Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 15:46:35 EST From: RitchChristopher@cs.com Subject: briarwood:briarwood-u-66 All rights reserved. Copyright held by the author. If you are underage or are offended by gay fiction, containing graphic sex and explicit language, please exit now. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> "BRIARWOOD" Copyright Ritchris, 2005 aka "Whence Cometh My Help" Copyright Ritchris, 2003 Revised Version A dramatic saga by Ritch Christopher <><><><><> BOOK SIX "BRIARWOOD U" Chapter-Sixty-six <><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Psalm 121: 1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from WHENCE COMETH MY HELP. 2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. <<><><><><><> The guest list was confirmed for Cliff's Thanksgiving dinner, well, at least the Friday-after-Thanksgiving dinner. Since Jeff had his own services to attend to at St. Aloysius in Mackintosh, he and Johnny told Cliff that they could come to Briarwood for Friday and Saturday, but they would have to leave Saturday afternoon to make it back to their own Sunday mass. Thus, Thanksgiving dinner would be celebrated twenty-four hours late. Jeff and Johnny would be bringing Alex and Ted. Rob and Timmy had gotten the weekend off from rehearsals of their new Broadway-bound musical. After years of planning, arguing, and finally satisfying all the backers and the former copyright holders, they were launching a revised version of Lerner and Loews's "Brigadoon", but incorporating "Riverdance" type choreography. So in essence, the audience would be getting two shows in one. "Brigadoon" had had several revivals at Lincoln Center and City Center, but the idea of authentic Highland dances had the critics buzzing with great expectation. Too bad Michael Wheatley was involved with his new show in Vegas, because he would have been an ideal choice for the role of Harry Beaton, the sword dancer and rejected suitor of Fiona, Harry Beaton who tries to make Brigadoon disappear forever. Troy had argued with Jay for weeks that stuffed pheasants were not holiday birds, and besides it would take half a dozen to feed the Briarwood boys. So a very disgruntled Jay gave in and ordered turkeys and geese (Canadian geese, to be exact!). Johnny told Jay that he could shoot them and send them fresh from Mackintosh, but this was Jay's menu and he would get the birds himself and let the whole world be damned! Cliff was ecstatic that all his boys would be assembled together for the first time in years. Of course, a few new boys had been added in the past couple of years. Kyle and Ryan had their two new sons, little Pete and Danny. Cliff still had Roger. Walter had a happy relationship with Dave. Ed had accepted his new lifestyle and was blissfully pleased with his newly-found love, Chris. Rob and Timmy had never met Dave, nor Jeff's Johnny. Mike was new to practically all of them, and along with Mike came Tom, the BU quarterback, whom Cliff had "adopted" since Tom had no other family except a distant uncle. Jay checked off the list of guests as he made place cards for everyone...Cliff and Roger, Walter and Dave, Ed and Chris, Jeff and Johnny, Alex and Ted, Kyle and Ryan with little Pete and Danny, Rob and Timmy, Mike and Tom, and of course, Troy and himself. One, two, three...Good Lord! There were now TWENTY Briarwood Boys, counting the dads and adopted dads. Jesus, at the rate they were going, there would be two dozen in just a couple of years more. Jay decided that he would talk to Cliff and Ed about redoing the dining room and getting a larger table. With twenty diners, there were no more leaves to expand their present table. Jay had just dotted the final 'i' and crossed the last "t" on the place cards when the phone rang. It was Cliff calling from his study at the church. "Hello?" Jay answered. "Hey, Jay, how's Briarwood's Martha Stewart and the dinner coming along?" "She's fine, now the fucking Republicans are off her back!" Jay retorted. "I just finished arranging the seating chart and I'm exhausted. I'll soon be in triple digits from the way it looks." "That's the real reason I'm calling, Jay?" "You think I've miscounted?" "No, I'm sure your figures are correct, so far." Cliff chuckled. "What, if I may be so bold to ask, do you mean by 'so far'?" "I was sitting here thinking about the grand occasion...and since it's going to be Friday instead of Thursday, I was wondering about the prospect of inviting Phil and Howie? They'll eat with their families on Thanksgiving day and ALL of us are going to the game, and I just thought it might be nice to invite them and make Tom feel more at home by having a couple of his friends there with him." "Father, don't you dare do this to me! There's no room for any more guests! The table is full except for standing room." Jay screeched. "Aw, Jay, what's two more? I mean, it's the beginning of the holiday season!" Cliff said with a faux plea. "It's commonly known by all of us that you always