John

Matt's birthday was coming up, and Luke wanted to have a party for him. When Luke asked how many guests there would be, Farr started naming off all the Baileys, including Dad and Rich. Then with Matt's prompting, he added Rafe and Tommy, our new cop friend Dean from the Castro incident and his partner Art, Matt's mom, Will's fiancée Reese, and Martha, the lady that shares Farr's shop. I asked them if I could invite another couple.

"Who?" Luke asked.

"Another cop buddy and his partner." I told him.

He hadn't met Bill Johnson, the cop who had befriended me after Farr's rape, nor his partner Sam Post. Sam and Farr had become close friends. Sam had been molested as a child and could identify with the mental trauma that Farr had gone through. We'd gone out to dinner with them a couple of times and decided that it was time to introduce them to the rest of our friends. Even though Dean and Bill were both cops, they hadn't met each other since they worked in different precincts. Matt's birthday party was a perfect time to do it.

Neither boy seemed to have a lot of friends. They seemed to spend all their time together here at the house. Luke had only spoken of one friend named Ben, and we'd not heard Matt mention any. When Farr asked if they were inviting any friends from school, they both shrugged and said, "Yeah, a couple." So we planned on having around twenty-two people.

When I bought this house and did the remodeling, I put French windows/doors in the kitchen that opened onto a small deck and the backyard. I also opened the kitchen to the dining room and the dining room to the living room. It gave a perfect flow for a large party. This would be the first one.

Farr

Saturday morning before the party, John and Matt went to the party rental store and brought back a bunch of folding chairs and three long tables to serve the food. Even though we were doing a grill-out, we decided to have a caterer do it so that we were free to mix with family and friends. However, Luke wasn't about to let them be responsible for the cake. He insisted that a pastry shop over on Divisidero that John had taken him to make a triple decker double chocolate cake topped with white divinity icing. I willingly paid for delivery, rather than chance an accident with it trying to get it back to the house.

We had kept Carla in the loop, but insisted that she be a guest and let us do all the work since she puts in so many hours at the hospital. Still she showed up a half hour early to help. The moment she walked in the door, I knew something was going on with the woman. She was glowing. She had a secretive smile as she set down several small boxes.

"And just what are you so happy about, m'Lady?" I asked.

Her smile grew as she held up her left hand. How could I have missed it? She was wearing the largest diamond I'd ever seen. Carla and I had developed a relationship where we kidded each other every chance we got. "Wow, that's a bi-i-i-ig piece of glass," I said, overdoing the bug-eyed bit.

"Piece of glass, my a--," she stopped and blinked as she glared at me. "My derrière." She smiled sweetly.

"Didja check to make sure it will cut glass?" I asked.

"Oh. Maybe I should try it on your front window. Let's see… I'll try writing IMP."

Before I could reply, my oldest brother came in lugging a couple of big gift wrapped boxes, looking like the fox that got into the chicken coop. He set the boxes on the dining table, wrapped a possessive arm around Carla's waist and grinned like Alice's Cheshire.

I yelled for John, and commenced to congratulate the engaged couple. John rushed in to see what the commotion was about, followed by Luke and Matt. John hugged Carla and then Patrick offered his hand, but John was having nothing of it. He pulled my stuffy brother into a hug, kissed his cheek and whispered something in his ear. Patrick froze for a moment, then returned the hug as he grinned and turned a brilliant red.

"What did you just say to him?" Carla asked.

John smiled and said, "I just told him to beware. You're determined to become Farr's in-law one way or another."

She shrugged and looked at Patrick. "What can I say? If I can't have the little shrimp, I'll just go for the best of the Baileys and take you." She kissed him, and they forgot they had an audience.

I noticed that Matt stood in the doorway watching with a deadpan face, while Luke stood at his side looking angry and worried. When Matt noticed that I was watching him, he frowned and left the room, leaving Luke staring after him with a hurt expression. I wondered what was going on.

In the next few minutes, Carla, the consummate in-charge nurse, took over overseeing the caterers. I offered Patrick a beer and he wandered out the backdoor with it. As soon as I could get John alone, I told him what I'd observed about Matt.

"Let me talk to the boy," John said, "It's his birthday, he should be enjoying it."

I joined my brother on the deck and we caught each other up on our lives. Luke was sitting in a chair against the back fence looking glum. I gave him an inquiring look and he shook his head, so I figured that it was best to leave him be until John finished talking to Matt. Patrick noticed our exchange and said, "I think the boys were surprised. Do you think I should go talk to them?"

