Date: Fri, 7 Jul 2000 00:55:15 EDT From: Bwstories8@aol.com Subject: The Castaway Hotel-2 chapter 18 Legal Notice: The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts. The story is a work of fiction and has no basis in reality. Don't read this story if: **You're not 18 or over, **If it is illegal to read this type of material where you live, **Or if you don't want to read about gay/bi people in love or having sex. The author retains copyright to this story. Placing this story on a website or reproducing this story for distribution without the author's permission is a violation of that copyright. Legal action will be taken against violators. I wish to extend my thank you to Ed for his editorial assistance with this chapter. If you have enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me at http://www.teenboyauthors.org/thewolf, in the 'Other Stories' section. E-mail responses to the stories, story suggestions, or other 'constructive' comments or advice may be sent to: bwstories8@aol.com. * * * * * * * * The Castaway Hotel -Book 2 - by BW (Young-Friends). Copyright 2000 by bwstories44 Chapter 18 - Some hills and valleys in our lives. June 2000 The next Saturday was Trey's birthday and I had a plan to get him out of the house so the other boys could get ready for the party. Seeing it was his first birthday since he came to live with us, the boys wanted this to be a surprise party. I felt kind of cruel in helping them arrange this, but none of us even mentioned Trey's upcoming birthday for the past two weeks. Every time Trey would try to drop a hint that his birthday was approaching, the comment would get lost in some ruse one of the other boys would instigate to stray from that specific topic. I could tell he was getting very frustrated by the lack of our acknowledgement of his special day. That Saturday, about ten in the morning, I told Trey to get dressed because I was going to take him out to lunch for his birthday. He smiled and asked if he should tell the others. I told him not to because I wanted this to be just the two of us. I saw his smile fade rapidly, but he got ready nonetheless. I asked him where he would like to eat and he said Pizza Hut. So around 11:30, he and I got into the van and headed out alone. The look on his face was making me feel like a heartless rat, but I knew that the party would more than right this wrong. We both ordered personal pan pizza, salad, and a cold drink. His heart was only half into our lunch and I tried my best to keep him talking about minor things, to keep his mind from his disappointment. About forty minutes later we had finished and we got back into the van. I told him that I had one more stop I needed to make and his face brightened a little. It didn't last long, however, and faded when I pulled into the car dealership. He got out and went with me while I ordered the largest custom van they made, with seats enough for fifteen passengers and the added options that I wanted. Our current van was getting a little crowded with our new additions and, when Brandon and Jay joined it, there was hardly enough room to even wiggle inside. The salesman told me that I should just order a customized bus and skip the van. I seriously thought about that for a few seconds, but then I decided that I couldn't see me driving that around the local streets, just to go shopping or whatever. I stuck with the van. Trey was still trying to smile weakly as we got back into the van and headed home. He kind of dragged himself into the house, once we got back there, and he started to head up to his room. Dion asked him if he would shoot pool with him and Trey agreed, though not enthusiastically. When they entered the rec room, everyone jumped out from their hiding places and yelled 'surprise'. There was a banner with his name on it hanging on the side wall, his cake sat in the center of the pool table, and Brandon, Jay, Sally, and Steve had also arrived while we had been out. Trey was so surprised and excited that he told me later that he had almost peed his pants. I did see him slip out quietly for a minute, and now I know where he went. The boys picked everything up and we moved the party into the dining room, where it belonged. All of the boys went over to give him a personalized 'Happy Birthday' and Trey now looked like the cat that had swallowed the canary. We lit the candles on the cake and sang to Trey. He blew out the candles and made his wish and we cut the cake. After that, we served the cake, dished out the ice cream, and then we gave Trey his presents. The boys let Dion give Trey the present from them. It was an envelope. Trey opened it and it was a $100 gift certificate for Barnes and Noble bookstore. The boys had each chipped in $10 apiece from their own money. They knew that Trey liked to read and this would allow him to select books that he would enjoy but wouldn't duplicate books that he had read before. Trey was thrilled and he told his brothers that it was the perfect gift