Jaiden Chapter 100
Gregory A. Patrick
01/28/2021
Jaiden Chapter 100
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Greg Patrick
"Pastor Stevens, would it be possible for me to speak to the church Sunday morning?" "Sam, why do you want to do that?" "Pastor Stevens, I want to apologize to everybody for letting them down. I want to apologize to my parents, to my friends, and especially to you. I have disappointed so many people, and I need to set things straight."
"Sam, that is an exceptionally courageous thing you are proposing to do. I don't know that it is necessary for you to do that, but if it is what you feel you are called to do, then, yes, you may speak before the service begins Sunday morning. I want you to do it before the services begin, because I have a feeling the Holy Spirit is going to take over Sunday as you speak."
"Pastor Stevens, I hope that happens because I need an in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit, and I need to get my life straight. You know Jaiden and Peyton, and I know they are Jewish, but do you think you could get them to come Sunday, too?" "Sam, I will call Jaiden and ask him if he can attend services Sunday."
"Jaiden, this is Pastor Stevens. Sam asked me to call you and see if you could attend our services Sunday morning. He said he needs to apologize to some people, especially to his parents, and to the church for disappointing them. It is not something I suggested or asked him to do, it is all his idea and desire." "Pastor, don't your services start at 11:00?" "Yes, sir, they do." Can your members handle ten babies, 8 months old, running wide-open?"
"Jaiden, we're Pentecostals, we do everything wide-open, so I think your babies will be at home in the church nursery. Pastor, the babies are true pranksters in every sense of the word, so, leading up to Sunday, please pray for your nursery workers, there is no doubt in my mind they are going to need all the prayers and help Hashem can give to them." "Jaiden, that is hilarious!"
"Pastor, I'm serious. Every one of our children take after Peyton's sister, and she is the Queen of Pranks." "Tell Sam we will be there for him. I think this is a very positive thing for him to do, and I think it will be the beginning of a new and exciting life for him going forward." "Thank you, Jaiden, I hope you and yours have a wonderful evening." "The same to you and yours, Pastor."
"Hey, sweet-stuff, we have been invited to Reverend Stevens's church Sunday at his and Sam's request. Sam wants to publicly apologize to his parents, and his fellow church members, for the way he acted in the hospital, and for getting in trouble the way he did; his family is a member of Reverend Stevens's church." "Jaiden, I'd love to go with you, but did you warn him about the ten little Jenny's?" "I did, Peyton, and he told me they were Pentecostals and did everything wide open. I quickly let him know that I was serious, and that the babies were pranksters who take after the Queen of Pranks." "As long as he was warned," Peyton said as he started laughing.
"Jaiden." "Yes, mam." You got a card in the mail today; it is on your dresser upstairs." "Thanks, Ginny." Jaiden went upstairs, got the envelope, and opened it; it was from Jeremy. "Dear Uncle Jaiden and Uncle Peyton, a friend took a picture of Carl and me and I thought you two would like to have a copy. I think it is a perfect picture of the two of us, and you get to see how cute Carl is. I love you guys, Jeremy."
Peyton walked into the bedroom as a tear rolled from the corner of Jaiden's eye. "Who was the card from, sweetheart?" Jaiden didn't say anything as he handed Peyton the card with the picture. "Jaiden, Carl is really cute." "Yes, he is Peyton. Look at the picture closely." "Jaiden, they are at our spot by the lake." "Yes, they are, Peyton. Talk about a picture bringing back good memories. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In this case, that picture is worth way more than a thousand words, and to see how happy Jeremy looks, and how much in love those two appear to be..."
Jaiden threw his hands in the air, turned, walked to the windows of the bedroom, laid his left arm across his chest, and rested his chin on his right fist. His eyes were red and watery as he remembered the earlier, good times he had with Peyton. Peyton walked to Jaiden, put his arms around him and gave him a soft kiss. They didn't say anything as they stood there holding each other and feeling an extreme amount of love.
"Peyton, watch the children in the back yard with Charlie and Dale. Is it me imagining something, or are the boys being protective of Alaina Noelle?" "Jaiden, you aren't imagining anything, the boys are making sure they aren't being too rough with her. Eight months old, and they are already starting to be protective of their sister. We're going to have to watch the boys to make sure they don't smother her with their protection." "I agree, Peyton. I feel sorry for the person she becomes infatuated or falls in love with, they are going to be watched like a hawk; unbelievable!"
"Jaiden." "Yes, Dale." "Were you and Peyton watching the children outside?" "Yep." "Did you see what I thought I was seeing?" "Probably. What did you think you were seeing?" "I thought I was seeing the boys being protective of Alaina Noelle?" "Yep." "Yep, what?" "Yep, they were being protective of Alaina Noelle." "How am I going to help her?" "Nope." What do you mean by `nope?'" "Nope, I am not getting involved, that's your problem."
"Jaiden!" "Dale, watch your daughter, when she gets tired of those boys `protecting' her, she will stop them. Neither one of us needs to step in and stop the boys, she'll do it herself when she's ready; and it won't take her long at all."
Jaiden was right; it wasn't a week later when Dale and Charley heard Chuck let out a blood curdling yell. "What the hell?" Dale and Charlie took off running to get outside and see what was wrong with Chuck. Jaiden was sitting on the deck with Peyton when Dale and Charley went rushing by. "Whoa, guys, have a seat." "But we heard Chuck screaming, Jaiden." "Yes, Dale, you did, and I told you when Alaina Noelle got tired of the `protection,' she'd do something about it, and she did. Watch the boys now."
"The boys are scared to death of Alaina Noelle." "Yes, they are, because she has set her boundaries, and they know what is going to happen if they cross the line. She is, always has been, and always will be the boss, and the boys just figured that out." Charley was laughing so hard he was blood red in the face. "Charley, you knew, didn't you?" "Yes, my love, I did. I was just wondering when our daughter would set her brothers straight." "Charley, why didn't you say something to me?" "Dale, you have always been too busy spoiling that girl, and I had fun watching that. You have a special bond with Alaina Noelle, and I am not going to say or do anything that will interfere with that, I won't." "Charlie please tell me I haven't been showing partiality to her over the boys." "Dale, you haven't, so let it go."
