Building Things

Aiden turned up Greg’s street. He drove slowly through this really nice neighborhood. He felt a little outclassed driving his beat-up little car seeing all the ultra-nice SUV’s and expensive cars that were sitting in the driveways of these nice homes. He gripped the steering wheel again and again with being nervous. He wanted not to just see Greg, but to talk to him about the texts last night. He slowed even more and pulled up in front of Greg’s house and parked. He had been here a few times, just doing school stuff. The house seemed huge to him, was really nice and had a huge green lawn in front, lots of flowers in the flower beds that ran along the front of the house. Aiden shut the car off and let out a long breath.

He walked up the wide brick walkway and stepped up on the deep front porch. He rubbed his sweaty palms on the hips of his jeans and hesitated in reaching for the button of the doorbell. ‘Get a grip’ he told himself, ‘Just do what they told you last night…talk to him…listen to him…then be honest…yeah…let’s do this’, Aiden told himself. He rang the bell and backed up a step. The door opened after a minute.

“Hello there, Aiden. This is a bit of a surprise.” She said in a rather cold manner.

“Uh…hi there, Mrs. Adkins. I was hoping I could talk to Greg.”

“Well, I’m sorry, dear, but he’s gotten himself into a bit of trouble. I don’t think…”

“Oh, Jesus, Mom. You took my damn car keys, now you’re going to stop me from seeing my friends?” Greg asked as he grabbed the door and pulled it open wider, “Can you please just cut me a little slack? This isn’t a federal penitentiary, or is it?” Greg asked and had a bit of attitude. Aiden was wide eyed, not just seeing and hearing this little exchange at the front door, but what Greg was wearing, nothing but a pair of short running shorts. Aiden wanted to melt right there.

“Not long, do you understand?” She asked as she glared at Greg.

“Yeah, why don’t you go mix a cocktail?”

“Gregory.” She snapped then walked off fuming with pursed lips.

“Fuckin bitch.” Greg muttered under his breath. He tried to soften his look as he looked at Aiden.

“You okay?” Aiden asked above a whisper.

“What do you think?” Greg asked softly as he stepped outside, closing the door behind him, “I wish to fuck I could get out of here. She’s driving me fucking crazy. You know what I’ve been doing all day?” Greg asked and Aiden shook his head, “Pulling weeds in the backyard, pulling weeds, little tiny ones that you have to really squint to see. They have a fucking gardener for Christ’s sake. I don’t know what that guy’s been doing or why they even pay him if they have me doing this shit. They should be paying me what they pay him. And then tomorrow, guess what, I get to clean all the windows in the whole house.” Greg said and shook his head as he balled up his fists, “Doesn’t matter that they have a cleaning lady that comes in twice a week and she does the windows every fucking month anyway.”

“Why are they doing this?” Aiden asked.

“Because they want me under their thumb and to control me. They want the perfect son. They only want me to go where they want me to go, do only what they want me to do and nothing more, they’ve told me that over and over for years. They want a fucking trophy boy to just sit there and be all good and all pretty until they need me when they have their guests over. And that’s another thing, there’s a fucking social here tonight.”

“A what?” Aiden asked.

“A get together, a fund raiser for my dad’s reelection…one of their cocktail parties. And you know what they told me I have to do?” Greg asked and Aiden shook his head, “Be the fuckin door greeter. I told them both no way and you know what happened? My dad got right in my face, right in my face, and said that I had no choice…at all…and if I wasn’t nice and smiled and was polite to everyone…I would never get my keys back…ever.”

“This is all my fault. I’m so sorry.” Aiden said. Greg held up a finger.

“Don’t.” Greg said and Aiden was shocked, “Truth is, they’ve been doing this to me for years, it’s gotten worse over the past three…long…fucking…years since we started high school. This is not your fault…it’s theirs. I fuckin hate living here. I hate their fuckin guts. If I could get my hands on my trust fund…they’d never see me again.”

“You have a trust fund?”

“Yeah. My grandfather set it up before he died, just after I was born. Problem is, I can’t touch it until I’m eighteen. Nine fucking months away…nine long months. I’m gonna go out of my fucking mind waiting.”

“There’s got to be something I can do to help you.”

“You can’t. They won’t budge. She’s such a control freak. They’ve told me, it’s their way only, the mind games that they do on me, I’m sick of it. Do you know what else they told me?” Greg asked and Aiden shook his head, “They told me that I had to quit the team and give up baseball. I’m doing it because I love it, you know that, and because I can get a scholarship on it, coach has told me that over and over. But they told me no, that I didn’t need it or to waste my time with it. Waste my time? And then they also told me that college was already set for me and that I was going to school where they wanted me to go, what they want me to study, can you believe that? They already picked my fuckin major. All they want to do is take something else away from me that I love.” Greg said softly and fought to hold back tears.

“What else are they taking away from you that you love?”

“You. They took my only way to come and see you. They’ve made me a prisoner here.” Greg said and tears dropped. Aiden’s chest tightened and his eyes went wide.

“Then it’s true. You do love me.” Aiden whispered. Greg nodded and then hung his head. Aiden went to reach for him.

“You can’t touch me.” Greg whispered, “She’s probably watching us on the cameras right now. There’s one right over your head.”

“Greg.” Aiden whispered. Greg slowly lifted his head, “This isn’t right, you know that, I know that, they certainly know that. I love you, Greg.”

“I was hoping you did. That’s the only thing I’ve got.” Greg said, “I couldn’t tell you for all kinds of reasons, but mostly because of them. But it doesn’t matter anymore. I’ve made up my mind, I’m gonna tell them, tonight, in front of all their friends. I’m going to embarrass the shit out of them.” Aiden went wide eyed, “I can just see the headlines in tomorrow’s paper, city councilman’s son is gay, making his announcement during a fund raiser.” Greg said as he swept his hand in the air between them.

“Don’t do this…please.”

“Why not?”

“Look, I know you’re really pissed and I am too. But this isn’t the way, Greg. You don’t know what they’ll do.”

“What can they do? I mean really. What else can they possibly do to me? Make me clean the front sidewalk with a toothbrush? Send me off to military school? Fuck ’em.”

“Greg…don’t do it. We need to finish school, graduate…I have money in the bank, my job, we could get a place together if you want…”

“You got enough shit goin on right now, you don’t need mine too, that’s why I never said anything to you about any of this. No, Aiden, this is my problem. They started this and I’m damn sure gonna to finish it. They’ve got me so pissed off right now that I don’t care what happens. It’s not about a bunch of petty fuckin chores either, they just want to smother me, control me, make me do what they want, when they want. They don’t even want me to think for myself. They’ve told me that over and over, they’ll make all the decisions for me because what I decide is never good enough or not what they think is right for them or me, their fucking social standing.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me what you’re going through?” Aiden said as the front door opened and she was standing there.

