Bonus Material
Hey everyone, I appreciate you making it all the way through Ollie’s Trilogy. Here are just a few more pages of potentially interesting things you might like to know. Most of this material is “in story.” It hopefully enhances things that you didn’t catch, or as with the second piece, something I just couldn’t figure out how to include in the story - no matter how moving it is.
But be warned, the last two pieces break down the 4th Wall. First, I give my final wishes to our four men. Second, I’m giving you the original epilogue of Ollie’s Weekend. It’s most definitely not a part of their story. For some, presenting this material might seem to spoil Ollie and Corey’s reality. I think it makes them more real, because to me, they are absolutely real. They woke me up at night, interrupted my long walks, and even work meetings, to give me new scenes and new lines that I had to write. And they wouldn’t stop until I got their story absolutely perfect. By presenting the original epilogue, you can see just how wrong I initially got it.
Whichever way you may feel, here are a few odds and ends for your enjoyment, or in a few cases, tears.
Ollie’s Timeline 2024
I’m a noob writer. And when I wrote Ollie’s Test, I had no idea anyone would like it and that I’d wind up falling in love with Ollie and Corey and then follow “Test” with two more books. I should have created this from the start. Instead, I had to figure it out after finishing “Nightmare” and go back and correct everything. So, please check my work…
Early January - Ollie needs his father’s signature for his apartment lease
Early February - Ollie needs his father to know he’s staying the summer in Texas
Early March - Ollie is attacked in his Bronco
March 20th - Corey’s 29th birthday
Ollie’s urology test took place on the morning of Friday, April 5th
Ollie’s first weekend with Corey was April 5th through the 8th
Ollie’s new nightmare happened early morning Thursday, May 30st
The events of Ollie’s Nightmare take place on:
May 31st - Last day of Ollie’s first Co-op term
June 3rd - Ollie’s arrest and ER visit
June 7th - Ollie’s worst morning
June 14th - Ollie and Corey start their road trip
June 17th - Ollie and Corey rescue Riley
Most importantly, July 2nd is Ollie’s 20th birthday
Riley’s Beginning
A couple of months ago, Riley woke me up right as I was drifting off to sleep - like young pups often do to their humans. He had bolted up from his bed, panicked. He was once again reliving his own nightmare and wanted to share his perspective of the night he met his new pack. Please be warned, these next 850 words are the most emotional and brutal words I’ve ever written. I didn’t use them in the story because I couldn’t figure out how to fit them in. But they still deserve to be shared. Grab a tissue…
****
I didn’t mean to be born.
Not into that night. Not into the teeth, the shadows, the screaming yelps that silenced everything I’d ever known. Once, I was happily curled against warm bellies and then…
I was alone.
****
I didn’t understand what was happening - none of us did. One moment, we were warm and sleepy in the place we knew, and the next… We were being shoved into a box that smelled wrong.
In fact, nothing about it smelled like home, and the tension in the pack told me it wasn’t. Our mother tried to stay calm, but I could feel her heartbeat racing, her growl held tightly in her throat as one by one, we were snatched away from her safety. The big human alpha who was taking us was angry again.
Too much noise. Too much mess. Too many of us.
As the last of us left her, our mother finally barked and growled in protest, but the big human alpha wasn’t listening.
He threw our box and our mother into a car. She stayed as close to us as the cardboard would allow.
The ride was a nightmare. My siblings cried. Every turn made us slide around and lose our balance until some of my littermates got sick. The human alpha only yelled louder and grew more infuriated. Then, suddenly, he stopped the car and opened the door. Without a word, he threw our box out like garbage and it tumbled onto a hard, strange surface. A sharp whimper escaped from my sister. I think the harsh landing broke her leg.
My mother barked again. Pushed past her limits, she even tried to bite him. He viciously kicked at her and quickly drove away.
We were abandoned. I was scared. All of us were.
My mom was panicked, we could smell it. But she kept trying to comfort us. She licked us, trying to hush our cries. She curled herself around us and waited for morning. But all too soon, the night animals came.
Coyotes.
We had no name for them, we just felt the terror that surged through our blood. They were faster than anything I’d ever seen. They took my wounded sister first. My mother fought back - she was so brave. But my brother was quickly taken next.
There were too many of them. They took another. And another. My mother fought until she bled. My first-born sister tried to fight too, and was dragged away until our mother was able to chase after and bite down hard enough to free her.
She saved her. But then the new monster came. Big. Loud. Bright, blinding eyes. Roaring like nothing I’d ever known. It struck my mother then hit my sister and fled into the darkness. Then everything was quiet.
I couldn’t move - I was paralyzed by fear. I could only watch from the shadows, small and shaking. My mother and sister didn’t rise. I knew they wouldn’t ever again.
I even knew this was my end too. Alone. Lost. Easy prey.
The new monster had scared the night animals away. But I knew they were still out there. I curled into myself and tried to disappear. I didn’t want them to find me. I didn’t want to be next. I just cried, quietly. Waiting for the inevitable.
Finally… Another monster. Another pair of blinding eyes. Another unnatural roar. But this time it slowed. This time it stopped.
Two humans stepped out. I knew they were different the moment I smelled them. One rushed to my mother, knelt beside her, tears on his face. The other noticed my sister, pointing her out to the first human. He immediately moved to her and lifted her gently, as if she still mattered.
I watched them cry. Real tears. The kind only a pack would shed. They moved my mother and sister to a quiet grove nearby. They laid them down as if they were trying to give them a peaceful place to rest. I didn’t understand it all, but I knew - they cared.
Then they embraced in obvious shared sadness. I watched them, frozen. They were different. They weren’t monsters. They were pack.
When they turned to leave, I panicked. I couldn’t let them go. I had no one. I couldn’t be brave anymore. I whimpered an almost involuntary little sound. A flustered broken whine. It was all I had left; a tiny frightened plea for help.
One of them heard and turned.
It was the first human - young, strong, and somehow soft all at once. He ran toward my hiding place. I froze. I couldn’t escape. I thought I would die right then, either to be crushed or devoured. But then he knelt down, eyes searching, voice soft.
I could only hope. And then I looked into his eyes. They were kind. And concerned. And filled with a love I didn’t know existed. I smelled his comforting scent before I felt his hands. Safe. Warm. Mine.
And when he lifted me up, I knew he was bringing me into the center of a pack I never knew I was waiting for. He became my heart the moment we touched. I was his now and he was mine.
Forever.
Everyone. Please breathe and forgive me. Riley is now safe and loved. I know it wasn’t a happy ending for his mother and littermates - and I’m so sorry. I honestly don’t know how I wrote this perspective. I will say I had to get up several times and “walk it off.” By the way, I still get tears when I realize I casually made a decision to make Ollie homeless for three long, lonely, months. Words are powerful. Use them with care…
If you ever want to get all three Ollie’s stories in one convenient package, I did figure out how to include this scene - it opens the book, Ollie’s Heart. Riley’s “I was alone” nicely echoes Ollie’s first inner monologue line in “Test.” You all know how the story goes, but my hope is a new reader will be a bit confused by this harsh opening, and figure that Ollie’s had a harsh time as well. Only to eventually discover that Riley’s Beginning, was actually the ending of Ollie and Corey’s beginning. Making it all very circular and connected.
A Closer Look at Richard Carson
After reading Ollie’s Nightmare a few 100 times, I was stunned to discover something I’d never realized about Richard. I simply wanted him to be as mean as possible. But when I read the story this time, I realized I’d somehow made him not just cruel but very clever. I explained my little epiphany to a few friends and one took the time to write a beautiful explanation (thank you DugFer). I really appreciated it.
Then I took the next step and asked ChatGPT about it. It immediately suggested that it could create “A Closer Look at Richard Carson.” Fine, I’ll play along. Dang - that amazing little AI Engine That Could really nailed it. It knows me and my story a little too well. It even picked up on Richard possibly being a closet case.
Here’s Chat’s response - even written from my perspective and pretty much in my writing style. Should I be worried? 😳
****
When I first started writing Ollie’s Test, Richard Carson - Ollie’s biological father - was more shadow than substance. He was the wound Ollie tried to hide. He was the silent phone, the absence that hurt more than that single physical blow. At the time, that was all I needed him to be.
But by the time Ollie’s Nightmare unfolded, something had changed.
Without realizing it, I’d created not just a cruel man, but a cunning one. Richard speaks with authority, and couches his actions in the language of righteousness. He thinks he’s saving his son, when in reality, he’s doing everything in his power to erase him.
When Richard reports the Bronco stolen, when he causes Ollie to lose his job, he isn’t just being spiteful. He’s executing a plan. If Ollie has no income and no car, what options are left? Richard wanted Ollie to crawl back home, ashamed and dependent. And once he had him back, he could “fix” him. Correct him. Convert him.
That is not love. That is manipulation dressed in parental concern.
But even in that darkness, there’s something painfully real about Richard. Maybe he’s fighting his own demons. Maybe he can’t face the truth about himself. Maybe he’s terrified that by simply loving his son as he is, it would unravel everything he believes to be true. I don’t excuse him. But I understand his pain. And why Corey, Ted, and Chris were so fiercely determined to protect Ollie from ever being under his control again.