"I have done exactly what my Dad said I was going to do!" "Dale, that is the biggest pile of pontificated bovine fecal matter I have ever smelled! You haven't done what your Dad said you would do. Alaina Noelle knew exactly what she was doing, and she played you like a violin. That is what daughters do to their Dads, ask Peyton's Dad, he'll tell you. Why do you think Jenny gets away with so much when she is with her Dad?" "Dale." "Yes, Peyton." "Charley is right, so listen to him. Jenny has always played Dad for what she could get away with, and Dad let her; still does. Girls are special to their Dads, and Alaina Noelle is no different, so instead of getting upset with yourself, make up your mind to let her enjoy her relationship with you; just know when to say no."
"Peyton, I feel like I've done something wrong, and I don't know how to fix it." "Dale, you haven't done anything wrong, and there is nothing to fix. Every father-daughter relationship is just like yours. Daughters are special to their Dads who seem to be overly protective where their daughters are concerned. If you had a sister, you would understand that. I have always taken a back seat to Jenny where Dad is concerned, but where Mom is concerned, I could never do any wrong; still can't. You have something special, Dale, enjoy it." "Sweetheart, Peyton is right, and I know it, so do what he said, enjoy your special relationship with Alaina Noelle."
Dale sat on the couch in the den and didn't say a word. He didn't want to be partial to one child over the other, and that he might be was tearing him apart. Jaiden walked inside, took one look at Dale, and said, "Dale, you're as white as a sheet, you are trembling, and you are sweating; what is going on?" "Jaiden, I am scared to death that I'm giving my daughter special attention over my boys."
"Bullshit, Dale! You spend just as much time with your boys as you do with Alaina Noelle. Being a girl with four brothers can be, and often is, a daunting existence, and the special attention you might give her helps her to have confidence in herself. So, pull your thumb out of your ass, and do what you do best: be those children's Dad just like you always have been; you're good at it, and you know it!". Your daughter needs the special attention, and you both understand that; that is why she is clingy more times than not." "I haven't thought of it that way, and I can see what you are saying." "Good, now enjoy your special relationship with Alaina Noelle, she needs it, and she chose you to get it; she knows what she's doing."
Dale picked up his daughter and said, "Alaina Noelle, I don't know if you can understand what I am saying or not, but I love you more than anything in this world, and I don't want you to feel smothered by your brothers. I want you to have a happy, fulfilled life full of peace and joy, I don't want you to ever feel like you have to act a certain way because you feel that is what is expected of you by me, or by your brothers." When Dale looked down at his daughter, a tear rolled out of her little eye; that was his confirmation that Alaina Noelle understood exactly what he said. Dale kissed his daughter, and watched as she snuggled into his arms and began peacefully sleeping.
When Dale walked upstairs to put his daughter in her bed, Jaiden looked at Peyton and Charley, and said, "that was so sweet to see and hear, and when Alaina Noelle let that tear escape her eye, settled into Dale's arms, and went to sleep, wow!" Charley said, "Jaiden, thank you for snapping Dale out of his grand funk. I wasn't sure how to do it, but you came through for us like you always do, thank you." "Charley, I don't know if it was what I said or not, but you are welcome if you think so. Dale tends to be philosophical, and I tend to be a literal realist, and the two ideals tend to work together to bring out the good in most situations." "They really do, Jaiden, and you have proven that more times than I can count." "I love you, too, Charley."
"Jeremy, this is Uncle Jaiden, how'd your week go?" "We had our second round of exams, and so far, I have a 4.0 GPA. I have never been happier than I am right now. Carl is supportive and protective of me. He does something every day to show me he loves me, and he gives the best massages, especially when my left side and my legs hurt where they were broken." "What do you think is making them hurt?"
"Uncle Jaiden, it is the stainless-steel screws when it is really cold outside. That is the only time anything seems to hurt." "Jeremy, maybe in a year, those screws can be removed and you won't have the aches from them." "I hope so, because it is a pain in the glutes." "Jeremy, you're in the second half of the semester, aren't you?" "Yes, sir." "Are you taking biology?" "How'd you know, Uncle Jaiden?" "You said glutes instead of butt like you normally did. I guess school is rubbing off on you."
"I didn't realize it, but I guess you're right. I really enjoy Wellstone, and with Carl by my side, there is very little, if any, stress." "You are also taking English composition, aren't you, Jeremy." "I gave that secret away, too?" "Yes, you did, and that is a good thing. It tells me you are applying what you are learning, and that makes me very proud of you." "Thanks, you saying that makes me feel proud of myself." "Jeremy, you should feel proud of yourself, you have earned that feeling."
"Hey, Don, is Jay home?" "He is, would you like to speak with him?" "Actually, I'd like to speak to both of you if he can pick up an extension." "Hi, Jaiden, this is Jay, what's up?" "Jay, I was calling to see if you and Don had talked to Jeremy this week." "We were going to call him tomorrow, is everything OK?" "Everything is more than OK from what I can tell. I'm not going to give away what he told me, but I am so proud of that boy. He did say his left side and his legs were hurting from the cold weather. I asked him what he thought the reason for that was, and he said the stainless-steel screws make him hurt when they get cold; but it was everything else he said that made me feel so proud of him." "Thanks for letting us know, I think we'll go ahead and call him tonight so he can go galivanting around town for the weekend."
