Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2001 19:37:21
From: Gary Q. <gary_q@hotmail.com>
Subject: MY CARL Chapter 4

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.

AUTHOR'S COMMENTS: I wanted to thank everyone for the multiple e-mails and
messages I have received regarding this story much more then I had
expected, thanks for your responses. I have gotten several notes saying the
story is emotional causing tears in several reader's eyes. I agree, at
times I have shed many tears writing it. As to a few notes asking, more
questioning if abusive situations described here could actually happen, yes
sadly they do I toned down some of what happened to the boy portrayed as
Carl. What happens next, well I guess we just have to let the feathers fly
and land where they may!

CHAPTER 4: BOUND FOR (a) HOME

I was still at somewhat of a loss as Carl and Jeff burst into the room, did
I understand my innocent young son correctly, did the twins know Carl and
been prostituted, and they had been protecting him through me? We hadn't
talked about sex, sexual relationships and such much, every time I tried
they seemed more interested in talking about sports or food, after every
attempt I assumed they were still too immature. I also wondered how did
Jerry know Carl and Jeff were outside waiting (well how much of our
conversation did Jeff hear via their sibling linking system?)

I felt the thick wire of Jerry's facebow push against my cheek then his
gentle kiss. "Please dad, well please pop." he whispered before he rolled
out of the recliner rushing to investigate the video treasures his brother
and Carl had acquired.

I had returned the recliner to its upright position when Carl jumped in my
lap recanting all the details of his great adventure downstairs, having to
give his room number, his 'dad's' name and such before they could rent the
DVD's. The twins had already started the first movie before he noticed
leaning back against my chest to watch it. I held him for a few minutes
before telling him I had to go to the bathroom. While I drained my bladder
I happened to glance over at the shower.  Peeling off my shirt and shorts I
stepped in. I didn't bother to soap myself just shifted my body from side
to side allowing the shower's massaging spray to relax me as I reflected on
Jerry's conversation with me then the many other events of the week. I'm
not sure how long I was there before I looked down and noticed my skin was
starting to shrink up like a prune shell. 'Well a couple more minutes' I
told myself.

When I went back into the sitting room all three boys were on the couch,
the twins sitting, their feet on the coffee table and heads crocked against
a corner of the backrest.  Carl was laying between them, his head in Jeff's
lap feet in Jerry's. Deciding not to disturb them I crawled up in
bed. Unable to sleep I listened to the drone of whatever corny dinosaur
movie the boys were watching (or sleeping thru) as I wrestled with my
thoughts, finally drifting off to sleep.

I found myself enjoying another dream of Sherry being alive and at my side,
God it was wonderful feeling her warm body against mine. I shifted slightly
throwing my arm over her to pull her more tightly against me but she was
several inches away. "Be careful please don't hurt the baby." she
whispered. I moved my fingers to the back of her neck and cursing those
damn stiff curlers women wear slid my fingers to the top of her head,
feeling some nylon webbing over part of her angel soft hair. Wondering what
new 'miracle' female beauty contraption she was trying now I cracked an eye
slightly open and almost jumped out of my skin, it wasn't Sherry's hair in
curlers in my hand but Jerry's complete with headgear straps. Tightly
tucked between Jerry and I was Carl, his head under my arm and thin body
molded against mine, both boys sound asleep.  Enjoying their touch and soft
innocence I lay back on my pillow but my respite was short lived.  As I
closed my eyes the parent corner of my brain started flashing warning
messages 'kid alert', kid missing!, KID MISSING!!!' at the same time my
bladder began demanding my attention.

I pulled my arm away from Jerry and tried to toss top of the cozy blanket
draped across my rib cage only have it whimper and pull back, it wasn't a
blanket but Jeff's lanky arm, he was what I thought was the wonderfully
comfortable blanket warming my back. "Hi dad."  His still half asleep voice
muttered.

"You guys are suppose to be in bed" I mumbled.

"We are!" he answered "Well dad, please if. . ." I cut him off informing
that when nature calls she calls, that he could move over or get ready to
tread water. He took the hint quickly. When I returned from the bathroom
Jeff was sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for me. "Dad, maybe if we
could talk for a minute," he began.

