Along Came Two
Intro:
If children learn what they live, then a child who lives with diversity in
the home will learn acceptance of others as he or she experiences life outside
the home. As snowflakes and raindrops are unique, so, too, are humans. In
“Along Came Two”, the passionate love of two men provides the foundation for
two very blessed children to realize their own uniqueness while appreciating the
diversity which surrounds them.
Excerpt:
Holding his son’s hand, David hurried
toward the gate when their flight number was called. “I love you Daddy,” Trey
said, as he looked up into the eyes of the man he worshipped. These four little
words, David thought, were the sincerest and the sweetest words he had ever
heard. For years, David had dreamed of being a father and finally, one week
before his fortieth birthday, this dream had been realized. His fortieth year,
the year which is dreaded by so many, had been the happiest year of David’s
life. He sometimes wished he had a partner to share his life with, but for now
Trey was all he needed. For the next two weeks he and Trey were going to do
something that neither had done. They were going on a cruise. David had
decided to spare no expense on his and Trey’s first vacation as father and son.
Trey was going to experience the very best that David could give him.
Trey had never
flown before, but he did know the difference between the first class section on
an airplane and the coach section. “Right here, son,” David said as he stopped
Trey from getting too far ahead of him. “Oh, boy, we’re in first class,
Daddy?” “That’s right, son, first class.” David hoped he never got used to
being called Dad or Daddy. He wanted to feel that wonderful feeling he felt
when Trey called him Daddy for the rest of his life. They settled into their
very comfortable leather seats, and David helped Trey recline his seat just as
he had his own. Trey was staring out the window, watching everything with great
wonderment, as only a child can. David could see over Trey out the window also,
but was more excited to be watching Trey. Life’s treasures looked so much
brighter, much more spectacular, through the eyes of a child.
So many emotions were coursing through David right now that he couldn’t speak,
but words were not important now. Being with Trey on this once-in-a-lifetime
adventure was what was important now. From their home just outside of Denver,
it had been a relatively short drive to the airport, but they were in for a long
flight to Atlanta where they would board their connecting flight to Miami, and
from there they would begin their cruise. “Look, Daddy,” Trey would say at
every new site he viewed from his coveted window seat. David would smile and
look, but he was mostly looking at Trey. Trey was his life. Trey was his son,
and having a son or daughter was the one part of his life he had almost
convinced himself would remain unfilled. David had been told by many that
adoption was not an option for a gay man, that no agency would ever approve
him. He was just glad that he hadn’t listened to all the negative comments, but
had persevered in spite of them. Trey had needed a home and someone to love and
care for him. David felt that he was the one who had truly been blessed,
however. It had been Trey who had transformed David’s house into a home filled
with love. After this past year with Trey, David could barely remember his life
without him.
********
As the ship reached the open water, Trey, still holding tightly to David’s hand,
looked up and gasped. “Daddy,” he exclaimed, as he pointed. David looked up to
see what had claimed Trey’s attention. David could not believe his eyes. There
above them was the water coaster David had seen pictures of in the brochure.
Trey and David both loved the water. David had an indoor pool installed in the
sunroom of his house when he adopted Trey. “Look,” Trey exclaimed again, as he
continued to point and watch one of the water tubes as it carried two passengers
along their amazing journey through the enclosed slide. One of the crew members
noticed the excited look on Trey’s face, and stopped to tell them about this
magnificent adventure ride. He stooped down until he was at Trey’s eye level,
and began to describe the ride as if he were telling him a story. “This
elevated water coaster is the first of its kind at sea and travels seven hundred
sixty-five feet, with a four deck drop. Its name is the AquaDuck, and it is an
extraordinary elevated coaster that circles the entirety of the ship.” Trey was
so engrossed in this man’s story and watching the two travelers making their way
through it that he didn’t notice that David was impressed with this man also.
The man, about David’s age, had his arm loosely around Trey’s waist. David
thought that the man’s legs must be killing him, but he still continued to
remain at eye level of Trey to tell him the rest of the story. “The guests
enter this amazing journey on Deck 12, Aft from where they are propelled at high
speeds through an acrylic tube, journeying up, down, around, and at one point
they circle off the side of the ship over the ocean.” The man pointed to where
the half circle was at the other end of the ship. “Wow,” was Trey’s response.
“Then this fantastic journey through this amazing ride takes the guests through
the Forward Funnel, then makes a four deck drop into a lazy river.” The man
placed extra emphasis on just the right words so that Trey could almost feel the
ride even though he wasn’t on it, yet. “When you’re way up there, you can see
the ocean, and also the ship right here where we’re standing, but it will be
below you. Does that sound like fun?” “Oh, yes. Daddy, can we go?” “You bet,
buddy, let’s go right now,” David replied, looking forward to the ride himself.
When the man stood up, David said, “Thank you for that. I’m David.” The man
shook David’s hand and introduced himself. “I’m Kurt.” For a moment the two
men stared at each other, neither wanting the moment to end. David wondered if
he saw something in Kurt’s eyes, other than kindness. David felt a tingle that
he hadn’t felt in a long time. Very impressed with his taking the time to tell
Trey this amazing story, David wanted to know more about Kurt. “Would you like
to go on the ride with my daughter and me?” Kurt asked. Neither man saw a ring
on the other’s finger, and each more than a little curious about the other.
“Can you get away from your work, Kurt?” “Oh, I’m not a crew member, just a
passenger. I’m here with my daughter, Cheyenne.” David felt embarrassed, and
even more impressed that a fellow passenger would take the time to share as much
as he had with a boy he didn’t know. “Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you were a crew
member because you took the time to describe this fabulous ride so vividly.”
“Well, thank you very much. I’ve learned to tell stories because of Cheyenne.
She loves to hear them.”
********
Kurt finished his drink, and went to
the bar to pour himself a second. He motioned for David’s glass for a refill,
and David gave it gladly. “So, David, where do you and Trey call home?”
“Denver, beautiful Denver.” Kurt handed David his glass, and sat down beside
him. Kurt looked at him in disbelief. “We’re neighbors, David. Cheyenne and I
live in Colorado Springs. I’m a business consultant.” David was just as
surprised. “What a coincidence. I’m a physician’s assistant.” Kurt smiled.
“I’m very lucky to have found Cheyenne a good nanny. She’s a college student,
and free room and board plus a paycheck is a student’s dream. She’s been with
us since I became Cheyenne’s dad, and she’s the best. She loves Cheyenne. My
job requires some air travel, so I appreciate her greatly.” David wondered if
maybe Kurt and his nanny were more than friends, but she appeared to be quite a
bit younger than Kurt.
Neither said
anything for awhile, but each was thinking much the same thing. They had so
much in common, and each was definitely attracted to the other. It was David
who asked the first question. “Are you involved with anyone, Kurt?” David
wished he had said “woman”, “any woman.” “No, I, um, haven’t really had the
time, with work and Cheyenne. How about you?” David thought for a minute. He
had to know. “I haven’t really thought about investing in a relationship for a
couple of years. This past year with Trey has gone by so quickly, and before
that it was touch and go before the adoption was final.” Very intuitive, Kurt
wondered if David was trying to tell him something. “Is it difficult to adopt,
as a single man, I mean? It was a little different with Cheyenne, you know.”
David stood up and looked out across the verandah at the ocean. It stretched as
far as he could see, an open entity, hiding no secrets. Was this a living
photograph of the way he should be, and wanted to be, open, with no secrets?
Lost in his own thoughts, David hadn’t heard Kurt’s voice. Kurt hoped he hadn’t
offended David. Kurt stood up and walked toward David. David’s arms were
folded. Kurt surprised him when he stood in front of him and placed his arms on
David’s arms. He looked David directly in the eyes, and asked, “Or is it
difficult to adopt as a gay man?”
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