Seth’s Perspective
“I dunno, it’s good, I guess” Cay said as he sat on the couch in the therapy room. “Max and Brody are awesome, and Teddy is such a cool little kid, I feel safe there, and I’m extremely grateful to have a place to stay… but it’s not home, I feel like a stranger.”
“That’s normal. Technically you are a stranger… for now” I responded. Cay had spent his first night with his new sponsors at BroMax, it typically took a while for the guys to feel comfortable with their sponsors and feel at home. “But you’re safe and have a place to stay. You’ll get used to it and it’ll feel more like home, besides, it’s just temporary until you get your plan together.”
Cay nodded then said in a quiet voice, “Hey Seth, I called my mom to let her know I was okay.”
“How’d that go?” I asked.
“Good I guess, she said I could come home and pick up more of my stuff someday when my dad was at work” He said, then asked, “Can you take me there after school one night?”
“Yeah, I can do that. When do you want to go?” I asked. We talked about it and decided to go the next day, he called his mother and she agreed and even offered to pack his things up for him. With that settled I said, “So, we got you covered for the immediate, let’s talk about your goals and your future.” Cay had planned to attend school in the fall (his dad was paying for most of it), but with his parents kicking him out without notice his future was blurry and he needed a plan B. I listened as he talked to me about his passions and goals. He hadn’t settled on a major or career path yet, but knew he wanted to further his education. We talked about college, tech school, and other options. As I listened, I got a better sense of who he was, he was a caring soul, he caught onto things quickly, and he presented his ideas well… especially for an eighteen year old.
“Ella told me about all the stuff you did for her and her brother” Cay said moving the conversation forward. “Do you really think you can help me live on my own and go to college?” His tone was defeated, like he didn’t believe he could do any of it and he would have to abandon his future.
“Abso-freaking-lutely!” I said with a smile. “We haven’t failed yet. You met Craig and Maverick at the farm, right?” I asked. Cay nodded. “They were all in similar situations to yours, so was Ella’s brother. Listen, Cay. You have a future and we’re here to help you make it a bright one.” I realized that he needed to see some action so I brought Rodney into the discussion. Rodney was good at turning thoughts into action. He listened to Cay and made a few career suggestions, then he promised to work with him to figure out his options and how to make continuing his education a reality. Cay told us that he had been talking with a guidance counselor at school who he trusted, and Rodney convinced him to meet with them and share his current situation to see if they could help.
Next, we talked jobs. He needed an income if he wanted to survive on his own, but obviously his work time was limited due to school, and living out in the boonies at BroMax Farm with no car made it difficult. “I’ll ask Max if he has any openings.”
“So, what do they do there, make candles? I don’t know anything about making candles,” Cay worried. That was another typical response from the newbies… they were staying with strangers, had no income, and the jobs we discussed with them were completely out of their bubble… things they had never even considered. I told him what I knew about what the villagers did at Bromax, then I stepped out and called Max to ask if he needed help.
“Yeah, we always need help, but we’re usually finishing up production by the time he gets out of school” Max said in response to my question. “But Mason needs help in the retail shop, and Timmy is shorthanded in shipping with Trevor on vacation. We’ll find something for him.”
“Do you mind if I bring him by now just to look around?” I asked.
“Sounds good” Max agreed. Then we hung up and me and Cay headed down the road to BroMax Candles. On the way over we talked about how a lot of the BroMax staff were villagers, honestly… we had bombarded him with so much information that he seemed a little glossed over. Again, that was typical of new villagers. We made it to the old church and Mason greeted us at the door, I introduces him to Cay, then we proceeded into the production area where the guys were hard at work. As always, the atmosphere was loud, high energy, and fun. Cays eyes were wide as he took it all in (including all the hot guys), and there was a smile on his face.
Max yelled from the old altar across the production area, “HEY, SETH AND CAYLEB, COME OVER HERE.”
As we made our way through the old church, Ricky shouted out, “NEW VILLAGER IN THE HIZ-OUS!!! SAY HEY TO CAY!!!” And all they guys yelled “HEY CAY” in unison. The look on Cay’s face was priceless, he was in a state of embarrassed awe. Ricky was such an amazing motivator, all the guys loved him (I lost track of the straight crushes the villagers had on him over time), and they worked hard for him. He made them feel part of something bigger at a time when they felt all alone in the world, he helped give them purpose and hope.
When we got to the old altar that held all the wax melters Max introduced Caleb to Ricky. Ricky was mild mannered but had an air of confidence to him, he came off as in control but approachable. “Hi Caleb, welcome to BroMax, I hear you’re looking for a job.”
“Um, yeah, I guess, but I can only work for a couple of hours before and after school” Cay said.
