Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2012 11:35:34 -0400 (EDT)
From: Aragon76@aol.com
Subject: Keeping It In the Family Chapter Six


If your not 18, you know you don't belong here. All rights belong to the
author/creator of this story, which is me, Michael McKinney. I can be reached
at _Aragon76@aol.com_ (mailto:Aragon76@aol.com)  for comments, both good
and bad.  I respond to all letters, some days it might take me a day or two,
but I will  always answer them. Again thanks to Ton (he's in Holland) for all
his help in  getting this story out, without his help it wouldn't come out
as good as it  does. There are still mistakes although I've tried to catch
them, but I'm human,  I know, big surprise! I'll be honest, get the Kleenix
box for this chapter  now...you're going for a ride. Mike.
Chapter Six
"Come on, Michael, please, let's go in the house. You can see it tomorrow
if you want. When it's daylight outside, please, babe, don't do this to
yourself." With his heart out on his sleeve he begged Michael not to go and
look, knowing that it probably wasn't cleaned yet and he didn't want
Michael to  see it. Michael stopped and looked Trent in the eyes. "Please,
Michael, don't.  Come on, let's go into the house. We'll come out tomorrow and you
can look all  you want."
Michael caved in and his shoulders dropped down and he bent his head
forward and rested it on his chest. Trent put his arm around Michael's shoulder
and led him inside and up to his bedroom and put him into bed. Trent kissed
him  good night and promised him he would go out with him in the morning. He
shut off  his light and closed the door and sat down outside Michael's
door. He wanted to  make sure Michael didn't try and go downstairs before he
himself had had a  chance to go and see if he needed to clean up before Michael
could see anything.  He waited over an hour to make sure that he would stay
in his room, Trent went  to the front porch.
When he got to the front porch he found Stephen still working on cleaning
up the mess so Michael wouldn't see anything in the  morning.
Thanks, Stephen, I stayed up there to make sure he was asleep before I
came down here. I thought you had already gone to  bed."
"I could still use your help; try and find some more bleach, there's
still marks that I'm having a hard time getting rid of. See if you can find any
in the garage or anything that might work on this to clean it off. I don't
want  Michael to see this in the morning. It's bad enough that it happened
here and  he's going to have to see it every day and be reminded. You're
going to be extra  patient with him Trent, don't push him too hard to be the
Michael you want. It's  going to take him a while to mentally process this.
Not only did he lose his  mother tonight, he also hadn't talked to her since
he left home and he's going  to feel guilty for not doing it, even though he
had every right not to talk to  her. She has not been fighting that hard to
stand up for her son. I didn't see  her or hear about her trying to reach
out to him, not even on his birthday. No  matter what his father thought, she
supposedly loved him anyway, so why couldn't  she have tried to get in touch
with him outside of her home in some way? You're  going to have to gently
remind him of this somehow without offending him, he's  still going to feel
guilty, no matter what we think." Stephen put down the brush  he had and
walked over to his brother and put his arms around  him.
"This is going to suck, Trent, I'm not going to lie to you or sugarcoat
this. Michael is going to be deeply affected for a while and it's going to
show  up in your relationship in ways you might not expect. I'm just trying to
tell  you to be patient and remember: there's no question of him maybe
talking to her  tomorrow or ever again, and with the way they parted he is going
to regret it,  no matter what." He just held his little brother with a hug
only a big brother  can give. His heart went out to Trent and wondered if he
and Michael could  survive this ordeal together? The whole family had
protected Trent the instant  he had come out to them. Perhaps there were times
that the older siblings had  over protected their younger brother from the
realities of the world at least as  far as Stephen was thinking. The only thing
he could do now was to be there for  Trent and watch over him and help him
get through this, just like Michael was  going to have to go through it.
Trent just wasn't old enough to realize that yet  but Stephen knew and it made
his heart ache for him. Experience was life's  greatest teacher and, at the
age of eighteen, Trent hadn't had enough of it to  realize the ramifications
of Michael's loss. Not that Stephen thought himself  all that older and
wiser at the age of twenty-five, but he knew that  much.
The morning arrived all too soon for Trent he didn't look forward to
taking Michael outside. He jumped from his bed and ran out into the hallway to
see if Michael was still asleep but his door was already opened. He made a
dash  for the downstairs and as he descended the stairs he could see that the
front  door was already standing open. As he got closer Joshua came back
into the house  and stopped Trent before he could get outside.
"Leave him be, Trent, Michael needs some time to himself. Get your father
and mother up; he's going to need them this morning. Let them know that he'
s  already outside and that the porch has been cleaned. Don't wait Trent,
move, do  as I say, go on. Hurry, Trent, they need to be up for him." He
physically turned  Trent around and pushed back towards the stairs he had just
come down a few  minutes ago. Joshua knew that Michael was going to need
someone much stronger  than Trent to pull him back in from where he was headed
mentally. Trent went  through the motions of running up the stairs to get his
parents. Joshua was  right; he would need their help with Michael and
learning to move forward with  his life. He barely remembered running through
their door and waking them up and  getting them downstairs.
Michael was just standing there, looking at where she had been and the
scene played over in his head repeatedly. There was nothing else he could see
or  think of except his mother laying on the ground with a pool of blood
growing  ever larger and slowly running down to the first step. It was surreal
to stand  there and watch Michael. Racing through his mind he tried to
imagine who could  have done this to his mother. Kevin was the first one that came
to his mind and  his father came second.
Michael wondered: could he really do this to his own wife? Could this
whole fight bring him to this point and this drastic conclusion for his father?
What would Kevin gain from this? Is he just out to destroy me for trying to
 fight him off? Questions ripped through Michael's mind one after the
other. He  still couldn't believe that it had happened. Who was going to bury
her? Would it  be his father? But if he had done it, how could he bury her? They
'd taken him  away and it would be up to Mandy and him to do the job. He
had to call her and  talk to you. He tried several times but was unable to
reach her. He reasoned  that she could be at work or perhaps she had gone away
for the weekend with some  of the other kids from the class. Perhaps she didn
't know  yet.
Clay walked up to Michael and put his arms around  him.
Come on, Michael; standing  here and just looking at this over and over
again isn't going to change things.  I'm sorry this had to happen to you on a
day that was for celebrating, not  mourning a death. But you need to come
inside and sit and maybe have some coffee  and toast. You need something in
your stomach. Come on, Michael, Trent and I  will join you for coffee. Come
on, son." Clay took Michael by the shoulders and  slowly guided him back into
the house. The whole time Michael seemed to stay  fixated on that one spot
where his mother had laid the night  before.
The breakfast table was quiet. No one was really saying anything,
especially in front of Michael. No one wanted to bring up what the problem was  that
was glaring everyone right in the face. Michael broke the  silence.
"I know this is going to sound crazy, but it was Kevin. And if it wasn't
Kevin, then I have to assume it was my Father." Clay and Sarah had the same
thought and both looked at each other, unsure what to say to  him."
"Michael, how can you say that? He attacked you and I agree that would
make me feel like that too, but why would he kill your mother? What would that
accomplish?
"He's trying to get at me, because he didn't get what he really wanted
that day. I just feel it in my gut that Kevin isn't going away from me just
yet;  he wants revenge for some reason. I don't know that I did anything to
him, but  there is something. He's fixated on me."
"But how? Her being here was a last minute thing, there's no way he could
have known." Michael looked up at Trent and shook his  head.
"Maybe you're right, Clay, maybe. I'm just saying it to blame it on
someone. That leaves one other possibility and you won't like this anymore than
I do. But answer these questions for me."
"I don't know who else ... your father?"
"Bingo."
"Michael, your parents might be fighting, but to kill her over this whole
issue? Do you really think he'd be capable of doing something like killing
his  wife? I don't know. I think as a career man in the military his training
is:  doing what's right and not bring disgrace to the military in any way.
I just  don't see him doing that kind of thing."
"Maybe you're right, Clay, maybe, I'm just guessing. As far as my father
being capable, I've heard more than one story, growing up in the military,
of  men beating their wives and some shooting them for less than what my
father  might have done it for. Don't forget: he's ashamed of me, and his wife
acknowledging me by attending my graduation party might have sent him over
the  top. I don't know him anymore; I don't like what he's been like since
I was  thrown out of my house. I don't know what he's been thinking or how
he's been  acting. My sister says that he's been quiet because my mother won
't talk to him  because of what he's done, so I don't know if that would
drive him to kill her  or not. I told the cops everything I know and what I
thought. It's up to them to  figure it out now, I don't know what else to do.
" Sarah was the protective  mother instantly.
"I want you staying close to the house, Michael, for a few weeks, just in
case. I'm not saying you have to stay in the house, I just want you to be
careful coming and going from here. I want you leaving with Trent and coming
home with him. I don't want you driving alone, if need be I'll take you to
work  and pick you up."
"Sarah, I know you mean well, but I can't keep hiding. I won't do that;
someone isn't going to run my life on fear. If they want to get me, they're
going to, like it or not."
Trent piped up too. "And what about me? Maybe you're willing to keep
running around like it's nothing, but what if something happens to you? Where
are you going to leave me on that thought? What? I don't matter? You're just
 going to decide how you're going to live your life, screw everything else?
I'm  sorry, Michael, but that doesn't work for me. I'm not letting you out
of my  sight. we come and go together, got it?" Trent wasn't pissed, but
Michael could  hear the slight anger in his voice. Mostly it was love and
concern that radiated  through his little speech.
Come on, change your clothes into something comfortable and I'll be back
in a few to join you and we'll take off for a little while." Trent walked
out  the door. As he closed it he could hear Michael break down in tears. As
much as  it broke his heart he thought it best to just let Michael cry for a
few minutes.  Perhaps it would do him some good. He took his time changing
and it was Michael  that came to his room.
"I was beginning to wonder where you were. What did you do? Having a hard
time deciding what to wear?"
"Ha, very funny. I was thinking of maybe leaving tonight and finding a
place to stay and spend some time away from here for a day or two? How about
it?"
"You know what, Trent, that sounds great. Have you packed  everything?"
"Yea, just go and throw enough in for two days, or better yet, make it
three days, just in case we decide to stay longer." Michael hugged Trent and
squeezed him as hard as he could.
"I love you, Trent, I just want you to know that and I don't want you to
leave me ever, promise me that."
"I promise, Mikey, I wouldn't be doing the things I'm going to be doing
if it wasn't for you believing in me. I promise to never leave you,
unfortunately for you; you're stuck with me for the rest of our  lives."
"That's a promise I like hearing and am holding you to it mister!" The
two went to Michael's room and he threw some clothes  together.
"How are we going to get out of here without being held  back?"
"Oh, yee of little faith. My father made sure we had a way out of the
upstairs should we have a fire in the house, come with me" Michael followed
Trent to Randy's room and opened the closet door. He pressed the back wall of
the closet and it slide open.
"What is this?"
"Oh, just hush and come on." He followed Trent down the stairs that
turned a few times and when Trent opened the door they were standing on the far
side of the house where there were lights.
"It is how we use to get in and out of the house when we were late coming
in. The walls are built of fire resistant material. That way, if there ever
was  a fire, we had a safe way out. The girls have one that they can go to
and the  parents have one in their closet."
"That's so James Bond." The two laughed. Trent was glad to hear Michael
laugh even if it was just a small chuckle.
"Okay, now what, genius? How do we get out of here without being seen? My
car is parked near the front where there are a hundred cars blocking it in.
Where's yours parked?"
Mine is out on the road in front of the house. Just stay with me and  we'll
get out of here without being seen. Then I'll call my mother and tell her
we're splitting for a few days, just to let you chill." Michael followed
Trent  into the wooded area outside the fence that enclosed the yard. A few
seconds  later, they were getting into Trent's truck. He started the engine
and pulled  away. Pulling out his cell phone he called his  mother.
