Marco, Marty and the Twins
by Nick Brady
Chapter 16
Copyright © 2016 – 2016 by Nick Brady, all rights reserved.
Marco was up at eight o'clock and began to make noises in the kitchen. The smell of frying bacon filled the house. That smell was an effective alarm clock and in the twins bedroom the boys began to stir.
"Can you smell that?" Ben asked Sam who was in the bunk below him.
"Yeah, and I'm hungry," Sam replied.
They got out of bed and Ben poked at the sleeping bags with his foot. "You guys ready for breakfast? Daddy is cooking bacon."
Bobby and Tyron roused, stretched and sniffed the fragrant air. "Yeah, I think I am," Bobby said and elbowed his friend. "Wake up," he said to Tyron.
"I'm awake. Man, that smells good," Tyron agreed.
They dressed and stumbled into the kitchen to get a closer look at breakfast.
In the guest room Brian heard the noise and awoke, unsure of where he was for a moment. Then he spread his hands over the smooth sheets and smiled. He found the damp tissues and wadded them up, dressed and went into the bathroom to pee, depositing the evidence of last night's orgasm to be flushed away, then joined the others in the kitchen.
"Hungry guys?" Marco asked.
"Oh yeah," Ben replied. "Where's Papa?"
"He'll be here in a minute," Marco replied. "He's getting dressed. How about some pancakes?"
Marco laid a pound of crisp bacon on a plate over some paper towels and and began to pour rounds of batter on the buttered griddle. He had their rapt attention.
Marty wandered in and joined the boys at the kitchen table. "Smells good, Marco. You know how to get us out of bed."
Marco put a plate in front of each of them and began to deal out the pancakes as they came off the hot griddle. They and the plate of bacon disappeared rapidly. Soon it was almost gone and Marco sat down to eat what was left.
"Did you get enough? Marty asked.
"Sure. I don't want to get fat,"Marco chuckled.
"So, did you guys sleep OK after you finally gave out?" Marco asked them.
"I did," Brian replied. "That's a nice bed."
"Good. I'm glad. We usually go to church on Sunday morning. You guys are welcome to join us or I can take you home," Marco suggested.
Tyron smiled. "Thanks, but I think I want to get back home." Bobby nodded that he did too.
"I guess I can go with you," Brian nodded.
"Sounds good. Get your stuff together." Marco told them.
They put the dishes in the dish washer, pulled together their few belongings and got ready to leave.
"All I have is the jeans and T-shirt I wore yesterday," Brian said. "Will that be OK?"
"We'll take you like you are," Marco assured him. Bobby, Tyron and Brian got into Marco's car and Marty took the twins and went on to meet them at church.
Marco made the rounds, first dropping Tyron off at his house, then Bobby at his. He drove on to St. Jerome's with Brian in the front seat.
"I'm glad you decided to go to church with us," Marco said. "Where do you usually go?"
Brian shrugged. "I don't usually go anywhere. The only time I'm ever in a church is when we have a court of honor or something with scouts."
Marco nodded, thinking of when Marty first invited him to church with him. His understanding of a church community had changed dramatically since then.
"Is that right? I never went to church either, until I met Marty. This was his church. I wasn't sure I wanted to go, but I really like it now," Marco told him.
Brian nodded but did not respond.
"I hope you like it. Our priest is a really neat guy."
Brian looked suspicious. "Your priest? Is this a Catholic church?"
"No, it is an Episcopal church. We're protestant but we keep a lot of the catholic traditions," Marco explained. "Sam and Ben like it a lot."
Brian nodded again but looked unconvinced.
They arrived at St Jerome's and walked in to find a few people in the pews. They sat quietly in their usual place in the old church, listening to the sound of muted chatter as people began to gather. Marty soon joined them although Sam and Ben were not with him. They nodded and greeted their old friends Wayne and David when they came in and sat in front of them .
