Date: Mon, 06 Aug 2001 18:54:04
From: Gary Q. <gary_q@hotmail.com>
Subject: MY CARL Chapter 3

MY CARL
By Gary _Q

This is a copy righted story. It may be copied only for personal use not to
be redistributed with out this copy right notice, use of this document on
any pay site is expressly forbidden.

This is a work of fiction. It is based on an actual relationship between a
man and several boys but only fiction.

WARNING: This chapter is a little harsh in some parts, but is necessary to
accurately portray the circumstances our young hero is learning to work his
way out of, toward learning to love and trust again. Chapter 4 will be much
more mellow.

CHAPTER 3: TURKEY TRAVEL

I woke up about 5:30 in the morning. Reminding the boys we had an early
start I managed stifle their pleas to stay up late as I usually got every
weekend night and stuffed then in bed early.

Everyone had done most of their packing and such the night before, just
having to throw our toothbrushes and such in our bags before we left, a
hassle free morning!  Refreshed but still sleepy I cracked one, then the
other eye open, giving my alarm clock a dirty look before looking around.

Bandit was as usual in bed but no Binki. Thinking nothing of it I rolled
over but then had to look away and back a couple of times to be sure I
wasn''t still asleep. Carl, fully dressed, was sitting in a chair watching
me Binki snuggled in his lap.

"What are you doing, why aren''t you in bed?" I mumbled. "Is anything
wrong, you''re already dressed?"

"Well you said we were gonna leave early so I got ready!" he responded.

Shaking my head to be sure I wasn''t dreaming I pulled one hand from under
my covers toward him. He jumped out of the chair onto the bed wrapping his
arms around my neck Binki now in my lap. "Good morning turkey, bunny." I
whispered kissing them on top of their heads. I teased Carl a little about
being too anxious before crawling out of bed, the coffee pot''s aroma
calling me.

Carl next to me I started out into the hall when something caught my foot
sending me tumbling toward the floor. Several stumbling steps later I
barely caught my balance in time to prevent a nasty fall. "F***" I
yelled. Turning around I continued "Damn, what''s this shit." staring at a
dark object in the bedroom doorway. I had taken one or two steps toward the
object when I saw Carl''s terror racked face staring at me. The instant my
eyes met his he disappeared into the bedroom.

Another glance told me the object I had tripped over was the backpack I had
given Carl last night for his clothes. I looked around my bedroom a little
before finding him now in a near fetal position hiding under a small table,
his back against the wall, holding two of my bed pillows in front of him
like a shield. His face was buried in the pillow and I''m still not sure
how he knew but as I knelt down in front of the table his whole body
started shaking. "I''m sorry, I''m sorry" he started whimpering.

"Hey, its okay, I should look where I''m going. Come here okay?" he just
kept whimpering.

"Come on son, I''m not mad" didn''t do any good either. As I reached toward
him under the table he slammed his body into the corner as if trying to
break through the wall. "Come on Carl, its pop, I wont hurt you!" That not
working I reached under his arms and lifted his almost convulsing little
body out from under the table. I wrapped my arms around him, pillows and
all massaging his neck and shoulders. "Calm down, calm down, you''re not
afraid of me are you?"

After what I know was at least five minutes of holding and talking to him
he finally whimpered "I''m sorry please don''t whip me. Please I''m sorry
sir."

Somehow I managed to move the tear soaked pillows enough to kiss the top of
his head. "I don''t whip people son, you know that! Hey this is pop
remember, do you think I would hurt you? I love you Carl, I promise I''ll
never do anything to hurt you!"

Finally one of his hands, then the other slowly released their death grip
on the pillows, making a couple of test touches against the sides of my
chest before giving me a weak hug. "What are you going to do to me?" he
slowly asked between sobs.

"I''m going to cook you some breakfast and take you flying!"

He calmed for a second "I still get to go?'' he whined. Before I could
answer he continued "I mean what, well, what are you gonna punish me?"

"I''m not going to punish you, you didn''t do anything wrong!" I responded,
finally able to pry one of the pillows from between us.

"Well I made you mad sir. I''m sorry I really am!" he responded.

