Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 18:25:08 -0700 (PDT)
From: Larry_c_@excite.com
Subject: My Brother's Kids ... Chap 23:Final

Same warnings and admonitions as always. This is a FICTION work; I do not
support doing things with under-aged youth in real life! Hope you don't
either! ENJOY!

We left off:

. He sunk into his recliner and stared into space ... not even noticing
when Korey came in, sat on the arm of Lar's chair and began to massage his
temples and neck in an attempt to bring comfort. As Korey ministered
quietly to his lover's mood ...

      "Fuck, Kor ... did I make the right decision? All these kids that I'm
leaving ... what about them? Am I just thinking about you and me? Am I
abandoning the ones that need me most?"

My Brother's Kids Are Now Mine
Chapter Twenty Three

      "Absolutely not, Larry! It's about time you thought of yourself for a
change! And hell, Man ... think about your sons ... and me too! Family has
to come first!

We're your real family. The school kids are like family to you...that's
true, but if you really think it over ... it's us four that matters from
here on. Those kids will survive with a new teacher ... and who knows;
maybe the good Lord will give them a guy as terrific as you've been. That's
His business ... just like what you're going to be doing is! You said you
took the first step in faith ... don't give up on it now!"

      "I guess you're right again, Love! It's like Pastor Dave said
... that even when Moses was scared out'a his robe, he followed the leading
he heard. I guess I'm just human enough to be scared shitless right now."

      "I don't think that's it, Lar! I think you're being as compassionate
as ever about the kids you've worked so hard with. That's a good thing! But
it's behind you now. The river needs to be crossed, with a new work started
on the other side. And remember, I'm standing right along-side you to get
the job done ... whatever and wherever it is. I believe that God is going
to provide our family unit with the best possible situation because He
still loves us as we are! Don't you?"

      "I must...or we wouldn't be so stupid to give up a house, job, and
good friends to go trampling unplowed fields in search of brand new
supposedly better gleanings!

So ... you going to go back to the condo tonight, or move in right now?"

      "Well, I could tuck you in first, Babe ... but I better wait to move
lock, stock and barrel until you get your office cleaned out and give the
keys back to Principal Jacobs first! You know how fast gossip flies! We
really don't need to change public opinion from tonight's respect into a
`tar and feather' party before school closes for the summertime."

      "I'll have my stuff off-campus by tomorrow night, and the kids will
only have a half-day on Friday. I guess I can wait that long! I won't say
I'll be patient, though!"

      "Besides, my Sweet ... who says it won't take an hour to get you
tucked in!"

      "MMMMMMMMMmmmm ... wanna tell me a bedtime story too?"

Korey took Larry upstairs hand-in-hand, and slowly undressed him, laid him
on the bed, pulled the sheet upward as far as Larry's waist, and began to
tell a story about this young Prince Charming who finally found his true
love. As he told the story, his strong and masculine musician's hand
massaged through the sheet until his love's magic flute rose to perform its
soothing lullaby at the command of its player's lips and tongue ... and
upon the glorious climax of beautiful tune, relaxed its owner into a
well-deserved and deeply restful state.  (DANG! That was soooooooo
schmaltzy! But what do you expect from a music and drama instructor,
anyway? Besides, we all needed a laugh to drag us out of Larry's depressive
mood...right?)

On his way out the door, Korey checked on his two younger sweethearts as
well. He found them in Eaton's bed together, head-to-toe, but sound asleep
... with Case's `casted' arm across Eaton's waist to keep it elevated just
as the Dr. ordered. Both boys were stark naked, and of course, small
puddles of drying evidence existed to prove they had enjoyed their moments
together before falling asleep. So, Kor knelt down beside them both and
kissed each on the lips ... just teasing enough with his tongue to make the
boys smile instinctively, but not wake up. In a final moment of admiration
of his soon-to-be sons, Korey took the remaining drops of boy-cum onto his
tongue to savor the delightful taste of things ahead ... and headed to the
condo to spend the last two nights of required separation from his Larry.

