Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2001 00:08:11
From: Gary Q. <gary_q@hotmail.com>
Subject: MY CARL Chapter 7

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: Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and
encouragements, your 'mid flight refueling' was wonderful your comments and
suggestions prompted me not only toward more chapters but ways to make this
tale more enjoyable (I hope!) Well, time to travel on with our skinny
turkey, but please keep the suggestions coming!

CHAPTER 7: CATCHING THE CHRISTMAS TURKEY

Dad and Tim had come back into the house and I was checking the ham when
Carl came through the kitchen going into the garage. I had my hands full of
cooking tongs, basting spoons and half cooked ham when he reappeared. I
noticed he had something in his hand as he gave me a sheepish grin before
disappearing back into the family room but paid no real attention. Tim's
cell rang as I sat down to the kitchen table. He said okay, yea so on and
such before ringing off and telling me it was Helen, she had tried calling
me but no answer but was coming by for a minute. He opened his mouth to
continue when laughter and pandemonium broke out from around the
corner. Almost immediately Carl came power sliding around the corner his
feet actually skidding on the carpet as he darted toward the patio
door. Timmy was right behind yelling red faced "I'm gonna kill you! You're
sooo dead! Tim tried to grab his son as he rushed toward the door but the
boy's long legs had almost achieved hyperwarp as he pursued his target like
an enraged war bird.

All three of us were just standing to see what was going on when the twins
appeared, trying to rush toward the battle scene but giggling so hard the
were having trouble walking much less running. I made it out the door right
behind Tim, just in time to see Timmy make a flying tackle that might have
earned him MVP if he were in the Superbowl. - 'MVP' = Most Valuable Player,
a coveted honor is US sports - We were rushing to separate them before
anyone got hurt as Carl rolled onto his back throwing his arms up in
defense..Timmy crawled to straddle his foe's hips but instead of hitting he
began tickling Carl. When we finally got everyone at least partially calmed
down we found out at least part of what happened. Carl, having gotten a can
of WD-40 from the garage (aerosol penetrating oil) waited until Timmy stood
up for some reason or another and acted like he had picked it off the
carpet. Handing it to Timmy he said how he saw it fall out of Timmy's
pocket, stating it was his mouth spray.

We had just gotten them dried off and sent them back to into the family
room when the doorbell rang. "Wow, it's the cops!" I heard Jeff proclaim. I
went outside presuming it was Kiley's paperwork, which it was. After making
me identify myself one of the two deputies handed me an envelope informing
me he was serving me with a court order. Thanking them spent a minute or so
wishing them a merry Christmas before I carried the envelope it back
inside. I started to open it when I had a twin on each shoulder, staring
wide eyed at the mystery package. Setting it off to the side I took a
swallow of beer and sort of pointedly ignored them, hinting for them to go
away. I was ignoring their 'cut the shit dad' glares when Jerry pulled
away, staring at his brother for a second before rushing down the hall.

I was trying to read Jeff's face when it turned pale then ashen. "Dad, Carl
is gone, he's not in his room." I turned toward him to ask what on earth he
was talking about but seeing the frightened, clearly engrossed expression
on his face rushed into Carl's bedroom.

My throat dropped into my groin as I looked around. Neither Carl or Jerry
were there, the side window was slightly open and the screen pushed
out. "His coat is gone dad" Jeff exclaimed, looking in the closet. He
rushed over to the dresser jerking Carl's underwear drawer open and after
slinging briefs and socks everywhere continued "So is his money."

I had to swallow hard several times to keep from vomiting before I could
ask where Jerry was. Jeff looked away briefly before saying "He's trying to
catch him he thinks he is pretty close." My head was spinning when dad
interceded, sending Tim to check all the rooms in the house and Timmy to
see if Carl was anywhere in the yard, the Colonel side of him resurfacing.

I considered my possibilities briefly before asking Jeff "Can you find your
brother? I mean Jerry? Do you if he's got any clothes on?" His forehead
tightened for an instant before telling me Jerry was wearing his shorts and
had one of Carl's jackets on and that Jerry was three blocks away in an
alley. "Get dressed, warm clothes and get Jerry some warmups or something,
you've got two minutes, MOVE." I snapped. "Get Carl some warmups too." I
continued as I rushed to my bedroom to dress.

