Watching Brad

[wyndhampaul]

I am totally hooked on this compelling tale. It has to be the most intriguing and true to life story that I've read in many a long year. Thank you Neil.

 

[Golliwog]

I am continually amazed and pleased at the believability of the different aspects of your story. And the sexual communion of Ted and
Brad is indescribably wonderful. It makes me be more at peace with who I am. I like Ted but I love Brad. And Brook! He is a delightful addition to your varied cast of characters.

Oh, and I did know the guy in your avatar was someone else. I am not a sci-fi fan, and so didn't recognize the character or his name. I am glad you cued us in awhile ago that you have one picture of your real self and your nephew.in the gallery section of your home page. I turn to look at the real Neil now and again, to acknowledge that this is the man from whose mind and generous spirit this great story springs. All kind thoughts coming your way from Golliwog.

 

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part 132​

The kids had brought plenty of toys and Terry had packed plenty of clothes for them. They had been ecstatic, of course, when I had asked them that Friday morning if they wanted to spend the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa de Villiers. The twins had called me at work, with Terry's help, no less than four times that day to remind me about it. Fortunately, despite the excitement and interruptions, I had remembered to tell Jamie to be sure and tell Mark we wouldn't be home on Saturday and not to come to the house. Jamie had assured me that he would.

John and Bernice Hayes joined us, following our van in their own car in case Brad and I decided, after all, to stay overnight. Lindsay rode with her grandparents. The first thing the kids did when we got there was to run inside, up the stairs, and into their bedrooms to see them while Brad and I followed them, carrying their suitcases.

Mom had done a wonderful job of decorating for the kids. Lindsay's room was the most different. Mom had redone the walls, adding a wallpaper wainscotting to the bottom - a light forest scene on a white background. More importantly, though, were the faeries which danced and flew about the trees and gardens. A faerie border topped the wainscotting effect. Lindsay was absolutely thrilled. Her bedding was done in delicate pink and white florals, closely matching the colour of the walls. Only a few pictures adorned the walls, but Mom promised more as soon as she had time to go shopping with the kids.

The twins' room was blue of course. The bedding was blue as well, but very plain, shaded in varying bands of blue and teal. She had thought to buy decorated sheets but, whereas Justin liked cars and trucks and things, Jeremy liked action figures. They would each play with either, but they definitely had their preferences. Mom wouldn't play favourites by selecting one decoration over the other for the bedding. She had simply settled for blue. The bed was set against one narrow wall, leaving plenty of room for the boys to play.

All the kids were thrilled with their new bedrooms and we left the boys to play and Lindsay to examine her wallpaper and went downstairs. As Mom and Bernice finished preparing dinner, Dad showed us his new satellite television. He'd decided to give this new technology a try, mainly because of all the BBC programmes they could get with it.

Mom must have been cooking most of the afternoon to create the meal she served. The dining table had been extended to its fullest and there was still plenty of room in the diningroom, even with the sideboard, heavily-laden with bowls of food, and china cabinet. Mom had always wanted a huge diningroom which could accommodate a large gathering. Most of the food was Canadian cuisine, but she had also made roast beef with gravy and absolutely scrumptious Yorkshire pudding (from scratch, no less) as well as Toad in the Hole. Unfortunately, the boys loved the Yorkshire pudding and wanted me to make it at home.

"Do you know how?" Brad asked me.

I sighed heavily. "Toad in the Hole is a cinch," I told him. "It's the Yorkshire pudding I can't make. It flops every time."

"I've told you before, Teddy," Mom said, "you don't preheat your oven long enough. It must be hot. And you must heat your bacon drippings as well."

"I do!" I complained. "I always end up with hockey pucks."

Brad looked at Mom. "Could you teach me?" he asked.

Mom smiled at him. "I have taught you to brew a serviceable pot of tea," she said and she tossed me one of her ‘why can't you do it' glances. "It's simple if you follow directions carefully. I'm certain I can teach you."

After a most delicious meal and a superb Trifle with homemade custard, we left the ladies and piled into the van. Dad and John rode in the back. The twins had to come with us as well, buckled into their safety seats as they were. We were to meet Dad's friend, the mechanic, at seven-thirty. He was already there and waiting for us when we arrived, standing on the front bumper and "having a potter under the bonnet" as Dad said.

"What did he say?" Brad asked quietly.

"Tinkering under the hood," I said with a small grin.

"Oh," Brad said and turned his attention back to the van.

After getting the twins out of the van and into our arms, we made our way over to the van. It didn't look particularly promising at first until we drew nearer and noticed that it was in dire need of a visit to a good car wash. The man, as it turned out, was attaching the battery cables to a new battery. On the ground beside him were two empty litre bottles of motor oil.

As we approached, the man pulled himself out from under the hood to greet us. "This is my friend, Charles," Dad said.

Charles greeted us with a broad smile and held out his hand to shake, but quickly drew it back again when he saw the grease on it. "G'day, eh?" he said, nodding to us. "Chuck's the name. Trucks the game." He laughed at his rhyme then looked directly at the twins. "So, which of you fine young gentlemen are going to buy the van?"

Justin grabbed my shirt firmly in his hand. "We don't have any money," he replied.

Chuck laughed again.