"Maybe if we could talk when we got home?" I cut him off. Realizing I had
been pretty short with him I sat down next to him pulling him against my
chest. "Let's enjoy our trip son, I know we have some things to talk about
and promise we will next week. Let's enjoy the weekend well and right now,
right now let's. go to sleep okay?" He stared at me for a couple of
seconds, his eyes clearly trying to think of an answer when Jerry, out of
Jeff's site, twitched slightly. Jeff agreed looking at the bed and then
back at me I'm sure wondering if I was going to send him into his bed. I
gently pushed him back into the mattress, swung his long thin legs into bed
and rolled him against Carl. "Well I got all my turkey's in the same nest,
I love you guys so much." I whispered as I snuggled against him.

What I thought might have been the ringing of a telephone disturbed my
slumber. I was trying to decide if it was a dream or real when the bed
moved slightly and I thought I heard Jerry's voice.  "Who was that?" Jeff's
sleepy voice slid into my sub-conscious brain.

"Some asshole telling us to get up!" Jerry muttered. "What kind of F***head
thinking would make someone do something like that, he must be a real dick
head."

"I did!" I snapped now partly awake. "That was the hotel, this thing called
a wake up call! and what kind of language is that young man, where are you
picking that stuff up?" I growled. Jeff's quick snicker told me I had
totally lost the edge of this discussion. His face was somber again when I
looked down at him. I hooked my hand behind Jerry's waist and pulled him
against his brother. A couple of rib tickles on each boy broke the tension
before I continued "Come on guys, your too young to use that language
okay?"  which got me a pair of matching 'yea sure' glances.

Still not awake enough to remember why the twins were in my bed I pulled
Jerry closer to Jeff tickling and teasing them for a minute both of them
squirming and laughing.  I had just noticed muffled sounds coming from
between the twins when Jerry rolled away from me and Carl sprang to a
sitting position between them "I gotta pee BAD!" he cried bolting out of
bed like fired from a rocket. The twins and I laughed for a few seconds
before I softly popped Jerry on the butt telling him to quit that 'f***ing
cursing'.

As I had asked room service had a cart parked outside our door loaded with
orange juice, hot chocolate and coffee. I loved Carl's face as he walked
out of the bedroom and eyed the tray asking where it came from. I poured
him a cup of chocolate saying that room service had delivered it. Thinking
no more about it I sipped on my coffee before noticing him studying the
drink cart. "They really bring stuff to you and stuff?" he asked. "I didn't
know that really happened that's movie stuff!"

The twins walked into the sitting room with absolute perfect timing and a
little voice said 'screw it, its expensive but whatever'. "Who wants
breakfast?" I asked, getting the room service menu out. Handing Jeff the
menu I continued "I'm going to jump in the shower, call down and order me
two eggs and toasted English muffins, you guys get whatever you want." "Oh
and don't forget my extra jelly boy!" I snapped. I listened behind my
closed bedroom door for several seconds as Jerry and Jeff tried to convince
Carl to pick what he wanted, when I heard him say bacon and waffles I
jumped in the shower.

Carl was awe stuck when the waiters arrived with our breakfast loaded onto
two carts. One waiter remained behind helping us with our lap trays and
seeing Carl's lost face he all but coddled the boy pouring him a glass of
milk, handing him a napkin and such before excusing himself. Carl poked his
finger at his waffles like he was testing to see if they were real. I
scooped a load of egg onto muffin and holding it up said "Come on turkey
yumm out, this isn't the movies this shit gets cold if you don't eat it!"
He glanced at the twins, already attacking their pancakes and began
inhaling his breakfast.

While the boys showered and dressed I called the hotel desk asking them to
prepare my bill and have my car brought around. I had just sat on the couch
when I felt a push against my leg followed by a lap full of Carl. "Thanks
pop" he whispered, "I didn't know any real kids got to live like this!" I
started to tell him its only very occasional when he asked "Do you ever get
mad, I mean well,"

The bell hop arrived for our bags before I could respond. I was impressed
that as the twins brought their backpacks out of their room their headgears
were back on, without my prompt.

