A Few Days in the Life of Jeremy Isen - 2. TC3 – Chapter 2: Heartbreak

It was 2:45 am on Thursday, June 7, 2018, and Jeremy couldn’t sleep. He lay in his bed, tears streaming down his face, as they had been every night since they learned of his parents’ deaths. Dressed in a cool loose nightshirt and boxers, Jeremy was about to give up on sleep and return to reading on his tablet, when he heard a knock on his bedroom door.

“Come in.” He wiped his eyes and turned to face the doorway. The tablet lit up the room in a soft glow.

Robert entered his cousin’s room leaving the door slightly ajar and walked over to his bed. “Heya… I was up getting a drink, and I heard you moving around. Can’t sleep?” He was wearing his customary boxers.

Jeremy shook his head no. The light coming off his tablet displayed his red puffy eyes. “No… I close my eyes, and that’s when the nightmares start.”

Robert nodded. “Scoot over for me.” He slid into bed with Jeremy, under the covers. He took the tablet and set it off to the side, and then pulled his cousin’s head onto his chest and shoulder. “Hope you don’t mind me sleeping with you tonight, Jer. Just think of me as your teddy bear for tonight.”

“Thanks, Rob…” He paused, as the boys got comfortable. He formed his body around Robert, to where he was mostly laying on Robert’s left side. “I… miss them… badly.”

“I know you do.” He rubbed Jeremy’s back and pecked a kiss on top of his head. “I was the same way when my mom died back in at the beginning of the year. It sucks, big time, and I miss her every day.”

“Did you ever get over it?” His voice was barely above a whisper.

Robert let out a long apprehensive sigh. “No, but the pain of her not being here has lessened. I can’t tell you how long it will take, but it does.” He squeezed Jeremy. “But know that Dad and Duncan both love you, and I do too.”

“Thanks. I love you too… in a non-boyfriend way.” They shared a soft chuckle, as the tablet screen darkened sending the room into deep shadows. Light streamed in through the open curtains on the window, enough to barely see, but not to disturb them. “Thanks for doing this Rob.”

“Don’t mention it.” He smiled down at Jeremy. “I guessed you might have wanted someone to cuddle with because I know I did. Dad has a few times with me. Once before during the custody case, and then after we were reunited I was having night terrors on and off. Both he and Duncan would hop in bed for a bit.”

“Do you still get them? The night terrors, I mean.”

“No.” Robert ran his free hand through his hair and placed it behind his head. “The last one was at the end of April. Are you still set on seeing my therapist, Dr. Knowles?”

“I… am…” Jeremy mumbled as he drifted off to sleep.

Smiling to himself, Robert let out a calming breath and closed his eyes. I’ll do this every night if I must. He’s such a sweet kid, helpful, and in so much pain. I’ll talk to Dad and Duncan in the morning.

As the thoughts drifted off, so too did sleep come to both boys. Unknown to them, Adam stood in the hallway and listened to the conversation from outside the door. He turned and crept back down the hall to the kitchen, grabbed his phone that he left on the counter, and walked back to the master retreat.

“Seems we’re all up…” Adam crawled into bed and slid up to cuddle with his husband. They settled into each other, and he gave Duncan a passionate kiss.

“What’s up?”

“Well, my mom took dad to the hospital. He tripped over the dog going to the bathroom, and when he landed, they think he might have broken his right leg. I had just got off the phone with her coming from the library when I heard someone in the kitchen. It was Rob, but he didn’t see me, and when he left, he stopped in Jeremy’s room. Jer couldn’t sleep, so Rob’s in there sleeping with him.”

“That’s nice of Rob. Remind me to thank him tomorrow.” They held each other, and relaxed. “I know it’s painful for Jer. I miss calling Ian and bullshitting with him. We’re still going to go clean out the house, and move the boat and cars over today?”

“Yeah, but I’m not setting the alarm now. I’m going to let everyone sleep until we all wake up on our own.” He paused. “While we are out, I’m going to stop and pick up some white sage.”

“What for, hun?” The puzzled tone in Duncan’s voice spoke volumes.

“I’m gonna burn some of it, to get rid of some of the negative energies, around here.”

“When did you start practicing paganism again?”

“I never really stopped. I don’t do all the extra stuff I used to do when I was younger. I still pray, and meditate though.” He sighed and kissed his husband again. “But with all the shit that has gone down in the last several months… I think a good ritual cleansing is in order.”

“If you want to, hun, I won’t stop you.” The pair of men slowly drifted off back into slumber.

The house became silent and still as the four men slept the remainder of the early morning away.

~.~

The household started rousing itself around 9:00 am. Robert and Jeremy woke up first, disentangling from each other, and going to their separate bathrooms. They met up in the kitchen, where Duncan was making a pot of coffee and had stuff out to make waffles. When the food was done, and Adam joined them, they sat in the now more often used breakfast nook to eat. A comfortable silence hung in the air, as they ate and woke up.

“I hope you don’t mind, I slept in Jeremy’s room.” Robert speared a bite of waffle and dipped it in syrup.

Duncan smiled at him. “We don’t mind. Thanks for taking care of your cousin, Rob.”

“As I drifted off last night… I decided if Jer needs me too, I’ll sleep with him. You alright with that Jer?”

Jeremy nodded, not trusting his voice. He looked down at his plate, and just moved food around.

“I was able to amend mine and Rob’s appointment with Dr. Knowles. He wants all four of us for family counseling now. From what Doc mentioned, he’ll start with Jeremy for a private session, and then the rest of us will come in for a longer one. After that, a private session for Duncan and me. If it’s acceptable to everyone, I think we should do it.” Adam smiled and sipped his coffee.

“Sounds good.” Jeremy sighed. “Mind if I am excused? I want to get ready.”

Duncan gave him an empathetic look. “Sure. I’ll put your plate up.”

Jeremy nodded and left the table. He walked to his room and shut the door behind him.

I hate myself. I’m not like this. I hate feeling like this. Jeremy grabbed some clothes from his dresser and stepped into the bathroom. He turned the water on to get it to a comfortable temp and stepped into the shower. In short order, he was clean, dry and dressed.

Jeremy flopped on his back onto the corner of his bed, with his arms behind his head and legs hanging off. He was lost in his thoughts when there was a knock on the door. A few moments later, Robert opened the door and looked in.

“Hey Jer, we’re ready to head out to your old house. Are you ready?” He stepped further into the room and walked over to his cousin’s bedside.

“No, I’m not ready for this.” His frustration was in his tone. “I understand, it has to be done, but I don’t want to fucking do it.”

“I know, man. I’m not looking forward to the trip in a couple of weeks when we head up to Boston. I have to do the same thing, in my old house.”

Jeremy sat up and turned towards Robert. “I’m sorry… I didn’t know that’s what we were going up there for.”

“No worries man and you have nothing to be sorry for. Come here.” He pulled Jeremy up into a hug. “Remember two things. One, you’re loved, and two, you get a choice in this. Duncan and Dad have already said they will do what you wish.”

With his arm around his cousin, Robert led Jeremy out to the front room where Duncan and Adam waited. The two men couldn’t help but feel bad for Jeremy.

“Ok… I’m sorry about this Jeremy, but we need you there.” Duncan gave him a sad smile.

“It’s ok. I know it needs to be done.”

“Well, here’s the game plan. Adam and I will move the cars and boat over to the house, while you two start packing your old room. When we get back, Adam will help you two while I go over the business stuff and get that packed up to bring over here.” Duncan paused as the others nodded in agreement. “Then once I have that done, I’ll hop in and help you guys out. Now, Jeremy, we need to know a couple of things, and it’s going to be painful for you.”

Jeremy nodded. “Go ahead, uncle.” The devastated tone was plain for all.

