Watching Brad

[Blasting]

Hey I was just wondering if all this is completely real and if Brad's now ur husband or something. Sorry if u answered it already im on page 5 still

 

[gsdx]

Hey I was just wondering if all this is completely real and if Brad's now ur husband or something. Sorry if u answered it already im on page 5 still

Although some of the characters are based on real people, the story itself is completely fiction.

 

[Blasting]

Although some of the characters are based on real people, the story itself is completely fiction.

Thanks for quick response, you know how you said some of the characters are real is this Brad person some what like your husban (if you have one)? Or which one's are based on real and which one's are fictional?

 

[gsdx]

I am not in any sort of relationship at all. I don't even have a partner and haven't been with anyone in almost 15 years.

Brad (appearance only) is really the only person who is based on an actual person, and that is a friend of mine from long ago. I had something of a crush on him. The other characters were created using various characteristics of people I've known throughout my life. None of them are real.

 

[Kyanimal]

I am not in any sort of relationship at all. I don't even have a partner and haven't been with anyone in almost 15 years.

Brad (appearance only) is really the only person who is based on an actual person, and that is a friend of mine from long ago. I had something of a crush on him. The other characters were created using various characteristics of people I've known throughout my life. None of them are real.

Sorry, Neil, but I have to disagree with you! ALL of your characters have become "Real", for so many, through your writing talents!! They may be composites of people you have known, but that just means each of their "pieces" are parts of Real people! And, though they may be being filtered through Your perspective, persceptions, I would argue that Your "Point of View" is certainly Real, too!!

Is there such a category as "Real" Fiction??

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

 

[igamenir]

... Brad (appearance only) is really the only person who is based on an actual person, ...

I thought the twins are based on your nephew. And what about Neil? I thought he was supposed to be based on you? Though Blasting don't read about them yet.

As Kyanimal wrote, all the characters became so real to all of us, thanks to your writing talent

Keep up. Can wait to next chapter

igamenir

p.s. do you plan something special for Friday's Part 100?

 

[caddymac]

These people are real in your story and in our hearts/minds. This is another wonderful chapter and this story continues to bring joy and love into our own lives. Neil, you have pulled together pieces of many people you have known in your life and put them in story that we can relate with and enjoy. Not many people can do that with such passion. Thank you.

I hope you are getting along okay with the loss of Sam. My heart goes out to you.

 

[gsdx]

I thought the twins are based on your nephew. And what about Neil? I thought he was supposed to be based on you?

The twins appearance were based on my 'nephew'. He's not really my nephew. He is, in fact, the son of the friend I used as a basis for Brad. However, the twins' personalities are a result of the trauma they have endured. I've had people commenting to me that kids aren't so well-behaved all the time. No, they're not. But I think Justin and Jeremy are 'special' cases. Before the adoption, they had finally found something they desperately needed, and that was a family. There was such a fear in them that they would be taken away from that family that they worked hard never to allow that to happen. Even now that they are adopted, they still have it in their minds, despite what they've been told, that someone can still come and take it all away from them. Who knows what will happen when they finally realize that they are 'home to stay'?

I had forgot entirely about incorporating myself and Sam into the story. The apartment was real and the directions to my house were real (though it's doubtful that anyone would be able to follow them entirely and find the place where I live.) Sam was real and I was real. Everything I gave the kids are things that I have in my home. I didn't make any of that up. The only thing I did was to 'clean up' the place. With a hairy dog prone to shedding, I thought it best not to mention the hair on the carpets or all the dust on the bookshelves.

So, where does the de Villiers family live? I don't know. I have excluded a few places, but I have included a lot more. I will never know where they live. Wherever they live, though, I hope there's a park and a school nearby.

Maple Grove is a real place, but the house isn't. Archie's general store is based upon a small store from the town I grew up in and Archie is based upon the owner of that store. He used to give us a piece of candy every time we stopped there. His wife, Joan, came to mind because I was listening to a commercial on the radio at the time which includes a 'Newfie' trying to sell cars. I've always enjoyed listening to the speed and accent of a heavy-duty Newfie, and I've written in that accent before. I decided to make Joan a woman from Small Town, Newfoundland.