Joey was waiting up for Korey to return. He asked how Larry was taking the
public announcement, and was told every detail. (Well, except for the flute
concert -- G*) Joey responded by mentioning the fact that he wasn't that
happy about not having Mr. F. as the teacher for his Senior year ... but
that he was glad that he knew about it earlier, so he could lead the Band
without crying in public. Then the topic changed to the fact that Kor would
be moving out permanently in a couple of days ... also not easy for Joey to
handle, but already a known `done deal'. Kor made sure that Joey understood
that it wasn't an end to their relationship, but just a temporary waiting
period until he and Billy could somehow be reunited with the `fam' for a
more permanent situation ... as all six persons truly desired to happen.

It had been a long and exhausting day and evening! With all the energy
drain of the ceremonies, and the addition of an emotional roller-coaster
ride, the need to shower and sleep overrode all other driving forces of
these two teen-age sex hounds. Oh, yes, during the shower, the two Drum
Major batons did some hot directing of another mini-concerto performance,
not as extensive as the famous `Water Music' of old ... but at least just
as satisfying an end to the tiring evening when the `Fireworks' erupted
`Suite-ly" from the combined explosion of Korey's 9" cannon being held
against Joey's 8" barrel and both pumped in unison as the rain from the
shower head dropped across the kissing duo to rinse away the strain of the
day. There was no question that bed and sleep was a very welcome finale.

The best thing for us to do now is to push forward a few weeks. Korey has
moved in with Larry permanently, and of course a smattering of town gossip
about it has unfortunately begun to vomit itself around the neighborhood
... with a whole lot of other people trying to stifle it because of their
love and respect for all Larry had done in the positive. Then there was
other news ... good news ... Joey was able to get a good paying summer job
which would also carry into the next school year, partly due to Larry's
help, and the Judge had released Billy from County control back into Joey's
custody. And of course, Billy and Mikey spent a lot of summer days and
nights together at the condo...supervised by a very responsible older
brother, and approved by Mrs. G., who now had turned her house into a small
Bed and Breakfast for summer tourists wanting to sleep on the waterfront
for a reasonable cost ... sometimes requiring Mikey's bedroom to be
available for customer use.

It is now mid-July, and Larry is still trying to be patient as he waits for
final offers from two colleges. One is from St. Augustine's in Chicago, and
the other is from Trinity College in Toronto ... which just happen to be
the two that Larry favored after his investigation of the original six
possibilities. Though the other four colleges had made offers, Larry either
objected to the location of the institutions because of how the boys would
be treated, having two male parents ... or the position offered seemed less
than fully using his talents as far as he was concerned. He was certain
that God still had the right offer coming his way, thinking his request
that God forget New York was being honored ... mainly because the only
position mentioned in it was that of an associate faculty assistant until
which time a Masters degree could be earned.

Then it arrived! A letter that set Larry's heart on fire! Upon reading it,
Larry called the boys and Korey together to share the news and ask each his
opinion about the choice to accept it and move in just two week's time ...

      "Listen to this, guys ... listen carefully, so you can help me decide
...

1.) Full Professorship;

2.) Granting of Masters Degree based on current graduate courses already
earned;

3.) Open to earning of Doctorate while teaching; with strong possibility of
Department Chair following granting of degree;

4.) Free tuition to spouse ( or partner) desiring to continue education;

5.) Guaranteed scholarships for dependant children at Episcopal Christian
School connected to University campus programming;

6.) Position Title: Professor of Music and Drama, and Associate Counselor
to incoming Freshman students with certain orientational needs;

So, guys...what'a'ya'think? Is this it, or what?"

      "But Daddy ... you didn't say where this place is?"

      "UH ... Casey, I guess that didn't occur to me as being the important
part, Sorry! This is from Trinity College in Toronto, Canada. Does that
make a difference to you? If it does, that's perfectly fine. I'll listen!
Tell me what you really think."

      "All I want to know, Daddy ... is ... if we move there, will we need
to move again if people want to hurt us for being our kind of family? I
don't think I could go that far away from my friends and still be hurt all
over again by people's nastiness. We don't deserve that!"

