Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2012 20:25:15 -0700
From: B.E. Kelley <hailcaesar2011@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Foundling Chapter 12

This story is a work of FICTION. The events described are my own invention.
Any similarities to actual events or persons are strictly coincidental. The
author retains the copyright, and any other rights, to this original story.
You may not publish it or any part of it without my explicit authorization.

This story contains depictions of consensual sexual acts between teenage
males.  It is intended for mature audiences only.  If you find this type of
material offensive or if you are under the legal age to read said material;
please proceed no further.

Comments are always welcome at: hailcaesar2011@hotmail.com

The Foundling
Chapter 12: Boston Bound

Brian Blair, or Uncle Brian as I'd always called him, had been my father's
best friend.  He and his wife, Auntie Liz, had gone to college with my
parents and had been a fixture in our lives, until they'd moved to
Switzerland last year.  Uncle Brian was an investment banker, just like
dad, and his firm had transferred him to their Geneva office, to manage
European accounts.  Needless to say, I did not expect to see him in our
living room.

"I came to see you, of course," he smiled, then hugged me tight, "Gosh
you're getting so big and you look just like your dad."

"It's good to see you too, I just didn't expect to, I thought you were in
Switzerland," I explained.

"Yes, we just moved back a couple of weeks ago, the cold weather didn't
agree with your Auntie Liz so we're back in Boston," he explained.

"But it's cold there too," I stated.

"You know your aunt," smiled Uncle Brian.

"Right," I smiled back, Auntie was a little fickle.

"Listen Benji, I was really sorry to hear about your dad, you know how
close we were and the first thing wanted to do, once we got settled, was to
come check on you, are you doing ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, I'm on the swim team, and George and Nancy are taking good
care of me," I gushed.

"I'm happy to hear that," said Uncle Brian.

"How are Auntie Liz and Preston doing?" I asked.

"They're both fine, Liz hasn't even been back for a month and she's already
got some charity fundraiser to put together and Preston is at the Hill
School," said Uncle Brian.

"I guess that all sounds good," I replied.

Ok, I'd known Uncle Brian all my life but I'd never spent any time alone
with him.  I didn't really know what to say to him but he took care of that
for me by making an abrupt announcement.

"Listen kiddo, I should have called before I drove up, I didn't know you
were going to be away for the weekend, I've got to head back to the city
but I wanted to ask if you'd like to come and visit us for a weekend," said
Uncle Brian.

"Uh, is that ok?" I said, to Nancy.

"It's fine sweetheart, I've been talking to Mr. Blair for a couple of
hours, I think it would be nice for you to spend some time with someone
that was so close to your dad," said Nancy.

"Please, call me Brian," he said, "Benji, next weekend is Valentine's Day
and we've got plans, but would the following weekend be ok? You don't have
any swimming commitments?"

"Yeah, I guess that would be fine," I replied.

"Excellent, Preston will be home from school, he and Liz will be so happy
to see you," he smiled.

"Yeah, yeah it will be nice to see them too," I replied.

"Great, well, I'll see you then," said Uncle Brian, giving me another
powerful hug.

He shook hands with Nancy, thanked her for taking such good care of me and
then he was gone.  The whole encounter was over in less than five minutes.

"Well, that was interesting," I stated.

"Are you ok sweetheart?" asked Nancy.

"Yeah, I'm ok, I just didn't expect to see him," I replied, then changed
the subject, "Look, I won the silver medal."

Nancy took the medal from me, so that she could admire it closely, then she
smiled.

"We'll have to find somewhere special to put this," said Nancy.

"Would you put it with Dylan and Jamie's trophies, in the study?" I asked.

"Sure, if that's where you'd like it," she smiled.

"Thanks, I'd really like that," I replied.

Nancy honored my request by taking the display box, that had come with my
medal and placing it on a prominent shelf, with Dylan's wrestling ribbons
and Jamie's soccer certificate.

"Where is everyone?" I asked, once the medal was on display.

"Well, George had to take care of an emergency at work, and the boys are in
their rooms.  Are you sure you feel ok honey, you look a little pale," said
Nancy.

"I always look like that," I quipped.

"Ok, your sense of humor seems to be intact, I guess you're fine," Nancy
laughed.

"Yeah, I'm just tired and it was a little weird seeing Uncle Brian, I'm
going to go lay down I think."

"Alright honey, dinner in an hour," Nancy advised.

