Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2015 12:06:17 -0500
From: CJ Abello <cjabello1997@gmail.com>
Subject: CJ: Autumn: Chapter 4: Meeting Across the River

CJ: Autumn: Chapter 4: Meeting Across the River

This is a work of fiction set in the real world. Certain living individuals
make appearances in the story; all other characters and the events in which
they all participate are the creation of the author. Any resemblance of the
fictional characters to actual individuals is purely coincidental.



Saturday, 31 August 2013

"Nephew? You can't be our Tommy John's nephew, I don't know you... you're
not our grandson." Mrs. Kennedy looked confused as she spoke. She would
look at CJ's face, then at her husband's, anguish etched on her own. Her
voice was loud and full of angst; CJ tried to reassure the old lady with a
little smile.

"Excuse me," interrupted Caleb when the woman raised her voice. "You'll
need to continue this conversation elsewhere, please. We have patients
sleeping, and I don't want them being disturbed. Feel free to use the
waiting room again, buddy." The nurse looked at all four people while he
spoke; giving CJ a small conspiratorial wink.

"Fine! Come along, young man, I intend to get to the bottom of this. Let's
go in there, Pat, you come also, Father. Don't know what the fuss is all
about, I remember visiting injured officers when I was part of the police
force. Darn nurses would wake them up all the time to poke and probe."

CJ looked at the nurse and shrugged his shoulders. He was willing to follow
the priest and the older couple and speak with them, if it would ensure his
uncles wouldn't be disturbed. As soon as the visitors had turned their
backs, CJ saw Caleb reach for the phone. Walking away he heard the nurse
speak in a quiet voice but was unable to understand what he said.

Francis Xavier Kennedy was in pretty good shape for someone almost seventy
years old. CJ would eventually learn he was a retired City of Boston Police
Sergeant, and he ran his family with a firm hand, just as he had done with
his men in the Police Department. He also found out when his son divorced,
and announced he was gay, Frank Kennedy disowned him.  He told Tom he
abhorred the idea one of his own was a homosexual; he was unable to
comprehend what would cause a man to do such things, he said. How could a
man demean himself so much, to willingly play the role of a woman, for
another male?

Following the confrontation between father and son, Frank barred the rest
of the family from having any contact with the young cop.

"See here, I don't know what game you're playing but you're obviously not
related to our son!"

"You're correct, Mr. Kennedy. Even though I may not be related to Uncle
Tommy by blood, I still consider him my uncle, sir. And I'm pretty sure the
feeling's mutual. He honored me by asking me to serve as best man at his
wedding earlier this month."

"WEDDING? What wedding? We know nothing about our son getting married!"
Mrs. Kennedy startled everyone with her sudden outburst. The shrill sounds
coming from her were those of a woman not entirely in control of herself.

"Uncle Tom was married on the seventeenth of this month, Mrs. Kennedy. He
and Uncle John Paul did it in a joint ceremony with my parents. It was a
small event, where I stood with all four men." CJ was aware of the lack of
a relationship between Tom Kennedy and his parents; them not knowing about
the wedding didn't come as a surprise to him.

The Catholic priest spoke to CJ. "Four men? That is not a wedding, it's a
travesty. The church will not condone two men marrying. Marriage is a holy
sacrament, what these men have participated in is but an abomination in the
eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ." The pompous tone of his preachy comment,
and the bigoted words he uttered, grated on the boy. "Do you live with
those two men you referred to as your parents?"

Knowing he was in a hospital, with sick people all around, CJ tried to keep
his volume down. The fury in him, however, was apparent in the tone of his
voice. "Excuse me, father, an abomination? Is that what you just called the
most important people in my life? I've tried to be polite to all of you,
and you go insult my dads and my uncles? Maybe your so called church can't
accept the realities of life, but to those of us who aren't part of it,
your ignorant comments on same-sex marriage are simply hateful. Oh, and not
that it's any of your business, but I do live with my two dads."

By this time, Caleb and Dallas, the security guard, were standing at the
entrance of the room. CJ noticed them paying attention to what was going
on. Neither one made a move to interfere. A smile had appeared on both
their faces during the teen's impassioned comments.

