t care if I never speak with him again,\u201d Jim almost shouted. <\/p>\n
Drew said, \u201cBut Jim, he\u2019s your brother. I would die if I didn\u2019t have Max to talk to from time to time when we were older.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what if one of you turned out to be gay would the other one leave and not talk to him?\u201d Jim asked no one in particular. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would never do that to Drew,\u201d Max remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I wouldn\u2019t do that to Max,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe it\u2019s because you\u2019re around gay people,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would hope it would be because I love him. I accept him no matter what,\u201d Max said strongly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t agree more,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud of both of you, but not everyone is like the four of us,\u201d Jim stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhich is okay, too, right?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
Jim thought a moment and said, \u201cYes, I guess you\u2019re right. Just because we think something is right doesn\u2019t mean it is. We might just have to agree to disagree.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cI think we might have to do that with Steven, at least for the time being. Somehow I don\u2019t see him coming around.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just too bad, he might have found out he liked being an uncle, you know what I mean?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe do know what you mean, Drew. You\u2019re absolutely right. He should have at least given it a chance first,\u201d Blair commented. <\/p>\n
\u201cEnough of the sad talk. Let\u2019s go home and watch a movie or something,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cSounds good to me,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cMe too,\u201d Max agreed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got some paperwork to catch up on while you three watch a movie. How does that sound?\u201d Blair inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, you\u2019re not calling my brother. You have to promise you won\u2019t say a word to him,\u201d Jim requested. <\/p>\n
\u201cI promise. I really do have some files to get to when we get home. It had nothing to do with Steven. But I was thinking about calling him tomorrow. But I\u2019ll listen to you and remember that I promised you. Okay?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d Jim replied sadly. <\/p>\n
Blair knew that this was going to weigh heavily on Jim\u2019s mind for weeks. He wished he could help, but he had promised and promises were made to keep. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
The next day, Jim and Blair left for work and the boys were off for the day. It was a teacher\u2019s conference and Max and Drew had big plans made. They were going to meet this uncle Steven if it killed them. <\/p>\n
Max called William and said, \u201cCould we have the phone number and the office address for Steven?\u201d<\/p>\n
William didn\u2019t think twice before he gave it to them. If you need me, you know where I am,\u201d William commented. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, grampa,\u201d Max said before he hung up. <\/p>\n
He called the number and got the receptionist and asked if he could have a meeting with Steven Ellison. She didn\u2019t even ask what it was about. She set up the meeting for that afternoon at 1:00. Max wrote it down and said they would see him then. He had given their names, because Steven didn\u2019t know who they were. <\/p>\n
Max and Drew both put on their suits that the guys had bought for them and took a bus downtown for the meeting. They had called William and asked him to cover for them if Jim or Blair called. They were determined to talk to Steven even if he threw them out he was going to listen for a few minutes anyhow. <\/p>\n
They got to the office and checked in and the woman looked at them oddly, but didn\u2019t say anything. She went into Steven\u2019s office at ten minutes to one and told him his one o\u2019clock was there. Steven told Mary to send him or her in.<\/p>\n
Max and Drew walked into Steven\u2019s office and Steven said, \u201cWhat is the meaning of this? Who are you? I know you\u2019re not here for insurance, so what are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n
Max pushed Drew into the chair closest to the door and he continued standing. He said, \u201cMy name is Max Miller and I\u2019m the foster child that your brother took in. Before you have us thrown out, I would like to speak in Jim\u2019s defense. Would that be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Steven was somewhat impressed that this child took it upon himself to speak in Jim\u2019s behalf. He decided he would listen. \u201cGo ahead, I\u2019m listening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew felt like they might be getting somewhere if he was actually listening. <\/p>\n
Max then sat down next to Drew and said, \u201cThis is my brother, Drew, he\u2019s 13 and they took us both in. Let me tell you about us first of all. We didn\u2019t want to go with Jim and Blair because the idea of having two gay men raise us wasn\u2019t at the top of our wish list, if you know what I mean? Then we got kicked out of one foster home after another and finally got placed in a horrible place that treated us like shit, excuse my language. They were so mean to us. The man was as mean as my parents had been. He hit us on a nightly basis and one night Drew said to me, \u201cWould it be so bad to live with a gay couple if they\u2019re nice?\u201d and I thought about it and realized he was right. What if they treated us really nice? What if we had a life for a change instead of a sentence instead? We decided to meet them and give them a chance. We didn\u2019t know how it would work out, but they are so damn nice, excuse my language again. They never hit us, they never even act mad at us. They smile at us for no reason and make us wonderful meals. They are so good to us that sometimes we feel like we\u2019re going to have the rug pulled out from underneath us. Today we feel like the rug is being yanked a little. We don\u2019t want to lose our home, but I know that Jim wants to keep his relationship with his brother, so what do we do about it? We talked into the night and realized there is nothing we can do about it. You have to want to give Jim and Blair a chance. I really wish you would. We didn\u2019t think it would work, but it does. They\u2019re the best couple that we ever could have imagined come into our lives. They love us for no reason other than we\u2019re being ourselves. They love each other so much and I know they take flack at work and it\u2019s a shame that they have to take it from family too. There should be somewhere that you feel safe. I like to think that place is with our family. That\u2019s Jim, Blair, William and Naomi. We would like to include you too. You\u2019re the only uncle we\u2019ll ever have. This means a lot to us. I know you don\u2019t know us, but we\u2019re pretty good kids. We don\u2019t give them much grief and we try to stay out of their hair for the most part. But you want to know what\u2019s weird? They don\u2019t want us to stay out of their hair. They like us. Hell, they love us, excuse my language again. They have constantly made us feel like we are blood relatives and so has William. We call him grampa and everything. You have no idea how excited Jim was to have you coming back to the United States again. He wanted to share his family with you. We\u2019re all he has. I would like to think that\u2019s enough, but that\u2019s up to you. Jim is worth fighting for, Steven. Please at least say you\u2019ll think about it?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cAre you finished?\u201d Steven asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I\u2019m done. You can throw us out now. I just wanted to say something in their defense. They have no one. They only have family and they were hoping that was enough. Please say you\u2019ll think about it?\u201d Max pleaded. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll think about it and get back to you. Can I call you at the house? At Jim\u2019s house?\u201d Steven asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, it\u2019s our home. You can call us there anytime. Thank you for letting us say something,\u201d Max commented. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have anything to say, Drew?\u201d Steven asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI only memorized a little bit. So I\u2019m not going to be as good as Max. I love Jim and Blair. They treat us like family and give us everything we need. And I don\u2019t mean money. I mean, love, attention and things like that. Our friends like Jim and Blair too. It took awhile for them to get used to the whole gay thing, but they got used to it and come over all the time. They really like it at our house. If strangers can get used to Jim and Blair, can\u2019t you give them a chance?\u201d Drew inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t make any promises, but I\u2019m going to think about it after you leave. I\u2019ll let Jim know the outcome no matter what. I owe him that much,\u201d Steven said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be great. Thank you again for listening to us,\u201d Max said as they got up to leave. Steven held out his hand and said, \u201cIt was good meeting you both.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both Drew and Max shook hands with him and left the office. They didn\u2019t say a word until they got down to the street. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think he might give Jim and Blair a chance,\u201d Drew said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t count on it, Drew. He\u2019s just going to think about it. That\u2019s a far cry from actually coming around,\u201d Max stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I think he\u2019s going to come over. It would be nice to have an uncle wouldn\u2019t it?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, it would. Hey, we better get on the bus or we\u2019re not going to be home before Jim and Blair. We\u2019ll have to tell them where we were,\u201d Max bossed as he pushed Drew towards the bus stop. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re never saying what we were doing here today. Promise?\u201d Drew questioned. <\/p>\n
\u201cPromise. Some things are better off not said,\u201d Max agreed. <\/p>\n
They got on the bus and made their way home. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
Once the boys got home, they took the chicken out for dinner and got a recipe book out and made something new. They were going to have Chicken and Dumplings. Max was very excited to help with the recipe. Drew did most of the work, but Max helped bone the chicken. Drew wasn\u2019t that thrilled about that part of it. They didn\u2019t start the dumplings until they saw Jim and Blair in the parking lot. They didn\u2019t want to overcook them at all. This way it would be fresh and they wouldn\u2019t fall apart. <\/p>\n
When Jim and Blair came through the door, Blair said, \u201cHave you been cooking again, Drew?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYup\u2026I tried something new. I thought it sounded good. Chicken and Dumplings, do you like them?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
Jim smiled and said, \u201cWe like anything that we don\u2019t have to make ourselves.\u201d <\/p>\n
They all laughed and Jim and Blair went to wash up for dinner. The table was already set by the boys and as soon as Jim and Blair got in the dining room, they all sat down to eat. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair again made all of the right noises while they were eating and Drew was thrilled. \u201cMax helped me with everything tonight. It was a hard recipe, so he deboned all of the chicken. Max is really fast.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood job, Max. It\u2019s really good, boys. You did a wonderful job. The house smells great, it tasted great and you\u2019re great. All in all, we\u2019re having a good evening,\u201d Jim remarked wearing a big smile. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Drew, thank you for everything you and Max do to help us out. It really does help us out. You give us more reasons to come home then most teens do. So, thank you,\u201d Blair declared. <\/p>\n
Max and Drew both smiled and started cleaning up the dishes from the table. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh no you don\u2019t. Blair and I will clean the table off and do the dishes. You guys go play Wii or something. Have a relaxing evening. Thanks again for everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI made dessert too,\u201d Drew said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh God, he made dessert. I\u2019m going to gain 20 pounds in a month at this rate,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are we having?\u201d Jim asked hoping it would be something he loved. He didn\u2019t use his sense of smell to figure it out either.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made a baked cheesecake with a raspberry topping. We\u2019ll have it later, okay?\u201d Drew answered. <\/p>\n
Jim gave each of the boys a hug and told them to get lost. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair cleaned up the kitchen and got everything loaded in the dishwasher in record time. Blair knew it was because Jim wanted dessert. But Jim swore it was for no other reason then cleaning the kitchen. <\/p>\n
They sat down in the living room and were talking and there was a knock at the door. <\/p>\n
Jim cocked his head and listened and whispered, \u201cIts Steven.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally? Maybe he\u2019s come to his senses,\u201d Blair said happily. He got up and went for the door. Jim stopped him and said, \u201cI don\u2019t know what to say.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll play it by ear then. Open the door, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim went and opened up the door and a shamefaced looking brother stood there looking at the floor. <\/p>\n
\u201cSteven. I\u2019m somewhat surprised to see you here,\u201d Jim started. <\/p>\n
\u201cMay I come in?\u201d Steven asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I\u2019m sorry, I wasn\u2019t thinking. Come in, sit down,\u201d Jim said as he walked into the living room with Steven. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love what you\u2019ve done with the loft. It\u2019s much bigger. Did you buy another one and connect them?\u201d Steven asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we did. We knew we wanted to have foster children and it\u2019s hard to do with a small place like we had. So we enlarged it. Not a biggy at all, but sure made the difference to us,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it looks wonderful. I want to apologize for being such an asshole at dad\u2019s the other night. I don\u2019t know what I was thinking. But I like the idea of having nephews, so if it\u2019s still all right, I would like to be part of the family,\u201d Steven said. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cAnd you would accept me and Blair being together?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it would be hard to be part of the family without Blair,\u201d Steven replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cDid dad make you come over here?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I haven\u2019t even talked to dad since last night. It feels like a month ago. I\u2019m really sorry. I was such an ass,\u201d Steven said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe would like you to meet the boys. Do you have time?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I have time. Call them down,\u201d Steven insisted. <\/p>\n
Jim went to the back stairs and called the boys down. They walked down the stairs and stopped dead in their tracks when they saw Steven. They just stood there not knowing what to say or do. <\/p>\n
\u201cBring them over here so I can meet them,\u201d Steven said. <\/p>\n
Jim led the boys over to Steven and said, \u201cSteven this is Max and Drew. They are our sons. They made a wonderful dinner for us tonight and dessert. Would you like to stay for dessert?\u201d Jim questioned. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would like that very much. They seem like nice boys, I\u2019d like to get to know them better,\u201d Steven said winking at Drew and Max. <\/p>\n
The boys knew that Steven wasn\u2019t going to tell Jim about the visit. They were relieved to say the least. <\/p>\n
Steven stayed for two hours, visited and had dessert and then Jim walked him down to the parking lot. <\/p>\n
Once in the lot Jim said, \u201cSo did the boys come and see you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Steven smiled and said, \u201cHow did you know that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI could hear their hearts beating way too hard when they saw you. And yours was a little out of whack too. I knew you had met them before and not just at dads. We don\u2019t even have to say anything to them. They\u2019re good boys aren\u2019t they?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re great kids, Jim. You and Blair are very lucky guys indeed. Now I need to get on the road. I\u2019ll see you next week. We\u2019ll all go out to eat or something,\u201d Steven suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cSounds good to me, bro,\u201d Jim answered and gave Steven a hug. <\/p>\n
Upstairs Blair was cleaning up the kitchen with Max and Drew and said, \u201cSo how did you get to Steven\u2019s office today?\u201d<\/p>\n
Both of the boys blushed, but didn\u2019t answer. \u201cIt\u2019s all right. Jim doesn\u2019t know, so we\u2019ll never tell him. But I could tell that Steven knew you before he came over. Let\u2019s keep this to ourselves, okay?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s fine with me, Blair. Thanks for not telling him,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
Jim came walking in the door and they all stopped talking. Jim looked at them and said, \u201cOkay, so Blair knew about it too?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh man, he knows,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re really sorry for butting in, but we felt like we had to do something. Grampa told us where to go for the appointment. You\u2019re not mad, are you?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNope, not at all. You boys are the best thing in our lives. Thank you,\u201d Jim said as he hugged both of them. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to go to bed. There was just too much excitement for us tonight,\u201d Max said happily as he climbed the stairs. <\/p>\n
\u201cGoodnight, Drew. Goodnight Max. We\u2019ll see both of you tomorrow morning,\u201d Jim said as he walked up the stairs to his room too. <\/p>\n
Blair looked around the loft and realized he was in the fucking Twilight Zone and he liked it there. He walked up to join Jim for bed and smiled the entire way. <\/p>\n
Life was good. <\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS 3 1\/2 pounds chicken pieces
\n8 cups chicken broth
\nIn a large wide pot, simmer the chicken pieces in the broth until the chicken is tender, 30 minutes or more. Remove the chicken and set it aside. When cool enough to handle, skin and bone the chicken and shred or cut it into bite sized pieces. If desired, skim the chicken fat off the surface of the broth.
\nDumplings:
\n2 cups flour
\n1 tablespoon baking powder
\n1\/2 teaspoon salt
\n1\/2 cup butter, cold
\n1\/2 cup water
\nIn a large bowl, thoroughly mix the flour baking powder and salt.
\nUsing a food processor, pastry blender, or two knives, cut in the butter until it is the size of very small peas and distributed throughout the dry ingredients. Add the water and knead 8 to 10 times. If the dough seems too sticky, add a little more flour. Roll the dough out to 1\/8-inch thickness and cut into 1-inch squares. Bring the broth to a rolling boil, drop in the dumplings, cover the pot and reduce the heat to simmer. Cook for 10 minutes or until the dumplings are cooked. Overcooking will cause the dumplings to fall apart.
\nTo serve, place the chicken pieces in a bowl and ladle hot broth and dumplings over the chicken.
\nServing Size: 6 <\/p>\n
CREAMY BAKED CHEESECAKE 1 1\/4 c. graham cracker crumbs
\n1\/4 c. sugar
\n1\/2 c. butter
\n2 (8 oz.) cream cheese
\n1 (14 oz.) Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
\n3 eggs
\n1\/4 c. lemon juice
\n1 (8 oz.) sour cream
\nPreheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine crumbs, sugar and butter; press firmly on bottom of 9 inch springform pan.
\nIn large mixer bowl, beat cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Add eggs and lemon juice; mix well. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 50-55 minutes or until center is set; top with sour cream. Bake 5 minutes longer. Cool. Chill. Serve with Raspberry Topping. Refrigerate leftovers.
