Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 20:36:16
From: Gary Q. <gary_q@hotmail.com>
Subject: MY CARL Chapter 6

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.

CHAPTER 6: SNOWBIRD FOR CHRISTMAS?

I felt pretty upbeat as I left for work despite it being 30 degrees and
raining. I had to snicker as I remembered Carl last night, I thought I was
going to have to throw him down and strip him to get his ski clothes off
him to go to the cleaners, but repeated assurances that he would get them
back and I think more a warm house and insulation clothing designed for
zero degree weather, finally won out.

There was little to do when I got to work as more and more people began to
disappear most the military traveling home for Christmas.

Helen was waiting in the parking lot when I arrived for our luncheon and
Tim was right I was not disappointed. I think Samoan (Hawaiian) she
belonged more in a Playboy centerfold then working for a living. A perfect
tan (in mid winter?) accenting her olive skin she had to have E or double E
breasts, about a twenty eight inch waist and the thighs of a kick boxer,
she was just built like a brick shit house! Although I like chicken breasts
only slightly more then Big Macs that's what I ordered as we started
talking.

Casey was everything Tim had stated, Helen stated if we were accepted into
their program they would reimburse me for 'maintenance needs' (which meant
food and such) and would pay for all of Carl's needs from clothing to
tutoring, basically whatever I felt he needed he got at their expense. "If
you will raise him we will pay for everything" she explained as I bit into
my first bite of grilled breast, wishing it was the fresh breast I was
really interested in tasting. Somehow I managed to conduct an intelligent
conversation with her over lunch. As we left she gave me a CD asking me to
fill out the questionnaire on it and send it to the internet address it
linked to, saying how she was looking forward to meeting dad and the boys.

I was still thinking about Helen as I drove back to the base when my cell
phone rudely interrupted my day dream, a call from the kids' school. 'Last
day before vacation, what kind of shit did the twins get into now' I
thought as I answered. It was the school's vice principle but instead of
telling me the twins were busted again, he informed me that Carl's mother
had left the school a few minutes ago after trying to pick him up. As CPS
had asked he had told her that Carl was not in attending that school any
longer but he was extremely concerned, he was sure this was not the end of
the situation. I thanked him for his help and reiterated that no one but
myself, my dad, CPS and God were to have access to Carl before ringing off.

I was about to call dad when the cell rang again, this time Judy asking if
I was expecting a handy man to trim my trees. She saw someone suspicious
walking around my house and he said he was our new tree surgeon. She had
called the police but they seemed unconcerned, suggesting she call back if
she had something criminal to report. I had my truck in the middle of a bat
turn into oncoming traffic as I verified with her my van was not in the
driveway (that dad was not home). I filled her in on the school's call
asking her to call Tim immediately to lock Carl and the twins down, then
call dad's cell phone and divert him should he be headed home.

I got home in about five minutes, what should have been a fifteen minute
drive. As I rounded the corner there was an older station wagon in front of
my house that I parked in front of. As I started up the lawn I saw a man
looking in the windows of my house, when I approached him he was an older,
very worn image of Carl, I had no doubt who I was approaching. I reached
for my cell but he was advancing to me too fast. "Where's my boy I need him
back." he snarled. A glance into his glazed, bloodshot eyes told me he was
stoned and had been for some time. "You got my boy? I want him back."

I backed away several steps, scared shitless actually, before responding
"Your BOY is safe now, he isn't here but you're not getting him back, what
say you get the f*** out of his life!" hoping Judy or someone had called
the cops.

He responded instantly pulling a knife from his belt slashing at me. I
guess being a veteran of multiple bar fights from my biker days has its
advantages, I took stiff punch in the ribs but blocked his knife thrust
grabbing his attacking wrist, kicking what could have been fifty yard field
goal into his groin, 'six points for two balls at once?' I wondered. He
doubled over only slightly and lunged at me swinging with his free
hand. Side stepping him I used the knife laden wrist I still had a death
grip on to pivot and slingshot him face first into the house. Out of the
corner of my eye I saw my back yard gate open and suspecting things could
get worse in a hurry dribbled his head against the siding several times
until he dropped the knife and went limp against the wall.

