Goldstein, Johnson & Cole - 2. Chapter 2 Reminiscing Part 2

“I know what you mean Kev but unfortunately we can't always have what we want. This is a chance to start a new chapter in our lives. We need to start planning for a house warming party, I was thinking about a barbecue at the weekend if this good weather holds up, what do you think?”

“Yeah let's go for it and if the weather does take a turn for the worse, like a typical British summer, we can use the electric griddle and bring it indoors.”

*****

As Kevin lay on the sofa with his head in Ian's lap his eyes slowly closed, with thoughts of thoughts of the up-coming barbecue he drifted off into a dream laden state subconsciously planning.

Ian continued to gaze at the TV as tears came to his eyes. His attempt to shift the conversation away from the emotional roller coaster of the last twelve years had worked on Kevin, but again it felt so raw for him. He had always been the strong one and emotionally carried Kevin through the hard times. When his family turned against him after Peter had caught them in bed on Kevin's birthday. Every time Peter or his dad ridiculed him and beat him for being gay. When their landlord had them beaten and thrown on to the streets with nothing but what they wore at the time and what was in their pockets, and many more times that were just painful to remember. Now he felt like there roles had reversed and Kevin was the strong one.

They had come a long way with the help of Pop, Christian and the friends they made from The Boot, not to mention the support of Manny who was his mentor throughout his apprenticeship and become another father figure to him in the same way as Pop had become. Manny had supported him in so many ways that he couldn't put it into words. Then the faith that he placed in him and Kevin by taking them on as a partners was more than he had any right to expect or ask for. He still felt the loss from Manny's passing, he still felt guilty knowing that Manny had passed away on his own so far away.

Two years had passed since then but the pain and sorrow was felt as though it had been more recent. Manny had planned his extended trip to visit his spiritual homeland of Israel and looked forward to visiting Jerusalem, Bethlehem and other locations visited by Jesus in his lifetime.

Two days before he was due to return home Manny had made the last of many phone calls to the boys excitedly letting them know where he had been and what he had seen and experienced, he was looking forward his journey home to share the many photo's that he had taken and to give a better account of his journey through the Holy Land and some special news that he was keeping secret. That night he passed away peacefully in his sleep, being found by the hotel staff when entered his room give it the usual daily clean.

Both of them were upset at Manny's passing but understandably Ian had taken it particularly bad. After bequests to the charities that Manny supported the remainder of Manny's estate passed to Ian and Kevin. This meant that they were in a financially comfortable position and as the surviving partners Goldstein, Johnson and Cole Jewellers was totally in their ownership. Without argument they agreed that as a mark of respect there would be no name change to the business.

On one wall in what was Manny's, but now Ian's, office there were framed copies of all the certificates showing both Ian's and Kevin's accomplishments. There was even a shelf that contained the first piece of every type of jewellery ever made by Manny, beneath that Manny had placed a duplicate shelf to contain Ian's 'firsts'. This included the first silver boot, and the laminated designs, that were produced for The Boot.

The following morning Ian and Kevin woke up on the sofa in the same position they had fallen asleep.

“I can't believe that you left us like that, why didn't you wake me up so we could go to bed?” Kevin stretched and yawned on his way to the kitchen, coffee was needed.

“Sorry hun, I must have got lost in my thoughts, and, well you know me I just zonked out.” Due to sleeping in an unnatural position Ian took a little longer to stand and stretch out his aching body, then he followed the smell of fresh coffee brewing.

Kevin turned and planted a kiss on his lovers lips, “Ugh, morning breath, I think we need to have this coffee then get cleaned up. You said that the solicitor wanted to see you so you better call him later, with Sean looking after the shops this week it's as good a time as any.”

“Yeah I'll call him after having a shower but it he wants to see both of us not just me. He said it had something to do with Manny but after all this time I've no idea what it could be.” With that he took the offered coffee smelled the welcoming aroma and sipped, “Aahhh, that's soooo gooood.”

“Hey no falling in love with the coffee I want you to hurry up, I'm looking forward to trying out that huge shower cubicle in our new bathroom.” Kevin's seductive tone as he wiggled his eyebrows left no doubts about what was on his mind.

“You Mr Cole are a fiend, a sex fiend, a demanding sex fiend.”

“That is correct, but I'm your sex fiend Mr Johnson.”

The next half an hour had more than a few loud noises coming from the bathroom, they went something like – 'aaagh that is ssooo goood' – 'oohhh more pleeeeease' – 'yes that's soo hot' – 'give it to me, harder, yes harder, oohhh god.'

An hour and a half later after a refreshing and relaxing, if that's the right way to put it, shower Ian and Kevin had dressed and were sitting in the kitchen with more coffee. Ian, who had just hung up after calling the solicitor, was sat with a puzzled expression looking at his coffee mug.

“Well what was all that about? You didn't exactly give much away from your end of the conversation, most of it sounded more like a poor Elvis Presley impression to me, 'ughu, ughu,' so come on spill the beans and whats with inviting him to the barbecue?.”

