All about love : Part II

Scott Parsons pulled up in front of his house and saw, not just one vehicle parked outside, but two. He wondered briefly if it was one of his clients but dismissed that notion. He never invited any of them to his house. The reason? He never brought his work home with him. It was a decision he made when his wife walked out on him and son all those years ago. He decided then and there that when he walked through the door all his time would be devoted to Jack. But still…whos car was it?

He walked through the front door and called for Jack. Nothing. He walked down the hallway and into the family room. Crossing the floor, he peered through the veranda blinds and gazed out at the pool. Nobody. He left the room and headed up the back staircase. 

When he got to the top the first thing he saw was a note pinned to the door on the opposite end of the hallway. The door to the master bedroom. His room. Well, he thought, when in Rome. He walked down the hallway and stopped in front of the door. The paper had one word written on the outside (it was folded in half)

‘Dad’. He opened the paper and read the following:
Dad,
Could you wake me up when you get
In without disturbing my guest?
Love Jack

So, he mused, Jack has a new boyfriend. Wow! His kid worked fast. He smiled to himself and whistled a happy tune as he walked back to his sons room. A chip of the ‘ole block. He was not in the least bit worried about his son. Jack had a good head on his shoulders and he knew how to use it. If he brought someone home then this must be the real deal. His son did not take dating and relationships lightly. 

He could only remember Jack being serious about two boys before this and both boys had dumped him for what they thought would be greener pastures. Both boys had a rude awakening when their new relationships blew up in their faces shortly thereafter. But, Jack had endured. He just picked up the tattered pieces of his heart and moved on.

He reached his door and quietly turned the knob. Quietly he crept to the bed and saw the two forms sleeping soundly. His son was on his back and the other boy was laying on his side with his head on Jacks chest. 

His heart swelled with pride as he gazed with love at his son. His gay son. He had taught Jack that no matter what, he was to always be himself. He had done a good job raising his son by himself despite what others had told him about the boy needing a mother figure. He decided that he would see to his sons happiness before he turned his attention to his own. If that meant going without a lifemate until Jack was securely into adulthood then so be it!

He reached down and gently shook his son by his shoulder.
“Hey!” he said above a whisper. “Hey Jacky ‘ole boy! Wake up!”
He didn’t stir. He shook him a little harder and leaned in close to his ear.
“Hey studmuffin! Wake it the fuck up!”
This time Jack opened one bleary eye and looked up at his dad with a small grin.
“Did you just call me studmuffin dad?”

“What else would I call you when you’re wrapped up in somebody during the early evening? You wanted to talk to me? I’ll be in my room.”
He turned and left closing the door quietly behind him.

Jack stirred slightly and opened both eyes. His gaze roamed over to Robbie who’s face was hidden by one of Jacks arms. Carefully he moved so as not to disturb Robbie to much. He lifted Robbies head gently and laid it slowly back down on the pillow. Robbie murmured something in his sleep, smiled slightly and did not stir again. Jack slowly removed the covers, turned once to deliver a soft kiss on Robbies cheek and then swung his legs down and over the platform to the rug. 
He rose to his feet, padded across the room to his closet and grabbed his bathrobe. When he had it on securely, he left his room quietly and headed down the hall. His fathers door was open so he let himself in.

“So,” his father said lightly. “What’s up?”
“Hey that was good dad,” Jack replied with a grin. “Now tell a joke.”

His father laughed. “Sorry…that was bad. Okay Jacky what do you want to talk about?” His eyes twinkled as he watched his son quietly.
Jack sat down in the chair opposite his dads bed. “I think…no…I know dad that this is it. I’ve never felt this way before about anyone. When I’m close to him my stomach is in a knot and my heart beats faster. When I hold him all I can think about is keeping him safe and…well…(he hung his head down as his face colored slightly) loving him. He’s probably the sweetest, most cutest and intelligent person I’ve ever met in my life and just being this far away from him is giving me a feeling of anxiety. Dad I think I’m in love.”

Scott said nothing. He just stared at his son blankly as he was determined not to give anything away just yet. What his son just described was definitely love but, damn! They just moved here. On the other hand, it happens when it happens…everybody knows that.

Who was this kid that has turned my son into an emotional, sappy, love sick puppy?
This was too funny! He didn’t want to laugh because he knew exactly what the poor kid was going through. Whoever was sleeping in his sons bed must be something special or he definitely would not be there. He got up from his bed and walked over to the tiny refrigerator in the corner. He opened it and pulled out two ice cold beers. He tossed one to Jack then he sat back down on his bed. He opened his and took a long pull and watched his handsome young son do the same. Then he spoke.

“I know that you are one of the smartest young people going. I know that you wouldn’t just jump into anything without using your brain and then following your heart. I also know that love has no rhyme or reason. So I keep telling myself that the person down the hall has to be very special indeed to make you act this way. I can see the change in you since last night and that’s….”

The sentence died on his lips as the realization dawned on him who the person down the hall was.
“Wait Jacky! Are you telling me that the boy you brought home last night…the same one you helped out of that jam is the one who has stolen your heart?”
“Yeah dad…pretty wild huh?”
“Jacky wild doesn’t even begin to describe it. I was thinking that this was a little fast but I thought you had at least known him for the week that we’ve lived here.

