Cascadia was a fantastic place. They were quiet that morning and Dave spent a lot of time explaining features and why one bike was overpriced and another was not really what I needed. I rode six bikes finally settling on a Diamondback Atroz 2 in a muted medium blue. I parted with about fourteen hundred dollars after accessories and safety gear. I refused the kind offer of a free set of Lycra riding shorts. I did get a set of padded underpants with a tailbone pad that also acted as a supporter. Dave explained that young junk was more susceptible to damage since it was still developing. I also opted for a better saddle. We loaded the helmet and other wearables in the truck and Art told me he would pick up the bike as soon as they got the lights and other accessories mounted.
"That's a really cool bike Jem, we're going to have a lot of fun on the trails," Chase speculated.
"I can't wait, I always wanted a mountain bike but it wouldn't have been easy to get from our house to a trail. Traffic in Santa Barbara is pretty bad for cyclists," I explained.
"We can ride from home to school if we have enough time, but it's kind of a trek, but there's a special bike lane with a wall that goes over the Duwamish," Chase supplied.
"That sounds great, is the route bad getting to the bridge?"
"Not too bad, you have to be careful getting to the bridge around 35th but you can take Avalon to Chelan and connect that way," Chase expanded.
"It sounds like you've done it before Chase," Art surmised.
"Yeah, I went with Dad and some other guys, it was fun but I wouldn't want to do it every day." Chase finished.
Mom was sitting in the porch swing reading and sipping iced tea when we arrived.
"Hi boys, did you find what you were looking for?"
"I sure did, I bought a nice bike and stayed inside my budget, there was another one but even with a discount it would have been over what we agreed, but the one I bought needed some accessories so I got what I needed and still came in under."
"Dave was sure surprised when you whipped out that cash there Cap'n Treasure," Art teased.
"It wasn't treasure money, I sold a bunch of stuff and still had money from the competition. I still have plenty for my needs." I explained. After I sold three Xboxes and a play station and all the games I never played plus my bike and some other stuff I didn't want to bring up here, I ended up with close to twenty-five hundred plus what I already had."
"Well it sounds like you did very well for yourself, did you bring it home?" Mom asked.
"No, they have to mount the other stuff I bought and Art will pick it up today or tomorrow, there's no big hurry."
"I spoke with the Laird and he'll fly up tomorrow afternoon from Goleta and be here around seven. I went to his presentation; they had his badge mounted in Lucite and there were some long but funny speeches. For a reserve officer he sure got a nice sendoff and he was very touched."
" He's a good guy Mom, I've never heard a bad word about him from the other officers and he really got the reserve program looking sharp and effective." Art interjected.
"Um, what's a Laird?" Chase asked.
"It's a Scottish thing, it means Lord in this case head of the clan, if he lived in Scotland he'd be entitled to claim control of the clan MacGregor. It's a hereditary thing and completely honorary as far as I know. Grampa will explain it when he comes to visit. I'm pretty sure that will be soon with a new grandson to spoil," I explained.
"You're right there, buddy. Gramps has always indulged us. But I don't think it's done any harm," Art observed.
"We'll have to warn the little guy or Gramps will scare him to death," I added.
"Our Grampa is larger than life," I explained to Chase.
"Yes he is, the devil himself would give way on a narrow path," Mom declared.
"Wow he sounds awesome, what does he do?" Chase inquired.
"He was a wheat farmer but he retired and passed the farm on to one of his sons, my Uncle Angus'" I explained.
"Um, how should I, er, what do I call him.
"My dad is the oldest son and his name is Daegan Michael Mac Gregor so his friends call him Mike. He's not big on the whole formality thing so he'll want you to call him Uncle Mike," I further informed him.
"So does your dad have an accent? I kind of like Scottish accents and I think the whole kilt thing is cool."
"No Chase, he was born in Nebraska and went to college at MIT. Grampa has an accent though and he'll get you in a kilt if he finds out you like them; you know the Irish wore kilts too and Connaught is a province in Ireland," Art pointed out.
"Would you boys give me your opinion of the furniture I had delivered for little John? We wanted him to know that this is a place of his own." Mom requested.
The furniture was just what a boy of four would enjoy. There were fire engine plaques hanging on the walls because Mary had told Mom that John likes to watch the firetrucks go by. Even the bed had a firetruck theme. There was only one thing wrong with the room and I took that up with Mom.
"I don't think he should be across the hall from me, Mom," I said flatly.
"Well I'm sure he won't disturb you; I'm told he's very quiet on his own."
