Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 01:50:24 -0600
From: pns kid <pnskid61@hotmail.com>
Subject: Sojourn chapter 35

The story below is a work of fiction and contains erotic and/or sexually
explicit behavior between consenting males. If you find this type of writing
offensive, or if you are underage and it is illegal to view it, please do
not read further, but exit now.
The author reserves all copyright privileges. This work may not be
reproduced, except for personal use, without permission of the author, and
may not be linked to any pay sites.

Author's note - Keep the emails coming.  Dan

Chapter 35

Sean had a restless night.  He felt horrible about how things went with
Kevin.  Sure, he'd gone too far with the kiss and perhaps he'd misread
things with Kevin.  Clearly Kevin had some issues but something inside him
told him that Kevin needed him.  Maybe not in the way that Sean had hoped
but there was a need.

At 530am, Sean finally gave up trying to sleep.  He got up and made some
coffee.  The sun would be coming up soon.  He remembered that Kevin usually
went for an early morning run.  Maybe he could meet Kevin, apologize for
everything, and extend and olive branch of friendship.  He would hate
himself if he didn't try.  So, he put on his running clothes and got in his
car.  He arrived at Kevin's apartment at 7am - about the time Kevin usually
went running.

By 730am, Sean was growing concerned.  He went and knocked on the door to
Kevin's apartment.  Nobody answered.  He could hear the TV but still nobody
answered.  Sean grew angry.  How childish of Kevin to not answer the door.
Sean wouldn't give up, he kept knocking.  The anger changed to concern.
After 10 minutes most people would have opened the door out of sheer
exasperation.  He tried the door but it was locked.  He went around to the
patio and looked in the sliding glass door.  He saw Kevin.  On the floor.
Vomit around him.  The coffee table was turned over, newspapers, magazines,
and remote controls scattered.  He tried the door and it was open.  Sean
didn't think twice and went inside.  The first thing that hit him was the
smell.  Pizza was sitting on the counter but there was the overwhelming
smell of vomit and other bodily fluids.  Sean was gagging and despite his
best efforts, threw-up himself.  He went to Kevin and noticed that he was
breathing.  He called out to him, shook him.  Kevin stirred.  His eyes
opened slightly and then his body shook and he vomited hitting Sean's pants
and shoes.  Kevin was coughing, his body wracked with dry heaves.

"Kevin, can you hear me...Kevin say something to me," Sean asked pleadingly.

Kevin tried to speak but the words wouldn't form.  He just looked at Sean.
Tears in his eyes.  His body twitching.  Sean looked around the room.  He
saw an empty vodka bottle and a beer can.  He also saw a small bottle.  He
picked it up.  He didn't recognize the name of the drug but the instructions
said to take one every 4 hours for pain.

Sean's first instinct was to call 911.  He went to get the phone.

"Hang on Kevin, I'm going to call and get some help," Sean said.

Kevin groaned and tried to reach out to Sean.  In a whisper, "No, please,
don't call anyone.  Please, Sean. Nobody can know."

"Kevin, I need to get you help.  I don't know what you've taken and how
much.  We can't take any chances"

"Sean, please, I beg you.  Please, I'll be OK."

Kevin asked Sean to help him to the bathroom.  Kevin was almost dead weight
but Sean managed to get him to the bathroom.  The smell was overpowering.
Kevin had soiled himself badly - urine and feces and vomit covered him.  By
the time Kevin was in the bathroom another round of dry heaves hit him.  He
was heaving so hard the he wet himself again.  Tears filled Kevin's eyes.
He was so ashamed and embarrassed.

Sean filled the sink with warm water and soap.  He wet a washcloth and
gently wiped Kevin's face.  Kevin said that he needed to get cleaned up and
asked Sean to leave him for a few minutes.  Kevin tried to get up but didn't
have the strength.  Sean grabbed him and managed to sit him on the toilet.
Sean then began to clean Kevin with the washcloth.  He wiped the bodily
fluids from his body.  He cleaned him as best he could. He filled the tub
and helped Kevin into the tub.  Sean then went to the kitchen to make some
coffee and some toast.  The refrigerator was almost bare so this would have
to do.

