Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:53:33 +0100 (BST)
From: Andrew Foote <footea81@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Boy on the Towpath 23

BOY ON THE TOWPATH.

If you've been following this story from the outset then you will
understand that it doesn't contain references to illegal sexual
activity. None the less it is sensual in places if not slightly erotic and
if because of the laws of your country of residence, religious or spiritual
beliefs you're not allowed to access such material then please leave now.

Comments and criticisms are welcome and should be addressed to the author.

Andy.

footea81@yahoo.co.uk

CHAPTER XXIII

"Well? What happened Stu?"

"Fuck Tom? It might be nice to be greeted like `Hi have you had a good day'
first?"

"Sorry but I've been thinking about it all day and being around Mae some of
the time just kept me wondering."

"Okay I guess I over reacted and so it's my turn to apologise.  Anyway, how
was he?"

"Okay I suppose. He was quieter than usual, you know the sort of thing, not
chatty like normal and he kept looking at me like he needed something but
couldn't find the words. A bit odd actually now I think about it."

"Well that comes as no big surprise given what I've been told today.  I
suggest you sit down and listen to me. Ask questions only after I've
finished. Do we have a deal?"

"Deal. This is serious isn't it?"

"Yes it's more than serious Tom."

"He's not going to die or anything is he?"

"What did I say about questions?  I'll answer that one just to put your
mind at rest.  No he isn't, well not before his time at least whenever that
may be but let's just hope that's many decades away. Alright?  Now listen
to me please Tom?"

I went through the conversation with Hiro in as much detail as I was able,
adding some bits to make the situation clearer for him and once I'd
finished I asked for his input and I was really taken aback by what he had
to say!

"Poor guy. No wonder his Dad couldn't call him his son? I mean that must be
awful to feel that way.  I wonder if maybe he knew his Dad was going to be
talking to you this morning `cos that would explain a lot what with his,
how can I put this, his looking at me as if he needed something,
reassurance maybe."

"Interesting point. You may well have hit on something there.  I'll talk
with Hiro later and find out if Mae knew about today but just one thing, -
shit, actually there's loads we must talk about but the biggie, do you
think we can do this? You know, be a part of his life, help him and guide
him through this?"

Tom went very quiet and that bothered me.  After a few long minutes he
looked up at me with tears streaming down his face.  I almost knew what he
was thinking and I sat down beside him and cuddled him up in my arms to let
him cry.  A sniffle and a loud snort later and he was back with me.

"I'm sorry Stu? I just couldn't help myself you know?"

"Listen to me mate, it's okay to cry. I understand and you should never
apologise for doing so. Alright now?"

"Yeah I'm okay, thanks.  Look, about Mae.  First just look at what you've
done already.  Me? A kid on the towpath hell-raising on his bike.  You took
me under your wing and not just that, you resisted the offer of sex with
me, an offer freely given.  You did an unbelievable thing in marrying my
Mum, taking the worry out about my future and you've been the most amazing
step-dad any kid could possibly wish for and not only that, you're my mate
as well and I seriously love you and don't say `thanks' please, this is
about Mae."

"Alright so am I to understand that you think I've done enough then?"

"GOD I worry about you sometimes!  No I bloody don't!  What I was trying to
say was who else could carry it off if not you?  He would have a sensitive
and caring guy there for him, I'm his best friend and I'm telling you this,
any fucker takes the piss out of him and I'll kick the bastard into the
long grass.  No. I say we do it!  Poor Mae? I understand so much more now
and Stu? Let's help him through this together?"

Almost my turn to open the tap but I resisted for Tom's sake.

"I was almost sure we could do it but now you've said what you said, I'll
give Hiro a call and get us all together and finalise things.  Are you
positive Tom? I mean this is mega stuff?"

"I'm very sure.  You said to me once, you never turn your back on a true
friend no matter what. Do you remember?"

"I do actually!"

"Right then, neither am I and it's not because it's the `right thing to do'
either.  I want to do it and for Mae's sake, not for mine."

"That's a beautiful thing to say and I so very proud of you for saying it!
I know it's mid-week but sod it. Let's go to the restaurant tonight for a
meal.  Later we can talk practicalities together."


*****


We talked into the wee small hours and both woke feeling a little jaded as
a consequence but so much had been thrashed out during the previous evening
it seemed worth the trouble.  I was tempted to suggest to Tom that he
reported in sick but he wasn't having a bit of it.

"I can't do that?  I've got to see Mae, - make sure he's okay and stuff!  I
need to know if he knew his Dad was over here yesterday and if he did? Well
I'm going to have to talk with him aren't I."

"Okay but just take it one step at a time."

"I know him better than you Stu. Leave it with me alright? I won't go bull
at a gate, honest."

