Date: Tue, 04 Dec 2001 21:45:26 -0500
From: Todd Grant <redfordtodd1_@hotmail.com>
Subject: Gerry & Todd Chapter 10- Thanksgiving

	This is a story about a man and a handicapped teenage boy that meet and
fall in love.  If you are underage or offended by the subject matter, please
leave.  Up to the point where they talk for quite some time, the story is
real for the most part.  We did part without ever exchanging anything more
than conversation.  He was just as beautiful as described.  Maybe if I had
been more agressive...who knows?  The rest is strictly fiction and wishful
thinking on my part.  Please send any comments to redfordtodd1_@hotmail.com.
  Be kind as this is my first effort.  No offense to handicapped persons is
intended.  I already have additional chapters ready, if you the reader are
interested.  It may come across as long winded and I don't always get right
to the sex.  (there is more in later chapters)  I wanted the reader to feel
like these were real people, and get to know them.  I want to give credit to
my good friend, Wilson, who has helped me more than he will admit as my
editor.

	Any similarities between a character and a real person, living or dead, are
purely coincidental. Any actions the reader takes as a result of reading
this story are not the responsibility of the author. You may not reproduce,
post, or distribute this story in any way without the author's expressed
written permission. You may print out one copy or save one copy of this
story for your own viewing and entertainment. By reading further, you
implicitly are agreeing to the above guidelines.


	Dear readers, I ask your forgiveness for taking so long to post this
chapter.  This chapter wasn't as finished as I would have liked.  When I
returned from Thanksgiving, I waited a few more days before I started back
to work.  When I re-read chapter 10, I felt that there was too much missing
that should be there.  Nothing was deleted from what I had before, but it
kept on growing.  Now, instead of a fairly short chapter 10, my readers will
have an ample ten and the other half has become a new chapter eleven, which
will be posted in a few days.  This means that there are still three more to
follow that are completed.
My thanks to all of you.


       THANKSGIVING

	It was time for dinner, and as usual, Em outdid herself.  It really looked
more like a Thanksgiving Feast than a regular dinner.  Thinking about it, I
realized that this was our first time for the four of us to sit down to
dinner.

	As I began reflecting on everything that had happened, Em spoke as she
looked around at us all.  "I'm sure that you have noticed that there is a
bit more food on the table than normal.  Although it's still months away,
(for those readers who aren't familiar there is a Canadian Thanksgiving held
about six weeks before the American one each year, on the second Monday of
October) I felt that we should have our own special Thanksgiving today.  I
would like for each of us to contribute to the blessing.  Bill, will you
start, please?"

	He stood and ran his hand over his mouth before speaking.  It was one of
those things I had noticed when he was going to say more than a few words.
He took my hand and Gerry's as we also joined hands with Em.  "Dear Lord, um
, I guess you could, well, say that we have more than enough to be thankful
for.  There's, well, more love here at our, um, table than most people could
ever hope for.  And I thank you for Your love too, Lord."  He gave a slight
squeeze to my hand, and smiled.

I could feel the emotions racing throught me as Em stood and began next.
"Dear Lord, I don't mean to make this long but, there are more things than
what Bill has just mentioned.  After Julie and Richard were taken by you, we
were at a loss.  How do two old people get over such a tragedy and at the
same time give enough to a young boy to help him through his misfortunes?
You showed us the way with your love and we gave as much love to Gerry as we
knew how.  He has grown into such an incredible man, full of intelligence,
wisdom, compassion and love.  When he told us of his feelings for other men
we were worried.  You had put so much on his plate that to add this didn't
seem fair.  We left the issue alone at the time because there didn't seem
much we could do.  Years passed by and it was never mentioned again until
two months ago."

	This was it, they had their Gerry back safe and sound.  Surely they weren't
about to allow the two of us to continue.  Em brought her gaze to me.  She
had the same deep blue eyes as Gerry, but, I couldn't read them like I could
his.  Her grip on my hand tightened a little.