I was turning to confront the figure now rushing toward me from the back
yard when a voice from the street yelled "Freeze! Police! Get on the
ground, Do It NOW, DO IT NOW!" Having hear that statement several times in
my younger days I put my hands out to my sides as I was evaluated the woman
rushing toward me. It didn't take long to determine her position, she froze
in med step, from the horrified look on her dirty face I was sure she was
looking down a one eyed stare - the barrel of a gun -

I dropped to my knees and was going laying down when I saw two uniformed
figures rush past me guns drawn. Another cop started to frisk me when still
another grabbed my forearm squeezing it painfully hard. I looked over and
was about to protest when I saw blood seeping through the white cloth he
was pressing against my skin. Hoping against hope that it was the cop's
blood I looked away mentally began giving myself a preflight, checking for
damaged parts. Judy's voice interrupted my evaluation as she informed the
cops I was the home owner and such. The cop grasping my arm guided me to
roll over and sit up as I saw Judy dialing her cordless phone. When I
looked around there was probably ten cops in my yard and an ambulance in
the street. I was trying to convince myself this was really happening when
I heard Judy say "Tim you better get home right now, Christian has been
stabbed."

I felt my stomach ricochet off my Adams apple as my ass hole sucked in
probably a gallon of air, but looked back at my forearm now being treated
by a paramedic. Thankfully nothing serious I had about a two inch slash
that was now just seeping blood. After they checked me over, cutting off a
thirty dollar shirt to check my ribs, they said I would be okay, that I
needed to get my ribs x-rayed and stitches in my arm. They offered to
transport me via ambulance but said it wasn't really necessary. I declined
just asking them to help me up. Carl's dad did get to ride in the
ambulance, his mother was taken away in the back of a cop car.

I asked to go to the courtyard, then inside, where the cops video taped a
brief statement from me before suggesting I get my arm taken care of, they
would get back with me as needed. The adrenaline rush, shock whatever was
wearing off as I had slipped on a loose tee shirt, my ribs starting to hurt
and my arm feeling like it had just been branded. I was trying to decide if
I could drive myself to the minor emergency clinic when Judy reappeared
stating she WAS going to drive me, and I didn't argue. I did manage to call
dad as Judy drove, bringing him briefly up to date and asking him to take
care of Timmy until we returned. Before we rang off I asked him not to tell
the kids what had happened until I got home.

The clinic showed me back to the treatment area as soon as we walked
in. After a quick set of x-rays a nurse immediately began not so gently
scrubbing my arm wound. I had to bite my tongue to keep from asking if she
scrubbed car tires for training, but knew I was not in a good position to
piss her off. She was spreading instruments onto a tray next to me when the
treatment room door opened and Tim walked in. "Damn, I cant leave you alone
for five minutes and you get your ass in trouble!" The nurse had turned to
challenge him when he flashed his badge, saying he was with CPS on official
business. Giving each of us a questioning glare she finished her task
informing me the doctor would be seeing me shortly. "Neat what these things
can do!" Tim snickered as the nurse closed the door. "I guess you are
official business, you're a foster parent! Are you okay, what the f***
happened?"

I had almost finished giving him a synopses of the afternoon when the
doctor walked in. He was putting on his surgical gloves when Tim excused
himself, telling me Judy had gone home and that Helen was also here in the
waiting room. Twenty two stitches later the doc told me my ribs were only
bruised and my arm would heal fine, that I could expect to be pretty sore
for a couple days, but make a full recovery. He offered to give me a
prescription for pain relief but I declined.