prepare MORE than enough food. Couldn't we squeeze in two more chairs?" "Maybe, if everyone who's invited goes on a diet and loses twenty-five pounds before Thanksgiving! Better still, why don't we just throw out all the food I'm preparing and you just serve communion to everyone?" "That might not be such a bad idea because I seem to gain ten pounds every time you prepare one of your feasts." Cliff said. "Quit buttering me up, Father, I don't want to elevate my cholesterol! You realize that's going to be twenty-two people, including the two children, don't you?" "Yes, and think how proud you'll be that you cooked for that many. It's a record, isn't it?" "Records went out in the 90's, Father, it's CD's now!" "Haven't you heard? CD's are on the way out, too. Soon, it'll be mini-CD's, about the size of a silver dollar." "Well, if 'MINI' cd's are in, then we might have room for two more guests at the table," Jay conceded. "Father Cliff, you know damned well I can't refuse you anything you ask of me. Of course, there was that ONE time, when I first moved in and we talked about going to bed together...or did we? Lordy Lord! I'm getting so old that I can't remember who or what I've been to bed with." "Better not let Troy hear you say that," Cliff quipped in fun. "Oh, Troy and I made lists a long time ago of every trick or lover each of us had ever had, then we told each other all the details of each name and marked them off as we went. Troy's list was less than half a page, while mine was...well, it rivaled the Manhattan Phone Directory!" "You clown, I know you and you've said your confession to me many times and both of us know you were not that promiscuous!" "Well, I didn't say my confession to Troy. I just let him go on thinking how popular I once was!" "You're still popular, Jay, in my book and Troy's. Now, about Phil and Howie---you're sure you can make room for them?" "As soon as Troy comes home, I'll have him go out into the back woods and chop down a tree to make an extra leaf for the dining table. The pine wood won't match the ebony but I'll cover it with a table cloth and doilies, so no one will know the difference!" "Thanks, Jay." "Think nothing of it! Only if you think of anyone else to invite, you might wonder if the phone is out of order when I don't answer it!" "No more...I promise!" "OK." "Goodbye, Jay." "Bye, Father." Jay hung up the phone and screamed loudly in a soprano voice. He took a deep breath and picked up his pen and the India ink to make out two more cards. "Shit!" Jay said, "I don't know Phil and Howie's last names! Phil Collins and Howie Long...that should do it! They'll get a kick out of it anyway!" <><><><><><><> Nina had been home from the hospital for over a week. Jim remained quiet, but he was constantly there to help her. Most of her strength had returned and she was considering going back to teach a couple of classes the Monday following Thanksgiving. As for Jim, he had heard nothing from Dean Connelly to his surprise. Jim had gone back to teaching and getting the team ready for their final game Thanksgiving night. Jim let Buddy and Dan give the team its one-on-one notes, while his coaching had been in general directions to all the team members en masse. His relationship with Phil and Howie had been friendly, instructive, but cordial, strictly on a coach/team member basis. He had given very little advice to Tom. He had not talked with Tom privately, nor did he intend to, because the hurt was still there on Jim's part. Jim constantly avoided Tom's eyes when he was speaking to the team. Jim was confident that Tom knew all the plays that were to used in the game. Buddy had gone over them with Tom several times and Tom knew them backward and forward. Briarwood U had drawn a bye for the next weekend and Tuesday's practice the week before Thanksgiving had been a good one. All the plays that seemed to work on paper showed signs of working well on the field and all were satisfied and convinced of the following Thursday's victory. Each of them showered after practice and left, including Buddy and Dan, leaving Jim in his office to write out the final roster to present to the referees and judges. Jim nearly broke the lead in his pencil when he looked up from his desk to see Tom standing before him. "Hi, Coach," Tom said, in a subdued manner. "Hi, Tom," Jim replied, rather demurely, and went back to writing his roster. "Can we talk?" "You have something more to say other than the things you've said already?" Jim asked, still not looking up from his desk. "Jim...," Tom started again. "You will call me coach like the rest of the team," Jim said, finally looking at Tom. "All right, Coach. Is there someway we can iron out this mess between us and go back to being friends...or at least, like coach and quarterback?" "I wasn't aware that I haven't been treating you as a coach to his quarterback..." "You won't talk to me. You won't give me notes. You let Buddy or Dan do that for you." "Are they not giving you the plays and