For the sake of the readers, though, I decided to give her two ways to talk - with and without the accent. It's as difficult an accent to read as it is to write, I'm sure, but it can be a lot of fun as well. I can't wait until Ted takes the kids back to meet her.

 

[JayboyCDA]

I posted my first post on JUB in your thread and I would like to say again to you thank you for this beautiful story. I have enjoyed reading through all of your chapters and getting to know your characters. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting each and everyone of your characters, and seeing how the children are growing up in your story is just mesmerizing, if not amazing. If you do ever have your work published please let me know where I can pick a copy because you are brilliant.

 

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part 98​

Lindsay had a little over a month left before her school year ended. Brad had a little over a week. His exams would begin the next Monday. His final exam was scheduled for the following Thursday on the first day of June. Mom and Dad would be living with us then. Dad would be working at his new job and Mom would be preparing our meals and helping Terry take care of the twins.

The week went by quickly. On Wednesday, the first RSVP for our wedding arrived by post. Two more arrived on Friday morning. I think that's when I really started to become excited about it. It was then that I realized it was all real. We would become a family and we would live happily ever after in our own little house in the suburbs. The kids would grow up and go off and get married if that is what they choose to do and Brad and I would be left alone to spend the rest of our lives together. Just like any other family.

I could easily imagine spending the rest of my life with Brad. He made me feel good, too, just by being there with me. I could imagine us walking hand-in-hand through the park talking about the ‘good old days' when we played Candyland with the kids and flew kites and rode bicycles through the forests and taught the twins how to skate. We wouldn't talk about the things that made us sad. We would try to forget those, and if we couldn't, we simply wouldn't talk about them. We would sit in Tim Hortons sipping our coffee and eating our apple fritters and Bavarian creams and Brad would smile at me with his tooth still chipped. I would be old and ugly by then, but Brad would still be young and beautiful. He would be my husband and my lover and my best friend.

But that was ‘tomorrow'. This was ‘today', and we had to deal with it. Brad came home after morning classes on Friday. I had made arrangements with Lindsay's school to keep her home after lunch. By two-thirty, we were packed and on our way to Crystal Beach. The twins, of course, slept much of the way.

We drove through Mississauga without stopping to see Warren and Bill. We would be stopping on the way back for lunch on Saturday. The twins needed a pee break when they woke up. I pulled off the QEW and found a gas station with restrooms. Brad stood outside the ‘Ladies' for Lindsay as I took the boys into the ‘Gents'. I let them pee first, then took a quick leak myself. As I buckled them back into their seats, Brad used the ‘Gents'.

The twins were hungry, too, but I convinced them to wait until we could go out to dinner with Ouma and Oupa. A few minutes later and we were on our way again.

I took the back roads into Crystal Beach from the gas station. The traffic, as usual for a Friday afternoon, was quite intense on the QEW coming out of the city. The less-congested roads were much more pleasant to drive, even if they made the trip a little bit longer.

Mom and Dad were waiting patiently for us when we finally arrived. A huge PODS container sat on the front lawn, ready for pick-up and delivery. The house was eerily empty when we entered. Mom and Dad had already packed up their car as full as they dared. All that remained in the house was their bed, a small kitchenette table, two chairs, two mugs, the tea kettle and pot, four suitcases, two green garbage bags full of clothes, and the vacuum cleaner. There were also a few Tetra Paks of juice in the refrigerator for the kids.

The twins were a bit befuddled. They knew that Mom and Dad were coming to live with us for awhile, but I don't think they understood that they would never be coming back to this house again. That would change soon enough when they realized that they would now be able to visit Ouma and Oupa without taking their afternoon nap along the way.

As Mom entertained the kids, Brad and I carried the bed out to the PODS. Dad closed and locked the huge doors and tucked the key into his pants pocket. The PODS would be picked up in the morning between nine and ten o'clock. We would be there, waiting, and Dad would give them the map he'd drawn directing the driver to the new house in Maple Grove.

