TJ's Journey to Parenthood - 2. Chapter 2

“So how do you know my grandma?” Jackson asked

“Well, we kind of all went to school together; she was friends with my sister Maragaret.” Bob said

“Oh shit, your little Bobby?” Jerry said

“The one and only” Bob said

“You really look different” Jerry said

“Yeah I spent a lot of time getting myself in shape and had a little work done.” Bob said

“Not much Bob because you still resemble Aunt Margaret.” CC said

“Margaret was so mad when I had the surgery.” Bob said

“Why?” I asked

“Well we all looked a like and had the same nose. I got picked on a lot because everyone said I looked like a girl. Sure I looked like both my sisters but people were so mean about it.” Bob reminisced

“Boys, I remember people picking on you Bob and I’m sorry I never did anything.” Jerry said

“It’s ok but I think Helen’s hatred of gays has a lot to do with me” Bob said

“This is getting interesting” Jack said

“Maybe we can figure out your mother’s problem” Tracy said

“Well, as I said Helen was friends Margaret and spent a lot of time at our house. She apparently had a crush on me. Despite Jillian trying to tell her and Margaret that I wouldn’t be interested she decided to pursue me. Being in the closet and afraid of my parents finding out and against advice from Jillian I dated Helen for two weeks and it was the worst two weeks of my life.” Bob said and everyone laughed

“Well eventually I had to break it off as she wanted more than I could give. When I told her I was gay she was so angry. She started yelling at me and calling me a con-man. Jillian and Margaret came in and Jillian defended me and Margaret sided with Helen. Helen then went downstairs and told my parents; except she got an answer she didn’t expect. My mother looked at her and told her that she and my father were quite aware of my attraction to men and that if she didn’t look so mannish maybe I wouldn’t have dated her.” Bob said and everyone started laughing hysterical.

“Oh my god, your mother was sassy” Jerry said

“She definitely was and Helen was so angry. Before she stormed out my father looked at her and told her she was going to hell for trying to out me to my parents. He proceeded to lecture her on how being a Christian she is supposed to love everyone and not hate people. She and Margaret left and they slammed the door on the way out. I thought I was safe until we went back to school Monday and Helen and Margaret told everyone. My mother had enough and called Helen’s parents and they argued on the phone for a few minutes before my mom slammed the phone down in anger; she actually broke the handset. Afterwards I was bullied in school that my dad took a job transfer and we moved. Margaret never forgave me for breaking Helen’s heart and us having to move. Jillian told her it was her fault we had to move since she chose to out me.” Bob said

“So if my mother and Helen didn’t get along how did I end up going to her?” CC asked

“I’m not sure as I tried to get custody of everyone but Margaret had a great lawyer who basically had all my petitions shut down. Since I was relatively new at the firm I couldn’t get time off to fight it. I was sad when I learned that Tristan and Julian had to go up for adoption. What was worse also was Jillian was pregnant too when she died.” Bob said

“So in the end my mom is bitter about gays because she dated one and was called a man; interesting.” Jack said

“Jack it explains so much about her behavior. I just don’t understand why she eventually accepted you but freaked at Jackson coming out.” Jerry said

“Maybe she thought she caught a gay gene from dating Bob?” I said

“Interesting point TJ” Bob said

“I can’t believe this could be the whole reason.” Jerry said

“She also probably didn’t like some of the jokes I made about her” Bob said and Jerry started to laugh

“Those jokes were from you?” Jerry said

“Yeah, I had to try to diffuse things.” Bob said

“My favorite one was: Our complaint department is managed by Helen Waite. If you have a complaint please go to Helen Waite” Jerry said laughing

“Wait I don’t understand.” I said

“It’s a joke about going to hell and wait.” Bob said

“Oh… I get it” I said

“Jeez TJ are you slow?” Jackson said laughing

“I’ll show you slow” I replied.

Everyone came out onto the terrace and we relaxed while Grandpa Tony and Jackson manned the grill.

“Dad can you think of any way we could get through to mom?” Jack said

“I’m thinking about it but I may need to have a sit down with her and talk about it. She was pretty hurt after the breakup but she pursed Bob even though he said no.” Jerry said

“I hope you can get through to her. I miss having a grandma.” Jackson said coming over to us

“I think she misses you guys too and that’s why she came here.” Jerry said

“When she finally moved into accepting Jack, I could see a small change in her” Stan said

“She had started to move on not be so worried what others would think. I really thought she had a break through.” Jerry said

“Maybe I should talk to her?” Jackson said

“It might not be a bad idea.” Jack said

Jackson pulled out his phone and called his grandmother.

“Hello Jackson” Helen said when she picked up

“Hi Grandma, could we talk?” Jackson said

“I’m still sitting out front if you want to talk face to face.” I heard Helen say

“That would be better. Come to the door and we can go into the study.” Jackson said

“Ok, I’ll be right there.” Helen replied

“I’m going to talk to Grandma in the study, babe come with me?” Jackson said

“If you think it’s wise, sure” I replied

“Tony, will you be ok without me?” Jackson asked

“Kid, I’ve been cooking longer than you’ve been alive. I am sure I’ll manage.” Grandpa Tony said making everyone laugh. Jackson and I walked in and he went to the door and I stood off to the side.

“Hi Grandma, I asked TJ to join us so we could talk.” Jackson said

“If you insist” Helen said and I could tell she’d been crying we walked into the study and sat down

“Grandma, first off you know I still love you right?” Jackson said sincerely

“Yes Jackson I can tell” Helen replied

“Me being gay has nothing to do with you or Pop. It’s just who I am” Jackson said.