"I'm the one with the money," Brad said with a wide and proud smile. "Actually, my Dad has the money, but I'll be driving it."

Chuck was a rugged-looking gentleman, about my father's age, and as chunky as my Dad and I were thin. He was also remarkably short, barely reaching Brad's shoulder. He looked up at Brad as he pulled a kerchief from his back pocket and began wiping his hands.

"She looks like shi. . ." He looked at the twins, cutting the word short and correcting himself. "She looks like crap, but she runs just fine when she's runnin'. Soon's I git this here cable hooked up, ya kin have a go at ‘er." He stuffed the kerchief back into his pocket and returned to the front of the van. In moments, he had the battery cable attached to the post on the new battery which he'd balanced on the frame. "Soon's you find out how good she runs, I'll pull this baby back out and no-one will be any wiser. She'll still look like crap, but we'll be the only ones who know what a bargain she is." As he worked the wrench, he glanced up at Brad. "Shouldn't have much competition, Son," he said. "People here ‘bouts din't like Ol' Jake ‘nough ta wanna drive his van and folks from outta town ain't gonna bid two bits on this thing the way she's lookin'. But I tell ya, she runs fine. ‘Cept fer the brakes ‘n flat tires. Ain't moved from this spot for nigh unta three years since Ol' Jake dropped dead. God bless his squeaky wallet. Engine runs fine, though. I drops by coupla times a year ta crank ‘er up fer the Missus."

Once he got on a roll, Chuck could roll pretty damned far!

"How much would it cost to get it running and on the road?" Brad asked when he managed to squeeze the words in.

Chuck had finished with the cable and was once again wiping his hands. "Me doin' the work? Coupla hunnert, maybe. Triple that for the shops." He stuffed the kerchief into his pocket once more and reached into another pocket to pull out a key chain, tossing it to Brad who somehow managed to catch it without dropping Jeremy. "Crank ‘er up, Son."

Brad tried to pass Jeremy to his father, but Jeremy grabbed Brad's shirt and buried his face into Brad's neck. "Okay," Brad said. "You can sit in the van with me."

Jeremy perked up at that and smiled, but said nothing. As Brad circled the van to the driver's door, Chuck began speaking again. "Don't pump ‘er, Son. Turn ‘er on, foot to the floor once, then start ‘er up. Just like in Winter."

"Okay," Brad said. He unlocked the door and opened it, setting Jeremy onto the seat. Jeremy immediately scrambled across to the other seat and sat down, an enormous smile of youthful pride on his beautiful little face. He looked at Justin and me and waved. We waved back. I'm not sure he realized that they weren't actually going anywhere.

Brad climbed in and closed the door behind him. We waited as he inserted the key into the ignition, set the choke, and turned the key. The first effort failed, but the engine started right up on the second attempt. He revved the engine gently a few times, then left it to idle, climbing back out of the van. Jeremy scrambled back into Brad's arms once more and they moved around to stand beside Chuck. The rest of us crowded around as well.

"Sounds good," Brad said.

"Runs like a charm, Son," Chuck said seriously. "No joshin' ya on this one. She's a fine buggy."

"I looked up the Blue Book value last night," Brad said. "It's worth about eight grand."

"Won't go for that much, Son," Chuck assured him. "Ga-ran-tee it! Few hunnert, maybe. No more ‘n a grand. Bin t'a lot o' these sales ‘round here. Nickle ‘n dime all the way. Don't ‘spect ‘er ta be sol' til later on in the day, but be here early, jus' in case. Never know with these city auctioneers."

Brad looked at his father. "We'll be here, Bradley," John said.

We left Chuck to shut down the van and remove the battery once more and drove back to Dad's house where Brad and I took the time to give the twins a quick bath.

"What do you think, Ted?" Brad asked as we knelt beside the claw-foot tub.

"It looks like a good deal. I had good feelings about Chuck. I don't think he's pulling your leg. People in small towns like this have a reputation to uphold. He wouldn't last long being dishonourable. I trust him."

"The van would sure come in handy."

I looked at Brad. He had the sweetest look on his face, like a little boy on Christmas morning waiting to open the big present with his name on the tag.

"I've never owned my own car before," he said softly. He looked at me, then leaned forward to give me a kiss.

"What was that for?" I asked.

"I needed it," he said simply, then went back to helping Jeremy with his bath.

* * * * *

John and Bernice decided to stay behind for awhile to visit with Mom and Dad after we left. It was nice to see future in-laws who got along as well as they did. They would go with us again the next morning for the sale.

Brad and I had left shortly after we'd put the twins to bed and tucked them in. They promised they would be especially good for Ouma and Oupa. Brad held my hand all the way back home except for the two minutes it took him to run into the beer store to pick up a two-four of beer.

"Just you and me, the hot tub, a bottle of beer, and nothing between us except water," he said when he was sitting beside me and holding my hand once again.

His words made me grin. "Feeling a little frisky, are we?"

"Depends on how you spell ‘frisky'."

"H-o-r-n-y?"

"Give the man an ‘A'."

Brad's index finger tickled the palm of my hand the rest of the way home. Well, almost. His finger stopped moving when we were but a block and a half from home. A car passed by going in the opposite direction to us.