“To be honest I don't really know, he wouldn't go into any detail. He just said that something had cropped up regarding one of the charitable trust funds that was set up after Manny died and it needed our attention and signatures before anything could be done. He wouldn't say any more than that, just said it was complicated and really needed a more relaxed face to face meeting to explain and so we would understand properly. I just thought that the barbecue would be as relaxed as we can get, if we get it out of the way early enough it shouldn't interfere with it and we can all enjoy ourselves afterward, is that okay?”

“Intriguing, but yeah that should be okay. Now let's crack on with getting this house in order and organizing the barbecue, we're due at the Old Shoe Factory tonight. Remember we said we'd cover for Andy, he's got a hot date with Christian.”

The rest of the day passed fairly quickly as the house was put into order with finishing touches and the barbecue was arranged and food ordered for that approaching Saturday. Out of respect for Manny, Ian and Kevin had maintained the tradition of being closed Saturday's as that was the Jewish day of rest, not being Jewish themselves they treated it as a normal day in all other ways. An uneventful night shift at the Old Shoe Factory was preceded by a short nap and light snack.

Saturday morning soon came, Ian was busy making marinades for steaks and chicken fillets, sausages and burgers were ready and in separate containers in the fridge. Kevin was preparing various salads and making sure that a selection of beer and wine, including non alcoholic varieties, and soft drinks were chilled.

Kate, Steve, their boys and Jason had arrived early to set up the garden furniture, most of which was borrowed from guests. Steve made sure that the barbecue was set up ready to light with plenty of spare lump-wood charcoal for when it was needed.

At one o'clock Mark Fellows, their solicitor, and his wife Laura arrived. Ian and Kevin took Mark into the study for their planned meeting. Kate soon enlisted Laura's help to finish preparing the food while Steve fired up the barbecue ready for the remaining guests, including all the staff from both shops, who would start arriving in about an hour.

The meeting in the study was progressing but it was one that brought some disturbing news.

“So if I understand correctly what you are telling us is that Manny had set up a trust to look after this boy that he rescued and the people that were supposed to look after him have squandered the money leaving it bankrupt with no way to recover the money!” It was clear that Ian was no happy bunny, Kevin was just as annoyed.

“Unfortunately that is the bare facts of the matter. As Manny listed you both as his next of kin and the main beneficiaries of his will I thought you should be made aware. There is another more serious aspect to this though. Manny had legally assumed guardianship of the boy and placed him in temporary custody of these people believing them to be good honest people. Now that this has been discovered it leaves him in a very vulnerable position with no guardian.”

“What do you mean, he's just a boy and should be looked after as Manny intended. What do you mean that he's vulnerable?” Kevin was red in the face and getting more angry, not at the solicitor, but at the situation as a whole.

“First let me make this clear, I'm not sure that legally I should be informing you of what as happened as there are no instructions on what should be done in these circumstances, but no one could have foreseen what's happened. Second you are not obliged or legally required to do anything. But I felt morally obliged to Manny and both of you to let you know. If you would like me to I can look into things and see if it's at all possible for you to continue what Manny started. Otherwise he would either end up in the Israeli system, which for him wouldn't be good or,” Mark swallowed as he paused, “he will end up on the streets.”

“What do you mean the Israeli system wouldn't be good for him and why could he end up on the street?” Kevin was shaking with anger.

Ian wrapped his arms around Kevin to try to calm him down. “Kevin please calm down it's not Mark's fault, please don't shoot the messenger. Let's just hear what else he can tell us.” Ian's tears were streaming like a waterfall.

“I know your right Ian but it's not easy. I remember our last conversation with Manny and he was excited about something, he wouldn't tell us on the phone so it's my guess that this is what he wanted to tell us when he come home.” Kevin calmed down a little and addressed Mark. “Okay what else can you tell us? Why wouldn't things be good for this boy and what's his name? We can't keep calling him Boy that's disrespectful. Do you know what Manny's long term plans were for him?”

“I'll try to answer all of your questions. Things wouldn't be good for him because he's not an Israeli national, he's Palestinian, a refugee of the conflict out there, but doesn't have any paperwork to prove it so he'd just be considered a transient refugee. From speaking to the Israeli solicitor I think, but I can't be sure, that Manny wanted to bring him to the UK. And finally Manny did 'obtain,' and I use that word advisedly, 'legitimate' paperwork he was given the name Joseph Emmanuel Goldstein, he is now twelve years old. Before you say anything please try be calm and rational and think about things.” Mark looked at them with a tear and hope in his eyes.

“I don't need to calm down nor do I need time to think.” Kevin looked at Ian as if telepathically sending him a message. “What do you think love?”

Ian couldn't speak, he just nodded.

“Mark you knew Manny well, as well or better than us, I,” Kevin smiled at Ian. “No, I mean we, believe that Manny intended to bring him home. So can you make arrangements for him to be properly looked after in the short term?”

“The solicitor over there is my brother-in-law, he will look after him.” For the first time since arriving Mark was smiling.

“Good, then we want you and your brother-in-law to make all of the arrangements we will cover all of the costs. We will be his guardians, our instructions are simple. Bring Joseph home.”