“Well, let me show you around and let’s figure out where you can jump in” Ricky said as he led Caleb off on a tour. I took advantage of the time at the plant to catch up with all the guys and wandered through talking to everyone. I ended up in the retail store with Mason having a cup of coffee. He was doing great; he and Raj had been together about a year and were taking things slow… just dating and enjoying their relationship. Another couple who seemed perfect for each other. Is it arrogant that I took personal pride in all the successes and relationships of The Villagers? We all (me, and Max, Zach, Brody, BA, Rodney, Daddy, the board, the volunteers, the donors, etc., etc.) viewed the villagers as our own. We all did whatever we could to guide them down the right path, keep them from falling, took great pride in every success, and did our damnedest to help them recover from any failures. Well, let me tell you, that old church was bursting with success stories. Guys who came to us hopeless and turned their worlds around.
Eventually Ricky and Cay made their way to me and Mason, “Hey, Mason” Ricky said. “Cay’s going to help Timmy out in shipping early mornings, he’s looking for some more hours in the afternoons after school. Can you use him?”
“Heck yes!” Mason chuckled. Then he asked Cay about experience… it was a short conversation since he had never worked a day in his life. But he was willing to do anything and eager to learn. Max came over and joined the conversation. Before I took Cay back to The Village to meet Ella for school he had agreed to come to the plant with Max in the morning and help Timmy, go to school with Ella, then back to the plant to work with Timmy in the shop and Max would give him a ride home. He would start the next morning with Timmy, but needed the next afternoon off to go pick up his stuff, so Mason would have to wait another day to get his help.
I took Cay back to The Village and Ella came to get him for school. His short term plan was in action, and we had given him a lot to think about for the long term. He seemed to be hopeful and in a great mood when he went off to school.
That afternoon, he ran carpool with me for the last time. When I dropped him off at BroMax I talked to Brody who agreed to run carpool for me the next day so I could drive the pick-up into work and take Clay to his parents to get his stuff. After that, home for dinner, some family time, then Zach and I put the kids together and met in our bed for a little daddy time. We were naked under the covers, talking about our days. “My dad called today, him and mom are coming next week for Karen’s court date. He went through her case with me over the phone, man her lawyer was useless. There are so many gaps, and contradictions in the stories, my dad thinks he can get the armed robbery charges dropped completely, but he thinks the child neglect and endangerment charges will stick.”
“So, what does that mean for Karen?”
“Probably a much lighter sentence, Dad thinks that due to time served he can plea bargain her to just a couple of more months locked up, and probation.” Zach said, “but with the child neglect and endangerment sticking… she would probably have lost the kids anyway.”
“I hate to say it, but that’s kind of good news, isn’t it?” I asked. “I mean, that means she did the right thing giving the kids up.”
“Yeah, hopefully she’ll see it that way and resent not us, that could get messy” Zach said. “The kids are best off here, and I hope we don’t need to fight her to prove it.”
“It may be a rocky road, but it’ll all be fine, and the kids will be happy as hell that they get to see her more” I said before shutting off my lamp, leaning over, and giving him a kiss goodnight. My kiss lingered a bit… damn, I just couldn’t resist his full lips.
We were both on our sides, under the covers, our naked bodies touching, what I thought would be a goodnight peck went a lot further. Our lips stayed locked for a while and when we separated, Zach looked into my eyes with his beautiful Hazel peepers, brushed the hair out of my eyes, and said, “goddammit I love you.” If you’ve ever been in love, you know there are a lot of different kinds of ‘I love yous’ this was one of those, sincere, from the heart, had to be said kind of ‘I love yous’, and I loved it.
All I could do was blush and repeat his words, “I love you too” so sincerely and quietly that they were almost inaudible. We just lay there, staring into each other’s eyes and enjoying the intimacy of the moment. Our staring turned into us holding each other, I could feel the heat of his naked body, but my face was a little cold from the bits of the Carolina winter circulating around our old, drafty home. The contrast felt good and my cock responded happily.
Zach laughed when he felt my hard member push against his, “Well, someone’s not quite ready to call it a night.”
“Whateva’ do you mean Mista’ Westin-Hall?” I asked doing my best Southern Belle impression.
Zach just chuckled at my idiocy, then grabbed my manhood and stroked it slowly and tenderly while we continued to kiss lovingly. This went on for a while… a looooong while. It was the middle of the week, we were both tired, but happy for some private time, so we just held each other. Of course, with me and Zach… holding didn’t exactly… um “hold” very long, it turned into groping, and our kisses went from tender to impassioned. Again, it lasted awhile.it was just nice having our bodies touch under the covers.