A little more rubbing his neck got him to relax enough to get the other
pillow from between us so I could hold him. ''Wait,'' I thought ''this kid
expects me to beat him half to death not because he left his bag where
someone could get hurt, not because he almost made me fall, but because he
pissed me off?'' After several tries I think I half way convinced him that
my little tirade was because I was startled not mad and that I really
wasn''t going to hurt him.

After a couple of minutes I coached him to his feet. I was still sitting on
the floor as he stood and got an instant shock as he unfolded his thin
body, he had pissed all over himself sometime during all this. He
immediately knew I had noticed turning ashen white. "Hey turkey" I
said. "Those white jeans are gonna get dirty real quick traveling, go
change into some darker ones." I at least got a tiny smile as he darted
into his room, some of his dignity saved.

Carl was subdued during breakfast but as the twins and I kept talking about
the upcoming trip he started relaxing, smiling once or twice. When we were
done eating I sent everyone to brush their teeth and bring their bags to
the front door, informing them we were leaving in ten minutes. I was out at
the van loading my luggage, flight case and such when Carl appeared with
his backpack, his eyes timidly asking where (well almost if it was okay) to
put it. Stuffing it next to my gear I just had time to get my arm around
his chest before he slipped away. Pulling him next to me I asked "Feeling
better?"

He only responded with a slight head nod whispering three or so words I
didn''t understand. "I love you son, I promise I''m not mad at you, okay? I
promise I will never hit you or hurt you, can you believe that?"

"Yes sir" he almost whispered tensing his body somewhat.

"You''re still scared, aren''t you?" no response. "We are going to be on
the road for 2 day, if you keep pouting like this your tail feathers might
fall out, you know that?" He started to look up at me but didn''t make eye
contact. "What if we got in the middle of the Space Center and your tail
feathers fell out? I can see it now, turkey feathers floating by the
thousands off the top of the shuttle and everthing." I continued, giving
his armpits a quick tickle.

He squirmed a little then leaned against me.

"Please sir, I''m sorry sir" he whimpered.

"Well this isn''t ending, I guess I better punish you." he stiffened like a
board. "Let''s see, tripping a pop. Hum, that going to cost you two tickles
and a hug. Oh, calling a pop sir instead of pop, what are we going to do
about that! For that you be sentenced to a pop squish!" I immediately went
to what I knew was his most ticklish spot, his thin little stomach. It took
a couple of tries before I got a giggle from him. I quickly moved my
fingers to his armpits and almost immediately had him squirming and
laughing like the little boy I loved. He was almost to his knees when I
turned him around and lifted him by his chest. He automatically threw his
arms around my neck and legs around my waist as I carried him toward the
door.

We were almost at the door when a long honk from a car horn made me turn
around. Tim, having just backed his truck out of his driveway was stopped
in the middle of the street. "Child abuse, CHILD ABUSE!! I''m gonna report
you to CPS!" he yelled before driving off.

Carl looked at me for a second before starting to giggle again.

"Remember you still got a pop squish coming." I told him as I carried him
inside.

The twins were in the front room, bags waiting next to them. "Headgear
guys." I said.

"But pop!" Jerry whined "Everyone stares at us! They look dumb!"

- a rule the twins hated was when we traveled they wear their headgears
while en route. I understood their side, identical twins attract a lot of
attention anyway and with matching stainless steel car bumper sticking out
of the mouths even more, but, as I had explained to them probably hundreds
of times, they would have more time not having to wear the things in more
public as we enjoyed ourselves. - "Come on dad, we''ll wear them tonight."
Jeff answered.

I gave them my one of my ''hey stupid, you want to die or what'' glares,
usually was the harshest disciplinary measure I had to use to keep them in
line. Disgruntled they picked up their backpacks.

Jeff jerked on his pack as he tried to open it putting on a mini temper
tantrum. "This sucks" he muttered. "Carl don''t have to wear this shit!"

I was in the middle of Jeff''s face as he stood back up. "You got a problem
BOY?" I snarled.

"Would you rather stay here with gramps restricted to your room headgear
and all?" I''m not sure how but he managed to install his facebow on his
teeth while staring into my eyes, my face about an inch from his, getting
out a weak ''No Sir'' while he did. "Do we still have a problem?" I
snapped.