Marco introduced Brian to them and told Brian that Wayne was the one who had given them a good deal on Brian's beloved blue Shimano. Brian smiled appreciatively. Soon there was the sound of the organ and Brian turned to look towards the back.
To his surprise Sam and Ben were there dressed in black gowns with a short white garment on top, carrying lit candles on long poles. The music swelled and a young man started up the center aisle with a tall cross, Sam and Ben marched behind him with the choir following. The choir and the congregation sang and it was rather grand. This was a new experience for Brian.
The service continued with readings, prayers and a brief homily from Father Hoover. At the end of service the procession reversed itself and Brian watched as Sam and Ben proudly carried their torches towards the rear.
When the service was over Marty and Marco led Brian to the parish hall for refreshments.
"Well, what did you think?" Marco asked.
"It was kind of confusing. Everybody was standing and sitting and kneeling. I didn't know what to do." Brian answered honestly.
"Ah," Marty laughed. "Episcopal aerobics. You will get the hang of that soon enough."
"I guess," Brian shrugged.
"You know, the first time Marty invited me to church here I wouldn't come, Marco shared with him. "I guess I thought church was a bunch of crap, but it's become very important to me. At least you came."
They entered the parish hall where Sam and Ben ran up to welcome Brian. Father Hoover approached them and said, "Well hello there. My favorite boys. And who is this? " he asked, looking at Brian.
"This is our friend Brian. He is the best scout in the whole world!" Sam said enthusiastically.
"Well, it is pleasure to meet you Brian," Father Hoover stuck out his hand and Brian shook it hesitantly. He was somewhat intimidated by the tall older man with the long vestments.
"There are some treats on the table," the old priest told them. "Help yourselves." Then he turned away to greet some others.
"Father Hoover is really cool when you get to know him," Sam assured Brian. "Let's get some cookies and punch." and they led Brian to the table.
Marco turned to Marty. "Boy this brings back memories,"
"It does," Marty laughed. "You looked like a scared rabbit when you first came here."
"At least he came," Marco said. "I know how he feels. This must seem very new and strange."
"He'll get used to it I guess," Marty said. "That is if things work out with him."
Marco just smiled as they spoke with some friends.
After the service Marty drove his car home and the three boys piled in Marco's car, Brian in the front seat and Sam and Ben in the back.
"Well did you like our church?" Sam asked.
"It was real nice," Brian responded, looking unconvinced.
"We like it a lot. We get to be acolytes," Ben said.
"What?" Brian had never heard the word before.
"Those are the kids who carry the cross and candles. Sam and Ben were acolytes today, and the older boys who helped at the altar," Marco explained.
"We get to do that when we are older," Sam told him.
Brian nodded without comment.
They got home and made do with the rest of the sandwich things for an easy lunch. Sam and Ben roped Brian into playing video games with them. He looked more comfortable now and more at home. He was in no hurry to leave. Marco and Marty left them to their games and strolled out to sit in the back yard.
"So what do you think?" Marty asked Marco.
"About what? Asking Brian if he wants to stay with us?"
"Right. The more I think about it, the more it seems like the right thing to do," Marty said. "At least giving him the option."
"Do we really want to try and raise three boys?" Marco asked. "Brian comes with a lot of baggage."
"You've talked to him more than I have. So what's his situation?"
Marco sighed. "I guess the short version of the story is that his father sexually abused him as a young boy. In the process Brian realized he's gay and is very conflicted about it."
"Wow!" Marty exhaled. "I didn't realize that. Do you see him as a danger to Sam and Ben?"
Marco shook his head. "No, I really don't. I think if that was going to be a problem we would have seen evidence of that by now. Brian is a pretty honorable kid, and he honestly cares for the boys. I don't think he would do anything to hurt them. He remembers how traumatic the experience of his father was to him. I think we can trust him." Marco looked at Marty. "He might be more of temptation to us actually."
Marty smiled. "Or maybe we can understand where he is coming from and help him understand himself. It's all about boundaries, Marco."
Marco nodded. "Yep."