I shook my head and told him to leave it to John.

John

I was aware that Patrick and Carla had taken a liking to each other when they met at Luke's birthday/adoption party back in April, but other than Matt mentioning one time that his mother had gone out on a date with Patrick, there had been no mention of anything more between them. I had noticed that Matt seemed a little down the last few weeks, but he sloughed it off as just school stuff getting to him.

I found him in Luke's room, lying across the middle of the bed, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. I knocked on the open door. He glanced at me and said, "Hi, John."

I took that as an invitation and stretched out along side of him across the foot of the bed, lying on my side with my hand supporting my head. Matt paid no attention to me.

"This is supposed to be a happy day for you, Matt. Want to tell me what's wrong?"

Tears filled his eyes as he continued to stare at the ceiling. He sniffled, wiped the back of his hand across his nose then mumbled, "Mom's going to marry Patrick."

"Yeah, I already figured that out," I said, trying to be amusing and lighten his mood. "I'd think you'd be happy that she found someone to love. She's been alone for so many years. Aren't you happy for her?"

"Yeah. It's nice to see her so happy."

"So, what's the problem?"

Still staring up, he said, "Patrick lives in San Jose."

It took me a moment. "And… you figure you'll be moving down there?"

"Looks like it."

"Have you talked to your mom about this?"

"No."

"Don't you think you should?"

He sighed. "Yeah, I guess."

"Matt, for all you know Patrick may move up here. Don't let your imagination make you miserable. Come on… your guests will all be arriving soon."

I stood and offered the young giant a hand and pulled him into a comforting hug. "Whatever happens, we'll work it all out, Matt. Do you know where Luke is?"

"Luke? Oh my God, what did I do?" Matt whispered before rushing out of the room. I wondered what he'd done.

Luke

We followed John into the house when Farr yelled for him. Matt had told me that his mom was dating Uncle Patrick, but I don't think that he thought it was a serious thing. When he saw the ring that she was flashing, his face froze, and it stayed expressionless as we watched the two of them kiss. I didn't immediately get why it would upset him. It had been at least six years since his dad died. Uncle Patrick's a good man. I was sure he'd treat Matt well. So what was the problem? Then it hit me. Uncle Patrick lives in San Jose. Matt would probably be moving.

I put my hand on Matt's arm. It was as much to assure myself as it was him. He shrugged my hand off and headed out through the dining room. He'd never done anything like that before. I wondered what I'd done to deserve it. Even though his rejection hurt, I realized that it was his mom that he was reacting to, not me. Rather than follow him, I figured he was needing some alone time, so I wandered into the back yard and flopped on a chair fartherest from the house and sat there brooding.

The more I thought about it, the more I was pissed off. Why couldn't they wait until after Matt's party to do this? Dammit, he should be the center of attention here, not his mother. It's his sixteenth birthday after all.

I watched Will and Reese greeting Carla and Patrick, and was disgusted at all the hugging and congratulating. Then Rafe and Tommy came through the side gate. At Farr's bidding, they climbed the steps to the deck where there was all the congratulating again. It was like Matt's birthday party had turned into a party for Carla and Patrick. When my granddads came in, I slumped down in my chair even more as I watched another repeat. Then Grandpa Pat saw me and strolled back to sit beside me.

"Where's the birthday boy? Where's my other grandson?" he asked as he sat down beside me and ruffled my hair.

I just shrugged and frowned. He lost his jovial smile and looked concerned. "What's the matter, Luke? Did you guys have a fight?"

I gave him a disgusted look and said, "No, we didn't have a fight."

"So, what's the problem?"

"Matt's mom and Uncle Patrick are going to get married."

"I know. I was over at Carla's earlier."

"This is supposed to be Matt's day."

"Yes, it is."

"So, who's the center of attention?" I asked.

Grandpa Pat studied the group on the deck. "Oh, I see what you mean. So where is Matt?"

Just as I shrugged, Matt and John came out onto the deck. I watched Matt get hugged by each adult except his mom and Uncle Patrick. I couldn't figure out whether they were ignoring him or if he was ignoring them. As Matt headed down the steps and across the yard towards me, I heard Patrick say, "That boy needs some lessons in manners." I didn't hear what his mother answered. Patrick followed her as she headed into the house and everyone on the deck followed him. I saw John stop and look back at us before following them.

