My Son - 7. TC2 - Chapter 7: Retribution

Justice moves slowly. For each action Adam took, three more obstacles would pop up before him. To satisfy the back child support, permission was granted from the court in Florida to set up a Trust Fund for Robert in the amount Massachusetts was charging: $276,672.00 based on an average cost of $1013 a month in child support, and $423 in monthly medical insurance. However, a petition to the court in Massachusetts fought the jurisdiction of the case.

Ultimately Adam won the jurisdiction, and it was settled by a Federal Appeals court judge. Because the case had been transferred to Florida’s Department of Children and Families, Florida had the jurisdiction for the case. After a month of fighting in the courts, a time-frame that was both painfully long and terrifyingly short, Adam felt something was greasing the wheels of justice to move more quickly than he was prepared for.

~.~

Adam slammed the side door as he came in from the garage. “God damn it!”

Duncan rounded the corner from the kitchen. “What’s wrong?” He walked over to Adam and pulled him into a hug.

“Matthew ‘fucking’ Turner,” Adam growled, as he leaned into Duncan’s support.

Over the past month, their relationship had changed. They kept things professional for the most part. There had not been any sex, and Duncan still slept on the other side of the house, but things were different. There were more hugs, lingering touches, and a few stolen kisses. They were hanging out and talking about each other’s lives. However, now that Duncan’s divorce was final, they were a couple in many ways and loved each other wholeheartedly.

“What has the son of a bitch done now?” They parted from each other and headed for the kitchen. “I was fixing myself some hot tea, would you like some? It’s the apricot stuff Rob sent over.”

Adam smiled. “Please…” He sat down at the island bar and sighed heavily. “I just got off the phone with Carol on the way home from talking with Tibs. It seems Mr. Turner, as the executor of the will for Michelle, is challenging my securing of Michelle’s and Rob’s house in Massachusetts. Because it hasn’t been sold yet, he’s trying to get it pulled from our control.”

“Rob hasn’t been there in months. He hasn’t even removed his stuff from up there.”

“I know. The judge in the case is saying I have twenty calendar days to comply with the will, or it will go back to the estate.” He took the cup of tea from Duncan and smiled. He inhaled the aroma of the tea, a sweet scent of fruitiness, and sipped it.

“What are you going to do about it?”

“Buy it at a fair market value, with everything in the house, and then go through it with Rob.”

“Can you afford that? I mean you got this house, you’ve bankrolled the brewpub, and all the legal filings and court costs.” Duncan looked worried and sipped his tea while rubbing Adam’s back.

“I can… I still have more than enough to live comfortably with you, me and Rob here for years without any other income. But this shit has got to stop.” Adam let out a long breath. “I get to see Rob today, so that is a positive.”

“‘You, me, and Rob?’ Are you planning on popping the question?”

“Duncan… aside for the sex, you living across the house, and me paying you to work here, we’re already past the stage of becoming a couple. I want to be with you until we grow grey and die. I love you, and I want the honor of being your husband…”

“But we need to wait until this is all over.” Duncan finished for him. “You know, I already consider us engaged. I don’t need a ring, or the question to make it real. I already feel it.”

“I do as well. However, I want to ask you out on a proper date, so I can wine and dine you and then pop the question in the middle of the restaurant. It all rests on tomorrow.”

“I would love that.” Duncan gave his love a smile. “Hopefully you won’t have to do the visitations after tomorrow, and Rob can finally come home.” Their eyes met as they looked deep into each other’s soul. “Do you want me to go to court with you?”

“Please. I don’t know if I would be able to get home if they terminate my parental rights.”

The pair hugged. Duncan leaned in and kissed Adam passionately. It lingered for several minutes. Duncan maneuvered his tongue into Adam’s mouth, slowly flicking the tip of his partner’s tongue. When they broke apart Adam nipped at Duncan’s bottom lip. “I want you so bad right now. I’ve waited years, so I can wait a few more days.”

“Soon, my dearest. Now, you need to get ready to go see Rob, and I’m going to start supper.”

Adam smiled as he took his hot cup of tea, and left for his bedroom.

