Bo was seated in the drawing room talking to Dusty's father. "Where has the time gone, Bo?" Mr. Taylor asked. It's hard to believe that you and Dusty will be graduating from Law school in three months. I'm pleased that you've decided to join the firm. You know I never thought you two would have lived together this long. I love my son dearly, but he can be a difficult person to live with sometimes. Thank God, he has finally finished the arrangements for your graduation party. I don't think I could have taken another week of that. You know what a perfectionist Dusty is. I thought his planning of this party was going to be the end of us all. Of course, in the end everything will be perfect, as always. I'm sure he's spoken to God about the weather."
Bo laughed, "I know what you mean, Uncle Dustin. He had gotten himself so worked up a couple of months ago I had to resort to locking myself in my room to get away from him. Do you know what that tyrant did. He had a locksmith come in the next day and remove all the locks from the bedroom doors. I warned him not to keep it up, but you know Dusty. So, when he started in again I hogtied him to his bed and put a gag over his mouth. I left him that way for four hours while I sat in the chair next to him and studied. God, I've never seen him so angry. He turned crimson with rage. He squirmed trying to break free. He cried and carried on like that for two solid hours. Finally, when he realized he was not going to have his way, he calmed down and fell asleep. I untied him while he was asleep and left him. When he woke up two hours later he apologized and promised he'd never do that again."
"Dusty has matured over the last six years. I can never thank you enough for sticking with him," his dad said. "Dusty is a wonderful son, so like his Mother in many ways. I've never gotten over her death, even to this day. She was my whole life and I loved her more than anything in this world. If I didn't have Dusty, I would not be sitting here talking with you tonight. As Dusty began to grow, the more I saw his mother in him. Not just in his appearance, but also in her warm ways. Edith, Dusty's mother, was a beautiful and genteel woman. She was more than a wife, she was my lover and confidant. Edith was an extremely intelligent woman, who was smarter than my business partners were."
"After Edith passed away, I tried to be both mother and father to Dusty. He's had a troubled life; it hasn't been easy for him. At least he has learned to adjust more to people. When he was a lad, he lost his patience with people that couldn't measure up to his expectations. Did you know that Dusty was designated a genius at the age of four. His IQ was off the charts. He was his own worst enemy. That's one of the reason he has no friends. Then there is his homosexuality. That has isolated him even more. As he began to develop into manhood, he tried very hard to be accepted within his age group. Yet, he was treated as an outcast. Eventually he stopped trying altogether. If he had made friends in his dorm, I don't think that he would have been raped in his sophomore year. You were his salvation. After he took you and your family on as his special project, he did a complete about-face and began to relate to people for the first time."
"I feel that his children can only help him to open another side of his personality. Dusty is a loving and caring person. The children have given him the opportunity to express the love that he has bottled up deep within him. He definitely needed that outlet. They return the affection he longs for. I'm delighted that you suggested that he have children, I never thought I would have grandchildren."
"Dusty and I consider you part of the family, Bo, and I'm happy that you have decided to live here with us. God knows there's plenty of room here and you're certainly welcome."
"I warn you that your job is going to be a tough uphill battle for the next two years. Yet once that's behind you, the road will become easier. You have made the right decision to specialize in corporate law. That continues to be the mainstay of our business and I see it growing more in the future. It is a tough area yet extremely profitable. I'm confident you will do well. Dusty was a good teacher for you, and you've learned your lessons well. As I said, he is hard to take at times, but deep down he has your best interests at heart; listen and learn from him. You must know by now that other than me, you're the only person he completely trusts. He has a lot of acquaintances, but few friends."
"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Uncle Dustin."
"You've earned it, Bo. Have you talked your family into visiting Yankee country for your graduation party?"
"Ol' Dusty has put the fear of God in them. They wouldn't dare refuse. You know my family loves him and would do anything he asks. He can do no wrong in their eyes. We've created a real tiger in Dusty."
"You got that right, Bo."
