Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:38:47 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: The Beneficial 7

The Beneficial
by:  dnrock(dnrocl@rock.com)


7: Life's Little Complications

Eddy and Charley were wound up like little, cheep clocks.  Earlier that
Friday night they, Edith and Tom, took them to watch Richard and Nate play
football.  The older boys were on opposing teams, attending different high
schools.  The older boys were double dating after the game, an action that
was not quite comprehensible to Charley and Eddy.  Why would our brothers
want to go out with girls they didn't know very well, instead of spending
the time with them?  Edith listened, chuckling to herself, wondering how
Tom, who she was quite sure was gay, would answer that question.

Tom answered by telling them a little about Tommy and Garth's teenage
exploits.  He often answered questions with little stories. Eddy and
Charley were getting accustomed to it.  Tom started out with a brief
discussion of hormones and physical maturity.  Charley was howling with
laughter when Tom told them how he and Garth would sneak up on Wayne and
Beth when they were making out, "in our dad's car, parked in your grandpa's
driveway".  We would make animal noises and rattle chains anything to
disturb them.  Wayne would finally chase them down the road toward home but
"he never could catch us".

"Maybe he didn't want to," Charley added.

"Probably not, that would have ended the game and with games like that, it
never winning that counts, only playing."

Tom wondered how serious a question this was, since he knew both boys were
more than aware of the sexual attraction teenage girls and boys have for
each other.  They sure knew how nice it is to kiss their big brothers for
them, it took little imagination to understand why the girls would also be
attracted.  Perhaps they were putting on a show for Edith.  Perhaps Eddy
was still thinking Tom and Edith would from some kind of relationship.

Edith, had never been to a high school football game before.  In fact, she
had never been to any kind of organized sporting event before.  She hoped
Tom would explain things, in terms she could understand.  She hoped Nate's
parents and Rita would attend, perhaps she was not the only female who
didn't understand football.  Edit was beginning to realize just how much
she missed, she never dated and she never had any teenage, outside school,
male friends.  "Not only did that bastard rob me of my dignity and my
identity, he robed me of my youth," she thought.

The families were all there, Nate's parents and siblings as well as
Richard's mom.  Every time either boy was involved in a tackle the mothers
gasped and the men cheered.  Charley and Eddy thought it looked like a
whole lot of fun.  Nate's date is Jane, he finally made contact with her.
Richard's girl is a small but vibrant young lady he met in his English
class.  Charley and Eddy latched onto the girls and being so cute, they
fawned over them the whole time.  Fortunately neither team could kick a
successful field goal, so the score ended in a 14 all tie.  The girls did
not know each other before this night but seemed to get along.  Some how
the boys convinced the girls to let them ride home in the mini-van.  Tom
was sure the older boys did not want their little brothers horning in on
their romance time but Jane and Alice both insisted it would not be a
problem.

Tom suggested to Edith that it was probably for the best, "now the boys
would know their brother's dates and you will have a simpler time getting
them to bed and I can reinforce the, be at home not later than time, when
Charley and Eddy are dropped off."

"Hi guys, thanks for delivering the boys, would you like a coke or
something?"  Charley and Eddy ran up stairs to get some stuff, as it was
time for Edith to start getting them ready for bed.  They would spend the
night at her house.

"No, thanks Tom, we have only about 30 minutes before the movie starts."
Fortunately the movie theater was only a short drive from the townhouse.

"I assume you young ladies have some kind of curfew?"

"Yes, Dr. Anderson, midnight," Jane Replied.

"You know you need not be so formal with me Jane, we're extended family,
Alice you can call me Tom."

"Are you and Richard related?"

"Yes, we have a common great, great grandmother or something like that.
Remember Richard, you are to take Eddy to Harold's in the morning."
Richard grunted a response as Eddy and Charley bounded down the stairs.

"Dad, there is a naked man sleeping on your bed."

"I think it's, uncle Garth."

"Settle down please, and if someone is sleeping, being a little quiet might
help," Edith said looking at Tom for an explanation.

They were all looking at Tom for an explanation.  Tom reached behind his
chair and pulled out Garth's hat with the captain's ensign on it.  Placing
it on his head.

"Flight 001 departing for the movie theater, please fasten your seat
belts."  Everyone laughed.

"It is uncle Garth," Charlie exclaimed.  Edith caught Eddy and Nate grabbed
Charley, as they were about to bound up the stairs again.

"Thanks, yes it is Garth, he just arrived from Amsterdam, he will stay
until Monday.  Right now, he just flew for 12 hours and is just a little
tired.  You can introduce him to Alice on Sunday Richard.  Your welcome too
Jane.  I will host a little bar-b-cue in the afternoon."

Richard looked panic stricken.

"Rita already said she could not make it, so don't worry Richard.  Now you
young people run along to your movie, before it stats without you, and
remember the rules."  The teen looked puzzled.  "Rule number one is have
fun, rule number two is be safe and rule number three is have lots of fun."

With that he discreetly shoved a twenty into Richard's and Nate's hands,
receiving appreciatively questioning looks, Tom just winked.  Everyone said
good by to everyone and the teens departed.

"Did you tell Rita that Garth was here, Tom?"

"No, I guess I omitted the fact he was coming from my invitation."

Edith smiled widely, with a very knowing smile.  She was now more sure then
ever that Tom knew more about Rita's problem with Garth then he was letting
on.

"Flight 002 departing for bed."

Tom collected good night kisses from Charley and Eddy.

Nate and Richard quietly came in a little after twelve.  Tom and Garth were
petting and talking, laying in each others arms, naked on top of the bed.
"Fuck me Garth, do it now, I need you in me."  Tom was pulling Garth on top
on him, spreading his legs wide opening himself to his lover.  That other
person to whom he had bonded and dedicated himself so many years before.
Garth lifted his tall frame up guiding his long hard penis into Tom's open,
inviting hole.  Garth could feel his lovers inner warmth and that special
feeling of security, as Tom's sphincter clamped around the bass of his
cock, holding him inside, not wanting to let go and Garth not wanting to be
let go.  Garth began to take his long slow strokes trying to make maximum
contact with his buddy's prostrate, to deliver the maximum pleasure
something equitable to his own pleasure.  Tom pulling him against his
prostrate form.

Nate and Richard appeared at the open bedroom door and could see the two
lovers engaged in passion, bathed in the soft light of the bed-lamps.
Richard froze and gasped.  Nate did not understand why his friend had
frozen in his tracks and stood motionless in the hall.  Transfixed, to a
seen he had seen hundreds of time before, participated in, with both men.

Nate realized something profound was happening but he had no understand
what it was.  Nate looked at Richard and into the room.  This was not lust
it was pure passion, that was obvious.  Nate and Richard having been highly
stimulated by the girls and now seeing this passion were more then ready to
join the men but both hesitated.  Nate acted taking Richard's hand and
gently pulling him from his trans-fixation into the other bedroom.

"Is something wrong, what its it," Nate asked?

"He, he...he has the mark, the same mark."

Tom clamped down on his lovers penis, he was exerting the maximum
sustainable pressure on the penis, trying to drive his Garth over the edge.
Usually Tom savers these times and works hard to prolong his lovers ardor
but not this time.

"Let yourself go Garth, fill me with your essence of lust and passion."
Garth ejaculated and collapsed against Tom's chest.  "Go to him Garth, go
to your son, listen to your heart not your brain, he needs his father, go."

Garth went.  Gently touching Nate's shoulder he pointed to the next room as
he changed places with the boy.  Nate went, he did not understand why this
was happening but he went without protest.

"Welcome home dad."

"Welcome home son."

It was a little after eight when Eddy and Charley bound up the stares
again.  They stood in the hall looking a bit confused, Nate was in Tom's
room and Garth was in his room with Richard.  They knew what they had to
do.  Eddy jumped into the bed with Richard and Garth kissing Richard trying
to wake him up.  Garth and Richard reacted by tickling the boy almost to
the point of tears.  Somehow during the fray Eddy spotted Garth's birth
mark, he had seen Richard's many times.  After the tickling stopped, Eddy
got Garth to roll over and his little hand traced the outline, of the
reddish brown diamond shape blotch on Garth's butt.

Eddy may only be nine but he is sharp and sensitive.  He knew immediately
this was a sign of kinship, although he would not have used that term.
Richard was watching his LB and his newly recognized dad.

"Now we both have dad's don't we?"

Richard, chocking back 16 yeas of emotion just, nodded.

"Well you better get dressed, I have my voice lessons, you know."

Later that evening Tom sat Richard and Garth down for a little chat.  He
reviewed the emotions from both sides.  All the unanswered questions
Richard had, all the guilt feelings Garth had.  Telling them they must rid
themselves of these ghosts.

"I made a promise, took an oath," Garth was blubbering,

"In for a penny in for a pound, man," Tom Said.

Richard had strong feelings about his mom too.  Tom being Tom and not
having a direct emotional tie to the affair, could be scientific and
analytical about it.  First Garth's feelings were addressed.  He always had
questions and had he known he would have tried to have been there for the
boy, he had a duty.  Tom pointed out Richard had plenty of male role models
in his life and lots of men willing and able to step up and help if and
when needed, including Garth.  He had nothing to feel guilty about, Richard
never wanted for anything physical or emotional except a car which Garth
took care of.  Richard had questions his mother could not or would not
answer.  Now they are answered in general terms.

"We can't go back and change things, they are what they are." Tom told
them.

"I think Richard needs to know as much about all this as you can tell him.
He needs to understand where everyone in this mess is coming from," Tom
suggested.

Garth explained as much as he knew, even telling Richard who the other
three potential sperm donors were.  Richard responded by telling Garth he
knew the others of course and they had all been nice to him just as
everyone in the family was but it was only Garth that ever took a real
interest in him, an interest that went a little beyond the general interest
all family members share.  Richard still had a few questions but those were
the kind of thing only his mom could answer.

Garth wanted to have legal recognition of his sperm donation, so Richard
could enjoy some of the kinship benefits, like free travel passes on the
airline.  Tom agreed to look into it.  Richard asked Eddy to use his spirit
eyes and tell him what he sees.

Eddy sat on Garth's lap, looking both serious and proud at the same time,
he looked into his big blue eyes.  "I see Tom, love for Tom devotion to my
dad, I see a desire to love Richard and I see lust for me," He kissed
Garth's cheek, "not on this trip big boy, Richard's got your ticket
punched."