"My son, your voice has anger in it. I'm certain being in such close
contact with sodomites has confused you. Have your so-called fathers, and
the other men around you, bewildered your thoughts with their lies and
blasphemies? Have you been sexually molested? The church and I can help
you." The priest placed his hand on CJ's shoulder while speaking to him;
the boy cringed at the touch.

"Please remove your hand from my shoulder, do... not... touch... me. I'm
not one of your altar boys. And I am not your son, so stop calling me that,
my name is CJ." The now pissed off teen turned his head slightly, to
include the Kennedys in his remarks. "None of your son's friends, my two
fathers included, have ever shown me anything but unconditional love,
without any judgement--unlike what you've obviously given my uncle."

The boy turned his head once again and spoke to the priest: "To answer your
questions: I don't need any help. None of those wonderful, honorable men,
have ever laid a finger on me in a sexual manner. None of them are Catholic
priests." The boiling anger in CJ made him lash out at the man wearing the
clerical collar. He was trying hard not to use foul language, but his
comment was an insult the priest couldn't ignore.

"Why, you impertinent child. You need to be taught how to respect others. A
firm hand to your bottom would be the right way to start."

Keeping his voice just above a whisper, but with fire in his eyes, the tall
teenager glared down at the shorter priest.

"Just try it, asswipe. Just try it. I'm tired of your holier-than-thou
attitude. Who do you think you are, to go around judging others? How dare
you imply the love my dads or my uncles have for each other is wrong in any
way. I'm so pissed off right now, I'd love to mop the floor with your
shitty face. And trust me, I've taken on, and beaten, bigger and stronger
men than you.  Uncle Tommy needs nothing from you. He's going to be just
fine. His husband is in there with him, and I'm out here in case I'm
needed. You, and these two poor excuses for parents, didn't come here out
of concern for his injuries, or to show him love. You're here to keep on
condemning him, but I won't let any of you hurt him anymore. Please turn
around, and get the hell out of this hospital, or I'll ask security to
throw you out."

"We won't leave while my son is in peril of going to hell for his sins."
Frank Kennedy's face was flushed and angry, his comments were clipped. His
wife cried, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief pulled from her
purse. "Come with us, Father Enger. We're going to Thomas' room."

"I don't think so." Dallas voice startled the priest and the couple, with
their backs to the entrance, they'd not seen him and Caleb approach. "The
three of you will listen to the request CJ made. Quietly leave this floor,
and the hospital. I'll escort you to the lobby, make the police officers
there aware you're considered trespassers, and I believe you are a threat
to their fellow cop. Let's get a move on folks."

Caleb was impressed with the way CJ had handled himself. He'd been earnest
in his defense of Officer Kennedy, forceful with his comments, yet had
remained respectful. It was only at the end of the conversation he had been
provoked into verbally striking back. The nurse decided he never wanted to
be pitted against the boy, and hoped his own kid would grow up to be as
eloquent, with such strong convictions and loyalty to his family.

"CJ, get your stuff and meet me at the desk." To hell with hospital
regulations, thought the nurse, he wasn't going to leave the kid in the
brightly lit waiting room all night. He stopped in one of the empty rooms,
grabbed the recliner in it, pushed it outside into the corridor, and then
into the detective's room, placing it on the side of the bed opposite the
one JP was on.

"Here you go, bud. After such a great performance, I think your uncle would
want you as close to him as possible."

"Thanks, Caleb. You sure this is ok?"

"Don't worry about it, kiddo, it'll be just fine."

The teen quietly walked into the room, kissed the injured man on his
forehead, sat in the chair and grabbed hold of the cop's hand. JP had
somehow managed to twist himself, so his head rested on the same pillow as
the patient's. Smiling at the sight, CJ was asleep within minutes, still
holding his uncle's hand.

X X X

Angelo Tomassi was stunned when he and his wife received the news: their
daughter-in-law and their unborn grandchild were gone. Their son and their
two grandchildren had thankfully been spared. The heartbreak he felt was
intensified by the sound of his wife's desolate sobs.  He had never see her
in such anguish before. Adriano, Emmanuel, and Gabriella would need their
help in coping with the loss. Mr. Tomassi expected he and Antonia would
draw strength from each other, and set to doing what was needed.

Angelo dialed his oldest son, who answered immediately, anxious to get news
of his brother.  Mr. Tomassi updated him, and asked him to relay the
information to the youngest sibling. He asked they all remain in New
Jersey. They were in charge of the business, and their presence in
Washington wouldn't accomplish much. Nana and he would stay, until Adriano
and the children were able to travel. Then they would all return home and
arrange for the funeral services.

"Still around, Doctor Calhoun?" The Tomassi's had followed Doc to the
Intensive Care Unit to see their son. He had stopped at the nurse's
station, and reached for a folder on the rack atop the counter.

"Hey, Caleb. Yep, still around. It's been a busy day." The doctor opened
the file in his hands while speaking to the young man dressed in gray
hospital scrubs." Caleb, these are Adriano's parents. I'm gonna let Mr. and
Mrs. Tomassi spend a few minutes with their son, okay?"

"Sure thing, Doc. Just so you know, I let CJ crash in Detective Kennedy's
room. He and the detective's husband were both asleep when I last checked
on our patient."

"Good. I'm gonna break rules again and let Mr. Tomassi spend the night with
his son. Anyone gives you any lip about both my patients having overnight
visitors, you tell them to call me."

Once the older couple was reassured their son was really okay, they agreed
to split up. Antonia would head upstairs to be with the twins. They would
likely be scared when they woke up, but seeing their Nana should help calm
them. Mr. Tomassi remained with Adriano.

"If y'all will excuse me, I'm headed home. I'm exhausted, I need some rest
if I'm to function properly tomorrow. Morning will come soon enough. I'll
be back here then."

X X X

"Uncle Tommy?"

Sunlight creeped into the darkened room, around the edges of the window's
curtains. The brightness of fluorescent light fixtures stole in, through
the sliver of space between the wall and the door. CJ, still holding
Detective Kennedy's hand, awakened when he felt his fingers softly
enfolded. In response to the question, the cop squeezed CJ's hand again. He
wasn't moving otherwise. His eyes were closed, but his lips twitched a tick
and formed a small smile.

"Fucking A! I'm so happy right now I could just shit! Damn, sorry for the
language. It's CJ, Uncle JP is also here. Let me wake him up and then I'll
get the nurse." During the night, JP had moved away from the pillow he'd
been sharing with his husband as he fell asleep; he was still next to the
bed, in the recliner provided by the hospital. The sound of CJ's voice woke
him up, he was immediately alert. The Aussie shot up from his seat, leaned
over his injured husband, and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead.

"G'day, mate. Damn it's good to have you back awake."

"Thirsty..." The word uttered was barely audible, his voice's deeper than
normal timbre sounded as if his throat was full of gravel.

"I'll get you some water, and I'll tell the nurse you're awake." CJ was out
of his chair before either man could say a word. He heard JP start talking
as he reached the room's door.

"Welcome back, Tommy. Bugger me! I was so scared I would lose you! Don't
you bloody dare get shot again, you hear me?" JP was looking at his man's
blue eyes as he spoke, running his fingers through the sparse hair on his
lover's head. The cop's eyes opened a bit wider, the skin around them
crinkling, as the smile on the face grew.

Outside, Caleb was at his desk talking to someone dressed in scrubs.

"Hey Caleb, Uncle Tommy's awake. He's thirsty, where can I get him some
cold water?"

"Great news! Gordon, why don't you go in and check the detective out, while
I call the doctors.  CJ, get back here, and fill one of those plastic cups
with chipped ice from the dispenser." Caleb jerked his head towards a small
ice machine, while reaching for the phone. "Tell your uncle to just let the
ice melt in his mouth. The dry, scratchy throat is a result of the
breathing tube used in conjunction with the anesthesia."

"Wassup, CJ? I'm Gordon. I'll be taking over as head nurse in ICU this
morning. Heard some great things about you, guy. And on top of all that
good stuff, you're a hell of a good looking stud. Stay the hell away from
my girlfriend, you hear me?"

The nurse smiled while CJ blushed and replied with "Nice ta meetcha, sir."

"Okay, guys, I'm going to need you both to step outside, while I look my
patient over." CJ and the nurse had walked into the room together, Gordon
took the cup with the ice from the boy, and placed it on the table next to
the patient's bed. "I'll take care of the ice, buddy. Sir," he said
addressing JP, "you can clean up in the staff restroom if you wish. There's
fresh coffee out there also. Go stretch your legs. Your boy here is in good
hands."

