A Parent's Choices

The Sunday sunrise was blocked by low hanging clouds.  William Anderson’s home remained still.  Light blocking curtains in the bedrooms kept the rooms comfortably dim, and all three occupants slept until mid-morning.  Liam was the first to stir.  From his playpen in the spare room, he watched his father.  Andy’s slow quiet breathing transfixed the child, but the fascination was overruled by the firm gelatinous form in his diaper.

“Pah,” he said and repeated.

Andy opened his eyes, and Liam pulled himself up. “How’s my tiger this morning?”

Liam made a growling noise.

“Diaper change?”

“Di-pah.”

“You’re so British. It’s Die-per,” said Andy stressing the ‘r’.

Liam giggled, and Andy set about changing him, washing his face, and putting him in some play clothes.

“I can’t believe how quiet it is here. I haven’t slept like that in forever.”

“I think you should stay,” said a voice from the doorway. “Would you like some coffee, eggs, and a croissant? I’m going to make myself some.”

“Sounds great,” nodded Andy.

“We-oh.”

“What would you like, Liam? Can he eat scrambled eggs?”

“I don’t see why not,” replied Andy.

“Scrambled eggs and maybe some grape juice? I love a little grape juice in the morning,” said William.

“Let me make a trip to the bathroom to brush my teeth, and I’ll be in to help. He left the room.

“Let’s go into the kitchen,” William directed toward Liam who raised his arms. Walking into the kitchen, William glanced around. “Oh, fuck, we need a chair for you, don’t we.”

“Flo,” said Liam.

“You stand by this chair while I get things ready.”

William got the items ready and preheated the oven. He started with the crescent rolls and was starting to roll them and place them on the parchment paper when Andy came into the room.

“Oh, I love doing that. Let me finish it. Oh, I never thought of putting them on parchment paper. Maybe that’s because I’ve never had any parchment paper.”

“I think it makes it easier to clean the stoneware afterward, and they don’t stick. We need to get Liam a chair. We can eat in the living room for now and use the coffee table.”

“I’ve got one in the apartment. I need to call over there and find out when I can get back in.”

William touched Andy’s arm. “I meant it about staying here. It’s much safer here, not only for you, but for Liam as well. I can help you with Liam, and you know that I already care for you both.”

“I know you’re right,” said Andy.

“If you’re worried about my pressuring you, I will assure you that I won’t.” William looked back at the skillet on the stove. “I’m still going to want to sit close to you…”

“I don’t want you to stop kissing me or holding my hand, I’m just not ready for the next step even though I really want it.”

“That’s fine,” said William. “The day you’re ready, you just walk into my bedroom. Until then, we’ll be roommates who date.”

“OK,” nodded Andy.

For William, the workday crept by as always, but at home, it sped by. He'd taken on keeping up with two additional people. The afternoons and evenings just seemed to end just as they were starting. He wanted Andy to devote as much time as possible to his studies, and for Liam, he wanted him to be as happy as possible. Things were falling into place when William was sent home early one day after receiving news that devastated the company.

A helicopter crash at the South American jobsite killed everyone on the helicopter and injured several people on the ground. William didn’t want to believe his father was on the downed craft, especially since a helicopter crash had killed his cousin Robert, but the company memo listed his father as one of the occupants.

William tried to get Chloe on the phone, but she didn’t pick up and her mailbox was full. He sat on the couch and was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion.

When Andy and Liam arrived back home a little after three, they found him on the couch, eyes red, puffy. He was drained.

“What’s wrong? What happened,” asked Andy.

Liam stretched his hand out to touch William’s face.

William sat up, and Andy sat next to him. William pulled Liam into his lap. He told Andy about the crash and how he couldn’t believe his father would ever get on a chopper. “He’s terrified of them. It’s his one irrational fear. He’d stomp on a water moccasin in his bare feet to save someone, but he doesn’t even like to see a helicopter fly by.