"That's not what I mean, I think all this will fit in the room adjoining mine, there's even a pass-through door so he can get to the bathroom easily. Plus I'll be right next door if he needs me in the night. We can put my studio and other instruments in here"
"Mom and Chase stared at me with tears forming in their eyes. Mom threw her arms around me and hugged. When she could speak she said "I was worried you might see him as an intrusion, I'm so glad you'll be welcoming him instead of resenting him. I know that doesn't give you credit but it's an unusual situation and I guess I was concerned that you might think you were being pushed aside. I love you Etienne you are a wonderful son."
Chase got into the act and hugged me as well, "you are going to be a fantastic big brother and you know I'll help him feel like he's got four brothers. He's going to love you Jem, just like Carter does."
"Chase I should tell you that Carter may need you more than before, Auggie's mom told me they might be moving soon. His dad's company may be leaving the state."
"Oh no, that will crush them both, I'm not sure Carter is strong enough for that."
"I'm sure he'll do great with a brother like you to help him through it. And you know I'll help and maybe my new brother and Carter will hit it off and be friends and they can lean on each other," I suggested hopefully.
That got me a kiss on the lips in front of my mother, it didn't really embarrass me but Chase suddenly realized and apologized to Mom.
"No apology needed Chase, please feel free to show each other affection especially in front of John, he hasn't had a lot of love in his life I suspect. And I look forward to meeting Carter and your Father as soon as possible."
Chase's eyes widened a bit and I knew then that he hadn't yet told his father that he was gay. But I had faith in Jeff that he would be accepting and love his son all the same. I don't read everyone I meet but I get a sort of go no go feedback from people when I shake their hand or touch them in any way, Jeff 's feedback was positive.
"Thank you Minnie, Dad wants to have you all to dinner some night soon. He says moving can be traumatic and a nice meal away from the mess helps ease the way. Plus Jem has told him so much about you, his dad and Art as well that he thinks we'll all get along quite nicely."
"I hope that's the case, he must be a nice man to have such a fine son."
"Chase would you like to see my room?" I asked.
"Yes please."
"Okay boys I'll leave you to it for now, when Art gets back with your new bike perhaps the two of you can move John's bedroom stuff over."
"Sure Mom, it shouldn't take long, the hardest part will be the bed but still half an hour tops is my guess."
Chase marveled at the size of the shower in my bathroom, it was a very well done custom tile job with both a shower head and a wand. A selector valve switched water between the two. I had checked and the water pressure was quite high although I hadn't had a shower in it yet. I had been running water in all the sinks, tubs and showers as well as flushing toilets to keep the traps from drying up.
"This is a nice room and is this the door to John's room?" Chase asked.
"It's about three quarters of the size of the other one but when he needs more room we'll move my piano and other stuff in here and he can have that one."
"I meant what I said, you're a really great big brother. I'm sorry if I embarrassed you when I kissed you, I couldn't help it," he whispered.
"You didn't embarrass me, my family knows that I prefer boys but I got the impression from your response to Mom that you haven't actually told your dad yet, is that correct?"
"Yes, I'm sorry, I was going to talk to him this weekend if I can."
"Would you like me to be with you when you do, I'd be happy to offer support, I think he probably knows and even if he doesn't he doesn't seem like the type to hate."
"Thanks Jem, I think it would be nice if you were there. I know you're right about Dad but having you there will give me courage."
"Let me know when and I'll be there," I told him and kissed his sweet lips to emphasize my statement.
"Carter should be home soon, do you want to come over and sing to him?"
Auggie's mom was right on schedule and dropped him off and watched him walk through the door before pulling away.
"Hi Chase, hi Etienne, what are you guys doing?" Carter chirped happily.
"Making a snack, are you hungry?" Chase replied.
"You bet, let me go put my stuff away and change, um, Etienne could you help me change?"
In minutes Carter and I returned and emptied his lunch bag and threw away his wrappers.
"Here you go Carter, ham and swiss on ciabatta, what do you want to drink?" Chase asked.
Carter opted for Sunny D and I poured a glass for each of us. We all settled down with our sandwiches and chips and let Carter tell us about his day at camp. We followed routine and lugged a tired little guy up the stairs and got him into bed. Chase and I sat on his bed and we sang Grey Funnel Line to him as I once again fed him peaceful images while holding his little hand. It wasn't long before he was asleep but we finished the song and I held a finger to my lips to keep Janisse from applauding.
We all walked down the stairs together and Janisse couldn't contain herself another second. "That was so beautiful, where do you get these songs Etienne?"
"I've listened to all sorts of music since I could choose what I wanted to hear. There was a college radio station that had a program called "Harmony Hour" and they played songs with close harmony. I listened and memorized the tune and lyrics. Simple really," I explained.