Helen met me in the reception area saying Tim was outside on the phone. As
we walked outside she explained that she was at the CPS office when Tim
received Judy's call and decided to come see how I was, hinting toward
stopping by the house while she was nearby. I hesitated, but knowing better
then to refuse a case worker visit invited her, stipulating I intended to
have a few 'pain killers' when I got home. I hadn't seen Tim when he said
from behind us "Yea they come in six packs, doctor's orders?" Helen
laughed, saying she'd pass unless I had something to add to a diet coke.

"Don't worry about Helen" Tim said as we pulled out of the parking lot,
Helen following. "She's cool, she can drink both of us under the table and
drive us home." A little relieved I snickered before he continued "Remind
me not to piss you off, you really did a number on that dude! He's in
emergency surgery getting his skull glued back together, not to mention his
nose and dislocated elbow." I just grunted as I called dad warning him of
Helen's visit. "What are you going to tell the kids?" Tim asked.

Saying I didn't know, we agreed they, especially Carl, had to be told
something. I decided I would fill them in later in the evening, for right
now I would just say I had gotten hurt and such. We agreed that Helen's
visit might be a blessing her presence would probably help defuse the
thousand questions routine I was expecting.

She was every bit the distraction I expected. When we pulled into my
driveway Tim held back to fill her in as I went inside. The boys were
playing in front of Tim's house but burned a trail in the yard following us
in. As I introduced everyone I would have given a week's pay to have a
hidden camera in the room, I think I could have doubled my pay if I could
have charged the kids for a magic cure to dry mouth. The twins were just
tall enough to be at eye level with her nipples and faintly raised a hand
as they said "Hi Ma'am" in unison, each clearly speaking to one of her size
EE breasts (Tim had confirmed this on the way home). I almost felt sorry
for Carl. Standing in front of the twins looking up in awe as if studying
the Grand Peaks, his mouth moved several times before Jeff subtly poked him
in the back forcing a weak 'Hi' out of his lungs.

"Hi Carl I've heard a lot about you, its so great to meet you!" Helen
bubbled, stepping toward the three petrified specimens that until now had
been my overactive kids. "Now I know why your dad brags about you so much
Jerry and Jeff, you are two good looking guys!" she continued tossing their
hair.

I waited until their faces calmed from deep red to a dark pink blush before
saying "Jeff, would you get Mr Young and I a beer? Get M (pausing I didn't
know if she was married or not) Ms Cruz a glass of coke on ice" I waited a
couple of seconds, getting no reaction for my apparently fossilized son I
popped him on the butt saying "Some time today if you don't mind sir!" For
the first time since they were born I was a little glad I couldn't read
their telepathic conversations when they both, in perfect unison, mumbled
'yes sir' and started into the kitchen.

Tim and I enjoyed a couple of cans of beer, Helen sipping on a rum and
coke, Carl next to her as we talked. After a few minutes before I
remembered work. I was due back to the base at about 12:30 and it was now
after four o'clock. I started to excuse myself when she commented how
impressed she was with my home, hinting to see the rest of it. I asked dad
to show her around while I called the base when she said "Would it be okay
if Carl showed me around?"

They disappeared down the hall as I slipped onto the patio and called my
supervisor. After filling her in on the afternoon I said I would have to
see how I felt in the morning before deciding if I could report to duty or
not. She interrupted me suggesting I take sick leave tomorrow and the half
day we had to work Friday, wishing us Happy Holidays she said she would see
me next year.

Helen and Tim had left, much to the boys disappointment, and we ordered
Chinese for supper before anyone even noticed my arm bandage. Biting my lip
I told myself it had to come out sooner or later and gave the kids an
abridged version of what happened this afternoon, downplaying the violence
as much as possible. The were calmer in their reaction then I expected,
after providing several assurances that I was okay Carl asked where his
parents are. When I told him mom was in jail and dad 'had go to the
hospital before going to jail' his only concern was if dad could away from
the hospital. When I assured him there was a policeman with dad he seemed
relieved asking a few more questions about my condition.