"No sir" both of the twins answered in unison. I gently grasp Jerry then
Jeff''s neck guiding against me and starting toward the toward the door
suggesting ''well, let'' go flying!'' Carl, standing against the wall wide
eyed stared for a couple of seconds "Come on its totally BAD!"

Jeff told him, holding out his arm. Carl paused a second or two and rushed
out the door in front of us.

The twins didn''t quit talking all the way to the airport. Having been to
NASA before as well as attending the NASA Space Camp for the last two
summers they described our upcoming adventure to Carl in great detail. I
had just taken the freeway exit to the airport when Jeff asked "Who gets
right seat?" (the co-pilot''s seat in the aircraft). Using the psychic
telepathy twin siblings have, that mine have mastered before Jerry said
"Dad, are you gonna let Carl fly?"

Saying he was welcome to try if he wanted Jeff chimed in that they think
Carl should get right seat. "Well but we want to fly some too!" Jerry said.

After stowing our belongings in the aircraft Jeff won the coin toss and
drove the van to my airplane''s reserved spot (about the only place either
of them were allowed to drive a car) while I visited the flight center to
check on any new weather problems than began my preflight , the careful
inspection pilots are required to perform on their aircraft to assure it is
flight worthy, the twins helping. For the first few minutes Carl was
basically in awe, walking around staring at the aircraft from different
angles, but the longer this took the more restless he got. At first he
followed me around then darting around, completely under foot I''m sure to
burn energy. I was considering ways to rope him to something as I accepted
the outside of the aircraft was flight worthy I yelled "need someone in the
cockpit"

The twins, on opposite sides of the aircraft, stood still for maybe a
second (I''m sure their telepathic antennas synching,) before Jerry ran and
jumped onto the plane''s wing. "Come on Carl!" he yelled as he climbed in
the aurcraft. Another five minutes of checking lights, control surfaces and
such I was ready to board, climbing on the wing right behind Jeff.

To my surprise Carl was sitting in the back seat, Jerry showing him how to
buckle and adjust the multi point restraint system. I was about to ask what
was going on, the twins had given Carl the cherished right seat when Jeff
said "Carl decided he wanted to chill some and maybe fly later some time,
is that okay?"

I was still trying to figure out how Jeff, from outside the aircraft, had
learned this when Carl said "There''s too many buttons and stuff up there
so I told Jerry I wanta just ride sir. . I mean pop"

Reminding myself to get the twins tested, they were not normal, I climbed
into my seat Jeff right behind me.

I pulled my shoulder straps into place before looking over at Jeff and
saying "Well, are we going to go flying anytime this morning?"

- both the twins were fairly experienced pilots, excellent pilots for their
age, having flown over a hundred hours or so as my ''right seat'', either
of them could quickly qualify for a license if they were old enough - He
instantly caught my hint flashing a wide sliver toothed smile that made me
reach for my sunglasses as he brought the electronics then the engine to
life, performing required tests and checks like he was a 747 Captain. "Can
I taxi her? can I take off maybe?"

he almost begged.

I checked each boy''s seat restraints before responding "Wake me when you
are tied down at Hobby." leaning back in my seat. - Hobby is a nick name
for Houston mostly general aviation airport, ''tied down'' is about like
parking an airplane, strapping it to the ground so winds wont cause it to
take flight unmanned in the middle of the night or such. - ''DUDE!!!'' came
an identical voice from the back seat.

Although I had at least one hand on the controls, actually control of the
aircraft, my left seat (pilot) station would automatically override
anything Jeff tried to do, he began what would be a flawless sortie. I had
to bite my lip a few times when the Air Traffic Controllers called him
ma''am on the radio but after taxiing out behind a 747 with a huge cargo
aircraft tailgating him for runway time (something that make me nervous,
each of these are probably 200 percent larger then my little Mooney, I have
often wondered if she would fit in the intake of one of their engines) he
took off.

Once we had leveled off at our flight altitude Carl and Jerry crawled out
of their restraints. Carl spent probably the first half hour staring wide
eyed out the window (s, I thought he was going to crush Jerry a few times
trying to see out the other side) while the twins and engaged in small
talk.

Soon he started looking over the aircraft''s instrument panel, after
several minutes he asked Jeff if he really knew what all the gauges,
switches and displays did. That was all the twins needed.