Within minutes Jeff and I were in my truck rushing to where he said Jerry
was. Dad had agreed to monitor the phone at home and Tim was going to call
Helen then drive around looking for Carl, everyone agreeing it would be
better not to report him as a runaway as yet. I was pushing the edge pretty
far as I maneuvered the rain slick streets following Jeff's directions when
he yelled "Turn here, turn here!" I turned the truck sharply only to spin
it out, but thankfully didn't hit any curbs or cars. I was making sure I
hadn't really shit my pants like I thought I going to as I looked over at
Jeff to see if he was okay "Yea, dad! That was cool!" he roared.

We had driven around chasing Jerry for about an hour when Jeff asked me to
stop the truck. After a few seconds he asked if I could turn the engine off
then after pausing said he thinks he knows where Carl is headed. "Let's go,
come on dad!" he demanded, his high pitched voice showing every bit of
authority any 14 year old General would. I swung the truck around and after
several tight turns found myself begging my two wheel drive truck up a
muddy path I'm not sure I would have tried in a good four wheeler tonight,
but soon he asked me to stop again. "He's at the barn, we were soooo stupid
why didn't we think of that?" Jeff said. Seeing my lost face he pointed at
a clump of trees up the hill informing me the barn was behind them. "We
like to go there sometimes, , , I mean some of our friends told us they go
there sir" he said. I started to drive up the hill when he informed me if I
did Carl would hear me so I walked the fifty yards or so up the hill.

'The Barn' was exactly that, some farmer's metal building clearly designed
to store cattle food and equipment. Jeff backed away as we approached the
door whispering he wanted to talk to Jerry. I was in the middle of nowhere,
hoping he or I would not be shot by the farmer that owned this place, but
after all that had transpired for the last hour or so didn't argue. I
cautiously walked into the building, and slightly wondering if it was
worthwhile called Carl's name. After my second attempt I looked around
slowly, seeing no sign of life I turned toward the door to tell Jeff he was
wrong. I reached the door and started to push it open when I heard a
whimper.

"Carl?" I asked. After probably thirty seconds of silence I called him
again still with no response. "Come on son, do you think I'm going to hurt
you, please come here"

I was searching the dark barn for any sign of movement when he responded
"What about the cops?" Saying there were no police here and such he
responded "But they're gonna put me in jail." I sat on a nearby bench and
trying to look relaxed, I asked in a couple of ways what he was talking
about before he responded "My old dad told on me didn't he? Please pop if
you don't give me to the cops I'll do anything you want, anything you want
I promise!"

"There are no cops here, I promise. I promise they don't want to put you in
jail or anything like that when they came to our house. Please come here
son" I replied. Waiting a few seconds I continued "The policemen that were
at the house actually brought some very good news, for you and me both. But
running away don't work, please come here." After several more seconds of
no response I said "Its time to cut the shit son, I want to raise you, I
want to adopt you, but running away don't work in my home. I'm getting cold
and damn hungry and I'm going home, if you want to go with me come on now."

I stood and started to turn toward the door when I saw some movement near
me. "You sure they ain't gonna put me in jail? I know I was bad but they
made me, I promise!" Carl whined. After a second or so he stepped from
behind a stack of hay. I was about to respond when I saw reflections of
small metal arches moving toward him from behind.

Extending my arms I said "Come on guys, let's go home!" Carl slowly
shuffled toward me the twins closing behind him. He was about three feet
from me when he hesitated, looking to the side I think for an escape route
when Jerry closed in on him pulling Carl against him. Extending my keys I
asked "Someone want to go get the truck? This old man's too tired for the
walk." Jeff grasped them quickly, I yelled after him "You get it stuck and
its your ass!"

I called dad and Tim as I let Jeff drive until we got back to public
roads. Everyone was waiting when we got to the house and after some quick
hellos I sent the boys to get into dry clothes. Asking Tim and Helen what
impact tonight's escapade was going to have on our future they both said
none, provided that is what I want. "Hey dude he's your's, you even got the
title." Tim replied, pointing at the still unopened envelop from Kiley, "No
refunds, no exchanges allowed."