coaching as I instructed them to do?" "I suppose, but it's not the same thing, You used to pump me up and inspire me." "As well as other things I seem to recall, but I won't mention." "Dammit, Jim!" Tom exclaimed, losing his temper. "Why won't you talk to me and let's get this whole thing settled. I believe you told me that Nina-- excuse me--Mrs. Kerr wanted the three of us to meet." "That was before...before you ended our 'friendship'!" "I didn't end our friendship! You're still friends with Phil and Howie. Why can't you treat me as you do them? I WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND...AND NOTHING MORE! Why is that so hard?" "I never made love to Phil nor Howie, I never was told by them that they loved me. I never fell in love with them! Does that make things clearer to you?" "Jim, the night we spoke...I said those things to protect Nina, to protect you and your marriage." "Wasn't that a bit late, seeing that you were responsible for breaking up my marriage in the first place?" "Jim, don't blame me for that. It was you, not I, that came into my bed, not yours, that first night." "You seduced me!" "Jim, that's bullshit and you know it! I didn't seduce you! I've never seduced anyone in my life. If I brought out some suppressed feelings or desires you'd hidden your whole life...well, then, that's not my fault!" Jim became angry and wadded up the paper in front of him and threw it across the room. Then he composed himself and sat silently looking into space. Tom kept his eyes trained on Jim, awaiting his next words or movement. Finally, Jim spoke quietly in a monotone. "I'm a fool, Tom. I'm a fool and you let me see how big a fool I've been. You're right!...Probably my whole life....I kept thinking back and wondering why I had homosexual desires for you. I kept asking myself, 'Why Tom? Was he really the first?' Then I thought back to the time when I was fourteen and my best friend, my next door neighbor, Billy Bastino...he was my age and he had his first girl about that time. I remember how he told me every detail about getting excited and taking the girl's panties off, and how warm and wet her pussy was. I remember I came in my pants while he was telling me that...and later that night and for many nights thereafter, I would beat off under the covers, replaying the descriptions Billy had told me, re-hearing them in my mind. That was the only fantasy I needed to get me off. Then, a month or two later, the fantasy stopped exciting me. I had to make up my own...but I couldn't climax visualizing myself doing to the girl the things that Billy had done to her. No...I kept wondering how she felt as Billy put his penis inside her. The very thought of Billy's penis became my masturbatory object. I wanted to see his penis, I wanted to touch it. I wanted him inside me. It almost drove me insane. I knew I had to forget about it before I started thinking about other boys besides Billy. I wanted to go into sports and become a coach. So I did everything I could to forget about Billy. I began avoiding him and even stopped speaking to him. We were never friends after that. I didn't go to his wedding, nor did I invite him to Nina's and my wedding. I got married and never had those thoughts again...until you entered my life a few weeks ago." "If I did that to you, then I'm truly sorry," Tom replied. "Looking at it in retrospect, Tom, I've been blaming the wrong person. I took it out on you when all the while I should've been blaming myself." "Which way are your feelings headed now...men or women?" "I'm not sure, I don't have much to compare my feelings with. Nina is the only woman I've ever had and you're the only man. I haven't ventured out into either field to know in which direction my feelings should or will take me." "Jim, do you still want to have that talk among the three of us, you, Nina, and me?" "Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea," Jim said. "I suppose by now you already have somebody new in your life...?" "Yes, and no." "What do you mean?" "I mean I've found someone who needs me more than anyone has ever needed me in my life." "Good for you, I guess." "Only it looks as if our relationship is doomed from the start," Tom said, somberly, as he thought about Mike undergoing tests at Cole. "Boy, Tom, you sure know how to pick 'em!" <><><><><><><> Mike had entered Cole Institute the night of Cliff's Sunday luncheon. He had asked Tom if he would go with him and Tom eagerly agreed. Tom was very worried about what the tests on Mike would reveal but he wanted his new friend to be happy, relaxed, and feeling as secure as possible before the physical exams and testing began on Monday. Mike was told to start fasting at midnight on Sunday, which meant he would gorge himself with his favorite food and drink until 11:59. Jay had prepared a "care" package in a picnic basket containing assorted sausages, cheeses, various package snacks, a huge chunk of the cake he had made for Mike, and assorted drinks in a small insulated