John

As I followed my brothers and friends back into the house I glanced at Pat, hoping he'd explain to the two boys about what Patrick had gone through with his ex. The only ones missing that had witnessed the bitch's exit were Pete and Dan, and as we entered the living room they came in the front door. Although no one was saying it out loud, I was sure everyone was thankful that Carla was one of the good people in the world and that Patrick was making a wise choice this time. As I watched, I wondered how we were going to get this party refocused on Matt. It was his birthday party after all.

Luke

GP, that's what I call Grandpa Pat- but not to his face, stood as Matt approached. He hugged him and wished him a happy birthday. Matt hugged him back with a thanks, then dropped down in front of me, laid his head on my chest and said, "I'm sorry, Luke. I didn't mean to slough you off like that. I was taken by surprise. I didn't know that Mom had gotten engaged. She never said a word to me."

I hugged him back. "I think we were all surprised."

GP ruffled both our heads. "I think I need to go knock some heads," he mumbled, and walked towards the house.

A couple of moments later, Rich came out carrying a couple of cokes and a can of beer and headed towards us. He set them on the table, pulled Matt to his feet and gave him a big birthday hug. Rafe and Tommy were right behind him with bowls of chips and dips. After hugs, they all lounged in chairs around us. Uncle Pete came out on the deck and saw us and walked across the yard to join us. About that time Dean, the big cop from Castro, came through the side gate with his friend Art. Seeing us, they headed towards us. I introduced them to everybody and asked them if they'd like a beer, then ran into the house to get them. Farr stopped me as I headed out with four cans of beer.

"You're too young to be drinking, Luke."

His scolding parental tone pissed me off more. I gave him a dirty look and sneered, "I've got a coke. These are for our guests."

Farr glanced out the door and apologized, but I was already incensed. "You might recall, Dad, this is a birthday party… not an engagement party." I turned away and headed down the steps.

Farr

Having just been set straight by my son, I walked through the dining room into the living room. Carla and Patrick were still the center of attention since Bill and Sam had just come in. I watched John introduce the cop and his friend, and then observed how the newcomers centered on my oldest brother and Matt's mother.

I went back into the kitchen and urged the caterers to get all the food out to the yard, the meat on the grills, and to be certain that the huge tower of birthday cake was the center piece of the table. I then went back into the living room and climbed up on a chair, clapped my hands to get attention and said, "There's a birthday boy sitting in the back yard waiting for his party to start. What do you say? Let's go out and celebrate Matt's sixteenth birthday!" I jumped off the chair, grabbed the arm of the person closest to me, which happened to be Bill Johnson the policeman, and dragged him towards the back door calling out, "Come on everybody, let's celebrate." My enthusiasm worked. Everyone including the newly engaged couple crowded out the door onto the deck. Someone started singing "Happy Birthday," and everyone joined in. It was a pleasure to see the two teenagers sit up and grin. I watched Dad grab Matt around the neck and kiss the side of his head.

John

After I got Matt out of the bedroom, I was happy to see him getting hugs and B'day wishes from our friends. I'd assumed that his mom and Patrick would join in, but they stood to the side and watched while Matt just ignored them and headed down the steps to join Luke and his grandpa at the back of the yard. It sent me into a quandary to hear Patrick tell Carla that Matt needed a lesson in manners. Matt is the most polite young man I've ever met. I didn't hear Carla's reply, and noticed that Patrick didn't resist when she led him back into the house with the others following.

I glanced back at Matt, wondering how to get these friends focused on Matt as I tailed the crowd in. I saw one of the caterers look exasperated as he watched Farr climb on a chair. I asked him what the problem was and gave him a solution, and by that time, Farr had jumped off the chair and was leading everyone outside. If I'd been next to him, I'd have given him a big hug and a kiss of thanks, but all I could do was follow the group out the door and into the yard as they all made their way to Matt.

As things calmed, I saw Carla approach her son, my brother-in-law at her side. I watched the three of them in conversation, then I witnessed Matt shake hands with Patrick, and get hugged by his future stepdad. He then hugged his mom, and I sighed with relief.

I got involved with introducing Dean and Art to Bill and Sam. Sam immediately, with a big grin, informed the two cops there would be no shop talk at the party. As the afternoon progressed, I got the impression they ignored Sam's dictum. I saw them off at the edge of the party talking. When I walked up to Sam and Art, I had to laugh. They were discussing the problems of living with a cop.

