Sons (9 page)

“Then, young master, I will change the bed linens with you in them. I have duties to perform, and I will not be delayed by a lazy boy.”

As Amal took a step toward the bed, Colin leapt from the other side and ran into the bathroom, trying to cover the front of his pajama bottoms, which were sticking out like a theater marquee. It was then that the Arab realized what the delay was all about.

A few minutes later Colin emerged, relieved and modestly deflated. He stopped and watched Amal fluff the bed pillows and place them evenly against the mahogany headboard.

“Where is my… I mean, where is everybody?”

“My master and Mr. Lin ate breakfast hours ago. They are downstairs in the living room.”

“Why do you call him master? Are you his slave?”

Amal stiffened at the thought.

“No, young master, I am a slave to no man!”

Calming himself, Amal explained, “I serve your father because of who, and what, he is. I am here of my own will. I call him Master, or Effendi, because it is the custom of my people. It has nothing to do with being a slave. I hope you understand that.”

“Okay, okay! Don’t get your hair up, I was just askin’.”

Amal said, “Also, I wish you to remember that I am an honored person in this house, as you are, so please address me with respect.”

Embarrassed, Colin’s first impulse was to defend his rudeness with a show of bravado; however, he wasn’t stupid. A little voice told him that the Arab would make a better friend than enemy.

“I’m sorry… I apologize. Okay?”

“Yes. Thank you, young master. Please eat. Your father is waiting for you downstairs.”

Amal left Colin sitting at a table by the window. As he ate, he looked out at the frozen river. The sun made no impression on the blocks of ice packed against the ships moored on either side of the deep channel. The thick window glass blotted out the sound of a Coast Guard icebreaker as it slowly chewed a path for oil-laden ships, whose cargo couldn’t wait for the river to thaw in order to dock and unload. A chill shot down his back as he reached out and touched the window. He watched a wedge of Canada geese fly lazily along the far bank of the river.

I wonder how they stand the cold
.

Eleven

C
OLIN
finished his cereal, stood, and looked down at the dirty dishes.
What am I supposed to
do
with these?

He eyed the bedside clock and ran his fingers through his blond hair. He sighed.
Ugh, better get a move on. I wish I could just close my eyes and all this would be a dream.

Colin went to the bedroom door to turn the lock, only to find there was none!
Crap
!
Now what
! he wondered. He looked around, then slipped off his pajama bottoms, tossing them onto the bed. “Well, no guts, no glory,” he muttered to the empty room.

After soaping himself in the shower, Colin’s thoughts once more turned to how he could work his way out of this situation. A feeling of isolation pressed down on him as he came to the realization that, like it or not, he was stuck in a strange place without as much as a friend. There was nowhere to go and no one to turn to.

Until I can find someone to help me get away, I’ll have to grin and bear it. Well, maybe not grin.

His loins stirred as his hands swirled the lather around his groin. Colin discovered the joys of masturbation the year before and rarely missed an opportunity to delight in it. This time was no exception. Suddenly, he stopped and looked around for spy holes, or even for a camera. His expanding cock quickly deflated at the thought.
This can’t be happening! I gotta get out of this place!

Shower and drying completed, Colin peeked around the bathroom door to make sure the coast was clear before he stepped into his bedroom. He noticed the breakfast dishes were gone.

“That guy sneaking around gives me the creeps!” he muttered.

Twelve

J
AN
and Michael sat in leather club chairs near the fireplace, speaking in hushed tones. The midmorning sun had begun its southern arc. Its golden rays, slanting through the windows’ thick glass panes, divided the large room with a wall of shimmering light. Jan looked around and nudged Michael.

“He’s coming down,” Jan said.

The two men watched as Colin crept down the winding stairs.

“I hope he likes me,” Michael whispered.

“I hope you’ll like him,” Jan replied.

As he wound down the stairs, Colin peeked over the rail, looking for the first time at the room in daylight, the same room where his Aunt Elaine abandoned him the night before.

Amal waited for Colin at the foot of the stairs.

“My master is waiting for you by the fireplace,” he said.

Colin looked at Jan and Michael sitting close together. He whispered in Amal’s ear. “Hey, what’s that guy’s name again?”

“His name is Mr. Lin. He is Chinese.”

“Does he speak English?” Colin said.

“Yes, he does.”

As Colin began to move off, Amal caught his sleeve and, with a wink, said, “You should call him sir.”

Colin smiled. “Gotcha. Thanks.”

Michael and Jan stood as Colin approached.

He looks so much like his dad!
Michael thought.

Michael leaned in to whisper in Jan’s ear. “I though you said he is a boy. He looks grown up to me.”

“He’s almost fifteen,” Jan said.

Colin came to within a few feet of the men and stopped.

“Michael, this is my son, Colin,” Jan said.

Michael offered Colin his hand. “Welcome to our home. I hope you will be happy here.”

“Thank you, sir,” Colin replied nervously.