I tried to keep Carl close to me while I checked out of the hotel but had
to cover my mouth with my hand to hide my chuckle as we walked out to the
car. As in a movie scene Cecil B. De Miles would have been proud to have
choreographed Carl pranced out to the rental pausing by the car door while
the doorman opened it. He climbed into the car in perfect posture clearly
expecting it to be closed behind him.

We spent a couple of hours visiting nearby tourist sites. I took the time
to drive to the Houston ship channel so the boys could see the ocean going
ships. We walked along the dock the boys dazzled by the size of these huge
freighters. As we walked by one of the monstrous ropes securing a ship to
the dock Carl pushed on it a couple of times before putting his arm flat
along it "It's thicker then my arm" he explained.

"That's thicker then your skinny neck!" Jerry responded. Jerry just dodged
Carl's swing at Jerry's biceps they were chasing each other down the
dock. I caught up with them a minute or so later wrestling on the dock,
both laughing and squirming.

We picked up to go sandwiches to eat in the aircraft and soon we were back
at Hobby. While I checked weather conditions etc, turned the rental in and
cleared my bill with the FBO the boys loaded our luggage in the aircraft. I
performed my prefight without problem this time Jeff and Carl boarding
first as I checked the lights etc and did my final walk around of the
aircraft. As I climbed on the wind Carl was waiting for me, the twins
already strapping themselves into the rear seat restraints. "So you're my
right seat?" I asked climbing into the cockpit. All I got for a response
was a blush that almost hid his freckles in the bright sunlight. It took a
little adjusting but I got Carl's seat so he could see well and reach the
controls (thankfully Mooney equipped their aircraft with seats that would
adjust to accommodate both midgets and basketball players)

I took the aircraft off getting us on course and altitude before I offered
Carl the controls. He almost instantly learned how to move the yoke -
steering wheel of sorts - to keep the aircraft level then to keep it on
course, grinning like a opossum the whole time. I 'helped' him control the
yoke as we began our approach to Rockport Texas (I was piloting the
aircraft while Carl had his hands on his yoke but he didn't know that)

Once on the ground we threw both the ice chests I had stowed in the plane
in a taxi and were off to the fish house (market) on a nearby pier. I
quickly noticed some huge, almost six inch long shrimp along with several
beautiful cuts of fish, all very much so very fresh and bargain priced. I
was so impressed I called Tim on my cell phone to see if he wanted
anything.  He asked me to pick up several things before suggesting we eat
at his house for supper, I brought the fish and shrimp he would both pay
for it and cook it (he had been talking to my dad I'm sure)

Ten minutes later I was doing my prefight, over a hundred pounds of fish,
fresh oysters and shrimp on board. I had my head inside the engine cowling
checking fluid levels when a little head squirmed under my arm asking "When
can we leave pop, you just did all this!"  I stroked Carl's hair with one
hand while I did a final inspection inside the cowling.

Turning him and pulling his back against my chest I pointed up at the sky.
"See all those clouds up there?" he nodded as he relaxed against me. "They
are really beautiful, its even more wonderful that I can take you up there
and fly with them, but if the airplane quits working which one could we
park on until the tow truck comes for us?" he stiffened for an instant
before asking what 'we' needed to check next.

I was about to tell the boys to board the aircraft when Carl stepped in
front of me. Flashing a couple of his wonderfully refreshing wide eyed
grins at me he asked "Pop, will you teach me to fly?"

Jerry flew the two hour or so return leg of our trip perfectly. Once at
cruise altitude Carl was right in the middle of the front seats asking
questions he even started to climb onto the center council (and onto vital
switches and controls, like the engine controls) a couple of times Jeff
always pulling him back.