~.~

Visitation with Robert happened three times a week. After a minor dispute with DCF, they agreed to have the visitations at the Florida Aquarium, and they would meet inside at the café, the ‘Café Ray.’ Adam arrived early for his Wednesday, April 11th, visitation and waited for Robert and Sylvia to show. He bought himself a cup of coffee and sat at the usual table waiting for them. Café Ray was a bit more than what you would expect for a snack bar type place. Fresh-made individual pizzas, salads, grilled items, and several types of drinks were available. Outside was a kids’ play area with a more formal snack-bar and an adult full-service liquor bar in a more relaxed area.

Adam stood and waved to Robert and Sylvia as they walked in through the door. He gathered Robert in a bear hug. “I’m so happy to see you.”

“Me too, Dad.” They walked over to the counter to get a drink for Robert, and then walked back over to the table and sat down.

“How’s school going? Are you getting used to the classes?”

“It’s going fine. Some things I was ahead on, some I’m a little behind, but I’m catching up. Giles is helping me.”

“Giles?”

“He’s the gay teen that lives a couple of doors down from us. Well, when I get back home he will. Right now, we’re meeting at the library after school. He’s on the Hockey Team, too.”

“Oh? So, are there any sparks?”

Robert blushed a little. “Some, but it’s only been a few days. I’m out at school, and a member of the Gay-Straight Alliance club, and have met some good friends. Like Chandon and Brayon, an out couple.”

“Well, I hope they become good friends of yours. When you’re done, let’s go up and see the otters.”

“Okay… Oh, Dad? Grammy, your mom, I call her Grammy, well, she’s going to sign the permission release for the school, but the Lightning High School Hockey League will be having tryouts the end of the month. I need gear to train in, and I was hoping to get some money from you for it.”

“Done… I’ll make sure ‘Grammy’ gets the cash.” Adam smiled reached over and held Robert’s hand for a moment. “I love you son. All you have to do is ask, and I’ll make sure you have what you need.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Robert stood up and walked around the table to hug his father. He placed a kiss on his cheek.

They finished up their drinks, as they chit-chatted briefly. They stood up, waved at Sylvia and left the café, with Sylvia following in their wake. The trip upstairs to the Florida Wetlands exhibit where the River Otters were was uneventful. They stopped to look over the otters while they played in the water.

“You’re still interested in Marine Biology?”

“Yeah, I am, Dad. I’ve been looking at the colleges you mentioned, to see what they’re like.” Robert paused. “I’m thinking about University of Tampa.”

“University of Tampa is a good college, and I know a few of the trustees.” Adam smiled at his son. “I’m not going to pull any strings to get you in, you have to earn that, but I’ll see about getting you some face time with the department chair for the school of biology. Let you ask any questions you may have.”

“That would be awesome! I wouldn’t want you to pull anything to get me in. I want to do it myself. But, I would love to talk to someone about the program.” He smiled, as one of the otters tackled another, and wrestled around some before taking off. “They’re beautiful creatures.”

Adam nodded in agreement and rubbed the small trimmed beard on his chin. “That they are. Now, Rob… we’re going to head into one of the conference rooms here. Sylvia doesn’t know, yet… but we’re about to be interviewed for the nightly news, for tonight. It’s about time for us to head that way, and for us to tell our story. You cool with this?”

“If it means I can go home, Hell yeah, I am!”

Adam smiled and laid a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. He led Robert from the exhibit to Sylvia and told her to follow. En route to the conference room, he explained what was going on and that Robert was going to be interviewed, and it was already cleared with his guardian ad litem, who was there as well. The pair walked into the conference room, followed shortly behind by Sylvia. The local stations of NBC, FOX, and Bay News 9, were already set up and ready for the interviews.

~.~

Adam sat at the island bar and was eating the dinner Duncan had prepared. He had made beef stew with cornbread, and it was wonderful. Playing in the background was the FOX13 5:00 pm News, and they were recapping the day’s events.

“You sure they will air the interview?”