“I’m sorry, Aiden, but Greg needs to finish up what he was doing in the backyard. We have guests coming this evening. I’m afraid you’ll have to leave.” Aiden turned and looked at her as a sneer slowly started on Greg’s lips.

“Mrs. Adkins, I…”

“I’m very sorry, Aiden.” She said and was firm in her tone. She looked at Greg, “Gregory?”

“Sure, Mom.” Greg said slowly with a sarcastic tone as he stared at Aiden. Aiden looked back at Greg and couldn’t speak, “I don’t have much left to do out there anyway, then I can get ready for tonight.”

“Good.” She said flatly.

“Hey, thanks for coming by, really appreciate it. It was good to see you, I’ll text you tonight when I get free.” Greg said with a smile. He winked at Aiden, then turned and walked by his mother into the house. She slowly closed the door. Tears dropped immediately from Aiden’s eyes. He sobbed, turned, and walked toward his car, with his head down.

8888 8888 8888 8888

“What did he want?” She asked sharply as she followed Greg.

“Does it matter?” Greg asked as he kept going toward the slider in the dining room.

“I’m not sure he’s the type that you should be seen with.” She said. Greg stopped, turned and glared at her.

“His type? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“You need to set a higher social standing for yourself, Gregory. Your father and I have told you before about that, repeatedly.”

“Are you serious? Do you even listen to yourself when you talk?” Greg asked.

“Do not take a tone with me. You know what we expect of you. Now why was he here?”

“Because he’s a friend of mine and he cares about me.” Greg said.

“And what do you mean by that?” She asked with narrowed eyes.

“What? Can’t my friends care about me? Can’t they be concerned and just stop by without you giving the third degree? Are you for real?”

“We have told you before what we expect from you, Gregory, and with that you need to be careful with who you’re friends with.”

“I don’t believe this. Yeah, I think I have a solution for this. Why don’t you go door to door and interview everybody that goes to my school and then you and dad can pick out my friends for me, just like you do with everything else in my life. You don’t want me to make any decisions at all for myself, do you?” Greg asked.

“You’re going to push this past the point.”

“What is the point? Why do you do this? Why?”

“We want the best for you.”

“And you think that my being friends with him is not the best for me? You don’t even know him, what he does, what he’s been through, except for the few times that he’s been here to help me with school stuff, which by the way, he volunteered to do, I didn’t ask him.” Greg said with anger in his voice.

“I’m sure he’s very nice. He’s been polite when he’s come here. But the state of his clothes, his hair, his car.”

“You’re judging him by that? Are you kidding me?” Greg shook his head, he snapped with what she said about Aiden, his sweet Aiden, this was now the final straw, “He works, he has a job, something else that you took away from me by the way. You’re the ones that made me quit working at the store.”

“It was beneath you to work there, Gregory, you know that. We told you not get that job in the first place. It was only right that we step in and make you quit it.”

“Beneath me? An honest job, in a grocery store. Are you fucking kidding me?”

“Don’t use that language with me.” She snapped.

“It was a good job, a great place to work. Why are you strangling me? Why? Maybe you should just lock me away until you need me to just stand there for show…or to be your door greeter.”

“I will not be spoken to this way. Do you understand me?” She said.

“Well get used to it.” Greg said as he leaned closer to her, “Because it’s the way it’s gonna be from now on. I’m done with you, with both of you, and you trying to run me the way you have for years. You and your mind games and control issues.” He growled, “And I’ll tell you another thing, I’m not going to that fuckin college you picked out and I’m not studying what you say I have to study and I’m sure as hell not quitting baseball, I’m getting a scholarship and going where I want to go.”

“You will do what you are told. We know what is best for you.”

“Get a fuckin clue. I don’t really think you know what’s best for me. You’ve never asked me what I might want or what I might like. All you want to do is control me, keep me down and under your thumbs. Well, get ready for tonight…because it’s gonna be really fun. And I can’t wait.”

“What are you talking about? You will do nothing, and I mean nothing but what your father told you to do this morning, is that clear?”

“Think again…Millie.” Greg said knowing she hated to be called that by anyone, “Your world is about to be turned upside down. You have controlled me and pushed me past the point that I can’t stand it anymore and I certainly can’t stand you. You make me sick. I thank god that I don’t have any brothers or sisters that you can do this to. You continually invade my privacy, tell me where I can go, what I can do, when I can do it, and how. Now you’re telling me who I can and can’t be friends with? Get real.”

“I’m calling your father. He can deal with you.”

“Oooh, you’ve got me scared there. Yep, shakin in my shoes for sure. He’s just as bad as you are.” Greg said and then paused a moment, “No, on second thought, I take that back, he’s actually worse, he doesn’t have the balls to stand up to you. You cut those off him years ago.” Greg said and she was livid. She reached up and slapped him hard across the face, “Yeah, there you go, good one. Leave a mark that your precious guests will see when I greet them at the door tonight.” Greg said and smiled a fake smile.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into you. It must be that boy, Aiden. He is forbidden from ever coming here again and you are forbidden from ever seeing him. Am I clear?”

“Like I said, get a clue. I’ll see him whenever I want, or whenever he wants to see me. Get over it, Millie, your control days are over.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“That means I’m done. Pull your own microscopic weeds and wash your own fuckin windows, I’m not doin it. It’s not my house, it’s yours.”

“You will do as you are told, when you are told, do you understand? Remember, you are grounded.” She snarled at him. In that moment, Greg knew exactly what he had to do. This had gone on for far too long.

“Yeah? I’ve got three words for you…bite my ass.” Greg growled and walked away.

“You come back here, come back here right now, young man.”

“Got things to do, sorry.” Greg said. She stalked off toward the phone. Greg went into his room and locked the door. He picked up his phone, opened it and started texting…’don’t have long. had it out with her. packing my bags, taking what I can. they’ll shut off my phone, know they will.’ He sent it. He set the phone down and went to his closet, pulling out a duffel bag. He threw open drawers of his dresser, started pulling things out and stuffing the duffel. His phone dinged.

‘coming to get you right now. halfway across town already. I’ll hurry.’

‘no, don’t come here. I’m walking out. meet at Dryden Park at the bleachers. need to wipe my phone of contacts and disable it. don’t text anymore. luv u so much.’

‘luv u 2. meet u there.’

Greg went to contacts in his phone and deleted all of them in one edit sweep. He locked the phone up with bad codes to make it useless, smacked the screen on the corner of the dresser to crack it then tossed it on the dresser. He packed the duffel and went to the closet and pulled another one out. He heard the doorknob try to turn.

