All for Mr. Redman Chapter 10

*** It would really be a good idea to read the other chapters before this one so you know what is happening. They can be found by clicking the authors link above: JadeM

Thank you to all the wonderful people who have been sending Pms, commenting, and basically taking time out of their busy lives to let me know they like what I do… or have suggestions on how I can improve, or both! A vote or comment can really help make a dark day brighter!

The ideas for other stories have also been appreciated and I am flattered you would trust me with them.

Special thanks to (Not in a particular order):
Spread1, Shotgun82, Clitpleaser12, rdwyier, Feazko, kakatz, JetiJah, workingman, stillagood1, guilz87, thickhead, TT, Ghostrider939, BadInAGoodWay, Ed W, and doug1953, creative thinker, charlie33851, Matillie97, EL TORO, Shadowreaper267, Bldg436, deeppenetrator, perverted1, Dr. Goodsex, WetLust, Darethmortuus, Elaken-Palmer, leed’s 13th Child (Go Rhino’s!!), and Sprout69.

Please remember that English is not my first language but I am trying to be better!***

All for Mr. Redman Chapter 10

My life has been blessed in many ways. Each day I find a new reason to be grateful for many things that have happened and the people I have shared those experiences with. Like any other adult I have had people enter my life who have since moved slowly back out of it apart, our feelings diminished for each other as time flows around us.

That is simply the nature of things… karma is karma. When we are lucky enough to encounter a person who we share a powerful connection with, one that transcends simple friendship or physical contact, that is a wondrous moment and a joy for both spirits.

You will recall that in the last Chapter Peter and I, and of course Jessica, had to come to grip with a massive life change. That change came in the form of Peter’s 12 year old son, Matthew.

Matthew’s advent had been a shock for everyone, including Matthew. His mother, Jessica, had not been entirely truthful about where Matthew’s father was when he was growing up. Just eight months ago he had learned from his Mother that he did have a father, who was alive and well, and lived less than three hours away from them. Matthew also learned that his father had not contact with him for one simple reason… Peter had no idea that Matthew existed. Poor Matthew also had to contend with his Mother’s lies about where his father was when he was growing up, the fact she was terminally ill, and that basically everything was changing for him as well.

That first Sunday evening, Peter and Jessica sat down with Matthew for a real conversation about what was happening. We were still at Peter’s parents home.

I knew that they probably needed some alone time to talk and simply walked outside into the yard. I sat on their porch swing and started to think about how my life with Peter was going to change. I did not focus on any one particular aspect, I simply sat and waited and calmed myself. I find that when I release all the swirling thoughts and calm fills me that answers seem to emerge all on their own. So, simply put, I looked at the garden. I saw a lovely quartz stone that had been carefully placed at the edge as part of the boundary for the flower bed. I sat and watched the stone and waited for it to grow, focusing all my attention on the rock growing. I hope you understand why I was doing this as an exercise in meditation. I assure you that there was nothing funny in the brownies served by Mrs. Redman.

I’m not sure how long I was there but I felt a hand come to rest on my shoulder. I drew a deep breath and turned to look at who was touching me. Matthew was standing there smiling in a shy way. “Sorry Sachiko, I said your name a few times but I don’t think you heard me. Mom and… Dad want you to come and join us. They asked me to get you.”

I smiled at him and said “I am so sorry Matthew, I was thinking.”

“What about?” He asked with interest.

“Oh many things and nothing. I can tell you though that I know something with absolute certainty.” I said.

He smiled at me and said “What do you know?”

“That you are very lucky to have a father like Peter. That he will always be there for you and you will never ever have to worry. Things will be hard at first, new beginnings of any kind in life can be hard. But all things can be overcome if we all want them to be.. and we are honest and try.” I said looking at him with a calm expression.

“Dad keep saying you are going to be around. Are you going to be? Or are you like one of Mom’s boyfriends and just kind of come and go?” Matthew asked.

I regarded him silently for a moment and said “That was a very direct question. I hope you will understand if I give you an answer that may not be as direct as you would like, but is the best I can offer at this time. I love your father very very much. I am not going to lie and say that the sudden appearance of a 12 year old son in his life is not a situation deserving careful consideration.”

Realizing I was about to get long winded I invited Matthew to sit with me on the swing. He did so watching me carefully. I could see he had very bright eyes and was gifted with a keen mind. He was still young but I knew he needed nothing but honesty from me if this was to work.

Smiling I said “Matthew, until today the road I saw myself travelling with your father was a long one. We have discussed longer term matters and over time we find our decisions concerning anything are becoming more entwined with our faith in each other and the belief this is not a simple love… but an enduring one. In a way I have to thank you for making it so clear to us both, you and your Mother. I cannot picture in my head another surprise that will test us like finding out he has a son and that it is not about just Peter and I… but now you Matthew are part of our life’s equation.”

Matthew was nodding and watching me like a hawk. I knew the fact his mother had lied to him for so long really had upset him. I know that only honesty would ever allow us to start in a way that would last.

“You father and I could have ended our relationship over this. We almost did through no fault of our own and due to… well, you heard what was said… right?”