"Well, you talk to him about it. You have good rapport with him."
"I will," Marco agreed. "Let's get inside and see what they're up to."
The three boys were still sitting in front of the TV cranking away at a video game. Marco left them alone until later in the evening.
"Do you think you're ready to go back home?" he asked Brian.
Brian looked up from his game. He was in the process of slaughtering a horde of aliens. "Yeah, I guess." He got up, picked up his few things from the guest room and came to the door.
"I have my bike," he said. "I can ride it home. Thanks for everything," he said sincerely.
Marco looked at him. "Why don't you put it in my car and let me take you. I want to ask you about something."
Brian looked a little surprised. "Am I in trouble?"
"No, not at all," Marco assured him. "I just want to share an idea with you."
The bike was loaded in the back seat and Marco drove them off. About half way to Brian's grandmother, Marco pulled into a park and parked the car. He remembered another park at another time.
Brian sat expectantly and waited.
"Marty and I have been talking about your situation," Marco began. "We've enjoyed having you with us."
"Yes?" Brian was not sure where this was going.
Marco hesitated, unsure of how to present his idea. He decided on the direct approach. "It's clear to us that you're in a difficult situation with your living arrangements, and we were wondering if you might like to stay with us, at least for awhile, to see how it works." He turned to look at Brian.
Brian looked very surprised. "You mean live with you? You and Marty and Sam and Ben?"
Marco nodded. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean. What do you think of that?"
Brian sunk back in his seat and stared out the car window. "You would do that? I mean, knowing about..., knowing who I am?"
"I think we know you pretty well, Brian. Let's be honest. How would that work out? Can we trust you? Can you trust us?"
Brian hesitated. "I don't know what to say."
"Look Brian, you have shown yourself to be bright, honorable and you are great with our boys. They love you dearly, and so do we. But let's be honest. Marty and I are gay, and you have said that you are also. Obviously we are accepting of that, but would it work for you to live in the same house with us? Will that result in any, any relationship problems?"
"You mean, would I mess with Sam and Ben?"
"No, I don't think you would really. If you were inclined to do that I think we would have already seen that." Marco cleared his throat. "When you and I shared a tent, we talked about a lot of things. I don't mean to throw anything you said back at you, but there was the idea that you and I might find each other, well..., attractive. For anything like that to happen would just not be workable."
Brian looked away and blushed. "I'm sorry. I didn't really mean it to sound that way. No, I wouldn't do that. Like you said, it wouldn't be right." He looked at Marco. "I really like you Marco. I more than like you, I don't know. I don't think anybody has ever been so kind to me in my life. You just said that you and the boys love me." He looked away. "I'm not sure how that works," he sighed. "I guess I don't really understand what it means to love somebody that way."
Marco felt his heart go out to the boy. "Brian, I don't know that you have ever known anybody who loved you without wanting something from you in return, either a favor, or sex. You can't realize how well I understand that. I had the same problem. I figured anybody who was nice to me, wanted something from me, and I understood love as something sexual. There is so much more to it than that."
Marco sighed. "Brian, I do love you. I love you very much. But I love you like Sam and Ben do. I love you as a person. I love you because you are honorable and decent. I realize that you are very attractive, I'm not blind. But it is not a sexual kind of love any more than the boys love you in a sexual way. They see you as a friend, as a big brother. You are kind to them, you give generously of your time, you even help them with their homework. Is that a sexual thing with you?"
Brian shook his head and frowned. "No, not at all. I really..., I do care about them."
"We really care about you, but sexual favors are not part of the deal. You have to understand that. That is not our intention and you must not assume that it is something that might happen."
Brian nodded his head. "I understand that. I'm sorry, I didn't mean I was perving on you. You asked me if I ever thought about you in a sexual way and I admitted that maybe I had, but that doesn't mean that I really wanted to do sex with you. I mean, I think about all kinds of things sometimes."
Marco threw back his head and laughed.
"What's funny?" Brian asked.
