I'm delighted when Friday turns unseasonably warm and the sun is bright. We can put the top on the car down so Tommy can really see everything. His expression is priceless when he finally sees the Atlantic.
"What a lot of water!" He exclaims. "I never seen so much." He follows us over the small dune and gawks at the waves, though they are not very large. "Sure makes a lot of noise."
"This is mild. You should see it in a storm." Tor says.
Tommy drops down on the sand, rolls up his jeans legs and takes off his feet. He holds out his hand to Mike. "Help me up. I told myself if I ever seen the ocean I was gonna get my feet wet."
Mike pulls him up. "It's going to be cold."
"I don't care. I just want to feel it."
Mike helps him to the edge of the surf. Tommy grins as the water washes around his legs. "This ain't even cold as the creek back home." He bends down and dips a finger in the water and tastes it. "Sure is salty, though."
When we're back in the car, Tommy looks at Mike. "You're lucky to live down here with the ocean and all."
"I don't care where I live long as it's with Tor and dad. I don't even want to think about what might of happened if they hadn't adopted me."
Tommy's expression saddens. "Yeah. Wish I had somebody."
"You're always welcome to visit us, Tommy." Tor tells him. "There will be a lot to show you in the summer when everything is open."
"I'd like to see it an' all, but I gotta work on the rez come summer. That's part of my scholarship."
Though most of the places of real historical interest are closed, we show him as much as we can. He asks questions and takes everything in. He's so fascinated by the Wright Memorial, I'm really sorry he can't see the museum and the replica of the first plane, but we stop at a book store and buy him a copy of a booklet about the Wright brothers and their flight. Tor and I are impressed by how quickly he grasps explanations. When we stop at the pier for dinner, he relaxes completely in the rough surroundings and his smile is genuine.
It's Sunday afternoon before I'm aware of it. The boys pack their gear and after lunch we drive them back to school. Mike's happy to be back, but Tommy gets out of our car as reluctantly as he got in when we picked them up.
"I sure had a good time. It was good getting to see so many things I ain't never seen before. I really thank you."
"We enjoyed having you, Tommy. We want you to come home with Mike any time you can." Tor says.
"Please do. We can always make room for you." I say.
He drops his head, quickly shakes our hands, mutters, "Thanks," and runs to the dorm.
Mike comes back down to see us off. He hugs both of us. "I love you guys. You won't ever know how much this meant to Tommy. He's in the room trying not to cry. That's why I came back down."
"Be good to him, babe, and let us know if there's any way we can help him." I say.
"And don't forget about the list of the books you're both going to need. You'll have to give me time to get them for you," Tor adds.
A few days later, Tor comes back from a lecture and throws our mail on the table. He holds out a letter to me with a solemn face. "Read this." But he can't stand it, his face breaks into a big smile. "It's a note from Tommy. He says he was worried about coming home with Mike because of us, but he's glad he did."
I unfold the single sheet of notebook paper:
Dear Dr. Torrence, It was real nice of you to let me come home with Mike. I wasn't sure after what you told me before we left, but I had a great time. Nobody's ever been so good to me before. It was great getting to see the ocean and all, and I really thank you for the books. People smart enough to write books got to be special, and you all sure are.
I'm glad I got Mike for a roommate, cause he's a great guy. He taught me how to do my homework on his computer. Now I can do it twice as fast as I could on paper. Sure saves me a lot of time I can use on my other lessons.
I sure had a great time. Thanks a lot. Tommy.
The next night I get a phone call from Mike. He tells me Tommy has gone to the library, so he can talk freely. It seems that Sunday night, after we took them back to school, Tommy began to ask him about Tor and me. Mike chuckles when he says he told Tommy about the time Tor crawled him for saying queer, and now Tommy says gay without hesitation. He says Tommy still can't believe we're gay, because we didn't do anything he expected, just acted like regular people. I'm glad Tommy has learned something from his visit and is developing some tolerance.
I ask Mike if he would like to bring Tommy home for Christmas. Mike says he already asked, but Tommy has to work at the casino during the holiday. I'm sorry about that. We'd be crowded, but I'd like to offer the boy a good holiday, when Tor and I could give him some things he needs.
Tommy has already left for the reservation when we go to pick Mike up for the Christmas holiday and semester break. We're ready to leave when Mike dashes back to his room and returns with an envelope. He hands it to me. Written on the front is:
For two great men. It's a Christmas card for Tor and me from Tommy. He's written inside: Sure wish I could spend Christmas with you. Thanks for the invite. Tommy.
The entire holiday is comprised of such frantic activity it's a relief when it's over and we get our lives back on a schedule. Tor finished the monograph he was writing, and I finally got the photomicrographs finished to go with it. Mike was in and out renewing his acquaintance with friends on the soccer team, and practicing his music. We spent Christmas day with the Curtises, maintaining the custom that began Mike's first Christmas with us.
Now that the new semester has begun, Tor and I settle in with new students to teach. The good news is that we both have been granted tenure as associate professors and permanent places here at the institute, because Carl returned to the university campus and John left for a good position in private industry.
A week or so before spring break, Joynes calls me one evening to tell me he is taking a sabbatical and has recommended that I fill his position for the next year. I'm thrown in a real quandary. It means that Tor and I will be separated for the first time, because I'll have to be on the main campus. Joynes' graduate assistant will be filling my position at the institute. Unfortunately, there's no way I can refuse.
Tor swears he'll drive up every weekend, and suggests we start looking for a flat close to the campus. It takes two all-day trips and visits to three real estate offices, before we find a furnished flat we can agree on. It's far larger than I need and the rent's steep, but it's in a comfortable secure building which emphatically does not rent to students. When I see the two large bedrooms I have a great idea which I share with Tor. He agrees and I sign a lease to begin the first of June.
