Sarge

A Place to Call Home

Adoption Story Cliché with a Twist Story Challenge Inspired by Fun Tails "Boylove (BL) Rescue Fantasy Clichés" Rules and Table of contents

1

Duncan did his best to look small and miserable. It was easy to do tonight because a light drizzle was falling and he hadn't dressed for it, so he was cold and hungry. He watched as his next hopeful drank cheap bourbon and tried to pick up one of the younger guys sitting at the bar. Duncan knew he was going to fail. He'd watched Mike for two weeks now and Mike always went home alone.

His real name was Darren Wilkinson, but Duncan would do until it was time to reveal his true name and nature. He didn't live far from where he sat and shivered in the drizzle. His foster parents paid him no attention after they thought he went to bed; and he had decided that tonight was the night to try Mike.

He looked to the front table at the guy he had paid twenty dollars to and saw that the guy was also watching Mike, which was good. As the two guys turned away from him, Mike swallowed the last of his drink and left a bill on the bar. The guy in front got up and went out first.

Duncan stood and let the big guy see him. He'd forced the guy to rehearse his lines and movements before he would give him the twenty he had promised. The guy walked over towards him and as Mike exited the bar he yelled, "Hey kid, instead of hanging around out here how about you come home with me."

Duncan moved sideways in the direction he knew Mike would take. "Leave me alone you fat asshole," he said, putting some fear into his voice. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Mike hesitate.

"Hey, no need to be like that," the big guy said. "We don't have to go to my house, we can go to the park. I'll pay good."

Duncan moved closer to Mike and said, "Dad, can we go home now? That guy's scaring me."

"Uh, sure," Mike said, obviously taken back by being called dad. "Why don't you leave the kid alone."

"What kind of a dad would leave his kid out here in the rain while he's drinking and whoring around? I don't think you and the kid have ever seen each other before, he's just using you for protection. So how about I take the kid with me and you can get on with your pathetic life."

Mike was still trying to sort stuff out. He wasn't a large man, and the guy in front of him was. But he couldn't leave the kid out here. Hoping the guy wouldn't use violence, Mike said, "Come on son, let's get out of her." He put his arm around Duncan and pulled him along with him down the sidewalk. He couldn't see Duncan give the guy a thumb up from behind Mike's back.

They reached the intersection. Duncan knew it was two blocks to Mike's apartment and had told to guy to follow for most of that distance. He looked back and saw the guy was following directions. "He's following us. Get me across the street and I'll run for it. No need for you to have to tangle with him, he looks big and he's drunk and angry."

"I'm not leaving you for him," Mike said as he picked up the pace. He stumbled a little and his walk was erratic from the alcohol but he was moving. "I live alone just a little bit further. I'm not into boys, so you can come in if you want or if you want to run then you can."

That was exactly what Duncan wanted to hear. "He's gaining on us," he said and he started pulling Mike along faster.

Neither of them looked back again and they didn't see when the man turned and left them, wondering what the kid was up to. But he didn't care. The kid paid him with a twenty, which covered the first hour of his drinking.

"Here's where I live," Mike said as they approached the brownstone. "I'm in the left unit. Do you trust me enough to come in and at least warm up or do you want to make it on your own?"

"I am pretty cold and wet," Duncan said, allowing himself to shiver under Mike's arm. "Maybe for a little while. You promise you aren't going to try, uh, you know?"

"I'm not into boys," Mike said firmly. "I was trying to get a woman to come home with me, but struck out. And I don't have anything worth stealing, so I'm not worried about that. You'll be safe." Mike pulled his arm off Duncan's shoulder and pulled out his keys. He unlocked the door and reached inside and turned on a light. "This is it if you still want to come inside." He stood back out of the way in case the boy changed his mind and left.

"Looks, uh, cozy," Duncan said. Cozy wasn't the half of it. It was a three-room apartment. A kitchen, a living room, and a bedroom. That and a bathroom, all which Duncan could see from the door. He stepped inside.

"I don't see the man anymore," Mike said as he looked around. He followed the boy inside. "Look, just so you don't get confused. I'm not looking to rescue you or try to be your dad. Take a warm shower and we'll hang your clothes over the back of chairs and maybe by morning they'll be dry and then you can leave."

"I haven't needed a dad for the past eleven years, so don't you get confused. I'm only here because I'm scared of that big man." He kicked his shoes off and pulled his shirt over his head. He kept his eyes on Mike as he removed his pants and boxers all in one move. He was surprised that Mike didn't try to stop him or say anything. He left his clothes on the floor and headed for the bathroom, Mike's eyes on him the whole way.

The shower felt good and he stayed in it longer than he normally would. There was a different towel hanging from the bar when he got out so he knew that Mike had been in. He dried and walked out naked.

"Look, if you're trying to see my sexual preference I've told you twice it isn't boys."

"Good. Who wants a big fat hairy dick anyway? Oh, wait, you would. But not me."

Mike had draped all of Duncan's clothes over the back of the kitchen chairs. He was trying his best to ignore the kid's comment. Almost nobody knew he was gay and he needed to keep it that way. "I'm going to take a shower and then go to bed. I've put sheets and a blanket on the couch for you and a tee-shirt for you to wear. There isn't anything here to steal, and if you want to leave please let me know so that I can lock the door behind you. This isn't the kind of neighborhood where you can leave the door unlocked." Without waiting for a response Mike grabbed a robe and clean boxers from his room and locked the bathroom door after he entered.

The tee-shirt came down to Duncan's knees. He looked around. There was an awful lot to work on if his plans for Mike were to bear fruit. While the shower was running he went to the old laptop computer on the kitchen table and turned it on. There was no password, and he checked Mike's emails. Most of them were rejections from stories or short articles he had submitted to various magazines and news outlets. Duncan knew that Mike had published two books. The first had done well and was reprinted several times. The second, which Duncan thought was actually the better of the two, had not been very successful and Mike hadn't written another novel since then.

Duncan looked at a few of the short stories and saw why there were being rejected. Typos, spelling errors, poor grammar and in one case the absence of a plot were sure to keep an editor from wasting time with them. He sighed, knowing this was where he had to start. What had seemed like a worthwhile project was quickly turning into something that would probably never work out. Third time. Two strikes and no balls the count. If he struck out here he'd have to go back and consider giving up. And time was running out.

The shower shut off and Duncan quickly closed Mike's email and turned the computer off. He just made it to the couch when Mike came out, wrapped in the robe. "Good night," he said as he turned off the lights. He closed the door to his bedroom after he entered.

Duncan closed his eyes and started modifying his plan for Mike. There were many things he hadn't considered, but that was always the way once he got inside the house. He'd promised Tom that this one would work and he didn't want to see the disappointment on Tom's face if it didn't. So he'd have to work at it. He set a mental alarm for five in the morning. His mental clock had never betrayed him, so he knew he'd wake within fifteen minutes of five. He put Tom out of his mind for now and concentrated on where to start come morning.

2

"What the hell are you doing?" Mike asked as he walked into the kitchen the next morning to see Duncan typing away on his computer. "That's private. You had no right."

"And you had no password. And no real story. You never explained why the main character needed the castle so much, you just threw it in there in order to get him to meet Mr. Guivine. The story doesn't flow, the plot is weak, and when you do use a plot device most of the time it is nothing more than a cliché."

"What do you know about writing? I've published two books."

"Yeah back about the time I was born. "Ride the Wind" was good, I really enjoyed it. One of my favorite detective stories. "Star Fall" was okay, but I'm not a big fan of SF, but it was still a good detective story. But since then you've barely published anything and if this is what you're submitting it's no surprise." Duncan got up from the computer. "You need me."

"I don't need or want a boy. I can barely afford to feed myself and pay the rent here. You said you've published. Stories for sixth grade homework don't count, so beyond that, what have you written?"

"Special. It was published six months ago in "Real Life" under the name D. Worthy, my pen name. And "Angel," published two months ago in "Readers Best." I got six hundred dollars for the first one and eight hundred for "Angel." How much have you made this year?"

Mike was suspicious. He'd read "Angel" and it was a well-written and enjoyable story. Too good to have been written by a kid. "I suppose that's your persona? A sweet kid who murders people?"

"How well did you know your next door neighbors?" For just a moment Duncan saw a look in Mike's eyes. "Don't worry, I washed the knife before putting it away." He paused, waiting for Mike to say something. When he didn't, he said, "Angel was sixteen, I'm eleven. Angel had blond hair and blue eyes, and was always in the best fashion. I've got brown eyes and hair, and my current fashion is one of your tee-shirts."

"Well, at least you read the story. I'm not sure if I'm ready to believe you wrote it. And if your clothes are dry then it's time for you to get dressed and get out."

"I made breakfast, it's almost done. Can I at least eat? After all, I paid for it." Duncan pointed towards the oven. "You didn't have much so I called the grocery on the corner and had them deliver a few things."

"Owen saw you here? Wearing just one of my shirts?" Mike looked mad.

"Owen is nice, and he didn't seem to care that I was here, he was more interested in whether or not he'd get a tip. Apparently you aren't known to tip well. But today he left happy."

"Damn it, get out. I have enough trouble getting someone to go out with me. If it gets known that I had a naked boy here no one would ever be seen with me."

"From what I saw, you haven't done too well in that regard anyway. And I can help you with that too. You'd have better luck with me. The type of people you want to meet like a man who has a kid."

"I suppose now you're going to tell me you wrote "About A Boy."

