Family Always Has Your Back - 3. TC4 — Chapter 3: Memories and Reunions

It was 10:00 am, Monday, June 25, 2018; Adam drove the rental six-passenger SUV towards Robert’s old house in Arlington, MA. Duncan sat in the front passenger seat, with Robert and Giles in the middle row, and Jeremy and Travis sat in the back. A Boston radio station was on and played a mix of 70s, 80s and 90s music.

“Rob, where did you used to live?” Travis broke the silence.

“In Arlington, north of Cambridge.” There was sadness in his voice. Giles reached over and took his hand.

A moment later, Robert looked forward to his dad. “Um, Dad… can I ask you something?” His voice trembled as he spoke.

“Of course, are you doing okay?”

“I’m doing okay mostly… This is a huge request, and y’all may get pissed at me. Do we have to go to Washington, D.C., and to Tennessee?” A mix of emotions made his voice squeak. “Can we stay here, till we need to head back to Tampa?”

Adam was quite a moment and glanced at Duncan. Duncan nodded his yes.

“That’s doable. Erin’s letter said we could extend the stay if we had too. Why do you want to stay?” He glanced in the rearview mirror at his son and then back on to the road.

“I didn’t have time to say goodbye to my friends. I’ve kept in contact with a few of them, but it’s different between Skype and in person.” Robert sighed. “I know, I sound selfish.”

“What do you three back there think?”

“It’s fine with me. Anything that helps my boyfriend’s brother is okay with me.” Travis squeezed Jeremy’s hand.

“It’s okay with me.” Giles gave Robert’s hand a squeeze. “I love Rob, and I want him to be happy. I can only imagine what it would be like to be taken from my friends without saying goodbye.”

“Same here. I want my big brother to be happy.” Jeremy reached forward and squeezed Robert’s shoulder. “Besides. Why are going to Washington, D.C. and Tennessee for anyway? I know you mentioned the Fourth of July fireworks in D.C., but what else is there?”

Adam chuckled. “You know, you’re very blunt, Jeremy. Plans for us in D.C. are to view the fireworks and tour some museums and memorials. I know boring stuff, but I thought you would enjoy seeing the history of our country. In Tennessee, we were supposed to visit my Aunt Gloria and cousins, but they called this morning to tell us that a family member of my Uncle’s passed away, and they would be in South Dakota. Duncan and I hadn’t had time to discuss alternatives.” He paused again. “We can stay here.”

“Thanks, Dads… thanks, guys… I appreciate this.”

They returned to silence; the song Here I Go Again—by Whitesnake played on the radio.

“Dad, you never told me where you lived up here?” Robert was looking out the window at his hometown of Arlington.

“For the first four years, it was on campus at M.I.T. in the dorms. Then…” He paused for a moment and released a deep sigh. “The next fourteen-and-a-half was a house I bought in Winchester.”

“Winchester?” Robert had a puzzled look on his face. “Where in Winchester?”

Adam was silent for a moment. “Off Foxcroft and US Highway 3. Just on the east side of the Winchester Country Club.”

It stunned Robert. “Dad… the road I lived on, Apache Lane, runs along the west side of the country club…” He gulped a little. “Are you saying we may have seen and met each other? How far apart were we?”

“It is entirely possible we met before you came to live with me. I almost guarantee it. If you remember, I used to help coach junior league hockey… it was in Winchester.” Adam took a deep breath and released it slowly. “After you moved down, and I found out what your old address was, I Googled it. Google Maps, with its driving instructions, put us at just over two miles from each other. As the crow flies… about a mile-and-a-quarter, give or take.”

“We lived that close to each other? We could have met at hockey games…” Robert sat dumbfounded. “I know we didn’t know about each other… but why didn’t you say something sooner?”

“I’m not perfect, Rob. That first week, we were getting to know each other, and you were having mixed emotions towards Michelle for keeping us apart. Then add in the total custody bullshit… It slipped my mind, Son. This morning, when I Google mapped the route from the hotel, is when I realized I hadn’t told you, yet.” Adam paused as he guided the car onto a road that would take them towards Apache Lane. “I’m sorry, I didn’t tell you earlier.”

Robert sighed with a shake of his head. “It’s okay, Dad. I understand.”

The car once again became silent.

