The Naked Truth

Chapter 7

“So what do you think of our chances?” Emmett asked the two lawyers that were sitting in his kitchen. Richie was spending as much time at the GLC as he could before the official opening of the new school season. He had several outfits that were almost ready to been sold on consignment at Torso.

“So far the Crosses haven’t objected to Judge Schultz or to keeping this a quiet, private adoption,” Bobby informed Emmett.

Drew topped off everyone’s coffee cup then sat next to his spouse. “So you think they won’t fight us?” Drew asked, taking Emmett’s hand.

“No, actually just the opposite,” Melanie said.

“What do you mean?” Emmett asked, searching their faces.

“When I called to find out who’s representing them, they almost seemed relieved,” Bobby explained.

“Relieved?” both Emmett and Drew said.

“Yes. Melanie and I have an appointment with the judge in thirty minutes.”

“We should get going,” Melanie added as she looked at her watch. “Parking sucks down there.” Bobby nodded as he got up from his chair.

“Is that why you two look very lawyer-ish?” Emmett asked. “Should Drew and I get changed and go with you?”

“No, Emmett, there’s no need,” Melanie said as gently as she could, patting the tall queen’s hand.

“But why?”

“Emm, this is just a preliminary meeting. A lot of legal mumbo jumbo. If we’re lucky, the Crosses will want this to go as smoothly as possible. Right now the best that we can hope for is another appointment with the judge for interviews. Judge Schultz will want to have a private chat with the Crosses, with the both of you and with Richie,” Bobby explained.

“Bobby, we should go,” Mel stated. “Emmett, we’ll call you when we’re done,” she said.

“All right,” Emm said as Drew showed the lawyers out. “Oh, Drewsie!” Emmett burst into tears the minute the door was closed. All Drew could do was hug his spouse.

“What do you think of our chances?” Bobby asked Mel as they drove toward the courthouse.

“I think we have a very good chance. But we should be prepared for the worst.”

“I always am,” Bobby said as he concentrated on the road.

 

*****
 

Looking very professional, Bobby and Mel waited until called into the judge’s chambers. When they were finally summoned, the judge apologized for making them wait.

“Melanie, you’re looking well. We miss you,” the judge greeted Melanie pleasantly.

“Thank you, Judge Schultz, I miss all of you too,” Mel said as she shook the judge’s hand.

“Mr. Morrison, I’m not sure if we’ve met before. Although I think I would have remembered you,” the judge said as she extended her hand to the red-headed lawyer.

“No, ma’am, I don’t think we’ve officially been introduced although I do know you by reputation, and you’re quite revered in my family.” Bobby explained further, “You were instrumental in the adoption of Curtis Samuels. Raphael and Hector are close friends.”

“Yes, I remember that case. The boy came from an abusive foster home and was living on the street. How is he doing?”

“The young man is almost through with high school. He’s thinking of becoming a vet like his adoptive father. He’s also considering becoming a fireman like his grandfather.”

“It’s good to hear he has options,” the judge pointed out.

“Yes, ma’am, he does,” Bobby agreed.

“Mr. Morrison, where do you usually practice?” The judge took a seat at her desk and indicated that Mel and Bobby should sit as well.

“Harrisburg, your honor, and normally business law. I specialize in charitable and not-for-profit organizations.”

“Bobby was very active in the Jason Kemp Center,” Mel explained further.

“Yes. John Anderson did restoration of the center, the theater and the bowling alley. Brian Kinney helped to finance the project,” the judge recalled.

“Brian is my brother-in-law.”

“You have a very generous family, Mr. Morrison. I appreciate all the work you and your family have done in many of the communities here. Now, shall we get to work? I’d like that young man to have a permanent home, and soon,” the judge said becoming all business.

Melanie and Bobby nodded as the judge’s clerk opened the chamber door and ushered in the opposing council.

 

*****
 

“So how did it go?” Emmett asked the minute he opened his door and saw Bobby and Melanie standing there.

“I think it went well,” Bobby replied as he stepped over the threshold. “Their lawyer seemed very amenable to our proposal. And it’s as we suspected, Mr. and Mrs. Cross would prefer to keep the adoption quiet and out of the public eye. They have no objection to having Judge Schultz make the final determination.”

“I’ve worked with their lawyer before. He’s sharp but he’s fair. All they want to know is that their son is in a good home. And we certainly have the documentation to prove it.”

“We have another appointment next Tuesday,” Bobby said. “With any luck, by Tuesday night, Richie will be your official son!” Bobby announced with a bright smile. Emmett burst into happy tears then threw his arms around his two lawyers. Drew let out the breath he was holding then threw himself into the fray.

“Will you stay for dinner?” Emmett managed to say.

“I have to get home but thank you,” Bobby said. “There’s no reason why you can’t stay,” Bobby said to Mel.

“Are you sure? I know I’m not the most favorite person in the family,” Mel said contritely.

“Little lady,” Drew began with a deep southern drawl, “Emmett and I would be very pleased to have you join us for dinner. And we would be very pleased to see you safely back to your hotel later.”

Melanie smiled prettily.

“Then it’s all settled. Emm, Drew, I’ll be in touch. Melanie, we did good work today,” Bobby pronounced with an honesty that touched Melanie.

“Yes, we did,” Mel agreed. “Goodnight, Bobby.”

“Night, guys,” Bobby said as he walked out the door. He was still smiling as he got into his car and started for home.

 

*****

 

Bobby pulled through the gate at Edna’s Treasures and started up the lane. He noted Todd’s truck parked in front of the new cottage. He must be visiting Gerry, Bobby surmised with a smile. There had been a lot of visiting lately.

He pulled the car to a stop beside Edna’s Treasures and headed into his side of the conjoined cottages. No one was there. He knew he was a little later than usual, but he had expected his family to be home when he got there. He headed to the sun porch to see if that’s where they might be. No one was there either.

Then he heard laughter from outside. He turned and looked out at the lawn and gardens. There were considerably more bodies there than he had expected to see.

“What’s going on?” he called as he stepped out of the sun porch.

“There’s my tardy mate,” John said as he walked over to his husband. He gave Bobby a warm kiss.

“What’s this all about?” Bobby repeated, noting that John was wearing a chef’s hat, sporting a Kiss the Chef apron and wielding a monstrous barbecue fork.

“I’m barbecuing,” John said proudly.

“No shit,” Bobby laughed.

“Hi, Poppa,” Patrick said approaching his father. “How did the meeting go?”

“Things are looking good. Melanie’s making sure that we’re prepared for any eventuality, but it looks like things are going to go smoothly.”

“That’s great,” John said with another kiss for his brilliant husband. “Emmett and Drew must be so happy.”

“They’re over the moon, although we’re trying to keep them from getting ahead of themselves. Things have a way of cropping up when you least expect them.”

“I’m sure you can handle whatever happens,” Brian said as he handed Bobby a beer. “Especially with the help of … Melanie.” He had been about to call her Smelly Melly, but he remembered that his nickname for Lindsay’s ex wasn’t appreciated by everyone. He had become such a wuss where people’s feelings were concerned. He never used to give a shit.

“Hey, little bro’,” John repeated trying to get Brian’s attention. “I could use a little help on the grill.”

“I thought you were the master chef tonight,” Brian said taking a pull from his own beer.

“I am the master for tonight, but I don’t have four hands,” John protested.

“Coming, your highness,” Brian said setting down his beer and following his brother to the grill.

“Are they always like that?” Todd asked as he got himself another beer.

“Pretty much,” Justin said with a chuckle. “There’s always been a bit of rivalry, but also lots of love between them.”

“It’s a miracle they found each other,” Gerry observed. He had heard the story of Justin’s Sunshine File and how it had led them to the farm.

“They were lucky to finally meet. Our lives are so different since we found John and Claire. They’re a big part of why we live here,” Justin said.

“You’ve created a little utopia here on Edna’s Treasures Lane,” Ben observed.

“Are we going to eat soon?” Bree demanded once everyone stopped speaking. She had waited impatiently until they finished.

“Are you hungry?” Justin asked looking down at his petite daughter.

“Yes, Daddy, starving.”

“Well, in that case let’s see if the two chefs are finished cooking.” Justin took Bree’s hand and they walked over to the grills. “How are the master chefs doing? I have a hungry young lady here.”

“I’m merely the sous-chef,” Brian said with a smirk. “My big brother is totally in charge of this meal. I take no responsibility for the results. We can only hope that the results will live up to the usual standards to which everyone has become accustomed when I cook.”

“You are a horse’s ass sometimes,” John said giving Brian an elbow to the ribs. “How hard is it to cook some steaks and burgers?”

“Very hard,” Brian reacted. “I keep telling everyone how hard I have to work. Don’t spoil it for me,” he whispered way too loud to his brother.

John laughed heartily. “Your burger is ready, Miss Briana,” he said with a deep bow. Then he dished up the burger for his niece before yelling across the yard, “Dinner is served.”

Bree bounced up and down before her Uncle John handed her the plate. She took it, turned quickly and was about to race to the sun porch where she knew there was ketchup and salad to complete her meal.

“Halt!” Brian said. Bree stayed rooted to the ground. “No running with a plate in your hands. Remember?”

“Yes, Dada.”

“I’ll walk with you,” Patrick said when he had claimed a burger of his own from his father.

“Thanks,” Bree said as they walked slowly towards the sun porch each carefully carrying their plate. “How does Dada always know what I’m going to do?” she asked her older, wiser cousin.

“I think it’s a parent thing,” Patrick opined. He sounded very serious.

“Do you learn how to do that when you have a baby?”

“Probably.”

Patrick opened the door of the sun porch for Bree.

“Is dinner ready?” Michael asked. He had been in the bathroom.

“Yes, Unca Mikey,” Bree replied. “Do you want me to tell Dada to bring you some steak?”

“Ben will get me something,” Michael said. He sat down at the big table. Sometimes a trip to the bathroom wore him out, but today he seemed to be able to do that without too much trouble at all. “You eat your burger.”

“I could share with you,” Bree offered.

Michael smiled. “That’s very generous,” Michael told her, “but I’ll wait for Ben to bring me something.”

“’Kay,” Bree said. She sat down at the table beside her Unca Mikey and Patrick sat beside her.

“Could you pass the ketchup?” Patrick asked.

“Certainly,” Michael replied reaching for the bottle of ketchup.

“Thanks,” Patrick said before squirting a big dollop of ketchup on the top of his burger.

“Do mine,” Bree ordered.

“What do you say?” Patrick asked with a bit of mischief in his voice.

“Please,” Bree conceded with a sigh. Everybody liked ordering her around. Patrick covered her burger with a squirt of ketchup. “Yum,” she said as she pressed the top of the bun onto her burger. She took a big bite. “Double yum,” she added as she chewed happily.

“You should have some salad with your burger,” Michael advised.

“’Kay,” Bree agreed holding her plate out so that Michael could dish up some salad for her.

“Patrick?” Michael asked.

“Sure.” Patrick held out his plate too, and Michael gave the boy a pile of salad.

“I wonder what’s taking them so long,” Michael pondered out loud. He was getting hungry too, and that didn’t happen very often these days. Maybe that was a sign that he was starting to get better.

“Unca Mikey,” Bree said when she swallowed her bite of burger, “are you feeling better?”

Michael thought about that. “You know, I think I am. I have a little more energy today. Maybe I should go get my own dinner.”

“I bet Uncle Ben would like it if you did,” Patrick said having heard his dads talk about the slow progress that Michael seemed to be making. “He wants you to get better real fast.”

“Me too, Patrick, me too,” Michael said standing up. He would get his own dinner. He headed out the door.

“Should Unca Mikey do that?” Bree whispered to Patrick.

“I heard my dad say that Uncle Michael needs to do as much as he can. That way he will get stronger.”

“Oh.”

“If he thinks he can walk out there and get dinner then he should,” Patrick advised.

“Oh,” Bree repeated. She wondered how Patrick knew all this stuff.

At that moment Todd and Gerry came in carrying their steaks. They joined Bree and Patrick at the big table.

“Are your burgers good?” Gerry asked the children.

“Yep,” they both responded.

“Make sure you tell your Uncle John that they’re good. Your Dada is giving him a hard time about his cooking,” Gerry advised.

“I will,” Patrick said.

“Me too,” Bree added. “My Dada likes to give people a hard time … specially me.”

Todd just about spit his mouthful of beer across the table. When he managed to swallow, he asked, “What does he give you a hard time about, Bree.”

“Not running with a plate in my hands,” she griped remembering what had happened just a few minutes earlier. “Saying things properly, telling him where I am, doing good in school, being nice to people even if they don’t deserve it…”

“Um, o-kaaay,” Todd said. That was much more than he had expected and not at all what he would have thought Brian Kinney would be doing. He had expected her to say she had to keep her room neat and her clothes clean. That was the anal Brian Kinney he was familiar with.

Bree swallowed another bite of her burger. “Mr. Gerry, are you and Mr. Todd going to get married like my daddies?” she asked.

It was Gerry’s turn to almost spew. “What makes you ask that?” he wanted to know once he had recovered.

“You like each other,” was Bree’s simple answer.

“Yes we do,” Gerry agreed, “but I’m not sure we’re ready for such a big step as marriage.” He looked at Todd.

Todd grinned and didn’t say anything.

“My dad says married men live longer,” Patrick supplied. He learned a lot by listening to his father.

“Is that right?” Gerry asked.

“I think the lad has a point,” Todd said with a wink.

“Are you suggesting…?”

“Maybe…”

“What’s being suggested?” Justin asked as he entered the sun porch and sat down at the table. He had just caught the end of the conversation.

“Did you put your daughter up to asking us if we were going to get married?” Gerry asked.

“No, I didn’t,” Justin replied in all innocence.

“Dada did,” Bree stated with pride. “I asked him if you were going to get married, and he told me to ask you.”

“He would,” Todd chuckled.

“So are you getting married?” Brian asked as he entered the sun porch and joined them.

“We haven’t even thought about it,” Gerry said.

“Speak for yourself,” Todd jumped in.

“You mean…?”

“Yeah, once or twice,” Todd said with a big grin. “Hey, a guy can dream, can’t he?”

“You could have the ceremony in the backyard or by the stream,” Justin suggested. “My mother got married out there.” He pointed to the lawn outside the sun porch.

“Who’s having a ceremony?” Michael asked as he, Ben and John all came in from outside, each carrying a plate with their steak on it.

“Nobody,” Gerry said trying not to look amazed at this turn of events.

“Just talking about marriage,” Todd said with a wink.

“I’d highly recommend it,” Michael said.

“Me too,” Ben agreed kissing his partner’s cheek. He was so pleased that Michael seemed to have more life in him today.

“I don’t think you’re ready to be attending a wedding just yet,” Gerry cautioned Michael.

“I am if it’s yours,” Michael joked.

“I can’t win, can I?” Gerry asked with a laugh.

“One thing you need to learn, my friend,” Brian said. “If something is spoken at Edna’s Treasures, it often comes true.” He sat back and smirked at the physiotherapist that he had come to like immensely.

Gerry knew he had something to think about, something that he had never thought about before in his life.
 

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