"Nope, that was Nick Hornby. A good book. And it had a good plot too. If you recall, it worked out for Will. He got Rachel."

"And was still stuck with Marcus, and Marcus' mother and girlfriend, and Ali too. What is it you want from me? Last night wasn't a chance encounter, was it. You stalked me. You choose me. Why?"

"You're the one who writes investigative novels. Investigate me. Become your detective. It'll be fun. And all I need from you is for you to go back to writing and make some money so you can move out of here and get a place that's more suitable for a kid. Then we can discuss fostering and adoption."

"Adopt you! Why the fuck would I ever want to adopt anyone, especially you!"

"Don't worry, I'll grow on you." Duncan lifted the bottom of the tee-shirt to his chest and then let it drop again. "Besides, I'm cute, and the only reaction you have to seeing me naked is a slight bit of interest. So you're not dangerous, and that's good. And I can help you. Professionally and socially. But I can only stay here another day or so and then I have to go back home."

"No, you're not staying here another day. You're going to get dressed and leave now or I'll toss you out dressed like you are."

Just then a bell on the oven range. "Breakfast is done. I'm not that great a cook, but considering what you must normally eat this ought to be a feast from heaven." He put on an oven mite and removed the tray. It smelled terrific and Mike's stomach rumbled in hunger.

"You can stay for breakfast, but then you're leaving. And don't come back. I don't need or want your help. Professionally or socially. And I will never desire to adopt you." Mike got out two plates and assorted silverware and sat down.

The meal was okay, not spectacular or restaurant quality, but far better than what Mike would have had. They ate in silence. When they were done Duncan got up and picked up the dishes and started to wash them.

"I'll get them," Mike said. "You get dressed and hit the road."

"Uh, excuse me, but I've seen the results of your dishwashing ability," Duncan said. "Besides, my pants are still wet." He knew they were wet because he'd rolled them up in a ball last night just to make sure they wouldn't dry.

Mike went over and checked. "I checked your pockets yesterday while you were in the shower. You had fifty-seven dollars and seventeen cents. And nothing else. No student ID, no bus ticket, nothing. So let's start with your name."

"Duncan will do for now. Is this an interview? Have you decided to investigate me?"

"No, I just wondered who you were, and why you sat in a cold rain just to get me to bring you into my house. You said you have a home to go to, where is that?"

"Nearby. Close enough I won't need a cab to get back. They think I'm at a friend's house."

"You said you want to be adopted; is your home a group home or are you in foster care?"

"Ah, so you are investigating, good, you need the practice if you're going to keep writing detective stories. And nobody adopts a thirteen-year-old which for me is just fourteen months away. I want control of my life. I want to have a life. A real life. So I have to find an adoptive parent on my own. I can't afford to let the system work because at my age it doesn't."

"I just don't get why you think I would have any interest in you at all. And I'm not married and based on my current and potential future income I'm not likely to ever be married. I just don't care about my stories anymore. I write because that's all I know how to do, but my head and my heart isn't in it anymore. So I do odd jobs when I can and survive on that. You should look elsewhere and find someone else. Someone who maybe even likes you. Someone already married."

"Wikipedia says no one knows why you stopped writing, but I think…"

"I don't give a damn what you think, and I've had enough of your mysteries. Wet or not, get dressed and get out. Now!"

"I think it was the problem you had with Jastic. They found out about you and screwed you over royalties. I think it was because they were homophobic." Duncan wiped his hands and left the washed dishes on the counter to dry. He took off the tee shirt. Mike looked without trying to be seen looking, so Duncan made it easy for him while he dressed.

Mike was angry. The kid was right, his writer's block and lost interest in writing came from that day that his publisher caught him. Nobody knew about Jastic Publishing. He had never brought it up with anyone, not even his parents. He tried suing them and got far enough to get a settlement. They agreed to pay him ten thousand dollars as long as he never discussed it again. So how did the kid know? And how much did he know?

"I'm sorry I upset you. I guess I'll be leaving now." Mike didn't say a word, and Duncan, a little embarrassed at upsetting him, let himself out.

"That damn kid," Mike said out loud as he locked the door. He watched through the peep hole in the door, expecting the kid to turn around and come back, but he just kept on walking. He turned left at the sidewalk and headed towards 4th Avenue.

"Damn him!" he said again. But for the first time since his sour parting with Jastic Publishing he allowed his anger to be useful. He turned to his computer with the idea of actually writing something worthwhile.

The story he'd been working on was open on the computer and he remembered that the kid had been reading it. Then he saw it was more than reading, 'Track Changes' was turned on and there was red text everywhere. Mike was about to delete all the changes but he noticed there were several pages of red text that gave a background to his major character. Mike read it. Twice.

"The kid really does know how to tell a story," he said to himself. He had to admit it was a major improvement. He looked at the rest of the changes and accepted about ninety percent of them. All in all, it was a vastly improved story that just need some loose ends tied up and a good ending. A real detective ending. He got to work on it.

The story was accepted three days after he mailed it in. They offered five hundred dollars and rather than try to negotiate for more Mike accepted it. Two days later the check came in the mail. But included with the check was a letter asking him to consider turning the short story into a novel. "Deposit the check and it will be an advance on a draft of the novel if you're interested. We'll hold off on publishing the story until you make up your mind."

Mike called the magazine editor immediately to discuss expanding it into a novel.

"We'll put all that we discussed in a legal document and send it out soon, but you should have your lawyer or agent look at it," the editor said. "We're not like the big publishing companies with teams of lawyers, we've only got one and our agreement documents tend to be very straightforward. And if you're going to sign it, we'll consider another small advance to hold your attention until you have a full draft. We sure would like to have the first novel written by Mike Backster in over ten years."

Mike thanked them and headed to the bank to cash the check. For the first time since he kicked him out, Mike thought about the kid. It was the kid who had made the most significant change. And got him interested in writing again. He'd like to thank the kid, especially considering how rudely he'd kicked him out last them, but all he had was a first name, Duncan. And the likelihood that it wasn't even the kid's real name.

As he was walking home with real cash in his pocket the kid's words came back to him: "You're the one who writes investigative novels. Investigate me. Become one of your detectives. It'll be fun." He didn't want to be distracted from starting on the draft for what may become a novel, but he did have an interest in seeing how good of a detective he really was. He did know a few things-the kid was smart, very smart. He knew how to write, so he was in school. He lived close enough that he didn't need a cab to get home. He was either in a group home or a foster home. And the real clue was that he had published under the name D. Worthy. He wanted to get home and get started on the draft. But first he wanted to goggle D. Worth and see what he could learn.

3

There were millions of entries for D. Worthy but only six that were pertinent. And none of the six gave him any real information except for where his stories were published. But Mike knew one of the companies and had done a favor for an editor there. It was unlikely that he'd give any personal information out but it was worth a try.

After being on the phone for a half hour he knew the check had been deposited into an account at the MidTown Bank. The editor wouldn't give the account name or number, which didn't surprise Mike, but he did say that the real name wasn't Duncan, it was Darren. So progress had been made.

But Mike knew the bank wasn't going to give him any information at all and that questions would likely result in the police investigating. So he needed another angle. Duncan, or Darren, wanted to be adopted. Mike decided to go to an adoption center to inquire about adoption.

He was hoping to be able to see pictures of kids needing adoption so that he could pick out Duncan, but found out instead that the meeting was nothing more than an orientation to the adoption process. He watched a video and was given several pamphlets, and decided that no matter how much Duncan wanted to be adopted it wasn't going to happen with him. The agency told him that it would take at least six months and more likely a year before a suitable child would be placed with him if he was selected as a potential adoptive parent.

And on that 'if' hung all the reasons why Duncan would never be placed with him. He learned he would need a letter of reference from his employer, which didn't exist. He would need to provide documentation that showed he earned sufficient money to provide for a child. There would be a house study that could take as long as six months to complete. The house needed to be in a safe environment, with a backyard, sleeping area for the child, and other things that just didn't exist where he was currently living. He reminded himself that he didn't want to adopt Duncan, he was just trying to find out who Duncan was and where he lived.

For now, he was at an end point. He decided he needed to forget about Duncan and start working on his outline draft of a novel-length story based on the short story he had submitted. He returned home and went to work.

For the next three weeks he worked exclusively on the draft. Finally, it was done except for his second read. He was surprised at how easily the plot developed and the twists and turns he created for his protagonist to follow in solving the crime. He figured Duncan would be proud. And then he realized that was the first time he'd thought of the kid since the day he started working on the draft. He was just about to head for the bar for a celebration when he heard a knock at the door.

Looking out through the peep hole he didn't see anyone at first but then he looked down and there was the kid. He stood there wondering if he should answer or just let the kid leave. The kid ended the debate.

"You've got heavy footsteps Mike," he said from outside the door. "I could hear you walk up and you're still standing there looking at me through the peephole. Only this time I'm not Duncan. I'm Angel and I'm here for you."

Mike opened the door and the kid pushed past him without being invited inside. "So, what did you learn about me?" the kid asked as he took a seat at the table.

"The checks for D. Worthy were cashed by someone whose real name is Darren and he banks at the MidTown bank."

"That's all?" Duncan asked. "What have you been doing all this time?" Duncan was trying to hold a poker face, but inside he was very surprised that Mike had learned that much.

Mike could see the surprise on the kid's face. "How about we drop the Duncan and use your real name."

