The Summer Job - 26. Seth & David

Phillip spent the rest of the afternoon taking care of his Thursday checklist and having light conversations with a few kids. About four, Seth and David caught up with him and wanted to have a word so they retreated to his office.

Seth said, “When I talked to my Grandma a few minutes ago, she said some reporters had come by and asked her questions about you.”

Phillip said, “Me? What did they ask?”

David said, “Grandma doesn’t suffer fools well Phillip. It’s not what they asked, it’s what she told them. You see, we haven’t told you and you haven’t asked why we’re living with her.”

Seth picked up from there, “To make a long story short our parents were fuck-ups. All they cared about was drugs and money and, they pretty much torched their whole lives over it.”

David added, “We’ll be in our thirties by the time they get out of prison.”

Phillip mumbled, “Oh shit.”

“Grandma took us in“, Seth said. “...but, she’s old and doesn’t really know what things are like now. We went to school but, we were the new kids, didn’t wear the right things, or know anybody, and we don’t have cell phones...”

Phillip saw where this was going and said, “You were targets of every bully in school.”

Seth said, “Even the nerds took a run at us.”

David said, “You’re the first guy that’s older than us that has treated us better than dirt. Grandma told the reporters that you are a good influence on us, and she hasn’t seen us this happy since we got here.”

Phillip hugged the pair and asked, “What about the older members of the Gentlemen’s Club?”

The two boys exchanged glances and David said, “They aren’t like you. That first time when you hugged us and treated us like we were all special, you changed everything. It wasn’t just about getting off anymore. It’s like the name change: once everyone saw, heard and felt it, it was a natural fit. We’re not just secret fuck buddies anymore. We’re friends now and, we like it better.”

Seth said, “It’s not that they’re bad but, for them, it was all about secrecy and, some of them have a lot to lose. I talked to Kurt and Miguel about coming over this weekend to meet you, but they’re scared. Don’t worry. I haven’t told them who you are but, they are sketchy about any unknown.”

Phillip said, “We’ll meet them on neutral ground. Somewhere like Ottima Pizza. Later at night so there’s not a huge crowd. How would you two like to come over tonight? I’ve got some big plans for the weekend and I could use an extra pair of hands.”

David said, “We’ll go home and ask Grandma. I’m sure it will be OK. She’ll drop us off after supper.”