I had just parked the van in the driveway and opened the rear hatch when I
heard Tim's voice boom "About damn time,, I'm starving!" he was climbing
out of one of the recliners on his front porch when I looked over at
him. The boys carried our luggage into the house while Tim and I sorted our
bounty from the coast, Timmy studying each item wide eyed.  Something was
different about his appearance but I couldn't put my finger on what. Soon
Tim and Timmy were carrying one of my ice chests away with them as dad and
I wrestled the other one inside.  Dad offered to put the fish away if I
wanted to clean up and change and soon I joined three squeaky clean kids in
the kitchen.

Somehow I managed to inject that we should go over to Tim's over Carl's
detailed report to dad about our trip, maneuvering everyone out the
door. Tim was shelling the last of the shrimp we had set aside for supper,
dropping them into marinate as we joined him in his back yard. "Dude, these
are huge, they look like beef steaks." he commented. "Grab a cold one!"
Timmy and my boys quickly drifted toward the front of the house basketball
in hand, Carl giving Timmy a detailed tour of Houston as Tim and I sat
down.

I had just opened my beer when Judy, Tim's wife, came out of the house with
a large platter of fresh oysters. I was about to pop the first one in my
mouth when Jerry then Jeff and Carl, true to the twins' almost supernatural
ability to smell food, appeared looking like they hadn't eaten for
weeks. They rushed to the tray the twins grabbing skewers and attacking the
oysters. Carl had to push his way between them and reached out with a
skewer before jerking his had back like he had stuck it into
flames. "What's that!" he shrieked gawking at the tray. When I answered he
hesitated before explaining "That's not what they look like!" I somewhat
melodramatically stabbed another oyster, dipped it in cocktail sauce and
stuffed it into my mouth making a show of swallowing.

"Come on son, try one." Which earned me a 'are you totally nuts?' look.
Timmy pushed in next to his dad quickly downing two oysters at the same
time as Carl stared in total disbelief. "Come here." I asked patting my
hand on my knee. Slowly he more crawled then walked between my legs. I
selected one of smaller of the few left on the tray holding it up to his
mouth. "Just try one, I bet you like it." After watching the other boys
devour the few remaining pieces he took a couple of deep breaths finally
held the last breath as he slowly opened his mouth.

I had dropped the sample on his tongue and in slow motion he began closing
his mouth when Judy sat a fresh load on table. Carl was in mid swallow when
Tim asked "Honey, did you decide to serve the oysters or the Shark snot?"
The youngster's face turned pale, then red then ashen as the oyster
unwillingly slid down his throat.

"I wasn't sure what everyone wanted so I mixed them." she replied. Carl
grabbed his throat with one hand his thin belly with the other briefly, his
eyes big as a saucers.  Glancing around he grabbed my beer, I think the
closest liquid, frantically rinsing his mouth.  Everyone's uncontrollable
laughter made him look up red faced "Its okay sweetie, they are both good."
Judy told him patting the top of his head.

It took several tries to convince him we were teasing him, that they really
were oysters, but he did try one more, closing his eyes was I popped them
into his mouth. I was trying to get him to try another when Judy reappeared
with a tray of potato chips and dip which Carl darted to at lightening
speed, giving me dirty looks between chips.

The adults chatted as the kids attacked the chips and dip, all the kids
except Carl grabbing few more oysters over the next few minutes. Timmy had
come to the oyster tray a couple of times before I snapped what was
different about his appearance, he had braces on his upper teeth.  Asking
about them he threw his hand over his mouth as Tim replied "Yea he got them
Friday, he gets another load this Friday."

"Yea two days before Christmas, some Christmas present." Timmy snarled.

"Shit!" I replied. "All this time the twins have been telling my I'm the
only dad on earth that's a big enough ass hole to make his kids wear those
things! Welcome to the Ass Hole Club dude!" I said, extending Tim my
hand. I ignored the twins' 'stuff it dad' looks and one by one the boys had
their fill of snacks and disappeared back to the basketball goal. Judy and
dad excused themselves into the house after she asked for his help and Tim
and I checked on the pit and prepared to cook the shrimp and fish.