“Gregory…open this door right now.” Her voice said from the other side.

“Sorry, kind of busy right now.” Greg said over his shoulder.

“What are you doing?” She asked through the door.

“Oh, you know, some private stuff. Things you probably don’t want me to do or approve of.” Greg said loudly over his shoulder.

“Don’t be smart, young man. Open this door right now. You know you’re not supposed to lock this door. Your father is on his way.”

“Oh, a show without dinner. This ought to be good.” Greg said rolling his eyes as he continued to pack.

“We need to talk about this.”

“I think you mean that you need to tell me how it’s going to be, isn’t that the way it’s always been?” Greg asked loudly.

“Open this door. Now.”

“Sorry, I’m naked right now, trying to get changed.” Greg said, “Maybe you want to watch that too just to make sure that I do that right, huh?”

“Open this door.” She said as she tried the knob again. Greg shook his head boiling with anger. He pushed down his shorts and his jock and stepped out of them, going completely naked. He went over to the door and unlocked it. He turned away from it as the door swung open. He her heard sigh with frustration and he smiled.

“Put some clothes on, Gregory.” She said and he stopped, turning to face her. She looked away.

“No, you wanted in, so you’re in. I told you I was naked. You obviously didn’t believe me, as usual. So? Say what you’re going to say.” Greg said and she turned away.

“Put some clothes on…now.”

“You’ve told me before, and I’ve lost count of how many times, that I shouldn’t do two things at once. So, if you want to talk, talk. I’m all ears.”

“I can’t believe what you’re doing.”

“Well, believe it. Oooh, you know, I’ve just got a really good idea, how bout I answer the door this way for your guests tonight? I know some of those older ladies might really like it and may contribute more. The way they look at me when they come over sometimes…oooh, those eyes that they give me like, yum, fresh young meat to look at.”

“I have never in my life…”

“No, of course you haven’t, it’s not all prim and proper for your supposed social standing. Like I said, your control days are over with me, like it or not.”

“I don’t like what you’re doing. You need to stop this right now.” She said with a bit of a snarl.

“Again, with the control attempt. When are you gonna get it? We aren’t doing this anymore. I won’t let you.” Greg said with emphasis.

“You’re a minor, you have no say. You have to do what your parents tell you. It’s in your best interests.”

“Yeah, keep tellin’ yourself that. Let’s get right down to the real reason here. You’re still pissed about last night. You didn’t know where I went and it bugged the shit out of you. You lasted about an hour and then you just couldn’t stand it anymore, could you? And then you got him going with it, which is pretty easy for you to do because I’ve seen it. So when you made your threat and I came home because of it, you think you won and you got all warm and fuzzy with yourself but you had to carry out the threat, just to stay in control, didn’t you?” He watched as she shook a little, “Yeah, that’s it. With him it’s easy. He goes to his office, does his little business thing all day, and it’s okay with you because you know exactly where he is each and every minute of the day. You probably know exactly when he goes to take a leak too, don’t you? You’ve conditioned him over all these years, you and your control freak issues. Well, sorry to disappoint, but it’s not happening with me anymore.”

“I will not be spoken to this way. Put some damn clothes on.” Her voice had utter rage to it now. Greg could see her shaking physically.

“What in the hell is going on in here? Why don’t you have clothes on?” His father, Bill, said after he came into the room, looking past his wife.

“Well, look who’s here, the trained dog.”

“Do something about your son. Make him put clothes on so I can look at him.” She snarled.

“I think I was naked when I was born or so I’m told. Did you even look at me then?” Greg asked.

“Do something!” She said loudly. He came around her and stepped toward Greg.

“Why don’t you step outside and let me take care of this.” He said over his shoulder toward her.

“Wait, hold on a sec. Did I just hear you say you would actually take care of something? I need to write this down on the calendar.” Greg said.

“What did you say?” His father asked as he glared at Greg.

“Don’t tell me besides your balls being missing, your hearing is also gone?” Greg asked.

“What did you say?” His father growled deeper.

“Oh, guess maybe you found a set. Glad to hear it.”

“What is the matter with you?” His father growled through clenched teeth.

“It’s like I was telling your control freak standing there…I’m done…I’m done with both of you. I’m done with you going through my phone, my drawers, controlling my life, telling me over and over where I can go, what I can do, how I’m going to do it. She’s trying to tell me that my friends aren’t good enough for the social standing you want me in, whatever the fuck that means. You’re both trying to tell me where I’m going to go to college, what I’m going to study, you’ll probably tell me what I need to do after that as far as a job too, because you fucked up my last one. You’ll also probably tell me who I have to marry and how many children I’m supposed to have and also what sex they are supposed to be. Any of this ringing a bell?”

“What has gotten into you?”

“I finally fuckin woke up.” Greg said and leaned forward a little, “Maybe you should too. I told her to get a clue, but she’s so dense and wrapped up in her little control issues, she won’t listen. This place is a fuckin prison and she’s the warden. I’m done. You can take your little petty chores and shove them up your ass.” Greg saw the hand raise and was ready for it, “Looks like you did finally find your set…Bill. Go ahead, she’s already done it once too. Here let me make it easier for you.” Greg said and leaned out further toward his father, “Clear shot…do it….DO IT!” Greg screamed as he glared at his father, “That’s what I thought, you really don’t have any balls, do you? You make me sick.” The hand lowered. Eyes scanned around and saw the packing that was going on.

“What do you think you’re going to do, just walk out that door?”

“That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

“You won’t get far. I’ll have you posted as a runaway. The police will pick you up in no time. You’ll be placed in a home, foster care, or worse.”

“I dare you.” Greg said and flashed his eyes, “Go ahead, make your call. Let’s just see how well that goes for your campaign…Bill. I don’t mind talking. I’m sure the papers would love to hear all about this, our little family issues. What do you say, Bill? Should I make the call for you?”

“What have we done to you to make you like this?”

“Oh, come on, wake up. I finally did. You’re so used to this you can’t even see it, can you?” Greg asked. He shook his head, “Looks like she’s won something completely at least. Your blind obedience. Good job there, control freak.” Greg said and stuck up a thumb with a brief fake smile.

“Alright, what do you want?”

“Too late for that…way too late. What makes you think I really want anything? Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Either one of you? I’m your only son, your only child, and with your controlling and constant pressure, these sick mind games you’ve played, you’ve made me hate you. I walk out that door, you’ll never see me again, ever. I promise you that. You did this to yourselves, you’ve got nobody to blame but you.”

“You want your car back, is that what this is really about?”

