The Last Phoenix

As the kids were all coming into the Banquet room for dinner, Tom came in to tell the other adults that he wouldn't be there, because he was having a private dinner with Leo, Fred and a guest.  He pointed out that he and Leo would join them after the meal for the assembly. 

The meal went as usual except for the fact that at the end, no one left the room like they usually did.  The waiters cleared the tables, and once everything was done, everyone was directed to turn their chairs around, to face the raised platform which had been set up at the end of the room.  Tom and Leo entered together, and Tom, although looking a bit dazed, smiled warmly and sat in his usual chair.  Leo then walked to the platform and the microphone there. He did the mandatory 'tap tap tap' on the microphone sending the loud signal that he wanted everyone's attention. At least he had the courtesy not to say, "testing, one, two, three."

"Ah, a captive audience, I see, how wonderful."  The attempt at humor failed miserably.  "Okay, then.  For any of you who don't know what we are going be talking about here tonight, I'm going to tell you; It's called Human Immunodeficiency Virus or, as most people know it, HIV and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS.  HIV is actually what is called a retro virus that you can only get infected with, by doing certain things; most those things are sex related or drug related.  However, you can also get infected with the virus by being given infected blood in the hospital, or, sadly, you can be born with it, if one or both of your parents have the virus.  There are a couple of reasons that we are talking to you all about this, tonight. The first reason is that we love all of you.  Please remember that one, because it is the most important one.  We love you all very much and we want you to be safe.  So therefore, we want you to know how to protect yourselves. The second reason is that a lot of you older boys have been forced to do some of these risky things that can allow the virus to be transmitted from one person to another, and you therefore may actually have been exposed to the virus.  I'm not going to lie to you and say that I'm not trying to scare you, because, I am.  This is scary stuff and, unfortunately, it can kill you.  That means it's Very scary.  Now, Jason, Glenn and Aaron want to say some things to you."

Leo left the 'stage', and Jason stepped up to the microphone.  "Ah, hi.  Well... I just want to tell all you guys that we are here to help and you can talk to any or all of the three of us and Doc at any time.  Your Squad Leaders are going to be getting a lot more information to give you too.  We all got to stick together 'cause we are the only family we got.  So, if you get scared you can always come to us.  Now, Glenn wants to say some stuff about HIV."

Glenn slowly stepped up to the microphone, and he was red as a beet and nearly shaking.  "I'm s...sorry, I'm really... nervous.  Umm, This is hard to say to you guys, I'm really scared shitless, right now, I have HIV."  There were gasps from all over the room.  "Yeah, right. There it is.  Since I am testing positive, I probably got it before I came to Juvy.  There was a guy who put his thing in my butt a lot, and then the social worker 'rescued' me from him, and sent me to Juvy.  Then, once I got there, the older guys did it to me and they made me do it to Aaron.  How I got it really doesn't matter anymore, cause I do have the virus and there is no cure, and someday, I don't know when, but it will probably kill me.  That's the bad news.  The good news is there are now some treatments that try to keep the virus under control, so I don't get to the sick part and die."

He reached into his pocket and brought out a baggie with pills in it and held it up.  "I hate pills, I always have, but now I have to take these every day, Doc will test my blood a lot, to make sure the drugs are still working and if not, he will change them.  Now, I am not going to pass this on to anybody else.  You can't get the Virus or AIDS, just by touching someone.  The virus is inside, it is in my blood, and so something would have to happen where my blood got into your blood.  So like fighting isn't too smart an idea.  Also sex stuff can transfer the virus, so if I did that, I would need to do something to keep a barrier between us.  Doc will tell you about condoms and stuff later.  I just wanted to tell you, so you would know, and I am okay with talking about it, so you can ask me any questions you have, and I will answer them if I can."

Glenn looked back, and motioned to Aaron, "Now, Aaron has some more stuff to tell you guys."

