Date: Wed, 03 Aug 2005 20:37:02 +0000
From: boystory@comcast.net
Subject: Anthony-5

Well, it's time for the normal disclosures.  So, if you're not supposed to
be reading this, don't.  If it's illegal where you are, please read no
further.  If the concept of sex between two males bothers you, this is not
the story for you.  If the idea of intergenerational affairs makes you
uncomfortable, or goes against your beliefs, then I'm sorry for you, but
please do not read any further.

That being said, please remember that this story is only a fantasy.  The
events portrayed here never happened.  The characters herein are
ficticious.  I am not condoning any activity which in the eyes of the law
is improper, illegal, or immoral.

I want to thank all the readers who have sent me emails telling me what
they thought of the story.  I've received much constructive criticism, and
it is all appreciated.  The one or two letters I've received which were
less than favorable were mostly about the fact that I did not include
enough sex.  Well, let me say this about that.  I put the sex in when it's
appropriate to the story.  This is not a story about wild sex, it's a love
story.  In real life, well in my real life, sex is something that is shared
to enhance the love between two people.  It is a means to an end.

Well, that's enough of that, I'll get off my soap box now.  Please enjoy
the story.

Lenny


Anthony Chapter 5

I awoke the next morning with Anthony still lying on my chest.  He was
sleeping so soundly, I hated to move, but mother nature had other ideas.  I
gently rolled him onto the bed, and made a bee line to the bathroom.  After
relieving myself, I washed my face and returned to the bedroom.

I looked at Anthony in his repose and had to fight off tears.  This boy had
done more for me in a few days, than anyone had ever done for me in my life
to that point.  He awakened me to a concept that had been in the deepest
regions of my mind for many years, and I would not, or could not see it.

As I wiped the tears from my eyes and face, he stirred.  He looked up at me
and saw me crying.  The alarm in his eyes cut into me like I was being
filleted.  I smiled.

"Lenny.  What's wrong?"

"Not a thing.  I've been watching you sleep, and, well, I just couldn't get
over how much you have begun to mean to me.  Anthony, I think I love you."

"I love you too, Lenny.  What we shared last night was much more than sex.
When I was doing you, I couldn't get over how right I felt.  The others I
have had sex with, well, was just that.  Sex.  With you it was different.
I can't explain it, but it was."

"I was afraid.  But, I couldn't help myself.  When you were inside me, I
felt complete.  Whole.  I haven't felt that in a very long time.  Now, if
we don't change the subject, I'll be a basket case when your mom comes
home, so, let's get the day started.  Ok?"

"Ok.  I'm hungry.  What's for breakfast?", said Anthony with a sly grin.

"I know that grin.  Get up.  Get showered and get dressed.  We're going
out!"

Anthony padded off to the bathroom, and I went to get myself ready.  I
didn't want to shower with him, well, because we'd never get out of the
house.  When we were both ready, we hopped into my car and off we went.

I took him to my favorite breakfast spot.  It's a pancake house, but not
IHOP.  They must have about 100 different types of pancakes there, so even
though I've been going there off and on for many years, I've yet to have
the same dish twice.  It took Anthony about 10 minutes to finally decide on
having, plain old, buttermilk pancakes.  What a waste.

We ate breakfast, and decided we had time to go over to his place and make
sure the house was cleaned up and ready for his mother's return.  When we
got there, I opened the door, and almost tripped over the pile of mail.
Picking it up, I couldn't help but notice that they were mostly bills, and
all of them were stamped "PAST DUE".  Thinking it was none of my business,
I placed them on the kitchen table, and Anthony and I began tidying up the
house.

About 2:30 we locked up the house, and headed to the airport to pick up his
mother.

Anthony had obviously been thinking about what I had said, and when his
mother finally came out of the security area, he ran up and jumped into her
arms.  She looked surprised and looked at me.

"Ok.  What have you done with my son.  I know this looks like him, but he
sure isn't acting like him." She said laughingly.

"I'm just so glad to see you again, Mom.  I didn't realize how much you
meant to me until I didn't have you around every day.  Welcome home, Mom."
Anthony said with a big smile, and another hug for his Mom.

We made our way to baggage claim, and while Tony had excused himself to go
to the bathroom, Susan asked me if I could come over to talk to her while
Tony was in school tomorrow.  I readily agreed just as Anthony was
returning.  I'd assumed that she didn't want him to know about our planned
talk, so I didn't mention it to him.