“I’m fairly certain they will.” Adam sopped up some of the stew with the cornbread and ate the bite. “This is really delicious, babe.” He pointed at the stew. “Oh, as far as the news is concerned, Tibot arranged it. That’s why I’m certain it will get aired.”

“Ah… stuff we shouldn’t question then.”

“Exactly.”

Adam paused and turned on the barstool to face the T.V. in the family room. “Oh, it’s on now.”

The news anchor was leading in the story while showing shots of Adam and Robert in the conference room. With them were Robert’s guardian ad litem and Carol Smith, their attorney. “In local news, a single father and his son are facing hardship. This is in part due to two politicians from Massachusetts, who are the son’s maternal grandparents. This is their story.”

The footage of the interview rolled, and the story of the Turners and their campaign to keep Adam and Robert from each other played out. Questions were answered by Adam and Robert about the hardship of being apart after having just met each other. Other questions were directed at Carol about the legal ramifications of the custody case. Documents were presented showing the actions of the Turners, and in separate footage, the private investigator explained he had doctored the photos at Massachusetts State Attorney Matthew Turner’s insistence. Pictures of Robert’s bruises from the assault in foster care were shown to the press.

“This assault is not an isolated incident. According to the CDC, as recently as a 2016 study, GLBT youth are more likely to be assaulted in the foster care system nationwide than non-GLBT youth at a ratio of 4 to 1.” The news anchor then passed the segment over to sports.

“Wow… they played it.” Duncan was a little stunned as he turned back towards his food.

“I admit, I had my reservations… but Tibs came through.”

“That he did.”

Adam’s phone rang, and lit up. “Speak of the devil… You’re on speaker Tibs.” He placed the phone between him and Duncan.

“Heya bro. I think you should turn on the cable news.”

“What’s up?”

“Let’s just say… never fuck with someone who knows where the bodies are buried. CNN or FOX, either one will have coverage in the next five minutes. The idiots at MSNBC will eventually cover it.” He said his goodbyes and hung up the phone.

Adam turned on CNN and caught the report as they were starting. On the split screen next to the CNN anchor was a video of Matthew Turner and his wife Beverley Turner being escorted from their home in handcuffs. They were doing a “Perp Walk” before all the media.

“In a shocking investigation, FBI raided the home and offices of Massachusetts State Attorney Matthew Turner, and his wife Massachusetts House Representative Beverley Turner. Court documents, unsealed before going live this hour, show the Turners aided and abetted several members of the Five Families crime organization. They used their positions to cover up serious allegations of homicide, money laundering, and racketeering. Evidence has also come to light that after they signed away custody rights of their grandson for being gay, they were interfering with the custody case. In addition to the Turners, three state judges are also under indictment.”

More footage was shown of the Turners and the judges who were snared in the investigation. “It is also reported that the FBI and DOJ have frozen their assets, and they were made to surrender their passports.”

Adam and Duncan sat stunned. Adam reached over and flipped the T.V. to mute. “Did I just see that? And they did a perp walk, an actual perp walk. I didn’t think it was common to parade accused people in front of the press!”

“Yes. Yes, you did.” Duncan took a sip of his drink. “I guess Law and Order had to get perp walks from somewhere.”

“Holy shit… They are going down for a very long time.”

“Yeah, they are. Did you catch the screen where it said Matthew is being investigated as an accessory to three murders?”

“No, I didn’t!” Adam turned on his barstool back towards the counter and finished his meal. “Holy shit…”

“Yeah…” He took a bite of his stew and made a nonchalant gesture. “Looks like Tibs came through.”

“That it does.”

Duncan finished his bite of stew and glanced at Adam. He smiled, leaned in, and kissed his cheek. “Have I mentioned how much I love you today?”

They smiled at each other and returned to their dinners.

~.~

Thursday, April 12th came early for Adam. He was already awake when his alarm went off. He couldn’t sleep the night before, as today would be the day the Judge either gave Robert back to him or ruled that his parental rights would terminated. He reached over to his phone, shut the alarm off, and sat up on the edge of the bed.

After a quick shower and getting dressed, he was in the kitchen sipping a cup of coffee Duncan had handed him.