drink case. Troy had loaned Mike a laptop DVD player and a dozen DVD movies to help pass the time. The movies were carefully chosen by Troy and Jay. Among them were some oldies, such as, "Dominick and Eugene", "American Flyers", "Home From The Hill", mostly plots about two brothers who loved one another or at least had a good brotherly relationship. Jay was sure that this would be an audio/visual stimulus to promote a better relationship between Mike and Tom if they watched them together. "These are old movies," Mike told Tom. "I've never heard of any of 'em." "Neither have I, Mike," Tom replied, "but there must've been some reason why Troy and Jay picked them." "I'd rather watch 'Spiderman' or 'Charlie's Angels'...something with a lot of action," Mike said. "I'll go to the video store tomorrow after practice and get some of the kind you like. OK?" "Get some with some naked people, will you?" "You mean porn?" "Yeah, where they have real sex!" "Have you ever seen any movies like that?" Tom asked. "No, but I seen 'em advertised in the back of a magazine." "I know I shouldn't ask, but do you want to see naked women or naked men?" "YOU choose! Get something that you like that you think I might like." "That's asking a lot, Mike. The movies I pick for myself are rather extreme. I'm not sure if you're ready for movies like that." "I bet you like movies with naked men doin' things with other men, don't you?" "Usually," Tom said, a little embarrassed. "Do they make movies about men doing things with boys?" "Well, yes, they do, but they're against the law." "Why?" "It's like when men have sex with underage boys and girls, it's called statutory rape or molestation. It depends on the law of each state, but it is nearly always illegal." "How about here...where we are now? How old does the kid have to be?" "I believe the law in this state is a bit more liberal. The younger partner only has to be sixteen." Tom's remark put a sly smile on Mike's face, one that he tried to hide. "Can I tell you a secret, Tom?" "We're friends, aren't we? If you trust your friend, you can tell him anything." "Well, this is kinda embarrassin', but you know when we kissed in Cliff's study...and we felt each other through our trousers?" "Yes." "You didn't touch me really...and it was only for a couple of seconds, but I thought sure as heck I was gonna shoot off right there in my pants." Tom smiled at Mike, "You know something, slugger? I almost did the same thing." "I didn't know that it could happen that quickly...especially during a kiss." "That's because it wasn't an ordinary kiss, Mike. It was a kiss that meant something to both of us." "I wanted to, but I'm glad I didn't. I never would've been able to face Cliff or Roger with a wet spot showing' on the front of my pants." "I guess it's just as well that we stopped kissing when we did. Apparently, it was just in time." "Tom, I'm still mixed up about this 'queer' business. Before I went to Mackintosh, I hated queers. I didn't want to be around them. I knew I wasn't queer, so I just kinda tolerated Jeff and Johnny...and then, Alex and Ted. Now I'm not so sure how I feel since I met you." "Mike, remember what I told you. There's no rush in finding out who or what you are. That'll come in time." Mike opened a bag of Cheetos and flipped the top on a can of Coke before he started his conversation again. "OK," Mike said, "I'll drop the subject for now if you'll answer a few more questions." "All right, jug head---let's hear them." "Well, you know I've got this HIV thing...and I might even have AIDS. So are you afraid to be around me...to touch me...or...to kiss me?" "It didn't stop me in Father Cliff's study, did it?" "No...but...but do guys with AIDS ever have sex anymore...even with guys who already have AIDS, too?" "Mike, AIDS doesn't stop your equipment from working. Sometimes the medicine that you have to take makes it difficult to achieve an erection. But guys with AIDS DO have sex with other guys who DO or DO NOT have AIDS. The same rule applies whether your positive or negative--guys should ALWAYS practice safe sex. Whether you have AIDS or you're as healthy as an Olympian, a guy should ALWAYS wear a condom." "All right, supposin' I was queer and wanted to play around with another guy who wasn't sick like me, could I have safe sex with him... I mean, without infectin' him, too?" "Mike, I know what you're getting at, so let me ease your mind. If our friendship was to grow deep enough that the two of us wanted to play around or have sex, I would not hesitate to have sex with you, as long as we both wore protection. You see, it's just as important that I wear a condom as you. HIV and AIDS means that your immune system is out of whack and doesn't fight off germs or diseases. I mean, if I was catching a cold, or the flu and didn't protect you from my germs, it would hurt you almost as if you had given me some of your germs." "So you're sayin', IF the time is ever right, you WOULD have sex with me and not be afraid?" "That's