Box of Crackers - 11. Chapter 11

Six am and I was awake. I quickly took a shower, shaved and brushed my teeth. When I got out of the shower, Jimmy got in and when he got out Butch got in and the last one was Bobby. Dressed we headed for the lobby. Breakfast wouldn’t be served till seven-thirty. “Let’s start driving and if we see a place open about eight, we can stop for breakfast.”

As we drove the boys saw a sign for a pancake house. So we stopped and had pancakes for breakfast. Their coffee was good, Jimmy and I took takeout cups. I asked the boys if they want a carton of milk or a small bottle of orange juice, they took the orange juice.

“What time do you think we’ll reach your sister’s?”

“It’s nine now and I figured we should be there in five hours, so about two.” Jimmy decided to have a contest and see who could come closest to arrival time. They started with my two pm but I think they all thought I was wrong and the guesses were from one to one forty-five. every time I would slow down, they would accuse me of cheating.

It was one forty-five when I pulled onto their street. “Ok guys look for a white house with the number 992 on it.”

“There, there it is.”

“Butch, you win with the closest time of one forty-five. It is now one fifty.”

Butch had a big smile on his face. As I pulled into the drive way, the front door opened and a big dog came running out to the car. It was followed by boy who looked to be seventeen or eighteen. I thought that can’t be Donnie. He was a baby the last time I saw him.

Getting out of the car, there was my sister standing on the porch. The boys got out followed by Jimmy. The boys stayed close to me. Jimmy was a step behind and to my side. When I got to the porch, I found two arms around my neck and tears wetting my shirt. My sister wasn’t tall, she took after my mother, she was standing on the top step and I was standing on the ground.

She didn’t say anything, she just kept holding me. I looked up at the door and there was this teenager and next to him was this woman holding a baby. That can’t be Marsha, how long was I gone. Next I felt fists hitting my chest. “I don’t know if I should hug you, cry, beat you or yell. It has been to long Pete.”

There were tears in my eyes as I looked at her. She still was a pretty woman. I felt two hands, one in each hand. “Evie, this is my son Bobby and this is my other son Butch. This young man standing next to me, is my partner Jimmy.”

I watched Evie as she grabbed my kids and hugged them, then she approached Jimmy, looked him in the eye, hugged him and whispered something in his ear. What ever it was, he blushed. “Come on in, leave your luggage you can get it after. Pete, I don’t think you would know this woman.”

“Marsha”

She had a big grin and gave me a hug. “I thought you forgot us.”

“No, I never forgot you, every holiday I thought of all my family even your uncle Paul. Donnie you certainly have grown since I last saw you.”

“Hi Uncle Peter, I’m glad to see you.”

“Come on in and have something to drink. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

I put my arm around Donnie as we walked into the house. “When does Don get home Evie?”

“He normally gets home at five but since he knew you were coming he should be here about four. Donnie, get something to drink for Bobby and Butch, Pete, Jimmy coffee?”

“Definitely”

“Dad, can we go out and play with the dog?”

“I think you need to ask Donnie. The dog is probably his pet.” I would’ve bet it would be Bobby the one who would ask. And it was. I didn’t pay attention but I did hear, ‘come on Apache let’s play.’

“Pete, I hope you don’t mind but I told Mom and Dad you were coming.”

“No, I don’t mind, how about Michael, did you tell him

“Yes, he works with Don so they both should be here soon.”

“And..”

“I called him and left a message on his phone. He called back and said he didn’t have brother named Pete.”

“Well, you tried.”

“But that isn’t all.” I must have looked perplex.

“His youngest son, who is Donnie’s age, told him he was a bigot and should be here in a few minutes.”

“I don’t understand that man. Is his position so important that he disowns his brother.”

I noticed Jimmy sitting next to me listening. I looked at him and he smiled. I don’t know what it is, but when he smiles, his face glows. Maybe it’s because I’m in love with him.

Then I heard, “Hey, who are you kids and who said you could play with Apache.”

“That’s Paul’s youngest”

“Hey, there are two kids out there playing with your dog Donnie.”

“Yea I know, they are my cousins.”

The kid looked around, looked at Evie who had a smile on her face and then he looked at Jimmy and I. “Are you Uncle Pete?”

I stood up and went to shake his hand, now I’m six feet six inches tall, this little guy was all of five feet seven. “Yes, I’m your Uncle Pete.”

He came and gave me a hug, “I've been wanting to meet you for longtime. Every time your name came up my dad would go off. I learned all of my bad language because of you. Aunt Evie said you're staying for a few days, is that right?”

“Yes, we're planning on staying for about ten days, if your dad doesn't run me out of town.”