      "Tell you what ... I will ask Pastor Dave about that. He'd be the
best to answer that for us. And to be honest, if you could even possibly be
hurt again, I'll refuse to take the position for that reason only. You're
that special to me, Son."

      "Case ... May I say something to answer you, too? We already know the
college has no hang-ups about being gay. The fact that it asks Larry to be
a counselor for incoming gay students proves that ... as does the term
`partner' in the offer of free tuition. And Pastor Dave already told Daddy
that the Episcopal Church doesn't show prejudice to its congregates. That
means the kids at the Christian School wouldn't reject you and Eaton
because of Larry and me. The only part that could ever hurt us as a family
is that we all four share in activities that are usually reserved for
adults only ... and we've been very discrete about that, so no one thinks
that it even happens, keeping the law out of the picture. And in Canada,
the age of consent is lower than here. All we need to find out is how young
a person can be and say yes for himself."

      "If all that's true ... then I'll go upstairs and start packing right
now, Kor!"

      "Dad ... I don't see how you can refuse the job! It's perfect! It's
what you expected God to provide ... all of it! I think the water just
parted, and we better start walkin' across that dry ground stuff before the
river decides to close again!"

      "Eaton, my Boy ... that was a mouthful, but the best tasting one I've
heard for months. Thank you, Son! That seals my mind ... like God just
said: `Take it...you won't get no better!' So ... if anyone has objections,
say it now or forever hold your peace!"

Hearing no further complaints, but a whole lot of expressed pleasure, Larry
headed to his computer to e-mail his first-acceptance notification, along
with a promise of a hard copy signed documentation to follow by certified
mail within 24 hours. Then he placed a call to Pastor Dave to inform him of
the decision, and thank him for his part in giving such a positive
reference letter ...

      "Pastor Dave, it's happened. The water parted...we're walkin'"

      "I am glad for you, Larry. When I received a CC about the offer, I
prayed you'd see God's leading in it."

      "You received a copy? That's rather unusual, isn't it?"

      "Not when you consider the fact that I am a graduate of Trinity, and
still hold a spot on the Advisory Council. The position you were offered
was developed partly because of my input. I knew God wanted the best
possible use of your abilities, and the Board agreed with me that combining
these areas of expertise would allow it. Besides, they liked the idea of
saving money by letting one man do the work of three. That has never been a
problem for you, as far as I know!"

      "I wonder if I ought to thank you or slug you for that one! Seriously
... I do thank you very very much! Now, all I need to do is sell my home
here, and get to Toronto in three weeks or less. Guess that's not
impossible for God, is it?"

      "Not really ... since my church wants to buy your place, for our new
Assistant Pastor and his family ... who by the way will be in town in four
week's time."

      "SOLD! And I don't care for how much. Write up your deal, and bring
it to me...I'm packing! G'bye!"  ...  "Hey guys, the house is sold
already. Man, did God come through or what!"

      "WHAT???? You're kidding! I have to call Joey!"  ...  "Joey?
... Korey here ... we need to get together right away. Why? Because we're
moving in less than three weeks. ... Yeah ... to Toronto, Man!
... Somebody's already promised to buy the house, too! ... How about
planning a campout for all of us to say bye properly?  ... Maybe a three
day bash at Big Sur.  Say, near Ventana?  Great! ... Get whatever three
days your boss will allow, and we'll plan around your schedule. ... Great!
Call me as soon as you get the days off ... Mikey too? ... Why not! Later,
Pal!"

      "Dad? We gonna do tents, or does Vantana have cabins?"

      "Well, Eaton ... there is a Ventana restaurant and visitor center,
but the rest of the area is for hiking and camping. There's riverside areas
and ocean beach sites to choose from. How's that sound?"

      "Cool! Maybe we could do a night at each...and then the third night
we could repeat whichever one we liked best."

      "Awwwww, Bro! If we don't move camp, we can have more time to really
say g'bye! `specially since both Billy and Mikey'll be with us!"

      "Dang, Case ... is that all you think about?"

      (Giggle...*) "And I suppose you got other ways to show them we're
gonna miss `em, Eaton?"

      " Uh ... maybe you got a point, Bro!"