exactly what I'm saying!" Tom said. "Now quit being a hog and pass me something out of Troy's goody bag and let's watch a DVD!" "You pick..." Mike said. Tom looked into the DVD carrying case and chose, "Stand By Me". The movie started and Tom lay on the bed next to Mike so that they could both view the tiny screen. About halfway thru the film when the four boys in the story became close friends, Mike imagined that he was Wil Wheaton and Tom was River Phoenix. The two kids bonded far more than just being friends. Without hesitating, Mike reached over and grabbed Tom's hand and held it like two youngsters in a movie house. Tom responded by squeezing Mike's hand and the two of them began to bond, same as Wil and River. Mike's touching Tom's hand almost made Tom cry. Tom's eyes stopped watching the screen and he began to stare at the ceiling and think, 'Damn, am I growing up? Has Mike turned me into an adult in less than a week? Does Mike feel more like a little brother to me? A son? A young lover? Am I feeling the way I do toward him because I'm sorry about his illness? If he were well, would I ever look at a sixteen year old kid the way I look at Mike? Why did I tremble when he grabbed my hand, just now? Are Mike's feelings toward me just hero worship or am I a substitute for his older brother, Vince?...and my feelings toward him? Is it love or sympathy? Is it stupid to let this relationship go any farther, knowing he might be dead in a few months? Would I be setting myself up for a big hurt if I lost him? Am I strong enough to see him through to the end of his illness?' Tom wanted to burst into tears and he also wanted to take Mike in his arms to hold him and protect him from his probable fate. On the screen, the four friends had returned home and Richard Dreyfus, who had narrated the story as the grown-up Wil, was telling the outcome of the boys, years later. When the movie ended, unashamed tears were moistening both Mike and Tom's eyes. The movie was not depressing. It was about friendship and love and it made Mike and Tom ponder about their budding relationship. Mike couldn't resist the urge as he leaned over and kissed Tom firmly on the lips. The kiss was what Tom was thinking about as well. He responded to Mike by kissing him passionately...not as two brothers or two close friends. The kiss went beyond those feelings. Tom was falling in love with a sixteen year old kid and bedamned with the consequences! If Mike had less than a year to live...or THIRTY years, Tom knew that he wanted to be with Mike as long as they had together. Mike, too, was aware that something important was happening between the two of them. He was worried, but he felt safe in Tom's arms. Nothing bad could happen as long as Tom was near him. Tom left at midnight to go back to his dorm. Mike slept happily and soundly without any kind of medical sedative. Who knew what tomorrow would bring...and who cared? They both were happy in the moment. <><><><><><><><> During the next week, dozens of vials of blood were drawn from Mike and other fluids from various parts of his body. He had been scanned, x-rayed, been poked with needles and prodded in every possible orifice with implements too complicated to explain. Mike thought he would faint when the nurse inserted a four-inch needle and tube up his penis and into his urethra. Next came the god-awful colonoscopy where a doctor probed Mike's rectum with a light and his whole hand. Mike couldn't imagine how his anal opening could stretch that far. He felt sure that he would never be able to control his bowel movements ever again. With his asshole expanded, food would never stop. It would just go straight through the next time he ate! While these daily examinations were going on, Tom came by to see Mike every night after football practice and get a detailed report, or rather a blow-by-blow description, of the things that the hospital staff had done to Mike on that particular day. Tom was certain that many of the tests were painful, but he had to chuckle to himself as Mike described each procedure. Once Mike's daily medical reporting was over, he asked Tom how practice was for the Thanksgiving game next week. Tom would take paper and pencil and draw the plays for Mike to watch for when he came to the game. Mike felt like he was in the CIA or FBI since Tom had shown him all the secrets. On Thursday night, during Mike and Tom's session, Cliff dropped by to see the two of them. He was delighted to see how spirited Mike was, in spite of the rigorous examinations. Cliff watched Tom explain a passing play to Mike and Mike applauded. Cliff couldn't decide if Tom had become sixteen again or if Mike was now twenty years old. Either way, Mike and Tom acted the same age. Roger came into Mike's room for a second to invite Cliff to meet him in the hall. Then Roger looked at Tom and said, "Tom, why don't you come, too?" Mike became suspicious, "Is there anything wrong, Roger?" "No, Mike," Roger said, then he lied, "it's just that with