“You’re looking good, Adam. Very fatherly, in that three-piece suit.”

“Thanks. From what I understand, two reporters will be in the gallery.” They finished their coffees and got ready to leave.

It was a short trip to the courthouse, and they were escorted into the assigned courtroom by the Bailiff. There were four dark wooden pews on each side of an entrance walkway. A short wooden wall of the same dark wood separated the gallery from the trial area. Three tables sat near the wall, and a raised dais contained a witness stand and the judge’s bench. Tan walls and industrial grade grey carpet were throughout the room. A jury pool of fourteen chairs sat off to the side. It was chilly in the courtroom, only sixty-five degrees.

Carol Smith, Adam’s attorney, sat at the far left table and waited for Adam to sit. Sylvia Cramer and a State’s Attorney sat at the far right, and the central table was where Robert sat with his Guardian ad Litem. Duncan sat in the gallery with Samantha and Derrick Smith. Near them sat Tibot. A court reporter sat at a desk in front of the judge’s dais, while a clerk sat near them. In the gallery, two reporters sat taking notes.

Adam squeezed Robert’s shoulder as he passed him to his seat. “Soon.”

“I’m praying, Dad.” Robert’s tenseness could be felt through his shoulder.

Adam sat and gave Robert a smile before he turned towards Carol. They spoke softly, waiting for the session to start.

The clerk of the court had them stand and swear to tell the truth.

“All rise.” The Bailiff opened a side door. “The Honorable Judge Martha Stone, presiding for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Unified Family Court. The court is now in session.” The judge sat down in her chair. “You may be seated.”

“Let’s get to business. Announce the first case, please.”

“Your Honor, the first case is the matter of State vs. Adam Smith. All parties are accounted for and have been sworn in.” The clerk quickly responded.

“Thank you.” The room was silent as the judge looked at a few pieces of paper. “Ms. Smith, I understand you have a witness that you would like to produce.”

Carol stood up at the table where she and Adam sat. “I do Your Honor. He’s the owner of the private investigation firm that sent in photos to the Department for Children and Families.”

“Does the State have any objections?”

“No objections Your honor.” The State’s Attorney rose and sat back down.

“Call your witness.”

“The defense calls Ryan Young.”

The Bailiff stepped out the door and fetched Mr. Young. He was a nondescript middle-aged man, with plain features and brown hair and eyes. Young walked in and was escorted to the witness stand. After a few moments, he was sworn in by the clerk.

“You may proceed with questioning Ms. Smith.”

“Thank you, Your Honor.” Carol approached the podium that sat in front of the three tables and adjusted the microphone. “Mr. Young, before we proceed, can you state your name and occupation for the record please.”

“I’m Ryan Young, and I own and operate the Young Detective Agency of Massachusetts.”

“And why are you involved in this case?”

“I was hired by Massachusetts State Attorney Matthew Turner to investigate Adam Smith and his family. The goal was to turn up some sort of evidence that would interfere in the custody case.”

“And did you find any?”

“No, we did not.”

Carol reached down and produced some printouts of photos. “Your Honor, may I approach the witness?”

“You may.”

“Then can you explain these photos?” She handed the printouts to Mr. Young.

Ryan nodded and started with the first photo. “This one shows the subject, Adam Smith, and his son Robert shortly after a Lightning hockey game. In the original picture, we couldn’t tell what he handed him. So, we photoshopped into it what we thought it was, a bottle of Budweiser Beer. In the second series of shots, these are undoctored and show Mr. Smith crossing from his room to his son’s in the middle of the night. We had a laser refraction microphone on the house and heard Robert Turner yell in his sleep, it was loud enough to reach the other side of the house. We heard them talk, and the yelling was a night terror.”

“Objection Your honor, hearsay about the cause of the yelling.”

“One question before I pass judgment on the objection. Mr. Young, did you hear the audio yourself?”

“I did Your Honor. I was running the microphone, and the cameras, while my team was moving to get pictures of the inside of Robert Turner’s bedroom.”

“Overruled. Please continue Ms. Smith.”

“Mr. Young, can you please describe the last photo.”