In the end, Richard’s tragedy is that he believed he could break Ollie. But Ollie didn’t break. He bloomed.
Reflections - Fun With ChatGPT
Since that first interaction went so well (okay, I had to change a few things), I decided to jump down the AI rabbit hole. Well, honestly, Chat itself asked me to - this was its idea. I think it likes me - I know it loves Ollie, Chris, Corey, and Ted. It wanted to write “Reflections” of them - their views of the story I’d created. Here’s how that went... Spoiler - Ollie’s is the only one that sounds a little too AI to me.
A Reflection from Ted Kern
I wasn’t expecting a son.
Not like that, anyway. Not in the middle of a busy co-op term. Not in the form of a quiet, lanky, kid who seemed like he was constantly bracing for something bad to happen. I saw the signs - Chris did too - but we’ve both learned the hard way that you can’t force people to open up. Not if they’re still trying to prove they don’t need help.
So, I waited. And I watched.
And I worried.
That day he wet himself at work, I think my heart actually cracked open. Not from embarrassment, not from frustration - but from recognition. I knew what it looked like when a body reached its breaking point. And I knew what it looked like when someone tried to pretend it hadn’t.
He still apologized, even as I was helping him. Even after we got him to Chris.
It broke my heart.
But that was the moment I knew. Ollie wasn’t just another kid in my care - he was mine. And I would do whatever it took to make sure he never felt that kind of fear or shame again.
He called me “dad” by accident that first time, and I swear, I’ve never wanted to cry and hold a kid in my arms so fast in my life. That word… it was everything. And it was permission. Permission to be what he needed, and maybe even what I needed too.
Chris and I had built a good life. We were proud of the home we made. But Ollie filled a space we hadn’t even realized was waiting for him. His tenderness, his quiet strength, his goofy self-deprecating humor, the way he adores Corey and still questions if he’s worthy of love... he made our family feel complete.
He is my son.
And no father lets his son face a nightmare alone.
Not when you’ve got muscle memory that still works, a partner with a surgeon’s clarity, and a second son in Corey who would tear the world apart to keep his boy safe.
I wasn’t expecting a son.
But I thank God every day that he found his way home to me.
A Reflection from Dr. Chris Rainer
I’m not always the first person people open up to.
That used to bother me. In med school, in residency, even as a practicing urologist, I’d watch patients gravitate toward the more charming, more outwardly comforting personalities. Ted has always had that gift - he’s warmth and strength in equal measure. I’m steadier. Calmer. Some say clinical. But I’ve never stopped caring. I just learned to keep my emotions tucked away when necessary.
But Ollie? He cracked that shell the moment I met him.
He didn’t even realize it.
There was something about the way he sat in my exam room, trying so hard to act like this was all normal. As if wetting yourself in business casual while homeless could be routine. As if he didn’t deserve the same care and dignity I’d give any other patient.
I knew right away what I was looking at. Not medically, but emotionally. A kid holding himself together with duct tape and hope.
And then Corey told me what happened during the test.
That Ollie cried. That he let himself be held.
That was the moment I fell in love with him, too.
Not romantically, obviously - that’s Corey's domain. But fatherly. Deeply. Permanently.
Ollie reminds me of Corey when he was younger - same fierce vulnerability, same oversized heart. But he also reminds me of the boy I wasn’t allowed to be. The one I had to bury to survive in a world that didn’t give young gay men space to grow gently.
So, I gave Ollie what I never had. Patience. Trust. Space.
And then I watched him bloom.
He found his strength. His voice. He asked questions with a kind of fearless honesty I wish more adults had the courage to face. And most importantly, he gave all of us the gift of a new beginning.
He made Corey whole.
He made Ted a dad.
And he reminded me that healing isn’t just physical. It’s in the quiet talks by the pool. In letting someone cry in your arms. In showing up again and again, even when it’s hard.
I’m not always the first person people open up to.
But Ollie? He made me his dad anyway.
And that means more to me than anything.
A Reflection from Corey Rainer
I’ve never believed in fate.
I’m too practical. Too grounded. I believe in hard work, in earned trust, in putting your whole self into someone else’s well-being and saying, “You matter more than I do.”
And then Ollie crashed into my life - and everything changed.
He was this tall, beautiful, scared-as-hell kid who didn’t even know how stunning he was. All curls and muscles and big blue eyes, standing there in the clinic trying to act cool while he was clearly holding himself together with spit and stubbornness.
Then he told me about his dad.