“Are you fucking kidding me? Do you hear yourself? In case you missed a step here, let me spell it out, I don’t want a fucking thing from you. You can take that car and shove it up your ass as far as I’m concerned. I didn’t want it in the first fuckin place, you made that choice for me telling me I had to have it, along with everything else. You never asked me what I might think. You never asked me what I even feel. When was the last time either of you told me that you loved me or said you were proud of me? It’s been so long, I can’t even remember. When was the last time you even touched me? I have to lie to my friends all the time about how great my parents are, how loving. I’m not going to lie anymore, you’re not worth it.”

“I can’t listen to this any longer.” She said.

“Truth hurts, huh, Millie?” Greg asked and she walked away out of the room heading toward the front of the house. His eyes never left his fathers.

“You can’t leave.” His father said above a whisper, “You know you can’t.”

“I can and I am and you can’t stop me and you know it. I’m close to being of age, you know what that means, they’re gonna listen to me and you know they will. You’re doomed. Her dreams for you are gonna fall apart. Find your balls, stop being controlled.” Greg said. His father thought for a long moment, half turned and reached into his lapel pocket. He pulled out his wallet and opened it taking out a stack of cash. He handed it toward Greg, “Are you serious? What, you’re gonna try and bribe me or something?”

“Take it.” He said, “You’ll need money to live on. You’ll need to eat. Where are you going to stay?”

“Does it matter?”

“It does.”

“Well it shouldn’t, you don’t really care anyway, just as long as I keep my mouth shut. Anywhere is better than here.” Greg said, not budging a bit. His father leaned around him and set the money on the bed then straightened. They glared at each other a long moment, then he turned and walked out of the room. Greg let out a deep breath. He spun and finished his packing. He grabbed more clothes and got dressed quickly, zipped up the duffels, picked them up and headed out of his room, not looking back. He came into the living room and they were both standing there. He just looked at them. She had a death stare on him.

“You can’t leave. You’re a minor.”

“I can and I am. He and I had this discussion already and he knows. I keep telling you to get a clue but you can’t, you’re just too dense and too wrapped in what you do. I left the phone on my dresser. I’ve cleared it and disabled it, it’s no good to anyone anymore.”

“How will we get a hold of you?” She asked.

“It’s like I said, when I walk out that door, you’ll never see me again, so you don’t have to worry about it. Your control days are over, Millie.”

“Don’t do this.” She said with anger in her tone.

“Too fuckin late, warden.” Greg said and went to the door, “Oh, I’m sorry about not being here to door greet for you tonight. And remember when I said that it was going to be really fun?” Greg asked and flashed his eyes directly at her, “I was going to tell you, and all your guests tonight at the same time…that I’m actually gay. So much for having grandkids to control, huh? Thanks for nothin.” Greg said and opened the door. He walked out the door leaving it open behind him. He left her standing there in complete shock, his father rolled his eyes slowly and exhaled.

“You should have done something.” She said as she walked by him. He hung his head in silence. She shut the front door.

‘I did, I let him escape. He’s tough, he’ll survive, I know he will, but I know now that I won’t, I’m too weak. You’re going to get even worse now with him gone. He was right the whole time, everything he said, he was right, I am doomed.’ Bill Adkins thought to himself.

8888 8888 8888 8888

Aiden waited in Dryden Park. His hands kept rubbing each other over and over, his right foot was bouncing with his nervousness. This waiting was killing him. He didn’t know if Greg was alright or not. There weren’t too many people in the park today, a couple of joggers and a few people with little kids playing and no one here at the bleachers of the baseball diamond for sure. The sun was getting blistering on these aluminum benches, ‘but he said to meet him here, and here is where I’m going to wait. I’ll wait until winter if I have to, he’s more than worth it.’ Aiden thought to himself. He rung his hands again and again and then looked up. He saw some one carrying something in their hands across the park. It was him. Aiden jumped up and started toward him. Aiden jogged over to him.

“Hey.” Aiden said.

“Hi.” Greg said. He was sweating from carrying the large duffels in the warm sun.

“You okay?” Aiden asked and Greg dropped the duffels on the grass and shook his head, “What happened?”

“It was bad. It was really bad. I can’t begin to tell you, I’m still shaking.” Greg said.

“I don’t know what to say.” Aiden said and just looked at him.

“Thanks for meeting me.”

“You should have let me pick you up.”

“No, it might have been worse. I didn’t want you involved.” Greg said, “I need some water.”

“Come on.” Aiden said and picked up one of the duffel bags. Greg picked up the other. Together they walked toward Aiden’s car. Not much was said until they climbed into the seats and Aiden started it. He cranked the air and waited for it to get cool. He kept looking at Greg, who had his head back against the headrest with his eyes closed. Aiden wanted to just hold him, to kiss him, but he resisted, giving Greg time. Aiden pulled away from the curb and drove to a little store not too far away. He parked but left the car running for the a/c, “Be right back.” He said and got out. Greg watched him. Aiden came out a couple of minutes later and carried water bottles in his hands. He climbed in and sat down in the seat, handing a water to Greg. Greg opened it and chugged it down, “Better?” Aiden asked. Greg nodded. Greg looked over at Aiden.

“I have a favor that I need to ask, another one.” Greg said.

“What?”

“There’s a bus station downtown, isn’t there? Could you take me down there?” Greg asked.

“What? Are you kidding? Where you gonna go?”

“I have an aunt in Seattle. Maybe I can go there, I don’t know. She’s always been nice to me…maybe I…”

“I’m not taking you to any bus station. Are you fuckin kidding me?” Aiden asked.

“I can’t do anything else right now, it’s the only thing I can think of.”

“Well I’ve got news for you. You’re going with me.” Aiden said.

“I can’t do that.”

“Why?” Aiden asked but Greg was silent, “Give me one good reason, just one.”

“What would they say? I don’t really know them.”

“I talked to my Uncle T already, I told him what I know. He talked to Derrick and my uncle called me right back and do you know what he said?” Aiden asked, Greg shook his head, “To go and get your ass and to bring you to their house, to make sure that you’re safe. And that’s exactly what I’m gonna do. So sit back and shut up.” Greg blinked his eyes and his mouth dropped open a little. He kind of liked it when Aiden talked to him like this. Yes, he’s just left major control issues, but this wasn’t controlling, it was concern, and Greg knew deep down it was different. But he was also used to be dominated so it was nothing new.

Aiden pulled into the circular driveway and out of the way as he always did so as not to block anyone else. He got out and Greg slowly followed him. They took the duffels and went up the driveway around the back of the house and went to the structure. Aiden used his key at the man door and opened it. He went in and Greg followed. Aiden went across to the bed and set the duffel down, Greg did the same.

“Now what?”

“You need a shower, you stink.” Aiden said and cracked a smile, “You know where the bathroom is.”

“Are you going to be bossy with me from now on?”

