I’ve had so much fun writing this. I have pages of notes on things that scare me, lol. I’m going to start warming the story up a little at this point so be warned. Please let me know what you think. Thanks so much.

Ataq_katt@hotmail.com

Family Spirit 4:

For once the ghost had left them alone, or at least, Talin thought, they’d slept so hard that an atom bomb could’ve gone off in the hallway and he and Remy wouldn’t have even noticed. The alarm went off at seven and Talin opened one eye to stare at it, almost unable to figure out what it was. It took several seconds to wake up and think before he reached over and shut it off. Remy was still asleep under him and he closed his eyes again, letting the memories of the night they’d shared drift over him. He smiled and opened his eyes to get up and about that time noticed that they were slightly glued together and that they stunk bad. He wrinkled his nose as he peeled himself off Remy’s chest.

Remy moaned and stretched, his sleep puffed face looking child-like as he opened his eyes and smiled at Talin. “Hey, beautiful.” He mumbled and pulled Talin back on top of him. “Where ya goin?” He kissed Talin on the lips.

“I was going to go shower. We smell bad.” Talin laughed and hugged him hard. “Thank you so much. That was the best night of my life.”

“I hope there’s a lot more.” Remy sat up and scooped Talin up in his strong arms. “Ever shower with a lover before?” He stood up and carried Talin towards the bathroom. Talin wrapped his legs around Remy’s waist for the trip.

“No, you know I haven’t.” Talin chuckled and held on to Remy’s neck. Remy set him on his feet in the bathroom and Talin started the shower.

“Well, you have a lot of firsts coming.” Remy picked up Talin’s toothbrush and handed it to him. “Rule number one. Brush your teeth first so you can kiss in the shower and not knock each other down with your breath.”

“God you’re a ham.” Talin laughed and put tooth paste on it. “What are the rest of the rules?”

“I don’t know.” Remy said around his tooth brush. “We have to write them as we go.” He reached out and took a hold of Talin’s penis making him jump. “Don’t worry, though. It’s a fun book to write.”

Reba sat at the table just outside the kitchen on the patio with the phone to her ear. Her hair was perfectly styled and she wore what she thought of as her travel clothes, a silk blouse and silk slacks, low heals, and her pearls. Her normally pleasant features had a dark cast to them, an expression that her son Daniel had seen before. He called it her ‘don’t fuck with me’ look. “Michael, there are many things that we have to discuss but this is not one of them.” She took a sip from her coffee and carefully put the cup back on the saucer. “There are two possible answers here, dearest. The first one is yes mother, which would end this irritating conversation and preserve your ability to inherit wealth. Would you care to hear the other possible answer?”

Daniel closed his eyes and sighed deeply, leaning back in his chair across the table from his mother. The one sure way to piss of Michael Glenn was to imply that he may not get his share of their parent’s wealth. It made Danny feel cheap and greedy when Reba said things like that. Personally he would’ve liked to tell her what to do with the money, but it was important to Michael. Always had been.

“I’m so glad we’re in agreement.” Reba said sweetly. “Please tell Jacob we’ll be there in a few hours. I’ve booked the boys on a flight this afternoon.” Daniel’s eyes went wide and her expression didn’t change. “Thank you. See you soon.” She carefully set the handset in the cradle. “Daniel dear, you look like you’ve swallowed the canary. What is it?”

“I thought you weren’t going to push Remy about the funeral.” He said evenly, leaning forward. “Mother, is this worth a big hassle? Anne’s gone. She won’t care.”

For the briefest second Reba’s eyes flashed in anger but she recovered her sacred composure quickly. “Daniel, I’ve had time to think over the last couple of days. I’ve concluded that I am a bit tired of being dictated too by your brother, and I am more than just a little tired of those boys being left to their own devices. They may have impotent parents but they don’t have to be ignored. I have no idea how Anne and Michael got so indifferent. I won’t have it!” She almost snapped the last sentence. For a few seconds she busied herself with another cup of coffee. Finally she looked up and held his eyes. “Daniel, how long were you going to wait to tell me that they were falling in love?”

Danny coughed and nearly spit coffee on the table. He picked up the napkin and tried to keep his eyes from watering. The heat of the coffee burned his nose. She did not let him off the hook, maintaining an even gaze as he recovered. “I didn’t know what to say, mother.” His voice was strained. “They just figured it out themselves.”