"No, that would get-confusing. I can't explain why right now, but Duncan is better." The kid had gotten up and was walking behind the counter. "You've got pamphlets about adoption. You'll never be able to adopt me if you're living in this place. And you're going to need a steady source of money."

"I've told you, I'm not interested in adopting you. I went there hoping to see pictures of kids available for adoption but they don't have any."

"They do, but you don't get to see them until near the end of the home study. And even if you did see a picture of me, they wouldn't tell you anything about me. Time is running out for me. I need you to work on improving your life."

"Are you listening to me? I don't fucking want to adopt you! Why is that so hard for you to understand?"

"You're never going to adopt me with an attitude like that. Hey, what's this?" Duncan picked up the notes for Mike's story. "None of this was in what you had before. And some of this sounds good."

"Some of it? It's all good, at least as far as an outline goes. Stay on topic. What is so important about me adopting you? There must be thousands of people who are qualified to adopt and looking for kids."

"Not for anyone older than nine. They all want babies or real young kids. Not even kids who get straight A's in school. I need to find someone who will let me be who I am and I think you're the dude. We just need to work on fixing a few things." All of that was true enough, but wasn't the real reason. The real reason would have to wait until there was some hope for success. And that had to happen soon or it wouldn't matter.

"No, we don't need to fix anything," Mike was saying, drawing Duncan back into the conversation. "I'm going to be working full time turning that draft into a book. And after that maybe I'll want to start another book. I don't have time for interviews, home studies, or adoption. Or kids who won't even use their real name."

"You'd like having me around. I'm smart. I'm a better writer than you've been in the last ten years, but not as good yet as you were before. I can type, spell, check references, clean and cook. And I can get you presentable enough for you to meet a real man, not some young drunk who hangs out in bars."

"I told you, I'm into woman, not men."

Duncan laughed. "If it was a woman you were looking to hook up with you wouldn't have been in a bar where most of the clients were gay."

Once again, the kid was proving he'd done his homework on this case. Mike was gay, but the main characters in his books were rough, tough men who looked for a hot chick to take to bed at the end of the day. If his readers, or worse yet, his publishers found out he was gay it could be a deal breaker, especially for a first novel in ten years. "Look, if you're here to ruin my life, just get it over with. Outing me won't help you."

"You've already ruined your life. And you being gay doesn't bother me. It isn't like it was twenty years ago, gays are accepted now. But I have no intention of outing you. I need you to be successful. And you'll never get there with one-night stands with dicks from a bar. One of them will work out who you are eventually and they'll out you better than I ever could. I think you should be honest with the publisher and let him know up front that you're gay. Then there will be no surprises like what happened with your last publisher."

Mike didn't say anything. The kid was right. After a long pause he asked, "Why spend so much time on me. I don't need you. I'm currently about to enter a contract for a book. I can improve my own life. Why are you here after I've made it clear I don't need a boy in my life and you said you don't need a dad?"

"You're batting zero," Duncan said. "You're lonely, looking for companionship. You're not Gene Rustin, you're not just looking for a toss in the sheets, you want a life companion." Gene Rustin was the main character in Mike's second novel. "I'm not sure exactly what Jastic caught you doing, but it was more than just being gay. I don't think they'd have thrown away easy money publishing your stories if you were just dating a man. So I assumed it was a boy, but that doesn't matter. You act like you're not the least bit interested in me sexually, which is good, but I think you still wonder what it would be like. But you're older now and I think you'd be happy with a man, especially a younger man. All I can do is make it easier for you to meet a better class of men. Like we talked about. Remember? About a Boy? I can do that. People love a man who has responsibilities. And a lot of gays want to have a kid. Not for sex, but for the pleasure of having a kid or two around, just like straight people."

Again, Mike knew the kid had nailed it. How he knew bothered Mike. And he still hadn't answered the central question of why he had decided that he was the 'one' to save him from whatever the kid was worried about in the future.

"I still don't get why you think I can help you. Okay, I'm gay, but I'm not a pedophile. I don't know the first thing about raising a kid. Besides, you said time is running out, but now you want me to get married. That can take a year by itself. After I meet a promising man. Your adoption would be two or three years from then. And the chances of getting contracts for books will not be enhanced by letting the world know I'm gay, even if the world accepts that better."

"You don't need to be married. But a promising relationship that may lead to marriage with a person who knows and likes me helps. And it gives you good recommendations with the agency. How about your family? You'll need to give the adoption agency your parents' names, addresses, and stuff. And they will ask them questions like if they support your attempt to adopt. So we'll need to work on that too."

"I keep telling you, we don't need to work on anything. I don't want you here. I was looking for you so that I could say thanks for the re-write you did and I've said that. Now I've got to review the draft, send if off, and start working on the book. And right now I want to go out and get something to eat."

"Cool, I'm hungry too. There's a good restaurant a block past the bar." In a sing-song voice he added, "I'm buying."

"Where'd you get money from?"

"I sold another story. It's called "A Place to Call Home" and it's why we need to stick with Duncan for now. Neither of us want anyone to connect Darren and you."

Mike asked when it would be time, but Duncan's answer was as cryptic as everything else about the kid- "When you are ready." Mike knew better than to waste his time asking what it was he needed to be ready for.

"Take a shower and shave and put on some decent clothes," Duncan told him. "Then you can order anything. I got a very good price on my story."

4

"That man to your left is watching you," Duncan said as he ate. "I think he likes you."

Mike turned to look. The man had been looking at him but immediately looked away when Mike turned. "He's with a kid. He probably read one of my books and recognized me from the picture on the jacket."

"You're with a kid too, so that doesn't count. And nobody would ever recognize you after nearly a dozen years. You used to be fit and trim with black hair. Now, not so much." Duncan lifted his eyes back to the other table. "The kid is coming over here."

"Excuse me sir, my name is Steven. My dad wants to know if he knows you but he's too afraid to come over and ask. And he's very upset that I got tired of waiting for him and came over myself. Are you…"

"Yes, I'm Mike Backster," Mike said. "If your dad wants an autograph or something he'll have to come and ask himself."

Steven appeared to be in his mid-teens and now looked very surprised. "Uh, I don't know who Mike Backster is," he said. He sat in the chair between Mike and Duncan and lowered his voice. "My dad is, uh, kind of gay and he thinks he's seen you in the bar down the street. I think he'd like to know you. Who is Mike Backster?"

Mike tuned and took a better look at the man, who know had has face mostly hidden by his hands, but he did look familiar. Duncan was laughing out loud as he said, "I told you having me around would be worth it."

Duncan turned to Steve and said, "I'm Duncan. We're currently just friends, but I'm kind of hoping he'll take me in."

"You mean like a foster child or adoption?" Steve asked. "Ryan, that's my dad, is not my biological father. He took me as a foster kid when I was twelve and adopted me last year. I hope things work out for you. He doesn't, you know, like you maybe too much I hope. That kind of relationship…"

Mike had to cut him off. "I don't even know his real name, I'm not interested in adopting him, and I have absolutely no interest in him sexually. And I think you should return to your table." Mike looked around to see if any other patrons were paying attention to the conversation taking place at his table.

"You said you were paying; do you actually have the money?" He asked Duncan. Duncan nodded. "Then I'm going home. After you pay you should do the same. Thanks for dinner." He wiped his mouth and stood up to leave.

Ryan got up and followed him outside. Once out the door he asked Mike to wait. "Look, I have to apologize for Steve. He's fourteen and, well, let's just say it's a long story that you probably don't want to hear. Please don't walk out on your son because of mine."

"He's not my son. He's just some strange kid who thinks I'll adopt him for some reason. And to answer your son's question, yes, I'm gay and I do recall seeing you there. But right now I've got to get back to work on my book."

"A writer, huh? I wouldn't have guessed. I teach history at St. Agnus University. And again, I'm sorry my son embarrassed or upset you."

"St. Agnus? I didn't think they liked gays."

"Officially, they don't. But a few of the top people know I'm gay and we have an agreement. I keep it a secret and they pretend that they don't know. If word got out, I'd be out of a job. So I've had trouble finding a, uh, partner, someone to have a, uh, you know, you probably don't want to hear all of this. I'm sorry. I've got to go back in and pay. I'd be happy to pay for your meal too after what Steven did."

Mike looked back inside and saw that Steve and Duncan were sitting at the table taking. But both of them were keeping an eye on him and Ryan.

"Steve said you adopted him. You don't…"

"Oh god no, never. It's not like that at all. I like men, not boys. And now he's my son, which is weird because I'm only eleven years older than he is. And he's as straight as an arrow. You're not, with your kid, I hope."

"Like I said, I don't even know the kid. He did everything he could to see if I was interested and decided that I was 'safe'. He wants me to adopt him for some reason. But so far I haven't even gotten his real name. He won't share with me until 'I'm ready' and I've really got no interest in him. But he keeps coming around."

"Look, I've got to pay. If you want a beer or something Steve can get home by himself, it isn't far and he can get out of here before it gets dark. Unless you've got to get your kid home."

"I don't even know where he lives. And I'd like a beer, except that is exactly what the kid wants me to do. Tell me the truth, this is too circumstantial to be accepted. Did the kid put you up to this? Or could he know Steve and together they planned this meeting?"

"I never saw that boy before in my life. And it was my idea to come here, Steve didn't really want to. But he came because he knew that I'd go to the bar instead and he thinks that's beneath me. He thinks I need to go to better establishments. But even then I had to force him to come. Look, if you aren't interested, that's fine. But I would like to know more about you. Steve is fine with me, you know, having a man. He knows I'm gay and the only problem we have is that he thinks that if I can have a man over that he should be allowed to have a girl over."