for him. Brandon and Jay went in together and bought Trey a couple of CD's that he wanted. Trey thanked the pair enthusiastically. Trey also got some nice clothes from both Sally and Steve; I had guessed that he would because they both asked me Trey's sizes when I invited them to the party. Finally, it was my turn to give Trey his gift. He tore off the wrapping paper that I had decorated it with and his eyes popped open wide when he saw what it was. I bought him a notebook computer. "That's to keep your journal on, so your entries aren't on the communal computer upstairs. I want to try to prevent any further incidents like we had with Frankie, so keep your private stuff in there and you can keep it under lock and key in your room." Everyone was smiling and Trey came over to give me a hug and thank me. "Thanks, Pop. I never expected anything like this. I was even thinking earlier that everyone forgot about my birthday. That was kind of mean the way you guys did this, but I forgive you." He gave me another big hug. The adults sat around and talked for a while and the boys went off to listen to Trey's new CD's. This gave Sally, Steve, and me time to talk about the boys and to go over my progress concerning the next round of adoptions. Steve just laughed when I told him that I was adopting all five of the newest members of our little group. "Damn, Josh. That's six the first time and five this time. Don't you think that you should go out to find another boy so you can make it an even six at both ceremonies?" "Don't give Sally any ideas. I'm sure that she's likely to come up with another boy before we get to your part of this process." Steve laughed again and Sally looked at me. "I don't seek them out, they seem to find me. I'm just fortunate to have such a wonderful guy to turn to when the going gets tough. You've done wonders with Dion, Josh." "Not me. You've got to give Trey most of the credit for that one. They're almost like two peas in a pod. They like many of the same things and they get along well. Trey sort of took the problem right out of my hands and he has done much of the work himself." "Which he wouldn't have done without your example," Steve added. "I don't know about that. He's not as shy as he used to be and he is a very caring young man. I don't think he's been here long enough for me to take credit for all of that. I think his parents did a great job before they were killed." "Maybe so," Sally came back, "but I'm sure that he's learned a lot from watching and living with you. I just tingle all over every time I see how well the boys are doing. Ann has told me several times that she can't get over how quickly Sammy and Andrew bonded with you. They were even calling you 'Dad' in just a matter of days." "I really think that can be attributed to the fact that most of the others do too and they just tried to fit in. Trey, Brandon, and Jay call me 'Pop', but the rest of the boys call me 'Dad'. It just worked out that Sammy and Andrew did too. They did get some help from Ricky, Cole, and Graham before making that decision, though. I just hope those boys didn't pressure them into it." "It certainly doesn't look like anyone's arm was twisted from what I can see," Steve said. "The boys are calling you that freely and you can see it in their faces and eyes that they mean it. I don't remember ever being in a home where I could feel so much love. Not just with you and the boys, but also between the boys themselves. I can see different older boys who have taken the younger ones under their wings. I can't tell you how wonderful that is to see." "Steve, I'm not trying to change the subject, but have you heard how Frankie's doing? I still feel bad about not being able to help him." "Actually, I spoke to someone from the youth center the other day. He's not having an easy time there from what she told me. His attitude is still defiant and he's been bumping heads with some of the older, bigger boys. I had to give him a year and he's either going to give in to the authority there and change his ways or he's going to come out twice as tough as when he went in. I hate to send any boy there, it's always my last choice, but he left me no options. I hope he's one of the success stories and not one of its failures." "Me too," I added. "I still think about him a couple times a week, minimum." "I could tell," Steve responded, "if only by your gift to Trey. Like I told you before, quit kicking yourself about him. Even if Trey had the notebook back then, something else would probably have happened and I would have bet that there would have been the same result. You've done and are doing too much good to let that get to you, so concentrate on your achievements." "I do," I informed him, "but I still can't forget about him." We let the discussion drop there because the boys came racing into the room, having listened to both CD's. "Pop, I hope you're not mad at me." Trey said out of the blue. "Why would I be mad at you?" I wanted to know. "Well, I kind of let it slip out that you ordered a new van earlier." "That wasn't meant to be a secret. I was going to tell everyone later." "Great," Trey said, relieved. "I thought I blew it this time." "No, it was just one of my schemes to keep you out of the house long enough so everyone could get here and they could get everything ready. It was your brothers who chose the surprise party." "You rats," Trey said with a grin. "I thought everyone forgot about my birthday but I'm glad you did it that way. I've never had a surprise party before. It was really neat when you all jumped out at me in the rec room, although I nearly crapped my pants when you did." We were all laughing now and the boys decided to go outside and play some games. Sally and Steve said their good-byes to all of the boys and they got ready to leave just as the boys were getting ready to go outdoors. The boys said 'so long' to our guests and Trey thanked both of them for coming and for his gifts. They told him he was more than welcomed and the boys walked them to their vehicles and then went off to play. I said my farewell to them and told them I'd keep in touch. After dinner, Brandon came up to me and said that he needed to talk with me. We went into the other room. "Pop, I need to ask you a favor." "Sure, Brandon. You know you may ask me anything." "I'm glad about that because this is a big favor." He took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and began. "Can I live here with you until I graduate?" I was not ready for that request. "What brought this about?" "My dad told us a few days ago that he was being transferred to Texas. I'm a sophomore and I don't want to transfer schools. We're not moving until summer, so I'll be able to finish this year, but I want to spend my junior and senior years here, too." "Have you told your parents this?" "Yes, but I didn't have any options to give them. I wanted to get your permission before I asked them if I could stay here." "Brandon, you know that you're always welcome to stay here. If it is okay with your parents, it will be fine with me. I imagine that you'll just bunk in with Danny, so it's not like I'm going to have to add a room or anything." "You're right. I already told Danny and he liked the idea." "I'm sure he did. I can't imagine having to try to deal with him if you weren't around. I'm sure that he'd be quite moody for months after you left. So, when do you plan to ask your parents?" "I'm going to ask them when I get home tomorrow. You sure it's all right?" "Of course. I'd have suggested it myself if I would have known the way you felt, providing your parents agree, of course." "Thanks, Pop. I knew I could count on you and, besides, Danny told me that you'd never say 'no' if I asked you." "So you guys think that I'm that easy to figure out, do you?" "Yeah, when it comes to us boys, you are." "Well, I guess that's not so bad," I said with a twinkle in my eye. Saturday night was one big free-for-all. The boys were wrestling throughout the house, having pillow fights, and they were trying to drive Sammy, Andrew, Dion, and Graham berserk, as they tried to scare the piss out of them every chance they got. The worst time was when telling ghost stories in the living room. Everyone but the four youngest knew what was going to happen. Just as Danny was getting to the scary part of his story, Ricky and Cole pressed their faces up against the outside of the two living room windows, made their most horrible faces, and then they turned on flashlights under their chins on Dustin's cue. Ricky and Cole had slipped out unnoticed earlier and they made loud moaning noises as they turned on the flashlights. I wasn't forewarned about this event and I came running into the room when I heard all of the screaming. I actually thought someone was being seriously injured, from the noise I heard. The older boys were in hysterics and the younger ones were punching everyone in range, as payback, by the time I arrived in the room. I'm sure there was a great deal of hanky-panky going on in the bedrooms that night, but there were too many boys to keep track of. Cole and Graham slept in with Sammy and Andrew, although they haven't pulled the youngest boys into their sexual escapades, which left Ricky and Jay alone in the jungle room. Sammy and Andrew were still a little shaken from some of the earlier scares, so Cole and Graham agreed to stay with them. Sunday afternoon, I took Brandon and Jay back to their homes and Sunday evening Brandon and his father showed back up at our house. I invited them in and Mr. O'Hara apologized for the intrusion. I had a good idea what it was about. I invited them into the living room and we sat down to talk, just the three of us. "Josh, I hate to bother you but we have a family situation and Brandon tells me that you might be able to help us with it. My company is transferring me to Texas and we'll be moving in June. Brandon has told me several times that he doesn't want to go and this afternoon he said that you've agreed to let him stay here until he graduates, if it was all right with my wife and me. Is that correct?" "Yes, it is. Brandon mentioned the move and his feeling yesterday. He asked me if he could stay with us and I told him he could, if you and your wife agreed to it. He's been like a member of our family anyway, so there were no problems on our part." "My wife and I really don't want to leave him behind but we know how strongly he feels about it. Besides, I've not heard very many favorable reports on the Texas school systems. Those in my company who have lived there from time to time tell me that the school districts spend ten times more money on high school sports than they do on academics. I'm not sure how accurate that is, but we were starting to worry about it. The next two years will be critical for Brandon's future, as colleges base much of their admission policy on what happens in the junior year academically. My wife and I have agreed that it would probably be better for him to remain here, though we are not thrilled about his staying behind." "If he stays here, we'll take good care of him. He will be treated just like all the others." "I know he will. We're not worried about that. We'll send you a monthly check to cover his expenses and we'll provide everything else he needs." "Keep your money. I certainly don't need it. Put that monthly check into Brandon's college fund and I'll handle the rest. You can give him what you'd like, but I'll take care of whatever he needs without having to bother you about the petty stuff. The only thing I would ask is for you go down and sign guardianship papers at my attorney's office. I can call him and have him draw them up. That way I can sign for any trips or other permission slips that the school requests and I can authorize medical treatment, if it's needed. I don't foresee anything like that happening, but I'd rather be prepared for the worst case scenario." "Of course, and that will not be a problem for us, either. We will supply you with whatever legal papers you would need. We really appreciate that you'd be willing to do this for Brandon. We've always felt very fortunate that you treat him so well and that you include him in the activities with your children. Being our only son, he gets lonely sometimes and he is always so happy when he can spend time with your family, especially with Danny. I still feel indebted to him for what he did for Brandon." "That's appreciated but not necessary. Brandon's part of our group and we're proud to have him. Everything is set, as far as I'm concerned." "Thanks, Josh. That takes a big load off my mind." "You're welcome. Brandon, why don't you go and find Danny and tell him the news. I'm sure he's anxiously awaiting your report." Brandon leapt from his seat and bounded from the room. I waited until he was gone before I spoke to his father. "I wanted to speak to you alone about the summer. I'm planning on quite a lengthy summer vacation for the boys and I'd like to include Brandon in all or part of those plans. I don't want to interfere with your time with him, so I wanted to work this out just between the two of us." I told Brandon's father about our vacation plans and he offered us an alternative so Brandon could go with us and still be able to spend some time with them. I agreed with his plans and everything was set. I called Brandon back to join us and soon he and his father left. Another temporary boarder will be added to the 'Castaway Hotel'. My week was going smoothly until Wednesday, when I got a call from my attorney. It seems that in trying to clear the path for adopting the boys, he hit a little snag. Mr. Yamada's parents, who still live in Japan, want to see and talk to the boys before they will sign off on any claims to their rights as grandparents. He said that they would like to fly here and visit next week, if I would agree to it. I told him to go ahead and set it up and I'd break the news to the boys. From what they've told me and from what I had learned from Ann Getz about this case, the grandparents had never even met the boys before. They had disowned their son when he left for the States, and they had no contact with him or his family since. It looks like they were suffering from guilt or making a desperate attempt to make amends with their grandsons. I'd hate to interfere with a family and its relationships but I want to make certain that this is in the best interests of the boys before I would give them up. That night, I took Sammy and Andrew aside and explained to them that their grandparents were coming to see them. They looked shocked and they told me that they didn't know that they had any grandparents on their father's side of the family. I explained what I knew about the relationship between their father and their grandparents and I told them why they had never met them or heard about them. I think they were excited about meeting their grandparents but they asked me if they could still live with me. I told them that I wasn't sure what would happen but they would have a home with me unless their grandparents were granted their legal rights. This didn't alleviate their fears but I didn't want to give them false hope. That could damage their trust in me if things didn't go the way we hope. I'd rather help them deal with an uncertain future than try to get them to believe in me later, if they thought I had lied to them. The grandparents had sent word to my lawyer that they would be arriving next Tuesday and staying until Friday. They would fly into Philadelphia, we'd send a limo to pick them up, and we'd arrange for a room for them at our finest hotel. I wanted them to know that we spared no expenses when trying to make sure their grandsons were cared for, even including a visit by their grandparents. I was hoping that a favorable impression might bolster my case to be allowed to keep them. That weekend, all of the boys did everything they could to keep the pair from worrying about what might happen. They played games with them outdoors, played cards and board games with them inside, and they even talked me into taking all of them to a Sunday afternoon movie matinee. Even with all of this activity, the two boys clung to me like glue much of that time. At the movie, Sammy sat beside me and Andrew wanted to sit on my lap. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights they insisted that they sleep with me in my room. Every time I turned around the entire weekend, I would trip over one or the other of them. Every time I sat down, they'd either climb onto my lap or squeeze so tightly against me that I was afraid to move, for fear of crushing them. By the time Tuesday evening rolled around, they were just a bundle of raw nerves. Tuesday after dinner, the limo pulled up in front of the house and the grandparents got out. I had also hired a Japanese interpreter from Philadelphia, who had ridden with them here. I wasn't sure how much English they spoke, so I played it safe. It turns out that it was a good thing that I had done that, as the grandfather spoke very limited, broken English and the grandmother spoke none at all. The entire conversation had to go through the interpreter. We started by introducing the boys to their grandparents. Their father must have taught them some things about their Japanese heritage because both boys bowed respectfully to their grandparents after they had been introduced. The grandparents looked pleased and bowed in return. I let the four of them talk among themselves, through the interpreter of course, and I merely monitored the conversation so I would know what was happening. They visited with the boys for two hours before they returned to their hotel room. The scene repeated itself on Wednesday and Thursday evening and then they left on Friday to get their flight back home. We were never given any impression of what to expect past that point. The following Monday, my lawyer called me and told me that the grandparents wanted the boys to come stay with them for a week. He had suggested the week of spring break, in April, so their schooling wouldn't be interrupted. The grandparents agreed. Now, I would have to prepare the boys for this trip. I planned to accompany them and I would arrange for someone to stay with the other boys during my absence. The impressions that I was getting from this turn of events was not making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. This looked as if the grandparents wanted to get them to see their homeland and possibly prepare them for relocating there. I didn't think they would have gone this route if they didn't plan to go for custody of the boys. I didn't tell the boys that, but it was my biggest fear. I called to make reservations for our flight and accommodations for a room while we would be there and I also confirmed our vacation plans for the summer at the same time. I kept Sammy and Andrew in the headcount for our vacation plans but I was beginning to doubt that they would be with us when the time came. This was getting very difficult for me, as I had grown very close to the duo. They were the ones who were still young and cuddly and I began to look forward to our little snuggle sessions together. Losing them, especially over such a great distance, would be devastating to me. It would be almost as if they had died or been murdered. The chances of my seeing them again would be slim and I knew that I'd miss them greatly. Now I had to wonder. How do parents ever cope when they lose a child? This would be enough to rip my heart out and we have only been together a couple of months. What do they do when they've had them for years and then they're suddenly gone? I hope that I never have to face such a day. * * * * * * * * If you have enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me at http://www.teenboyauthors.org/thewolf, in the 'Other Stories' section. E-mails may be sent to: bwstories8@aol.com.