Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2008 20:55:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: E Walk <cane_lane_candy@yahoo.com>
Subject: The Mark and The Mole Chapter 10

The Mark and The Mole
By E Walk
(Copyrighted by the author)
Edited by Radio Rancher

Chapter 10 - A New Beginning

Kevin started to drive and they had only gone a short distance when Dad saw
a big truck stop.  "I'm sure that everyone is hungry by now, and the food
at this stop is really quite good.  We'll grab a quick bite here, so Chad
can't complain too much about being away from his sons.  We also need to
get some gas.  Let's get the gas first and then go into the restaurant."

Chad and Dad got out of the van and after Dad had inserted his credit card,
Chad filled the tank.  His eyes nearly bulged at the total cost of gasoline
that it took to fill the tank.  He looked at Dad, "Granddad, we are going
to need to learn to economize.  We can't be running back and forth between
Des Moines and Iowa City every day."

Dad got a twinkle in his eye, "Dear Chad, you just let me worry about that.
You worry about making my grandsons the best people they possibly can be.
Kevin, pull the van over there to the empty space in front of the
restaurant and we can get some lunch."

The four gentlemen were shown to a booth and as they were eating, a
gentleman approached, "Chad and Timothy, I haven't seen you for quite some
time."

Both guys were surprised and stopped what they were doing.  Chad finally
spoke, "Father Lawler, I haven't been to church since I went to the camp
early this year.  I was involved with a young woman and now have two
beautiful sons. My wife died of a tumor after the delivery, and we have
been thrown out by Jody's parents as well as my own.  I was blessed on
Christmas Eve when a star guided me to Grandmother Walker's house, and now,
I have two Dads, one Grandmother, a Granddad and some wonderful friends."

Tim spoke up, "Father Lawler, I am gay, and my father found me in bed with
a friend, and my parents went ballistic.  They made plans for me to be sent
to a center where they promised to drive the demons that caused me to be
gay away.  I escaped before they could pack me off, and here I am."

Before Father Lawler could say anything, Chad started, "Father, I am afraid
for what will happen to our younger brothers and sisters.  Tim said it was
like they have been under house arrest since I was kicked out."

Father Lawler was looking a little peaked, "Chad and Tim, I will visit with
Father Leahy. I don't know how much we can do, but please believe me, I
will try my best.  Guys, would you please give me a phone number where you
could be reached if I need to visit with you?"

Dad nodded yes, and Kevin gave Father Lawler the number.  Father Lawler
looked like a light went on.  "Mr. Walker, you are on the Iowa City, City
Council aren't you?"

Dad started to laugh, "Father, yes I am, but I may have to resign, so I can
move to Des Moines to help take care of my two great grandsons.  I will be
living with my son, Douglas and his partner Michael who are now Chad's
guardians.  Hopefully, we can make the same arrangements for Tim.  Don't
worry Father; my mother will be living with us to make sure that nothing
strange happens."

Father Lawler began to chuckle, "Sounds to me like you have everything
under control, Mr. Walker as far as these two young men are concerned.
I'll go see what I can do about their five siblings.  But I have a question
who the guys' father is going to be?"

Kevin started to smirk, "Father, I think the operative words would be who
are their fathers going to be.  They will be living with Uncle Doug Walker
and my uncle, Doctor Mike Long."

Father Lawler started to laugh, "Why wouldn't I have guessed.  Kevin, I
grew up in Ames, and your uncle and I were the very best of friends until
we went to college.  I will guarantee you that I will do the best I can for
your family, Chad and Tim.  I just hope you have a large enough house that
can handle five more children in addition to Chad's two young sons."

Dad sparked, "Father Lawler, we will do whatever it takes if it would come
to that.  The children may be sleeping in a room with me and Mother, but we
will make it work somehow, I promise you."

"Father, if you will excuse us, we need to mosey on down the road toward
Des Moines."  Dad stood and shook Father Lawler's hand as did the three
younger guys.

