Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:10:56 +0000
From: David Lee <dlee169@hotmail.com>
Subject: Tommy and Tanner, Chapter 4

Tommy and Tanner, Chapter 4

Warning:

This story contains scenes of love and sexual interaction between males of
similar age.  If the reading or possessing this material is illegal in your
country, state, province, county, municipality, etc., please leave this
site immediately and do not proceed further.  If you are under the legal
age to read this, please do not do so.  It is not my intention to offend
anyone or to get you in trouble.

The author retains the copyright, and any other rights, to this original
story.  You may not publish it or any part of it without explicit
authorization from me.

This is not my first attempt at writing fiction.  My longer stories on
Nifty include: "Always and Forever" (March 25, 2004), "Jacob and Jacques"
(May 30, 2004), "Zeke" (August 29, 2005), "Tales from Bentonville"
(November 16, 2008), and "Second Chance" (September 24, 2010) under "High
School" and "Someone to Watch over Me" under "Beginnings" in the gay male
section.  There are a few short stories also: "Brad and Alan's Canoe Trip"
(April 22, 2004 under "Camping", "Of Angels and Dragons" (November 8, 2008)
under "Camping", "A Christmas Tale" (December 22, 2009) under "High
School", "Brazil Affair" (October 1, 2010) under "Beginnings" and "Seth's
Gift" (October 10, 2010) under the Science Fiction/Fantasy category.

I am now listed on Nifty under the category of "Prolific Net Authors" which
will make it easier for you to access earlier stories.  Some of these
stories are also posted at: www.storylover.us along with those of other
writers that may interest you.

My only reward for contributing to Nifty is your emails.  Please write if
you like the story.  Please include the name of the story in the title of
your email because my email service sometimes puts them in the "spam" file.

Finally, thanks and hugs to Tom and David (boxerdude) who edit for me so
that there are fewer mistakes!  They not only proof-read, but make other
valuable suggestions.

David (dlee169@hotmail.com)

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Tommy and Tanner 4



Almost as soon as Thanksgiving was over, it was time to celebrate Advent at
First Presbyterian.  The family went on the first Sunday night of the
season to make a wreath so they could observe the season at home by
lighting the appropriate candle each week.  Tanner wasn't used to this
particular tradition, but found that he liked it.  He even participated in
reading the scripture for the simple ceremony.  Worshiping with his family
was a comfort to Tanner.

In early December, Tanner's comfortable world was rocked by having old
wounds reopened.  Tark was approached by the attorney who was handling the
estate of George Sessions.  The lawyer had advised George's heirs to offer
a settlement to Tanner as compensation for the wrongful death of his father
in order to facilitate the settling of the estate.

Tark, as his adoptive father, would have to sign an agreement that Tanner
would make no further claims against the estate.  Tark hated to even bring
up the subject with Tanner, knowing how it might affect his emotions.
However, there was Tanner's financial future to think about.  Ralph Leads
had had the potential of earning much more than the $30,000 that was being
offered as a lump sum.  Of course, if it were invested wisely, it could
grow into a small nest egg for the boy.  The cost of hiring legal counsel
to pursue a larger settlement had to be considered too.

When Tark broached the subject, Tanner told him that he wanted Tommy to be
present in the discussion.  Tark agreed that it would be fine as long as
the boys didn't talk about it in the presence of their friends.

"I'm not gonna say anything to remind anyone of how my father died," Tanner
said, shaking his head.  "It seems almost wrong that I would get money from
my father's death.  Is it okay to take it?"

"It's more than okay," Tark insisted.

"But he was cheating with another man's wife..."

"Regardless of the events, Mr. Sessions had no right to take his life.  By
doing so, he left you without parents and with no means of support.  His
estate owes you."

"That sounds like an awful lot of money."

"It's nowhere near what your father would have earned per year after paying
taxes and social security.  He might have worked another 25 or 30 years.
His salary was at least 50,000 per year when he died.  That would add up to
well over a million at the current pay scale and you know he'd get many
raises over those years!

Besides, your father's death has forced you to sell the house for far less
than it will be worth when the market picks up again.  Your dad and you
would have lived there while the value went up again.  His untimely death
prevented that too.

George Sessions' estate has to be worth two or three million.  With your
permission, I'd like to ask for $750,000.  I'll consult a lawyer who
charges by the hour instead of making his fees a percentage of the
settlement.  You'll likely have to settle for less if we don't take it to
court.  If you do sue, you might end up with less, especially after paying
the legal fees."

"Okay, I trust you to do what's best.  If I get a bunch of money, I'll
share it with the family."

"Whatever you get, I'd like to put it in a trust fund for your future."

"That's not fair!  I have to share it with you."

"This should be your inheritance and that's what I want it to be.  It's
admirable that you want to share and I appreciate that.  We'll talk more
about that when you get a settlement.  So, do I have your permission to
take this on?" Tark said as he arose.

"Of course, Dad, I trust you to do what's right."

Tark had a lump in his throat as he embraced Tanner.  Tommy stood up to get
in on the hug.