The delivery boy's arrival thankfully interrupted our discussion, and from
the way the kids flew to attack him it was clear my problems had not
damaged their appetites. I was a little concerned as the youngster limped
back toward his car, the twins having ravaged him of everything eatable,
but he seemed okay as he drove away. What little discussion we had during
supper was centered around Helen or more exactly her figure. I was
impressed that everyone kept their comments fairly tasteful, the twins
cramming what had to be five pounds of food per second under their
headgears as Carl inhaled bucket loads of stir fried pork and chicken along
with the better part of a dozen egg rolls.

Their normally flat trim stomachs were bulging like my beer belly as they
cleared the table. Jerry started teasing Carl about taking Helen in his
bedroom and I was thinking about interceding when Carl retorted "Yea but I
fit under them perfect!" holding his hands to the top of his head "You guys
just get to look!" Before I could react the twins were rushing toward Carl
who was beating a supersonic retreat out the door. They didn't stay out
long, it was starting to rain again so came inside asking if they could get
on the web.

I agreed and went into my bedroom inserting Helen's CD into my
computer. That only lasted about five minutes before my ribs informed me
they were going to relax or make me very sorry, so I got out my laptop,
grabbed another beer and crawled into bed, propping myself up with pillows
and restarted the CD. I had answered ten or fifteen of Casey's hundred or
so questions, typing one handed, when Carl appeared in the
doorway. "What'cha doing, why are you in bed?" he asked.

"Oh, just surfing," I replied, tapping my hand on the side of the
waterbed. "Pop's had a long day and I just wanted to relax, what are you
guys doing, why aren't you flying?" I asked as he sat on the edge of the
bed.

"Well we were looking at Colorado and stuff but I don't think they're
looking at the right stuff." he paused, but before I answered continued
"What about my old mom and dad, , , ah, are they gonna get out of jail
soon? Do I gotta go live with them again? Maybe I should, wel,l I mean can
I call my judge?"

I tried to lift him onto the bed, but after some pointed protests from my
ribs and forearm guided him to prop next to me on my pillows. "Let's see, a
thousand questions," I began. "Your mom and dad are in a lot of trouble
son, do you understand that?" getting a nod I continued "No, they are not
going to come get you, they can't if they wanted to, Carl it might be a
long time before they even get out of jail, Judge Kiley knows all this and
she wont let anything happen, okay?" Pausing I asked "How do you feel about
them being in jail, about your dad being in the hospital?"

He looked away for probably a minute before explaining that if they were in
jail they couldn't hurt anyone that they belonged there. "Jeff said my old
dad tried to fight you and that's how he went to the hospital." he
asked. Suppressing the urge to go ring the twin's scrawny little chicken
necks I took a deep breath and acknowledged the confrontation. "Wow" he
responded. "He always beats people up finally he got it." his face seeming
to relax.

Deciding it was definitely time to move on I asked him what was wrong with
what they had been looking at regarding our trip. He explained that he
didn't think the twins were looking at where we were going, that he didn't
really believe them. I closed Helen's questionnaire and opened the laptop's
browser, going to the Beaver Creek site. While waiting for a large graphic
that mapped their available activities I was about to ask if that was what
they were looking at when he exclaimed "That's where we're going? That's
what we were looking at! Dude, , , for real I mean for real pop?"

"What, only movie kids go there?" I quipped poking him in the ribs as I
sSlid the laptop over to him I told him to look around, that's we were
going. He pissed me off a little as he within seconds seemingly mastered
the microscopic mouse ball and compressed keyboard I hated about laptop
computers, but spent a couple of minutes viewing screen after screen of the
lodges activities, eyes wide as saucers. I noticed he had quit surfing, his
glowing face souring. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"It says you gotta be five feet tall to do all this, what am I gonna do?"
Glancing at the screen I saw he was looking at the para gliding activity,
being pulled into the air on a modified hang glider by a snowmobile. It
took several tries before I convinced him that there were some activities
he would be too young or short to try, I think I convinced him he could do
anything that didn't list a requirement that would disqualify him. After
looking at a few more pages he seemed satisfied and I leaned back on my
pillows enjoying watching his wide eyed explorations.