"Wasn't that Barry and Nathan?" he asked.

I was watching in the rearview mirror as I responded. "Yup. And they're turning around."

Brad sighed deeply enough for his chest to fill his T-shirt. "Oh, well," he mumbled. "At least the kids aren't here."

"I'll get rid of them," I offered.

"No. That's okay. But, tomorrow night, it's just you and me, okay?"

"I personally guarantee it."

It was impossible for Brad to hide his disappointment. I knew how much this time alone meant to him. I would fix it for him.

We pulled into the driveway, parking beside my other car as Barry parked behind it. We climbed out of the van and Brad grabbed the case of beer from the back as I went around to greet our friends.

"Greetings, Old Chap," Nathan said with a huge smile on his face and an overnight bag in his hand. "Where in hell have you been?"

"Out at Mom and Dad's place," I explained. "We dropped the kids off there for the weekend."

Nathan grinned as Brad stepped up beside me. He leaned into us, twisting his body to the right, gave us a conspiratorial wink, and said slyly, "Looking for a little ‘alone' time, eh?"

Barry seemed rather uncomfortable suddenly. "I think that's the point, Nathan."

Nathan stood up and looked at the handsome young cop. "What?"

"I think they want to be alone."

Understanding suddenly clicked in Nathan's brain. "Oh," he said, and then again. "Oh! I guess we should go, then."

"That's okay," I said. "Come on in and have a beer with us. Just one, though. And then I'm going to kick your asses out the door." Beside me, I could hear Brad's quiet sigh of relief.

Barry objected, but Brad assured him that they were welcome to stay for one beer. As we started toward the front door, Barry said to his lover, "Leave the bag in the car, Nathan."

* * * * *

"I've never been to The Village," Barry announced after we'd told them about our weekend in Toronto.

"I think I know that place," Nathan said. "I've never been in, though. I'm more into the bar scene, I guess."

"It was nice and quiet and very relaxing, actually," I explained. "We'll have to go up some weekend so you can meet Brook."

"You said he's black?" Barry asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, why?"

"What's he into? I mean, think he might be into a white guy about my age?"

"I don't know," I replied honestly. "He was pretty into Brad. All he told us was that he's no- longer in a relationship, but he's looking."

Barry glanced at Nathan as they sat side-by-side on the loveseat. "Keith?" Nathan asked.

Barry nodded. "That's what I was thinking."

"Who's Keith?" Brad asked.

"A guy I work with," Barry explained. "He broke up with his lover of four years a few months ago and he's been pretty lonely and depressed since then. He hasn't even been looking as far as I know, but he's pretty lonely. His ex was black, too, but he was a real prick. I didn't like him. But Keith's a great guy, and pretty darned cute if you ask me, and this Brook guy sounds just his type."

"Keith looks like that actor from. . . what is it? Farscape?" Nathan asked. "What's his name, Barry? That actor?"

"Ben Browder," Barry replied.

"Gee-sus, Murphy," I chuckled. "Don't introduce him to Warren! The poor guy wouldn't have a chance."When they looked at me with confusion in their eyes, I added, "Warren wants to marry Ben Browder."

"Ah," Barry said in understanding. "Good taste."

"Hey," Brad said suddenly. "I've got an idea. Brook wants to come for a weekend visit sometime soon. Maybe we could set them up."

Barry nodded. "I'd have to talk to Keith first, though. I don't think it's fair to surprise them like that. Maybe just set them up on a blind date instead of dropping them in each other's laps."

"Okay," I said. "You talk to Keith and we'll talk to Brook. Set something up. Brook can come down anytime, so it's up to your friend."

"We're pretty-much on the same schedule," Barry explained briefly. "When I'm available, so is Keith. I think you guys would really like him. He's a nice guy."

"And he's cute," Brad joked. "Don't forget ‘cute'."

I noticed the small wink Nathan gave to Brad. Instead of commenting, I said, "Bring him over sometime so we can meet him. If we like him, we'll set it up for a weekend."

Nathan was surprisingly excited. "Call him and invite him over right now, Barry. He'll be home. He never goes out."

Barry looked at his partner. "One beer, remember?"

"Oh, yeah," Nathan said. He looked at us and smiled meekly. "Sorry."

* * * * *

Barry and Nathan left soon after that. Brad and I were finally alone. We didn't go into the hot tub that night. Instead, we each grabbed a beer, filled the bathtub, and luxuriated in it for an hour or so, heating up the water as necessary. We barely even talked. We sat there in virtual silence in the tub, Brad sitting between my legs and allowing me to hold him.

There was no talk of sex, and neither of us even became aroused. We simply sat there, loving each other in silence and making each other feel warm and good with nothing more than our presence. Brad's head leaned back against my shoulder, his soft, blond hair a cushion for my cheek. I don't know if his eyes were closed but mine were.

For my part, I sat there, holding him and thinking about how wonderful and full of life he made me feel. I thought about how empty my life had been before he came along, and I thought about how empty it would still be if he hadn't. I had the children, of course, and I'd probably have them even if Brad wasn't here. The kids filled a huge portion of my life, but the portion which Brad filled was another part of me that I couldn't imagine being filled by anyone else. It wasn't his beauty. It wasn't his strength. It wasn't his youth or his endowment. It was nothing more than him being Brad.

