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- 11/24/2020
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
Salvation - 29. Chapter 29
I went to my office and contacted Judy to see what was on the calendar. I had one court case in California that was on the docket at the end of the month. It involved a dispute between a Mexican businessman and US customs. A preliminary investigation indicated that a truck with his products was confiscated by border police unlawfully. The products were sophisticated electronics, which would be a component of detecting fraud at ATM machines. From what I was told, the fraud detecting system relied on fingerprints.
There was a restriction on certain types of products being brought into the US from foreign countries.
"Carleton, may I use your phone?"
"Sure, Alex, no problem, come to the kitchen when you're finished."
Maria was teaching David how to make a soup for lunch. I never saw a pan the size that was on the stove. "It's a slow cooking soup."
I knew why the pot covered two burners, but the cooking would not be even. David was dicing vegetables. I'm not sure what meat she was using. I did know it'd be good.
I had a coffee when Vlad came in for a piece of fruit. "Vlad, how was it sleeping in the bunk bed?"
"It was great, Dad. Viktor wants to sleep on top tonight."
"Good, have you told any of your brothers?"
"Yes, they asked us. I think you're going to get others who want to try it out."
Viktor walked into the kitchen, seeing me, "Dad, Nikolay, and Sergei want bunk beds. I let them lay in our beds, and they like it."
"I heard that. It looks like the bunk beds are generating some interest."
"We need to see how the cabinet maker turns out his bunk bed. We'll need ladders unless he can make them as well."
"I think bunk beds have an interest for all boys."
"We shall see how many, now we have two, but let's see how many later. Don't get too excited."
"But, you now have room for one boy."
"Remember, Charlie is sharing his room, and Jon has Vasily in his room. As long as they continue, yes, we have one extra room. But I'm not sure if Jon wants a private room or not. I think Charlie and Alexi will stay together, and I'll probably have to get them bunk beds."
"So, I have one room to fill?"
"You are pushing. Wait, you already have the boy?"
"Yes, Dad said they picked up another from the Russian that went swimming. When they pulled his body out, he had papers on him that had the next group's details. We waited and arrested the men, but there was only one boy. We are watching their route."
"Let me know when you want to go home, and we'll go and get my new son.”
We flew back to Amsterdam the next evening. It was a quick trip, I told the pilots to grab as much sleep as possible as we were returning as soon as they were able. Alex made a phone call, “They’ll bring the lad here in 1 hour. Do you have something to eat?”
“For the lad or you?”
“Well, maybe for both.” We laughed. I swear he has a tape worm.
“Mr. Jeffries there is a car approaching.”
“Put the ramp down Jimmy, I think that might be our guest.”
Alex went out to meet the car. A young man opened the car door, as Alex’s father got our followed by a young boy. Alex greeted his father, pointed to the plane, and started walking toward Jimmy. It was amusing to watch this through the plane’s window.
Jimmy escorted the young boy up the ramp into the plane, Alex talked to his dad and soon both of them joined us.
“Good evening Sir, it’s nice to see you again.”
“I have brought a new guest for you Mr. Jeffries. Alex tells me you have quite a few young men living with you. I hope one more won’t be a problem.”
“I’m sure this lad won’t be a problem. My other sons will take good care of him.”
Jimmy offered if they would like something to drink, Alex waved the driver on board. We all had coffee except the young man, he had hot chocolate. Alex told his dad about the house, the building of a two room school house which would allow guest rooms.
His dad expressed a desire to make a visit. I told him he’d be welcome to come anytime and if he let me know in advance I would send the plane for him. We chatted for a few more minutes, Alex’s dad left with his driver and that was the first clue that Alex was coming back home with me.
“So should I designate one of the guest rooms yours?”
“If it wouldn’t be an imposition.”
“Alex you’re becoming the brother I never had.” Looking at Alex his eyes were wet.
“Here are Marcus’s papers.” Marcus just sat there.
“Hello Marcus, I’m glad that you are coming to live with me. I think you will find many new brothers who will welcome you to our home.”
“Marcus, Mr. Jeffries has 30 young boys like you living with him in this big house. The boys call him Dad and you can call him that as well. He has cooks that prepare delicious food and you can eat as much as you want.” That seemed to grab his attention.
I sensed he was still a little scared but then I suppose that would be normal under the circumstance. Alex and I hadn’t the chance to talk about this lad but he was different, he had black hair, black eyes and his skin was a light brown. Reading his papers later he was from a Moroccan family, they found out he was gay and threw him out. In their religion, they could have killed him but living in Europe they were restrained. If they were in Morocco, he would probably be dead.
The flight home was routine, Jimmy showed cartoons, served dinner, coffee for us and hot chocolate for Marcus. I think Alex snacked the whole flight. During the last 2 hours of the flight, Marcus finally cuddled into my left side and slept. The landing bump woke him.
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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