The Phoenix Foundation - 1. Fury

Fury:

"Matt, line one is for you!" Bellowed through the intercom, startling him. Matt was so focused on the paper he was reading, he’d forgotten there was anybody else in the office.

"Hello, this is Matt," He said picking up the telephone as he rubbed his eyes which were tired from reading contracts all day.

"Matt, this is Sheriff Cooper, I realize you are just preparing to open your youth home, but I need a place to put a kid that has been living on the streets for almost two years according to what he has told me."

"Can you tell me a bit about him?"

"Well, he is fifteen, originally from Texas. His parents kicked him out when they discovered he was gay, he was only thirteen at the time for FUCKSAKE’S!"

"I’m guessing he won’t have an issue with me and Jon then. What’s his name?"

"His name is Caleb James."

"James? You said his last name is James?" Matt asked curiously.

"Yeah, that’s what I said. Why?"

"Well... My last name is James, Steven and Claire are or were, my parents. As soon as I turned eighteen I got the hell out of their house. I was gay, and they made sure everybody around our family knew they didn't like homosexuality...."

"Matt, we have a problem, you said your parents are named Steven and Claire?" The Sheriff paused.

"Unfortunately, yes...." Matt sighed at the thought.

"How soon can you come down to my office Matt?" Sheriff Cooper asked respectively.

"I just need to grab a few papers to take home with me,” Matt scratched his head, “I guess I could be there in fifteen minutes."

"Thanks, Matt, I’ll see you then,” Sheriff Cooper ended the call.

Walking out into the outer office area, "Jen, I am leaving for the day. If, anything important pops up just handle it how I would," Matt walked to the elevators pushing the button.

"You got it boss, have a good day," Jen called out to his back.

"Thanks, you too Jen," Matt said over his shoulder, as the doors to the elevator opened for him to step inside. Matt walked swiftly through the lobby and out of the building to get to his car. Matt hopped into his Hummer turning the key, and the engine roared to life, he loved the sound, and it never got old. Putting it in gear, Matt eased his way onto the roadway desperate to get to the Sheriff's Department. Along the way, Matt couldn’t help but be curious why the Sheriff was so interested in his parent's names.

Pulling into the Sheriff's parking lot, Matt did not resist the urge to smirk at the thought that his parents. They can no longer mess up or interfere in his life anymore. Since he is a grown man, married and won one of the largest lotteries in history when he was only twenty-three years old. Matt shut off the vehicle and walked into the dingy Sheriff's office.

"Hi, I’m Matt James, Sheriff Cooper is expecting me," Matt smiled toward the petite deputy working at the reception desk.

"Certainly Mr. James, just one second, I will let the Sheriff know you are here," Deputy Arglass stated.

The deputy picked up the phone and informed the Sheriff of Matt's arrival.

A few minutes later, a large fifty-ish-year-old man sauntered into the reception area. "Hello, Matt, I’m Sheriff Cooper. Would you please follow me to my office where we can talk privately?" The Sheriff shook Matt’s hand in greeting.

"Sure," Matt still could not figure out what all of this meant as he walked into the Sheriff's sanctum.

"Matt, have a seat,” he pointed to a chair in front of his desk, “Would you like something to drink?" he asked before taking his seat on the opposite side.

"Um… no, can you please tell me what’s going on, and why you’ve called me down here?" Matt scratched the back of his head.

"Well it seems we have a bit of a dilemma, do you have any contact with your parents?" Sheriff Cooper questioned.

"No, I haven't spoken to them in about seventeen or so years. Why?" Matt asked irritatedly.

"Well, it seems you have a brother that has lived on the street for the last two years. Your ever-loving parents kicked him out when he was thirteen for being gay," Sheriff Cooper clasped his hands together on his desk in front of him.

"Those assholes, after the hell they put me through growing up they had another son?” Matt slammed his fist on the Sheriff’s desk, “What did you say his name is… Caleb, right? Is.... is he okay?"