We finished drinking our beers and slowly climbed out of the bathtub. As Brad began draining it, I grabbed the towels off the rack, handed one to Brad, and then I began drying him. He stood there, silent and still, as I did so, and then I stood there, silent and still, as he dried me.

The towels fell into damp puddles on the floor beside our clothes as I took his hand in mine and led him out the door. Brad turned off the light as we passed the switch. We crossed the hall and into our bedroom where we climbed into bed, pulling the sheet over us and curling into each other's arms.

It still felt nice falling asleep in love.

To Be Continued​

 

[Kyanimal]

THANK YOU! for the Snuggles, Neil! So many on so many levels!! Made my day!!!

Right back "atcha", Buddy!!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

 

[botboy03]

Great chapter Neil. I can't wait for the wedding.

Zac

 

[sheep]

Call me unromantic, but I can't wait for Brad to self-suck.

 

[gsdx]

Call me unromantic, but I can't wait for Brad to self-suck.

Hey! Sex isn't everything, you know!

Oh, wait. . .


. . . oh. . .


um. . . . . . . . .


. . . er . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . never mind.

 

[harry113]

Er, Yes Neil. Quite!!
Great chapter, Thanks Neil
Peace & Love
Harry

 

[crazy3]

“No duty is more urgent than that of returning THANKS” - Saint Ambrose

Neil,
Please accept my heart felt thanks. Your creation is helping me to make it through the daily journey called Life. I told myself that I would not post after every chapter but, each edition to this work is a gift that I have come to cherish.

O.K. enough of this – this old grouch has work to do!

Have a great weekend!

Thank You!

 

[upyrkilt469]

Enjoyed the chapter very much. As others have said, can't wait for the wedding. Thanks again, Neil. Vic

 

[Trent0n1]

Jeremy immediately scrambled across to the other seat and sat down, an enormous smile of youthful pride on his beautiful little face.

Neil....you have such a simple but expressive way of telling your story.....a story that I love.
Thanks so much for taking the time to share it with us.

Trent

 

[arogersb]

I'm new on this forum and I've just started reading this story (I still have almost a hundred chapters to go!) so I'm trying not to look at any of the recent chapters and spoil the story.

But I just wanted to say, Neil, this is the most wonderful story I have ever read. Your writing style and beautiful stories should be an inspiration to all budding writers (such as myself)

Thank you so much, and expect me to be one of your regular readers!

 

[harry113]

Arogersb, welcome to this forum & to the JUB family.
As you say, Neil is a fantastic writer. When you have caught up with Brad & Ted you might like to check out his other stories .... He goes in for marathons & I am so grateful that he does. He is indeed a wonderful author.
Looking forward to Monday !
Harry

 

[gsdx]

But I just wanted to say, Neil, this is the most wonderful story I have ever read. Your writing style and beautiful stories should be an inspiration to all budding writers (such as myself)

Thank you so much, and expect me to be one of your regular readers!

Thank you for the first paragraph, and double thank you for the second.

My apologies for leaving you with so much reading at this time.

 

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part 133​

I came to a sudden, almost horrifying realization after I woke up the next morning.

We had fallen asleep in each other's arms, but I woke up with Brad in mine. I was lying on my back and Brad was nestled against my side. His left arm lay across my chest, his hand pressed flat against the side of my ribs just beneath my armpit. His head was lodged into my neck, resting upon my shoulder. The warm, gentle breeze of his breath flowed out of his nostrils and down my chest in whispery sighs. His body was pressed against my side, his cock, solid and ready, trapped between us. My left arm held him there.

I realized that June was quickly coming to an end. The Friday coming was the last day of the month, and Lindsay's last day of school. On the following day, July First, the twins would celebrate their fifth birthday along with Canada's one hundredth and thirty-ninth. Two weeks after their birthday, Brad would be standing with me in Toronto. We would be exchanging our vows, exchanging wedding rings. The day following, we would be on our honeymoon in. . . well, that's a secret for now.

In three short weeks, Brad and I would be married. Three short weeks.

As I thought those thoughts, another kept peeking through the crack of the door in some dark corner of my mind where I thought I had locked it away. It didn't think I noticed. My mental shoulder slammed the door shut once more, but the thought kept knocking, making its presence known to me, reminding me that I had to deal with it sooner or later. I decided on ‘later' and turned my attention to the young man in my arms.

Brad moaned softly in his sleep, his hips humping slightly and rubbing his cock against me. I placed my right hand on his ribs and carefully pushed him to his back. He didn't wake up. I set my hand over his cock just below the head and wrapped my fingers and thumb around the shaft, lifting it slightly away from his stomach. I managed to wiggle my left arm out from under his head without waking him, then propped myself up on my elbow, leaned over him, and began to caress his smooth, swollen cockhead with my tongue. I nipped at it with my lips, toying with it and teasing it, poking into the tiny slit at the tip, finding and gathering the lube stored there, and tracing the flared ridge where the head meets the shaft.

Brad moaned again, but he was awake this now. "Oh, God, Ted," he whispered and his cock jumped in my hand and against my tongue and lips. His sharp intake of breath broke the silence of the room.