I tried to ignore the incessant buzzing in my ear for several seconds
before remembering I had forgotten to turn off my ever diligent alarm
clock. Cracking one eye open as I swung toward the offending demon and
noticed I was still dressed and laying on top of the blankets. I noticed
Carl asleep next to me, pillows piled all around him. It didn't really
register that only one of his four feet had a sock on, all I was thinking
about was attacking the buzzing beast. I fumbled for the off button and
having no luck decided a lethal blow to the snooze button might
work. Raising my arm for the strike my body painfully suggested a much
gentler approach so I gingerly pressed the button. I was guiding my head
back toward the pillow when I noticed my open laptop sitting in the chair
next to my bed, Binki sitting with his front feet on the keyboard, back
feet on the chair cushion, staring at the screen as if he was on line.

I closed my eyes for a couple of seconds before everything started to sink
in. Why was Carl in my bed, both of us on top of the covers, why did he
have three bare feet and one hosed? Why was my bunny rabbit surfing the
internet at five o'clock in the morning? Hoping I was having a dream
instead of a flash back from my deviant youth I reached up to adjust my
pillow when my ribs assured me I was not dreaming. Almost afraid to look, I
verified Carl did indeed have four feet. When I looked back at the chair
Binki looked over at me twitching his nose. I propped myself up slightly
only to discover Carl actually had six feet, but four of them were attached
to thin legs traveling to the other side of the stack of pillows, attached
to a pair of identical skinny kids.

'So much for sleeping in' I thought dragging myself out of bed. I started
to shuffle toward the kitchen when I remembered the alarm clock. After
turning it off I did risk another glance at my laptop, at least was in
suspend mode.

I let Carl sleep as late as I dared before sending him to get ready for Roy
to pick him up. Roy arrived on time and before they left I informed him I
would pick the boy up from the dentist, his last appointment, that we
needed to do some shopping.

The twins opted to wait outside when we arrived at the dentist office,
although this was a general dentist I got the impression they didn't want
to risk this guy making any additions to their metal laden mouths. Roy was
in the waiting room and told me everything went well at the shrink, that
Carl had three cavities that were being filled. He went on to say the
parents were not going to be any threat for a long time, mama's bond had
been set at three hundred thousand dollars, and a proxy bond for papa was
waiting for a half million. "They still have to appear on the federal
charges." he added.

Carl was none to happy when he came out of the treatment area, his pixie
little face having a somewhat chipmunk appearance from getting fillings. As
we left the building I was about to asked if he wanted to go home and rest
when the twins walked up. Giving a toothy smile Carl sarcastically cracked
"See, mine are still all white, ha ha!" he took off at full sprint around
the building doing a fairly good job of dodging the Jerry and Jeff's swings
and kicks. Soon they returned, the twins leading their prisoner one holding
each arm everyone giggling like crazy.

Carl complained a little about getting the fillings in his teeth or more
the injections before, but was seemingly completely happy with his visit to
the shrink talking more about her 'chests' then anything. I bit my lip to
keep from commenting as he explained to the twins that 'they were nothing
like Ms Cruz but would do'. . .

Before we left the house I had given Jeff and Jerry the Christmas money
from my co-workers, instructing them to find something Carl would
enjoy. When I parked at the mall I slipped Jeff my car keys and as we
entered the building, per plan, the twins excused themselves saying they
had to go to the restroom. I managed to keep Carl with me and we walked
around a few minutes before entering a large sporting goods store. When we
walked into the ski department he was fascinated, looking at everything he
could get near soon getting away from me as he darted from display to
display. Noticing a few concerned glares from the sales staff I rushed to
catch up, finding him standing in front of their ski slope simulator, a
large inclined conveyer of sorts for trying out their products.