“After what you’ve been through? I think you’ve had enough of it already, don’t you?” Aiden asked. Greg sighed, “You want to tell me? What happened?”

“The final thing that pushed me over the edge was you.”

“Me?” Aiden asked and Greg nodded.

“After you left, she was grilling me about why you were there at the house and then she started to make judgements about you, your clothes, your car, even your hair. It wasn’t up to her standards or her standards she has for me and we started to argue about it. And then she finally said that you were forbidden from ever coming over and I couldn’t see you again. Can you believe that? And then it got worse from there.”

“I thought she liked me.”

“It’s not you, that’s the whole point, it’s her, and really she doesn’t like anybody. She lives in this dream world where everyone has to live up to what she believes is right and perfect, up to her standards and her supposed social standing.”

“What the hell does that even mean?” Aiden asked.

“That no one is good enough, no one, not even me.”

“Did she actually say that?”

“Not in those exact words, but it’s how she puts it out. You just know what she means. She’s whacked, really whacked with all these mind games that she plays.”

“What about your dad?”

“She’s got him so wrapped that he can’t do anything but what she wants, when she wants it. It’s been that way for years with him. I just went with it because it’s all that I knew. They kept me away from every one else all the time. I never really had many friends that came over to the house, and those that did didn’t stay long, her again, limiting my time with them. When I stayed the night with you, it really took some convincing and I had to lie to her about where I was going and what I was doing.”

“Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“I could ask you the same question. I know it was bad for you at home too, I’ve seen it, but you never really said much about it either.”

“I was embarrassed.” Aiden said.

“So was I.” Greg said as they stared at each other. Aiden slowly shook his head, “What?”

“So, you went off on her because of me?”

“Pretty much. The way she talked about you really pissed me off. I just couldn’t handle it anymore.”

“Well…at least you didn’t do what you told me you were going to do tonight.”

“No, I did that before I walked out the door.” Greg said with a shrug.

“You didn’t.”

“I did.” Greg said, “And you know what? It felt really fuckin good, the weight of the world off my shoulders and now they have to live with it.”

“Holy shit.” Aiden whispered with wide eyes, “What’d they say?”

“What could they say? And if they actually said anything, I don’t know, I walked out the door.” Greg said and shrugged again, “Fuck ‘em, let ‘em choke on it. I don’t care.”

“Oh my god.” Aiden whispered.

“You’re not pissed, are you?” Greg asked. Aiden eased his look and then shook his head.

“No, I’m not pissed. I can’t be pissed, because almost the same thing happened to me.”

“So, are we stuck together?” Greg asked.

“Maybe.” Aiden said, “Is that okay?”

“It’s definitely okay.” Greg said and smiled.

“Go take a shower, you’re stinking up the room.” Aiden said and then grinned, “You want me to help you unpack?”

“Are you going to go all neat freak on me?”

“Maybe.”

“It’s alright, I’m actually used to it.” Greg smiled again, “Let me get some clean stuff out.”

“We’re all going out to dinner tonight.” Aiden said.

“Where?”

“Some restaurant that Derrick part owns or something. Uncle T told me. Everybody’s going to be there.”

“Who’s everybody?” Greg asked.

“My brother, my Uncle Bart, Uncle T, Derrick, you, and me.”

“Uh…”

“It’s fine, really. Don’t freak. We’re going to talk about my brother and me. My Uncle Bart wants me to move into his house, Uncle T and Derrick want me to stay here with them, and now that you’re here…”

“Fuck…what have I done?” Greg asked above a whisper and hung his head.

“What you had to do, what you needed to do, you know that.” Aiden said as he put a hand on Greg’s shoulder, “It’s gonna be alright, you’ll see.”

“This is so fucked up. I don’t have a job, I barely have any money. What the fuck was I thinking?”

“Hey,” Aiden said firmly and squeezed the muscled shoulder, “get a grip. I said it was gonna be fine. We’ll work this out…together, alright?” Greg was looking at him, he was breathing hard as fear was taking him over, “I’m not letting you go.”

“But…”

“No buts, dude, and that’s final. I told you, if it comes down to it, I’ve got money in the bank, we can get a little place together if we need to, I’ve got a job. It’s gonna be okay, you have to believe me.”

“Maybe I can get my job back at the store.”

“What store?”

“One of the grocery stores, Fuller’s. My parents made me quit working there. She said it was beneath me to work there but I really loved it there. Mr. Fuller was such a great guy.”

“See? There you go. All we have to do is think about it and it’ll start to work out.”

“How would I get there though? What about school? Baseball?”

“One thing at a time, okay? Don’t go all panicky on me. Relax, take a deep breath.” Aiden said and Greg nodded a bit, “We’ll come up with a plan, okay?”

“I’m just scared.”

“So am I. But I’m not gonna let it get the better of me, you shouldn’t either.” Aiden said, “We’re stronger together…I think I heard that somewhere once.” He smiled and Greg smiled as well.

“Team?” Greg asked and put out his hand.

“Team.” Aiden said with a nod, “Fuck the handshake, I want a kiss.” Greg smiled wider and leaned forward.

8888 8888 8888 8888

There was a knock on the man door. Aiden went over and opened it. He stepped out of the way and Derrick stepped in. Aiden closed the door. Derrick looked over at the bed and saw the duffel bags and then looked at Aiden.

“First of all, are you okay?” Derrick asked softly. Aiden nodded.

“Just a little scared I guess.”

“I think I can understand that. He in the shower?” Derrick asked as he heard the water running.

“Yeah. He had to walk quite a ways to meet me. He didn’t want me to come and get him. He said it might have made it worse.”

“He may have been right. Ty told me what you told him about what happened. But forgive me for saying this, it doesn’t sound like it was that bad. Has he told you anything else?” Derrick asked.

“Yeah actually. It was worse than I even knew at first. He’s been keeping it to himself this whole time, hiding it. He’s never said anything before about it at all.”

“What started it?” Derrick asked.

“Me.”

“What?”

“I guess she was grilling him about why I was there and then she told him that I wasn’t the right type of person he should be friends with, the way I look, my clothes, my car. I guess he just snapped.” Aiden said.

“Are you serious?”

“And there’s a whole lot more to it too. He’s told me most of everything, but I think there’s more that he hasn’t said yet.” Aiden said and Derrick let out a breath.

“Alright. I’m not sure where to go from here.” Derrick said and heard the water shut off. He looked toward the bathroom, “Maybe you’d better tell him I’m here, so he doesn’t just walk out naked…you know?” Aiden smiled and walked toward the bathroom. He opened the door and peeked in.

“Hey, Derrick’s here.”

“Okay. I’ll be right out.” Derrick heard Greg say. Derrick looked around for a second.

“Probably should get you some chairs and maybe a table. It looks pretty empty in here, just the bed and the dresser and nightstands.” Derrick said, “I never thought about it until right now. I’m sorry, Aiden, I should have been more on top of it.” Aiden came over to him.

“No, it’s fine, really it is. It’s very nice out here. I like it really, nice and quiet.”

“I’m glad you do like it, but with what else is going on now, I think maybe we need a few more things around here. I also wanted to say that I really appreciate you keeping it clean the way you do, it’s spotless.”

“It’s just how I am.”

“It’s okay, bud, I’m that way too.” Derrick said and winked, “I forgot to tell you, I have a cleaning that comes on Wednesdays, her name is Camilla. She’s very nice. I’ll make sure she comes out here as well.”

“I can really handle it.” Aiden said.

“I know you can, buddy.” Derrick said as Greg opened the bathroom door. He looked a little sheepish, not making eye contact at first, “Hey, bud. Feeling better?”

“Yeah, thank you.” Greg said as he came close.

“Good. So, I think we need to have a talk, but before that gets started, I want to ask, are you okay?” Derrick asked. Greg nodded.

“I am now.”

“Good.” Derrick said, “You want to tell me what happened?”

“Maybe you should sit down.” Greg said, “It’s kind of a long story.”

“Okay.” Derrick said, “Why don’t we go into the house then. We can get something to drink and get comfortable. Ty should be here in a little while too.”

“Okay.” Greg said softly. They all went into the house. Derrick made himself coffee and the boys sat down in the living room with bottles of water. Derrick sat on the love seat, the boys on the couch and Greg began his story. He left out nothing this time, telling Derrick everything, every detail about the past few years with his life at home. Derrick couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Greg had never let on about any of it at all, the mind games that he went through, the control issues, the conditioning that he had undergone from her and Greg told Derrick, as well as Aiden, what his father had gone through as well, what Greg had seen, heard, lived with about him. It was shocking almost to Derrick. Greg brought everything up to the moment of him walking out of the house, as well as outing himself.

“I had no idea. Jesus, why do people do this? It blows me away.” Derrick said.

“Uh…Derrick…I’ve been thinking, and I think I know what I have to do.” Greg said.

“What’s that?” Derrick as he sat forward.

“I know I can’t go back there, but I think I need to just leave. I told Aiden about an aunt I have somewhere in Seattle. I should probably go there and just…”

“Greg, I know you’ve had a shitty day, that goes without saying.” Derrick said interrupting him and rubbed his flat hands together and shook his head a bit, “But let me stop you right there. You say you have an aunt ‘somewhere’ in Seattle. Do you know where?” Derrick asked as he looked at Greg, who shook his head, “Know how to get a hold of her?” Derrick asked and again, Greg shook his head, “So you want to traipse halfway across the country in hopes that you might find her in a city of almost a million. How does that make sense?”

“It doesn’t, but…”

“Alright, I’m going to be blunt and just listen to me first. I don’t have a problem with you being here, Greg. I’ve taken in a few strays before, so this is nothing new. Not that I’m running some kind of a shelter or something so don’t think that for a minute. You’re in trouble. You’ve come from a bad situation, really bad, one of the worst I’ve ever heard of actually. I can’t believe just what goes on there with your parents and it gives me chills just thinking about it.” Derrick said and paused for a moment, “How do you feel about Aiden?”

“Well…I…I…”

“You can say it, bud, just speak the truth, plain and simple, that’s what we do around here.” Derrick said gently.

“I love him.” Greg said softly.

“Yeah, I’m sure you do.” Derrick said, “So, if you took off, you left, what do you think that would do to him? What would it do to you? You know there’s a lot of people out there in this world that would take more than advantage of you, maybe even hurt you, or something even worse. Saying that, I don’t want you to go, and I know Aiden wouldn’t want you to go either. You have to finish school, you have to graduate. Your life could be ruined if you don’t, Greg. We’re having dinner tonight, a group of us, to settle the issues of Aiden and his brother and what’s going on with them right now.” The front door opened and Ty walked in looking at all of them, “Hi, babe.” Derrick to Ty and smiled then looked back at Greg, “With that being said, I’m pretty sure how that’s going to go. You’re welcome to stay here, Greg, for as long as you need or for as long as you want. I don’t think sleeping arrangements are going to be a problem, are they Aiden?” Derrick asked and Aiden shook his head with a big grin, “Yeah, didn’t think so. I don’t make demands, Greg. Rules are pretty simple around here. As far as I’m concerned, you’re both adults and I would ask that you act that way. The only child around here is Ty sometimes, but I can handle him.”

“Hey…” Ty said looking hurt.

“Sit down, babe.” Derrick said with a raised eyebrow toward Ty, he looked back again at Greg, “Pick up after yourself, help out now and then, and above all…be respectful. Simple enough?” Derrick asked and Greg eased, letting out a breath.

“Really simple, thank you.”

“Now when school starts, a different story. You need to focus on it completely. And I know you have the baseball thing too, but I’m pretty sure you can juggle that as you’ve done it before I’m sure.” Derrick said.

“I can get a job too. I don’t expect to stay here for free, that wouldn’t be right.” Greg said.

“Normally I would agree. But the thing is, to my mind, you’re pretty stacked up already.” Derrick said.

“Well, I know I’m kind of walking into this late, but if I could throw something out there?” Ty asked and Derrick smiled, waving a hand slightly, “Greg, I kind of had an idea this was coming, you coming to stay here and all with Aid calling me like he did. So, as far as your baseball, when does that get going, in the spring?”

“Yeah, the season is over for us already, we didn’t make finals.”

“Okay, so, what if I offered you a job, full time until school starts, then part-time like on weekends or after school if you can work it?”

“Are you serious?”

“Very.” Ty said, “It’s construction, pays pretty good. The job is pretty much clean up and helping out to begin with, but it’s hard work.”

“That’d be great. I’d be grateful for anything.” Greg said with wide eyes and was excited.

“Awesome.” Ty said, “You can go in with me every day, starting tomorrow if you want. I’ll put you with a group of guys I’ve got working downtown. They probably need a little motivation with team work, which I’m sure you know all about.”

“I can’t believe this. Thank you.” Greg said with an excited voice.

“Welcome to Jacobson Manor.” Ty said, “All things are possible because of that man sitting right there next to you. If he can take me in, then obviously anyone is welcome.” Ty smirked and Derrick frowned at him.

“This is too good to be true.” Greg said still sounding excited.

“Well, don’t get too carried away.” Derrick said, “Just remember what I said. The main rule around here is to be respectful. Are we good?”