\nRASPBERRY TOPPING:
\nIn small saucepan, combine 2\/3 cup syrup drained from 1 (10 ounce) package thawed frozen red raspberries, 1\/4 cup red currant jelly or red raspberry jam and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and clear. Cool, stir in raspberries. Serve over cheesecake. <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 22
\nHopes
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,152<\/p>\n
Jim dropped the boys off at school on his way to the station. He was alone because Blair was at the academy teaching. He found himself glad to hear that the boys needed a ride. They both had their science projects to carry in and they didn\u2019t want to walk or ride the bus with them. <\/p>\n
Jim was so proud of their projects. They never asked for any help, only showed them the finished products. Jim hoped that their teachers were as happy as he and Blair had been with them. They were so damn smart, that sometimes Jim felt like he was being passed up. But they never made him feel like he wasn\u2019t getting things. Nope, he just felt old most of the time. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
When he arrived at the station, Simon was waiting for him. \u201cEllison, my office.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim got nervous right away, thinking something horrible had happened in the short time since he left the boys off. <\/p>\n
\u201cSir?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
Simon pushed him into a chair and shut the door. \u201cJim, I have a favor to ask. Daryl wants to get one of the lofts in your building and I\u2019m thinking about getting one for an investment, but I want to know how much to offer. I figure you must know what they\u2019re worth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGod, I thought something happened to one of the boys or to Blair. Way to scare the shit out of a person,\u201d Jim said relaxing a little bit. <\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, I just wondered about what to offer. Do you know?\u201d Simon inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe paid $60,000.00 for ours. I don\u2019t see why you would ever have to pay more then that. In fact, ours was in pretty good shape, so if it\u2019s not in good shape, you could offer less then that. I would go see it first. How did Daryl hear about it?\u201d Jim wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair told him the last time he was there hanging out with the boys. You wouldn\u2019t mind having him there would you?\u201d Simon asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cHell no. We love Daryl. He\u2019s a great kid and Blair could be useful in helping him with college classes. I think he\u2019s passed me up already,\u201d Jim joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cTell me about it. He\u2019s studying things, I never even thought about. Blair would be able to help him. Would you mind looking at it with me today?\u201d Simon questioned. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe could go now, if nothing is pressing,\u201d Jim offered. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet me call the guy at the building and see if he can see us today. Then you can advise me on how much to offer,\u201d Simon stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be at my desk checking my messages,\u201d Jim said as he walked out the door. This was his idea of working, taking off to do nothing with the boss. Jim smiled all the way to his desk. <\/p>\n
Jim went ahead and filed a report that was sitting on his desk while he had some time. Simon was still on the phone, so he needed to find something to do anyhow. <\/p>\n
Simon walked up to Jim\u2019s desk and said, \u201cWe can leave now if you want to.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, I just finished the Samoni report. Let me go and put it on your desk. I\u2019ll be right back,\u201d Jim said as he took the report and put it in Simon\u2019s office. <\/p>\n
Jim smiled as he met Simon at the elevator and they got on together. \u201cI\u2019ll drive,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI never doubted it. You don\u2019t like when other people drive,\u201d Simon stated a fact. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy do you and Blair always say that? I prefer to drive, but I don\u2019t have to if you know what I mean,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, then let\u2019s take my car,\u201d Simon teased. <\/p>\n
Jim had a look of horror on his face and said, \u201cYou\u2019re kidding me aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Jim, I\u2019m kidding you. Now let\u2019s get going before everyone notices we\u2019re gone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim drove him over to the building and they parked in the parking lot and walked out to meet Mr. Stanley, the one that was selling the lofts. <\/p>\n
Jim stuck his hand out and shook Stanley\u2019s hand and said, \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you again, Mr. Stanley. I hear you have a unit open?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, it\u2019s good to see you. Yes, we have a second floor unit open, not near as nice as the one you bought upstairs, but still very nice,\u201d Stanley said. <\/p>\n
Simon said, \u201cCould I ask how much you\u2019re asking for it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course you can, you\u2019re the one that wants to buy it,\u201d Mr. Stanley teased. \u201cIt\u2019s $58,000., for this unit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simon smiled and said, \u201cI\u2019d like to see it now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Stanley took them up in the elevator and stopped at the second floor and got out. He walked to 202 and opened the door. Jim was a little surprised to see how shabby the unit looked. It hadn\u2019t been painted in years. The floors were all scratched up and the kitchen was almost non-existent. Jim wouldn\u2019t pay the price they were asking on a bad day or a good day. <\/p>\n
Simon looked around and said, \u201cJim, do you think we can fix it up so that it\u2019s livable? It\u2019s not right now, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s not. It\u2019s in really poor shape, but we could do a lot of things to bring it up to speed. What price are you hoping for?\u201d Jim almost whispered. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think it would be an insult to offer 42 for it?\u201d Simon wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cNever know until you ask,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Simon turned to Mr. Stanley and said, \u201cI would love to buy this, but with all of the work involved to get it in shape, I couldn\u2019t pay more then 42 for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI would take $42,000. for it, that\u2019s a good price. There is a lot of fixing up to do. We can draw up the papers now and you can go see about the loan right away,\u201d Mr. Stanley stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for showing it to us on such short notice. It\u2019s a great unit, just needs some love.\u201d Simon commented. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs soon as you bring me the check, the place will be all yours,\u201d Mr. Stanley said as they walked down to his unit to fill out the paperwork. <\/p>\n
Once they were done, they drove back to the station. Jim was going to go back to work and Simon was going to the bank. <\/p>\n
\u201cSimon, do you need any help with the down payment or anything?\u201d Jim asked nicely. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re the best friend I could ever hope to have. I\u2019ve put some money away in the last few years, so I have some. Thank you for the offer though. My hopes were to buy Daryl his own place some day and by god, I just might be able to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be great. We\u2019ll redo the floors, paint the walls and put in a good kitchen. It\u2019s going to be nice when it\u2019s done. Wait and see,\u201d Jim said happily. <\/p>\n
Jim parked in the garage at the station and Simon headed to his car. \u201cWish me luck on the loan.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLuck!\u201d Jim answered with a smile. <\/p>\n
Jim walked upstairs and Blair was there already. He smiled when he saw Jim come walking in. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhere were you?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSimon and I went to look at one of the units in our building for Daryl. Simon\u2019s going to buy it. Isn\u2019t that great?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMan, that would be so nice to have Daryl close by. He\u2019s so nice to the boys, it\u2019ll be good to have a role model as close as that. Not to mention, we\u2019ll love seeing him too. This is great news, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew you would be happy about it. It needs a lot of work, though. So we\u2019re going to be working our butts off to get it in shape,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhich unit is it?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201c202 is the one. The floors need to be stripped and redone, the kitchen needs to be gutted, the bathroom needs to be gutted and the walls all need paint. So we\u2019re going to be busy. It\u2019s always been Simon\u2019s hope to buy Daryl a place some day, so this works for him,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s all right with you, Jim, I\u2019d like to buy the appliances for the new kitchen. Would that be all right? I want stainless in there and I\u2019m afraid it\u2019ll be too expensive for Simon after he pays for the loft.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a great idea, and I\u2019ll pay for his bed in his bedroom. It\u2019ll be a perfect house warming present,\u201d Jim said happily planning. <\/p>\n
They both went back to work on the files they needed to get done and planned things in between. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
In the next two months, Simon, Blair and Jim worked on the loft. Simon wanted it to be a surprise for Daryl, so he didn\u2019t tell him anything about it. So Jim and Blair had to sneak around when Daryl was over visiting. <\/p>\n
The floors were beautiful when Jim finished stripping and refinishing them. The walls looked great too. But the best thing about the loft was the bedroom and the kitchen. <\/p>\n
The kitchen was so nice, and it looked totally awesome with the new appliances in it. They were all stainless and Blair had done a good job picking them out. <\/p>\n
They all knew that Daryl was going to love it, no matter what, but it looked like a brand new place when they were all done with it. <\/p>\n
The bedroom in the loft turned out excellent also. Jim had found a bed he thought Daryl would like. Something that a young person would think was cool. Blair had helped him pick it out, but it was Jim that first found the bed. He loved it and hoped Daryl did too. <\/p>\n
Simon looked around that last day and said, \u201cI think we have reached finishing, what do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this place turned out excellent. I say we bring down Drew and Max and let them see it and see if we forgot anything,\u201d Blair advised. <\/p>\n
Simon smiled at his youngest detective and said, \u201cI think that\u2019s a good idea. Why don\u2019t you go up and get them?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll call,\u201d Blair said laughing as he picked up the phone on the wall and dialed their house number. <\/p>\n
\u201cEllison and Sandburg residence,\u201d Max answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cHi Max, its Blair. We\u2019re downstairs in 202 and we want you and Drew\u2019s opinion on how Daryl\u2019s new house looks. Think you could come down and look at it?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cOh cool, he\u2019s going to live downstairs?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s only if we did a good enough job on it,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be right down,\u201d Max said before he hung up the phone. <\/p>\n
They stood back and looked at everything and Simon smiled. \u201cThis place looks like a million bucks. I could never thank you both enough for all of your help. He\u2019s going to be so thrilled and when he\u2019s outgrown the loft, we can sell it and get another place,\u201d Simon remarked. <\/p>\n
The boys knocked on the door and Simon opened it. \u201cNow we need you to be truthful. If something looks like it\u2019s ugly or whatever you have to tell us as much, okay?\u201d <\/p>\n
Max and Drew walked into the place with eyes open big and wide. Drew was the first one to say, \u201cKiller kitchen, he\u2019s going to love the bar and the stainless steel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both boys looked at everything and then walked upstairs to see the bedroom. \u201cI really like the bed you chose, Simon. He\u2019s going to love it,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I\u2019m glad, but Jim picked the bed. I think he did a good job picking it out too,\u201d Simon stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m taking him out for dinner tonight and then I\u2019ll spring this on him. He\u2019ll be very excited. So just wait until tonight, Max and Drew. He\u2019ll probably call you to show off his new place.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t wait to hear about the look on his face. He\u2019s going to love it, Simon,\u201d Max commented. <\/p>\n
Everyone went their separate ways and couldn\u2019t wait to hear from Daryl that night. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair made dinner in their loft and they all talked about Daryl\u2019s new place. After dinner they did dishes and cleaned up the place waiting for a phone call. <\/p>\n
Finally at ten that night, the phone rang and it was Daryl calling Max and Drew. He asked them to come downstairs so he could show off his new place. Daryl invited Jim and Blair too, so he could thank them for everything. <\/p>\n
They all walked down the stairs one flight to see Daryl\u2019s new place and wish him well. <\/p>\n
All of Simon\u2019s hopes had come true. Jim and Blair were thrilled for him. <\/p>\n
The end <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 23
\nBuilding Buddies
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
For my Moonridge winner, Pam, who wanted two new Family Life stories. The first one is going to be about buying cheap real estate and turning into a profit. The boys are going to help Jim and Blair build old places, into new. This idea was given to me by Helena. Thank you, sweetie. It was a good idea. I hope both you and Pam like this story. <\/p>\n
Word Count: 3,578<\/p>\n
Jim walked into the building where they lived and was met by Mr. Stanley. \u201cHi Jim, I have an offer to make and hope you\u2019ll take me up on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s going on, Mr. Stanley?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have two condo\u2019s side by side and wondered if you\u2019d like to buy them and turn them into a beautiful place like your own or the one you did for Daryl Banks. This place has really been getting in shape since you all fixed yours up, everyone is working on theirs. It looks like a new building instead of an old one. I\u2019d give you a really good price on it and when you sell it, I have some buyers that are interested. I would sell them both to you for 50,000.00 and you could charge about 90,000.00 when you sell it. What do you think?\u201d Mr. Stanley wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat sounds like a perfect idea for a project for me, Blair and our boys. They could use the work out and earn extra money that way. It\u2019s a great idea. Draw up the papers and I\u2019ll get the check for you at the bank tomorrow. What floor are they on?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cFirst floor, so no skylight, but people like being on the ground floor much better, so it\u2019ll move fast. I\u2019ll go get the paperwork done and drop by and give it to you tonight. It needs a lot of work, Jim. I\u2019m glad you\u2019re going to take it on,\u201d Mr. Stanley stated as he walked up the stairs with Jim to go to his place and do the paperwork. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cWe\u2019ll see you later, tonight. Thanks for the offer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSee you later, Jim. Say hi to Blair for me,\u201d Mr. Stanley called out over his shoulder. <\/p>\n
Jim used his key and walked into the loft. Blair was cooking dinner and the boys were sitting at the dining room table doing homework, it looked like. <\/p>\n
\u201cHey Jim, glad to see you made it back from court in one piece,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have a surprise for all three of you,\u201d Jim commented quickly and happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Max asked just as quickly. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re buying two condo\u2019s in this building, and we\u2019re going to work on it as a family and turn it into a profit. Doesn\u2019t that sound fun?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
Blair looked at him oddly and said, \u201cYou just thought that would be fun?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I thought it would fun for all of us. We can pay the boys for helping us, so they can earn extra money and we\u2019ll be able to fix it up nicely and sell it for a huge profit. Mr. Stanley is bringing the paperwork by tonight and I\u2019ll get the check from the bank tomorrow,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
Drew stood up and walked towards Jim and said, \u201cI think it\u2019s a great idea. It\u2019ll be fun working side by side with you and Blair. It\u2019ll give us plenty to do on the weekends that we\u2019re bored. I say it\u2019s a good judgment call.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair smiled and said, \u201cWell, they seem to be on board about it, so I guess I will be too. Do we have to do a lot of the same things we did in Daryl\u2019s loft?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, but we\u2019ll have two, so there will be two bathrooms, two bedrooms and a nice living room, dining room and big kitchen. It\u2019s going to be fun. You wait and see,\u201d Jim promised. <\/p>\n
\u201cHave you even seen it yet?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I thought I would wait for the paperwork and ask him to show it to all four of us tonight. Does that sound good to everyone else?\u201d Jim wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWorks for me,\u201d Max replied and smiled as he went back to his homework. <\/p>\n
\u201cI like the idea,\u201d Drew said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cI like the idea, too. It\u2019ll be great family time. And if we like it a lot we might be able to do this from time to time. We could do this to make extra money for the boys for college,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a damn good idea, Blair. We\u2019re going to set up a lot of the money in their college fun when we sell this thing. You just wait and see, it\u2019s going to be fun,\u201d Jim said as he walked into the kitchen and gave Blair a proper hello, hug and kiss. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
After dinner was done, the dishes were all cleaned up and everyone was in watching a movie, the doorbell rang. Jim answered it because he knew it was Mr. Stanley. <\/p>\n
\u201cHi, Mr. Stanley. Come on in,\u201d Jim said standing aside so he could enter. <\/p>\n
\u201cWould you all like to see this place you\u2019re going to be working on?\u201d Mr. Stanley inquired. <\/p>\n
Blair and the boys got up immediately and said, \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Stanley laughed and said, \u201cSomeone is anxious all ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
He led them downstairs, after Jim locked up their loft and they walked into the first condo and saw it was already made into a double condo. Jim and Blair were not going to have to tear down walls, they were just going to have to strip the floors, paint and replace all of the kitchen and bathrooms. The place wasn\u2019t as bad as Mr. Stanley had made it sound, so they were very excited. <\/p>\n
Blair pulled Jim down close and whispered, \u201cThis isn\u2019t going to be bad at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, it\u2019s going to be a breeze. We\u2019re going to have fun,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you think?\u201d Mr. Stanley asked after they looked at all of the rooms and took notes. <\/p>\n
Drew said, \u201cYou know, we have friends that are looking for a condo. This would be perfect for them. Jim ,do you think we could have it finished in a couple of months?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019ll be ready in a couple of months, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMax, I was thinking about the twins. Their mom said she\u2019d love to have a place like what ours is like. But she knew she couldn\u2019t afford it. But maybe we could fix things a little cheaper so that we could sell it a little cheaper,\u201d Drew suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we\u2019re not doing things cheap. We\u2019ll see when the time comes on what the price will be. It depends on how much we put into it. We have to make a profit, boys,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
Max smiled and said, \u201cSeth and Sam would love this place. They love ours, I know that much.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t say anything to them, boys. It would just get their hopes up and they might not be able to afford it. So keep comments to ourselves until we\u2019re ready to sell it,\u201d Blair stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, we wouldn\u2019t want to get Seth and Sam all excited and then find out they couldn\u2019t have it. Too bad we can\u2019t have them help us. It would be really fun with the four of us helping you and Blair. We could be building buddies. What do you think?\u201d Max asked Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you think, Blair?\u201d Jim asked, needing a second opinion. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey can probably use the extra money for helping, but it\u2019s totally up to you. You wanted it to be a family project didn\u2019t you?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSort of,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cThen it\u2019ll just be the four building buddies. It\u2019s okay Jim. We\u2019ll have fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim turned to Mr. Stanley and said, \u201cI\u2019ll bring you the check first thing in the morning. This is going to be fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Stanley smiled and said, \u201cI knew I could count on you for fixing this place up. You\u2019re got the touch, both you and Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
They all talked awhile longer and then walked back upstairs to their own loft and talked more once they got inside without Mr. Stanley. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, it doesn\u2019t need near as much work as we thought it did. It\u2019s just dirty. It\u2019s more neglected than anything and I think we\u2019re going to be able to do this easily,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t agree with you more,\u201d Jim remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen do we start?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis weekend. We\u2019re both off for the weekend, and we\u2019re going to get everything clean and washed down. Then we\u2019ll see where we go from there,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cWe\u2019ll make a list of things to do tonight and then we\u2019ll do it this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll clean first, then paint, then strip the floors and then do the kitchen and bathrooms. It\u2019s going to be great,\u201d Jim said dreamily. <\/p>\n
Drew said, \u201cI can\u2019t wait to get started. We better think about getting ready for bed, Max. We have to go to school early tomorrow for our project display.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have the camera to take pictures so we can see the display?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Jim, I have the camera. You\u2019ve asked me four times,\u201d Drew said laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, we can\u2019t take off for it, so I feel bad that we\u2019re missing your science project,\u201d Jim admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou saw them here, it\u2019s not like they\u2019re that big of a deal,\u201d Max confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey were to us,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Blair and Jim. You\u2019re the best,\u201d Max said as he walked up the stairs. \u201cSee you in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNight, Jim and Blair,\u201d Drew called out over his shoulder as he headed for the stairs. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
The next day, Jim took off long enough to go to the bank and get the check for Mr. Stanley. Mr. Stanley had him sign the papers, he signed said papers along with Jim and then handed Jim a set of keys. Jim thanked him and went back to work, happily carrying his new keys. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
That weekend, the boys started hauling things out of the condo, cleaning and stripping the walls bear. They were all working on something different. Max and Drew were working on cleaning the two loft bedrooms and Jim was cleaning the kitchen, while Blair was cleaning the two bathrooms. At the end of the day, they couldn\u2019t believe how much better it looked already. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis place is going to be great. Did you notice how nice the floors look? They don\u2019t have to be redone, they were just filthy. They aren\u2019t damaged at all,\u201d Jim said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cI noticed. And the tiles in the bathrooms are both good, so we don\u2019t have to replace them either. We just need the tubs, showers, toilets and sinks. Sounds like a lot for the bathrooms, but we\u2019ll find good sales and get it spruced up in no time at all,\u201d Blair assured them all. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cDo you have any color choices made for the bathrooms yet?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I\u2019m thinking something blue. I like blue and it\u2019s such an airy room, there are two windows, so we want it bright and sunny looking. That\u2019s why I chose blue. Does anyone not like blue?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love blue,\u201d Max answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cMe too,\u201d Drew agreed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m with them, Blair. Do you have ideas yet, or is that in the making?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have the entire bathroom planned out. It\u2019s going to rock. When we\u2019re done, no one will know this was a shabby place at one time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think for the kitchen, we\u2019re going to use light green paint and off white cabinets. It\u2019s a very large area, so we need something nice and bright for it. I\u2019ve already done the measurements and now we just need to find the cabinets and appliances,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about upstairs, boys?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe just need to paint and polish the floors and the railings. Then we\u2019ll be done up there. Are we furnishing this place?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, without spending all of our savings, mind you. We\u2019ll find things on sale and put them in the rooms as we see them. It\u2019s going to be fun,\u201d Blair remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe we can go to Ikea, for some house things, what do you think?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re inexpensive. They\u2019re not made to last real long, but they would be fine. We\u2019ll put shopping on our list of things to do as we get done with each room. Let\u2019s finish the kitchen first, how about that?\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
For the next four weeks, the boys helped Jim and Blair every single day that they could. Everything was done except finishing the bathrooms. Blair was finishing up those that afternoon. Max couldn\u2019t wait to see the finished product. Blair hadn\u2019t let them see the bathroom\u2019s at all, while he was working on them. He wanted it to be a surprise. <\/p>\n
Blair walked out of the second bathroom, smiling and said, \u201cI\u2019m ready for the unveiling. Who wants to see bathroom one and bathroom 2? They\u2019re exactly alike, like at our house.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to see them,\u201d Max replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t wait to see them, \u201cDrew said jumping up off the sofa in the living room and walked towards the bathrooms. <\/p>\n
Blair opened the first door and they were shocked. It had been so plain and down right ugly to begin with, that they were just blown away. <\/p>\n
[[[bathroom.jpg]]]<\/p>\n
Jim whistled making Blair blush. \u201cYou really like it?\u201d Blair asked insecurely. <\/p>\n
\u201cLike it? I love it,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I was beginning to worry after I saw how wonderful the kitchen looked and the living room. When do we get to see the bedrooms?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cToday is good. We furnished the main bedroom with used furniture that Blair helped us buy. But it looks good. Come on up and see it,\u201d Max invited. <\/p>\n
They all walked up the stairs and Jim smiled. It wasn\u2019t done up like he would have done it up, but it looked nice and clean. That\u2019s what was most important. <\/p>\n
[[[bedroom1.jpg]]]<\/p>\n
\u201cThe second bedroom is a lot like ours. So you can just imagine what that looks like,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cGee, I wonder why you were doing a room up with twin beds. Does it have anything to do with the twins?\u201d Jim asked almost laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, we figured, just in case,\u201d Max confessed. <\/p>\n
They walked upstairs ands saw the second bedroom and it looked great. Jim and Blair were really proud of how hard the boys had worked on this unit. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s time to advertise it for sale,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cCan we bring Seth and Sam\u2019s mom over to see it?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone can come to the open house, Drew. But they might not be able to afford it. So keep that in mind,\u201d Jim reminded him. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, well we\u2019ll hope for the best,\u201d Max said smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax and Drew, I had a really good time working with you both. It was a lot of fun wasn\u2019t it?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI had a great time, \u201c Max answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cCould we do this again some time?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it depends on how much we make from this one. If we do well enough, put some aside for your college and see if we have enough to start another project, maybe so,\u201d Blair commented. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hope we can. We had fun working with you guys all four weeks. I can\u2019t believe how fast the time went by,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI had fun with you guys, too. We\u2019ll see how well we do with this one and make plans after that. Maybe the next thing we\u2019ll work on is a house. A small house. What do you think of that?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be fun, I think as long as we don\u2019t have to move into it. We really like the loft,\u201d Max admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo do we, Max, so do we,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
The open house went well. Jim got seven offers on the place, all of them were good, but he got one that was lower then the rest of them and it was from Sam and Seth\u2019s mom. Jim sat at the table that night after the boys had gone to bed and whispered, \u201cWhat would you think about selling the place for 20,000.00 less then we planned?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my God, you\u2019re thinking about Seth and Sam\u2019s mom?\u201d Blair said smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, she offered that much, I could counter-offer, but I don\u2019t see that she\u2019s got much more. We would still come out smelling like a rose. What do you think?\u201d Jim asked, needing Blair\u2019s opinion. <\/p>\n
\u201cI say go for it, Jim. I think you want to help her out, so go for it. I\u2019ll call the rest of the people tomorrow morning while we\u2019re off and tell them it\u2019s sold already,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Jim hugged Blair to his body and said, \u201cThank you, Chief. I needed someone to agree with me. I couldn\u2019t make the decision alone. It\u2019ll be nice to have the twins close by for different things, I think. I hope they don\u2019t drive us all nuts,\u201d Jim said laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go to bed. You can call her in the morning and tell her,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think it\u2019s too late to call her tonight?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cCall her, you know you want to. Go ahead, it\u2019ll make her night. Then tell her that we\u2019ll help them move in. It\u2019ll be nice for her since her husband left her alone with the boys. She\u2019ll need help,\u201d Blair decided. <\/p>\n
Jim grabbed the phone and called the number on the paper. Mrs. Barrow answered and Jim said, \u201cHi Mrs. Barrow, this is Jim Ellison, I hope I didn\u2019t wake you up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you didn\u2019t wake me up. I was trying to get a few loads of laundry ready to take to the Laundromat, I don\u2019t have a washer and dryer,\u201d Mrs. Barrow said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, you do now. There is one in your new home, so we just need to get the paperwork done at the bank tomorrow if you still want the place,\u201d Jim said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh my God, I can\u2019t believe we had a chance at getting it. I heard everyone was making you great offers, how in the world did I get it?\u201d Mrs. Barrow\u2019s asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI thought the person that should have it should be the one that would like it the most. I think that\u2019s you. You need it more than anyone else did and you loved every room. I watched you as you went through and looked at it. The boys will love being so close to Max and Drew and I know our boys are going to be thrilled to have Sam and Seth as neighbors. So do we have a deal?\u201d Jim asked point blank. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a deal. Can I call you Jim?\u201d she asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, what is your first name?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cDenise, please call me that. And can I call Blair, Blair?\u201d Denise asked sounding happier then she had ever sounded to Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you can call him Blair. He\u2019ll love it. Call me in the morning and we\u2019ll go to the bank and get the papers filled out. Are you prequalified?\u201d Jim wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I got that done last week when I heard about the condo being up for sale. So I\u2019m already pre-qualified. We just need to fill out the final paperwork. It\u2019ll still take weeks,\u201d Denise said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have a reason to be out sooner then that?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy husband wants the apartment back. He and his girlfriend are moving in. He told us we had one month to get out. Next week is the end of that month,\u201d Denise said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe he kicked you out of your own home. Well, looks like you\u2019ll be renting from us until your paperwork goes through. We can move you this weekend, how does that sound? Jim offered. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat sounds like the best thing that\u2019s ever happened to us. Thank you Jim for giving us a chance,\u201d Denise said before she hung up the phone. <\/p>\n
Jim went and shut off all of the lights and walked up the stairs, he knew Blair was up there waiting for him. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe kicked her out of their apartment?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really, really glad that you helped me make the right decision. I was right on the edge of taking the best offer for more money for the boys\u2019 college fund. But I made Denise\u2019s night and it also made her cry. I don\u2019t think she\u2019s had anyone being nice to her in ages. So we\u2019re going to try and help out in any way we can. If her boys need something, we might just know of a place that has it for half price or something. We can buy them things and charge her half for it. She\u2019s a proud woman, we don\u2019t want to insult her,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cCome here. Have I mentioned lately how much I love you?\u201d Blair asked pulling Jim into the bed and snuggling with him. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs a matter of fact, you could show me how much,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cI could do that,\u201d Blair said as he went in for the first kiss. <\/p>\n
That was only the beginning. Blair was always good at show and tell. <\/p>\n
The end <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 24
\nFamily Night
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Another idea given to me by Helena. Thank you. And thank you to Pam for buying these stories at the Moonridge Auction. <\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,768<\/p>\n
Drew and Max were waiting for Jim and Blair to get home. They had a favor to ask and hoped that Jim and Blair would go for it. <\/p>\n
As soon as the men walked in the front door, they knew something was up. Both of the boys were smiling and standing by the front door. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, what happened?\u201d Blair asked in a teasing tone. <\/p>\n
\u201cGive it to us straight,\u201d Jim joked too. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have something to suggest and to offer an idea and we\u2019re hoping that you\u2019ll consider it in the next few days,\u201d Max said seriously. <\/p>\n
Now this got Jim and Blair\u2019s attention. \u201cWhat? Just tell us, Max,\u201d Jim ordered. <\/p>\n
\u201cDrew came up with the wonderful idea today and we went shopping with Sam and Seth\u2019s mom and bought something for the idea. Are you ready?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re more then ready. What do you mean you left? You didn\u2019t even tell us you were going anywhere,\u201d Blair pointed out. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it was sort of a surprise, if we told you about it; it wouldn\u2019t have been a surprise, would it?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax, the rule is, we have to know where you boys are all the time, even if it\u2019s somewhere where you don\u2019t want us to know. We have to. So from this day on, you remember that, okay?\u201d Jim asked sternly. <\/p>\n
Drew looked upset for a second and said, \u201cAre you both mad at us?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cLet\u2019s start over again. What is the surprise?\u201d <\/p>\n
Drew smiled at Blair because he could tell he wasn\u2019t really too mad at them. Just a little bit. \u201cWe went shopping for a once a month family night. We wanted to ask you if you\u2019d ask grampa and Uncle Steven to come once a month for game night.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat kind of games? I don\u2019t know that my dad plays any,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe bought Sorry, Monopoly and Clue. They are the three best games on the market. They\u2019re more fun then anything. We\u2019re hoping that we can talk them into once a month game night,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cActually, I think it sounds super fun. I would love playing any of those games. We could set aside one night a month and play one game of all three of them,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh that would be perfect,\u201d Drew agreed. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, first we have to see if Uncle Steven can do it and I don\u2019t know about my dad. He never played a game with me and Steven once,\u201d Jim divulged. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all the more reason for him to try it now. He likes hanging out with you and Uncle Steven now. So he can make up for lost time. Will you at least think about it?\u201d Max inquired. <\/p>\n
Jim smiled at his foster sons and said, \u201cI\u2019ll call them both tonight and see if we can\u2019t set up a date. But the four of us can do it, if they can\u2019t. We don\u2019t need them to play games. I wouldn\u2019t mind a game of Sorry tonight, if you feel up to losing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max laughed out right and said, \u201cYou\u2019re on. We have to do homework first and then games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair smiled at all of them and said, \u201cSounds good to us. Now you boys go do your homework while we make dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Max said happily as they both walked up the stairs to start in on their work. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
After dinner was done and the kitchen was all cleaned up, they sat down at the table and Max said, \u201cJim gets to choose the game tonight. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn that case, I say we choose Clue. We haven\u2019t played that in a long while, Blair. We\u2019ll have fun beating the pants off the younger crowd,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
[[[cluegame.jpg]]]<\/p>\n
\u201cThat works for me. I\u2019m all for showing the young whipper snappers who are the boss,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh man, you guys are on. We\u2019re good at this game, you wait and see,\u201d Drew promised and then laughed evilly. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh-oh. Maybe we shouldn\u2019t have chosen Clue,\u201d Jim suggested as he laughed too. <\/p>\n
Drew and Max got the game out and set it up at the table. Jim and Blair just looked on happily as they did their thing. They were so thrilled to spend time with the adults and Jim knew that it would soon end, so they had best eat up that attention now. He looked over at Blair and smiled, making Blair blow him an air kiss. <\/p>\n
\u201cAre you flirting with each other before the game? That\u2019s not allowed. That\u2019s like cheating,\u201d Max said jokingly. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, at least we still flirt with each other, right?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
Drew looked all serious and said, \u201cYeah, just look what happened with Seth and Sam\u2019s mom and dad. He just up and left them one day. A lot like ours did. We\u2019re thrilled that you guys like each other and still stay together.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo the boys see their dad often?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, they don\u2019t fit into his new lifestyle. He\u2019s got a girlfriend that is only 19 years old. Do you believe it? Their mom is so darn nice too. I can\u2019t believe he just left her for that other woman,\u201d Max said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes things just don\u2019t work out. So you have to understand that. He\u2019ll come around one of these days when he misses his sons and wants to see them again. Don\u2019t you worry, he can\u2019t live forever without them,\u201d Blair assured them. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, that\u2019s just it though; they won\u2019t have anything to do with him. Their dad did ask them out for dinner one night, but they made up excuses. They don\u2019t like him any more,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey might not like him, but they\u2019ll always love their dad. They\u2019ll come around as time goes by,\u201d Jim advised. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf you left Blair, I wouldn\u2019t be happy with you,\u201d Max confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it\u2019s not going to happen, so let\u2019s not worry about it now,\u201d Jim said quickly. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s only logical to blame one person, but in reality, it takes two to make a mess of a situation. It\u2019s none of the boys\u2019 business when you come right down to it. It\u2019s between their parents and them alone,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, enough of sad and depressing talk. Who wants to get their butts whooped by me and Max?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cPick me,\u201d Blair called out with his hand in the air. <\/p>\n
Both of the boys laughed and they started to play the game. It had been a long while since Blair and Jim had played it, so the young ones had to keep reminding them of the rules. <\/p>\n
As the night wore on, Jim was sure he was going to win the game, but he was wrong. Drew won and Max was irritated with him. So was Blair. Jim just laughed his butt off at how mad they were getting over a game. <\/p>\n
They all helped clean up the game and put it in the hall closet. Jim saw the other games up there and remembered he hadn\u2019t called his dad yet. \u201cI\u2019m going to go into the office and call grampa and Uncle Steven and ask them to come once this month for game night. It was fun. They\u2019ll have fun too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpeak for yourself,\u201d Blair grumbled. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, what he said,\u201d Max agreed with Blair. <\/p>\n
Jim laughed as he walked into the office. He picked up the phone and dialed his dad\u2019s number seeing that it was only 9:00, so he thought he was safe. <\/p>\n
\u201cEllison,\u201d William said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHi dad, I called to ask a favor,\u201d Jim started. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, Jimmy, what\u2019s going on?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThe boys bought some board games in hopes that we could have a once a month game night for the six of us. They wanted you and Uncle Steven to come too. We played tonight and got the pants beat off us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat night?\u201d William asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever night is good for you and Steven, we\u2019ll work around it,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t you pick out the third Saturday of every month and we\u2019ll go with that?\u201d William suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, the third Saturday it is. I hope Steven can make it too,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat games are we going to play?\u201d William wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cMonopoly, Clue and Sorry,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI like all three of those. I play them at the senior center. Maybe the boys would like to go one weekend with me and play with the old folks. They would love the young blood,\u201d William teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou can call and ask them dad. They love to spend time with you, so I\u2019m sure they would. I\u2019ve written it on the calendar for the next three months, so you\u2019re stuck coming over,\u201d Jim joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cJimmy, you\u2019re a good parent to those boys. So is Blair. I like how much time you spend with them. They\u2019re never going to feel neglected, no matter what,\u201d William stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe try, dad, but it\u2019s not always easy. Well, we\u2019ll see you in two weeks on that Saturday, if not sooner. Chances are, the boys will want to go have breakfast with you in between,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love spending time with them, so anytime is good for me,\u201d William said happily. \u201cThanks for calling, Jimmy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBye dad,\u201d Jim said before he hung up the phone. <\/p>\n
Jim then dialed Steven\u2019s number and Steven answered half asleep, \u201cHullo?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid I wake you up, Steven?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Jim, you woke me down,\u201d Steven shot back, even being half asleep, he was still a pistol. <\/p>\n
\u201cI called to ask you if the third Saturday of each month is good for a Family Game Night. The boys bought new games in hopes that you and Dad will come over and play once a month with us,\u201d Jim said quickly. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet me get my computer and put it in my calendar,\u201d Steven said as he left the phone for some time and Jim wondered if he was ever coming back. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, I got the third Saturday of every month for the next six months all put in my computer. I\u2019ll be there and if I can\u2019t make it, I\u2019ll be sure to call. Tell the boys it was nice of them to think of me,\u201d Steven said nicely. <\/p>\n
\u201cSteven, why are you sleeping so early?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not alone, Jim,\u201d Steven teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh shit, I\u2019m sorry. Okay well, go back to sleep, have sweet dreams. Talk to you soon,\u201d Jim said before he hung up the phone hastily. <\/p>\n
Jim walked out of the office blushing and Blair said, \u201cOh my, did you catch one of them with a woman?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSteven. He said he would love to do it and he took the time to put it in his computer before he told me someone was there. I was embarrassed. I hate interrupting. Especially with sex,\u201d Jim admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cLife goes on, Jim. It\u2019s just your brother. Now if it would have been your dad, that would be a whole different story,\u201d Blair kidded. <\/p>\n
Jim looked at him in shock and said, \u201cYou think my dad still has sex?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, he\u2019s not dead,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never given it much thought and thanks to you, now I will.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair laughed all the way into the kitchen for a glass of milk before bedtime. He took his vitamins with milk every night. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cI\u2019ll be right back, I have to tell the boys something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim walked up the stairs and knocked on their door. \u201cCome on in,\u201d Max called out. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy dad said he wanted to know if you two were interested in a game night at his senior center once a month, too. He loves the idea of one here, but he goes to the senior center once a month too. They like teens. Would you be interested? You don\u2019t have to if you don\u2019t want to,\u201d Jim impressed upon them. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a good idea. We\u2019d get to see grampa one more time a month. That would be nice, don\u2019t you think, Drew?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, that would be fun. We could see what woman it is that grampa keeps talking about when we go out for lunch on the weekend,\u201d Drew said laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a woman he\u2019s interested in?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe probably doesn\u2019t feel like you want to know, Jim,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to know what he does sometimes. I never even thought to ask him. I\u2019m a bad son,\u201d Jim declared and started for the door. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou aren\u2019t either. You\u2019re busy with us. We take a lot of work. We know that much. We\u2019ll keep you filled in on grampa, okay?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