"Nice t-shirt, CJ." Tom was more awake now, his voice was not entirely back
though, and his compliment sounded like a croak. He'd given the shirt to
the boy, as a present, a few weeks before.

"Thanks, Uncle Tommy. I'll be back whenever they let me." Grabbing his
backpack, the teen walked outside in search of a pisser and coffee, closely
following JP.

"Uncle JP, I wanna call the rents, and let them know what's going on. Can I
do that first? Then we can take Gordon up on his offer and go clean up and
get some coffee."

"Sounds, good, CJ. Wish I could brush my teeth. Wonder If I could get a
toothbrush from--"

"Got you covered. Brought an extra, brand new one, just for you. I also
have two extra t-shirts, in case you wanna change. I'm gonna put a clean
one on myself."

"Crickey, mate, are you a boy scout?"

"Fuck no! I won't have anything to do with those homophobic assholes. They
kept trying to have me to join back in school. I'd piss them off by calling
them hate-mongers. And speaking of hate-mongers, have I got a story to tell
you."

The Aussie shook his head in disbelief, probably wondering what his nephew
had to tell him. CJ called his dads, brought them up to speed with what was
going on, and asked them to stop somewhere and bring a bunch of breakfast
sandwiches to the hospital. He and JP then went into the staff room to wash
up, while CJ recounted the confrontation with Mr. and Mrs.  Kennedy the
previous evening.

"Mate, wait 'til Tommy hears about his parents. He's gonna flip
out. Fuckers write him off, and then come calling when they think he's
dying. Good for you, CJ. I'm real proud of you."

"I was trying to be nice, Uncle JP, I swear. But when the priest started
calling you guys and my dads names, I lost it. Couldn't believe it when he
said I needed a spanking. I wanted him to try it, so I could beat the crap
out of him, and say it was in self-defense."

"Nah, no need for that, mate. You handled it just right. We all know you
can defend yourself.  Save the fighting for when it's really
needed. Listen, Tommy's going for an MRI first thing this morning. Let's
wait to tell him about last night's visit. No need to get him riled up
before they stick him in the tube."

X X X

"Good morning, you must be John Paul, and you have to be CJ. Don't look at
me like that, I swear I'm not a mind reader." The older man, with a mop of
white hair on his head, smiled as he extended his hand in
greeting. "Dr. Calhoun pointed you out last evening, while you both
slept. I am Angelo Tomassi. I was happy to hear the detective will be fine,
as soon as he recovers from his wounds."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir." CJ returned the kind looking man's
smile as they shook hands.  "Are you related to Adriano Tomassi?"

"Yes I am, young man, I'm his father. Adriano and his family were involved
in a car accident yesterday. My wife and I drove down from New Jersey to be
with him. He's in the room I walked out from, recovering from surgery to
one of his legs."

"They were in an accident? Yesterday? Why didn't Uncle Matt tell us? How's
Adriano doing? Is his wife okay? And the kids?"

"The doctor told me he didn't say anything to you on purpose. You had
enough worries, with the detective being shot. Adriano's banged up, but
he'll be fine. He broke a leg, the reason for the operation, which now has
a cast on it. Antonia, my wife, is upstairs with the twins who are okay."

"Sorry we meet under these circumstances, sir." JP was finally able to
properly greet Adriano's dad. "Real glad to hear my husband, and Adriano,
will both be recovering. You didn't mention your daughter-in-law. Is she
alright?"

The man's face lost its smile. "I'm afraid not. My daughter-in-law passed
away and the baby didn't survive either." He lowered his head, and tears
escaped his eyes.

"Here, sir, please have a seat. Could I get you some coffee, or something
else to drink?"

"Thank you, son. Coffee would be much appreciated."

X X X

Doc, Cesar, and Brett, arrived at the hospital within minutes of each
other. CJ introduced Angelo to his dads, giving them the news about Adriano
and his family, while digging through the Mickey D's bags his fathers had
carried in with them. He grabbed one of the sandwiches, passed the paper
sack to JP, and promptly inhaled the just unwrapped Egg McMuffin, washing
it down with half a cup of orange juice.