I didn't want to tell Nancy, but I was a little freaked out by Uncle
Brian's appearance.  It's not that I didn't want to see him, it's just that
he was a face from the past and I would have appreciated a little heads up
so that I could prepare for his visit.  When I walked into my room, I
tossed my bag in the corner and flopped down on my bed.  Jamie was sitting
against his headboard and for the first time since I'd met him, he looked
sad.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Are you leaving us?" said Jamie.

"What, what are you talking about?" I exclaimed.

"That guy was your Uncle, right? Are you going to go live with him?" asked
Jamie.

"What! No way, first off he's not my real uncle, he was my dad's friend and
secondly, you guys are my family now, I'm not going anywhere," I explained.

Jamie jumped off his bed and practically tackled me with his hug.

"Good," he sniffled, "I don't want you to go."

I hugged him back and held him for a minute, giving him a chance to compose
himself.  I wasn't going anywhere but I thought it was sweet that Jamie was
worried about me and I was glad he wanted to keep me around.  I didn't let
him go, until he gave me one of his smiles, then I lie down and took a nap.
I wasn't worried about visiting the Blair's, and the next day at school,
when I talked to Avery about it, he encouraged me.  Avery thought that it
would be good for me to spend a weekend with them, that they knew my father
better than anyone and that I'd be glad I had a relationship with them, as
I got older and had questions about him.  Avery proved, once again, that he
was as wise as he was handsome.

The school week went quickly, we had a swim meet Friday, and then I was
spending the night at Avery's on Saturday.  Avery's parents were going out
to celebrate Valentine's Day and we were going to watch his little sister,
Aribella. Coach picked me up early and Avery and I hung out in his room,
while his parents got ready for their date.  They were going to dinner and
then out to see a play; they left at five o'clock and said we shouldn't
expect them until after midnight.

Once his parents left, Avery and I spent the evening playing with his
little sister.  She's an adorable little girl and having never had a little
sister of my own, I doted on her.  I discovered quickly that Aribella loved
to tease her big brother and she really let him have it when I laughed at
her jokes.  Avery was very good with his sister, most 14 year old boys
wouldn't want anything to do with a 5 year old but Avery got down on his
knees and romped with her, tickled her, tossed her up in the air, anything
to make that little girl smile.  It was clear to anyone who looked that
little sister worshiped big brother and that big brother adored little
sister.

The three of us ate pizza together and then played in the living room until
Avery announced that it was eight o'clock and time for Aribella to go to
bed.

"Ok munchkin, its bed time," said Avery, "go put your jammy's on and I'll
read you a story."

"But Abery, I want Benji to tell me a story," said Aribella.

"Oh, gee Ari, I don't know, I'm not a very good story teller," I protested.

"Come on Benji, pretty please," she pleaded.

"Yeah Benji, pretty please?" Avery grinned.

"Ok, I'll try," I replied.

Aribella put on her pajamas, then Avery tucked her in and took a seat at
her bedside.  I sat on the other side and tried my best to think of some
kind of story for her.

"Come on Benji, you can do it," she encouraged.

"Ok, uh, once upon a time, in a kingdom far, far away, there was a handsome
young prince named, uh, hmm, Elliot, yeah, Prince Elliot," I began,
flubbing my way through a fairytale that I was making up as I went along.

"Prince Elliot was very sad, his mommy and daddy, the king and queen, had
been taken away and could never return," I continued.

"Awww, poor Prince Elliot," said Aribella.

"Yes it was terrible, he was so lonely and he didn't have any friends but
then one day, something wonderful happened."

"Oooh, what happened?" asked Aribella.

"Well, one day, a beautiful princess moved into the kingdom, she had golden
blond hair and the most beautiful green eyes that anyone had ever seen."

"The princess sounds like Abery," Aribella giggled.

"You know what Ari, you're right she does sound like Avery, but that's ok,
you know why?"

"No, why?" she replied.

"Cause my middle names Elliot!" I exclaimed.

"Wow, just like the prince!" she exclaimed.

"That's right, just like the prince," I smiled, then winked at Avery.

"I didn't know your middle name was Elliot," said Avery.

"You never asked," I smirked, "speaking of which, what's yours?"

"Hmm, um, I uh, don't remember," said Avery.

"It's Oswald," Aribella laughed.

"Oh well that's uh, different," I giggled.

"It's sooooooo dorky," laughed Aribella.

"Ok, ok, enough picking on Avery, I wanna here how the story ends," said
Avery.

"Yeah, me to," said Aribella.

"Right, well, the beautiful princess went to Prince Elliot and said, `fear
not little prince, for I have come to be your friend, and you will never be
alone again because I will take care of you.' And do you know what happened
then?" I asked, leaning in close and whispering.

"No, what?" Aribella whispered back.

"They lived happily, ever, after," I smiled.