Tom suggested for the near future they keep everything cool and low key.
Garth could become Richard's mentor at 18.  Rita can do nothing about that
since it is a choice between man and boy.  Many of those relationships
become like father and son, it will just seem natural.  Garth also admitted
the reason he took the Amsterdam assignment was to remove himself from the
situation but now that he had gotten to know Richard and now that Richard
knew the truth, he regretted having done it.

Richard understood the magnitude of his sacrifice, being two years away
from home and his lover, to protect his relationship with his mother.  He
was greatly moved and said so, everyone was hugging and crying.  Some how
Nate, Charley and Eddy managed to keep quiet throughout his whole thing.
They all formed a circle taking their pants down, each one taking the cock
of the man or boy next to him in hand, one cock in each hand.  Tom said
some things in Greek and they all swore on the phallus of Apollo, to keep
this secret until released by Garth and Richard.

This is the down side of any kind of large group or extended family.
Richard could have himself declared an emancipated youth and move in with
Tom if he chose to do so.  Now something like that might not sit well with
his uncle or grandparents.  Rita would loose face and that would cause a
rift.  The Apollo's would be forced to support the youth, should he call on
them to do so.  The league would have no choice but to back its member.
The pressure would be on to see that the two sides came to some reasonable
understanding.  Parents and children should not be at odds and they would
work hard for harmony.  Since Richard's conception was aided by the
societies and they have taken an active part in Richard's upbringing,
everyone would get involved.  Tom and Garth knew this.

What they did not completely understand was why Rita wanted a child but not
the husband that usually would have accompanied it.  Richard only knew that
his mom was not interested in men and preferred female sex partners,
several had lived with her while he was growing up.  He also told them that
at one point he overheard Rita telling one of her lovers that she hoped he
would become a real mama's boy and always stay in her home.  The lover
liked him well enough but was not real pleased with that idea.  That one
did not last all that much longer.  Perhaps she did not want to share his
affection with any man or any other woman, Tom thought, or maybe she was
going through an early change in life.

For the remainder of the weekend Richard and Garth spent as much time as
they could in the most intense sexual relationship they could muster.  They
enjoyed each other's bodies in every way they could possibly think of,
except S & M which neither is interested in.  This was not a father and son
or a man and boy but a bonding of two friends.

This was one packed weekend, Tom hoped the boys did not have any pressing
homework, he was damn sure, it wouldn't be getting done if they did.  Just
as he was reaching for a cup of coffee the back door bell rang.  It was
about 10 am, Tom wondered who it might be.  Through the window he could see
a small blond boy dressed in jeans and a plaid shirt.

"Hi Conrad, looking for Eddy?"

"Yes Dr. Anderson, can he come out and play?"

"No," Tom said.  Conrad looked sadly at the ground and started to turn
away.  Tom scooped him up into his arms.  "Eddy is not home yet, that's why
he can't come out and play."

Conrad was quite surprised to be scooped up and smiled both at the rush of
excitement and Tom, gentle explanation.  "Why do you always fool me, sir"

"Because I like you Conrad and your my son's friend, so your my friend too
and its right here in my new dad's handbook" Toms finger finding his ribs,
"rule number six, new dad's should make a point of teasing all his new
son's friends."  Tom began tickling the boy's ribs getting a big smile and
a bigger giggle.  "Lets go in because I know two other boys who would like
to play with you, Nate and Charley are in the playroom."  Tom carried him
in and sat him on the counter.  "What is your phone number Conrad?"

"It is 277-6521."

"Mrs. Sample, this is Tom Anderson, Eddy's dad, Conrad is here playing with
Eddy's cousins until Eddy gets home, I thought you should know where he is.
Yes, in the townhouse across the drive from Edith's, number 401.  No, he is
no trouble, in fact Charley is also eight and maybe between Conrad and
himself they can keep Nate who is 16 in some kind of line. Any snacks or
drinks Conrad shouldn't have?

Later that afternoon Tom was roller balding and the boys were on their
skate boards.  Mrs. Sample was in the back of her townhouse across the
green as the tribe approached.  Tom came up behind Conrad startling the boy
and his board, plucked him up, holding him high above his head and swung
him down again back on his board.  Conrad was squealing with delight the
whole time.  Pulling up to Mrs. Sample the tribe stopped. " Mom this is
Tom, uh I mean Dr. Anderson, he said I can call him Tom."

Tom smiled and nodded his agreement and they shook hands.

"I'm Debby, she replied.  It's a pleasure to meet you, Conrad has talked
about little else over the past several weeks."

"Eddy came up, dad, can Conrad come to our music lessons, It was him
playing mom's drum kit, he's a natural."  Tom rolled his eyes, showing
Debby he knew Eddy had taken advantage of the situation.

"Nate do you think you can handle these monsters while I speak with
Mrs. Sample?"

"Duh!" Nate responded with his teenage exasperated voice.

"Nathan," Tom responded.  Nate immediately realized Tom's displeasure and
as he had been trained to do, snapped to attention.

"Sir."

"Nate that was a rhetorical question, if I didn't have 100% confidence in
you I would not have asked, Duh" Now Tom was smiling, the boys were all
laughing including Nate as they headed down the asphalt path.

Tom and Debby talked a bit.  "Conrad, just seemed to pick up the drums like
he knew what he was doing.  I think he had fun playing, so why not send him
over to our Wednesday night group music lessons.  Edith's drum kit is large
enough to share for the beginning stuff?"

"How much would the lessons cost?"

"No cost, the fees are already taken care of, one more won't matter.  Look,
he may not like it anyway and in that case you make no investment."

"But if he does, then what?"

"Well, put twenty five dollars a week into a special bank account and if he
likes it you will quickly save enough cash to purchase a starter kit."

Tom realized Debby was still hesitant and with a toddler in the house and a
husband that worked long hours was probably concerned about noise and
practice times.

"Conrad can keep his kit in my rec. room, which is sound proofed and
practice there, that is what Edith does."

"Do you play Tom?"

"Yes, I play at the trombone, so does Eddy."  She smiled.

"Con always wanted to play the drums but he never had the chance, I guess
giving that chance to junior is what he would want."

"You need not commit yourself today.  Lessons are at 7 on Wed.  Richard can
escort Conrad to and from."

"He is such a nice boy, Richard, are you sure he won't mind?"

"I know he will be honored.  The Big Brothers like Richard and Nate expect
to be given this type of assignment for their little brothers and his LB's
best friend.  In return they get a full academic scholarship to university
or college."

"And a car?"

"No, the car is an extra, I trust Richard but he is still only 16 and can
get into a lot less trouble driving a 2.8 mini-van instead of my 300M."
Debby smiled a knowing smile.

"My dad did the same thing when my brothers were 16 but he always let me
drive his car."

Tom suddenly had the Beach Boy's singing "Will have fun, fun, fun, now that
daddy took the T-Bird away," running in his head.

.............................

"Tom, it is so good of you to come."

"You may not think so, when you get all the facts, Pauline."

"Nonsense, that's my job and I love doing it.  I've been an adjudicator all
my life, the middle child of three girls.  It was a natural to become a
judge.  You will never know how many family squabbles I've resolved before
they got out of control.  Before we start though, I want to thank you for
being a "friend of the court", on the Mendes brother's case.  I hope you
would be willing to assist my court in the future."

"Yes, of course, if I can help."

"I knew you would say that but I had to ask, no one likes to be taken for
granted.  This, I take it, is not strictly a social call but has some
family implications?"

Tom outlined the situation, He figured Pauline had some knowledge already
but just laid out all the facts and speculations he had.

"I figured that if Rita got wind of Garth's and Richard's intentions she
will assume conspiracy and all hell will brake loose.  That is why I am
here seeking your help."

"You have done the right thing, I think, I can not guarantee the outcome,
of course.  And like you men, I have no real knowledge of Rita's thinking
or reasons.  So your speculations are as good as any for now.  As I see it,
two lines of reasoning must be explored.  First, the strictly legal.  Garth
and the others were not of legal age and could not make binding contracts.
Since the law would see the service provided as procurement, nor could any
of the adults involved.  I also doubt any papers were signed so the
contract exists in Tort.

On the moral and ethical side.  Sperm donation and acceptance is acceptable
behavior.  From the family's view, how that donation was made, is also
acceptable since it was not made under duress or pressure.  Garth, being
under aged could not give away his parental claim, in a legal sense and it
could be argued not in a moral sense, being underaged.  Had the small
inherited birth mark not been noticed or not been inherited, than no one
would know short of DNA testing."

"I thought the family maintained complete DNA records of all members?"

"It does but those results are sealed and can only be used for medical
purposes.  Garth, Richard, Rita or the others could submit sample to a
privet lab at their own expense but to what purpose.  Legally, Garth can
insist that Richard be issued a new birth certificate, listing him as the
biological father.  He could calm other parental rights and the courts
would probably grant them, if they involved some important moral or
inheritance questions.  Just getting him covered by Garth's company benefit
plan, well I'm not sure, I doubt it.  I take it by your presence here, you
do not want any kind of legal squabble?"

"That is correct, Garth wants to get to know the boy better, he sees some
of himself in him, all parents look for those things in their children.
Richard wants the same thing.  They are becoming friends, all be it
inspired by kinship, not driven by it.  Garth had some guilt centered
motives in the beginning but I think our meeting a few weeks ago put those
to rest.  Richard always wondered about himself, some of his feelings,
likes and dislikes and so on that seemed at odds with his mom's family.  He
feels getting to know Garth better has already answered many of them.  It
is the Nature vs Nurture inquiry and the learning about self that all teens
go through.

Garth wants Richard to visit him in Amsterdam for example, he will site all
the benefits of travel, a new culture and so on.  He wants to spend time
alone with the boy to share some of his ideas and thoughts.  Richard, would
jump at the chance for the same stated reasons, plus he thinks he wants a
career in aviation.  Tom pointed out that Garth could mentor him at 18 and
that will likely happen."

"From the family's moral contract point a view a promise made should not be
broken.  If I find those boys were made completely aware of all the
implication than she can insist on the terms being carried out.  The
wrinkle is the birthmark.  If those two discovered that by accident as you
describe, the cat is out of the bag, by no fault of anyone.  Did you ask
Wiley if he ever noticed?"

"Yes, I did.  I asked him if he ever noticed the mark on Richard's butt.
He had.  I asked him if he ever seen anything like it before, he said yes,
but could remember on who, exactly when or just how similar it was.  Wiley
knows nothing but if any more questions are asked he will figure it out,
you can bet on that.  Hell, I figured it out for my self and Eddy saw it
immediately but he is short enough to have a better view."

"I would have thought that possibility would have been covered in the
selection process"

"Me to, but remember there were only 4 that made the cut, and if no one
asked the question, Garth probably never thought to mention it.  It appears
to be passed only to males.  Garth's sisters do not have it nor did his
father's sisters as far as we know.  Garth remembers being asked if he knew
of any reason he should not donate.  That was 16 years ago and his
knowledge of genetics was limited, besides a small birth mark is no reason
to withhold his sperm."

"I agree, in fact, I suspect they all thought this was a perfect plan to
keep the sperm donor anonymous.  It almost worked and had those two not
been showering next to each other and Garth not bent over or had Richard
been looking in a different direction, it would have."  Tom had modified
the circumstances of discovery a little, he felt it better to keep the
thing simpler.  "I also think Rita's expectation of never having any non
society related contact between the boy and his biological father
unrealistic.  Her expectation that the four boys not seek this contact, is
in hind sight perhaps harsh but not unrealistic."

"That is part of the problem.  Garth and Richard are not willing to suspend
ex-society contact, they could try and keep it a secret.  Garth and I are a
couple and everyone knows that, I am Eddy's sponsor and Richard is his BB.
I can not refuse any of them access to my home.  I will not refuse to share
my bed with my lover or my time and my home with my adopted son and his BB.
Rita can say anything she want's but none of us knew this before all these
arrangements were made, before the cat got out of the bag, as it were.  If
she pushes Richard, he will rebel and were are not talking about a tattoo
or earring, he will leave home.

If he rebels the men will have no option but to support him.  If need be he
can patient the court for emancipation and Garth will see to it he has the
financial resources.  These are not threats, I don't mean them to sound
that way, but we both know that or something like it will happen.  If this
ever gets to open court in an attempt to stop it, the only claim she can
make would be the suggestion of inappropriate sexual behavior between them.
I don't know about the WGRS but the MBRS could not allow that to happen."

"That is why we have the job of adjudicator to make sure charges true or
false like that are never made public.  On the face of it, Rita is acting
from some misguided idea or out of selfishness.  One might suggest Garth
and Richard are being a bit selfish too but their actions are, I believe,
understandable.  I suspect Garth is just being Garth, he feels he should be
there for the boy, just as he was there for you when you need him, not
guilt, but duty.  Richard is curious and as you said finding himself,
defining himself, that is normal and natural.

I suspect Rita does not understand the male's need for self definition, she
forgets she has two loving parents a brother and a sister.  I will have to
interview Wiley about Rita attitudes towards him and the like but I will be
careful not to give him any hint why.  Richard will need to share with him
soon however, I can't see a Little Brother or Sister keeping something like
this hidden from their older counterparts very long."

"I had not thought about it but you are right.  We can trust Wiley to keep
our confidence perhaps Richard should share with him right away.  If you
don't ask him directly he will not feel the need to lie."

"Do you think Richard will want to change his name, names do cary an
emotional charge for some?"

"No I think he is more than happy being a Big Chief and Garth has no
illusions, lets face it, the only name more common in Minnesota than
Andersen is Anderson.  Although Richard might opt for a hyphenated last
name Big Chief-Andersen. "

"That is what you did with Eddy isn't it.  No, Edith told me Strong was a
made up name anyway, which carried some emotional baggage for her but none
for Eddy.  It carried no traditions or heritage, she was easy about it.  I
think it was easier for her because it was Eddy's idea and request.  Edith
also felt it was another insulating layer between him and her past.  She
has never told me anything about that past, except she changed her name
before Eddy was born and his biological father and grand parents were dead.
The anger and hurt in her voice tell me that may not be the complete truth.

How will you proceed or can't you tell me?"

"I think I will conduct some fact finding by interviewing everyone involved
and looking for written documentation, keeping Rita to last.  Once I have
the story from all sides I think being straight up with her is the best
policy.  In the end I may have to call the parties into a mediation.  The
parties in this case would be Rita, Garth and Richard.  Under the societies
rules a child must ask for a councilor/advisor/spokesperson, since the
parties are his parents.  If it comes to that I will give you a suggested
name or two to present to Richard, since he is a senior he can choose.  At
this point I think his grandmother Big Chief but let me see.  I can almost
always get these situations settled without going to formal mediation."

"Is this situation unique or are there others?"

"I do not know of any but than we do not go around asking our single
mothers these questions do we, every child in this family is of equal
status and if the dispute never gets to mediation there is no record.  And
that dear Tom is all I am prepared to tell you."

Tom departed feeling good and feeling very depressed.  He felt good about
Richard and Garth, he felt depressed by Pauline's comment.  She could not
have know that every time any reference to his late LB the boy he loved as
life itself, the love that died in his arms, was like a arrow ripping into
his heart.  It was Garth that stood by him, shared his pain and his joy, it
was Garth that made life tolerable and eventually livable.

