Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 12:13:51 -0400
From: mark corlis <mcnc1966@gmail.com>
Subject: Taking Stock Epilogue

Taking Stock

Epilogue

By Mark Corlis

Copyright 2010

All Rights Reserved


            The next five years were a whirlwind of activity for Taylor and
Jordan.

            The ranch hosted hundreds of displaced teens and expanded to
accommodate the influx. Homeless gay kids from across the country were sent
there, and found a safe environment that allowed them to build their self
esteem and achieve all they were capable of. Jordan became their biggest
cheerleader, remaining intimately involved in the treatment of every boy
that entered the grounds.

            Leonard and Carl remained at the administrative helm, seeing
that the facility's day-to-day needs were met. They also got involved with
the kids, becoming the ranch's de-facto grandparents. Their loving ways were
well liked among the residents, and many remembered them for years
afterward.

            Vin's art program exceeded all expectations. A good portion of
his students had serious potential and went on to prestigious programs. Some
received scholarships that he endowed himself, his faith in his students
never wavering.

            Thad was invaluable as the organization's legal leader. He went
to court many times to defend the rights of the ranch's kids, maintaining a
win percentage that was the envy of his peers. Some of his cases set
precedents that were used in cases across the country and peers trying to
change hate related legislation sought his counsel often. He and Vin adopted
two more boys, and all became regular visitors to the Bryant household.

            Lila worked hard to keep the money coming into the Hope Ranch.
Her natural charm made all fundraising endeavors a rousing success. Her
favorite times were those spent with her grandchildren playing on the beach.
They were the apple of her eye and became the focus of her life. She and
Denton did get together, but she refused all offers of marriage. They did
fall in love, however, and spent ten wonderful years enjoying each other.
Denton succumbed to a heart attack after that, leaving his wealth evenly
split between his son Sam's charities and Jordan's ranch.

            The love between Taylor and Jordan knew no bounds. Every day was
treated as an adventure, enhanced greatly by the two little gifts Ashley had
given them. Despite their best efforts, they weren't able to save Pete and
Ashley's relationship. They sent them to college together, but the teens
grew apart and separated amicably. Pete got a degree in social work and went
to work for his brother right out of school. He eventually married and had a
family of his own.

            The first six years of the twins' lives were never dull. Their
daddies marveled at how quickly changes occurred and how fast they became
little people. Before they knew it, Jake and Emmy were carting their
backpacks up the steps to their first day of kindergarten. Jordan watched
with tears in his eyes as the two bravely broke away from him and joined the
other nervous children heading to their classroom. He sat outside the school
for some time until he was satisfied that his charges had settled in okay.

            Fate is sometimes unkind, and it threw a nasty curve later that
morning. While driving to the ranch after seeing the kids off, a semi truck
lost its brakes and careened head on into Jordan's Lexus. Between the speed
and the weight of the load it carried, Jordan never stood a chance. He died
on impact.

            Taylor was never quite the same after that day. He remained
strong for Jake and Emmy, but the fire in his eyes was quelled. It took
months for him to be able to think of Jordan without breaking down, and the
family rallied around him to take up the slack. He did come out his
doldrums, and the memories of the man he loved sustained him for the rest of
his life. He poured himself into the ranch, stopping at nothing to make sure
his lover's dreams became reality. Under his guidance, the ranch achieved
new heights and won many prestigious awards.

            Taylor chose to accept only one award personally. The state of
Florida's Medal of Freedom, its highest civilian honor, was bestowed upon
him for his tireless efforts. His reasons for accepting in person, however,
were far beyond basking in the glow of the honor. He was determined to keep
the focus on the person that mattered. Donning his best tuxedo, he ascended
to the podium where he stood below an enlarged photograph of his lost love.

            "I would like to thank you for this extreme honor," he began,
"but I am not worthy of it. The house, and all of the accomplishments of the
young men who have come through its doors, have little to do with me. They
do, however, have everything to do with the man that showed me how to live."

            "Jordan Maxwell was a boy in a man's body when we met. He was
shy, and lacked self confidence. Inside, though, was the brightest, most
giving soul I have ever encountered. I really believed I had it all, but he
showed me I had nothing that mattered. My world revolved around me, and I'd
forgotten how to love."

            "Jordan changed all that. He taught me so much, but I think the
most important thing I learned from him, was to love not only him, but also
everyone around us. On his behalf, I thank you and hope everyone here will
learn from his wise ways."

            He spent a good amount of time at Jordan's grave, telling him
all about things at the ranch and how proud he'd be of the children. It gave
him peace to tend to the site and talk to his lover. In memorial to him, the
Hope Ranch was renamed Jordan House.

                                                ******

            Jake and Emmy grew up to resemble their biological parents. Both
had light blond hair, but Jake's eyes were green and Emmy's a vibrant blue.
They depended on each other greatly, and rarely fought. Their relationship
with Taylor stayed close and loving after Jordan's death, and they loved
hearing their papa tell stories about him.