"Woah! Matt, calm down buddy,” Sheriff Cooper rubbed his forehead, “Caleb is sitting in one of the other offices, he is sort of a quiet kid, and seems like he may have trust issues," the Sheriff said shifting in his chair.

"Does he know he has a brother? I mean did they tell him anything about me?" Matt asked worriedly.

"He knows he has a brother, and knew you lived somewhere in Maine, but that’s about all he knows. Unfortunately, your parents never told him your name, or he probably wouldn't have been living on the streets for the last two years," Sheriff Cooper stated dryly.

Matt wiped his sweaty palms on his pants, "Do you think I could see my brother?"

"Sure, Matt, he is two doors down on the left, good luck,” the sheriff stood up from behind his desk, “Go talk to him, just remember he’s vulnerable and may not be very responsive. When you’re both ready, come back and we can try and wrap this up."

Matt exited the office and walked into the designated room. Pausing at the door, Matt worried if his parents had taken the liberty of poisoning his brother against him. Matt shook his head to clear his thoughts, he took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"Ya, come in," Caleb said sulkily towards the door.

"Caleb?" Matt called out.

"Uh ya.... who are you?" Caleb sat with one arm crossed in front of him, leaning lazily on his fist of the other, trying to look like he did not have any interest in the man in front of him.

"I'm Matt, your brother,” Matt stood just inside the door, “I guess our parents didn't even show you a picture of me?"

"Nope, they said I had a brother,” Caleb studied Matt carefully, “they never showed me a picture of you or even told me your name."

Matt walked over and sat across from Caleb and asked, "Caleb, would you mind if I gave you a hug?"

Caleb moved back in his seat, creating more distance between him and his brother. Matt scratched his head after watching his brother back away, “Caleb, once I left home I had to do some pretty shitty things to survive myself.”

“Oh yeah, like what?” Caleb asked with disinterest, almost bored with the conversation.

“I’ve slept on the streets, I’ve hitchhiked to move on from no-where good, I’ve done things that I hope you’ve never had to do for a meal,” Caleb fidgeted in his chair, pretending not to pay attention. Matt, strummed his fingers on the table thinking how to proceed.

“Caleb, I left home with a few clothes and a measly hundred dollars in my bank account from work at McD’s flipping burgers,” Matt sighed, “Once I made it to Maine, I kind of ran out of places to run.” Caleb leaned forward with piqued interest. Matt continued, “I knew that Jon’s Uncles’ owned a restaurant or something and I tried looking for them. It was sheer luck and coincidence when I slept in the alleyway that night. Jon’s Uncle was the one who found me sleeping beside the dumpster the next morning. As you know it’s dangerous on the street, he could have been ax-murderer,” Matt shuttered, “I thought he was going to call the cops. Instead, he made me take a shower, then he gave me some breakfast. Once I’d finished eating he smiled, handed me an apron and said, “nothing in life is free kiddo, except the meal you just ate. Now get to work so you can look after yourself.” Matt paused for a moment observing Caleb, who was now giving Matt his full attention, “Eventually, I found a shady motel, that bred rats, and cockroaches to live in.”

“Is that where you live now?” Caleb rolled his eyes, but anyone could see that the kid was hanging on every word out of Matt’s mouth.

“The Uncles never gave me anything but a job and support. I worked for everything, after working there for a while, I finally told them my story and who I was, then Jon’s Uncle contacted him after a while telling him where he could find me. He made his way up to Maine, his Uncles’ gave him a job also, then Jon and I decided to get a small apartment we could afford between the two of us. His Uncles’ continue to give both of us a lot of support emotionally, but we both worked hard for everything we have. I know that life wasn’t easy for you Caleb, but you’re not alone, I do know what you’ve gone through.”

“If I give you a chance, how long until you decide to kick me out? What if you change your mind? We don’t even know each other, how can I trust you?” Caleb questioned him glaring.

“If you’ll just give me a chance, let me be there for you, let me help you. I know it will be rough for a while, but we’ll get there, I promise, I’d never turn my back on you,” Matt was almost pleading.