"A beer sounds good. And I guess I should make sure Duncan is fine." Mike followed Ryan back into the restaurant. He and Ryan each went to separate tables. Duncan had been sitting with Steve but came back to their table when Mike came in.

"You found someone to bring home," he said. "That's cool, I hope you learn from it."

"Look, my love life is mine and is not…oh what the hell, you don't listen to me anyway. Ryan invited me out for a beer."

"Have a beer and then go home with him. Steve said it's been too long since Ryan had anyone over. And he's fine with it as long as it doesn't get rough or involve him. He's mostly straight, but accepts Ryan. He's adopted you know."

"Mostly straight? I heard he likes girls. And I don't think I'm going home with Ryan, I need to work on the book. It's just a beer with a new friend. Where's the bill for dinner?"

"I already paid it. I told you I was buying. Have fun, I'll stop by again later." Duncan got up and left without looking back. Steve was right behind him and Ryan was at the counter paying his bill. Mike followed him out and to the bar.

They talked about simple topics to start with, but finally Mike broke the ice about being gay and then they both opened up a little about their lives. Mike told Ryan his need to keep the fact that he was gay secret, and he talked about Duncan's plan for him to get together with a better class person so that he could get reference letters for the home study and Ryan talked about the adoption process he went through with Steve.

As they finished their beer, Ryan said, "You know, the beer at my place is a lot cheaper than here. If you're uncomfortable because Steve is there, I understand that. Or if you really do have to work on the book, that's cool too. But I would like it if you came over."

Mike mulled it over and decided he really did need to work on the draft. He thanked Ryan for the conversation and said he hoped they'd get together again. Ryan pulled out a business card and wrote his number on the back.

5

The draft was submitted and Mike expected a rapid turnaround, however it was several weeks before he heard from the publisher, and the news was not great

"We were expecting more," the agent for the publishers told him at a meeting. "This is more of a novelette, not quite what we wanted. And while the plot is substantially better, it's still not clear. Add some background to the characters, describe why they act as they do. And kill off Gregory, he's not adding anything to the story but he keeps turning up."

Mike was crushed. He'd thought as a draft it was as good as when he was successfully writing years ago, and hearing the disappointment in the publisher's voice was disheartening at best. He thanked them and promised them a quick turnaround. But his heart wasn't in it any longer.

During the next two weeks after he got the draft back Mike had looked again at the changes they wanted and toyed with the idea of doing it, but every time he got started his brain just shut down and no thoughts came to him. Then the kid showed up again.

"What's wrong," Duncan asked as soon as Mike opened the door.

"Nothing. What do you need? I've got things to do."

"Yeah, like shave. And shower. You look a mess." Duncan looked around Mike and into the small apartment. "And you haven't cleaned anything up in weeks. I take it they didn't like the draft. I told you to let me read it first."

"You want to read it? Go ahead. Finish it if you want and then you can get it published. Get rich! Go buy whatever it is you're looking for. Just get out of my life. I've told you, I don't want you, I don't need you, and I don't want you around."

"Maybe it's time I leveled with you," Duncan said.

"I think we're well passed that time. You're smart. When are you going to learn that you can do better than hang out with a failure like me."

"You're not a failure, you just need more in your life. Something, or someone to care about. That could be me. I don't know how much time I have, but it's less than two years. Families don't want me. And most single guys that do want me in other ways that you don't. I've learned that the hard way."

"Look, I'm sorry if someone took advantage of you. But maybe instead of tricking me into bringing you home and then stripping naked in my living room and wiggling your hips at me you could be-wait a second, you weren't alone that night were you. The guy from the bar, he was outside in case I tried anything, wasn't he."

"Yeah, he was. At least I hope he was. I paid him good money to be there. But I didn't need him. You weren't scary and you didn't try to touch me. And that's good, because that makes you a candidate for being my foster parent or hopefully adopting me."

Mike was getting frustrated. "Look, it's never going to happen. The novel is a bust. I don't have it anymore. I can't write. I was so hopeful but it's gone. And as for being a foster home, this place will never be approved. I couldn't feed you, there's only one bedroom and I'm not giving it up, the neighborhood sucks. Get over it kid, it isn't going to work."

"It will if you let me help. My creative spirit is alive and well. And you had yours back but you let one rejection get to you. You're better than that. And if the book sells, you can afford a better place. I have money saved up and I can help. Now that school is out I can write more stories and raise even more money." Duncan paused. "And you're my last hope. It's too late and too dangerous to try again."

"Why? What happens in two years? And most important, why keep coming back to me when I've told you I don't want you?"

Duncan wiped a tear away from his eye and pushed past Mike and into the apartment. Mike closed the door and followed him. "Don't try to fake cry, I'm not falling for it. But I'll give you one chance to convince me. Tell me who you are and what you want. I'm not saying I'll help, but I'll listen. So don't try and trick me or be evasive with me or this will be the last time I open my door to you."

Duncan's eyes were bright. He thought he could get away with a fake tear and was surprised when Mike saw right through it. This was indeed his last chance. He took a deep breath before beginning.

"My real name is Darren. Darren Wilkinson. My parents died when I was four years old. My mom had a sister, but she didn't want me. My dad had been adopted when he was a kid, so he had no next of kin. There was an insurance policy and some money left over from the house and stuff, but the court hired an attorney to take care of my financial needs." Darren used finger quotes to show that the care wasn't the best. "As best as I can tell he milked the estate for as much as he could and the rest was put in a trust until I turn 19. There's about $125,000, but I can't touch it for seven years."

"My parents got me a social security number, which has really saved me. The court screwed up the paperwork and substituted my father's name for mine, and so Social Services thinks I'm Duncan instead of Darren. But with the social security card I was able to open a savings account under a name the State isn't aware of."

"I've been in three foster homes and I've been lucky; only one of them was bad and I got out of there before I got hurt. But my current foster parents, especially my mother, want's younger kids. She's stated a dozen times she doesn't want to raise a teenager, and she's told the social worker that I need to be placed somewhere else."

"That alone scares me, because from the studies I've done most of the abuse occurs with two age groups: kids younger than five and kids older than eleven. So the chances of ending up in a good foster home again are poor. And just like adoptive parents, foster parents for gay teens are hard to find, and my foster parents found out I'm gay and told the social worker. She has an obligation to tell that to any prospective foster parents."

"Not that it's any of my business, but how did your foster parents find out you were gay, especially since you haven't shown any sexual interest in me at all," Mike asked.

"I have a foster brother named Tom. And he is gay. We were doing stuff and got caught. I'm not really gay, but we were, you know, side-to-side…"

"Sixty-nine you mean," Mike said.

"Yeah, I guess. Anyway, it wasn't gross and I sure like what he was doing to me-look, here's the problem. My foster parents knew that Tom was gay when they took him in and they put him in the same bedroom as me. That's kind of strange. But Tom and I talked about it and he never did anything I didn't agree to. I like him, but if I get moved to a new foster home so will he and it is very unlikely the two of us will be together."

"So you want me to adopt him too I suppose," Mike said. Duncan nodded his head and blushed. "And when were you going to tell me this?"

"I uh, hadn't worked that out yet. Tom doesn't want to go to a home with a gay parent, he's afraid of being molested. So that's why I tested you. I guess I don't want to be molested either, but really, I was doing it for Tom. So I've told him about you and he's more comfortable with it."

"So you're hiding money from the State, which for all I know is illegal; you've got a gay foster brother that you want to bring into my house; and you're not gay but you enjoy having sex with an admittedly gay boy. How old is this Tom?"

"He's about five months younger than me. He's eleven and a half and I turn twelve soon. And I'm not gay. I've seen men's junk and it's disgusting. All that hair and balls that hang down--uck."

Mike sighed and stared out the window.

"Look, even if you say no to me, can I see the draft? You were all excited about it before and I think I can help you get there again. Only please don't say no, I really need your help."

"Have you considered that you might be a pedophile?" Mike asked. "You find men disgusting but like eleven-year-old boys."

"I don't get boners thinking about him. I just enjoy stuff he does to me and I don't mind returning the favor. I'm not gay, but the State thinks otherwise. And they didn't ask me what I prefer, when my foster dad said what Tom and I were doing and that I was gay then it went into my folder and 'poof,' I became gay. Or at least Duncan is. Darren is straight. But he doesn't care that you are gay."

"And you really think that in a few months' time I'd be ready to pass a home study to become a foster parent. I can't tell the state I'm gay, if it got out it would kill book sales."

"I really believe that they keep that stuff secret, if word about foster parents ever got made public it would cut way down on those willing to go through the process, but I can't promise it. But, uh, this is going to probably piss you off, but I followed Steven home from the restaurant a couple of weeks ago and two days ago I went to visit him. He said his dad liked you and was disappointed you hadn't called or stopped by. They have a pretty nice house. Big enough for two gay men, two straight kids, and a gay boy. Maybe even a dog, Tom really wants a dog."

Mike was kind of pissed but he didn't let it show. "How much of what you've told me is true?"

"Every word," Duncan said. "You can check up on it, but only if you're serious about starting the process. Otherwise it would hurt me and Tom. But I live at 6490 Oak Street. The Case family, Don Cass and his wife Emily. My social worker is Ms. Tompkins. And if you want I'll bring my social security card and my bank book next time I come over. But if you aren't interested, I don't think there will be a next time. It takes too long to find a possible person and get it rolling and I don't have time to start again."