Jim kissed both of the boys on top of their heads and said, \u201cThank you. Now I\u2019m going to turn in. I\u2019m really tired tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s from getting your pants beat off at game night,\u201d Drew said evilly. <\/p>\n
Jim hugged him into his chest and said, \u201cI love you, you big dope.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about me?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, you\u2019re a dope too, but I love you, too,\u201d Jim teased as he pulled Max in for a huge hug. <\/p>\n
Jim was wild about these boys and was so grateful that he and Blair had been given the chance to raise such fine ones. <\/p>\n
He walked down the stairs smiling and Blair said, \u201cMy turn to go and tell them good night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMake sure and call them dopes, they like that it seems,\u201d Jim joked as he went into the bathroom to get ready for bed. <\/p>\n
Blair went upstairs and said, \u201cLooks like your family night is a hit. I wanted to tell you thank you for the game tonight and for being so good about hanging with us old people.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not old, Blair. Jim is, but you\u2019re not.\u201d Drew laughed and laughed and laughed. <\/p>\n
Jim called up from the bathroom, \u201cI heard that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know you heard that,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
Blair went and hugged both of the boys and told them goodnight. He said, \u201cJim said something about calling you dopes, what was that about?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe does that when he doesn\u2019t want things to get too mushy. You never have to call us dopes,\u201d Max stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cNah, I never need to stoop to that, you goofballs. Now goodnight to both of you,\u201d Blair said as he walked out of the room. <\/p>\n
Jim was waiting when he got downstairs and he said, \u201cI told you they like it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were right. I\u2019ll be up in a little while. I have to get ready for bed. Stay awake if you can,\u201d Blair instructed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll try,\u201d Jim answered, wiggling his eyebrows up and down. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was thinking about talking,\u201d Blair said smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh. Well, I can stay awake for that too,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
He walked up the stairs to their room and slid into bed. It felt so comfortable with nice clean sheets on the bed. He and Blair always kept the bedroom in top notch shape, so that Jim was always comfortable. He snuggled into his side of the bed, pulled up his covers and that was all she wrote. <\/p>\n
Blair got done brushing his teeth, washing his face and peeing and walked upstairs to talk to Jim. What he found was so cute. He wished he had the camera with him. The covers were pulled up to Jim\u2019s head and he was sound asleep already. <\/p>\n
Blair crawled into his side of the bed and snuggled into Jim\u2019s body. Jim didn\u2019t even move a muscle. Blair knew he must be tired. But Blair knew that the boys took more out of Jim then he said most of the time. He worried too much about them. Blair did too, but Jim worried all the time. Now if he was awake, he could relax him a little bit. Okay, he could relax him a lot. He started stroking Jim\u2019s cock through his boxers and Jim mumbled something that Blair couldn\u2019t hear. He continued doing it until Jim turned around and said, \u201cI thought you wanted to talk to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the way I\u2019m talking tonight,\u201d Blair said as he made sweet love to his man and Jim didn\u2019t bitch one bit about it. <\/p>\n
Jim lay in Blair\u2019s arms half asleep afterwards and heard Max say, \u201cI\u2019m glad they still love each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo am I, bro, so am I.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled and went right to sleep. <\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
Family Life Part 25
\nLoving Jim
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
The next one will probably deal with friends at the work place. But for now, this is how I see Rafe acting. My God, it\u2019s a soap opera. LOL <\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,389<\/p>\n
Blair was in the break room getting a cup of coffee when Rafe walked in. \u201cGood morning, Rafe,\u201d he called out. <\/p>\n
Rafe walked over to him and whispered, \u201cHow much do you love Jim?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Why are you asking that?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been taking shit for the last month because of you. Do you love him enough to walk away from this relationship?\u201d Rafe asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you talking about? We have a family, Rafe. You know that,\u201d Blair commented as calmly as he could. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim could raise those boys alone and they would be much happier, I\u2019m sure. I\u2019m sure they take flack about you two, also. But I just want to know how much you love Jim,\u201d Rafe said again. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love him too much to walk away without saying anything, Rafe. I can\u2019t believe you\u2019re even suggesting it, knowing how Jim feels about me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim went down to records, so don\u2019t expect him to come and save your ass. I found out you don\u2019t love him at all. If you did, you would break up this relationship once and for all. Jim could go back to being just one of the guys instead of one of the guys that gets his ass ripped every time he leaves the bullpen. You\u2019re such a chicken shit, Sandburg,\u201d Rafe said as he walked out of the room. <\/p>\n
Blair just stood there, shocked. Was Jim getting verbally attacked every day when he left the bullpen? Was this true? Did Rafe hate them being together?<\/p>\n
Blair knew he loved Jim enough to give him up if he had to, but he honestly couldn\u2019t think up a reason that he could give Jim for breaking up. And he would need a damn good one. He didn\u2019t want to leave Jim anyhow, he loved him so much, it hurt sometimes. This was one of the times. <\/p>\n
Conner walked in and said, \u201cSandy, why do you look so down in the dumps?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cConner, have you heard anything going around the station about Jim being verbally attacked daily?\u201d Blair asked point blank. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs a matter of fact, I have heard something, but Jim can take care of things himself, so stop worrying anyhow. Who told you?\u201d Conner asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cRafe just told me and he\u2019s not happy about Jim and me being together. I had no idea he felt that way,\u201d Blair said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust ignore the nong. He\u2019s not a cobber of yours or he wouldn\u2019t have even mentioned it. You know you can trust me, right Sandy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I know I can. But if Jim is getting upset daily, I need to know what to do about it,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you plan on doing about it, mate?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I loved him enough, I would suggest we call it quits for awhile. At least until things calmed the fuck down,\u201d Blair said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the most onkus idea I\u2019ve ever heard of in my life. Settle down and ignore Rafe. He\u2019s the village idiot, Sandy and you know it. We need to go to a water hole and have some drinks,\u201d Megan assured Blair. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, onkus or not, I have to do some thinking,\u201d Blair stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as you\u2019re not going to listen to Rafe. He\u2019s just jealous of you and Jim\u2019s relationship. I\u2019ve always thought he had a thing for Jim. So it makes sense that he would try and break you up. It\u2019s not going to happen,\u201d Megan said flatly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got to get back to my desk so Jim doesn\u2019t know anything is up,\u201d Blair said walking out of the break room. <\/p>\n
Jim walked into the bullpen looking somewhat pissed off and Blair asked, \u201cProblems?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing I can\u2019t handle. Don\u2019t worry about it,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Blair knew he had been accosted by someone and that pissed him off big time. Why couldn\u2019t people just mind their own fucking business? He tried a smile for Jim but it didn\u2019t work. <\/p>\n
Jim thought Blair was upset because of his attitude, so Jim smiled and said, \u201cEverything is going to be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow long has this been going on?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Jim inquired, foolishly. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re taking shit from someone and you\u2019re not telling me about it. Everything isn\u2019t fine. Everything fucking sucks at this moment. I think we should take a break,\u201d Blair almost whispered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you talking about? Nothing is going on and we don\u2019t need any fucking breaks. Do you understand?\u201d Jim growled. <\/p>\n
\u201cGrowl all you want, but I think we need a slight break. I\u2019ve got a lot of thinking to do,\u201d Blair got up from his desk and walked out of the bullpen. <\/p>\n
Conner walked over and said, \u201cDid Sandy just ask you to call it quits?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s going on? What in the hell did I miss, while in records?\u201d Jim asked looking totally confused. <\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone has been an ear basher and Sandy got the shit end of the stick,\u201d Conner explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat in the hell does that even mean?\u201d Jim asked even more confused now. <\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone who talks too much,\u201d Conner said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWho\u2019s been talking to Sandburg?\u201d Jim asked outright. <\/p>\n
\u201cRafe, the drongo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTalk English, will you?\u201d Jim asked as nicely as he could in his present state of mind. <\/p>\n
\u201cRafe is a stupid person, it\u2019s as simple as that,\u201d Conner replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe told Blair about me being hassled didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, he did. And Blair thinks if he really loved you, he would stand aside,\u201d Conner explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh really? Where is Rafe?\u201d Jim asked looking around the bullpen and not finding him. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. Probably off hiding somewhere. He\u2019s a weasel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s going to be a dead weasel if he doesn\u2019t stay out of our business,\u201d Jim said to no one in particular. <\/p>\n
Jim saw Rafe walk into the bullpen and got up and met him before he sat down. \u201cI need to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim headed for the first interrogation room. Jim was so pissed off, he could have spit, if they were outside. <\/p>\n
Rafe walked in and said, \u201cWhat? I\u2019ve got things to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStay away from Sandburg. He\u2019s not going to break up with me and that\u2019s final. So you can forget about your little plan,\u201d Jim said angrily. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t a plan. I just told him you\u2019re being hassled and there was only one way to fix it,\u201d Rafe said just as angrily. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s none of your business. So drop it. Don\u2019t bring it up to him again,\u201d Jim said as he started out of the room. <\/p>\n
Rafe stopped him and said, \u201cAren\u2019t you tired of being hassled?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a matter of fact, I am tired of it. But I would never break up with Blair because of it. I would quit this job first,\u201d Jim spat back. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever\u2026\u201d Rafe walked out of the room and Jim never took his eyes off of him the entire way. <\/p>\n
Conner stopped him and said, \u201cI need to tell you something.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cRafe has a thing for you. Everyone knows, so it would make sense that he tries to break you up. He\u2019s such an ass, Jimbo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would I break up with Blair and then go to him? That makes no sense at all,\u201d Jim questioned. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe never makes sense. He\u2019s warm for your form,\u201d Conner said. <\/p>\n
\u201cStupid fucker,\u201d Jim said as he sat down at his desk and started working on something. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou can say that again,\u201d Conner responded. <\/p>\n
\u201cStupid fucker,\u201d Jim joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cTake Sandy to lunch and tell him whose boss,\u201d Conner instructed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI will. Thanks for your support, Conner,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
Blair walked in and sat down at his desk, but didn\u2019t say a word. Jim leaned into him and whispered, \u201cWe\u2019re going to lunch in a few minutes. We\u2019ll talk then.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, because I have some things to say,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll listen and then you\u2019ll listen. It\u2019ll be a good lunch,\u201d Jim assured him. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m ready whenever you are,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Jim went and told Simon they were leaving for lunch they walked down the stairs to the garage and got into Jim\u2019s SUV. <\/p>\n
The ride over to the restaurant was quick and without incident. Jim couldn\u2019t wait to talk to Blair. <\/p>\n
They arrived and sat in a booth for privacy. Jim figured they needed it for when he yelled at Blair. <\/p>\n
As soon as they sat down, Blair said, \u201cCan I start?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you can start,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was asked to give you up today, if I really loved you. Well, I must not love you enough because I\u2019m not giving you up. I love being with you, loving you and having a family with you. I can\u2019t imagine my life without you in it. So I\u2019m not giving you up. Everyone will have to get used to us being together and shut their fucking mouths,\u201d Blair ranted. <\/p>\n
\u201cWow, I don\u2019t have to yell at you. That\u2019s good, because I didn\u2019t want to yell. I love you too, babe and I don\u2019t want us to give up anything that we have. We shouldn\u2019t have to,\u201d Jim agreed. <\/p>\n
\u201cRafe can go fuck himself for all I care,\u201d Blair ranted some more. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just going to ignore him from this time on. He\u2019s not invited to our home for poker anymore,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t care if he comes to our home or not. I\u2019m ignoring him and that\u2019s all I\u2019m doing. I\u2019m not going to exclude him from things, because that will just make him angry and he\u2019ll start trouble. We don\u2019t need any trouble, babe. We\u2019ve got enough of that as it is. Now do you want to tell me about who is giving you grief?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just some of the traffic cops, if you can believe it. They razz me when I go down to records and say stupid shit. It\u2019s not a big deal. It just pisses me off,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you say anything back to them?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNope. I just ignore them totally,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cReport them to Simon. He needs to be aware of the situation. Do that today, okay?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sir, I\u2019ll do that today,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not kidding, Jim. I want them reported. They shouldn\u2019t be able to get away with that shit. They\u2019re feeling good about things because you\u2019re not saying anything. It\u2019s just what they wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI get it, Chief. Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019ll write up a report in Simon\u2019s office as soon as we get back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, now let\u2019s eat lunch and have a relaxing one at that,\u201d Blair said smiling once again. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love you, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you do. I love you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
When they got back to the station, Jim went right into Simon\u2019s office and filled out the paperwork. Blair could see Simon yelling at Jim and hoped he was yelling because he didn\u2019t say anything before then. He sure hoped it wasn\u2019t for turning those guys in. Blair would be very disappointed in Simon if he did that. <\/p>\n
Jim came out after about an hour and looked irritated. He sat down at his desk and smiled at Blair. \u201cIt\u2019s okay Chief. Simon was a good guy about it. Stop worrying.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, I was hoping Simon would be supportive,\u201d Blair said softly. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe was and he was pissed that I let it go on for so long. He\u2019s going to bring it up to their superior tomorrow, first thing. So maybe the razzing will stop for a few days at least.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim watched Rafe walk by and just glared at him. \u201cHe\u2019s not coming to our poker parties anymore. It\u2019s as simple as that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever you feel comfortable doing, is what\u2019s right. Now get some paper work done,\u201d Blair bossed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI feel better, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, I\u2019m glad. Now get busy on that work,\u201d Blair said smiling. <\/p>\n
Rafe walked by and said, \u201cI see who the boss in this household is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up, Rafe, no one asked for your opinion. And by the way, you\u2019re not invited to poker on Saturday night. You\u2019re not welcome at our home anymore,\u201d Jim said angrily. <\/p>\n
\u201cDid Hairboy tell you to do that?\u201d Rafe asked standing in front of Jim\u2019s desk. <\/p>\n
\u201cNope, I decided on my own. In fact, Blair wanted me to include you hoping we could remain friends. I told him it was too late. Now get the fuck away from my desk,\u201d Jim ordered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re such a wuss. Everyone thinks so. It\u2019s too bad that everyone is making fun of you behind your back. Even people you think are your friends,\u201d Rafe snarled as he turned and left the room. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you suppose there are others that don\u2019t like us together?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI could care less,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n
Conner walked up and said, \u201cI just heard what Rafe said and he\u2019s just making that up. We all love the two of you together. So stop worrying about things. Is the game still on for Saturday night?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled and said, \u201cYes, the game is still on. Thanks for being here for us, Megan.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my god, Sandy, he just called me Megan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair laughed and said, \u201cI\u2019ll see you on Saturday night. Still bringing chips and dip?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou betcha. I\u2019ll see you guys tomorrow,\u201d Conner said and walked over to her desk. On the way Rafe walked into the room and she tripped him, making him fall flat on his face. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh sorry, Rafe, I didn\u2019t see you,\u201d Conner said very sarcastically. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou stupid bitch. Don\u2019t think I don\u2019t know what you\u2019re doing. You\u2019re going to be sorry,\u201d Rafe growled. <\/p>\n
Jim smiled at his desk and wondered how Conner thought of this stuff. She was funny, that was for sure. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cWant to go home for the day? Then we can just hang with the boys tonight and get ready for the poker game tomorrow night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, let\u2019s get out of here,\u201d Jim agreed. <\/p>\n
They both said goodbye to Simon and took off for the day. <\/p>\n
Both of them knew that there might be some trouble next week from the traffic cops, but at least they were still together. Life wasn\u2019t always easy, but it was made a little bit nicer when you loved someone. They certainly did love someone. <\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
Family Life Part 26
\nFriends???
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 3,487 <\/p>\n
Saturday was coming up and everyone was making plans to go over to Jim and Blair\u2019s house for poker night when Rafe asked Jim, \u201cDo you mind if I come?<\/p>\n
Jim just looked at him in shock. Why in the world would he want to come? If he hated them together, what would be his reasoning? <\/p>\n
\u201cYou know what Rafe I think you\u2019d better pass on this one. Blair is still angry with you about what you said this last week,\u201d Jim explained quietly. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo because I don\u2019t agree with your living situation, I\u2019m an outcast now?\u201d Rafe asked loudly this time. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I guess you are,\u201d Jim answered and walked away. <\/p>\n
Jim went into the break room and Conner came in and said, \u201cYou\u2019re just making things worse. Now he\u2019ll have something new to bitch about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cConner, it\u2019s none of your business. So I would appreciate you sticking your nose out of our business,\u201d Jim said angrily, even though he wasn\u2019t really angry at Conner. <\/p>\n
\u201cJimbo, I\u2019m not trying to tell you what to do, but he could make a lot of problems for you and Sandy. I don\u2019t want to see that happen, either.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStop worrying, Conner. Everything will be fine,\u201d Jim said as he left the room. <\/p>\n
It amazed Jim at how much notice Rafe was getting and if Jim didn\u2019t know better he would say Rafe liked it. Were they ever friends? I mean, did Rafe ever consider Jim one of his close friends, or was it all a fa\u00e7ade? Jim found his heart hurting just a little bit and wondered why it bothered him so much. Rafe wasn\u2019t worth this worry. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Blair walked into the bullpen and said to Henri, \u201cSo are you ready to lose all of your money tomorrow night? <\/p>\n
Henri looked uncomfortable and said, \u201cOh man, I can\u2019t make it, Hairboy. Maybe next time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair had just talked to him on Monday and he had been coming. Blair sat down and said, \u201cHenri isn\u2019t coming tomorrow night. Do you know anything about that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would I know anything about Henri, Blair? I have a hard enough time keeping track of me,\u201d Jim answered angrily. Again, he wasn\u2019t angry at Blair, he wasn\u2019t sure who he was angry at. <\/p>\n
\u201cIs anyone coming?\u201d Blair asked Jim? <\/p>\n
\u201cI told Rafe not to come,\u201d Jim said simply. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh\u2026 That explains a few things. Bill down in records said he\u2019s not coming either. I thought that was odd, but I guess everyone is taking sides. Oh well, life goes on,\u201d Blair said trying to be upbeat about it. <\/p>\n
\u201cConner\u2019s coming,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIs Simon?\u201d Blair asked hopefully. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t you go and ask him,\u201d Jim advised. <\/p>\n
\u201cI will. I\u2019ll tell him it\u2019s his turn to bring the dips. How about Joel? Have you talked to Joel?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll go and talk to Joel, you go and talk to Simon,\u201d Jim said as he stood up to leave. <\/p>\n
Blair knocked on Simon\u2019s door and heard, \u201cWhat do you want, Sandburg?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that your new version of come in?\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it is not. What can I do for you?\u201d Simon asked looking busy. <\/p>\n
\u201cAre you going to be able to make it tomorrow night for poker?\u201d Blair asked optimistically. <\/p>\n
\u201cOr course I\u2019m coming. I\u2019m bringing the dips, remember? I lost the last hand, so I have to bring the dips for the next week. I already made them up last night,\u201d Simon said with a smile. <\/p>\n
\u201cHenri isn\u2019t coming, Bill isn\u2019t coming and Rafe isn\u2019t coming. So I was worried that no one would be coming,\u201d Blair said sounding a little sad. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, that\u2019s all the more dip for us, Sandburg. Now is there anything else, or are you going to let me get back to work?\u201d Simon inquired with a smile on his face. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s it. Work away, oh Captain, my Captain,\u201d Blair teased as he walked out the door. <\/p>\n