“Lydia Parsons has known them both since the day they were born.” Reba sipped at her coffee. “She apparently thought that it was best that I know so that I didn’t blunder into a shock. I’m guessing that they were paying such close attention to each other that they weren’t seeing anything else.”

“I was going to tell you on the plane, mom.” Daniel wiped his eyes with the napkin. “I hadn’t figured out how to break it to you. I didn’t want a scene for you or for them.”

“Well good Lord, Daniel, were you thrown to the wolves because you were gay?” She demanded. “Anne told me about Remy months ago, and Michael strongly suspected Talin for some time. Didn’t you think I would help them?”

“Like I said, I didn’t know what to expect and I was going to tell you today. Enough, Reba.” He said sharply. “I’ll go up and get them so you can grill them too.”

“No, sit right there.” She said. “They’ll be down soon I’m sure.” Her features softened slightly. “I’m sorry. I don’t like being a bitch. It just seems at times that we forget what’s important. I didn’t challenge Michael over custody of his son so that they could have sex, Daniel. I want them to come here to live so they can learn to feel. We have enough emotional pigmies in this family.”

Talin dressed in running shorts and a beat up t-shirt and was in the process of pulling his hair back in a ponytail when he started chuckling. He’d learned two things this morning that made his day. One, being jacked off in the shower first thing in the morning was an experience he’d never forget, and two, he was beginning to understand what love felt like. Remy was so beautiful it made his chest feel like it would split.

Remy came out of the bathroom naked and drying his hair. He noticed that Talin was staring at him and he grinned. “What?”

“I want to wake up like this everyday.” Talin said simply. He went to Remy and kissed him and then headed into the closet for his running shoes. Remy laughed and pulled on his boxers, tossing the towel on the floor. Talin came out of the closet, picked up the towel and handed it to him, and then went to one of the chairs to sit down.

Remy shook his head. “I’m gonna have a hard time with this neat freak thing.” He put the towel in the hamper and went to the closet for clothes.

“No, it’ll happen fast.” Talin chuckled. “Chaos is fine, just not dirty clothes.” He waited for Remy to come back into the room dressed and then pushed out of the chair to go down to breakfast. He glanced over his shoulder to see if Remy was behind him and reached for the door knob. As he stepped forward his foot slid out from under him and he crashed heavily into the door and fell on his back.

“Talin!” Remy shouted and vaulted over the bed to his side. “What happened?”

Talin winced and lifted up the object that he’d stepped on. He’d landed on it and it had dug into his back. Remy took it from him and stared at it in surprise. It was some kind of toy truck, like a fire truck, but it was horse drawn and looked like it was made out of brass or something. The paint was worn off the figurines and the horse. “What the hell is this?”

“I never saw it before.” Talin sat up and rubbed his back. “It wasn’t on the floor last night or we would’ve kicked it coming in or Danny would’ve nailed it going out.” He felt a cold shiver run up his spine as he looked at the antique toy. “Gee, I wonder how it got there.” His voice dripped with sarcasm.

Remy stood up and held his hand out to pull Talin to his feet. “We better show it to Danny.” He lifted Talin’s t-shirt and saw the reddened imprint on his back where he’d landed on the toy. “I think you’re going to have bruise.”

“Just my luck. A ghost that plays practical jokes.” Talin grumbled and walked out the door. The contractors were working in one of the bedrooms already and they stepped carefully around tools and materials as they headed for the stairs.

“So why did it leave this in our room?” Remy held the toy up. “What’s it got to do with anything?” He followed Talin down the stairs.

“Maybe it was Robert’s.” Talin offered.

“Man this is weird.” Remy shivered involuntarily.

A few minutes later Reba looked up from the paper and set her cup down as the boy’s walked out onto the patio. She smiled at them. “Good morning, boys. Sleep well?”

Danny met Talin’s eyes and mouthed “She knows.” Talin’s eyebrows rose. “The ghost?” He mouthed back silently. Danny shook his head and accepted the toy from Remy. Talin felt his stomach knot up. Remy had missed the whole thing. He sat at the table feeling like he was going to be sick.

“Like a rock.” Remy reached for the pot of coffee. He looked at Danny. “Thought you should see that.”

“Later.” Danny smiled and set it on the chair next to his.