"Just about." Helen injected "that's part of why I'm here." Removing a
document from her purse she said "Sign here" Seeing my puzzled look she
explained it was my contract with Casey, just stating what we had already
discussed.

I started to look it over when Tim quipped "Just sign it f*** face, you can
read it later." I teased about wanting to read the return policy and
signed.

"The other thing I wanted to tell you is the FBI wants to interview Carl."
Helen said. "We just found out this afternoon, we got the shrink to block
it for now but we don't know for how long." I was considering my answer
when she continued "They have confirmed you have a young porn star in your
home, his pictures and advertisements are all over the web. He is a high
dollar kid!"

The twins appeared in the hall interpreting our discussion. They both
surveyed Helen's body as they walked in but I think seeing my glare managed
to control their eyes as they entered the kitchen. Seeing the ham on the
drainboard quickly distracted them, giving me looks that clearly proclaimed
they hadn't eaten for weeks until I told them to help themselves.

Amid the instant clattering of plates and silverware I asked where Carl
was, they boys replying he wouldn't come out of his room. After stuttering
a little shuffling his feet Jerry injected "He thinks Ms Cruz is gonna take
him with her." Rolling my eyes I started to get up when Helen put her hand
on mine asking if she could try dealing with it. Everyone enjoyed the view
as she made her way down the hall, her figure was even captivating my dad.

After she disappeared around the corner I stated to scan the paper I had
signed a few minutes ago, but after what had to be a minute or so I sensed
something wasn't quiet right. It took several seconds before I realized
what was wrong, it was far too quiet, silence was something that was all
but impossible in my kitchen when the twins and food were both
present. When I turned around I couldn't help but snickering. Both boys
were staring, mouths agape, down the empty hallway. They were as if frozen
in time, Jerry with a plate in one hand and fork in the other, Jeff with a
piece of ham dangling from a fork. "Sorry guys, you'll have to settle for
cured meat." I quipped.

It was at least ten minutes before Helen came back down the hall, Carl
under her arm. She stopped in front of the table guiding Carl in front of
her. He turned slightly red as she pulled his back against her, her breast
just touching the top of his head. (I would have given a million dollars to
see the twins reaction but knew better then to look away). After a second
she whispered something to him. He tried to look up at her then glanced
around the room before saying "I'm sorry I ran away. I'm sorry I
screwe. . . I mean messed my everyone's day and stuff I wont do it again."

Before I could comment Helen said "Christian, its up to you, but I think we
should tell why I'm here, why the police were here."

I glanced at Tim, then turned toward dad who was holding Kiley's envelope
out to me. I had just grasp it when I had a pair of matching boys pressing
against my arms. Glancing at their partially eaten plates I commented "Shit
this is GOT to be important, I didn't think an earthquake could get you two
away from food." to my surprise I only got the briefest of glares before
they locked their eyes back on the sealed document. "Okay, you're the
oldest, I guess you get to look first" I continued, pressing it against
Jerry then Jeff's forehead. "Damn you read quick!" I quipped, getting a
slight giggle from Carl. As I tore the seal open I asked Carl "You remember
I said I wanted to adopt you?"

Looking at his shoes he mumbled "Well I guess you don't now."

"No, I don't want to anymore." I responded. His chin almost dropped to the
floor before I could continue "I already have, I did this afternoon and
this is your adoption decree." I said, handing him the court order. He
shrugged his shoulders and pushed back against Helen for a second or so
before lifting his head, cocking it to the side, his face in that perfect
'What??? I'm lost' expression. "That's if you agree."

"Dude!" Jerry shouted rushing to Carl. I was even more impressed with
Helen's athletic thighs as both twins slammed into her hugging their new
brother. Somehow she managed all this and rescued the court order before
the boys caused any damage as they pawed it.

It took several minutes to calm them down before Carl could break free
rushing to my lap. About a hundred thank you's and hugs later he looked
away before asking "But what if my old dad says I gotta go back?"