"Well you two should perform in public, you sound wonderful together."
"Thank you Janisse, it's nice of you to say so," I replied.
"And what's all this about?" a voice asked from an open front door.
"Hi Dad, we were just talking about music and harmony, how are you feeling?"
Jeff reached out and pulled Chase to him for a hug. "I'm fine but I can't say the same for traffic this afternoon, Spokane street was a complete mess. And how are you and this young man doing?"
"We're fine, Jem,err, Etienne and I were just singing Carter to sleep, he really likes that."
"Hello Janisse, are you well?"
"I am Jeff, why don't you relax while I finish up in the kitchen."
"While we're all still here you can all call me Jem it's just my initials."
"What is the J for if you don't mind me asking?" Jeff inquired.
"Well my name is Jean-Etienne Mac Gregor so J.E.M. becomes Jem, Etienne is a little hard for some to pronounce correctly, especially little kids."
"French and Scottish, that's quite a combination. It's very interesting as well."
Umm, Dad can we talk in private for a while the three of us.?"
"Sure guys, let's go to my study and we'll close the door."
Jeff ushered into his inner sanctum and invited us to sit on the small couch with him, "What can I do for you boys?"
"Dad I need to tell you something about me, " Chase began.
"About us," I said placing my hand on Chase's.
"Okay, please son relax and say what you need to."
"Dad, I'm in love with Etienne and I'm gay. I wasn't sure until I met him but I know now," Chase blurted.
"Has this been troubling you long Chase?" Jeff pulled Chase close and kissed his forehead. My darling son, I love you and you must know by now that I don't use race or orientation to judge a person's value, only their character which you and Jem have in abundance. There is nothing wrong with you and I'm so glad that Jem has come into our lives. I haven't seen you so happy in years little man. So why the sudden urgency to tell me about this?"
"My mother has arrived and my family has been aware of me for a long time. She's also aware of our relationship and he wanted to tell you himself before she accidentally told you," I supplied.
Jeff gazed at us with bright eyes and then pulled me into the embrace with his son and held us both close.
"Okay boys, enough tears, there is nothing to cry about, let's use my sink to wash our faces and get presentable, Carter will be up and around and Janisse will be looking for me to give instructions on dinner."
Not long after we emerged from Jeff's study Carter woke and made his way downstairs.
"Thanks for singing for me guys, I sleep so good when you do that," Carter said sweetly.
"We enjoyed it Carter, we'll teach you a few that you can sing with us."
"I'd like that, I like to sing and I still remember the coconut song you taught me."
"There's a great one called Jollity Farm that has animal noises to sing as well."
"Oh cool, it sounds really fun."
Janisse and Jeff issued forth from the kitchen laughing about something.
We told her goodbye and watched her drive away.
"Jem, why don't the four of us walk over together so I can meet your mother?"
"Sure Jeff, should we change Carter's clothes first?
"No I don't think that's necessary we won't be long and Janisse left dinner in the oven for us, I just thought it would be nice to meet her."
"I'll go get Chase!" Carter volunteered.
"I think Carter wants to meet our cat; he's heard us talk about how big Seneca is."
"Seneca? High class name for a house cat, can I presume your brother named him?" Jeff supposed.
"Yes, Art likes the Greek philosophers, I think he can read ancient Greek. I know he reads Latin and he showed me a piece of vellum that was attributed to Ovid. It wasn't his own work but it was his poetry that someone had transcribed from another text."
Okay, I'm impressed that you know all that. What would you have named him?"
"I don't know but if I had to rename him I would call him Gaius Impericus because of the way he looks on everything in such a regal fashion."
That made Jeff laugh.
"Sorry to make everybody wait, I was in the toilet."
"Let's go guys," Jeff instructed.
I led the way to Art's apartment since Mom had told me she would be there when I came back.
Jeff carried Carter through the cool afternoon air and Carter cuddled close.
"Mom, I have someone for you to meet," I called.
"Oh hello, you must be Chase's father," Mom greeted.
I reached out and took Carter from Jeff so he could shake hands with Mom.
"And this must be the Carter I've heard so much about," she gushed.
I passed him to her arms and she cuddled him close, "Aren't you a handsome boy," she cooed.
Carter allowed himself to be cuddled and made over. Mom eventually allowed him to stand on his own and I saw him looking around, took his hand and led him to my room as Chase followed. The lord of all he surveyed was in the window next to my bed. I placed Carter's tiny hand on Seneca's back, "He's so soft," Carter murmured.
After some supervised petting Seneca indicated that he was done so I led Carter away, I would warn him about the belly rubs later.