Cabin Boys - 5. Chapter 5

I need to sit down with Pete, I’m sure Joey will go along with what Pete decides. That night at dinner, “Boys, I need to tell you something. Mr. Alderson has confirmed that your parents have died. I’m sure they are with your grandparents in heaven. Pete, I need you to start thinking about guardianship or adoption. With your grandparents in heaven, the courts will declare you as minors and put you in Child Services.”

“What does that mean?”

“Child Services will be responsible for you until you reach the age of eighteen. They will try to place you in a foster home.”

“Will Joey go with me?”

“I can’t guarantee that. Normally they will try but there are no guarantees.”

“So if you get appointed as our guardian, what does that mean.”

“It means you’ll live with me till the age of eighteen then you will be on your own. I’ll be responsible to handle your financial affairs, make sure you go to school, be responsible for your day-to-day needs, and have the right to sign legal documents in your name.”

“How does that differ from adoption, it sounds the same to me.”

“If I adopted you, then you would be considered my son, and this would be your home no matter where you are.”

“Pete, I want to be adopted. I don’t want to be in Child Services.”

“Do I have to call you Dad?”

“No, Pete. You can continue to call me Jim, as you do now. Think about it, but a decision needs to be made this week. Now that Mr. Alderson has confirmed your parents are in heaven, he must report that to Child Services.” I looked at Pete. “Pete, think about it tonight. Pray to your grandparents to help you. In the morning let me know your answer.”

I started to clean up the dinner dishes. Joey came over and grabbed my legs. I looked down, he had tears in his eyes. I picked him up, “It’ll be okay Joey. I’ll fight for you and Pete. At least as a guardian, you’ll stay with me and not have to go through Child Services.

“I love you Dad.”

“I love you also Joey.” I’d fight for these boys. I sat in the living room with Joey watching tv. Pete was in the office, working on his schoolwork, I think.

“Time for bed boys.”

“Carry me, Dad.”

I picked up Joey, tossed him over my shoulders like a bag of oats. He laughed as I ran up the stairs. “Coming Pete?”

“Yes, I’m behind you.”

I dumped Joey on the bed. “Get ready for bed and I’ll come and tuck you in.” I went to my bedroom, showered, and put on a pair of cotton pajama bottoms. I headed to the boys' room, knocking, I walked in. They were in bed, “Dad, read to us.”

I thought about which book I should read to them, “Have you read any books by Mark Twain?” They shook their heads no. I went downstairs and picked up ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. As I started to read to them, I realized that this was something I wanted to do. I’m, not sure who enjoyed this more the boys or me. I noticed the smiles on Pete’s face. I said a silent prayer that night that Pete would accept the guardianship at least.

The alarm clock went off too soon for me. I knew the boys would still be sleeping. When I finished reading, it was way past their bedtime. I showered, dressed, and started breakfast. I started the coffee, made a baked omelet, and waited for the boys. I was on my second cup of coffee when Pete came into the kitchen. “Good morning Pete, coffee or hot chocolate?”

“Hot chocolate, please” I made him a hot chocolate, cut a piece of the baked omelet for him and myself. I put the remainder in the oven to keep warm.

“Jim, I’m afraid.”

“Why are you afraid?”

“I know Joey wants you to adopt him, I’m afraid that if you adopted us things will change.”

“In what way?”

“You have given me a lot of freedom, I make my own decisions. I overheard you telling Mr. Alderson that you thought I was independent. I’m not sure I’m independent. I had to make decisions for Joey and me because there was no one else. After Grandfather died, Grandmother didn’t know anything about taking care of the farm. I worked with my grandfather, so when he died, I just kept on doing what he did. Now, I make decisions for Joey and myself. Joey told me last night, that we didn’t have to worry about food or a place to sleep. He’s also afraid of us being separated if we don’t agree to a guardianship or adoption.”

“Pete, I understand these are big decisions you have to make. I’ll answer all of your questions. In the short time, we have been together, I have come to see you as my son. Yes, you are independent but that isn’t necessarily bad. I’m glad you are a free thinker, you make good decisions. I’ll make sure you don’t make bad decisions. I’ll always tell you why I think your decision isn’t right and why my decisions make more sense. I never had the responsibility of having a family. I’ll never have my children, so for me, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“I need to talk to Joey.”

“Okay, do you want more hot chocolate?”

“Please”

I fixed him another hot chocolate. I no sooner set the cup in front of him when I felt a pair of arms around my leg. I reached back and pulled him in front of me. Picking him up I blew on his neck, making a sound, setting him off giggling. “Ready for breakfast?” He nodded yes, I sat him in his chair and fixed him a hot chocolate and a piece of the baked eggs.