“Dad… you said you bought the house in Winchester. Do you still own it?” It was Jeremy that broke the silence this time.

Adam chuckled some. “I sold it, Jeremy before I moved back to Tampa. I bought it with part of the money that my Grandfather left me in a trust fund. When he passed away, in my senior year of high school, I had access to some of it. I used that to do some investments and paid my way through M.I.T. When I turned twenty-five, that’s when I gained access to the rest. I never dealt with that amount of money before.”

Adam took a drink of coffee he had in a travel mug. “It was Duncan here that helped me sort out my finances when the trust fund was released to me.”

“You helped him, daddy Duncan?”

“Yes, I did Jeremy.” Duncan looked over at his husband. “Adam… you know I will not talk about this, so please do as we discussed.” He turned to look out the window, sipping his own coffee.

“Alright, hun. I’ll tell them.” He let out a calming breath. “Duncan has a master’s degree in business and finance and worked in a hedge fund for a few years.”

“We discussed it when you moved in with us, Jeremy. He knew you would ask one day about why he quit his desk job to go into culinary.” Adam paused and glanced over at Duncan. “My ruggedly handsome husband said for me to explain if the topic ever came up, but he would not talk about it.”

“I wondered about that. I knew you had an office job, daddy Duncan, before you went into cooking. I’ve always wondered why.”

“I don’t enjoy talking about what happened there.” Duncan’s voice sounded far off. Adam reached over and gave him a reassuring pat on the leg. “I didn’t like what I was becoming.”

“You two have done a lot.” Jeremy said and looked over at Travis. “Dad, when did you know you loved daddy Duncan?”

“I first felt feelings for Duncan, when we're in Scouts together, and I tried to hook up with him. He turned me down.” Adam smiled in remembrance and glad that Jeremy changed the subject. “He was going out with this girl, whose name is escaping me—”

“Her name was Jenny.” Duncan gave a slight chuckle.

“—and I felt heartbroken. I had a feeling we were supposed to be together, but nothing happened. Even when I worked over the summer with the cleaning business and stayed with him. Duncan and I shared the bed in his room, but still, nothing happened.”

“I was such an idiot for not coming out sooner.” Duncan smiled a little. “Don’t get me wrong boys, I’m attracted to women and sex with them was good. However, I love my husband, and couldn’t be happier now with him and my two boys.”

“So, you felt for Duncan, how I feel for Jer? That we are meant to be, but can’t explain how you know?” Travis squeezed his boyfriend’s hand.

“Yes, you can say that. It lasted for years, from us graduating from high school, and the trips home from M.I.T. and the research group I was a part of. I ended up in several relationships, all of which I knew wouldn’t last, and Duncan dated too until he met Cheryl. During all that time, I still felt and knew something destined us to be together.” Adam sipped his coffee.

“Just like I’m sure that Robert and Giles will stay together. I had doubts, but not anymore. I know Brayon and Chandon will get married, it’s a matter of when the time is right.” He looked up to the rearview for a moment. “Just like I know, you will be part of our family, Travis.”

“How do you know that?”

“A feeling, but you will be the husband of my son.”

“Dad… you think Trav and I will get married? Is this your gut talking again? And how do you get this instinct?”

“Not sure how I know, Jeremy, I just have a feeling for it and it’s almost always on target.” Adam glanced back in the rearview mirror at the four boys. “I had doubts about marriage, but I knew you two would be together for a long-term relationship. There’s just something about you two being together—.”

“I’ve seen it too.” Robert interrupted.

“Same here.” Duncan said as he looked back at the four of them. “And for the record, I was sure Rob and Giles would stick together. Adam was the one with doubts.”

“—It was on the train last night that made me realize you two were meant for each other.” He turned onto the last road before Apache Lane. It was a residential neighborhood filled with trees and gardens.

“What have you seen us do?” Travis sounded inquisitive.

“For me Trav, it’s how you act around my brother, and him with you. The times when it has just been the two of us doing stuff, you had this nervousness about you. For example, when we went for that jog along Riverwalk while Jer was at his JKD session, you almost tripped me several times, because you were so close to me. It was like you were trying your best to stay away from everyone and stayed next to what you knew was safe.” Robert paused as he glanced over his shoulder.

