by C. E. Wilson
Cade chuckled. “Well, babe, when it's right, it's right. I feel that us being together is very right.”
Bradley turned in Cade’s arms. He put his arms around Cade’s neck and kissed him. John came out on the deck with Jacob. He stopped when he saw Bradley and Cade. He cleared his throat. “Um, a child on deck.”
Bradley stepped back and dropped his arms. He looked over at John and smiled. “Sorry, bro. It is just the view that does that to you.”
John frowned at Bradley. “Un-huh. I don’t care just not in front of Jacob. He doesn’t need to see all that.”
“Won’t happen again, John. I promise.”
John nodded as he set a tray down on the table with glasses of lemonade on it. “I made some lemonade if you want some. I have glasses for all of us.”
Jacob ran up to him. “You got me a glass too, Dad?”
“Of course, son. Your glass was the first I poured. Only you get a plastic glass, and the grownups get a glass, glass. That way if you drop it then no harm. You can’t get cut on it.”
“I’m a big boy, Dad. I can hold a glass, glass and not drop it.”
“Oh, I know son, but we only have four grown-up glasses so I didn’t think you would mind if I gave our guests the grown-up glasses and you would be man enough to use the plastic one.”
Jacob sighed. “All right, Dad, I can do that for you this time. You really need to get us more glasses if you're going to invite guests up here.”
“You’re right Jacob. I’ll put it on my next shopping list.”
“No, you take me shopping. You will forget it like you do every time I ask you for some chips or sodas. Remember that last time I ask you for some candy, and you said that you would put it on your list, and you forgot. I never did get that new candy they have out.”
“I’ll try and do better son. I’m sorry.”
John looked over at Bradley and winked. Bradley smiled and turned to look at the view again. He saw a beautiful deer, so he told Jacob to be very quiet and motioned him over. He pointed out the deer and told Jacob to be quiet, or he would scare the deer off. It grazed along the tree line. Jacob was so excited he ran over and got John’s hand and pulled him to the edge of the deck and pointed at the deer. John smiled at his son and knew he should have learned about the wildlife so he could tell Jacob some exciting facts about the deer, but he didn’t know any.
A few minutes later, Clayton came out of the cabin and sat down at the table. Jacob ran and got Clayton’s hand and put his finger to his mouth to tell his dad not to make any noise. He led him over to the edge of the deck and pointed out the deer. Clayton smiled and started telling Jacob about the deer and shedding their antlers every year and other facts about deer that he had studied.
John frowned at Clayton. “Where did you learn all that?”
“From the internet. I thought we had agreed before we even got Jacob that we were going to learn about the animals so when we came up here, we could tell him all about them.”
“We did, but I have been busy and not had the time to research it. It's more important that I do my heart surgery then to study about animals.” John turned and walked over to the table and sat down, looking at the ground.
Clayton told Bradley to watch Jacob for a few minutes. He walked over and got John’s hand and led him into the house. “All right, John, tell me what’s wrong? I know there is something because you never act like this.”
“When I took Jacob out on the deck, Cade was kissing Bradley. In front of Jacob. I didn’t like that. I told them child on the deck so they would stop.”
“Did they stop?”
“Yes, right away. Bradley stepped back from Cade.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“I didn’t want Jacob to see two men kissing like that.”
“Babe we have kissed in front of Jacob.”
“Yeah, when we first got him, but how much do we kiss now? Never. You just don’t seem to want to kiss me or cuddle with me anymore.”
“Where is this coming from John? You know I love you more than anything in the world. I love Jacob, but different from you. We just seem busy now with work and Jacob. It doesn’t give much time for us.”
“Don’t you think we should make time for us? How about if we get one of the grandmas to babysit and have a date night a week. I miss you, Clayton. We don’t even spend much time talking like we used to.”
Clayton held out his arms. “Come here, babe.”
John walked to him, and Clayton wrapped his arms around John and pulled him close. He grabbed the back of John’s hair and pulled his head back and crushed his lips with his own. He deepened the kiss and John was thrilled. Clayton pulled back. “You’re right Sweetheart. We do need to start making time for ourselves. I didn’t realize there was a problem between us. I am so happy with you. I didn’t see that you were not happy with me. Let’s do this and get grandma to keep him overnight once a week. Between the two of them, they shouldn’t have a problem keeping him. Then we can have all weekend to ourselves unless you get an emergency.”
“That has my vote. What do you want me to make for dinner?”
“How about if I take my husband out to dinner tonight at the diner in town? We can take the boys with us and make a family night of it.”
“That’s a brilliant idea, Clayton. I like it. Jacob will be happy too. He can get the hamburger and French fries I don’t let him have at home. He can even get chocolate milk. Jacob told me that since I keep forgetting to put his requests on my shopping list that he is going shopping with me so he can get what he wants. I don’t know how I’m going to get around that one.”
“That’s one smart little boy. I guess you can give me the list and I’ll do the shopping.”
“I don’t think so, babe. Jacob will have a cupboard of junk food, and you know he doesn’t need it. You’re a sucker for anything that Jacob wants. I’ll just do the shopping on my way home from work and tell him I forgot to get him to go with me.”
“Babe, you're going to make him think you’re senile or something. You can’t keep using the same excuse. We’ll come up with something. Maybe you and I can go shopping on Sunday morning while he is with the grandmas. Then we can tell him we just had to get it done.”
“That might work for a time or two, but soon he is going to catch on. He is just too smart for his age.”
“Let’s get the boys and head for town. It will be nice to have an early dinner and get Jacob to bed early then I have some plans.”
John grinned at him and went out and got the boys and told them where they were going.
A few minutes later, they all got into the Lincoln and headed to the small town near the cabin. They got to the diner and went inside. They decided to sit at a table back in the corner so all five could fit around it. The waitress brought them menus and took their drink orders.
Jacob was looking over the menu. “Dad, what can I get?”
John said, “For just tonight you can get anything you want, son.”
Jacob’s face brightened up. “Ok, Dad I want a bowl of chocolate ice cream.”
“Jacob, you know you are not allowed to have just ice cream for dinner. If you pick some real dinner food and eat all of it and still want the ice cream, then you can have it.”
“Ok, then I want a burger and French fries. Can I have that and then the ice cream after?”
“Yes, you can. But remember it is just for tonight. Tomorrow night you have to eat a good healthy meal.”
Jacob nodded his head. “I know, and as long as you don’t have the little trees, I will eat it all.”
Cade furrowed his brows and tipped his head to the side. “Little trees? What’s he talking about little trees?”
Clayton chuckled. “He’s talking about broccoli. He said he shouldn’t have to eat little trees. I guess they sort of look like trees. If he would try them, I think he would love them. John makes a good cheese sauce to put over them, and they are heavenly.”
“I
like them either cooked or raw. I love broccoli on a salad too. Jacob, you should at least try everything and then decide if you like it or not.”
“I did try the trees, Cade. I didn’t like them.”
John asked, “When did you try them, Jacob? You have always refused to eat some when we have them.”
“I tried to eat a piece of tree in the back yard, and it was yucky. I don’t ever want to eat trees again.”
All the guys started laughing. John said, “Son, it's not the same as the trees outside. It isn’t a tree at all. They are vegetables and don’t taste like a tree. They are delicious to eat.”
Jacob looked at Cade and Bradley still chuckling at him, and he scowled at them. “It's not funny guys. I wanted to make my dads happy, so I wanted to try it and see if it tasted good and it didn’t.”
Bradly got serious. “I know its not funny Jacob. You’re right; this is some serious business. If I order some broccoli will you try a little tiny piece of it and see if you like it?”
“I guess you can as long as it doesn’t taste like the trees outside. They’re really nasty.”
“I promise it doesn’t taste bad like the trees outside.”
Bradley ordered the broccoli and Jacob tasted it and loved it. He took the small bowl of broccoli from Bradley and ate it all.
Chapter 10
After they left the diner, they went for a drive through the mountains, and it was just beautiful. They stopped at an overlook and got out of the car. All five walked to the edge and looked at the breathtaking scene in front of them. Cade took out his phone and took some pictures to show his parents. He couldn’t wait until he and Bradley graduated and got their place here. It would be great to come up here to unwind on the weekends.
When they got back to the cabin, they decided to go to bed so they could get up early and enjoy their day before going home. Bradley and Cade each went to their room. Jacob was put in his bedroom, and Clayton and John went to theirs.
They were all up early the next morning and had breakfast. All five decided to go on a hike near the cabin and take a picnic lunch. None could wait to get out and enjoy nature.
They started on a trail and had gone about 500 feet when Jacob said, “Dad, can you carry me. I’m tired. This is too far to walk.”
Clayton chuckled. “John put him up on my shoulders and let him ride.”
John put him on Clayton’s shoulders, and they walked up the mountain for a while. They came to a small plateau and stopped looking out over the mountain. It was a beautiful sight. They decided to sit for a while and have their lunch. It was still early in the day, but they would have to leave reasonably early to get back home. Clayton and John both had to work the next day. Bradley and Cade took pictures with their phones of the beautiful scenery.
They were sitting eating when John spotted a bald eagle in flight. He pulled a costly camera out of his bag and took several pictures of it with the zoom lens. Bradley said, “John, you’re going to have to send me those pictures. I would love to have them. I’ll share them with Cade.”
“Sure Bradley. I’ll be more than happy to share them with you.”
Bradley smiled. “Thanks, John. I would love to frame a picture of that eagle and put it on my wall. I think it’s beautiful.”
“They are gorgeous. Eagles are predators, though. Of course, they won’t bother humans, but a rabbit or rat is in danger.”
Jacob said, “Dad, what is a predator?”
“It is an animal that looks for other animals to eat. Like a wolf looks for deer to eat. It is just nature son. It’s what they do.”
“Oh, that sounds mean for a wolf to eat a pretty deer. They are prettier than a wolf is.”
“You’re right Jacob. They are much prettier, but that is just the way nature is.”
“I don’t think I like nature then.”
“We’ll talk about this later. I want you to enjoy the pretty trees and flowers. This is also nature.”
Jacob ran around the plateau and played hard. He did enjoy being outside and able to play. It was getting near noon, so they decided to head back to the cabin and gather their things and head home.
Clayton put Jacob on John’s shoulders, and he carried him back down to the cabin. They decided to pack up the food and take it back home with them. Bradley told Clayton to take whatever he brought and was left, home with him. They got all packed up and headed home. John and Clayton went home, and Bradley took Cade to Bradley’s house. Cade said, “Um babe, I think you forgot that I was here. You aren’t going to take me home?”
“Yeah, later. I want to spend some time with you before I take you home. I thought since it’s such a great day out we could swim for a while. Unless you want to go home now?”
“Oh no that’s great. I didn’t know you had plans for us. I’m always ready to spend time with you.”
“Yeah, that’s what we agreed on; spending all the time together we could before we leave in a few weeks for school. I guess we need to go early and find an apartment. Or did your dad already find us one?”
“Yeah, he already found one. We are supposed to move in soon. He has already paid the rent and deposit.”
“Get the address, and I’ll get Dad to get the lights turned on since he’s going to pay the utilities. What do you think we are going to need for groceries a month? Dad wants to know so he can get the bank to send it to us each month. It will go into my checking account the first of the month.”
“I have no idea, babe. Do you know how to cook? The only thing I can cook is microwave meals.”
“Well, we are in trouble then. I can’t even cook that much. So, I guess we stick with the microwave meals and ramen noodles.”
“Sounds like college food to me.” Cade laughed when he said it.
“Maybe if we get a girl roommate, she will know how to cook, and she can do the cooking for us.”
“What if we get a male roommate and he doesn’t know how to cook either?”
“Then I guess we will be in trouble and just stuck with the microwave and noodles.”
“As long as I am with you babe, I don’t care what we have to eat. It will be good just like we will be good together.”
“Yes, I know we will Cade, but we can’t live on love. We have to have some food too. I’ll tell Dad five hundred a month for food. If we get a roommate, then we can charge them one-third of the bills and use it for food too. The roommate will have to buy their own food. How does that sound?”
“Sounds good to me. Charging the roommate will give us a pad in case we have to order a lot of pizzas to eat while we study. I wanted to ask you something, but I don’t want you to get angry with me for asking.”
“Go ahead and ask. I want us to be able to ask anything, and no one gets angry. I promise I won’t.”
“Well, I’m really serious about getting my degree. I want to ask you not to have any parties while we are in school. I don’t see you as the party type, but I don’t know that for sure. I want it quiet in the apartment, so I can study all the time.”
“You’re right, babe. I’m not the party type. I won’t even go if I’m invited to one, so that’s not a problem. I want to study all the time too. I’m just as serious as you are. I want my degree and graduate so that I can get to work making good money.”
“Sounds like we are on the same page then. I find the more we learn about each other, the more I believe that we belong together.”
“I agree. I guess living together will tell us if we have a future together. If we can get along in the same house, then we should be able to get married and make it.”
They pulled into Bradley’s driveway and parked the truck. Bradley got his bag out of the car and got Cade by the hand, and they went into the house. Bradley took Cade to his room and got them both swimming trunks, and they changed and went down to the pool. Cade jumped in the deep end, and Bradley laughed. He walked down the steps and into the water. He swam to the deep end. Cade came up beside Bradley and put his arms around
him. He held him close and kissed him.
Charlie came out of the house and saw Cade kissing Bradley, so he just turned around and went back into the house. He sat down with his wife and shook his head. Martha asked, “Charlie, what is wrong with you?”
“Cade and Bradley are in the pool kissing. I don’t want to see that. I’m not going to do the same as I did with Clayton, but I sure don’t want to see my son kissing another boy.”
“If it weren’t for that other boy, we wouldn’t have our son. That one that kidnapped him was crazy, and it is no telling what he would have done to Bradley. We owe Cade a lot for rescuing our son. If that means they will be together, then I have no problem with that. Cade will be good for our boy.”
“I know all that Martha. I just don’t want to see them kissing. It just works on my nerves to see both my sons with men.”
“You have to admit that John has made Clayton a good husband. They have a beautiful house and our grandson. I just love Jacob so much. I need to go shopping soon for him. He has everything I’ve gotten for him, and I know when he comes over, he’s going to expect something.”
“Martha you’re spoiling that boy too much. I don’t think John and Clayton like that so much. You need to dial that back a little bit.”
“Jacob is our only grandchild. Clayton and John will just have to deal with me, spoiling him.”
“Whatever Martha.”
Out in the pool, Cade let go of Bradley. Bradley chuckled. Cade raised a brow. “My kiss was funny?”
“No babe, what was funny was while you were kissing me, my dad came out and saw us kissing and turned around and went back into the house. That was funny.”
“Do you think he is mad about it?”
“No, if he were, he would have stopped it. He doesn’t want to give me the problems he gave to Clayton. He was really mean to Clayton and forbid all of us from talking to him. It was a hard time for all of us. At least now we can have Clayton in our lives. I missed my big brother.”
“I don’t know if I would miss my brother or not. We don’t usually get along that well. He doesn’t like that I’m gay. He’s straight and thinks everyone should be the same as him.”