“Yes, sir.” Greg said and stood. He put out his hand and Derrick stood as well. He took Greg’s hand in his. Derrick smiled and then pulled Greg in and gave him a hug. Greg hadn’t been hugged by an older man in so very long, he melted into it. Derrick could feel it and just held him.

“Hey, hey, hey, that’s my husband. Keep your hands to yourself.” Ty said. They all laughed a bit. Greg pulled away from Derrick and wiped a tear away from his cheek.

“Happy, Aiden?” Derrick asked. Aiden stood and grabbed Greg, turning him around from Derrick by the shoulders. Aiden leaned in and kissed him with everything he had, “Guess he is.” Derrick said to Ty with a shrug.

“Well, maybe we can still walk around the house naked sometimes.” Ty said.

“Don’t push it.” Derrick said raising a finger. Aiden and Greg pulled back and laughed, “Okay, so now comes the tough part. We’ve got to go to dinner.”

“Yeah, don’t worry about that, no problem at all. Bart’s a push over.” Ty said and rolled his eyes.

8888 8888 8888 8888

“Mister Derrick!” Emilio said throwing up his hands. He came to him and wrapped his big arms around Derrick, hugging him tight, “You look’a so good, but I think’a you still to’a skinny, eh?”

“Hello, old friend.” Derrick said and pulled back from the big hug.

“You come’a for dinner?”

“Yes we have. There will be six of us tonight.” Derrick said and looked around, it wasn’t busy at all only a few people here.

“Very good, very good.” Emilio said and kissed his fingertips and blew it in the air.

“You remember Ty, of course.”

“How could I forget’a him.” Emilio said and leaned close to Ty, “He still bein’a good to you?”

“Mostly.” Ty said and smirked as he looked at Derrick.

“Good.” Emilio said, “And who do we have’a here?”

“Emilio, this Aiden and this is Greg. They’ve come to stay with us.” Derrick said.

“Handsome’a boys.” Emilio said.

“Ciao.” Aiden said with a smile.

“Ciao.” Emilio said with a wider smile, “Tu parli Italiano?”

“Si, ma molto poco.” Aiden said. Derrick smiled and looked at Aiden and then Emilio.

‘E, questo bel ragazzo con te, chi e veraente?” Emilio asked and Aiden blushed. Derrick chuckled.

“Go on, tell him.” Derrick said and nudged Aiden gently.

“Lui, e il mio…ragazzo.” Aiden said and was blushing even more. Emilio beamed. He looked at Derrick.

“Ah, giovane amore.” Emilio said and gave a wink at Aiden.

“Si.” Derrick said and smiled.

“We give’a you the best’a in the house. Come’a with me.” Emilio said, taking menus and walked away. Derrick let everyone go first. Emilio led them over to a big table and held out a hand. They all sat except Derrick.

“How’s business, old friend?” Derrick asked.

“Could’a be better.”

“What’s wrong?” Derrick asked before he sat down.

“Andre.” Emilio said shaking his head as he handed out menus, “He’s’a been a sick. He’s’a not’a doin’a so good.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Derrick asked as he sat down slowly looking at Emilio.

“Do notta know. He wontta tell me. But he notta lookin to’a good’a. You canna see it in his’a face.”

“Is he here tonight?” Derrick asked.

“No. He called’a earlier and said’a no, he couldna come’a in. I wish’a Alec was’a here.”

“Who’s cooking?” Derrick asked.

“Carlito, and’a me. He does’a pretty good’a job.”

“Yeah, he does.” Derrick said softly.

“I getta you your bottle’a of wine. Tonight’a is gonna be very special. I will cook’a for you.”

“Don’t go to any trouble, old friend.” Derrick smiled warmly.

“Only the best’a for you.” Emilio said with another smile and walked away, stopping at the various tables with other people at them.

“That was interesting.” Ty said.

“I didn’t know you spoke Italian, Aiden, very impressive. I speak Italian myself. Maybe we can have some private conversations about these guys in Italian.” Derrick said with a smirk.

“I took it last year instead of Spanish. I didn’t think I’d ever use it.” Aiden said and gave Greg a side glance, “But sai che potrebbe essere divertente.” Derrick laughed.

“Yeah, very true.”

“What’d you say?” Greg asked Aiden.

“Nothing…nothing at all.” Aiden said and flashed his eyes.

“I don’t think I like this.” Greg said.

“I’m with you, bud. This could go really wrong for us not knowing what they’re saying.” Ty said and flashed his own eyes.

“Then maybe you need to mind your P’s and Q’s.” Aiden said as he read the menu, giving Greg a side glance once, “Both of you.” Derrick laughed again and shook his head.

“You are so dead. You wait till I get you home.” Ty said as he looked at Aiden across the table. Aiden smiled and batted his eyes at Ty. Emilio returned to the table, uncorking a bottle. Wines glasses were already set on the table. He handed the cork to Derrick, who put it to his nose.

“The ’96?” Derrick asked. Emilio nodded as they looked at each other, “I love that year.”

“Is this like the last time?” Ty asked.

“No, this is a different blend. You’ll like it.” Derrick said after Emilio poured a bit for Derrick. Derrick lifted the glass, swirled it, sniffed it, then sipped it. He smiled and nodded, “Excellent as always, old friend.” Emilio poured more for Derrick, then Ty, and it surprised both boys that Emilio poured a bit for them as well.

“But…” Greg started to say. Emilio leaned close to Greg’s ear and whispered something to him. Greg gave a soft smile and looked up at Emilio who winked at him.

“Tonight’a, I cook the special for you’a.”

“What is the special?” Ty asked.

“Cotoletta alla Milanese.”

“Veal?” Derrick asked with a smile.

“Of’a course.” Emilio said, pinching his fingers together.

“Perfect.” Derrick said, “But we’ll wait a bit for the others to get here.”

“Of’a course.” Emilio said, “Scusami.” He said and walked away to another table.

“What’s the…coto thingy?” Ty asked Derrick.

“It’s a breaded veal cutlet. Sometimes it’s made with chicken but I prefer the veal as it has more flavor.”

“Oh.” Ty said and closed his menu. He set it down and looked up. He saw Bart and Seth coming in, “Look who’s here.” Ty said and stood up, “Hey, Bart.” Ty said as Bart walked up to the table. Derrick rose from his chair as well, smiling at seeing the big man.

“Hey there. Sorry we’re running a little late.” Bart said as he shook Ty’s hand then reached out for Derrick. They shook.

“It’s no problem, we’ve only been here a few minutes anyway.” Derrick said, “Good to see you again, Bart.”

“Same here, Derrick.” Bart said. Derrick turned his attention to Seth.

“How are you doing, buddy?” Derrick asked Seth and noticed the black around his right eye, “How’s the eye?” Derrick asked with a bit of a grimace.