We lowered the rear bench seat of the van and loaded the last of the things. Brad removed the legs from the table and we set that upside-down into the back, piling the table legs, bags and suitcases and chairs and such on top of it.

As Mom and Dad said ‘goodbye' to their house, I buckled the twins into their car seats. Lindsay would be riding with her grandparents. We sat, waiting, on the floor of the van in the open doorway. Lindsay sat in my lap. Finally, Mom and Dad came out of the house. Mom was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue as Dad closed and locked the door for the very last time. Mom went straight to the car and got in the passenger side.

Lindsay grabbed my hand and said, "Daddy?"

I hugged her from behind as Dad came to stand in front of me.

"She will be fine, Lindsay," he said to her. "Your Grandmother is like this each time we move. Within five minutes, she will be too excited about coming to live with you to be sad anymore." He reached out to pick her up. "Come."

Brad and I stood up. "We'll follow you," I said to Dad.

"I must stop by the estate agent's first to drop off the keys," he explained. "Where would the children like to eat?"

"Burger King!" the twins shouted from their car seats.

"KFC!" Lindsay called out.

I grinned and shook my head. "Go to your favourite restaurant, Dad. The kids can eat real food for a change."

Dad nodded. "It is not far," he said.

Less than a half-hour later, we were sitting in the restaurant eating our dinner. The boys had cheeseburgers, as usual, and Lindsay decided she wanted to try a clubhouse sandwich after I said that was what I wanted. Brad had ‘authentic' fish and chips, as did Mom and Dad. Brad gave me a bite of his fish and, I had to admit, it was as close to real British fish and chips as you could get in Canada. It was also the only place in Crystal Beach which served authentic loose tea. No wonder Mom liked eating there.

The kids had banana splits for dessert. Brad had ‘home-made' cherry pie. Mom, Dad, and I had a dish of trifle, but it wasn't anywhere near as good as Mom's.

By the time we finished eating and getting settled in the motel, it was almost time for the twins to go to bed. The boys would be sleeping with me and Brad. Lindsay would sleep with her grandparents. I prepared a bath for the boys as they undressed. They were disappointed that there were no toys or Mr. Bubble, but I assured them it was only for one night. The bath wasn't very much fun for them this time and they were finished within five minutes. They didn't particularly enjoy the idea of simply getting clean.

I got them dressed in their pyjamas and they sat in our laps as we sat in the chairs. They had already missed Wheel of Fortune and were falling asleep before Final Jeopardy! Brad and I sat there, holding the boys, and talking quietly as we watched television and let the boys sleep in our arms. At nine o'clock, we put them into the bed and grabbed a quick shower together before climbing into bed ourselves. As usual, the boys knew we were there and moved into place atop us and fell asleep again as we held them.

We watched some rather forgettable movie until eleven o'clock, turned off the television and switched off the light and went to sleep. Tomorrow would be another big and busy day.

* * * * *

Dad took us to a small diner which served family breakfasts. The kids had a wide variety of cereals from which to choose and the adults could have a decent meal as well. It certainly beat sitting in a plastic chair at a plastic table eating an Egg McMuffin. By nine o'clock, we were back at the house, waiting for the PODS truck to arrive.

It was chilly that morning and I dressed the boys in their jackets before letting them explore all the nooks and crannies of the front yard. Brad followed them around. Lindsay stayed in the car with her Grandma and Dad and I sat on the threshold of the open van door, talking.

"Thank you, Son," Dad said.

"No big deal, Dad," I told him. "The kids like coming here."

He turned his head to look at me. "It is not that of which I speak, Theodore. I am thanking you for giving the de Villiers name a chance to survive."

I grinned shyly. "I didn't exactly have that in mind when I adopted them."

He turned back to watch the twins examining some small creature in the grass. "Perhaps not, but I wish to thank you anyway."

"You're welcome, Dad."

"They are beautiful boys."

"Yes, they are."

We sat there, watching Brad and the twins for a minute or so, and then Dad said, "You are a very lucky man, Ted. You have three young children who adore you and a fine young man who loves you very much. He will make a fine son-in-law."