Tim asked how Carl did on our trip and such laughing as I filled him in
regarding the hotel and our dinner. "I'm surprised that was all the
adventures you had." he said.  "Keep in mind what Carl thinks of as
something special is a trip to McDonald's. You pile him in your private
airplane and whisk him away to a premier hotel and serve him a four star
meal, I think he did great." I hesitated but relayed my conversation with
Jerry last night. "Yea they know." he replied "Timmy talked to me over the
weekend, he was worried about Carl. I pumped it out of him your boys had
talked to him trying to figure out how they could help Carl. Carl's parents
were suspicious of you and Timmy several times invited him over here so he
could see you. Shit it's a little scary I thought we both of us just had
little boys, the biggest worry in their world was their next baseball
game!" He paused while we lay the shrimp and tuna steaks on the grill.
"What are you going to do?"

I walked over to the ice chest and got each of us a fresh beer, trying to
think how to answer that question. "I have no idea." I began. "Hey dude,
I'm going to be 51 next year, if everything goes right I can retire in
three years, I could get a part time job being a greeter at Walmart, ship
the twins off to college and spend most of my time falling in love with my
aircraft or something. I could go buy a hog and live out 'Born to be Wild'
if I wanted!" I paused taking a long swallow of beer waiting to see if I
could get a response from him. "Besides I'm an overaged, overloaded single
parent I doubt any court would give him to me anyway." I started to get the
feeling of being trapped. Tim just glanced at me, his MSW side clearly in
action.  "You're the master shrink, what would you do?"

"Get a tray, the fish is almost done." he replied.

Five minutes later we were all attacking a wonderful supper. Besides the
shrimp and tuna steaks Judy had prepared a host of delicious side dishes
from corn to salad.  Everyone ate like kings, when she brought homemade pie
and ice cream out to the picnic table I think all of us wondered where we
would fit it but somehow we found room. The kids cleared the table and Judy
went inside with them. Dad said he wanted to walk and began drifting around
the yard as Tim and I stood up from the table. "Any more thoughts about
what you are going to do?"  he asked.

"No" I responded. We looked at each other for a few seconds. "Got any more
of that cold beer?"  I asked. I crawled back into his comfortable lawn
furniture drinking several more beers then either of us needed, neither of
us talking. Dad interrupted our solace saying he and the boys were going
home. I gazed at the stars for I have no idea how long before my biological
clock said it was bed time and I staggered across the street, well more
then half drunk. I wanted to crash into bed as I walked in the door but
went to check on the kids. I peeked in on Carl first he was dead to the
world, only his little button nose showing out of his blankets as were the
twins, I think only the second coming could have waken them. I spent a
minute or so telling Binki and Bandit about our weekend before realizing
who I was talking to and crashed into a deep sleep.

Often over the years I have wondered why alarm clocks were not made of soft
rubber, it would save a lot of wear and tear on both the clock's snooze
button and my hand on Monday mornings.  I had to respect the poor thing
though, after tapping it the first time it disturbed me I delivered a
pretty harsh punch when it woke me again. The third time I delivered what
had to be a lethal blow but it refused to either die or abandon its
mission. After rewarding the clock's efforts with several vial comments I
dragged my hung over carcass down the hall to the coffee pot, having to
close one eye to hit the mug as I poured. "Hi pop" a soft, angelic voice
muttered.

Turning around I found Carl, clad only in his briefs, rubbing his eyes.
"What are you doing up at this time of morning? Its 5:30!" I asked.

"You leave too early sometimes" he mumbled wrapping his arms around my
waist. Somehow I managed to pick him up and carry him in one arm, my
desperately needed coffee cup in the other hand, and carried him to the
table sitting him on my lap as I fell into my chair. He threw his arms
around my neck and tucked his face into my cheek, we hugged each other for
what had to be two or three minutes. "Thanks pop" he whispered.. I hugged
him tighter and started to respond when he continued "I didn't know real
kids got to do stuff like we did only movie kids get to do that kind of
stuff! Thanks pop I love you!"