Father Lawler looked at the guys, "Tell Mike that Pete Lawler said hello
and that he will be calling to visit in the near future."

The Des Moines contingent climbed back in the van and no one said very
much.  It was evident that everyone was thinking about something.  Out of
the blue, Granddad announced, "When we get to the house, we need to get Tim
and Chad the basic things they will need for school."

Chad spoke up, "Granddad, I already have everything that I need, thanks to
Grandmother.  Kevin, tell Granddad that I don't need anything else."

"Mr. Walker, Chad says to tell you that he already has everything he needs.
I will say this Mr. Walker, your Mother was adamant about what he needed.
I know because I was there and it was like pulling teeth." Kevin giggled.

Dad wasn't finished, "Mother said dinner would be at 6:45, so we would have
time to go before dinner since is just now four o'clock.  We need to have a
family meeting to determine everything that needs to be done after dinner.
I'm sure that Mother has been making big plans."

As the van was approaching the house, Chad spoke for the first time in a
while, "Tim, get ready for some surprises.  You are about to be blown
away."

When Chad pulled into the driveway, he parked beside his Camry.  When he
got out of the van, he pointed to the Camry and looked at Tim, "That is our
vehicle."

"What do you mean our vehicle?  I don't even have my driver's license yet.
Mother and Dad wouldn't let me get one after you got kicked out."

Dad shook his head, "That makes another thing we need to take care of
immediately.  Kevin, you and Kendra probably need to stay for the meeting
tonight.  We are going to need your input."

Chad was impatient, "Let's get inside, so I can see what the boys are
doing?"

Kevin started to laugh, "Chad, the boys only know how to do three things:
sleep, eat and go to the bathroom in their diapers.  We have been gone
approximately eight hours, so I doubt that they are walking or talking
yet."

Chad was not about to be put down, "Well, you never know, maybe they are
geniuses and are already playing the piano or practicing throwing a
baseball."

Granddad started to laugh, "Okay, let's go see what the geniuses are
doing."

Tim did not know what to think about all of this banter and he was feeling
a little bit overwhelmed.  That feeling was going to be exacerbated when he
met Grandmother and Kendra and the twins.

Grandmother and Kendra were in the kitchen fixing dinner when the four
gentlemen entered. Chad took the initiative, "Grandmother and Kendra, I
would like to introduce my younger brother, Timothy.  Tim, this is the
beautiful Grandmother Walker and the gorgeous brunette standing by her is
Kevin's twin sister Kendra.  I guess you can tell who got all the looks in
the family.  Now where are Mark and Jon?"

Grandmother and Kendra were laughing, but Grandmother finally said, "Chad,
relax, they have both just been fed and are taking a nap.  Timbo, come give
me a big hug and then your brother can take you to see his handsome sons.
Bryce, we need to formulate some plans while the four teenagers get to know
each other."

The four teenagers knew they had been told to disappear and they stopped to
see the twins.  Chad explained which of the twins was Mark and which was
Jon.

Tim looked at the boys, "How can you tell which one is which, they both
look the same."

Kendra was rather possessive, "Tim, Mark has a birthmark right here on his
tummy.  Jon has a mole on his foot.  Besides that, they have very different
temperaments.  Mark is more aggressive and out going and Jon is rather laid
back.  Mark demands immediate gratification and Jon has the attitude of que
sera sera."

Chad started to grin, "What Kendra was saying was that Mark had a birthmark
in the same place that you and I have one.  Jon has a mole where I have one
on my foot and not the heart shaped one like you have, you know where.  Now
come on and I will show you our bedrooms and the bathroom.  You are going
to be blown away."

The four teenagers went to Chad's bedroom and when Chad showed Tim the
bathroom, all Tim could say was "Holy Manure."

Chad took him to the twins' room and opened the door, this is where Mark
and Jon will sleep.  I will sleep in here with them if you prefer.