"Damn I'm hungry! Pass the bag back to me, Uncle JP? Dads, Uncle Tommy was
taken for an MRI, we're waiting for him to return."

"Anything you need while you're in town, Mr. Tomassi, you let us
know. Adriano's very dear to us, Brett and I will do whatever we can to
make all your lives a bit easier. It's gonna be tough on the kids, losing
their mother at such a young age." Cesar spoke to the older man while his
son devoured a second breakfast sandwich. JP was still working on his first
one.

"Thank you, Cesar, I appreciate your offer. I think we're okay right
now. You know, I'm somewhat familiar with all of you, Adriano spoke of your
wedding earlier this month. He told me how much he was enjoying working
with your son on the arrangements. I heard it turned out very nicely."

"He did a very good job on it. And our--CJ! Is that your third sandwich?
Oinker!"

"What? I'm still growing. I'll go to the gym sometime today, plus I run my
ass off on a regular basis. Although I couldn't finish my five miles
yesterday, thanks to those two jerks that arrested me!"

"What? You were arrested yesterday?"

"Don't worry, Mr. Tomassi, it was nothing. A bone-headed move by two
idiotic cops. My dads sprung me real quick."

"Mate, you've had a busy twenty-four hours, haven't you? Are ya gonna tell
your dads about last night?" JP's mischievous grin seemed to promise an
interesting tale.

"Dude, what the hell did you do last night?" Brett was shaking his head,
with a look of resignation on his face. "And isn't that shirt you're
wearing one of ours? That's not the one you had on when we left here
yesterday."

"Nothing, Papa, I swear." CJ smiled. He was kinda proud of what he'd done
the previous night, and these were his dads, he had no trouble talking
about it with them. It wouldn't be like he was bragging or nothing. "Yeah,
it's one I kinda borrowed before we came back to the hospital.  I'm a
little behind in my laundry."

"A little behind? You have enough shirts to outfit half the city!" CJ was
wearing an unbuttoned, short-sleeved, plaid, summer shirt, over a dark
green t-shirt, with a stripe on the left side reading Harley-Davidson.

"All the good ones are dirty! Anyway, about last night..."

X X X

When Tom returned from his scan, he was awake, much more alert, and
smiling. JP was immediately at his side, holding his hand, while his
friends surrounded the gurney before the orderly could get the patient to
his room.

"Okay, you all." Gordon came towards them, clapping his hands to get their
attention. "Step away from my patient and let us get him inside the room."
JP wouldn't let go of Tommy's hand.  He followed the orderly inside,
unwilling to be separated from his husband. "Once we get him settled in you
can visit for a bit, while he eats his breakfast."

The men jumped between the rooms with Tommy and Adriano in them, now that
both were awake. Adriano was still somewhat groggy, after giving him a
quick hello, they left Angelo to be alone with him. They talked about it
not seeming appropriate, for their friend to be surrounded by people when
he learned about his wife's death.

"Okay, men," said Doc when he gathered the group by the nurses' station. "I
want all of you to go home. That includes you also, JP, at least for a
couple of hours. Chill for a bit, and then if you want, come back in the
late afternoon. Unless the MRI reveals something wrong, I'll have our
friend in a regular room sometime tomorrow. I want him to spend one more
night in ICU, better monitoring here."

"Let's go home, Jarhead. CJ, you wanna hit the gym once we're back in
Georgetown?"

"Great idea, Dad. Are the two of you--" His train of thought was
interrupted by his phone's e- mail and text alerts going off one after the
other.

"What's up, dude?" Brett placed his hands on the teen's shoulders, peeking
at the phone as they walked towards the elevator.

"Hmmm, text from Trip asking me to call him. And an e-mail from Chief
Jacobs, in Arlington."

"I think we can guess what Trip wants to talk about. Wouldn't you think so,
Brett? Danno probably told him about your arrest. The damn Texan isn't
going to be happy until you agree to give him some sort of exclusive
interview. What does Jacobs want?"

"Hmmm... he wants a meeting across the river."

----------

Copyright 2015 CJ Abello
Edited by: Mann Ramblings

I'd enjoy hearing what you think. Please email me at: cjabello1997@gmail.com
Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to contribute towards the operations of
Nifty. Please, don't wait, make a donation today. Without this great place,
we'd all miss out on enjoying thousands of great stories.