	She continued, "We could see that something was eating away at Gerry.  He
came home from school that day and was sadder than I have ever seen him.
For the first time in years he brought up the subject of his wanting love.
Over and over he cursed the fact that he was in that 'damned' chair.  'I
know I'm smart and not bad looking, but no one is ever going to want a
cripple like me.' he said in total despair.  He began to cry harder than I
had ever seen him cry.  He went on for hours.  Our hearts went out to our
boy.  If only there were someway to ease his pain.  I prayed to you at the
time, Lord, to please find it in your heart to do something for this special
child of ours and yours, and you did."

	Listening to her words, I realized that maybe I was wrong.  Maybe they
didn't want me out of their boy's life after all.  Her hand tightened a bit
more.

	"When he was all cried out, we talked a little.  After a bit of supper, he
said that he was going to go for a drive with Tattoo, and that he would be
back in a few hours.  It was almost seven when he left.  We didn't begin to
worry until near midnight.  After a few more hours, Bill and I had our first
big blow up in years.  We were both blaming ourselves for not doing right by
Gerry.  It didn't last for long, as it never has.  We both appologized and
found comfort in each other as we continued to wait.  Sometime near morning
we fell asleep.  Then, hours later, came the call from Gerry telling us
everything was great and that he would explain when he got home.  For the
first time Bill and I talked about Gerry's being gay.  We both agreed that
we didn't care so long as he was loved by a decent person."

	She gripped my hand tightly and then eased back.  She was now smiling
directly at me.

	"Once Gerry got home, there was no holding him back.  He went on and on,
Todd this, and Todd that.  We were glad to see him seem happy, but what was
this 'Todd' person really about that he would spend the night with our boy,
and then leave him?  How could he prey on an innocent seventeen year old,
and a handicapped one at that?  Then came the events that changed all of our
lives forever.  Gerry's accident and Todd showing up when he did.  It only
took me a short time to realize that Todd was exactly the kind of man that I
could only hope our Gerry could find.  I have never seen in my life such an
unselfish, dedicated, caring and totally loving person as Gerry has found.
And, the amazing part is, he felt this way for our Gerry after less than a
day.  He was like a miracle in the flesh.  The next two months more than
proved to us that you, oh Lord, You do work in mysterious ways.  If Todd had
been born of our own flesh and blood we couldn't love him any more.  Thank
you, my Lord, for giving us back our Gerry and his health.  But, more than
his health, dear Lord, we thank you for giving all of us Todd as part of our
family."

	I could barely see the tears in everyone elses eyes through the ones that
filled mine.  I was so happy and so choked up that I knew I couldn't speak.

	Gerry looked my way and pushed himself up.  "Dear Lord, where do I begin?
So often I felt as if You had abandoned me.  You took away both of my
parents and left me a cripple.  Now, I feel ashamed for those thoughts.  I
was in the deepest despair I had ever known on that day that You brought
Todd and I together.  I didn't believe in prayer anymore because it seemed
to me that You never answered mine.  That evening I went for a drive, I knew
I wasn't in any emotional shape to do it, but now I believe that You had a
big hand in it.  Usually I just drive around town or go out in the country
for a while.  Somehow, that night, I found myself on the expressway.  Tattoo
and I drove all the way to Windsor, and found a beautiful park that looks
across the river to Detroit.  I just sat there and stared, not knowing why
at the time.  It gave me a sense of peace just to look across at the big
city and wonder what lay beyond.  My destiny?"

	He paused for a minute and looked at me.  The love that emanated from my
Gerry to me was so intense.  He began again.