"Good thinking, Drew." He says once we're outside. "Let's take Mike and Tommy to dinner." Our other trips have been made in one day so we haven't had time to see them, but this is a Friday.
"Mike's in class," Tommy tells us when we get to their dorm, "but it's time for 'im to be back." He seems glad to see us, and we're pleased that the room is spotless.
"Good. We're taking you guys to dinner."
Tommy gives us a big grin. "Great. When this semester started I somehow got a free meal ticket to the dining hall. I ain't complaining, cause it's big help, but I sure get tired of eatin' there all the time."
"Doesn't Mike ever take you out?" I ask.
"He wants to, but I ain't got no way to pay him back."
"That's foolish, Tommy." Tor says. "If he asks you, go along. It'll make him happy."
"I don't have no money, but I have my pride, sir."
"If your positions were reversed, wouldn't you want to help Mike?"
"I'd do anything for him, sir."
"Very well, then. I respect a man who has pride, Tommy, but Mike would do anything for you. Don't let your pride get in the way of your friendship."
"I'll think about it, sir."
"Do that. There's not another man here at the university Drew or I would rather have as a roommate for Mike. You're a fine man, and you're good for him."
He blushes. "Thank you, sir."
"Dad! Tor!" Mike yells as he comes in. "You taking us to eat?"
"What kind of greeting is that? Your belly gone to your head?"
"Sorry, dad. It's good to see you and Tor." He hugs us. "Tommy and I are tired of the dining hall, so I was hoping you'd show up before long." He tosses his book on his desk. "What's up?"
"Sit down," I tell him. "I have something to discuss with you and Tommy."
"We aren't in any trouble are we?"
"Not unless you've been up to something we don't know about. It's me."
"Oh." He sits on his bed next to me since Tor's in his desk chair.
"Tor and I want you in classes this summer, and ..."
"Aw, dad. I want to be at the beach with you guys."
"Let me finish. I'm going to be filling Dr. Joynes' position here beginning in June, because he's taking a sabbatical year. I've leased a flat, so you can live with me and save dorm fees."
"That's great, dad. I need a place quieter than this. It'll be good for the summer, but Tommy and I might not get back together if I'm out of the dorm for a year."
"Go ahead, Mike. You can save a lot living with your dad, and it won't be noisy like this place." Tommy is putting on a brave face, but I can tell he's deeply disappointed.
"Is there any chance you can stay in school for the summer, instead of working, Tommy?" I ask.
He shakes his head. "No, sir. I gotta go back and work 'til the fall semester begins. I'm sure gonna miss Mike."
"I'm going to miss you too, buddy. I wish you could stay."
I smile at the two of them. "I wish you guys would stop trying to sidetrack me. You've got the rest of this semester together. Tommy, would you like to get out of the dorm for next year?"
"Yes, sir, but there ain't no place cheaper."
"There is now. My flat has two bedrooms. One of them has twin beds and one of those is yours if you want to room with Mike when you come back to school."
"Oh, man, that's wonderful!" He exclaims, then looks at me with a suddenly sober expression. "How much is it going to cost me, sir? I'll have to let the council know to see if they'll approve it."
"Nothing. The room is there and there's no reason why you can't use it. I pay the same whether it's just me, or you and Mike are there."
Mike jumps up and grabs Tommy by the shoulders. "Just for once, don't be so damned stubborn, buddy. Do this for me, or I'm going to have to live here all next year. You aren't getting rid of me that easy."
Tommy gives him a little smile. "Yeah. I don't want nobody new. Thanks."
"Good. Then it's settled." I can't believe Tor hasn't said anything before now. "You guys get ready to go eat. We have time to show you the flat before. I think you're going to like it."
I stroke the side of my face. "Damn! I need a shave. Let me borrow your razor, Mike."
"Sure." He hands me his electric shaver, then he and Tommy go down the hall to the bath.
"Nice," Mike says when Tor parks in front of the apartment building.
When I stop in the manager's office to get the key, he comes out with me. "Until your lease is in effect, Dr. Torrence, I'll have to accompany you."
"Okay."
He looks at Mike and Tommy, seeing their jeans and sweatshirts. "I thought you understood that we do not rent to students, Dr. Torrence."
"The flat is for me. There was no clause excluding children in the lease I signed, so I assume you do not separate family members. Mike and Tommy may be students, but they are also our sons and will be living with us. Tommy has a job out of town this summer, so he will not be with us until the fall term begins."
"Oh, of course, sir. The no students policy refers to young people living without parental supervision. This is a quiet building, and any loud or unruly behavior is a violation of the lease."
"You needn't worry about that. Unless you happen to see Mike or Tommy, you won't know they are here."
"I hope that's so, sir."
"Okay, guys, this is home come June. Think you can stand it?" I ask when we're inside the flat I've leased.
"Awesome!" Tommy exclaims when he sees our flat.
"Not bad," Mike adds.
"I'm sure glad it's got an elevator," Tommy says when we're back in the car. "My feet hurt bad sometimes, so it's hard to climb a lot of stairs." He looks at me. "Why'd you tell that man I was your son, sir?"
"It was the only way I could get you in with us. If anyone asks, tell them you're adopted. That way they won't question your name being different. Be sure to remember that."
"I will. Thanks."
Mike calls us to pick him up for spring break. When we get there, Tommy's with him. "They told Tommy a week wasn't worth coming back for, so I asked him to come home with me."
"Wonderful!" Tor exclaims.
"You sure it ain't goin' to be no trouble, sir?"
"Not a bit. We're delighted to have you." I tell him.