He went back to the bathroom to find Kevin sitting in the tub staring and
crying.  He helped Kevin finish cleaning himself and then gently towelled
him dry.  He found some sweatpants and t-shirt and got Kevin dressed and
into the bed.  He brought in the coffee and toast.  He also brought a pail
in to keep beside the bed.  Kevin immediately threw up the first sips of
coffee.  The next sips seemed to stay down as did the toast.  After he
finished the coffee and toast he fell asleep.

Sean stayed at his side for about an hour.  He then went to clean up the
mess in the living room.  The smell was still making Sean sick.  He knew
that nursing would never been a career for him!

Rick and Ethan's world was spinning.  Once the shock wore off, Ethan took
charge.  He called Mitch.  Mitch was a successful lawyer in Pensacola.  He
specialized in divorce and child custody cases.  This was a bit ironic since
Mitch had just been through his second divorce and often had harsh words for
divorce attorneys. Rick had met Mitch briefly on their first trip to
Pensacola together.  Mitch saw Rick and Ethan at the restaurant.  Mitch's
visit to the table caused a stir when he called Ethan by his real first
name.  At the time, Ethan was masquerading as Jason.

Mitch was surprised to hear from Ethan.  He kidded Ethan about keeping
secrets from him. He mentioned he had seen news reports of the rich
reclusive Ethan West and wondered could this be the same Ethan that he knew
from high school?  Ethan said that he would explain everything but asked
Mitch if he could come out to the condo as soon as possible.  Ethan promised
to make this up to him financially trying to be respectful that Mitch was a
very busy man. Hearing the desperation in Ethan's voice he agreed.  Ethan
promised to provide details in person.  After a call to his office and
clearing his calendar for the day, Mitch was on his way out to the beach.

Mitch arrived and was fully briefed on the situation.  Rick told the story
about how he had ended up with custody of Adam and then Ethan confirmed that
he and Rick were a gay couple.  Mitch made some calls and soon had some
insight.  Ruth and Buddy were behind the complaint.  Also, a social worker
from child protective services would be arriving the next day to meet with
Rick and Adam and to check out the home.  Then a temporary custody hearing
would be held later in the week to determine if Adam would need to be
removed from Rick's care immediately or wait until the outcome of a final
hearing.  The social worker's report would be key to the temporary hearing.

Adam bounced into the room and snuggled next to Ethan.  "Dad, who is this?"

Mitch was surprised that his little guy called Ethan Dad.  Ethan said that
Mitch was an old friend of his from high school.  Adam accepted that and
then went and sat on Rick's lap.  Mitch noticed the Adam seemed healthy and
happy.  He also noticed that there was love between all three guys.  This
was not an unhealthy environment for Adam.  Adam asked his Daddy for some
snackies which Rick quickly got for him.  Adam then ran off to his room to
build another Leggo masterpiece.

Mitch said that they would have to prove Rick as being unfit and that would
be very difficult.  Also since Rick was Adam's biological father, and this
was not an adoption situation, the courts were usually very hesitant to
remove kids from their biological parents.  Adam would need to meet with the
social worker, there would be interviews, and a physical examination.  Mitch
was sure that this wouldn't go too far.

"Rick, you have to be able to prove you can provide a healthy and safe
environment for Adam without help from Ethan.  Since your relationship is
not recognized under the law we have to build our case on your ability to
provide such and environment.  Can we do that?"  Mitch asked.

"I have a little over one million dollars in my bank account.  It has been
there for a few months.  I also have a position with one of Ethan's
companies which pays me $120,000 per year," Rick told Mitch.

Rick looked over at Ethan and smiled.  Ethan's premonition had proven so
true.  Ethan felt he needed to be sure that Rick had some money of his own.
While the fact that Ethan did things behind his back pissed him off, he
couldn't help but recognize that Ethan was usually right.

Mitch nodded, "OK, well, they can't get you on the financial aspects.  I
recommend that the interview with social services take place at your house
in Destin.  Not here as it will just add questions about your relationship
with Ethan."

"Rick, I have to ask you.  I think I know, but I need to ask.  What do you
think is behind all of this?"  Mitch asked.

"Two things, I think," Rick responded, "First, Ruth and Buddy have never
liked me and they are very homophobic.  They want to make my life a living
hell.  Secondly, money.  They must have seen me on the news and have put two
and two together and think they can get some money to shut up and go away."