"I love you too son." I responded. I held him stroking his back for a
minute or so before continuing. "I guess only movie kids get to eat Shark
snot too?" His spine snapped bolt straight, his eyes locking to mine. "Got
'ya!" I hooted. While he was still staring at me I poked his ribs and
kissed the now giggling kid on my lap before I pulled him back against
me. I enjoyed another minute or so of his hug before saying "I love you
turkey, but I have to get in the shower. Want some hot chocolate?" I nuked
a cup for him in the microwave leaving him sipping on it while bathed.

Dad and the twins were up when I came back out of my bedroom. A quick sip
of coffee and a round of hugs from the boys I was out the door. I managed
to wake up enough to function by the time I got on base and the day went
pretty well. I was saddened to learn one of my co-workers' husband was
injured in a car accident over the weekend. Nothing life threatening, but
he would be in the hospital over Christmas ruining a ski trip with their
married daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter they had planned since last
summer. It was one of those pre-paid resort packages, of course
non-refundable, and she was trying to find someone to sell it to instead of
losing their money. I didn't think much but felt sorry for her. I had a
long report to accomplish and about 2:00, after a hundred or so
interruptions for trivial things, I left the office deciding to finish the
report at home.

I was just e-mail what I hoped would be the final draft of the report to
myself at work when dad drove in with the kids. I had to laugh at Carl, he
had worn his Space Center souvenir tee shirt to school and immediately had
to show it off to me (not that I had seen it before or anything, I didn't
remind him who bought it for him. . .) Monday was allowance day, and the
twins had only inhaled about half of their twenty pounds of after school
snacks when they started dropping hints.

"Man, I'm broke, you got a dollar I can borrow?" Jerry asked his brother
between bites.  Complaining he was too they exchanged long forlorn looks,
both using their well practiced sad puppy dog eyes, glancing at me to be
sure I heard. I just turned my back devoting all my attention to the
computer screen. Soon I had a twin on each side of me grinning and rubbing
my arms and shoulders. I gave them both a short hug before reaching up and
tapping on my teeth. They both slumped slightly giving me identical 'do we
have to' looks before disappearing down the hall.

I had called Carl over to me when the twins returned, still fastening their
headgear straps. "Carl, did you get an allowance at home?" I asked. He
responded with a soft no, looking away. "Do you know what one is?" brought
a 'sorta' "Well here everyone gets a dollar a week" his eyes went to the
floor "for every year of your age." He looked back up at me his mouth
agape. Handing him a stack of bills I said "You can spend it however you
want, but this is all you get until next week, if your broke tomorrow,
sorry to hear it."

He stared at my hand for several seconds before reaching toward it.
Hesitating again he almost cautiously accepted it. He rolled the bill in
his hand for a second before muttering "Wow, that's how much I got for
Christmas last year."

"Have fun with it, turkey. Now you better get out of the way before your
brothers run over you."

He gave me another hug before turning away. He turned back with a scampish
grin on his face asking climbing "I wonder how much wine this will buy?" I
tried to pop him on the butt but he as too fast for me.

Everyone disappeared down the hall to stash their bounty and soon they were
racing out the door.  I had just turned back to the computer when I felt
the twin slide inside my arms one on each side.  "Thanks dad" they said in
unison hugging my neck. "Thanks for taking care of Carl pop." Jeff
continued. I stroked their backs for a few seconds before shoeing the out
the door.

During supper everyone informed me they had very little homework tonight,
explaining there were only two days of school left, so I agreed to let them
have extra time on the computer tonight, just so homework got done. As soon
as they had loaded the dishwasher all three of them were in front of the
family room's PC. I watched for a minute wondering how the three of them
could stack themselves into one office chair and breath much less be
comfortable. I considered suggesting they get a couple more chairs but let
it go.

I crawled into one the lounges in our front court yard with my novel,
drifting back and fourth between the book and my promised conversation with
the twins about Carl. I had about decided to let them play for a few
minutes and call them off to the side while Carl was occupied on the
computer when in the background I heard one of my flight simulator programs
launch. I listened for a minute waiting for the first dog fight to begin
but instead the twins began talking about cockpit controls and such. It
didn't take long for me to close my book and listen, the twins now spouting
tutelage like a pair of veteran Top Gun instructors.