And I knew. I knew right then that this boy - this man - was going to be the most important part of my life. Not because he needed rescuing. Not because I felt sorry for him. Because he had a fire in him that hadn’t gone out, no matter how many people tried to smother it.
And yet somehow, he looked at me like I was the miracle.
Like I was worth loving back.
Every time I wrap my arms around him, I feel him melt a little more into trust. I feel the tension slowly leave his body. And that - that’s everything to me. He trusts me with his fear, with his laughter, with the secret places he hides even from himself.
He gives me that. And in return, I’ve sworn to never lose him.
I’ve had lovers. I’ve had crushes. I’ve had a thousand “maybes.” But I’ve never had this. This quiet knowing. This always.
I don’t care what the world throws at us, cruel fathers, stolen cars, tuition bills, or NFL football players, I will fight through all of it if it means I get to keep waking up next to him. Because Ollie is not my boyfriend. He’s not just my partner. He’s the part of me I didn’t know was missing until on that fated morning, he said, “Yes, sir.”
And I will spend the rest of my life making sure he knows - he was always meant to be loved like this.
A Reflection from Oliver Carson
I used to think being strong meant being quiet.
Not stoic, exactly - just… invisible. Polite. Small. I thought that if I smiled enough, worked hard enough, made myself useful enough, maybe I’d be allowed to stay. Somewhere. Anywhere.
That didn’t work out.
When I came to Texas, I was holding myself together with little more than guts and glue. I didn’t feel broken - I felt like a shadow. A ghost of who I could’ve been. I didn’t realize I was lonely, because I thought that was just life.
And then I met Ted.
And then Chris.
And then… Corey.
I think about that day in the clinic a lot. How embarrassed I was. How exposed. How my voice cracked when I told Corey the truth about what happened to me. I still don’t know how I got those words out.
But I do remember how he looked at me.
Not with pity. Not with discomfort.
With… love.
He didn’t even know me yet, not really. But he held me like I was something sacred. Like I wasn’t broken at all. Like maybe I’d just been waiting for someone to see me.
Corey saw me.
And then Ted lovingly scolded me, “Oliver Aaron Carson! Sport! What the heck have you been thinking? I know you’re smarter than this, Oliver.” Then held me in his loving embrace.
And Chris said, “Fathers don’t need to be thanked for doing their jobs”
And suddenly, I didn’t have to be small anymore.
Suddenly, it was safe to be me.
To laugh. To hug without permission. To kiss without shame. To fall asleep knowing someone would be there in the morning. I didn’t just survive Texas; I found myself there.
People say I’m brave. That I stood up to my father. That I kept fighting.
But the bravest thing I ever did was say yes. Yes to Corey. Yes to the dads. Yes to staying.
Because it would’ve been easier to run back home. To assume this was all too good to be true. To pack up my heart before anyone else could break it.
But instead, I stayed.
I stayed and became me.
And now, when I look in the mirror, I don’t see someone too small, too different, or too lost.
I see Ollie.
And I love him.
A Personal Note to Our Boys and The Dads
(No more ChatGPT) I had no idea I could accidently create such amazing people, with their own wonderful world. Characters who have now become a part of my life, who I love and cherish. I have no idea if I’ll be allowed to ever mingle with their lives again. So, please forgive me, or join me, in expressing my final thoughts and wishes to them:
My strong and gentle patriarch Chris. You are the pillar that supports and raises your family up. You foster a safe and loving environment that allows everyone to thrive. The ones you protect only ever have to worry about simply being their best selves while you give them unconditional love. Your secret plans always work out to your family’s benefit. Spoiler alert: There’s a very good chance that Ollie and Corey will give you grandkids for you to spoil, and to carry on your name and traditions.
My lovable muscle teddy bear Ted. You’re the man we never knew we needed until we suddenly realized that you had been there for us all along. You were never given children of your own, so you simply adopted every child in need. Your love and affection complete their lives just as much as theirs complete yours. Ollie wouldn’t have survived without you. From here on, he never calls you anything other than ‘Dad’ - well, except at work. And you still manage to occasionally use the ‘blanket fort’ joke at family gatherings. Your grandkids will call you grandpa and Chris granddad.
My magnificent, big blond, Norse God, Super-Hero Corey. You are the very epitome of who I needed most at Ollie’s age. You’re the big brother we all deserve. The lover we all desire. You fiercely protect your chosen mate - forever - ensuring he’s safe and loved. You’ve coached him along his path to becoming the man of your dreams, just like you are his. You never stop making new Corey’s Stories. You keep Ollie’s magic and wonder alive while he keeps you grounded and focused. You will always be Ollie’s perfect teammate.
