Date: Mon, 20 May 2002 16:07:19 -0500
From: Gary <gary_q@hotmail.com>
Subject: Patient John Doe 5

Patient John Doe
By Gary_Q
Gary_Q@hotmail.com

The below story is a work of fiction, none of the events described
happened, nor do any of the characters exist.  This story may contains
erotic and/or sexually explicit behavior between consenting males, both
adult and underage minors.  If it is illegal for you to, or you find this
sort of work offensive, don't download or read it!

The author reserves all copyrights to this story, it my be printed,
electronically recorded or reproduced ONLY for personal use.  The
reproduction or linking to this story by pay web sites is expressly
forbidden.

			       Chapter Five

     The courtroom remained silent, except for the sound of my pounding
heartbeat, which I was sure everyone in the room could hear as clearly as I
did, for probably a full minute.
     "And you must be Mark?" Judge Rodriguez began, finally breaking the
almost deafening silence.  "I would like to talk to you, then you Ronald,
in my Chambers, my office.  Bailiff, please escort the young man."
     The clerk called out the famous 'All Rise,' order as a big cop walked
toward us and the Judge started toward the door.  Mark pushed behind me,
positioning me between the cop and he.  "It's okay son, go with the office,
we'll be right here," I said, trying to pry him from behind me.  He only
whimpered.
     "No, he's scared!" Ronnie barked, stepping between the officer and I.
     "It's okay," I tried, gently grabbing his shoulder as he squared off
with the big man, well over a foot taller than the boy.
     "Come along son," the bailiff said, trying to step around Ronnie.  I
was able to grab the Ronnie by his neck just in time to stop him from
lunging his mouth at the big cop.
     "Is there a problem?" Rodriguez's voice rang from the front of the
room.
     "My little brother's scared.  You're not gonna take him," Ronnie
growled.
     "Ronald, this is my courtroom, I'm going to ask you nicely to sit
down," the Judge snapped.
     "But this is my brother!  Well sir, I, I gotta protect him."  The two
of them stared at each other for several seconds.
     "So you do.  Would you and your little brother both come with me?"
Ronnie glanced at me.  When I nodded he whispered something to Mark and led
him toward the Judge.
     "Damn hippie pervert," I heard the Mother Superior's voice whisper
from behind me.  I somehow forced myself not to look at her.
     Ten tense minutes later the door opened and the Judge walked back in,
a kid under each arm.  I grinned slightly when I noticed Mark was now
sporting a milk mustache. Instead of climbing onto the bench he guided them
to the middle of the room, in front of the lawyer's tables.
     "For the record, and I'm sure I don't need to say this but," the Judge
began, pausing as he clearly fought off a snicker.  "For the record, Mark
mis-spoke, but only slightly.  He meant to say DRESS clothes.  His
comparison was to the 'Monkey Suit' some mean old parent made him wear
today."
     Mark blushed bright red and giggled.  Rodriguez bent down and
whispered something into the youngster's ear, and Mark darted behind the
bench, climbing up to the Judge's desk.  He and the Judge exchanged glances
before Rodriguez turned back to us.
     "Hearings like this make my job worthwhile.  However, I have two
problems with the documents filed with this court." he said, making my
rectum suck wind.  Cindy squeezed my hand.  "I find the Brief of
Formulation unacceptable, I will expect it modified to reflect a petition
for adoption, and it be filed within thirty days, hearing set in ninety.
Please re-file by the close of business Monday.  Fast track this, folks,
there is no reason not to.
     "I hereby order conservatorship of these children transferred to
Doctor Adam Owens effective immediately," he concluded as he turned his
head slightly back toward his bench and nodded.
     I just had time to look up in time to see Mark slam the Judge's gavel
on the desk.  "Yeah!" he shouted as he jumped off the front of the ten or
so foot high desk and slammed into a tight hug against me.  Ronnie was
right behind, both of them encircling me with their long, thin arms as
everyone congratulated us.
     "Thank you and God bless you," Mother Superior said as we left the
courtroom.  "You are a most wonderful man, we will be looking forward to
your support and counsel at St. Paul's" she added, extending her hand to
me.
     'Only a very few minutes ago I was a DAMN Pervert, and a DAMN Hippie,'
I thought as I looked at the crucifix hanging from her habit. I couldn't
resist the urge and released my pony-tail, shaking my head until my hair
fell over my shoulders and into my eyes before answering, "Thanks for your
thoughts, I'm sure your God is very forgiving, best of luck to you."
'Bitch', I thought as the boys and I walked to the parking lot.
     As soon as we exited the building I pulled my tie loose, opening one
then a second button on my stiff shirt.  While the boys retrieved their
book bags from Sister Opel's van we chatted about a couple of details
regarding the boys' move from the Children's Home.  When I turned back
toward the car the boys had clearly taken my lead, both of the had stripped
their ties off, pulled their shirttails out of their pants and tossed their
blazers on the trunk of the car along with their satchels.  I snickered,
but waited until I was in the car seat to pull my shirttail out.
     I found a Mc Donald's on the way to the expressway for our traditional
Friday afternoon treat, and thanks to the cooperation of all twelve
cylinder Jaguar had fitted under the hood, we were waving at our four
legged fan club as we waited for the gate to open.  I wasn't surprised when
they waved and yelled at the horses when we got out of the car, and darted
in the house and upstairs.  I didn't waste any time either, tossing the
court documents on the coffee table and rushing to my bedroom, stripping
out of my suit as I went.
