Tel Pere, Tel Fils, Chapter 5
All four teens got up and dressed for church on Sunday morning. Peter had promised Nate he would give it a try, but he was somewhat surprised that Paul and Jamie were okay with going too. Paul was about as burned out on religion as Peter was, and Jamie admitted that he usually slept in unless there was something special going on that his grandmother wanted him to be part of. She was essentially his only family, and he did a lot of things to please her regardless of whether he was interested in them.
The other thing which amazed Peter was how different the atmosphere in Kevin and Glenn's church was than what he was used to. The sermon talked about ways to live in harmony with one another and that loving thy neighbor didn't apply only to those who were like yourself in race, creed, social standing, or orientation. It struck a chord with Peter. He actually listened and absorbed the message.
Ella texted Jamison that he needed to come home right after church, so he didn't wear out his welcome. Paul got Kevin to call her to say that Jamie wasn't imposing and could stay not only on Sunday, but the rest of the week if he wanted to. She was thrilled that he wouldn't be home alone and would have the companionship of other kids his age.
She was also pleased at the prospect of his working part-time at the store with Paul if he could get hired on.
For dinner on Sunday night, Glenn put three good-sized chickens on the rotisserie so there'd be half a chicken apiece. Those, along with a big bowl of potato salad and a three-bean salad provided the main elements of their meal. There were a few leftovers which could be lunch for a couple of kids sometime early in the next week.
As Peter had predicted, Jameson and Paul were put on the payroll. Ella had signed for her grandson, and Kevin had signed for Paul after he cleared it with the judge and social worker. Both kids were elated to be employed in the same place as the older teens. Not that they would be bullied at the store, but it never hurts to have someone in your corner in a new situation.
A hearing concerning Paul's welfare was scheduled for the middle of the week. However, it got postponed because the lawyer, Thelma and John Richards had retained, claimed he didn't have time to prepare his defense of them. They were trying to contact a former minister of their church to dispute the allegations of abuse. Judge Harrington agreed to a delay even though he wasn't convinced that their character witness would be of any value.
"Could I get my DNA taken too," Paul asked. "I wanted to have it done by Ancestry when Peter did it, but my father wouldn't let me. He said it was dangerous for people to know too much about you because they might steal your identity. I didn't push it because I knew I might be punished if I did."
"Perhaps there's a criminal on your family tree that he was ashamed of. I know I'm related to Lizzy Borden who was suspected of killing her parents with an ax."
"Wow! That's cool!"
"Well, I read a book that convinced me it was the maid who did it. When she thought she was dying, she wanted to confess a dark secret to get it off her conscience before she passed. However, her health improved right away, and she never spoke of it again. Later, she died quite unexpectedly.
"Anyway, I'll have to clear it with the judge if we do," Kevin said. "I should have mine done by them at the same time. Aunt Blanch, who is our family genealogist, has been after me for several years to do it. I figured it wasn't a big deal since she'd traced my ancestors practically back to Noah," he joked. "If I had done it, Peter could have made the connection even earlier. Who knows, I might find some shirttail relatives that I didn't know I had. I'll join Ancestry and get it going. Aunt Blanch told me there's a sale going on. I think they're out to hook me."
The fall term of school began in the middle of the following week. The teens were ready to go back to their usual routine. Peter and Nate were eager to get their senior year underway with both anticipation and nostalgia. It would be fun to be done with high school, but it would also mean that their classmates would soon be heading in different directions. Many things they did this year, they would be doing for the last time.
Paul and Jamie had mixed emotions too. Being in high school would be way cooler than middle school. However, they would be at the bottom of the pecking order. Luckily, they had Nate and Peter to help them get established.
In any case, the observance of Labor Day would break up the beginning of their first week.
On the Friday after Labor Day, Paul and Jamie were heading for the bike racks near the horseshoe drive at the front of the school when a charcoal SUV with dark-tinted windows pulled to a stop near them. Because their backs were turned as they bent down to unlock their bikes, they didn't pay any attention to it. Suddenly the rear door on the passenger side opened and John, Paul's father, jumped out.
He grabbed Paul by the neck from behind, placing something over his face, and dragged him into the vehicle. Having been attacked unexpectedly, Paul was at a disadvantage. He attempted to yell and kick to no avail as he began to lose consciousness. Jamie did his best to thwart the kidnapping but got in only one good kick before Thelma emerged from the driver's side wielding a closed umbrella with a sharp point on it. Now Jamie was distracted, dodging out of the way to avoid injury. When he tripped over the curb and fell, Thelma jumped back in the vehicle and sped away.