After savoring our intimacy, Zach made the next move and rolled on top of me. God, his body was so hard and defined! When we were in college and grad school, he worked out constantly, now he was lucky if he got to hit the gym at the office a couple of times a week at lunch. Well, whatever he was doing, damn. It worked. He was on top of me, face-to-face with our crotches rubbing together. The heat of his meat sizzled against mine as he moved his body up and down mine causing a euphoric friction as our two sticks rubbed together. He was like a caveman intent on inventing fire, it worked and the spark was ignited. He grunted as the heat got more and more intense. He subtly reached into the nightstand to grab the ever-present lube. With graceful movements he slickened his weapon readying it for battle. He was smooth as he pulled his manhood back lining it up with my tight pucker. I felt its bluntness as he pushed forward breaching the perimeter. My sphincter surrendered as it opened the gates for the inevitable invasion. Zach’s head was resting on my shoulder and mine on his… my mouth was right there and the painful pleasure was building within... it just felt like the natural thing to do… so, I sunk my teeth into his meaty shoulder.
“Fuck, Seth” Zach whispered with a painful growl. “Fuck yes, you like that?” He asked.
“Yes” I whispered, my passion taking over. “Fuck yes. Keep doing that” the words didn’t come with forethought, they just slipped out naturally as he pushed his way into me. “God, I love you” I said in a breathy whisper.
“Good” he whispered back as he continued to make love to me, “because you’re stuck with my ass for life.” He chuckled a little as he picked up the pace. My arms and legs wrapped around his taut body; his skin felt smooth and warm against mine. Zach shoved his tongue in my ear, driving me over the edge and making me whimper. The sound of his slapping balls against my ass accompanied my quiet whimpers and groans filled the master bedroom of our cozy home. “I’m close” Zach whispered.
“Yeah, give it to me, cum inside” I begged into his ear. His hips and ass powered up and plunged his manhood into me deeper and faster. My whimpers strung together to become a constant purr of pleasure. I wrapped my arms and legs around him even tighter as he moved faster and more deliberate until finally, he made the final plunge and released his warm semen into my internal universe. I could feel his warmth invade my insides. He started moving in and out again using his own juice as lube, it was warm and slick and the sensations were amazing. After a few minutes he went soft and pulled out. I clenched to keep his cum inside me, but a little bit leaked onto the sheets… I guess dirty sheets are the price of sexual bliss.
“Your turn” Zach said, but I stopped him. I didn’t want to cum, instead I wanted to revel in the satisfaction of our lovemaking.
“I’m good. That was amazing” I said.
“You don’t want to get off?”
“Nope. I want to cuddle” I answered. And I really did… this wasn’t about getting off; it was about being intimate with the man I loved. “Besides, I like it when you owe me one” I joked. We rolled on our sides and spooned. I fell asleep with his slimy, spent soldier leaning against my backdoor. Pure. Fucking. Bliss. I slept like a baby.
Too bad I can’t say the same for Ali, he was up and ready to go by 5AM, “I’m awake now” I heard his sweet voice say through the monitor. “Please can I get up?” He begged. That little guy didn’t say much, but I was sure that he had a full vocabulary. It was clear that his mother had worked with him and taught him to speak at an early age. His voice was sweet and melodic.
“Go back to sleep” I heard Freddy say from the top bunk.
“Okay” Ali sighed in defeat. He lasted another five or ten minutes before asking again, “please can I get up, now?” I heard Freddy sigh and I decided to save him.
I got up and went into their room, “Good morning” I said to Ali who excitedly stood on his bed, reached out, and practically jumped into my arms. He wrapped his arms around my neck and kissed my cheek before laying his head on my shoulder… god that kid was so sweet! “You want to help me make breakfast?” I asked.
“Yeah” he whispered sweetly in my ear. Freddy was already asleep again when I made my way down to the kitchen with Ali snuggly in my arms, Petunia followed behind making sure her ward was safe. That damn dog took personal responsibility for the safety of those three kids and I pitied the fool who dare mess with any of them in front of her. I turned on the kitchen lights and secured Ali into his highchair. I cut up a banana and put it on his tray to keep him busy while I made the oatmeal. We talked while I prepped breakfast… well, I talked and he gave me an occasional answer, or giggle. God, that giggle! It was musical. The little guy who spent his first days with us crying for his mommy had gotten comfortable in our family; he was part of it. That made me anxious to finalize the adoption, I had to know he was staying forever. But I’d just have to deal with my anxiety because we had months ahead of us before we could claim him as a Westin-Hall.
“What dat smew?” asked Izzy’s tiny voice as she, Freddy, and Zach entered the kitchen together. (Izzy to English translation: “What stinks?”)
“Oatmeal” I said cheerfully. Izzy scrunched her nose. “With honey and berries” I added. That seemed more acceptable, but I knew my Izzy and she wanted bacon… I swear that kid would eat bacon for every damn meal and snack if I let her.
