This is a work of fiction - names and places are elements of fiction.
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Card in the Deck - Adam and Ben 21
The Last Brevard
It was a little hard getting up Saturday morning. We had quite the gentlemen's party the night before. Quinn is asleep somewhere in the house. Not sure where he crashed but I insisted he not drive home. After I showered and refreshed my cells, I went downstairs and found him on the couch in the family room. I woke him, which apparently takes an army. He groggily went upstairs to shower. I made some peanut butter toast. If you have never had, well, it's great on hangover mornings.
Quinn and I headed out to run some errands. I told him as we headed to the car I felt like driving. I had not driven in months and I wanted to feel the wheel. Jumped in the Rolls and headed to town. We picked up things from Home Depot and the grocery store and Quinn wanted to thrift of all things. I have to say it was sort of fun browsing around at junk that could be made into treasures. He found some jeans and a sweater for the upcoming Fall weather. It was lunch time and we decided to head back to the house and have a sandwich. There were backyard things that needed to be completed. A few bushes needed trimming and some weeds needed to be removed from the gardens. Weeds! They will thrive anywhere.
As I turned into the gates, Quinn asked me to stop the car so I did.
"Whats up?" I asked.
"Let's get out for a minute."
We exited the car and stood there in front of the grill facing the mansion.
Quinn said, "Just take a look at this Ben. Do you know how beautiful it all is?" I stood in silence looking at the place. I was almost seeing it through someone else's eyes. The detail really stood out. The white trim against the brick. The balance of windows on the main front, the wings that extended from each side giving the house steadiness. It was brilliant.
Quinn continued, "I don't think all big houses are pretty but this one is, Ben. It's just...regal. Yeah, that's the word. Regal."
"How about the Croasdaile house over on the other side of town?"
"That place is shit," laughed Quinn. "Looks like something from the Addam's Family." We both laughed. He continued, "How about the Griffin estate out by the lake?"
"Now that is a fine place," I remarked. "Sprawling one story ranch with gorgeous grounds and a sunken living room. Amazing. I could live like that, easily," I said.
"Yeah, this place is just too much but Ben, do you know how lucky you are to have lived like this? Not everyone has had such a life."
"I know."
"I mean so many people are chasing the dream while you got to live it!"
I looked at Quinn quite seriously and told him that was one of the more astute things I had heard in a long time. This one-time crazy boy had really turned out very fine. But as my attention was drawn back to the house, I fell silent.
"Ben, if anyone tells you this is not the right thing to do, you have to ignore them. Rattling around in this big house by yourself is not healthy. It's just not healthy."
"I know," and as my focus turned to memories and images, I felt a tear drop from my eye. That stinging feeling you get before a sneeze creeps across your face.
"The house needs a bigger family."
"A captain of industry," I said.
"A lady to run it," replied Quinn.
"And I can't offer it anything more. I'm it, Quinn. I'm the end." And with that my flood gates opened completely up. I had to bend my head forward to cry. I had to hold my face on with my hands for fear it would mudslide off my head. Quinn was quite startled by my outburst and he put an arm around me.
"Shh, Ben. It's ok. You have a lifetime of stuff piled up in there. Just relax," he said as he tried to comfort me.
"I'm letting them all down. Great Grandfather Clinton and Grandfather Nelson! They were relying on some offspring to keep the heritage alive and I'm dumping it. Sinking the titanic!"
Quinn continued pulling me close. "Ben," he said softly, "You went over all of this with Phil and your uncle yesterday. They said it was ok. Go for it. Please don't think this is bad. It's good. It really is."
"Thank you Quinn. I hear you but there are so mmmany feelings." I was stuttering from the emotion and runny nose. I must have looked like a mess. "You have been so amazing and incredible. You just keep coming strong and I'm so grateful to you, Quinn. I really am."
He looked over at me and said, "I have a good reason. If you could ever love me as much as I love you, I don't know what we would be capable of, Mr. Ben. I'm sorry to be so blunt but I can't..."
I interrupted him, "What do you mean if I could ever? How do you know I don't already?"
"You never said anything."
"I didn't realize until just now. Oh Quinn, I have been running around around in public like a one eyed chicken and hiding out in Grandfather's study looking for answers and at every turn you show up. Just there. Always there. I didn't see it for my upset about Adam and everything else. It's you, Quinn. You have been my banner!!"
He turned me around toward him, and pulled me in. He kissed me. Not one of those boyish kisses saying I want sex. One of those gentle, all lips kisses that nearly caused me to faint.
"Oh my God I am so relieved to be able to say it Ben. I got you. I got all of this. I can carry you Ben. All the way across the finish line. I can carry you in my arms or on my shoulders, Ben. Whatever you need?"
I was just staring. I didn't know what to say. When you are used to doing all the carrying, and someone takes the load from you, there is a feeling of freedom. A lightness. I felt giddy. Quinn felt giddy. He was rubbing my back as he just held me close. I felt him shiver and it wasn't cold. I touched his face, his beautiful smooth skin, and just said it, "I love you Quinn. Carry what you can but I still have my own muscle" and I gave a pitiful arm flex. "Let's go back to the house. I'm feeling rather exhausted. This would have been the moment in the drama where the background moment would have died away and cut to commercial, lol. I headed back to the car and he said, "No, let's walk it. I want to see it slowly all the way up the drive." We grabbed the bags from the car and walked the straight drive up to the house and walked around to the garage court and entered through the porte cochere.