Cursing himself for not being able to stop the abduction, Jamie pulled out his cell phone and took a picture of the back of the car. He figured it might help identify the make and license plate. Next, he called 911 to report it. He had a difficult time convincing the responder that this wasn't a prank call. A teacher who had witnessed the attack from her second-floor classroom ran out the door and quickly set the operator to right, saying she had both kids in her class.
The next thing Jamie did was to call Kevin to give him the details. Kevin was shocked that Paul's parents would actually take such drastic measures. He was beside himself that he hadn't foreseen this possibility and filed a no-contact order. Of course, that piece of paper wouldn't have stopped them if they were determined to abduct him.
As Paul regained consciousness, he became aware that he was buckled up in the back of his parents' SUV with an aching head and his wrists duct taped together. As his eyes focused, he saw that they were headed south on route 27. He tried to figure out what he could do to escape. At this point, his father was driving and his mother riding shotgun. He knew that his phone was in his pocket and that it was still on mute as it had been at school. He could feel it vibrating from time to time like it was blowing up with messages. Someone was evidently trying to contact him.
Having read something on the `net about people escaping from being taped as he was, he tried moving his wrists sideways in the opposite direction from each other to tear the tape. He could feel it happening. His parents didn't hear the ripping because they were involved in a phone conversation with someone who was evidently giving them advice.
When he got his hands free, he pulled out his cell and answered the incoming call from Kevin, crying out for help, telling him what route they were on and the number on last mile-marker he'd seen.
Obviously, Paul's father was distracted by this turn of events. Catching him off guard, Paul lunged forward to grab John's left arm. The vehicle veered across the shoulder and into the median, hitting the cable barrier which is intended to prevent an out-of-control car from crossing into oncoming traffic. The left doors took quite a beating and were wedged shut as the SUV came to a grinding halt.
Paul bolted out of the right-side door and began to run north for all his worth. John was trapped in the driver's seat unless he could crawl over the console. Thelma sprang out of her door in an attempt to stop Paul. She was no match for the speed of a 14-year-old who had run track as well as being on the swim team.
Within seconds, a state trooper came on the scene. At that point, Paul stopped running because he felt he'd be safe.
Immediately, Paul's mother began to make up a story about how her husband and she were taking him to a clinic for treatment of a mental condition when he had caused them to go off the road. The office had his bodycam running and allowed her to ramble on before he mentioned that he had been on the way to apprehend them for kidnapping. That was when she refused to answer any more questions.
Paul suddenly tumbled down on the shoulder of the road and began to shake. He hadn't realized he was going into shock. A physician's assistant, who had stopped to render aid, recognized his condition. She brought a blanket from the trunk of her car and covered him after she helped him lie on his back with his feet elevated.
As Paul's condition distracted the patrolman for a moment, Thelma jumped into the car and the pair sped out of the median and back on the road, nearly hitting a passing car in the process.
Having only heard a portion of what the trooper had said to Thelma, the nurse asked if Paul's parents had been notified.
"Those were my parents. I remembered to call my foster dad."
Just then, his phone vibrated indicating he had another call. It was Kevin saying he should be there in about 10 minutes. He had already notified Jamie but thought the kid would feel better if he heard directly from Paul. Despite feeling lightheaded, Paul found the strength to make the call.
"Thank God you're okay!" Jamie cried. "I'm sorry I couldn't stop them."
"You're not to blame. I know you tried. Kevin told me how you called 911 and described their SUV. I'm sure the information helped."
"I still feel bad. You're my best bud!"
"You're mine too."
When Kevin arrived, Paul scrambled to his feet, despite still feeling lightheaded, and threw himself into his foster father's arms.
"You're safe now," Kevin said, rubbing his back. "You must be absolutely wiped out. We'll get you home soon."
"He's been suffering from shock," the lady said. "I'd advise taking him to be checked out at an emergency room or walk-in clinic before you do."
"Thanks, I'll heed your advice."
As soon as the patrolman felt he had enough information, he gave them a card with his contact info on it and sent them on their way, feeling it was in the best interest of the victim.
By the time Kevin got Paul to the clinic, his vitals were in the normal range, though his blood pressure was slightly elevated. The physician recommended that he take ibuprofen and rest. He gave them an emergency number to call if he showed signs of recurring dizziness or nausea.
When they arrived at home, Paul received a hero's welcome. Everyone hugged him and waited on him hand and foot. Jamie was particularly solicitous. He still had guilt-feelings about not being able to rescue him.
After dinner, Jamison and Ella went home. She insisted that Paul didn't need anyone distracting him from getting to bed early and having a good night's sleep. Jamie thought otherwise but didn't make a fuss. Grandma was usually right. Besides, she was the one who had rescued him when his father abandoned the family. He had a great deal of love and respect for her.
Paul tried, without success, to make an early night of it. A thunderstorm was brewing and the change in barometric pressure always made him edgy. Peter tiptoed into Paul's room to check on him and found his younger brother burrowed under the covers trying to settle down and get comfortable.
"Hey, are you okay."
"Not really. It's been one hell of a day. How does a guy get over something like this?"
"Nate and I have something in mind that might help a little. We want you to crawl in bed with us, like you used to do when we were little."
"But that's not fair to him. He's your boyfriend."
"We'll all keep our boxers on, and I hope you don't think Nate, or I'd do anything improper with you."
"No, I trust you guys. I don't want to spoil your fun.
"We don't need to `have fun' every night, and as long as you're comfortable being with us, we want you.
"Thanks! I really appreciate it."
"Okay, it's settled then. It might be a bit crowded in a queen-size bed, but that just means we'll all have to snuggle. How does that sound?"
"Awesome!"
In the morning, Kevin went to check on Paul. Finding his bed empty, he looked through the open door to Nate's room where he saw the three of them nestled together like a litter of pups. He smiled at the sight. When the alarm on someone's phone went off to awaken them, he scurried downstairs to start their breakfast. He didn't want the boys to think he was spying on them.
After breakfast, Kevin was going to call Greg at Fareway to excuse Paul from working on Saturday. However, Paul said he would go in. He felt much better this morning, and he thought he should attempt to make life as normal as possible. He also knew the store would be shorthanded without everyone. It wouldn't be fair to Greg or the other bagboys.
While Kevin believed the kid should stay home and rest, he respected his grit. He was a gutsy boy who would make any foster dad proud. It was probably best for him to get back into his regular routine. Being occupied would help keep his mind off the trauma he'd been through.
That morning, while the teens were at the store, the long-awaited email from Ancestry arrived.
"There must be something wrong with the tests," Glenn shook his head, reading the report over Kevin's shoulder. "Obviously Paul can't be your son. How could they make such a blatant error?"
"It might not be a mistake," Kevin said.
"He must have been conceived about the time you and I started dating. I know you were completely transparent about having fathered a son, and you didn't mention having two of them. Besides, the image of you having sex with Thema could give a guy nightmares!"
"But in being totally honest, I did mention donating to the sperm bank, didn't I?"
"Yeah. You kind of said in passing that you wanted to keep your genes going, but I wasn't sure if you were serious. Wow! That might explain some things – like why Mr. Richards was so adamant that Paul shouldn't have his DNA taken."
"I wonder if he couldn't father any children. That could also explain why they adopted Peter. Records about sperm donors are usually secret, but DNA can't be denied.
"If the abduction of Paul and evading the authorities aren't enough to curtail their rights, this should do the trick for sure," Glenn observed.
"It will as far as John is concerned, but I'm not so sure about Thelma. She could claim that he forced her to kidnap him. Women are often seen as helpless victims regardless of how they might have been the mastermind behind the crimes. She could still make some kind of petition to keep her son."
"I doubt Judge Harrington or anyone else, for that matter, would allow it considering the records of abuse that your detective has dug up. Especially after their former pastor was found to be lying in other cases where he was a character witness for abusers. As a lawyer, you know that kids Paul's age are often allowed to choose which parent they want to live with. I think it's a shoo-in."
"No doubt you're right and I'm probably obsessing too much. But what are the odds that I'd end up with another son under my roof? They'd have to be one in, like three-hundred million." Kevin shook his head.
"You're most likely right about that. The chances would be about the same as winning a mega-million-dollar lottery. Still, someone does that every so often. I think you've just hit the jackpot!"
"I'm a winner for sure! We need to celebrate the good news! Should I reserve a table at the country club for dinner tonight?"
"I think the boys might prefer going to Cheddars. Nate would be okay because he's used to it. Paul and Peter might not be overwhelmed at the club, but I suspect Jamie might be. I'm assuming we'd take him and Ella along."
"Of course, you're right. We will have to do a more formal dinner sometime, but after a day of working at the store, I suspect the boys will prefer a more casual setting."
"Peter's birthday will be coming shortly," Glenn reminded him. "Perhaps that would be a good time to go to the country club. We should make a big deal out of his becoming an adult. It would give us time to prep the kids about proper table manners and make sure they had something suitable to wear so they wouldn't feel out of place. Peter and Paul have dressy clothes for church. Nate does too. I'm not sure about Jameson. He didn't look as spiffy as the rest when he went to church with us. A bit of advanced notice might give Ella time to make sure he does. I'd be willing to pay for a new outfit, but I don't want to hurt her feelings."
"You always make sensible plans, and it reminds me of why I love you so much," Kevin exclaimed. "Perhaps while the house is empty, I might demonstrate."
"You're the one with the best suggestions," Glenn insisted, as he followed Kevin upstairs to their bedroom.
When everyone was assembled in the kitchen and ready to drive to Cheddars for dinner, Kevin said they would soon know the reason for the celebratory meal.
"This is a momentous occasion and I'm going to explain it before we go because I don't want to create a scene in the restaurant. First, I need to share some information with Paul, and because he's the guest of honor, I'm going to let him make the announcement.
Paul raised his eyebrows, looking puzzled, because he couldn't imagine why he'd been picked as the guest of honor other than possibly because he'd been abducted. As he scanned the email Kevin had printed out, his expression went from questioning to elation. His smile grew wider with each sentence.
"You're not gonna believe this! I'm not sure I can. Is it real, Kevin?"
"Yes, it is, Son, and I use the word advisedly."
"Can you really be my dad?"
"I am, so you and Peter really are related. I was a sperm donor in my early 20's, but the odds of this happening are almost too great to calculate."
"So, basically, I've won the lottery!"
"We both have, and we're guessing that the man you called `father' is sterile. Whether he is or not, he's no relation to either one of you."
"AWESOME!!!!!!!"
Glenn drove their SUV because it had enough seating for all of them and there was no reason to waste gas on another vehicle. It was probably for the best since the teens were all too keyed up to concentrate and Peter had only a provisional license until September 21st.
The teens all filled up on their favorite food at the restaurant. Kevin insisted that everyone order anything they wanted because this was truly an occasion to celebrate. The boys all had chocolate cake sundaes for dessert, but the adults chose coffee instead.
Kevin could remember eating like that at Peter's age and not gaining an ounce, but at 35, he didn't want to chance putting on pounds.
While they were all assembled, Kevin asked Peter what he'd like most for his 18th birthday. Would he like a newer car or a big party or both. Peter didn't hesitate to answer.
"My car is okay, and I earned every bit of it. I don't have a wide circle of friends to invite. I'd like to have the same people who are here tonight, and I'd love to have my last name changed to Birch. I want everyone to know you're my dad."
"I'd like to take your name for the same reason," Paul said. "I want the world to know that I have a cool dad and brother."
Needless to say, Kevin was moved by their desires.
"I'll work on that starting Monday. I doubt there'll be time enough before you turn 18, Peter, but I'll do my best."
"That's cool with me. I can wait, if I know you want to do it."
When they arrived back at the house, Paul asked if Jamie could stay over to keep him company. Of course, his wish was granted. Everyone, including Ella, wanted to do whatever they could to make him feel good.
The two younger teens spent quite a while talking after the lights were out. Paul appreciated having a listening ear in the form of a peer who had evidently had problems in his own life.
The older pair found other ways to share when they were alone.
Author's notes: Thanks to the following who emailed about chapter 4 - Tony C, Ott H, Allen S, Bill T, Charles G, Jim M, CaryandKen, Rod R, Mendy D, Tim T, Frank K, Gordon S, Justin T, Joe W (2), Paul R, Si R, JLF, Jim W, Dale W, Kevin K, Peter S, and Paul F. Thanks for reading this story. If you enjoyed it, please feel free to contact me a dlee169@hotmail.com and let me know. Your emails are the only reward I receive for writing. Please put the story title in the subject line in case your email goes into the spam folder.
Thanks to David S for editing. He finds typos and missing words! He also makes valuable suggestions.
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Thanks, David
Ps: I have a chronological list of all my posted stories which I can email to you if you have an interest. It was updated recently to include one short story that I'd missed.