"Jeremy, this is Dad, how are things going at school?" "Dad, we had our second round of exams and so far, I have a 4.0 GPA." "Good, I'm proud of you!" "Dad, I couldn't be happier than I am right now. Carl does something every day to let me know he loves me, and I try to do the same for him. He is extremely protective of me, and makes sure I don't do something that might hurt me; I've never met anyone like him except for you and Dad." "That's awesome, son, just be careful and be considerate of each other." "We are Dad. You know me, I can irritate him at times but we talk about it when I do, and we make adjustments to help us get along better." "You learned that from Jaiden and Peyton, didn't you?" "In part, yes, but I also learned it from you and Dad. I feel so blessed to have you both as my parents. I've never felt the way you and Dad make me feel about myself, and the way Carl makes me feel."
"Son, you have no idea what that means to me and Dad." "Jay is right, son, we are incredibly proud of you." "Thanks, Dad. I work hard to make you proud." "Yes, you do, and it makes us smile all the time. Jeremy, you have made our lives so much better since you became part of the family. I'm a fairly smart man, but I can't explain how happy we have been since you became our son, and to watch you grow into an awesome young man...I can't explain the feeling that gives to me." "I love you two, too, Dad, and I always will. Thank you for what you have done for me." "You're welcome, son. It is early, so why don't you and Carl take a stroll around campus and have some fun while you can." "We will, Dad, I love you both." "Ditto, son."
"Jaiden, this is Don. Jay and I just spoke with Jeremy and he has matured so much, and he is having a blast at Wellstone." "Yes, he is, Don. Did you pick up on the difference in his grammar and diction as he speaks?" "I did, but I didn't say anything to him about it, at least not yet."
"I understand. When I talked to him, he said the stainless-steel screws were a pain in the glutes. Before he would have used the word butt. I got a bit tickled at that, so I asked him if he was taking Biology in the second half of the semester and he said yes. What makes me most proud of him is that he is applying what he learns, and that shows growth on his part."
"Jaiden, we're both proud of that fact. I couldn't be happier about his relationship with Carl; him being so happy..." "Don, believe me, I understand; he deserves that happiness in his life." "That he does, Jaiden. Well, have a good weekend." "I will, Don, but before I forget. The guys and I have been invited to Reverend Stevens's church, First Pentecostal Church, Sunday morning. Sam asked him to call and invite us because he wants to publicly apologize to his parents and to the congregation of his church." "What time is the service, Jaiden?" "It starts at 10:30, and Sam is going to speak before the service begins." "Jay, and I will be there, so look for us so we can sit together." "I will, Don; see you Sunday morning."
"Good morning, Mrs. Tubberman." "Good morning, Jaiden, Peyton, did you wind up those boys this morning?" "We didn't, but they may have done it themselves." "I thought they might, so I asked Hashem to give me extra energy today." "Mrs. Tubberman, that is funny!" "Funny, yes, Jaiden, but I really did ask for that extra bit of energy, and if you look above and to the right of the door, my keys are hanging high, as is my pocketbook." All the guys were laughing with Mrs. Tubberman, and their children were already trying to decide their first prank. "Mrs. Tubberman, Alaina Noelle set her boundaries with her brothers yesterday, so if one of them screams, it's probably because she backed them off from being too protective." "Already, Dale?" "Yes, mam, already." Charley winked as Mrs. Tubberman as they both smiled from ear to ear."
"Jaiden, would you mind if I invited the Rabbi and his family over for lunch today, I have plenty of food cooked?" "Not at all, Dale, go ask him, and to make sure they come, be sure to ask his wife." Dale looked at Jaiden as they both had a chuckle."
"Rabbi, I was wondering if you and your family could come over for lunch today. I cooked plenty and it is one of David's favorite meals." "Dale, do me a favor and ask the Rebbetzin, that way she'll say yes instead of worrying about imposing." "Rebbetzin, I would appreciate it if you and your family would come over for lunch today. I cooked plenty of food, and it is David's favorite meal." "Dale, we would be happy to come over. What time should we be there?" "Rebbetzin, as soon as you get home. The children can play until I get the potatoes creamed and get everything put on the table." "Thank you, Dale, we'll be there as soon as we can get home." "Good, see y'all shortly."
When Dale, Charley, Peyton, and Jaiden got to the nursery to retrieve their children, Mrs. Tubberman was laughing with her hand over her mouth as she motioned for the guys to be quiet. She pointed for them to stand at the left side of the door so they could see what was going on. When they looked through the door, all nine boys were sitting in chairs in front of Alaina Noelle, and she looked angry.
"Guys, they got protective of that girl and she took care of that situation very quickly. She has been staring them down for the last ten minutes, and it has been hilarious. Alaina Noelle has chutzpah!" Charley said, "Yes, she does, Mrs. Tubberman, she got angry at the boys yesterday for being bossy and protective, and she let Chuck hold one. Chuck let out a scream that made us think he got hurt. He didn't get hurt, he got embarrassed." "Hilarious, guys. That girl is going to make a good Mom someday. I feel sorry for her children, and their spouses when they have her grandbabies; Alaina Noelle is going to be a child-spoiling Bubbie." "I bet you are right, Mrs. Tubberman. Thanks for watching the children this morning." "You are welcome, fellas. There is never a dull moment with those babies, and they are so smart." "Thank you."
"OK, boys. What would you like to have for lunch today?" "Skety, Da." "Jaiden, did you hear Jimmy answer me?" "I did, and I'm as surprised as you. You asked what they wanted for lunch, and they told you, so I guess we're going to Tony's." "Hey, Dad, this is Peyton. We have another first today. I looked at the boys and asked what they wanted for lunch when we got out of temple and your namesake told me, `Skety, Da,' so we are headed to Tony's for lunch.
"Peyton, I told you and Jaiden those boys were smart, and they are proving me right, but I didn't expect them to be talking and saying what they wanted at 8 months." "Dad, that's not all. All 9 boys were being protective of Alaina Noelle, and she finally got tired of it, and popped the crap out of Chuck. All nine boys left her alone after that, and she did what she wanted to do, the way she wanted to do it. When temple was over and we went to the nursery to get the children, Mrs. Tubberman was laughing and trying not to let the children see her. Apparently, the boys tried to get protective or bossy in the nursery, which I don't know, but Alaina Noelle made all nine boys sit in their chairs and wouldn't let them up; it was hilarious. We're at Tony's, and the babies are chomping at the bits to go inside; I'll call you later and let you know how things go." "OK, Peyton, y'all have a good time with my grandbabies, and enjoy lunch." "Yes, sir, talk to you later."