I was about to reassure him his dad could not when Helen interrupted,
asking him to come to her. Propping him on her lap she scanned the court
order quickly before pointing to it asking him to read the paragraph. He
looked around nervously before beginning "It is therefore ordered, ad, , ,
add judged? and degreed that the petit ahh,"

Let's read it together Helen suggested ". . .It is therefore ordered,
adjudged and decreed that the Petitioner, Christian A. Miller be and is
hereby granted leave to adopt Carl J. Fay, a minor child, and that from
this date said Petitioner shall stand in the legal relationship of father
to said child, and the said minor child shall stand in legal relationship
of son to said Petitioner; and

"It is further ordered that the rights of all persons, if any they have, to
the care, control and custody of said minor child shall be terminated and
that the sur name of said minor child be and is hereby changed to MILLER."

Flipping a page she pointed to the document asking "Does that name sound
familiar?" Carl looked up at her asking her to confirm that it was 'his'
judge.

"What about if I make pop mad or stuff? Well if I'm bad do I get sent
back?" he whined.

"Come here turkey." I asked extending my arms. He pushed back against Helen
but reluctantly climbed off her lap and shuffled to me. He only accepted my
wrapping my arm around his waist as I said "If you agree, there is no
sending you back, your are my son just like those twin turkeys over
there. If you misbehave, I'll punish you, If you ever piss me off, I'll go
outside and beat up a tree or something but I promise I will never hurt
you. Can I adopt you, its your choice, but whatever you choose is forever,
you choose." He jumped on my lap hugging me "You still want me? YEA Pops! "
he explained pushing against me.

After we talked a few minutes I almost laughed as Helen carried our sleepy
Carl to his bed, tucking the twins in on her way back. I was tempted to ask
her if she wished them sweet dreams as she left but bit my lip.

When I woke up my alarm clock had honored requests (well more threats as I
moved its nasty button to 'off' last night). Almost shocked to find the
only kid in my bed weighted about five pounds, had long ears and 'oinked'
as he looked down at me from atop my pillow. I oinked back and shuffled to
the coffee pot. The first of the regular Christmas Eve visitors were due
for brunch in a couple of hours so I would have to wake the kids before
long. 'Joy" I thought as I sipped my coffee, an hour with the in laws. Only
for the twins sake I had stayed in touch with Sherry's parents after her
death. I often wonder if somehow the abominable relationships between in
laws depicted on so many sitcoms were written around our actual
affiliation. I would be willing to swear in court that if somehow my
supervisor called informing me I had been promoted to President of the
United States, my father in law would ask if I had been taking lessons from
Nixon.

I was about to wake the twins when I heard sickly groaning noises from
Carl's room. Quietly opening his door I stopped and tried to analyze what I
was seeing. Carl had a rope stretched horizontally from his closet to his
window curtains, and was contorting his little body into different
positions as he passed back and forth under it, some of the positions he
has bending his neck and back into reminded somehow of an Ostrich born with
severe chromosome problems. Stepping toward him for a better look I noticed
several printouts from Beaver Creek before he noticed me. He turned bright
red when I asked him what he was doing but after several stuttered attempts
he got out "Well, I'm practicing being five feet tall." I tried for several
seconds to digest his statement at least enough to provide some sort of
reaction, but at a loss for words informed him we had company coming and he
needed to practice with is tooth brush then his shirt tucking in'ing right
now.

The visit with my outlaws (no, that was not a typo) went better then I
expected. As we ate brunch I kept wondering if they had gotten their
medications mixed up this morning, him taking estragon and her testosterone
but just grinned politely as they rambled. I was thrilled at the way they
treated Carl, they always gave everyone gift certificates as gifts and
Carl's was equal to everyone else. I even saw what might have been a faint
smile on the old ladies lips when we announced 'we' had adopted Carl.