	"After hours of sitting there, I felt a need to get back on the road.  Not
so much to head home, but something was pushing me.  Almost halfway home,
just as I was nearing a rest area, I almost had an accident.  For whatever
reason, I jammed on my brakes and took the ramp.  After parking, I just sat
there trying to figure out what was going on.  I put on one of my favorite
tapes and the first song playing was 'Someday He'll Come Along'.  It almost
made me irritable, looking back on it.  Then that sense of peace came to me
again as I listened to the words.  Suddenly, I felt the need to go inside
and relieve myself.  It came out of nowhere.  Once I did, amazingly enough,
it didn't amount to much.  I had just gotten back in my chair when I heard
the outer door.  I peeked through the crack and saw this great looking guy
come in and go around the corner.  My heart started beating faster.  What in
the world was wrong with me?  I had heard enough talk about the restrooms in
places like this.  I needed to get my butt out of there and go home.  Try as
I might, the latch wouldn't release on the door.  Great, now I'm going to
have to call for help.  That guy will think I'm a real case.  Just then I
noticed that my chair was pushing against the door.  I moved it a little and
the latch worked fine.  Maybe there was still enough time for me to get out
of here after all.  I opened the stall door and looked across the way at the
outer door.  Piece of cake, I can make the distance in just a matter of
seconds.  I didn't even see that he was so close as I began to make my run
for it.  No sooner was I out of the stall then he turned and almost fell
over me.  Lord help me, but he was even better looking up close and the
faint smell of his cologne almost did me in.  We both laughed and apologized
at the same time.  His voice was a rich baritone that combined with the
smile on his face set every nerve in my body on edge.  My pulse was racing
ever faster and I could feel my palms begin to sweat.  As he stood back it
almost seemed like he was appraising me.  I quickly gave him the once over
too.  Nice clothes and what seemed to be a really terrific body.  He looked
deep into my soul with his eyes and I almost came unglued.  It was as if my
heart had stopped  beating and I felt a tingling sensation from head to toe.
  It was then that I knew.  Dear Lord, you had been listening to my prayers.
  You have sent me this  wonderful man for my very own."

	He looked at me, and the tears were forming fresh in his eyes.  He looked
even deeper into me at that moment.  I felt my love flowing freely back to
him.

	When he spoke, it was with a quieter tone.  "Todd, I knew at that moment
that we were meant to be.  Sure, I may have expressed some doubts in the
hours that followed, but the last two months have erased any I may have had.
  You have shown me what love is all about.  If I searched the world I could
never find a greater love than you have given to me.  There are billions of
people out there but none can come close.  I just wish that there were
adequate words to say to you how much I love you in return.  Lord, you have
blessed me with two of the most loving grandparents I could ask for and a
man that will never have an equal.  Thank you, Lord."


	I knew it was my turn, and the emotions were filling me at an extreme rate.
  What could I say after their words?

	I stood and tried to find the words.  "Lord, you have always given me so
much more than I am worthy of.  Now you have added to the list the love of
these wonderful people.  They have accepted me into their home and their
hearts.  I will always honor and treasure their love and do my best to show
my love for them in return."

	Looking at Gerry, my emotions were overwhelming me.  I took a deep breath
and looked up.  "Now, Lord, you have also given to me the one thing that I
have longed for and prayed for, a person so special, so perfect that I feel
humbled by his love.  I too, was in a similar frame of mind to Gerry's that
night.  Never in my experiences had I found anyone that even knew the
meaning of love.  Every relationship I had in the past was void of that one
most crucial element, love.  That night, Lord, You moved in your mysterious
way for me too.  I remember how I wasn't going to let anything stop me for
the first several hours of my trip.  I purposely avoided any food or drink
for hours before leaving.  From the point that I first saw the sign for the
rest area until I pulled in, I felt a growing need to relieve myself.  There
was no way I could have ever gone past that spot.  It made no sense at the
time.  I hadn't had anything to cause this reaction.  Thinking back, a
slight chill ran down my spine as I got out of my truck."

	I lowered my gaze and focused it directly on Gerry.  "Let me skip ahead to
the point where I first looked deeply into your eyes.  My whole body felt as
if someone had lightly run their nails across every inch of me.  I knew from
that precise moment that my life had changed.  Truly, I felt as if there
were nothing that you could ask of me that I wouldn't do.  The highest
mountain, the deepest ocean, whatever you may ever want or need.  If need
be, I would lay down my very life for you.  That was the kind of commitment
I had always been willing to make if only I could find the person that could
accept it.  I felt myself willing to make that commitment to you from the
first time that you gazed into my soul."  For several seconds we just stared
deeply into each other's souls.