"Hi, Guys, what's up?" "Phil, Peyton made the mistake of asking the boys what they wanted for lunch. He got a surprise when Jimmy said, `skety, Da.'" We didn't expect them to answer, but...they did. Eight months old, and they are starting to tell us what they want. Yesterday, the boys learned Alaina Noelle could handle herself well when she had enough of her brother's behavior. She popped Chuck a good one, and all nine boys left her alone."
"Since Jimmy wanted skety, I'll get spaghetti with the child's sauce for the children. What would the Dads like to eat?" Jaiden said, "a medium all meat for Charley and me, and eggplant parmesan for Dale and Peyton; usual drinks." "I'll put the order in and get your drinks. Beer for the babies?" "Yes, please." Everybody in the restaurant stared at Jaiden when he said yes to beer for the babies. They started laughing when Phil brought milk out in sippy cups for the children and tea for the Dads. Jaiden looked at one couple and told them that nobody in their home drinks alcohol of any kind, that it is a joke between them and Phil, whom they have known for almost ten years.
When everybody finished lunch and got home, the Dads helped the babies potty and then put them to bed for their afternoon naps. Peyton went into Jaiden's and his room for some intimate time with Jaiden, and he intended to have it while the children were asleep.
Peyton walked up to Jaiden from behind, pulled his shirt out of his pants, and began running his hands up and down Jaiden's chest. He was doing it in such an erotic way that Jaiden laid his head back on Peyton's shoulder and let out a light, pleasurable moan. When he slid his hand into Jaiden's pants, his husband immediately responded.
Peyton turned Jaiden toward him, and softly kissed him as he began unbuttoning his shirt. Jaiden looked into Peyton's eyes as he began slowly unbuttoning his shirt as well. When their shirts had been unbuttoned, they slid each other's tee-shirts off. They were still very buff, so they started exploring the other's muscles and running their hands across their husband's abs, around their sides, and up their backs. As they moved to and laid on the bed, Jaiden laid on his left side with his left arm under Peyton's head. Peyton was lying on his right side with his right arm under Jaiden's head, as they looked into each other's eyes, and Jaiden gave Peyton soft kisses while gently palming the left side of Peyton's head, and rubbing his hair back. This intimate moment was not about sex, it was about pure, unadulterated love shared between two people who truly loved each other in incredible ways, the way love should be for every married couple.
Peyton slid down the bed, enough so that his head was just under Jaiden's head. He turned onto his left side and laid his head on Jaiden's left arm. He reached up and took Jaiden's hand in his, and they both fell asleep snuggled closely together and holding hands. They woke up when they heard their boys stirring around in the nursery. They got up and took care of their normal routine.
The next morning, they got the boys ready to go to Reverend Stevens's church. When they arrived at the church and got the children to the nursery, they noticed that several extra women were working in the nursery. Peyton looked at Jaiden and said, "They remembered." "I don't think it was the children being active last time, it's just that they had so many children to care for. Now, that might be different with our pranksters in the nursery."
When Jaiden and Peyton entered the sanctuary, many congregants remembered them, welcomed them back to the church, and inquired about the reason for their visit since everyone knew they were Jewish. Jaiden told them the Reverend had called him at Sam's request and asked them to come hear Sam speak to the congregation, nothing more and nothing less.
When everyone had taken their seats, Sam walked to the pulpit and began to speak, saying, "Some of you may know, many of you may not, that two weeks ago, I got into trouble in the park and wound up in the hospital. I had gotten involved in some gang activity, and there was a gang fight where one boy was severely injured and almost died. Had that happened, I would not be here today."
"I don't know how many stitches I had, but I do know that I was horribly insolent to the person who tried to care for me in the emergency room. He walked into the treatment room, and as he did, I said, "I knew I would get one of the gay guys...Sam started crying at this point and Jaiden got out of his seat and walked to him. He took Sam's face in his hands, looked into his eyes, and said, "Sam, I know what you are trying to do and to say, and I forgave you when it happened, so please, let it go so you can move forward, be happy, and do something positive with your life." He held Sam and let him get his emotions out. There wasn't a dry eye in the congregation that had not forgotten how Jaiden and Peyton had been treated in the past.
When Sam finally calmed down, he looked up at Jaiden and said, "thank you, Jaiden, I am so sorry I treated you the way I did." "Sam, I told you a few days later that everything was behind us, and that it was time to move on. I stand by what I told you, and what was done to help you, and I am here for you anytime you need me, and so is Peyton. You need to understand we are not mad at you, and we don't hold any grudges against you. Finish what you have to say to your church members, and we'll talk after church." "Yes, sir."
Sam continued speaking to the church members, saying, "I was extremely rude to Jaiden and Peyton, reproachfully rude, and both turned the other cheek. Jaiden rebuked me, and then forgave me. When I went to court, Jaiden and Peyton were there. When I had to speak to the District Attorney with my lawyer before I had to stand before the Judge, Jaiden was there. When I was taken to the Judges Chambers to discuss my case, Jaiden was there, and I received a mind-boggling sentence to live with my conscious, and believe me, that sentence has been full of embarrassment, shame, and regret for which I am eternally sorry."
"For the embarrassment I caused my parents, I will never forget or get over that. I was not raised in a way that drove me to do what I did. My actions were baseless, done in ignorance, and not with deference to the way I was raised. Mom, Dad, I hope someday you will be able to forgive me for hurting you the way I did, that you will one day be able to forget what I did, and get your happiness back. I am so sorry for hurting you the way I did; it won't ever happen again."
