Chapter Five
"Well, that is something we have to talk about with both of you, as it has a very large impact on ALL of our lives, but Claire and I have been discussing a possibility that both of us like the idea of."
"Ok, I am lost. I can see the impact of having to move for you, not wishing to sound rude or anything else for that matter, but I don't see where me and mum come into the scheme" I said.
"Right. I did think you would say that", My mum said, and continued. "As you both know, Jude and I have been close friends ever since you first met. Right?"
"Yes", we both replied in unison. That was kinda weird and I was really unsure about where this was leading.
"Ok, now, if the current situation continues, one of us are always going to be without a son. Right?"
"Right", we both said.
"So, there is an easy way to solve the problem."
"Which is?" Robbie asked.
"Well, this is subject to you both agreeing. I want to sell our house. And Jude, of course, has to sell her house so that the money can be split. Well, we have worked out that if we did sell up, then together, we could purchase the old manor house up on the other side of town. This would therefore mean that; we would neither of us lose a son, but in my case, gain two and in Jude's gain one. The bills would be cheaper as we would share it fifty- fifty. If I am called out on work business, then Phill, you will still have Jude around and of course Tim and Robbie. So, it would be like having a family again for us. But, have the added bonus of you to being able to be together. What do you think? Its something that we had been discussing a while back when Phill's dad died and Jude was having a rough patch. So, from that point of view, it is not totally out of the blue."
"Well, naturally, you will have to give us time to think about such a change to our life style..........NOT!!!"
"I am glad you like the idea because it seemed so logical to us and, well, we knew that separating you two would be impossible!"
"Oh mum that would be way too cool", Robbie said.
"Yer" I agreed.
"So, when does all this happen?" Robbie asked.
"Well, as you seem so keen, I can tell you that we have sold our house a while back when your dad and I first had the divorce drawn up and that a house of Phill's and Claire's will take about two seconds to sell.
So really, we are waiting on how long Robbie will be tied up in here and when we can get him out to help with the moving!"
"I think I can answer that," The doctor said as he came walking in. "And, how our are pair of love birds then?", he said, looking at us.
Well, mum and Jude doubled over laughing at this. They thought it was the funniest thing since I don't know what, but they thought it was funny. Robbie and me, well, we just went very red.
"How do you know?" Robbie stammered out.
"Well, the way you are currently sitting incriminates you quiet nicely, but the entire staff knew as soon as Sister Mary saw you. She has an ear for gossip, so never tell her anything in confidence because it will end up the whole world knowing." He paused and looked at the charts on the end of the bed.
"Well now Robbie, you took one hell of a beating and I would strongly recommend to you that you do nothing AT ALL", he said looking at me, "for a good week. You were lucky that you had no Physical tears in your skin and only bruises. The bruises will heal up in just under a week or two. But you should not even attempt to try anything strenuous for at least a week, as otherwise, it will slow the healing of the bruises. Ok. Is there anything you want to ask me?"
"When am I discharged?"
"As of this second."
"Thank you very much, doctor", Robbie said, and the Doc walked out.
"Well, Robbie, you are one hell of a lucky ducky because that sort of abuse would normally take a long time to heal, but this is relatively short a period of time" his mum said.
"So where is Tim?"
"He is staying at a friend's house so that we can discuss the whole plan and make sure there are no problems for anyone. Is that ok?"
"I have four things to say before we adjourn until the evening. One, we must get a McDonalds on the way home cus I am starving. Two, I assume we are staying at Phill's place. Three, I think Tim should come back tonight so that everyone can explain together what is going on and he should be included in these talks as it is very much to do with him as us. And fourthly, what the hell are we going to do with the manor house, it is like sooo huge." Robbie had a really good point actually, we had played at the manor house one summer and I think it had about seven bedrooms or something stupid like that.
"Right, you and Phill stop off and grab a Mcd's for all of us. And, if you think your brother should be included, which I do think you have a point, then pick him up on the way back. We will head off home to make sure that the kettle is stocked and there are beds to sleep in. Ok?"
"Right you are. But who has Tim?"
"Tracy"
"Would you give her a call so as she can expect us?"
"Sure thing. We will be off now and be home sometime this millennium. And remember what the doctor said, no strenuous activity for at least a week."
And with that, they walked out sniggering to themselves. I lent over and gave Robbie the biggest kiss of his entire life
"I love you so much, don't ever leave me ok?"
"I love you too, and believe me when I say I am not going anywhere." After that, we hopped out of bed. This was easier for me as I was already dressed and I wasn't covered in bruises.