"That was a good story," said Aribella.

"Yeah, I liked it too," said Avery, reaching over to pat my hand.

"Alright munchkin, get some sleep," said Avery, kissing his sister on the
cheek.

"Goodnight Abery, goodnight Benji, thank you for my story," said Aribella.

"Goodnight Ari, sweet dreams," I replied.

Avery closed the door and we walked back out to the living room.

"You were great with her," said Avery.

"Really?" I asked, "I've never had a little brother or sister, but I always
thought it would be fun."

"Well, you made her night, she loves you," said Avery, "ever since that
first time you slept over its Benji this and Benji that, it's enough to
make a guy jealous."

"Alright smartass," I smiled and gave him a smack on the butt, "what movie
do you want to watch?"

"I don't know, any ideas?" said Avery.

"Yeah, actually I brought one with me," I replied.  I grabbed my backpack
and fished a DVD out, then passed it to Avery.

"Love Actually?" said Avery.

"Trust me, you'll like it," I smiled.

"Alright, I'll give it a shot."

Avery popped the DVD into the player, then sat next to me on the couch, he
put his arm around my shoulder, we put our feet up on the coffee table and
settled in to watch one of my favorite romantic comedies.  I will admit,
the movie is a little slow at first, so I didn't mind that Avery was being
talkative.

"So tell me more about this guy you're going to see next week," said Avery.

"Who, Uncle Brian?" I asked.

"No, didn't you say they have a son that's Dylan's age?" said Avery.

"Oh you men Pretentious, I mean Preston," I corrected.

"Is he really that bad?" asked Avery.

"Yes, but it's not his fault, he's about the most spoiled person I've ever
met," I explained, "Still, he's not all bad."

"Is he cute?" asked Avery.

"Yeah, he's really cute, he's tall, well built, brown hair, big brown eyes,
he's a hottie."

"Gee you don't have to get so excited," said Avery.

"Aww, you don't have to be jealous, baby."

"I'm not jealous," said Avery, "But I'll kick his ass if he hits on you."

"Relax tough guy, he's as straight as it gets, besides, you know I prefer
blonds," I smiled, then kissed Avery, "now, watch the movie."

I don't know what it is about this movie but I always get choked up at the
end.  I just think it's so beautiful that even though Colin Firth and Lucia
Moniz speak different languages, they still fall in love.  I also think
it's incredibly romantic how he flies to France and asks her to marry him
in front of an entire café full of people, without any thought of how
embarrassing it might be.  When the movie ended, I got Avery to admit that
he liked it and we talked for a while, until we fell asleep in the couch.

When I woke up in the morning, Avery and I had our arms around each other,
my head was resting on his shoulder and his cheek was resting against my
head.  I couldn't figure out where the blanket had come from, then I
realized that his parents must have put it over us when they got back from
their date.  I felt a little sheepish, when Avery's mother kept smiling at
us, when she didn't think we were looking, but overall, I didn't care.  I
love Avery's family, they don't care that he's gay and I don't care if they
know I love him.

The week after Valentine's Day passed quickly.  We didn't have any swim
meets and our teacher's didn't heap to much homework on us, so I wiled away
the time hanging out with my buddies.  By Friday, I was ready for my
weekend in Boston.  When I got home from school that day, there was a black
Range Rover in the driveway.  I expected to find Uncle Brian waiting for
me, when I walked into the house, but instead, I found his driver.

"Mr. Blair sent me to pick you up, he was unavoidably detained in the
city," said the driver, "but he will be there when we arrive."

I'd packed my bag the night before so I hugged George and Nancy, said a
quick goodbye to Dylan and Jamie, and then climbed into the waiting Range
Rover.  It's a long drive from Tyson's Corner to Boston and I slept while
we cruised south on I-95.  I woke up to the driver shaking my shoulder; I
rubbed the sleep from my eyes and found myself in front of the Blair's
Beacon Hill townhouse.  Preston was just coming down the stairs, as I
entered the grand foyer.

"Oh, hi Benji."

"Hi Pretenci..., I mean Preston, did you just get in?" I asked.

"About an hour ago, flew in from Philadelphia," said Preston, "I'm at The
Hill School you know."

"Yeah, that's what your dad told me," I replied.

"And you were at Choate?" said Preston.

"I was, you know, before all this," I replied.

"Right, you know we beat them at their homecoming?" said Preston.

"Yes, I was there, that was before I left," I replied.

"Do you really go to a public school now?" asked Preston, his haughty
manner already starting to get on my nerves.

"Yes," I answered tersely.

"I don't know how you stand being among all those philistines," he scoffed.