so many guests coming next week, I want to make sure that we have the transportation plan worked out...you know...to and from the airport?" Mike accepted Roger's lame excuse as truth and watched as Cliff and Tom exited the room. Once all three of them were out of Mike's room, Roger motioned for Tom and Cliff to join him in his office. Neither Cliff nor Tom could understand Roger's secrecy or his actions, but both of them prepared themselves for bad news. The three of them went into Roger's office and Roger shut the door. "What's going on, Rog?" Cliff asked. "Something...maybe nothing, but I wanted to speak to the two of you together," Roger replied. "Is Mike worse? Have you found something bad from his early reports?" Tom quickly asked. "No, no, no," Roger assured them. "I don't have bad news...or even good news. I've spoken with Ed about Mike and it's still too early to make a final diagnosis. He want to make sure he's run all the tests necessary to get an accurate result before he draws a conclusion." "Then, what is it, Roger?" "Cliff, what I have to say to you may make you angry...and Tom, I know how much you've learned to care for Mike, so what I'm about to say MUST remain in this room. Cliff for the first and only time in our lives together, I've kept a secret from you that only Ed knows about." "You sound as if you've broken a law or something. What's going on?," Cliff replied, puzzled. "Cliff, I haven't broken a law, but I've sort of stretched it to the limit." Cliff really became concerned, now. "What have you and Ed done?" Cliff asked. "Well, I don't know what all goes on to make St. Genesius operate, just as I'm sure you're not aware of all the procedures we follow here at Cole. Since it's my Institute and Ed is my administrator, I didn't think we needed anyone's permission. I mean, we do research here 24/7. The team of scientists at Cole tries to keep Ed and me apprised of all experiments, but being as proficient as they are, they sometimes do things on their own...in the name of research...things Ed and I SHOULD know, but am not always aware of," Roger said. "Come on, Rog, the suspense is killing me," Cliff said, anxiously. "Cliff, do you remember last year when we had to dig up the pipes beneath the "C" annex?" "I remember SOMETHING about it, yes." "That's what I didn't tell you about. The pipes were new. Nothing was wrong. With Ed's help, I had a secret lab built BENEATH annex, "C"." "You mean like a bomb shelter?" Tom asked. "Similar, only larger...MUCH larger!" "For what purpose, Ed?" Cliff asked. "As you know, Cliff, better than anyone, Cole Institute receives absolutely NO government funds. We are self-managed and self-contained, thanks to my grandfather's legacy. That's why we do things, sometimes, without the FDA, the AMA, and Congress's approval." "Good God, Roger, you're sounding like James Bond!" Cliff said. "So what is the underground lab used for?" Roger drew a deep breath, "Advanced stem cell research. In all probability, we are breaking the law as far as the Bush administration is concerned, and I'm sure we would be damned by all the Jerry Falwells and the Pat Robertsons would have a field day crucifying Cole and trying to shut it down, but the future of science is in stem cell research. It's no joke! It's just that President Bush is either too blind or too ignorant to see it. Do you remember how Bush said that the U.S. could only use the stem cells that they had, but NO MORE? Well, Ed and I, or our scientific research staff, didn't listen. We've been experimenting almost daily with newly donated stem cells, which brings me to why I wanted to talk with the two of you. Monday, when we began running tests on Mike, our regular labs didn't receive his blood work. Ed had it sent to Annex 'C', if that's what you want to call it." "And...?" Cliff asked. "I don't know how to put this in laymen's terms without getting into terminology unfamiliar to both of us. But about a year ago, a U.S. doctor started experimenting with something called, 'D.I.M.' or 3.3 diindolymethane to treat prostate cancer. He had remarkable and satisfying results for curing prostate cancer. At that point, the Cole scientists started their own experiments using stem cells and various strains of the HIV virus. We had some success with a few of the strains, but Wednesday, one of the lab techs used our research with the D.I.M. research and added a few drops to Mike's blood. The tech couldn't believe what he saw and asked two of our doctors to have a look. Thursday, we had a fresh supply of Mike's blood and cells and by God!, they got the same result. Mike's cells started to respond miraculously. Ed and I know we haven't found a cure...or HAVE we?" Roger's enthusiasm leapt to Cliff and Tom, as all three were about to cry. Roger continued, "It's just that what we've done might be illegal, especially since we're experimenting with a sixteen year old boy. He has no relatives and no legal guardian and I would like for him to have someone to look after