Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2016 03:16:20 -0600
From: Josh Huxtable <spiritofwolves2001@gmail.com>
Subject: My Dad And Me: part 24

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spiritofwolves2001@gmail.com
All people and places in this story are fiction. This is just a story I've
been wanting to write.
Any use or sharing of this work without my consent is prohibited. This is
my original work.

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My Dad And Me: part 24.

The trip home was more relaxed, less anxious. On the trip to Florida to the
cruise, we were all excited to get there. We were looking forward to
getting home, but taking our time to sight see more. We didn't really do
that on the way to the cruise. We did stop at a few places on the way there
and get some photos.

We stopped and got pics of different things. Abandoned old barns, trees of
different colors. It was more enjoyable not being in a rush.

Dad called ahead and told the guys we would be home by the end of tomorrow,
being Wednesday. We left the cruise Monday morning and as I said, we're
taking our time heading back.

We stopped to eat at a few different dining places and one had some great
seafood selections. Crab legs and crawfish, shrimp, and such. We ordered
some crab legs and red potatoes, and had some crawfish also. We ordered
enough to fill us up. A little spicy but it was good.

We hit the road again and drove for another few hours before we stopped to
gas up, and use the bathroom.

We were about 5 hours from home. The chill in the air was welcomed from the
heat. The leaves were turning different colors and we stopped to get some
photos of that too. There was a place we pulled over and took some photos
of each other in front of the trees.

Dad and Randy got a few pics together, holding hands and kissing. And
Jeremy and I did also. Then we hit the road again.

We made it home that evening around 8pm. We unloaded, Jeremy got the
laundry started and dad and Randy made a fast meal of grilled cheese and
tomato soup. We ate, Jeremy got the clothes in the dryer and we showered
and went to bed. We were exhausted.

The next morning, dad and Randy made appearances at a few sites and made
sure everything was on track. Dad got home and made sure he made some calls
and checked on a few bids to see if he won them and he did.

Randy just got home around 11 when dad was making lunch. We came in the
kitchen also and dad asked us if we wanted to stay home one more day before
going back to the restaurant. Jeremy said, "I don't want to. I wanna get
back to work. If Jay wants to, he can." I said, "No, I wanna get back to
work also. Randy, want to go with me early to get stuff set up and ready?"
He smiled and said, "Sure. Babe, Jeremy, do you mind?" Dad said, "Not at
all. We will run by the bank and get the receipts and money bag, then be
there."

So off we went to the restaurant. Randy and I got everything up and going,
and Brendon showed up shortly after. He was surprised to see us today, but
kinda figured we would be there.

Dad and Jeremy came a short time later, having to stop at the bank to get
the money bag and receipts. They had to count and make sure everything was
right. Which we knew it would be, Brendon knew what he was doing.

Brendon seemed troubled today, but didn't say much. When I had a moment
alone with him, he told me it was because Rex was worried about his eldest
son. He was so full of anger and he didn't know why. He wouldn't let Rex
see him either.

I motioned for dad to come by, and dad decided to go up there to see him.
He left and drove there, took him about 40 minutes to get there.

He went in and told the lady who he was there to see.

Rick was taken to the visiting room and Rock was brought out. Rick
introduced himself to Rock and explained what he was there for. Rock
blurted out, "I don't give a shit who you came in place of." Rick glared at
him and said sternly, "Young man, you will not speak to me that way. In
case you forgot, your attitude is the reason you are here. If you want to
screw up the rest of your life, that's fine with me. But your father is a
very dear friend of mine and I will not have you causing him any more
problems. Now you have 2 choices, either straighten up and be free in a
year, come back to your dad's home and be a decent human. Or screw up even
more in here and go down a road that could be your end. There's always
someone else who won't put up with your anger issues. Figure it out and get
over it. It's no one else's fault you are bitter and screwing up, it's
yours."

Rock had never had anyone speak to him that way before, except his dad and
he didn't ever listen nor did he care. He knew what his problem was and he
finally let it out. "NO! It's not my fault my mom died, it's dads fault! He
let her die. He pulled the plug on her, he let her die! I hate him for
that!" Rick finally understood. He used a hand gesture to get Rock to calm
down and he spoke, "No, son. It isn't your dads fault. Your mom was in a
bad wreck and she was declared brain dead. He had no choice. She had no
quality of life. If you would talk to your dad, he could explain all this
to you and your brother. But you have to listen."

Rick got him to listen and agree to see his dad. Rock was crying, he was so
full of anger about what happened. He lashed out at everyone he could.