“For you Jer, the nights that Travis hasn’t stayed over, and I wasn’t sleeping with you, have been the nights your night terrors are the worst ever. Even with me sleeping with you, you still have them, but they are not that bad. You’ve kneed me in the nuts a few times.” He chuckled. “When Travis sleeps with you, you’ve not had a night terror at all.”

He paused yet again. “When you’re both together, you're both at ease. Remember how Jer kissed you yesterday, to stop the panic attack you had at the D.C. station? Or once we got into the Acela club lounge how he took care of you and then laid his head in your lap as you sat on that loveseat. You had your hand resting on his chest under his tank top. I couldn’t tell if you were just rubbing his chest, or you were playing with his nipple. All Jer did was a brief sigh and snuggled closer.”

Robert paused once more. “If I didn’t know Jer was asexual, and how he reacts to stuff, I would think you two were married already.”

“I’ve seen it.” Giles looked back at the pair. “I agree with Rob, that if I didn’t know you, I would think you're banging each other. From the way you two act, I think Jeremy’s a bottom.”

“That sums up what I would say.” Adam followed up. “Except for the part about being a bottom.”

“Likewise, for me.” Duncan chose his words cautiously. “When we get home, I think we should have you checked for Autism.”

“Why would you say that?” Jeremy looked puzzled. He must know about Daniel. Mom’s divorce papers said Dad’s other kid was on the spectrum. Should I say something?

“Because of the confusion you have over sex and relationships. Asexuality normally doesn't have that.” He glanced at Adam with a knowing look. Adam barely nodded.

“Um… dads… I already know about Daniel. It was in Mom’s divorce paperwork I read. I’m thinking she intentionally left it out to where I would read it.” Jeremy paused as the rest of them looked astonished. “You think I might be autistic, because of my half-brother?”

Duncan released a nervous breath. “I do, Jeremy. I just learned about Daniel on Saturday; it was part of the stuff Mr. Jeffers brought over to the house. Your father left a bunch of letters for me, just in case he passed away, and he wrote how he worried you were too. I’m sorry you had to learn that way. I was going to tell you myself after we got home from the trip.” He glanced back at his son. “So, yes I think you have a touch of it, and that we should get you checked for the reasons I’ve said.”

“It’s not my fault, I don’t understand stuff and have no desire for… stuff. I know Trav has deep feelings for me, and…” Jeremy was defensive and let out a frustrated breath. “I’m confused about them, but I have feelings for him. We have done nothing besides kissing and snuggling together.” He shook his head some. “I have watched Trav jack-off.” It was a statement of fact for Jeremy.

Travis turned beet red as an uncomfortable silence grew. Robert, Giles, and Duncan looked back at him over their shoulders and Adam did in the rearview.

“He…” Travis coughed. “He told me too. Jer wanted to make me happy.”

“I didn’t need to know that.” Adam chuckled as they turned onto Apache Lane.

Jeremy sighed and hung his head. “I did it again, haven’t I Trav? Made things worse?”

“No, not worse. Just awkward.” He pulled Jeremy as close as he could in the seatbelts, into a hug, and gave him a tender kiss on the cheek.

~.~

Adam pulled up in front of the house and parked on the street. Robert’s old house was a one-story ranch style, with an attached two-car garage. A large white oak tree stood on the corner of the lot next to the sidewalk. The lawn and planters were kept trimmed and looked good. There was a P.O.D.S.—Portable on Demand Storage—container in the driveway with its door pointed at the house.

Robert sat looking at the house, silent tears dripped down his chin. “Fuck… I knew this would be hard, but…” He sighed and wiped his eyes and face with a tissue. “I didn’t think I would get this fucking emotional.”

“If you need a moment, Son, we can wait for you by the door.”

“I’ll be alright. Like Jer said when we did his place… Let's get this fucking over.”

The six of them got out of the car and had just walked up to the P.O.D.S. unit when a shout caught their attention.

“HEY STARK!” The shout came from two houses down.

Robert stopped in his tracks, turned towards the voice, and busted out in an enormous smile. “Marty!”

Martin Greystone was a medium size teenage boy of Native American heritage. His long black hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and his athletic frame showed through the track shorts and a muscle shirt he wore. He quickly made his way over to Robert, who met him under the oak tree. They shared a quick hug.