“We-oh sad,” said Liam.

“That’s right, baby; I am,” said William.

Andy leaned over and kissed his temple. “Whatever I can do for you, I will. Let me get a cool cloth for your head.” Andy left the room. He got a bowl and placed ice in it as well as water from the tap. He went to the bathroom and retrieved a white washcloth and brought it to the bowl to soak it. After squeezing the water out, he went back into the living room. “I want you to lay on your back. Liam can sit on the floor for now.” Andy folded the cloth and placed it on William’s brow.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Andy.” William closed his eyes. Andy massaged the place between William’s thumb and index finger, and William fell asleep.

Except for the light coming through the living room window from the streetlamp across the street, the room was dark. After ten o’clock, a ring awakened William, still in his place on the couch. Andy had fallen asleep sitting on the floor; he still held William’s hand in his. Liam had snuggled next to his father and had nodded off as well. His cell phone rang again, and all three of them stirred awake.

William pulled the phone from under his leg. He didn’t recognize the number but pushed on the green circle to answer. “Hello.”

“Willie, is that you? I’m glad I finally got through.” The connection was poor, and the voice on the other end sounded like his father.

“Willie? This is your dad; can you hear me?”

Tears began to pour down William’s cheeks. “Dad? Is it really you? They told me you were killed.”

“You know I wouldn’t get on a fucking helicopter. I was knocked down by something when it crashed and exploded. I’m in the hospital, but I just needed a few stitches on my leg, and I have a little cut on my head. I’m coming home tomorrow. I’ll need to stay with you; the house isn’t done, is it?”

“Of course, you can stay with me. I love you, Dad.”

“I love you, too. I need to go; they’re chasing me away from the phone.”

The phone line went quiet. William turned to Andy. “He’s OK.” William put his head in his hands and began to sob.

The next day, William went to his father’s house and checked on things. He still found it strange that the house had been moved and was now angled differently with the street. With the new sidings and windows, it looked like a completely new structure. While things were on schedule, there was no way his father could stay there. He went to the garage next. He looked over at the new garage and wondered whether his dad would decide to tear down this one or to turn it into a work shed. ‘It looks like shit compared to what they’re doing with the house,’ he thought. ‘I’d tear it down or put new siding on it. Maybe that’s the plan.’ Opening the door and peering inside, he searched for the mattresses and bed frame. They must be buried in the back, he decided. Maybe Andy would be willing to sleep on an air mattress.

The contractor pulled into the driveway and walked up to William as he closed the garage door. “Has your dad decided what to do with this one?”

“He hasn’t said anything to me. I think he should make it match the house.”

“I told him for about eight thousand, I can insulate it, finish out the inside with electrical, put new siding on, and even run water to it. A new door instead of that swing up garage door would do wonders.”

“I thought windows across here instead of that door.”

“I wonder what windows like the front of the house with a door that matched the front door. Let me see what I can do. I’d be a shitty brother-in-law if I couldn’t come up with something.”

“You’re doing a great job. I’ve about six thousand saved up for a surprise European trip that I was going to give him and Rodney, I could give it to you for this, maybe get part of it done, at least the exterior stuff and whatever you can on the inside.”

“And I’m a little under the budget for the house. Let’s see what we can get done.”

“I’ll transfer the funds and write you a check when it’s in my account.”

“Call your aunt to come and get it. I don’t touch the money,” he laughed.

“Thanks, Uncle Caleb.”

“No problem, Willie.”

“Hey, Dad’s coming back tomorrow, by the way. It’s early. Sounds like he got a minor injury while there, so they’re sending him back.” He decided to keep the true story quiet and let his dad tell it with all the details.

“Well, I won’t tell,” said Caleb.

William went back home. He was trying to decide what to do with the extra room when Andy came home. “Come see this,” Andy called.

William walked into the living room to find Liam standing without help. He took two steps then smiled.

“Whoa!”