his interests and make all the legal and medical decisions." "We could always have a guardian ad litum, appointed for him," Cliff said. "I knew that you would know more about that than I," Roger said. "Do you want you or me to become his guardian ad litum, Roger?" Cliff asked. "Of course," Roger replied. "How old does a guardian ad litum have to be?" Tom suddenly asked. "He must be an adult with the ability to look after Mike's best interests," Cliff replied. "How about me?" Tom asked, eagerly, "Could I be it?" "Do you really want that responsibility, Tom, with your school work and football?" Cliff asked. "Father Cliff, I love him...and I think he loves me. I know he lives with you and Roger, but I'd move heaven and earth if I could, I'd do anything for him." Cliff looked at Roger and choked up, unable to speak. Roger smiled back at Tom and said, "Son, if you really want to do this, I'm sure it can be arranged." Cliff composed himself and replied, "I'll call Judge Warfield tomorrow morning and have the papers drawn up for you to sign." "This doesn't make him my son, does it?" Tom asked. "No, you're not adopting him. You're going to be the one who looks after him," Cliff explained. "Then that's what I WANT to do...look after him...a long, long, while." "Tom, you wouldn't consider moving into our house with him once he's discharged, would you?" Roger asked. "Boy! WOULDN'T I? Of course I would." "By the way, Roger," Cliff asked, "this D.I.M., is it a chemical compound? A drug? Where does it come from?" Roger smiled and said, "Where else? Broccoli!" <><><><><><> The speakers of the CD player were blaring, "Everything's comin' up roses! Everything's comin' up roses! This time for me! For me! For me! For me! Fooooorrrrr ME!". "God, Bernadette sounds great!" Johnny said as he pushed the eject button on the CD player. "Rob said that any time we wanted tickets to see her in "Gypsy" just give him a call," Jeff replied. "But I don't see how it'll possible until after Christmas--we have too much work to do before we can plan a trip to New York." "You still excited about going home for Thanksgiving, babe?" Johnny asked. "Yes and no," Jeff answered, "it's just that I know I wanna see everybody, but I somehow hate leaving Mackintosh for only a couple of days. This is our home now, Johnny, yours and mine." "I know, sweetheart, but like we've always said to each other...wherever the two of us are...as long as we're together, then that's home," Johnny said, placing a light kiss on Jeff's lips. "You love me a little or a lot?" Jeff said, in a comic voice. "I love you a bunch...a WHOLE bunch!" Johnny replied, giving his lover another quick kiss. "Hey, let me get this straight...are we picking up Alex and Ted in OUR car and going to the airport or are THEY picking us up in THEIR car?" "Jesus, is your mind that crowded?" Jeff joked. "Yep, I have you on my mind day and night and there's not much room for anything else!" "OH? In that case, WE are picking up Alex and Ted in OUR car." "Jeff, did you ever think that the four of us would wind up living in a small town, being so happy, and all working toward the same goal?" "No, but I figure it was God's plan for us to be in Mackintosh, so I don't question it. I'm just thankful for it." "Ted seems to have settled in really well, since his walking is back to normal, but of course, I knew he would because Ted and I have something in common." "And that being...?" "Ted and I both married a Clayton brother! How could he NOT get well? You know, Jeff, maybe you haven't noticed but the older you and Alex get, the more you act like one another." "Alex was there for me when we lost our mother. I love him like my life." "And he feels the same about you." Johnny said, giving Jeff a hug. "I wonder if Ted would be interested in swapping husbands?" Johnny joked. "You asshole! You just said how much Alex and I were alike, so if Alex and I traded places, you'd be getting more of the same that you've already got!" Alex quipped and then added, "Of course, Ted does have that fantastic body and all those muscles..." "Listen, kiddo, I've got the only muscle you need!" "Boy, you can say that again...and then some!" "Wanna go hop in the sack and let me flex it for you?" "We don't have to hop in the sack, you can flex it here and now if you want to!" "All right, I'll call your bluff!" Johnny kidded. "Let me unzip my pants while you sit on the couch in awe. You know, I saw a nude picture of Arnold Schwarzenegger once and in spite of all that humongous build of his, he has a teeny tiny dick." Johnny undid his fly and pulled out his penis and began making it longer and harder while Jeff sat and laughed out loud. And suddenly in walked Scott and Alan. "The door was partially opened, so we decided..." Scott said as he looked at the Johnny's exposed penis. "Looks like we came at the wrong time!" "No, Scott, you came at the RIGHT time. Johnny was just exercising, flexing his muscle!" Jeff replied as he rolled over on the couch holding his side