"Alright. I'll leave that up to you and in the mean time I'll talk with
Hiro and tell him of our decision."


*****


I walked with Tom to the bus stop.  Not much was said between us, I think
we were both deep in our own thoughts. Me very aware of the enormity of
what we were taking on and as for Tom? Well I couldn't tell what was going
through his head but as the bus approached he gave me a brief hug.  "We are
doing the right thing Stu. I just know we are."

"I'm pretty sure we are as well but once we say `yes' then there's no going
back, we in it for the duration so now's the time mate. Yes or no."

"Yes. Without doubt yes."

"Good stuff! See you tonight. Thank God it's Friday huh?"

Tom boarded the bus and as I started to make my way back, my phone rang.

"Good morning Hiro. You must be a mind reader, I was just about to call
you."

"Ah well, I had to understand how your conversation went with Tom last
evening and I was wondering if you had come to a decision yet or whether
you needed more time.  I apologise if I sound impatient but I have little
time as I must return to Osaka in the next few days."

"I understand Hiro and yes we have come to a decision. We talked for most
of the night about Mae's situation and the short answer is `yes we will
take this on' but we all of us need to sit down and talk, not just you and
me but also Mae and Tom."

"I am very happy to hear your answer Stuart and yes I absolutely agree that
we talk some more. I guess the only thing to be decided now is when. I will
leave this for you to tell me when is convenient."

"May I suggest that as tomorrow is Saturday and the kids won't be at
school, you come to the boat?  That way if there are things for us to talk
about that don't directly involve them they can disappear off and play
football or whatever."

"A very good suggestion. Would say ten-thirty be suitable?"

"That's good for us, we'll look forward to seeing you but just one other
thing. Did Maeori know that you were coming to see me yesterday?"

"I told him that we were going to talk. Why do you ask?"

"It's just that it answers a question Tom had. Mae seemed a little
distracted yesterday, that's all."

"I see.  He did tell me that he wanted to tell your boy but he didn't feel
it right to do so at school. Maybe that is why."

"More than likely but Tom will tell him that he knows about the situation
sometime today and also that we have agreed to support him in every way we
can."

"I am very pleased to hear this.  I think Tom is a very kind boy and is
very good for Maeori.  I must go now Stu. Business I still have to take
care of but I will see you tomorrow with lifted spirits!"


*****


So many questions still to be answered and for someone who operates with a
totally logical mind, even I was getting confused.  I decided to make a
list, a completely random list of things I should ask.

At present Maeori part boards and part stays with his father but come the
time his therapy kicks in that can no longer be an option. His Dad will be
back in Japan and Mae will be starting to show the evidence of his
reassignment, so where does he go?

What is the time frame for his treatment?

Hiro talked of private tuition come the time he had to leave Rugby.  How
long will Mae still have there and how is this tuition going to be
organised?

At what point does he start dressing as a girl and how's that managed?

I was fast coming to the conclusion that perhaps we'd bitten off rather
more than a decent mouthful but we were committed and okay we could change
our minds, somehow the image of that pretty little boy, full of hope for
the future but no doubt frightened at the same time just would not go away.
It was no good. We were signed and fully paid up members of the club and I
knew that we were destined to follow it through despite my misgivings.
Time and time again I could see his face.  He must be petrified!  A strange
environment, culture, language and with the prospect of facing
life-changing drug treatment and then surgery, all of this without any
family member around to support him, Christ Almighty!  We'd better be good
at this!


*****


Time went by in a heartbeat and suddenly Tom was back from school, finished
for the weekend.

"Did you speak to Mae's Dad?"

"Good afternoon to you as well. Did you have a good day?"

"Sorry Stu.  You know I've just one thing on my mind just now?"

"Yeah I understand! I'm just taking the piss.  Yes I talked to him and
they're coming here tomorrow at about ten-thirty.  Did you get an
opportunity to have a one-to-one with Mae?"

"Yep.  He knew his Dad was going to talk with you yesterday and he didn't
quite understand whether I knew anything hence the enquiring looks.  I've
told him I know now what's happening and that we're both here for him and
more than that, we will take care of him and he's nothing to be worried
about."

"Good man Tom! Proud of you!  Otherwise everything was okay and by that I
mean he didn't seem upset or anything?"

"I dunno exactly. He went very quiet then hugged me like for ages?  I think
he was crying but I'm not sure.  Are the Japs bad at showing their feelings
do you think?"

"I've had limited dealings with them but my best guess is that emotional
outbursts are seen as a sign of weakness and something not to be encouraged
but I might be wrong.  Maeori is going to have to receive a lot of our care
and support and so given time we might just find the answer to that however
at the moment that's not a priority.  Let's get this shithouse of a boat
cleaned up.  We have very important visitors tomorrow, one of whom is about
to turn our lives sideways."