“Yeah, the stinker started walking at daycare,” said Andy.

“You were supposed to wait until you were home,” William let out a sigh.

Liam took another step before falling on his bottom. “Ffuk,” said Liam.

“Shit! Did he just say the f-word? That’s your fault, you know.” said William pointing his finger at Andy. “I certainly don’t go around saying ‘fuck’ all the time.”

“You fuckhead,” retorted Andy, “you most certainly do.”

William started to laugh. “I guess we need to start saying ‘shit’ instead. It’s much more socially acceptable.”

Andy walked up and kissed him. “How about we don’t say any bad words at all? It’ll mean fewer parent-teacher conferences later on.”

“Are we going to need some gates to keep him out of rooms, now that he’s walking, or do I need to get padlocks?”

“He’s going to figure out those gates in no time, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he can already open a padlock,” said Andy.

“Yeah, he’ll be a famous safecracker one day. Now, Liam, you stay here, and Andy, come look at this room and help me decide what to do.”

The two of them walked to the extra room. “I need to replace the doorknobs with those that lock. We can each keep a key on a necklace or figure out how to hang them where he won’t reach them. And I need to lock the cleaning chemicals away. I know he’s smart and he follows directions, but one bit of curiosity…”

“Who knew we’d be this much trouble,” said Andy.

William pinned him to the wall and kissed him hard. “I’d take way more trouble than you could ever give me to have you here. Now help me figure out this room.”

Andy kept his eyes locked on William. “I know just what to do. I don’t have class tomorrow. I’ll make sure that my plan can work, and we’ll fix it tomorrow morning. I need to get some studying done right now. Will you watch Liam?”

“Of course. It’s almost time for his favorite TV show. We’ll snuggle on the couch and be asleep in no time. Wake me up at five-thirty, and I’ll make dinner,” William smiled.

Andy pressed into him and kissed him. “Has anyone ever told you that you were the luckiest guy in the world?”

“Actually, yes. And I’ve felt it ever since a certain day at the laundromat,” William kissed him back.

“Well, he lied to you. I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”

William gave him another kiss. Maybe they were tied for the top spot.

Instead of waking them for dinner, Andy made dinner for them; although, he did cheat a little with Liam and simply opened two of Liam’s favorite jars. He’d brought back a battery-powered candle when he retrieved the last of his belongings from his apartment, and he placed it in the center of the table. Andy woke Liam and put him in the high-chair before trying to wake William with a kiss. He’d fallen in love with William. He’d never met a kinder, gentler, more caring man. As he looked down at him, he wondered whether Willie was more handsome and sexy today compared to that first day because of the love that had grown within him, or had his feelings opened his mind to the greater possibilities and made Willie more attractive to him. Chicken or the egg, he thought; then he pressed his lips to the man he loved.

Dinner was quiet. William kept looking at Andy and smiling. Andy smiled between bites of food; his face blushed with anticipation of what he had planned for later. He was certain that William could accept him now, even with his shortcomings. At least he was hopeful.

Liam happily tried to get most of his food into his mouth. He was obstinate about trying to use a spoon. William had convinced Andy to let him do his best before helping him. Liam seemed to sense something and kept looking from William to his father and back again.

Toward the end of the meal, William helped Liam finish his dinner. He kissed him on the temple and whispered, “I love you.”

“Wuv woo,” Liam replied back.

“Do you want to bathe him while I clean up?”

“No,” said Liam. “Dada, wa-wa ba.”

“Thanks, Liam,” said William. “I guess I’m cleaning the kitchen.”

William heard Andy and Liam in the bathroom as he finished putting the hand towels over the oven handle to dry. He went to his room and showered, and after drying off, opened the top dresser drawer. He preferred sleeping without underwear, but in case he had to get up, he’d been wearing boxers to bed. He grabbed the batman pair and got into bed.