“I know I’m going to mess up, are you gonna kick me out then?” Caleb stared at the table knowing he would eventually screw things up.

“I’m still goin’ to be right here Caleb,” Matt reached across the table testing the waters.

Caleb smiled, letting his defenses down as he anticipated the first caring touch from his brother. Without hesitation, Caleb launched himself over the table into Matt's arms. Matt knew this was a temporary grace, they had their work cut out for them going forward.

"I am sorry you had to deal with those people Caleb, I didn't even know anything about you until the Sheriff explained to me about you bro," Matt kissed the top of Caleb’s head while hugging him.

"So, what happens to me now?" Caleb asked while clinging to Matt.

"Well buddy, you and I need to get to know one another and make up for the years we didn't have together," Matt smiled at Caleb.

"But I don't have money to pay my way, maybe I can find a job," Caleb mumbled as he buried his head in Matt’s chest.

"Caleb it’s not your job to worry about money. It’s my job to worry about money. It’s your job to be a teenager. We’ll be okay, I’m more than prepared for you, you are my family. It will be just the three of us," Matt tightened his arms around Caleb.

"Three of us?" Caleb looked at Matt curiously.

"Well ya, you really never heard anything about me? Jon, he is my husband now, but he was my boyfriend from the time he moved into our school district when we were in ninth grade. Ultimately it was Mom and Dad who forced me to leave home because I’m gay, and they refused to accept my ‘lifestyle’ so I left," Matt smiled as he described his and John’s life.

"Wow bro, seems like we have a lot in common," Caleb joked while brushing his hair out of his eyes. "But how can you afford to keep me without me working?"

"Well, when I came into a little bit of money, I decided to put it to good use and help kids like you and me who have been forced to leave home and have nowhere safe to go. I’m actually in the process of opening a youth home, well the foundation is. I started a foundation, it’s called The Phoenix Foundation, I’ll tell you more about it later. I know you’re young, but I would really like it if you’d want to be a part of it eventually,” Matt had a twinkle in his eye.

Caleb was a little in awe at his brother, "Thanks for helping me Matt, I figured I was going to be alone the rest of my life – as far as family went."

"No way man, but where are your belongings, Caleb?" Matt looked around quizzically.

"All I have is my backpack,” Caleb pointed at a mangy red colored backpack sitting by the door, it looked like it had, had a hard life, “I have a couple pairs of boxers, a spare pair of socks, a hoodie sweatshirt, and a pair of shorts, other than what I have on." Caleb shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh, we are going to fix that,” Matt smiled at Caleb, “Let's go see the Sheriff and get any paperwork out of the way so we can get you home. You look like you could use a shower and something to eat."

"I’d actually love a hot shower,” Caleb radiated with appreciation, “washing up in sinks wherever and whenever you can; it sucks really bad."

"I promise you that you’ll never live like that again," Matt patted Caleb’s shoulder with a warm smile.

Caleb got a huge grin on his face, "It feels really good having a bro’,” Caleb had a cold chill run through him as he thought of his parents, Matt seemed nothing like them, all kindness and no reservations, “Back home I was just sort of invisible to them, didn't matter if I did well in school or sports."

"Well that’s all over now Caleb, so just forget that life,” Matt caringly gave Caleb a one-armed hug, “We have to do something about your schooling. You can play a sport or not, that’s entirely up to you. Jon, and I will make every effort to be there if you do. No one is going to force you though if you don’t want to."

"That’s easy, school is almost done for the summer break,” Caleb smiled as he thought for a moment, “If I can get a tutor, I should be caught up by the end of summer, I promise you school is so easy. I never had to study for anything, it just comes to me. I can't explain it but dude homework is a joke." Caleb chuckled at his bewildered looking brother. "Matt, I was only joking, make arrangements with the school I am positive I can test out of the two years I missed.”

