Free Sons by Michael Halfhill Page A

expanding cock quickly deflated at the thought. This can’t be happening! I gotta get out of this place!
    Shower and drying completed, Colin peeked around the bathroom door to make sure the coast was clear before he stepped into his bedroom. He noticed the breakfast dishes were gone.
    “That guy sneaking around gives me the creeps!” he muttered.

Twelve

     
    J AN and Michael sat in leather club chairs near the fireplace, speaking in hushed tones. The midmorning sun had begun its southern arc. Its golden rays, slanting through the windows’ thick glass panes, divided the large room with a wall of shimmering light. Jan looked around and nudged Michael.
    “He’s coming down,” Jan said.
    The two men watched as Colin crept down the winding stairs.
    “I hope he likes me,” Michael whispered.
    “I hope you’ll like him,” Jan replied.
    As he wound down the stairs, Colin peeked over the rail, looking for the first time at the room in daylight, the same room where his Aunt Elaine abandoned him the night before.
    Amal waited for Colin at the foot of the stairs.
    “My master is waiting for you by the fireplace,” he said.
    Colin looked at Jan and Michael sitting close together. He whispered in Amal’s ear. “Hey, what’s that guy’s name again?”
    “His name is Mr. Lin. He is Chinese.”
    “Does he speak English?” Colin said.
    “Yes, he does.”
    As Colin began to move off, Amal caught his sleeve and, with a wink, said, “You should call him sir.”
    Colin smiled. “Gotcha. Thanks.”
    Michael and Jan stood as Colin approached.
    He looks so much like his dad! Michael thought.
    Michael leaned in to whisper in Jan’s ear. “I though you said he is a boy. He looks grown up to me.”
    “He’s almost fifteen,” Jan said.
    Colin came to within a few feet of the men and stopped.
    “Michael, this is my son, Colin,” Jan said.
    Michael offered Colin his hand. “Welcome to our home. I hope you will be happy here.”
    “Thank you, sir,” Colin replied nervously.
    He turned and smiled politely at Jan. The defiant youngster of last night had melted into a charming boy.
    Jan beamed back his approval and thought, Will wonders never cease?
    “Did you sleep well, Colin? Was your breakfast suitable?” Michael said.
    “I slept okay. I’m not used to eating breakfast. Usually I just get a donut.”
    “You like donuts too! That is the one thing I missed most when I was in China.”
    “So you missed donuts, eh? I’ll remember that!” Jan said, joking.
    “You know what I mean, silly man.”
    Michael gave Jan a playful nudge and laughed.
    Colin watched the two men. He didn’t understand all this. I thought these guys are supposed to act all girlie. Maybe they’re not as bad as I thought.
    “Colin,” Jan said. “I don’t have your school transcripts. What grade are you in now?”
    “I’m halfway through my high school freshman year.”
    Jan looked surprised. “Really!”
    “Yeah, I skipped a grade. Mom was real proud….” Colin’s voice faltered. “Sorry.”
    Jan put his arm around his son’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Colin, it’s okay. You can talk about her if you want.”
    Michael stood by uneasily, wishing he could say or do something to break the tension. Then he thought of his nephew.
    “Colin, I just remembered something. My nephew, William, is about your age. He attends a very fine school in the city.”
    Michael turned to Jan.
    “You know the one, Jan. It is All Souls on Samson Street, unless you prefer Saint Dominic Academy.”
    “Oh, no!” Jan protested. “I’m not sending Colin there. It’s taken me twenty plus years to get over Sister Mary Heart O’Stone and her brass ruler. Damn! That thing hurt.”
    Colin stood wide-eyed and annoyed, while the two men discussed his fate as if he were a pet about to enter obedience training. He could feel heat rising in his face and prickles down his back. What do they think I am, some dog to play house with?
    Jan noticed Colin hunch his back