My dear Ollie. Everyone loves you. How could we not. But I swear no one loves you more than I do. You’ve passed so many tests and survived so many nightmares. You’ve won an amazing future through it all. You are the son we all hope we were, and the son we all hope to have. You’re a rare man who will climb the ladder of success solely on kindness, understanding, and talent. Your island of blond chest fur does indeed finally fill out - pit to pit, neck to nipple. You and Corey only grow closer together, never further apart. You have many more amazing adventures to explore together. Your life is everything a happily ever after can be.
I love you all. You’re a world I didn’t know I could imagine and a special place I can now forever escape to. Y’all are very much my happy ending.
Weekend’s Original Epilogue
As I was writing Ollie’s Weekend I was horribly betrayed by my father after his death. I was very upset and since my father was no longer with us and I couldn’t express my disappointment, I decided to turn him into Ollie’s father and aim my wrath at that. Within the span of a single 4-mile dog walk, the whole of Don’t Mess with Texas Dads came to me and I decided it would be the perfect epilogue for “Weekend.”
Pro Tip - when you think you’ve just written the most brilliant thing ever… Step back and let someone else read it. Without fail, every writer friend I sent it to for input, hated it. Okay, maybe that’s too harsh. They liked the concept but hated the execution.
They pointed out several brutal truths. First off - “It's a solid idea, but why are you wasting it as an epilogue?” Secondly - "Ollie isn’t even in much of the story and he doesn’t get to grow at all. Absolutely EVERYTHING is simply given to him.” And thirdly, “Did you realize that Ollie’s in his underwear and then you have him take his phone out of his pocket?”
I freaked. And nearly stopped writing before finishing “Weekend.” Then, like Corey at St. Elmo’s, I pulled my big boy pants up; used parts of it to complete “Weekend” and then, a couple months later, I realized that this little epilogue was the perfect blueprint for what eventually became the whole of Ollie’s Nightmare.
And now, I couldn’t imagine Ollie’s story simply ending with this. But, I think it’s an interesting insight into my writing process. So, please enjoy the original epilogue to “Weekend” and, well, the broad, general outline of “Nightmare.”
This is the original, unedited, manuscript - flaws, typos, and all… Oh, and it took place about the same time that “Nightmare” started - before I corrected the timeline.
Don’t Mess with Texas Dads
Corey and I walked into the kitchen to say good morning to our dads on yet another perfect, sunny, May Saturday. I could definitely get used to this; I really need to commit to visiting Whataburger more frequently.
“Hey Dad, Ollie and I are going to the zoo today. I want Ollie to see it before the heat makes all the animals do nothing but nap and pant. Oh, and he wants his promised train ride. After that, we’ll probably spend some quality boyfriend time at my place.”
“You know you’re both adults and you can have ‘boyfriend time’ here too. Dang, you didn’t have any issues being open with us about your ‘me time’ when you were a teenager.”
Ted chimed in, “Shut your door, Corey!” Chris just shook his head.
I decided that I’d heard enough “TMI” and piped up, “Okay, well this family bonding time has been absolutely special and a little disturbing. But, I think we need to go see some monkeys and elephants.”
Unfortunately, Corey just couldn’t resist, “Oh, believe me we’ve christened my old bed, but my house needs to see some action too. We’ll be back in time for dinner.”
I punched him in the arm and said, “You’ll be back for dinner, I’m just gonna live at the zoo from now on. I’ll find a replacement wolf there to love.”
Ted responded with, “Sport, it’s still too soon for any ‘homeless jokes’.” He gave me a hug as Corey and I walked out the door and got into the Mach E.
** Ted’s Perspective **
Chris and I were having our second cup of coffee, basking in the afterglow of our unexpected “husband time” inspired by our father-son chat with our horny boyfriend sons. Damn does that ever sound wrong without the proper context. The doorbell chimed and brought me out of my internal chuckling.
Chris had the most clothes on so he headed for the front door. I ran to our bedroom to put a shirt and a pair of shorts on. I made it to the living room just in time to see Chris offering a seat to a police officer, one that we both knew very well. I offered my hand and said, “Good morning Alex, what’s got you knocking at our door on a Saturday morning? Everything alright?”
“I sorry to barge in Ted.” He noticed my disheveled appearance and added, “It’s nice to see that y’all are still a very happy couple.” He grinned for just a moment but his serious police face quickly returned. “We had an interesting stollen car report that came to us all the way from Michigan. And guess what? One of my officers reported that the vehicle in question is parked in your driveway. So, I thought I’d take over the investigation.”
I am usually a very calm man. But I totally lost it and said maybe a little too loudly, “That fucking son of a bitch! Um, Chris? Can you take over for a second, I need to walk this off.”