Mitch thought for a moment.  "I hear what you are saying about the
homophobic thing but I have to say it is money in my mind that is driving
this.  We might be able to wrap this up if we find out what they want.  What
do y'all think of that?"

Ethan spoke first, "I really don't want this to draw out and I don't even
want to think about the possibility of losing Adam.  If we can pay them off
and then this thing is over, then I think we should do it."

Rick sat, and thought.  "I can't bear losing Adam.  He hasn't been in my
life, our life, for very long but he and Ethan are my whole world to me.  I
would fight to my death to keep either one of them.  I don't want these
assholes to get a damn cent but if it means keeping Adam, then we should do
it."

"OK, I will call the social worker to arrange the meeting at your house in
Destin.  I will aim for tomorrow afternoon.  I will contact Ruth and Buddy's
lawyer and broach the subject about a monetary settlement.  Anyway you look
at it, the wheels have started in motion and we will have a hearing this
week.  I don't think we have anything to worry about and hopefully we can
have a financial settlement handled and all of this will be wrapped up by
next week," Mitch explained to Ethan and Rick.

Ethan and Rick thanked Mitch and he left to get things moving.  Rick went to
tell Adam that they would be going to Destin for a couple of days.  He
explained that a lady would be coming to meet with them at the house and
would be asking him questions about how things were going and how he was
being treated.  Adam looked scared and Rick gave him a hug.

"Daddy, I am not going to have to go back to gamma and gampa again am I?  I
love you and Dad and I like living with you a lot.  Y'all aren't mean to
me." Adam said.

"Son, Ethan and I love you so much and want you to stay with us.  Don't you
worry about anything sweetie.  We are a family.  But I do have one big favor
to ask, is that ok?"  Adam nodded.  "When the lady is talking with you
tomorrow, and you want to talk about Ethan, you need to call him Ethan and
not Dad.  It is ok here but some people might get confused.  Is that ok with
you?  Will you do that for me?"

Adam thought and said, "But Ethan is my Dad too.  I love him and he loves me
and we have fun together.  But I won't call him Dad when the lady comes to
visit.  I will try real hard to remember."

Ethan had called Terry to see if she could come over and help him to bed and
up in the morning since Rick would be gone.  She was on her cell phone when
Ethan reached her and she was acting a bit strange.  Ethan asked her if
everything was ok and she stammered a bit but said that everything was fine
and she would be over about 8pm that night.

After Sean had cleaned the living room he checked and Kevin was still
sleeping.  He called Terry since he knew she would have some ideas about
what to do.  He explained to her what he thought had happened and gave her
the name of the pills on the bottle.  He didn't know how many he had taken
which was the obvious question.  Terry said that Sean should get Kevin to a
doctor but Sean said that Kevin had begged him not to call anybody.  He was
ashamed and also didn't want this getting out.

Terry thought about it and said, "listen, my advice is to get him to a
doctor.  If he won't go, I will come over and check on him.  We are very
lucky that he threw up as much as he did.  That prevented the pills from
absorbing into his system and, depending on how many he took, killing him.
The fact remains that some did enter his system and it sounds like he
consumed a lot of alcohol.  So, we need to watch him carefully.  I want you
to run to Walgreens and get some electrolyte replacement sachets.  Mix them
with water and force him to drink them as it says on the package.  Also, get
some Gatorade.  We need to be sure he doesn't dehydrate.  I am leaving now
and will be there in about 45 minutes."

Sean was glad he had talked to her and felt he could trust her.  He checked
again on Kevin, wrote a note explaining he was running to the store and put
it on the nightstand.  Terry left about the time Sean did and her cell phone
was ringing.  She thought it was Sean again but it was Ethan.  She felt
guilty not telling him what had happened and thought that maybe she should.
But she didn't and she could tell Ethan suspected something was up.  It
would be hard for her when she saw him that night.

Terry arrived about 10 minutes after Sean got back from Walgreens.  She
checked Kevin's heartbeat, pulse, blood pressure, and temperature. He seemed
to be ok but she was worried about dehydration.  They gave him the
electrolyte drink and some Gatorade.  Terry said that Kevin shouldn't be
left alone for the first 24 hours.  Sean agreed to stay at Kevin's for the
evening.