      "Guys...guys, there are other things to get done. Three weeks isn't a
lot of time to get way up to Toronto with everything we own. Scoot! Start
deciding what you're keeping, and what you can toss, or give to needy
kids...or whatever!"

      (In unison...) "Yes, FAAAAAAATHERRRRRRRRRRR!"

Kor took off to buy some boxes, tape, and packing supplies. The boys headed
up to their rooms to do some sorting. Larry began listing furniture that he
figured they had to take, and a second list of what they could donate to a
good cause ... and then called a couple moving companies to set up the
bidding process that would assure the best deal. His head was still
spinning from the shock of all this happening so quickly.

The next two days went by like a wildfire through a canyon. The only
personal items that hadn't been boxed and taped were the things each guy
needed to wear or use on the drive to Toronto. The movers (Mayflower Van
Lines, locally owned by a parent of one of Larry's sophomore students who
had been transformed from a wall flower into a budding concert performer)
set the date of pick-up as Thursday ... which only allowed four full days
to finish packing.

The curious part of this short time to accomplish so much was that during
the entire period, no one had heard from Joey or Billy. Kor decided that as
soon as the last box was closed up and sealed, he'd go to the condo to
check on his best friend. Just as he was about to leave the house, his cell
phone rang ...

      "Hi'ya! Kor here ... How can I help you?"

      "Korey Prince?"

      "Yes, that's me. And you are?"

      "I'm an Orderly at Escaton. You know a guy named Joseph Matthews?"

      "Of course I do...why?

      "He had an accident at work yesterday, and well ... it isn't looking
good at all! So he asked me to call you, and have you pick up his little
brother and the friend that's waiting here with him ... and take them both
to a Mrs. Gillis's place."

      "Uh ... sure! Guess I can, but where's Mrs. Gillis? Why didn't she
pick the boys up? Mikey, the friend with Billy, is her kid."

      "Joseph tried to reach her, and said that her answering machine said
she'd be back at the B & B after 7 PM, tonight. She doesn't know there's a
problem yet."

      "Tell the boys I'll be there in fifteen minutes ... just to wait for
me. Uh ... can Joey have visitors?"

      "Right now he's in ICU. I can ask the Doctor and let you know by the
time you get here ... but it's normal practice that only immediate family
can visit ICU, and then, just one person at a time. I know Joseph mentioned
that you were like a brother, but I'm not sure the Dr. will accept that as
family. As soon as you arrive, ask for Frankie ... that's me!"

      "Thank you, Frankie ... as I said, fifteen minutes! G'bye!"

Larry saw how white Korey looked after he hung up the phone ...

      "Hey, Love ... what on earth?"

      "Lar ... Joey's in ICU at Escaton. Billy and Mikey are waiting to be
picked up, and I gotta go! I'll call ya as soon as I know the rest of the
story ... OK?"

      "Of course...GO! If you need me, I'll drop everything and come! Just
be safe on the way!

Korey arrives at the hospital and asks for Frankie. Instead of the Orderly
coming, an elderly professional in blue scrubs walks slowly from the
elevator towards Kor, looking not all that friendly ...

      "Are you Korey Prince, sir?"

      "UH...yes I am. May I see Joey now, please? And where are the two
boys I'm supposed to pick up and take home? They knew I was coming."

      "Sir ... the one boy, Billy Matthews I believe ... the younger
brother I presume ... is in the Men's room being ill to his stomach, and
his buddy is trying to help him get through whatever is going on. They will
be glad to see you as soon as young Billy can finish up. About seeing
Joseph ... he is asking for you, so I will allow you to go to ICU, but you
need to wear scrubs and wash well first. Follow me!"

Kor follows, and does exactly what this hospital employee asks without
question, and is then escorted into ICU, and into the private glassed-in
room where Joey is lying ... wired, tubed, and bandage-wrapped ...

      "Oh my God, Joey ... what the fuck happened?"