     The boys had already helped themselves to sodas and a bag of cookies,
and were looking at their custody papers when I joined them in the family
room.  "Hi Doctor Pop," they said almost in unison, and Ronnie pushed an
unopened beer can into my hand.
     "When do we get to live here?" Mark asked, his voice even higher
pitched than usual.
     "You already do, you're going to live here from now on," I answered as
I sat between them on the couch.  "I love you guys, and now you're going to
be my sons," I added, kissing each of their foreheads as the snuggled
against me.  I was a little surprised when the seemed to settle back,
assuming they would want to jump in the pool or go riding, something to
burn energy.  Instead they seemed to lean more tightly against me.
     "Things are going to be a little crazy for a few days, I'm happy it
did but all this happened much sooner than I expected, well then anyone
expected.  It's going to take a few days to get everything working, for us
to become a full time family, we need to talk a lot more.  You guys want to
go play or you want me to I tell you what is going to happen for right
now?" I got a pair of nods for a response.
     "Tomorrow morning we're going to do things a little different, instead
of you guys going to the arcade while I go to the hospital I'm going to
drop you off at St.  Paul's."  They both stiffened like boards and Ronnie
pulled away from me.  I was just able to get a new grip on his shoulder
before he stood up.
     "Sit down and listen to me son, you really are my son now, will you
trust me?" he stared down at his shoes, but sat back down.  "I'm going to
take you back to St.  Paul's so you can pack your belongings and tell your
friends you are moving.  The sisters are going to help you, I'll pick you
up as soon as I finish my rounds.  Will that work?"
     I could feel gears meshing in Mark's little head, grinding in
Ronnie's.  "How long do we gotta stay there?" Mark whimpered.
     "Do we HAVE to stay there," I corrected.  "But until I finish my
rounds, and you guys get everything packed.  What a couple of hours?"
     Ronnie turned toward me, his eyes zapping my skull with a barrage of
hazel x-rays.  "When do we gotta go back after then?"  'God, we have to
work on grammar, you're not from Alabama!' I thought.
     "Only when you want to visit your friends. . . Or to pick one, I mean
some of them up if you want to invite them to visit us."  I was glad his
eyes were not, or hoped they weren't, actually sending out radiation as he
studied me more intensely, for the better part of a minute.
     "We're really gonna get to live here?  Well, all the time?"
     "Yes.  You're stuck!" I replied, pointing at the custody papers on the
coffee table.  "You are my sons now, now and soon are going to be forever,"
I added as he, then Mark snuggled tightly against me.  I closed my eyes and
held them for I'm not sure how long, my eyes welling tears that I was sure
matched their soft sobs.
     "Can we go see the horses?" Mark finally asked.
     "Good idea, I'm going to start some supper.  I feel like grilling, how
about Chicken?"  They both agreed immediately and darted upstairs to get
their shoes.  'Wow, did that actually work?' I asked myself.
     I grabbed another beer from the bar and went to the kitchen to start
supper waving at the boys as the rushed out the patio door.  A couple of
minutes later I was going to retrieve the court documents from the coffee
table and put them in my safe, but they had disappeared.  As I looked
around the room I was positive I had left them on the table, but even
glanced at my beer can wondering if I was losing it.  I had just completed
a third examination of the coffee table and family room, hoping I was not,
when I heard the horses naying and snorting.
     I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I looked out the patio door.
All six horses were gathered in a loose semi-circle around my boys.  Mark
was holding up what I was sure was their custody documents, as Ronnie
scribed his finger across it, clearly reading it to their four legged
audience; I would have sworn Zeus and Zoe's eyes were following his finger
as if reading it with him.
     I started to open the door and call and them, hoping to retrieve the
important paperwork before it was damaged, but hesitated.  I instead rushed
to the cabinet and grabbed my camera. 'Thank God for 300 X zoom!' I thought
as I recorded their summit.  'Shit, if only the audio had zoom,'
     I shuttered as Ronnie half folded, half wadded the documents up and
stuffed it in his waist band.  'Hey, that's why there are certified
copies!' I thought as they started running around the pasture, the horses
joining in like it was a school playground.  'Maybe I should start planning
ahead, find myself a good therapist before I really loose it!' I set the
camera down and started toward the bar when I remembered Johnny and grabbed
the camcorder again.
     I wasn't too surprised when a pair of thin arms wrapped around my
waist as I took the chicken off the barbeque pit.  "Those look yumm," Mark
exclaimed, staring wide eyed at our feast.  After I sat the salad and
potatoes out I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing as Mark and his
brother's mouths watered, almost drooled, until we sat down.  They both ate
like they hadn't seen food for days as they inhaled two helpings of supper.
     "When do we gotta go back. . . well I mean sorta, well do we gotta go
back to the orphanage after school?" Mark asked as he made an unsuccessful
try at wiping the barbeque sauce stains off his chin and lips.
     "No.  Guys, things are going to get a little crazy for a few days, it
is going to be weird.  We're starting a new life and a lot is going to
happen.  Can we do a listen time, no getting mad or arguing until AFTER I
finish?" I suggested, looking at Ronnie.  I was surprised as he, then Mark
climbed into my lap as a response.
     "For first part of the week, Mrs. Roberts is going to pick you up from
school when I cant, and bring you to my office or the hospital. We are
going to changes schools, well you guys are, because you live almost all
the way across town from your old school, does that sound okay?"