I opened my mouth and took the head inside. Brad's hips heaved upward, not forcefully, not impatiently, but with gentle, loving tenderness, showing me that he was enjoying what I was doing to him. I stroked his shaft several times in long, slow strokes as I sucked before relaxing my grip and allowing my hand to travel further down to his balls, cradling them gently and holding them warm and safe in the palm of my hand.

Brad began to move, an attempt to swing himself around to get at my own cock, but I let the head of his cock slip from my mouth and warned him to stay where he was. He settled back into the pillow.

I returned to his delicious cock, kissing my way down the shaft this time, opening my palm and lifting his balls to my lips when I reached them. Brad's legs opened wider, encouraging me and allowing me more room as breezy sighs blew past his lips. I tongued his nuts, wallowing in the slightly musky scent there, and nipped at the skin with my lips, gently stretching it tight around his precious orbs.

Brad squirmed and moaned beneath me, twisting his hips about as I pleasured him. I could see his fingers gripping the sheets beneath him.

I left his balls and began kissing my way back up his shaft, stopping before I reached the head. I slipped my finger beneath his cock and lifted it away from his chest as I moved my head back to look at his face. My eyes told him everything I wanted to tell him. He simply smiled at me and sat up in bed as he grasped his cock in his hand. He bent himself forward, his tongue extending past his lips until it met with the smooth head of his cock and he began licking it, around and around, humming softly to himself through his nose.

My lips returned to his shaft as his lips sank down and around his cockhead. I was able to watch his face from that position by tilting my head slightly and I watched as Brad pleasured himself in the best way possible. His cheeks collapsed into divots as he sucked his cock. My fingers still jostled his balls.

Together, we worked to bring Brad to a most satisfying orgasm. In only minutes, Brad was groaning as he pumped his juice into his mouth. His eyes were clenched shut and his face was pulled tight with effort and ecstacy. He gulped and swallowed loudly, recycling his cream in a most exciting way.

When it was over, Brad fell back onto the bed, his chest heaving wildly, his breath coming in short, rapid gasps. I snuggled against him, my head on his shoulder and my hand on his chest, over his heart.

It took several minutes for Brad's body to return to normal and, when it did, he whispered quietly, "Thank you."

I lifted my head to kiss his cheek. "You're welcome, Tiger," I said sweetly. "Now, let's go buy your van."

* * * * *

Following a quick shower, we were soon on our way to Maple Grove with John and Bernice tracking us in their own car. The boys were outside, playing on the front lawn, as we pulled into the driveway. Their toys were quickly abandoned as they sprinted across the lawn and into our arms.

After the usual hugs and kisses, Justin sat on my hip, his arm around my neck and his beautiful smile aimed right at me. "Did you miss us, Daddy?" he asked.

"I didn't sleep a wink," I told him. "I missed you all so much!"

His smile brightened. "We missed you, too."

We carried them into the house where Mom had tea and coffee waiting for us. We had a half hour before we had to leave for the sale.

* * * * *

It was ‘just us guys' again. The twins were buckled into their safety seats (there was no way we were going without them) and Dad and John sat in the back. Mom, bless her heart, had packed us a lunch and sent along drinks for the kids, a large thermos of tea for Dad, and a larger thermos of coffee for anyone else. She'd packed a blanket for sitting on, Wet Wipes, and even a change of shorts and underwear and T-shirt for the boys, just in case. That's my Mom. Always thinking ahead.

John wanted to register for the sale, but Brad was determined to do this on his own. His Dad was to stay close at hand, though, when the time came to bid on the van. My Dad registered as well in case something came up for sale that he'd like to have. You never knew what you would find at an estate sale.

We had arrived early and wandered around, looking at the various items being offered. It was rather frightening to think that someone's entire life was piled up on their front yard, being sold to the highest bidder.

Chuck arrived, chit-chatting with Dad as my father poked around in the piles and peeked into boxes and sifted through the various job lots. John Hayes spend a good amount of time examining a diningroom set, complete with extendable table, six armless chairs and two armed chairs, and a matching hutch and sideboard. It wasn't old, but it was a beautiful set and looked barely used. He went to a bedroom suite next, examining it in as great detail as he had the diningroom suite. There was no mattress, but it was a sleigh bed frame with a matching armoire and dresser with an attached bevelled mirror. The mirror was cracked, but that could be replaced rather easily. The entire set was stained a deep, cherry red. I didn't know what kind of wood it was, but John obviously did. Apparently it was the right size as well.

When John was satisfied with his examination, he went over and talked quietly with Chuck, who nodded at his question. John pointed at the diningroom and bed sets. Chuck nodded again and John left him to register his name for the bidding. It looked like a surprise might be in the bidding for Bernice. Perhaps an anniversary or birthday gift. Or, perhaps, just because.

Fortunately, there was plenty for the boys to see and to look at to keep them from getting bored. They liked new things, even when they weren't actually participating. They were particularly taken by the auctioneer when the sale finally began at ten o'clock sharp, hanging onto every word and trying to figure out what he was saying.

Justin giggled in my ear. "He talks funny, Daddy."