----------

The time between holidays seemed to fly by.  Before anyone was completely
prepared, Christmas was nearly upon them.  Teri was particularly stressed
because Tark's parents were coming.  Cynthia Worthington Torrance did not
condescend to cook.  That was what domestic help was for.  She had better
things to do with her time, like host charity balls and serve on the
symphony board in addition to attending a variety of club meetings and
other civic affairs.

Teri felt inadequate for the task of entertaining her mother-in-law, but
Tark reassured her by saying that her home-cooked meals were the finest in
the Midwest.  He helped her with the baking and enlisted the boys' aid in
cleaning the house.  Working mothers had more than their share of work to
do.

Accommodating guests comfortably in their small house was challenging.  It
was decided that Tim would sleep on the trundle bed in his little brother's
room and give up his queen sized bed for his grandparents.  He didn't mind
sharing with Tuck for a short period of time, but wasn't looking forward to
a long visit from his father's parents.

Tuck was excited about having Tim room with him.  He idolized everything
about his big brother from his developing muscles to the sparse hair on his
chest.  Tim was what Tuck hoped to be in another few years – a stud.

James Tarkington Torrance, II was a pleasant, easy-going man despite his
pretentious name.  He had not wanted to pass it along to his only son, but
had been talked into it by his wife.  Cynthia was much more impressed with
position and money than he was.  James was from old money, so it didn't
mean that much to him.  Cynthia, for all of her love of status, had grown
up in a family with parents who had to struggle to make ends meet.  She had
recognized James as a man who could transform her life into what it should
be – what it was predestined to be.  He was her prince on a white steed.

The arrival of this set of grandparents on Christmas Eve day was in stark
contrast with that of Teri's parents at Thanksgiving.  Cynthia greeted each
boy with a rather reserved handshake that made him feel unworthy of
touching her royal personage.  Tanner was last to receive her perfunctory
salutation. It made his heart feel iced over.

When the elder Torrance's were shown to Tim's room, Cynthia made a kind of
sniffing sound which left no one in doubt about her critique of the
accommodations.  She didn't say it was beneath her to sleep in the
basement, but her body language spoke volumes.

It was Tark and Teri's tradition to go to the Christmas Eve service at
11:00 p.m.  The boys all got dressed in slacks and sweaters and had their
hair appropriately styled for the event.  Cynthia pled fatigue from their
tiring flight (of two hours) and said she and James would not be attending.

The service was a beautiful mix of lessons and carols leaving the
congregation with feelings of peace and hope.  Teri appreciated having a
quiet, spiritual time away from her mother-in-law.  And, if truth be told,
so did the rest of the family.  As they rode home, each was thinking of
some excuse to be out of the house for at least a part of the time their
company was there.

------------

Christmas day dawned bright, cold, and crisp like a Norman Rockwell
painting.  A fresh layer of snow had fallen sometime after midnight,
covering the browns and tans of dead grass and giving the landscape an
unspoiled appearance.  The boys were eager to take the toboggan out to the
hill at the middle school, but would have to wait until much later in the
day.

Teri laid out a bountiful breakfast because Christmas dinner wouldn't be
served until 1:30 and she knew her ravenous brood well.  There was an egg
casserole, a fresh-baked breakfast ring, and a choice of cereals plus
juice, and coffee.  Most everyone dug in enjoying the meal and expressing
their love of the food.  Tark's mother asked for a dish of plain yogurt and
a cup of tea.  Teri jumped up to fulfill the request as if it were a royal
command.

After breakfast, everyone gathered in the basement family room.  Tark had
built a fire in the wood-burning stove.  The glass panels in the doors
allowed a nearly unobstructed view of dancing flames which lent a cozy air
to the room.

As the presents were passed out, it became evident that the boys were not
all treated equally by this set of grandparents.  Each got a sweater and
socks, but there was one larger gift with the names of Timothy, Terrence,
and Tucker on it.  Inside was the latest version of Play Station with
several games, including Snake Ball and Toy Home.

"Mother, I think you forgot to put Tanner's name on the tag," Tark said
evenly.

"Oh, dear, I guess I must have purchased it before I knew you had taken in
that boy."

"He's my son, now, Mother; not `that boy'." Tark reminded her quietly, but
firmly.

"Yes, well..."

In the interest of peace on earth, Tark let the matter drop for the moment,
but he was not at all pleased with his mother's attitude.  He knew this
model of the popular video game wasn't even on the market until months
after the adoption had gone through.

----------

Although the atmosphere was somewhat strained, dinner was a grand success.
Even Cynthia didn't find anything wrong with the food.  As she was sampling
her second helping of cranberry relish, she did manage to say that her cook
made the best she had ever tasted.

"I'd be interested in having her recipe," Teri graciously responded.

"Oh, she never gives those out," Cynthia assured her.  "It is her way of
making a living after all."

Tuck missed the undercurrent, but the older boys did not.  They could
hardly wait to be excused from the table to get away from their grandmother
and play with their new video games.  Their request was soon granted
because everyone felt too stuffed to eat dessert until later.