My head whipped around to look at him. "Dad?"

His face turned toward me and his gaze caught mine. "I do not pretend to understand your relationship, Theodore, but I understand that I have never seen you more happy in your life than you have been with Bradley. I cannot dismiss that which makes my boy happy."

I hugged my father then and said softly in his ear, "Ek is lief vir jou, Pa."

"I love you, too, Son." And then he kissed my hair.

* * * * *

Little boys and big trucks were made for each other. The trucks didn't have to be doing anything for the twins to be intrigued. Moving trucks captured and held their attention. Big trucks doing things like loading that huge, yellow PODS box full of Mom and Dad's furniture left the boys absolutely gobsmacked!

Justin straddled my right hip as I held him in my arm so he could watch from a grown-up perch. Brad held Jeremy. Their eyes were locked on the small cranes and the men who operated them. They watched the chains being hooked up to the PODS and they gasped when it finally lifted off the ground. They stared as the PODS was maneuvered into position and set down on the flatbed. Their eyes never left the hands which locked the PODS clamps into place. They were even fascinated when Dad gave the driver the map he'd drawn and pointed out directions and PODS placement at the new house. Only when the truck finally drove off the lawn and onto the street and then disappeared from view did the boys return to reality.

Justin turned to look at me. "Can we get one of those, Daddy?"

"I don't think so," I laughed. "How about a kiss instead?"

A smile broke out on his lips and his eyes twinkled brightly. "Okay," he said. He got his kiss.

* * * * *

Dad followed us as we headed for St. Catherines and the QEW. We had almost reached the city when Dad honked his horn and flashed his lights. I pulled onto the side of the road and Dad pulled in behind me. I got out and walked back to his car as he rolled down his window.

"The Skyway is closed," he said. "Truck roll-over. Best to go through Stoney Creek and head for Number Two."

Good ol' Dad. Always listening to the road reports. "Okay," I said. I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and handed it to Lindsay, who was sitting in the back seat. "Sweetheart, if you need to talk to talk to me again, call Brad for Grandma, okay? Brad is on Speed Dial One."

"Okay, Daddy."

To Dad, I said, "We'll get back on the QEW on the other side of the Skyway."

Dad nodded and I returned to the van. "Skyway's closed," I said to Brad. "We have to go around."

"As long as you know how to get us there," he said hesitantly.

"Even Lindsay knows how to get us there," I told him.

I could see Brad relax. "Oh. No big deal then?"

"Nope. More scenic, though."

The traffic was light on the QEW heading around the Golden Horseshoe and we made good time. I pulled off the main highway after Mom phoned Brad and said the Skyway was still closed and headed into Stoney Creek and on into Hamilton before heading north-east into Burlington. We picked up the QEW on the other side of the Burlington Skyway and made good time into Mississauga.

Dad had never been to Bill and Warren's new place, so I made certain we didn't become separated by lights or traffic.

Lindsay was always anxious to see her uncles Warren and Bill. The twins were still getting used to the fact that they even had uncles. Warren buzzed us into the apartment and was waiting with the door open when we arrived on his floor. Lindsay ran on down the hall in front of us with the twins close on her heels. Warren knelt on the floor outside the door to greet them, his arms held wide and a huge smile on his face. Bill appeared in the doorway behind him.

When the kids were sufficiently hugged and smooched, Bill grabbed Warren under his arm and helped him to his feet. The old Warren that we knew before was long gone. In his place was a slimmer, more sleek version of him. Bill had, indeed, been taking care of him very well.

Bill stepped back into the apartment as Warren greeted us and held out his arm and palm to the open door. "Entrez-vous, s'il vous plait," he said.

The kids followed Bill inside while the grown-ups met Warren with our own hugs and smooches.

"Gee-sus, Murphy, Warren," I said sincerely, "you're looking good!"

"I feel good, Teddy," he replied. "It's nice to buy a pair of jeans that are longer than they are wide."

"Oh, come on. You weren't that bad."

"It felt like it sometimes. Please, come on in. The kids are waiting for their presents, I'm sure."

"Warren!"