Bo and Dusty were seated in the large living room suite that separated their two bedrooms. "You did a great job on that Cambridge case, Bo. I'm proud of you.. Dusty grinned, "All my hard work training you has paid off. Dad is talking partnership for you next year. My redneck country boy is moving up in the world. Just think, Bo, in a few years I'll be taking over the reins of Taylor Industries and you'll be running Taylor and Associates. My two new babies will be home this time next week and the christening is set for two weeks from Sunday. I want you to be godfather to both James and Lara."
"That's quite a responsibility you're laying on me, Tiger. I appreciate your selecting me for the privilege."
"Good, I'll have Mary Ann make all the arrangements for you to meet with the priest."
"Wow, who is Mary Ann and what is this about meeting with a priest?" Bo asked.
"That's right, you've been tied up with the Cambridge case. I've hired a Social Director to keep track of all my social engagements in addition to planning the social functions at the office and at the manor. There has just been too much going on of late for the staff to keep up with everything. Mary Ann will work with the manor staff and the PR department at the firm to coordinate all the various social and business functions. Will you be home for dinner tomorrow?"
"I should be, is there something important I should be here for?"
"Your brother, Jimbo, is dropping by for dinner tomorrow evening. He wants my advice about one of his programs. It's hard to believe he'll be finishing up his Masters at Harvard Business School next month."
"No problem. I'll ride back with you and your dad tomorrow."
Bo continued, "Dusty and Claudia were all over me when I stopped by the family room before. I am crazy about those two; they are so adorable. I'm going to miss them when I leave. It hard to believe we have been together eight years, Dusty. Where has the time gone. It seems like we only met last year. We certainly have a lot of fond memories and had some wonderful times together."
"Bo, you're leaving me soon aren't you. I've had an odd feeling all evening that something was about to happen. Is it Mary Ellen Haslet?"
Bo smiled, "Now you're reading my mind. Yes, it is Mary Ellen. I'm going to ask her to marry me this weekend. I'm going to be twenty-eight next month, Dusty, and it's time I moved on and started raising a family of my own. I have seen the joy and love you share with your children. Don't get me wrong, I love you and the family dearly. Nevertheless, it's time for me to move on. Anyway, you'll never start looking for a lover as long as I'm around, I know you too well."
"Any idea when you will be leaving?"
"Not for a while, I haven't even asked Mary Ellen, yet. She might turn me down."
"Are you crazy. There is no way she will turn you down. Mary Ellen has had her cap set for you for some time. She'll accept before the words are out of your mouth. I've a favor to ask you for old times' sake. This separation is not going to be easy for me. We've been there for each other for a long time. I've taken you for granted by thinking this relationship will go on indefinitely. When you set the date, I'd like to spend one last vacation together. While we're gone, we can have your stuff moved to your new place. It will make it a lot easier for me that way."
"Sounds like a smart idea."
"You know, Dad had one of his quarterly father-son talks with me last week. He repeated that same old bit about how wonderful we turned out and how we are like brothers and all that. Which I feel is true, but he shocked me when he asked me which bedroom we sleep in. After I recovered, I told him that our relationship has always been platonic. He shook his head and laughed with that knowing look. He still doesn't believe me. Can you beat that. He is convinced we are lovers. So be prepared if he ever broaches the subject with you."
"You know, I've had this discussion with your Dad several times. He brought it up the first time you brought me home. He couldn't understand how I could be straight and live with you. He keeps turning it over in his mind until it works out the way he wants it."
"Have you ever had sex with another male?"
"Sure, plenty of times when I was a kid," Bo responded.
"Do you remember the last time?"
"I think it was when I was a junior in High School. That's before I discovered girls. I spent one summer working on this large co-op farm and that ended my male bonding."
"Did you make love with a boy the same way you did with a girl?"
"I don't understand what you mean, Dusty. In case you're not aware of it, they are built differently than us and you don't make love in the same way."
Dusty laughed, "Of course I know they're different, I do watch movies you know. What I meant was, did you lay naked in bed with them and kiss them?"
"Yes, of course, why do you want to know?"
"I find it curious, that's all."
"Come on, Dusty, what's so unusual about that. Boys have been having sex with boys for a long time, there's nothing new about that. My God, it was a natural thing to do. Didn't you experiment with boys, too?"
"Sure I did, all the boys I knew had sex together. But I'll tell you something, Bo. I've never kissed another boy."
"Maybe that's one of your problems," Bo said.
"Very funny, I guess I look at it differently. I enjoy having sex, but I can only kiss a person I love. Did you know the majority of prostitutes refuse to kiss a client on the lips. I'm thinking very seriously of renting an apartment and keeping a gigolo. I would never allow anyone to live here on the estate unless it was the real thing."
"Whatever you do, be careful, Dusty. If you intend to go that route, make sure you have the guy investigated. I know you're not into the bar scene, but you should check them out. Many of the upscale bars on the East side in Manhattan are cruising bars for straights and gays alike. I'll even go with you the first time if you want."
"Thanks. I just might take you up on that. Are you absolutely sure, you don't want to stay here and become my lover? This is your last chance."
Bo laughed, "Give it a rest."
"Don't laugh. One day you and Mary Ellen will be sitting in your den in front of the fire reading, or trying to read. Mary Ellen will be running off at the mouth about some boring gossip that she heard at her bridge party and insist that you be attentive. The poor girl is very insecure and demands constant attention. For sure, she is not content to sit and read a book while you read your notes. After all, her socializing is important to your career. Then she'll be on the telephone talking to her girlfriends and repeat what she has just related to you. You won't be able to escape, believe me. Knowing you, you will finally explode. Somehow, I don't think you'll get away with hogtying her to the bed. That's when you'll realize that the time you spent with me were the best years of your life. I may have been an asshole at times, but we worked it out. I think we did okay for a couple of strong-willed young bucks.
"You're kind of at a disadvantage when it comes to debutantes like Mary Ellen. I've grown up with them and learned first hand that the majority of them are self-centered, pampered bitches. Do you remember what I was like when you met me. Baby, Mary Ellen has been at it much longer. Most of my social set tends to stick with their own kind. I was the only rebel in the bunch. They were appalled when they learned I selected the University of Georgia. To them the civilized world ends in Virginia. Even my Dad thought I had taken leave of my senses. Look, Mary Ellen is a fine woman and comes from an old-line Yankee family. She's attractive and socially connected. But she happens to be independently wealthy, spoiled, vindictive, and downright cruel if she is so inclined. A word to the wise, take your time and get to know Mary Ellen and her family before you get hitched. Set the wedding date at least a year in advance. Lease a nice penthouse in Manhattan and spend some time together before you get married. I want you to marry a woman that you'll be happy with."
"I'll take your advice. You've never steered me wrong," Bo said. "Just to set the record straight, I will miss you. It's not going to be easy to walk away from the best friend I have in the world, and I mean that with all my heart, Dusty. If you hadn't taken me in and handed me everything on a silver platter, I would have ended up at some dead-end job in Birmingham. I will be forever grateful for everything you have done, and I always will be there if you need me. You're closer to me than my own family and I treasure your friendship. It's comforting to know we'll still be working together. It's not as if I'm walking out of your life. I still consider you, your dad and the kids, my family. I plan to continue to stop by regularly to see you and the kids. I'm not insensitive about your feelings for me either. Maybe this is a good time to be moving on anyway. For some time now I've had the feeling that you want more from me than my friendship."
"It true, baby, I fell for you a long time ago. Stupid of me I know. I didn't want it to happen, but it did. That's my problem and I'm going to have to deal with it. You've made the right decision, Bo. It's going to take time for the wounds to heal, but they will. I have four kids to raise and a business to run. That should keep me occupied. Anyway, I plan to fill in the time we normally spend in the evening by enrolling at the University of Connecticut for my MBA. Who knows. Maybe I'll get lucky again and meet another wonderful guy like you."