“The last one shows Mr. Smith in bed with Mr. Turner.”

“And is this the original?”

“No, it is not.”

“Please explain.”

“With context, Your Honor. From the audio I was listening to, Mr. Smith, in an effort to comfort his son from the night terror, decided to stay and lay down with his son. In the original photos Mr. Smith is on top of the covers, and there was no sexual contact between them. We altered the photo, to show Mr. Smith under the covers engaging in a sex act with his son.”

“And why did you do that?”

“Before you answer, Mr. Young, you are under oath, and what you say can be used against you.” The judge shuffled some papers around while she waited for an answer.

“I understand, Your Honor.” He nodded when the Judge motioned for him to proceed. “As part of the terms of our contract, with Mr. Turner… if we did not find any proof of wrongdoing, we were to fabricate the evidence.”

“So, you are admitting you took photos, you doctored them, sent them to your client, and they were used in this custody case in order to remove Robert Turner from his Father’s custody?”

“I am.”

“And why are you doing so?”

“As part of my plea deal. After it was investigated by the FBI, I and my team were arrested for fraud. I plead guilty, and part of that deal was to be honest in this case about the photoshopped evidence. I can only hope that is one step forward towards making amends to Mr. Smith and his son.”

“No more questions, Your Honor.” Carol sat back down.

“Does the State have any questions?”

“No Your honor.”

“The witness is dismissed.” Mr. Young was escorted from the room by the Bailiff. “Well then… In light of this new evidence, I see no reason to terminate your parental rights, Mr. Smith. Does the State have any other evidence to show why this family cannot be united?”

“We do not, Your Honor.”

“Then it’s settled. Mr. Smith, I hereby award you permanent custody of Robert Turner. It is with my sincere apologies that you were made to go through these unnecessary judicial proceedings and visitations. If there is anything the court can do to address this wrongdoing, please inform my clerk, and we will do what we can. It is so ordered that Robert Turner is given back to Adam Smith and the Department of Children and Families will conclude their case. I am also directing an order that the charge of serving a minor alcohol is dropped, and will be expunged due to the photoshopped evidence. We are adjourned, and in my customary closing for these types of cases… Mr. Smith, congratulations, it’s a boy.”

The Bailiff wasn’t finished with dismissing the parties before Robert was out of his seat, and jumped into Adam’s arms. The father and son pair hugged and held on tightly to each other, secured in the knowledge that neither would be separated from the other.

~.~

The party on the night of Friday, April 13th, had finished, and only Adam, Duncan, Robert, and Giles were left in the house. It had been a bit more than a family affair, as Samantha, Derrick, Tibot, and Carol were there, and Robert had invited his friends from school, Giles, Brayon, and Chandon. The family, Brayon, and Chandon had left, and Adam and Duncan were busy cleaning up.

Robert and Giles sat in front of the 4KHD TV and the PlayStation®4 taking turns playing a video game in the exercise portion of the main room, with the remains of a Sally O’Neals pizza sitting on the coffee table before them.

“Careful, you got something sneaking up on you Rob.”

“Thanks, man.” He grinned at Giles and took out the raider coming up on him in Skyrim. “We make a good team.”

“That we do… I’ve been meaning to ask you… would you like to go out tomorrow? We can check out someplace here you’ve not been to, and get something to eat somewhere.”

Robert was speechless. “Um… okay.” He cleared his throat. “Sure, man… I’d love to.” He was not paying attention, and his character was killed by a dragon. “Damn it… so, does this mean you want to start dating?”

“Yeah, it does.” Giles scooted closer to Robert, took the controller from him, and leaned in for a kiss. It was a tentative small kiss between the two of them, just barely a peck on the lips. They broke apart and grinned at each other. “Can you show me your room?”

“Sure… come on, before they say something.” The boys turned off the PS4 and TV, headed around the fireplace, and down the hall to Robert’s room.

“Did…” Adam coughed some. “Did I just hear my son get asked out on a date, and he’s now in his bedroom with the same boy that asked him out?”

“I do believe so. Are you going to go cock-block them?”

