This is a story about a man and a handicapped teenage boy that meet and fall in love. If you are underage or offended by the subject matter, please leave. Up to the point where they talk for quite some time, the story is real for the most part. We did part without ever exchanging anything more than conversation. He was just as beautiful as described. Maybe if I had been more agressive...who knows? The rest is strictly fiction on my part. Please send any comments to redfordtodd_@hotmail.com. Be kind as this is my first effort. No offense to handicapped persons is intended. I already have additional chapters ready, if you the reader are interested. It may come across as long winded and I don't always get right to the sex. (there is more in later chapters) I wanted the reader to feel like these were real people, and get to know them. I want to give credit to my good friend, Wilson, who has helped me more than he will admit as my editor.
Dear readers, Gerry & Todd are taking a well deserved break. This chapter is my Thanksgiving present to you. After my return on November 26, there will be much, much more. The next three chapters are finished. May you all have a terrific holiday, and have much to be thankful for. I have many things to be thankful for this year, but I want you readers to know that you are one of them. Thak you all.
Todd Grant
Chapter 9- Going Home
His graduation present seemed to help more than I could have hoped for. Gerry seemed more determined every day. His room was always filled with cards and flowers from so many people. I know that it all helped him with his resolve to make it.
On the following Sunday, he asked me a special favor. He decided that since he couldn't be home to look after Tattoo, I should take him with me during the week. That way he knew that someone was looking after me as well. How could I explain to him at this point that I didn't have any place to go.
All too soon, it was time for me to leave. It was the most difficult thing I ever did leaving him laying there so helpless. We kissed and we cried. Not just Gerry and I, but Em and Bill too.
Since I never actually quit my job, I still had it to go back to. I managed to find a place that evening when I returned to Detroit that at least would do for a temporary basis.
Tattoo and I soon settled into a routine. Get up, do my duty, then take Tattoo for a walk to do his. Go to work. Come home and take Tattoo for another walk. Think about eating, then discard the thought. Often, I didn't eat the whole day long.
I missed Gerry so much, and worried about him to the point that I found myself losing weight. In just three days, my tight jeans that he liked so well were getting loose. Taking one look in the mirror, I couldn't believe the image staring back was so haggard. That was it. There was no way that he could see me looking like this, and I began to turn myself around as quickly as possible. I began to eat again, and eventually, I started to sleep better too.
I called him twice a day during the week, and spoke to Em and Bill at least once a day. Just hearing his voice as it seemed to get stronger, gave me more resolve to get my act together.
Looking around, I managed to find a small house for rent. I spent my spare time turning it into a home. One evening I went out and ran into some people I knew. We talked and I told them about Gerry. They seemed to be truly sympathetic. They said that I could call on them if I needed someone to talk to, or a shoulder. It made me feel better during those days when I was so far away from Gerry.
I was there to see him every weekend. It hurt to watch him struggle so much and to see his frustration. Slowly, he got the use of his hands and arms back in about two weeks. There was no describing how good it felt to be able to hug him and have him hug me back.
He had three more operations in the next four weeks. It was so very hard not to be there for each one, but the surgeon's schedule didn't revolve around me. My new friends helped a bit, but I didn't want to be budensome.
Two more weeks passed and there seemed to be something I wasn't being told, but I didn't press the issue. Gerry, Em and Bill were acting strange around me, and I was beginning to feel left out.
My birthday was on Saturday this year. The Wednesday before, I was told the news that Gerry was going home the next day as the doctors had done all they could. No one told me just what that was even when I asked. I talked to him and he seemed okay with it. Maybe he was just glad to be leaving the hospital and going home.
I had changed my shift at work so I could go every Friday afternoon back to London. This Friday, I felt strange as I did the now too familiar drive. Having Tattoo along made the drive each week a bit easier. Somehow I couldn't shake this premonition that when I got there, my life was in for a big change. I was never so right in my life.
When I pulled in front of the house, I talked myself through the scenario. Whatever shape my baby was in, we would learn to deal with it together. I got out and went up the steps with Tattoo on my heals. Bill met me at the door. There were tears in his eyes.
"Please don't take it too hard, Todd," he said patting my shoulder.
What was it that Bill wasn't telling me? What am I going to find?
Em was on the couch reading. She looked up at me. Her eyes were looking like Bill's.
"He's so anxious to see you, but don't be too shocked," she warned.
My heart was sinking after her words. My imagination began to drum up things that I had pushed away. Did Gerry have a relapse that no surgery could fix? Is he fully paralyzed again? What could they be keeping from me?
I could hear Tattoo at the backdoor in the kitchen, whining.
"I believe Tattoo needs to go, Todd. Be a dear and let him outdoors." Em said.
Where was he? Where was my Gerry? Passing his bedroom on my way to the kitchen, I could see that it was empty. No Gerry or wheelchair. Something was definitely wrong here.
I opened the door and let Tattoo out. As soon as he was out, I heard him begin barking. Now what? Going out the door, I just stood there, not believing my eyes. I'm dreaming, that's it. When I wake up this will have been just a dream. But I knew I was wide awake. This was real. How? Why?
My tears began to flow.
"You're early, mam," Gerry said with a grin. "I had planned on meeting you at the door."
He was standing with those special short crutches with the elbow braces in the middle of the yard. I was still in shock as I put one foot forward.
"No! Let me come to you for a change," he said, a look of determination on his face.
Very slowly he made his way across the yard, slightly dragging his legs, until we were face to face. I could feel the tears running ever faster down my face as I tried to shake off the disbelief.
"Do I at least get a hug?" he asked with a pout.
Pulling him to me, I couldn't stop crying. My arms felt the brace on his back. I raised my eyes to the sky. "Oh, dear God, thank you, thank you."
I felt an indescribable joy as I looked at my baby. "You are so very special to me. God has really blessed us both, you know that, don't you?"
Gerry nodded. "He brought us together, all of us." He looked over at his grandparents and nodded.
Bill and Em joined in for a group hug. After a while they let go.
"Why didn't any of you at least let me know?" I asked indignantly.
"Because we didn't know for sure until a few weeks ago. We couldn't have all of our hopes dashed and yours too. If it hadn't worked we needed you to be strong for all of us," Em explained.
"Me, be strong for you; you have both been my rock through all of this," I cried.
"Todd, you have no idea how much all of us love you, and we have leaned on you more than you have leaned on us," Em said.
I was still hugging Gerry when a thought hit me.
"Baby, isn't it hurting to be on your feet for so long," I asked looking at his face.
He shook his head, "Nope, all better! I've been doing some very intensive physical therapy so I could surprise you."
"Oh, you did a great job of that!'
He giggled.
"Just how much better?" I wanted to know.
"Well..." he paused.
"Well, what? Dammit, tell me!" I said. "Gerald, don't you dare keep another secret from me! Promise!"
"I promise." He gave me his smirk again. "Is it okay if we keep the crutches for say another six months to a year before we throw them out?"
I put him at arms length and looked deep into his eyes. "You aren't making this up?"
He shook his head. I began to cry again. "Oh, my baby. I could never have hoped it would come to this. I have prayed so much just to have you back." I pulled him to me again.
"Todd, I'm so sorry I put you through all this these last few months," he whispered. "I can think of many many ways to try and make it up to you."
He had a leering look on his face as he slowly licked his lips. I could feel sensations in my groin, and through our clothes I could feel the stirring in his as well.
"Not in front of the folks!" I scolded.
He pouted, and I just shook my head at him. When he arched one brow, all of us laughed.
Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving