Usual Rules Everyone
You're in Trouble
Part 6 -- The boys work their Miracle
Todd could do no more on the sporting front to make his Father proud of him. He already captained the football team and that team was at the top of the schools league. Next semester he would go out for athletics and make sure he did better than ever there as well. The only thing he could change was his academics results so parties went out the window and he practically lived in the gym and the library. His standards climbed and a good scholarship looked certain.
Timmy was the same. He couldn't improve on his academics, he was already a 4.0, but he now took to the gym as well and made the swimming team. He was never going to be a star athlete but his Father was so proud of him going out for his school and doing passably well.
Tom tried to blot out of his mind what the boys were doing behind closed doors. It wasn't working with the result that the household remained a house of sadness. He praised the boys and frequently told them he was proud of their achievements but the old style love where cuddles and hugs were common place didn't return.
Pam watched her three men with sadness in her eyes and in her heart.
Tom realised after a couple of months that the only way to handle it was to stay at work longer so that he didn't see the boys except at their sport meets, but of course that meant he didn't see much of Pam either. `The course of love never runs smooth', was definitely true in the Hanlon family. They all loved one another but in the case of Tom it carried a huge burden because of the disgust he felt at his boys sexual activities. The end result was that after several months Pam offered him two options.
"I love you Tom, I will probably love you until the day I die. The boys love you as well but they won't stop what they are doing. You have two choices with me. You can go for counselling or you can move out. You are turning this once happy house into a morgue. What the boys are doing is wrong, the reason they are doing it is wonderful. You have to come to terms with that. I'm sad about it but I accept it."
Tom was shattered, he had never considered that his manner was destroying his family. He packed a bag and left the house that night.
"I love you all so much Pam, perhaps I'll be back one day."
Then he was gone.
The house may have been a sad place before but now it just got worse.
The boys missed their Father, at every football game Todd looked round the crowd hoping to see his Dad, at every swim meet Timmy did the same. They never saw him but they still performed at their best, just in case.
Tom still never missed an event but he wouldn't let the boys see him. He noted that Timmy's once sparkling eyes and funning with his friends had gone. It was a sadder and much quieter young man that came and went nowadays. Todd was the same. His team kept winning but while the others celebrated he went home alone. Summer came and nothing changed. Todd did exceptionally well on the athletics field but there was no joy in his performance.
Eventually the damn broke and Tom went for counselling.
For a 100% male, counselling was anathema to Tom and the progress was slow, very slow. The first break through was Tom openly watching the boys swim and athletics meets.
The boys were ecstatic when they got home to tell their mother. Todd was first and then Timmy. Pam crossed her fingers and prayed that the road back to normalcy had begun.
Final exams for Todd had finished and he had worked his butt off to make sure that when his Father saw the results he would be proud of him.
Graduation and Todd almost cried when he saw his parents arrive together with Timmy between them and his Father's arm over Timmy's shoulder.
After receiving his diploma Todd almost flew off the stage to hug his Father.
"Look Dad, I can go to any college I want. I've done it for you. I promised I would."
Tom had tears in his eyes when he saw the joy in those of his eldest son. He would come to terms with the love his two sons had for each other. He loved them both so much and was so proud of what they were achieving, apparently for him.
Todd got his first choice college to study sport science and on the day he left for college his Father presented him with a new Jeep Wrangler.
"Look after yourself son, and know I love you very much and am so proud of you."
Tom blanched a little at the goodbye kiss Todd gave to Timmy, it oozed passion and love.
As he drove off he shouted back.
"I love you all, I promise I won't be a stranger."
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