Simon smiled at Blair\u2019s retreating form and then sat down at his desk. He wondered what was going on that three people weren\u2019t coming. He hoped there wasn\u2019t trouble brewing. He sighed and got back to his paperwork. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Jim knocked on Joel\u2019s door and heard, \u201cCome in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim opened it and said, \u201cHow you doing this morning, Joel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m good Jim, how are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m great. I was checking to see if you were coming tomorrow night for poker,\u201d Jim said casually. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, I\u2019m going to be there,\u201d Joel answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, I know that there is some trouble going around the station right now and I don\u2019t want you put into the middle of it, Joel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I don\u2019t like office politics, I hate people who talk behind people\u2019s backs and I won\u2019t be pressured into making my decisions for my life. It\u2019s a simple as that,\u201d Joel explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cI take it Rafe is pressuring everyone to not come,\u201d Jim said sighing. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, he is. He\u2019s pissed off at you because you told him he couldn\u2019t come, Jim. Ignore him. He doesn\u2019t deserve to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJoel, he wanted Blair to break up with me. That\u2019s why I told him to not come,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cRafe wanted Blair to break up with you? That\u2019s insane. You have a family,\u201d Joel said angrily. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe said if Blair really loved me, he would give me up,\u201d Jim added. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s so full of shit. There is a traffic cop named Barnes and he\u2019s talking shit about you and Blair. He\u2019s friends with Rafe. So I\u2019m not surprised that Rafe said that. Barnes and Rafe can go fuck themselves,\u201d Joel said as he patted Jim on the back. <\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Joel. We\u2019ll see you tomorrow night,\u201d Jim said leaving Joel\u2019s office and heading back to his desk to get some work done. As he walked by Rafe, Rafe said, \u201cWhining to Joel again?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFuck you, Rafe. I was having coffee with a friend. Jealous?\u201d Jim asked as he walked off. <\/p>\n
Jim sat down angrily and started to do paperwork and Blair asked, \u201cWhat did Joel say?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh he\u2019s coming. Rafe just pissed me off again. God, he knows just how to do it too,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to go and talk to him,\u201d Blair said as he stood up. <\/p>\n
\u201cSit down, Chief. You won\u2019t say a word to him. He\u2019s friends with the guy in traffic that is starting all of the rumors and stuff downstairs. I don\u2019t want you near him if you can help it. I have a feeling that Rafe wouldn\u2019t even help us if we needed it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh Jim, I can\u2019t believe he would do that. I truly think he\u2019s confused, but he would never hurt us physically, or let us be hurt physically. I just can\u2019t believe Rafe would do that,\u201d Blair hoped. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s hurting us now, what\u2019s the difference?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
Henri walked by and said, \u201cI found out I can make it tomorrow night. Is it too late?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s never too late, Henri. Glad you can make it,\u201d Blair said happily. <\/p>\n
Jim smiled at him and knew that Henri must have decided to take a side. It shocked Jim that he chose their side, but was grateful, none the less. <\/p>\n
Jim was sitting there working on paperwork when Bill called from Records and Jim answered, \u201cEllison.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey Jim, it\u2019s Bill. Is it too late to say I\u2019m coming to the poker game?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s tomorrow night at 6:00. All the food you can eat and get ready to lose your money to money bags Sandburg,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
Blair smiled as Jim was talking. He didn\u2019t know who it was, but it was making Jim happy, that\u2019s all that mattered. <\/p>\n
Conner walked up and said, \u201cSandy, would you like to have lunch with me today?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cConner, as much as I would like to, I have lunch every day with Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, today you can bring him lunch back. I need to talk to someone,\u201d Conner said urgently this time. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, I\u2019ll bring him back something. Tell Simon we\u2019re leaving and we\u2019ll go now,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
Jim got off the phone and said, \u201cYou\u2019re bringing me back lunch? Is that what I heard?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, and you\u2019re not getting Wonderburger, so forget about it,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t blame a guy for trying, can you?\u201d Jim asked smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cWho was on the phone, Jim?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBill is coming tomorrow night after all, so it looks like we\u2019ll have a full house,\u201d Jim answered, cheerfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s good. Well, I\u2019m leaving with Conner. I\u2019ll bring you back some deli or something, okay?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s fine, Chief. I need to finish this paperwork before Simon kicks my butt anyway. See you soon. Have a good lunch, you two.\u201d Jim went back to his work and Blair and Conner walked out of the station. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Conner drove and took them to a Chinese restaurant that wasn\u2019t too far from the station. It had excellent food and they had take out. Jim was going to be very pleased with that. <\/p>\n
They got into the restaurant and got a booth and sat down to order. As soon as they sat down, they ordered and put in an order to go for Jim, the waitress walked away to get their drinks. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo what\u2019s going on, Conner?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWait until we have our drinks,\u201d Conner answered. <\/p>\n
The waitress showed up a couple of minutes later with their iced tea and walked away. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou have my attention, now what is going on?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cRemember that day when Jim got some chemicals on him and he had to take a shower in the locker room?\u201d Conner inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, that was about a month ago, why?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone took pictures of him while he was in the shower and they\u2019re selling them in traffic,\u201d Conner said softly. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re joking, right?\u201d Blair asked, in total shock. <\/p>\n
\u201cNope, I went down and ordered one today and this is what I got,\u201d Conner passed the manila envelope over to Blair. \u201cTell me if that\u2019s Jim or not.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair opened it up and looked at the picture and said, \u201cFuck. Who is doing this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is him, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Conner asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, it\u2019s him. This is beyond sick. I can\u2019t believe this shit is going down. I mean, everyone knows what he looks like naked now,\u201d Blair said somewhat shamefully. <\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you dare be embarrassed, you should be proud! He looks really good naked. Think how jealous a lot of the men would be if we gave the picture to all of the women in the station,\u201d Conner teased hoping that would help. <\/p>\n
\u201cConner, we have to report it to Simon. He\u2019s going to be so pissed off. Who did you buy it from, anyhow?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSome guy in traffic named Barnes. Do you know him?\u201d Conner asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I have no idea who that is. I wonder if that\u2019s the guy that Rafe knows,\u201d Blair guessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat would make sense. Okay, we\u2019re going to eat lunch, and then we\u2019re going to head back to the station and we\u2019ll have to tell Jim. There must be a camera in the locker room. Maybe we should have the locker room checked out before we tell Simon,\u201d Conner suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, let Simon be in charge. That\u2019s his call. It\u2019s his job. I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll get it taken care of quickly,\u201d Blair said sadly. <\/p>\n
They ate their lunch while talking about what Simon might do and before long Jim\u2019s lunch was brought out to them. Conner paid the bill and they left for the station. <\/p>\n
\u201cConner, I\u2019m going to let you take care of this, because otherwise Jim will know about it right away. I\u2019d rather have him not know at all,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cSandy, you can\u2019t protect Jim from this. He\u2019s got to know,\u201d Conner advised. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right of course. I just dread telling him. He\u2019s such a private man, this is going to kill him,\u201d Blair said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m looking at it in a different light. He looks really good naked. So now the other guys know what they\u2019re up against,\u201d Conner snickered. <\/p>\n
Blair tried to smile, but it didn\u2019t quite reach his eyes. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Jim was still finishing up his paperwork when he heard Blair get into the elevator. Jim could tell he was upset. Now what?<\/p>\n
Blair came walking through carrying the manila envelope and said, \u201cWith me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim got up and followed him to Simon\u2019s office door. Blair knocked and Simon opened it up and said, \u201cWhy do I get the feeling this is something I won\u2019t like?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is something you won\u2019t like,\u201d Blair stated and walked in and sat down. <\/p>\n
Simon said, \u201cCome on in, Jim, it looks like he\u2019s staying awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim went in and said, \u201cWhat\u2019s in the envelope, Chief?\u201d <\/p>\n
Blair handed it to Jim and watched as Jim opened it in front of Simon and himself. Both men saw Jim blush and Jim said, \u201cWhere in the hell did you get this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBarnes in Traffic is selling them. Conner bought that this morning. I thought Simon would like to see what\u2019s going on in his station house,\u201d Blair said very angrily. <\/p>\n
Simon looked at the photo and said, \u201cJim is this from the locker room, here?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim looked at the floor as he answered, shamefully, \u201cYes, I had to take a shower a while back and they must have a camera down there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Conner knocked on the door and said, \u201cI have an idea, anyone up for hearing it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Simon said, \u201cCome on in, I\u2019m up for anything that would help with this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to go downstairs and take a shower and we\u2019re going to send Henri to buy my photos tomorrow. Hell, they might have them ready today,\u201d Conner suggested. <\/p>\n
Jim looked alarmed and said, \u201cConner, then they\u2019ll see you naked.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I take really good care of this body, I don\u2019t care who sees it. And if we can get rid of some of the riff raff in this station, I\u2019m willing to do my part. Simon, are we on?\u201d Conner asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe need someone that isn\u2019t from Major Crimes buying it. Dan Wolfe would be a good candidate. No one would think anything of him buying one,\u201d Simon said evilly. <\/p>\n
Jim just looked at all of them like they were nuts. \u201cSir, I hate to point this out, but why would we have to put Conner through that? Let\u2019s go get the camera, take prints off of it and arrest Barnes for selling the photos.\u201d <\/p>\n
Simon looked like he hadn\u2019t thought about that at all and said, \u201cThat will be better. Conner you can strip next time.\u201d Simon knew she was disappointed and he tried not to laugh, but failed. <\/p>\n
Jim stood up and said, \u201cI\u2019m glad you think it\u2019s so humorous, Simon.\u201d Jim then proceeded to walk out of the room and headed for the elevator. <\/p>\n
Simon, Conner and Blair caught up to him and got on to the elevator. They all rode down to the locker room and got out and started looking for the camera. Jim listened and heard a video running and found the camera without much trouble at all. He put gloves on put the camera in a bag for prints. Then they all checked for another one, just in case. They looked all over the shower area and the dressing room area. They found another one in the women\u2019s shower. <\/p>\n
Blair couldn\u2019t believe that they would soon have this taken care of and maybe Barnes would be fired or arrested or both.<\/p>\n
Simon took the cameras down to the evidence room, signed them in and asked to have prints taken off both cameras. Then they all headed upstairs to wait for the results. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Simon was sitting in his office when he got the phone call about the prints. He sighed and called Joel to help him. He had told him what was going on and Joel wanted to help with the takedown. <\/p>\n
Joel went walking up to Rafe and said, \u201cBrian Rafe, you\u2019re under arrest for selling porn at the station. You\u2019re also under arrest for taking said porn. So you\u2019re not just selling it, you\u2019re filming it without a person\u2019s knowledge. You have the right to remain silent, and I would strongly suggest you use that right.\u201d Joel read him the rest of his rights and then put the handcuffs on him. <\/p>\n
Megan Conner and Henri Brown went downstairs and arrested Philip Barnes for the same charges and got his two accomplices with ease. They took all down to booking and everyone was finger printed and put in a holding cell. <\/p>\n
Jim didn\u2019t have anything to do with the arrests, because Simon was afraid that would blow the case sky high. <\/p>\n
Once the news got around, everyone was super nice to Jim and this pissed him off even more. If it wouldn\u2019t have been for Conner, his pictures would still be floating around the station. And what about all of the pictures that already were around? How embarrassing for the entire station. <\/p>\n
Jim walked into Simon\u2019s office and said, \u201cSimon, I\u2019m going to resign.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are not. If I can\u2019t resign, you can\u2019t. It\u2019ll blow over soon enough, Jim. How about a week off to let things calm down around here?\u201d Simon asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou have no idea how embarrassing this is for me. I\u2019m a very private person and now everyone knows what I look like naked,\u201d Jim said looking at the floor. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I don\u2019t know if this will help or not, but you look really good naked. Joel and I both hate your guts,\u201d Simon stated. <\/p>\n
Jim looked up and smiled. \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah, you look like we wish we did. So be proud of it instead of ashamed. Blair\u2019s probably having one blown up right this moment for the bedroom,\u201d Simon teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cVery funny, Simon. You truly believe this will all blow over?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, it will all blow over. Now let\u2019s get back to work,\u201d Simon ordered. <\/p>\n
\u201cActually, it\u2019s time for us to take off for the day. So we\u2019ll talk to you tomorrow,\u201d Jim said as he left the room. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair left and Simon found Joel and said, \u201cSo what is Rafe saying to his lawyer?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s saying that he was forced to do it or be labeled gay. He said he was forced to do it by Barnes and they\u2019re talking community service for punishment right now. That\u2019s what they\u2019re going to ask the judge for anyhow,\u201d Joel said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I hope the judge is tough on him and gives him a lot of community service to do. It would only be right,\u201d Simon stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cWould he be able to stay in this station house?\u201d Joel asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNot if I can help it. I\u2019m going to see what my options are. But right now, let\u2019s worry about Jim and Blair. This is going to be hard on them. Jim tried to resign today,\u201d Simon remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell we certainly aren\u2019t going to let that happen, are we?\u201d Joel asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we\u2019re not. Tomorrow won\u2019t be soon enough for a poker night. We all need this,\u201d Simon commented. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
The drive home from the station was pretty quiet with Jim and Blair. Blair finally couldn\u2019t stand it any longer. \u201cTell me how you feel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like crap. Everyone knows what I look like naked now,\u201d Jim said blushing. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, we all knew what you looked like before the pictures. This isn\u2019t he first time you took a shower in the locker room. I saw you many times before we started dating, so it\u2019s no big deal. Well, it is a big deal, but only if you let them win,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just a little embarrassed and hurt right now,\u201d Jim ranted. <\/p>\n
\u201cCan you still work with Rafe knowing he helped do this?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t care, one way or the other,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you do,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, it hurt my feelings to learn that a friend of mine helped do this. But I\u2019ve got to get past that. I don\u2019t want him fired. He\u2019s been a good cop for years. He\u2019s still a good cop, he just got sidetracked.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThings will be better after poker night, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right. Things will be better, but I wish this wouldn\u2019t have had to happen at all,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love you, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you thinking of blowing up the picture to poster size for our bedroom?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
Blair blushed and said, \u201cWho told you that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSimon said something to that effect. That makes me feel better,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI could always put it in our walk-in closet,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cI could always beat your butt,\u201d Jim said laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cThings will be better each day, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, Chief. I love you too.\u201d<\/p>\n
The end <\/p>\n
Patt<\/p>\n
Family Life Part 27
\nTrouble in Paradise
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 3,894 Angst abounds, but ends well. Don\u2019t worry, okay? <\/p>\n
Blair woke up to an empty bed, again. This was the fourth time this week that Jim had been on stakeout. Blair was beginning to believe that Jim was volunteering to be on them. Ever since that thing with Rafe and Barnes, Jim had been different. It had been two weeks since it all came about and Blair was going without. Not that sex is everything, but it sure is nice now and then. Jim always had an excuse ready. He was tired. He didn\u2019t feel like it. He was too busy thinking about other things at work right then. He rarely saw Jim anymore. When Blair worked, Jim slept. Jim saw the boys more then he did him and Blair wasn\u2019t a happy camper about it at all. <\/p>\n
Blair went downstairs and took his shower and got dressed for work. He knew that Jim would be coming home exhausted in about an hour. Blair was going to talk to him today. He walked into the kitchen and picked up the phone. <\/p>\n
\u201cBanks,\u201d Simon answered, grumbling. <\/p>\n
\u201cHi Simon, it\u2019s me. Could I be a little late today?\u201d Blair asked pitifully. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, you\u2019ve been working long hours every day anyway. Stay home today if you want to,\u201d Simon offered. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh wow, thank you, Simon. That would be great,\u201d Blair said before he hung up the phone. <\/p>\n
He then started breakfast. He made pancakes, omelets and hash browns for everyone. The house smelled great when Jim walked in. <\/p>\n
\u201cHey Chief, the house smells wonderful. I\u2019m starving,\u201d Jim said happily. <\/p>\n
It was the first time Blair had seem him smile in a long while. Blair thought maybe things were looking up.<\/p>\n
Drew and Max walked down the stairs and Max said, \u201cOh man, I love when you make a nice breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou make it sound like I never feed you all,\u201d Blair whined. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, this looks great,\u201d Jim said as he sat down at the table to eat. He seemed like he was in a good mood. Blair was glad of that. <\/p>\n
Blair dished up everyone\u2019s plate and then sat down himself and ate some breakfast. \u201cWhat brought this on?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just in an incredible mood today and wanted to share it with all three of you,\u201d Blair admitted. <\/p>\n
Drew smiled and said, \u201cYou can be in an incredible mood anytime you want if we get to eat like this. This was great. Thank you, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are most welcome, Drew.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat he said,\u201d Max agreed and smiled hoping Blair would know how much it meant to both of them. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, you guys need to get hopping so you won\u2019t be late for school. Come on, I\u2019ll take you when you\u2019re ready,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
They jumped up, cleared the table and put it all in the sink for later and walked up the stairs to get ready for school. Blair went into the kitchen without saying a word to Jim and started doing dishes. <\/p>\n
Jim walked in and said, \u201cLeave it. I\u2019ll do it after you take the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I\u2019ve got plenty of time. Go take a shower and rest,\u201d Blair ordered. Jim smiled at him and had an odd look on his face. Blair knew he was trying to figure out what Blair was up to. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going to be late for work, if you take the boys. Why don\u2019t you let me take them when they\u2019re ready? Jim wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, that\u2019s fine. I told Simon I was going to be late today. Don\u2019t worry about it. I\u2019ve got it covered,\u201d Blair said sweetly, making Jim smile. <\/p>\n
Jim walked upstairs, got his sleeping clothes and got into the shower and was out in record time. \u201cI\u2019m bushed, babe. I\u2019ll see you tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSleep well, Jim,\u201d Blair said happily and this bothered Jim even more. He knew that Blair was up to something. He could smell it in the air. Pheromones were all over the place. Why was Blair turned on before he went to work? Jim hoped that he didn\u2019t have to deal with Blair today. Jim was tired. He\u2019d been sitting in a van with Henri Brown and Megan Conner for the last four nights. Jim was about to go nuts. But they needed someone to listen. Well, Simon needed someone to listen. Conner knew about his senses, but Henri didn\u2019t. So he was bored out of his mind and exhausted from sitting on his fat ass. He could feel it getting fatter as each day went by. Jim hadn\u2019t worked out at the gym in a week and he felt like a big old tub of lard. <\/p>\n
Jim walked up the stairs and wondered why Blair was being so nice to him. After all, Jim was avoiding him like the plague for a stupid reason, but he had to think and he couldn\u2019t think when he was having sex with Blair. His cock did all of the thinking and Jim needed to figure out what was going to happen with he and Blair from this day forth. <\/p>\n
Jim had to tell Blair the news about him leaving for two weeks, but he didn\u2019t think today would be a good day for it. Although, maybe he should tell him now, so it had time to sink in by tonight. Jim walked back down the stairs and said, \u201cBlair, I forgot to tell you something important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew and Max came down that very moment and said, \u201cOh man, we\u2019re going to be late.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, we\u2019ll get you there in time, don\u2019t you worry,\u201d Blair said smiling. \u201cJim, I\u2019ll talk to you later on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cOkay, it\u2019ll keep.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair took the boys to school and drove back to the loft. He was excited about catching Jim off guard and hoped that he could get some information from him while he was at it. Blair let himself into the loft and Jim looked over the railing and said, \u201cWhy are you home?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome down and tell me what you had to tell me earlier. You said it was important,\u201d Blair ordered and Jim did as he was told. <\/p>\n