"Now, Teddy," he said, putting his finger to my lips. "I'm still making up for lost time. I'll be all caught up by Christmas, I promise." He smiled at me and winked. "Besides, I spent a total of twenty-nine dollars and twenty-six cents, including tax."

My eyes sprang open and my jaw dropped as my head jerked back. It wasn't unusual for Warren to spend three times that much on one child. "Really?"

"Really," he smiled. "I have the receipts. Come on in."

We entered and Warren followed us in, closing the door behind him. Mom joined Bill and the kids in the kitchen as Warren led Dad, Brad and myself into the livingroom. The first thing I noticed was the new big-screen television.

"Wow," I said. "I never expected you guys would spring for one of those."

"We don't get out much these days, and I'm stuck here all alone while Bill's at work. He made me take a sabbatical. At least until after the surgery. Bill doesn't let me do very much. Honestly, he pampers me like a sick little child."

"And you're loving every second of it," I added.

Warren smiled at me and winked. "Oh, yeah. C'est bon, ça."

The kids came in then, each carrying a can of pop with a straw stuck in the hole. They knelt on the carpet in front of the coffee table. Mom came in after them and took orders for coffee and tea. "Sorry, Dear," she said to Dad, "there is only that bagged stuff here." With a sideways glance at Warren, she added, "Can you believe that Mr. Michaels here doesn't even own a teapot?"

Dad looked at Warren, shook his head slowly, and said, "Dit kan nie wees nie. Dis so 'n treurige verhaal."

I snorted through my nose and chuckled. Mom just smiled.

"What?" Warren asked. "What did he say?"

I chuckled some more. "I don't know," I lied. "It just sounded funny."

Warren turned sideways to look at me and put his hand on my arm. "You know, Teddy," he said. "Tell me!"

I shook my head.

He turned to Mom. "What did he say?"

"He said it's time you stopped speaking French." Mom bent down to kiss Warren on the forehead and walked, still smiling, back into the kitchen.

Warren turned back to me again. "Teddy?"

Again, I shook my head ‘no'. "Not this time, Pal."

"I guess I kind of deserve it, don't I?"

"I have not understood you since you went through puberty," my Dad said. Even Warren laughed that time.

When the laughter died down finally, Warren turned to Brad. "Bradley? Would you be a sweetie and do me a favour?"

"Sure."

"In our bedroom. . ." (he pointed to an open door) ". . . on the dresser are three packages. Could you get them for me, please?"

Brad stood up and headed for the bedroom as Mom and Bill entered with trays of coffee and tea and distributed the refreshments. The twins' eyes followed Brad every step of the way and their gaze locked itself on the doorway through which Brad had disappeared. Both Warren and I were watching them, and it was delightful to see their eyes open wider with excitement when Brad reappeared with three packages in his hands. Again, they followed Brad's every step until he handed the packages to Warren, and suddenly Brad was non-existent. Warren was the only person in the room. He was the only one bearing gifts.

Warren took his own sweet time carefully arranging the small packages on his lap, shifting them about and lining them up, and dragging out the children's anxiety even more. Finally, he picked up a package. "Is there a Lindsay here?"

Lindsay jumped up and rounded the table to get her gift. "It will cost you a hug and a kiss," Warren said. He got them. He give Lindsay her gift and said, "Don't open it until the boys are ready, okay?"

Lindsay nodded and returned to her place at the table.

"Now," said Warren. He looked at one of the twins. "What's your name?"

"Jeremy de Villiers," he said with a big grin.

"And your name?" Warren said to the other.

"Justin de Villiers."

Warren glanced at me. "Is that right?" he whispered. I smiled and nodded. "You just had to dress them the same, didn't you?" He turned back to the boys. "Okay, these will cost you each a hug and a kiss."

The boys jumped up and hastened to make the trade. They returned to the table and set their packages on it, knelt down, and looked at me. I gave them all the nod to go ahead and anxious little fingers ripped into the paper.