He turned and smiled politely at Jan. The defiant youngster of last night had melted into a charming boy.

Jan beamed back his approval and thought,
Will wonders never cease?

“Did you sleep well, Colin? Was your breakfast suitable?” Michael said.

“I slept okay. I’m not used to eating breakfast. Usually I just get a donut.”

“You like donuts too! That is the one thing I missed most when I was in China.”

“So you missed donuts, eh? I’ll remember that!” Jan said, joking.

“You know what I mean, silly man.”

Michael gave Jan a playful nudge and laughed.

Colin watched the two men. He didn’t understand all this.
I thought these guys are supposed to act all girlie. Maybe they’re not as bad as I thought.

“Colin,” Jan said. “I don’t have your school transcripts. What grade are you in now?”

“I’m halfway through my high school freshman year.”

Jan looked surprised. “Really!”

“Yeah, I skipped a grade. Mom was real proud….” Colin’s voice faltered. “Sorry.”

Jan put his arm around his son’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Colin, it’s okay. You can talk about her if you want.”

Michael stood by uneasily, wishing he could say or do something to break the tension. Then he thought of his nephew.

“Colin, I just remembered something. My nephew, William, is about your age. He attends a very fine school in the city.”

Michael turned to Jan.

“You know the one, Jan. It is All Souls on Samson Street, unless you prefer Saint Dominic Academy.”

“Oh, no!” Jan protested. “I’m not sending Colin there. It’s taken me twenty plus years to get over Sister Mary Heart O’Stone and her brass ruler. Damn! That thing hurt.”

Colin stood wide-eyed and annoyed, while the two men discussed his fate as if he were a pet about to enter obedience training. He could feel heat rising in his face and prickles down his back.
What do they think I am, some dog to play house with?

Jan noticed Colin hunch his back and clench his fists.
This is not going well
. He cocked his head toward Colin.

“Michael, I’m not sure Colin wants to go to a private school. What about it, son? How do you feel about it?”

Colin thought,
He’s overdoing the son routine. How can he feel like my father overnight? I sure don’t feel like his son!

“I’m not sure,” Colin replied flatly, hoping Jan hadn’t noticed his anger. “School’s school, I guess. One’s like another, but I sure don’t want anybody hitting me!”

Michael said, “Well, you better think fast because I believe school begins in a few days, so you must decide soon.”

Colin stared into the new fire Amal had lit in the fireplace and tried to focus on what was happening.
School. Another rope around my neck!

Jan nodded and said, “Colin, do you mind if I check into All Souls and see if they have an opening there? They’re run by the Episcopal Church—no nuns, thank God!”

Colin shrugged.

“If I don’t like it I can switch to public school?”

“All right, so long as you give All Souls a chance. Deal?”

“Deal,” Colin agreed.

“I’ll call the school tomorrow, and we have to see about some clothes for you. Did your Aunt Elaine pack anything for you?” Jan said.

Colin walked over to the window. Jan followed and stood beside him, looking out of the corner of his eye while pretending to watch a Coast Guard officer board a newly arrived ship anchored near the pier.

Great!
Jan thought.
Just what Michael needs, a security check on one of his deliveries, and on New Year’s Day, no less.

“Colin, I guess you’re feeling pretty overwhelmed. I can’t blame you. I would too. Trust me, things will settle down.”

“Doesn’t my Aunt Elaine love me anymore?” Colin blurted, his voice hanging between anger and the fear of knowing an awful truth.

The question dragged Jan back to his past, so similar in so many ways. His father dead, ordered from the only home he ever knew. Tim, the man he loved, kept him like a sex toy, someone easily turned in for a brighter model at any moment. Even his brief stint as a husband ended after Angela drove him from their marriage bed. His heart ached for Colin.

He chose his words carefully. “I don’t know. What I mean is, I don’t know her very well. She never seemed like a person who wanted kids around, so that probably made her look like she didn’t love you. I’m sure she did.”

Jan wasn’t sure of anything of the kind, but he wasn’t about to hurt his son anymore over the situation.

She doesn’t give a shit about me
. Colin thought.
All she wanted was to get rid of me. That’s why she dumped me here with these queers.

Colin shot Jan a cynical look. “Thanks, nice try.” He looked down and shuffled his feet. “Umm, can I go to my room for a while?”

“Sure. Amal will prepare lunch later. I’ll call you down when it’s ready.”

As Colin turned back from the window and walked away, Jan noticed Michael was gone.

Thirteen

J
AN
dropped Colin off at the entrance of All Souls School, having secured a place for him in the freshman midterm curriculum the day before. Driving back to the Federal Court House offices, Jan reflected that from the moment they met, Colin’s behavior swung wildly between barely suppressed rage and a slow, almost unconscious attitude of acceptance. At times, he even seemed happy.

He can’t go through this much longer or he’ll have a meltdown
, Jan thought
. I wonder what he’s really thinking.