Donning imaginary mortis caps and tassels they spent the rest of the flight
giving Carl an advanced avionics course.

I was debating if I should remind Jeff we were nearing our approach to
Houston when ATC did it for me. Directing us to a new radio frequency the
ATC operator ended his transmission with their standard statement "Have a
good flight ma''am" causing a giggle from Carl and a death glare in Carl''s
direction from our young pilot. Soon Jeff had taxied to the FBO - Fixed
Base Operator, about like an airport terminal but for private aircraft -
The boys loaded our luggage into our waiting rental car while I made
arrangements to have the plane serviced for tomorrow and shortly I was
fighting Houston traffic on the way to NASA. As I parked the car in the
visitor area I noticed a lot of ''telepathic'' activity between the twins,
eyes and invisible antennas flashing at each other. I had just shut off the
car''s engine when Jeff said "Ah, dad?" looking over to him he was pointing
at his headgear.

"Okay, thanks for wearing them so well" I replied. Both of them had their
straps unfastened and facebows out of their mouth so fast I was briefly
worried the high grade stainless steel might melt from wind resistance.

NASA was great everyone having the time of their lives. Choosing not to
take the bus tour we explored on out own. After touring the space control
center, then several of the training areas for Astronauts, the twins
spouting every bit of knowledge they could remember from Space Camp to
Carl. Carl remained completely in awe, I had no idea a human could keep his
eyes bugged out for that long I think he only blinked 2 times (nor would I
have ever thought the NASA tour staff could be so patient regarding all his
questions, I would have killed him to save my voice if I were them) It was
close to lunch time so we decided to walk among the static exhibits outside
for awhile and see some of the theater simulations after we ate. The twins
cruised from exhibit to exhibit often ahead of me but within bounds. It
didn''t take Carl''s excitement and sprit of adventure to take over,
disappearing at the speed of light in one direction then another even after
I asked him to stay with our group. I was in the middle of about my third
five to ten minute ''where''s the lost kid'' panic session, starting to
wonder (well or wish!) the gift shop sold those little kiddy leashes in
Carl''s size, when I spotted him about 50 yards from us. I gave the twins
my VISA card asking the twins to meet me a nearby snack concessions stand
and I caught up with him, now about 75 yards from where he was suppose to
be.

He had his back to me climbing inside a rocket booster when I approached
him. "Carl, we agreed everyone was going to stay together, didn''t we?" I
asked. He turned around and seeing me turned ashen and froze. After a
second he looked back inside the booster then back at me now with the eyes
of a frightened animal eyes I had seen before. "Come here son." I said. He
glanced into the booster and back at three for four times I''m sure
deciding his best option. "Come on son." Slowly he crawled down moving in
front of me at about one step a second.

"I''m sorry sir its just everything is totally neat and . . . I mean I''m
sorry sir." he whimpered looking at the ground, his arms trembling
slightly. When I reached out toward him he stiffened like a board putting
one arm in front of his face. "Please sir, I''m sorry."

"Hey, remember me, I''m pop, I don''t hurt kids!" I responded. After what
had to be over a minute he slowly lifted his head, tears dripping onto his
shirt. He briefly scanned my face before darting his eyes back
down. "Please come here, do you think I''m going to hurt you?" He hesitated
then shuffled to me. As soon as he was within reach I put my hand on his
shoulder and pulled him into a hug then kissed the top of his head. He was
still trembling and sobbing as I guided him to a nearby park bench and sat
down, drawing between my legs.

"What are you gonna do to me? he almost whispered. "Please sir I''m sorr.

. ."

"Well right now I guess I''m going to buy you lunch!" I interrupted
stroking the back of his neck. "After that I might make you go on some dumb
rides about space travel, and when I get you to the motel I might just
throw you in some basement swimming pool!"

He hesitated before he moved closer to me asking "I mean about making you
mad sir. . . I mean for running away."

I wrapped my arm around his waist and after a couple of tries coached him
to sit on my lap.

"You didn''t run away, you got excited and roamed farther from me I then
you should have.

I''m not mad at you I was scared, I was afraid you might get hurt or
lost. I am not mad, okay?"