Once Jim was downstairs, he sat down on the bar stool and said, \u201cSit, it might take a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair sat down next to him and said, \u201cShoot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to be leaving for two weeks as of tomorrow morning. I\u2019m going to Seattle and I\u2019m in a special conference for forensic science. I told Simon it sounded like a good idea and he signed me up for it. It\u2019s a two week course, so I\u2019ll be gone for two weeks. I just wanted to let you know. I just found out about it last night, so I didn\u2019t want to call and wake you up to tell you the news.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair just sat there in shock. \u201cSo, you\u2019ll be leaving for Seattle for two weeks, do I understand that correctly?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, two weeks. I was going to tell you about it today. It\u2019s a really great class, Blair. I wanted to do it,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou are so full of fucking bullshit, you have convinced even yourself, haven\u2019t you?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, there is no conference in Seattle. I would know about it first. Simon wouldn\u2019t have sent you alone, he would have sent us both. So do you want to tell me what\u2019s going on?\u201d Blair said as he stood up and began to pace. <\/p>\n
Jim knew he was in trouble. He never thought about this reaction. He thought about many things, but Blair not believing him wasn\u2019t one of them. \u201cWhat do you mean there is no conference? There most certainly is. Call and see,\u201d Jim dared him. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is going on with us, Jim?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m leaving for two weeks Blair. I feel like we could use a break anyhow,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve been gone from the house for two weeks already. Now another two weeks, are you planning on telling me when you find someone else or what?\u201d Blair asked sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cSee, there you go making it into something it\u2019s not. I need some time away. Okay? I have things on my mind and I need to think about them. I don\u2019t want to leave you, but I have to right now,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did I do?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t do anything. Neither of us did anything, but I need time to think. I\u2019m confused right now,\u201d Jim said sounding just as sad as Blair did. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, first of all, it\u2019s not your fault that Rafe got fired. He brought that on himself. It\u2019s not your fault that he can\u2019t find work anywhere. Again, he brought that all on himself. It\u2019s not your fault that people at work are talking about us from time to time. It happens. Grow a set, Jim. Tell me what\u2019s really wrong,\u201d Blair pleaded with him. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure how I feel about us right now. I\u2019m confused. I don\u2019t know if I want us to be together anymore,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you say that? Pack your shit and leave. No one is stopping you,\u201d Blair said angrily. <\/p>\n
\u201cSee, I knew you would get all defensive about it. I need to think, I don\u2019t need to move. I\u2019m taking two weeks and when I come home I\u2019ll have answers,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I have answers now and my answer is I don\u2019t\u2019 want to be with you anymore. So please pack a bag and leave. I\u2019ll tell the boys about us breaking up in a week or two. They won\u2019t even notice you\u2019re gone. You\u2019ve been absent from everything in their life for the last two weeks and left me to handle everything. So go fuck yourself, Jim Ellison. I don\u2019t need you. I sure as hell don\u2019t think the boys need someone who takes off when he can\u2019t handle a situation. So like I said, pack a bag and leave for your two weeks, but then you get your own place. You can see the boys whenever you want to, but I don\u2019t want to talk to you about any of this here or at work from this point on. Good luck.\u201d Blair walked to the door and slammed it shut as he left. <\/p>\n
Blair got downstairs to the SUV before his eyes started misting over. <\/p>\n
Jim was a chicken shit. Blair couldn\u2019t believe it. He never thought Jim would bow down to the asses at work, but that\u2019s what he was doing. Blair drove to work and tried not to think about anything. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Conner saw Sandy come into the bullpen and was shocked. Simon had said he had the day off. She was hoping that Sandy and Jim would work some of their problems out. She could see the strain on Jim. Now she could see it on Sandy\u2019s face too. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning, Sandy, could I see you in the interrogation room one?\u201d Megan asked sweetly. <\/p>\n
\u201cConner, I don\u2019t have time for this shit. We broke up, it\u2019s done with and life goes on,\u201d Blair said sitting at his desk pulling his papers out to start the day. <\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me? You broke up?\u201d Conner whispered. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not a secret, Conner. He\u2019s been avoiding me for two weeks. Now he needs two weeks to think about things. I don\u2019t think so. I have two boys to care for. I haven\u2019t got time for this shit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Conner didn\u2019t say anything in return. She just turned and walked over to her desk. Blair could see that she was blowing her nose and wiping her eyes. God, he hated women sometimes. <\/p>\n
Blair got up and went to her desk and said, \u201cFollow me.\u201d<\/p>\n
They walked into interrogation room one and Blair shut the door. \u201cDon\u2019t cry over me and Jim while we\u2019re at work. I don\u2019t ask for much, but I need to stay strong and I can\u2019t if my best mate is crying. So do me a favor and promise you won\u2019t from this moment on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSandy, what happened? Where did this all go wrong?\u201d Conner wanted to know. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s never been the same since Rafe got fired. He blames himself for Barnes and Rafe. So do a lot of people that work here,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat doesn\u2019t mean he has to leave you, or you leave him. It just means you need to work on it,\u201d Conner advised. <\/p>\n
\u201cConner, I have been working on it. He doesn\u2019t want me anymore. I asked him to move out today. Now I have to tell the boys when they get home from school that it will just be me living there,\u201d Blair said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cGod, Sandy, what is wrong with him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. If I knew I would fix it. But it can\u2019t be fixed now. It\u2019s too late,\u201d Blair said sounding sadder by the moment. <\/p>\n
Blair\u2019s phone went off and it was Jim. Blair sighed and answered it, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you ever fucking tell me what to do again. If I want to leave, I\u2019ll leave. If I want to stay, I\u2019ll stay. You can\u2019t tell me to fucking move. This is our home. Both of us live here,\u201d Jim ranted. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, only I have been living there for the last two weeks. And tomorrow you\u2019re leaving for two weeks, so that will be four weeks. I\u2019m not putting up with it. I don\u2019t know what\u2019s wrong with you, but get over it and move out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not moving. I\u2019m not doing that to those kids. They\u2019ve never had a real life. We can\u2019t separate and make their life miserable. Don\u2019t you understand that?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo you just want us to live in the same house, sleep in the same room as if nothing is wrong?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI need to get my head on straight,\u201d Jim said hoping Blair would understand that. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the problem, Jim. You\u2019re not straight. You\u2019re gay. You\u2019re a fucking fag, get used to it.\u201d Blair closed his cell phone and stormed out of the room. <\/p>\n
Conner had never seen Blair so angry in his life or her life. Suddenly she felt sorry for Jim Ellison. Then she smiled. <\/p>\n
Blair walked into Simon\u2019s office and shut the door. <\/p>\n
\u201cI thought you were taking the day off,\u201d Simon stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was, but Jim broke up with me and told me he\u2019s leaving for two weeks. I told him to move and get out of our lives. We had words and I think he might be coming down here to have more words and make a fool out of himself,\u201d Blair said quickly. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, why don\u2019t you seem that upset about this?\u201d Simon asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI realized, he still loves me, the stupid jerk. What is wrong with him, Simon? Has he said anything to you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe mentioned that a few officers at the station are giving him a hard time. I asked him who and he said it didn\u2019t matter. He would take care of things. I thought he meant at home, not here,\u201d Simon remarked. \u201cWhat\u2019s this shit about two weeks?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said you were sending him to Seattle for a conference. He actually thought I was going to fall for that. He was pissed when I didn\u2019t. What should I do, Simon?\u201d Blair asked honestly. <\/p>\n
\u201cTo tell you the truth, I don\u2019t have a clue, but when he gets here, maybe you could take him home and fuck his brains out. He\u2019s not using the ones he has right now, so he could afford to lose some,\u201d Simon teased. \u201cOh shit, here comes Ellison and he looks really pissed off. What the fuck did you say to him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told him he was a fucking fag,\u201d Blair said smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh God help us,\u201d Simon said as Jim opened the door and walked in and slammed it shut. <\/p>\n
\u201cSimon, I would like some time alone with Sandburg, here,\u201d Jim shouted. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, this is my office, remember?\u201d Simon pointed out. <\/p>\n
\u201cCould I please use your office for a few minutes to talk to Blair?\u201d Jim said sounding calmer. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll stick around to make sure you don\u2019t do anything stupid,\u201d Simon commented slyly. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, go fuck yourself and then move,\u201d Blair lashed out first thing. <\/p>\n
\u201cSee, this is how he\u2019s talking to me. How in the fuck do you talk to someone that talks like that to you?\u201d Jim wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, you\u2019re a fag, right?\u201d Blair asked sounding much calmer himself. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hate that word,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAre you or aren\u2019t you?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I am,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cThen it must be me that\u2019s the problem. So I\u2019ll move out, you stay at the house and I\u2019ll move,\u201d Blair said sounding upset. <\/p>\n
Jim walked closer to Blair and he said, \u201cI don\u2019t want either of us to move.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToo bad, Jim. One of us has to leave. I love you, so I\u2019ll do the moving,\u201d Blair said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love you too,\u201d Jim answered softly. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou have a really odd way of showing it to me,\u201d Blair reminded him. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m confused. These guys down in traffic razz me day and night about how I let you fuck me and what a chicken shit I am now. It was making me crazy in the head hearing this every day,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo you thought the best thing to do was ignoring me and stop loving me?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, I didn\u2019t plan it out very well. I was confused. I\u2019m still confused. I\u2019m ready to quit the force. That\u2019s how bad it\u2019s been,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to go home and talk about this and we\u2019ll decide what to do from then on. Simon, we might be giving our notice,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh no, no one gets to leave before I retire. That\u2019s a rule I made up a long time ago. It was bad enough when Rafe had to go, now I can\u2019t stand losing two officers that I really like and admire. Go home and discuss this until it works. I\u2019m not accepting resignations from either of you,\u201d Simon commanded as he opened up his door for them to leave. <\/p>\n
They walked down the stairs and got to the parking garage without saying a word to each other. Both men knew there was a time and a place for this talk, and work wasn\u2019t it. <\/p>\n
Three guys from traffic came up and said, \u201cWell look, it\u2019s Ellison with his fuck buddy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim just stood there and didn\u2019t say or do anything and Blair said, \u201cMan, kick his ass.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim tore into all three of them in two seconds flat. He kicked, slugged hit, pulled hair, there wasn\u2019t much he wasn\u2019t doing. Blair just leaned against the SUV and watched his man kick ass. Blair was getting hard just watching him do it. <\/p>\n
The three guys got up off the floor of the garage and said, \u201cWe\u2019re going to report you, Ellison.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair smiled at them and said, \u201cI can\u2019t wait. The gay dude took on three of you guys and won. This will look really good on your record. Go ahead, report it. Right now. As I said before, I can\u2019t wait. Oh, and I took some pictures on my camera, that was in my pocket. So I\u2019m going to post them daily for the next week. This is going to be fun, dudes. You\u2019ve given me a new reason for living.\u201d <\/p>\n
The three guys looked from one to another and Martinez said, \u201cJust keep to yourself, Ellison.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLike I want to be anywhere near you guys,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll let it go this time, but next time, you won\u2019t be so lucky,\u201d Carter said. <\/p>\n
\u201cCarter, I\u2019m posting your picture tomorrow, first thing. I think you liked Jim fighting you. Sure looked like it was fun,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hate you Sandburg. Stay away from us,\u201d Carter said. <\/p>\n
\u201cCarter, we aren\u2019t going near you. You went near us. Now, stay away from us, or the pictures will find there way onto the break rooms. God, I have a great printer to print these up with. They\u2019ll make them look like we\u2019re all right there. This is going to be fun, boys.\u201d Blair leaned back again and smiled. <\/p>\n
Finally the third one named Jones said, \u201cYou win. But just watch your backs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, Jones, that was a threat, so you\u2019re picture is going up on the board. Bulletin Boards are a wonderful invention, aren\u2019t they? You\u2019ve got a big mouth and I don\u2019t intend to be bossed around by you. Nope. We\u2019ll take care of it our way. You\u2019re pussy\u2019s. He took on three of you without even sweating. You crack me up. You\u2019re wusses, that\u2019s even worse then pusses. So stay away from us. And just watch the boards. You never know when the spirit will move me,\u201d Blair said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cCome on Chief, there is nothing more to see here,\u201d Jim said smiling at his love and they both got into Jim\u2019s vehicle. <\/p>\n
As soon as they shut the doors, they both burst out laughing. \u201cJim, why didn\u2019t you kick their asses before today?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought you would be upset with me if I did,\u201d Jim admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou were trying to please me? Oh you silly man. I got hard watching you kick their asses. You kick ass good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim started laughing as he tore out of the parking lot and headed home. He had some more things to do at the house. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Once they were home, Blair couldn\u2019t wait to get Jim upstairs. They had a lot of things to talk about, but they needed sex even more. Jim needed to mark his territory and Blair wanted him to. They had come very close to losing all of this. Blair put the camera on his dresser with care. He didn\u2019t want anything to happen to those pictures. They were going to be worth a thousand words. <\/p>\n
Jim stripped Blair in seconds and had him exactly where he wanted him. Blair of course didn\u2019t put up much of a fight. Jim was showing Blair just who was boss and Blair was getting in to it. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Simon watched the kickass show on the video feed. He called Megan, Brown and Joel in to watch it the second time he watched it. They all laughed their asses off. <\/p>\n
Simon smiled and said, \u201cWho thought it was funny watching Blair watch leaning against Jim\u2019s SUV?\u201d<\/p>\n
They all raised their hands and Simon laughed even more. \u201cI\u2019ve made a copy for each of the Captains for the different departments. I wanted to let them know what was going on. So they\u2019re all watching this same video that we are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brown said, \u201cThey\u2019re never going to live this down.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope not. I don\u2019t want this shit happening in our station. Jim and Blair need to stay put and they will when there are people surrounding them that like them for who they are,\u201d Simon remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are the dynamic duo?\u201d Joel asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cGod, I only hope they\u2019re at home, in bed. If they\u2019re not, I might have to kick some ass myself,\u201d Simon commented while laughing quite heartedly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure they are doing just fine,\u201d Conner said. <\/p>\n
And they were. <\/p>\n
The end. <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 28
\nA Better Tomorrow
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,619 not including the recipes at the end. (They are another 326 words.) <\/p>\n
Blair woke up to an empty bed and didn\u2019t like it one bit. There was a note on his pillow and he opened it with dread. The night before had been very passionate and he was hoping that they would have at least one day of happiness before something changed it. <\/p>\n
He read the poem Jim had written and loved it. Blair had bought a book of poems for Jim ages ago and told Jim to write down one for him now and then to let him know he was thinking of him. Blair\u2019s eyes got a little misty. Jim still loved him and he was in heaven about it.
\nA BETTER TOMORROW
\nby Yvonne Warren
\nI never knew there would be a better tomorrow
\nBut you’ve come into my life and taken away all my sorrow
\nMy days of sadness are a thing of the past
\nBecause I have found true love at last
\nMy days of emptiness are gone for good
\nBecause you fill a void in my heart that you should
\nYou’ve opened a window
\nYou’ve shown me the light
\nAnd my love for you will continue to burn bright.
\nDear Blair,
\nI had to go to the station. Simon called, so just stay in bed and wait for me to come back home as soon as I can. I already told Simon we needed some time off and he said that was fine. Get the boys off to school and we\u2019ll talk when I get back. I love you,
\nJim
\n!!!!!!!!!!
\nBlair went downstairs and got into the shower and got himself presentable for the boys. <\/p>\n
Max and Drew came walking out of their bathroom and looked like death warmed over. <\/p>\n
\u201cIs something wrong, guys?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe both were sick this morning, but we\u2019re doing better now. We have tests today and don\u2019t want to miss them,\u201d Max explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf you guys are really sick, you need to stay home,\u201d Blair instructed. <\/p>\n
\u201cReally, Blair, we\u2019re fine. We\u2019re just glad that you and Jim worked things out again and you seem to be back to normal,\u201d Drew said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe were always good, we just forgot for a moment. We\u2019re sorry we worried you,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going on field trips today, so we need to pack a lunch for it,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going on the same field trip?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, mine is to a museum and Drew\u2019s is to the rec center for drug and alcohol abuse. I think his might be more exciting,\u201d Max teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you give up on yours yet, Max. I love the museums that we used to go to when I was in school. I\u2019ll pack your lunches,\u201d Blair said opening up the fridge. There were two sack lunches waiting for them with their names on them, written by Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cLooks like Jim beat me to it. He must have been up at the crack of dawn,\u201d Blair assumed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI heard him answer the phone at about 4:30 this morning. I actually thought you would both be gone today when we got up,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo are you and Jim okay?\u201d Max asked carefully. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re better then okay. We\u2019re perfect. Don\u2019t worry so much, boys. Every now and then you have to have a bad day or week. It\u2019s to be expected. Ours was last week. Everything is smelling like roses,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
Max and Drew ate their breakfast, happily when they heard everything was all right. <\/p>\n
Once they were ready, Blair took them to school and dropped them off. \u201cSee you boys at the house this afternoon. We might be off for the week. If we are, we might do something fun with some of the time off,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Blair arrived home, and went upstairs and disrobed as quickly as he could. He wanted to sleep a little while longer and be naked when Jim woke him up. You could not blame him for that. <\/p>\n
Blair snuggled under the covers and tried to go right back to sleep. He didn\u2019t sleep too much these days and it had caught up with him. Now he was exhausted, plus Jim had him up most of the night, making love to him. Oh the things this Guide had to do for his Sentinel. That was the last thought on his mind as he drifted into a nice dream filled sleep. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Jim carried groceries into the loft and noticed that it was quiet, so he figured that Blair was catching up on some missed sleep. Jim put all of the groceries away and drank some orange juice. He listened for his loves heart beat and heard it beating very quickly and it scared Jim. Jim rushed up the stairs, not knowing what to expect. <\/p>\n
There was Blair lying on top of the covers, whacking off, having a very good time, smiling at Jim while he did it. Jim slipped out of his clothing very quickly and got into bed next to Blair and moved down and took Blair\u2019s hands off his cock. Instead Jim covered Blair\u2019s cock with his warm, inviting mouth. Blair pushed his cock up to meet each bit of suction that Jim was using. He was close to coming already and was disappointed about that. Jim could tell that Blair was disgusted with himself for having no control, so Jim slowed down. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo babe, I want to come. Let me come,\u201d Blair begged. <\/p>\n
Jim moved up Blair\u2019s body and kissed his lips and whispered, \u201cI love you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRecite a poem to me, Jim. Make me horny with words,\u201d Blair pleaded. <\/p>\n
\u201cA Special World
\n(by Sheelagh Lennon)
\nA special world for you and me
\nA special bond one cannot see
\nIt wraps us up in its cocoon
\nAnd holds us fiercely in its womb.<\/p>\n
Its fingers spread like fine spun gold
\nGently nestling us to the fold
\nLike silken thread it holds us fast
\nBonds like this are meant to last.<\/p>\n
And though at times a thread may break
\nA new one forms in its wake
\nTo bind us closer and keep us strong
\nIn a special world, where we belong.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh man, I loved that. You were reading the book this morning when the phone rang weren\u2019t you?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I was reading up on some good poems to woo you with. I thought that one worked for what we\u2019ve been through lately. I adore you, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair kissed Jim, longingly and softly said, \u201cAnother one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust One Wish
\n(by Courtney Kuchta)
\nIf I could have just one wish,
\nI would wish to wake up everyday
\nto the sound of your breath on my neck,
\nthe warmth of your lips on my cheek,
\nthe touch of your fingers on my skin,
\nand the feel of your heart beating with mine…
\nKnowing that I could never find that feeling
\nwith anyone other than you.\u201d <\/p>\n
Blair flipped Jim on his back and kissed him hard. Then he moved down and began to suck Jim\u2019s cock with earnest. <\/p>\n
Jim decided to give two things to Blair, a poem and his love juice. Because Jim was close already. Reciting poetry was hot to Jim. Evidentially it was to Blair too. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I Love About You
\n(by Crystal Jansen)
\nI love the way you look at me,
\nYour eyes so bright and blue.
\nI love the way you kiss me,
\nYour lips so soft and smooth.<\/p>\n
I love the way you make me so happy,
\nAnd the ways you show you care.
