CHAPTER 192: INSTANT KARMA

At 9 AM there was a knock upon Homer’s door. He opened the door and was surprised to see Mr. Zach standing next to Earl. He showed them into his house.

Zach was amazed—it was hard to believe that this was a standard issue cottage, but it was a beautiful home that Homer had created for himself and anyone he chose to live there with him.

"Well Homer, looks like you’re getting ready to take that deep plunge. Being a sponsor’s a lot of responsibility, but from what I can see here, you’ll be just fine. Let’s go introduce you to young Mr. Clayton—the one with the attitude."

The three men went out to Zach’s speeder and they headed over to the dorms.

Earl was the first one in, followed by Zach, then Homer.

"Okay boys, I hope you’re ready. You got your clothing packed for the weekend. Gideon, you’re staying with me and my family, but Mr. Clayton, you are being assigned to Mr. Homer—you are going to be his guest for this weekend." Earl’s voice grew stern. "And I don’t think you will have any reason to give him any lip service or attitude because he’s not going to bring you back just because you act up a little. You are staying the entire weekend. Do I make myself clear, young man?"

Clayton straightened up and looked over at Homer. "Yes, Sir, the whole weekend and I will not give him any problems, Sir. He doesn’t have to worry about that." His voice was meek as he answered.

Homer walked over to the young man and held out his hand to help him up. He picked up the young man’s bag and they walked to the doors. Homer was being the perfect gentleman and sponsor.

"Guess you couldn’t find anybody that wanted me around, could you?" Gideon looked at Earl.

"As a matter of fact, yes, but his place isn’t finished yet so he will come over and visit you at my home. You remember the other off-lander, Oskar. He has expressed interest in you and wishes to become your sponsor, but he just doesn’t want to do it for just the weekend—he wants more of a permanent role such as a full-time caretaker of you and the baby. I know him from the orbiter and he is a very nice man. The times that he has spent with you here, you made a big impression on him, so let’s start with the weekend and see where it goes from there."

Gideon perked up—someone might actually want him to stay around, and his baby too.

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Mr. Zach drove off from the dorm with Earl, Homer and the two young men in tow. Their first stop was at Homer’s place. Clayton looked at the white fence and yellow house and swallowed very hard. It looked like a showpiece in the middle of a war zone compared to the other houses around it. Homer took the bag and helped the very pregnant Clayton out of the back seat. As they walked through the gate, a couple of the neighbors were there and of course Joe had to make a comment.

"Homer, kinda young there and plump. Can’t have much fun with that one."

Homer didn’t look in his direction when he backhanded the man. He hit him so hard he knocked him about 6 feet backwards and flipped him into the dirt. When Joe looked up, four teeth were missing and his lip was swelled.

Clayton looked around and saw the man lying on the ground. "Was he okay?"

"He’ll be fine—he’s just clumsy that way, always falling down on his face. Now let’s get you into the house so you can get comfortable."

Zach looked at Joe and cleared his throat. "Think you might want to take that smart mouth and broken teeth over to the infirmary and see if they can patch you up a little bit. But I wouldn’t come back around here with any smart remarks or you just might get a little bit more of the same, or even worse." Joe covered his mouth and walked off toward the infirmary. No one else said a word as Zach and Earl drove off with Gideon.

Homer opened the door and let Clayton walk in. He didn’t know what to say. Fresh flowers in a vase sat on the coffee table, and on the dining table there was a full serving set along with a vase of flowers.

"I figured after you get settled into your room you might be a tad bit hungry, so I made some snack sandwiches and we can sit here at the table and get to know one another."

Clayton blushed—he didn’t know what else to do. He couldn’t be sarcastic; this was more than he’d ever seen in his lifetime, someone who didn’t have to was being nice to him. He thanked Homer for his hospitality and asked if he could see his room.

Homer pointed to the door which led to Clayton’s room and told him to go inside and get acquainted—he would bring his bag in a minute.

Clayton walked in the room and was taken back. It was immaculate. On the bedside table was a vase of fresh flowers, and beside it sat a rocking chair with a padded seat and something lace across the back where his head would be. Clayton couldn’t help himself—he walked directly to the rocking chair and took a seat. He gently laid his head back and began to rock. His baby responded by gently moving around as though he was pleased. Clayton was holding his belly when he looked up and saw Homer smiling from the doorway.

"It looks like you both enjoy that chair. I made that chair with these two hands and with love. I can do anything I want if I only put my mind, my heart and my soul into it. I’m glad that you and the baby both like it."

"Thank you very much for taking us in. I can’t believe anyone would do this for a stranger, much less some dumb pre-transition kid who’s knocked up with a baby from who knows." Clayton smiled—his tough guy coldhearted image was fading fast.

"Clayton, you have to give yourself more credit. What happened to you—no, that should never happen to anyone, but you need to realize that you’re worthy and that child that you carry is a precious gift that is worthy of your love and attention as well as others. Any child that is conceived, no matter how, is a gift, and they are here for a reason. Though we may not know why, they are."

Homer moved toward the kitchen. "While you get unpacked, I’m going to go set up brunch and some Coolwater over ice for us to drink. I hope you enjoy it."

"Mr. Homer, I wish to thank you for me and my baby. You will not regret letting us stay here."