 Jacky it’s only been one day…one day! Look…I just want you to be sure about what you’re feeling and what you’re doing. Aww hell! I know you’re sure about what you’re feeling but…damn Jacky…you just met him. What do you know about him? Where does he live? What do his parents do? Do they even know that their son is gay and that he’s sleeping with you? OH MY GOD! You’re going to be eighteen in one week. Just how old is he anyway?”

“Which question do you want answered first?”
“Don’t be a wise ass! Just tell me he’s at least eighteen or pretty damn close to it!”
“Dad Robbie is seventeen just like me. I saw his class schedule today and can assure you that he will be eighteen in exactly a week and a half.”
“What does his class schedule have to do with his age. Hell I’ve seen your class schedule.”
“Well if you looked close enough it has my name, address and birthdate in the upper left hand corner of it. So doesn’t his…so doesn’t everybody elses too!”
Scott pondered this for a moment. “Okay well at least there’s that. When do I get to meet him again? For that matter when do I get to meet his parents.”
“You can meet my mother any time you want sir.”

They both whirled around at the small voice coming from the bedroom door. Robbie was standing there fully dressed looking down shyly at his shoes. Jack immediately went to him, took him by the hand led him to his father.
“It’s alright Robbie,” he said gently. “Dad doesn’t bite.”

Robbie blushed furiously but looked up at Scott anyway. He stuck his hand out in greeting. Mr. Parsons took it firmly and shook it. He noticed that Robbie did not look away. The kids got guts, he thought to himself. Jack looked like he would burst with pride.

“I’d like to thank you for your help last night sir,” Robbie said quietly. “My mom would like to thank you too and she’d like to meet you and Jack tomorrow evening if that’s possible.”
“What’s your last name Robbie?”
“Burns Sir.”
“Burns, Burns, Burns,” he said to himself quietly. Suddenly he snapped his fingers. “Hey wait a minute! You wouldn’t be related to Natalie Burns would you?”
Robbie looked up and beamed at the mention of his mothers name. “You know my mother?”
“You know his mother?” Scott asked increduously.
“Well I don’t know her personally but I know of her. If it wasn’t for her we wouldn’t have gotten the land for the new warehouse and mill. She sold it to us Jack. She is Natalie Burns of Burns Real Estate”

Jack turned to Robbie with his mouth wide open and just stared with wonder. Then a smile started to spread slowly across his face.
“I’ll be damned,” he breathed. “What are the odds of this? Robbie I don’t know what to say. I mean…your mom is one of the biggest real estate agents in this part of the state. She has holdings all over the place. You can’t drive within a 200 mile radius without seeing a sign that says Burns Real Estate on it.”
Robbie grinned sheepishly. “Yeah,” he mimicked Jack. “We’re rich but, we live simply.”

The two boys looked at each other and then burst into laughter. Scott just stared at them while they laughed hysterically, clapping themselves on the backs while trying to hold the other up. He didn’t get it.
“D-Do y-you only p-pull out the expensive s-stuff when your grandmother comes over?”
“Yeah,” Robbie roared. “Sh-Shes the s-snob in the family!”
They collapsed into laughter again while Scott looked at them like they had six heads each. “Okay guys,” he said with a smile. “That’s enough.”
When they had caught their breath, and calmed down a bit, he continued.

“Robbie does your mom know you’re here?”
“Yes sir. She said I could stay the night…if it’s okay with you.”
“It is on one condition. My name is Scott…not sir! Okay then I want you to set up a meeting with your mother for tomorrow night. I’ll take us all out to dinner. In the meantime tonight we’ll just order pizza. I’m gathering you two (ahem! He cleared his throat) worked up an apetite?”
“A partial one dad.” Jack grinned.
“Hey Jacky,” he replied sarcastically. “That was good…now tell a joke!”

****

Later on, after the pizza had been devoured and the homework finally finished, Scott sat and talked to the boys for another hour. After that, he said that he was tired and he retired up to his room to sleep. It was going to be busy at the construction site tomorrow, he’d said, and he needed all the sleep he could get. He said good night and left the boys alone.

For a while Jack and Robbie just sat and stared at each other.
“So,” Jack said finally. “What do you think of dad?”
“He’s great. He’s like my mom…I mean…without the motherly parts.”

Jack laughed. “Yeah he is. Can I ask you a question? Whatever happened to your father?”
“I’ll tell you what happened to him if you tell me what happened to your mom.”
“Deal.”
“Dad decided that he couldn’t live with a woman who was stronger than him emotionally and made more money than him so, he cut out one day and never returned. I was eight. It’s been the two of us ever since. I have never seen him or heard from him since then either and I don’t want too. I’m not bitter but that’s just the way it is. Mom proved her strength and her love for me over and over again through the years. By the way, she divorced dad. His last name is Anderson. My moms maiden name is Burns. I asked her if I could take on her last name legally. She cried tears of happiness for two days straight but she had it done just for me. When she asked me why I wanted to do it, I told her that I was damned if I was going to carry on that cowards name.”