I got sort of a lost nod. "When I asked you to stay close to me I expect
you to do it. Not because you might run away, not because I don''t trust
you, because I love you and it would break my heart if something happened
to you!. I know you are too old to walk around holding my hand, but if we
have to do that to keep you safe I will insist, understand?" I said,
finishing the statement with a gentle hug of his waist. His eyes flashed
from looks of fright to teenage indignity to blank stares several times as
he digested my statement.

After what had to be well over a full minute he turned and surveyed my
face.

I could feel his eyes zooming in on mine as if I was getting an optical
exam. Before I realized he had moved I found a pair of long skinny arms
wrapped around my neck and Carl''s cheek pressed tightly against mine.

"I love you, I''m sorry sir, , , I mean pop." he whispered. I wrapped my
arms around him and we hugged for at least a couple of minutes. As I held
him I could feel the tension and fear of the frightened animal side
draining away, my shy little angel sneaking back out of its shell. Finally
he turned his head and kissed my cheek.

It snapped to me we were sitting in the middle of a Federal Reservation in
view of several thousand tourists some of which were surveying us. I
returned his kiss with a little peck before reaching around his back and
poking his stomach "Damn that feels empty to me!" I said as Carl
giggled. Another poke and a little tickling he responded to by squirming
like a snake and more giggles. "I think we better find something to feed
that tape worm!" I said as I threw him over my shoulder, pinning his knees
under one my elbow. I made it about halfway to the snack stand, Carl
giggling all the way, before my old bones said enough and I had to let him
down. Still giggling and silly as a two year old he wormed his way under my
shoulder as we walked.

Lunch was unique, and I am being polite here. . . Unknowingly I had sent
the twins to one of the small concession stands NASA operated that sold
''space food''. The kids loved it, Carl thought he was cruising in the
space shuttle, but I ended up sucking what was advertised as a "Gemini
Cheeseburger" (not knowing what I was getting into it I agreed to it at the
twins suggestion, I still think they were getting even with me for making
them wear their headgear). It was a tube of hamburger flavored paste, (turd
would be a better word, I really wondered if someone had already digested
this for me, I don''t think I need to go further. . .) and bun shaped
crackers I could spread it over. Thankfully they had real water (that you
didn''t rehydrate or anything!) and we had a good time talking while the
kids devoured countless tubes of this crap, I squirting mine under my seat
a little at a time acting like I was eating it.

We began making our way back to the visitor center along a different path
taking in more exhibits. Carl quickly went back into hyper mode, but this
time disappearing and reappearing. As we walked his away time got longer
and longer and I found myself scanning wondering how I could best track him
down best. I was on the edge of sending the twins hunting when something
brushed my palm then a set of little fingers wrapped around my thumb.

"Hi pop! I''m sorry please don''t be mad" Carl said. Looking down I was
rewarded with the wonderfully innocent, happy freckled face I was learning
to love. I guess my face was enough answer for him, he tucked himself under
my arm smiling like an opossum. - a small animal native to the southern USA
that''s lips are in the relaxed position make its face look like it always
has a wide, happy grin - After watching several of NASA''s multimedia
simulations and a visit to the gift shop to buy tee shirts and souvenirs we
found our rental car, I think everyone ready to find a place to relax for a
while. I was impressed that the twins put their headgears on without any
reminder and soon we at our hotel. Carl got a little nervous when the
porter rushed off with his belongings along with our''s, then another
driving off with the car (I don''t think he had ever been to a hotel
before) When I checked in we had a brief problem. The adjoining rooms I had
reserved were not available until later today as the party occupying them
had yet not checked out. After I verified my reservation was for noon (and
it was 3 PM) I asked the clerk where we were to stay. All but audaciously
she suggested we make ourselves comfortable in the lobby or lounge turning
to walk away. I''m not sure if my not to tactfully language or my facial
expression got her attention but magically a manager appeared and upgraded
us to a suite for the same rate.

What a suite it was too, this guy wanted me out of lobby badly! We were
ushered into a very comfortable sitting room with a in wall entertainment
center and comfortable leather furniture, a large balcony and two spacious
bedrooms off to the sides. Each bedroom with their own bath and television.

Everyone was impressed, but Carl was in awe. He walked around the room at
first with his hands behind his back like a six year old in a ''no-touch''
museum or something.