Rick and Adam were ready to head over to Destin.  Adam had a big hug for
Ethan and told him he was going to miss him.  He also told Ethan to be good
and do what Terry says.  Adam was just so cute in the way he was trying to
take care of his new Dad.

Adam went out to push the button for the elevator.  Rick and Ethan hugged
and both felt the tremendous love, and worry, that was in the hug.  Rick
promised to call Ethan went he got to Destin and after the social worker had
visited.

Terry arrived at 8pm and immediately set her sights on the task at hand.
Ethan explained what was going on with the custody issues.  Terry was
outraged about what was happening but was secretly relieved that the
conversation was not focused on what she was doing that afternoon.  Terry
got Ethan in bed and said she would be back by 9am.

It was 930pm and Sarah called.  Ethan knew that Terry's outrage would be
nothing compared to Sarah's reaction.  And Sarah didn't disappoint.  He
couldn't count the number of times the words shit, assholes, and fuckers
were yelled into the phone.

"Those redneck fuckers are not going to take our boy away from us.  I will
hunt them down myself before that happens," Sarah screamed.

Ethan loved this woman.  She was so protective of Ethan and that shield of
protection had now been extended to Rick and Adam.  She loved them all.  She
promised to fly up to Pensacola for the hearing and Ethan knew better than
to try and talk her out of it.  Ethan said he would send R-1 to pick her up.

Sean managed to get two bottles of Gatorade into Kevin along with the
electrolyte drinks.  Kevin had also said he was hungry and wanted a bowl of
oatmeal which Sean prepared and took into him.  Kevin cleaned the bowl and
said that he felt like it was going to stay down.  Kevin was needing a piss
but was too weak and too embarrassed to ask for help.  Finally when the pain
was too much, he asked Sean to help him to the bathroom.  Kevin's strength
was slowly returning and he managed to walk to the bathroom but was very
unsteady on his feet.  He sat down to piss since standing was still a
problem in his wobbly condition.  Sean helped him pull his sweat pants back
up, washed his hands, brushed his teeth, and back to bed.  Sean pulled the
covers up over Kevin and turned out the light.

"Sean, I was horrible to you last night and I am sorry.  Then I went and did
this stupid thing and you found me and have had to deal with all of this.  I
don't blame you if you hate me.  I am so sorry."

"Kevin, we can talk about last night another time.  Right now we just need
to focus on you getting your strength back.  I do want you to know that I
don't hate you, but I am concerned about you.  I have some ideas on where we
can get you some help.  Some ways for you to handle some of the issues you
are dealing with.  You are not alone, please allow us to help you."

Kevin thought for a moment, and then with a crackling voice, "I can't thank
you enough.   I know I need some help.  My world is upside down and I have
so many questions and very few answers.  I do know I am thankful for you and
your help."

"Now, where are you going to sleep?  I think I made a real mess of things in
the living room and I remember it wasn't smelling too nice in there either."

Sean replied, "You did make a mess of it but it is all fixed now and I have
cleaned everything.  The smell is gone.  I am going to sleep on the couch so
if you need me just give a yell.  I am a light sleeper and I will be here
lickety spit."

"Oh, ok, but," Kevin was now very quiet, "I was wondering, and I hope you
don't take this the wrong way or think I am being weird or anything, but,
would you mind sleeping in here tonight?  This bed is plenty big.  I really
don't want to be alone tonight.  I understand if you don't want to.  Oh God,
I am sorry I asked."  Kevin began to cry.

Sean left the room, turned out the lights in the living room and kitchen,
came back into the bedroom, took off his clothes, leaving on his underwear
and t-shirt, and climbed into the bed.

>From the other side of the bed, "Good night Sean. And thank you."

The night was drawing to a close and a new day was nearing.  Sarah was
sleepless and was seething and spitting nails in Ft Lauderdale.  Rick and
Adam were asleep at the house in Destin.  Ethan was asleep, missing Rick, at
the condo on Pensacola Beach.  Sean and Kevin had managed to spoon together
and were asleep now as well.

Coming next chapter - the custody hearing, Ruth and Buddy's demand, Ethan's
response to the demand, media exposure intensifies, Kevin gets some
guidance, and an event in Mobile has a dramatic impact on Sarah, Ethan, and
Compass Cruise Lines.