Box of Crackers - 6. Chapter 6

“Pete, if you're going to be home tonight I'd like to stop by.”

“I'm home now, so come over anytime.”

“Bobby, how about pizza tonight for dinner? Mr. Laker is coming over and he might join us for dinner.”

“Are we going to get Jimmy to deliver it?”

“OK, do you want to call him?”

He took out his phone and dialed the number, “Hello Jimmy, this is Bobby, we’d like to order a large pepperoni pizza. Can you deliver it?” I guess he said yes and must've known our address. I wondered how he knew our address.

“Bobby, have you spoken to Jimmy before?”

“Yes, he gave me his phone number and I gave him mine.”

Fred showed up at half our later. In a low voice,” Pete, can we talk?”

“Come down to my office.” When we arrived at my office, Fred handed me a signed copy of the release Bobby's father signed. “Any problems?”

“No, when I told him what I wanted, he couldn't wait to sign, what a scum bag.”

“What’s next?”

“Now we need to petition the courts for adoption. If I'm lucky, we’ll draw John's dad.”

“That would be great, but would he do it?”

“I I think he will. I'll contact John tonight and see if he’ll help. You realize by this time next week you could be a dad.”

I just grabbed Fred and gave him a hug. At that moment the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, Jimmy was there with the biggest pizza I have ever seen. Bobby came running down the steps and jumped on Jimmy. “Careful Bobby, I'm holding your pizza.”

“Wow that's a big pizza. Are you going to eat with us?”

“If I’m invited.”

“Dad, can Jimmy eat with us.”

“Sure, but you'll have to stand, I only have three chairs, Mr. Laker's going to eat with us as well.”

I led everyone upstairs, Jimmy placed the pizza in the center on the table, Bobby brought the extra chair to the table. “Fred, Jimmy sit down while I make the coffee. Bobby, get the sodas from the refrigerator.” Bobby placed the plates on the table, he set two plates where I’d normally sit. I was amused by this since I wasn't sure what he was planning. I poured coffee for Fred and myself, Jimmy opted for soda. I sat down in my chair, Bobby looked at me, I nodded and soon he was on my lap, helping himself to pizza.

“Jimmy, how did you and Bobby become friends?”

“We chatted when you came to the restaurant.” I looked at Bobby and he had a smile.

I wondered if he was up to something.

When everyone left, Bobby climbed on my lap, “Dad, why don't you have a partner?”

“I never thought I needed a partner. I have my work and friends, that's enough. I never looked and now I'm thirty-three years old, I think I’m at the age we're finding a partner is going to be difficult. Anyway, I have you, so why do I need a partner?” Bobby just looked at me.

“You know Jimmy likes you and he's twenty-six. Is that too young?”

“How do You know Jimmy likes me?”

“When we talk, he always asks about you. You watch the next time we go to Luigi’s, just look at Jimmy's eyes when you speak to him.”

It was two days later Jimmy knocked on our door. “We had some food left over that we couldn't keep, so I thought maybe we could have dinner together.” Before I could say anything, Bobby came and took Jimmy's hand leading him upstairs to the kitchen. I just followed and wonder what my match maker was up to. Walking into the kitchen, Bobby had the table set, he was sitting in the middle seat, this meant Jimmy and I would sit across from each other.

“Jimmy, how's your dad?” I needed a safe question.

“He’s doing fine. Business is good.”

“Jimmy, what do you do on Sundays?” Why was Bobby asking that question? I knew that Luigi closed his restaurant on Sundays. “Dad, maybe Jimmy can come and help at the church.”

“What do you do at a church that would need my help?”

“After church, we help in the soup kitchen.”

“Yes, we could always use additional help.” Bobby was trying hard, I need to have a talk with him.

Fred called my office and told me the hearing for Bobby's adoption would be held on the following Monday. We had to be at court at nine in the morning, we’ll be the first on the docket. I was smiling the rest of the day.

As happy as I was, there were some sadness today as well. Dave told me that he could no longer work in the city. His sister was very ill and needed him there. I told him that I’d buy him out and we agree on a price. It was fair and David wanted it to be in installments, rather than a lump payment. That suited me, we also agreed that if I needed any help, he’d provide it until all of his open files were closed. I hated to lose Dave, we started the business together. He had been a very good friend as well as partner.

That night at dinner, I told Bobby about going to court on Monday. He was a little anxious probably because he wasn't sure what was going to happen. I explained that for the adoption to be legal, we needed the courts to approve. “Think about what name you’d like to have, you could keep your last name or you can use mine.” He looked at me and gave me a kiss then went to his room. He must have fallen asleep, I didn't see him for the rest of the night.

Mornings come early, but when you're in the habit of getting up early, you really can't sleep in. I was up at six, did my daily routine and started breakfast. Bobby came up about seven, dressed for the day. “Are you going to work with me today?”

“Yes, I can read and Mrs. Marlow brings me cookies.” I didn't know about the cookies.

