CHAPTER 191: METAMORPHOSIS

Sonja walked up beside him and gently placed her arm around his waist and patted him on his stomach. "See there baby, you look fine. Just need me to bring the inner you out now. Don’t let this look go away—you keep this look going. You show up down here once every two weeks and I’ll take care of your hair and the girls will take care of your nails and your feet because there’s no reason, even though you work hard for a living on that ranch, that you have to look the way you did." She smiled warmly. "Who knows, we might even be hearing some bells ringing before long. Now let the three of us walk next door to Constantine’s and introduce you to the world. Let’s hope they got their muzzles on."

The girls had already placed all the packages into the speeder for Earl so that Homer wouldn’t know he had a whole new wardrobe.

Earl was the first one to walk in, followed by Sonja who took Homer’s hand and brought him into the malt shop. There were a couple things that hit the floor—we’re talking dishes—and one of the guys in the back kitchen dropped his spatula. Madison missed his mouth with his spoon of ice cream, if that was even possible. He reached over and pushed Eli’s mouth closed that was wide open. The three crossed the diner and sat down, the ever gentleman Homer helping Sonja with her chair.

"Damn, where did you find clothes that would fit him? I didn’t realize he was that big." Madison was the first to speak.

Homer looked around. "I’m not that big. I just work hard every day on my job—this is the end result. I’m just me."

"Dude, you are massive. When we get back to the ranch, you’ll have to lock your gate and door to keep the gawkers out."

Everyone sat at the table and was talking when Earl brought up the subject of the sponsorship of Clayton and how he would definitely need some help when it got closer time for the baby to be born because there weren’t any homes ready for an infant.

"Mr. Earl, don’t you think that maybe he would consider keeping his baby if he had the right exposure prior to giving birth? Maybe someone that’s been in his same position, or almost—someone that’s maybe the same gestational period that he is." Homer paused thoughtfully. "It would be great if we found a young Genman couple that was having a baby and maybe they didn’t start off so good but it worked out. You know, somebody to let them drop by and let them visit with Clayton. I have someone in mind—I’ll work on it tonight. Besides, when Drake gets a view of all this, he is going to have a hard time keeping his mate Jeffrey away from me."

They all laughed. For someone that had no confidence, Homer sure had crawled out of his shell.

"Dad, I don’t mean to break up the party—and a good party—but it’s getting late in the morning and I need to get the buggy back to Mr. Zach soon."

"Sure, let’s go. I believe everybody has got everything they need." Homer leaned over and kissed Sonja gently on her cheek and thanked her for everything that she and the girls had done for him. She would see him once again for touchups.

When they arrived back at the ranch and went to Homer’s house, there were a few of the guys standing around talking. Homer got out with Earl, who retrieved some packages out of the back of the speeder. As they walked up the pathway to Homer’s place, a couple of the guys stood there gawking at the new Homer.

"I bet you wish your boyfriend looked like that." Eli popped off suddenly.

Madison grabbed him and stuffed him in the seat and held him down. You could tell it got to the rest of them—there were a couple that were red-faced and one even vented himself. Madison had to laugh at that one, so the hot Homer got to him.

Earl returned to the speeder. "Just exactly what was so damn funny out here?" As they drove off, Madison busted out laughing as he told his dad what happened with Eli and the men.

"I just love when a great plan comes together. Just wait till tomorrow when Clayton arrives for the weekend—we’re definitely going to see somebody venting himself again." Earl smiled.

Homer made a phone call and asked Drake if he and Jeffrey could come over for a little bit of Coolwater—he needed to talk to them about something very important.

"Sure, we will be over in about 15 minutes. Do you need us to bring anything?" Drake replied.

"No Drake, just yourselves and an open mind. Don’t be shocked at what you see."

About 15 minutes later, Homer saw Drake helping Jeffrey up the pathway. At 7-1/2 months along, he was really plump, and Drake was the constant mate watching over his child and his love. Drake knocked on the door and it was opened.

Neither one could believe what they saw. Jeffrey stumbled for his words. "Is all that you, Homer?"

"Yeah, just had a little tune-up done today. Little haircut, nails, clothing, the whole 9 yards. And I’ll tell you why if you would come in here and have a seat."

It didn’t take long for them to take a seat and start sipping on the Coolwater that they were given.

"Well guys, I’m going to be a sponsor for one of the rescue boys. His name is Clayton. He’s not in a good way—he’s resistant to the whole idea of becoming a dad. He doesn’t have much of a choice; they’re getting ready to shut down the center since there’s only a few remaining, so this is his last chance. I’m gonna watch over him until the baby is born, and since there’s no viable foster homes for the baby, they will be under my care here in my home." Homer leaned forward earnestly. "He needs somebody that’s been where he is now, and that’s where you come in, Jeffrey. I need you to talk to him. He needs to know that somebody else knows what it’s like to be young, afraid, alone and inexperienced."

"Homer, I don’t know. It’s great that you’re doing what you’re trying to do and maybe I can help out, but look at me—I’m seven and a half months pregnant. How much help you think I can be?"

"More than you realize. He is seven and a half months pregnant, so you two can relate on so many aspects that Drake and I can’t. If it is too much to ask of you, let me know now and there’s no hard feelings, but a child should really be raised by his blood. I thought if anyone could get through to him, it would be you."

Jeffrey thought about it. "Okay, he’s coming tomorrow? Will be here noonish Saturday? If you haven’t killed each other by then, we will take a light lunch. Nothing fancy, just a few things going on and plenty of Coolwater because it’s going to be intense."

Homer reached over and hugged him, which startled Jeffrey because Homer was not a touchy-feely person. Drake and Jeffrey left and talked about the whole situation all the way home.

Homer walked to his bedroom and looked at himself in the long mirror. "Damn, I am good looking after all. Guess hard work pays off."