     They exchanged glances, then shrugs.  "Also, I'm going to hire a, a
housekeeper.  She will be here when you guys get home from school, or pick
you up and bring you home."
     "Why cant we just come home?  We don't need a babysitter!" Ronnie
objected.
     "I said a housekeeper, not a babysitter,"
     "But,"
     "It's listen time, remember?" I ignored Ronnie frown and continued,
"With a housekeeper, it will be a lot less work for us.  And when we get
home at night I wont have to cook, and when you get home from school your I
bet you wouldn't mind have an afternoon snack waiting for you!"  'Well,
that worked!' I complimented myself as I watched their faces perk up.
     They weren't too thrilled when I announced I was going to schedule
medical and dental check ups for then next week, but shrugged it off.  When
I brought up allowances they're sprits brightened, not even objecting to
chores the were going to be assigned in the next few days.  We talked for a
few more minutes before they went for another ride.
     I was getting ready for bed when I heard a pair of feet pattering down
the stairs.  Soon Mark timidly peered into my room.  "Hi Pumpkin!" I
called.  He shuffled over to me, clearly embarrassed.  "What's wrong,
you're not a shy-guy?"
     "Well, ah, I'm gonna sleep in my bed, but. . ." I pulled him against
me, surprised at how stiff his shoulders were.  I rubbed them for a few
seconds before asking him what was wrong.  "Well, I was afraid you weren't
here.  I thought I had a dream that I lived here,"
     "I'm for real, I promise," I said as I picked him up.  "I'm going to
be here for you for a long, long time."  I held him for five minutes or so
before carrying him back upstairs and tucking him in.
     "Guys, it's listen to me time again." I announced as I turned onto the
street leading to St.  Paul's.  "When you guys empty your rooms, I want you
to give most of your clothes to the Home, I know there are a lot of boys
that live there that need clothes.  Keep anything that is special to you,
but I want to buy you, well, a lot of new clothes.  We wont have time
today, but probably tomorrow we're going on a shopping trip, so help your
buddies, okay?"
     They agreed, and after a minute Ronnie asked what we had to do today.
"We're having a party this afternoon, Doctor Roberts and his family are
coming out to the ranch." I said.  I watched their little pixie faces swap
several glances, almost being able to read 'well, you ask him!' even
through the rear view mirror.  I let them stew for a minute or so before
adding, "If you want to invite him to spend the night, his mother has
already said he can."  I had to bite my lip as they high-fived each other
and hugged.
     I had hoped to rush through my rounds and get quickly free, but of
course Doctor Murphy, all his laws with him, had visited the hospital
before me.  One of my patients had tried a fairly daring 'escape' during
the night which took forever to sort out, another had attempted to break
into the ward's medication room, which brought the wrath of Hospital
Security and the local police down on the sixteen-year-old addict; 'A full
moon or what?' I asked myself.
     Finally I finished my rounds and went to check on Johnny, about an
hour and a half behind schedule.  I made a mental note to check the lunar
calender, it had to be a full moon, as I checked his chart and half
listened to a polite butt chewing from the ward's charge nurse.  He
wouldn't stay in bed when told, he kept trying to take longer walks the PT
wanted, causing pain in his leg.  Each time they gave him Children's
Tylenol, as prescribed on his chart, instead of relaxing he waited for it
to take effect and was off for another walk.
     I told the woman I would talk to him, repeating myself several times.
But she was going to vent her anger on someone, so I let her run her mouth
as long as I could.  "I'll talk to him, but I am somewhat glad to see he is
trying now," I commented, trying to tactfully tell her to shut up.
     "Some idiot gave him pictures of some stupid horses and got him all
stirred up, this fool told him if would let him ride them!" she said,
pointing at the trash can.  "I wish I could find out who he is, that boy is
going to be a cripple, nothing more.  Whoever he is should be banned from
the hospital."
     I slammed the boy's metal clipboard closed so hard it shook the
counter.  "Where are those pictures," I asked, trying to keep from punching
her out.  She gave me a strange look before picking up a nearby trash can,
pulling the pictures out of it.
     "I'm the idiot you are looking for, and I not only own these horses,
but promised the lad I would let him ride one if he cooperated with PT and
regained his strength," I growled.  I watched her blush pale then red
before I reached over the counter and grasp the telephone, slamming it on
the counter top.  "I think you were going to have my credentials removed?
I suggest you get an administrator up here."
     "Well, Doctor, I didn't know it was you, I was. . ."
     "You were trying to make your job easier, at the expense of one of my
patients!" I snapped, trying to keep from yelling.  "Return these pictures
to the patient IMMEDIATELY!  Unless it is life threatening, I want you no
where near that boy, you are forbidden to enter his room.  I'm not sure if
I can get you fired or not, but if you violate my orders I promise you will
spend the rest of your career in the morgue giving former patients their
last enemas, DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?" I didn't wait for a response before
adding, "Get PT up here, and order a VCR for the boy's room.  DID I SAY
TOMORROW, OR MAYBE?" I barked.
     "Good morning, Adam!" Roberts voice rang from behind me.  After our
eyes met he put his arm around my shoulder saying, "Let's get a cup of
coffee."  He guided me to the Physicians' Lounge, pouring each of us a cup
before continuing, "I thought you hippies were all pacifists, why don't you
have flowers in your hair or stuff?
