Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001 11:01:21 -0800 (PST)
From: eagle 42 <eagle42scecp@yahoo.com>
Subject: Tanner & Robert, Chapter 4

Disclaimer:
This story is a fantasy of my own creation. The
characters are not real; they were born of my
imagination. If a consensual relationship between two
of-age males bothers you, then do not read further. If
you are under the legal age in your area, stop reading
now.

Any similarities between a character and a real
person, living or dead, are purely coincidental.  Any
actions the reader takes as a result of reading this
story are not the responsibility of the author.  You
may not reproduce, post, or distribute this story in
any way without the author's expressed written
permission.  You may print out one copy or save one
copy of this story for your own viewing and
entertainment.  By reading further, you implicitly are
agreeing to the above guidelines.

Many thanks go to Hal and Jason for volunteering their
time and expertise to edit this story.

Comments from readers are encouraged. I appreciate
your constructive criticism and comments. Enjoy --

Tanner and Robert Chapter Four

Deja vous (Robert)

I nervously began, "Mom, Dad, I met someone today that
I want you to meet. Believe me, you're going to find
him interesting, to say the least!"

I proceeded to the foyer door and opened it. Tanner
walked in and approached the sofa where my parents
were sitting. He extended his hand to shake with dad.

"Hello, my name's David Kingston, sir, but most people
call me Tanner. I think you knew my mother back in
college.  Her name was Nan, Nan McGarity.

Chapter Four

Robert
My dad arose slowly from the sofa and offered his hand
unconsciously in response to Tanner's outstretched
palm. Try as he may, Dad's words couldn't, or
wouldn't, find expression for a few moments. For the
first time I can remember, he truly was at a loss for
the right words. However, I could tell from the
astonished look on his face that he was instantly
aware of the similarities in appearance between Tanner
and me and what that implied.

Dad stammered, "I didn't know. I just didn't know!
Your mother never told me." He then pulled Tanner to
him, and they locked in a warm embrace -- father and
son for the first time.

After a few moments and with tears freely flowing,
they released each other. And, in a loving gesture of
a parent for a child, my dad reached up and wiped a
tear from Tanner's cheek. They both smiled awkwardly
at each other, momentarily unaware of others in the
room, but totally caught up in this poignant moment
that they would often recall with great emotion and
love.

Dad turned to my mom but again was at a loss for
words. She stood up, squeezed my dad's hand, and then
walked over to Tanner and hugged him tightly for a
moment. Then she stepped back and said warmly,
"Welcome to our home, Tanner. I'm not sure what I
should be saying right at this moment -- it's awkward
for all of us -- but you're truly welcome here."

"Thank you, Mrs. Worthington, or should I say Justice
Worthington?" Tanner responded.

"A little premature for that maybe, but call me
Dorothy," Mom insisted. "However, thank you for the
thought."

I broke in, "Dad, mom -- Kirk and I were getting ready
to run the errands you asked us to do when Tanner
showed up at the front door. I almost lost it when I
opened the door and saw my 'twin' standing there."

"Almost lost it? I had to help you off the floor, if I
remember correctly," Tanner quipped with impish smile
on his face.

"He's right, if the truth be told," I continued
excitedly. "Tanner accompanied us on our errands and
told us about why he's here and everything."

Mom turned to me and Kirk and asked us to help get
some snacks together in the kitchen. We took the hint
and left dad and Tanner so that the two of them might
have some time together.

Tanner

"I don't know what to call you, sir -- Dr.
Worthington, father, dad -- this is really awkward," I
stammered.

"Whatever you feel comfortable with, even Robert;
however, that might confuse things with my first-
born." (pause) "Damn, you are my first born!" He
smiled.  "Please, sit down", Dr. Worthington
responded.

He continued, "How is your mom, and what brings you to
our doorstep now? Uh, that last part didn't come out
right. I wasn't implying that you aren't welcome --
sorry! You know what I mean."

"This isn't easy for either of us; I understand," I
said, coming to his rescue. I paused, took a deep
breath, looked him straight in the eyes and continued,
"Sir, my mom and dad were killed in an auto accident
about six months ago."

"My God! I'm so sorry, Tanner," my dad whispered and
reached out, grasped my right hand and pulled me into
a hug. "I'm...I'm so sorry."

"My mother's last wish was that I find you and ...
and..." I sobbed and then lost it. For what seemed an
eternity I cried in my dad's arms between gasps of breath.
He just held me silently, allowing me to let
it all out. I hadn't bawled like that since the
funeral.