After a minute or so he began almost risking brief touches of the couch,
then the stereo. His pace quickened as he explored the bedrooms then the
balcony. "Wow, a pool!" he called to us. We joined him and looked over the
large pool below us, devoid of people because of the temperature. "Can
we. . ."


"I think I''d prefer the indoor one." I interrupted "I''d hate to see you
turn into a turkey- cicle" I said pulling him against my chest my arms over
his shoulders.

"They got another pool inside?" he almost hooted.

"Yea, they got a gym and stuff too!" Jerry interjected, "Dad always stays
at these."

"Let''s get unpacked and we''ll go see." I suggested. The twins helped him
hang his clothes and soon they were all standing in my bedroom giving me
impatient glares. When I hung the last of my garments I shoed them back
into the main room and sat down. "Okay let''s talk for a minute" I said,
gesturing for them to sit down. I got three ''oh, what now!'' looks as they
sat.

"Carl, Jerry and Jeff already know this, but we have some rules when we are
away from home."

His eyes widened like here it comes. "They are safety rules so they
absolutely must be obeyed, no second chances here, understand?" He pushed
closer to Jeff on the couch then gave me a frightened nod, his lips forming
a couple of silent words.

"You are never to leave the room without my permission, and only with at
least one of the twins or me. When you guys leave you can only go where you
have said you were going, no where else without telling me, and never
outside the hotel. Understand so far?"

another nod, his facial expression almost saying ''well, come on, drop the
bomb''. "Also, never answer the door unless I say its okay, and if I''m not
in the room don''t answer it at all. Oh yea, you can only charge soft
drinks to our bill but you have to ask me before ordering food, okay? Oh
and don''t charge beer or mixed drinks to the bill."

The last comment worked perfectly in cutting the tension. His nose wrinkled
as he cocked his head to the side, a classic puzzled look that would make
any movie director proud. Letting him stew for a few seconds I said "Well
you guys want to check out the pool?  Let''s go, everyone grab your
trunks."

The twins ran tripping all over each other rushing to their room but Carl
just sat there. I ruffled his hair telling him to come on. "What about the
rest of the rules?" he asked.

"Oh yea I did forget one. Since you''re the youngest you''re not allowed to
have any fun, none what so ever!" Before he could react I gave his ribs a
good tickle causing him to squeal and giggle.

"Your silly" he howled as he rushed in the bedroom. He was still all bubbly
as we started to leave. We had just stepped into the hall when he popped up
"You know those rules aren''t to bad, you didn''t say we can''t buy wine!"
He was far down the hall before I could even start to grab him.

The pool was a perfect interlude to our busy day. I played with the kids
for a few minutes tossing them up for back lips and letting them dive off
my shoulders, all the obligatory stunts dads must perform. The hundred or
so miles it seemed like I had walked started catching up with me and
slipped away from them, just floating next to the wall relaxing while they
played. After a few minutes I climbed out of the water into one of the
nearby chase lounge. Soon I caught a waiter''s attention ordering a rum and
coke along with an extra large order of Nachos - corn chips covered with
spiced, melted cheese - I got to munch on two or three chips before the
kids appeared as I expected, When it comes to food the twin''s nose would
put a blood hound''s to shame, I would swear they can smell a frozen bread
slice from 50 yards away. Two orders later, myself getting eight or ten of
the hundred or so chips consumed, they seemed refilled declining the
waiter''s offer of another order.

As the waiter walked away Jeff pushed his leg against my arm asking
"What''s for supper?"

After the boys played in the water for a few more minutes we showered,
changed out of our trunks and went back to our suite. I had already decided
on a nearby Steakhouse, knowing them by reputation, but polled the kids
what they wanted to do after we ate.

After I offered several options including going to the movies, finding an
amusement park, site seeing etc the twins synched their antennas briefly
before Jerry said "Can we get some snacks and watch a movie here?" I
didn''t bother asking Jeff knowing his brother already had telepathically
but Carl seemed thrilled with the idea as was I.

I suggested we get dressed and go eat, ignoring their complaints that they
wear button up shirts and dress slacks. "No jeans" I ordered as they went
in their bedroom. I changed clothes and called downstairs asking to have my
car brought around while I waited for them. We were about to leave when
Jerry said "Ah, dad?", his whine identical to his brother''s this morning,
pointing at his headgear. I ignored the reoccurring question that popped
from the back of my brain so often in the past 14 years ''are they twins or
the result of some evil doctor''s cloning experiments?''  "Wait till we get
to the restaurant." I responded. Two or three silent pleas using their best
sad puppy dog eye imitations I relented.

