Missing Conversations - 1. Jared Meets His New Family

Before Justin and Jared arrived, the whole household was excited and a bit nervous at the same time.

“I wonder if he’ll look like Mum or like Justin?” asked Alex

“He’ll probably look like Jared” was Alex’s retort.

“Smartarse! I just wondered if there would be a family resemblance.

“I don’t get that family resemblance thing, I don’t look like you, thank goodness.”

“You could do worse, but why would we look alike? We have different mothers and....”

“You were saying?” asked James

“Oh it doesn’t matter.”

“Yes it does, you were going to say something about our father or fathers. What’s that saying about elephants in the room?”

“I know what you mean. I love our mums and we couldn’t do better than them, they’re just super, although I wouldn’t tell them in case they try to use it to their advantage. But they have both failed to fill in one missing piece in the puzzle of life.”

“Do you want to have a dad?” asked James.

“I’m not sure. I don’t know what it would be like. Maybe not living with us; that would be weird if he wasn’t married to my mum, but sometimes I think I want to know who he is and how we came about.”

“You mean did he stick it to her or how did they do it?”

“And where did they find men for that? Do you advertise on the web?”

“Was there a web then?”

“I think so, but that’s not the point. Maybe they just went to a doctor who keeps a supply of the stuff in his fridge.” suggested Alex.

“Or maybe it was his own stuff?”

“Shush, here she comes.”

“Boys, I just saw Justin’s car park out front. Won’t be long now before you meet your big brother.”

“Can’t wait.” They both said, as if they were twins.

<>

Hannah and the boys waited in the living room and allowed Julia to greet their visitors. As they entered the room, all stood and Julia started introductions.

“Jared this is my partner, Hannah.”

“Pleased to meet you Hannah.”

“And these are our boys Alex, the taller one and James, the cheeky one.”

“Aw Mum.”

“Happy to meet you both.... brothers. Is that all right with you?”

“Sure, the more the merrier” answered Alex.

Everyone let that remark pass, as if unnoticed as they were not sure if it was genuine, or was masking some underlying jealousy.

“We thought we would eat outside today, so the boys have volunteered to barbecue for us. Hope you’ve got a strong stomach Jared.”

Alex was about to object to this slight on his cooking skills, but something stopped him. Then a grown up thought passed through his mind. ‘Maybe Mum’s just a bit nervous and trying to cover it up with humour, at my expense.’

“Boys, you take Jared and Justin outside and I’ll bring some drinks” suggested Julia.

“Sure Mum and then we can have men’s talk” suggested James.

They had not been in the garden long, when Jared started to feel the warmth from the spring sun and removed his jacket to reveala well sculptured upper body. James stood goggle-eyed until nudged by Alex. “What?” asked James.

“Jared asked what year you’re in at school”

“Oh...year 10...two years behind the middle brother.”

“So you will finish school this year, Alex” asked Jared.

“Yes, can’t wait.”

“What are you planning to do after that? Have you got a uni course in mind?”

“Sort of, Mum wants me to do law, like her.”

“That sounds like a good profession.”

“Maybe, but I’m not sure yet. What did you do when you left school?”

“I went straight into the regular army. I did my basic training at Puckapunyal and was then posted to an infantry regiment for two years. When I showed an interest in the SAS, I was recommended by my commanding officer.”

“Wow! SAS, so did you get in?” asked Alex

“Yes, eventually but it’s a three step process to get there.”

“Can you tell me more about it?”

“Perhaps later, I can already see James shuffling from foot to foot in boredom and Justin has already disappeared inside.”

“Ok, maybe after lunch we can have a man to man” concluded Alex.

James then saw his chance and asked “Speaking of man to man Jared, I hear you’re gay, is that right?”

“You are straight up front, aren’t you?”

“Yes,... so?”

“Well, I am currently in a relationship with a man. His name is Thomas.”

“So you’re gay then.”

“Yes, but why all the interest in my sexuality?”

“I need a role model and what better role model than a big brother.”

“I don’t think I want to be a role model for anyone, especially not a gay role model.”

“Why, aren’t you any good at it?”

“I’m not sure what you mean by good at it”

“Are you a good fuck, top or bottom?”

“James please! I don’t think your mother would like to hear you talking like that”

“That’s why we’re having this man to man, before the women arrive.”

Jared was then saved by Julia announcing “Drinks are up boys.”

“Bugger!” cursed James “Just as we were getting started.”

“Jared, are you a beer or wine man?” asked Julia.

“I’ll have a beer to kick off, thanks Julia.”

“James, get Jared a beer and let him open it himself. Don’t want you being his taste tester. Then you had better join your brother at the barbecue, if we’re going to eat today.”

“Y e s M u m” he dragged out as if the two words were a whole sentence.

“I hope the boys haven’t been giving you the third degree.”

“Oh they’re fine.”

“They can be quite the inquisitors, especially James.”

“Well it’s a great way to learn about life.”