Rick got back to the restaurant and pulled Rex aside. He explained what
happened and that Rock had agreed to see his dad and listen. Rex was so
stunned, he hadn't expected this to ever happen.

He gave Rick a hug and let his tears fall. He would go see his sons
tomorrow and take them the autopsy report and other information so they
could see exactly what happened to their mom. Maybe that would help ease
their pain, knowing the truth.

The rest of the day went by smoothly. Rex had a new light to him, and he
was praying his boys would listen.
------------------------------------------------------------

The next day, Brendon kissed his man and told him he would be praying his
sons would listen. Rex drove to the detention center where his sons were.
He went in and asked to see his sons together.

Rock came in but still had that look to him. Tom came in but was glad to
see his dad. He sat them down and proceeded to tell them what happened.
"Boys, let me first start off saying, I love you both. I couldn't get you
out of this trouble like I was able to before. It's your choice if you
decide to straighten up or continue down the paths that you have been.
Second, I'm going to explain what happened to your mom and why I had to
take her off life support." Rex looked at his sons, and proceeded to
explain in detail what happened.
"Your mom had went on a green light, but another vehicle ran the red light
and hit your moms car from the passenger side, causing her head to slam
against her car door window and fracturing her scull. Here is the hospital
report," he said as he handed it to them to look at.

He then showed them autopsy report stating cause of death was blunt force
trauma to the head. He explained the doctor told him she was brain dead,
nothing could be done.

"So, now you know the truth. It wasn't my fault, Rock. You can blame me all
you want, but it wasn't my fault she died. Now you both have a choice to
make here. Continue to go through life being bitter and causing problems,
being in trouble all the time. Or let the hate and anger go and realize
your mom is still with you, in your heart. And realize you still have your
father, who does love you. But I will not keep sacrificing my happiness and
trying to help you both when you don't want it. That's why your here. Now I
am going to tell you something else: I am gay and am seeing a wonderful
man, Brendon. When your ready to meet him, I will bring him here. If you
decide not to, that's on you. But you won't cause me to leave him."

He let that sink in. Tom spoke up, "Dad, I do want to meet him. I'm not
going to push you away. I miss you and I'm sorry for all that happened,
what I done." Rex smiled at his youngest son and stood up to hug him.

Rock was still taking it all in, when he said, "Do you forgive me, dad? For
all I've done, do you forgive me? You don't hate me?"
Rex went to his eldest and stood him up, looked in his eyes and said, "I
would never hate you, Rock. I do forgive you and I would never hate you. My
love for you both, never stopped. I just had to let go this time, because
there wasn't anything I could do. A father never stops loving his child."

With that, Rock broke down cried, hugging his dad as tight as he could. Tom
was crying also. Rex held his sons and was thankful they were finally
letting the anger go.

They sat and talked more and Rex said he would try to petition to get them
out sooner this time, but they had to behave if that was going to get them
a chance.

Rex left a short time later, and called his lawyer who said they could try,
but he wasn't sure it would work. His lawyer told him it could take a week
to hear anything, so don't freak out of he didn't get a response right away.

Rex called Rick to tell him of the development and what his lawyer said,
and Rick assured him he would help cover any costs to get the boys out of
there, if it were possible to do so, this soon. Rex was relieved.

Rex went on to work, and Brendon was at the restaurant getting ready to
open in a half hour. Brendon felt his phone vibrate and saw that it was Rex
calling. "Hey babe, how was the visit?," he asked. Rex explained everything
that happened, told him about hopefully getting his sons out sooner.
Brendon was thrilled they made amends, but was nervous at the thought of
them coming home. He knew he would meet them eventually, but was still
nervous. He told Rex about that and Rex assured him his sons would like him.

They hung up a few minutes later, and both got to work, each in their own
thoughts. Brendon knew Rex loved him and he loved Rex just as much. He
hoped that they would still be as close when his boys came home. He would
discuss this with Rex later, his fears and all, when they had more time.
Right now, he needed to be strong for his man. And Rex was praying nothing
would push Brendon away. He loved him so much. He would talk to Brendon
later that evening, to make sure he understood how much he was loved and
wanted as well as needed.

The next week would be hard to get through, waiting to find out of his sons
would be released. He prayed so, but he also knew it was a long shot. They
had been locked up for a little over a year now and even though they hadn't
really been bad, he wasn't sure if that would count. Time would tell. Rex
was anxious.

Be watching for chapter 25!