As we exited the hotel lobby and Carl saw our rental in front of the door,
a doorman on each side he froze so quickly I ran into his back. Slipping my
arm around him I guided him to the car the doorman opening his then my door
closing them for us as we climbed in. After the valet greeted us in front
of the restaurant and zoomed away with our car I started inside but had to
call Carl to join us, he was still standing in the middle of the driveway
gawking toward the car.

Realizing this was going to be an experience for both of us I tucked him
under my arm as we entered. After checking our coats the maitre d''
approached dressed in formal coat and tails "Is this all of your party
sir?" Carl pushed further under my arm as the steward smartly gestured
toward the dining area saying "Please follow me sirs." After a couple of
tries I pried Carl from under my arm and into a chair at our
table. Presenting everyone menus the maitre d'' asked if I would like to
see the wine list before disappearing.

Instantly an eqully dignified waiter appeared offering to bring us
something to drink and appetizers before we ordered. I asked for a
margarita, the twins ordering Cokes. After waiting a few seconds the waiter
turned smartly to Carl and asked "And for you sir?"

Knowing we weren''t going to get an answer I ordered a coke for him along
with a large order of stuffed mushrooms and shrimp cocktails for
everyone. I opened my menu being careful to keep Carl in site as I scanned
it, the twins studying theirs like a Christmas wish list.

Carl picked his up but never opened it instead bolting out of his chair to
me pushing his body inside my arm. I ran my fingers up and down his back
asking him if he was okay.

"I didn''t know there really was places like this" he whispered "I thought
they were just in old movies and stuff I''m scared I don''t know what to do
or nothing!" his eyes reddening. "Maybe can go we eat somewhere else?"

"I know, I know, you have good reason to be scared." I began causing him to
mold even more tightly against me. "Look, they have turkey on the menu!
Right here, fresh young turkeys, tail feather soup comes with it" pointing
blindly at the menu on the roast beef or whatever. He stiffened like I had
given him an electric shock before allowing his eyes to focus. "Relax son,
just be a Carl, okay? Take two bites of their food and you will know why we
came here." before he could respond our appetizers arrived, the waiter
thankfully passing the mushrooms near Carl''s nose as he set them down. I
picked up a fork scooping a sauce laden shrimp out of my cocktail putting
it next to his lips. "Want to see?"

Reluctantly he accepted the taste closing his lips as I pulled the fork
out.

His eyes bugged slightly as he bit down and swallowed. "Wow, that is
totally yummy!" he reached toward my cocktail but I stopped his telling he
had more over at his seat. He took a couple of cautious bites. Studying how
the twins and I conducted ourselves. It didn''t take long for him to
adjust, he destroyed a salad, huge serving of fried shrimp and french fries
finally a very respectable slice of cheese cake.

As we left the restaurant I had to snicker, this skinny kid had a beer
belly almost as big as mine, it taking me probably ten years to get that
fat.

After a quick stop at a corner grocery for drinks and snacks we were back
at the hotel. The boys all but darted into their bedroom to change as I
stuffed our drinks in the suite''s small refrigerator then went into my
bedroom and climbed into a comfortable tee shirt and shorts.

When I came back out the boys were still in their room, the door closed. I
spent a couple of minutes looking over the hotel''s list of pay per view
movies and list of DVD rentals available before I started to wonder what
they were up to. I was about to get up and check on them when the door
opened and they came out clad only in gym shorts. "Headgear?" I more then
ordered then asked as they crossed the room. All of them turned around and
darted toward their bedroom.

Carl was almost to the door before he stopped, turning around red faced.

"Oh yea I don''t got one!" he explained. I didn''t mean any signal as I put
my hand on my hip but I guess Carl took it as one and instantly I had a lap
full of still embarrassed kid.

I couldn''t help noticing the bulging belly he had leaving the restaurant
was gone his tummy was flat and thin again. "What did you do with all your
yumm?" I asked stroking his bare stomach making him squirm. Before I knew
it I had two more kids piled on me the twins and Carl laughing and hugging
me, somehow all four of us fitting into a recliner designed for
one. Quickly everyone settled down and we spent a couple of minutes
investigating movie possibilities. Nothing looked interesting or pay per
view or the broadcast channels but the kids found three or four DVD''s that
I approved of we could rent. "You guys want to run downstairs and get a
couple?" I asked getting a quick agreement.

Expecting them to bound out of the chair I glanced around when only Carl
jumped out of my lap.

The twins were clearly telepathically discussing something, eyes and
invisible antennas almost on overload. "Can Jeff and Carl go get them dad,
I kinda wanted to stay here, , , I mean kick back"

Jerry asked. Agreeing I told Jeff to get the room passage card off my
dresser before they left. - like a credit card but the opened the
electronic lock on the door to our suite, also on doors to the pool and
such in the hotel- They were heading toward the door at lightening speed
when I snapped "Shirts, shoes, gentlemen!" a quick dart back into their
bedroom and the were back at the door. As it opened I growled "CARL! , , ,
only ONE gallon of wine on my bill if you will sir!"

A series of giggles and they were gone.

Jerry sat motionless for several seconds his face looking like he had the
problems of the world on his shoulders. I shifted in the recliner so his
thin frame slid next to mine then rolled toward him tucking my arm behind
his neck. "What''s on your mind son, what''s wrong?." I could almost hear
gears grinding in his head as he glanced at me three or four times saying
nothing. I pulled him closer to me before continuing "Talk to me son, I
cant help you if you wont." He rolled his eyes toward mine for several
seconds but looked away. "Remember me, I''m dad, please tell me what''s
wrong."

"What''s gonna happen to Carl?" he finally asked. I was trying to think of
an answer when he continued "Are you gonna let him live with us?" He
shifted his body so we were basically face to face, locking his eyes to
mine. "Dad, we love him so do you. We, ah, Jeff and I have been talking and
we think we should adopt him. . . I mean I think you should adopt him, , ,
I mean we think you should adopt him."

I kissed his forehead before I cuddled his head against my chest. Wiping
tears from my eyes I held him for a few seconds. "God son, I wish it was
that simple, all this is much more complicated then I think you know, I
don''t think I could adopt Carl if I tried. But Carl probably isn''t going
to leave right after the holidays like we thought, he''s probably going to
stay with us until CPS finds him a good home."

"But he''s got a good home here!" he explained. "Why should he go somewhere
else? That''s dumb, why can''t you adopt him?"

I looked away for a few seconds trying to get my thoughts together. Jerry
was at the age where he was half little boy half young man but I clearly
was addressing the young man right now.

"Jerry, well let''s look at some realities. I''m a single dad that already
has two young teens. I''m old enough to be Carl''s grandfather and I''m far
from rich, I have to go to work every day or we don''t eat. That''s not the
kind of home that kids get adopted into adoption judges would laugh at
me. I have my hands full taking care of you two anyway."

"But you''re old enough to by my grandfather too." he responded. "You can
take care of all three of us you already are! Dad, Carl is so much
different since he moved here, he''s not scared all the time and he''s not
afraid to come home to our house and he''s happy!  The only time I ever saw
Carl happy before he moved here was when he came to our house and was with
you. Now that he lives here he''s got a real dad that he can trust well
that he can love."

"Son there are some things involved I cannot tell you and I don''t think
you would understand if I did." As I said it I knew it was a poor answer at
best, but all I could think of. "Carl has had a lot of things done to him
that he is going to have to learn to deal with, things that I have no idea
how to help him through."

"You mean what his mom and dad made him do?" he interrupted, leaning
further into our hug.

After I didn''t answer for a few seconds he continued. "Yea we know, he
came to our house after almost every time to hide, he knew he would get to
be safe with you at least for a little while. You are probably the only
reason he didn''t kill himself dad.." I felt my head starting to spin as
his statement sunk in. I took several deep breaths afraid I was going to
back out.

"Dad, dad?" Jerry''s voice snapped me back toward reality. "Carl and Jerry
are back with the movies can they come in?" Presuming they had forgotten
the passage card I nodded and started to push out of the recliner when I
heard the electronic lock release.


NEXT: BOUND FOR (a) HOME