"I'm sorry. You made remember one time when I confessed to Marty that I jerked off thinking about a chicken."
"A chicken?"
"Yeah, I saw something on TV about a guy in a mental institution who got really hyper and they settled him down by letting him fuck a chicken," Marco explained. "I got to thinking about that and jerked off. I'm sorry, Marty thought that was nuts too."
Now Brian laughed. "A chicken. Really? I guess I never did that."
"Look Brian, we can think about all kinds of things that we wouldn't really do. That's the beauty of fantasy I guess."
Marco looked at Brian and smiled. "If you fantasized about doing sex with me or anybody else, it doesn't mean that you would really want to act on that. I don't think you would do that. I guess I'm just trying to put all the cards on the table, or covering all the bases or whatever you might call it, OK?"
"I think you would be OK with us Brian. What do you think? What are your reservations? What questions do you have about us, about living with us?"
Brian thought for a minute. "Does Marty know I'm gay?"
"Sure he does. Marty and I don't keep any secrets from each other. We agreed to that a long time ago. I didn't think I needed to share all the details of what you told me about your father. That was very personal, but he has the general idea. He knows you are gay, or at least that you think you might be. Maybe you are, but I don't want to put a label on you. It's OK either way. What else?"
"I don't know, I never thought living with you guys was a possibility. What about expenses? I can't pay you anything, not now at least. Maybe if I can get a job, but...."
"That's alright. Sam and Ben don't pay us either. We keep them as pets."
Brian looked at Marco and realized that he was making a joke. He smiled and said, "I'm housebroken."
Marco laughed, "Well, good. That won't be a problem then."
Brian looked ahead and stared out of the car's windshield. "I don't know what to say. Living with you guys is a dream come true. If you really want me, then yes. I would love it."
"What about your grandmother? Will she be OK with this? We don't need any legal problems."
Brian scoffed. "She doesn't care one way or another. She'll have to start cleaning her own apartment, that's all. She really doesn't give a shit about me. She thinks I'm trash."
Marco shook his head, remembering his mother's reaction when he told her he was moving in with Marty. "One thing you are not is trash, Brian. I think, we all think that you are a super guy and we would love to have you with us."
Now for the first time since they began this discussion, Brian choked up. He didn't try to speak but tears came to his eyes. Marco resisted the impulse to say anything. He gave the boy the space to recover. They sat quietly as Brian regained control of his emotions.
Finally Brian turned back to him and wiped his face on his sleeve. "Yes," he said in a quiet voice. "Yes, I would like that very much. Thank you."
"OK then. It's a deal. We expect you to do what needs to be done to be a part of the household. That's all. You need to talk with your grandmother and then let me know when you're ready, and I'll come get you and whatever you need to bring with you."
Brian nodded solemnly. "I keep waiting to wake up from a dream."
They sat there for a few more minutes then Marco asked. "You ready to go?"
Brian smiled. "Not really, but I guess I have to. I'll call you."
They drove to the apartment and Brian opened the car door. He looked like he wanted to say something, but shut the door and walked inside.
"So how did it go?" Marty asked when Marco came back home.
Marco chuckled. "We had what is called a frank and thorough discussion."
"And?"
"He'll run this by his grandmother and get back to us."
"How's that going to go?"
"Remember when I told my mother I was going to move in with you?"
"Yeah," Marty laughed, "That didn't take long."
"I think this will be much the same."
"Did you talk to him about, about our concerns?"
"I did. I think it'll work Marty."
Marty smiled. "Good. I think it will too. Should we tell the boys?"
"Let's wait until we hear from him. I don't want them to get all excited just to find out that there's a hitch."
'Hitches may develop later," Marty suggested.
"I know. We probably will have a lot of bridges to cross."
"This seems right."
Marco smiled. "Yes, it does. God, this seems so much like when we first got together. There is a lot of common ground here."
"That felt right. This is a little different, but it feels right too."