“Is that car out front yours?”

“Yes”

“That’s a neat car, my dad drives a Lincoln, it's in the garage for repairs more than it's in our garage at home. Can I take a ride in it?”

Yes, before we leave you can take a ride in it . Does he ever wind down?”

“Paul treats him badly. No matter what the kid does he belittles him. He's actually a smart kid, just has the bad luck of having Paul as his dad.”

“What happen to Paul? He wasn't like that when we were growing up. I know he was always a little bossy being the oldest, but now to treat your own child like that, it isn't right.”

“Tell me about you and how you got your family. I know you aren’t married to woman so are the children adopted?”

“Yes, they are adopted, but I couldn’t love them anymore if they were my own flesh and blood. Bobby was the first, his dad threw him out of he house in the middle of the coldest night we ever experienced. The kid is good and a true joy. Butch was brought to me by Jimmy. That was before Jimmy and I became partners. His mother was taken to the hospital and the landlord threw him out of their house. He had done some work for Jimmy’s dad for food, so Jimmy knew him and he’s number two. Both boys are smart and a true joy. There’s a lot of cruel people in this world.”

“Actually your brother is one. I think if it wasn’t for Mom and Dad, Alex would have been tossed out.”

“There’s always room for one more, right Pete?”

“If you haven’t guess, Jimmy comes from a big family and he has a big heart.”

“When you graduated you had a degree in Accounting?”

“Yes, I went on and got my MBA and then passed my CPA boards. I now have my own accounting firm, we’re small but very profitable. I’m doing all right but I might have to move to a bigger place if Jimmy keeps bringing kids home.”

“Or you pick up relatives. Would you take Alex if he wanted to go?”

“Yes, but Paul would have to sign over guardianship and his rights.”

“I heard that. Give me the papers and I’ll get Hitler to sign.” “

That’s what he calls his dad.”

“Jimmy what do you do?”

“I work for my dad and Pete.” I looked at him wondering what he did for me. “I’m the head cook at Pete’s house and my dad owns a restaurant that someday will be mine.”

“Evie, this guy can cook Italian like you wouldn’t believe.”

“I like Italian food.”

We laughed, “Alex you may as well come here and join in the conversation since you are listening anyway.”

“Nah, I’d rather kibitz.”

Marsha came down and joined in our conversation, soon Donnie and Alex and then Bobby and Butch joined us. I was really enjoying my family. Jimmy was well received and soon he was giving as well as getting.

“Hey, whose car is that in the drive way.”

“Some stranger” I walked out of the dining room and got caught in two powerful arms. Don is a six foot muscle ex-Marine.

“It’s been a long time man.”

“Too long, but I’m here now.”

“Pete”

I looked at the man behind Don, “Michael” I was close to Michael when we were kids. He’s eight years younger than me. All I could say was ‘Michael’ as I looked at this young man. I then realized what a pregnant pause was, we just stared at each other with wet eyes. As if on cue, we moved toward each other and then I had my arms around his as I hugged him. “Michael, I’m sorry for being away so long. I didn’t realize until now how much I missed you.”

“I missed you also Pete. I cried the night you left. Why did you leave?”

“Michael, think back to that night and if you remember I was asked to leave. Dad didn’t like knowing I was gay and Paul literally hit the roof. I wasn’t welcomed by my parents and Paul was very vocal. There was nothing else I could do, I had to leave.”

“But you could’ve stayed in touch, at least with me.”

“Yes, I could’ve, but I was afraid that if I sent you a letter it would never arrived. Dad or Mom would have destroyed it before you had a chance to read it. You never got the Christmas card I sent the first year I was away. If you had, then you would’ve responded.”

“No, I never heard from you once you left. I missed you.”

“I missed you as well. Come and meet my family.”

Michael looked a little confused, “Michael, gay people have families as well.”

Walking into the dining room, Jimmy came to stand next to me. “Michael, this is my partner, Jimmy.” Jimmy smiled and pulled Michael into a hug. I watched Michael’s face looking for any emotion. All I saw was a smile.

“It’s nice to meet you Jimmy. I hope you’re taking good care of my brother.”

Before Jimmy could reply, “Dad, is that your brother?”

“Michael, these two young men are our sons, this is Bobby and this is Butch.”

Michael looked at the boys and then looked at Jimmy and me, “Hi, I’m your Uncle Michael.” The boys went to shake Michael’s hand but got pulled into a hug instead.

“Dinner is ready guys. Donnie, show the boys were they can wash for dinner.”

Jimmy and I walked with Michael to the table which was loaded with food.

“Evie, the food looks good.”

“It is Pete, Evie is an excellent cook.”