     "You were pretty hard on her, I would bet the entire floor heard you.
He's getting to you, isn't he?"  I nodded.  "That was not very wise, you
alienated most of the staff on this shift."
     "I don't want that bitch around him, she might as well work for civil
service!"
     "I'm going to order another EKG, and an Echocardiogram.  I they are
positive, let's move him out of Intermediate Care.  The regular Pedi-ward
downstairs would be good Do you have any problem with that?"  I just had
time to agree when he looked at the door, inviting the young PT technician
in.
     I began to realize what Roberts was saying as I looked at the
technician.  He probably my age, maybe a year or so younger, but clearly
was not comfortable meeting with us, or more exactly me.  I stood up and
introduced myself and asked him to sit down.  "Tell me about our young
friend," I asked, pouring him a cup of coffee.
     Ten minutes later Frank, the PT tech, and I walked to Johnny's room
together.  He was all smiles, enjoying his recently returned horse pictures
like Christmas gifts.  He insisted I tell him each one's name again, and I
ended up writing their names on the back of the photos for him.
     "I understand you have getting out of bed a little more than the
nurses like," I said, trying to breach the problem.
     "Well, I gotta learn to walk right and stuff!  Gee Mister, I gotta
hurry!"
     "I'm thrilled you want to, and I am also impressed that you want to
work so hard.  But, your body is still healing too, if you try too hard, it
wont heal as quickly."
     "Yeah, but all I gotta do is make my leg work.  I don't give a shit
about my arm right now I'll fix it later."  I bit my lip about his
language.
     "Was that the best way to say that?"  He blushed at my question.
"Listen to me very carefully, okay?" I asked, getting a wide eyed stare as
a response.  "We have to work together to get you well.  I'm your Doctor,
and Frank is your Therapist, and we both know exactly how to get you back
on your feet, and out to the hospital, as soon as we can.  The sooner you
get out of here, the sooner you get to go see my ranch, and ride my horses,
right?"
     "I didn't know you're a Doctor, the old ladies said you was a
fetisholigist. . . well whatever they said." I bit my tongue to keep from
laughing, but when I heard Frank's soft snicker I had to look away.
     "I'm a Psychiatrist, that's a kind of doctor," I tried.  "Frank is a
Physical Therapist, he knows exactly how to get kids like you walking and
healthy, as quickly as you can.  Let's make a deal.  If you do EXACTLY what
Frank and the other Therapists asked of you, and try as hard as you can,
but do ONLY what they tell you to, Frank and his staff will promise to get
you well and out of here just as quick as they can.  And, the minute Frank
tells me you are ready, we'll go meet the horses.  Will that work?  If
Frank and I promise will you?"
     "Okay.  But how long do I gotta?  I mean I promise but,"
     "If you try hard, I mean do exactly what we ask, about three weeks,"
Frank injected.  Johnny's face sank.  "We might be able to shorten that
time if you help us.  I promise I will try."
     "Okay, we gotta start!" Johnny proclaimed, throwing his covers off as
he started to climb over his bed rail.
     "Okay, but stay in bed," Frank ordered, gently pushing the boy back on
his pillow.  "The first thing we're going to do is take you to get a couple
of tests.  Then we are probably going to move you to, , , my special
treatment area, another hospital room."
     "Yeah, okay.  I mean yes sir," Johnny answered as he leaned back.  I
gave him the printouts from last night, and the VCR, telling him I would
see him again soon.
     "Thanks, Doctor," Frank said as we stepped into the hall.
     "Thank you!" I countered.  "He's very special to me, take good care of
him," I added before I realized it.  Something in Frank's eyes told me the
boy had chiseled a way into his heart also.
     My little angels were playing kickball with several other kids when I
turned into St.  Paul's.  Before I stopped the car there were at least a
dozen kids surrounding it, several boys hugging Ronnie and Mark as they
gathered around.
     "Why cant there be two of me?" Ronnie whispered.  I was a little
surprised when he didn't resist as I hugged him, something would normally
be embarrassed about in public.  "I wanta go live with you but I don't
wanta leave all my friends, I'm scared!"
     I pulled him and Mark against me, then risk kissing Ronnie's forehead.
"Your not leaving them behind, remember I said you can invite them to come
out to the ranch?"  He squeezed more tightly against me whimpering
something I could not understand.  "You ready to go home?"
     We made a quick stop at a meat market on the way home.  I blew almost
a hundred dollars or so on huge Tiger Shrimp and Red-fish filets, along
with some beautiful prime cut rib-eye steaks that looked perfect for
Sunday, but didn't really care.  'That's what I bust my ass for, I guess,'
I told myself.  'Fuck it, I don't have to really pay for it until next
month anyway!' I thought as I put it on plastic.
     The kids were at the pasture fence as soon as I stopped the car,
telling the horses every detail of their morning.  I didn't see any point
in arguing, knowing I would give in anyway, when the begged to go riding,
and carried the groceries and their belongings into the house after I
watched them sprinted toward the tack room.
     After I changed into shorts and a tee-shirt I opened a beer.  'A
little early, but what the fuck!  Party time' I told myself.  After I had
peeled and put the shrimp into marinate, I went back into my bedroom and
changed into swim trunks.  'Yes, this is the life,' I told myself as I
watched the boys riding and having fun through the patio door in my
bedroom.