Quietly I slipped into the family room entryway just as Carl attempted his
first takeoff, now perched on Jeff's lap Jerry standing next to them. "Just
watch your speed stay cool, stay cool."  Jeff instructed, one hand covering
the hand Carl had on the yoke.

"Vr Vr, Rotate!" Jerry's alto voice expounded with all the professionalism
of a 747 pilot - Vr is an aeronautical term the co-pilot of major airliners
use to inform their Captain the aircraft has reached a fast enough speed on
the runway that it is safe to take the aircraft airborne, Rotate is the
action of pulling the yoke back, liberating the craft into the sky - I
could see the tension in Carl's thin neck bony jaw as he pulled back on our
simulator aircraft controls, Jeff slowing his movement. The computer screen
responding refreshing the view of the runway with sky. Several more
commands from his young flight instructor 'gear up, flaps zero and such'
and Carl was leveling the simulation toward a perfect slow climb.

I was still watching in awe as Carl proclaimed "I did it!" louder he
exclaimed "Shit I did it!" his hand went to his mouth and I was just able
to duck out of the room as he looked around. I debated if I should react. I
chanced a quick peek in the room and more feeling then seeing the
excitement in the room walked away.

Deciding my talk with the twins would have to wait I left them alone as
long as I dared as they flew sortie after sortie, Carl only using a few
more off color words, before reminding them it was homework and bath
time. Agreeing to let them 'land' before shutting down the computer soon
everyone was in the kitchen with me. Carl gave me a full debrief of each
flight complete with hand and body illustrations of each adventure. "I flew
an airplane just like 'ours' the last three times" he explained showing an
ear to ear smile, his sky deep eyes still in the clouds. When he finally
settled down enough I told the twins to get started on homework, that I
needed to talk to Carl for a minute.

Bug eyed he remained behind climbing on my knee. "I didn't mean to
say. . ."  Putting my finger against his lips I silenced him saying I
wanted to talk to him not him to me. I asked him not to take his allowance
money to school and after studying my eyes briefly he told me that the
twins had already told him, "the bigger kids would take it away" I was
told. I tried to stay low key as reminded him about his court hearing in
the morning. His facial expression instantly changed from calm to one of
worry, almost fear. Telling him nothing was going to happen, that the judge
just wanted to be sure he was okay. He hesitated then said "Whenever my old
dad went to one he always got put in jail then he didn't come home for
awhile" I let the 'old dad' slide assuring him this was a kid's judge that
he was only concerned about his welfare. "Well but does he put kids in
jail?" he whimpered.

"Only if they are very bad kids, but not because their foster kids, and
that's why we are going, right?" he gave a weak nod, I was not at all sure
he fully believed me.

Suddenly he jerked his head around to look at me "We?" he asked. "Are you
going too?"

"Of course I'm going to be there!" I responded pulling him next to me. "You
think I'd let Roy take you somewhere by himself, he's no match for a silly
turkey!" He grinned and instantly relaxed. I asked him to wear dress
clothes like he wore to dinner in Houston and filled him in on tomorrow's
schedule all of which he seemed comfortable with.

I rubbed his shoulder for a few seconds before suggesting he get started on
his homework. He stood up and took a step toward his room but turned asking
"But does he put kids in jail if they're bad?" I assured him only really
bad kids, not him. "What if" he hesitated.  "What if a kid had to do, , ,
well nothing but does he knows about me running away?" I started to worry a
little and asked when he had ran away. "Well at the space thing!"

I pulled him into my lap "Well I wont tell if you wont. I just hope he
doesn't find out you eat Shark Snot!" I reach around to tickle him but
before I touched him his giggle box kicked into overdrive and after a few
pokes to his tight little stomach I threw him over my shoulder and carried
him to his room. Dropping him on the bed I said "Okay turkey, hit the
books, you have to get 'ed- u-ma-cated', only two days left to get all
smart!"

NEXT: JUDGEMENT DAY