Mike grunted and got off the couch. "The draft is over there, and the letter from the publisher under it," he said, pointing at the stack of papers. "I'm going to go out for a walk and think things over."

"Do yourself a favor and shower and shave first. You look and smell like a homeless person."

Mike ignored his advice and went to the front door. "If you leave before I get back lock the door behind you. And I'm locking it now. Are there any big men outside to protect you?"

"I came alone." For the first time Mike noticed the kid looked like a normal tween. Scared maybe, but not energetic and full of praise and hope like all the other times he's seen him. He stepped out and used the key to throw the deadbolt from the outside before heading for his favorite bar.

He hoped he'd find Ryan at that bar and was glad he did, but now that he was outside looking in he was wishing he had followed the kid's advice and at least showered, but it was too late now. He entered the bar and walked to the table where Ryan was sitting alone and stood there until Ryan looked up.

"Yeah, how can I help you?" Ryan said. And then his eyes changed. "Mike! I didn't recognize you, have a seat."

"Yeah, I've heard I look different," Mike said as he sat opposite Ryan. "Look, I heard you were hoping I'd call or something."

"Where'd you hear that? Did you talk with Steve? I guess it doesn't matter, it's true. That's why I've been coming here frequently, hoping you'd be here so we could talk. Did I scare you off?"

"Actually, the kid was with Steve and he told me. And no, you didn't scare me off, I just got absorbed in my work and lost track of time." Mike looked down at the table. "Actually, that's not true. I got a bad review on the draft and it threw me off and I've spent the last two weeks feeling sorry for myself. Then the kid came over today."

The bartender came by and Mike ordered a beer. While they drank Mike filled Ryan in on everything Duncan had told him. "He's reading the draft now and he'll probably end up writing the book for me. But I wanted to ask your opinion. Does what he said sound like the truth?"

"Much of it. Social workers are overworked and don't believe hardly anything kids tell them. I don't think they even believe adults, they just document stuff in their notes to protect themselves. If a foster parent said he was in a sexual unison with another male and that he was gay I'm positive that is exactly what his record will now show."

Ryan looked at Mike for a few seconds before adding, "You know, I hope I'm not stepping on a landmine here, but it sounds like you are giving Duncan some thought. Maybe you do need something in your life to care for more than yourself."

"But getting a new house, all the stuff I would need to survive a home study, there just isn't any way I can manage that in the next year or two or maybe even longer. My current apartment is totally unsuited for bringing in one kid, and now it's two kids. And I'm not sure I even want to. I'm not the writer I once was, and there's no reason to believe I'll ever be successful again."

"Well, I'm not sure how much I'd enjoy your company right this minute, but…"

"I heard enough about my hygiene from Duncan. I can bath, and I know I need to."

"But as I was saying, I've got a big house with several empty rooms, if that is something you'd like to pursue. I can charge you a rent you can afford and Steve has already said he'd accept it. I'm not pushing, I'm just trying to offer an alternative. With or without the two kids. If you'd like to see it I think Steve is out for the day. Something about a girl named Wendy."

Mike lowered his head, embarrassed at the offer. "I, uh, I need to shave and bath and I'm not sure…"

"I bought a good blade razor for Steve when he started to grow whiskers but he wanted an electric one, so it's never been used. And I have a bathroom with running water and clean towels. And I truly would enjoy some company."

Mike decided he was interested enough to go with Ryan. The house was large, much bigger than Mike had expected. It had a large swing set in the back and a basketball hoop alongside the driveway. And as promised, running water and a good razor.

"How does a guy teaching history at St. Agnus University afford a mansion like this?" Mike asked.

Ryan laughed. "It's been in my family for generations, and my dad and I battled over my sexuality. My grandfather willed it to me instead of him. We've worked through most of that over the years, but I own it free and clear, no mortgage. But it's old and needs a lot of upkeep and care, something I'm not good at." Ryan gave Mike the grand tour and Mike found the place was even bigger than he first thought.

Sex with Ryan had been mutually enjoyable and a necessary until he suddenly remembered he'd left Duncan in his apartment and hurried home. He thanked Ryan and promised that this time he'd be in touch and hurried home.

Duncan had gone, but he'd been on Mike's computer and had entered several pages of additional outline and built an outline of background material for several of the characters. And instead of killing off one character as recommended by the publisher, he wrote new material and made it important to the plot. It was all sketchy and needed a lot more work, but it was a lot for just the few hours that Mike had been gone. And feeling like a new man, he went to work on it.

6

It took another month before Mike was ready to re-submit the draft. He'd met Ryan three times in that span, once for dinner with him and Steve and twice for sex. He was beginning to feel comfortable being with Ryan even when Steve was around.

This time he wanted the kid to review it before he submitted it, so he headed over to the address Duncan had given him. When he got to the house he wished he'd spent the money on a taxi as it was hot and he was still very out of shape so now he was sweaty. But as he started up the driveway he suddenly realized he didn't have any reason at all for why he wanted to see Duncan. He quickly turned around and went back to the sidewalk.

He walked around the block but still couldn't come up with any plausible reason for him to ring the bell and ask to see Duncan. As he approached the house the second time he stopped and crossed the street and headed back towards his apartment. He was half way there when a child's voice behind him said, "Slow down Mike."

He turned, expecting to see Duncan, but instead it was a smaller boy. The boy was skinny as a rail, with shiny black hair and freckles, and he could have been a model for any kids toy or cereal.

"You're Mike, aren't you?" the kid asked. Mike nodded. "I'm Tom. You're bigger than I expected."

"And you're smaller than I expected. I was looking for Duncan."

"He's-out."

Mike felt there was a whole story in that short pause. "Tell him I'd like to see him when he returns. Is he okay?"

"He's with the social worker. He had a fight with our foster mom and he used the F word. She didn't like that. She doesn't like older kids. Duncan thought he was too old to be spanked but he found out he was wrong. Other than that our foster mom doesn't have a clue how to punish kids his age. I don't think it's good news. Did you come to tell him you were starting the process?"

Now it was Mike's turn to pause. While working on the draft, incorporating all the suggestions Duncan had made, he'd hardly given a thought to what Duncan wanted from him. "Let's just say that I want his help and I think I want to help him in return."

"I sure hope you hurry. Mom wants him out of the house by next week. I think he might be going to a group home. Those aren't very friendly places and he won't be able to work on his stories. He won't even have a computer because the one we share here belongs to them. I've saved all his stories on a thumb drive in case she deletes them."

Instead of going home Mike went straight to Ryan's house. He told them what Tom had said. And that he had decided he wanted to help.

"My foster paperwork is just over a year old and most of it hasn't changed, so the house would pass, the real delay would come from you having a source of income." Ryan looked around and asked, "Do you know anything about carpentry?"

"I got hired by a carpenter to help build a house he had contracted. I learned a few things."

"We wanted to finish the basement and build a garage out back," Ryan said. "Soon Steve will graduate from a bike to a car and the attached garage barely holds my car. I could work out a rental agreement that includes that work. But it would be a formal agreement, meaning I'd kind of have to hold you to it. If you're interested in moving in, I guess maybe I'm jumping too far ahead."

"Would the social worker keep secret the fact that you and I are gay? And would the state have a problem with me adopting Duncan when the State thinks he's gay?"

"If everything potential foster parents said was made public there wouldn't be any foster parents. Straight or gay doesn't matter, everybody has skeletons in the closet. The problems start when the social worker finds out about something that wasn't disclosed. Their job is to place kids in safe homes, and while they get a bad rap, everyone I ever met was honestly working to achieve that goal. I need my gender selection preference to stay secret too, and I trust it will be maintained."

When Ryan said something about things that weren't disclosed, he suddenly thought of something. "Look, this is the biggest secret of my life. Somehow Duncan figured it out, but I can't disclose it due to an agreement I made on a settlement."

"He looked at Steve and then looked down at the floor. "Years ago I got caught in a sexual relationship with a fourteen-year-old boy. It was, I don't know, just a one-time thing. But the kid had a blood tie to someone who worked for my publisher and somehow they found out, and refused to pay me any royalties from the two books I had published with them. I wanted to sue for breach of contract but they said if I did they'd expose me."

He looked again at Steve and tried to read Steve's face, but couldn't. "Look, I don't have a sexual interest in Steve or in Duncan. I don't even know why I was with the kid. But I figured before we went any further here you guys needed to know."

It was quiet for a long time before Ryan spoke. "Okay, that is, uh, news that I think Steve and I need to discuss. In private. I'll let you know."

Mike knew he'd been invited to leave and didn't make it any more awkward by trying to apologize or say goodbye, he just got up and quietly left. He couldn't blame them if they didn't want him in their house ever again. But if that was the case, then he had no ability to help Duncan or Tom. And he needed to consider if his feelings for Duncan were really platonic or not.

Duncan was setting on his steps when Mike got home. Mike suddenly realized that he was thinking of him more as Duncan and less as 'the kid' these days. Duncan didn't look up as Mike approached and from close up Mike could see a tear drop from Duncan's chin down to the step where it joined several more teardrops.

"I met Tom," Mike said as he sat down next to Duncan. "He told me a little. How about if you tell me the rest."