     I tossed the Shrimp in its marinate and was heading toward he pool,
and a much needed massage from one of its water jets when the house
doorbell rang.  'What are the kids doing at the front door?' I wondered.
'Did I even lock the door, no one can get past the gate.'
     "Hi Adam, we used little Carl's code, I hope it was all right!" Cindy
bubbled when I opened the door.
     'Carl's code?  Kill the kids' I added to my to-do list.  I stared at
her for a couple of seconds before remembering I was bare chested and
blushed.  "Nice pecks!" she added as her kids rushed into the house.
     "Can we go riding, Please sir," Jennifer asked.  "Please, Mark and,
well whatever his name is are, PLEASE?"  Junior's glare vibrated across the
house as it penetrated his sister before she said, "I mean Ronnie." I
nodded and both kids were out the door.
     Roberts joined me in the pool, but Cindy chose to sit on the patio.
We talked for a few minutes before she excused herself, asking she could
ride with the kids.  After a few minutes I offered Roberts a beer and
finally opened the one I had forgot about, tossing a bowl of chips and can
of dip onto a tray before returning to the patio.
     Kid radar was working perfectly, and within minutes of setting the
tray down one, then another youngster appeared, each of them looking like
they hadn't eaten in weeks.  I added a large tray of finger sausages,
crackers and cheese to the rapidly disappearing chips.
     "From what the boys tell me you sound like you have a busy week
planed," Cindy commented when she joined us.  "They said you want to
transfer them to another school, have you considered Cornerstone Academy?
Little Carl has been there for three years and we couldn't be more pleased.
Carl is on the board of directors."
     "No Way!  They gotta wear uniforms and stuff!" Ronnie exclaimed.
     "Yuck!" Mark added.
     "It's okay, except there are no girls," Junior whined.  I had to
snicker as I watched Ronnie's face sour slightly, and Mark's brighten into
a thin smile.  "Well but the teachers are all really neat," Junior added. I
noticed something different about him as he talked.
     "It's a little expensive, but well worth the money.  They have some of
the highest academic success rate in the state," Roberts added.  "They
usually don't take mid-term entries, but I can arrange it."
     "Yeah, it would be totally cool if you guys went there!" Junior
exclaimed.  As he cracked a wide smile I noticed he now had braces on the
rest of his teeth.
     "I see you have some new jewelry," I commented, making him blush.
     "Yeah, Tin Grin!" Ronnie teased, pushing against Junior's arm with his
hand.  Junior pushed back as he turned red faced.
     "Speaking of which," Cindy injected.
     "Ah, mom,"
     "It's in my purse, get going," The boy rolled his eyes upward, his
face broadcast 'parents suck' as clearly as a billboard before slinking
into the house.  A minute or so later he gave me a 'thanks, asshole,' glare
as he rejoined us, hooking his headgear onto his teeth.
     Roberts gave me an interesting suggestion as we talked, and Cindy
asked about my search for a Nanny.  An Occupational Therapist that I knew
fairly well, who had recently retired from Central Baptist, was looking for
part time work.  He told me she was looking to do in-home part time care
for an elderly couple or two, but I remembered how good she was with my
patients.
     I snickered, but realized life was going to be a lot different for my
boys and myself when we sat down to eat.  Mark studied the table carefully,
clearly looking for something that wasn't there for him.  When his lost
face didn't go a way for a minute or so I finally asked him what he wanted,
what could I get him.
     "Nothing, it's okay," he almost whimpered.  "Well, but I thought we
were gonna have shrimp is all."  From his disappointed expression he had
been looking forward to the dish.
     "Here are the shrimp," I countered, setting two of the six inch or so
barbequed Tiger Shrimp on his plate.
     "That's not shrimp, shrimps are small.  And they got that crusty stuff
on them like chicken,"
     "Yeah puny like you," Ronnie whispered to his brother, a little louder
than I think he meant to.  "Whatever, he burned the fish too," he whispered
to Junior, his eyes fixed on the Blackened Redfish.  He blushed when he
realized I had heard him.
     "Taste, I promise you like it," I told Mark, cutting into one of his
shrimp with his fork, and holding it up to his mouth.  He stared at it for
a second and slowly opened his mouth.
     "Yumm!" he declared, jerking the fork out of my hand.
     "Try the burnt fish," I suggested to Ronnie.  "I promise it's good."
I spent most of the rest of the meal all but demanding they eat some
vegetables and salad instead of tanking up on the fish and shrimp.
     Sunday afternoon I unwittingly embarrassed the boys again when I
served the rib eye steaks.  Both Ronnie and Mark seemed to dodge them,
eating only their side dishes for a couple of minutes before I snapped that
they might not have ever had a steak before.  "Taste," I told Mark,
offering him a bite of my steak.
     "Yumm!" he exclaimed.  His eyes saddened as he looked down at his
untouched steak.
     "These are good Doctor Owens!" Junior declared.  "I like to cut mine
thin," he added, making a show of demonstrating how to cut a steak.  Ronnie
and Mark watched him, then timidly sliced into their's.  A few test slices
later I watched both their steaks disappear at what had to be record speed.
     "Thanks, Turkey," I whispered to Junior while the boys loaded the
dishwasher.  "You're a super kid." I added.  I was rewarded with a quick
hug from him before all three of them disappeared into the basement.