Finally, I regained my composure, broke from the
embrace and looked at my dad's face. His expression
was full of love and concern. This time I reached out
and wiped a tear from his cheek.

"Tanner, Dorothy and I have kept very few secrets from
each other. The college romance between your mother
and me was one of those things I shared when we were
dating -- back in the dark ages," my dad said. "Of
course, I never knew your mom was pregnant. We had
gone our separate ways by then. I heard from friends
she had suddenly moved back to her home in California.
I just assumed she wanted to put some distance between
us. That's why I never tried to contract her after she
left. Hoever, I must confess there's always been a special
place in my heart for her, my first true love -- and
now this." Tears appeared in his eyes again.

"That's what mom told me. She said that she didn't
want you to feel trapped, that you would feel like you
had the obligation to marry her. She didn't want that.
I'm glad you told me that Mrs. Worthington, uh,
Dorothy knows. This makes it a little less stressful
for me. I had no idea how she would react upon
learning of my existence, let alone your relationship
with my mom."

Our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of
snacks and drinks. Kirk and Robert were already
stuffing their faces, much to the chagrin of Dorothy.

"You two could have waited at least 'till we were in
here. After all, we have company," she commented, yet
radiating a warm smile.

"Mom, Kirk and I are growing boys and, pointing to me
.. and ... he's JUST my brother!" Robert responded.
The moment lightened.

Robert continued, "Hey, a disturbing thought just
occurred to me -- I'm not an only child anymore! Boy,
this is going to do wonders for my self-image. I've
instantly become the younger brother."

Kirk piped in, "You've always acted like the bratty
second child anyway. Now you actually are. Remember
when you used to talk about having a brother or
sister? Well, bro, like I've always said, 'Be careful
what you wish for -- cause it just might come true.'"

We all looked at the expression on Robert's face and
chuckled loudly -- at his expense, I might add.
Thinking to myself, "I like this boy, my 'little'
brother, and cute too."


Dr. Worthington
I could tell from the look on Dorothy's face that she
was really anxious to hear Tanner's story. I decided
now was the time.

"Tanner is here because of a recent tragedy in his
family, Dorothy. He'd just begun to tell me. Let's all
sit down and let him start over."

>From the beginning through today, Tanner related his
story -- from my love affair with his mom, her getting
pregnant and moving back to California, her meeting
Dr. Kingston and their marriage, his brother Kyle, his
mom's cancer and finally the auto accident. It was
obvious that Tanner was still hurting from the blows
life had dealt him and his family in the past year.
There were moments of deadly silence as he paused
several times, collecting his thoughts during his
relating the events of the past 12 months.

"My life went from one of being a carefree teenage
college student living 'on top of the mountain', so to
speak, to spending some dark times in the valleys this
year," Tanner related with a shaky voice. "Knowing
that you were out there somewhere provided a beacon of
hope in some of my darkest moments, sir. I just prayed
that you would be willing to establish a relationship
with your hithertofore unknown son."

When Tanner finished the sad saga, my wife went to
him, embraced him in a warm hug, kissed him on the
cheek and said, "Tanner, you're among family now.
We'll be here to help you when you're in the valleys
and celebrate when life takes you to those mountain
tops."

Tanner returned the hug, knowing that he was a part of
this family now. His strained face relaxed for the
first time since he entered our home, and, for the
first time in a long while, I think he knew he was
nearing a mountain top again. Soon one big family hug
fest commenced with Kirk even joining us. Tears of joy
freely flowed in our home as we celebrated this new
member of the family -- like rejoicing in the birth of
a child. This was our new child!

Tanner
"I need to call my uncle Jason and my brother. I'm
sure they're near a phone just waiting to hear how
this family encounter is proceeding. Please excuse me
for a moment."

I reaching into my day-bag, retrieved my cell phone,
punched in the numbers and waited for someone to
answer.

"Hello. Uncle Jason? Yea, this is Tanner. What?
Everything is great! You're gonna love them -- even my
bratty little brother" I grinned at Robert who was
standing behind the sofa where his parents were
sitting. He made an obscene gesture to me, knowing his
parents would not see it.

"What? Say that again! Is he ok? When did it happen?
Alright! Let me call you back after I've talked with
them. Thank you. I love you too. Bye.

Robert
Tanner turned to us, pale and visibly shaken.

He moaned, "Earlier this morning my brother suffered a
severe head injury while riding his dirt bike. He's in
intensive care. I need to get back home ASAP."