\nI love the way you say, “I Love You,”
\nAnd the way you’re always there.<\/p>\n
I love the way you touch me,
\nAlways sending chills down my spine.
\nI love that you are with me,
\nAnd glad that you are mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair began to suck harder and harder and Jim came with a loud growl and mumbled Chief into the air. <\/p>\n
Jim got his breathing under control and flipped Blair over onto his back and worked his way down to Blair\u2019s cock and began to lick and suck until Blair was begging for more.<\/p>\n
Jim sucked Blair in as deep as he could take him over and over again until Blair came with a howl and petting Jim\u2019s head with love. Jim thought it was one of the sweetest things he had ever done. <\/p>\n
Jim crawled back up to the head of the bed and snuggled with Blair. \u201cI love you, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you, too. Thank you for the poem\u2019s, they made my day,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t keep fucking up things. We have the boys to look after first and foremost. They should always be first, right?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, we come first, then the boys. So if we have bad days, they\u2019ll get used to us having bad days. Everyone has them. It doesn\u2019t mean the person has to leave them. We love those boys enough to make them strong. They won\u2019t worry so much as time goes on,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re never going to believe who called me today,\u201d Jim said casually. <\/p>\n
\u201cWho?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cRafe, he wanted to come and talk to us tomorrow if we had time to discuss something with him,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re considering talking to Rafe after all the shit he pulled?\u201d Blair was in shock. <\/p>\n
\u201cChief, I told him we\u2019d give him fifteen minutes. No more. And I would think nothing of throwing him out. He said he wanted to apologize and ask us something,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think you\u2019re setting us up for trouble. He\u2019s probably doing it as a joke for someone,\u201d Blair said honestly. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat might be true, but I\u2019m giving him the benefit of the doubt and I\u2019m willing to listen to him for fifteen minutes. You taught me to give second chances. If we gave one to each other, why shouldn\u2019t he get one?\u201d Jim inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, you\u2019re not in love with him, right?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
Jim burst out laughing and said, \u201cYou have nothing to worry about. I\u2019m just giving him a second chance. He might surprise us, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cI\u2019ve got to get out of bed, or I\u2019ll fall asleep again. The boys will think their dad\u2019s are lazy lugs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair laughed outright and said, \u201cI\u2019ve never heard you say that before.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLazy lugs?\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cTheir dad\u2019s. I like that sound, don\u2019t you?\u201d Blair remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I do. They\u2019re too old to start calling us dad or dads or whatever. But it would have been nice having a little once calling us that,\u201d Jim agreed. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut I really love the boys. I don\u2019t care what they call us. They\u2019re such good boys, that it\u2019s been a dream come true, don\u2019t you agree?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, Blair, I agree.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat should we make for dinner tonight?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cHow about meatloaf, Italian meatloaf?\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh I love your Italian Meatloaf. We\u2019ll have the Italian Twice Baked Potatoes to go with it,\u201d Blair decided. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd no Italian meal would be right without the Italian Green Beans. So we\u2019ll make that too. I just happened to pick up all of this stuff on the way home today. Wow, will wonders never cease?\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cClever boy,\u201d Blair joked back, kissing Jim as they got out of bed. Both men got dressed and went downstairs to start dinner preparations. When the boys got home every day, they were starving, so Jim decided they would have it all set so that dinner would be early since they were all home already. <\/p>\n
The two men cooked side by side as they made up the three dishes. Blair said, \u201cGod, this smells good already and we haven\u2019t even baked it yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, I\u2019m starving now, so how about a fruit salad for a snack before they get here?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWant me to make it?\u201d Blair questioned. <\/p>\n
\u201cNope, I got it covered,\u201d Jim said helpfully as he went back to work on his meatloaf and potatoes. Blair finished the beans and they put them all in the oven to start in one hour. <\/p>\n
Jim then washed the counter down with antibacterial soap and washed his hands well and got the fruit out of the fridge. Within minutes, he had made up a wonderful fruit salad. He then set the table for two and invited Blair in for a snack.<\/p>\n
Blair sat down and began to eat the fresh fruit and loved every bite. He was making the yummy sounds that made Jim smile. \u201cLike that, huh?\u201d He asked Blair. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love fresh fruit salad. Is there enough for the boys when they get home? They could start off with this when they get here while dinner is baking. They\u2019re like big bottomless pits. Poor things,\u201d Blair said almost laughing. <\/p>\n
Jim leaned into Blair and kissed him. \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know what, Jim? This has been a perfect day. The poem that you gave me this morning, was called A Better Tomorrow, and this has been, hasn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim kissed him again and said, \u201cI intend to remind you often of how great our tomorrows should always be.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, we\u2019re going to have some not so great ones, because we\u2019re human after all. But I\u2019ll take lot of great ones, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
They sat and discussed some things from work and before long the boys walked in the front door. Max and Drew both smiled and Max said, \u201cOh wow, we\u2019re having Italian tonight aren\u2019t we? It smells great in here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we\u2019re having Italian food tonight. Well, somewhat Italian,\u201d Blair corrected himself. <\/p>\n
Drew said, \u201cCan we have some of the fruit salad? It looks yummy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGo wash up and then sit down. You can tell us about your day,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
Jim loved these family moments so much he couldn\u2019t even put it into words. He smiled at Blair and Blair could tell that Jim was moved by something. <\/p>\n
They sat down and began to eat the fruit salad and Max asked, \u201cWho made this?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cI did. Are you going to complain?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I was going to tell you how much it rocked,\u201d Max said with a laugh. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt does rock, Jim. And speaking of your names, could we come up with something to call you guys instead of your names? I mean, you\u2019re our parents. Shouldn\u2019t we have a name for each of you?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cWhat would you like to call us?\u201d He was smiling happily at them asking this wonderful thing. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, Max and I decided that Blair is more of a pop person and Jim is more of a dad person. So how would you feel about us calling you pop and dad?\u201d Drew asked anxiously. <\/p>\n
Jim pulled him in for a hug and said, \u201cDrew, I would love that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair hugged him next. Then they both got up and hugged Max. \u201cYou guys are the best sons we could ever hope to have. Thank you,\u201d Jim said quietly. <\/p>\n
\u201cCould we have some more of your fruit salad, dad?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
Jim almost wanted to cry. He felt so good about it. \u201cYes, I\u2019ll get you some more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair\u2019s eyes were misting over and Max said, \u201cIt\u2019s okay, pop, it\u2019s all new. Tomorrow you\u2019ll want us to start calling you something else,\u201d Max teased. <\/p>\n
Blair hugged Max again and said, \u201cI never want to be called anything else. This is perfect. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
During dinner, the boys told Jim and Blair all about their day and Jim and Blair were as pleased as punch about everything. It did turn out to be a better tomorrow. That was for sure. <\/p>\n
The end <\/p>\n
ITALIAN MEATLOAF <\/p>\n
2-2 1\/2 lb. ground beef
\n1\/2 c. Italian bread crumbs
\n1\/4 c. Parmesan cheese
\n1 tsp. oregano
\n1\/2 tsp. garlic powder
\n1\/4 tsp. sweet basil
\nSalt & pepper to taste
\n1 egg, beaten
\n2 c. spaghetti sauce
\n4 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese<\/p>\n
In large bowl mix ground beef and next 6 ingredients. Add beaten egg; mix well. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons spaghetti sauce; mix well. Form into a loaf and place in 13 x 9 inch casserole pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. Drain fat from pan and discard. <\/p>\n
Pour remaining spaghetti sauce over meat loaf. Continue baking 10 minutes. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over meatloaf and bake 5 minutes until melted. Serves 6.<\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
TWICE BAKED POTATOES <\/p>\n
12 med. potatoes, boiled, skinned and cut in chunks
\n1 stick butter, melted
\n1 env. Zesty Italian salad dressing mix
\n1\/4 c. milk
\n2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
\n1\/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled<\/p>\n
In a large bowl, mash potatoes. Add butter, dressing mix and milk. Mix until well blended and creamy. If too dry, add more milk. In another bowl, mix cheese and bacon. Spoon potato mixture into large cupcake cups. Top cups with cheese and bacon mixture. Back at 350 until the cheese is all melted and they are warm all the way through. Makes approximately 24 cups.<\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Italian Green Beans<\/p>\n
1 bag of frozen cut green beans
\n1 small onion
\n1 can of chopped tomatoes
\n1 small can of spaghetti sauce
\n1 bag of bacon bits<\/p>\n
Stir fry the onions and the green beans until the onions are tender. Then add the chopped tomatoes and cook together until they smell like you want to eat them now. LOL Ten minutes or so. Pour all of this in a greased baking dish and Add the small can of spaghetti sauce with bacon bits on the very top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until it\u2019s bubbly. Serves six. <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 29
\nMending Fences
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,830<\/p>\n
Rafe found himself nervous about seeing Jim Ellison and Blair Sandburg. He had treated them like shit and was lucky they would see him at all. He wouldn\u2019t have bothered them, but he really needed some help. He couldn\u2019t find a job for anything. He had no references to speak of, so no one wanted to give him a chance. If Sandburg and Ellison could see their way to forgive him, he might have a chance at a job. Ellison might think about it, but Sandburg was mighty pissed off after the entire thing was said and done with. This might be a lot harder then he thought it would be. <\/p>\n
He had a chance at a new job. A new life, but could only get it with a good reference. Hence, kissing ass to Ellison and Sandburg. No one else would give him one. He had asked Simon, Joel, Conner and Brown and they had all turned him down flat. This was his last resort. Rafe just didn\u2019t know what else to do but to beg and ask for forgiveness. <\/p>\n
Rafe decided it was time to call the house and ask if he could come by. He dialed their number and a young man answered and he said, \u201cSandburg-Ellison residence, can I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I was hoping to talk to Jim Ellison. My name is Brian Rafe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHang on a moment,\u201d Max yelled, \u201cDad, the phone is for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim picked up the extension and said, \u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHi Jim, it\u2019s me, Rafe. I was wondering if it\u2019s still okay for me to come over and see you today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan you be here in about an hour?\u201d Jim asked nicely. <\/p>\n
\u201cI sure can, I can\u2019t thank you enough for seeing me, Jim. Tell Blair thank you too,\u201d Rafe said before he hung up the phone. <\/p>\n
Blair was getting ready to take the boys to school and he said, \u201cWas that Rafe?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho is the Sentinel here?\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou have a confused look on your face and I figured it might have been him calling to mess with your mind,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHurry back because he\u2019s going to be here in an hour,\u201d Jim stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cGeeze, nothing like cutting it short. Say goodbye to your sons,\u201d Blair ordered. <\/p>\n
\u201cGoodbye Drew, goodbye Max. Have a good day, both of you,\u201d Jim hugged them both as he pushed them through the front door. <\/p>\n
Max laughed in the hall and said, \u201cHe sure is pushy isn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me about it,\u201d Blair joked back. <\/p>\n
They took off for the day and Blair didn\u2019t think about Rafe until he was driving back after dropping the boys off at school. What did Rafe really want? He was such a low life, he couldn\u2019t believe that Jim would forgive him, could he? And what did it have to do with him? I mean, Rafe wanted to apologize to Jim was one thing, but what did he have to say to Blair? Nothing that would work. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
Jim was sitting on the sofa when he heard Rafe come up the stairs. He hadn\u2019t used the elevator, so Jim didn\u2019t know what was up with that. Jim stood up and went to open the door. Blair stopped him and said, \u201cNo forgiving for anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, just let me deal with it, all right?\u201d Jim asked and then he opened the door as Rafe was about to knock. <\/p>\n
\u201cMan, that\u2019s freaky how you do that,\u201d Rafe said wearing a big smile on his face. Blair wanted to slap it off first thing. <\/p>\n
\u201cCome on in and sit in the living room with me and Blair. Tell us why you\u2019re here,\u201d Jim said showing him into the living room as if he\u2019d never been there before. <\/p>\n
Rafe felt like such an outsider at that point, with Jim showing him where the living room was. He\u2019d been in Jim\u2019s house many, many times. He knew where the living room was. Rafe was no longer smiling and now Blair was smiling. <\/p>\n
Blair looked at the smile drop off of Rafe\u2019s face and was tickled that whatever made it leave, did. Blair didn\u2019t even want this man in his home, but he had to let Jim handle it the way he wanted to. <\/p>\n
Rafe sat down and said, \u201cFirst of all, I have to tell you how sorry I am that I was friends with Barnes and didn\u2019t say anything about the pictures that were floating around the station. I didn\u2019t take them, I never would have done that, but I also didn\u2019t stop them, which I could have easily. But I\u2019ve never been too courageous. I\u2019ve always been a follower, never a leader. And for this, I am truly sorry. I\u2019m sorry that you had to go through the embarrassment of having people seeing your picture. I\u2019m sorry that I caused all of the trouble at work. I\u2019m sorry that I was mean to you, Jim. I really am sorry. But before you say anything, let me tell you something else first. One of the reasons I\u2019m here is to get something from you. I wouldn\u2019t be apologizing if it wasn\u2019t for that. I would have just left things the way they were. So don\u2019t think I\u2019m being gallant or something like that. I\u2019m not. Not even close. I\u2019ve talked to everyone at the station and asked them all the same favor and they all turned me down. Simon did, Conner did, Joel did and Brown did. So I don\u2019t want you to think you were the first person I asked. You weren\u2019t even the second. I wouldn\u2019t be here if I wasn\u2019t desperate. I wanted you to know this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim nodded his head and said, \u201cI\u2019m with you so far. What do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got a chance at a new job, starting a new life and it\u2019s a good job, but I have to have two references and I can\u2019t get one from anyone. No one will have anything to do with me anymore since I left the station. So I\u2019ve come to beg for mercy. It\u2019s a job with Mark Manners, over at Manners Security. It\u2019s a great job and I\u2019m qualified, if I could get the chance to prove myself again. I just need that chance. I was hoping we could mend some fences and maybe come to an agreement about the recommendation. What are your thoughts on it so far?\u201d Rafe asked nervously. <\/p>\n
\u201cRafe, I\u2019m proud of you for telling us the truth about asking everyone else first. I didn\u2019t know you had been asking for help. No one said a word to me about it and I don\u2019t know how I feel about an apology from you. Mending fences are all well and good, but you have to really mean what you\u2019re saying. If we mended fences you would have to be nice to Simon, Joel, Conner and Brown again because we would all see you from time to time. Why else would you mend fences, right?\u201d Jim asked. Blair sat to the side, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from smacking Jim upside the head. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would love to be part of your life again, if you could trust me to belong once more. I wasn\u2019t hoping for that much. I was hoping for a recommendation and I figured I would be lucky to get that. I didn\u2019t expect your respect or forgiveness. Like I said, I wasn\u2019t thinking that far ahead,\u201d Rafe answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you expect? You thought I would write out a recommendation for someone that fucked me at the station and tried to weasel his way out of it? You thought I would let you back in my life when I just got used to you not being in it?\u201d Jim wondered. <\/p>\n
Rafe put his face in his hands and began to cry softly. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair weren\u2019t expecting that reaction at all. Even Blair was speechless. Jim said, \u201cCrying isn\u2019t the answer, Rafe. You can\u2019t win through working on my sympathy strings. You can\u2019t pull on any of my strings to get your way. You have to stand on your own two feet and ask us like a man would.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rafe blew his nose on his handkerchief and wiped his face off. He looked over at Blair and he said, \u201cDo you think this was easy coming here? I know you hate me. I hate me. Do you think I really wanted to come? I didn\u2019t. I never would have come except I need a job and I don\u2019t have anywhere else to go. There was only one thing left to do and that was to come here and beg for forgiveness. Would you even consider forgiving me, or is this a lost cause. I don\u2019t want to take up your time, if it\u2019s a lost cause.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cYou asked me to give Jim up. You told me I didn\u2019t love him enough by staying with him. How do I forgive you for saying that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m an idiot. What else can I say? I really thought if you guys stopped seeing each other, things would calm down, downstairs in traffic and we could all be like we used to be. I really thought my plan would work. Then no one would have to take pictures of Jim. I knew about them before hand. I could have said something but I\u2019m a chicken shit and I admit that. So I\u2019m stupid and I\u2019m a coward. You already knew that about me,\u201d Rafe said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t forgive you, Rafe. So you can leave right now,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Rafe started to get up and Jim said, \u201cSit down. I\u2019m not done talking to you yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rafe sat back down and waited for the next tongue lashing. He knew he deserved it. <\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all, I cannot forgive you and we can\u2019t mend fences the way I would like to mend them. So instead we\u2019ll mend them the way you need them to be mended. Making your life a living hell is not what I had hoped for. I\u2019ll give you your recommendation but I never want to see you again. Is this understood?\u201d Jim inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would you do this, Jim? Why would you give me what I want after what I did to you?\u201d Rafe needed to know. <\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I\u2019m tired. I\u2019m tired of worrying about what you\u2019re doing to make ends meet. I haven\u2019t told Blair that I\u2019ve been worried about you. He would only get pissed off at me. See, look at him, he\u2019s ready to jump down my throat. But I\u2019m tired of worrying about everything. I want someone to walk away from this without being totally damaged. I was hoping it would be me, some day, but I guess it might be you. Maybe that\u2019s the way it\u2019s supposed to be,\u201d Jim commented calmly and casually. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut what about Sandburg? He\u2019s not going to like this at all,\u201d Rafe said. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, he\u2019s not going to like it one bit, but I\u2019m going to ask him to write up two letters of recommendation and he would sign one and I\u2019ll sign one. You\u2019re then free to get the job with two letters.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWait a fucking minute. I\u2019m not only going to not type it up, but neither are you,\u201d Blair shouted. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, this is what I want from this. Mending fences sometimes means inside your own heart. It\u2019s time for some mending from me and from you. This might help,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I don\u2019t want to do this,\u201d Blair said adamantly. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, I don\u2019t ask you for too much, do I?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cHow can you be such a good man, to someone that was that cruel and inhumane to you?\u201d Blair asked, almost crying himself. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have to. It\u2019s time to move on. I can\u2019t close that door until I close out some of the hate and bitterness I was feeling. I feel a little better. We weren\u2019t the only ones who suffered. Rafe did too. Yes, he brought it on himself, but he\u2019s had enough courage to show up today and beg from two men that hate his guts. He knew he would have little chance at getting the letters, but yet, he still came. I think it shows he\u2019s grown as a person to do what he did. Like I said, I\u2019m never going to forgive him for what he did, but I think I can do the letters and so can you. For me, Chief. For me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have the letters that you need signed, or do I have to start from scratch?\u201d Blair grumbled. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have the letters already typed up and ready for your signatures. Mr. Manners would have to call you, would that be all right too?\u201d Rafe asked, never quite looking at them. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, he can call me,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI guess he can call me,\u201d Blair agreed. <\/p>\n
Rafe pulled out the letters and Jim and Blair both read them. Blair made little noises while he was reading it, but Jim just tapped his leg to let him know that it was a decision made by Jim. It had been made and it was time to move on.<\/p>\n