I dropped my bags on the counter and went into the family room and crashed on the couch. That was quite an emotional experience. I felt drained but I felt good. I heard Quinn make some calls. I was nearly dozing by the time he joined me. I told me to scoot over so he could climb in behind me. He wrapped his arms around me. Then draped the afghan over us. Then, I was asleep. And I slept hard.
There were crazy dreams. I was chasing Adam across the yard. Quinn was not far behind. There was a soccer ball. There was a rugby stick. Then I heard Phil yelling at me to get off the grass. They used to do that after it was mowed. They didn't like footprints in the grass. Then I woke up with a startle. I felt lips on my neck. I turned in my haze, almost expecting to see Adam. But it wasn't. It was Quinn. I knew instantly the smell was different. The weight was off.
"What are you doing?" I asked, smiling at him.
"Lovin' on you," he said back.
"Well we could keep doing this all afternoon but I have to get up." He frowned.
"What time is it?"
"Three o'clock."
"Oh my God I slept all afternoon!"
"You needed it babe. I'm glad you did. I slept a little bit too."
"Let's get going," I said. "We have some yard work and then we have to get dinner going."
As I climbed out of his warm arms and the sofa, he said we can do your things but don't worry about dinner. It's under control. I asked what he meant by that. He said not to worry.
He got up and said there is one thing we need to do first. He led me to the study and booted up the computer. Within a few minutes, I was face to face with Margo and Phil. They were in their house in Naples.
"Hey honey," said Margo. I waved back to her.
"Ben," said Phil in his slow drawl. "We hear you are having an emotional time of it."
"Well, I did have a moment earlier but I'm ok now. It's such a big thing, Dad." Dad? I never said Dad. Did I feel like a kid or something?
"Son, James and I had our concerns about the magnitude of this project. But, we have agreed. You are capable. You are competent. You will drive this thing." He sounded so sure.
Margo chimed in, "honey, we knew it would be you. It was always going to be you. We knew years ago you would be the one to do this. Ben, I may not be there in person, but I'm swooping. You know that, right?"
"Yes ma'am I do. And you are swooping good!" Quinned laughed.
Phil said, "I know Quinn, Ben and his mother have a secret language. I don't understand it all!" Quinn laughed harder. Margo winked at me.
"Ben," said Margo, "Most people spend their lives waiting for their ship to come in. You are going to unload our ship and send it back to sea. There is no failure. Might be set backs, but no failure."
"Agreed," said Phil. "Get yourself together and prepare the plan. A plan will make it all better. We will talk again later this week. We are here if you need us. Understand?"
"Yes sir. And thanks for the call. It helps more than you know. I'm in good hands now," looking up at Quinn. He came over and put his hand on my shoulder. "I got him," he said to Phil and Margo.
"Counting on it,," said Margo. "Love ya, son," and with that she blew me a kiss and the connection ended.
"You set that up?"
"Yep and few other things, sir," he said.
Later, nearing 5:30, we had come in and cleaned ourselves off. I heard the gate bell ring. I looked at my phone and saw Sarah Collins, Quinn's mother at the gate. I pushed the button to open up for her.
"What is your mother doing here?" I asked.
"She's got dinner, lover. We are eating in style tonight," then he leaned in for a kiss. I swear I could do this for the next week and not get tired of it.
"You shouldn't have dragged your mother all the way out here."
"She was determined when I called her earlier. Said she was in the mood to cook. You know I can't stop her once she gets going. She's crazy!"
Then she pulled up under the porte cochere. She yelled for us to come out and help her.
I said, "Good lord, Mrs. Collins. You are a sight this afternoon. What are you doing?"
My son called and sounded like he needed some help. When he needs it, I jump into gear. You know how I am." she said affectionately.
"Swooping," I said. Quinn laughed while she looked confused.
"By the way, there's a damn car blocking the driveway down there and I had to drive into the grass to get around it!" She looked suspiciously at Quinn. I had to laugh, I knew he was busted. She raised her eyes at him and put a hand on hip. I knew that look. It was funny.
We dragged baskets of food out of the trunk. I wasn't sure what was in there but it was making my mouth water.
We came into the kitchen. Quinn and I pulled the food out while Sarah proceeded to set the table in the solarium. She sat two placemats.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"Nowhere," she said. I'll just hang out in the kitchen while you boys eat up." She went to work on the food.
"Quinn, put a third place down. She is crazy if she thinks she's waiting on me tonite." Quinn obliged and set a third place.
"Oh thank you Ben but really."
"Sarah, you cooked all this and you are going to eat it with us!"
There was fried chicken that smelled like heaven. There was potato salad - the mustard version. There were green beans seasoned with thick bacon. There were warm rolls. So much for my diet and cholesterol!
Sarah set the food out on the island and we grabbed our plates. Quinn reached for a thigh and I said, "No, no!" He grabbed a leg and a breast. I have not had fried chicken since I can remember and I am a thigh man. Always have been. Those thighs had my name written on them.
I opened a bottle of red blend wine and we proceeded to knock that food out. We put it away and it was scrumptious. I can still remember that little greasy taste left on my lips after devouring those thighs. We talked and laughed. Sarah shared a couple of stories of Quinn's youth. He and a couple of football players got caught rolling the principal's house with toilet paper. Apparently, that year they created quite a stir rolling different teacher's houses after the game. I remembered Adam mentioning it but it didn't seem quite interesting at the time. Just to clarify, rolling in the South requires you take multiple rolls of toilet paper and stream them across someone's yard. Up in the trees, along the shrubbs, front porches also pose great fun. Her version; however, was hilarious. Sarah Collins was a great lady. She was very attractive for her age. Quinn took after her side of the family. She was dressed in a floral blouse and a pair of jeans. I thought she was just fabulous. Had liked her the first time I met her, years ago. She worked for a law firm and had for years. I doubt Horne and Son Esquires could get along without her.
"And you know, Principal Blevins called me the next day and said, `Sarah, I'm not even going to punish these boys. I ought to put them in detention for a month but I'm not going to do it. The truth is, they flattered the hell out me by choosing my house to roll. With all those teachers out there given' em hell everyday, they still chose my house. My wife even told me, get out there and clean it up and don't you say a word to those boys!" They knew they were caught as soon as I turned the porch light on and saw the car but they get a pass." He laughed on and on..
She was laughing so hard. "Quinn was such a knucklehead!"
"Stil is, but maybe a more grown knucklehead," I said smiling at Quinn.
"That's fair," she said.
After we finished eating, I advised that there were some cookies in the pantry we could have for dessert.
Sarah said, "no way Ben Brevard. I got dessert in the fridge." She got up and went to the refrigerator and pulled out a casserole dish I had not noticed before. She appeared at the table and lifted the lid to reveal a banana pudding with meringue topping.
I had to clear my throat. I knew I was going to give Cook some hell for never making me a banana pudding. Never had. This looked like something God made.
"Sarah, when did you have time to cook all this chicken and make a banana pudding?"
She laughed. I made this first thing this morning. The spirit moved me not long after I got up. The chicken was last minute but I had the chicken thawed so it made sense to fry it up."
"Sarah" I continued, `there is a chunk of the pudding missing."
She laughed again. I figured you boys would wipe me out so I left a portion for myself at home."
I said, "Well I guess that covers everything. Smart thinking"
Quinn, who had sat bashful during his mother's retelling of stories, got up and gave his mom a hug. "You did good, Mom. This was really nice."
Sarah looked at me with a very serious look, "Ben, I need to say this. You know I hold you in very high regard. And I am thrilled I could come out here and feed you both tonight. But, from what I know of my son's feelings and the troubles you have had with Adam, I need to be up front about Quinn. Please don't yank him around. I think he's committed. And to you! And he needs..."
"Sarah, please stop. I know what you are saying. And I love you for defending your son. My feelings from the past have been dissipating for sometime and in fact, Adam's absence has simply made way for the future. And Quinn is the future. The finish line, as he put it." I pointed to my eyes and back to her's. "We understand each other?"
"Yes Ben. Lord whoever thought my boy would be involved in all this?"
"Mom, I was destined. I knew it the first time I met Ben. But I think Adam's needs outweighed mine so fate fell on him. My time has come and it's not about what I need. It's about what I can do. I got this," He pointed from his eyes to her's.
He hugged her again and we cleaned up the kitchen. Quinn walked his mother out and rode with her down the drive to get the Rolls and bring it back to the garage.
When he came in, he found me on the back porch with a glass of wine. He pulled me to him and gave me a light version of a passionate kiss.
"Quinn," I said. " I have made some decisions and I want to go over them tomorrow."
"Let's do it tonight," he insisted.
"No, I have to think on it, revolve it in my head tonight."
"Well, I thought, after this afternoon, I might stay the night. With you." he sounded sheepish but hopeful.
"Quinn, after that huge dinner and banana pudding, I have to tell you now that there won't be any lubby dubby going on tonight. You get me? I may need a bottle of milk of magnesia from the CVS!
"In other words, you're not giving or receiving," he laughed.
"Exactly! You got it brother!"
"Fuck," he said.
"Quinn, go home and get rest. Tomorrow is a bigger day than you realize. And I will never forget how much you did for me today. Please do not try to pace yourself to this. I'm afraid you will wear out."
"I wanted it to be so good for you. I really did."
"Mission accomplished, Sir," and I bowed my head in respect.
"Can't you even give me a hint? You know I can't handle surprises!"
"Not doing it," I said, trying to keep a straight face.
I walked him to his car and prepared to send him on his way.
"Good night, lover," he said with a flirting voice. "Can I call you that?"
"It's a shoe that fits well," I replied encouragingly.
With a big long kiss, he climbed in and drove away.
Tomorrow would be a day that would change his life. And mine too.