Michael was 35. A relatively young age to already have three grown, or mostly grown sons. He'd been only 16 when he'd accidentally ended up with a son. And then another two years later and then another two years after that. None of them planned. And then he'd ended up alone, to raze them. It had been tough. They demanded so much time and resources. And they'd been living in just okay apartments. Moving from one decent place to another slightly better place for years. Uprooting them every few months. Then he'd found this deal and invested everything to buy the house. It was worth uprooting his family for once again.
But still, the bills were hard to pay. Especially for Urial who kept getting into trouble. Vandalism and so forth. Michael had been able to keep him out of trouble with the law so far, but only barely. By paying dearly for the broken or stolen property his son was responsible for. And now Urial was in the bathroom, trapped in the floor. And he'd connected to it too. Finally under control and out of trouble, for the moment at least. Even if it was just today, it was such a relief to know that he was safe and sound in place. And unable to do any more damage.
Mark sat down next to his dad on the front porch of the house. Urial's outraged shouted curses didn't reach outside. The old walls were good at least. Solid.
“He quite fits that role,” he said, in a casual, joking kind of way.
“Heh. I know what you mean. Kind of wish we could just leave him like that.” Mark waited several seconds, before daring to say what they were both thinking.
“Why not?” The answer his dad gave had nothing to do with the moral implications or anything like that. Just,
“People would find out.” Mark titled his head a little.
“Not necessarily...” he said cautiously. He couldn't believe that he was actually giving voice to any of this. “We've kind of dropped off the map a bit. He hasn't enrolled in any schools yet. Has no student loans. Has never voted or payed taxes. And I'm pretty sure he ended all of his relationships back home very sorely. Don't think any of his x-friends would want to see him. And for all anyone around here knows, we're a family of three.” Michael shifted on the steps, thinking over the unthinkable.
“I could do something about his paper trail. One little bribe would do it. But what about his facebook, email, bank account?”
“Oh, you leave that to me and Ashley,” Mark said, confidently.
Michael sat quiet for a full minute. Mark spoke again.
“And he could do just fine the job of the pipe he broke. No reason not to. He'll actually be of use and it's way cheeper then buying a new pipe and floor and redoing it all.” Still his dad hesitated. Shifting uneasily. Mark saw the slight hint of an erection in his dad's pants.
“He'll do well being helpless for a change. You know how badly things turn out when he has too much freedom.” Mark tried to sweeten the pot. “And think of all the money you'll save by keeping him there. He wont have to enroll in some expensive school. His food can be cheep and easy. He wouldn't get in the way or in trouble any more. He'll have no use for his cloths anymore. All these expensive things he no longer needs now that he's just a urinal. And it's for his own good as well. You saw it too, right. He liked being treated this way. Better then watch him some day end up in prison or worse, right?” His dad sighed with a half smile.
“Alright. Let's do it. But remember, it's a big responsibility. We've all got to do our part in taking care of him.” Mark smiled.
“Gladly. But let's say 'it'. Not 'him'.”
“Yes. I think that'd be best too,” his father said. “We've all got to do our part in taking care of it.”