The Guard To My Sanctuary - Chapter 39: Chapter 39

Marco
My brother Tyler had gotten himself in some sort of trouble from what +I could get out of him on the phone. He needed a place to stay and I wanted to see him and also needed him to be safe so I told him it was more than fine for him to come to California. He thought I was living on the East coast still which hadn't been true for a number of years. He wouldn't tell me anything other than that he was in Chicago so I could send him money to pay for the bus ticket. He told he lost his ID so he wouldn't be able to get on the plane. It had been a long two days of waiting and hoping he would be alright I'm his way to me. He called me twice a day telling me where he was then would hang up. I drove down the streets of San Fransisco following the GPS to the bus station. I was nervous about the talk we would have to have. We hadn't spoken in nine years before the call and I knew he had changed in all that time. I maneuvered my Altima through the traffic which was annoyingly congested. Californians really had no driving skills and the hills didn't help the situation. The hour ride it should have been taking ninety minutes. My phone started to ring in the cupholder where I placed it. I looked down at it and hit the answer button before turning the Bluetooth on.
Elm's voice them boomed through the speakers, "Marco," he asked through the phone sounding like he had said my name multiple times and was ready to hang up.
"I'm here sorry I forgot to turn the Bluetooth on. What's happening back home," I asked him.
"Nothing the boys are sleeping, I'm fixing up the daybed in the guest room. Then I'm going to make something to eat, what do you want? Do you remember anything your brother likes," Elm asked me which caused me to smiled at how well he ran the home. I had got a daybed when Tyler asked if he could come since the game room since our now guestroom didn't have an area to sleep. I wanted him to feel welcome and have a space in my home. So if that meant giving up my little man cave for a while I was willing to deal.
"He likes baked Mac and cheese also with fish," I said aloud.
"Alright I think I have Tilapia in the freezer and baby calm down you sound nervous," he said to me.
"Sorry I'm trying to calm myself it's just," I couldn't find the words to express how I was feeling.
"I understand, but everything will be fine," he said reassuringly. The sound of a baby crying in the distance caught my attention.
"I just got him to sleep," Elm said into the phone, " I'll call you back your youngest is determined to wake his brothers up," Elm said hanging up. Hearing his voice did soothe me a bit but I want still wound up. I parked at the bus stop and noticed I had fifteen minutes to wait before his bus was scheduled to be here. I turned the car off then got out of the vehicle locking the doors behind me and walked in the cold building. The warm early Summer air fought to get in but the fans in the building pushed it out. I checked my phone to see the gate he'd be exiting out of and followed the signs to the wall to where I needed to be. It took me five minutes but I found the gate and sat in one of the metal chairs bolted into the floor. I tried to distract myself with my phone but it wasn't working. My hands were shaking and I probably looked suspicious as fuck. When people started walking into the building my nerves kicked up a notch. They were five minutes earlier than scheduled which was fine with me. My heart started pumping as I looked around for my brother. I noticed a light-skinned guy with thick hair on the top and faded sides looking around. He was sporting a mean mug on his face that didn't seem completely genuine. He wasn't really tall maybe 5'9 at most and was built slender. He seemed out of place in his surroundings. His ripped black jeans were held up barely by a Ferragamo belt and a gold twisted chain hung over his white shirt. Even his ears glimmered with diamonds and he had on Giuseppe sneakers with gold straps across them. The duffle bag he held had a designer logo on it as well. He definitely didn't belong on a bus.
There was something though that drew me to him. I studied his face as he looked down at his phone. On his nose was a small mole that wasn't really dark but red.
"Tyler," I shouted in my deep voice just as my phone vibrated. I pulled it out and saw it was Tyler asking where I was through text message. I looked back up and saw him staring at me.
"Marco," he asked pushing past two men who were having a conversation.
"Yeah wow you've gotten big you're twenty-three right," I asked him not sure if I could hug him.
"Yeah," he said I noticed he had gained an accent.
"You've gotten big yourself, you look like you could lift up a car," he joked. I laughed at him and decided to give him a hug anyway. He didn't hug me back immediately but after a few seconds, I felt his arms tighten around me.
"I missed you, I know we have some stuff well a lot of stuff to talk about so how about we get out of here," I said to him.
"Yeah," he said looking over his shoulder like someone was going to jump out at him.