"Thanks, Tiger, this is going to be rough on both of us. If I didn't care for you, it would be different. I wish for your sake I was gay"
"Yeah, sure."
Dusty walked into his father's office with a puzzled expression on his face."Dad, you'll never guess who I just got off the telephone with," Dusty said.
"Why don't you tell me. I'm terrible at guessing games," his father said.
"It was Jack Bailey, the religious fanatic that raped me in the fraternity house over eight years ago."
"What, did he want to apologize at this late date?"
"As a matter of fact, he did. He wants me to visit him at his home in Norwalk. He said he was too ill to travel or he would meet me somewhere else."
"You're not going to meet him, are you?"
"Yeah, I am. He sounded so pathetic on the phone. He actually begged me. He said he was not the firebrand righteous religious fanatic he was when I knew him. He says he has changed over the years and has mellowed. I've arranged to meet him at 1PM today."
"Listen, Dusty, you take your body guard with you just to be safe and take the limo. I'll ride home with Bo today."
"I promise, Dad. I don't want to be walking into a trap, even though I believe Jack is telling me the truth. I should be home early tonight. I'll call you when I leave Norwalk."
The driver pulled into Jack Bailey's driveway. Jack's home was modest, situated in a pleasant middle class neighborhood in the older section of Norwalk. Stan, Dusty's bodyguard, walked with him to the front door and rang the doorbell. A woman dressed in a white nurse's uniform opened the door. Dusty gave his name and she led him into the library. He was not prepared for the shock that greeted him when he came face to face with Jack Bailey. Dusty would never have recognized him if he passed him on the street. He was nothing but skin and bones. He had dark circles under his eyes and a yellowish cast to his skin. Jack was a very sick man.
"Please excuse me for not standing, Dusty, but I'm a little weak this afternoon," Jack said. "Thank you for coming so soon."
Dusty took his extended hand and shook it. His hand was cold and clammy. Dusty introduced Stan and then asked him to leave the room.
"I didn't have my morning nap. I was so excited at seeing you again, after so many years, that I couldn't sleep. I hope you have forgiven me for attacking you years ago. I've never forgotten that incident and tried to write you so many times. But I always chickened out at the last minute and never mailed the letter."
"You are forgiven, Jack. That incident turned my life around. You were the cause of my meeting Bo. He was the guy that came to my rescue that day. He became a good friend and a great asset to my company. Why don't you tell me what happened to you since our last encounter?"
"After I was asked to leave the University of Georgia, I transferred to University of Connecticut where I earned my degree in finance. One of the stipulations of my leaving the University was that I had to agree to enroll in anger management counseling. That counseling did me a lot of good. I realized how dead wrong I was about my radical beliefs about homosexuals and how biased and wrong my father was regarding his right wing views. My parents and relatives turned against me and have not spoken to me in over five years."
"I changed my religion and joined the Episcopal Church. It was there I met my wife and began to raise a family. My wife's parents were wonderful. They accepted me with open arms and were a great comfort to my wife and me. Two years ago my wife, daughter, and her parents were all killed in a horrible automobile accident. I was devastated, yet I had to be strong for my boys. I have twin ten-year-old boys. Six months ago, I learned that I have cancer of the liver and I only have a short time to live."
"I love my sons very dearly and want them to grow up in a healthy environment. I'm terrified that my parents will fight to get their hands on them. Alternatively, they could be split up and sent to foster homes. They are above average in intelligence and are wonderful boys. My wife was an only child and there is no one left on her side of the family that could take the boys. The reason I asked you here today, is to ask you to adopt my boys and raise them."
"Wow. Why would you consider me, Jack. Why would you entrust your sons to me to rear knowing that I'm a homosexual?"