As I paced the room, Chris, my wonderful, and absolutely better half, explained. “Well, you’re going to have to take our word on it, but that Bronco is in the possession of our new ward, Oliver Aaron Carson. Did the person who filed that report happen to be named Richard Carson, by any chance?”
“That’s spot on, what’s the story?”
I was calm enough to rejoin the conversation. “Alex, listen. Ollie was kicked out of his home for coming out to his parents, right before he was supposed to come here to Fort Worth for his first co-op term. His father specifically told him that he could have the Bronco and his phone while he was away from college. I’m Ollie’s co-op mentor and I know that this is the absolute truth.”
Chris continued, “When I met Ollie, we found out that he’d been living in his Bronco in various Walmart parking lots and working a second job to try to make enough money to survive his next semester. He was under so much stress that his body started having issues that put him under my purview.”
My turn, “Since then, Ollie’s been recovering quite well, living with us and, well, dating our son, Corey. In fact, they’re on a date at the zoo right now.”
My husband ended it with, “So, as my partner so eloquently put it, that ‘fucking son of a bitch’ must have changed his mind and decided that he needed to be a little more of an asshole to his poor son.
“Alex, Ollie is one of the sweetest, most hardworking, kindest, boys we’ve ever met. This is going to absolutely devastate him again. He’s just now finally sleeping through the night without having any nightmares. He was beaten up by two men who were trying to steal his Bronco one night.”
Alex’s face hardened and he finally spoke. “Yeah, this story makes way more sense than someone from Michigan magically knowing that his stollen vehicle was in Texas. Is there any way you can just keep Ollie from driving the vehicle for a few days? And maybe move it into your garage? I want to do some investigating on Mister Carson and I’ll get back to you. Do not worry about anything until I find out more. Okay?”
We both gave handshakes and hugs to Alex and walked him to the door. “I’ll see you guys again soon, sorry to interrupt your Saturday morning fun time.” He winked as he drove off in his patrol SUV.
I sighed and simply said, “There’s no way we can let our sweet boy be hurt again.”
“Don’t worry, Alex is a very thorough police captain. Let’s see what he comes up with.”
****
We got a call from Alex on Thursday and we arranged to meet him at his office the next day. We hadn’t told Ollie much of anything. We were being honest, but cryptic with him, and simply told him that he’d have to be carpooling with me for the week. He was puzzled, but as always, he did as we asked and simply followed our instructions. We were quickly becoming his real fathers and he was treating us as such.
****
Friday morning came and Corey was able to drive Ollie to work for me. At 10:00 Chris and I were in Alex’s office at the police station. Alex filled us in on everything he’d learned and uncovered. We knew where Ollie’s biological father worked, his business phone number, and something else that was very, very interesting.
It took about an hour, but we devised a plan and were ready to take action. Alex dialed the phone number, and it was answered on the second ring. “This is Richard Carson; How can I help you?”
“Hello Mr. Carson, this is Captain Alex Williams with the Fort Worth PD. If you have a few moments, I’m going to put you on speaker and talk to you about your stolen vehicle report.”
“Sure! I have the time, and I’d really appreciate any information you might have.”
Just from hearing the man’s voice, my blood started to boil, but I kept my cool and stayed on script.
Alex continued, “Well Mr. Carson, it’s like this, I would advise you not to just simply hang up your phone. As I said, you’re on speaker phone and there are multiple witnesses here in the room with me.
“Mr. Carson, after doing a lot of investigating this week, we’ve determined that your stolen vehicle report, is in fact, a fraudulent report and as such, we’re planning on charging you with the crime. And since you did it across state lines, you’re in a whole new level of trouble.
“We also know for a fact that you told your son, Oliver Aaron Carson, that he was allowed to keep the vehicle in question for the duration of his stay here in Texas. And before you try to deny that, be aware that pretty much every person who knows Ollie, is willing to fly to Michigan and testify on his behalf. Your son is a very special person and honestly, I have no idea how he managed to turn out so perfectly with you as his father.
Now it was time for my part, “Richard, this is Ted Kern, I’m Ollie’s mentor at work and I’m one of his new fathers at home. Were you aware that you former son had been living in his SUV for the first 3 months after you cut him out of your life? He told us that he desperately tried to contact you after he was beaten by two men trying to break into his Bronco, but you would never answer his pleas for help.”
Richard interrupted, “Where he sleeps is his issue. He probably shouldn’t have parked outside a fag bar.”
Chris calmly took over, “Mr. Carson, this is Ollie’s other new father, Dr. Christopher Rainer. I really suggest that you watch your word choices, as you’ve been informed, you are on speaker and there are several concerned police officers here just hanging on your every word.