Aaron stepped up and lowered the microphone, "Check this out, guys." He lifted his shirt and showed the dark blotches on his chest.  He pulled it back down and tucked it in.  "That is what Kaposi sarcoma looks like.  I had a lotta trouble learning to say that," he grinned.  "That is one of the real common things you can get when HIV gets too strong.  My body can't fight off infections like it should, because I was borned with HIV. My Mother was a druggy, and got it from a dirty needle. I don't think she knew she had it, but I don't know for sure."  He pulled a baggie out that had a lot more pills in it than Glenn's did.  "This is the stuff I got to take now.  There at Juvy, they stopped giving me the drugs, and things have kind of gotten out of control.  I now have AIDS.  I'm pretty sick, and don't have a lot of energy.  Doc hopes all this medicine will help me get better, and I hope so too.  There is a chance that I could get better for awhile, and be back like Glenn and just be HIV+.  Even though I got AIDS, you still can't get it from me, unless you do that bad stuff to me.  I want you guys to be happy and live a long life, so please be careful and don't get this, it really sucks."  Tears were running down Aaron's cheeks and a lot of the boys in the room were crying too. {Writers, editors and probably readers too} [I know I am.]

Doc Turnman Stepped back up onto the platform and hugged Aaron.  He whispered, "You did great, Little One. I love you, and I am very proud of you."

Aaron went up on tip toes and kissed Leo on the cheek.  "Thanks, Doc.  I love you too."

Doc stood back up to the microphone raising it back up, "I will be coming around to each squad tonight, and tomorrow or the next day, I will have a meeting with all the Squad Leaders.  Thank you guys very much for giving us a little time."  Leo led the three boys off the platform and out of the Banquet Room.

* Flashback to just before dinner *

Tom returned from telling the adults that he and Leo wouldn't be at dinner and found that Fred had already arrived.  Leo was there talking with Fred and his guest, who had his back to Tom at the moment.  Tom sized the guy up.  His height, his military hair cut, his muscles on top of muscles.  Must be a cop.

Leo spotted Tom, "Ah, here he is now."  The man turned around, and he and Tom both froze.  'Was Fred playing with mirrors?' they both thought.

The guest said, "Tiger?"

Tom replied, "God, nobody's called me that since ... Uncle Eddie?!?!"

"God, nobody's called me that since ..." The two hugged and held tightly to each other, as time seemed to stop for them.  Fred and Leo grinned as they watched the heartwarming reunion.

When they finally relaxed, Tom said, "Everyone but Dad thought you went and got yourself killed or something.  He said he knew you were out there somewhere, 'cause the address info on your trust had been changed.  But he could never find you.  He tried every couple of years, though.  He took your disappearing pretty hard.  He wondered if he did or didn't do something to make you run away."

"It wasn't him.  It was our damned snooty parents.  I just got fed up with it all and left and joined the Marines."

"So you are a Marine now?"

"No, not anymore.  I have an appeal in, but the damned legal system is just dragging along."

Fred said, "Don't worry Tom, 'Philip' and I have already taken the case."

"Case?  What case?  Are you in some kind of trouble, Uncle Eddie?" Tom asked.

Before anyone could answer, a harried Mrs. Johnson entered the room, with a cart and four heaping full dinner plates.  "Those new Phoenix cooks ... Well, I'll have them all trained, soon enough.  Here you Gentlemen go, enjoy the piece and quiet, while you can, I'm back to feed the starving hordes."

Eddie smiled, "Hordes?  How many kids do you have, Tom?"  He took a drink of water. {Yes I'm going to do it.}

Tom waited for Eddie to have his mouth full of water. "More than sixty at the moment."[Okay now that I have picked myself up from the floor I can continue editing. Evil, Evil author :)]

Leo quickly held his cloth napkin out, covering the table and saved them all from a soggy dinner.

When Fred, Leo and Tom stopped laughing, and Eddie had recovered, "How in the Hell did you get sixty kids?  Is there a missus here?"

Silence fell, "Well, Uncle Eddie, you see, when Uncle Philip died..."

