Home Away From Home - 32. Chapter 32

When I awoke in the morning I heard someone screaming, I quickly jumped out of bed, pulled on a pair of pants and hurried to the first floor. Hearing the screaming coming from the kitchen, I walked in to see Larry holding a young kid. “Let up Larry, but blocked the doors”

“He isn’t going anywhere as all the guys are here.”

I pulled up a chair, looking at the kid, “Sit here.”

He was scared no doubt about that. “What is your name?”

“Chago”

“Chago, where do you live?” No answer. “Chago, if you don’t answer me I’ll call the police.” No answer, ‘Larry hand me the phone. No, well than tell me where you live?”

“I don’t have a home. I made a shelter and sleep there.”

“I want you to show this man where that shelter is, do you understand?”

Tears are now pouring down his cheeks, he nods his head. Larry takes him by the hand and walks out of the door, within 5 minutes he’s back. “He has a shelter built against the garage in the back. You wouldn’t see it for all the foliage in that area.”

“Thanks Larry. Puppy, could you whip up some food for this child. Chago, how old are you?

“I think I’m 10. I’m not sure.”

“What happened to your parents?”

“I don’t know, they just left me along the road one day and never came back.”

“Here eat this, you'll feel better.”

“Hey eat slow or you'll throw it all back up.”

“Doc, you better check him over. I’d recommend a bath first.”

“You’re the new Doctor, I heard the people talking about you?”

Puppy just smiled and nodded his head. “Let’s go take a bath, I’ll give you a check over ok?”

I could see the kid wasn’t too excited about a bath but he went with Doc. I called Brenda, “Good morning Brenda. How are things on your end? --- Really well that is good news. I know he feels like a load has been lifted off his shoulders. Brenda the reason I called there seems to be a young boy called Chago. Do you know anything about him? --- Oh really. That doesn’t sound good. Are you sure? --- Umm, no relatives or any one to take him in. --- So there are no homes for these children like an orphanage or something. --- None. Approximately how many kids are like this. --- That’s not many, I guess the government doesn’t think they are that important.--- Ok thanks. --- Yes, I’ll let you know.”

“According to Brenda, because the weather is so nice here, except for the rains, these children are allowed to run free. The neighbors give them left overs and old clothing. She said there aren't many, just a few and in general the people take good care of these kids.”

“What are you thinking? This house is pretty big, plenty of rooms. Need to talk to Dad.”

“I’m going snorkeling.”

“Carlo, do you think it's a good thing about him staying here?”

“Larry, what’s he going to do, steal food? If he’s living here, he won’t have to steal, he’ll have a comfortable bed to sleep in and be protected by his older brothers.”

Larry just looked at me and smiled. We sat in the living room waiting for Doc. “You know breakfast is not going to fix itself. Anyone wants to help?”

“Just show us what to do?”

“Ok, you need to put that kettle on for coffee and tea. One of you need to make toast and one needs to fry up some bacon or sausages or both. One of you need to scramble a dozen eggs.” I had them all doing something when Dan came in. You’re looking better today. You can pitch in and make fried potatoes.”

Just as everyone was humming, Doc came in with Chago. “Puppy where’s Chago?” Chago just smiled.

Just then the water started to boil, I made coffee and poured the guys a cup and then made another pot. I made tea for Puppy and I, the others preferred coffee. “Puppy, did you do a good scrub? What’s the diagnosis?”

“Generally, he’s in good health taking into account he is undernourished. His teeth need cleaned, his ears have a peck of dirt in them. No lice or other infection, I think one week in my hospital will have him in find shape.”

“Oh poor Chago, he has to be confined to Doc’s hospital for a week. Chago, can you leave your personal business go, so you can stay in Doc’s hospital for a week?” He just laughed and hugged Puppy. I saw the tear in Puppy’s eyes. I need to call Dad. “Help these guys get breakfast ready. I’ll be right back.” Handling Chago a glass of orange juice, I went to our room to phone dad.