"It's too late, the dream is over. Ms. Tomkins is going to put me in a group home. Once she finds me. I kind of ran away from her." Duncan looked up at Mike. "Can I stay here? At least for a few days?"

"I think that would be a very bad start on my becoming a foster parent for you," Mike said. "It might work out, but only if Ryan and Steve agree. I might rent from them and sell this place. But before you get your hopes up, there's something I have to tell you." Mike was just about to tell him what he had told Ryan when he heard his phone ringing from inside.

"Excuse me, that could be the publisher and like you, I've put him off too long. I've got to take the call." He got up and didn't complain when Duncan came in behind him. He grabbed the phone before whoever was calling hung up.

"You mean it? You guys are sure you're comfortable with me living there even after what I said?" Mike said into the phone after listening for a minute. "Yeah, actually, he's here now, but I've got to turn him in. Apparently he ran away from his social worker and it would be very bad if she found him here."

"Maybe," Ryan said. "Probably. But depending on what is happening it may break the ice. The only reason you would care is if you were going to try and foster him, so is it okay if I talk to him for a minute?"

"It's Ryan. He wants to talk to you." Mike handed the phone to Duncan.

Duncan explained what had happened at his foster house and that his social worker had decided he needed to go to a group home deep in the city. He listened for a few minutes and then said goodbye and hung up the phone.

He turned to Mike and said, "Ryan says we need to get over there as quickly as possible and that you should bring along anything you can carry that belongs in a bedroom." Then in a softer voice he added, "And that as soon as we get there I have to call Ms. Tompkins and tell her where I am. I'm not sure I want to do that."

"I've told them I want to adopt you. You've seen their house, it's big, and Ryan says his fostering paperwork is only a year old so most of the home study will be done already. I'm going to move in there as a renter. I still need to be able to pass as a good foster parent, but Ryan will guide me. If you run, I think it will hurt your case. You might be in a group home for six months, which will suck, but I promise to work hard to make it work out in the end." While they were talking Mike had picked up a few items that he could carry and was heading towards the front door.

"You don't understand," Duncan said, tears again forming in his eyes. "The kids in the group home will find a way to access my records. And once they see that my records say I'm gay they'll use me as much as they want. I don't want to be raped. So I have to run. I'm safer on the street until you complete the home study."

"Let's at least hear what Steve has to say about that. I don't know his story, but Ryan made mention that Steve had been in a group home. I won't hold you, but I think running is the worst thing you can do. The only reason I'm even considering moving in with Ryan is to help you and Tom and if you're not going to help than maybe it is best if I just stop here."

"I'm scared Mike. Really scared." But he helped to carry something and they went to Ryan's house.

Once all had been explained, Ryan backed up Mike's thought that running would only make it much more difficult for him to be placed with Mike as a foster child. He also agreed that it would still take several months, and conceded that there was no guaranty that it would work out in the end.

"As for life in group homes, go and talk with Steve," Ryan concluded. "He was in three of them. And he hated each one. But at least get your information from someone who won't lie to you and knows firsthand what you're facing. And as soon as you're done, in fact before you start, you need to call your social worker and tell her where you're at." Ryan handed him the phone.

While Duncan was talking to his social worker, Ryan handed Mike a rental agreement. "Look, there may be stuff on here you want to change and all I can give you is a promise to meet you halfway, but this needs to be in force before his social worker gets here. I backdated it three days ago, and you should too. Today is your moving-in day."

Mike scanned the document and saw nothing that upset him. He signed it and used the same date that Ryan had used. "Let's go pick out your room and get this stuff up there. When Duncan's social worker gets here it's probably best if you tell the truth that Duncan came to your old place and that you insisted he call her."

They had only taken a few steps when the doorbell rang. Ryan answered it and with a surprised voice said, "Ms. Tompkins." After just a short hesitation he said, "You must be here for Duncan. Please come in."

"Mr. Tobar, nice to see you again," Ms. Tompkins said as she came in. "I need to see Duncan and find out why he is here."

"Mike, this is Ms. Tompkins," Ryan said as he introduced them to each other. "She was Steve's social worker and is apparently Duncan's." He turned back to Ms. Tomkins and said, "Duncan is talking with Steve. He is terrified, and I mean that word literally, of going to a group home. Please give them a minute to talk if you can. And Duncan is here because he wants Mike Backster to adopt him and when he ran he went to Mike's old place. Mike is moving in here as a renter and was going to start the home study as soon as he was settled, but under the circumstances I think it best if we start as soon as your schedule allows."

"I understand his terror, but I need to see for myself that he is safe and unharmed. Once I see that we can talk."

"I understand," Ryan said. "He's in Steve's room. Do you remember the way?"

"Yes, I do," she said and hurried off.

"You're going to let her just barge in on them?" Mike asked in disbelief.

"That's the way the system works. The more you fight it the worse it gets. Remember when I told you that every social worker I met really had the children's best interest in mind? Well, that's what she's doing. She will look to see if he's dressed, if there are bruises, or any other thing that would indicate something bad. Take a seat and try to remain calm. Steve and Duncan both have far more experience with this than you do and it will be okay."

She was gone fifteen minutes, and it was all Mike could do to not go running to Steve's room to see what was going on. When she did return she was alone, which Ryan had said would be a good thing.

"Ryan, he looks fine, and Steve is helping him to deal with the situation. And he told me that he picked out Mr. Backster here himself. The truth is, the group home I'm sending him to is the only bed available right now and his current foster parents won't allow him back in their home. And they have another foster child that I need to find a new home for too."

"Yes, Tom," Mike said. "I know the background. Can't Duncan stay here? And Tom too?"

"It isn't that easy Mr. Backster," she said. "There are rules and procedures that I must follow. However, based on my history with placing Steve here, I'm willing to go back to the office and try to get emergency foster care approved. For Mr. Tobar. I know nothing about you. Do you live here too?"

"I was just moving in. I have a rental agreement with Ryan."

"My advice is to stay where you are for at least a few days, probably a few weeks, until we know more. Is that possible?"

"Yes, it is," Mike said reluctantly.

"Why do you want to foster or adopt Duncan?" she asked. "I know I'm catching you at a bad time, but I'd like to hear your answer now."

Mike wished he'd had more time to prepare an answer, but he realized that was why the social worker chose to catch him off guard. He put himself in the shoes of his detective and tried to reason out his own basis for moving forward. "Duncan's had it okay, but he says he feels like he's been held back. He knew he'd have to be sent somewhere else again soon and he's worried that nobody wants him. He's smart, and we both share an interest-writing. I can help him with that. And, to be honest, he's been coming around to see me for quite a while now and he's grown on me. I want him to reach his goals and become a stable and caring adult without all the baggage of foster care or group homes."

Mike glanced at Ryan and saw Ryan smile. "I'll need your address and phone number and for now you can start with this," she said, handing over a sheath of papers. "And I'll see what I can do." She glanced up from the notes she'd been taking as Steve and Duncan entered the room. "Duncan, I have to take you with me. I understand your fear, but the system requires certain procedures be followed and it is in your best interest if you allow me to work within the system and not run away again."

"I know, I'm sorry," Duncan said. His jaw was quivering. "What about Tom?"

"Tomas Fray can stay with the Case's for now. Mr. Tobar has asked me to start the process for him to gain emergency foster care and I will do that. If it gets approved, I'll move you and do my best to move Tom here also. But it can take weeks or months to get approved, just so you know. I've asked Mr. Backster to not move in if you are here on emergency care status, and I will start his case study as soon as I can. But right now I have to get you to the group home; they were expecting you hours ago."

Duncan's quivering chin got worse as more tears ran down his cheeks. He turned to Steve and hugged him, telling him thanks for talking to him. Then he moved to Ryan and told him thanks too. Finally, he wrapped himself around Mike and didn't let go.

Mike hugged him back firmly and then suddenly let go as an old familiar and unwelcomed feeling came over him. "You've got to go," was all he said.

"Make it work. Please, I need you," Duncan said. He continued to hold onto Mike. After a few more seconds he whispered, "Look under the hedge to the right of your steps." With that, he let go and with his head hanging down he followed Mr. Tomkins out to her car.

Mike followed behind them and stood at the door, watching until the car was out of sight. Only then did he turn and look at Ryan. "Okay, I'm sure now. I want this. How do I start?"

For the next two hours Ryan and Mike coached him on questions and answers and got him thinking about how to broach the subject with his parents. His lack of friends and a steady income were going to be obstacles, but even then there were ways to overcome them.

"Stay out of the bar, and get all the alcohol out of your house," was the last advice Ryan gave. "A few beers will be okay, but no more than one empty in the trash. She will open every cabinet and closet, so if there is anything you don't want her to see get rid of it. And don't put it in the garbage either because she'll check that too just to see what you tried to get rid of. Take it to the dump yourself or put it in someone else's bin."

Mike hurried home to start cleaning and taking care of all the other stuff he'd been advised to do. As he started up the steps he remembered Duncan's last words and went back down and looked under the hedge. Behind it he found a wallet that contained Duncan's social security card and a little over six hundred dollars in cash and his bank book. Mike opened the book and saw that he had over fourteen hundred dollars in his savings account.

During breaks between cleaning, Mike re-read his novel and made a few changes before sending it off to the publishers. Three days later they called him with good news. "It's great. There are a few things our readers will find that we'll probably recommend changing, but we'll get an okay from you before we change anything. We're going to start setting up to publish it and you need to be ready to do meet-and-greats. We'll start local in the city but we may want to do a nationwide tour too."

