TJ's Journey to Marriage - 13. Chapter 13

“Kelly what are you talking about Tristan is dead.” Murray said looking at my dad

“That’s him, Emily’s husband.” Kelly said pointing at dad

“That’s bullshit Kelly, you know my dad is dead; this is a relative of ours Michael Grant he came over for a visit.” I said

“Yeah well I’d know Tristan anywhere.” She said starring him down

“Who are you” Little Tristan said

“Not now little man” I said and went and scooped him up

“Well Emily was right you did fake your death; wait until I blow the whole thing open.” Kelly said

“That is just like you bending whatever story you can make to make a buck.” Jack said walking into the back yard

“Pop why are you here?” Trace said

“I came by when I heard Kelly was here and wanted to tell you guys but I was too late.” Jack said

“How did you know I was here?” Kelly said

“I knew Tracy called to tell you but I didn’t think you’d actually come all this way until I got a text telling me you came with Murray for Emily’s funeral.” Jack said

“So you knew this piece of shit was alive?” she screamed at Jack

“I found out a few months ago.” He said

“And you did nothing?” Kelly said getting louder

“That would be correct; I didn’t tell anyone including Emily.” Jack said

“Well do they know what you two did and how you were a home wrecker?” Kelly challenged

“Water under the bridge” Jack said

“For you information everything between Jack and I happened before I was engaged. She put me and jack through and terrible guilt trip.” Dad said

“Oh well I have all the stuff Emily had on the two of you over the years including Jack paying people off to throw a case his way” Kelly sneered

“Go ahead and release what you want; my life can’t get any worse than it is now.” Jack sadly said

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kelly demanded

“Like I said what you have is water under the bridge. I told Tracy everything but now the rest of the family knows. I fucked up and I will deal with the consequences but you won’t see any money.” Jack said

“I have a copy of her will and I get what I want and then I will deal with that bastard.” She said and pointed at me

“What did I do?” I asked

“You think you are so smart and planned everything out. I know everyone that BHO has taken out that was not government contracted and I will ruin you.”

“Kelly, threaten my son one more time and see what happens.” Dad challenged

“I’d like to see what a dead guy could do…. “Kelly was cut off and I noticed Tristan sitting in my lap with an intense stare at Kelly. He moved his hand ever so slightly and Damian approached her and it was like time stood still as Damian touched her and Murray at the same time. I blinked and they were both gone and Damian was standing there smiling.

“What just happened?” JC said and then there was a rush of air again

“They not bother us again.” Tristan said

“You didn’t kill them did you?” I asked

“No, I took their memories of everything related to your family, mom and Jack.” Damian said

“You did what?” Jack asked

“Tristan and I have powers and we used them to fix the situation.” Damian said to his uncle

“I am not sure what you are saying.”

“Jack, it sounds like they did a memory wipe on Kelly and Murray.” I said

“Hey could you guys do that to me? I’ve messed up a lot.” Jack said

“No, you have to finish your journey and all will be right in the end.” Tristan said

“Guys this is crazy.” Trace said

“Who are you telling; Damian if you can change memories why haven’t you helped Dominic forget?” Stephanie asked

“He doesn’t want to; I’ve offered and he said he didn’t want to forget daddy.” Damian said

“T2, I think Dominic would like to talk with you and JC about what you discussed.” Tristan said

“What, how do you know?” I asked

“That why he not want to lose his memory. He had told his dad and it was the hardest thing he’d ever done and his daddy was proud of him. They were having one of their deep talks when the accident happened.” Tristan said and we all looked at Dominic who looked about ready to burst into tears. Stephanie got up and went and sat next to him and pulled him in to her tight.

“Sweet heart, is that true?” She asked and we could see him nod his head yes

“Tristan, it’s not nice to share other people’s thoughts” Kevin said

“But I wanted to help him. He’s sad and feels like he has no one to talk to.” Tristan said

“He has two Uncles and two other men who happen to be gay that live with him.” Jack said

“It’s not the same. He and his daddy had a special relationship and he was helping with the bullies.” Tristan said

“Is that why you had those bruises; why didn’t you tell me?” Stephanie asked Dominic

“I was afraid you’d be upset; I know Grandma was really angry when JC came out to her and I figured you’d be the same.” Dominic said and sniffled

“Oh this has to be what your father was planning on talking with me about. I would never be upset with you. I helped Uncle Jack deal with Grandma when he came out and it wasn’t pretty for a while. She was fine and doing really well until Jackson came out; then the shit hit the fan. You know I love you and your Grandpa Jerry does too; that’s why he and grandma got divorced. She made him pick her or JC and well grandpa loves his grandkids so he picked JC.” Stephanie said