I did a double take when I noticed a big handsome young fellow with his arm around the shoulders of a kid not much taller than Luke at the side gate. I watched Luke approach them. It didn't look like a friendly encounter, so I started toward them. But just then Matt ran up and hugged the big kid, then bodily pick up the smaller one and swung him around in a circle before setting him back on his feet. I figured everything was cool and turned back to talk to Martha who had just arrived a couple of minutes before.

Luke

When I saw Ben come through the side gate into our back yard with his arm around another guy's shoulder I was flabbergasted. In the short time I'd been going to school, Ben and Melissa were really the only two people I'd become close friends with. Many an afternoon I'd walked Mel home when Ben had football practice. Despite what Ben had said about them being best friends, I really thought they were a couple because they were nearly always together at school. So when I invited Ben to the party telling him to bring his best friend, I just assumed that it would be Mel he came with, therefore I didn't extend her an invite.

I headed over to ask him where Mel was but before I could, Ben said, "Hi, Luke, I want to introduce you to my boyfriend. This is Tony. Tony this little guy is my good buddy Luke that I told you about."

I guess it was my day to be pissed off. Not only did Ben not bring Mel, he was forcing me to change my image of him as a straight guy. I had this fairy tale story running in my head that Mel's parents didn't approve of Ben as her boyfriend, therefore the two of them were acting like they were just good friends to fool her parents.

As Tony held out his hand to me, I ignored it, looked at Ben and asked, "Does Mel know about him?"

Before Ben could reply, Matt ran up and hugged Ben like a long lost friend, then grabbed Tony around the waist and swung him around in a circle while yelling, "Tony, I'm so glad you brought the big dude." He set Tony back on his feet and with a big grin, put his hand on my shoulder and asked me if I had met Ben and Tony. All I could do was look from one big guy to the other. Speechless. That was me. I knew I should have told Matt about Ben befriending me. I'd invited Ben. Yet Matt was acting like he was his guest. I'd needlessly gone through a lot of angst about Ben and Matt meeting, when all this time they were already friends.

Rather than wonder and worry about why Matt hadn't ever mentioned Ben and Tony, I took a deep breath and let it out along with my aggravation, and held out my hand to Tony. "It's nice to meet you," I said. I held onto his hand and said, "Come on, let me show you where the refreshments are."

As I got him a can of soda, I asked him how long he and Ben had been together.

"Oh, a couple of years now. We got together just before his family moved to this neighborhood. We live just around the corner from Matt."

"And Matt?"

He shrugged. "I'd seen Matt around school for a year or so before he saved my ass from some of the football jocks Ben used to run around with. That was just before Ben moved. Ben wasn't out to them, but he'd still not let them mess with smaller guys like me."

"So, do you know Melissa?"

He grinned, "Sure, she's Ben's best friend. She's his beard. The three of us have been friends since we were in kindergarten."

I glanced at Matt and Ben who were standing where we'd left them by the side gate. They both looked a bit worried. I grinned at them and asked Tony, "So where does Matt come into the picture?"

Tony studied me a moment and then asked, "You're not being jealous are you?"

I studied him back and said, "I don't know. Should I be?"

He grinned. "Not of me. I'm good friends with Matt, but Ben's my one and only."

I led Tony over to a little bench at the back of the yard under the old elm tree where we continued to get acquainted. Matt and Ben eventually joined us. It was cool once I got used to the idea of Ben and Matt being friends, but I was determined that I was going to find out if Ben had known that Matt and I were together before this afternoon. Since they were both being coy about it, I figured I'd corner Ben at school.

Dean

I knew that Matt wanted a motorcycle for his birthday. He'd stated at dinner one evening when Art and I went out with John, Farr and their two boys, that one day he was going to have one just like Rich's. Later John told me that Farr's dad suggested that the four of them pool their money and give him one for his birthday. I really admire the young man, so after talking it over with Art, we told them we wanted in on it, too. When Farr told Matt's mother that we wanted to give Matt a motorcycle, she stonewalled it. There were six very disappointed grown men.

I decided to go talk to the woman myself. I showed up at the hospital one evening when she was getting off shift. I was dressed in full motorcycle cop uniform including my helmet under my arm. She hadn't met me before and was visibly shaken when I approached her office and asked if she was Matt's mother, Carla O'Connor.