Carl showed his first real interest in the presents under the tree as we
dug out the in law's gifts. Dad and I had found it useful not to put name
tags on the kids gifts (along with several other security measures to keep
nosy twins from sneak peeking inside the boxes), something that compounded
Carl's bewilderment as he looked over the treasures under the tree. I let
him stew a while before asking if he had found any that were for
him. Looking again he replied he didn't know who any of them are
for. Giving him an evil grin I responded "I know, but only I do!" Pausing I
said "Yes, some of them are for you." He tried a couple approaches to get
me to tell him which ones when is said "Look for the 'feather' light
packages."

My extended family came over for lunch during which pretty well everyone
enjoyed themselves, Carl really getting into the holiday spirit with a
second round of gifts, again raking in bounty about equal to his brothers
along with twenty or so 'congratulations, welcome to the family' comments.

I guess every family tree has its armpit branch, and mine was a cousin and
his wife, if you look up the word snob in the dictionary you can see their
pictures (he is a mortician and she is a harp player) With their usual
class and charm the gave each of the twins a nice dress shirt and Carl a
box of wooden pencils. Just as I had tolerated all of his snide remarks
about poor kids that had inherited poor features such as bad teeth twins he
started in on orphans and illegitimate children. I stood up and was walking
across the room to kill him but dad, much quicker on his feet then I
expected, subtly cut me off. Finally we had the house to ourselves for at
lease for a few minutes.

With Carl's help I began collecting the mountains of torn wrapping paper
off the carpet expecting the boys to pitch in and help. After a minute I
was about to call them when they appeared from the hall dressed only in gym
shorts, rubbing their chests and back like they had just been released from
full length corsets. "Yea!" Carl shouted as he darted from the room,
yanking his shirt tail out as he ran.

When I reminded the twins we still had company coming they gave me a lost
look asking who. "The Young's and the Anderson's, remember?" I was rather
rudely informed they were not company, Jeff commenting they weren't anyone
they are always here. "I'll be sure to tell Mr Young you said that, if I
remember he is almost twice as tall as you?" I replied, getting almost a
dozen explanations of what he really meant. Red faced they quickly busied
themselves gathering the glasses and snack plates from around the room. I
found myself exploring ideas as the went into the kitchen, had I stumbled
on a way to actually get them to do work?

I was patting myself on the back as I started into the kitchen, both arms
full of discarded gift wrap when I heard 'slurp, slurp slurp' the impolite
noise of someone trying to suck the last drop of liquid from a cup through
a straw. I watched for a few seconds as the twins, each with a soda straw
stuck under their headgear drained the last of everyone's mixed drinks and
rum spiked eggnog from the glasses. Assuming my best 'you're dead meat'
expression I cleared my throat. They both spun in unison toward me, Jerry's
straw still dangling below his face bow as their faces turned pale. "How
would you to like to spend Christmas day standing up, in just a minute your
ass's just might get way to sore to sit on." I growled. "Load the
dishwasher, NOW!"

Although I hadn't spanked them since they were two or three the threat
still worked and I was trying to continue it with the glare in my eyes when
dad said from behind me "You two know better, but your dad used to do it
all the time, he just didn't have braces to get him caught." Realizing I
had just completely lost my edge I shot dad a 'thanks abunch' look before
continuing to the garage.

When I came back into the kitchen Carl was helping with the dishes, happy
to be freed from his dress clothes. "How come Uncle Clarence is such a
dick, ah I mean a butt head dad?" Jeff asked. Before I could respond Jeff
chinned in "Yea it's a good thing they don't have kids! You were gonna
stomp him weren't you dad?"

I was trying to think of a tactful answer when dad snipped "Probably Jeff
found the reason, after thirty years of marriage I'm sure she's still a
virgin!" ending the conversation, everyone just leaning back and roaring in
laughter.

Carl and I chatted as I began preparing snacks for our annual cocktail
party with Tim's and another neighbor's family, the last of our obligations
each Christmas eve. He was enthralled by his day so far saying he never did
anything on the eve implying he had already gotten more Christmas gifts
then he ever had on the actual day. I asked him to set out some paper
plates and plastic ware and such. I had just started to steam a load of
salad shrimp I had bought during our visit to the Texas coast when he asked
what he could do next. Getting out a serving platter I sent him to the
auxiliary refrigerator in my garage instructing him to retrieve the large
can, the one with a red top.  Quickly he returned wrestling the two gallon
container. As I asked he spread a thick layer of ice cubes over the
platter, I was impressed at the care he took to get it perfectly spread,
seemingly enjoying being an artisan. Congratulating him on his work I
handed him a slotted spoon asking him to load his ice layer with as much as
from the can as he could fit, cautioning him to make it look presentable.