Matthew nodded “Yeah, I heard it all and heard what Mom called you. Sorry about that.”

“That’s very sweet Matthew but it is not your place to apologize for that, and your mother already has, so that is in the past. I am going to tell you something Matthew… and I ant you to understand I am being totally honest with you. I always will be as I think that is best way for us to get along well. Once you entered the equation that is a big change as I said. I have given this careful thought and your father did basically tell me I could leave and he would not hold it against me. Matthew… I am not leaving, I have chosen to stay… your father has my heart and it soars with with. You are so important and so integral to his life now… so I choose you two. Matthew if I was going to leave it would have been today, earlier. Don’t tell your Dad but I plan to be here… with him and with you… for a very long time. You can count on that… I swear it to you.”

Matthew looked kinda stunned and smiled brightly “Wow. Your nothing like Mom’s boyfriends.”

“Well, if I was I think your father would not be comfortable dating me… he isn’t into guys.” I said smiling.

Matthew laughed and settled down and said “So… um, I call Dad… well Dad. What should I call you? Mom feels kind of weird and…”

“I understand your situation. Since you said my first name is fun to say… why don’t you just call me Sachiko.” I said smiling.

“Okay.” he said smiling.

I took his hand and said “Many tings will happen over the next year or so. Don’t worry… it will get confusing, their will be hard times of loss and confusion… but no matter what happens just remember that your father is a rock you can put your back against. He is a wonderful man and I am happy you have him as you should. I will be there as well… I am not perfect, but I will always do my best… okay?”

He smiled and said “Yeah… thanks Sachiko”

Leaning in I hugged him. He didn’t hesitate and when we parted he smiled and said “This is so weird… but kind of cool. I have grandparents I didn’t know about… I have my father… a real father. My mother is actually calming down… and my Dad is dating a super nice lady.”

I smiled and said “Why thank you Matthew.”

He looked around and said “I am supposed to be bringing you to Mom and Dad… but can I ask you some really dumb questions?”

Laughing I said “Okay.. sure, why not.”

Matthew nodded and said “You’re Japanese right?”

“Yes. That was not a dumb question Matthew.” I replied smiling.

“Oh, the stupid part has not started yet… believe me” he laughed. “So… do you know Martial Arts?”

I started laughing and said “Yes… I have studied Martial Arts. Also not a dumb question.”

“That is so cool. Okay… so you speak Japanese right?” he asked.

“Actually I speak Italian and English.” I said keeping a straight face.

“Italian? But I thought Dad said…” he began.

“Don’t I look Italian to you Matthew? Is it a problem I speak Italian?” I said with some seriousness.

“Okay… you are playing with me. Dad said you speak Japanese. By the way… you don’t look Italian at all… you look, well, Japanese!” he said and started laughing again when I put on a pout face.

“I want to speak Italian, it would be cool.” I said “Wait… you said you wanted to ask dumb questions. Matthew these are good questions, not dumb ones. We are getting to know each other and these are fine.”

“Okay… here is a dumb question… will you teach me?” he asked.

“Teach you what? To speak Japanese?” I asked.

“Yeah… and maybe Martial Arts too?” he added shyly.

“hmmmmmmmm.” I turned and looked out over the garden for a moment, then turned back toward Matthew and said “Those are not dumb questions. The only dumb question is the one you fail to ask that prevents you from learning. But before I would agree to teach you anything I would be speaking to your father… and your mother. I also want to know that you are serious when you ask to learn something. By that I mean, do you commit to it and not just waled away the moment things become a challenge or difficult…. I am sorry but I have to ask… are you a quitter?”

Matthew shrugged and said “I don’t know. I play hockey and like that a lot. Mom never really lets me do things like… well what I asked. She thinks studying Martial Arts is kind of stupid and makes fun of it when I ask. If I said I wanted to learn Japanese she would make fun of that too. I go to a French language school, but French is pretty easy.”

“So you can play hockey and speak french as well?” I said. “That’s good to hear… My French is terrible.” I added laughing.

“Yes, but I… Japanese is so cool. I really want to learn it.” he said.

“Well, we will see but we better go see you parents.” I said and we got up to join them.

That was the first conversation Matthew and I ever had. It set a tone for our relationship with each other that has endured to this day. Matthew is very much like his father, a thoughtful and intelligent young man with a compassionate spirit and a gentle heart.

When we walked in the house Peter was standing in the kitchen at the counter with Jessica. They had been watching us talk. I knew it had to be hard on her, given the situation.

We sat together again, with Matthew at first, and basically just found out more about him to help us understand his motivations and his needs. When we were done speaking Matthew went with his Mother to help her get upstairs and settle in for the night.

Peter was simply exhausted. I went with him to his old bedroom and he got onto the bed. I helped him to undress and he fell asleep in the middle of a sentence. I should have been as tired as he was, but needed to think for awhile about all I had heard and ensure I was prepared myself.

I wandered downstairs and made tea. Once I had a cup, I went back into the yard and sat down at the patio table. This was going to be different, but it also offered opportunity and was going to be possibly the most rewarding thing I had ever done. I was not a mother, but I was confident that I could be a help to Peter and at least a good mentor and friend to Matthew.