"Mom, listen, I have Michael with me and we are taking off for a day or
two. He needs to be away from all of this. If the cops are still there, tell
them to look into Kevin and Michael's Dad. His dad would be the only one
that  knew she would be there. I don't think it's Kevin, that was Mikey's
idea. Maybe  it's nothing maybe it's not. I'll stay in touch and the phone will
be on if you  need me or the cops wanting us to come back, but right now I'
m protecting my  partner."
"Don't go too far, Trent, just in case the police do want to talk to
Michael. Go downtown and get a room at the Four Seasons. Use your fathers
account. That way you'll have a suite and if I have to I'll be able to send the
cops there, okay?"
"All right, Mom. We'll go there and stay shut in, just to hide and get
away, but don't tell anyone but Dad where we are. Not even Mandy right now. If
 she calls just say that we took off but not sure where we are. Like I said
right  now I'm protecting Michael from everyone, unless the police need
him. Try and  stall them unless you and Dad think we should come  home."
"We love you two, and be careful. Tell Michael I'm worried about him and
if he needs your Dad or me, he can call us at any time. I don't care what
time  of day or night it is."
"Here, you tell him, Mom."
"Michael."
"Yes, mam."
"I just told Trent what to do and where to go and stay. I want you to  know
that if you need to talk to me or Clay you call. I don't care what time of
day or night it is. I'm worried about you, and Clay is very concerned. Just
know  that we both love you and will protect you just as much as if you
were one of  our own. I mean that Michael. Now go with Trent and try and relax.
Clay and I  know where you will be. Do you still have your pills from Dr.
Davis?"
"No, damn, I left them at the house."
"I'll drop them off at the front desk later today or by I'll send them by
currier first thing in the morning. Make sure you take them to help you
relax.  Will you promise me to take them?"
"Yes mam, I will."
"Good, then go back to Trent and you two go and relax. I'll see you soon,
Michael."
"Yes mam and thank you." Michael handed Trent his cell  phone.
"So are you going to tell me where we're going, hot  shot?"
"We are going downtown to the Four Seasons. My father's company keeps a
suite there. The folks will know where we are and we can charge everything to
 the company account so we can spoil ourselves. Mom wants us staying  in."
"I don't know if I'd ever get used to this lifestyle you seem to take so
easily, Trent. I guess it's because I just never grew up with it and it's
probably what makes the difference between you and  me."
"Michael, I want you to know that sometimes I'm not happy I can live like
this, knowing how some people have to struggle. And then there are other
times  that I'm glad I live like this. Tonight is one of them, because I can
take my  lover with me and spoil him like I want to all the time. So, no
arguments. I  just want you to relax for the night. I still have a small present
to give you  for graduation. I just was waiting for the right time to give
it to you,  Buddy."
"Trent, I didn't get you anything. I was going to take you away for a
weekend before we started school in the fall."
"You can, just don't tell me where we are going and it will still be a
surprise. Look at it this way: Dad gave us the summer off because it's the
last  one we get off before we work for the rest of our lives. Oh yea, when we
pull up  to the hotel watch what happens when I tell them to park this for
the Sanders  Suite, watch people go into overdrive. Personally I think it's
funny." Before  long they pulled up to the Four Seasons and Michael was in
awe of the beauty and  its splendor.
"We'll be staying at the Sanders Suite If you'd let them know, tell them
my name is Trent Sanders." The kid's eyes popped open. "Do you have any
luggage  sir?
"Actually there are just two small duffel bags in the back; you can have
them delivered to the room if you don't mind." Trent took Michael by the
hand  and whispered in his ear.
"Are you ready to have some fun and watch some jaws  drop?"
"Trent, what are you going to do?"
"By now that kid has notified the front desk that someone is here and  will
be using the Sanders Suite, which is really the top floor Penthouse in case
 I forgot to mention it earlier."
"Yea, that part must have slipped your feeble mind." Trent couldn't help
but laugh.
"Yea, feeble my ass."
"That's one thing I'm hoping to get  tonight."
"You are such a horn dog, Michael. Okay, now let's walk in slowly, hand
in hand and I'll bet at least four to five people will be at the front desk
to  get us signed in and will ask nine hundred questions if we need anything
special, the chef is still on duty if we are hungry, and blah, blah,  blah."

"This might be something you are used to, but not me, let me enjoy it and
don't ruin it by making snide remarks about  everything."
"Okay, in that case I'll let you handle it, I'll just sign the  book."
"I love you, Trent, thanks for getting me out of the house tonight; I
needed it more than you know."
"No, Michael, I know you and could see it in your face that you needed to
get out of there and I knew I was the one that could accomplish that. But
you  can thank me later while I ripe off your clothes." They laughed as the
doors  were opened for them and Michael really began to grasp the grandeur and
opulence  of the hotel. Its rich tones of gold's burgundy's and deep rich
blues. The  furniture style befitting King Louis VI. Everything gleamed and
shone. Large  bouquets of fresh flowers hung from the high ceilings and
smaller arrangements  sat on coffee tables, one on each side of the front desk.
It smelled freshly  cleaned.
"I'd like to check into the Sander's Suite for my partner and me." Trent
couldn't believe what Michael had said. He wanted to burst out laughing. He
had  never heard him say that out loud to anyone, except to a few close
friends that  they both knew.
"Yes sir, no problem. Would you like the chef to send up anything?"
Michael looked at Trent for a second.
"Honey, are you hungry still or do you want to wait for breakfast?"
Michael kept a complete straight face and Trent was about to double over and
have fits of laughter.
"That would be wonderful, doll, order whatever you want and then just
order me the same. We haven't eaten since the party earlier  today."
"We'll have Filet Mignon, make sure they are prepared Black and Blue,
Baked Potatoes with sour cream and butter served on the side. We'll have fresh
Broccoli steamed with Lemon and for dessert make it a French Chocolate
Mousse  with Mango dusted with Cinnamon and to drink with that we'll have a
bottle of  Dom Perignon, chilled at 33� �, not at 34� � or 35� �, but 33� �. I think
that will do  it. A shocked attendant stood there speechless, unsure whether
to ask if Michael  wanted anything more or not.
"Anything else, sir, we can do for you?" He stood there on baited breath,
wondering what Michael was going to request.
"I'd like that dinner delivered in one hour exactly and also I want a
dozen yellow roses, a dozen white roses and a dozen red roses, all long stem.
Tell the florist to make sure they are cut at a 45-degree angle; they will
live  longer that way. Deliver them with dinner." Trent stood in awe at the
performance Michael was delivering at the desk, as if he had done it all his
 life.
"Now, if you have a register I can sign I'm sure you'll show us to our
room" Without batting an eye the attendant slide the book to Michael and he
signed Mr. & Mr. Trent Sanders.
"Now, if you would be so kind as to show us to our suite, we'll go
upstairs."
"Yes, sir, Mr. Sanders, right away, sir, if you would follow me, please."
Michael took Trent by the hand and followed Mr. Kiss Ass to the penthouse
elevator.
"Here's your key, gentleman. Would you be requiring a wakeup call in the
morning?" As Trent entered the elevator leaving Michael to handle the man he
 heard him quite clearly.
"My dear man, I hope to hell I'm still having sex tomorrow morning.
However, I am expecting a special package by currier. I will need that delivered
right away, so I guess you will have to wake me for that. Just make sure
they  send up a fresh pot of steaming hot coffee and some Danish to go with
it. Thank  you and good night." He turned and walked into the elevator and
Trent pushed the  button to the Penthouse. As soon as the door closed he fell
to the floor into  fits of laughter.
"I didn't know you had it in you, Michael. That was some performance. Had
I know I would have recorded it. Your sister will never believe you just
acted  like that.
"Oh, Trent, honey, I know how to play the game, but I just never had the
chance." I hope I didn't go overboard with the dinner and  flowers?"
"You did not, I was impressed with the choice of dinner and the flowers
just topped off the whole thing. I thought it was very romantic. It will be
perfect when I give your gift later on. The elevator door opened and Michael
just gasped at its beauty and view of the city form the large windows.
Trent  took his hand and showed him his favorite view from this room. They could
 clearly see the airport and the ocean from there, and all the lights were
beautiful.
"If you ever want to bring me someplace that brings peace to my heart,
bring me here, Michael. I love this view from here. I like it more from
outside.  Come on, let's go out." Trent opened the door and they walked onto a
patio that  was surrounded by statues of art and countless arrangements of
flowers. Large  flowers, small flowers, all kinds of colors. Even at night it
was beautiful and  now Michael understood why Trent liked it so much.
"Come, sit with me, Michael." Michael went over to the lounge chair and
sat in between Tent's legs, resting his back on Trent's chest. Trent wrapped
his  arms around Michael's chest and kissed the backside of his neck.
Michael's head  fell to the side exposing his neckline to Trent's kisses.
"Isn't this perfect out here right now? Just the two of us, with no one
bothering us?"
"Yes, Trent, it is, something we haven't had in a long time: time for
just us. I'm glad you thought of this." He pulled up Trent's hand and kissed
it.  "I wish we could just sit here for the next few weeks and let the world
go by,  Trent. I'm not even sure I want to go to my mother's funeral. I
know my father  will be there and I don't think I can face him. I blame him for
this; somehow I  know he's to blame. I feel it in my bones, Trent. Believe
me: when and if the  truth ever comes out, he'll be the one behind it."
"Michael, you could be right but you should go to her funeral. My family
will go with you and protect you from him coming near you, do you hear me?"
Michael nodded his head in agreement. "I will call the entire family
together  and they will build a wall around you to protect you from him getting to
you.  Or, if I have to, I'll hire my father's bodyguards to protect you.
Either way,  he will not get near you. Will you go for me? I just don't want
you to regret  this ten years from now. I want you to be able to stand there
in ten years and  know that you were the bigger man by showing up. Remember:
she came to your  graduation and to the party afterwards, at least she was
trying to reach out for  you."
"Hold on a second." Trent dialed his phone. "Mom? Yes we are settled in.
Listen, Michael is going to his mother's funeral, but I want family support
and  him being guarded by the family so that his father can't get near him.
He's  afraid of him and, frankly, so am I. Call the kids and have them flown
in as  soon as we know when the funeral is. Just call Mandy and ask her and
let her  know that Michael is attending. It will make her feel better. But
don't tell her  any more than that. I trust Mandy. I just want Michael alone
right now so he has  time to think, Mom. And just wait till I tell you what
happened when Michael  checked us in. I thought I was going to fall on the
floor and pee myself. It was  too funny. I wish I had had a movie camera
when I watched him with the front  desk attendant. I thought he was going to
have the guy pee himself. Yes, I know  Michael, right, who would thought that.
Yea I'll tell you about it. Night  Mom."
"Was it really necessary to tell her that about the guy at the front  desk?
They'll tease me forever on that one, Trent."
"I know. That's the point."
"And here I thought you wanted sex tonight. I might have to change my  mind
now, just for that."
"Aw, come on Buddy, you can't do that to me. I've been thinking of what
is insides those clothes for the past few days, and we've been so busy and
haven't been able to do anything. You wouldn't do that to a guy with blue
balls,  would you?"
"First of all: having blue balls is a crock of shit made up by some guy
who was just so horny he'd say anything to get into his wife's panties. It
worked and he told a few guys and before you knew it the story was out of
control. Horny, yes, but you don't have blue balls, and squeezing them until
they turn blue doesn't count, sport."
"I don't have to squeeze my balls. I've got something better and that
works every day."
"What's that?"
"Come back over here and sit down in this chair for me." Michael sat in
the chair that Trent directed. Trent pulled up the chair that was on the
other  side of the table, and sat himself in front of Michael. Michael could see
that  Trent was clearly nervous.
"Come on, Big Boy, what's making you so nervous all of a sudden? Is there
something that you're holding back on me and haven't said anything about?"
Trent  just kept shaking his head. And his legs were jumping a mile a
minute at the  same time.