Tark helped his wife clear the table and put away the food.  James pitched
in too.  Cynthia needed to rest.  After things were taken care of, Teri
retreated for a nap as well.  She had the beginnings of a headache.

Tark and his father sat in front of the TV watching football. James fell
asleep in the recliner before half-time.

Around 3:30, the boys donned their winter gear and pulled the toboggan the
few blocks to the schoolyard hill.  They wouldn't have much time because
the sun would set early.  However, they were eager for a few runs in the
new snow.  Several of their classmates had the same idea.  They played
until it got dark enough for the streetlights to come on.

----------

The next morning, Cynthia said she wanted to take some family photos.  She
set her new state-of-the-art digital camera up on a tripod in the living
room.  She arranged people by generations and asked Tanner to take the
shots.

"Let's use the self-timer so ALL of the boys can be in the picture," Tark
suggested.

"I'm not sure how to do it.  Besides, I want some pictures of just my
family."

"It's okay, Mr.  Torrance," Tanner spoke up.  "I can take the pictures."

"I know you can, SON.  That's not the point.  Mother and I are going to the
kitchen to get this straightened out."

Once they were supposedly out of hearing range of the others, Cynthia
started in.

"I don't know why you have to push that boy off on me.  He is not my
grandson!"

"He is my son.  Our whole family chose to welcome him as our own.  You need
to get used to it and welcome him too."

"I don't care what YOU say.  Blood is thicker than water, after all."

"And love is thicker than blood, Mother."

"You have been a disappointment ever since you went to college.  You chose
to go into a dead-end job and married beneath your station.  Now you're
trying to force an outsider on me.  I don't like the way you're treating
me!  I am your mother and as such, I deserve respect!"

"Respect is a two-way street." Tark said without raising his voice.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You have been disrespectful of my wife, my boys, and my career.  If you
want to be treated well, you must treat others well in return."

The rest of the family couldn't hear Tark's responses completely, but they
could hear a great deal of what Cynthia was saying.  Her words cut Tanner
and Teri to the quick.  Tommy put his arm around Tanner's shoulder and
James squeezed his daughter-in-law's hand.

The conversation in the kitchen continued.

"I really wish our flight were leaving today instead of tomorrow.  I'm
going to be absolutely ill from the hostility I feel in this house!" Tark's
mother continued.

"I'm afraid it's mostly of your making, Mother.  But I have a solution."

Tark opened the phonebook and looked up the number for the local Motel 6.
He had begun to dial when Cynthia pushed the hang-up button.

"If you're throwing us out, I'm not staying in cheap accommodations.  I'll
make my own reservations, thank you very much."

When Tark and his mother returned to the living room a few minutes later,
Cynthia announced that she was packing and James had better do the same so
they wouldn't have to keep the cab waiting when it arrived.

Tark's father started to follow his wife, but turned around and mouthed
"I'm sorry!" to the rest of the family.

"Don't you think you should do something to keep her from leaving?" Teri
asked her husband.

"Hell no!  I handed her the phone.  If she's disrespectful to my family,
she's being disrespectful to me as well.  I take it personally."

Having said that, he hugged his wife first and then he hugged Tanner.

As they were coming up the stairs from Tim's room, the elder Torrance's
seemed to be arguing.

"I want you to schedule an appointment next week with your attorney and
change your will!"  Cynthia insisted.

"Oh, I plan to," James responded.  "I had forgotten that I have one more
grandson to include in it!

Tark, my son, I'm sorry about all of this.  Your mother and I are going to
have a long talk.  In the mean time, here's a check for $1,000 I want you
to have for..."

"Dad, I don't want your money," Tark cut him off.

"You have to take it.  It's not for you.  Give $250 to EACH of my grandsons
to spend any way he sees fit."

"Okay, thanks.  I'll accept it for them."

After his parents had left, Tark grinned.

"Well, after all of these years it looks like Dad's finally grown a pair!"

"James Tarkington Torrance III, please watch how you talk around the boys!"

"Hey, it isn't like they don't each have a pair of their own," he
snickered.

The older boys were trying not to break into giggles.  Tuck looked
perplexed for a moment and then grinned as the penny dropped.  It was as if
a veil had been lifted in that split second.  From then on, he would
understand many things that had gone over his head in the past.  He was
growing up.

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Author's notes: As always, I've been pleased to hear from many of you since
last posting.  The list includes: Robert N (STWOM), Bob (Z), Don R, (Zeke),
Rutabaga, Jim C, JT, Trish, Bill T, Jim W, Walt S, Bill K, Mark H, Tom A,
Wayne, Don R (Second Chance), Paul F, Carroll, and Danny A.

There are many scary things in this world lately.  Please keep the people
of Christchurch, NZ in your thoughts and/or prayers.  Also, remember the
people who are in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and other places of strife.  Lets
hope it all comes out for the best.

On the US front, at least the current administration isn't going to defend
the DOMA.  That's a tiny step, but in the right direction.  Hawaii is also
making civil unions of same-sex couples legal.  That too is a step.

David

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