"That is one of the reasons I'm asking you to adopt them. You see, they think they may be homosexuals. At least that's what they tell me. I've had them evaluated by a well-respected psychologist who said it was really too early to tell. They very well could change after puberty. Still, he was not too optimistic about them changing. They remind me of you when we were younger. The main reason is because you were always a good and caring person when we were on friendly terms. You don't have to worry about the expense of raising them. They will have a substantial estate when I pass on. I received a large insurance settlement from the accident when my wife and family were killed. I know it's a lot to ask, but I will die in peace knowing my sons will be in your care"
"You were always full of surprises, Jack. You've haven't changed, since I've known you, on that score. Before I can give you an answer, I would want to meet your boys and get to know them. I want to see how they get along with my kids."
"That's fine. They should be home in about twenty minutes. They attend a special private school and are usually home early. Do you have the time to meet them today?"
"Sure. I took the afternoon off. Maybe you can tell me some more about your family, while we're waiting."
"I sure appreciate this, Dusty. Would you like something to drink?"
"A cup of tea would hit the spot," Dusty said. Jack asked the nurse to prepare the tea.
Jack and Dusty were chatting away when two adorable blond-headed boys entering the room interrupted them.
"Boys, I would like you to meet an old friend of mine from college. Please say hello to Dustin Taylor. Dusty, these are my sons Doug and Dan."
Dan and Doug smiled and walked over to shake Dusty's hand. Both said in unison, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Taylor.. Then they took turns, "Dad has told us so much about you." "We were wondering who belonged to that Mercedes stretch limo in the driveway."
"Yes, that's mine; it nice to meet you guys, too. How would you like to go for a drive to my house and have dinner with me and my children?"
The boys smiled, nodding their head in approval.
"Jack, would that be alright with you. I promise to have them back home right after dinner."
"That's fine with me." Jack said. "The boys haven't had the opportunity to travel much in the last few months. Boys, are you sure you will be okay going to Mr. Taylor's home?"
"Yes, Dad, we'd like that."
"Well, that's settled then," Dusty said. "Do you guys want to change into something more comfortable before we leave?"
The two boys dashed out of the room and headed to their bedroom as Jack said, "I really appreciate this, Dusty."
"No, it's my pleasure. They sure are cute kids. I'll bring them home around eight o'clock. Maybe we can talk again after that."
The boys were back in ten minutes and had changed into sport shirts and jeans. The kissed their father and left with Dusty.
Dusty walked them to the limo and introduced them to his driver and bodyguard. "This is a super car, Mr. Taylor. This is only the second time we've ever ridden in a limo this big. The first time was when mom and our grandparents died." Dan said.
"That must have been a very sad day for you and your brother," Dusty said.
"We miss mom and our sister very much." Doug said. "My Dad still cries sometimes at night; we can hear him."
The limo pulled into the Taylor estate and through the winding drive to the mansion.
"Wow!" the boys said together. "This is like a palace."
The limo pulled up to the front entrance and stopped. The driver opened the car door and they all got out. Stan entered the code into the touch pad and opened the large ornate front entrance door. Dusty led the boys into the large entrance foyer. "Follow me into the family room so you can meet my children?"
Dustin and Claudia were playing a game on their Playstation when their father walked in with the twins. They rushed to their father and hugged him. Dusty leaned down and gave each a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Hi, my angels," Dusty said. "Did you miss me?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"Dustin, Claudia, I would like you to welcome Dan and Doug.. The children greeted the twins warmly. "Look, kids, I want to change into something more casual. Why don't you entertain Dan and Doug while I go change. After that we can take a walk around the grounds until Granddad and Bo arrive."
Dusty returned to the family room dressed in casual clothes. "Are you ready to go for a walk kids?" Dusty asked.
The children jumped up from their game and followed Dusty out the front door. "I thought we would walk down to the stables and show the guys your horses."
Dustin and Claudia began explaining their pet horses to the twins. Claudia said, "We are too small to take care of our horses yet, but Daddy lets us feed them in the evening.. They walked the short distance to the stables. Dustin and Claudia guided the boys to the stalls their horses were in, and fed the horses their oats.