     When I got to my office I could tell the week was going to be a
whirlwind, but was shaping up as being very productive.  Monday after
rounds I only had two patients in the morning, and was able to not only let
the boy's school know I was their guardian now, but contacted Cornerstone
Academy.  At first they were not interested, but when I dropped Robert's
name I was quickly offered an appointment with their admissions
representative the next morning.  A quick phone call and they boys' current
school agreed to fax their records over.  A couple of more calls and I had
appointments for the boys with my Dentist for Tuesday after school, and a
Pediatrician friend of mine for Thursday afternoon.
     When I went back to the office after lunch Mary Hope, the retired OT
technician had returned my call.  When I told her what I was considering
she seemed interested and we agreed to meet for lunch the next day.
     Johnny was sleeping during my morning rounds, but wide awake and
almost bubbly Monday afternoon.  He was happy as he could be to be out of
Intermediate care, and had the pictures of my horses taped to the walls all
over his half of the hospital room.  I almost felt sorry for the boy in the
other bed when he groaned as Johnny insisted on playing the VCR I had
brought him for what I was sure was the hundredth time asking me to narrate
it.
     "Wow, Mister, I mean Doc, they's your sons?  They get to ride and
stuff?" My jaw tightened, 'God, what hillbilly mountain did this kid go to
school on?' I asked myself.  "Oh, I mean Doctor, ah sir," he whimpered.
'So much for hiding your emotions, he's not fool!' I thought.
     "I like Doc better, if you feel comfortable," which earned me a bright
grin.  "Yes, each of them own their own horse."  He looked away, I couldn't
really read his face, but it was not a happy one.
     "Watch!" he proclaimed, tossing his covers off and squirming off the
bed.  His face tightened in pain as he stood up, but limped a lap around
the room.  "I get to walk in here as much as I wanta!  Frank said so!" he
proudly proclaimed.  "I can go to the nurses thing three times a day too,
I'm gonna try stairs tomorrow!"
     I spent a little time congratulating him, then helped him back into
bed.  I was almost out the door when he called again.  "Thanks Mister,
you're neat!"  I gave him a wide smile, and was careful to wipe my eyes
before going to the Nurses' Station.
     By Tuesday afternoon I subconsciously started to be worried, things
were just going too smoothly.
     Cornerstone impressed me as soon as it came into view.  It was a
sprawling well landscaped campus, set on a hillside at the edge of the hill
country as well as the edge of San Antonio's sprawl.  Instead of the
fifty-year-old, ill kept red brick school building, surrounded by a
menacing steel fence that I had dropped my angels off in front of earlier,
each of the twenty or so buildings scattered around were in as perfect
condition as the grounds surrounding them.  The most imposing security
obstacle I found as I drove toward the Administrative Building was a few
hedges and posts supporting covered awnings between buildings.  It looked
more like a country club than a school.
     The school was owned by the Methodist Church, but was a 'none
denominational Christian' school; about eighty percent day students, twenty
percent boarding.  When I toured the campus I was sold.  As we looked into
twenty or so classrooms, the largest one contained only about fifteen
students, every one of them displaying a happy, interested expression.
There was also an indoor pool, and clearly state of the art gymnasium
training room. The 'Uniforms' that Ronnie had objected to were blue shorts
or trousers and white polo shirts.  By the end of the tour I wondered if
smiles were issued along with the clothes.  One of the van's the school
used to pick up day students went near the ranch, and they could easily be
added to the route.
     Roberts had called ahead I was sure.  The school had some concerns
about especially Mark's records, but assured me if the boys would try they
could help them; insisting they interview the boys before committing
themselves to accepting them.  I clearly got the impression they really
didn't to take on a pair of boys fresh out of an orphanage, but were
willing to try.  My asshole sucked a little wind as I learned their tuition
for day students was six thousand dollars a school year, but agreed.  I
agreed to bring the boys for screening Wednesday morning.
     Mary was also just what I was looking for, as articulate and caring as
I remembered her.  We seemed to have thought alike, I had in mind for her
to go to the ranch around lunch a couple of times a week and do some
housekeeping before the boys came home from school..and on the other days
arrive shortly before they did. Her ideas regarding salary were actually
lower than what I was going to offer her.  I split the difference and I
hired her, contingent on her meeting the boys, and everyone being
comfortable with each other and gave her directions to the ranch.
     I decided to let the kids have the day off, after their interview we
would do a little shopping then meet Mary right after lunch.  I had to do
rounds after the Cornerstone interview, and after that we had the day off
until their riding lessons.
     The trip to the Dentist was good and bad news for the boys, no
cavities and a good report on tarter and hygiene, but they were not too
pleased about getting their teeth cleaned, and both did get a referral for
Orthodontic treatment.  I was rewarded with a pair of dirty looks when I
answered their question as to what Orthodontics meant.
     I knew Jaguar made an excellent vehicle, but I was impressed at how
well it absorbed the flack that ricocheted around it on the drive home.  "I
ain't EVEN gonna get shi. . . well, stuff like Junior!" Ronnie proclaimed,
"I ain't gonna wear that. . ."
     "Why do we gotta go to that school?  It sounds barfy!" Mark joined in.
'Welcome to parenthood!' I told myself.
     "I'm NOT GOING TO, Ronnie, speak English!  Should we talk more about
using the word Shit?" I corrected.  "Come on guys, if you need braces, you
need braces!  A lot of kids wear them, hey, no one cares!