........................

Mrs. Wilneske was sitting behind her desk as Edith and Tom entered the
room.  She was a short, stoutly built, young lady with the largest breasts
Tom had ever seen on a live person.  He chuckled to himself that if she
wasn't so well endowed around the bottom, she certainly could not exist in
a stable up right position.  If Edith had any thoughts on the subject she
kept them.  Mrs. Wilneske had a delightful wide smile, a clear, strong but
not harsh voice and a wonderful twinkle in her eye.  She was a person who
liked what she did and liked to have a good time doing it.

"Your...your...the Dr. Anderson from the newspaper," she gasped.

"Yes, I guess I am but my friends call me Tom.  This is Eddy's mother the
vivacious Ms. Strong, or Edith to her friends."

While Mrs. Wilneske heaped praise on Eddy for this manners, performance and
out going personality, Tom looked around the room inspecting the text books
and so no.

"Mrs. Wilneske, I know this has nothing to do with you but these books are
out of date and in some cases just wrong."

"Budget cuts you know, no new books, increases in class size, no PE, Music
or Art, those are frills," she said with a mix of sarcasm, sadness and hurt
in her voice.  "If I had the governor in here I would sure tell him a thing
or two.  Music is my specialty but I can't teach it any longer.  Not part
of the new underfunded program.  But I do you know, at least to my third
grade class.  The children love to sing and Eddy has the voice of an angel.
He told me about his privet lessons.  Good for you two, thank you for
recognizing his talent."

"Did he tell you that he has soloed at several concerts?"

"Yes he said it was just family."

"True but that family had about 600 in the audience and his accompanist was
Carl Rolvogson.  I think I can get that audience with the governor for
you."

"The whole class likes to sing, as I said, and there are a number of good
voices, nothing as special as Eddy, but good voices that could benefit from
a general music education.  Do you think you can actually get me in to see
the governor?"

"Yes, I can guarantee it, if not Eddy will have to find a new accompanist,"
Tom chuckled.

Edith interjected, "I've been following the news and the problem is less in
the governor's office as in the Legislature."

Tom was off, his scheming mind world figuring out just how to take
advantage to all this.

"I don't have the journalistic clout of the editorial page, and those
dinosaurs will probably try and keep my next few science columns out to the
paper but don't be surprised it you see some harsh words about the text
books for starters.  On the music and art side, I have some other ideas."

Edith rolled her eyes, she did not know Tom all that well yet and she did
not want to get into Eddy's recent adoption or the fact that they were not
married or even a family.  She certainly did not want to admit that she had
no trust or truck with men, except Tom a little.  Edith kept her council.

"I have the children come in early at lunch and we sing, most of them like
it but that is not much teaching, just a bit of fun and practice."

"That's good to know, by the way, will the kids have some seasonal songs
ready, for say late November or early December?"

"Why yes we have six now and I think another 4 or five by then, none are
religious of course."

"Edith, why not get this and perhaps other grade school classes to sing on
the weekends at the department store?"

"I don't know Tom, I'm just a bookkeeper you know."

"You have a lot more power than you give yourselves credit.  Are there
other ex-music teachers in the city doing what you are doing with their
classes?"

"Yes, I can think of at least 5 others."

"Do you think the store has say two or three K of local area advertising
budget, unallocated?"

"Why sure they have that much but I don't have the authority..."  Tom
stopped her,

"Lets see... rent some risers, the store has a PA system already I'll bet,
rent some school buses, to get the kids to and from; just give them some
drinks and hot-dogs, that should not be more then a few thousand total,
with loads of super good PR for the store.  It's a winner.  The three of us
will have to donate some time to organizing and coordinating.  How does
that sound?"  The ladies agreed sounded good.  "Just leave the rest to me.
I will e-mail you with instructions but I am sure I can get Carl to show
up.  I should have gone into PR, not science."

"Tom are you sure you know what you are doing with this singing thing,"
Edith asked?

"I am positive I don't, we will embarrass those baboons in the legislature
for their inaction and tight fisted-ness.  The only reason we have not seen
stable school funding is those bastards haven't figured out how to put it
into the pork barrel.  This will be real good, especially when Carl
accompanies Eddy for a sort of impromptu solo."

"Will Carl go along with this," Edith inquired?

"He will when he realized how many reporters are going to be on hand.  TV
images of him playing as Eddy sings with the kids in the background, got to
be 50 thousand votes in it.  Followed by some Q & A with the press and
Mrs. Wilneske, Dr. Anderson... giving Carl a chance to put the heat on the
legislature.  After all, he submitted a tight budget that they are trying
to cut even further... Oh the beauty of it all, just imagine when Eddy
tells Carl he has a duty to represent him and all the other children's
educational interest; because they don't have a voice and no one listens to
us kids.  Giving Carl a chance to pledge his support toward the interests
of the children, societies greatest treasures.  That's an election winner
if I ever heard one."

"What do I need to do, go to Stephen?'