I slipped him under my arm to keep him from getting away when he asked
"What's that?" I was trying to be sure he understood my description when a
clerk approached us of course offering to be of assistance. "I'm gonna go
skiing!" he proudly announced "I'm going with my new brothers and dad and
we're going all the way to Colorado!" face beaming.

He captured the clerk's heart immediately and after asking him had he ever
skied etc she said "Well, would you like to try?" Despite my explaining we
were going to rent our equipment from the lodge, I was only looking for a
few accessories and such she soon was fitting him with boots, elbow pads
and such before helping him onto the simulator. After a few instructions
she turned it on letting him ride what would have been about a bunny slope.

He picked up the basics amazingly quickly and was just testing his luck at
shifting his weight around when I heard "Dude! Check it out!" behind
me. The twins rushed around me leaning on the machine's railing cheering
him on. As usual they caught everyone's attention quickly, the clerk asking
if they were Carl's 'new' brothers. Soon all three boys were on the
simulator acting like they were warming up for the Olympics, the twins
silver smiles so wide I almost had to squint.

After five minutes or so I thanked the clerk and apologizing for the boys
imposing suggested we not take up any more of her time. "They're not
imposing at all, sir." she responded "Look behind you, they are some of the
best advertising we could have." Behind me was a crowd of about twenty five
people, some standing and watching, others browsing the department as they
enjoyed the show. I picked out insulated socks, hand warmers and such for
everyone and had just paid for my purchases when Carl stepped off the belt
panting slightly,.the twins following shortly.

I don't think any of them had noticed the audience they had attracted until
a few people applauded softly. Seeing their following the twins turned red
faced and threw their hands up trying to cover their headgears. After a
second they put their hands down grinning like opossums as several people
commented about their skiing and such. They were changing out of their
equipment when I heard a high pitched voice proclaim "Jerry, Jeff, you guys
were great!" Both of their faces turned ashen, then red and were tinting
toward green as they started to reach to cover their mouths, but before
Jerry could a teenage girl flung her arms around him in a hug. Another girl
about the same age quickly embraced Jeff, both the girls babbling what was
pretty close to hero worship. As usual they recovered quickly and started
posing for their fans like they were receiving gold metals (well maybe
silver is how I teased them later). I thought I might have to call EMS when
one of the girls gave Jeff a peck on the nose before they responded to a
call from what was clearly one of their parents. After several seconds I
saw Jeff's chest move, at least he was alive.

We thanked the clerk and were leaving the store when I commented "I guess
you guys were right, anyone that sees a kid in headgear cant do anything
but laugh at how stupid you look." which earned me matching 'up your's dad'
glares from the twins.

The sadistic side of me has always enjoyed watching store manager's
reactions when I take the boys to an eatery advertising 'all you can eat'
specials. The Long John Silver's - a fast food fish chain - we stopped in
on the way home was a prime example as we had been there many times
before. As usual the manager had a pale look on his face when he saw the
twins, but disappeared when he noticed a third kid in tow. I am sure I
heard his soft sobs from the kitchen, he knew any chance of profit was gone
for the day, as I ordered four all you can eat plates, but after they
inhaled what had to be a hundred pounds of fish, fries and hush puppies I
was driving out of the parking lot with three beer bellied kids.

As I parked the van in the driveway Jeff leaned over and whispered to
remind me they had stashed packages behind the rear seat, Jerry asking if
they could go to Timmy's. I waited until the three of them, again flat
bellied skinny kids, disappeared into Tim's house before retrieving Carl's
gifts. Unable to resist I took a sneak peak at the twins' purchases and was
astonished with their good tastes. 'Yea well, so much for my tastes, back
to the mall tomorrow' I thought as I grabbed a package from under the tree
and stashed the twins purchases.