     "Yes, you have to go to Cornerstone tomorrow, hey it's better than
going to school, you get all day off!" realizing that didn't work I
continued.  "Let's go look at the school, you guys talk to them.  After we
do, if you guys still don't want to go there, we'll find another school.
Will that work?"
     They relaxed somewhat, but I could feel a tension between us all
evening.  I only got cursory hugs when they went to bed.  I took a long
swim after tucking them in, enjoying the release the water gave me as I
swam lap after lap, but still couldn't relax.  'Are you doing the right
thing?' I kept asking myself.  'Why can't we go back to when I just got to
spoil them and send them back for someone else to raise, when it was all
fun?' I wondered.  An hour or so later, still not having an answer, my body
announced it was time to get out of the pool, and get in bed.
     After a quick shower I started upstairs to check on the boys when I
noticed a big lump in my bed covers.  When I peeked under it I found a pair
of golden haloes, attached to my beautiful, sleeping angels.  "Thanks,
God," I whispered as I carefully slipped into bed so I didn't wake them.
     As I relaxed I congratulated myself for not disturbing them.  I leaned
back toward their side of the bed, just in time to see a lump in the
blanket slither toward me, almost like a snake.  It quickly snuggled
against me, throwing a thin arm over my chest and hugging me. Ronnie was
right behind his brother, hugging both of us as we drew into a tight
snuggle.
     I was deciding how to send them back to their beds when I felt a pair
of lips against my nose.  "Thanks for being our dad, Dad, we love you
soooooo much!" Ronnie whispered, disappearing under the covers before I
could react.  'What did you want to go back to?' I asked myself.  I draped
my arm over both of them, stroking Ronnie's back as I felt Mark's breath,
softly blowing on my chest as I slipped off to sleep.
     One, then another kiss on my cheek awoke me.  As I pried my eyelids
open it took a couple of seconds to focus on Ronnie's pixie nose.  I
couldn't help noticing an additional splattering of freckles.  "Can we go
swimming?" he asked.
     "Please?" a soft voice whined from under the blanket.
     "Well, what's it worth to you?" I mumbled.  I could feel Ronnie's eyes
examining me as he considered my question.  The next thing I knew I had a
pair of soft lips kissing each of my cheeks.  "That should cover it!" I
responded, kissing their foreheads.  They giggled and gave me a quick hug
before jumping out of bed, darting toward the patio door, as usual only
wearing their briefs.
     We swam for a half hour or so before I sent them upstairs to shower
and dress.  I had planned to make them wear the dress clothes they wore to
court, but ended up compromising on dress slacks and button up shirts.  I
popped a load of frozen waffles in the microwave before rinsing off in the
shower and dressing.
     The boys were quiet on the way into town.  When I turned onto
Cornerstone's sprawling campus they began looking around, whispering to
each other.  "Which one's the school?" Mark finally asked.
     "All the buildings are," I replied, making their little heads scan
back and forth even faster.  "That's their indoor swimming pool, and that
smaller building is a store, right here at school.  There's a golf course
back there, too."
     They were wide eyed by the time we exited the car.  As we entered the
Administration building Mark tucked himself shyly under my arm, with Ronnie
hovering only inches from me on the other side.

     "Hi dudes!  Hi Doctor Owens," Junior's voice rang as we entered the
admissions office.  Both boys looked a little surprised, but seemed to
relax, as their friend approached us, wearing uniform blue shorts, knee
socks and white polo shirt. The representative I had met with before
greeted us immediately, announcing Junior was going to take the boys on a
tour of the campus while he met with me again, getting no argument from my
two.
     "Where's your uniform?" I heard Ronnie whisper as the left.
     They were almost hyper when the returned a few minutes later, still
bombarding Junior with questions.  They both stiffened when the
representative invited Ronnie into his office, but ten minutes later he
came out wearing a wide smile.  Mark pushed against me like glue when she
asked him to join her, but after coaxing from his brother shuffled into the
office.  Shortly we heard the door open, followed by Mark's high pitched
giggle.
     "What do you guys think?" I asked after a minute.  "Let's go for a
walk," I suggested after they exchanged several glances.  I declined the
ladies' offer to use her office, asking if we could walk around outside for
briefly.
     "Wow, it's neat here," Mark said.  "I didn't know they made schools
like this."
     "Yeah, and I thought you had to wear uniforms and stuff," Ronnie
chimed in.  When I said they did wear uniforms he countered, "That's not
uniforms, I mean what I thought were uniforms!"
     "Well, you guys think you'd like it here?"  They both were silent for
over a minute, exchanging several more glances, almost as if communicating
telepathically.
     "Well but, you gotta be smart and stuff to go to a school like this,"
Mark whined.
     "Yeah, and I bet everyone's rich, they're not gonna like a couple of
orphans," Ronnie added.
     I put them under my arms, cupping their thin shoulders.  "No, guys,
you come here to get smart.  I don't know if they'd like a couple of
orphans, but what about a couple of Doctor's kids?  Hey, Junior likes you
and he goes to school here.  It's a great opportunity for you, will you
take advantage of it?"
     They looked at each other for several seconds before Mark looked away,
pushing against me.  After a long pause, I hugged them a little more
tightly.  "Okay," Ronnie answered.  Mark immediately looked back at his
brother then up at me a wide smile.