	I raised my eyes again.  "Lord, you had big plans for us.  From the moment
Gerry and I parted, You made sure I got back here as soon as possible.  You
tested our love for each other by Gerry's tragic accident.  We proved
ourselves worthy of each other's love as well as of your love.  In exchange
for this you have given Gerry back much of his health.  Lord, I promise that
I will never hurt my beloved man and will always cherish him with all that I
am.  I will spend the rest of my days proving to you, Lord, that bringing
Gerry and I together was the right thing to do.  We all have so much to be
thankful for.  We thank you, Lord, for everything you have given to us."

	I looked slowly at our small family, Bill and Em, and finally Gerry.  All
three had such an intense expression on their faces.  It was like their love
was pouring out to the point of overflowing.

	Em cocked her head to one side as she looked at us all with a slight smile.
  Suddenly, there was a look of mild panic on her face.  "We almost forgot."
  She closed her eyes and lifted her head.  Softly, she said, "Amen."

	We followed with a chuckle, as we three echoed her word.  Em began serving
her feast.  After just a few minutes, Em, Bill and I stopped and watched
with wonder.  Gerry was pilling so much food on his plate it could have fed
us all.  He was running out of room when he saw that we were staring at him
and his feast.

	"What?" he asked as he found that no more food would fit on his plate.
"Haven't you ever seen a hungry teenager before?  And don't give me that
look, remember that until a few days ago I hadn't had any real food for
months."  He began to eat as if he were a condemned man with his weapon in
hand.

	Em shook her head.  "We forgot something else to be thankful for."  She
lifted her eyes.  "Dear Lord, we thank you for Todd's having a truck.
Amen."

	Gerry stopped shoveling the food into his mouth long enough to ask what she
meant by that.

	"Well, dear grandson of ours," she said with a smirk much like his.  "At
the rate you are eating, Todd's truck is the only thing you're going to fit
into.  At least the back end should be big enough for a while."

	The three of us laughed hard at that one as Gerry gave us a mild scowl,
then went back to gorging himself.

	"Em, there really is a way that my truck will be put to good use for all of
you." I said with a wink only she could see.

	"And what might that be, Todd?" she asked, returning my wink.

	"Well, I figure my truck is going to be the only way that you and Bill will
be able to haul the groceries home fast enough to keep Gerry fed."

	We had another good laugh, and Gerry put down his weapon.

	He looked squarely at the three of us.  "I'm still a growing boy, and will
be for a few more years."  He had such a puppy dog look on his face.  Just
then he covered his mouth and produced an almost earsplitting belch.

	That was all it took, as Gerry's face became red.  We all four burst out
laughing.

	"You know," Em said.  "If you keep on eating like that the only growing
you'll be doing is sideways."

	We had another round of laughs on that one.  I heard Bill clear his throat,
he wore a serious expression.

	"Todd, I hate to, um, well, bother you at a time like this." He stopped
talking, looking very uncomfortable.

	"What is it Bill?  You know that all you have to do is ask of me." I
replied.

	He started again.  "Well, it's just that, um, Em and I may be faced with
some money problems."

	"If I can manage it, just tell me what you might need."

	"There's just, um, well, one problem with that."  He said in a sad tone.

	"Come on, Bill, just tell me." I was felling a little anxious.

	"Well, if Gerry, um, keeps eating like this we'll all three be in the poor
house." he said with a twinkle in his eye.

	I glanced at Gerry as he rolled his eyes.  I tried to hold it back, but
just couldn't.  I finally burst out laughing long and hard, as the rest
joined in.

	After we caught our breaths, I looked again at Gerry.  He sat with his
weapon raised again over his plate, but wasn't moving in for the kill.  His
expression became pouty.

	"Gram?"

	"Yes, Gerry?"

	"I hope you won't be mad at me." he said with a now saddened face.

	"What would I be mad at you for, baby?"

	"Well," he paused.  "It all looked so good that I wanted everybite I could
fit.  Now, I don't have any room left and I'm stuffed.  But, I'm not even
finished."

	She looked at him with such a caring expression.  "That's okay, we can just
wrap it up and you can have the rest for breakfast tomorrow."  I saw the
smirk on her face as we began to chuckle.

	"Thanks gram, this will make one terrific breakfast." he said wearing the
same smirk.  I sat and shook my head, there was no doubt in my mind where
that smirk came from.