It took him several tries to get the lid off the can I found myself
snickering with pride as he fought the can, sitting on the counter the lid
was right at eye level for his little body. With the greatest of care he
reached almost over his head to scoop out the first load and had just set
the spoon on the ice when he realized what was in the can. Jerking back
like he had gotten an electric shock he screeched "Pop!" his eyes locking
to mine in shear terror.

"Oh shit, I hope Judge Kiley don't hear about this!" I exclaimed looking at
the spoonful of oysters. Picking one up with my fingers and popping it into
my mouth I continued "Did you look, did you get the oysters or the snot?" I
had just received my first 'up your's dad' glare from my new son when the
twins rushed into the kitchen to see what was going on. Amid the confusion
of the twins attacking the oysters I managed to pull Carl next to
me. Holding out an oyster I said "Well you are already infected, want to
try one more?" After another nasty look he closed his eyes and timidly
opened his mouth. "Your mean pop, well dad" he giggled as he gave me a hug.

Our cocktail party went well, going through load after load of drinks and
snacks as we celebrated. Judy, Tim and I had agreed years ago when we began
this annual party that only the kids would exchange gifts but to my
surprise Tim handed me a present. Giving him a dirty look I opened it but
then saluted him with only one finger, setting the quart jar of antacid
tablets off to the side.

After our guests drifted home we spent a few minutes cleaning up before I
sent the kids to get bathed. I had just poured myself a Margarita from the
leftover pitcher and was headed toward my recliner when the phone rang. A
couple of dirty looks didn't make it quit so I checked the caller ID, it
was Tim's number. What now I thought as I answered.

It actually was Judy. After stammering briefly she began "Christian I am
sure this is going to sound stupid, but I don't know much about
orthodontics and such. Timmy is worried and I looked in the patient
handbook they gave us, but I don't know what to do. Of course the doctor's
office is closed, they are going to be closed until after you and Timmy
leave for Colorado, well if he still can go." Thinking 'WHAT NOW?' I took a
long swig from the glass named Margaret before asking her to explain.

The line was silent for a second or so before she continued "Timmy is
telling me his braces could start rusting if he gets them wet too
much. Your boys claimed their's did when they first got them, they told
Timmy he needs to get 'rust remover' to rinse his mouth with? I know I
sound like a panicked paranoid mom, but what is going on, this stuff we
forced into my son's mouth is going to rust?"

I digested her statements for a few seconds before realizing what was going
on, what my pointy head little brats were up to. For the second time the
same day, I was deciding which of my belts would best hold up to the butt
blistering I had planned for the twins tonight, as I explained to Judy that
braces were made of the highest quality stainless steel, that rust or
anything harmful to the patient was absolutely impossible. I had almost
decided on a very thick calf skin belt for the boys execution weapon when a
more evil plot began to develop.

"Judy, my twirps are screwing with Timmy, I've had three kids in braces and
trust me they do not rust. But I do need a favor." she asked what before I
continued "Tell Timmy not to worry, please assure him I have plenty of Rust
Remover, more then enough for all the kids for our trip. Please make him
feel comfortable that if he needs any rust remover I have plenty and I'll
do the rest" After I rang off I went to my bathroom and unable to find what
I wanted started to dad bath. I paused at my closet looking over my the
several belts I had, but moved on. Finding the bottle I needed in dad's
bath I dropped it into my travel kit.

Christmas morning was perfect, dad and I just had time to pour our coffee
and warm some rolls before the kids filtered from their bedrooms (well
maybe I should say thrust in) We picked on gramps about all dozen or so
white hair left on his head as he played Santa, handing out the
gifts. Carl's eyes grew wider and wider as dad sat the eight or so packages
in front of him. He stared at his bounty as dad sat down and the twins
began ripping into their presents. Looking around he came over and climbed
in my lap, putting his mouth next to my ear "I think gramps screwed up sir
I cant get all that stuff!" Looking back at the stack of wrapped boxes he
asked "Which one is mine?"

I tried a couple of assurances that everything was for him just getting a
disbelieving looks before I whispered "Well, okay. They are all really for
you, but if it would make you feel better go pick one of them, I'll divide
the rest of them between the twins." getting first a 'well whatever' look
quickly followed by a 'you'll WHAT?' glare. "Merry Christmas young Master
Miller," I whispered before kissing him on the cheek. "Now get to it before
the twins see those unguarded gifts, they'll attack like pirates!"

He hesitated before climbing down. Looking over his collection he timidly
picked up the smallest box carefully removing the bright gift wrap. He was
awestruck as he opened the box inside, one of the gifts the twins had
picked out for my co-workers, a beautiful 24 K gold choker neck chain. Soon
he was ripping packages apart like a wrecking crew. He was equally
impressed with the Bolivia watch I gave him, the one I had to rush out and
exchange the stainless steel one for gold. Dad was not a shopper. He had, I
guess since my mother's death, taken the easy was out of Christmas shopping
and gave everyone a one hundred dollar bill for his present. Like all kids
Carl opened the cards last, and I almost thought dad's gift had nuked my
new son's brain when he half heartedly opened the envelope, at first
glancing inside then gawking at the bill. He seemed to start recover after
a few minutes parading his bill like a metal. Gramps offering of biscuits,
ham and eggs for brunch brought him back to the present as everyone
attacked brunch.

The kids disappeared into their bedrooms to stash their gifts and I was
checking the weather on the internet when the twins reappeared asking to
talk to me. Saying of course I waited for a few seconds and getting no
response suggested we go for a walk. After I got them on the patio Jerry
began "We're sort of worried, Carl wont do anything with his gifts. He put
them all in his closet he wont do nothing."

I was absorbing Jerry's comments when Jeff continued "He thinks he's gonna
have to give his stuff back dad." seeing my questioning face he said "Well
he didn't say that but that's what he thinks." I started to ask him how he
made that presumption but thinking back over the past few days answered my
own question. I asked both boys if Carl believed, well knew what being
adopted means, then if they understood what it meant. They both agreed Carl
didn't understand but they did, Jeff summarizing "He's our real brother
now, he's the Christmas present you promised!"

"Thanks for letting me know, I'm very proud of you two. I am going to the
FBO in a few minutes, but you guys want to stay home and check out your
gifts, right?" After a quick exchange of glances they agreed.

Dad and I herded all the kids back into the family room to clean up
everyone's mess before I announced I was going to the airport, to load the
ski gear and such on the aircraft and make sure everything was ready for
our take off tonight. "Carl, want to go along and help me?" I asked..Quicky
I got offers from all the kids but the twins 'remembered' they had to get
ready asking if they could stay home.

I waited until I was on the freeway before I began "Turkey, you are safe
now, you are my son and no one but God can change that now." he looked over
at me with an expression I could not read. "A lot of things happened to you
before, before you came to me. I know it was things you didn't want to
happen, but I also know its not the kind of stuff that you can hide inside
you for too long before it hurts you. Want to talk?"

He stared out the window before whimpering "No." after a long pause "Do I
gotta?" I responded that he had to sooner or later but not today he asked
"Well do I gotta if I'm gonna get adopted?"

"Carl you are already adopted!" I snapped, wishing I could take back the
harshness of my voice. "I know its Christmas and no you don't have to talk
about what happened to you before you joined our family right now, but is
we have to some day don't we?" He slowly nodded his head before I continued
"Can we talk about adoption, about getting a new family?" Getting only
another nod I asked him to tell me exactly what he thought was happening to
him.