“Come on, I need to introduce you to some people.” With his arm around his friend’s shoulders, Robert led Martin over to the other five.

“Marty, I like to introduce you to my father, Adam Smith, his husband Duncan Isen-Smith. That’s Jeremy Isen, my soon-to-be-adoptive brother, and his boyfriend Travis Jacks.” Robert’s smile was infectious and soon all of them had bright smiles.

“And last but not least, this is my boyfriend Giles O’Sullivan, who you’ve already met on Skype.” He paused and gave Giles a loving smile. “Dad, everyone, this is Martin Greystone, an old friend of mine.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Martin.” Adam shook the young man’s hand. “Rob has told me some about you.”

“Nice to meet you too.” He smiled at Robert. “Stark here has told me about all of you on Skype. He has nothing but praise for you. Especially for you, Giles.” Martin looked over at him. “It’s good to finally meet you in person and not plastered on a laptop screen.” Martin offered a hand to Giles.

Giles took the offered hand and stepped up to give Martin a Bro-hug. “It’s good to meet you too. Now we can talk about Rob, and you can tell me all his little secrets.”

“Oh, I plan too. Stark will not stop me this time.”

“I’m standing right here.” Robert looked between the two of them and let out an exasperated breath. “I’m glad my boyfriend and my ex-boyfriend are getting along, but damn guys, you don’t have to tag team me.”

Giles and Martin shared a mischievous look. Giles looked over to Robert with a cocky grin. “I think Marty and I could be persuaded to tag—”

“Let’s not go there… especially in front of the dads.” Robert side glanced at Adam and Duncan who had amused looks on their faces.

Jeremy smiled. “Why are you calling him Stark?”

Robert was grateful for the change of subjects.

Martin chuckled some. “Because he reminds me of Rob Stark from the Game of Thrones.” He motioned over a Robert. “Our moms watched the show religiously, and they would do a little gathering each time a new episode came out. Either here or at my place. The first time I saw Richard Madden, I thought he looked like Rob, and the name stuck.”

Robert nodded with a little sullen look. “Yeah, it was an enjoyable time.”

“Would you like to help us pack up Rob’s stuff?” Adam grinned at his son. “I know Rob would like that.”

“I would love too, but we’re about to head out to a council meeting for the tribe. I’ll be gone for the entire week, but I couldn’t leave without seeing my blood brother.” He gave them each a smile.

“It was good to meet you in person, Marty.” Giles hugged Martin again. Martin whispered something in Giles’ ear, and both teens started laughing as they pulled away.

“Yes, it was good to meet you Martin.” Adam shook his hand.

Martin and the others said their goodbyes, then he, along with Robert and Giles, walked back over to the White Oak tree. Final hugs and pecks on the cheeks of all three of them happened before Robert and Giles walked back over to meet the others at the front door.

“Dad… what do you have planned for the house?” Robert was in a better mood, but there was still some sadness.

Giles gave his boyfriend a kiss on the cheek.

“That’s your decision, Son.” Adam unlocked the front door. “I bought the house, your mom’s car, and everything inside, per the will, before it reverted to the estate. Like Jeremy with his old place, you can do whatever you want with it. Keep it, sell it, rent it out, whatever.”

Robert paused at the front door after he heard what choices he had with his old house. “Um… I thought you might say that, Dad.” He took in a lengthy breath and released it slowly. “We can’t keep Mom’s car… We have too many now at home and there’s getting it to Tampa, so… give it to Marty.” His voice trembled. “I was thinking of turning the house into a rental… but there are too many memories here. Sell it too.”

Robert sniffled as Giles enveloped him in a hug. “Donate everything inside, besides what I keep, and what we must toss.” He looked over at Jeremy. “Little brother, I cannot take care of my Mom’s old stuff, like you couldn’t. Please help the dads work on it. Trav can stay with Giles and me.”

“I can do that, Bro.” Jeremy embraced his brother in a long hug, after he moved Giles to do so and whispered in Robert’s ear. “I know what you’re going through. If you need to cry, do it. Don’t hold it in. We’re all here to help you.”

Robert grinned as he pecked Jeremy on the forehead. “Thanks, Bro.”

After a moment, Adam, Duncan, Giles, Jeremy, and Travis stepped inside. Robert stood on the threshold, shivered a little, and took a step forward into his old house.