“It’s okay. Doesn’t really hurt, looks worse than it is.”

“Tough guy.” Ty said and smiled.

“You know it.” Seth said with a cocky look.

“Have a seat guys.” Derrick said.

“Thanks.” Bart said, “I’ve never been here before. Is it good?”

“Yeah, it sure is. You’ll be completely stuffed.” Ty said.

“Hey.” Aiden said as he looked at his brother. It was the first time seeing the black eye and he was very angry over it, “He did that to you?”

“Yeah.” Seth said, “No biggie, doesn’t hurt anymore. But you should have seen what Uncle T did to him, it was so awesome.” Seth flashed his eyes at his older brother, “Then when the cop got him, that was even better. That fat slob fell like a tree.”

“Good.” Aiden said.

“Hey, Greg, what’s goin’ on?” Seth asked.

“How you doin’, squirt?” Greg asked.

“Pretty good. What are you doin’ here?”

“Same thing you are, having dinner.” Greg said with a smirk.

“Why don’t we all sit down?” Derrick asked and waited till everyone was sitting, then sat himself.

“So, I don’t know how to really begin this.” Bart said.

“Well, let me help you out a little bit.” Ty said with a brief smile, “For starters, Derrick and I talked about Aiden staying with us on a permanent basis. We want you to know that it’s totally cool with us, and we talked to Aiden a little bit as well and I think he’s also good with it. Right, Aiden?”

“Yeah.” Aiden said quickly.

“And add to that, we’ve got Greg staying with us too.” Ty said to Bart.

“What?” Seth asked as he leaned forward, “What’s goin on there? Why are you staying with them?” Seth asked Greg from across the table.

“Let’s just say there were some problems at his house and just let it go.” Aiden said and gave his brother a little look that Seth knew all too well.

“Sure.” Seth said and fell silent.

“Sounds like you’ve got your hands full over there.” Bart said.

“Not really. The boys are out in the studio and are good. They’ve got the whole place to themselves.” Ty said.

“Oh…I see.” Bart said, “Well, like I said to you on the phone, Aiden, I really wanted you to come to the house so we could all be together, I’m sure your brother does too.”

“I know, Uncle Bart, but…with Greg there now…it’s just that…” Aiden said, Greg’s chest was going tight.

“It’s alright, bud, I think I get it, and it’s okay.” Bart said and gave Aiden a look, a look Aiden was very familiar with and eased in his chair. His hand dropped and rested on Greg’s thigh. Aiden rubbed it once and then gave it a slight squeeze of reassurance, “Well, it kinda sounds like it to me that it’s just gonna be us, Seth.”

“Yeah.” Seth said quietly as he looked at his older brother.

“I’ll make you the houseboy. You can do all the cooking and cleaning, dishes, laundry…stuff like that.” Bart said and Seth looked at him all shocked. Bart put his arm around the slender shoulders and laughed, “You’re just too easy, little man.” Seth eased as everyone laughed around the table.

8888 8888 8888 8888

Dinner was over with and had been excellent. Everyone had gone outside to the parking lot except for Derrick, who was still inside speaking with Emilio about the restaurant. Ty and Bart were talking to each other about Ty’s new job. The boys were talking with each other and Seth looked at Aiden then snapped his fingers.

“I almost forgot.”

“What?” Aiden asked.

“I brought you something from the house. It’s in the truck.” Seth said and walked toward Bart’s truck. Aiden and Greg followed him. Seth reached in over the side of the bed and pulled out a carboard box. He handed it to Aiden.

“What’s this?” Aiden asked.

“Mom was being a bitch when we were packing up my stuff and she was going to throw this stuff out because it was yours. I thought you might want it so I grabbed it for you.” Seth said. Aiden cradled the box with one arm and opened it with his free hand.

“My books.” Aiden said as rummaged them around a little and looked at his brother, “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Seth said with a shrug, “I know how much you like ‘em.”

“Yeah I do. It means a lot.”

“No big deal. Just don’t hug me or any of that shit.” Seth said. Aiden grabbed him with his one arm and pulled him in, hugging him anyway.

“Are you gonna be okay?” Aiden asked.

“Sure, why not?” Seth asked as Aiden let him go.

“Well I know it’s gonna be different now for you.”

“It’ll be fine. You know how much time we spend over at Uncle Bart’s anyway, no big deal really. It’ll be no different like when she would take off for days at a time with that fat ass in his big truck.” Seth said and then looked at his brother closely, “Just…you won’t be there.”

“I know. But we’ll see each other all the time anyway when we’re working, then at school too when it starts.”

“Yeah, but you know what I mean.” Seth said.

“You know you can call me anytime you need to. Maybe we can all hang out together this weekend.”

“What do you want to do?” Seth asked.

“Why don’t we go to the movies?” Greg asked.

“You sure?” Seth asked.

“Why not? You know I like hangin’ with you, squirt.” Greg asked with a smirk.

“Yeah…sure you do.” Seth said with his cocky look.

“Want me to kick your butt again like last time?” Greg asked.

“I let you win last time.” Seth said.

“Sure you did. Not the way I remember it happened.”

“Whatever.” Seth said and rolled his eyes. Greg grabbed him and put him a gentle headlock and noogied his hair. He let Seth go.

“Jerk.” Seth said pushing Greg away from him with a smile.

“You ready to go, Seth?” Bart asked as he walked up.

“Yeah.”

“Are we working tomorrow, Uncle Bart?” Aiden asked.

“Eight o’clock at the house on Blaker again.” Bart said, “I want to get it done in another day or two before they get back from their vacation.”

“Alright, I’ll be there.” Aiden said.

“I want you to remember something, Aiden.” Bart said as Aiden looked at him directly, “If you have any problems, you let me know. I know you’re in good hands there, but you let me know if you do.”

“I will.” Aiden said, “But I don’t think there will be any problems at all, Uncle Bart.” Aiden looked at Greg and then back at his uncle.

“Yeah…alright.” Bart said. He looked at Greg for a moment and didn’t quite know what to say to him. Greg just smiled, “See you in the morning.”

“Night.” Aiden said and then looked at his brother.

“I’ll text you later.” Seth said. He turned away top go around the truck.

“See you later, squirt.” Greg said. Seth head nodded and then smiled at Greg. Bart started the truck and waited for Seth to climb in and get belted. Bart put it in gear and pulled away.

“What’s in the box?” Ty asked as he came up to the boys. Aiden was watching the truck go out into the street and drive away.

“My books.” Aiden said.

“Oh. Got reading material, hmmm, not that you guys are gonna be reading or anything out in the studio.” Ty said and looked back at the restaurant and saw Derrick coming toward them. Aiden was wide eyed and looking at Ty and Greg was smiling from ear to ear.