"Okay, let's just go wrap up whatever loose ends we need to do here, and head home." Matt retraced his steps to Sheriff Cooper’s office. When they both walked into Sheriff Cooper's office, they noticed a woman standing alongside the desk.

"Hello, I am Katie, I work as a caseworker for Children and Youth,” She smiled warmly, “I understand Caleb has been homeless after his and your parents kicked him out?”

"Yes, I was, but I have a home with Matt now,” Caleb almost shouted.

"Well, that is what I am here for,” Katie pulled out a folder with a bunch of papers inside it, “Matt do you want to take guardianship of Caleb?"

"Of course, I do. He’s my brother. I have a lot of years to make up for without him," Matt smiled at Katie, “I have a feeling we will be working closely together, once the Phoenix Foundation opens its doors to the youth home.”

Katie pulled out a few forms looking them over before placing them on the desk in front of Matt, “Okay right here Matt,” she pointed to a spot on the form, “once you sign there you are legally Caleb’s guardian. Are you positive this is what the both of you want? I’m sorry but I have to ask, especially you Caleb, we want you to have the opportunity to have a loving family.”

Caleb stared at Katie for a moment and then focused on Matt, “Katie for two years I lived wondering where I would eat and sleep, today I found my brother. I’m sure him being my guardian is what I want if he will do it.”

Matt picked up the pen determined to provide Caleb the loving family he himself never had and signed the guardianship papers, “I guess there’s no question what I want. Right?” Matt laid the pen down then reached out and squeezed Caleb’s shoulder.

Katie picked up the form countersigning it then made a copy of the paper before handing a copy to Matt, “These are temporary guardianship papers. As you know this is a unique situation, you’ll still be subjected to a home visit and your husband will be interviewed, along with you Caleb. It will be quick and painless. I want the both of you to know that if you ever have an issue, either of you can contact me and I’ll do what I can to help,” Katie handed both of them her business card and headed back to her office at Children and Youth Services.

Matt shook Sheriff Cooper’s hand and turned to Caleb, “What’d you say if we got out of here and went home?” Caleb smiled nodding his head.

Caleb picked up his backpack tossing the strap over his shoulder, “Let's go Matt.”

Matt placed his arm on Caleb’s shoulders leading their way out of the office. Matt stopped by the Hummer digging into his pocket to locate his key’s. Caleb’s eyes grew to the size of silver dollars, “Is this your car, Matt?” Matt nodded his head with a smile, “Oh my god,” Caleb ran around the Hummer staring at it, gently running his hand to and fro, “If I ever get my license can I drive it sometime?”

Matt chuckled at Caleb’s excitement, “When you’re old enough and you have a license I’ll let you drive it. Now, how about we get in and go home, Jon is expecting us,” Caleb hesitated as he crawled into the hummer thinking, ‘What if Jon doesn’t like me? Will Matt send me away?’

Matt turned the key bringing the beast to life while he studied Caleb clutching his backpack to his chest anxiously, “Caleb, Jon is gonna like you so try to relax, please. Jon is a pediatrician, he recently got a partnership with an older doctor who is planning on retiring in a few years,” Caleb sat there quietly during the ride home, as they pulled into the driveway of the brick ranch home, Caleb took in the large flat yard which had a few dogwood trees scattered throughout it.

“Wow,” Caleb responded as he got out of the truck, “This is yours?”

Matt walked side-by-side with Caleb, “It’s not only mine, it’s home for the three of us,” placing his arm on Caleb’s back, “Jon and I got this place a few years ago, it’s a little big with five bedrooms but with you here it will fill the place up. The house isn’t anything fancy Caleb, to be honest, neither of us like living extravagantly,” opening the door they walked into the house with the smell of country fried steaks permeating the air causing Caleb’s mouth to water.

Jon rounded the corner from the kitchen, his friendly face lit up as he offered his hand to Caleb, “Hi, I’m Jon, your brother's husband, which would make me your brother-in-law,” He said with a smile as Calebs fears of Jon dissipated almost immediately.