“No… I don’t want to know that much about my son’s love life. I’ll be there for him if he wants to talk and needs advice on stuff. Besides, I think it’s sweet.”

“It is sweet. I’m not as experienced as you, but Rob can come to me too. I want him to know that I’m here for him.”

“Thanks, hun. I think he would like that. Stuff to discuss in the morning.” He paused a moment in thought. “Remind me to order a sampler pack of condoms from Adammale, for Robert. I wonder if they still have the one that has a thousand in it?”

“Isn’t that what your mom bought you?”

“Yes it was. But I’m not buying Robert a Great American Dildo. A normal one maybe, but not that monstrosity.”

They shared a laugh as Duncan went and cleaned the mess the boys left behind them. When he got back, he had a grin playing across his face. “So, why don’t you show me your room?”

“I can’t… I got to do one thing first.”

“What’s that?”

“Duncan, I hate to say this, but you’re fired.”

“Huh?”

“Well, it wouldn’t be proper to pay someone that I want to have as my husband one day.”

“Ah… I got it… how are we going to handle this?”

“We can work that all out tomorrow when we talk to Rob about us being a family. Right now, I just want to kiss you.” He took Duncan into his arms and planted a deep kiss on him.

“Hey, Adam…you big stud. Take me to bed, or lose me forever.”

“Top Gun? You’re quoting Top Gun to me?”

“Yup, I did.”

“Then show me the way home.” They shared a quick laugh, and another passionate kiss, as Adam stood up and took Duncan by the hand. He led his love to his bedroom and closed the door behind them. A few seconds later the hurricane shutters activated on the French doors and closed off the room to prying eyes.

Robert stood in the hallway and watched as his father and Duncan walked off. “Did I just see that? I thought Duncan was straight.”

“I don’t know. Your dads are weird.”

“Dads?”

“Yeah man. That kiss… they are in love.”

“I guess it’ll be alright for you to stay over tonight. I’m not sure I want to disturb them. Awkward to see, but I think it was sweet.”

They shared a laugh and went back to Robert’s room.

~.~

Sometime later that night, Adam walked into the kitchen to find Robert sitting at the island bar drinking a glass of water. They were both in the customary night clothing, with Adam looking freshly showered.

“You alright, Son?” Adam grabbed his own glass of water, a slice of leftover pizza, and sat down next to his son.

“I am. Just wanted some water, and needed to think.”

Adam took a bite of his pizza and swallowed, looking a little pensive. “When did Giles go home?”

“Um… well, no he’s still here… I wanted to ask you if it was okay for him to sleep over, but when we walked out, you and Duncan… well, you guys were kissing and groping each other, and headed for your bedroom. I didn’t want to interrupt, so I assumed it was okay for him to stay. He’s asleep on my bed.”

Adam coughed and spewed water on the counter. He grabbed a paper towel and cleaned up his mess. “You saw that?” A touch of red could be seen on Adam’s cheeks. “I’m not mad at you, Son. But next time, ask me first.” He coughed. “Did… did you at least use protection?”

It was Robert’s turn to blush. “We didn’t do anything like that. Honestly. We decided to take it slow.” He sipped his water to get rid of the frog in his throat. “I won’t lie to you Dad, we did watch porn and jacked off together, and I’ve got Giles in bed with me.”

“Awkward. Well, just be sure before you two start something, that you’re both ready for it.”

“I will, Dad. Now about you and Duncan?”

“Well… Duncan is divorced. He’s actually bisexual, and we’re in love with each other. Last night was our first time. We were waiting for us to be a family again before we proceeded. I love him Rob. He makes me happy.”

“You two looked happy.”

“Thanks, Son.” There was silence between them. “I think I’m going to head back to bed. We’ll talk in the morning about what this all means for the three of us.”

“Alright, Dad. I need to get back to Giles too.” He stood up and hugged his father. “I love you, Dad.” He kissed Adam tenderly on the cheek before he turned to head to his room.

“I love you too, Son.”

They each went their separate ways, to the ones asleep in their respective beds, and paused long enough for a look back at one another. It had been over a month of hell, but they both knew they were family, and had each other.

The End.