I took them home, and just dropped them off.  I didn't want to intrude on
their time together.  Susan looked at me and mouthed the words, "Thank
you".  With that I drove myself back to my empty house.

                                 ###

I woke up the next morning, not having rested very well.  I was lonely all
evening.  I had lain awake in my bed, still smelling his smell on the
sheets.  I tossed and turned for quite a while before I finally dropped off
to sleep.

I got out of bed, and got myself going.  After showering, I had some coffee
and some corn flakes, and, looking at my watch, which said 09:15, decided
to go over and talk to Susan.

When I arrived, she came to the door and invited me in.  We went into the
kitchen, and after pouring coffee for both of us, she sat and looked into
my eyes.

I didn't know what to think about the way she was looking at me.  It made
me very anxious.  I asked her why she wanted to see me.

"Lenny, by the way, thanks for cleaning up here but, I guess you saw my
mail.  I wanted to tell you, but didn't know how until I got home and saw
how you had cleaned up.  I'm having some serious financial difficulties."

I thought, well here it comes, she's going to ask me for a loan.

Susan continued, "I'm not asking you for money.  But I do need a favor.
One that breaks my heart to have to ask.  It seems that my dad's condition
is not as good as I led you to believe on the phone.  While he was in the
hospital after his heart attack, he suffered a major stroke.  He's going to
be bedridden for the rest of his life, it seems.  My mother is not capable
of taking care of him, and she asked if I could come home to stay until the
inevitable happened.  I don't know how to ask you this, but, I can't take
Tony with me.  There's just no room, and besides, it wouldn't be good for
him to simply watch his grandfather die.  If you agree, I would file
whatever papers are necessary to grant you full, temporary custody of
Anthony.  I will have to sell the house, so that way I can pay off my
bills, and still have some left to help my parents out.  I will give you
some of the money too to help care for my son.  Will you do it?"

I was floored.  I couldn't believe what I was hearing.  She was asking me
to take care of Anthony, permanently, or for as long as it took.  I didn't
know what to say or do.  I looked into her eyes, and saw pain, deep pain.
At that moment I decided what I needed to do.

"Susan.  How much of this have you told Tony?"

"I haven't.  I needed to talk to you first.  If you were unable or
unwilling, I would have no choice but to give him up for adoption.  I just
can't give him what he needs."

"You would do WHAT? ADOPTION!", I was livid. "Well, I'm sorry.  I can't
accept temporary custody."

Now it was her turn to look shocked.  I saw the beginnings of a tear in her
eye before she hardened.  "You would let him go to the state?  I thought
you liked him.  You know what can happen to a 13 year old in the system, He
could be..."

I cut her off.  "Susan.  Over the past few months that I've known Anthony,
he's become more than just a friend.  He's become very important to me.  I
told you I would not be willing to accept TEMPORARY custody of him, but I
didn't say I wouldn't accept PERMANENT custody.  Your father could hold on
for years.  Even if he passed soon, from what you've told me, you wouldn't
be able to get back on your feet for quite a while.  Here's what I propose.
First, we need to discuss this with Anthony.  It's his life, and he should
have the right to make his own decisions.  Assuming he want this, I would
have the paperwork drawn up by my lawyer.  I would adopt him, and he would
become my son.  I wouldn't want you to not be able to see him, and if you
gave him up, that's exactly what would happen.  We would then go to court,
and you would tell the judge exactly what you have just told me.  I have
the resources to raise him, and am sure I would be approved for the
adoption, especially if it is uncontested.  I'm already approved as a
foster home for emergency cases, so that will not present an obstacle.
When the inevitable happens, I would provide you with the means to start
over.  If both you and he wish it, I will buy a house nearby so you can
still be in constant contact with him, if not, you choose where, and I'll
buy you the house, and give you some seed money to get your life started
again.  How does that sound?"

I think she was a little dumbfounded.  We agreed to wait until Anthony
arrived home, as we looked at the clock and noticed we'd been talking for
over 3 hours.  Anthony would be home within the next 30 minutes.

When he arrived, he was surprised to see me there.  He looked at me
wondering if his mother had somehow found out about us.  I simply looked
into his eyes and smiled a 100 watt smile.  His grin told me that he
understood.

"Anthony, I need to talk to you about something serious." Susan stated.

"What's wrong Mom.  You look upset."  Anthony said sounding very concerned.

Susan explained everything to Anthony, who listened very carefully.  When
she said that she couldn't take care of him anymore, he almost lost it.
Tears began to well up in his eyes, and I knew he was about to break down.
Susan continued to tell him about my demands, and his mood seemed to
improve.  When asked his thoughts, he said...

