CHAPTER 179: RULES OF THE HOUSE

Curtis took a seat in the recliner. Both of the boys walked over and climbed up in his lap and snuggled close to him and went to sleep. Curtis, in these few moments as the boys snuggled up to him, realized what he had been missing for all these years when he shut himself off to everyone because of the trauma by an animal. Curtis covered up the boys gently as they lay upon him.

Walter suddenly realized it was quiet and woke up with a start. He looked across the room and saw his boys peacefully sleeping on Curtis and realized that they were going to be just fine here.

Slowly, one by one, all the stasis containers were revived. Earl and his six kids were gonna be more difficult to place because Earl was a free spirit, and all six kids—even though they looked alike—more than likely had different fathers because he wasn’t choosy with who he slept with. Charlie and Deeke showed up at the clinic, and Charlie asked if there was any more that needed a place. Even though it was him, Deeke, their son, and he was once again pregnant, they could accommodate somebody.

Zach pointed out the last family. "Charlie, you and Earl have got a lot in common, or at least you did until you got your life straightened up. Then you met Deeke, and you’re not the same anymore—you’re settled. But he’s still a wild child. Maybe you can help with him."

Charlie took a look at the description of his bio. Charlie felt that, though, as he was looking at himself a few years ago. Charlie and Deeke walked up to Earl and introduced themselves. The boys were scattered everywhere, and Earl didn’t seem to care. As long as they weren’t bothering him, who the hell was he to complain? Charlie had Earl come over and sit at a table as he and Deeke took a seat.

"Earl, I will agree your case is difficult, and most people don’t want this much trouble. But you remind me of someone I used to know, and I believe that I can help a lot." Charlie leaned forward. "Deeke works full time, and I work full-time. We have one child and another one here on the way. The baby isn’t that old, but he doesn’t fuss that much. You and the boys are welcome to stay at our home as our guests. There are a few simple rules, and the first rule is no customers, no guests, and no fucking in our home."

Earl, in his usual smart-ass return, commented, "Well, aren’t you just a barrel of fucking monkeys? Talk about a buzz kill. What if I get an itching in my vent? Who’s going to scratch?"

"Earl, it’s called restraint. You can control your itch because you can control your actions. You and I have a whole lot more in common than you even realize, but we won’t get into it here." Charlie’s voice grew serious. "We will get into it at the house if you decide to come stay with us. I will tell you about my past, who I was, where I was in life before I met my Deeke. If this sounds like an offer you can live with, tell the boys to come on. If not, you’ll end up going to the dormitory over there all by yourself. It’s a gigantic white room with a bunch of bunk beds. It’s got a bath and shower in the corner and a refrigerator that’ll have some refreshments. They haven’t got any kind of entertainment other than piped-in preprogrammed instructional videos for the previous tenants who were under 18 and expecting."

Earl looked at Charlie with a sarcastic face. "Your big man over there—does he ever go on loan out, or do you keep that stud all to yourself?"

Charlie gave Earl a cold stare. "You touch Deeke, and I’ll whip your ass in front of your children and more likely in front of the whole ranch. It’s hands-off, slut puppy. I won’t repeat myself ever."

Earl knew that he had already stepped on the wrong toe, and he apologized abruptly. "You show me kindness, and I come back in my usual fashion of sarcastic so-called wit. I stepped over the line—way over the line—and it’s going to take me a while to get your respect back."

Charlie smiled. "We all make mistakes, but we learn from our mistakes in life. It’s if we choose to repeat them once again that we really fuck up and pay the ultimate price. Come on, everybody, let’s go home. We need to get everybody settled in and beds made. Then I’ll cook supper. I suppose your boys do like to eat?"

"Let’s hope you got a big pot, as they can eat their weight and then some. I’ll help where I can, but dad and Walter always did the cooking for us. I can’t make water boil." Earl shrugged.

"Don’t worry, Earl. You will learn to cook for your crowd and clean the house when they mess it up and give them instructions on how to keep their area clean. Just because you’re a guest doesn’t mean I’m going to wait on you hand and foot, and Deeke has a full-time job also. So let’s go home." Charlie whistled at the boys and told them to get their asses in line and walk in a straight line. "The first one that walks out of that line is the first one to get their butt whipped."

You talk about six young men jumping in a line so quick and standing straight—there was not a word out of any of them, and they all walked out that door in a straight line.

"See, Earl? It just takes that certain tone that you’re not going to put up with that mess, and they’re going to have to act right, and they’ll mind." Charlie nodded approvingly. "I bet your dad told them the same thing. He had his way with the children after having 14. I imagine he knew kids inside and out, and yours were no different. Even though they were his grandchildren, he still commanded respect. Now get your ass in line with the boys and don’t step out, or you’ll be the one getting the whipping in front of them. I might be swollen with child, but that don’t affect my hand."

Kevin couldn’t help but smile and even chuckle as he saw Earl walking in a straight line behind his boys, followed by Charlie and Deeke. "Well, it looks like he found the right location. For a minute there, when I heard the one named Charlie tell the boys to get into line, and the first one that stepped out would be getting their butt whipped, I thought I was listening to my Walt. He didn’t put up with no mess out of Earl’s kids, and they didn’t give him any reason to because they knew he would get their ass."

Donnie walked with Kevin, and the two held hands. "Now that you have your family back and getting settled, you’ll break the news about Stephen soon. A good night’s rest will soften the blow after breakfast."

Kevin kissed Donnie as they walked. "How am I so lucky to have found two of the smartest lovers in my life?"