The twins were wide-eyed when the saw the size of the horses up close and personal. They were surprised at the gentleness of the animals as they petted their faces. They finished, walked out of the barn and back to the house. When they were in the family room again, Dusty asked, "What game were you playing?"
"Monopoly," Dustin said.
"I'd like to play a game with you, would you like to do that?" Dusty asked.
Without another word, the children counted out the money for each player and began the game once again. Dusty was enjoying the time with the children and was pleased at how well they all got along together. They had been playing over an hour when Dustin-Senior and Bo walked into the family room. Claudia and Dustin jumped up to greet Bo and their grandfather.
"Who are our handsome young visitors," Dusty's dad asked.
"Dad, Bo, I have the pleasure of introducing you to Dan and Doug Bailey. Boys, I would like you to meet my father, and my good friend, Bo. These young men are Jack Bailey's sons. I decided to invite them to dinner this evening," Dusty said.
"Kids, if you'll excuse me for a few minutes I have some business to discuss with your grandfather and Bo," Dusty said. "We should be eating dinner in about twenty minutes. You might all want to wash your hands before dinner. Dustin, would you take the twins up to your room so they can wash up?"
"Sure, Dad."
Dusty led Bo and his father into the library and closed the door. "You're not going to believe the story I'm about to tell you. I can't go into details right now, because I don't have the time but the gist of the matter is that Jack Bailey is dying and he wants me to adopt the twins. I brought the boys back home with me in order to spend some time with them and to see how they interacted with Dustin and Claudia. The boys are highly intelligent and are sweet kids and well-mannered. Jack turned his life around years ago and married a lovely woman. His wife, daughter and his in-laws were all killed in a tragic accident two years ago. Jack discovered several months ago that he has cancer of the liver and he is not expected to live much longer."
"Jack is estranged from his family and has no living relative to take care of his boys. He is terrified that his religious-fanatic father will try to fight for his two sons. He feels that I have the influence and the money to fight his father and family. The boys are going to need someone that will understand them and not let them fall into the wrong hands. The last thing is that the boys think they are gay. Jack's psychologist feels that it's too early to tell for certain. However, because of the boys' intelligence, he is not ruling that out. They may only be ten years old, but their doctors say they have the intelligence of an eighteen-year-old."
"It sounds like you have already made a decision on this, Dusty," Senior said.
"To tell you the truth, I fell in love with them when I met them this afternoon. I would do anything to keep Jack's crazed father from getting his hands on them. I also do not want to see them become wards of the state. They might ship them off to separate foster homes. These young boys have suffered enough by losing their mother and sister, not to mention their grandparents. They know their dad is sick, but they don't know how sick he is. Young children with their intelligence would not find it easy to adjust to life under normal circumstances with a loving parent. However, without that support I'm afraid how these boys would turn out. Dad, you've been through that with me, so you know what they will be facing. I know it's a lot to ask, but I want to adopt the twins and I hope you will support me. I would like them to become part of our family. Do you both think me nuts?"
"No, son, I think you are making the right decision and I will give you all the support you need to raise those boys. They are going to need all the love and understanding we can give them," his father said.
"I agree with your dad, Dusty, you cannot turn your back on those boys no matter what their father did eight years ago," Bo said.
"Thanks, I appreciate your support. I plan to tell Jack tonight when I take the boys home. He told me that his attorney has already drawn up the papers for adoption and will give me a copy to peruse. I'll have Sidney Goshen handle that. He did a good job with the other adoptions. We are going to have to move fast on this because I don't think Jack is going to last too much longer. I don't envy him his task of telling the boys. But I'm going to suggest that he and the boys move here. We can set up one of the suites for him. This will make the transition much easier for them. I think we can move the three boys into a suite together. We can work that out later. I'm going to have a talk with Claudia and Dustin to explain the twins moving in with us."
Bo chuckled, "One thing for sure, there is never a dull moment with you around, Dusty."
Senior rose and hugged his son, "I love you, son, and your heart is in the right place. Let's get the kids and head for the dining room, I'm starved."