Mike had been through meet-and-greats before. They were a pain, but it did help to sell the book. Most of it was done at book stores where he autographed copies of the book for buyers. Locally wouldn't be a problem, but he was concerned that a lot of travel would not help his case for fostering Duncan.

The day after he heard from the publishers he woke up to the sound of someone knocking at his door. He glanced at the clock and saw it was just a few minutes after seven in the morning. He pulled a robe on and went to see who it was.

"Three minutes to answer," Ms. Tompkins said as he opened the door. "That's significantly better than average. May I see your house?"

"Yes," Mike said, inviting her in. "But if I get approval I won't be living here, this is not suitable for a kid."

"Yes, but it still tells me a lot about you as a person," she said. "Why don't you make some coffee and let me look around. I'm sure Mr. Tobar told you what to expect." She ignored him as she moved from the living room to the kitchen. The first thing she opened was the refrigerator. She took some notes and then systematically went through each cabinet, drawer, and closet in the house. And as Ryan had warned, she went through his garbage in the house and the bin outside, taking notes as she went.

Once she was done with her house inspection, she sat down on a kitchen chair and invited him to sit also. "First, the emergency Foster care is moving along, I hope to hear something in a week or so. I've checked on Duncan several times, and while he isn't happy he's managing. He said to tell you he misses you. Have you completed the paperwork I gave you?"

Mike had, and he'd even had Ryan review it. He got it out of the folder he'd put it in and handed it to her. "There are a few things that don't contain what was asked for and I explained why in the response. Things like friends or neighbors who know me and a letter of reference from my employer. I'm a writer, and not currently employed."

"Have your publisher send me a letter that meets the guidelines for an employer," she said. "No friends or neighbors?"

"I honestly don't even know anything about my neighbors except their last name, which is on their mailbox. And the only person I've seen socially recently is Ryan."

"How about beyond 'recently,'" she asked. "Contact with friends and associates tell us a lot."

Mike looked down at the table. "Look, he said, afraid to see her expression, "Until Duncan came along I was in a rut, feeling sorry for myself and not being socially active. I made money doing odd jobs and selling crappy stories. Duncan kind of got me into a better frame of mind. And I just got a contract on a novel. It should be published in a month."

"I see," Ms. Tompkins said. Mike could hear her pencil as she took notes in her book.

"I think that might have come out wrong," Mike said, suddenly looking up. "I'm not dependent on Duncan, he just, I don't know, changed me. I didn't want him around at first, but I couldn't get rid of him. And he just kind of grew on me. I had just decided to start the process when he got in trouble with his foster parents. But I wasn't destitute or using drugs or drinking, it wasn't like that-I just, was alone and the worst thing is that was fine with me. But once Duncan came into my life, I want more. And so does he. I firmly believe that together we can improve both of our lives."

Mr. Tobar is gay," she said solemnly. "So is Duncan. And I presume you are as well?"

"I am," Mike said. "And yes, I know Ryan is as well. But Duncan has assured me that he is not. He told me what his foster parents caught him and Tom doing, but that doesn't make him gay. Besides, I'm not interested in a sexual relationship with Duncan or Tom. Duncan told me his dreams. I want to help him accomplish them." He watched as she wrote furiously in her notebook. "I'm not helping my cause, am I?"

Ms. Tompkins stopped writing and took off her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "On the contrary, Mr. Backster, you are helping yourself. I find your answers match other information I know, and just for the record, Duncan's file does not say he is gay, it says his foster parents accused him of being gay. It also says he denies that."

"So there's hope?"

"There is always hope. Placing kids as old as Duncan is difficult. I've never had a child who picked out his own foster parent out of the blue before, and he is determined to make you his guardian. My job is to find out if there is anything that makes you unsuited or dangerous for Duncan to with you. Being gay or straight is not one of the criteria. Having sexual contact with a minor is. Am I going to find anything in your background that shows you have had sexual contact with a minor?"

Mike fought down the panic and struggled to maintain a poker face. "Yes, but not since I've been an adult. When I was thirteen, I found a gay friend. His parents caught us and told my parents. I'm sure word of that contact will come out when my parents complete their letter of reference. But I think you were asking about adult-child contact, and no, you won't find any of that." Mike at least hoped she wouldn't. If she did find out about Jastic Publishing, it was all over anyway.

"How was your relationship with your parents after they found out you were gay?"

"It was strained at first. I was embarrassed and uncomfortable, and my dad didn't want to believe it. My mom made me go back to church thinking that would 'cure' me. But by the time I was in college things had gone back to normal. I'm not sure my dad approves, but he and I talk without it being an issue. My mother still prays for me.

She put her glasses back on. "You said yourself that this house isn't suitable for raising a child, and I agree. What is your long-term plan for housing for you and two boys?"

"I have the rental agreement with Ryan. That's an immediate solution. If the book does well I'll have enough money to buy a better house, but my advance isn't that great since I haven't published anything worthwhile in over a decade. I'm being treated as a first-time author, which is a far assessment. So I'll make most of the money on royalties."

"I know I advised you not to move in with Mr. Tobar right now. However, if you want me to move forward on your request, I'll have to include you in my home study of Mr. Tobar. It may add a few more days or weeks to get it approved, but without it you wouldn't be able to live in that house unless we started over. My professional opinion is that it is better in the long run to get it all done now. I can't move forward on your request to foster or adopt Duncan as long as you are in this house and since you don't have the means to move to a better place other than with Ryan I think we should assume you are going to be there. The biggest inputs to that will be letters from Ryan, your publisher, and your parents. The sooner I get those the sooner I can present the modified case for approval."

"Duncan will be safe with Ryan and Steve. He is scared where he is now, and even Steve said it might not be the safest place. I'd rather get him out of the group home and in with Ryan as quickly as I can."

"Duncan is quite safe where he is. And if he were placed with Ryan Tobar you would not be allowed to have any contact with Ryan or Duncan. And perhaps you don't understand emergency foster care. It isn't for long-term placement; it's intended for short stays until a long-term approved foster family is found. Duncan might only be there for days or weeks. Given that information, do you want to delay now so that perhaps you can be approved as a fully qualified foster parent or do you want me to stop work on this and focus on getting the emergency foster approval complete."

Mike took a deep breath and let it out as a sigh. "I guess, do both together. But will you at least explain it to Duncan? And is there any way I can see him? Even a supervised visit would be good for him."

"It's an unusual request, but not unheard of," Ms. Tompkins sad. "Actually, a supervised visit might be an input to your file that will help. I don't have the authority to approve it but I will present it to my supervisor as a recommendation."

She wrote a few more notes and closed her notebook. "Do not try to have contact with Duncan or Tom Fray unless I arrange it. I'm not Tom's social worker, so I'll start feeding my notes about you to Jack Hicks, who is Tom's social worker. I'll be in touch."

She got up and Mike held the door for her. As she stepped outside she turned back towards him. "There is evidence of a lot of cleaning done in the last few days. Keep it that way. There is a good chance that I or Mr. Hicks will pay you another surprise visit. Even if it was messing or dirty in the past, what we see is what we record." She turned and left without another word.

With the book done and Duncan out of reach, Mike found that he had nothing to do. He'd lived with nothing to do for years, but this was the first time it had bothered him. He got the check from his publisher and it was enough money to actually open a savings account.

Mike had worked on two of the lousy stories he'd been working on before meeting the kid. With major re-writes he was able to sell one for a thousand, a lot of money for a short story so he knew it had been good.

And Mike had read the story Duncan had written, "A Place to Call Home." It was about a man who had a kid from a brief drunken one-night stand even though he was gay and in a relationship with another man. The story was short and to the point, with limited room for character development but even then the main characters seemed real. Mike recognized that D. Worthy had a future as a writer.

Ms. Tompkins and Jack Hicks made another surprise inspection, arriving together at eight at night. Mike sat and waited as they went through his house and garbage and took their notes before sitting down with him at the kitchen table. Mike had coffee on and they both took a cup.

"Tom Fray has made an official request to meet you," Jack Hicks said, referring to his notes. "He said he talked with you once near his foster home and he wants you to foster and/or adopt him. Your home study is not complete, so it will be a supervised meeting. I'd like you to do lunch with him and then an activity that he will select. I'll be there too."

"I'm okay with that," Mike said. "In fact, I know very little about him. It will be a chance-"

"It is recommended that you not inquire too much about his life," Mr. Hicks said. "I'll fill you in with more details if it looks like you are going to be approved as a foster or adoptive parent. Just talk about anything but personal stuff and have fun. He's a sullen boy who rarely laughs, so I want to see his reaction to spending a few hours with you."

"Okay, I understand," Mike said. "What do I do if he opens up on his own or asks questions about me?"

"If that happens let me respond to him. He's been with several foster families so he knows how the initial visit works."

Mike turned to Ms. Tompkins. "Can you tell me how the emergency foster placement is doing?"

"It is, progressing," she said carefully. "I see a look of concern on your face, don't try to read into my response to your question. Just give it time. Duncan sends you his love and says he is doing okay, which he is. But he has made it very clear he wants out of the group home as soon as possible. He is quite clear about that."

"Any chance of a visit with him too?"

"Let's give it a week or so first," Ms. Tompkins said.

"Things appear to be in order here," Mr. Hicks said. "I understand this is not where you would have Tom if he were placed with you, so I have made a visit along with Ms. Tompkins to the Tobar house. Do you have a copy of the rental agreement you have with him?"