"The old buzzard finally bought it, huh?" Eddie said.

There was a grumbling sound that three experienced sets of ears recognized immediately, Tom quickly said, "Ah, Uncle Eddie, He died, but he didn't leave us."

"Oh come on, I don't believe in ghosts."

Leo held up his hand, "Let us explain, Please." 

Eddie was a bit confused, because Leo wasn't talking to him but to a corner of the room.

Tom continued, "No ghosts, Eddie, Artificial Intelligence, very, very advanced 'James' Technology, from Watkins Enterprises�.  He managed to preserve himself, personality intact, unfortunately, in the Haven Enterprises' computer network."

'Unfortunately?  Well we will discuss that later.  So, do we call you Eddie Richards, or Master Sergeant Dennis White?' 'Philip' asked, and his familiar grumpy image appeared on the plasma screen in the corner which was what Leo had been talking to.

Tom suddenly realized several things, and a devious plan sprang into his mind.  "Well, I think Dennis White is a closed book for now.  Fred, what does all this mean, as far as the inheritance goes?"

"That all depends.  Everything has already been settled through probate, so unless Eddie wants to contest it, nothing." Fred said.

"That's not fair and it just plain isn't right.  Uncle Eddie, how about half interest in Haven Enterprises?" Tom asked.

"I couldn't do that, Tiger.  I mean, hell, I was dead, for all practical purposes.  I don't want your money, I still have my grandfather's Trust Fund, and I can live quite comfortably on that, after I recover my boys."

"Well, we'll help with that as much as we can." Tom winked at Leo to let him know to keep his mouth shut.

For the rest of the meal, Eddie filled them in on his career in the Marines.  Then Tom told the story of finding Neal and the others, and how they had just returned from closing Juvy.  How'e artfully only left out a couple of minor details was beautiful.

When they had finished, Tom insisted that Eddie was going to stay here tonight.  He and Leo walked out to Eddie's rental car and helped carry his bags up to 'his' room.  He was really tired, and decided he wanted to go on up to bed.  After Tom and Leo left, Eddie stripped off and climbed into the Queen size bed.  He lay there thinking for a while, and as he drifted off to a peaceful sleep, he could swear he smelled his little guys.

The assembly eventually broke up, and the boys all drifted off in various directions.  The Phoenix boys went quietly to their Squad Rooms to talk and wait for Doc Turnman.  The Haven Kids headed to their Suites, and the Harris boys all went to Mitch, Travis and Lou's room. 

Arty and Howie wandered around a bit, but they didn't really feel like joining any of the other groups.  Howie finally said, "Arty, can we just go to bed. I'm really kinda tired. We had school today and so much happening, I'd just like to cuddle and go to sleep."

"You know, that sounds like a great plan.  Let's go." Arty took his brother's hand and they quietly walked down the hall to their room.  Arty really had to pee real bad, so he didn't even turn on the light; he just hurried to the bathroom.  When he was done, he undressed to his briefs and returned to the bedroom.  Howie was standing there with his mouth open, staring at the bed.

Howie whispered, "Why is Uncle Tommy in our bed?"

Arty looked at the bed, "Howie, that's not Uncle Tommy."

"Then who ... " With a flying leap, Howie screamed, in mid air, "DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Years of training saved the sergeant from an eight year old's knee to the groin.  Somewhere deep down in his subconscious he registered that this was not an enemy and Eddie snapped awake, or he thought at first he was awake, but here he was holding Howard, just inches from him.  "Howie?"

"Hi Daddy.  I knew you'd come and find us."

"Where's your brother?"

"I'm right here, Sir." Arty replied.

Eddie turned his head.  There was his oldest son, standing there at attention in just his briefs.  Weird dream.  "At ease, Marine.  Come on over here and hug your old man."

In a flash, Arty was on the bed, and they were all sharing one heck of a group hug.  Eddie had tears running down his cheeks, and Arty was sobbing into his Dad's shoulder.  Howie began to squirm, "I gots ta pee."  Needless to say, he was quickly released.  Just before going into the bathroom, he said, "Don't go away, Daddy, I'll be right back, I promise."