John missed out on the diningroom set which was the second item sold. It went well beyond the five hundred dollar limit he'd set for himself. The bedroom suite, which soon followed, began with a starting bid of two-hundred dollars and quickly rose to six hundred. After that, bids rose by fifty and then ten dollars until John won it with a bid of seven hundred and sixty bucks. He told us later he would have bid up to twice that much. "It's not just cherry stain," he told us. "It's real cherry wood."

Now, I'm certainly not an expert on wood, but I know how expensive real cherry wood furniture can be. Back when Connie and I had been living in that small apartment, before Lindsay was born, we'd been out on one of our dumpster dives and found a ratty old Victorian-style chair and lounger on the side of the road. I didn't want anything to do with it. The upholstery was tattered and ripped to shreds, probably by the claws of some house cat, and the painted wood was suitably scratched and gouged. Connie talked me into loading it into the car and taking it home. A friend of ours, who dabbled in furniture refinishing on weekends, took it to his home and began stripping it. He phoned us, all excited and telling us there was cherry wood under all the layers of paint. He spent two months refinishing and reupholstering those things, then helped us to sell them for almost three thousand dollars for the pair. We gave him half.

By that reckoning, John scored big time with the bedroom set.

Just before eleven o'clock, my cell phone rang. It was Warren. "Hi, Teddy," he said. "Mon Dieu! What's that racket?"

"Auction sale," I said to him. "We're trying to buy a van for Brad."

"Wish him luck for me."

"I will. So, what's up?"

"I'm going home today, Teddy?"

"What!?" I shouted in surprise. That caught Brad's attention and he turned to me, listing and watching intently. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"I didn't want to tell you in case it didn't pan out, but my doctor gave me the green light this morning." Warren's voice was full of life and excitement. "I'm going home, Teddy! I'm finally going home!"

"That's great news, Warren," I said. I looked at Brad, who was standing there waiting impatiently to be told what was going on. "Warren's going home today," I said to him.

"Way to go, Warren!" Brad shouted.

"That goes for me, too, Warren," I said into the phone.

"Thanks, Teddy. I'm going to be there with you in a few weeks. There's no stopping me now."

He went on to me about his progress. He was using the bathroom now, but needed assistance getting there and back, and was able to sit up in a chair near the window to read an watch the people outside. He'd also been taking tours in his wheelchair with Bill pushing him along. He'd been outside for awhile almost every day for most of the week. His incisions were mostly healed over although the staples remained, but all the doctors who examined him felt that he was recovering nicely. Except for the incident with the coma, he probably would have been released earlier.

But, Warren was alive and happy and on the mend. He expected to be around for a long, long time.

"Well, you just take it easy, my friend," I told him. "Let us handle everything as far as the wedding goes and you do everything Dr. Bill tells you to do."

"I will, Teddy."

Somehow, I knew he would.

* * * * *

The auctioneer took a lunch break at one o'clock, and so did we. We set out the blanket and food and drinks and sat down to enjoy. Brad, as usual, sat Indian-style and Jeremy sat in the ‘chair' that his folded legs created. Justin had to be satisfied with sitting on the ground between my legs and using my chest as a backrest.

Dad and John Hayes remained standing. Having invited Chuck to join us, they stood off to the side to talk.

After lunch, I took the twins behind a tree to go pee as Brad packed up the cooler. Dad won the bids on several of the job lots he had been interested in, along with a few other little things for the kids, and scored big on boxes and piles of plumbing fixtures and products.

As Chuck had predicted, the vehicles were among the last items to be sold. It was after three o'clock when the van was put on the block. By this time, my arms were almost dead from carrying Justin all morning, so, after we'd eaten, Dad lifted him to my shoulders. Jeremy was soon sitting on Brad's shoulders as well. The boys loved their new vantage point.

Anyway, by the time the bidding began on the vehicles, much of the crowd had disappeared and there were only about two dozen people left, not counting us. John stood at his son's left side. I stood at his right. Brad would make the bids under the advisement of his father.

The auctioneer began the bidding at one thousand dollars, but soon dropped the opening bid to five hundred. A man about Dad's age shouted, "One hundred" and held up his registered paddle as the auctioneer picked up his cue and set the sale into motion.

A younger fellow about Brad's age immediately bid one fifty.

"Wait, Bradley," John said.

"I know the kid," Chuck told us. "He ain't got much money."

The older guy bid two hundred and, after a moment's pause, the younger guy bid two hundred twenty-five.

"Go two fifty," John said.

"Two fifty!" Brad shouted, holding up his paddle.

As the auctioneer talked into his microphone, watching the bidders carefully, the older man called out, "Three hundred."

"Three twenty-five," the younger man said.

"Go four," John told Brad, and Brad bid the four hundred.

The older man quickly bid five hundred.

"Fifty up," John said. Brad bid five fifty.

"Five seventy-five!" That was from the younger man.

"Six," from the older man.

The younger man's shoulders slumped in defeat. He'd reached his limit.

"Go seven," and Brad did so.

The older man countered with eight hundred.

"He likes round numbers," John said.

"What should I bid?" Brad asked urgently.

"A moment, please, Bradley."

I could see John's mind working furiously. His face mirrored the thoughts flying through his mind. The auctioneer announced, "Going once!"

John turned to his son. "Take it up fifty."

"Where are we!?" Brad said in a panic.

"Eight hundred," I told him quickly.

He countered with eight fifty.

John watched the man carefully as he went for nine hundred. With a nod from his father, Brad upped him by another fifty. One thousand was bid and, on John's instruction, Brad took it to one thousand and fifty. The other man bid eleven hundred. John hesitated a moment, then said, "Now, go twelve."

"Twelve hundred!" Brad shouted.

There was a bit of a pause before the man countered with thirteen hundred. John paused as the auctioneer tried to coax Brad into advancing the bid.

The other man was watching us. John turned to Brad, his face turned away from the other man. "When I tell you, bid fifteen hundred. Got that?"

Brad nodded.

"I have thirteen," the auctioneer was saying as he and his spotters looked at Brad. "Do I hear fourteen? Any advance on thirteen hundred? Thirteen fifty? Do I hear thirteen fifty? Thirteen twenty-five? Any advance?" The crowd was deadly silent. "Thirteen hundred going once!" A long pause. "Thirteen hundred going twice!" Another long pause. "Any advance on thirteen hundred?"

"Now," John said.

"Fifteen hundred!" Brad shouted as he held up his paddle.

The other man didn't raise his paddle again. The van belonged to Brad. John smiled to himself and nodded.

"What just happened, Dad?" Brad asked, his voice and face full of wonder and excitement.

"The man had his limit, Son," John explained. "You just beat him to it. He liked round numbers. He had you bidding odd numbers, just like he wanted. That way, he could bid an even number and make you think about bidding higher. We took his bid right out from under him."

"Cool," Brad said.

"Yeah," Jeremy added. "Cool."

* * * * *

As the sale drew to a close, we set the twins on the ground. They held Dad's hands as Brad and I helped John load his new bedroom suite into the back of Chuck's truck and Dad's winnings into the back of my van. "Don't you worry none ‘bout yer van, Boy," Chuck told Brad. "I'll take good care of ‘er fer ya. Tow ‘er home an' fix ‘er up good as new. You wanna buy the stuff yerself or d'ya want me to buy it fer ya? All she needs right now is brakes an' battery an' juice."

"If you don't mind," John replied, "we'll leave it up to you to get the parts. And do the plugs and filters while you're at it."

"You got it," Chuck said with a nod.

Brad rode with Chuck and his father. They would go back home and unload the bedroom suite and return to Dad's place. We'd be waiting there for them. Dad rode in the front with me as I drove back to the house. The twins didn't fall asleep, but their eyes were barely open. They were fighting it to the end.

At Dad's place, I took the twins to the bathroom and then to their bedroom, leaving them with promises that I would see them tomorrow afternoon. They fell asleep moments later and I joined the others in the kitchen for tea and snacks as we waited for Brad and his father to return. Mom and Bernice assured me that all was ready for the twins' birthday party. It would be held at the Hayes home. We unloaded the van when the rest of the family arrived, then Brad and I said our farewells and took our leave.

We ordered pizza that night and sat at the kitchen table as we ate and sipped our beers. Brad was all excited about his new van. I enjoyed listening to him talk about it and watching his face as he did so. He was like a little boy at Christmas.

After eating, we took a short nap on the sofa, snuggling with each other to the soft music from the radio. We went to the bathroom together after we awoke, then made our way outside to the hot tub. Brad cranked it up, then we stripped down and climbed in, sitting beside each other on the same bench and snuggling some more.

We sat in silence and in love for a long time, nursing our beers and enjoying each other's quiet company. And then I finally opened that door in the back corner of my mind. It was time to face the music.

"We have a bit of a problem, Brad," I said softly.

Brad sat up, pulling his arm from behind my back and turning slightly so we could look at each other eye-to-eye. He waited for me to continue.

I took a deep breath and began my speech. "I think this might be the last time we use the hot tub for awhile. We might even have to sell it."

"Oh, God, Ted," Brad whispered above the bubbling of the tub. "I figured money must be tight, but not like this. Why didn't you tell me before?"

I couldn't meet his eyes when I told him. "I thought I could handle it."

"How bad is it?"

"It wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't needed the psychiatrist," I explained. "Dr. Davis put a big hole in my savings. I might have to let Mark go, too."

"Oh, no." Brad looked clearly disheartened. "He's so happy working here, too. It's a real job for him. Couldn't you cut him down to once a week or something?"

"That wouldn't really be fair to him, would it?"

"It's better than getting rid of him entirely, Ted. Look. I'll be starting at your parents' place soon. I'll be able to help. Maybe I could even get him to help me out during the week."

"You couldn't afford to pay him," I said. "I'll talk to him and see if he's okay with just coming in on Saturdays."

"It's really that bad?"

I nodded. "I'm phoning my accountant tomorrow to see what we can do. I've got some bonds and GICs I can unload."

"I'll put school on hold," Brad offered. "I can get a real job when I finish your Mom's garden."

"We've already talked about this, Brad. It's important that you graduate. You've only got one more year."

"I can do it later. Or I can do it online. They have online courses at Ryerson. I can get the rest of my credits that way."

"Let's try it the other way first, okay? All I need is a bit of cash to pay off some bills and a bit of cutting back to prevent them from piling up again."