"To the Judge, who is sitting in the rear of the church, thank you for giving me the sentence you did; I have taken your advice to heart, and I am working hard to stay straight and to help stop other young people from making the mistakes I have made. I have talked with Pastor Stevens, and several of his friends who are pastors, about starting a ministry for teens called `Teen Rescue,' to give despondent and angry teens a place to go, and release their anger in a constructive way. I have spoken with the Counseling Center director, and they have agreed to participate in the program to identify and help those teens who are most at risk of committing behaviors that could result in them going to jail. That is the one way I could figure out that would make a difference in Erie's youth, and to make amends for what I have done. Judge Stanislauski, thank you so very much."
"To my church parents, my fellow youth, and my Pastor, I ask your forgiveness for letting each of you down in a most egregious way. What I did was stupid, ill-conceived, and done without forethought; it will not happen again, that is my promise to you." That said, Sam stepped from the pulpit, walked to Jaiden, Peyton, the Judge, and his parents and hugged and thanked them for standing beside and behind him. As Sam took a seat with his parents, the entire congregation stood and walked to the alter of the church where there was a corporate Pentecostal prayer for Sam. Sam's parents walked to the front of the church where Sam was anointed with oils of Frankincense and Myrrh, and prayed for by every member of the church. As anticipated, the Holy Spirit took over that service, and there was no sermon that day.
When church was over, Jaiden and Peyton went to Sam's parents, David, and Abigail Jones, and asked them to join them for lunch. David asked where he, his wife, and Sam should meet them for lunch. When Jaiden said the Country Club, they were in shock; they couldn't afford and had never been to the Country Club. David politely told Jaiden that he and his wife couldn't afford to eat at the club, and Jaiden said, "I asked you to join us, so lunch is on me and Peyton." David told Jaiden he didn't know what to say, so Jaiden said, "Tell me you will meet Peyton and me there in fifteen minutes. We'll meet you in the parking lot when you get there."
When everyone got to the club, the Jones's looked at the menu and ordered the cheapest food they saw. Jaiden handed the waiter a note, and said we'll have our usual. The waiter got the drink orders, turned in the order Jaiden had given him on the note, and brought the drinks to the table. A few minutes later, everyone was served Lobster Crostini for an appetizer. David and Abigail were puzzled at the appetizers and looked at Jaiden who simply smiled and said, "I hope you like lobster and enjoy the aperitifs."
When the appetizers were eaten, the waiter served everyone a house salad and placed several carafes of house-made salad dressings on the table. Jaiden noticed Sam was eating rather slowly as he was also watched by his parents.
When the salads were eaten, the waiter cleared the table of the salad dishes and placed new eating utensils at each chair. When the food was brought out, and placed before David, Abigail, and Sam, Sam put his face in his hands and began to weep. Jaiden walked to Sam, took his face in his hands, and, with his thumbs, wiped Sam's tears from his face. "Sam, talk to me, tell me what you are feeling, what has you weeping." "Jaiden, I don't know why you are doing this after I treated you so badly."
"Sam, have you ever had prime rib before?" "No, sir, we don't get to eat out and have food like this." "And you haven't ever eaten at a restaurant like this?" "No, sir." "Sam, don't you think you deserve to eat in a place like this, and to eat foods like this?" "Jaiden, I don't know. I don't know what to think right now."
"Sam, you weren't made or told to do what you did today at the church, that took a lot of guts, and it showed tremendous personal growth on your part. I know the true you isn't the person who was in the park fighting with a gang, and that you were trying to find a way to fit in. What you didn't and don't realize is that you fit very well into the group at your church whose members love you without reservation. Peyton and I wanted you to have this experience today because you deserve it. It will be one of the good things in your life that you will always remember, and it will stick in your mind that it happened because you deserved it, and you had people who love you enough to do this for you. Now calm down and enjoy your meal." "Yes, sir."
Everyone had prime rib cooked medium, baked potatoes with sour cream and plenty of butter on the side, and grilled asparagus, Jaiden's favorite meal. Dessert was the Death by Chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream, the one thing Jaiden rarely if ever ate. When the meal was over, Jaiden gave the Jones's a note with Peyton's and his address and invited them to their home for coffee and conversation.
When they arrived at the house, Dale had fresh fruit knishes in the oven, and had made two pots of coffee. The Jones's were amazed at the size of the house, and Peyton explained that Charley's Dad was a builder, and had an architect design the addition of the two large nurseries, and four bedrooms when they learned how many children would be arriving, and so the surrogate Mom's would have their own rooms to stay in while they all waited on the births of the babies. David and Abigail looked at the nursery and the huge bathroom as Jaiden and Peyton got the children pottied and dressed for their afternoon nap. When the babies were in their beds, the adults returned to the den where Dale and Charley were introduced to David, Abigail, and Sam.
Sam was taken aback when he, and his parents, received a hug from Dale and Charley. He walked to the French doors overlooking the backyard, and stood silently as tears rolled from his eyes. Jaiden let him stand there for a few minutes before he walked to Sam, put his arm around Sam's shoulder and said, "Sam, you have got to let this go. It's over, and you need to relax, and accept what has happened. Believe me, if the Judge had not believed you deserved a chance, you wouldn't have gotten it. None of us could believe the statement you gave to the DA, and you wouldn't have done that if you weren't remorseful for what happened. So, please, calm down, have a seat, and talk with us. It's a time for everyone to relax. Sam looked at Jaiden with extreme disbelief as he turned and went to sit by his parents.
Shortly after everyone had gotten to the house, and the babies had been put to bed, the Rabbi and his wife came over with their children to have coffee and knishes with the adults. Everybody laughed a lot and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. The Rabbi asked Sam how he knew Jaiden and Peyton, and Jaiden quickly spoke up and said, "Sam got hurt and needed some stitches, and I was the one who treated him at the hospital. I went to his church today to hear him speak, and he beautifully addressed his congregation." Sam eyed Jaiden with a look of surprise, and Jaiden winked at him. Sam got the message and nothing else was said about what had truly happened.