"Don't worry, Son, I'm not going anywhere, ever again, I promise."

Howie reappeared in his briefs and soon the boys were snuggled on either side of their Dad.  As Eddie drifted back to sleep he thought, 'This is the best damn dream I've ever had.'

After a visit from Andy and Jimmy, Tom was smiling as he watched the scene and the three fall asleep.  "Thank you, 'Philip', can you replay that when Leo gets back here, and burn a DVD for them too."

In his best British Butler voice, 'Philip' said, 'As you wish, sir.  Unfortunately indeed.'

"I guess I'm going to be in trouble for a long time for that crack, huh?"

'That would be correct. Young Tiger, Will there be anything else?'

"I wouldn't dare."[Tom is smarter than he looks]

'Very good, sir. And rather smart of you I might add. Good night.'

*  John and Becky's room  *

John was propped up in bed and Becky was next to him.  Danny and Donny were sitting cross legged on the foot of the bed.  Donny was talking, "So then Jason gets Glenn to come to the microphone, and he just tells all of us he was fu... ah, abused and is HIV+ and that the older bad guys were forcing the younger guys... and like... to hear him just come out and say it, well... it was pretty shocking."

John reached out his hand to Donny who took it.  "Son, you see, it didn't just happen to you.  Please remember that we don't love you any less because of that.  It was a brave thing to tell, and that, among other things, has earned my respect.  I love you so much, Donny."

His Dad's words really hit Donny.  His Dad respected him?  Wow, that was totally awesome.  How many eleven year olds have ever had their Dad tell them something like that?  Donny crawled forward carefully, and hugged his Dad.

"I love you too, Daddy. Thanks."

Danny smiled and continued the story, "So then Aaron gets up and really blows us all away.  He showed us the 'Cow-posse Star-oma', or something like that, that he has and he said that was 'cause he had AIDS.  Then he said how they got it, and the kind of stuff you had to do to get it. And that we wouldn't get it from them 'cause you gotta mix your bloods or somethin' like that.  Did you know?"

John was busy hugging Donny, so Becky was left to answer.  "Yes, and yes.  Doc had let us know that Aaron was sick, and we thought that Glenn was, but the results hadn't come in yet.  Doc told us today, that the results were back and that Glenn was showing positive.  Just so you know, both of you were negative, but Doc will test you at least three more times just to be sure."

"I don't like needles, but I guess we got to," Danny said.

"Yes you do.  Now, we also need to talk about how the virus is transmitted." Becky said.

"Creepies Mom.  Man, do we got to talk about this?" Danny complained.

Becky laughed, "Believe it or not, this is even creepier for me than it is for you.  Doc said he would talk to you, but since we are your parents, and it is really our job, I think it's better if we can talk about it together. That way we all know where we stand on it.  Besides, we can practice this with you guys so if we need to talk to the others, we will have had some practice."

Donny had released John and returned to the end of the bed.  "Here we go again, They are using us as Test Dummies, again."  It was an old family joke about John trying out various activities at home, that he wanted to do with the kids at the Center.

John smiled, "Well, if the shoe fits..."  They all laughed.

"Okay, now guys, first we need to know how much you already know.  You are eleven closing in on twelve," John began.  "I remember that I didn't start puberty till I was twelve, but some boys start earlier and some later.  My best friend was really embarrassed 'cause he didn't start 'til he was almost fifteen.  So I guess first off, do either of you know what puberty is?"

In unison the boys chorused, "Daaaaaaddd."

"Yes, I know, the question is, do you?"

Danny blushing said, "Yeah, it's when we get hair and start to make sperms, okay?"

"Good, that's a start.  So have you started?"

"Yes." "No." said at the same time.