"It's not so bad, most of their parents work for me so they treat me like
royalty," I replied.

I didn't think my classmates were philistines, well Richard Dockins was but
not everyone else, and I didn't care if their parents worked for.  I only
said what I did to remind Preston that my family had more money than his.
I didn't care about that either, but I knew Preston would and his attitude
made me feel like annoying him.

"Right, well, you're just in time for dinner, my parents are waiting in the
dining room, come on," said Preston, beckoning me to follow him.

One of the Blair's servant's took my bag to a guest room and I followed
Preston into the elegant dining room.  Auntie Liz started fawning over me
almost immediately.

"Benji darling, it's so good to see you my dear," she said theatrically.

"Hi Auntie Liz, it's good to see you to," I smiled right at Preston while
his mom kissed me on each cheek and then gave me a hug.

"You come right over here and sit next to me, I'm sure you must be starving
after that long drive," said Auntie.

Before I go on, you should know that I only call her Auntie because she
makes me.  Well, she's never come out and said "Benji, I command you to
call me Auntie," or anything like that, what she does is ignore me if I
call her anything else.  It frustrated me to no end, as a child, so I
eventually gave in and let her have her way.  She was my mom's friend and
she'd always been kind to me so putting up with this foible wasn't such a
bad thing.

"Have a seat son," said Uncle Brian, "cook made your favorite."

"Filet mignon?" I asked.

"You bet," said Uncle Brian.

"Great, I haven't had that in ages," I exclaimed.

"What, they don't have beef up in the hinterland?" said Preston.

"Oh Preston," laughed Auntie Liz, glossing over his rudeness, "eat your
dinner darling."

Preston grumbled something at his plate but I ignored him.  He'd always
been stuck up but in the year since I'd seen him last, it seems to have
gotten worse.  Oh well, if he wanted to be a dick, I had my own bag of
tricks up my sleeve, I'd let his mom dote on me like I was her long lost
little boy, knowing full well that would get under his skin.  Besides, the
steak was excellent and I wasn't about to let him ruin it for me.

"So Benji my dear, how are you getting along, my poor little lamb," said
Auntie Liz.

"Oh fine, I'm staying with a great family and I'm really doing well with my
diving, I brought home a silver medal the day Uncle Brian came up to see
me," I stated.

"Bravo darling, that's wonderful, but how are you getting on with public
school," she asked.

"It's fine, I have some wonderful friends," I replied.

"Hayseed's," said Preston under his breath, earning a stern look from his
father.

"Actually, they don't grow hay in New Hampshire," I retorted, with a wicked
grin.

That's how dinner went that first night.  After we ate, Uncle Brian went
into his study for a conference call with some finance nerds in Japan,
Auntie Liz disappeared to talk to her society friends and Preston ditched
me as quickly as he could.  I ended up in my room watching TV and wishing I
was home.  I couldn't complain about the room though, it was large and
comfortable, there was a fire in the fireplace, so it was nice and warm,
and there was a beautiful view of the city.  I didn't mind the 50 inch LCD
TV either.

I rested comfortably until midnight.  A thunder storm struck that evening
and I immediately missed Jamie, I've always been afraid of thunder. I paid
attention in science class and I knew that thunder was the result of a
shock wave in the air due to the sudden thermal expansion of plasma caused
by a burst of lightening, but knowing what caused it didn't help me sleep.
I tossed and turned but finally got up and walked across the hall.  I
knocked on Preston's door and after a moment's wait; he opened it, rubbing
the sleep from his eyes.

"What?" asked Preston, testily.

"Can I sleep in your room," I asked.

"My room, why?" he asked.

"I can't sleep, the thunder," I said, shyly, looking down at my feet.

"You're 14 and you're still afraid of thunder?" asked Preston.

"I can't help it, do you think I want to be asking to sleep in your room?"
I complained.

"No, I guess not," said Preston, almost sympathetically.

"So can I sleep with you?" I asked.

"Look, why don't you go back to your room and if it doesn't stop within the
hour, then you can come back," said Preston.

"Ok," I sighed.

Great, that was embarrassing and I still had to sleep alone, I wish Jamie
was here, I told myself.

The next day was better, Uncle Brian spent hours on the phone but Auntie
Liz regaled me with stories about she and my mother and their time at Yale.
We went through old photo albums and I really had a good time.  She had
some of her society friends over for lunch, they all wanted to pinch my
cheek and tell me how cute I was and that their daughters would be coming
out at such and such debutant ball and how they would love for them to meet
a nice young man like me.  In response, I played the piano for them and
smiled at Preston every chance I got, the sour look on his face assured me
that I was getting under his skin.  That'll teach him to be a dick.

