Chapter 9

Ray was a bundle of nerves his parents had just rung from a stop on the i90 to say that they would be there shortly.

After the twentieth time Ray circled the kitchen and living room fixing the cushions Ben stepped up and put a hand on his shoulder.

Ray turned into Ben hugging him, "Ben why am I acting so nutty it's just mum and dad right"?

Ben held Ray stroking his hair and back, "You're not acting nutty as you say you're just nervous. Ray it's the first time you're going to see your parents since we have gotten together that is all"

Sighing into Ben's shoulder, "Ya your right Ben"

Dief and Yukon danced around them barking their support.

Ray laughed crouching down to them rubbing them behind the ears, "Ya I love you to"

While Ray took Dief and Yukon for a walk Ben went about making a welcome platter of food knowing that they must be hungry from their travels. He also made sure the apartment was in order and fully stocked with whatever they would need.

Damian and Barbra Kowalski made it to the heart of Chicago and followed the instructions to their son and his partner's home.

Barbra looked out the window as the buildings went by, "I hope Stanley is alright he sounded funny on the phone. Actually he sounded like he did when he was a little boy and he did something wrong"

Damian laughed, "Raymond is fine we haven't seen him in a while its just nerves. Sure you know how he gets anyway we're almost there"

Ray stood at their front door biting his nails watching and waiting for his parent's trailer to pull up.

Ben stood behind Ray wrapping his arms around him, "Relax Ray"

Ray looked back with love in his eyes, "I will Ben, love you"

Ben kissed Ray on the tip of his nose, "I love you to Ray"

Just then the Kowalski trailer pulled into the driveway.

Ray let out a breath he was holing and made his way over to them.

Barbra jumped out and ran to her son and enveloped him in a motherly hug, "Stanley it is so good to see you. Oh my you're so tin are you not feeding yourself. Well your mum is here and I'm going to put some meat on those bones. Where is this fine young man of yours?"

Before Ray could answer his mum had rushed past him to Ben and was already hugging and kissing him talking a mile a minute with him.

Damian chuckled as he got to his son, "Hello Raymond it's good to see you son. I see your mother has already cornered him"

Ray blushed and giggled, "I'd say poor Ben and dad it's good to see you to. I'm glad you took the offer of the apartment"

Damian put and arm around his son, "Thank you son you are a good man and I am sorry for what I did in the past. So this is Ben is he good to you son because I'll kick him in the head if he is not"?

Ray found that amusing, "You don't have to say sorry dad already forgiven and Ben Is the best I couldn't have dreamed for someone better"

Damian sighed, "I do son I treated you terribly and that was not right. You were a good son and you tried so hard in school I just didn't see or understand your learning problems. Then it came to Stella and I'm so sorry we never came to your wedding or the fact just because you decided on becoming a police office I take your mother from you for eight years. That was totally unescapable of me I hope you can forgive my Raymond"

Ray ducked his head, "I will admit dad it hurt a lot when ye did that I couldn't understand what I had done wrong. Dad I've seen a lot of pain in this job. I've seen families torn apart I've seen kids, babies murdered just because one parent wanted the child and didn't want the other to have them. I can't stand the thought of us going back to the not talking thing dad. Ben grew up with no mum and a dad that chose duty over him. So what I'm trying to say badly is I don't want anymore hurt in our family so we will start fresh clean slate what do you say"?

Damien shook his hand, "Clean slate Son, clean slate"

Looking from Ben back to his son, "Well Raymond that's all that matters, come on lets rescue Ben from your mother"

Barbra had run to Ben to hug him, "It's so good to finally meet you properly. You're so tin I swear you boys need putting over my knee. Well mamma Kowalski is here and will fatten you up where is the kitchen"?

Ben's head was spinning she was moving and talking so fast so full of energy he could see where Ray got it from.

They finally made it into the kitchen where a marvellous spread was laid out for them.

Barbra turned, "This is wonderful there was no need to go through all this trouble I would have cooked for you"?

Ray nudged Ben, "Ben made it he figured you'd tired from all the travelling"

Damian was already stuck in to the food, "It's very good and you were right we are very tired from the trip"

They sat and ate for awhile talking and meeting the animals of the house before the yawning started in earnest it was time for them to see their apartment.

Ray took them up talking nervously about the place, "Mum, dad you have your own entrance if you want to use it you can use either it doesn't matter. You have two bedrooms an un-suite and a bathroom. Living room, kitchen you have terrace that looks over the back garden. You have room in the garden if you want to plant anything. The trailer can go at the side of the house. The place is fully stocked if you need anything just ask"

Barbra finally got her son to stop talking, "Stanley dear this is wonderful it's more then we ever imagined. How much is the rent my dear so I can have it ready for you"?

Ray's eyebrows shot up, "Rent what do you mean rent. You are not paying rent don't be silly. This is your home and I will not take money from you"

Barbra started, "Bu"

Shaking his head, "No mum did you once ever ask me or James for rent growing up no you didn't. So why would you think I'd ask you. Enjoy the place ok if you need anything just ask"

Damian was smiling, "Raymond how can I ever thank you enough for this. It is beautiful all I can say is thank you son and I'm proud of you"

Ray swallowed the lump in his throat, "Thank you dad and your welcome. Look get some rest if need us you know where we are ok. Don't be afraid of coming in to the house if the door is locked knock unless you want to see something you shouldn't"

His mum swatted his arm laughing, "Stanley"

Ray turned bright red, "Sorry mum, dad goodnight"

Ray made his way back to Ben while his parents explored their new home.

They couldn't believe how big it was and beautiful it was. It had everything even satellite TV they were so happy to be finally in it. They had the best nights sleep that night then they had in years.

Ray and Ben lay in each others arms trying to go asleep but Ray was wound up about his mum and dad been with them.

Ray finally spoke, "Ben I know what mum said to you but what did dad say to you"?

Ben drew lazy circles on Ray's arm, "He said if I hurt you he'll kick me in the head"

Ray laughed for about the millionth time that day, "That means he loves you everything is going to be ok"

With that last nice thought they drifted off to a comfortable sleep smiling.