The weekend was upon us, Sunday we did go to church and help at the soup kitchen. Bobby was his usual self, I knew he was concerned about tomorrow. Father was always glad to see us and especially Bobby. Bobby was among the people, smiling and talking to them. After coming here for several Sunday’s, he has made some friends.

On the walk home, “Bobby, you don't need to worry about tomorrow. The judge will prove the adoption because your father signed a paper releasing you from his custody. You'll see it's a slam dunk.”

For the first time in a long while, I was awake at five. I was anxious, not because I felt it wouldn't happen, I just wanted it to be over. I had breakfast ready and waiting for Bobby. I just had coffee and that was it. I called Mrs. Marlow and told her I’d be late and why. She was very glad and said Bobby would be proud of being my son.

We arrived at the court house at eighty-thirty. I met with Fred and he told me that it wouldn’t surprise him if the judge hadn’t already signed the papers. The clerk came and told us that we should proceed to the court room. There were two tables in front of the visitors seating area. Fred led us to one of the tables and I noticed the other table was vacant. The judge entered, we all stood and sat when he sat. The clerk read the petition, the judge looked at Bobby. “Mr. Atwood, you are petitioning this court to approve of the adoption of one Bobby Leicaster, is that correct?”

“Yes, your Honor”

“Bobby, is it your wish to become the adopted son of Mr. Atwood?”

“Yes, your Honor”

“I would like to see Bobby in my chambers.” The judge left the court room and the clerk escorted Bobby to the judge’s chambers.

I knew Bobby was a little uptight but I knew that John’s dad would approve the adoption. We had known each other for several years, he was an ‘on and off’ again client of mine. However, I also understood that procedures had to be followed. Bobby returned twenty minutes later with a big smile. The clerk announced that the court was in session.

“After my discussion with Bobby, I have approved the adoption. Bobby has requested the name of Robert Maxwell Atwood. You may pick up his birth certificate at the clerks office in five days. Congratulations Mr. Atwood, may you have a rewarding time raising this young man.” The Clerk announced court adjoined.

We left and Bobby had tears in his eyes. “Now, I am your son.”

“Yes, you have been my son the first day you walked into my life.”

When we entered my office, Mrs. Marlow had a cake congratulating Bobby. Bobby looked at the cake and I think after living with me for a while, hearing the judge’s words had not sunk in until now. He ran into my arms, “Now, I can really call you Dad.”

Walking home after work, “Should we celebrate at Luigi’s?”

He pulled me to the restaurant, “Hurry Dad, I want to tell Jimmy.” As soon as we entered Luigi’s, Luigi asked how did it go.

Bobby quick to answer, “He’s my dad now.” Luigi was all smiles and I could see Jimmy smiling as well. Bobby had to lead me to our table. I waved to Billy and Al as we walked to our table.

“Well, you going to tell us what happened?”

“Bobby, you know Billy but this other guy is Al, another good friend of mine. Yes, everything was very routine. Let me introduce my adopted son, Robert Maxwell Atwood.”

“Congratulations, Bobby.”

“Thank you Uncle Billy.”

“Uncle Billy, I kind of like the sound of that.”

“If I offer my congratulations do I get to be called uncle as well?”

Bobby looked at me, I nodded my head yes. Bobby liked to tease, he looked at Al, waited a few minutes, “Do you promise to treat me like a nephew?”

Al looked stun for a minute, “On my honor.”

“Ok, Uncle Al, welcome to our family.” That's when Jimmy came by and heard the discussion .

“What about me?”

“Come here”

Jimmy leaned over and Bobby whispered something in his ear. Jimmy’s face turned red for a moment, smiling he looked at me. Then whispered something in Bobby’s ears.

“Should I bring your food to this table Billy, Al?”

“Yes, we are celebrating a new son and a new nephew.” What was meant to be a quiet dinner, became a party to celebrate my new son and his new father.

After that night I noticed that Jimmy was dropping by at least two to three times a week. Always with left overs from the restaurant. I didn’t think anything more of it, he and Bobby were getting along and Bobby liked his company. Not to say that the food wasn’t bad either.

Over the next few weeks it seemed that Jimmy was coming over more and more. Soon it was evident that we were being supplied with dinner almost every night. I woke up one morning and realized that I was getting use to having Jimmy around and I was beginning to like him. He was a pleasant lad, got along well with Bobby and not bad looking. Bobby would make comments about Jimmy, Dad, isn’t he nice looking. Dad, I think he likes you. Dad, you should take Jimmy out on a date to thank him for the food. Dad, do you think Jimmy would make a good dad. I was getting some strong hints.

Jimmy started to show up at the soup kitchen on Sunday, even though he didn’t go to our church. Father had no problem, all hands could and would be welcome. Jimmy fit right in, either helping in the kitchen, serving or cleaning. Bobby was in his glory working along side of Jimmy. The more I was around Jimmy, the more I could see us in a relationship. He was the kind of person I liked, independent, but with a big heart.