            The kids were as different as night and day, though. Emmy was
Taylor in a female body. She was bold and audacious, taking on what she saw
as injustice at every turn. Jake, however, was quiet and shy. He had trouble
making friends and never fell into the popular crowd. Many students chose to
pick on him because of his shy nature. Emmy, of course, stood by him and
defended his honor. His main joy in life, helped along by Vin, was his art.
By the age of fifteen, the boy had become an adept at painting, drawing, and
sculpting. It consumed his world and became the outlet he needed to deal
with the confusing changes occurring within him.

            At the eighteen, the twins were ready to enter college and take
on the world at large. Emmy decided to follow Taylor's example and major in
finance. She hoped to take over Jordan House one day and felt her degree
would give her the best possible base to achieve that goal. Her excitement
grew as the time to leave drew closer.

            Jacob was the opposite. Choosing to follow his love of art was a
foregone conclusion, a decision supported by everyone around him. He showed
no excitement, though. As departure day came nearer, he spent more time
holed up in his studio than ever. His withdrawal did not go unnoticed.

            "Any idea what's up with Jake?" Taylor asked Emmy one morning at
breakfast.

            "You know how he is, daddy," she answered. "He's probably just
nervous about going away to college."

            Taylor considered the option, but knew in his heart that wasn't
the issue. "I don't think so, Em. Something's been eating at him for months
and, no matter what I try, he won't talk about it."

            Emmy sighed because she knew her father was right. She had a
good idea what was up, but without verification, she couldn't say anything.
Rising from the table, she hugged Taylor and kissed his forehead.

            "Don't worry, daddy. I'll go talk to him and see if I can figure
out what's up his butt this time."

            Taylor snickered, and then gave his a daughter a stern look. "Go
easy on him, Em. I don't have a clue what's bothering him, but he needs to
come to me on his own. Do not, under any circumstances, try to force it out
of him this time. I know how you can be with him, so promise you'll tread
lightly."

            Taking on her most angelic look, Emmy said, "Me be forceful? You
must have me confused with someone else. I'll be the dainty southern belle I
always am."

            Taylor laughed and playfully swatted her on the arm. "Get outta
here and see if you can help your brother."

            Em grinned and set out for Jacob's bedroom. She hadn't been in
the room for some time, and what she found shocked her. Clothes were strewn
about the room, covering most of the available floor space. For the normally
neat freak Jacob, this was vastly out of character. The man himself was
still asleep, buried under a mountain of blankets. He was generally the
first to rise, enjoying the quiet time with Taylor. What caught her
attention the most was the painting displayed on an easel beside the room's
lone window.

            The subject was dark, clearly a young man caught in a whirlwind
of some kind. His eyes were haunted, painted wide in a series of black and
gray shades. This was unlike anything she'd ever seen her brother produce.
It cemented her desire to unravel this mystery. Taking a hold of the covers,
she jerked mightily, bringing her comatose brother immediately to life.

            "What the fuck, Em?" he asked angrily.

            "Time to get up, brother. You and I need to talk."

            "Not now," he said angrily. "Go away and maybe we can chat
later. I'm going back to sleep."

            Emmy balled up the covers and threw them well out of Jake's
reach. "No sir, we'll be talking now. Everyone's been walking on egg shells
around you for months and it's gonna stop today. So it's time to spill your
guts, little bro."

            Jake sighed and covered his eyes with his arm. "Emmy, I know you
mean well but I promise I'm okay. There's nothing to discuss."

            Emily gave her brother a stern look before losing her cool. "You
are such a damn wimp, Jacob Bryant. Just tell him already for God's sake!"

            The frank words stunned Jake. He was silent for a few moments.
"You have no clue what you're talking about, Em."

            "Oh, but I do, Jacob," she shot back. "I can't believe you'd
think he'd have a problem with it! Don't be a damn fool, brother. Talk to
him and I think you might be pleasantly surprised."

            Before her brother could respond, she turned and left the room.
His sister's words swirled around in his head for several long minutes. He
knew she was right, and felt guilty for all the worry he'd caused his
family. With a heavy heart, he got up and made his way to the bathroom.

            Freshly washed and clad in his favorite board shorts, Jacob made
his way downstairs in search of his father. He found him on the veranda
reading over some papers and drinking a cup of coffee.

            "Morning, dad," he said softly.

            Taylor set his papers aside and greeted his son warmly.
"Morning, Jake. Sit down and join for me a cup of coffee."

            Jacob reluctantly obeyed, dreading what he knew he had to do.
Crossing his legs, he fidgeted with his bare big toe while Taylor fixed his
coffee. It was a habit the family knew well. With trembling hands, he took a
sip of the hot liquid. Taylor watched quietly until he could stand it no
more.

            "Anything you wanna tell me, son?" he asked.

            Jacob looked at his dad and began fidgeting with his toe again.

            "I'm sorry," he said.

            Taylor moved his chair closer and put his hand on Jake's
shoulder. "You have nothing to be sorry to about. I won't push, but if you
need to talk, I'm always here to listen and I won't judge. Take your time
and when you're ready, I'll be right here."

            Jacob watched silently as Taylor moved to leave, but grabbed his
arm at the last second. "Please stay," he asked.

            Taylor nodded and retook his seat. He fought to keep quiet while
he watched a battle rage within his son. Finally, the boy appeared ready to
speak.

            "I've got something to tell you," he began. "Dad, I'm...I'm...


            THE END?