Grabbing a beer to pacify my increasingly sore ribs I sat down to my
computer and again stated on Casey's forms. That lasted about five minutes
before my body demanded relaxation. After making sure Binki didn't need my
laptop I booted it as I crawled into my recliner. Over the next couple of
hours I made moderate progress filling out their forms and relaxing before
the phone rang. It was Judy saying they were going to go out to dinner and
a movie, asking if they could take my kids. I heard some squeaky voices in
the background before she asked if they could spend the night, Timmy wanted
to have a sleep over. I started to challenge her sanity but thanked her and
agreed, asking her to enforce the twins headgear wear. After I rang off I
considered cruising to a bar or two for the evening, but my sore ribs and
arm overruled suggesting the recliner club for our evening's entertainment.

The kids crawled back to the house about ten in the morning looking like
sleep deprived zombies as I had expected. After shoeing them into the
shower I sent the data Helen requested to Casey and after tucking everyone
in bed went to exchange my problem gift and pick up our ski wear from the
cleaners. I spent an hour or so cramming, compressing or whatever all of it
into containers that would fit in my aircraft before starting my
pre-Christmas checklist, tomorrow was Christmas eve and three short parties
with friends and relatives, Christmas day would be even more
busy. Everything seemed okay, the boys had not eaten too much of the fare I
had planned to serve, the gifts under the tree undisturbed.

Soon the twins, then Carl appeared in the kitchen all wearing only gym
shorts. Every part of them but their stomachs still appeared to be sleepy
as they consumed a mountain of snacks but soon disappeared into the family
room, crawling up on the carpet next to each other as they turned on the
TV. I was about to join them in my recliner when my cell phone
rang. Silently cursing, wondering what my idiot staff had f***ed up now at
the base as I rushed to answer, I was relieved to see it was Tim.

"Hey dude, where can we meet I need to talk to you." he began. Informing
him I had taken the day off and was home he asked if I had spoken to Helen
or 'my girlfriend', then saying he would be there in ten minutes, wait for
him. I rolled my eyes but thinking this could be the start of another long
evening stated a frozen ham in the microwave then confirmed there was
enough beer in the refrigerator.

When the doorbell rang I didn't bother to get up and immediately Tim
appeared in the kitchen, the slim arm of a youngster showing behind
him. "Get me a beer son." Tim demanded. Timmy slowly crawled from behind
his dad his red face almost accenting his facebow and neck strap of his new
headgear.

Seeing his embarrassment I grabbed him as he walked by. "So, you're one of
the antenna team!" I asked. "Three headgears in the same aircraft, the only
way I know that will work is if you help me fly, okay?" not waiting for an
answer I popped his butt telling him welcome to the club, that my boys were
crashed in the family room. He started out of the kitchen when Tim snapped
'Beer!' Timmy got each of us a beer before disappearing to join my boys. We
listened as they teased him about his new decorations briefly, all of them
having a giggling as the twins welcomed him to the 'club'.

"Did you hear from Kiley?" Tim began. "Her clerk was suppose to call you,
Carl's parents relinquished their rights this morning right after she had
them served. She has reviewed the applications you filed with Casey and
well, if you agree, she would like to give Carl some good news for
Christmas, but time is short." I was trying to remember if I had checked
the messages on my home phone when he continued "Time to cut the shit
Christian do you want him or not? We both know you do, you got your ass
carved up for him and we both know it wasn't because he was a brother biker
or shit. It would be pending consummation after all the 'I's' get dotted
and 'T's get crossed, but Kiley and Casey can make it happen this afternoon
if you agree."

I downed the last of my beer as I evaluated Tim's statement. After a minute
I got Tim and I a fresh beer swallowing most of mine in one swig before I
asked why the urgency, rephrasing my query to how everything could happen
so quickly. "You and Carl , well and your family are perfect for each
other. In two weeks you have completely turned him around from being a kid
that belonged in a rubber room, so he wouldn't hurt himself, to being a
happy, energetic boy wishing his future would just happen more quickly. His
shrink verified that this morning, she said you are the perfect replacement
parent for Carl, the only adult he trusts, probably the only peers he
completely trusts is the twins. Kiley wants you to adopt him through Casey
and wants it to happen before Christmas."