When the Jones's got up to go home, Charley, Dale, Peyton, and Jaiden gave everybody a hug before they walked out of the house. Sam remained perplexed at the love shown to him, so Dale looked at him and said, "Sam, it doesn't matter who walks into this house as adversaries or enemies, when they walk out, they are family to us." Sam teared up as he walked to his parent's car. When David got halfway down the street, Sam was crying so hard his mother got into the backseat of the car and held her son.
When they got home, Sam went to the backyard and sat in a swing chair. His Dad went out to sit with and talk to him. "Sam, I know you don't understand how Jaiden can be so kind to you after the way you talked to and treated him in the hospital. When he invited us to lunch today and then invited us into his home, he was showing you agape love. Do you understand what that is?" "No, sir, I don't."
"Sam, agape love means that Jaiden, Peyton, and their brothers were showing goodwill, benevolence, and love to you. The benevolence was them giving you the meal you have never had in a place in which you most likely would never have been able to eat. The most important thing is they showed you forgiveness and love; it takes a person with incredibly strong character to do what they did for you, your Mom, and me. They are truly good people."
"Even if they are gay, they are still God's children. And whether we agree with their lifestyle or not, and even if their lifestyle seems sinful to us or not, Matthew 12: 31-32 says it is forgiven them, and we must recognize that scripture as fact, and love them because they deserve to be loved, just like Jaiden said you deserve to be forgiven and loved. Do you understand that?" "Yes, sir, but I am still upset with myself for being so rude and so uncaring. You and Mom didn't raise me to be that way, and I am so embarrassed that I acted so badly."
"Son, it happened. It is over, you have apologized, and your apology was accepted, so you need to forgive yourself and think before you act from now own. Your Mom and I raised you the best we knew how, and how you act, and what you do, from this point on, is up to you. Your Mom and I may not like what you do or say, but we will always love you, and you need to understand that." Sam grabbed his Dad in a tight hug and held him as they cried together.
"Peyton, Sam is a good young man who doesn't realize that fact. How he got mixed up in that gang crap is a mystery to me, but there is one thing I know, he and his family have learned a big lesson in this, and that is they need to sit down and talk to each other, and know what is going on in each other's minds. I think Sam was lonely, and wasn't getting the intimacy he needed from his family, and he sought that intimacy in the wrong place. Thankfully, I believe he has learned his lesson." " Jaiden, I agree with you. The way he spoke in his church this morning, what he had to say, and the way he said it, took a lot of balls; I don't think I could have done that." "Me either, Peyton."
"Thank you for joining us for tonight's news. We start the news with a story of a young man who has started a program in his high school for at-risk youth, specifically those who are having a hard time coping with peer pressure, their environment, and loneliness. His name is Sam Jones. He has started a program called `Teen Rescue,' that targets at risk youth who show signs of loneliness, depression, and despair. The teens are identified by teachers, counselors, and fellow students, and are referred to the Erie Counseling Center. Meetings are held three nights per week, Thursday through Saturday, at seven in the evening at Erie First Missionary Baptist Church, Erie First United Methodist Church, and at Temple Anshe Hesed Synagogue. The program is run in conjunction with the assistance of counselors from the Erie County Counseling Center. If you know a teen who is at risk, or a teen about whom you are worried, please contact the counselors at your child's school, or the Erie County Counseling Center to get assistance for your child, or a child you know. Just after the news, tonight's segment of Community in Action will feature an interview with Sam Jones that you do not want to miss."
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, tonight's segment centers around a young man named Sam Jones, who has started a program in the Erie area called Teen Rescue. Sam, can you tell our viewers what Teen Rescue is, and why it was started?" "Basically, Teen Rescue is a program designed to identify teens who are most at risk of acting out, and getting into trouble that could land them in a youth detention facility, or in some cases, in an adult prison. At risk teens will be referred to school counselors, or counselors at the Erie Counseling Center, who will sign up the teens for group therapy sessions that will be held at the Erie First Missionary Baptist Church, Erie First United Methodist Church, and Temple Anshe Hesed Synagogue, since each of the churches and the synagogue have the room to allow Teen Rescue to function as a therapeutic community."
"Sam, what possessed you to get Teen Rescue started?" Sam was silent for a moment as he got his emotions together. "I got into a situation I had no business being a part of. I got hurt, and had to be hospitalized for injuries I sustained. When the Physician's Assistant, Jaiden Riley-Reynolds, came in to stop the excessive bleeding from my wounds, I was incredibly rude and insolent to him. He rebuked me rather severely for my comments before asking me if I wanted him to treat me or not. He cleaned and sutured all my wounds, and told my parents how I acted toward him. Because of what I was facing, my Dad had a heart attack, and Jaiden got him stabilized, and called in a heart specialist. When I got to the waiting room where my Mom was waiting to hear the results of my Dad's surgery, Jaiden, and Peyton, were sitting with my Mom, and wouldn't leave her side until they knew my Dad was going to be ok."
"I got so upset over my Dad that I became very ill. Even though I had been incredibly rude to Jaiden, he came to my aid, got medication to stop me from vomiting because of my nerves, got me calmed down, and talked to me in a most kind way. After the way I treated and talked to him, I have no idea why he was so kind to me. Everybody told me that it was simply the kind of person and the kind person he is and always has been. He went to bat for me when I went to court, and the rest is history. I publicly apologized to Jaiden, to my parents, my pastor, the judge, and the members of my church. I broke down emotionally when I was speaking to the people in my church, and Jaiden got out of his seat, came to me in the pulpit, dried my tears and held me until I calmed down. He is Jewish and he did what he did in a Christian Church. That is the moment I learned what Agape Love truly means. Teen Rescue is to honor Jaiden and Peyton and Judge Stanislauski. Thank God Judge Stanislauski was my judge!"