      (Struggling with words and getting breath to talk ...) "Korey ... my
sweet dear friend ... accident at work ... not really an accident ... but
couldn't tell no one but you the truth!  On a ladder ... fixing jammed
pulley ... just after ... asking boss for time to ... take boys camping
... anyway, three guys came ... from bosses' office ... asked if camping
was with you and Larry ... I said yes ... all I heard was "FAGGOT LOVER!"
before ... ladder collapsed ... on the floor...felt feet kicking me
... pulley hit my head ... then ... nothing else!"

      "Why the hell didn't you tell anyone that you were attacked!"

     "And admit that you two ... and I ... were gay ... like they thought
... and put my boys ... in jeopardy too? Kor ... no way, Man! Had to
protect ... had to keep secret ... love you guys too much ... to ruin it
all!"

      "DAAAAAAAAAMNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It isn't worth this, Joey! I'd
rather shout it to the rooftops that Larry and I are partners, and let
those shit heads have a field day of gossip and spreading their poisoned
hatred all around town than to see you take this treatment for being our
friend! I'm so fuckin' sorry, Joey ... so fuckin' sorry!"

      "SSSSSSSSHhhhhhhhhhhh, Love!  ... I'd do it all over again ... If I
could move to Toronto ... and bring Billy ... I'd move with you ... I love
you both so ... So ...GAAAASSSSSSSSSPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPpppppppppppp..."

Then the sound of a single
beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepp emitted from a little
machine showing a red line across its face ... and a rush of medical staff
flushed into the room, forcing Joey into the hallway, as they drew a
curtain across the glass windows.

Then the sound of a cell being dialed ...

      "Larry ... uh, Larry ... help! I just can't ..."

      "Kor ... I'll be there as quickly as I can be! Don't even try to talk
now ..."

Just by the sound of Korey's voice, and the tone with which he said Larry'
s name, Lar knew he had better hurry to his lover's side with no
delay. Something was really wrong ... it didn't matter what ... his Kor
needed him...NOW!

Fortunately, Escaton was only about five minutes away from where Larry was
already driving, so he got there immediately. Almost running into the ICU
waiting room area, he found Kor sitting there with his head in his hands,
weeping bitterly and shaking like a leaf in the wind ...

      "Kor ... Kor ... talk to me, what's wrong?"

      "Lar ... He's ... he's ... Joey's ..."

      "Gone? ... Dead? ... (Sitting down totally stunned) ... How? Why?"

      "Just take me home ... uh, no wait ... we gotta find Billy and Mikey
first!"

      "They're still here, too? Do they know yet?"

      "Nuh uh! ... They're here, some rest room, but they haven't heard
yet."

      "I'll find them and bring them here. You just wait for me! I'll get
details later!"

Just about then, the two boys come around the corner and see Larry and
Korey seated and could tell that things weren't too good at the moment ...

      "Hey, Mr. F., Why you here? We thought Kor..."

      "Listen Billy, have a seat, Son! There's something you need to know
..."

       "AWWWWWWW, SHIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTT! Joey isn't ..."

      "I'm so sorry, Billy ... but yes ... He didn't make it."

      "I'll kill those fuckin' bastards. Joey didn't deserve that! Just
because he chose to love differently ... it ain't fair!"

      "What? ...Who? ... Billy, do you know what you are saying?"

      "Hell, yes, Mr. F. I do know! All too well! Those ass holes he worked
with ...they have sons in my class at school. Me and Mikey get teased every
day about bein' in the fairy squad, `cause we happen to be such good
friends. Then Joey got notes at work about bein' our Peter Pan Leader. He
kept sayin' as long as we never admitted nuthin' no one had proof of any of
it...and it was just plain gossip...to ignore it! Now this! Those bastards!
Their dads had to do this on purpose! Mr. F., ... Why can't people just let
us be who we are?"

      "Billy ... if I knew that, I'd still be teaching at the High
School. But, Son ... I'll tell you this ... if there's any way I can help
you and Mikey to have a good future, no one will ever talk me out of being
there for you ... no matter how many miles are between us. I know you will
be put back with Mrs. Gillis for now, but as far as we all are concerned
... you're both part of our family ... just like Joey is, or was. I will do
something ... I promise you I will."

Billy wept in Larry's caress, Mikey sat next to Korey and just looked into
space like he had lost his purpose. Korey took Mikey in his arms and pulled
him close ... his own attitude of pity and sorrow changing into a deep
concern and care for another person's need for understanding and
support. Mikey looked up at Korey and wrapped his arms around Kor's waist
...

      "Kor ... I loved him as much as you did! As much as Billy did, too! I
know I still got Billy ... but ..."

      "Mikey ... you got me and Larry too, Man. Don't ever forget that!
Like Larry says ... we will do something for you both. Somehow, as soon as
we can, you'll be with us and with Casey and Eaton again. Count on it. We
won't let you down...I swear!"

With that, Larry and Kor took the boys to the car, and back to the B & B to
wait for Mrs. G. to return ... so the boys wouldn't be left alone till she
got home that evening.

Knowing that Joey wasn't really a church member anywhere, Larry called
Pastor Dave and asked him to take charge of all arrangements and services
for Joey ... and said that Paul's would be the place of choice, because of
family tradition ... and because Randy would make sure all would be done to
the highest level of quality and respect. Larry told Dave to spare no
expense to make it right, but to trust Randy to provide the best without
going overboard, because his ethics were above reproach. Pastor Dave
understood why Larry didn't feel like handling it all himself this time, so
he accepted the responsibility, promising his time as minister to be at no
charge.

Phyllis arrived home to find her parlor filled with her son, and three
other very sad young people, chaperoned by Larry and Korey who were both
very solemn. She knew immediately that something was way wrong!. (Kor had
gone to the house and brought Casey and Eaton back, so that all the boys
could be together to help each other deal with everything.) She was glad
that there were no B & B guests in-house because this certainly would not
be something for them to be caught in the middle of. Her curiosity was
peaked, but she waited patiently until someone wanted to start talking.  It
was Mikey, her own son, that broke the silence ...

      "Mama ... somethin' terrible happened. Just like we were worried
about!"

      "Mikey? Are you talking about those school kids again? What did they
do? Why are all of you here?"

      "Phyllis, maybe I ought to explain. We're all here because my sons
and yours are such close friends ... and because Mikey was staying over at
Joey's."

      "Did Joey do something bad to my Mikey?"

      "No, Phyllis ... nothing like that! But Joey ... had an accident at
work today, and didn't make it! I brought Mikey and Billy back to your
care. I'm sure the Judge will re-assign Billy here with you, if you're
still willing. If you're not, I'll take him to my place until we move to
Toronto in a week or so."

      "Mama, it wasn't no accident! It was the dads of those school boys,
Mama...like I said! Billy was so upset when Joey told him ... that he went
to the men's room and threw up all over the place! We told you, Mama! They
were mean...real mean!"

      (Sinking onto the nearest wing-back chair ...) "Oh my! Larry ... Kor
... I should have told you about how my boys felt at school. I just
couldn't believe it myself. Oh, I knew that Mikey and Billy were different
than most boys, but since they were so much alike, I let things go on
because it helped them both to be given freedom to be themselves. I had no
idea that the kids at school had any idea. I thought they were just
bullying my boys because they weren't star athletes or something. I mean,
your sons treated mine so nice! I couldn't believe the other boys were as
bad as Mikey said they were. If I had done something ... maybe this could
have been avoided. I feel like it's all my fault!"

      "Not at all, Phyllis! You had no way of knowing ... and the boys
never told me a thing about it. Otherwise, with my connections, I would
have discovered the truth and made enough waves to toss their little hate
boat into the sea. Just so you know... my sons treated yours so well
because they too are exactly like Mikey and Billy. Joey, Korey and I all
made the same choice about the foursome as did you. None of us saw what was
coming! I surely would have not secured that job for Joey if I thought
there was any danger!"

      "But, Larry ... what now? You and your boys are moving away. How are
my boys going to be safe? What can I do? I want them to remain free and
expressive ... they deserve that!"

      "I know this sounds pretty lame ... but what if ... if I and Korey
...uh ... after we get settled in Toronto, contact the Judge and see if we
can adopt Billy, and move him up with us. Then Mikey wouldn't be identified
any longer as ... as Billy's ..."