"Hey Robbie, let me help you. I wanna see how bad it is." With that, I walked over to him and released the strap that held his gown closed and pulled it off his arms. He was covered with black, yellow and many other colour bruises all over his body. It was a nasty sight, to say the least. After I had carried out my inspection, I helped him get dressed so that he would not have to bend over too much and hurt even more. Then, we signed out and hot tailed it over to the drive through.
"Hi there, five Mega Mac meals, please."
"Sure, coming up. Would you drive around please?"
"Robbie, what are you going to do about your dad?"
"I really don't know. I hate him so much. How can two people be so different, my mum who loves me no matter what and my dad who hates me because I am gay?"
"That will be six pounds forty pence, please."
"Sure", I said, as I handed over the money and took the food and put it on the back seat. After that, we drove over to pick up Tim.
I went up and knocked on the door. It was opened by Tim's friend.
"Hi", I said "Is Tim there, please?"
"Tiiimmmm", the boy shouted and a few seconds he appeared.
"Hi, little bud, I am here to pick you up."
"Ah wow, does that mean I get a ride in the car?"
"Sure."
"Hey, Stan, come and look at this car" Tim said to his friend, as they walked down.
"You like it?" I asked.
"It's the best", Stan said.
"Well, perhaps we could go for a ride sometime. But for now, we have to get moving, Tim", I said, as I lifted him up and plonked him in the back.
I slipped into the driving seat and started her up. It is still one of the best sounds I can imagine. Ok, so I am a real show off, I held the car in second and it raced up the road.
"Hehehe.. Thanks Phill" Tim said.
"Why?" I asked.
"I am gonna be the talk of school!"
I laughed. "Hey guys, we are back", I shouted, as I walked into the hall.
"Yes, we are in the kitchen." I wandered in and sat down at the table. We devoured our way through the Mega Mac Meals and were truly satisfied. After which, the serious talking started.
"Timmy. Do you know what is going on and why we are here?" Jude asked.
"No not really". He replied. After all, he was only nine.
"Right, well, before we start, I want you to know that everything we say is true and we want to know what you think about it. Ok?"
"Ok"
"Well, today, your dad did some really bad things to Robbie. Robbie, take off your shirt for one second so that Tim can see what we are talking about here."
Robbie slowly unbuttoned his shirt and slid it off his shoulders. He was covered in bruises and was black and blue.
"Dad did that?"
"Yes hon, I am afraid he did. Because of that, Dad won't be coming around for a long time. What he did to Robbie was really bad and we can't let that happen to you or to anyone else, for that matter. Do you understand what I am saying?"
"Yes I do, but why?"
"Because dad can be nasty sometimes and when he sees something he doesn't like, he deals with problems with his fists. Now, we know that is wrong. And so, we are not speaking to him anymore."
"I understand. I sure don't want that happening to me."
"I am glad you understand and we are not going to let that happen to you, ok?"
"Sure."
"This leads us onto the second thing we need to talk about as a big group and like adults."
"Shoot."
"Well, because of dad, we can't live in our house anymore. Ok, so what we are going to do is move into a new house, a really big new house. And guess what?"
"What?"
"Phillip and Claire are going to live with us. What do you think?"
"Wow, that will be soo cool. Like having two big brothers.", he said, and started running around the table giving everyone huge hugs. That seemed to lighten the mood of the entire situation.
"Well, then hon, it is well past your bed time so will you go and get ready for bed and sleep in the room you had last time?"
"Do I have to?"
"Yes, please." With that, Tim scampered off upstairs and was down again in about two seconds saying good night to everyone. This, of course, meant huge hugs for everyone and more pain for Robbie. I don't think that Tim really understood that Robbie was in real pain when he was squeezed too tightly.
Anyway, Jude went upstairs to say goodnight to Tim and then came back downstairs. The serious talking then started.
"Ok, before we move on to all the good stuff, I want to know what you intend on doing about your dad, Robbie", Jude said.
"Well, I really don't know is the honest answer. On the one hand, I hate him so much for doing this to me, but, on the other, he is still my dad and I don't want to cause any extra grief that will come back to haunt us."
"I know what you mean and that's why I think I may have the solution to your problems."
"Oh yea, what's that then?", Robbie asked of his mum.
"How about you tell your dad that you will drop all charges on several conditions. One: - That all custody is handed over to me. I think that's what you want for yourself and Tim. Two: -He may not approach you or Tim and must keep at least twenty miles away from our house. Three: -He only gets his possessions and his cut of the house. Therefore", she said, taking a deep breath, "he can't touch you or your brother. That is, until you want him to, that is, if you want him to. And, he won't take anything from the house except his specific things. What do you think?"
"I am all for it. It sounds like a great plan. Because, at least he will be off out backs and I will be able to see him at a later date, if I so desire. And, it also leaves the door for Tim to make up his own mind about his dad."