"What have you been up to Ty."
We walked to my car and I popped the trunk so he could put his bag in. He slammed the trunk shut and I almost cussed him out but decided to hold back. He got in the car and I pulled off.
"So what's up with you," I said seriously.
"What do you mean," he asked giving me this stupid ass look he used to do as a child.
"What's going on you're all skittish and shit," I said to him.
"Nothing," he lied.
"Don't lie," I told him.
"Man," he replied.
"Man nothing, you looking over your shoulder and shit, asking me for money to catch a bus while you wearing designer everything, what's good," I asked him.
"Fine I may have gotten into trouble with some suspect people," he said.
"I assumed that but why did you call me. Don't get me wrong I'm happy but what about your parents," I asked him.
"We don't talk anymore," He said in a tone that was unfriendly.
"Alright, I won't ask about that but I am going to ask you what happened that got you looking scared. I have kids and can't have them in danger," I said to him.
"You have kids," he smiled at me. I took a turn in the crowded highway and was basically parked.
"Yeah, we'll get to me later we're talking about you right now," I said, "Look I know you probably think I forgot about you which isn't true I tried to find you after you moved down South but couldn't and figured you were better off with a family. Then I joined the Air Force and just found out you tried to get in touch with me but I was overseas," I said to him pressing in the grass slightly as we crept in a snail's place.
"You joined the Air Force," he asked looking shocked.
"Yeah I was and am a Linguist I just got out in November," I said, "but again I want to hear about you."
"Fine man, so look I got adopted by Tiana and Don and relocated to Florida. They were like really strict with me after I got there when before they were really cool and laid back. I wasn't allowed to have a phone and I was picked up and dropped off at school. I tried to get them to let me call you but they wouldn't and would even say I didn't have a brother anymore and tried to convince me that you didn't want to speak to me which I knew wasn't true. After a couple of months, I noticed that they had people coming in and out of the back of the house where they had a small pool house type of thing. Mind you the house was really nice and modern. They had a big pool with a grotto and everything. I also noticed that they only went to work for maybe a few hours a day. So when they were sleeping I picked my lock which was turned to keep me from getting out and went to the guesthouse. I get in after finding an open window and searching around I find these bricks of white powder. I had no idea what it was at first but later on, I figured it out when I googled it. So they were dealing drugs like all kinds of drugs and I found in their search history and the benefits of adopting a child. They only got me for some sort of cover. As I got older they started letting me go out more with friends and giving me money. I had a badass sixteenth birthday party and they bought me a Hummer. I realized if I went with the flow they would give me stuff and soon they had me selling shit at school and when I graduated they had me selling in college. They only had me enroll to USF for that purpose. I got my bachelor's though in business so I guess that was a benefit not that I ever use it. Anyways so I met this...Guy, I'm gay by the way is that a problem," He asked looking nervous.
"Not at all, continue," I said a little pissed about what he went through. I felt like a disappointment I should have to know those people were too kind towards him. I also felt relief knowing my news would blow over well.
"So I started dating him or whatever and felt my parents pushing me on the dude. I didn't mind though because he was fine as fuck. I then found out when he took me out on a date his Father worked for an opposing gang. I confronted my parents and they said that they wanted me to get information or they would make sure I end up going to jail so I did what they said and I and Carlos dated for about eight months until his Father caught us together. When he walked in on us he pulled a gun and accused me of making his son a faggot and all this shit and told me he was going to kill me. Carlos begged him not to, his Father told me to get the fuck out of town or he'd have me killed. I tried to go home but Carlos's Dad had found out who my parents were somehow and when I got there they had torched the place and left a note for me in my bag saying that they were leaving the country which pissed me the hell off. They left me enough money to get to Chicago where one of my friends from high school was staying and I got on a plane. When I left the airport dropped my wallet in a manhole so I was pretty much stuck since I couldn't get money out of my bank without I.d and I didn't have my social security card so I had no identification. After a few weeks on my friend's couch, he was wanting me to start selling and I wasn't really trying to get into that and was looking for a way out. Four nights ago I checked that website just thinking that maybe if I was lucky you would have made an account. Luckily you did and now I'm here," he said to me.
"Damn Ty, if I would have known all that was going on," I said looking at him. He shrugged it off like it was nothing and looked out if the mirror.
"It's not that big of a deal there are kids who have it harder than me," he said reaching for the radio and cutting it on m causing Rap to play the background.
"But anyways what have you been up to besides having kids," he asked.
"Well, I joined the Air Force when I turned eighteen. Was overseas with my buddy Corey working as a Linguist and going to school. In grad school right now and work for the FBI. Ended up in a firefight when I was doing voluntary humanitarian work with refugees and saw and did some things that had me drinking really bad for a while and was diagnosed with PTSD two years ago. I was in Jersey with my friend Corey on leave before I moved out here when I saw this short guy Elm being attacked by these two guys in an alley. I ended up helping him out and noticed he seems to be abused and was trying his hardest to make it to a train. I didn't feel right leaving him alone and decided to come with it since he was headed to San Jose which was really close to base I was going to. On the train, I found out he was snatched back in '06 by this really bad guy and had been trafficked. I end up bringing him back to his family and he formed a bond with me. When we got to California he told his family and the police all that happened to him and I decided to stay. He was really fragile for a long while and we spent a lot of time together. After a while, my feeling for him grew to the point where I asked him on a date and it went well then we went on a few more until we ended up fucking. So by the way I'm gay as well," I told Tyler who looked shocked at me coming out to him.
"Now for the next part, I need you to ask questions when I'm done."
He nodded that he understood and I continued to talk, "So when we first got here he went to the doctors and I found out that he was born with a uterus and is intersexual that can reproduce. So when we fucked I did it without a condom and ended up getting him pregnant. He had been forced to have an abortion before and didn't want to terminate and I didn't either. So we go to the doctor and he confirms and explains the complicated process of conception for Elm along with the risks. We stick to everything and he gets sick and we rush him to the hospital where we find out he is carrying triplets. So the pregnancy goes well with a few scared but he grows my babies inside of him. I ended up proposing on the night he went into labor and had Maddox, Calloway, and Ozias. I mean I've never been happier I wished you were there to see it which led me to make a profile on the website. The day you called was actually our wedding day and here we are," I said to him driving faster as I exited off the highway into Cupertino.
"Okay I believe the gay thing, and even you having three kids but come on you got a guy pregnant," Tyler said punching my shoulder.
"What you had to boost your story up since mine was so exciting," he laughed. I pulled out my phone and went to my pictures and videos. I parked at a stop light that was notoriously always on red and handed him the phone. His eyes were wide as he scrolled through the pictures of Elm stomach growing and the video of him getting an ultrasound all the way up to our wedding day. He kept looking at pictures of the boys all the way to the house.
"Wow that shits crazy," he said as I parked. He handed me back my phone and looked at me, "This you," he asked me.
"I mean I parked in the garage," I said to him.
"Asshole," he said. I laughed and pushed his head. It was nice being with him and knowing that he was at least safe now.
"He's cute, though," Tyler said licking his lips. I looked over at him seriously ready to cuss him out but he started laughing.
"I'm just fucking with you, we flow the same way if you understand what I'm trying to say," he said getting out of the car. It took me a moment but I caught on and wished I didn't know that little tidbit about my brother's sex life. I opened the trunk for him and he got his stuff out of it and slammed it down.
"Slam my shit again nigga I swear," I said to him. He laughed and I knew he did it on purpose. He always used to try me and apparently that didn't change over the years.
"Honey I'm home," I said entering the house.
"Come in the kitchen," Elms soft voice echoed throughout the house. I went in his direction Tyler followed behind me looking at his surrounding. When I walked in I saw Elm placing a casserole dish of baked macaroni on the dining table. He already had sat a dish filled with Tilapia that had sliced lemons on top of each filet on the table.
"Hey, you must be Tyler," Elm said patting his hands off on his pants and walking over.
"Yeah," Tyler said as Elm held his hand out. Tyler shook it and smiled at him before Elm turned to me.
"I'm going to feed Calloway it's around his feeding time then I will be back down," Elm said to me and smiled at Tyler before walking up the stairs.
"He's so small," Tyler said to me when Elm was out if earshot.
"Yeah, come and eat," I said walking to the table where plates were stacked and grabbed one. I proceeded to make myself a plate. Tyler dropped his bag by the corner and began making a plate. We sat down and began eating it was an awkward silence between us. I didn't know how to start a casual conversation with him in the least.
"Why are you two glancing at each other," Elm asked walking into the kitchen. He grabbed a plate and made his food then sat in between us since we both took the end chairs.
"No reason," Tyler said.
"Yup," I said.
"Am I going to have to be the person who facilitates a conversation. Marco we both know I'm not good at that," Elm said then took a bite. I didn't respond to him.
"So Tyler how has life been for you," Elm asked him in his super kind and inviting tone of voice. Tyler looked at him for a few seconds before he spoke. He told him the same story he told me about his life and the things that happened up until now. He added a few more details since we were all sitting down and relaxing. Elm ended up turning on the light because the sun had gone down. Tyler asked Elm about his life and Elm was being extremely open. There was just something about Elm's presence that could make people calm and relaxed. By the time we were done talking it was ten at night and the babies were crying.
"Let's go feed and change them," I said getting up.
"I can help, I mean there are three of them and it's not like I have a job yet to help out," Tyler said scratching the back of his head.
"Sure come on I'll show you how to feed them," Elm said as he got up and put his plate in the dishwasher and Tyler followed him. As they exited I put all the food up and started the dishwasher before heading upstairs. I walked past Ozias's room and saw Tyler holding him in his arms while keeping the bottle to his mouth. Tyler had a huge smile on his face which caused me to crack one of my own. I continued my walk and saw Elm taking care of Maddox who already was reaching to hold his own bottle. Seeing the other two being taken care of I walked to Calloway who was wondering. I picked him up out of his cradle and held him in my hands. He stopped crying after a few seconds.
"Awe you want to be held don't you munchkin. You are so small as a caterpillar," I said and kissed his nose. He smiled at me and wiggled around.
"Let's get you fed," I said grabbing a bottle from the warmer and pulling the nipple to his mouth. He latched on and started sucking on it to get the milk.
"Ah, hungry aren't you? Yes, you are, yes you are," I said in a baby speech while taking a seat on the rocking chair. I sat there until he finished the bottle then I burped him. I walked over to the list writing down the time he was fed and how much he had eaten. I looked and saw it was his bath time so I grabbed a new onesie and paper and walked him into the boy's bathroom. I ran the faucet making sure it was not too hot for the baby and placed him on the counter to take his clothes off. He looked at me curiously and went to bite at his hands.
"You better not let no one take your clothes off till you are married," I said knowing that if he wasn't like Elm I wouldn't be saying that. I knew I was going to treat him more like a girl than a boy and I knew that was unfair but seeing how dangerous it was for Elm to go through with a pregnancy made me more protective of Calloway. I grabbed his small body and placed him in the barely filled water and used some baby soap to clean him off.
"It's so funny seeing you all big and bulky trying to be as soft as possible," Tyler startled me.
"You walk like a damn cat," I said throwing the bottle of soap at him which he ducked and laughed in response.
"Stop cussing in front of the baby," Elm said walking past Tyler and to my side.
"Sorry," I said and leaned over the kiss his cheek. I quickly rinsed Calloway off and patted him dry before putting a new diaper on him and lotioning him down. Elm took him out of my hands and pulled his clothes on before turning to me.
"Show your brother to his room, I'll put him down and be in bed," He said walking away.
"Where's your bag," I asked him. His eyes widened and he scurried off. I could hear him hopping down the stairs like he used to do. A minute later he was back in my face breathing hard.
"You're out of shape," I laughed.
"Shut up," he said and earned another mush.
"Follow me," I said brushing past him and walking to the room he'd be staying in for as long as he needed
"So this is where you're going to be at till you get on your feet. I'll help you get all your papers and stuff I'm pretty sure I have an old social security card for you in my files. But anyways feel free to get comfortable. Anything in the refrigerator is free, there's a computer downstairs if you want to look for a job. I'll be going back to work in a while but I'm sure Elm or his brothers will help you out they are good people," I said to him.
"Aight cool...Thanks for the help bro I really need it," he said dropping his bag on the floor.
"I'm glad to do it, I missed you and I'm happy that you are safe," I said to him.
"Yeah I missed you too," he said then walked over and gave me a hug. I hugged him back and pulled away.
"See you in the morning, and since you're job deficient right now how about you change some diapers so we can get a full night of sleep," I told him/suggested and walked all the way to my room. Elm wasn't there so I laid down on my bed looking at the ceiling with a smile on my face.