Then Donny said, "You have?  You didn't say nothin',"

"Jeez�, Donny!  Like I'm going to just walk up to you and say, I got a hair and stuff came out when I jacked!" realizing what he just said in front of his Mom and Dad he slapped both hands over his mouth.

Becky started giggling and John said, "Well, I sure did!"

All three of them looked at John, "You did?"

"Sure, it's a big deal. I mean, I can still remember it happening the first time, and it scared the dickens out of me, till I figured out I hadn't broken anything." John revealed.

"So, how come you have and I haven't?" Donny asked.

"Well, if you guys were identical twins, then you might do it at the same time, but it's kinda like you're brothers that happened to be born at the same time, and things may happen at different times.  Like Donny you walked about a week before Danny." Becky explained.

"Cool, so it doesn't mean he's like more a man or anything?" Donny asked.

"Who is the most 'manly' man you know?" John asked.

"That's easy, Uncle Mike."

"And who was my best friend growing up?"

"Uncle Mike."  Then it was like light bulbs inside their heads.  "Wow and he's like got tons of hair all over!"

"Yes that's right, but not until he was fifteen.  So some guys start early, some late, but most are between eleven and fourteen.  So now that we've covered that, but let's get back to the HIV thing.  You need to realize that it's not the sex that causes the HIV; it's just that having sex is a very easy way to transmit it.  The virus happily lives in body fluids, and human body has a temperature that is about the best environment for it to live in.  It especially likes blood and semen.  Semen is the sperm stuff you shoot when you cum. So anything that lets the semen and or blood mix from one person to another can transmit the virus.  The virus is also present in tears and spit, but in much lower concentrations because they are continuously being flushed out and replaced and to transmit it by kissing, the non-infected person would have to have a cut or sore in their mouth.  The much more common methods are sex of one kind or another, and intravenous drug use, again not because of the drugs, but the drug users often share their needles and guess what, there can be blood mixing between people using the same needle which is stuck in their veins."

"So if I had a cut in my mouth and he shot his stuff in there and had HIV then..." Donny trailed off.

This time it was Becky that hugged Donny while he cried.  Danny sat and processed the information.  "So, like Mitch didn't have to suck anybody and they hadn't put their things in his rear, so he's not infected."

"That would be correct."  John asked in a surprised tone, "You guys talked about that?"

"No, it was part of what he kind of shared with me, when we were helpin' Donny."  Danny saw the confused look on his Dad's face.  "It's kind of a mental thing, Dad; he can do it with some people.  He could do it with me, but not Donny, but Travis could with Donny.  It is kind of like sharing memories or something."

"I've read about identical twins being able to do that, but have never actually been around twins who could do that," Becky said.

"Don't worry Mom, Me and Mitch are really good friends and we want to be together a lot.  It's weird cause he's a couple of years younger than me, but it's like he's older, too.  I don't know how to explain it." Danny said.

Donny added, "Yeah, Travis is like that too.  He's so serious and grown up sometimes, it's almost scary."

*  Early the next morning  *

Eddie slowly surfaced from the best night's sleep he had, had in a long time. As he came back to the waking world, he felt surrounded by warmth, love and also that somehow, he was being watched.  Watched?  He opened one eye and a redheaded eight year old was staring at him.  "Hi, Daddy."

"Hi, Howie.  I missed you so much."  Eddie was still trying to figure out how in the world his boys were waiting here for him.  "How come you guys are here?"

Howie giggled, "It's our ROOM.  You're being silly, Daddy."

A desperate whisper, "Howie, be careful, don't make him mad, so he goes away again."

Eddie turned his head to look at his oldest.  He was struck by the missing innocence in his expression.  He pulled Arty into a warm tight hug.  "Oh, So Arty, I didn't go away because I was angry, and not even because I wanted to, it was my job.  I mean, you remember that I had gone away before, hadn't I?"

"Yeah, but that was different; you always wrote to us, or called or sent us stuff." Howie said.

Eddie felt tears running down his cheeks that he couldn't stop, "I wanted to, guys, I really wanted to, honest I did, but I just couldn't.  You see, when I was sixteen, I had a big fight with my parents when my best friend was killed. They wouldn't even let me go to his funeral. They said he wasn't our kind of people. I couldn't have cared less about that. So I ran away from home and took my friend's identity I joined the Marines using his name. He was two years older than I was, and I was too young to join with my own name. And besides if I had joined with my own name, my parents would have found me and most likely dragged me back home.  You see, my name isn't Dennis White, it's Edward Philip Richards, and Mr. Richards, here, is my nephew, and you are his cousins.  I don't understand how we all got to be together, but here we are."

Howie said proudly, "I did it."

When the other two looked at him, he rolled his eyes and explained how simple it was for an eight year old.  "I just told God I wanted my Daddy, and I thought Uncle Tommy was you at first, then he was real nice, and everything, but I told God thank you, and all that, and I said I really was happy, but told him I'd be even happier, if I had my real Daddy; and see, here you are.  Thank you, God. I really mean it."

"Yeah, Thanks, God," echoed Arty and Eddie.

After they recovered from the tears and hugs, the boys took their showers and got dressed.  Eddie was quickly shaved, showered and dressed and the reunited family went down to breakfast, together. 

*  As breakfast was finishing...  *

When the tables were all cleared, and before everyone was dismissed, Tom stood up and waited to get everyone's attention.  "Everyone, I am going to need some volunteers to help me with a Scout Project, today. It's very important.  This will count for Service Hours, if you need them.  See me before you leave.  Thank you."

Andy, Neal, Monty, Patty, Todd and Adam all came up to Tom.  "Okay, out in the van, I have three large cases that need to be carried inside, and a bunch of bags of boy Scout and Cub Scout shirts and all the necessary patches.  I will need all of that carried up to the conference room, next to my office.  Then when you are done with your classes, we need to work to get the patches sewn on the fourteen Cub Scout Shirts, and eight Webelos Shirts, so the guys will be all ready to go. Then if we have the time or some time later, we will need to do the other nineteen Scouts' Shirts."

"Holy Cow!  That's a lot of shirts!" Andy said.

Tom smiled, remembering the reactions of the Scout Store staff.  "Yeah, it sure is, and I really want to surprise the guys with the shirts, and joining the Pack."

Neal gave Tom a hug, "That's really nice, Dad."

"Okay, let's go get the stuff carried in and then get to class," Andy said, then he led them out to where the Van was always parked.  It took the six kids three trips to get everything carried in.  Tom thanked them all and stood looking at the piles of stuff, trying to organize it in his head.

Martha, being curious as to just what all the stuff was that was being carried up to Tom's office, so she looked in on the impending disaster.  There were three large portable cases of some kind, which looked pretty heavy, and a whole bunch of shopping bags.  "Thomas Richards, just what in tarnation have you done now?" she asked, stepping into the conference room. Her smile belied her trying to seem stern.

"Oh hi there Martha, the boys have Scouts tonight, and I want them all to have uniform shirts." Tom said.

Martha came in and started looking into the various bags.  "Okay, I see all the shirts, but what's in the heavy boxes?"

"Three heavy duty, Commercial Sewing Machines, I figured we could organize and kind of make an Assembly Line."

"Okay then, let's get them unpacked and set up..." Martha took over the set up procedure and pretty soon she had recruited Jim and Ed.  By lunchtime they were ready to get the Assembly Line going.

After lunch, Martha, Alice and Monty sat at the sewing machines.  Monty had decided to take a Sewing Class at school when he thought he was gay, because he thought gay guys should know how to do all the girl stuff.  He had really enjoyed using the sewing machine but hand sewing he hated.

The others were busy using a stapler to place the patches on the shirts so they could be sewn into place, without them getting out of alignment.  They worked and got all the blue Cub Scout Shirts done, including getting the boys names written on them.  Tom had even gotten the den numbers and checked with David to make sure he had them correct.  They were finished with everything about an hour before dinner, and they proudly carried their labors of love down to the Banquet Room.  Tom placed a clean Table Cloth over them to keep them as a surprise.

*  Back to breakfast once again *

Eddie entered the Banquet Room with Arty and Howie on either side.  A lot of heads turned toward them and did a double take before realizing that it wasn't Tom with them.  The boys showed their Dad how to go through the line for food.  He didn't tell them that he had been through chow lines in Mess Halls all over the world.  He was actually very impressed with the quantity and quality of the chow.  They all went to sit at a table with several other boys.

Arty introduced them, "Dad, this is Danny and Donny, their Mom and Dad will run The Phoenix House, and this is Mitch and Travis, their Mom is Aunt Linda, and this is Neal, who is Uncle Tommy's son."

"Hi, boys, I'm Mr. Richards, too." Eddie said.

"I thought you were a Marine."

"Isn't your name Sgt. White?"

"How come your name is Richards, and Howie and Arty are Whites?"

"Hello.  You sure do look like Dad."

Eddie looked at the expectant faces.  "Well, actually I was Master Sergeant White, but I had assumed a false identity, so I could enter the Marines a couple of years early, when I ran away from home, after a terrible fight with my parents.  I am really Edward Philip Richards; I'm really Neal's Dad's Uncle.  When I get all the legal mess straightened out, Arty and Howie will be Richards too."

"Kewl," the boys chorused, and began devouring everything on their heaping plates.  When they had cleaned their plates of their seconds, Tom called for all the Scouts to come see him.  Eddie noted the longing in the remaining boys' eyes.

"Daddy, can I be a Scout, too?" Howie asked.  "Sure son, I'll ask Tom and we'll get you signed up.  What about you, Arty?" Eddie asked.

"You mean it, I could?"

"Of course, if you want to there's no reason you can't.  I always wanted to be a Scout myself, but my stuck-up snobbish parents thought that something like camping was somehow beneath us. After all, as they put it, 'People of our station in life didn't spend our time getting dirty and smelly.'  I guess that was one more reason I went for the Marines, rough and tough and the 'Real Men' kind of thing.  My parents would hate having a son who was a Jar Head, so that's exactly what I was.  I made a promise to myself that I was going to be a better parent to my kids than mine were to me which, I guess wouldn't take much.  I think I failed you guys and I mean to make it up to you, if there is any way I can. That is, if you will let me."

The two boys hugged their dad.  "We really missed you. We love you, Daddy."

When Eddie finally looked up, Santa was standing there smiling at him, well a short round man with a bushy white beard, bright blue eyes and wearing a red flannel shirt was standing there.  "Ho, ho, ho, if it isn't little Eddie.  Most of the folks thought you were dead, you know.  But I followed you pretty closely, and I knew you would make it back alright, sooner or later.  Quite a career you had too, actually.  Three bronze stars, the Navy Cross, and two Purple Hearts and one still pending.  Marksman with Rifle and Pistol, for twenty two years running.  I'd say that's impressive, very impressive."

Arty and Howie were looking at their Dad with huge eyes.

"I'm sorry sir, but I can't imagine how you'd know all that?" Eddie asked.

"Ho, ho, ho, Son, an Elf friend of mine told me, of course. Like your lawyer friend, his name is Fred.  Here, Son, now you need to go out through that door," He pointed to the door, "Turn left, walk down that hall and ride that creaky old elevator up to the third floor, then go down the hall to the right, and hand this to a man you'll find up there, called John.  And before you ask, I'm Shorty, and I am your real Uncle Philip.  We'll both tell you the whole story, sometime. "

With that, the jolly little man left and then the boys were dismissed and heading off to their school classrooms.

Eddie followed the directions he had been given, and while the elevator was creaking its way up to the third floor, he read the paper he had been handed.

Help Wanted:
          Man with a good heart, good health and a good sense of discipline who likes to work with young men from the ages of 4 to 15.  Must be willing to live on premises.  Contact The Phoenix Foundation...