“Are any of you other cousins gay or lesbian?” I asked JC

“Not that I know of; Hayden and Jayden have their wives, Meghan has been boy crazy since she was born (Stephanie laughed at this) Damian is too young, Karen’s girls have dated guys to my knowledge and I’m not sure about Amelia’s kids.” JC said

“As far as I know there was some messing around in the early years but as far as I know there is only on bisexual one.” Amelia said

“What? Who?” James said

“Well I opened my mouth when I shouldn’t have. You’ll have to ask your brothers.” She said

“Oh yeah mom, that would go over well.” James said rolling his eyes

“So to back up; will Murray and Kelly’s kid’s remember us?” I asked

“No, their memories were wiped too. It was too dangerous not to.” Tristan said

“So Jack, did you really tell Tracy everything including the bribery?” Dad asked

“Yes, that is what we were talking about when our sister’s and my father showed up.” Jack said

“He told me everything and this is why I need to be away for a while. I need to digest everything and it also has to do with things he did for BHO.” Tracy said

“Tracy, some of what he did for BHO was my fault; Bob had to get others involved and we tried to keep things clean but we were fighting people left and right.” Dad said

“Hey I have an idea; could Tristan or Damian make it like you never died and you could go back to being Tristan Sr?” I asked hopeful

“No son they can’t. There is too much bad blood out there and if someone is missed we could have one hell of a problem. Not to mention I like being Mike.” Dad said

“Oh” I said dejectedly

“What’s wrong son?”

“It’s just I like being your mini and if you aren’t Tristan it’s just weird for me.”

“Let me think about it.”

Everyone ate and hung out and all of JC’s relatives including Tracy was due to leave the next day. They were planning a big family get together in Ohio where I would be able to meet everyone.

“Family reunion and an engagement party” Stephanie said

“Why not have it on the farm? That way you don’t have to travel.” JC said

“Let me talk it over with everyone and we can figure it out.” Grandpa Jerry said

“I’m going to miss you dad” JC said

“I know son, I’ve rarely been away since you were born. Just know I am in good hands with family. I’ve never been to Clear Lake, so it will be an adventure.” Tracy said

“As a singer, I’d be afraid to go there; that is where the music died.” JC said

“Do you know that was almost 100 years ago? I think it is a safe place now.” Tracy said chuckling

“Well I can’t take my chances.” He replied

“What are those two talking about over there?” I said pointing at Damian and Tristan

“Plotting to take over the world?” Kevin said laughing

“Hey Dominic, you want to stay here tonight and talk?” I asked he looked at Stephanie and she nodded

“Yes, I would like too.” He replied

“Great, do you mind if JC stays?”

“Would you mind if it’s just us?”

“That should be fine, just no funny business.” JC said and laughed

“I wouldn’t make a move on my cousins man; besides I already have one.”

“What? Who?” Stephanie said

“You know my friend Jayson?” He said sheepishly

“I sure do, you spend the night at his place a lot… oh wait a minute.” Stephanie said trailing off

“We’ve been together for a while and Dad had the talk with us about being safe and all.” Dominic said

“I don’t need details honey; maybe I need to pay better attention.” She said

Everyone left and it was just Dominic and I as Kat and Alex were going to a show together.

“So Dominic, tell me about yourself.” I said

“I’m 15 and have had a boyfriend for 6 years.”

“Wait since you were 9?”

“Yeah, I know it is you and all but we’ve been best friends forever and we were pretend boyfriends. It became official 2 years ago.” He said

“Wow congratulations; does he treat you right?”

“He does and he’s not pushy at all” he said dreamily

“That’s good. It’s nice to have someone who treats you right.”

“Could I offer you some advice TJ?”

“Um I guess.”

“Dad told me communication is key and never go to bed angry. He said if Jay and I ever had a fight we had to talk it out and make up before bed.”

“Your dad sounds like a really smart man.”

“He was and he loved mom so much. He would get her a bouquet of flowers anytime he went into town. They rarely argued and if they did it never lasted long. Mom said she wanted a better relationship than her parents and I think she and dad had one.”

“So you were with you dad when he had his accident; that must have been tough.”

“It was, we were out in the far field from the house and in the huge tractor and plowing the field. Dad started to sweat really bad, which I thought was strange since the cab had air conditioning, then his arm hurt really bad and I reached over and stopped the tractor and was dialing mom when he grabbed his chest and fell forward. Mom said the call connected and I screamed. She and two of the farm hands jumped into the truck and hauled ass to the field we were working in. When they got there the hands started CPR while mom called for the ambulance. It was too late as the heart attack got him.” Dominic said and sniffled

“I can’t imagine going through that; it must have been devastating to you.”

“Dad was my hero, he loved me for being me and he made sure Jay and I were never caught. He did catch us one in the hay loft and we got the dread talk. I knew he loved me no matter what and he always made me feel special. He was showing me how the tractor worked so I could learn as my brothers and sister all learned at a young age how to operate some farm equipment. I haven’t touched a single piece of equipment since then.”

“I would imagine not; losing your dad and being there when it happened has left an imprint on you. My shrink would tell you when are ready you should try again with the farm equipment.”

“Mine told me that too but I may never be ready. I did get back on the horses and I ride a lot. Jay and I ride a lot and go to the pond on the property and hang out a lot.”

“It’s good that you have Jay in your life; he sounds like a positive influence.”

“He is but there is something I want to tell you that no one knows not even my shrink, I just feel super comfortable with you.”

“Whatever you tell me stays with us.”

“I think I killed my dad.”

“What makes you say that?”

“We were talking and he told me anytime I had questions to ask and I asked him about anal sex right before he had the heart attack.”

“Oh my, I think that was a terrible coincidence. I doubt asking about anal sex would cause your dad to have a heart attack.”

“Dad was perfectly health and really fit; he figured I was gay because I always stared at him and the other ranch hands when they were shirtless.”

“So you like fit and buff men, who doesn’t?”

“My brothers.” He said giggling

“True, they probably like being fit but don’t like looking at them.”

“Did you ever talk to your Uncle Darren about your anal sex questions?”

“Hell no, I didn’t want to talk with him at all. I did however find out about in a roundabout way; I used google.”

“For a minute I thought you were going to say you asked your brothers.”

“Why would they know about anal? They are straight.”

“Women can have anal sex too; it’s just they don’t have the prostate like a guy. All their stuff is in the front.”

“I can’t imagine my brothers doing that.”

“Well no really does think about family doing that kind of thing.”

“I did stumble on my parents once and I think dad saw me and kind of put on a show. I was too afraid to move and I hadn’t seen him naked in a few years.”

“Ok, I don’t want to hear about that.” I said and laughed

“So if you ever need anything Dominic, I am here for you.”

“Thanks TJ, I appreciate it. You seem really cool.”

“You too and I can’t wait to meet Jay.”

“He’s going to flip out when he finds out I told someone not related about us.”

“Well I am going to be related once JC and I tie the knot.”

“I don’t think he knows JJ is gay; He isn’t one for celebrity gossip.”

“Ah maybe I should arrange a show for ya.” I smirked

“Um, that be cool” he said

“I was joking.”

“I’m not. I may have learned about it but I haven’t had the confidence to do it yet.”

“When the time is right it will happen.”

Dominic slept in the same bed I did and we fell asleep. The next morning he was whisked away by Stephanie so they could get back home and before he left we traded numbers.

“So you and Dominic have a good time?”

“We did and I taught him about anal sex; he more hands on though” I said with a straight face

“You what?” JC said

“I’m just kidding; your face was priceless babe. He’s a good kid just needed someone he could talk to.”

“I am his cousin and he can talk to me about stuff.”

“Yes you are but he just isn’t comfortable. Would you go to your parents or cousins about sex?”

“No I wouldn’t”

“See that is his point. He needed someone on the outside and he figured he could trust me. He is also very wise and he had a really close relationship with his dad.”

“Not incest close I hope”

“Jeez JC; no, his dad was there for him and his boyfriend. Do you want incest, like my brother or yours?”

“No my mind just went there; Uncle Riley just doesn’t seem like the type of person who would have been supportive.”

“I am guess you really didn’t know your uncle?”

“Not really, we saw them when they could make it to Ohio which was rare because of the farm.”

“How did Stephanie meet him?”

“From what I heard a friend of hers from college got married and Stephanie was there and she met Riley who was the cousin of the groom. They spent all night talking and when she went back to Ohio they did the long distance. After three months she up and moved to Minnesota and the rest is history.”

“Must have been true love.”

“Yeah, she and Riley were quite the pair.”

We were interrupted by a call from Jack

“JC, you need to pack a bag. We need to get to Iowa; your dad was in a car accident.”