"Yes, Officer, has something happened to my son?"

"No, Ma'am. Matt's fine, but I am here on his behalf."

"You know my son?"

I smiled. Hoping its effect went a long way towards softening her. "Yes, Ma'am, I've been fortunate to get to know your son and Luke. We've had dinner with them and Luke's dads a couple of times. Matt is a very mature, polite, young man."

"Thank you, Officer. So what can I do for you?"

"Let me preface by telling you that I've been a cycle cop for over five years. I spent six months last year teaching new cops how to handle and ride their motorcycles safely. If you would give me permission, I'd like to teach Matt. It would be my birthday gift to him."

She eyed me suspiciously. "John and Farr put you up to this, didn't they?"

"No, Ma'am. They don't know I'm doing this."

"Then why?"

"John and Farr will be giving Luke a bike for Christmas. It had to be special ordered because of his size or he'd have gotten it for his birthday. Matt's just a couple of years from his eighteenth birthday. He's stated that the first thing he's going to do is get a bike. So I figure that if I teach him, along with Luke, how to be safe on one now, he'll be that far ahead later."

"I still want to know why you want to do this."

"Well, it's rather complicated. My dad was killed in Nam. He was a Marine like Matt's dad. I can identify with Matt."

Carla's eyes filled with tears. "So, he does still talk about his dad. He hasn't asked me a thing about him since he was twelve."

"He's very proud of his dad. You are aware that he carries a photo of him in his wallet?"

"I've wondered what happened to that photo." Carla stared at me as she thought. "I assume Luke will be learning on Farr's little Harley. What would Matt learn on since he doesn't have a motorcycle?"

"My partner and I both have Harley's. He'd be welcomed to use one of ours."

She turned away to stare out the window, and sighed. "I've never told Matt that his dad used to ride one. I went on many a date riding behind him on his big bike. He sold it when Matt was born and bought a big Buick." She laughed. "He looked so out of place in that big staid car. But he wanted to be responsible for his son."

A minute or three later, she sighed again and turned back to face me. "Alright, you have my permission. You may also tell that big ex- Marine buddy of yours that he and Farr have my permission to give Matt the Harley."

I was a bit uncomfortable watching her relive old memories, so I just said, "Thank you, Ma'am. It'll make Matt really happy."

"Please, I get enough ma'aming from the staff. If you're going to be teaching my son, the least you could do is call me Carla."

"Thank you, Carla, I'm Dean. Dean Angstrom." We shook hands. As a departing thought, I said, "You might tell Matt about his dad and his motorcycle. I think it would mean a lot to him."

As I left, she smiled at me with tears again in her eyes.

John

Keeping a secret from Luke we've discovered is a difficult thing to do. The kid is inquisitive and seems to sense when something is being hidden from him. Since we weren't sure how well he could keep something from Matt, we figured that he should know nothing about the 'Fat Boy' we were getting Matt for his birthday. With him in school, it wasn't a problem to get it stowed in the back of the garage, covered with an old tarp with some boxes piled on top of it to make it look like it had been there a long time.

Once the party was in full swing and our two boys were fully distracted. Rich, Dean and I rolled the new bike out and parked it just outside the side gate. Rich pulled a big yellow bow out of his saddle bag and wrapped it around the seat. Farr stuck a card the six of us had signed under the bow.

We went back to the party and waited until time for Matt to open his presents. We'd each gotten him a small insignificant gift, more as a gag than to put him off scent. Polite as always, he did his best to hide his disappointment in them. He got a computer and several games from Patrick and his mom, and Farr's other three brothers and Reece had pooled their money and gave him a big flat screen TV. They all got big hugs and many a thank you. Dan and Pete also gave his a thousand dollar bank certificate towards his college education, like they had Luke.

Luke was giving his grandpas, Farr and I an evil eye, until he looked at me quizzically and I gave him a smirk. He caught on and walked over to the gate, then he turned and gave me a big grin. I winked and put my forefinger to my lips.

Once all the gifts had been opened, Matt couldn't help but notice the conspiratorial looks on everyone's faces. He looked from one face to another and then asked, "What's going on? Why is everyone looking at me weird?"

I winked at Luke, who looked like he was about to piss his pants, and nodded. He grabbed Matt's hand and pulled him across the yard and pointed out the gate. Matt's face lit up and he turned to look back at us. His mom pointed at the six of us and Matt ran back and hugged each of us. He punched Dean's shoulder and said, "Lessons for when I turn eighteen… Huh!"

"Well, aren't you even going to go look at it?" Farr asked. Matt headed for the gate with us all right behind him. Everyone crowded out the gate to watch. Once Matt had closely examined every inch of his big machine, he then opened the card. With tears streaking his cheeks he hugged each of us again.

Farr

I watched the expressions of delight at whatever Matt said to each of my co-conspirators. When he got to me, he fell to his knees, wrapped me in his arms, laid his head on my shoulder and whispered, "Thanks, Dad." At that point, my tears joined his. Even though I'd heard him call John Dad several times, I never expected that endearment from him.

When Luke couldn't stand it any longer, he said, "So come on, Big Man, take me for a ride on your new bike."

There were eight big motorcycles parked in our driveway and on the street in front of the house, plus mine and Farr's and Matt's. We soon had everyone, including Martha, riding behind those that owned the bikes. With Matt carrying Luke, Tony was the only other person small enough to ride with me. We all followed Matt on a ride down to Market Street, through the Castro and then back home. What a way to celebrate a teenager's birthday.

We all piled back into the yard for the cake cutting and a cup of coffee. Ben came over and sat down beside me. His friend sat close on his other side, and Ben placed an affectionate arm around him as he said to me, "I've seen you in the neighborhood for a while, Mr. Bailey, and I knew you were one of Luke's dads, but I never got a chance to meet you until today."

I smiled at the big kid and winked at his friend, who blushed. "It's good to meet you, Ben, and you, too, Tony." Tony grinned and just nodded.

"I just wanted to tell you that I think that Luke is one lucky dude getting you and Mr. Reed for his parents. It's so cool that he got to choose you as well as you getting to choose him. I love my dad, but we've never been really close. He's always gone off on business. I sometimes wonder if I'd have chosen him if I'd been given a choice."

I chose not to pursue why and said, "I think, Ben, that John and I are the lucky ones to have found Luke. You know … not many gay men get to have a son to raise."

"He is a cool little dude."

Tony leaned forward and asked, "Has Luke told you what he calls Ben?"

I shook my head as Ben said, "Shut up, Tone."

Tony ignored him and said, "His guardian angel."

I grinned as the big kid blushed. "Why does he call you that, Ben?"

"Because Ben saved Luke from the school's worst bully," Tony volunteered. Ben blushed even more.

I smiled at the big kid. "You're a good guy, Ben. I'm happy that Luke has you as his friend."

Earlier, I'd been watching Luke interacting with everyone. He's come out of his past so well. I wish Mom was here to see him. I know they'd love each other. Luke eats up the attention that Matt's mother lavishes on him. He must miss having a mother.

At that moment, we heard motorcycles pull into the driveway. I hadn't realized that Matt and the two cops had gone out for another spin. A moment later, Dean and Bill came through the gate with big grins.

"That boy is in hog's heaven," Dean said. "I think you did right, Carla, letting Matt have the bike."

Ben and Tony headed through the door into the garage to further admire Matt's big hog. Carla sat down beside me, "I'll be forever grateful for what you men have done for my son, Farr," she said, and kissed my cheek.

I was waiting for a poke in the ribs or some cheeky comment but she just smiled. "It was our pleasure, Ma'am." She giggled at my attempt to sound like John - our local Texan.

Luke

When we got back from our cruise around the neighborhood on Matt's new Harley, Tony caught me alone and asked, "You're several months older than Matt, aren't you?"

I nodded. "Yeah, like nearly four."

Tony was quiet for a moment. "I really admire how you're not jealous of your dads giving Matt a motorcycle. Doesn't it bother you just a little that he got one just because he's big?"

I grinned. "No, not one bit, Tony. Matt deserves one as much as I do."

"Yes, but he got one and you didn't."

"Oh, I'll be getting one, too. My dads told me on my birthday that they'd order one for me. It's being custom made. I'll probably get it for Christmas."

"You're kidding me."

"It'll look just like Matt's except it will be my size. You saw Farr's, didn't you?"

"Well, yeah, I rode with him when we cruised the Castro. It just never occurred to me that you'd be getting one like that. You're one lucky dude, Luke."

I knew he was saying I was lucky 'cause I was getting a bike, but I knew I was so much more lucky than that… getting the two best men in the world for my very own dads.