"Well then, just spit it out. You want to hold my hand and then tell me,
will that help you?" Trent looked at Michael and went to move his lips, but
the  doorbell rang, announcing their dinner. "Fuck" was the only thing Trent
could  say.
"I'll get it, Baby, just wait here." Michael went to the door and
directed the waiter out onto the patio, who then proceeded to set up dinner for
them and open their champagne, pouring them each a glass. Michael tasted it
like  a pro and Trent smiled, wondering where he had gotten this knowledge for
someone  who was never supposed to have lived in this fashion. This
knowledge came from  upbringing, not a class taught here or there. But that was a
conversation for  another time and place. For now it was time to eat and ask
other questions. They  were both hungrier than they thought and they
devoured dinner in short  order.
"Babe, you can order a meal for me like that anytime. That chocolate
dessert was the best I have ever eaten. And the flowers are beautiful. And now
there is something I have for you. Just sit still. Trent got up and began
talking to Michael about going away to school and not seeing each other for
long  periods of time. He told Michael how afraid he was of losing him to some
sweet  talking guy when he wasn't going to be there to protect him and
chase him off.  And as good looking as he was, guys were going to be hitting on
him and the  jealous side of him just couldn't deal with it. It was eating
him alive  now.
"Trent, you have my heart and no one else will ever have it. No matter  how
much sweet talking someone did, I would still be saying no to them." He
tried to assure Trent that no one would come between them in any way, shape or
 form.
"What would it take me to convince you that I am yours and yours alone?"
Michael's back was to Trent's as he looked over the cityscape. Trent's
stomach  was in knots. He felt like throwing up, unsure of what Michael would
say to him.  Well, at least he was pretty sure he would say yes. Up to now
they hadn't really  discussed it seriously and he hoped he didn't think that
he was pushing Michael.  But it still took all of his strength and courage to
make this next step. He  walked up behind Michael and told him to close his
eyes. With his eyes closed  Trent put a golden chain around Michael's neck
and fumbled for a minute but  finally turned the lock and secured the chain.
He told Michael to not to look  down yet but to come with him. He took him
by the hand and led him to the first  mirror he walked into in the bedroom,
placed Michael in front of it and told him  to open his eyes. Michael looked
in awe at the golden chain and the pendant  attached to it. It was about
two inches long and a half-inch wide. On the face  of it was a symmetrical
design with carved ivory and small pieces of garnets.  The carvings, set in the
gold, were of two snakes intertwined with each other.  One snake had garnet
for its eyes, representing Michael's birthstone, and the  other snake had a
reddish yellow topaz. And then, scattered around the two  snakes, were
small baguettes of emerald green for blades of grass. It was  beautiful. Michael
looked at the reflection in the mirror and met the gaze of  Trent, looking
at it with tears in his eyes. He was speechless for all his  worrying and
his wondering if he would say yes or no. To actually see it on  Michael took
his breath away. Trent finally looked up to see Michael looking at  him and
blushed.
"I don't know what to say, Trent. This is a beautiful piece of jewelry.
Did you get a loan from your Dad for this? This thing even feels heavy. The
gold  alone weighs a ton. I like the way the snakes are done. I take it they
represent  us?" Trent nodded gently and kissed the back of Michael's neck.
He wanted to see  it on him with nothing else on his chest or hiding behind
a shirt. He was happy  with the design. He had worked hard coming up with
this for  him.
"I had it made for you, Mike. I designed it, then worked with the jeweler
for about a month until we got it to a point that I actually liked it and
thought it was time to put it all together." Trent took his arm and put it
around his waist and picked up the remote, put on some music and they started
 dancing, whispering in his ear. "Mr. Michael Wayne Evans, it's not an
engagement  ring but I've already designed it and if you'll make me the
happiest man in the  world, then marry me, and I'll order the rings to be made."
Michael stopped and  stood stunned in amazement at the chain on his neck. He
threw his arms around  Trent and began to cry.
"How could I say no to you? Yes, Trent, I'll marry you, of course I'll
marry you. And if getting married before we start school in the fall is what
you  want, than it works for me. I just wish we were going to the same
college our  first few years of marriage. How long have you been thinking about
this, Trent?
"Since you got out of the hospital after you got attacked by Kevin, I've
known ever since then that I wanted you to be my partner for the rest of my
life. And Mom and Dad thought I made a good choice. She'll be so excited to
find  out. She wasn't sure when I was going to ask you."
"Come on, Big Boy. This calls for a celebration in the bedroom, don't you
think?"
"You're so romantic, you think I'm going to say no to you, Little Buddy?"
 Michael began to undress and Trent began to do the same and within seconds
the  two stood naked.
"Like to dance?" Michael smiled
"I thought you'd never ask, sir."
"What better place than out there under the stars with the skyline behind
us, a moment we'll never forget, Trent. I know I won't." Michael dropped to
his  knees and engulfed Trent's cock into his mouth. Trent grabbed Michael'
s hair and  held his head in place as he slowly drove his cock gently in
and out of  Michael's mouth. His knees grew weaker the longer Michael sucked
on his cock.  Not being able to stand it any longer he pulled him up by his
armpits and  wrapped his arms around him.
"It's my turn to make you feel that good." Just as Michael had dropped to
his knees Trent dropped to his and swallowed his cock as far as he could
until  he gagged. Attacking him a little more slowly he went back to his job
of sucking  his cock and soaking it. He wanted Michael inside of him tonight;
he wanted to  feel his love inside him. But for now he was content to run
his tongue up and  down his shaft, sending shivers through his body. Michael
grabbed onto his ass  and kneaded the flesh, stretching the skin around his
hole, making Trent that  much hotter and desiring him that much more. Trent
pulled away and grabbed  Michael further down on the lounge chair spreading
his legs. Michael dove his  face into Trent's ass like a man on a mission,
someone who hadn't eaten in weeks  as his tongue lapped his hole. He soaked
his hole with his  saliva.
"I need you, Michael. I've been wanting you inside of me but I want you
now, let me have that hot cock of yours. Please baby, I'm begging you. Shove
that cock into my ass. Make me beg for it baby."
"Do it, Michael. Make me feel like only you can. I need to feel your
thickness inside of me, but be gentle with me tonight, okay? I want to remember
this for the rest of my life."
"So do I, Buddy, so do I." Michael pushed Trent's legs open and slowly
aimed the head of his dick at his hole. Pressing gently and slowly he began to
 gain entrance, stretching his sphincter wider and wider. Michael's cock
stroked  over his love button again and again, driving him to the brink of a
blissful  orgasmic high.
"Harder, Michael, I'm so close, take me over the edge, Trent .... so close,
so near. What  you do to me. I'm  cumming, Trent! Cum with me now, Trent,
let it happen, baby, cum with me NOW  TRENT!"
Ropes of cum covered Michael's stomach and then more was replaced with
Trent's as his orgasm hit and his semen mixed with Michael's, covering them
both  with heated sperm. Their spent bodies collapsed on each other, spent
from a  glorious round of sex. Separating themselves before the semen stuck
them  together they got up and led each other to the shower.
The hot water cascaded over their sexually drained bodies, refreshing  them
and recharging their sexual drives. Of course at their ages a strong wind
could recharge their sexual thirst.
Michael began to wash Trent's body and shampoo his hair and sat him in  the
tiled seat that was in the shower. As Michael washed his hair and upper
body, Trent began to wash Michaels lower half, not sexually, just gently
caressing affectionately. Soon they changed positions and continued with their
gentle foreplay. They washed each other for fifteen or twenty minutes before
 getting out and drying each other off. Both shaved and brushed their teeth
and  climbed into bed. Michael curled up on Trent's chest, closed his eyes
smiling.
"I take it that I picked the right thing for an engagement  ring?"
"You did great, Trent, did your mother help you? And you better be honest
because I'm going to ask her, AND she will tell me, Trent. And you know it."

"Okay, I had help, but not from her. I asked my oldest sister Susan. She
went with me and helped me decide to do something different for you. Not only
 that, but her husband owns this awesome jewelry store and he helped just
as  much, they were the first ones to know. Mom and Dad were second. Sue and
Denver  knew as soon as I left store and when I walked in the door, mother
said she  wanted to see what I bought at the jewelry store. But since I couldn
't show it  to them at that point they haven't seen it yet."
"Trent Nicholas Sanders, do  you think your mother and father would be mad
if we called them right now and I  told them that I say yes to you asking me
to marry you? Besides we don't have  much time to plan this if we are going
to do this before  school."
"About that, Michael, my mother has been doing a little planning, just in
case you said yes, and it's lined up for the third weekend of August, so we
have  time for a honeymoon before school starts. She picked out a few
caterers and a  few cake places so we can decide on what we want and the colors
and invitations  have to be picked out and sent out in about two weeks. Of
course there's no  pressure on you; Mom will help with anything you want her to
do, as will dad.  He's so excited that he's getting another  son-in-law."
"I just wish that my mother was alive to share in my happiness. I know we
hadn't talked since I was thrown out. I should have called but they could
have  come to me too. They had my phone number and my sister checked their
phones to  see and even my father still had my phone number in his cell phone.

"I think her coming to your graduation and to the party says to me that
she was happy with you, Michael, I really do. Just hang on to that memory. And
 you still have Mandy and you know she'll be happy to help or at least be a
part  of it."
"I think I'll ask Mandy to give me away and walk me down the aisle, what
do you think?"
"I think that would be a great idea, Michael, and I'm sure she'd love
doing it.?
"I have a weird question to ask you, Trent, and I want you to think about
this before you answer me. And I don't mean for two or three minutes, I mean
a  few days. But is it going to be Mr. & Mr. Michael Sanders, or Mr. & Mr.
Evans or Mr. Trent Sanders and Mr. Michael Evans? Which one do you  want?
"Okay, I'll think about it, but you have to think about it too. Think
about what you want too, not just what I want, and in three days we'll write it
 down on paper and put it in a sealed envelope and then pick one of them
out. And  that's what we'll go with, how's that?"
"Sounds good. Now let's call your folks, ask for your Dad and hand me the
phone, I want to tell him first. He's been so good to me, Trent. I want to
be  the one to tell him first. I just had a great idea for your Dad and I'm
sure  he'll go along with it." Trent picked up the phone and hit home and
the phone  dialed. His mother picked up. "No, mom, Michael needs to talk to
Dad. Can you  put him on?" Trent handed over the phone to Michael who had a
huge grin on his  face.
"Yes, sir, I'm sorry for calling late but there's something I have to ask
you. Do I have to keep calling you Clay or can I call you Dad, now that
your son  has asked me to marry him? Thanks, Dad. Now I have one other
question, but hold  on one second. Trent, go in the bathroom and close the door. I
have something I  want to ask your er.... Dad and I don't want you to hear
this. Turn on the water  and I'd better hear it running real quick, hurry up,
you're the one that woke  them up." Trent begrudgingly walked into the
bathroom, turned on the shower and  closed the door. "Okay, so I have to ask if
you'd give me away. I know I'm  asking a lot from you since you've already
done so much for me and given me so  much, you've helped so muc..."
"Slow down son, slow down, one thing at a time. First I'd be honored to
give you away, Mike, second you don't mind if I call you, Buddy, do you? I
know  the nickname comes from Trent, but I like it, it fits you. He told me
just never  say Little Buddy, or I might get slugged." Both of them laughed at
the shared  joke, it gave Michael a feeling of belonging to the family.
Michael hadn't felt  in a very long time the true sense of family. "There's
something else you and I  have to sit down and have a talk about. At least now
that you're going to be  family it will make it much easier for me and for
you, I think, but that will  wait until you and I have some time alone, okay?
"
"You got it, Dad, can I talk to Sarah now"
"Sure thing, Michael, and take it easy while you're there. You two
deserve some down time. You been busting your asses at school. I know your
influence over Trent is what got him to go to school. I don't want to know how
you talked him into it, or maybe I shouldn't ask and just be glad he's going."
  Now he was being sarcastic, knowing how easily Michael got flustered when
sex  was mentioned in the family.
"DAD! I ... I, oh hell, never mind, you're doing that to get me going and I
know it." Michael could hear Clay snickering in the background, trying to
be  quiet.
Oh, Sarah, you should see what he got me. I was never expecting something
like this. No, he didn't get me a ring, but I like it better, besides, he
said  he's already designed the rings and if they are anything like this, they
should  be awesome. I can't wait for you to see this, it's .. Yes, I
promise I'll take  the pills as soon as they get here in the morning. I'll let
Dad tell you what I  asked him to do, so I'm going to hang up now and let
Trent come out of the  bathroom so he can breathe. Okay, I love you to, thanks
for everything Sarah."  The door opened about two seconds after Michael hung
up the phone and he was  drying his hair with the towel walking around bare
ass. Trent began drying  himself off seductively, using the towel in
between his legs. Riding the towel  back and forth would be a better description
of Trent's ability to be kinky and  funny at the same time. What started as a
sexual come on to his boyfriend became  more of a nude comedy act,
something off Broadway, way off, way, way off  Broadway. And just about then the
phone rang.
"I'll get it Michael, it's probably just my mother because I didn't talk
to her about anything when we all just talked." Michael picked up the phone
 anyway.
"Hello." Michael was waving  his hand at Trent to stop what he was doing,
signaling to him that it was his  mother on the line. He held up his finger
to quiet Trent  down.
"Yes, mam, I'm listening. Your son was being an idiot trying to make me
laugh while answering the phone. Is there a problem? Should we come back  now?
"
"No, there's no reason for you to come here now, Michael. The police were
here, looking for you. They haven't been able to find your father. I don't
mean  to break your happy mood right now, but they will be back at eleven,
looking for  you and I told them I would have you here. Dad and I will stand
with you on this  matter and he will have one of the companies lawyer first
thing. He's already  put a call in to him tonight to be here. Just make
sure you two are okay. I love  you, Michael, and I'm glad Trent has finally
asked you. He's been a nervous  Nelly since he got that thing. I can't wait to
see it. I love you, Michael, and  we'll see you in the later with Trent's
little butt with you.
Tell him this is a family gathering tomorrow, one because of the
engagement, and two: you're family now and now we stand together. You will meet  the
rest of the clan tomorrow. Be prepared. We've got some planning and few
decisions to be made. I've set up a lot of stuff so that you and Trent just
have  to make decisions. Between me and the rest of the girls in the family and
I  invited Mandy to join us but I haven told her why, just told her you
said she  had to come those were your orders when you left with Trent. So she
doesn't know  yet. I wanted you to surprise her."
"Yes, mam, we'll be there in time don't worry. I'll make sure he's awake
and his butt is in gear in plenty of time don't worry. If he doesn't get
up,  he'll find out what a cold shower in a warm bed is like. I'll try and
wake him  up nicely, but I've lived long enough with him to know how he is
getting out of  bed in the morning". They curled back up in bed and Michael
just laid on Trent's  chest, running his fingers up and down, not saying
anything, just listening to  his best friends heartbeat. Before long they had
fallen asleep on each other. At  eight thirty there was a knock on the door.
Michael ran to the door and went to  open it, when Trent yelled at him.
"He'll get a nice view if you open that door in your current state of
undress, Mikey." Michael instantly realized that he was naked as the day he was
 born.
"Throw me a robe, smarty, please." Trent threw the robe and he put it on.
The package had arrived as promised from Mom and so had breakfast. Michael
signed for the room service and pushed the cart into the  room.
"You want some coffee, sexy? Or would that be Mr. Michael  Sanders?"
"Depends on what you want, sweetheart, you tell me what you like best. Oh
yea, by dinner tonight the whole family will be there. Happens every time
someone gets engaged in the family. Expect to be treated like royalty and to
receive presents form the older crowd, the young ones will be taken to the
mall  to get us something, it's just the way it's always been. The same
thing will  happen when the time comes for Yvonne, Randy and Daniel. Then it
will be our  time to spoil them. In the meantime, let me �"Ï�"É�"�... ×ÁÛ  Ð�...�"�'È?"
"What in the hell did you just say, because I have no  idea."
"I told you last fall you should have taken  Russian."
"So that tells me it's something dirty. Of that I'm certain. And it's
either you want me to fuck you or you want me to suck  you."
"What make you think I'll do either?
"Cuz, brother, things like that excite you. I can see the boner in your
pants, Mikey, and don't tell me you aren't excited by the idea of either one
but  �'ÁtÈÎÉ�"�... Í�...Î�` if I know which one I want the most,  Sweetheart."
"Just for that, asshole, you get nothing zip,  nada"
"Man, you are heartless, even after than nice pendant I gave you last
night."
"That worked last night, today is a new day and It will take more than
sweet Russian to talk me into something sexual."
"Okay, okay, you win the first one. Patxhnte mehr is the best way. I can
translate it into English but you get the drift. It means suck me and of
course  the last one means fuck me, Big Boy!"
"Oh, you are so dirty, Trent Nicholas  Sanders."
"What can I say, you bring out the best in me, and besides I haven't
heard any complaints from my little sexy rabbit yet, unless there's something
you're not telling me." Michael jumped on the bed and directly on to Trent,
tickling him unmercifully.
"Stop, stop, okay, you win. If you don't stop, Mikey, I'm going to pee on
the bed."
"Ah, you would, you'd explain that bill."
"I wouldn't have to, because you signed the bill, smarty-pants."
"You win this one, but you better get in there and piss, or, so help me,  I'
ll push you in the tub and tickle you until you do pee. And it won't
matter,  because it will just go down the drain."
"You are a kinky fucker, Michael, why I never knew. We might have to
explore that side of you in the near future, you kinky sex pervert."
Michael jumped off the bed and Trent ran for the bathroom. Michael  rattled
on the doorknob with his hands and Trent yelled at him to stop or he  wouldn
't be able to pee. He tried to tell him he was pee shy, when people tried
to push him along to fast. Michael slid down the door, laughing his ass off
the  whole way down.
"Okay, Big Boy, but let's get busy we have to be back at the hose for the
cops. They have more questions. Your Dad, or should I say Dad is going to
have  the family there and I'm to talk to him first, before talking to
anyone. That  especially means the cops, Michael, and I'm serious about this: do
not piss off  Dad this time. You do exactly as he tells you. And he'll get
you through this or  he'll have three hundred lawyers so far up the prosecutors
' asses they won't see  you until your fifty. Just trust my Dad, Mikey. If
he thought for one minute you  have something to do with this, he wouldn't
care what happened to you. And you  certainly wouldn't still be in the house
and him taking care of you. He knows  good people when he sees them, and he
sees that in you. When we get to the  house, I'm going to drop you near the
James Bond door. Get in and just knock on  the sliding door, just in case he
's in there jerking off. He gets so pissed if  we catch him doing it, even
though we keep telling him that we all do it to. But  I understand where he'
s coming from."
"I'll make sure to knock to get in before I just bust in there."
"All right, Mikey, just get in the house and into your room and follow  Dad'
s lead when he comes to get you for the cops. Listen to Dad, Michael, he
knows what he's talking about and you're one of his favorites right now. I
can  tell."
"Trent, I don't think I'm one of his favorites, I think he and I just
have a good relationship."
"Call it whatever you want, Michael, but I know my Dad better than you  do,
and believe me when I tell you: you're special to him. Just enjoy it; it's
 not a bad thing. You haven't gotten your graduation present from him yet.
I know  he gave you the Rolex watch but there's something he's holding back
on, and when  the time is right he'll give it to you and you will under no
circumstances tell  you can't accept it. It would break his heart, Michael,
remember that. Promise  me that, Michael. Promise you won't break Dad's
heart when he gives this to you.  He has given it a lot of thought and has
asked all of the kids what we thought  and we agreed with him. Just hug him and
thank him when he gives it to you and I  will love you eternally, Michael
Wayne Evans. But then: I'd love you for  eternity even if he didn't give you
this one special thing he has lined up for  you. So relax for now and enjoy
it. Soon enough he'll give you your present, cry  if you want, babble if you
want, but make sure you thank him. I don't even think  he'd mind if you
kissed him on the cheek when he gives it do  you."
"All right, Trent, please, don't say anything else or I'll be wondering
what he could have gotten me that it makes you say some of the things that
you're saying. And I'll be afraid to open any box he gives  me."
"Who says it comes in a box?" Trent smirked as he looked over at  Michael'
s face. Michael smacked his hand on Trent's shoulder. "If you're going  to
keep that up, I'm going to claim that I fell and in trying to hold on before
 falling I hit you, and then I tell you how sorry I am, and I make it all
better.  No one would believe you anyway. I'd be the saint."
"After the performance I saw last night at the Four Seasons, I will be so
watching you and catching you on tape, just to show  them."
"Me? I'll claim the whole thing was staged and that I was tricked into
the whole thing. They'll still believe me more than you. May I remind you who
is  the pro here?" Michael walked off smirking and wiggling his  butt.
"There will come a time, Mr. Evans, and you will show your true colors  and
I'll catch it for someone else to see and then I post it on the Internet, a
 place for the world to see!"
"Yes, the place for the world seeing things that get doctored and photo
shopped all the time. Sorry, you just can't win this one,  Baby."
"You're too damn smart for your own good sometimes. Good thing I love
that quality about you. So, are you about ready to head home? Oh, and start
looking at houses that you might like to live in. One of our wedding presents
from the folks will be our first house. Nothing major, something small for
starters but something not too far away, usually within ten to fifteen
miles, so  we can visit and so can they."
"How about something in between our schools? We won't have to live on
campus and I think we can find something still get close enough to make them
happy."
"Talk to your future mother in law, Buddy. She's the one that will give
you a hard time if she doesn't like it."
"Face it, Big Boy, Mom likes me best!" And with that statement Michael
broke down in tears and plopped down on the bed.
"It's okay, big guy, you're going to make it and you'll be okay. It's
just going to take some time." Trent hugged Michael and stood up and brought
him  up with him. "Come on, let's get out of here. I'll call and have the
car ready  for us when we get down there for you. After all, you're the one
that's been  signing for everything and I JUST can't wait to tell Dad what
you spent, he's  gonna have a cow!" Michael couldn't see the smirk on Trent'
s face. He was  totally white and looked like he was going to pass out.
Trent couldn't stand it  and burst out laughing. And Michael realized he had
been  had.
"Oh, you asshole, you will so pay for this. If you thought my performance
was good coming in, wait until you see it on the way out, Trent. And of
course  my husband will be right by my side. The staff will be talking for the
next two  years about these two guys that spent the night in the penthouse.
What do you  think of those apples, Trent, old boy?" Trent looked pleadingly
at Michael.  "This will be so good, just give me time to get dressed to
think something  up."
"Okay, I'm sorry; you'll be good going out right? Remember, this is a
company account and my Dad does a lot of business with them. We can't draw to
much attention to ourselves at this hour of the day, Michael. I'm just
trying to  tell you we do have limits to what we can pull off without getting our
asses  kicked by Dad, whether he likes you or not. Just remember that."
Trent had a  strong hold of Michael's hands, kissing them and pleading with him
not to make  too much of a scene. Now it was Michael's turn to  laugh.
"Okay, Big Boy, I guess we're even on this one. But it was fun while it
lasted. You should have seen the look on your face just then. How does that
commercial go about being priceless? That was the look you had on your face
and it was priceless to say the least. Damn good thing. You're  cute."
As promised, Michael and Trent made their way back to the house in time  to
meet with the local police. It was something Michael didn't want to face. T
he  police were aware of Michael's relationship with his parents because of
the  attack from Kevin Cranston. Which, going through his mind, kept him
thinking:  how could he not be a suspect? His greatest answer was the number of
people who  were there and saw Michael going out the door a few seconds
after it happened.  Michael was always one that worried about the smallest
detail and had done that  all his life.
Hiding his sexuality had inadvertently honed his skills of observation  and
to tap into a person's emotional state. There were times he was grateful,
but for Michael it was a double edged sword. Just as he had known that Kevin
had  presented himself with an instability to connect with people.
Trent knew something was eating at him. He hadn't said two words since
they had left the city. He patted the seat next to him to let Michael know he
wanted him close by. He didn't move but held out his hand and interlaced his
 fingers with Trent's.
"We still have about a half hour ride. You want to talk about it? Is it
your mother you're thinking about or your sister? You haven't talked to Mandy
 since Friday night at the party. It's not like you to go this long without
 talking to her. Why don't you call her and see how she is. She might need
you  right now, even if it's only a five second  conversation."
"I've thought about her all weekend, Trent, along with losing my mother.
I feel half heartless for not crying much over her death. She was my mother
and  she did love me. Her biggest problem in life was living with an
overbearing  husband, who wouldn't have it any other way but his. I felt bad for
her  sometimes, but it was her choice to stay with him and live the life that
he  wanted and commanded. She taught me a lot, Babe, mostly how to love
someone. If  it hadn't been for her, I don't know where you and I would be. As
much as she  taught me to love, she taught me about taking a chance and to
let it happen when  the right person came along. I heard her say so many
times that when it happens  and you find that one person you'll know. Perhaps it
was her pride that kept her  marriage to my father together all these years.
" He picked up Trent's hand and  kissed it. He didn't move any closer to
Trent; instead, he laid his head on his  lap. Trent reached his hand down
onto Michael's chest and rubbed it slowly,  trying to bring him comfort without
speaking. It was a problem for Trent to tell  Michael how inept he felt
discussing his insecurities with him. It also made it  harder for Trent to find
the right words to use that would make Michael feel  better. He just didn't
realize how much of an impact his words had on  Michael.
Growing up Michael sought acceptance, not just as a gay man but also as a
man in his own right. Something he felt he lacked due to the rigidity in his
 life. A belief that came from his father repeatedly telling him that tears
were  a sign of weakness and that only girls cried. It was part of that
verbal abuse  his father used that lashed out at him like a Australian bullwhip
with its tips  striking directly into his heart, leaving it hurt and s
cared. He made a promise  to himself when he thought of having a family: that he
would never treat a child  of his in a manner that cut so deeply, knowing
full well the sting the whip left  upon his heart. The tears began to fall
ever so slightly and Michael buried his  face in Trent's thigh. The flood gates
had opened and Trent brushed the hair  away from Michael's face, quietly
holding on to the man he loved with every  fiber in his body. He wanted more
than anything to take away his  pain.
A few minutes away from the house Trent pulled over and got Michael to  sit
up next to him and put his arm around him to hold him. He took the Kleenex
box from the door panel and handed Michael a few at a time, taking away the
ones  he had soaked through trying to compose himself and to stop crying.
He just sat  there with his head hung low, his chin sitting upon his chest.
The sobs began to  subside. Trent reached over and picked up Michael's chin
and made him look him  in the eyes.
"If you have any problems with the cops when we get to the house, just
look at me and say my name. That's all you have to do. I will end it right then
 and there. I will take you from the room and we'll go upstairs to your
bedroom  and I'll lock the door. And before we go in there and I forget to say
this: I  love you, Michael Wayne Evans. You're the best Little Buddy. Most
importantly:  you're my Little Buddy. I know you don't like me using that
name but that's what  you are to me, Michael: you're my one and only Little
Buddy. Don't you ever,  ever, forget that. Promise me. "
"I promise, Trent, more than you'll ever know how much. I promise. I
guess we should just go and get this over with, so that by tonight's dinner  we'
ll be in better spirits than we are right now." Trent pulled back onto the
road and five minutes later they were pulling up to the house. Michael
looked  and said nothing. There were three local police cruisers, a state cops
car and  two limousines.
"This is just way to many cars, Trent; I don't like this at all.
Something isn't right with this picture. I just can't put my finger on it. Stay
close, Trent, I mean it this time, like within a foot or two, I want you that
close. Promise me?"
"I promise, Baby, now come on. Hey, did you take any of those pills this
morning?" Michael looked away from Trent trying very hard to avoid his gaze.
Trent had told him specifically to take one when they came and then another
one  right before they left the hotel. He hadn't done either and he knew
Trent was  going to be pissed and the last thing he wanted was an argument.
Trent spoke  before Michael could say anything. He just looked up into Trent's
face. His took  his arm away from his shoulder and Michael immediately
reached behind him to get  the bag that had the pills in them.
"Damn it, Michael Wayne, why didn't you take them. I purposely put one by
your glass of juice when I reminded you and you said you wouldn't forget. I
know  you don't like taking them, but this is a day that it might be the
smart thing  to do, so you can keep yourself calm. That's why I got it out for
this morning  and put it right by your juice, so you wouldn't forget."
Michael wasn't showing  anything, no emotion, nothing just a blank stare.
"I'm sorry, Trent, you're right. Maybe I did it intentionally. I don't
know. I certainly didn't think that way when you reminded me and I looked
right  at it. I'm not making any excuses for what I should have done and you'
re just  trying to protect me. It will only take about twenty minutes to half
an hour to  work, well not fully but it will at least start."
"That's bullshit, and you know it. Don't do that to me, Mike; I don't
like getting shit shoveled at me. It's beneath you to do that." Michael could
 tell that Trent now was pissed and he was right, which didn't give much
room for  Michael to say anything at the moment.
"Just sit here for a minute and don't get out. I'm going to buy you about
five to ten minutes if I can. I'll take the bags in and just harness Mom by
 telling her you need a few minutes and she'll take care of it from there
and any  problems that arise she'll squash. Now give me a hug and a kiss, I
want you to  know I still love you. I'm not mad at you, I'm just mad you didn
't take the  fucking pills, which I can't say I blame you for it. I wouldn'
t want to take  them either." Trent leaned into Michael and grabbed him and
rubbed his back  almost roughly but with understanding. He got out and
opened the back door and  took the bags. Michael watched him walk around to the
back of the house. He  wondered why he hadn't gone up the stairs like Trent
had originally thought of  when making plans to come here this morning but
it was too late for that now. He  sat there and let his head lay against the
head rest. He was startled when there  was a knock on the window
Sarah stood there, looking at him and he reached for the door to open it
but she was a second or two ahead of him and he missed the handle. She had
the  door open and grabbed him out of the seat and put her arms around him.
She held  him as a mother holds a child that's hurt and needs no words, just
an  understanding hug. He sighed a heavy release from that hug, knowing that
he  would be okay and come through this next event in his life with his head
held  high.
"Trent told me about you not taking your pills." Michael hung his head
like a small boy, about to be chastised for forgetting to do his chores. "Don'
t  let your head hang, Michael, it won't do you any good." He looked up at
her and  half smiled at her, but she could see he was holding back the
tears. Not knowing  how much he had or hadn't grieved since seeing him Friday
night, she didn't want  to push him too far today. Today was a day to support
him and get him through  the police horseshit, which is what she was calling
it as she and Clay discussed  this morning over coffee. Right now she had
anyone who was here to see Michael  busy eating, and she told him not to
worry. Joshua was keeping them at bay in  the kitchen, feeding heaven knows what
since it was still stuff left over from  Friday night.
"And now, as your future Mother-in-Law, I want to see exactly how this
piece of jewelry he created looks like." Michael had purposely worn a loose
shirt that he could unbutton easily to show it off.
"OH, Michael. It's beautiful. Much better than a ring for you guys. I
like the stones and the two snakes, but the grass really makes it look nice.  It
's not overdone or dumb looking, very classic and manly. Now I have a
little  more of an idea on the rings, and sometime this week we are going to the
jewelers and get them ordered. Never mind that. There are other pressing
matters  at the moment. I'm going to prepare you a little for what's going on
in there  and why they wanted you. Dad and the lawyer will be out in a few
minutes for you  to meet him and decide how this is going to be handled.
First, Michael, sit down  in the truck. You know this is going to be bad news.
You know most of it, but  there are a few details you didn't or don't know
about. I'm sorry about your  mother, honey. I think she came that night in
hopes of talking to you. I invited  her by asking your sister for her to
come. I feel awful that it happened when it  did."
"Do the cops know anything at this point of who might have done it? I  know
you said last night that he couldn't be found. Any word on him this
morning?"
"Not that the cops are saying anyway. They have Kevin Cranston in  custody;
I think that's his name. Anyway, they have him and when they picked him  up
on Friday night he didn't have a very good and believable alibi from what  I
've heard."
"Have they found my father yet?" Michael wasn't sure if he cared or not
where his father was. He wasn't sure that if he even cared  anymore.
"Not that I know of and I think that's the main reason they're here
today. They want to ask you what you may or may not know. I know you don't know
anything, since you've been here and you haven't talked to him, so how
would you  know?"
"I know they're just doing their job, so I might as well just do this and
get it over with." Clay and the lawyer turned the corner from the back
walk,  heading towards Michael and Sarah. Michael got out of the truck and
hugged Clay.  "Thanks, Dad, for everything today." Clay patted Michael on the
back. "You just  tell me when you've had enough if the cops get out of hand
on you. It's the  other reason I brought my lawyer here." Clay let go of
Michael and turned to  introduce the two.
"Michael Evans, this is Mr. Richard Brockton. Richard, I'd like you to
meet the newest member of the Sanders growing family. I have been fortunate to
 be gaining both another son and son-in-law come the end of the August. I'm
sure  you'll be getting an invitation to come. Trent and Michael will be
exchanging  theirs vows on the third weekend in August, I believe." Richard
stepped forward  and shook Michael's hand.
"Nice to meet you, and my congratulations to you and Trent. Since the
police are awaiting our arrival, I'll make this brief, Mike. Do you mind if I
call you Mike?" Michael shook his head agreeing with being called Mike. "Ok,
 Mike, I don't see any problems here at all. from the conversations I've
had with  Clay and Sarah this morning, my understanding is that you have had
no contact  with your father since moving in here with the Sanders, is that
right?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then this shouldn't take long. I'll be standing beside you the whole
time, or sitting, whatever happens. If at any time for any reason you don't
want  to answer a question, just look at me. I'll take it from there in
consideration  of whatever is being asked. If at any time I tell the police that my
client  doesn't want to discuss that unless it becomes completely
necessary, then that  means you don't talk until I tell you to, okay?" Michael liked
this man; he was  straightforward and held no punches back. "It's in your
hands than, Mr.  Brockton. I think I'm ready to handle this. I will say this
and I'm not trying  to sound like I'm trying to hide anything, but I have
just lost my mother and I  have taken a sedative the doctor ordered me to
take. If it anytime I say I want  to be left alone, you will ensure that will
happen?"
"You have my word that it will end at that point, Michael, but I will  tell
the police that, if you are needed after that, you will be more than happy
to make yourself available to them. How's that  sound?"
"Perfect, let's go do this." The four of them walked into the house.
Michael entered first and all eyes were on him. Joshua had just rounded the
corner coming from the dining room. He immediately came to Michael and hugged
him.
"I'm glad to see you're back. You want something to eat or drink, or do
you want to wait?
"Just some of your good coffee, Josh, will be good right now and thank  you.
" Michael went into the living room and the police that were sitting all
stood.
"Good morning, Michael, I'm Captain Jack Barrolls from the Massachusetts
State Police, this is Detective Charles Ryan and Detective Brandon McGuire
from..." There were two other local policemen standing between the dining
room and  the kitchen. Jack Barrolls was a big man was Michael's first
impression. He had  to stand at least six foot six or maybe seven or eight inches
tall. He was trim,  but his shirt was tight around the chest. He was
definitely in good shape.  Michael laughed at himself when he caught himself thinking
that the man would  make a good poster boy for the State Police. Gay or
straight, he was someone  that commanded attention.
"Good morning, and I know the detectives from earlier. They've been
helpful with my problems with Kevin Cranston." As they sat down, Joshua brought
Michael his coffee and a Danish so he had something to munch on in case he
was  hungry. He knew he would at least pick at it while sitting there and
talking to  all of the cops that were there. Jack Barrolls was the one to start
 things.
"Michael, I understand that you haven't lived at home but have been
staying here since the beginning of the school year? Can you tell me what
happened in your own words why that is?"
"My father threw me out of my house and the Sanders took me in until
things got resolved. Unfortunately they did not get  resolved."
"Who threw you out and why?"
"My father threw me out when he found out that I was gay. He's a major in
the military. He doesn't like someone doing something he thinks they shouldn
't  be doing and being gay was one of those things. I would be an
embarrassment to  him if the military found out."
"Did your father physically abuse you,  Michael?"
"No, sir, not physically."
"You said not physically. Did he sexually abuse you?" The question threw
Michael off completely. He didn't say anything for a few minutes. He looked
over  at Trent who had been standing against the wall since they had come
in.
"Mr. Evans, did he ..."
"I heard what you said officer. Every word"
"I won't answer that question; it has nothing to do with this. Let me
correct myself and tell you: no he did not sexually abuse me. And from now on
questions that have anything to do with sexual innuendos will end this whole
 session, period. Does that make it clear for all of you?" Trent was never
as  proud of Michael as he was right then. He had never seen Michael stand
up to  people of authority like that. Clay sat next to Michael, just as
pleased to see  him defend himself.
"My apologies, Mr. Evans, if I offended you. That was not my intention, I
assure you." Michael said nothing more, waiting for them to continue so that
 this would end.
"Have you seen your father or heard from him in the past seventy-two  hours?
"
"No, I have not."
"We are looking for him. Do you know where he might  be?"
"No, you might want to check with the base. He might be out on maneuvers.
Other than that there's nothing else I can tell you about him. I'll be
honest:  I'm not really concerned with his whereabouts as I'm sure you can
imagine. If  you have any questions about my mother I'll be happy to answer
them. But  questions about my father are over."
"The detectives looked at each other. Michael picked up his coffee and  ate
some of his Danish. He was glad that Joshua had brought it to him after
all.  Thinking of Joshua his arm went by Michael to pour some more coffee for
him and  Michael looked up at him and wiggled his Danish, signaling Josh for
another one.  He smiled at him and gave Michael a nod.
"Do you have any idea who might want to do this to your  mother?
"No, sir, I don't. My mother and I got along. I know she and my father
weren't speaking to each other very much after I was thrown out. My sister
would  know how much they were actually talking to each better than I  do."
"We have talked to your sister."
"Did you invite your mother here that  night?"
"No, sir, it was Mom's idea." The detectives looked at each  other.
"Excuse my confusion. Do you mean your mother called you so she could  come
here?"
"I'm sorry, I'm just used to calling Sarah Mom, since I've lived here as
long as I have and since she's going to be my mother-in-law soon. I just
call  her that all the time." Sarah sat a little taller in her seat and
smiled. She  felt so proud of Michael at this very moment. Not so much because of
the mom  thing, but because he was handling himself so well at the moment.
Sarah spoke up  to close that line of questioning.
"I was the one that invited his mother. I had asked his sister Mandy to
tell her mother that she was welcome to come to his and Trent's graduation
party. Michael didn't know that I had done that. I was hoping that it would
help  them talk to each other or at least open the door and give them at least
a  chance. I'm sorry now that I had. Michael. Maybe this never would have
happened.
"It's not your fault, Mom; you didn't know someone would do something
like this. And I'm still glad that you asked her and that she came. At least it
 told me that she wanted to talk to me. I think maybe, from what Mandy was
telling me what was going on at home, Mom was accepting me being gay and
was  using this party as a way to talk and not get all emotional. My mother
didn't  like making scenes in public places. She believed that was for at home
when  there was a problem."
"Did your mother work at all, Michael?"
"No, she did a lot of helping veterans and wounded soldiers, things like
that, and she also helped with new families."
"I don't think there's much left that we want ask you at the moment,
Michael, but please let us know if you plan on leaving anytime  soon."
"I'll be going on my honeymoon at the end of August. I'll be here until
then, Captain."
"Thank you, Michael. Thank you all for your hospitality and I'm sure  we'
ll be in touch, Michael, if we find your father or hear any new leads about
your mother. If you hear from your father, please, let us know where he is.
We  definitely want to talk to him. I want you to know that he is not
considered a  suspect at this time. But the longer time goes by and we don't hear
from him,  the more suspicious it makes it look for him." The crowd of
police all left and  everyone was quiet for a moment. Richard Brockton broke the
silence.
"Michael, I think you handled yourself very well, you were articulate and
kept to the point and made sure they did to. If they come around while you'
re  alone, say nothing but be polite and call me directly and immediately. If
they  want to stay, tell them they will have to wait outside until your
attorney comes  here. If for some ungodly reason they want to arrest you for
who knows what, go  peacefully and call me the first chance you get, or have
someone here call but  call as soon as you can. The quicker I can step in,
the faster I can have you  out of jail. But as I said, I don't see that
happening. I don't think they are  looking at you as a suspect in this matter, so
don't worry about that. And now  folks, I'm going home to relax. One of my
grandsons has a birthday today and if  Pops isn't there, Pops will be what'
s for dinner." Trent was on Michael like a  new suit.
"You surprised me, sir; you really ran the show here today. I was truly
impressed. I think you impressed the Captain as well. Did you see how big that
 sob was?"
"Trent Nicholas!"
"Sorry Mom, kinda of slipped out."
"Come on everybody, sit down here and let's have Joshua feed us and we
have a few hours before everyone shows up. Just don't eat much, keep it light.
I  know Joshua has a feast for tonight, and everyone will be here, the
whole clan  is coming. I've checked so there will be a full house again tonight.
But this  will be strictly family. Michael, I've tried calling Mandy all
weekend, but I  haven't gotten a call back. Have you talked to her?" Michael
hadn't talked to  Mandy in the past few days, possibly even since before the
party. He would try  calling her after they enjoyed themselves a bit. Come
to think of it: she hadn't  even called about her mother either. Well, she
must have figured that the major  would be taking care of all those details.
He remembered then that Mandy had  mentioned something about going away for
the weekend with her boyfriend. He'd  wait until tomorrow to really get in
touch. She'd probably either call or show  up by then.
"Hello there, Michael? Are you with us?"
"I'm sorry, but my mind was roaming about my sister, but then I
remembered she did mention something about going away this weekend with her
boyfriend, at least I think it was this weekend." By now Michael was getting a
little worried about her. And where was his father? He may have hated the man
right now, but he was still his father and he didn't want both of them to
just  drop out of sight, especially right after his mother being killed. Maybe
they  both took off; Mandy went with her boyfriend and maybe his father didn'
t feel  like dealing with anything at the moment or anyone. That was most
likely what  the situation was. Tomorrow he'd hear from her and she would
know where their  father was.
As much as Sarah said that everybody would be there that night, most of
them had already arrived earlier in the day. Some had gone riding, some were
out  by the pool, entertaining little ones. Trent's brothers would surely be
the last  ones to arrive. Stephen, Peter and Roy were always the last ones
to arrive when  it was a command performance. They didn't mind. The three of
them were very  competitive and each involved with one or two sports teams
or coaching young  kids. Susan and Melanie were here with their kids already
and their husbands  Kenneth and Denver took off to get a round of golf.
Danny and Yvonne and Randy  were here. So the house was going to be pretty busy
for the  day.
Trent wanted to get away but knew his mother wasn't going to let that
happen today. She had the day planned from about four and on. Clay wanted to
talk to Michael alone and was nervous as hell about asking him his current
thoughts. Michael was hard to read sometimes and his pride was easily shaken
by  Clay's generosity, although he had made great strides in doing better
since  being here. Getting married to Trent had really pushed a lot of Michael'
s walls  down in accepting things.
His thoughts today had actually started back about two months after
Michael moved in and he had discussed it with Sarah at length and she liked the
idea from the start. But he wasn't so sure that Michael would like it and now
 Clay thought the timing might suck since his mother had just been killed.
But it  had to be done. He had to plant the seed in Michael's head.
"Michael, can I have a few minutes of your time? I'd like to talk to you
about something?" Michael looked at Trent and he just shrugged his
shoulders.
"Just go talk to him, babe. I'm sure he's just worried about you. He has
been since you've been here. You know he loves you, Michael, just like he
loves  the rest of us. He considers you as his own. He's liked my other
friends that  have stayed here, but you are different and you got into his heart
just like you  got into mine. Well, you know what I mean. Don't be nervous.
Just talk to him  and whatever he says: just tell him you'll think about  it."

"You honestly don't know?" Trent picked up Michael's chin and looked him
in the eyes. "No, babe, I don't, but I've known him my whole life. When he'
s  like this I know he's up to something. But I just don't know what. He
was  ecstatic when you finally said yes to the car. He made me promise not to
tell  you, but I will, he cried the night you came home with your car. It
made him so  happy. He feels like you've been let down in your life by people
that shouldn't  have let you down. He's just trying to make you feel like
you belong here,  whether you're my boyfriend or not. Oh hell, Michael, I can
't do this. Just  trust me and listen to Dad. I do know what's going on,
the whole family does,  all the kids know and they have agreed to what he
wants to do. I've already said  too much and if I keep talking I'll be telling
you and he'll be pissed at me for  saying the things I already have. I'm
not going to say anything else, babe, but  know this: my father loves you
very much and feels you have been dealt a raw  deal in life and that your
parents have been fools not seeing what other people  see in you. Promise me that
you will listen and think about what he's going to  say? For me?"
Trent kissed Michael and pushed him towards his father office and gently
patted on the ass as he passed by him. Michael turned and smiled at him and
was  suddenly scared to death as to what Clay was going to say to him. His
mind was  racing at one hundred miles. Michael entered his office and Clay
walked behind  him and closed the door. Michael felt like he was going to
faint. He was shaking  like a leaf.
"Michael Wayne, stop, you are shaking and I can feel it from here. I'm
not going to bite your head off and I'm certainly not going to throw you out
of  this house. Stop your worrying."
"And just how much did big mouth tell you?" Clay and Michael were facing
each other and Michael just laughed for a minute and he finally  relaxed."
"That's better. Now sit down. I do want to talk to you so I won't drag
this all out and keep you guessing, because I'm sure he's said enough to make
 you wonder but hasn't told you what it's about. Am I right? And remember,
 Michael, I know my son better than you do." Michael smiled and nodded his
head.
"He just told me before I walked in to just listen to what you have to  say
and think about it before I say no. And it seems that, whatever it is, all
the rest of the kids know about this and are in agreement about it and
that,  Dad, is all he told me."
"That's one of the things I've come to love about you, Michael. You're
honest and don't pretend about anything. You know what you want and you're
willing to sacrifice to get it. And I've seen you show me time and again
that  I'm right. What else did he tell you?"
Michael looked at Clay and wondered what he had missed and then he
remembered how Trent told him about his father crying about Michael and the car.
He wondered whether he should say anything or not."
"This is going to stay between you and me?"
"Yes, Michael, I promise, it will stay between us, and that's something I
need you to remember: anything you and I ever say to each other when we are
 alone is between you and me, just like all my other children. And I think
Trent  the big mouth will tell you the same thing." Michael laughed about
Trent.
"He told me about you after I brought home the car. That's all he told
me, Clay." And it was enough because Clay knew exactly what Michael meant by
it.
"I'll have to remember to have him thrown in the pool by his bigger
brothers. I'm getting too old to do that but they will throw him in if I tell
them to. That includes you too, you'll get to help him go in and just before
he  goes, in make sure you whisper in his ear what it's for. Just say: Dad
says  you're a big mouth." They both laughed.
"Okay, Michael, now that's all cleared up I'll tell you what I want to
do. Actually, there are two things. I know this is a hard time for you right
now  because of just having lost your mother. But you have gotten to know me,
and you  know I get impatient when I get an idea in my head." Michael just
shook his head  in agreement. "Sarah and I and the rest have all come to an
agreement and want  you to be part of this family. And I know that you will
be by marriage in a few  weeks but we'd like to adopt you on paper, Michael."
 Clay stopped talking to  watch and gauge Michael's reaction. Michael kept
repeating in his head what Clay  was saying to him. And it just kept running
through his head. Unable to think at  the moment, Michael just looked at
Clay.
"It's alright if you don't say anything. I'm glad that you aren't. I know
 this is a lot to digest at the moment. So the next thing I want to say
will  probably go right over your head. But I'm laying it all on the table at
this  point in time. So bear with me, and I'll just finish what I have to
say. You  know that all the kids have trust funds. Sarah and I and all the kids
think you  should have one too and that's regardless if you want to be
adopted by us or  not. The trust fund is partly due to you marrying Trent. It won
't be as big as  the others but that's only because it won't have the time
to mature like theirs  all have. All theirs were set up when they were born
but it will still be  sizeable. That's all there is, Michael. I've said
everything I've wanted to.  Well, except to give it some thought. I know you
won't give me an answer right  now; it's not how you are. Feel free to talk
to any of the kids if you want,  especially Trent. I would hope you would
talk to more of them about this so you  know that it truly has been discussed
by all of them and they won't lie to you  either."
Michael sat in silence and disbelief. Of all the things that ran through
his mind before he walked into this room, none of them came close to this.
And  he could feel the moisture building in his eyes and knew that it wasn't
going to  stop. Clay stood up and went over to Michael to get him to stand
and put his  arms around him.
"It's going to be okay, Michael. I know it's a lot to take in, so just
take some deep breaths. There's nothing you have to say, okay?" Michael just
nodded yes, There was no way he could talk without completely losing
control of  his emotions. Clay just held Michael, and for the first time in his
life Michael  felt like he was at home. Something he never felt while living
with the Major.  Michael's heart gave him the answer. There was no one he
needed to ask or talk  too, it was the feeling of being at home in his heart
that told him what he  needed to do. Now he just had to get the words out of
his mouth. Michael just  held onto Clay and leaned back and looked up at the
man that had given him the  world on a silver platter. And more than that:
he had given Michael love.  Something his own father had ever given to him.
"I know what I want to say I just don't know how with it coming out all
wrong."
"Okay, Michael, let me say this: just say what you want to say and then,
if you don't think something is right, we'll address each issue separately,
how's that sound?"
"Good idea."
"First, I'm blown away by all of this. From the moment I came into this
house, I've been shown nothing but acceptance from everyone." Michael took
some  deep breaths, trying to maintain his composure. He was shaking again
and was  trying so hard not to. Clay got him to sit down and got him some
water.
"Just take your time, Michael, you're doing  fine."
"I'm not so sure of that but if you think  so."
"Oh, hell, I just have to say this and get it out: yes to both." Clay
looked at Michael wide eyed and admittedly  surprised.
"Well, that wasn't what I was expecting from you, Michael. I was
expecting no at first or waiting six or seven months before you made up your  mind.
But this decision so quick, no, I wasn't expecting that. Now you have  blown
me away. Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"There is something I have to mention just in case you want to  reconsider.
If you and Trent ever have problems and decide to separate, I want  you to
know that you will still be welcome here with Sarah and me and the rest  of
the kids. It's something that you and Trent would have to work through, so
that we can remain intact as a family. I know this complicates everything,
but  just as long as you want to, then I'll make it happen. Can I ask you one
more  thing?"
"As long as it's not something more you're offering." Clay and Michael
had to laugh.
"It's not, I promise. But I know how analytical you usually are. What
made you decide so quickly?"
"Because for the first time in my life I feel like I'm at home and I have
since I first started living here. Maybe because I was just accepted
without  question. That did it. I don't know but that's the best way I can
explain  it."
"That's a believable answer Michael." And with that Michael burst into
tears. Clay called Sarah on the intercom to get Trent into his office. About
three seconds went by and Trent came flying through the  door.
"Wow, slow down son. I think someone needs you at the moment. I'll leave
you two alone and I'll tell Sarah, Michael, is that okay?" Michael could
only  nod his answer and with that Clay left the room to find Sarah. He felt
like he  was going to burst. He was so happy and just like Michael he could
feel the  tears running down his face.
Trent just held onto Michael as he sobbed hard. Trent just let him cry.
Michael finally began to slow down and got control of himself. The front of
Trent's shirt was soaked from Michael's tears. He began to wonder if he was
going to be able to make it through the rest of the day, knowing what was
coming  tonight at dinnertime. And with everyone being here - and Michael
knew what this  meant - with telling everyone. He was able to look at Trent and
he immediately  slapped him off the side of his head.
"What the hell was that for?"
"For not telling me what you weren't supposed to tell me." Trent just
looked at him and laughed.
"You think you're so damn funny. Just wait, mister. Now I know something
about you and I'm not telling because Dad told me not to tell you. That
would  ruin it."
"Okay, smartass, you want to play that game, do you?" Trent began to poke
his fingers into Michael's ribs, being merciless in his attacks. They fell
to  the floor and Trent was continuing his assault. Michael began to thrust
his hips  in an attempt to throw Trent off of him, but Trent's weight kept
him from being  successful. Michael finally was able to get his hands into
Trent's armpit. He  wiggled his fingers as hard as he could and Trent stopped
poking Michael. He  tried to get off of him and Michael rolled over on his
side so that Trent fell  over and Michael was now the merciless one. Clay and
Sarah walked in on them.  They both stood silently and Clay wrapped his
arms around Sarah and rested his  head on her shoulder, watching the two,
waiting to see how long it would take  for them to notice them.
"OH, you little shit. Michael, STOP, I'm going to piss myself." Sarah had
enough.
"TRENT NICHOLAS AND MICHAEL WAYNE!" Both of them froze and slowly turned
to see the two of them looking down on them. Both of theirs faces were red
and  sweaty from laughing and wrestling on the floor.
"That's not fair, sneaking up on us like that. How long have you been
standing there and listening?" Sarah grinned at Trent's usual attempt of
worming  his way out of being in trouble.
"Long enough to hear someone swearing."
"Sorry, Mom, but he started it." Trent pointed at  Michael
"You rat, you wait, you just wait until they aren't standing  here."
"That's enough, out of both of you. Now get up off the floor, because I
want a hug from Michael, and as bad as I want one, I'm not getting down on
the  floor. Did you tell Trent or were you two just wrestling around too  much?
"
"Tell me what?"
"No, we hadn't gotten that far, when someone started poking  me in the
ribs, so I had to defend myself. Well, you saw the rest. So he started  it, I
didn't." Sarah just laughed and put her arms around Michael and squeezed
him to death. "Mom, can I breath now?" Sarah loosened up on her hug but didn'
t  let go right away. Clay walked over to Trent and hugged his  son.
"Thanks for not telling him. He told me you broke on his way to door, but
you didn't spill the beans." Trent looked over at Michael with a
questioning  look, wanting to know what had transpired behind closed  doors.
"Would someone please tell me what's going on and what happened? What did
you say, Michael? And don't horse around, just tell me: yes or  no."
"Yes or no." Michael repeated exactly as Trent had requested him too.
Trent let go of his father and lunged towards Michael and he took off down the
hallway, laughing at him. As they entered the living room most members of
the  family were relaxing and talking when the two of them came running out
from the  hallway into the living room. Michael had turned around to look how
close Trent  was behind him and lost his footing and fell to the floor. His
immediate  reaction was to protect himself from being sat on.
"Okay, I need help or he's going to kill me guys." Trent jumped on
Michael and began to jab his fingers into his ribs and stomach. Peter and  Stephen
came to Michael's rescue and pulled Trent off of him. Both of them had
Trent held by the arms. "Okay, guys, he's in the pool, per Dad's order for
opening his big mouth." A chorus of voices rose.
"He did what? Michael was going to have some  fun.
"He didn't tell me the whole reason but he told me part of the  reason."
"That's not true, Michael, and you know it. Tell them the rest of what I
said."
"I don't know what you're talking about." By now Kenneth and Denver had
joined in and Trent was lifted from the floor.
"Come on, guys, I haven't even heard what he told Dad yet. He didn't tell
me what his answer was. Come on, I got to know what's going on and what he
told  Dad." Michael grinned like a Cheshire cat. "To the pool with him" was
Michael's  reply as they were heading out. Sarah yelled from the living
room to be careful.  No one was to get hurt or there would be hell to pay.
Michael  laughed.
"To the pool." By now the group had left the house and was on it' way to
their destination. As they stood by the pool all eyes were on  Michael.
"Dad said to tell you that - and his exact words were - you're a big
mouth. And before you go in: I said yes to both." The boys threw Trent in the
pool and then they turned on Michael and picked him up.
"Wait, no guys, this isn't fair, he went in, I'm not supposed to get
thrown in." The boys looked at Michael and said. "This is from Dad: you're a
big  mouth for telling what Trent told you and said not to tell Dad." And with
that  Michael was thrown in right next to Trent. By now Clay and Sarah were
outside  too and ordered towels for the boys. The two of them made their
way to the  shallow end of the pool and when they could stand above the water
they hugged  each other
"Did you really say yes?"
"Yes, I really said yes to both, so now you know. Are you happy about  this?
"
"Oh hell yes." His grin was from ear to  ear.
"There are some things that we still need to discuss, but now is not the
time. Let's get out of the pool and get dried off. I'm getting hungry and I'
m  sure it will be time to eat soon." Trent pulled Mike by the hand and they
got  out of the pool with helping hands and towels being thrown at them.
Clay came up  behind the boys and draped his arms over both of their
shoulders.
"Okay, listen up for just a minute, because I know some of you were still
in the house when Michael gave some of us the news. I have to be honest and
Michael will tell you I was shell shocked by his acceptance at both of the
things the family talked about. I'll let you know that he made me cry
again!" He pulled Michael into him a little closer and kissed the  top of his
head. "But your limit is up, Michael, that's twice now and I won't be  doing
it again."
There where words of disbelief from his new family. They got a little  loud
and Dad gave everyone a look of love that he had for all his children. He
had really wanted to have a dozen to spoil, but it just wasn't in the cards
for  him and Sarah, but they were happy with each and every one of their
children.  Clay thought that he still had three more under Trent before the
house would be  empty. Who knows what would happen before they all moved out,
and that, he  considered, would be years from now.
"And now I think that these two have an official announcement to make.  The
rumors amongst the brothers and sisters had been whispered all day but no
one was sure. It was Susan, Marie's oldest sister, who was the first to pick
up  on the necklace on Michael's neck when he pulled his shirt off. She
caught sight  of it right away.
"Michael, I have a question to ask you before you say anything. When and
where exactly did the necklace come from? You didn't get it for Christmas or
your birthday. I would have remembered that piece." Melanie looked and
added her  two cents.
"And you didn't have it on at the graduation. That leaves between the
party Friday night and this morning. What's up guys, give it up. We think we
know but we want to hear it from you, Trent." There was a quick chant that
began.
"Give it up, give it up, give it up!"
"Okay, okay" Trent took Michael by the hand. "Would you like to do the
honors or do you want me to? Michael nodded at Trent and Trent moved to stand
behind Michael and wrapped his hands around his waist. Michael rested his
arms  on Trent's.
"Most of you already know. It's not that big of a secret, but thanks for
making it special for us. It means a lot to both of us. We've had many talks
 about a lot of things, mostly about all of you and how you've taken
Michael in.  I know sometimes being gay has been hard on some of you when I first
came out.  However, no one ever made me feel any less important or unloved.
And then this  man stepped into my life and all was right with the world for
the first time in  my life. So with that being said, we escaped to the Four
Seasons Friday night. I  gave Michael the necklace instead of an engagement
ring. Oh, by the way, Dad,  I'm just telling you now: Michael signed for
everything so you can yell at him  for going overboard." Clay smiled and shook
his head. "He'll wear the ring I  have designed on the third or fourth
weekend of August in a ceremony we'll be  having at the house before we go to
school. It will be mostly family and a few  friends. We don't want a large
party. And we're going to start looking for a  house somewhere in between our
schools so that neither one of us has to travel  far to go to school every
day. I think we'll end up somewhere between Boston and  Worcester, just aren'
t sure yet. You can thank your future brother-in-law for  persuading me to
go to school for Construction Management. We're going to build  houses in
the future after we have completed school. That's it. Everyone now  knows, so
it's a formal announcement and thanks to all of you for not spoiling  it
beforehand. We both love all of you." Brothers and sisters rushed forward and
hugged and kissed Michael and Trent. His older sister's and mother were in
tears. He even got through to his tough macho older  brothers.
There was a clanging of bells and everyone grew silent and turned to see
what the noise was. Joshua and Andy told all of them that dinner would be
ready  in about fifteen to twenty minutes and all of them where to be on time.
Joshua  put the bell down and came over to the boys.
"I'll make everything for you two on that day. The cake too, I insist,
and I would be insulted if you dare go anywhere else." Michael and Trent
pulled  Joshua away from every one and Michael was the one that spoke  up.
"Joshua, Trent and I have a special request for you for the wedding and  we
won't take no for an answer. You and Andy work for us every day, you never
get to relax." Joshua started to back up a little. "Come here and listen."
 Michael pulled him back towards them. "We insist that you make our wedding
cake,  we wouldn't dream of someone making that for us. Only you know what
we like. But  that day we want you and Andy to come and relax with us. You
do so much for us,  the both of you, and we would be hurt if you had to work
all day and not get to  enjoy it. Promise you'll do that." Joshua looked at
the both of them and hugged  them both.
"All right. For once I will listen and relax and enjoy the day with you
two. I know Andy will like the idea. I know he won't tell anyone and don't
you  dare say anything to him about this or I'll never make French toast for
you  Michael. And Trent: I'll burn every piece of toast I make for you."
Both of the  boys leaned in closer to hear what he had to say. "He's gay and
is terrified to  say anything. I keep telling him that he has to look at you
two and how the  family treats you. Do you really thing they would care? But
he won't say  anything. But, like I said, NOT one word to him. You'll
never have Foie Gras.  And if two don't stop taking the cans I try to keep
hidden, I'm going to kill  you both. Your father is going to start thinking I'm
eating it too!" They all  laughed. "I've got to get in to make dinner, go
get changed so you are dry for  dinner, hurry up." All three made their way
into the house and the boys made  their way upstairs to dry off and change.
Dinner was amazing. Joshua and Andy had outdone themselves but that  wasn't
a big surprise. They always outdid themselves as far as Michael was
concerned. He thought he wouldn't stop eating but finally the table was cleared
and coffee and drinks were served. It was one thing he had become to enjoy:
having drinks after a special dinner. It was the one time that everyone was
allowed to have a drink, even the youngest were allowed, not the little
kids  though. But if you were at least a teenager you were allowed.
As all sat there and relaxed and drank, Joshua and Andy brought out a  cake
and placed it in front of Trent and Michael. It was beautiful as always.
Joshua loved doing pastries, especially cakes and he was a master in
decorating  them. On top in big letters was written "To the Newest Member of the
Sanders  Family. Welcome Michael Wayne Evans (Sanders).With Love and then
everyone's name  was on the cake below that. Michael immediately welled up and
thankfully Trent  came to his rescue and poked his ribs in the right places
and got him laughing  instead.
Trent's oldest brother Stephen caught what Trent had done and just to  pick
on Michael he started saying speech, come on speech, we want a speech.
Trent gave Stephen a dirty look, but he just stuck his tongue out and repeated
himself. Michael gave in, knowing he probably wouldn't make it all the way
through it. It took a few minutes around the table and everyone was
waiting.
"Thank you all. I mean it. And Stephen, I'd like to say as your future
brother: screw you!" Everyone laughed and I thought Stephen was going to
explode, but he conceded and winked at me for getting even with him. Michael
liked Stephen. He was one of the first of Trent's brothers who had told him
not  to hurt Trent or he would get his ass kicked if he did. He had taken
Michael  shopping for Trent at Christmas time, and it then that he and Michael
bonded as  friends. He was also the first one to shed some light on the
history of the  family and how his mother had two miscarriages after Randy was
born. He had told  Michael that Dad had taken it pretty hard but Mom was
better at accepting it  than Dad was. But eventually he had come around, and
things had gotten better  and the family got really closer after that. He
remembered when Dad first came  to him about adopting Michael, and setting up a
trust fund for him. He had said  he was against it at first but after a few
more months of thinking about it he  talked to Dad again and said it would be
a good idea. He admitted at being a  little over protective of Trent in the
beginning and that was the reason he  didn't agree at first about the
adoption thing. However, he saw how happy Trent  really was with Michael and that'
s what made him change his  mind.
The cake was the best cake Michael had ever eaten. It was a lemon cake
with a really dark chocolate mousse and a layer of strawberry cream with
almonds  on top of that. It was covered with a wonderfully light lemon icing and
wasn't  sugary at all. He told Trent that was the cake he wanted for the
reception and  Trent agreed.
Monday first thing Michael made a call to his sister's phone. There was
still no answer and now he was getting worried. This wasn't like her at all.
Now  he wasn't sure what to do. He had to talk to Trent and see what he
thought,  because the next phone call he thought he might have to make made him
sick to  his stomach.
He sat in his bedroom thinking of what she had said to him exactly when
they had talked on Friday
"Trent, I can't get a hold of my sister and now I'm getting worried. I
haven't heard from her since Friday and I don't know what to think. It's not
like her to go this long. I don't know what to do at this  point."
"Maybe she's just not answering the phone because of your mother. She was
here when it happened."
"I know. I talked to her about half an hour or so before it happened, but
since then I haven't seen her or heard from her and it's not like her to go
this  long since I left home."
"Maybe she took off for the weekend to go to the beach. A lot of kids  went
up to Hampton Beach for the weekend, Michael. Maybe she spent the weekend
getting drunk."
Michael couldn't see his sister getting drunk for the weekend, but it was
graduation time.
"She might have been off with her boyfriend and just having a good time
and is trying to not think of everything that has taken  place."
At least thinking that way made Michael feel better for the time being  and
he figured that at some point today he'd hear from her and everything would
 be fine.
The Major walked around the empty house in silence, thinking about how  his
life had spun out of control since he and Michael had their fight and
Michael walked out, not giving the Major time to think of anything or what to
say. He hated that his son was gay, he blamed himself for it happening.
Perhaps  his way of life had made Michael this way and to some degree he blamed
the  military for having been gone so long at different times as Michael was
growing  up. Perhaps if he had been there none of this would have happened
to him or to  his wife. And now he wasn't hearing from his daughter. What was
it exactly that  he had done so wrong that what was left of his family
hated him so much? For the  first time in his life Frank Larson Evans felt alone
but more than that: he felt  hated. And yet he knew he had done nothing to
deserve this kind of reaction from  his family. He had been a good father
and husband; he had done what he had to do  to provide for his family. It was
his place in life to provide for his  family.
He did provide for them as far as he was concerned; they had had a roof
over their heads since he had married Beatrice and they had lived in houses
since the twins were born, they had never been in an apartment. He had done
everything for the twins. He couldn't help it that the military had made
demands  on him to travel from one location to another; it was his duty to
follow orders.  That's what he had done and they had been ungrateful at times,
not considering  what he had sacrificed to get them what they wanted. His son
hated him. He  didn't hate Michael. He just didn't understand how he could
make the decision to  be gay. How could he embarrass him that way in front
of his peers? And his wife  had supported him. How could she have been
misguided and actually still love the  boy, once he admitted to him out loud what
his sexual orientation was? And for  the first time in his life Frank Evans
wondered how much he had done for them as  much as he had done for himself.
He decided that he hadn't done it for himself,  he had done it for them,
why couldn't things be the way he wanted it as well? In  the end he decided
that they had been the ungrateful ones, considering the  sacrifices that he
had made on their behalf. And the insubordination that his  wife had shown
taking sides with his son was the final straw for him, it was the  straw that
had broken the camel's back. But Frank Evans had his own demons in  his life
and no one knew them well almost no one.
Michael had taken Clay with him to the funeral home, once his mother's
body had been released from the coroner's office. He intended to make sure that
 his father was eliminated from the process of burying his mother. He had
directed the coroner which funeral home to release the body to, and
instructed  them to not disclose where the body had been transferred to. Michael
decided  that cremation was the best thing, considering the damage that had
been done  from the bullet striking her head. Michael's phone rang while they
were with the  funeral director. It was Mandy.
"Mandy, where have you been? I've been trying for days to get in touch
with you?"
"I went to the beach with Brian for a few days. I just had to get away,
Mikey. I'm sorry I didn't call you. I just didn't want to deal with it. I'm
back  and staying at Brian's house. I can't stand the thought of going home
right now.  I just know he had something to do with this Michael. I don't
know why, but I  know he did."
"I won't argue that point right now, but I don't know who did it yet and
neither do the police, I'm letting them do their job for now and see what
they  turn up with for evidence. I know they were looking in the woods across
the  street from the Sanders and have found some  things."
"Did they say what they found, Mikey?"
"No, Mandy, they haven't said anything as to what it was. I'm sure  they'
re not saying anything for a reason."
"You're probably right, Mikey. Guess we'll just have to wait and see what
they say." Michael could hear the disappointment in Mandy's voice and
understood  her frustration just as he felt his own, being kept in the dark as
to what the  police had found.
"I'm sure we'll find out soon enough, Mandy. Listen, I'm at the funeral
home, I've made some decisions and I hope you're okay with them. I am
having mom  cremated because of what happened. Dad doesn't know yet. I got to the
coroner  and with Clay's help I got the body released to me. So if the
Major asks, just  tell him that you haven't been told what I've done at this
point,  okay?"
"I won't say anything, Mikey, just let me know when you and I can have a
service for her and I'll be there with you."
"I think we'll scatter Mom's ashes on a quiet beach somewhere. She always
liked going to the beach when we were kids. I think it would be the best
thing  to do, how about you?"
"It is fine by me, Michael, I'll go with you. When I was at Hampton
Beach, there was a beach just north of there, it's called Rye Beach. It would be
the perfect place to scatter her ashes; we'll make a day of it, just you
and me,  and remember Mom."
"Sounds good, Mandy, I think it would be the best thing we can do. I'll
talk to you later, sis."
"Bye, Mikey." Their conversation ended and Michael felt uneasy still, but
knew that it was probably the situation itself and where he was at the
moment.  He couldn't help but sit down and let the tears start to flow again.
Clay sat  beside him and put his arm around Michael's shoulder and just held
him, trying  to give him some comfort in his moment of grief.
"It's all right, Michael; it's going to be all right. It's just going to
take some time. I lost my mother when I was fifteen. I know how you feel
right  now and I promise you that it will get better. You won't forget her. I
still  think of mine almost every day and with fond memories. Just remember
the good  times that you shared Michael." Michael just sobbed harder as Clay
finished  speaking.
Mandy and Michael carried out their plan of scattering their mother's
ashes at Rye Beach and spent the day together talking about her and remembering
their lives together and some of the things that they had done with her as
children, some of the places she had taken them and how often it had been
to the  beach.
And so the saga continues for Trent and Michael, will they get married
this summer? Who killed Michael and Mandy's mother, more importantly, why?
Kevin  is still looking to get even with Michael and hurt him somehow, was it
him or  the major? Was there anyone else that had enough motive to get rid of
her by  shooting her in the head? That's a drastic step to take when killing
someone.  Was it accidental and could someone else have been the intended
target?

Stay tuned for Chapter Seven....
Michael McKinney