I took a big swig of air before getting still another beer. As I sat back
down Tim handed me his phone saying "Just push 'Talk', you know how. Its
your girlfriend's private number." After glancing between Tim and the cell
a few times I pushed the magic button.

A voice that as I expected was Kiley's answered. Unsure how to begin I
remained silent for several seconds before she asked a bit harshly "Mr
Young, is there something I can help you with?" Reluctantly I identified
myself and was about to explain why I was on Tim's phone when she changed
to her grand motherly voice saying "Christian, thanks for calling, may I
call you Christian?" before I could respond she continued "I have read the
reports regarding your confirmation, I so am thankful you were not
seriously injured, are you recovering well?" I opened my mouth to answer
when she said "I'm sure Mr Young informed you of the actions we are
proposing regarding Carl, are you amenable to a foster adoption via the
Casey Foundation? We will have to conduct a hearing after the new year, it
will be a year or so before I would order the case finally consummated, but
if you agree I would like to resolve this for Carl before Christmas."

As I was digesting her statements I drifted onto the patio for a bit more
privacy when she asked "Christian, will you foster adopt Carl?" I more
grunted then said an acknowledgment. Not granting any relief she asked "Do
you want his sir name changed to Miller?" I started to suggest we should
ask Carl but said yes, provided that could be corrected if he objected. She
asked me to reaffirm my decision, and after I said I would adopt Carl she
thanked me informing me a 'court officer' would be delivering some
documents to me shortly. I rang off and turned to go back inside to find
Tim and my dad sitting behind me on the patio.

"Yea, you're as heartless as ever." my dad quipped.

"You need to be more fair, that was a hot mama he was talking to!" Tim
snickered "Hell, Sam, she's probably five years younger then you are, you
know your boy cant resist a hot babe!" I gave each of them a one finger
salute and was accepting their congratulations when I noticed a reflection
from inside the patio door, it was Jeff's silver smile, I'm sure in
reaction to my obscene gesture.

He had started back into the family room by the time I got to the
door. "Jeff, can I see you for a minute?" I asked as he disappeared round
the corner. "NOW please!" I snapped before he could get into the family
room. He sheepishly came back into the kitchen standing in front of
me. "How much of that conversation did you hear?" I asked. Ignoring his
claims he was inside, the door was closed so he couldn't hear anything I
pulled his upper headgear strap away from his head a little letting it snap
back against his hair "I mean with your little Marian antennas were you
listening to me?"

"No sir" he responded. After a second his face brightened and he said "But
thanks dad, thanks so much! You're a neat dad."

I stiffened as he wrapped his arms around my sore ribs but managed to
continue "Not a word to ANYONE especially Carl until I say so, understand?
Is Jerry listening?" he gave me a perplexed look. "If Carl finds this out
before I tell him you are BOTH dead meat, is that clear?" He paused, I'm
sure re-synching antennas, before agreeing. I pulled his head against my
chest briefly before kissing him on the top of the head. Kissing a second
time I popped him on the butt saying "Give that one to your brother."

He giggled softly and started out of the room before turning back "Well,
when are you gonna tell him?" he asked.

"What did I say you might find under the Christmas tree?" I replied.

NEXT: ? ? ?, see below.

AUTHOR'S COMMENTS: I find myself at a crossroads, if you will, regarding MY
CARL. I want to thank all of the readers so far for their E-Mails and
messages, but now I need some advice from you. The cat is out of the bag,
Carl clearly is getting a new home. How much further should I pursue the
story, is the story line going dry? I am considering one of two options, I
can write a final ending chapter to the story as he settles into his new
family, or continue on about his (and our) ski adventure probably two or
three more chapters, which way to go? Let me know your thoughts, and again
thanks for your support.