Confused - Until Bart Met Noah - 10. Kryštof's New Home?

Noah was clearly touched by Kryštof's story, "Wow. That kid has been through the wringer. Losing two sets of parents, both violently."

"Is he bad luck? I mean, if you decide to let him come live with us, will you get killed?"

Bart tried to calm their son, "No, Mateo. Someone can't be bad luck. Many people go through a lot of bad things in their lives. He's just gotten a lot of it in a short time."

Noah continued, "Agreed. The idea of someone being a jinx is simply due to a series of coincidences. Kryštof is overdue for some good luck. I don't think we need to be afraid of anything happening to us, just because we take him in."

"OK. I was just afraid something like that would happen."

"Nobody knows what the future holds. We just live day-to-day and do the best we can."

"OK, papi."

Noah was dad, and Bart was papi to Mateo.

Bart concluded the session, "Why don't we all think about it for a day, and we'll talk again at dinner tomorrow to see how everybody feels?"

Noah and Mateo agreed.

The following evening, they shared their thoughts. None were negative, so it was agreed that Bart would phone Marcel the next day, and say they would be willing to take Kryštof in. Marcel was happy to hear the news. He set up a visit for Sunday with Bart and Noah and immediately traveled to the group home to talk about Mateo, Bart and Noah with Kryštof.

"Hello Kryštof."

"Hi. Mr. Wolf."

"How are you doing?"

"OK, I guess."

"That didn't sound very positive."

"It's nothing. One of the other boys here likes to make fun of my arm. I've heard it all before."

"You shouldn't have to, but I'm here to tell you that you may not have to be here much longer."

"You found another family?"

"I have. Another boy was placed in this home last year, was adopted, and is doing well. Mateo was actually born the same day as you were. He also has a disability, he was born without a complete left foot, so you sort of have a couple things in common with him."

"Neat. What are his mom and dad like?"

"That's something we need to talk about. His parents are a gay couple. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Sure. Two guys."

"Does that bother you?"

"Well, if Matt is still there from last year, they're probably good guys, so, no, it doesn't bother me."

"Good. Yes, they are a couple of good men. One of them, Bart Hamilton, stays at home with Mateo, and the other, Noah Hankins, works at a new car dealership."

"So, no daycare? I'd be able to go home after school?"

"That's right."

"When can I leave?"

Marcel chuckled, "There's some paperwork that needs to be filed, and you need to have a couple visits with them, to make sure you all get along. So, I'll be bringing you over there for a while Sunday. If I can get all the approvals, perhaps we can move you in another two weeks."

"Oh. Well, I guess that's better than not knowing when."

"True. One thing they let Mateo do, was pick out his bedroom furniture and paint colors. I suspect one of the visits before you move in will include a shopping trip."

"What about my bedroom at the Henderson's?"

"Well, that all belongs to the family. I can check with Mr. Henderson's brother to see if you can take it. I wouldn't count on that, though."

"As long as I can get all the rest of my stuff, having a new bedroom set would be cool."

"That, we can do. Mr. Henderson has already put all your things aside, so when he sells the house, your things will remain yours. And, actually, we'll be able to get them if and when you move in with Bart and Noah. That will almost definitely come first."

"OK. So, what time Sunday?"

"I told Bart and Noah we could be there around 10:00 AM. They live south of the city, so it will probably take about an hour to get there. So, you should be ready by nine."

"I can do that."

"Great. I'll see you again Sunday."

Kryštof gave Marcel a big hug, "Thank you for everything you're doing for me, Mr. Wolf. See you Sunday."

**************************************

The Sunday visit went well. Marcel arranged to bring Kryštof over to the house on Wednesday after the group home's school session, to go shopping for furniture and paint. Like with Mateo, Kryštof chose how he wanted the room arranged. He chose a different shade of blue than Mateo did, just a bit darker, with no accent wall. After Mateo got home from school, he and Kryštof spent some time together in Mateo's room. Mateo described his school, his friends, and what it was like to have two dads. He even showed Kryštof his left foot, what there was of it, and his prosthetic.

"I think it's so cool that we were born the same day and both have a disability. I'm going to like being your twin brother, Matt. Do you mind me calling you Matt?"

"No, if I can call you Chris."

"Deal!"

They had another visit, this one an overnight on Saturday. Even though Chris's bedroom set wasn't there yet, Matt had a full-size bed, like Chris will. The two boys got along well, having quite a bit in common, regardless of being from two very different parts of the world.

Chris moved in for good the following Saturday. As with Matt, three monthly visits from Marcel preceded his formal adoption. The two boys were nearly inseparable. At least until they started dating two different girls in high school. But they remained close for the rest of their lives.

EPILOGUE

Noah became dad to Kryštof as well, but Bart had two titles. Mateo called him papi, while Kryštof used poppa.

Bart went back to working as a hotel manager after the boys turned fifteen. He and Noah felt they were responsible enough at that point to be alone in the house for a few hours after school. Thankfully, they were right, and the boys didn't burn the house down. That's not to say they were perfect angels. Their girlfriends were at the house quite often, but they were careful. In one way, because they never got caught, and in another way, the girls never got pregnant.

A few years later, Noah got another promotion and became general manager at one of the dealerships he had been responsible for as a finance manager. He remained there for another fifteen years and retired at 62. Bart shortly joined him in retirement at 60. Bart also reached his career goal, becoming a district manager for Hilton. By that time, the Hilton family of hotels had 19 hotels in the St. Augustine area. They kept Bart busy, as you may have guessed.

Bart remained in contact with Carlo Marini, occasionally visiting each other, along with their husbands and kids. That relationship was beneficial for a second reason. Mateo and Carla, Carlo and Brandon's daughter, became very close and followed each other to the University of Florida before marrying a year after Mateo graduated, which was a year after Carla's graduation.

No, Kryštof didn't marry Billy, but he did find a nice young woman after he graduated from the University of North Florida, Bart's alma mater, following in his poppa's footsteps, obtaining a business management degree. It didn't upset Bart when Kryštof went to work for the competition, at Marriott.