"I am glad you like the idea and I will have the contract drawn up by a set of solicitors for him to sign by tomorrow afternoon. And that gets one problem off our hands."
"Right" my mum said, as if she were talking at a board meeting.
"Jude and I have worked out an itinerary that will hopefully work well. Tomorrow will be the day for dealing with your dad and getting his things out of your house. He will have tomorrow afternoon to collect all appropriate things. This will be stipulated in the contract that he has tomorrow afternoon. He will be accompanied by Jude, myself, and a policeman to see that no trouble arises.
While we are doing that, you two can be clearing the practice room with Dan and Kaz. And Robbie, no heavy lifting or anything like that. Stop if you have had to much, as it is not important that it is done immediately. Ok. Also, tomorrow morning we will have our house valued and put a bid in for the manor house. Apart from that, we are done for planning at the moment, because it is to hard to tell which way things will go."
"Mum, I wanna know why. Why all so quick? I mean, don't get me wrong, here I am certainly not complaining. But, I mean, today I have been doing homework like anything normal, then I am getting the opportunity of a lifetime to move in with Robbie. I am just wondering how you can make a decision like that so quickly."
"Its simple, I don't want to lose you."
"What?"
"Well, you would understand if you ever had children. But basically, I knew that I would only get to see you for half the time I currently do and I don't want that, so really it was no big decision. Like I have said, Jude and I have always been very good friends, so there is no problem and works best for all of us."
"Thanks mum", I said, as I slipped over and gave her a hug.
"I have a couple questions. Do we get a practice room at the new place? And Phill and me do get to share a room, don't we?"
"Yes, we expected you two to be sharing a room. And the manor house actually has a room that is a sort of mini recording studio. I would imagine that would be better for you."
"Much better. Thanks."
With that done, the two rents headed off upstairs for bed. I grabbed two cokes and headed off to the lounge. Robbie had already gone through and was flicking aimlessly through the TV channels.
"Do you wanna watch that?" I asked.
"Don't mind." I sat down next to him and he slipped his arms around my stomach and indicated for me to shift so that he was hugging me from behind but could still see the TV. We watched some trashy film that, to be honest, I fell asleep half way through. When I woke up, it was about twenty past two and the TV was still blaring out some rubbish. I did manage to prize the control from Robbie's hand and switch the TV off. Some how (I don't know how), I lifted Robbie off the sofa, being careful not to wake him and not to press on any bruises I carried him upstairs. I am telling you that it's no easy task when Robbie weighs a ton (in the nicest possible way) and the passage upstairs is really narrow. But SOMEHOW, I did get upstairs. I slipped off all his clothes and mine. I hugged him from behind and hoped that he would sleep better than last night. We had so much to look forward to and it was only the beginning. I slept in spits and spots; I was worried about Robbie to say the least. Robbie, on the other hand, slept all the way through, I guess he must have been pretty drained. I woke first and was amused when Robbie woke up to find himself in bed.
"How did I get here? I was on the sofa last time I looked." I had to giggle. Despite everything that Robbie had been through he still managed to come up with classics like that.
"Well I carried you up here at twenty past two last night. That was no easy task, I can tell you!"
"You should have woken me up. I must confess, it's a bit more comfortable than the sofa."
"You mean to say that you didn't feel anything when I lifted you up an hiked you upstairs? Especially, with all those bruises!"
"Not a thing. Phill, I wanna say thanks for just being here for me. I love you. Promise me that you will never go away."
"Robbie, I will ALWAYS love you and the only time I will go ANYWHERE is if you're coming with me. I promise. I love YOU. Now give me a kiss."
He did. Boy did he. Along with everything else, the way he did it was perfect. Not to strong, and not too soft. He has a really nice taste as well. Like honey.
"Did you know that you taste like honey?"
"No, duh. How would I know what I taste like?" He was joking which must be a good thing.
The day was a real success; Robbie's dad accepted the deal. He had no real choice in the matter, if we are being honest. It was either take it or jail for a long time. I still don't get why he would want to do that to Robbie. Robbie is the most kind and caring guy I know. He will always look out for others ahead of himself. I don't know how his dad could even think about touching his beautiful body. Why are there so many prejudice people in the world? WHY?? What did Robbie and me ever do to them? Sure, I can understand that it won't appeal to everyone, but have we ever tried it on with anyone else? No, so why do they take it upon themselves to judge us and we don't even know them. Well, I was glad that he was out of our lives. At least for the moment.
The offer for the manor house had gone in. Our house had been valued this morning and that in its self would pay for a lot of the bills. While I was showing the guy around who was valuing the house, Robbie called Dan and Kaz and asked them to come over at two, after the guy from the Halifax had gone. (The Halifax is a company that deals with buying and selling of houses). The itinerary had almost been completed already. It was, of course, slowed significantly by Tim running around under our feet.
Robbie and I went upstairs to the practice room, chased at the heals by Tim, I might add. If you could see the room then you would understand why we had to start now. There were cables that ran everywhere, from Pa's (We had two an old and a new) to amps and back again. And really, the whole room was a sea of cables and electrical gear. I hadn't realised just how much we had between us until I walked into that room.
"Best get started, I suppose", Robbie said with a very drained look on his face.
"I guess."
"Tim, we are not going to stop you coming in here, but please be VERY careful because there is a lot of expensive stuff in this room. Ok?"
"Ok. Robbie, will you play something for me?" Tim asked.
"Well, I don't know about that. You will have to ask Phill because it won't sound right if it's just me."
"Phill, phhleeaseee", he wined.
"You do realise that this will slow everything down, don't you?"
"Just one."
"Well, ok. But just one," It really didn't take that much persuading. I love playing and I love singing duets with Robbie, so I would just choose one that met both those criteria.
"Hang on a second Tim, why don't you let us start packing away non essential items and then when Dan and Kaz turn up we can play you the song with drums and everything. Ok?"
"Promise?"
"Yes."
"Ok." Well, for the next forty-five minutes Robbie and I worked diligently taking down the old PA. We only used that when we were practising, and never took it with us when we were playing at gigs. So, that one was not important. The doorbell rang and we sent Timmy down to open it and bring up some cokes.
"Hey guys.....Shit, Robbie, what the hell happened to you?", Dan asked in a really concerned voice.
"Its one hell of a long story and we will tell and explain all as soon as we have played a song for Tim here. He has been bugging us all day."
"Ok, what do you want to hear, Tim?", Kaz questioned.
"What can you do?", Tim replied, determined not to be out done. I decided that perhaps I should intervene before the conversation went on for hours.
"How about some Savage Garden?" I chose them because they are not a teen band like bloody Hanson but they are no where near hard rock like Offspring.
"Oh yea, their good", Tim said.
"What about The Animal song?"
"Yea, ok" This was a good one to do because it had a drum intro and there is a lot of mixing for Dan to do. There is a good bass and there a nice lead that you can work into about half way through. We were just about to start when mum and Jude walked in.
"Mum they're going to play for me," Tim said sounding excited.
"That's nice Tim"
"Are you going to stay and listen with me?"
"Ok, but just this one song because there is a lot of work to be done."
"They will only play one anyway, they said so."
"So, they are going to do some work then?" Mum said. We didn't rise to a reply but instead, I gave Kaz the little nod and she started. It is actually a very neat beginning that requires quick stick work. Then, about thirty seconds later, Dan cuts in with some mixing because not even Kaz could move as quickly as required around that kit. It's supposed to be a one person singing song, but Robbie and I sang together. About half way through, I put in the most wild lead that really brought the song alive. I know that sounds sooo big headed, but it really did. After I finished off, Robbie put in a neat little bit of bass working that sounded soooo good. What makes it better is that unlike lead guitar, it is really hard to work out leads for a bass. However, Robbie managed it so well. Then Kaz finished off the song by going around her kit and ending on about five different cymbals. I am still amazed at how she can move from cymbal to cymbal so quickly that it sounds as if they were all it at exactly the same time.
"Whoo, again, again", Tim shouted.
"We said one", Robbie reminded him.
"Oh, go on Robbie, don't be such a spoil sport," his mum said.
Let me see if I have this right, his mum who was just saying that we haven't done enough work is now telling us to keep playing? That doesn't make sense to me either.
"One more, but only one. Ok?"
"Ok. Will you play an old one that Jude and I will actually remember?"
"How about this one", I said, giving the others a wink. I went into 'The Kids Aren't all Right' by offspring. That is a punk song, with a lot of drums and feedback on the guitar.
"NO", she shouted across the music.
"One that we remember!!"
"Oh, ok." We started playing one of my all time favourites. Every Breath You Take, by the Police. And as you may have guessed, Robbie and I were singing the same words into the same mic whist looking at each other. It is the simplest song for anyone to play, but when it's all brought together it sounds so good.
"That was really good, all of you. Almost as good as the original", Mum said. With that, they walked out and took Tim with them. I like Tim a lot and it will be really cool to have a little brother, but we won't get any work done if he had stayed.
Robbie went out to grab some cokes after our exercise.
"Now will you explain why Robbie looks so black and blue and where the other PA has gone?" Kaz asked.
"Well they are very much connected........"
To be continued.