     Thirty minutes later we were on our way to the uniform supply company
the school recommended.  While we were filling out the last of the
admissions paperwork I almost couldn't believe it when the boys all but
demanded to start their new school tomorrow.  Cornerstone and I had been
thinking Monday would be a good day, but both of us ended up giving in,
they would start on Friday.
     I could feel my credit card groan, even through my wallet, as we
entered the store. I was surprised when the boys wanted all short pants,
but after the clerk suggested the buy a couple of pair of long trousers
they didn't argue.  Their faces paled when she produced a school blazer for
each of them to try on.  She knew her business though, quickly showing them
on the school's uniform list that they were only for field trips and
special occasions.  I was a little thankful that they didn't notice her
added a couple of neck ties and dress white shirts to our stack.
     Instead of taking the kids to the arcade, I dropped them off at the
cafeteria while I made my rounds.  I allowed another hit on my credit card,
leaving it with the cashier and telling her to give them an open tab.  I
had to laugh when I looked back as I left, they little heads were sweeping
wide eyed between the dessert counter and the ice cream machine.  'Ah, life
is so full of stressful decisions,' I snickered.
     Johnny was not in his room when I checked in on him.  A little
concerned I started back toward the Nurses' Station.  I was a few feet from
it when an alto voice rang from the end of the hall.  "Hi Mister, I mean
Doc!"  When I turned toward it the little strawberry blond was limping
toward me almost at a jog.  "I get to walk all the way down there now!" he
proudly announced.  "Oh yea look, I got PJs now!" he added, modeling his
new pajamas.
     Frank joined us after a minute.  I made small talk with Johnny for a
minute or so before Frank suggested he 'take another lap', and the boy
limped off, still smiling.  "He's doing remarkable," Frank began.  "I'm
probably going to start him on stairs this afternoon.  I'm don't know about
your end, but if he keeps doing so well from the PT side, we might be able
to certify him ready to move to rehab some time next week."
     We chatted about how he was doing for a minute.  I said I would talk
to Roberts, and suggested a Staffing possibly for Monday morning.  He
turned and started walking away, but turned back to me.  "By the way
Doctor, that boy thinks you walk on water, you are his motivation.  I've
seen examples of spiritual healing before, but I would almost swear he is
willing his body to heal to please you."  I tried to reply, but all I could
do was nod my head.
     We had been home just long enough to change clothes when Mary buzzed
the intercom at the gate.  As usual Mark was pressed against my hip, half
hiding behind me, as I introduced everyone, but her cheerfully smile and
grand-motherly voice lured him, and within minutes they were talking like
old friends.  When I suggested I show her around the house I almost burst
out in laughter when Mark jumped up, all but insisting he would.
     Mary was looking around the kitchen a few minutes later when Ronnie
pushed up against me.  His teenage side showed through when he whispered,
"Well, but can she cook?"
     I think he realized he had said it a little too loud when Mary turned
toward us.  "Come here my little one," she asked.  He hesitated, but slowly
almost crawled to her, red faced.  "I'm a fat old Mexican grand-mom, I
promise I can cook!  Well, we have to fatten you up don't we.  You're too
skinny!" she said, poking his tight stomach as she pulled him against her.
Ronnie's bright smile and Mark's giggle made it clear I had only two
choices, hire Mary or ship them back to St.  Paul's.
     I gave her a house key and set an alarm/gate code for her before
walking her out to her car.  She wanted come back out Friday afternoon and
for a few hours Saturday to get used to our routine, and so we could work
out scheduling details and such, which sounded like a good idea to me.  "I
bet Ronnie will decide I can cook by then!" she almost giggled as she
climbed into her car.
     I was slammed by a pair of wiry little bodies when I went back into
the house.  'Thanks Dad, I mean Doctor Pop," Ronnie exclaimed.  "I, I mean
we didn't know getting adopted was gonna be this neat!  You're a neat dad!"
     "I didn't know life could be so neat," I whispered, hugging both of
them.  "Thanks guys, I love you.  You know, I sure like being called Dad!"
I added as I guided them to the couch.  I instantly had a lap full of kids.
We all closed our eyes and enjoyed each other's touch for I'm sure ten
minutes or so.
     "Wow, that's Mrs.  Stewart!" Mark announced.
     "YEAH!" Ronnie hooted.  "We gotta go Pop!  We love you!" he announced,
both of them darting out the door.
     "I love you!" I shouted after them.  'And thanks guys' I thought.
'And thanks God, thanks for giving me such a wonderful life, complete with
live in angels'.
     I spent the next hour or so preparing supper and shooting video as
Steward and the boys worked through their lesson.  She was an even more
impressive rider and instructor than her reputation.  I shuddered several
times as she used Zeus as a carrot, allowing the boys to ride him as a
reward for excellence on their horses, but just looked away as the thousand
or so pound stallion galloped at almost light speed with his eighty to a
hundred pound riders.
     After Junior's third phone call I got a little cross with him, "Did I
say I would have them call you?" I snapped at him.  I felt bad as soon as I
did, adding, "They're still at their riding lessons, I promise they will
call you." I paused a minute before adding, "And yes, they start school at
Cornerstone Friday."
     "YEAH!!!  THANKS DOCTOR POP!  THANKS!!! I mean Doctor Owens, sir!" he
yelled into the phone, almost breaking my eardrum.  "YEAH!!!. . . I mean
please if they can call me sir."
     "Thank you, little man," I said to the dial tone.  'Just thanks
everyone,' I thought, watching my sons through the glass.

To be continued. . .