After a long pause he responded "Well I get to keep living with you for
awhile." When I asked how long was 'awhile' he answered "Well until you get
tired of me. . . I mean until I screw up sir"

'Merry F***ING Christmas fool, how big a can of worms did I open here?' I
thought. "No, I'm sorry but you're not quiet right. Adoption means you are
my son now, just like Jeff and Jerry, and forever just like them. Yea I'm
going to send you away some day, but to college, and that's about six years
from now, right?" Not waiting for a response I continued "What did I say
happens if you screw up? I said you would be punished, right? That's just
like the twins, you're my son EXACTLY like they are now!"

I had to swerve on the freeway to make the airport exit I almost
missed. Neither of us spoke for the two minutes or so it took for me to
park next to the hanger gate. Handing him the jewelry store box containing
his new neckless I said "Your brothers picked this out for you, it would
break their hearts if you wont wear it, you ready to join our family?" He
stared at the box for a second or so before opening it. After another pause
he stretched the chain round is neck a couple of times before admitting he
didn't understand the clasp. "Turn around turkey" said, snapping it on
him. Are you sure what forever means?" I asked him, he responded by leaping
all the way across the truck seat into my lap.

After we loaded the aircraft we went into the operations center. I started
to be concerned as I studied their weather radar, a storm front everyone
had predicted to arrive mid day tomorrow was moving much faster then the
legalized bookies many of us call weather forecasters blowing it again. I
felt comfortable with our pending flight once I got above the storm but
decided for safety to leave early. I took a minute to get Carl an aircraft
owner's identification card allowing him to be in the hanger area
unescorted before starting home. I called Tim then dad stating we would
have to leave early asking them to get ready.

I was planning my flight, reviewing my options if I was wrong about the
front as I drove home when Carl said "It says Carl Miller." glancing over
he was reading his ID badge. "You're not shiting are you!" I was about to
nail him for his language when he said "I really get to use your name?"

The only place I could reach without taking my eyes off the road was his
lower thigh so I squeezed to saying "No, you don't get to use my name, you
ARE a Miller now, remember?"

When we got home Timmy and parents were waiting in the house, luggage for
him and the twins stacked by the door. Jeff and I grabbed our bags and as
my boys loaded the van. Tim and Judy gave their child good bye hugs and
such along with the normal 'behave yourself' and such cautions. We were
saying our final Merry Christmas's and such when Judy said "Don't you dare
take that headgear off unless Mr Miller says you can, and don't worry about
rusting or anything, Mr Miller will make sure you wont. " I couldn't see
too much of the twins' reaction except a brief paling of their necks as
they turned away exchanging glances.

It had already started raining as I did my preflight. I told Jerry, who was
helping me check the landing gear that we were probably going to do an
instrument take off and I wanted either him or Jeff right seat, but I was
going to fly the aircraft until we got above the storm. I was about to
asked one of the twins to get in the 'cock' to finish my preflight when the
landing lights came on, Jeff's silver smile radiating from the cockpit
window.

I allowed Jeff to power the aircraft up and taxi it to the runway but took
over the yoke as we took off. We had a few bumpy minutes until I could get
above the storm but soon were flying above any disturbance, everyone
enjoying watching the clouds below moving as if a giant snow shovel was
raking them. We had to make two fuel (well and pit) stops, Carl ending up
as my right seat for the last leg of our flight. ATC directed us to begin
our decent toward Vale. Getting no response from Carl I adjusted the
aircraft's course before I took time to look at over at him.

I couldn't find a way to wipe the smile off my face as I landed, I would
never admit it to FAA but about ninety percent of my thoughts were about
Carl's awe of the steep, snow covered peaks we were diving between toward
the ramp, only about ten percent regarding landing on an ice frozen runway.

The kids were about to climb out of the aircraft when a hanger door opened,
a line man gesturing me to taxi inside. Within minuets our baggage was
loaded into a van and we looking around as it carried us up a steep climb
toward one of the peaks, the fading sunlight shadowing it in a wonderful
vista. Carl then Timmy pushed against me asking if that was were we were
going. "No," I answered. Pointing toward a dim set of lights about half way
up the mountain that I was sure was Beaver Creek I continued "That's home
for tonight, but wait until tomorrow!"

NEXT: SOARING WITH TURKEY(s)