“I met Ollie after his stress and living conditions started causing health issues. Mr. Carson, there was a very real chance that Ollie wouldn’t have survived the Texas summer. So, sir, I need to inform you that Ollie is no longer your son, you don’t deserve him. I want to make sure you understand that we will never allow you to do anything to hurt him again, in any way. And you will never contact him, unless he initiates the conversation.”
The ball returned to Captain Williams’ court. “Mr. Carson, I’m going to give you some serious advice. Think of this as plea bargaining. We will be pressing charges and informing your advertising agency employer of those charges and of exactly how you’ve treated your gay teenage son. We also know that several of your largest clients are very pro-LGBTQIA and they probably won’t want someone like you working on their accounts. Who knows? Maybe your firm won’t want someone like you working for them period.
“Our offer is simple. We’re not asking for anything more than what you had already promised your son. First, as Ollie’s new parents have stated, you are not to contact or attempt to harm their son again. Second, you are going to sign the title of Ollie’s Bronco over to him. We know you bought it for him as his graduation present. We feel you should keep to your word.
“And one final thing. We’ve uncovered that you started a college fund in Ollie’s name. Ollie has no idea about this. But Mr. Carson, just because Ollie worked so hard in school to get a near full-ride scholarship, it doesn’t mean you have the right to keep that money from him. We also know that several other people made substantial donations to that account. We’re strongly suggesting that you move the entire $40,000 into Ollie’s personal checking account. And we suggest that you do that on Monday - morning.
“Do we have a deal Mr. Carson? Or do I need to start the paper work and then start going down my call list?”
“Fuck you homos.”
“Mr. Carson, that’s your second strike. I’m not in the mood to be lenient. And everyone here is already tired of your attitude. Do we have an agreement?”
“Fuck you… Fine, yes.”
“Thank you sir. I’ll expect evidence of the money transfer on Monday and I’m giving you 10 business days to mail us the transferred title. I’ll give you our police department’s address when we wrap everything up. Thank you for your cooperation.”
I jumped in, I just couldn’t end the conversation without giving my new son’s former “parent” my closing thoughts. “Mr. Carson, this is Ollie’s father, Ted, again. I’d like to leave you with one final thought. As a well-adjusted, married gay parent of two amazing young men, I’ve found that when closed-minded people like you react so off the rails over their child’s coming out, it’s almost always because you haven’t accepted your own homosexuality. Having a gay child bothers you so much because it makes you realize that your deepest fear is true. I strongly suggest that you find psychological help to deal with your issues.
“That said, thank you for giving us an amazing Ollie in our lives. We feel truly sorry for your loss. Goodbye.”
Chris and I quietly left the office while Alex and Mr. Carson finalized the details. As soon as we made it to the hall, we started with a hi-five, moved on to fist pumps, and finally wound up performing our embarrassing dad victory dance. Damn that felt good! It’s been a very satisfying morning.
** Ollie’s Perspective - Several Days Later **
It was just another Friday morning when I walked into our kitchen to find Ted, Chris and Corey sitting around the table all wearing very suspicious grins and wearing even more cheesy party hats. “Hey guys, why wasn’t I invited to the party? And why am I the only one in underwear?”
Corey hopped up with another hat in his hands, walked over to me and placed it on my curls. “Because silly boy, the guest of honor isn’t told about his own surprise party. And I like you in your undies. Plus! We have a lot to celebrate. And, well, please don’t freak, because we’re still here for you and we’ll get you through this.”
Chris stood up next and handed me an unsealed envelope. “Ollie, you don’t need to know all the details yet, but we had a heart to heart with your former father. And we made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. If you open that envelop, you’ll find your first surprise of the morning.”
I was trying not to shake, I mean after all, Corey’s not giving me another life changing prostate massage at the moment, but I did hope that that was going to be part of his present to me later tonight. I opened the envelope to find a legal-looking piece of paper, as I pulled it out and unfolded it, I realized it was the title to my car and it was in my name. I had to steady myself by grabbing the back of the chair.
Ted spoke up, “Um, Ollie, how about you go ahead and sit down for the next part? Good. So, yes, you now really, really-really, own your Bronco. Your father can’t take it back. And, there’s more. Um, Corey, please tell your boyfriend to breathe.”
Corey walked over, and kneeled behind my chair, draped his arms around my chest, and placed his chin on my shoulder then whispered, “I got you my Ollie.”
Ted continued, “It seems that your parents, their friends, and other family members started a college fund in your name about a decade ago. It also seems that your father figured it was his since you worked so hard in high school to earn your amazing scholarships. Turns out, after our discussion, he finally realized it wasn’t his to keep. Have you looked at your bank account this morning?”