“I know Jackson, I went through this when your father came out. Did he ever tell you how I found out?” Helen said

“No he’s never told me.” Jackson said

“Well, he was across the street at the Craft house and I was downstairs with Beth talking. I wanted to go back home and Beth and I went upstairs to get them and when she opened the door inside were your fathers nearly naked and groping each other.” Helen said

“That must have been quite the shock” I said

“Shock doesn’t even begin to describe it. Jack ran away to Jeff’s house for a few days and I had an intervention. I had a hard time coming to grips that my baby was gay. I was not fond of his first boyfriend Jeff. I could tell just by watching him how promiscuous he was. He was not right for my boy. Then Lyle came along, a good boy and his father was friends with Jerry. I came to accept Jack and could see him for a long haul with Lyle. When they both went to separate colleges I knew they were doomed. They broke it off after two months away at school. Jack seemed to rebound and dated quite a bit. He reconnected with Emily and a few others here in the city. When he told me he was dating Tracy I about had a cow; I still saw the dancer who was full on groping my boy and I couldn’t let that go. Eventually Jack and I had a talk and he told me that Tracy wasn’t that boy anymore and they came to visit. I saw how they had both grown up and I saw the glow in Jack that he had with Lyle when he was with Tracy. When you had the guts to tell me you were gay I freaked out.” Helen said

“Grandma, Bob told us all how you dated him years ago and pursued him even though he said he didn’t want to go out with you. Did me telling you I was gay have anything to do with your reaction?” Jackson asked

“Yes, it was like I was reliving my life. Instead of doing the right thing and accepting you; I pushed you away. Things got to be so heated that your grandfather and I got divorced. I couldn’t accept the fact that not only was my son gay but my grandson too. I felt like I was being punished for the way I handled Bobby telling me.” Helen said

“You know you didn’t catch a gay gene and no one is punishing you right?” Jackson said

“Yes, I know that. You have to remember I am of a different generation and how I was raised. Bobby’s sister Margaret was a huge homophobe and that played into a lot things too. She was the one who outed her brother not me.” Helen said

“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” Jackson said

“Her niece Caroline had to have seen how much Margaret hated gay men. How do you think she defeated him getting any of the children when Jill died?” Helen said

“Well I’ll be damned. Bob mentioned that Margaret had kept him from being able to adopt any of the children. Being a homophobe would make a ton of sense.” I said

“It’s TJ right?” Helen said

“Yes” I replied

“You look so much like Jill; it is quite uncanny.” Helen said

“Did you ever meet my father?” I asked

“Oh Tristan? Yes but he was very little and was at Margaret’s when I stopped by once.” Helen said

“Listen Grandma, you have a lot of repenting to do if you want anyone to forgive you.” Jackson said

“I understand. I kind of lost it but I need my family back. I can’t stand being alone.” Helen said

“Well maybe you should talk to Pop and Bob about all of this.” Jackson said and there was a knock at the door and Jack popped his head in

“Just making sure you guys are ok.” Jack said

“Pop could you come in here please” Jackson said and Jack came in and closed the door

“Son, I am sorry for how I treated you and how I treated your sons. I know it may not mean anything to you but I want your forgiveness.” Helen said

“Mom, it’s going to take a while for me to forgive you. What you did really hurt Jackson years ago and I had to explain to him why his grandmother didn’t love him anymore.” Jack said

“I understand. I’ve been explaining to the boys what played into my anger towards you and towards Jackson.” Helen replied

“Well let’s see how things play out; you also need to apologize to dad.” Jack said

“Grandma, you are also now a great-grandma.” Jackson said

“I am” Helen said with a look of glee on her face

“You are; TJ and I had septuplets and Grayson and Trace have quintuplets.” Jackson said

“Oh wow, this is just wonderful.” Helen said

“Wonderful?” Jack said suspiciously

“Wait here Jack. TJ could you come help me please” Helen said and we went out to her car where she pulled out two large boxes. We each carried one in.

“Where is Trace and Grayson?” Helen asked

“Outback most likely on the terrace” I replied

“Could we go out there?” Helen asked

“It’s up to Jack” I said

“Jack I have something for my great-grandbabies could we go outside so Trace and Grayson can see it.” Helen said

“You aren’t up to something are you?” Jack said

“I am but trust me; it’s good” Helen said and I could tell she was being honest

“Jack, I think we should trust her” I said

“Babe you sure?” Jackson said

“Yes” I replied and we carried the boxes and Helen and Jack trailed behind us. The boxes were heavy but light too.

“Trace, Grayson please come over here” Jack said when we got outside

“Now I know I just caused a scene but I had a talk with Jackson. I would like to try and start over. I also have something for Trace, Grayson, Jackson and TJ.” Helen said

“Can we trust you Helen” Jerry said

“We can” Tristan said with a smile

Helen popped open the first box and pulled out a knitted blanket

“Something told me I was going to be a great-grandmother a few months ago and I’ve been super busy. I made a total of 20 blankets so there should be more than enough for each of the babies.” Helen said

“You can knit?” Jerry said

“When you have nothing to do and your children won’t talk to you; you pick up a skill or two” Helen said

“These blankets are beautiful” Jackson said with tears in his eyes

“I wanted them each to have their own and a memory of me. There are also two in there that are more female oriented.” Helen said

“How did you know?” I said stunned

“Well someone little guy came to me and said that I was going to be a great grandmother and that at first I’d have one great granddaughter but eventually I’d have two.” Helen said

“Did he tell you his name?” I asked

“Brudder it was me” Jake said

“Oh my word it is him” Helen gasped