That night, we went to The Boston Pops and it was awesome.  I had a blast
and without any thunder, I slept soundly in the king size bed I had all to
myself.  I slept in Sunday and when I woke, I stretched and packed up my
bag, I would be going home after brunch.  When I had all of my things
together, I walked down to the dining room and found the Blair's waiting
for me.  I thanked them again for the pleasant visit and told them how much
fun I'd had at the concert the night before, then tucked into my omelet.

"Benji, there's something Liz and I wanted to discuss with you," said Uncle
Brian.

"Sure Uncle Brian, what's up?" I replied.

They traded a look, Uncle Brian took Auntie Liz's hand in his and then she
spoke for the two of them.

"Benji darling, do you like it here?" she asked.

"Of course Auntie, I've had a wonderful time," I replied.

I wasn't even lying.  The concert was great, I couldn't complain about the
royal treatment, and I'd had fun watching Preston squirm.  This had been a
nice little vacation but I was ready to get back to reality.

"I'm so happy to hear that, love, because we wanted to ask you, would you
like to live here with us?" said Auntie Liz.

"What?" I asked, flabbergasted.

"As you know, we were your parents closest friends, we feel it's incumbent
upon us to raise you now that they're no longer here, that is if you'd
like," said Uncle Brian.

"What about the Prescott's?" I asked.

"I'm sure they're perfectly lovely," said Auntie Liz, "but don't you think
we have more to offer you, they're strangers."

"They are not strangers," I exclaimed, "they took care of me when I had no
one else, they have made me feel loved and wanted and I want to go home,
right now!"

"It's alright darling, it's alright," said Auntie Liz, coming around the
table to comfort me.  I was getting upset and I felt myself starting to
choke up, it took considerable coaxing before I calmed down.

"It was just a thought," said Uncle Brian, "we didn't mean to upset you."

"Can I please go home now?" I sniffled.

"As you wish," said Uncle Brian.

It took a few minutes for the driver to show up with the Range Rover and in
that time I calmed down enough to thank the Blair's for the visit and
assure them that I wasn't angry with them and would be happy to visit
again.  I was anxious to get home and the drive seemed to take longer going
north then it had coming south, but when we pulled into the driveway, I
grabbed my bag and raced inside.  George was the first person I found and I
threw my arms around him, hanging on for dear life.

"Hey, hey, hey, what's the matter?" asked George, "didn't you have a nice
visit."

"They asked me to come live with them," I explained, then buried my face
against his chest; I felt the tears welling up in my eyes.

"Sweetheart, what's going on?" asked Nancy, when she came into the room.

"The Blair's asked Benji to come live with them," said George.

"I see, what did you tell them sweetie?" asked Nancy.

"I said no, I don't want to leave."

"Did you think about it, it's an important question," said Nancy.

"I don't want to leave, do you not want me anymore?" I asked.

"Of course we want you," said Nancy, pulling me away from George, so she
could hug me herself, "I just wanted to make sure you weren't making a
choice based on loyalty to us."

"I don't want to go, I want to stay with you, please," I pleaded.

"Shhh, shhh, shhh, It's alright," said Nancy, "You're not going anywhere."

That calmed me down and when I was relaxed enough, I sat with George and
Nancy, then told them everything that Uncle Brian and Auntie Liz had said.

"Benji, everything's fine, they just wanted to ask because of their
relationship with your parents, I'm sure that they saw how happy and well
adjusted you are, you have nothing to worry about," said Nancy.

"Really, you think so?" I asked.

"I think so," said George, "I know that if I was in a similar situation,
I'd feel the same way."

The conversation with George and Nancy set me at ease, in fact, I felt
silly for making such a fuss.  Still, I stayed close to them that night,
drawing comfort and reassurance from them and at bedtime, Jamie slept in my
bed and let me hold him tight.  He and Dylan were far better brothers then
Preston could ever be.

The next day, I told Avery all about my weekend, leaving out the part at
the end.  I didn't want to think about it, let alone talk about it; instead
I decided to focus on the nice parts of the visit.  After practice that
day, Dylan and I found George waiting in his usual spot, he drove us home
and we found a strange car in the driveway.  Nancy was standing at the
front door, her mouth hanging open in surprise, a document in her hand.
The man who had given it to her, nodded at us as he passed by, then got
into his car and drove away.

"Nancy, you look like you've seen a ghost, what's the matter?" asked
George.

"We just got served," said Nancy, holding up the document in her hand, "The
Blair's are suing us for custody of Benji."