"What about the honeymoon? You could cancel it. We don't need a honeymoon."

I shook my head back and forth. "I'll lose a fortune if I cancel now. Reservations have been made and deposits paid. It would be almost cheaper to go ahead with it."

"You don't have to do it for me. I'd be just as happy in a hotel in Niagara Falls."

"What makes you think we're not going there?"

Brad smiled his chipped-tooth grin. "I don't need a passport to go to Niagara Falls."

I grinned back, and then my grin disappeared once more. "I'm doing it for us, Brad. I want this. I think I need it. We just have to cut back on a few things for awhile, at least until I can get caught up. Lindsay's starting to grow fast now and she's going to need new clothes again soon, and I'm sure they kids going to need a few things for that soccer camp."

"What about your parents? They'll help."

Again, I shook my head. "It's my prob. . ." I caught myself. "It's our problem, Brad. This is our family. We have to take care of it ourselves."

I thought Brad was going to cry as he stared at me, smiling a small, simple smile. He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. "What was that for?"

"For saying it's our problem."

* * * * *

We turned off the hot tub for the last time, gathered our clothes, and went in for a shower together. Later, we lay in bed and made love to each other twice, and then we slept.

The next morning, we drained the hot tub and set up the swimming pool for the kids. It would take a day or two to fill it with our single watering hose. Nothing more was said about our cutbacks. We would work through them together.

After lunch, we phoned Warren, holding the phone between us so we could both hear and talk. Warren sounded wonderful. He'd sounded good yesterday when he called us at the sale, but he sounded even better that Sunday afternoon. We talked for almost an hour before letting him go to get some rest.

At John's request, Brad and I went next door to help his father move the old bedroom furniture out of the bedroom and the new furniture in. Bernice had spent the morning washing it all down very thoroughly and disinfecting it. There was no hiding her excitement. For her, it was like a dream come true.

By the time we finished, it was time to go pick up the kids. The twins weren't awake yet when we got there, and, when they did, they came running down the stairs as fast as their short little legs could carry them, shouting our names. "We saw the van outside!" Justin grinned after he'd jumped into my lap.

"Are we going home now?" Jeremy asked.

"Soon," I said.

"You'll stay for dinner, of course?" Mom asked hopefully.

I looked at Brad and he merely shrugged.

"Nothing major, okay?"

"You have my word," Mom said, but I knew what her ‘nothing major' was like. We'd dine very well.

"Come see what Oupa got us!" Justin said, scrambling out of my lap and grabbing my hand in his. I had little choice but to follow.

Jeremy did the same, dragging Brad along with him into the livingroom. He'd bought several boxes of toys. Some were used, but most of them were brand new.

"Many were in their original packaging," Dad explained. "I suspect they were purchased as gifts and were never distributed. Some of them are very old." I could see that. Some of the cars and trucks were made of metal with real rubber tires - something rarely seen in these days of plastic and synthetics.

"Oupa said we have to leave them here," Jeremy said.

"Bummer," Justin said.

We laughed.

After dinner, we headed home, got the kids into their baths and finally into their beds. Brad checked the pool, leaving it to fill overnight. Later, in bed, we talked about things we could do to save money. Dining out so often and weekend trips to amusement parks would have to be put on hold for awhile. There would be fewer trips to Tim Horton's, too.

The next morning, Brad checked the watering hose which was filling the pool and turned it off. It would have been overflowing by day's end. Breakfast was eaten and the kids were dressed for the day. I sent Lindsay off to school to begin her final week there, then hugged and kissed the twins before Brad drove me to work. He would use the car to go to Mom's house and would come back to pick me up at five after I finished work.

I phoned my accountant first thing. He told me he would go over everything and get back to me with a plan of action.

You know, I've been thinking a lot about that day. If I had known when I hugged and kissed the boys that morning before I left for work. . . well. . .

The phone rang in my office at one fifty-two that afternoon. I know. I'll never forget the time. It was Terry. Her voice was full of panic and she was crying almost hysterically. I could barely understand her. Through her sobs and jagged, staccato words, I managed to pick out four of them, and they were words that I wished I had never, ever, had to hear anyone speak to me.

"The twins are gone!" she said.

To Be Continued​

 

[consult28]

Neil, I haven't read Chapter 133 yet excrpt for the lastline. This hanger is the last straw. Please post chapter 134 as soon as possible, like this afternoon. I really don't think my 78 year old heart will last any longer.
Thanks Neil for keeping my blood boiling.
George

 

[sheep]

Neil,
If you want, I'll look after Brad, so Ted can look for the twins.

 

[dlf0001]

WOW... that was a kick in the nut-sack... Great Chapter... Greater Cliffhanger

 

[crazy3]

Neil, I haven't read Chapter 133 yet excrpt for the lastline. This hanger is the last straw. Please post chapter 134 as soon as possible, like this afternoon. I really don't think my 78 year old heart will last any longer.
Thanks Neil for keeping my blood boiling.
George

Same Here! You're killing me!
Great Chapter!!

Thanks!

 

[botboy03]

Yeah, I knew it had to end, all the happy chapters without cliffhangers. Warren's out of the hospital now, which I am glad about. Good chapter though. Come on Wednesday, get here soon!!!

Zac