“What would you like for us to do with the furniture in your old bedroom? Do you want that, or the stuff here? Also, the rest of the house, do you want to keep the furniture, donate it, or what? And lastly, what would you like us to do with your parent’s old stuff?”

Jeremy trembled. He hadn’t realized he was still in a one-arm hug from Robert and quickly put his arms around his cousin. “I… think that I want to keep the stuff in my bedroom here. It’s more comfortable and matches. The stuff I had at the old house was mismatched over the years. The rest of the house and my old bedroom furniture, donate it. Donate everything that can be. Personal items I want to be packed and brought back or put into storage.” Tears trickled down his cheeks onto Robert’s shirt. “I’ll let you decided what to do with the place.” He paused to wipe his eyes. “I want my Jeet Kune Do-JKD-training gear. I’ll need a place to set it up, but it’s a Wing Chun dummy, a heavy bag, power rack, and a double-ended speedball. Some other padding and stuff. Dad…” He started choking up. “Dad… would hold the pads for me…”

Robert rubbed his back. “Let it out… don’t hold it in.” He motioned for Duncan to hang back. “Hey, when we bring the stuff over, I’ll train with you. I need to keep training for Hockey, and I’m not doing Lacrosse next year, so you got me to help you.”

“And we’ll keep your JKD classes going too.” Duncan moved forward and hugged both Robert and Jeremy. “My boys…”

Adam smiled and walked towards the powder room. He walked back with some tissues for Jeremy and Duncan who was tearing up as well. The tissues were well used to dab eyes, as they broke apart. “I love you three. Jer, if there is anything you need or want, ask. If it’s within my power, it’s yours.”

“Thanks, Adam.” He smiled at Adam. “Let’s get this over with. Sooner we’re done, the sooner I can stop dwelling on it.”

They left the house and walked up the road to the community gate, where they took a Downtowner to Jeremy’s old house.

~.~

While Duncan sailed the boat back to the house, Adam took the first of the two cars back. They had settled on using their SUVs as they had more room than the Honda Civic and Dodge Charger that were owned by Jeremy’s parents. They would need to decide what to do with the cars, once things settled down more. The first room they all worked in before moving vehicles around was the kitchen. Any food, condiment, can, or box that wasn’t spoiled, or past its expiration date, was packed up in coolers and reusable bags to be taken by Adam back to the house.

Jeremy and Robert spent hours in his old room disassembling his computer, TV, gaming systems, and packing everything in boxes. The clothing he hadn’t taken with him was sorted, with a ‘keep,’ ‘donate,’ and ‘toss’ pile system. A minor embarrassment occurred when Robert stumbled upon Jeremy’s cum rag, an old Bank of America golf towel, under the bed. They shared a laugh, and Robert washed his hands, as Jeremy tossed the cloth in a dirty clothes pile of stuff he was keeping and went back to work with Robert in the closet and Jeremy on the bookcase near his bed.

There were several boxes full of comics, books, DVDs, and assorted other collectible things in the top of the closet in old Playstation and Xbox boxes, and several smaller shoe boxes. Robert would open each one, to ask if Jeremy would want to the items contained. He opened one of the shoe boxes and stopped. “Um cuz…”

“Yeah?” Jeremy turned, and his face went beet red, noticing the box Robert held. “Ahh… Too late, I should have warned you. My bad…” His voice squeaked with embarrassment.

“Heh… so this is how you were making deposits on that bank towel.”

“Rob! Please, I’m embarrassed enough already.” He chuckled, acting shy. “Oh, my God… did you have to say deposits?”

“Hey… You’re the one that’s collecting interest on it, not me. How did you get two dildos, a Fleshlight, and a cock-ring?” Robert closed the box and sat it with the ‘keep’ pile. Got him to laugh some, Jer hasn’t done that in days.

“Mom and dad would pay me my allowance on a pre-paid debit card from Amscot. I still have the card, and it’s in my name. So, I would order them off of Adammale.com and had them shipped. They used to work outside the house during the day, so I was able to grab the boxes.” He grinned mischievously and chuckled a little. “Just because I haven’t found anyone I’m attracted to, doesn’t mean I don’t jack-off.”

“Well, I kinda put my hand on your crusty proof.” He laughed. “Just teasing ya, cuz.”

“Fuck man, yeah I know. You’re not going to ever let me live that down are you?” Jeremy gave off a nervous chuckle.

“No, I am not. Not at all… It’s too funny you use a small towel with a bank logo to clean up with.” Robert laughed and came over to squeeze Jeremy on the shoulder.

Jeremy laughed away the shyness. “Back to what I was saying… I was curious about how it felt after reading an online story and decided to try it. I ordered the vibrating one first, liked it, so I ordered the second bigger one. They sent the cock-ring and some other things as a gift. The Fleshlight, Dad bought it for me when I turned fifteen.” He tilted his head at Robert. “What about you? Got any toys at home I can tease you about?”

“Dad’s bought me some condoms, lube, and a Fleshlight as well. I have wanted to get a couple of dildos and plugs, so when Giles and I get that far, I’m ready. We’ve only given each other blow-jobs and hand-jobs. With my ex, up north, I only topped him.” An awkward silence fell between them. “You know Jer… I don’t mind having these kinds of talks with you. If you ever want to shoot the shit about anything, guys, sex, school, whatever… I’m willing to talk whenever you want to. You’re my little brother now… well, not little but you know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean, and it’s all cool. I don’t mind talking about stuff with you, but I don’t think I could with your dad or Uncle Duncan.” He paused a moment. “You see me as a brother?”

“I do. It’s why I want to be there for you. Plus, I know what you’re going through, where Dad and Duncan don’t, you know. I’m not just talking about my mom and your parents. They grew up in a different era than we are. Things are a lot more open and tolerant of gays. And they really wouldn’t understand.” He went back to work. “How are you doing?”

“Work-wise or emotionally?”

“Both.”

Jeremy let out a long breath and turned the desk chair he sat in to face Robert. “Work-wise, I’m done with both the desk and the nightstand. Bookcase, I just started on. I think I’m going to keep the desk and the bookcase. I don’t have either at the house.” He paused a moment. “Emotionally… I feel like shit. I’m trying to not think of what we’re doing. I’ve almost broken down twice, just in the past hour.”

Robert sat down on the bed and nodded. “If you need a break, we can take one. We’ve already bagged and boxed the stuff you’ve decided to donate.”

“When are the adults supposed to be back?”

“Should be here any minute now. What’s up?”

Jeremy laughed a little. “Kicking myself in the ass for not eating breakfast this morning, and I’m starting to get hungry.”

“Did we leave anything in the kitchen?”

“Just drinks. You want one?” He got up and headed for the door.

“Sure.” Robert fished out his Smartphone and dialed his father. “Hey, Dad… are you on your way back yet? Ok… Well, we’re getting a little hungry over here… Alright, Dad. I’ll let him know.” He put his phone away and took the can of Coke Jeremy handed him. “Thanks. They are either making sandwiches or stopping to get something to eat on the way back.”

“Awesome.”

They sipped their Cokes and returned to work. There were no other surprises in Jeremy’s closet that Robert stumbled on.

~.~

By the time Adam and Duncan arrived, Jeremy and Robert had finished in his room. The moved all the boxes of what belongings he was keeping to the spot that was designated to transport to the house. All the donation items were taken to the garage for pick-up, and the trash taken out to the City of Tampa’s curbside blue trashcans. Robert had wanted to start on the master bedroom, but Jeremy refused even to enter. Instead, he went out to the backyard and started going through the storage shed that had his training equipment. Robert stayed inside and started on the bedroom.

Adam searched the house while Duncan set up the food in the kitchen. He walked into the master bedroom, nearly tripping on Robert. “Hey. You two got Jer’s room done?”

“We did, and the boxes are moved to where you said. Jer’s outback going through his martial arts stuff.” He paused and hugged his Dad. “He refused to come in here. I don’t blame him, and I’m worried I won’t be able to do the same when we go up north.”

Adam ran a hand over his beard. A habit he developed over the years while he thought. “I don’t blame him either. Go fetch Jer, and let’s take a break.”

They ate lunch shortly after 1:00 pm and then went back to work. Adam, Robert, and Jeremy tackled the outside shed, as it looked like it was about to rain. Once finished, the trio went back to work inside the house packing up the keepsakes Jeremy wanted. Duncan stepped into the home office and started going over the business documents and financial books there.

A couple of hours passed, and Adam stepped into the office. “How are you doing?”

“Doing fine.” Duncan let out a frustrated breath, running his hands through his hair. “They, Ian and Debbie, have run a smooth operation and nearly made it all automatic. They went with an employee-leasing company, which saves them a ton on labor.”

“Employee-leasing?”

“Yeah… You hire people for your company, but instead of working for you, they work for a Professional Employer Organization-PEO-instead. They benefit from mutual health insurance, etc. while you benefit from only paying the PEO a fee for the employees you lease from them. The PEO lumps all the employees their clients hire into one pot, for benefits and such. It saves us money on stuff we don’t have to have because we don’t have non-managerial employees.”

“That’s smart. Hmm… perhaps we can use that at the brewpub.”

“It isn’t a bad idea… though there are some odd charges on the corporate account… I’m going to have to hire an accountant.” He smiled at Adam, and let out another sigh. “I have most of it all packed up, but I’ve got several days of stuff to go over when we get home.”

“You’re more than welcome to share the library with me, as an office. Or use our bedroom computer, up to you.”

“Well, seeing I’m the stay at home dad, who cooks and cleans for his men, I was thinking of converting my old bedroom into an office…if that’s alright with you?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Adam knelt down and wrapped his husband into a hug. “Both you and Jeremy keep asking if you’re allowed to do things.” He kissed his husband on the cheek. “It’s your house too. If you want to convert a bedroom into an office… go for it. Hell, I’ll even help you decorate.”

“Thanks, babe.” They kissed passionately, as Adam copped a feel. “Keep that up, and I’ll bend you over the desk.”

“Promises, promises.” Adam stood up and smiled down at his husband. He leaned back on the desk. “Oh, speaking of desks. Jer wants the one from his bedroom here and the bookcase. I suggested if he could wait a day or two, we could hit IKEA and get him ones that match his furniture. He took me up on it.”

“Good. How is he doing?”

“He and Rob have been working well, getting things done. Aside from refusing to go into his parent’s bedroom, he’s been fine. Though you can see the pain in his eyes.”

“I get that.” Duncan stood up and wrapped his arms around his husband. “I think we should call it a day, and load up what we have packed to take home. I can have our cleaning company come in here now that Jer’s room is done and have them clean the house out. Call Goodwill and the Salvation Army to come out and get stuff, or donate it to Metropolitan Ministries or even The Spring.”

“What are we going to do with the house, and the cars?” Adam ran his hands up Duncan’s sides softly.

“We have two teens, and they’ll need cars. Rob has his license, and Jer has a learner’s so they can use them. I’ll see what Jer wants to do. For the house, we could rent it out. Waterfront property on the Westside of Davis Islands will fill fast.”

“I like the rental idea. Though with the cars, we could sell one and have them share the other. Give them responsibility. But, that’s up to Jer.”

Duncan nodded. “Hey boys, come here for a second.” His voiced carried across the house.

It took a couple of minutes for Robert and Jeremy to walk-in, and while they waited, Adam and Duncan kissed passionately. They whispered what they were planning on doing to each other later.

“Get a room, you two.” Robert laughed, as he and Jeremy entered. “What’s up daddy Duncan?”

“Daddy Duncan? I like that… We’re calling it a day, and going to load up the stuff we’re taking with us and head home. I’ll come back tomorrow, finish in here, and then call our cleaning company in to come and pack everything else for donation.” He smiled at the boys and was rewarded with smiles in return. “Jer, we’ve decided we’re going to put the house up for rent. It’ll be a good income property over here, and we’ll split the rent. You’ll get seventy-five percent, put into an account for you, and the other twenty-five percent will go for upkeep and maintenance. How’s that sound to you?”

Jeremy nodded. “Sounds like the best idea. Who knows? Once I turn eighteen, I can always move back in.”

Duncan and Adam shared a look. Adam let go of Duncan, turned and pulled Jeremy to him. Keeping his hands on his shoulders, he locked eyes with him. “Jer, I’m going to tell you what I told Rob. Duncan agrees with this. I don’t care if you’re fifty-years-old, jobless, and single, you do not have to move out when you’re eighteen. You can stay at the house for however long as you want.” He gave Jeremy a broad smile. “We love you, and want you to be with us.” He looked over at Duncan. “Should we?”

Duncan gave him a nod. “Go ahead.”

“Rob this concerns you too. Duncan and I have been talking for over a week about Rob, and then we included you in the discussion when he was given permanent guardianship Jer. We want to adopt you as our son. Rob, Duncan wants to adopt you as well. This would make us a full family. We’ll only do it if you agree. You don’t have to agree now, you can think about it. However, the offer is there.”

“That would be stellar. I’ll do it. I would love to have two official dads.” Robert walked over to Duncan and hugged him.

Jeremy nodded and collapsed into a hug with Adam. Tears were streaming down his face. “What did I do to deserve you three?” He was sobbing now into Adam’s chest.

Duncan and Robert moved over and turned it into a group hug. “Jer. We’re are not trying to replace your parents. I could never replace my brother or his wife. What Adam and I want is to give you a stable home, and what you need to heal.”

“I know Uncle Duncan.” He pulled out of the hug, as Adam handed him some tissues. “I know I’m going to say yes, even though I’m all over the place emotionally, so yes. Do what needs to be done.”

They pulled together for another group hug. Separating from each other, they went and loaded up the SUVs with the boxes Jeremy wanted to keep. They were soon home, unloaded, and finishing out their day.

~.~

Friday came and went with not much to do. True to his word, Duncan left early to make arrangements for the Davis Islands house to be cleaned, and all furniture donated to charities. Electronics, after they were scrubbed of personal data were also given to Metropolitan Ministries and The Spring. Goodwill and the Salvation Army took clothing and other items they could sell in the thrift stores. He finished packing the office and hired a forensic accountant to go over the financials, after finding some more odd payments. Tibot supplied an excellent, and discreet, source.

He also intercepted the calls from the divorce lawyers and canceled those consultations. There were other essential calls he made to start the process of changing over the utilities and canceling the cable and internet.

Adam and the boys went to IKEA and shopped for a desk and bookcase for Jeremy, and an office set up for Duncan’s old bedroom. They dined in the restaurant, which neither Robert nor Jeremy had before, and ate a lunch of Swedish Meatballs before returning home. After the boxes were brought in for the new furniture, Robert, Jeremy, and Adam moved the items from Duncan’s old bedroom. They were placed in storage in the attic of the garage. The trio spent the rest of the day assembling the new items and setting up Jeremy’s JKD training equipment outside on the patio next to the exercise/game room.

Robert and Jeremy lounged by the pool, while Adam worked on the brewpub with his business partner Jace.

“Where’s Giles at?” Jeremy tread water in the small lap pool.

“Family vacation. He’ll be back tomorrow.” Robert floated on his back, his eyes closed. “We have plans to go out to the movies in Ybor tomorrow night.”

“So that’s where he’s been all week… good for you, for tomorrow night.” He dunked his head under the water and popped back up sending a splash at Robert.

“Oh, that’s it!”

The two played around in the pool splashing each other, and chasing one another around. It was a good day for Jeremy, and a productive day all around.