"Sam when you say Jaiden and Peyton, are you referring to Jaiden and Peyton Riley-Reynolds who recently won the Nobel Prize in Education?" "Yes, mam, I am. After apologizing to my church, my family, and to Jaiden, he and Peyton treated my family to a wonderful lunch we normally wouldn't get to have, and then invited us to his home. It's extremely difficult for me to understand how he could be so kind to me after I was so incredibly insolent to him." "Sam, Jaiden is here, so why don't we ask him. Jaiden, come on out."
"Jaiden, you have heard what Sam has said, would you give us your comments?" "First and foremost, Sam is not the person he appeared to be when he lashed out at me; he is quite the opposite. Sam was trying to find a place where he felt he fit in, and he thought he had found that place with the wrong people whose influence almost cost him his freedom. Sam is an incredibly gifted young man, who needs to see, and understand, just how much Hashem has blessed him. He is a member of a very loving and accepting church with a Pastor I have come to love and respect, even though he and I previously had a disagreement at a local restaurant."
"If you sit down and talk with Sam as I have, you will find he is a very loving, empathic young man who was lonely and looking for friendship and acceptance. He is talented, gifted, smart, and giving. I could see that in him, and that is why I forgave and have stood by him. I am beyond proud of him for what he has accomplished for youth who may be or were in the position in which he found himself. One thing that concerns me most is his fear that what happened will prevent him from getting into college. I simply cannot let that happen." "Jaiden, given what Sam was arrested for and charged with, I don't see how he can get into college." "I'm sure you don't, but you have heard, and seen, enough about me and my husband to know that neither of us accepts no for an answer to anything; everything is possible given Hashem's blessings, and a lot of hard work, and networking." "So, you think you and your spouse can get Sam into college after what he was involved in?"
"There is no reason, given people's attitudes toward those who make heinous mistakes in life, to believe that I, nor my husband, could get Sam into a college of any standing. So, no, I did not think I could get Sam into a college of good standing; I knew I could, and I did!" "How?" "Hashem, God, is in the miracle making business, and I believe in miracles of forgiveness and gifts. Sam, if you pull most of your grades up to an A with a smattering of a few Bs, you will have a four-year scholarship to attend my alma mater, Wellstone University!" "Jaiden, that is unbelievable." "No, it's not, believe it, because it is true. Sam needs to do that through the rest of this year, and through December when the holiday breaks begin. He can do it, and he knows he can, and I know he can. Everybody who knows Sam believes he can do it, so he needs to work hard and prove us right. If he accomplishes what I have told him to, he will start college at Wellstone in January of next year, and his college credits will count toward his high school graduation."
"Jaiden, I don't understand. I treated you like garbage in the hospital; why?" "Sam, what did I tell you at the church, and in the Judge's chambers? You didn't treat me like garbage, but you said something that made me extremely angry at the moment. I looked at you. I watched your reaction when you learned how the possibilities caused your Dad the problems he had at the hospital. I saw your true heart, and I knew you weren't striking out at me because I am gay, you were striking out at fear. So, I will ask you the question again: don't you think you deserve a break in life? Do you think you are worth me trying to help you to get what I think you deserve to have?
Don't you think you deserve to be rewarded for the person you truly are, instead of the person some people may think they see?"
"Jaiden, I am so sorry..." "Sam, I know that, and I have told you I forgave you as soon as you said what you did. Now let me and my family love and help you. Let the Erie community love and help you!" "Yes, sir."
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will close our show tonight in awe of the attitudes of, and assistance of, Jaiden and Peyton Riley Reynolds for Sam Jones. What we have seen, and heard, while investigating the facts for this story, leaves us incredibly amazed. Sam, we wish you nothing but success in helping other teens in our community get the assistance they need to be as successful as you have become so far, and as successful as you will be in the future. You are truly an amazing young man. That is our story for the evening, tune in next week when we will feature another story about amazing things occurring in the Erie community."
When the cameras went off, Sam fell apart after hearing about the college scholarship if he brings his grades up at the high school. Jaiden walked to Sam, knelt, and gave him a shoulder to cry on. He spoke softly and lovingly to Sam to help him calm down. Once again, he took Sam's face into his hands, wiped his tears away with his thumbs, and reassured Sam that everything is OK, and that he would get through everything, and as he did, Peyton and he would be there to help Sam any way they could – and it was all caught on camera.
As Jaiden walked in the door of his home, his phone rang. "Jaiden, this is Mom. I just saw an interesting story about a young man named Sam." "Mom, what do you mean? What did you see?" "Jaiden, what did that young man say to you to cause such a commotion?" "Mom, he had gotten involved in a gang, and they had a brawl in the park with another gang. He had been stabbed and cut in several places, and he could have bled to death if I hadn't gotten those wounds cleaned and closed. When I walked into the treatment room in the ER, he looked at me and said he knew he would get one of the fags to treat him. I looked at him and asked him, `what the hell did you just say?' He repeated what he had said, and I let him hold it with both barrels, and told him I could stop the bleeding before he bled to death, or I could turn around, walk back out the door, and let him bleed to death, that the choice was his, to choose an option."
"When I got all his wounds sutured, I walked out of the ER surgical suite, and ran into his parents. I let them know what he had said, and how furious I was, and then moved on to work on more of the fifteen teens who had been brought to the hospital. When I was at the desk completing notes, his parents walked up and apologized to me for the behavior of their son. Bobby and Roger were two of the officers who responded to the gang fight, and they told me that one of the boys who was cut and shot might not make it, and that if he died, Sam would be charged with second degree murder."
"I told Sam's parents that the way he acted toward me was the least of his worries, and that they needed to talk to Bobby and Roger. When Bobby told the Dad about the possible second-degree murder charge if the boy died, Sam's Dad had a heart attack, and I got him stabilized, and got a cardiac specialist to the ER to examine him. He was taken to the Cath lab and had three stents put in arteries they had to punch through. Peyton and I were sitting with Sam's Mom until we knew his Dad was out of the woods. Sam walked into the waiting room, and when he found out his Dad had a heart attack because of him, he collapsed and started shaking uncontrollably. I went to the nurse's station and ordered a light sedative to calm him. After he took the medication, he started vomiting profusely, and couldn't stop, so I went back and ordered a shot of Phenergan. That stopped the vomiting, and I made him lie down on a long couch and talked with him and let him know I wasn't mad at him. I couldn't be mad after I saw how remorseful he was."