“Boys, we’ve been having a discussion this morning and I want you two to be part of it.” Reba passed a plate of biscuits to them. “I just got off the phone a few minutes ago with Michael and Krista, and they’ve agreed to allow you to stay with me, Talin. I’m hoping you’ll finish high school here and live with me. Take a break from California.”

“Wow, I’d like that.” Talin said, shocked. “What made you decide that, Reba?”

“It’s a long story. I won’t bore you with the details other than that recent events have made me think of a few things I’d like done differently.” Reba sipped at her coffee and set it down. “Remy, I’d like you to stay on as well if you would. I realize that things have been very hard for you the last few months. I think you need some time to rest.”

Remy swallowed hard and glanced at Danny with a slight smile. “I’d like that.” He said quietly.

“I want you both to know that I was unaware of your feelings for each other when I made these choices.” She said evenly, a small smile coming to her lips as Talin fumbled his knife in his hand and dropped it loudly on his plate. Remy choked on his coffee and looked up stricken. “Calm yourselves.” She said evenly. “I’m not judging you, I’m offering you sanctuary.”

“I…..” Talin sputtered.

“Reba,….” Remy started at the same time.

She held up her hand for silence. “No, I don’t wish to discuss this. We have other matters to go over.” She regarded their shocked faces for a moment before continuing in a softer tone of voice. “Remy, I want you to come to Salt Lake with us.” He started to protest but she held her hand up. “I know what your objections are, and I won’t insist that you go to the viewing or the funeral, but I want you to hear me out.” He leaned back in his chair, his face ashen. “Remy, the purpose of a funeral is to let go, to celebrate the life that was. Your mother wasn’t always sick like she’s been the last few months. There was a time when you were very close to her, and I think you need to be reminded of that, to see her one last time and say goodbye.”

Tears had begun to stream down Remy’s angular face and he glared at his grandmother in open hostility. “I saw her one last time, Reba. Her face was swollen and covered in blue lines. Her tongue was puffed up and sticking halfway out of her mouth, and her eyes were open. They were yellow, Reba.” He’d begun to sob. “I don’t want to see her again. I’m not going anywhere near her. She left us. That was her choice. This is mine.” He slid the chair back noisily and rushed into the house. Reba choked off a sob and brought her hand to her mouth. Daniel sighed heavily and stood up, putting his hand on Talin’s shoulder briefly as he followed his nephew. Talin numbly reached over and picked up the toy fire wagon, its mysterious origins temporarily forgotten.

Remy swiped at his eyes with the back of his hand as he reached the top of the grand stairs. He could hear the workers in one of the rooms but the hallway was peaceful for a change. He glared at the open door to the ghost’s room and squeezed his eyes shut, swiping at the tears again. Without really meaning to he walked into the dusty bedroom at the end of the hall and shot a defiant look up at the painting above the fireplace. It had been hung back in its place.

“Do you think you’re funny?” He snarled at the man in the painting. “Do you really think you scare me?” He stumbled forward until he was right under the painting and slapped his palm on the mantle. “You’re going to have to do a lot fucking better than a toy on the floor, asshole! I’m not scared I’m fucking furious!”

“Remy?” Daniel said from the doorway. He stuck his hands in his pockets and leaned on the door frame. “You know she wasn’t trying to hurt you, right?”

“Neither was my mother!” Remy barked at him. “She was trying to hide. She was a fucking coward!” He threw himself on the leather couch and buried his face in his hands. “She never faced anything! She always drugged it away.”

“I heard stories but I didn’t know.” Danny said quietly. He walked over and sat at the other end of the couch and glanced up at the painting, wondering who put it back up. Most likely Reba had the contractors re-hang it. “I know my sister well enough to know that she wasn’t deliberately trying to hurt you.” He laid his hand on Remy’s shoulder. “She loved you very much, Remy.”

Remy began to sob, his shoulders shaking violently. He slid sideways into Danny’s lap and was finally overcome with his grief. Danny just held him, his own tears making trails on his tanned cheeks. At some point he slid Remy up a little and cradled him in his arms. He had to get it out, and Danny could wait.

An hour later Talin stood next to Remy on the front porch and waved as Jonathan drove Reba and Daniel away. Behind them Matt stood in the doorway and waved to his partner. The three of them watched as the Lincoln pulled out of the driveway and into traffic without a word. Talin moved closer and took Remy’s hand. Remy looked awful, his eyes red and puffy, and he didn’t know what to do exactly. It made him uncomfortable. They turned and followed Matt into the house and closed the door.

“So what did you decide, handsome?” Matt asked quietly. “I can understand why you hurt so bad. My little brother killed himself. It took a long time to forgive him.”

Remy looked up at him angrily but it went away quickly. He knew Matt wasn’t being mean. “I don’t know. I’m so fucking empty inside.”

Talin stepped in front of him and met his eyes. “Remy, I’ll go with you. You don’t have to go to the service. We can hang at your house or go to a hotel.” He slid his arms around Remy’s waist. Remy’s arms wound around his shoulders.

“I….can’t” Remy sniffed and hugged Talin hard. “I just can’t.”

For Daniel the trip started out with surprises, throwing him off guard. The first shock was that Michael himself met them at the airport, and the second was when he put his arms around Daniel and began to cry. Daniel was so caught of guard that he held Michael and cried with him for several minutes. Whatever Reba had said to him had worked somehow.

“I’m very sorry for treating you the way I did.” Michael’s deep resonant voice was calmer that Danny had heard for a long time. “I was cruel. I hope you can forgive me.”

“Forgive what?” Danny said graciously, wiping his eyes. “I missed you, Michael.”

“I missed you too.” Michael put his arms around Reba and Daniel’s shoulders as the walked towards the baggage claim. “Mother, Jacob asked if you’d stay at the house. He’s been up there by himself for a few days and so I agreed. I hope that was alright.”

“Certainly.” Reba patted her eldest son’s hand on her shoulder. “How is he, Michael?”

“As well as expected. His family lives here and have been checking on him. He said he wished Remy hadn’t run off.” Michael handed the claim checks to his driver as they stopped. “Is the boy okay?”

“He’ll be okay.” Daniel said uncomfortably. “He’s with Talin. If they decide to come they’ll be on the commuter flight at four.”

“If?” Michael’s eyes became cold. “For Christ sake we’re burying his mother.”

“Enough.” Reba patted his arm. “You weren’t here, dear. You don’t know what he’s been through.” Michael sighed, knowing that one does not argue with Reba about anything. “When does the viewing start?”

“At six.” Michael guided them towards the limo he’d hired. “There’s a meeting with their clergy this afternoon at the house.”

Utah in early summer is a pleasant place. The temperature was in the mid seventies as they road through the urban valley towards the Drake home. Reba had always liked Salt Lake City. It was relatively clean, and most of the buildings were several stories shorter than Denver’s downtown area. Not quite as closed in. Jacob had built his home in a large gated residential development filled with graceful homes. There was a lovely view of the valley and the Great Salt Lake from the higher benches.

As they pulled up she could see Jacob waiting for them on the porch. His face was drawn and he was pale, but there was no mistaking the similarities he shared with his son. His broad shoulders were sagging slightly, and his back wasn’t as straight as it usually was. He waved and smiled as the limo pulled up and he pulled the door open for them. Reba stepped out first and put her arms around him. “Jacob dear, I am so sorry.”

“I had a speech all planned out.” He said, hugging her back. “I can’t remember it now.”

“You needn’t say a thing.” Reba kissed his cheek. “I know how you feel.” She took his hand and turned to watch as Michael and Daniel got out of the car. “I can’t honestly promise you that Remy will come. I tried my best.”

“I’m sure.” Jacob sighed and looked away. “Come inside.” He waved towards the door.

The day progressed slowly for all of them as they were introduced to Jacob’s family, the local clergy, a Mormon Bishop, and a steady tide of the family’s friends and business partners. They were shown to rooms so that they could change for the viewing, and Daniel caught himself glancing from the clock to the door often. He still held out hope that the boys would show, but it was fading fast.

Finally they all got in the rented limo and headed for the chapel for the viewing. Michael and Krista stood with Jacob near the casket and provided him with support, surprising and pleasing Daniel. He’d never seen his brother act so kindly. It was a nice change.

Reba was asked to meet numerous friends and colleagues, treating each one of them like family. The line of people that came to see Anne was much larger than they expected, a testament to the Drake’s, Daniel thought. They were well thought of.

A little after seven Michael and Daniel stepped outside and Michael handed him a short thin cigar. Daniel didn’t smoke but he liked the taste of good cigars. He held it while Michael lit it for him. They stood in silence, an almost friendly silence that was unusual for them, and watched as a small black car drove up and parked across the street. The line of mourners wrapped nearly into the street and Daniel watched as another couple walked to get in the line.

“I never realized Anne had so many friends.” Michael said quietly.

“I’ve met a lot of yours. I think you’d have a good turn out.” Daniel chuckled, making it a tease.

Michael snorted a laugh. “I’m a lawyer, Dan. There’d be dancing in the streets if I died.”

“I doubt it, Pop.” A voice came from behind them. Michael turned to see his son standing with his cousin, dressed in a stylish black suit and black shirt, and he’d cut his hair so it wasn’t so shaggy. Remy stood next to him looking like death warmed over. He also wore a black suit and shirt. His eyes were red.

“You don’t think so?” Michael asked, dropping his cigar into an ash tray.

“Huh uh. To much effort.” Talin smiled lopsided at him. He was shocked when Michael steeped forward and hugged him. “You okay, dad?” He asked, stepping back.

“Yeah. You?” Michael nodded. Talin smiled at him and nodded. “Hey, kid.” Michael said to Remy, pulling his nephew into a quick hug.

Talin looked up at Daniel and held his hands up, wondering what the hell had gotten into his father. Daniel grinned and shrugged. They followed Michael and Remy into the funeral home.

Remy felt his heart beginning to pound. His palms were clammy and he felt a trickle of cold sweat down his back. He spotted Reba and she smiled at him warmly but didn’t leave the people she was talking with. Uncle Michael led him into a second room where the casket was and Remy refused to look at it. He spotted his dad and froze, unsure of what to say or do. His father was talking to their Bishop, and Remy felt like he’d collapse when his dad looked over at him. He expected anger, he expected resentment, or hell even just being ignored. He never expected what he got.

Jacob excused himself from the group and took a couple of steps towards his son. His humiliation and memories of the last several months played over his face. He’d missed Remy so badly the last few days, and his guilt was in his eyes. “Hey, son.” He said quietly, his voice breaking slightly.

“Dad.” Remy rushed forward into his father’s arms and sobbed on his shoulder. “I love you, Dad!”

“I love you too, son!” Jacob’s voice was almost inaudible. “God I missed you!”

Reba stepped up between her sons and put her arms around their waists. Talin glanced at her and sniffed loudly, moving close enough for his dad to put his arm over his shoulders. Krista walked up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. It was enough to watch father and son mourn together.

“Good night, Miss Lydia.” Matt drawled in a passable southern accent. He stood up from the kitchen table where they’d shared a late night cup of tea and bowed at the waist for her. “I have thoroughly enjoyed the pleasure of your company this fine evening.”

“Oh, get on with you.” Lydia chuckled and waved at him. “You must have Irish in those veins. You weave quite a tale, Mathew.” She stood up and picked up their mugs. “I appreciate your company tonight as well.” Her kindly aged eyes seemed to twinkle at him. “I’ll see you for breakfast, sir.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned and left the room, heading for the grand stair case. He took them two at a time as he headed for his room to call Daniel, whistling as he went. He was about to step onto the second floor landing went a flash of light caught his eye. He stopped and looked up curiously at the third floor. It was dark with the boys gone, and he waited for his eyes to adjust.

There seemed to be a feint green glow on the wall paper, and he slowly moved towards the banister to have a look. Whatever it was it wasn’t moving, and he walked up a couple of steps wondering if a TV had been left on or something.

At the top of the landing he could see the light was actually coming from under the door of the first bedroom, the one’s the boy’s called the Ghost’s Room. Matt wasn’t a great believer in the supernatural, and he headed for the door to turn out what ever light had been left on. The door knob was ice cold but turned easily, and he pushed the door open and peered inside. The room was bathed in a sickly green light, and he glanced up at the painting over the fireplace. The colors took on a retched hue in the light, and as he went to look behind the door for the light switch he saw a face only inches from his own.

The face was of an older man, winkled and worn with worry and anger. The sockets of the eyes were deep black hollows, and the jowls were framed with wispy white mutton chops. A high collar held up the meaty folds of the neck, and a bear like hand was raised over it’s head, holding a huge brass candle stick.

“Jesus Christ!” Matt shrieked and tried to raise his hand to ward of the strike, but it was to late.