"I don't know Mom.  I love you and do not want to lose you.  I really like
Lenny, and think he would be a real cool dad.  I know I couldn't survive in
the state's system.  I would most likely be shoved aside because nobody
wants to adopt someone who's my age.  I guess if I lived with Lenny, I
could still have both of you in my life to some extent.  That's better than
not having either of you at all."

If they gave Academy Awards for real life conversations, Anthony would have
won hands down.  I could tell by his eyes, that he was ecstatic with the
idea of living with me.

It was agreed.  I called my lawyer and told him to begin the necessary
paperwork.  He told us that it would be about a week before we could get a
hearing.  In the meantime, if Susan needed to leave, he could get a
temporary order granting me custody until the matter is resolved.  Provided
that Susan made the request.  She agreed, and he said that he would have
the temporary order filed the next morning.  I ended the call and hung up
the phone.

"Anthony.  Are you sure you want to do this?"  I asked.

"Yes.  I want this, even though I really have no other choice."

"Ok.  It's settled.  Susan, over the next couple of days, while we're
waiting for the paperwork to be finished, spend as much time with your son
as you can.  It may be a long time until you can spend any time together.
Also, he needs to get his stuff packed and moved over to my place, or
should I say his new home.  I know a realtor who could get top dollar for
your house, so with your permission, I'll have him contact you."

All was agreed, and I got up to leave.  Susan came over to me, hugged me,
and whispered into my ear, "thank you".

                                  ###

I left her house, and as soon as I was out of sight, I pulled over, thrust
my arm into the air, and yelled at the top of my lungs, YES!!!

I was going to have him around every day from now on.  Whereas Susan's
story was plausible, I had a hard time believing it.  There are other ways
to care for someone who is bedridden.  I think it was just a convenient
excuse for her to get out from under everything.

The next few days passed with very little activity.  I received a formal
grant of temporary custody, and Tony moved into our house.  My realtor
friend placed Susan's house on the market and within 5 hours had received 4
offers on it.  The highest offer was almost $50,000 over her asking price.

My lawyer called to tell me that the judge wanted to see Anthony, Susan,
and I in chambers at 8 o'clock the next morning.  I asked him what this was
about, and he explained that sometimes, in extreme cases, a judge can
dispense with normal procedures and sort of 'fast track' an adoption.  This
case seemed to fit her idea of an extreme case.

Susan was waiting on the steps of the courthouse when Tony and I arrived.
We went inside to see the Judge.

The judge was an older woman, who had a reputation of being very fair.  She
asked to speak to Anthony alone first.  About half an hour later, Anthony
emerged and asked all of us to come in.  We were all directed to take a
seat and the Judge Tejeda began to speak.

"I have read the petitions of both parties as well as the Child Protective
Services.  I have reviewed the reports which were on file about the
Adoptive Parent's ability to care for the minor child.  I have spoken to
the child and he seems to understand what is being asked to have happen
here.  I need to hear from the child's mother if she is freely requesting
this adoption."

"I am, you honor."  Susan replied.

"So noted.  Sir, are you willing to provide all necessary care for this
child until after he attains the legal age of 18?"

"I am.", I replied.

"So noted.", she continued, "There being no contest by either party, or the
state, and it being found that in the eyes of this court, that this
adoption is in the best interests of this minor child, I hereby grant the
petition of Adoption.  Will the minor child's surname be changed to that of
the Adoptive Parent?"

"Yes."  Anthony replied.

"Your honor.", I interrupted, "It is not my intention here to take this
child away from his Mother.  By changing his name, it is as if She was
never there.  As a result, it is my request that the child retain his
Mother's last name."

"Anthony...", Judge Tejeda asked, "is this ok with you?"

"Yes, maam."

"Ok. Fine.  This hearing is now closed, the adoption is approved."

With that we left.  Anthony was now my son.  I was now his Father.  As far
as I am concerned, all is right with the world.

To be continued.

Author's Note:

I'm sorry that there wasn't any sex in this part of the story.  Sometimes
it just doesn't fit into what needs to happen to move the story along.

I'm sure that future installments of the story will have more of what some
are looking for.  But please remember.  This is a love story, not a story
of sex.

I look forward to hearing from you as to how you like where I'm going with
this, and I hope to have the next installment done and posted in a few
days.

Until then...

Lenny
boystory@comcast.net