Christmas Brothers
by Rob Warr
Chapter 5
The restaurant they'd chosen was called Manny's, and the parking lot was almost full by the time we got there. The building was huge, however, with large and small dining areas scattered around a central kitchen/bar.
A handsome young man who didn't look much older than Simon led us to a table at the back of the restaurant with a nice view of a wooded area beyond. There was also a fountain, and despite the temp outside it seemed to be working just fine.
The young hottie introduced himself as Gregory and handed us menus then took our drink orders. This time I asked for Coke, while Mr. Nelson ordered a beer, and Mrs. Nelson a glass of white wine.
Wow, were the Nelsons boozers? I wondered, but then I didn't really know much about alcohol or people's drinking habits. Still, it bothered me. What if Mr. Nelson got so drunk he couldn't drive us home? Or, if he did try to drive us home and got into an accident?
I hid my thoughts as I studied the menu, but finally decided it was like Greek to me.
"If you don't want any of the meals, Zeke, they make a mean burger and fries," Mr. Nelson said with a grin.
"That sounds good," I said relaxing some.
Just then the handsome guy returned with our drinks and I was surprised at how big my glass of soda was. Mrs. Nelson's wine was served in an elegant glass like those I'd seen in magazines and in the movies, while Mr. Nelson's beer was served in a frosted mug, an inch of foam on the top making it look inviting, even to a 12-year-old. However, later, when I got my first taste of beer, I had to wonder how anyone could drink that nasty stuff.
The young guy came back after a few minutes to take our order and he asked me a lot of questions about my burger. How did I want it cooked, raw or fried onions, cheese or no cheese. Sheesh, just bring me a fricking hamburger.
Fortunately, Mr. Nelson stepped in and interpreted, and we finally got it figured out. Well done, cheese, pickles and raw onion and mayo. Mr. Nelson had meatloaf and Mrs. Nelson had a salad topped with all kinds of stuff, including grilled chicken. I almost wished I'd gotten that, but if I decided to be adopted I figured there would be other opportunities to sample the menu.
The food came quickly and again I was surprised by the portions. The burger was huge, and there were so many fries I wondered if I could eat all of them. I thought about Charlie again and how much he would enjoy sharing those fries with me as we took turns biting off bits of the cheeseburger. But my tummy won out in the end and I not only managed to eat everything I'd been given, I even had room for dessert.
Mrs. Nelson passed on the dessert, but Mr. Nelson insisted that I had to try the brownie-fudge ice cream cake and he ordered two pieces. Again the portions were large and Mrs. Nelson wound up eating a couple bites of her husband's but I managed to get all of mine down. And...Mr. Nelson was right, it was the best thing I'd ever eaten.
When the bill came, Mr. Nelson paid in cash, giving Gregory a ten dollar bill and thinking him for his wonderful service. The young man blushed and seemed very happy, for ten dollars was probably more than he made at minimum wage for his whole shift.
The drive to the tree lot didn't take long, and though I was expecting to help pick out a tree, the Nelsons had already paid for one and the guy at the lot had been keeping it for them till we showed up. It was huge, much taller than even Mr. Nelson, and I wondered if it would even fit in the door, let alone stand up in the room.
However, once we got it to the Nelsons' house I saw that I had overestimated the tree's size and underestimated the height of the ceiling. In the family room the tip of the tree was a good foot from the ceiling, leaving room for the colorful treetop star that went on last.
Decorating the tree was fun, but it was more than just that. I had a warm cozy feeling as we laughed and worked side by side, first stringing the lights, then carefully wrapping the tree in tinsel, before finally hanging the ornaments, being careful to make sure there was a nice balance all over the tree.
When it came time to place the star atop the tree, Mr. Nelson asked me if I'd do the honor and I stared at him in confusion. No way could I reach all the way up there, unless he had a ladder, but he had something better than that.
"I'll lift you up there, if you'll let me," he said, his look almost pleading.
"Well, if you think you can lift me after all that food I ate..." I joked.
He smiled and for the first time I noticed just how muscular his body was. Of course he could lift me up that high. Heck, he could probably lift Mrs. Nelson up there, and for all I knew he had...up until now.
I felt good in his arms, warm and secure, and I was tempted to wrap my arms around his neck and say to heck with the star. But I knew this was important and I took my job seriously.
"Just plug it into the end of that strand of lights at the top," Mr. Nelson instructed and I nodded. I'd figured that out right away, but it took me a minute to get that done.
Placing the star on the top and getting it just right took another minute or so, but Mr. Nelson didn't seem to be in any distress or any hurry for me to finish. I adjusted it a bit then asked Mrs. Nelson if it looked straight and she backed up a bit and told me to push it to the right a bit, then she said, "Perfect!"
I expected Mr. Nelson to put me down as soon as the star was up, but instead he continued to hold me as he backed up a bit to survey my work. I did place my arms around his neck then and he held me closer to him as I straddled his hip, making it more comfortable for both of us.
"Wait, I want to get a picture," Mrs. Nelson said, but of us or the tree I wasn't sure.
She returned a few moments later with a weird looking camera that I later found out was called a Polaroid Camera, and that it developed it's own pictures right there in the camera. Wow, what will they think of next?
I didn't have to wait long to find out what she wanted to take a picture of, it was the two of us, me hugging Mr. Nelson's neck as we stared at the tree. She did take a couple pictures of the tree too, but most of the pics were of me with Mr. Nelson and finally with her.
We'd done a great job, but we weren't done yet. However, Mrs. Nelson suggested we take a hot chocolate break before we finished up inside, and despite my heavy dinner I eagerly agreed. Again, the Ovaltine came out, and once the milk was chocolatized and heated up, marshmallows were added and I experienced another wondrous treat.
The rest of the decorations went up quickly, and by ten o'clock we'd emptied every box and carried them to the workshop to be reused when they all came down in January.
I was tired, for our usual bedtime at the orphanage was 9 o'clock, though of course some kids stayed up in their dorms and either fooled around or played cards or other games. As long as you didn't disturb anyone it was pretty easy to get away with such small infractions.
I yawned and Mrs. Nelson picked up on it right away, "Oh dear, look at the time. You must be exhausted, Zeke, after all we've put you through today. Dan, honey, why don't you get Zeke squared away, there are new Pajamas in the top dresser drawer. I hope they fit, I was guessing about your size, but I'm pretty good at that," she chuckled.
"Pajamas?" I chuckled, "we don't have pajamas at the orphanage. It's either night shirts or underwear."
"Oh, well...you sleep however you're most comfortable," she said sounding disappointed.
"I've always wondered what it would be like to sleep in jammies though," I said grinning, "maybe I'll give em a try."
"Well, whatever you decide," she said smiling, "I'll give you time to get situated and I'll be up later to tuck you in and give you a goodnight kiss, all right?"
"Yes, ma'am, that would be just fine," I said blushing.
Mr. Nelson led the way, and once we were in my room he pulled out the pajamas and handed them to me, "You don't really have to wear them if you don't want to. She's new to this and has no idea how us guys think," he chuckled.
"They feel really soft," I said rubbing the printed flannel material against my cheek, "I think I'll give them a try. If I don't like them I can always take them off."
"Yes, well...be sure to brush your teeth," Mr. Nelson said looking nervous all of a sudden, "well, I'll say goodnight now. Lisa will be up later to say goodnight..."
"And to kiss me goodnight," I added, "and maybe to hug me..."
"Yes," he said looking even more nervous.
"I like hugs," I said staring into his eyes.
He smiled, "I like hugs too."
"Well..." I said opening my arms wide.
He chuckled and scooped me up and hugged me tight, swinging me around and we both laughed.
"I could get used to this, very easily," he whispered.
"Me too," I dared reply, my voice choked with emotion.
"Stay, please," he whispered into my ear, then he kissed my face and sat me down, "I'm sorry...I promised I wouldn't..."
"It's okay," I said wiping at my eyes, "I know you guys want me, and I know it would be great, but I need to think some more, okay?"
"Yes, of course," he said straightening up, "well...goodnight, Zeke, see you in the morning."
"Good night. Uh, what time should I be up?"
"Oh, don't worry, we'll wake you when breakfast is ready. We tend to sleep in on Sundays."
"Great, well...see ya then," I said as he turned to go.
At the door he paused, looked back as if he wanted to say something, then he opened the door and left, closing it behind him.
I stood there for a moment, then headed to the bathroom, peed, brushed my teeth and returned to my room. I held the pajamas for a while, thinking how many new things I'd experienced in the short time I'd been here, and wondering what was ahead. With that thought I carefully removed my treasured new clothing and hung it in the closet. I ran my hands over my new underwear marveling at how good they felt and how well they fit me, then I picked up the pajama bottom and stepped into one leg, then the other and pulled them up. They felt wonderful as they caressed my body, and I quickly slipped on the top and buttoned it up.
I checked myself in the mirror on the back of the door and it was if I were staring at another boy. Who was that handsome rich boy staring back at me? Zeke Nelson, son of Dan and Lisa Nelson, star baseball player and all around good guy, loved by family and friends alike.
No, I wasn't that kid. I was Zeke Evans, orphaned as a baby, raised by strangers and no one.
Sadly I crawled into bed, and fortunately I was asleep when Mrs. Nelson came to kiss me goodnight.
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