with laughter as Johnny was having difficulty trying to get his erection back into his tight jeans. Johnny's face was red from embarrassment. Scott and Alan tried valiantly not to laugh, but Jeff's hysteria was too infectious. Soon the three of them were laughing out loud at Johnny's dilemma. Johnny finally said, "Please excuse me and my 'friend'. It's time for his medication," as Johnny exited from the living room with his dick in hand. This only made Jeff, Scott, and Alan laugh even harder. Finally the mirth subsided enough for Jeff to speak, "In case you are wondering what was going on...Johnny was doing his impression of, 'The Terminator'." This remark started the laughter all over again. When Johnny returned to the living room, he was wearing a jockstrap, complete with cup, on the outside of his jeans. "This is as close as I could find to put the damned thing in a straight jacket until it learns to control itself!" Johnny said, joining the fun and laughter. "Scott, now that you and Alan have see ALL of Johnny, do you see now why I married him?" Jeff said, in jest. "How long have you two been together?" Alan asked. "Years and years, Alan," Jeff answered. "And you both still have so much fun together," Alan added. "Alan, that's because we've never stopped loving one another, even for a minute," Johnny replied. "Just wait, you and Scott will be the same way, once you're well." "That's why we came over unannounced," Scott said. "We're ready to go face the needles and drink the potions!" "You mean you're ready to go to Cole?" Jeff asked, excitedly. "ASAP!" Scott replied. "My God! That's wonderful!!!" Jeff screamed. "WHEN?" "We were thinking about being admitted to Cole, the Monday after Thanksgiving," Scott said. "Hey, that's terrific! Johnny, Alex, Ted, and I are flying down to Briarwood Friday morning after Thanksgiving. Why don't the two of you fly down with us and you can have dinner at Father Cliff's. He's having a huge day-late Thanksgiving dinner on Friday night and I know he'd love to have you join us. I'll give him a call and tell him you're coming." "He might already know, Father. You see, before we came to see you, we called your 'brothers' Ryan and Kyle to see if the invitation was still good for us to stay with them," Scott said. "What did they say?" "Just like on 'The Price Is Right', Ryan said, 'Come on down!!'. and so we're going!" "Good Lord, what a Thanksgiving this is going to be!" Jeff exclaimed, "Johnny, fix Scott and Alan something to drink while I call Father Cliff!" Scott and Alan followed Johnny into the kitchen as Jeff began punching numbers. <><><><><><> "Hello?" Cliff answered. "Father?" "Jeff?" "Yeah! How's it going?" "Things are great in Briarwood. I won't tell you now, but I have some very exciting news to tell you and Johnny when you arrive next week." "I have news, too, Father!" "Oh?" "Yeah, Scott and Alan called Ryan this afternoon and they plan on coming to Cole the Monday after Thanksgiving." "That's wonderful news, Jeff." "I knew you would be excited." "I'll tell Roger to call Ed to have everything ready for them at the hospital." "Super!...and oh, yes, one more thing, Father, I told Scott and Alan that I'd ask you if they could fly down with us and celebrate Thanksgiving dinner with us at your house next Friday night." "Jeff, you KNOW that they're welcome. We'd love to have them join us. I'll just have to tell Jay to set two more plates. I'm sure he will be excited too!" <><><><><><> "TWO MORE?" Jay screamed after Cliff relayed Jeff's news. "Jesus Christ! Why don't we all fly to New York and rent Madison Square Garden, unless you think we'll need a larger place!" "Jay, calm down! What's two more with all the food you've planned." "It's not the food, Father, I'm wondering who is going to sit on who's lap?...Of course, that might be fun, too. I think I might like to sit on a football player...it's been years...!" "Jay, I can always depend on you to solve household dilemmas," Cliff said, smiling warmly at Jay. "Yes, but THIS time it won't be a mystery when someone asks, 'Who killed the cook'!?" "Troy!!!" Jay yelled upstairs, "Get the hammer and the saw! We have to make room for two more!" Cliff laughed out loud. Jay had been in the kitchen making a new concoction when Cliff had called to him. Jay had brought a big wooden spoon with him. As he started to leave he looked at Cliff, rather sternly, "NO MORE! YOU GOT IT, FATHER? NO MORE GUESTS!" Jay started back into the kitchen and turned back to Cliff, "Only if it's George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Colin Farrell. If they're coming, I'll fix the plates and the three of them and I can eat Thanksgiving dinner in my bedroom! WHOOOeee!" He exited. <><><><><><><> Jim entered his house and called, "Nina?" "Yes?" Nina replied, coming down the stairs. "There's someone here to see you." "Oh?" "Hello, Mrs. 'K'," said Tom. "Oh, hello, Tom," Nina said, cordially, "Why don't you come into the living room and have a seat?" "Thank you, ma'am," