Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2002 12:25:37 GMT
From: patcross@kskc.net
Subject: Pat and John  Chapter 5

    After a short, but pleasant, nap together, Pat and John were still hugging
each other. Dr. Mike entered the room, smiled, and whispered, "Get up. It's
time to begin John's therapy." Pat didn't want to leave, but John put his foot
down, and made him go home and rest.

    Over the next several weeks, Pat adjusted to having a family again. It felt
odd, at times, but very good, and he was very thankful. Then, came a shock he
hadn't expected. It occurred during a "In-Service Day" for teachers at his
school. Pat and his Dad were enjoying a glass of orange juice when the phone
rang. It was the Real Estate agent who was trying to sell Pat's house. He
urgently begged them to come over. "Pat, we're needed at your house. Let's go,"
Mr. Stevens said simply, as he grabbed his keys.

    When they got there, they saw the Agent arguing with two people. Walking up
to them, Mr. Stevens asked, "Excuse me, but may I ask what is going on?" The
Agent sighed, saying, "I was cleaning the house and placing our agency's up
when these two people drove up, asking for the Christianson's". Mr. Stevens
mulled that over for a moment, and asked them, "Forgive me for asking in a
direct manner, but who might you be, and what relationship did you have with
the Christianson's?"

   The female looked at Mr. Stevens, and said, "not that it's any of your
business, but Mrs. Christianson is my younger sister. Where is she?" Mr.
Stevens did not like what he had to do, but it had to be done. "Ma'am, your
sister and her husband were killed in a auto accident last year. I'm sorry." To
his shock and utter disgust, she said, "they were gutter trash, anyway. What of
the boy, and their property? That's what we've come to discuss." Mr. Stevens,
now getting a more accurate view of the person standing in front of him, coldly
said, "It's all in the Will, downtown."

   They met at Pat's attorney's office, and right away, the meeting turned
bad."What do you mean I don't get custody of my nephew or control over his
assets?", Pat's aunt screamed. "I ought to get at least something!" The
attorney just glanced at her, and said, "their Will clearly states that they
didn't want you to have ANYTHING to do with the raising of their son. Other
documentation says something about religious beliefs that they did not agree
with. Additionally, before they died, they filed an injunction, so that you
couldn't adopt their son or seize any assets. In other words, Madame, if you,
or your husband, get within 100 feet of this boy and his family, you WILL be
arrested. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?" Nodding quickly and silently, she left his
office.

   Needless to say, it wasn't a great surprise to have a Court Summons
delivered to Pat and the Stevens, contesting custody. And, yet again, a
normally calm boy worried. "They think my disability is a punishment from God,
Dad. Can you imagine what do when they learn I'm gay?", Pat said, his eyes wide
with fear. "Don't worry, Pat. They're only two people who hate. They don't want
you for YOU, they want your property."

   The day came for court, and even John was there. Pat's attorney rose to
address the Judge. "Your Honor, this case is simple. My client is a young man
who, tragically, lost his parents last year in a car crash. Through their
foresight, however, they asked their neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. John Stevens, to
assume guardianship of their son, if ever something were to occur.
Unfortunately, it did, and Pat was left alone. Just recently, the Stevens were
able to finally adopt Pat as their son. And, then six months later, comes this
boy's Aunt, wanting custody of him and his property, AFTER insulting his
parents in his presence. I ask you, let this boy stay with his adopted family.
After all, he HAS known them all his life, Sir."

   The opposing attorney got up and made his pitch. "Your Honor, all my client
wants to do is intelligently invest her nephew's assets before he spends them
on some teenage whim, as they all do. Additionally, there's the issue of his
being gay. I mean, no real parent would let their son be gay, would they? She
wants to properly re-educate him, and feels that she and her husband are best
suited to do it." The Judge looked at the attornies, and their clients and
said, "In the conference room, NOW!"

   After they sat down, the Judge looked at the opposing attorney, saying,"Off
the record, Counselour, your argument was so full of crap, it stank! I've never
seen such a sloppy job." His icy gaze then fell on Pat's Aunt. "My God, don't
you have any decency? Your sister's not even dead a year, and you want custody,
not for the boy's sake, but for wealth. You make me sick! YouR petition for
custody is most enthusiastically denied. CASE DISMISSED!"

   This time, they really had something to celebrate. They decided on ice
cream, and the filled themselves 'til they couldn't eat any more. As they put
John to bed, Pat kissed him passionately before they left, showing John how
much he loved him.