When the elevator finally stopped, Eddie smiled, what a nice present from Santa, and only a week or so late.  He literally marched down the hall and knocked briskly on John and Becky's Door.

Becky opened the door.  After a double take, she said, "May I help you?"

"Yes Ma'am, I was sent up here to apply for this job," Eddie said, handing her the paper.

"Who is it, Becky?"

"Somebody answering the Ad for the job."

"Well let him in, then!"

Becky opened the door as an invitation to enter; John was sitting in his wheelchair, "Please come in.  Jeez�!  Are you related to Tom?"

Eddie grinned, "Yes, actually, I'm his Uncle.  My real name is Edward Richards, but until recently, I was Master Sergeant Dennis White, USMC."

Becky said, "So that means you would be Arty and Howie's Dad, right?"

"Yes, That's right, I am, and now that I've found them, I could sure use a job.  What exactly is it that you are looking for." Eddie asked.

"Well, I was thinking with forty some boys to take care of, we needed a good Drill Instructor, but my darling wife here, pointed out that these were young boys and they needed a lot of love with their discipline." John said.

"Well sir, I've had twenty two years in the Corps, and I have two sons of my own that I love very much.  I have just been reunited with my remaining family, and I would love a chance to work with the kids." Eddie said, with a huge smile.

"Well, should I call you Sergeant?" John asked.

"With my current problems with certain legal eagles, I'd better just be Eddie Richards.  I have Lieutenant Fred Clemons and Mr. Fred Clemets working a lot of things out for me and my boys.  Hopefully, everything will be fine really soon." Eddie told John and Becky.

They spent the rest of the day looking over the floor plan of The Phoenix House and discussing the things that they would need to have and the kinds of problems they were likely to face with all those boys.

Finally, Eddie left for dinner, feeling a lot better about his life than he ever had before.

Author's Notes:
Another chapter without a Cliff Hanger.  I need to work on that.  Somehow I think Eddie has found the place where he truly belongs.  Arty and Howie are two very lucky boys.
Join us next time and see Just' how the little guys react to being made Cub Scouts.  Imagine the shock when Tom shows up at the meeting with that whole mob of boys.  Jeez�, as Neal would say.
Please let me know what you think.
          Str8mayb

Editor's Notes: 
I really enjoyed this chapter. It has been a real treat seeing Eddie and his boys reunited. I used at least a box of Kleenex on this chapter, and they were mostly happy tears, except for the ones involving the guys that have HIV or AIDS. I was feeling so sorry for Aaron and Glenn.

It really is going to be interesting to see what happens in the next installment, when they all go to scouts. Talk about a large Troop or Den. Heck there are enough kids for at least two Scout Troops.

One more thing, and then I will go sit down.  I have a little rant. Folks, please remember that we adults, are supposed to take care of the children. The need love, concern and protection from the harsh world around them. We can and should protect and love all children. Don't allow anyone to harm them. They are the only chance this planet has, to keep going. We certainly haven't taken very good care of it.  Let's hope that they will do a better job then we did. 
Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Fort Chief Editor's Notes:
It was great seeing Howie and Artie reunited with their dad and it looks like Eddie will be very busy for quite awhile to come.

Daddy Doc, Aaron, Glenn and Jason did a wonderful job with their presentations. My hat is off to them and to Str8mayb for his very sensitive and factual presentation of this very serious issue. I am not going to get on a Soap Box this time {Oh man! and I loosened all the nails so it would come apart when he stood on it.} other than to say "Keep it in you pants or keep it covered and above all KNOW Your Partner! Remember when you have unprotected sex you are not just having sex with your partner but with whoever he or she has also been with!"

I really wish that there were a lot more parents like John and Becky around.

I think that Tom, Eddie, Neal and a few others are going to have a lot of fun with the resemblance between Tom and Eddie.

I also can't wait to see what happens at the Scout Meeting sounds like it could get very interesting.

TSL aka The Story Lover