"What about the college scholarship?" "I made a few calls, and if he brings his grades up to mostly an A with a smattering of a few B grades, he will have a full-ride scholarship to Wellstone. He is really having a problem accepting the fact that I did that for him. I talked with Don, and when the seriously injured boy improved enough that we knew he was going to live, he talked with the District Attorney."
"The DA said if Sam gave a full statement of what happened, and identified everybody involved in the gang fight, he wouldn't prosecute Sam, and would have all the charges against him dismissed. Don appointed a Public Defender to his case, and the DA got with him and explained what was going on, and what we were trying to do for Sam. He approved what had been worked out, and Sam gave a signed statement that was so detailed that it blew the DA's and Don's minds."
"They called me into the conference room to let me know what they were going to do. Don had told me to let him know when the DA and the Public Defender were ready to resume the hearing so I did. He had me take Sam and his parents into his chambers while he sentenced the other teens involved in the gang fight. They got stiff sentences, but if they serve one-third of their sentences without any major rule infractions while incarcerated, Don will cut their sentence to time served, place them under the Youthful Offender Act, and have them serve the balance of their sentence on probation. If they complete their sentences successfully, their records will be wiped clean."
"The other Defendants were told that Sam had pled to a special sentence that allowed what Don offered to do for them. They have no idea what I set up to happen for Sam who is having a hard time understanding why I did what I did."
"Jaiden, you are so much like your Dad, and I am so proud of you." "Mom, thanks for saying that. I want people to see me the same way they saw Dad; that is so important to me." "Jaiden, I will tell you, you are just like your Dad was, and people do see you in that regard. I have talked to all the ladies in the office tonight. The Rabbi has called as have the ladies in Hadassah. The temple members and my friends in the medical community are so proud of you, and so am I. Go spend some time with my grandsons, and Peyton, and have a good night. I love you." "I love you, too, Mom."
As Jaiden got through talking to his Mon, Peyton's parents called him and said basically the same thing Jaiden's Mom said. Charley's and Dale's parents called and said how proud they were to see the story from the stations in Pensacola. At nine that night, Jenny called and said the guys had made the news there again, and that the temple members, especially Jennifer, Marty, and Angie, had called to say how proud they were of the guys and that they could hardly wait to see them in June. Then Tony called as did the Presidents of Wellstone and LECOM.
When Jaiden and Peyton walked into class the morning after the interview with Sam, they got a standing ovation from their classmates. Andy had a lot of good things to say as well. When lunchtime rolled around and the guys walked into the cafeteria, they got another standing ovation from everybody in the cafeteria, and everybody who walked by them shook their hands or gave them a pat on the back; many did both. When they finally got home and had the time to talk to Ginny and Granny, they found out the church wanted to honor them once more, and they wanted Sam and his family to be at the church when that happened.
Jaiden called the Reverend and they set the following Sunday for the church to honor them. The Reverend would call the Jones family and invite them to the service. When he called the Jones's, they said they would be at the service. Jaiden told the Reverend he wanted Sam to be honored for doing the right thing, and for what he had started to help young people in Erie from making the same mistake he made. That would be done, and there would be a surprise that Sam and his family would not know about until after the service started on Sunday.
When Peyton, Jaiden, Charley, and Dale got to the temple for Saturday services, they were again honored in the synagogue. Rabbi Kravitz told the congregants that the temple's internet provider had opened their email system so that every email sent to the temple could be seen and read. So far, as of that morning, over five thousand emails had been received and four times that amount in letters had been received at the temple. Rabbis Kravitz and Belson had the mail bags with the cards and letters sitting in front of the pulpit. The temple was once again on the national map because of something Jaiden and Peyton had done.
To honor Jaiden and Peyton, the synagogue had rented out the entire Warf Seafood restaurant and were treating the guys to lunch. When everyone got to the restaurant, Jaiden was shocked to see his Mom and Peyton's parents there with Seth, who was standing with Richard and Sally. The guys were shocked when Tony walked in with Phil – and Jeremy and Carl in tow. They were excited at getting to finally meet Carl, and to see and understand everything they had been told about him. Don and Jay walked in behind Jeremy and Carl. Sam and his parents walked in with Don and Jay. It would be a day Jaiden and Peyton would never forget.
The next morning, everybody gathered at the Erie First Missionary Baptist Church for the service they were having to honor Jaiden and Peyton. When Jaiden and Peyton were asked to walk to the pulpit, Sam was called to walk with them. The Reverend, Gampy, and all the Deacons walked onto the pulpit and presented several awards to Sam, and to Jaiden and Peyton. When the awards had been presented, the Chairman of the Deacons announced that the ladies of the church had prepared a feast to be served in the church's new fellowship hall, and everyone was invited to partake of the meal.
As Jaiden, Peyton, and Sam were descending the pulpit to go back to their seats, the Reverend asked Sam to come back to the pulpit. Jaiden and Peyton smiled as they got back to their seats.
When Sam walked back onto the pulpit, the Reverend put his arm around him and said, "Son, we heard about the talk you gave in your church, and we want you to know how proud we are of you for having the courage to do and say what you did; now I want to show you something. Turn around and look at the screen behind us. When Sam turned and saw the screen, tears started falling from his eyes; his pastor, and his entire church, was watching the service in the social hall. After the Reverend let Sam know what was happening, he had Sam sit in a seat of honor on the pulpit.
When the Reverend began preaching on love and forgiveness, the sermon was incredibly powerful, and the more he preached, the harder he preached. The harder he preached, the more the congregation got into the sermon. When the service was over, everybody in attendance had heard what was possibly the best sermon ever. Even Jaiden's Mom had shouted a few times.