Tim and Kevin stepped into the room and Kevin asked, "Where are you
planning to sleep?  I don't think that you will fit into one of the cribs."

Chad asked, "What cribs?"  He turned to look at the room and after he saw
the two cribs and the changing station, he went down in a heap and was just
sitting there sobbing.  Kendra sat down beside him and tried to console
him.

Kevin and Tim had no idea what to do but fortunately they were saved any
embarrassment because Dad called to them and told them to get their butts
in gear.

Dad, Kevin and Tim went shopping while Kendra held Chad, "Chad, it's okay,
Grandmother Walker has been on the phone ever since you guys left this
morning.  She is determined that her great grandson and great great sons
are going to have nothing but the very best, so get used to it.  She called
a store and it was like they were here in an hour to deliver the cribs.
The boys not only have cribs, they also have strollers that recline and can
serve as day beds.  She is bound and determined that the boys should not be
carried around in bassinettes.  She is afraid that someone might drop
them."

Chad started to get tears again, but Kendra stopped any further feelings of
guilt, "Chad, we need to go make Grandmother Walker rest.  She has been
going non stop from the time you all left this morning.  Now go make her
rest."

Chad looked at Kendra, "Yes, Boss, whatever you say."

The two teenagers went to the kitchen and Chad practically ordered, "Okay,
Grandmother, the second shift is here.  We will take care of everything
until everyone is here for dinner.  The doctor has ordered that you rest
for an hour.  We will wake you in time for dinner and don't give me any
guff.  Now do I need to carry to your bedroom and tie you down?"

Grandmother started to pout, but secretly she was glad to see Chad being
assertive.  So she left for her room and she fell asleep almost
immediately.

Kevin and Dad were about to find out that Tim was even more resistant to
having all of the new things than Chad had been, if that is possible.
Fortunately Kevin knew what Chad had gotten, so he made sure that Tim got
an equivalent amount.  Dad was enjoying watching the interplay between the
two guys.  By the time they arrived back at the house, Mike was there.

He told me later that Kendra and Chad were putting the rest of the
groceries away when they got home.  Chad was complaining about everything
that Grandmother had done when Dad walked in with the two package laden
boys.  Tim was complaining saying that he didn't need all of these clothes
and things.

Mike started to laugh, "Honestly guys, if all you can do is complain, then
maybe we will have to think about sending you back to Iowa City."

Chad looked at Tim, "Tim, go put your packages on the counter and come say
hello to one of our Dads."

Tim did as he was directed, and Chad introduced Mike, "Tim, this is Doctor
Michael Long.  He is the gentleman who called you.  He also is Kevin and
Kendra's uncle in addition to being one of our Dads.  Dad, this is my
younger twin brother, Timothy James Harmon at least for the time being."

Tim went to shake Mike's hand but Mike wasn't having anything to do with
that.  Instead, he pulled Tim into a big warm hug, "Welcome home, son."

That was all Tim could handle.  Tears started streaming down Tim's face.
He looked at Mike and he had a difficult time, but he finally was able to
murmur, "Thanks Dad."

Grandmother had been standing in the doorway watching, "Honestly, is crying
all you two twins know how to do?  You cry more than Jon and Mark do.  Now
come on cry boy bring me your packages and we will take the tags off of the
things and start to launder the things that need to be washed.  That way
you can't threaten to take them back.  Mike, please fix me a tall scotch
and water and I'll be right back to help with dinner."

"Grandmother, Kendra and I have dinner under control.  It will be ready
when Dad Doug gets here and has a little time to relax.  Here is a plate of
crackers and cheese to keep everyone from starving to death in the
meantime."

Everyone left the kitchen except Chad and Kendra.  They had taken the
sleeping boys into the kitchen so they could hear them if they started to
fuss.

When I walked in, Chad hugged me, "Welcome home, Dad, hope you had a good
day."

I started to chuckle, "This is a new experience being welcomed home by a
son.  I hope you had a good day too, son.  Kendra, it looks like you have
been busy today; I hope the twins haven't worn you and Mother out."

"Actually Uncle Doug, the most exciting thing that happened today was when
Chad got home and saw the twins' new cribs and almost passed out."

Chad stopped anymore discussion about the cribs, "Dad, we'll eat at about
6:45.  That way you will have time to get comfortable and unwind.  The
adults are in the living room relaxing.  I think Kevin and Tim are still
upstairs.  Let me go get Tim so I can introduce him to you."

We walked into the living room just as Kevin entered with a young man who
looked almost exactly like Chad.  Chad started, "Dad, this is my younger
brother. Tim.  Tim, this is our other Dad.  His name Douglas Walker and you
already know his Dad and his Grandmother ."

Tim came to me and I was caught by surprised when Tim hugged me like Mike
had hugged him. "I'm pleased to meet you, Sir, and thank you for inviting
me to come to live here at least temporarily.  Make your son stop telling
me he is older than me just because he was born twelve minutes before I
was."

Chad interrupted, "Yeh, but I was born on July 4th and you were born on
July 5th, so technically, I am an entire day older than you are."

Kevin and Kendra were laughing and Kevin said, "We know the feeling. I was
born on the September 3rd and Kendra was born on the 4th."

Chad stopped anymore frivolity, "Dinner will be served in the dining room
in twenty minutes. Everyone needs to go get cleaned up."

The teenagers departed for the kitchen and Dad started thinking out loud,
"I think we should call Frank and Elaine and see if they are available to
come and meet with us after dinner.  The first priority needs to be to get
the Harmons to sign guardianship of Tim over to Doug so that if a judge
looked at the case, he will see that Chad and Tim were living together in
the same home.  Mike, you will just need to stay in the background for now,
when we are dealing with these people.  They might pick up on your name
after the phone call yesterday."

Mike made the call and Frank and Elaine would be arriving at 8:00.  Before
we could discuss anything else, Kevin came and announced, "Your presence is
requested in the dining room."

Grandmother looked at me, "Douglas, I put some Merlot wine in to chill.
You really need to restock your wine cabinet.  It is almost empty."

I thought to myself, `Everyone has their own priorities.'  I didn't say
what I was thinking, but instead muttered, "Grandmother, Michael can take
care of that tomorrow.  He is our wine expert."

When the teenagers had brought in the food, it was like we were having a
feast.  They put a big pork roast, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, stewed
apples with cinnamon and raisins and another sauce that had raisins in it
for those people who didn't like sauerkraut with their pork.  When everyone
was seated, Chad asked, "May I please say a prayer of thanks?"

Everyone nodded and Chad began, "Our heavenly father, we thank you for
providing us the will to make this a better world.  We thank you for the
star that led my two young sons and me to Grandmother's house.  You knew
what you were doing.  You have blessed me, and my two beautiful sons, Mark
and Jon, and have brought my brother Timothy to be here with us.  Now,
bless this food and help us to be the best we can be and make these people
proud of us. Amen."

No one around the table had a dry eye and the dinner conversation was very
mellow, as everyone's mind was thinking their own thoughts.

Author's Notes:

If you want to read more of this story and other interesting stories, you
might want to visit www.tickiestories.us.

Editor's Notes:

Well this and the previous chapter were really informative.  We finally met
Tim, and he is just as nice as Chad is. I think that maybe Tim and Kevin
could find a lot in common together.  I also wonder what will happen to
their other siblings. I certainly hope they all get out of that terrible
situation they are in, and can come and live with the rest of their
family. We have already come to love these kids, which for anyone that has
read a story by Uncle Ed already, you certainly knew that would happen. It
simply goes without saying that we would love these wonderful loving
children.  Hey, the parents and grandparents aren't anyone to complain
about either. I know I am ready for chapter eleven as quickly as possible.

Darryl AKA The Radical Rambler