It was basic, just saying they thought that Rafe could do a good job in this position and would they recommend him to anyone else. Jim got his pen out of his pocket and signed and dated his paper. He handed it to Rafe and said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry that you can\u2019t be in our life anymore, Rafe. We\u2019ll miss you and someday you\u2019ll miss us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI already miss all of you. Don\u2019t you think I know how badly I screwed up? Don\u2019t you know how I almost destroyed one of the nicest guys I know? Don\u2019t you think I hate myself for what I did and didn\u2019t do? I do. I have to live with this and I want you to know that, so that might help you mend those personal fences that you were talking about. Even with a job, I\u2019m still not going to have a good life. I have no friends and my family even stopped talking to me. Just know that this is what I live with every day. It might help you get through your days,\u201d Rafe explained. <\/p>\n
Blair signed his paper and handed it to Rafe and said, \u201cCould you leave now?\u201d<\/p>\n
Rafe picked up the papers and put them in his pocket and said, \u201cThank you. I know we\u2019ll never speak again, but I\u2019ll think of you both from time to time. I have some fond memories that I like to bring up now and then to remind me of what I\u2019ve lost.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rafe turned and walked to the front door and let himself out. Jim leaned back on the sofa and took a deep, cleansing breath. Blair watched him and said, \u201cSad?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I\u2019m sad. He was once a good friend. Knowing that he\u2019ll never be in our lives again, hurts. But he didn\u2019t deserve it, did he?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, he didn\u2019t, Jim. You made the right decision. We did need to mend some personal fences, but he not being in our life is part of it. He\u2019s got to live with what he did for the rest of his life. I hope he knows just how much he\u2019s missing out on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, his heart was broken. I could tell. You don\u2019t know how much I wanted to forgive him. But I decided that he would never learn if we let him back into the fold. I have to live with that. This makes me very sad,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n
Blair snuggled into Jim\u2019s side and said, \u201cI think you were very strong and very right today. You made a good point to him and I think he took it to heart. He does have to live with this and I\u2019m glad we didn\u2019t let him off the hook completely. Now he\u2019ll have a job, so he can support himself, but he also knows what he lost.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you, Blair. Thank you for understanding what I had to do,\u201d Jim declared. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt first I didn\u2019t get it. But as I listened to you, I realized that you were right. I know, I know, you want to get this on tape,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cWould you like to have a nap with the old man that just wants to be held for an hour or two?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would love to. Follow me,\u201d Blair said getting up and pulling Jim up behind him. <\/p>\n
Jim did what came naturally. He followed his Guide upstairs to be held in that same man\u2019s arms to remind him of all of the love that Jim had in his life. Jim needed it at that moment. <\/p>\n
Things would work out fine. <\/p>\n
The end. <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 30
\nNaomi
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 3,153<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair had barely gotten in the door and Max was bouncing in front of them as he said, \u201cGuess who just called?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCaptain Kangeroo?\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s dead, dad. Didn\u2019t you know that?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Rogers?\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s dead too, pop. What\u2019s with these guesses? You\u2019re way off base.\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
Drew came into the room and said, \u201cHey Max did you tell them that Naomi called?\u201d<\/p>\n
Max glared at Drew and said, \u201cI was trying to get them to guess. You just ruined it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, I thought you would have told them by now. Naomi called and she said she\u2019s coming for a visit. She wants to talk to pop,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cReally? I wonder what\u2019s up with her. And why wouldn\u2019t she want to talk to both of us?\u201d Blair speculated. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, she\u2019s your mom, she can just come and discuss things with only you if she wants,\u201d Jim said laughing as he walked into the kitchen to start dinner. <\/p>\n
\u201cNaomi is in town already and wants to have dinner out with us,\u201d Max interjected quickly. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhere?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cMyung Tong Tofu Restaurant, on 39th street. We\u2019re supposed to meet her at 6:30,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, please tell me I don\u2019t have to go,\u201d Jim begged. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe all have to go if she asked us out for dinner,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not eating tofu for dinner. And since that\u2019s what it\u2019s called I would guess that\u2019s all they have. Do you boys like tofu?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we don\u2019t like it at all,\u201d Drew said anxiously awaiting Blair\u2019s response. <\/p>\n
Blair picked up his phone and called Naomi. <\/p>\n
\u201cHi Blair, it\u2019s good to hear from you already. But we\u2019re going to meet and have dinner at 6:30, so why the call?\u201d Naomi asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNaomi no one likes tofu, so we\u2019d like to meet somewhere else,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHave they tried it? I mean, how do they know if they like it or not if they\u2019ve never tried it,\u201d Naomi asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cMom, no one likes it. They all want to stay home and send me alone. Does that tell you how much they don\u2019t like it?\u201d Blair inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhere would you like to meet for dinner?\u201d Naomi asked nicely, even though her feelings were a little hurt. <\/p>\n
\u201cHow about Golden Dragon on Kolb and 22nd street? It\u2019s great Chinese food and they also have some tofu items that you could eat,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Naomi sighed and said, \u201cWell I\u2019m going to have to work on those boys, I can see it now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you don\u2019t have to work on them. They are allowed to make their own choices for food that goes into their mouths. Give them a little credit. They eat a ton of fruits and vegetables. We shop every two weeks at a produce farm. We pick all of our own fruit. It\u2019s fantastic. So don\u2019t think you have to train them in any way. They\u2019re good boys already,\u201d Blair said angrily. <\/p>\n
Jim could tell Blair was getting pissed off and he tried to head off at the pass. He grabbed the phone and said, \u201cSo Naomi would you like to meet us at Golden Dragon, or do you want us to pick you up? Where are you anyhow?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m at a friends house visiting. Yes, Jim, I would appreciate you picking me up. Blair was being very rude, wasn\u2019t he?\u201d Naomi asked. <\/p>\n
Jim smiled and said, \u201cYou know how he can be. He\u2019s moody, is all. Now give me the address and we\u2019ll run by and pick you up for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n
Naomi gave him the address and Jim wrote it down quickly so Blair could see where she was and then said, \u201cSee you in about ten minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
When they all got into the SUV to go pick Naomi up, Blair said, \u201cDrew and Max, you don\u2019t have to put up with her shit. I mean it. If she tries to change you in any way, just ignore her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe doesn\u2019t bother us, pop. Stop worrying,\u201d Max assured Blair. <\/p>\n
When they pulled up in front of the house that Jim had the address for, Naomi came rushing down to the SUV to hug Blair and then Drew and Max. But she stayed clear of Jim for some reason. Blair hoped that Jim didn\u2019t notice, but he saw the look of hurt run across Jim\u2019s face and knew that it was too late. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh boys, I have some wonderful news for you,\u201d Naomi gushed. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Drew asked, really wanting to know. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going to get your passports and go traveling with me this summer. I\u2019m going to take you away from this dismal place for three wonderful months. Isn\u2019t that the best news ever?\u201d Naomi inquired, smiling like a fool. <\/p>\n
Blair just stared at her and said, \u201cOh mom, they don\u2019t belong to us, and you can\u2019t take them anywhere. Besides the fact that I don\u2019t want them to travel anywhere without us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh Blair, don\u2019t be silly. Like any judge cares about that,\u201d Naomi continued to rattle on. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d rather go camping with dad and pop,\u201d Max said trying to help. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh honey, I\u2019m going to take you places that will make camping seem like nothing. It\u2019s going to be great,\u201d Naomi said once again. <\/p>\n
Blair turned in his seat and looked at his mom as if she was nuts. \u201cMom, we will be taking them camping this summer and that\u2019s all. We might even plan a trip to California. But they are to be with us at all times. They are foster children, not pets. You have to check everything out with the judge.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy do they call you pop and dad then? Which one of you gets the wonderful name, pop?\u201d Naomi asked rudely. <\/p>\n
\u201cMom, why can\u2019t you think before you speak? The boys thought up the names and we like them don\u2019t we Jim?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we do, Naomi. So keep your thoughts to yourself from now on,\u201d Jim said totally pissed off. <\/p>\n
They parked in the parking lot and Naomi said, \u201cJim, I hope you don\u2019t mind having your mother-in-law close because I\u2019m going to buy one of the condo\u2019s in you and Blair\u2019s building. I want to be able to visit my grandchildren whenever I can. But if you are just foster parents, I might have to think about this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim was fuming by this time and Blair was going nuts, quite quickly and easily. <\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all, mom, we don\u2019t want you in the same building as us. We wouldn\u2019t want Jim\u2019s dad in the same building either. We plan on being foster parents to Max and drew through college years, so they will be like our own children. As you must know, we can\u2019t have any of our own, so Drew and Max agreed to be so kind as to belong to us. They are our children. They might be foster children, but they are still ours. Do you want to have dinner or not?\u201d Blair said angrily. <\/p>\n
\u201cOf course we\u2019re going to have dinner, you silly goose. We drove all the way over here, it\u2019s not like we would leave hungry,\u201d Naomi said. <\/p>\n
Jim got out of the SUV and was ready to strangle Naomi. But he kept his distance and his temper at bay. Max jumped on Jim\u2019s back and said, \u201cGive me a horsey ride, dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
They all started laughing because Max was almost as big as Jim, well, almost. <\/p>\n
Naomi frowned and said, \u201cSo you get the pop name?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair leaned in to Naomi and whispered, \u201cDo not say another word about what they call us. Understood?\u201d<\/p>\n
Naomi looked at her son and realized he was very angry. She had never seen Blair that angry before. This upset her a great deal. He was normally a calm and pleasant person to have around. <\/p>\n
They went in and got seated right away. Max sat next to Jim and Drew sat next to Blair and Naomi. From afar it looked like a nice cozy family get-together. How wrong they would be. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo if the boys are just foster children, anyone could take them at any time?\u201d Naomi asked. <\/p>\n
Both of the boys scooted over closer to Jim and Blair and seemed very upset with this question. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf there mother did well and showed great responsibility, she could get custody of them again, yes,\u201d Jim answered truthfully. \u201cBut she\u2019s in prison for the next four years, so I think we\u2019re safe on that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about their dad? What about their grandparents?\u201d Naomi asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cMom, it\u2019s none of your business. This is our life, not yours. So please butt the hell out of our business.\u201d<\/p>\n
The waiter took their order and Jim asked the boys if they wanted theirs to go. They both said yes. So they all ordered to go and said they would eat at the house when they got home. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cJim, if you wanted to adopt us, how hard would that be?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cMax, it would be really hard because you have parents. I\u2019m sure they wouldn\u2019t want to give you up,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
Drew then asked, \u201cBlair, could you look into it? I would hate to think that one of my parents could get out and take us away from you guys. We love it at the loft. We don\u2019t ever want to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll look into it, Drew, but don\u2019t get your hopes up, okay? It\u2019s harder then you think,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
The food was brought out in bags and they all left and piled into the SUV once again. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy did we all go to the restaurant and then not eat there?\u201d Naomi asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, if you were more astute, you would have noticed the boys were upset. You upset them with your talk. We decided that it might be better to eat where we\u2019re most comfortable,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you dare talk to me like that Blair. You know better then that,\u201d Naomi shouted. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cStop it right now. All of you. Just shut up. Boys, this is not how a family is supposed to act.\u201d<\/p>\n
Naomi shut her mouth quite fast and so did Blair. He had the decency to blush. He knew he shouldn\u2019t have talked to his mother like that, but she irritated him to no end. <\/p>\n
When they got to the loft, Max and Drew rushed out of the SUV and headed upstairs as fast as they could. <\/p>\n
Jim turned to Blair and said, \u201cTell your mother you\u2019re sorry for saying that to her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, mom.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, that\u2019s not quite good enough, Blair. You\u2019ve never talked to me like that before, what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNaomi, close your mouth too. If you can\u2019t say something positive, then don\u2019t talk. These boys have enough shit in their lives; they don\u2019t need to hear yours. And don\u2019t remind them that they aren\u2019t ours. They know this. Do you think they\u2019re stupid? Blair and I are thrilled to have them in our life, so please accept them and let\u2019s move on,\u201d Jim said as calmly as he could. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy did you tell Blair to apologize and then you tell me off?\u201d Naomi asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going upstairs, you two talk it out. Just don\u2019t bring it upstairs with you,\u201d Jim ordered as he turned and walked away with the food in his hands. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
When Jim walked in upstairs, Max was pacing and said, \u201cDad, would you talk to our real mom and dad about giving us up? Could you tell them how well we\u2019re doing and that we want to be adopted?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim hugged him hard and just held on for a long while. Then Drew came over for his hug. Jim pulled him in with them. \u201cI\u2019ll talk to them, but I doubt that they\u2019ll agree to it. Parents sometimes don\u2019t do what\u2019s best for the children.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for at least trying, dad. We\u2019re really grateful for our home. We like it here a lot,\u201d Drew said sweetly. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s set the table, pop will be here in a few minutes with his mom and he\u2019s starving. I heard his stomach growl while we were downstairs.\u201d Max and Drew laughed and said, \u201cDid you hear ours too?\u201d<\/p>\n
The three of them began to work getting everything set on the table. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
\u201cMom, come on. Let\u2019s go upstairs and have some food and try to get along. I haven\u2019t seen you in four months. I\u2019ve missed you. Let\u2019s try and do this without arguing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHoney, I think I should stay in a hotel tonight. I don\u2019t like Jim\u2019s attitude at all,\u201d Naomi stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going to make me go upstairs without you and have the boys feel bad, because they think everything is their fault? Please come upstairs and eat and stay the night. Maybe you and the guys could go see a movie or something tomorrow,\u201d Blair said sweetly, trying to make nice. <\/p>\n
\u201cFine, but I don\u2019t like Jim right now and I don\u2019t think I need to put up with his crap,\u201d Naomi answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s all right because he doesn\u2019t like you much at this moment either. So you\u2019ll both be pretending. Just do it for Max and Drew,\u201d Blair pleaded. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s get up there before everything is cold,\u201d Naomi said as she started into the building. <\/p>\n
!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n
They walked in the door and Max said, \u201cNaomi, you\u2019re just in time for your tofu dinner. Dad just heated it up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy thank you, Jim,\u201d Naomi said as she sat down at the table. <\/p>\n
Drew said, \u201cWhat would you like in your tea? I\u2019m brewing tea for you right now. Dad said that\u2019s what you drink is hot tea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour dad is absolutely right. Doesn\u2019t your pop drink hot tea also?\u201d Naomi asked. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cWhere do you think we learned how to brew tea from? He drinks it every night. So we\u2019re old pro\u2019s at it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim came in carrying all of the food and set it down for everyone to dig in to. He smiled at Naomi and Naomi smiled back, but both of them knew it was a false smile. <\/p>\n
They had a nice quiet dinner. The boys talked about projects going in Science at school and Jim and Blair talked about a new case they were working on. The evening was going rather well, Jim and Blair both thought. <\/p>\n
Then Naomi opened her mouth. \u201cDid you boys know that Blair used to be a great teacher?\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew said, \u201cYes, he told us about what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cHe teaches us things we never thought we could learn, so he\u2019s still a great teacher.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled at the boys for handling Naomi on their own and then smiled at Blair. Blair wasn\u2019t having it. He was pissed. Why was his mother being so negative?<\/p>\n
\u201cSo tell us, Naomi, why did you come into town?\u201d Drew asked nicely. <\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to see how things were going for you boys and to tell you about the summer vacation I had planned. I still can\u2019t believe that a judge wouldn\u2019t allow you to go with me,\u201d Naomi said. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cAre you guys about done? It\u2019s time to get ready for bed. School comes early in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew and Max both cleaned up their mess at the table and went into the kitchen. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, honey, you never had a bed time,\u201d Naomi stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, these guys do. Things are different now that I\u2019m a parent, mom.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not actually a parent though. You and Jim are living in this little world where everything should be fine, but you know damn well it won\u2019t be,\u201d Naomi pointed out. <\/p>\n
Jim got up from the table and grabbed his and Blair\u2019s plate and left the room. <\/p>\n
\u201cAre you happy mom? You\u2019re cleared out the room. Now you have me all to yourself. Is that what you wanted?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cActually, I had planned on asking you to go on part of the trip with me, Blair. Just like we used to do when you were young,\u201d Naomi said wistfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cMom, I\u2019m not your little boy anymore. I have a husband, who I adore. I don\u2019t want to leave for a month at a time. Unless it\u2019s with him. I love being with him, but not with you. That time has passed, Naomi. I\u2019m sorry, but it\u2019s how life works.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, you wait until the boys\u2019 mom and dad get out and they take them back. You will be devastated. They will never be yours again. I don\u2019t wish that on anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen think good thoughts for me, mom. I would like to think that we\u2019ll have them around forever. Can\u2019t I believe that to be true?\u201d Blair pleaded. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you can darling. I\u2019m sorry. I always try to take over don\u2019t I?\u201d Naomi asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you do. But I still love you, mom. I\u2019ll always love you and Jim will to. Even when he\u2019s mad at you, he defended you when I got smart with you downstairs. So remember that and try being nicer to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will. Can I stay in my room here?\u201d Naomi asked. <\/p>\n
Blair got up and pulled her into a huge hug. \u201cYes, you can. Why don\u2019t you go and tell the boys goodnight and I\u2019ll make your bed up in the office. That Murphy bed is quite easy to make.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s call it a Sandburg bed, instead of a Murphy bed,\u201d Naomi said with a chuckle. <\/p>\n
Naomi called up the stairs for Max and Drew and they said their goodnights and then she went into the kitchen and found Jim cleaned as usual and hugged him from behind. \u201cYou\u2019re a very good mate to my son. I thank you for that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I thank you for having such a wonderful son and raising him the way you did. I couldn\u2019t find anyone better then Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGoodnight, Jim,\u201d Naomi said. <\/p>\n
\u201cGoodnight, Naomi. Sleep well. Maybe we could do something this weekend with all five of us together. It could be fun. We just have to work on it a little bit more,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think you might be right,\u201d Naomi left the room and walked into the office. Blair was all done making the bed and she hugged him close and said, \u201cYou\u2019re mate just said some very nice things to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe always says nice things about you when you\u2019re not here,\u201d Blair reminded her. <\/p>\n
\u201cHelp me remember that, okay? He\u2019s a good man. I\u2019m way too hard on him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGoodnight, mom,\u201d Blair said as he hugged her and kissed her cheek. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love you, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I love you, mom. Sleep well,\u201d Blair called out over his shoulder as he headed into the kitchen to help Jim. <\/p>\n
Things would get better. They just needed some time to work all of the problems out. <\/p>\n
The end. <\/p>\n
Patt<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Family Life Part 21 Our Life By Patt Word Count: 3,638 Steven was coming into town and William had asked Jim, Blair and the boys to come over for dinner. Of course, Jim said yes, he was anxious for Steven … Continue reading