"No, not directly, you need to present your plan and budget, less Carl and
me, to the advertising department, with a copy to Stephen, you volunteer to
work with the teachers and organize that part, their department can do all
the remainder, since that is in there area of expertise and budget.
Attached to Stephen's copy a note that says something like, I'm willing to
trade a few Saturdays for other days off at your pleasure, so our
department's budget is not effected, if that helps.  If I know Stephen he
will be all over the PR VP to let you run with this and don't be surprised
if you get a new temporary assignment from that VP."

"I don't know Tom, I've never done anything like this before.  What if I
can't do it?"

"Neither have I but it sure sounds like fun, just remember it's not for us,
it for the kids.  Ask Eddy, there is no shame in failing a try but great
shame in not trying at all.  The store management knows this is new for you
and they will give you all the support possible, they will not let you
fail, if they do, they fail.  I will not let you fail either.  Remember the
store gets millions in free publicity and PR, every parent of the singers,
no matter how good or bad they are, will think you ladies are heroes, Carl
gets his public exposure and the legislature gets to submit to public
pressure and do the right thing, kicking and screaming to the next
election.  Ah Democracy, ain't it great!"

.......................

Eddy climbed up into Tom's lap and placed Tom's hand on his crotch.  He
liked the feeling of being fondled.

"Dad why are those feathers on your desk?"

"Eddy they are a command, a summons to attend a sacred ceremony that
includes Garth, Richard, you and me."

"How do you know?"

"The big Eagle feather is Garth, his Chippewa name is Great Eagle, The Owl
feather is me, I am Quick Owl.  The Jay feather is Richard's sign he is
Gray Jay and the Chickadee is you, the little one.  I think grandfather has
already given you a Chippewa name, he calls you Spirit Eyes, but that will
not be official until after the ceremony.

"I think I get the Garth, Richard and you part but how do I fit in?"

"I am part of the Big Chief clan, all be it through my great-great
grandmother, you are my son so you to have a "birthright", adopted or not,
to clan membership.  But more importantly you are a very special boy,
Grandfather Red Fox, that's Sam, will explain it all to you and Edith.  In
short, you have been identified as being the "anointed one", the boy who
has special spiritual powers.  Grandfather will ask you to become his
apprentice shaman.  Grandfather has been searching for you since,
since....."  Eddy looked up at Tom and could see tears in his eyes.  Eddy
looked into Tom's heart and saw great sadness, great pain and great love.
He placed his small hand on Tom cheek.

"It's all right dad, I know how much it hurts.  I can hear it from
Grandfather Red Fox, please don't cry."  Eddy pushed his face against his
dad's chest.

"No little one, I must speak the unspeakable, I must say the name of the
unnamable, since my LB..... Ted died I have never spoken his name.  Ted was
grandfather's grandson, Richard's cousin, he was my LB, also a distant
cousin and...at 15 he became ill.  I couldn't help him, all I could do was
hold his hand and pray to the great spirit, and every other god I could
think of but he died anyway.  Leukemia, it was aggressive and responded to
no treatment, medical or mystical.  He grew weaker until he could not
speak.  Ted loved the out of doors, he loved the trees and animals, he
loved the stars.  On the last night grandfather came in performed his
ceremony and I carried him to the open field behind the archery range.  I
held him in my arms looking up at the stars until Garth took his limp body
from me.  A Ph.D. in geology meant nothing anymore, I want back and studied
philosophy and religion searching for the answers. Searching to understand
how any god or spirit could be so cruel.  To me, to grandfather, to the
Chippewa, to my beloved Ted.

"How does he know I have special powers?"

"I do not know, he has not spoken to me, all I know is these feathers
arrived today.  I can speculate though.  He told you that you have spirit
eyes didn't he.  You have had dreams and those dreams foretold the future.
Grandfather knows this too.  I did not tell him, you did not tell him, but
he knows.  I can tell by the way he looks at you.  You are not Chippewa,
you are under no obligation to become a shaman."

"Does the Shaman help people?"

"Yes, the Shaman helps his people, he is a spiritual leader for the
Chippewa, mostly the Big Chief Clan."

"Will you still be my dad and Richard my BB?"

"Yes little one, Richard and I are already Clan members and Garth is an
honorary member but since he is Richard's father they will adopt him.  They
will adopt Edith too, if she wants that."

"Will I still be able to become a scientist or philosopher like you dad?"

"Yes, you are free to do what ever your heart desires but you must always
be reasonably physically close to your people.  Grandfather is not that
old, so for many years you will be only an apprentice but when he passes on
you will be expected to replace him.  Part of that replacement will be to
identify your apprentice."

"But what if I don't believe or can't serve Chippewa spirits?"

"I will be here to guide you and help you, many scientists and philosophers
are also believers in one god or spirit or another.  Rational though and
the scientific method explain the world of reality but belief explains the
world of dreams and faith.  I have learned to keep them separated, so can
you.  We do not worship Apollo in the way some men worship their gods but
we know his spirit and honor it."

"Do you want me to become a shaman?"

"I want only what you want.  If you recognize in yourself those special
powers grandfather sees and you have a pure heart, void of greed and avers,
which I know you have and you have and desire to help others, you are a
good candidate."

"You just describe yourself dad, why didn't grandfather pick you?"

"I am short on the special power side of things.  I surely don't have
spirit eyes.  I will be one of your teachers, but I would do that anyway.
Richard will be your BB just like now, except he will teach you to speak
Chippewa, we will all help with that of course."

"Would my becoming a shaman make you happy?"

Tom looked away from the boy, he did not want him looking into his eyes, he
did not want him to know the truth.

"I want only what you want.  Do I think this is an honor"?"  Yes it is.  Do
I think you have special powers?"  Yes I do.  My happiness is a result of
your happiness."

Eddy reached up placing his hands on Tom's face.  His small fingers covered
Tom's eyes.  Eddy concentrated for a long time.

"I know it will make you happy and that you want me to take up the job.  I
know you will never tell me that because you believe our love for each
other would influence my choice.  You want me to make the right decision
for the right reasons.  Dad you just keep thinking over and over how much
you love me."

Tom just smiled, so much for special powers and spirit eyes, science and
engineering win over luck and superstition, this time anyway.

"You tried to explain about family to me.  I kept dreaming about having a
family.  Now I think I understand what that dream was all about, it was not
you and mom and a LB but about something larger.  You are right, I have a
family a real big one and I am being invited to join a part of that real
big family's smaller families.  I have a gift, several gifts in fact.  A
voice to sing, a mind to inquire, a spirit to inspire and a heart to love.
Most of all I have a dad and mom that loves me."

They held each other for some time.

"Dad"

"Yes, son"

"Dad, you must take me to the spirit place before we meet grandfather.  At
the spirit place, under the stars you must release Ted's spirit to me and
to the world, he will have no peace until one of us becomes grandfather's
apprentice."

Tom understood what the boy was saying, he was shocked that Eddy knew about
the spirit place.  He realized that Eddy was correct, Tom must complete his
grieving and that could only be consummated under the stars, at this sacred
location.

The two lovers man and boy slowly entered the bedroom and began releasing
their pent up passion.  In the after glow

"Dad, Garth must come with us he must help us at the spirit place.  You
must hold me between you just as you did Ted and each of you must fuck me."

"Yes son, we will hold you just as we did Ted between us but why the sex,
Ted was to weak and..."

"That is how his spirit will be set free, we should not meet grandfather
until it is done, I will tell him and he will know beyond any doubt I am
the one he as been searching for, I am the anointed one."

While all this was going on and December was approaching, Edith was
beginning to chase her ghosts away for good.  Richard may only be the
Shaman's grandson with no mystical powers but he did have a bit of sexual
magic, in the form of hormone oversupply and some of the most potent
medicinal plants ever grown.  Tom did not like the younger ones to use any
kind of drugs, even beer and wine, although on special occasions he did
allow a small glass of wine or he would share a few sips of beer.

Nate and Richard had found some wild plants growing in a remote part of the
camp during the summer.  While they were not plants Tom had them learn to
recognize, as good sources of wild food, they quickly recognized them for
what they were.  Growing near an old unused trail, they figured the stuff
must be a left over from days gone by.  The boys did not know that these
were the successful remounts of some plant breading experiments and as a
source of medicinal botanicals, Dr. Oleffsen and the shaman both found
useful.  Teenage boys and girls will be teenagers, eager to find their
limits and experiment.  It only took Nate a few mouse clicks to get all the
information he needed, to prepare and cure the plants.

Tom had just put Eddy to bed.  Bed time is a special time for Eddy when he
is alone with Tom.  It would be a special time for any boy whose man was as
devoted to him as Eddy's.  Tom worshiped every inch of his lean smooth
form.  His mouth found ever erotic and ticklish spot on the lads body
bringing him to two dry organisms.

"Fuck me Tom, this boy needs his man in him, all 8+ inches."

"Open for me kid."

Eddy relaxed his sphincter as he had been taught.  Tom's penis slid easily
in and Eddy immediately clamped down.

"I like you in me Tom, I like to feel you balls against my butt, I
especially like to feel your body covering, mine."

Filling Eddy with his semen, with Apollo's energy he kissed his boy, his
little boy lover, his little son, tenderly and repeatedly.  Soon Eddy was
asleep, Tom covered the lad with the silk sheets and made his way to the
kitchen.

This was strange, Nate's car was in the drive and Richard's van was gone.
Had Richard gone to pick up Edith from her night class?  Why didn't they
come in?  Nate is usually not here on a Thursday, where is Charley?  No
lights on at Edith's, they must not be there.  Snow was beginning to fall
and the roads would be slick.  Tom called Edith's cell, turned off she must
still be in class, he left a voice mail.

The snow and cold made Tom think about ice skating.  He loved to ice skate,
he wondered if Eddy would like to skate too.  He thought about Garth, in
the Netherlands, he could skate on a frozen canal, like Hans Brinker.  A
good story that the Dutch know nothing about.  He wondered if this winter
would be cold enough to freeze the canals.  Maybe the northern ones in
Friesland; but then lots of ovals all over the place to skate there.  He
and Garth had been top ranked amateur Speed Skaters, as undergraduates.
They would often go to the indoor oval in West Alice, it was a long drive
from here, seven hours but a short drive from Chicago.  Funny when in
Chicago they seldom went skating, just not enough time.  He got a beer.