We all sat down together and ate, I wolfed down my breakfast than ran upstairs to shower, shave, and get ready for the day. By the time I finished Zach was helping the kids get dressed. I took over so he could shower and shave… we had our morning routine down to a choreographed dance. We were all ready to go when Brody’s Gladiator came crunching up the gravel drive tootin’ its horn. Izzy went bonkers, “Unko Bwody’s heo” she announced to our household as she ran out to greet him, her winter coat half on/half off. She toddled her way up to Brody as he made his way to the house with Freddy… god, she loved him and he returned her admiration. She ran to him and he lifted her into his arms and brought her back into the house.
We finished getting the kids ready, then walked out to the Atlas and buckled everyone in. We figured it would be easiest for Brody to take the Atlas for carpool because of the car seat situation. Miss Izzy Did. Not. Approve!
“Why you dwiving Daddy Zeff’s cow?” Izzy asked. Brody and I explained that he was taking them to school that day, she just kept shaking her head no. “Dis Daddy Zeff’s cow. You gonna be in twouble” (Izzy to English translation: “Why are you driving my father’s car. This is his vehicle and he will be upset with you. You’re going to be in trouble. BIG TROUBLE”). She was so pissed, it was hard not to laugh, Freddy and Teddy were cracking up.
“It’s okay, Izzy. I told him he could drive it” I said. It took a little convincing but she finally believed me.
She looked at Uncle Brody and said, “You wucky!” (Izzy to English translation: “you are so lucky my father gave you permission or you’d be in big trouble mister”). That did it, Me, Zach, and Brody lost it, Brody was in for an adventure. We waved goodbye as he and the kids drove down the long drive and off to school.
Once they were gone, Zach whirred off in the GTI, and I got into the pick-up and headed downtown to work. Alone. Without kids. For the first time in a looooooong time. I blasted the tunes and seat danced my way to work, feeling all butch in my pickup. The workday was typical until Ella dropped Cay off after school and we went to his parents to pick up his things. Cay was excited to tell me about his first day at work, but his nerves seemed to outshine his excitement. We pulled up in front of his parent’s house. It was your typical suburban home in a cookie-cutter neighborhood, nice, newer, well-manicured lawn. I parked the pickup in the driveway, we got out and made our way to the door. Caleb took a deep breath and exhaled before he turned the unlocked knob, and I followed him in. “Mom, we’re here” he yelled. A woman came down the stairs and greeted us… her movements and mannerisms seemed familiar to me.
“Hello Cay” she said in a sterile tone for a mother who hadn’t seen her son in days. I watched the two interact as she told him where everything was. “You need to hurry, before your father comes home” she said. She completely ignored my presence not so much as a hello, a nod, or a question about who I was. “There’s boxes in your room and some in the living room” she explained. It was all so odd. She barely acknowledged us and went right to rushing us out. I had never seen her before but it was like I knew her, then it hit me… my mother! She looked and acted like my own mother. The resemblance was chilling. Cay led us up to his room, we both grabbed a couple of boxes and brought them down to the truck. His mother just stood by the front door as if she was stationed there to guard it and lock us out as soon as we were done. The similarities between her and my mother brought back memories and chilled my spined. I had been getting to know Cay over the past couple of days, and suddenly I felt I knew him. He was me a decade ago. When that realization hit, I picked up my pace and we moved his stuff as quickly as we could… I needed out of there… away from her… away from the trip down bad memory lane.
It took us less than twenty minutes to load everything up. Cays mother (who still hadn’t acknowledged me) gave him a mechanical hug goodbye as she pushed us towards our vehicle. We were about to get in the pickup and leave when a large, black, older model Mercedes pulled up in the drive and parked next to us. A stoic looking man got out of the car, he ignored us completely and looked towards his wife, “Your one job was to have this disappointing abomination off my property before I came home and you couldn’t even get that right” He scoffed before adding, “and my dinner better be ready.” He was a cold son of a bitch.
“um, hi Dad” Cay said, his eyes were searching for any signs of… well anything, I guess. Love, acceptance, I think he would’ve settled for acknowledgement of his existence.
The man finally looked at his son and said, “I hope you got everything because this is your last visit.” He wasn’t the first guy like this I had dealt with, hell, I lived with one for the first sixteen years of my life.
I felt the need to say something, anything, “I’m Seth Westin-Hall, CEO of The Village. I just want you to know your son has a safe place to stay.” I don’t know why I chose those words, I guess as a parent myself, I assumed that deep down he cared about the welfare of his child.
“As long as it’s not here, I don’t really care” is all he said before rushing his wife into the house to serve him his dinner.
Cay and I got in the truck and drove off. We were about two blocks away when I pulled off to the side of the road and hugged him. We just sat in the pickup and embraced for several minutes, one rejected son to another. It may not have been my most professional moment, but it felt like the right thing to do. I had been with The Village for about two years and had seen myself in a lot of our clients… but never like that. Cay was me, and I was going to be his Brad… he would NOT be alone.
To be continued…