"We shall see what we shall see. You think we should run this by Father Hoover?"
Marty shrugged. "We probably should have, but it's beside the point now."
"Do we need to worry what Sam and Ben will think?"
"Are you kidding? They will be over the moon. They're nuts about their big brother Brian."
Marco laughed. "True. We had quite a discussion. I think we covered everything. I told him about the chicken."
"The chicken?"
"Yeah, remember when I told you I had jerked off thinking about a chicken?"
Marty burst into laughter. "Yes, I remember that. You told him that?"
"Well, we were talking about fantasies."
"About how we can fantasize about almost anything"
"That was the point."
Marty took Marco in his arms. "I love you Marco. We're in this together."
"Yep," Marco replied.
It didn't take long. The next afternoon Brian called to say he was ready.
"Did you run this by your grandmother?"
"Like I told you, she doesn't give a shit what happens to me." Brian sounded emotional.
"I'll be right over," Marco told him.
Marco pulled up to the apartment to find Brian sitting on the curb with a backpack and a cardboard box. It was déjà vu all over again. Marco stopped the car, Brian threw his stuff in the back seat and jumped in.
"I'm ready," Brian said. He was as calm as usual but his face was flushed.
"How did it go?"
"It was fine," Brian said crisply. "Lets go."
They pulled up to the house and Sam and Ben were sitting on the front steps. When Marco pulled up with Brian they ran over looking very excited.
"Papa said you're going to stay with us," Ben gushed.
"Maybe for a little while," Brian admitted. "Is that OK with you guys?"
"Yes, yes!" Sam jumped up and down.
Ben grabbed his backpack and started dragging it to the house. Sam tried to pick up the cardboard box but it was too heavy for him. "I'll get that," Marco said and took the box from the back seat.
Brian looked a little overwhelmed and followed them inside.
Standing in the living room was Marty. "Welcome home."
They carried his worldly possessions into the guest room. "This is your room now," Marty told him. "You might want to put some posters on the wall or something."
Brian looked around. "Wow, I never had a room all to myself before. Not since, not since I was little."
Marco assured him. "House rule is when the door is closed, we knock first. This is your private room. That goes for everybody, right boys?" They nodded that they understood.
"Now why don't we give you some time to get settled and then we can have something for supper," Marco told him. "I think the dresser is empty. We have some winter coats in the closet but we can find another place for them."
Brian looked around in amazement. "That's OK, I don't really have very much."
They shooed the boys out of the room and closed the door.
"Is he really going to stay here forever?" Sam wondered.
"I don't know Sam. He can stay for as long as he likes," Marco told him. "Let's see how it works out."
"Now look you guys. Don't be bugging him all the time. He has to get used to us," Marty reminded the boys. "It will be different with him here all the time, and he isn't your private playmate, OK?"
"We understand, and no busting in his room if the door is closed, right? That's the rule." Ben recited
"Right," Marco smiled.
They had some pork chops in the refrigerator and Marco threw together a nice dinner. He tossed five potatoes in the microwave while Marty made a salad. It wasn't long before Brian walked into the kitchen.
"It didn't take me very long. I guess I don't have that much stuff," he told them.
"We may have to get a few things for you," Marco said as he flipped the pork chops.
Brian sat down and looked around at the kitchen. "You will have to take your turn with some of the chores," Marco told him. "We'll try not to work you too hard."
"That's OK," Brian said. "I am used to cleaning, I can do a lot of things. I really want to help."
"You'll do fine Brian. It's not like we don't know you. You are no stranger to us," Marty reminded him.
"Right." Brian sat at the table and grinned. "This is so cool."
The microwave dinged. "You ready to eat?" Marco asked them. "The boys sat down at the table and Marty laid out five plates. "Let's eat."
Marco looked around. "I think we should say the blessing. Ben?" They all joined hands and Ben recited the simple grace.
"God is good, God is great. Thank you for our food," then he paused and added, "and thank you for Brian."
And they all said, "Amen."
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