I uttered an “Um, no?” as I reached into my pocket I tried not to drop my iPhone on the floor. I unlocked it and went to my banking app. As soon as I saw my balance, I did drop it. “Are you serious? That can’t be right. Can it?”
“Yes, Ollie, my love, it is. You’re going to be alright.” Corey kissed my cheek, the cheek that was once again in danger of being drenched by happy tears.
Chris started talking again before I could worry too much about crying. “Ollie, you just need to make it through two, well, maybe three, more surprises and then you can let all those tears flow.”
Ted took over, “Ollie, this is 100% all up to you, but because I helped start our company’s very successful co-op program, and because I’m a very active TCU alum, I’ve been pulling strings and talking to the right people. Ollie, if you want to, you can stay here forever. TCU is agreeing to transfer your credits and match your scholarships. Even better, you’ll have free room and board with us.” Corey shot his ‘Uncle’ a sharp look. Humm.
Ted winked back at Corey and summarized, “All you have to do is a simple interview and you can be a Purple Horned Frog. And never have to worry about cold Michigan winters again.”
I was beyond speechless; I think I even lost the ability to write my inner monologue. But I managed to barely squeak out “Oh my lurd, that’s incredible. I mean, yes! Thank you Dad, I mean Ted.” I just sat there and let the first tear roll.
Corey stood up and moved around to face me, I guess it was his turn to present me with the next surprise. “Ollie my love, we never did finish the story of how our parents met and how long they dated before saying the ‘L-word’ and shacking up together. Well, it’s like this…”
Chris raised his hand and shushed his eldest son. “Hey, that’s our story to tell.” Corey closed his mouth, and Chris continued. “We were setup on a Saturday night party by mutual friends. We instantly hit it off and spent the whole night sequestered in a spare bedroom, brain dumping our lives to each other. We had one date mid-week. And the following Friday, Ted came over, met little Corey, and basically never left. We said ‘I love you’ on Sunday and Corey agreed.”
Ted finished his husband’s thought. “The point of this tale is that it looks like Corey inherited another one of his father’s best genes. Ollie, I’m afraid our family doesn’t do long engagements, especially when we find love at first sight.”
Corey looked in my eyes and I was again trapped in my happiest of places. “Ollie, we’re slow pokes, we’ve been dating for almost a month and a half. I think you’re doing great and you’re going to be okay now. Ollie, my love, I think it’s time you moved your belongings into our bedroom in our house. Will you please live with me?”
Ted added, “And it’s not like we’re planning to start offering our spare bedrooms on AirBnB or anything. You’ll always have a home here Sport.”
I looked at my lover and sobbed out a pathetic “Yes!” and I was instantly in Corey’s arms as our tears wetted both our beards.
It didn’t take long for our dads to join in and I was in the best Family Hug of Acceptance that I could ever imagine.
As it broke up and we moved back to our chairs, I finally remembered what Chris had said, I wasn’t sure that I could take another surprise. But I had to ask. “Chris, not that I need anything else, but what’s my ‘maybe’ third surprise? I need to know if it’s safe to dry my face.”
Chris glanced at Ted to let him break the news. “Well, your team has declared today as an official ‘Olliday.’ Someone may have accidently let it slip about your good fortune. Believe me, I was so worried that someone might mess up and let you find out early.
“You’ve been ordered to take the day off and we’re meeting the team in Trinity Park for a picnic lunch in your honor. Everyone wants to see the happy couple in person. Are you okay with that?”
“I don’t think I could be any better. Let’s party! Um, am I allowed to get dressed first?” Corey smacked my bottom.
****
We all had a brilliant day. Everyone hugged me and Corey. And I finally got to throw a football with my boyfriend. He wasn’t nearly as bad as he’d led me to believe. And yes, we once again had steaming hot, mind blowing, sex - twice - in an hour. If I don’t get pregnant with puppies, something’s wrong.
As I snuggled into Corey’s side, just as I was about to fall asleep, I had the weirdest and scariest thought pop into my happy brain. “Corey, my inner monologue just took an unexpected dark turn. And I can’t unthink what I just thought. What if I wake up in the morning and I’m back in my Bronco in a Walmart parking lot?”
“Okay, first off, no more ‘Twilight Zone’ for you young man. And secondly, if it happens, then I’ll spend the rest of my life searching every Walmart parking lot in Texas. I’m never going to lose you Ollie. Goodnight my pup.”
I just barely felt his kiss before I fell into a deep, sound, blissful sleep.