"I have just my copy," Mike said. "I can let you take it and make a copy as long as your or Ms. Tompkins can get my copy back to me." He got up and got it out of the folder and handed it over.

"No, I don't need a copy, I just wanted to look it over." He made a few notes as he read the agreement. "This doesn't say anything about Tom in it," he said when he finished reading it.

It was done before things changed. It's something Ryan, uh, Mr. Tobar, and I need to discuss. But while his house is still in the home study phase he thought it best to not try to modify it. He is very aware that I'm trying to foster and adopt both Duncan and Tom."

Mr. Hicks looked at Ms. Tompkins, who said, "I can attest to that. He is aware and very supportive of efforts to place both boys there with the understanding that as soon as he is approved Mr. Backster will be the long-term foster parent. I'm trying to get Duncan placed in a permanent home as quickly as possible and it should require very little time to add Tom Fray. I'll even help with the paperwork."

"Okay," Mr. Hicks said. "I'm satisfied for now." He turned to Mike and said, "Is tomorrow good for you?" Mike said it was and they made arrangements on where and when to meet.

As they were leaving Ms. Tompkins let Mr. Hicks out first and then paused at the door to let him get a few steps ahead. "It's going very well. Be careful in the meeting tomorrow, it will count a lot if there is an open and happy rapport between you and Tom. I sense and I'm sure you did too that Mr. Hicks seems uncommitted to your efforts to adopt Tom. He's doing this only because he has to explore all avenues to permanently place Tom. My advice is to do what he said and not talk about anything personal."

Mike slept poorly that night and even though he was early to the chosen restaurant Mr. Hicks and Tom were both there. Tom seemed nervous as Mike came in and joined them at the booth. "What's the F stand for," was his first question.

"I'm sorry, what F?" Mike asked.

"In your name. Duncan gave me the two books you wrote and they say your name is Michael F. Backster. What's the F for?"

"Frank. I'm named after my father. His name is Frank."

"Will I ever meet him?"

Mike saw Mr. Hicks start to move in but said, "Hard to say right now. I can write a good detective novel but I can't see into the future."

Tom stared at him as if he wanted something, but Mike had no idea what he might want. "What do you want to eat?" he asked.

The ordered, but once the waitress left it was silent again. "So, what are we going to do this afternoon?" Mike asked.

"I don't know. I wanted for you to teach me how to swim but Mr. Hicks said no." The way he said 'Mr. Hicks' made Mike think there was some friction between them. "I guess we could go see a movie."

"It'll be hard to talk while we're at a movie," Mike said.

"Yeah, I guess. What did you want to talk about?" Tom asked.

Good question, Mike thought to himself. He had a ton of questions he wanted to ask but Mr. Hicks had said to keep away from any personal discussions. That didn't leave a lot since he knew so little about Tom. "What's your favorite thing to do?"

"Be with Duncan," Tom said with a sigh. "I miss him. A lot. Do you get to see him?"

"No, I don't. But Ms. Tompkins says he's doing fine. When you and Duncan were together, what did you do?"

Mike saw Tom's face turn red and knew what Tom was thinking. He hoped Tom wouldn't say it. After a long pause, Tom said, "He read to me. And he made up stories and told them to me."

Mike ducked his head suddenly and then sat back up. "Did you see that? A Bligering. It flew right over my head. And I'm sure you know that Bligerings are never alone. Where there's one, there's always others."

Tom just stared at Mike. Mike was just ready to try something else when Tom said, "I've never seen a green Bligering before. Red one's sure, they're everywhere. And once I saw a blue one. But there is a green Bligering on that light behind you, and its staring at us."

The expression on Mr. Hicks face as he turned to look at the light and tried to understand what was going on was priceless. Mike and Tom spent the rest of the lunch period making up a story that made no sense but was fun for both of them.

After lunch, Tom said, "I want to run through the park." He ran for the door and turned to the right. "Come on Michael Frank Backster, try and catch me."

Mike knew it was going to be a losing battle, he was far too out of shape to keep up with a skinny eleven-year-old, but he tried. Mr. Hicks on the other hand ordered Tom to stop, but when he didn't he tried to run but was out of breath before even Mike was. Mike ran as far as the park and waited on the swings for Mike to catch up.

"We only have a minute before he gets here. Did you find the stuff Duncan left for you?"

Through heavy breaths Mike said he had.

"He's scared, but he's trying to hide it from his social worker. He's hoping you'll get him out of the home soon. He told me the kids there are bad. I worry about him every day. And Mr. Hicks wants to put me there if he can't find a home by next week. My foster mom wants me gone just like she wanted Duncan gone."

"I'm doing as much as I can. I wish it was more. But I've formally asked for you and him to be placed with me. I think the home study is going well and is almost done. If you've got a way to talk to Duncan, let him know I'm doing all I can."

"If you adopt me, will we, you know, do stuff like Duncan and I did?"

"No," Mike said, but again he felt that little ping of interest and had to reconsider his thoughts. "It wouldn't be right. I'm a lot older than you."

"As long as you don't force me to do stuff I don't want to do I wouldn't mind doing stuff with you," Tom said.

"It won't happen. If that's all you see in me then maybe you'd be better trying to find a home where you'd be a better fit."

"No, it's not like I want that to be the only thing, I'm just saying, if you ever wanted to it would be okay. But there's a lot of stuff I want to do. Normal stuff. Like leaning to swim. And boy scouts. And help with math. And I don't want to always be worried about being sent away like foster kids feel. I want a place to call home. And Mr. Hicks just doesn't get it."

"I do, and I'll do all I can. But here he comes and I'm prohibited from talking about this stuff with you. We're going to have to lie about what we've been saying."

"That's simple, I'll just make up another nonsense story. He's really not very bright." And as Mr. Hicks got close Tom started out by saying, "So when the elevator door opened, all the kids saw was just a bucket of water. The monster was gone, but so was the superhero."

"Yeah, superheroes don't stick around much once the bad guys are dealt with. Good story Tom!"

Mr. Hicks was a little angry that Tom had run off and said that "silly story time" was over. "Thanks for meeting with him," he said to Mike.

Tom came over and hugged him. "I had fun today. I want to do this again. Thanks for taking time to be with me. And start working out. If you're going to adopt me you've got to be able to keep up with me."

"Come on Tom, let's get back. I've got other kids I've got to check on today." Mr. Hicks pulled Tom off Mike and led him back to where his car was parked. Mike headed home with mixed feelings about how Mr. Hicks felt the meeting went.

It took another two weeks before they finally got the good news that Ryan's emergency foster care had been approved, including his rental agreement with Mike. Duncan had to wait two days for the paperwork to go through processes before he was put in temporary foster care under Ryan. But with the good news came bad news-Mr. Hicks had not approved transferring Tom to emergency foster care.

Even Ms. Tompkins said she was surprised at that decision and promised to talk to him, but without support from Tom's social worker there was nothing more she could do. With help from Duncan, Ryan, and Steve, they moved Mike's stuff into the big house in one day and Mike was able to put his house on the market.

Then came three weeks of travel promoting his book. Mike hated to leave, he and Duncan had just gotten back together, but it was necessary. And the publisher was paying all the costs.

But once he got back, Ms. Tompkins had even better news. She had gotten letters from Mike's parents and his publisher and now had everything she needed to put forward a recommendation that Mike be approved as a foster parent. She said that decision would likely take a few more weeks, again, bad news on top of good news.

But by surprise, she was back the following week with all of the official paperwork to transfer Duncan from emergency foster care to long-term foster care with Michael F. Backster as his official foster parent. The next day, Tom was moved from the group home to which he'd been sent to Mike as well. Ms. Tompkins recommended allowing six months to pass before filing for adoption, but with support from Ryan, Steve, Duncan, and Tom they went to court after just three months and Duncan and Tom were both officially adopted by Mike.

By that time, Mike's book was in demand and the publisher was doing its best to keep it on the shelves. The royalty payments were better than Mike had expected, and those along with the money he received for selling his old place he began pouring money into two college funds.

Even D. Worthy managed to publish two more short stories, fattening his bank account.

The well-known 'honeymoon' period passed without problems. All of them learned how to effectively deal with necessary punishment and Mike and Ryan were happy with each other. Duncan had dropped his 'State name' and reverted to using his real name and was now officially Darren. He and Steve each had a girlfriend, but at least twice Mike had been real sure that Darrin and Tom had been together. When he brought it up one night with Ryan, Ryan said that he was real sure that Steve and Darrin had also hooked up for mutual blowjobs more than once. They decided to ignore it and not even discuss it with the boys.

Tom was having trouble at school, especially once someone accused him of being gay. Instead of denying it, Tom had said, "Who cares if I am," but then came an ugly backwash of problems. Mike and Ryan thought it best if they home-schooled him at least until he was ready for high school. While home schooled, he learned to swim and discovered theater. He and Darren made a trip to Mike's birthplace where they met Mike's parents. With help from Mike and Darren, Tom went on to become a very successful playwright and actor.

One day after being on the road promoting his book again, Mike came home and asked Darren if he thought that D. Worthy might want to collaborate on a novel version of D. Worthy's book, "A Place to Call Home." Two years later, the book was published where it met some success. It would be the only book D. Worthy would ever publish, but Darren Wilkinson published his first book while he was a junior in college. It was a detective novel, and it wouldn't be the last book published under his real name.

The End