He stared at the ceiling, wondering what it would be like to have his father back, now that both a boyfriend and a baby lived in the house. “I shouldn’t have fallen asleep with Liam,” he said aloud. ‘I’m wide awake,’ he thought. ‘Maybe I should take an allergy pill.’

A click at the door and a dim light from the hall night light altered William’s attention. He glanced over and saw Andy’s back-lit figure come into the room.

“Is everything OK?” asked William.

“Are you asking about Liam or about me?” chuckled Andy as he moved toward the bed.

“You. I know Liam’s OK because you’d have shouted from the other room otherwise.”

Andy sat on the edge of the bed. “You know me pretty well, don’t you?”

“Well enough.”

Andy moved closer to William and placed his head on the pillow next to him. “There’s something I want you to know, something we haven’t talked about yet.”

William rolled his body so that his chest partially covered Andy’s; he gently kissed Andy’s chin. “You’re nervous about telling me, but you don’t have to be. I love you, Andrew Brown; and the biggest question in my mind is whether we will change our last name to Anderson-Brown, Brown-Anderson, or just Anderson or just Brown.”

“Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

“Not so much,” replied William. “It’s you I’m sure of.”

“Stop that. You’re going to make me cry.”

William laughed. “Suck it up, my boy, and tell me your secret.”

“You’re not going to like it,” said Andy.

“The eternal optimist. Just tell me.”

Andy took a deep breath. “It’s a two-parter.”

“Just fucking tell me already,” William laughed again.

“I’ve got a small dick. I don’t want to disappoint you.”

“Oh, Andy.” William kissed him again. “You’ve exceeded every expectation I’ve ever had about someone I’d want to share my life with. I’m not sure how to put how good I’m feeling into words. I’m not worried about the size of your dick.”

“You haven’t seen it.”

“Show it to me,” demanded William. He reached into Andy’s underwear. “You’re the perfect guy for me, Andy; what makes you think I can’t accept a micro-dick?”

Andy pushed his briefs down.

William felt the penis, and it seemed like a normal dick to him. “Where is it?” he asked, trying to sound serious. “Wait, do you even have a penis?” He probed a little farther and found Andy’s hole. “You’ve got a pussy here.”

“That’s my asshole, you prick.”

“Yeah, and your dick seems just fine to me. What’s the other secret?”

“I’m giving up my room for your dad. I figured I’d sleep with you from now on. I love you, and I’m ready to be with you.”

“Oh, baby,” said William. He kissed Andy again, deeply, passionately. He felt Andy’s penis respond. He moved his hand up over Andy’s flat stomach and up to his chest where William’s fingers played with Andy’s right nipple.

Andy’s hand reached for William’s package, and William moved to remove his boxers. “Take your underwear off, too, OK?” William asked.

William positioned himself in a sixty-nine orientation with Andy. He lowered his mouth onto his five and one-half inches of stiff, straight dick. His shaft was probably on the thinner size of average; William thought Andy’s cock was perfect.

“There is nothing wrong with this penis,” William said, then he slid my mouth over it again. It reached to the back of my mouth and perhaps a little farther. He applied suction and began to run his tongue up and down the shaft as he kept his nose buried in Andy’s bush. William wrapped his fingers around Andy’s ass cheeks and held him tight to his face.

With his lips circled around his cock, William moved his mouth up and down. He felt Andy’s hands grab his head. Andy started to pump him. Andy grunted; then he pushed himself into William’s mouth. The head of Andy’s dick went into his throat. He emitted a long ‘fuuuck’ through clenched teeth as emptied his seed into William’s gullet.

“Oh, Willie, I’m sorry. I should have warned you. I… I…”

William kissed him. “I loved it, baby.” He ran his fingers through Andy’s hair.

Andy reached for William’s dick and wrapped his fingers around it. “I want to make you happy, Willie. I’ve never done this part before. Will you use lots of lube?”

“Don’t worry, Andy. But first, roll over on your front.”