“Good morning, oh it’s not morning there.--- Yes, and tell Mom her package arrived. By the way, are we entitled to a PX card? I don’t think Mom can afford to send care packages.--- The guys are doing fine as well as Dan. He’s a nice guy. But the reason I called to discuss two things, the first you may have a grandson.--- No, we didn’t get anyone pregnant. We found a waif living on the property. --- About 10years old. --- Yes, a native as far as we can figure out. I had Puppy clean him up and give him a medical. He seems ok, but hungry, Puppy said he was undernourished. I think you'll get a call from him soon telling you. The second reason I called, I spoke to Brenda Thornton,--- yes Doug’s wife. It seems that there are more of these waifs living off of begging and sleeping outside. -- Well, if Chago is any example, rags. Brenda says they are fed left overs and given old clothes to wear. Dad, that isn’t right. The government provides nothing for these kids. They say they don’t have the money or not enough kids to warrant a home for them.-- Yes, yes, This house has ten bedrooms and they are big.-- Yes, I do and I know Puppy will agree. -- Of course we will be careful.-- All right see if you can get us a PX card. -- My guess, probably 10 minutes. Ok Love you tell Mom the same.”

“Don’t tell me you ate all my breakfast. Surely Puppy you saved me something.”

“Don’t worry here.”

Tea and a plate of eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast. That is enough, more than enough. “Oh you forgot that extra seasoning.” I pulled him to me, Joe and Roy’s eyes got big, but I just wanted my kiss. And it was a quick one. I looked at Joe, wagged my finger at him. He just smiled.

I think of all the meals, breakfast is the most important, not only for the food, because when you have breakfast with the people you love, it sets the mood for the day. At least it does for me. “We’re going to take Chago shopping as soon as I get our tour guide. Larry can you check the garage and see if there’s a vehicle.” I passed Puppy on the way to the phone. “Hi Brenda, Sorry to bother you again, but I’ve decided to go shopping and if your offer is still good could you send the young man over? -- Excellent, see him in a few.”

“Carlo, there’s an old, what looks like a van, in there?”

“Does it start.”

“No keys.”

Chago to the rescue, “I sleep in there when it’s raining, the keys are under the front floor mat.”

“There you go Larry. See if you can crank that car up. We have a shopping trip including a haircut to do.”

Chago went with Larry to show him where the keys are. “Carlo, are you thinking about adopting him?”

“I’m not but Puppy is. I’m not surprised he hasn’t talked to Tony and got his approval. Wait until he comes in. If he’s smiling, I’m right.”

We watched him as he came into the kitchen. “Carlo, baby.” I started to laugh I looked at Joe and he was laughing.
“Yes, Puppy.”

“Do you remember talking to Dad about adopting children.”

“Yes, is there a baby that you want to adopt.”

“You all ready know. Did you speak to Dad about it?”

I just started to laugh. “How did you know he would want to do this?

“Hey, I know my Puppy. He has a heart of gold. I saw the way he looked at him when he heard his story. There were tears in his eyes. Why do you think I sent him to bathe the boy. I could have done it just as well.”

“I hope Joe and I are able to read each other that well.”

“You probably do already. You just don’t have the mirror that you guys provide Puppy and I.”

“Someone is at the door.”

“That should be our tour guide.” Opening the door, a young man was standing there about 5 ft 7. Black hair and blue eyes. A little hottie. “You must be Doug.”

“Yes, Mom sent me over to show you around.”

“Good come in and meet the gang. Guys, this is our tour guide, Doug. Doug this is Joe and his mate Roy, this is Vic, he’s straight but that’s ok. What! What’s the matter?”

“How did you know I was gay.”

“Well, being gay myself, there’s no way a hottie like you would show up on my doorstep offering to be a guide. If you were straight like Vic, you would have had a girl on your arm or at least on both arms. Anyway you’re among friends. This is my mate, the new Doctor, This is David and his mate is out trying to start that old station wagon with our new son to be. Who did I miss. This is Dan, he’s gay but unattached. He’s an airline steward and part of the cabin crew on our plane. Oh there’s another straight guy, Mario. Mario has a degree in marine biology. Care to guess where he is?” We all chuckled.

“Wow, This is a lot to absorb. So you all live together but you don’t share.”

“There’s no sharing. We’re like brothers and we are all married. We’re close and all over each other but as brothers. None of us want to share or get involved in any action that would require sharing. Most gay relationships don’t last because of cheating or sharing. We’re committed for the long haul. Now Dan, is another case. He knows about cheating and how much it hurts. But Dan is also our brother, we take care of family. We want every gay man to find what we found and have. Dave, better go and see if we walk or drive.”

“My dad can tow that over to the base and see if he can fix it, if you want.”

“That would be fantastic Doug. See you’re fitting in already. Guys, we may have a new brother here.”

You could see Doug’s chest push out a little more and his eyes now have a sparkle. “Doug can we walk to town?”

“Sure it is only about a mile.”

“Great, let’s go guys. A mile is a skip and a jump.” Puppy looked at Chago and then me, “Ok, I’m the first to give Chago a piggy back ride. Ok Chago, climb on. Puppy, show him how. OOF, I didn’t mean for you to jump on me. Ok Chago, climb on.”

And off we went, all of us. We must have looked like some bunch of crazies. Walking down the road, holding hands, with this kid in rags riding on my back. Doug walked beside me showing us stuff as we walked. Soon he gravitated next to Dan, continuing to show us the various plants and what some of them are good for and which ones to avoid. As we turned the corner, we saw the start of the town. “Doug, the first store I want is a clothing store.” He looked at Chago and smiled. He led us to a clothing store that had clothes for teens.

I put Chago down and we walked into the store. A man came over and when he saw Chago, his face got very serious. Puppy stepped up to the plate. “I’m the new Doctor, I want new clothing for my adopted son.”

The man looked at all of us standing there. He wasn’t going to make a scene, we could tell he wasn’t pleased . We followed him back to one section of the store. “Doug, you know what he needs. Pick up enough clothes for a week. Everything, socks, underwear, pants, shirts.” Doug nodded and took over. He went to the front of the store and picked up a basket. Took one look at Chago and started filling the basket. When he was done, we went and paid for it. He may not have wanted to see us, but I saw the little smile as he looked at the total.

There was a diner of some sort, “Doug, take him to a shoe store and buy him a pair of shoes like yours. Puppy, take David and Vic and go with him. I’ll wait here, but I want to know what happens. Here take a pair of socks. Chago got on Vic’s back and off they went. They weren’t gone thirty minutes, when they game back and Chago was walking in a very nice pair of shoes.

“You should have came, it was funny.”

“Let me tell you what happened. As soon as you walked into the store they made a big fuss over Chago. When you asked for shoes, they couldn’t get them fast enough. And they called you doctor.”

“How did who know?”

“The guy in the clothing store. You better sit down and order. This place will be full soon. Chago, what do you want to eat, hamburger, fries, Doug the same, good, take Chago into the bathroom and have him change into the new clothes. Toss the old ones and be sure to take the tags off.”

We placed our order. When Chago came back, “Doug, what did you do with Chago and who is this new kid.” He just smiled. It was good to see him smile. If I had my way every kid would have a smile on their face. The waitress started to bring us our order as the door of the diner started to open. People filed in until there wasn’t a seat left. You could hear them gossip, ‘which one is the new doctor,’ who is the kid, that isn’t Chago,’ who are those other people that’s Doug. I heard he’s gay, the gossip continued. We finished, I paid the bill. Before leaving, “That was Chago, but Chago doesn’t exist any more, he died from maltreatment. This is Carlos, he’s my and the new Doctor’s son. Good day.”

Doug looked at me, Chago looked at me, “Chago, you do not exist. As of this moment, your name is Carlos Tomas Wyman. You got that. Say it. I want you to say it until we get home. Is there a barber here. Someone needs a haircut.”

Doug led us to a barber, He was sitting in his chair, obvious not busy. All of us walked in, “I would like a haircut for my son.”

“I’m not cutting Chago’s hair.”

“My name is Carlos Tomas Wyman not Chago.”

“The barber looked, Vic looked at him, “Is there a problem cutting my nephew’s hair?”

He stumbled, “No, sir.” Vic picked up Carlos and placed him in the chair. Half hour later he was done. Carlos Tomas Wyman was a cute kid. Doc paid him and we left. I looked at Doug. I knew he had a thousand questions.

“Doug, I know you have a lot of questions, just hold on to them and in a week’s time you’ll have your answers. I do have a question for you, where can I get a massage table?”

“What’s a massage table?”

“It’s a special type of table that is used to give people massages.”

“There’s a massage parlor at the hotel. They might sell you one.”

“Carlo, have Dad send you one with the next shipment.”

“Shipment of what?”

“Food, he said he’ll ship food until you get your PX card.”

“Doc, aren’t you going to be working at the hospital?”

“Yes.”

“Then you can get a PX card. All you have to do is ask at the hospital. I can walk you there.”

“Ok.Vic, come along.”

“Hey, I want to go to if that’s ok.”

“Sure, come along David.”

Now I can relax a little. I went and made some ice tea, asked anyone if they wanted some, made ice coffee for Larry and gave a large orange juice to Carlos.

Life settled down for a few days. Doug came over often, hung around, chatted. I knew what it felt like to not have anyone who understood what you’re feeling. We had to wait a week for the PX card since Puppy wasn’t on the roster yet. Tony’s supplies arrived, no freezer, but plenty of meat. I noticed some cheeses, so we’ll have Italian again. I was surprised when they set up my massage table. I immediately took that to my room, along with a case of oil.

“Hey babe, we’re home.”

It’s always interesting to watch Doug when I kiss Puppy or when any of the guys kiss. I know what he’s feeling. I thought I better have a talk with him. That has got to be hard for him. “Dad sent me a massage table. If we have an Italian dinner tonight, I might give you a massage.”

“Hey, what about the rest of us, we want massages also.”

“Ok, you go fishing with Mario, who ever brings home the largest lobster gets a massage.”

“What if it’s a tie?”

“Then you both get one. There’s one caveat, your partner must be present and for Vic, Mario and Dan, Puppy has to be present.”

“Can I get a massage?”

“I’ll give you a massage on your 18th birthday, which is when?”

“Next Friday.”

“Ok, you have a birthday present. You do realize that everyone will want to watch. It’s like getting a smack for every year.”

We all laughed. “Just to be serious for a moment. When does school start?”

“Next week school starts, but I’ve graduated.”

“Have you made any plans about college and what you would like to study?”

“No, I think dad wants me to join the service.”

“Don’t you have any interest, science, math, art, teaching.”

“I like to teach. I tutored when I was in high school. The school provided tutoring after school, I enjoyed that. That’s like teaching.”

“Yes, excellent, I don’t know how much Carlos Tomas knows. So if you want, I’ll pay you to tutor Carlos so he can slip into the appropriate grade. Then when you are done, I’ll see that you get a scholarship to the same college, Doc, Joe, Roy and I attended. You’ll love it. How about it, is it a deal?”

“I’ll have to ask my dad.”

Vic is not subtle, “Your dad doesn’t have control once you turned 18, you are a legally responsible adult.”

“Yes, but he’s my father.”

Vic didn't let up, “A father should do what is in the best interest for his son, not what is in the best interest for himself.”

I just got an insight into Vic. obviously his dad made him go into the service. I wonder what he would have studied if he had the chance. Discussion for the massage table.

“I have a meeting with your dad next week, We shall see how that goes.”