True to his word, Warren had kept the gifts simple and quite practical. Each of my kids received a package of crayons and a colouring book. Justin's was all about transportation - cars, trucks, trains, planes, and such. Jeremy's book was filled with Star Wars characters from all six movies. Lindsay's book was a fantasy book with all sorts of fantasy creatures and fantasy worlds. There were even a few unicorns and faeries mixed in the bunch.

I stood up and gathered up the discarded paper as the kids found a page, opened their crayons, and set about colouring. Mom and Bill returned to the kitchen to finish preparing the buffet lunch. I took the wrappings to the kitchen and stuffed them into the paper recycling box.

"Lunch will be ready soon, Teddy," Mom said to me. "Bring the children in first."

"Okay." I returned to the livingroom to await Mom's call. When the call came, I packed up the kids crayons and set them and the colouring books aside, then took the kids to the kitchen. Lindsay went first and filled her own plate. I grabbed a plate for each of the twins and they followed me around the table, standing on tiptoes to see all the goodies presented to them.

"What's that?" Justin asked.

"Macaroni salad," I said. I grabbed up a plastic fork, speared a few pieces of elbow macaroni, and held it out for Justin to taste. He took a tentative bite, chewed once, and his eyes closed and his face scrunched up. I held my hand, palm up, against his chin and he spat it out.

"Yuck!" he said loudly. "I don't want that!"

Jeremy wouldn't even try it. I wiped the macaroni into a napkin, got the food the boys wanted, and took them into the livingroom. They knelt on the floor beside Lindsay and started eating as I went to get them some more juice.

Lunch was simple, but delicious. Bill had prepared a wonderful table. After lunch, as we were sipping our coffee and tea, Warren caught my eye and flicked his gaze toward the balcony. I knew immediately he wanted to talk to me alone. I turned to Brad, gave him a quick kiss, and whispered, "Keep the kids in here for awhile, would you?"

Brad nodded his head and said, "Sure."

I stood up and grabbed my coffee as Warren grabbed his glass of juice. The kids were colouring again. "I'm going outside with Uncle Warren, okay? We want to talk alone for awhile."

"Okay, Daddy," Lindsay said.

"We need a kiss, first," Jeremy said.

I was only too happy to oblige. Then, with the kids suitably and abundantly kissed, I followed Warren out to the balcony, closing the door behind me. He set his juice on the small plastic table there and I set my coffee mug beside his glass. Warren fell into my arms, turned his cheek to rest against my chest, and he started to cry.

To Be Continued​

 

[Just4fun2]

Moving day at last, lol! The de Villiers family has become part of my family as well.

Another cliffhanger, what is going to happen next?

Another wonderful chapter Neil.

Chris

 

[botboy03]

Thanks Neil. I really love this story. I just want to know what happens. Oh well, I'll wait til Wednesday.

Zac

 

[kcm17480]

A very, very cool chapter. I can't wait for the next chapter to find what happens, but I will be patient. Thanks Neil

 

[Kyanimal]

Let's see ...

I've been quite busy, and just now got to Monday's installment (only 2 more before 100!!!!!). The Upside to that is, this is Tuesday!! Which means ... only one more "sleep" 'til the next chapter!!!!

THANK YOU, Neil!!!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

 

[gsdx]

I hadn't planned anything special for the 100th chapter on Friday, but, since you asked for it. . .

Actually, I have two ideas planned. It will depend on which one I get to first, so I don't even know yet what is going to happen.

 

[igamenir]

Since you're Stargate fun, please, don't do anything like 200th episode of SG1. it was just ridiculous.

But i know it will be great, when you write it

 

[gsdx]

They haven't even begun broadcasting Season 10 up here yet, so I have no idea what happened in episode 200. (Please don't tell me. I will find out in a few months.)

In truth, it will be one of two (or more) cliffhangers. I don't know which one yet.

 

[sheep]

While you are thinking about the 100th, it just occurred to me that we kinda sorta need an update on *Taking Care of Jason*

 

[gaygoth]

While you are thinking about the 100th, it just occurred to me that we kinda sorta need an update on *Taking Care of Jason*

I definately agree.

Wonderful story Niel. Keep it up.

 

[botboy03]

Yeah I want to hear more about those guys too.

Zac