      "NO MAMA! I don't want Billy to go away! I'm already losing Casey and
Eaton! MAMAAAAA ..."

      "But Son ... The only other alternative is ... but I just can't do
that!"

      "Mama ... I could go with Billy if he goes. Maybe Unca Larry could
adopt me too? Or maybe you and me could find a new B & B up there, so I
wouldn't need to be adopted! I'll be 15 soon ... I ought to be able to have
a say where I live! I love you tons, and if I don't have to leave you, I'd
be glad! Honest! But I want Billy! He's lost Joey, and needs me! Mama
... you got to understand!"

      "Mikey ...excuse me for interrupting, but you can't put your mother
in the middle like that. She's blood! All of us are bonded in spirit...but
she's bonded from life itself. She has to come first, if we're going to
help you."

       "Thank you for that, Larry ... but just maybe Mikey's got an
idea. I'll look for a house up there ... and if that doesn't work, well
... him being ... was the alternative choice I thought about a moment ago
... letting Mikey ...uh"

       "Phyllis ... you can't even bring yourself to say it. We'll find you
a house, and get you moved up together. We promised to help the boys...and
we will. It's late, and our guys need to get home and rest. So Billy
... Mikey ... you two go to bed and get some shut-eye. No nonsense
tonight. We all have too much to deal with for the next day or so to avoid
needed sleep. Our emotions have to be in check ... got it?"

       "Yes, Unca Larry ... we promise! Can we at least snuggle as we
sleep?"

       "As if you need my permission for that! Now Get!"

Two days later, the funeral for Joey took place as a private `family'
affair, as it was decided it was a better alternative to creating a forum
where those few who thought they knew about the family secrets could start
something too big to be handled ... mainly a public split and fight over
things best left under wraps. It was also decided to keep quiet the known
fact of Joey's demise was not an accidental happening. If the men
responsible had been brought to trial, and found guilty of murdering
someone for his preferences ... more damage to the town would be done than
good for the cause would accomplish. Joey had practically requested this
choice just before he died! It was to be honored as such!

The next day, Korey, Larry, and the two brothers drove off to
Toronto. Pastor Dave offered to make sure the condo was sold, and the
proceeds sent to Larry as the person who gave the place to Joey in the
first place. Everyone knew that Larry would make sure Billy ended up as the
real beneficiary, anyway.

The quartet took a day in their new town to look for a home near Trinity,
and found a beautiful place on the edge of the lake just outside of town
... which of course could be bought with the cash they received from the
church's purchase of their previous house. Since it was a cash sale, a deed
was drawn and sealed in no time, and Larry could tell Mayflower where to
deliver its load before storage charges could be applied.

With still a full week before Larry needed to report to the Faculty Hall
for orientation, the family was able to relax at lakeside as if it were a
mini-vacation so much needed, and well-deserved. Needless to say, the night
stars served as a natural tent to some pretty cozy camp-outs by the
water. Cozy? Let's just say that Eaton recalled his lesson in using body
heat to keep a group of men warm on a cool night in the woods! And Casey?
He was the arranger of who cuddled whom and just how warm things got before
a switch of heat source was called for. As far as Larry and Korey were
concerned ... it could be said that no one went unsatisfied by the not
quite ten year old conductor's use of instrumental input by all members of
this mini-band as the composition reached each climax of the individual
movements involved in the performance of the symphony that Casey called:
"Toronto Family Life".

***********************************
End of Entire Story


Author's note: Sorry guys! Bet you thought the last paragraph should have
been a 2-page description of the boys and their Dads' culmination of "Love
Act 101." That was my first idea, but the more I dwelled on it, the more I
figured your own imagination could build a better picture than anything I
could write. Besides, if you take every description I did use in this
story, and apply it to the situation, nothing more need be added to show
the quartet's fulfillment. You're welcome to make an attempt and send it to
me. Who knows ... you might be included in my next story as a collaborator
of high quality. By the way...if you have any suggestions for new story
line that you want me to tackle, send them along as well. Thanks for being
so loyal as to hang through 23 chapters and still ask for more. I
appreciate all of you who have written. THANKS!

Larry C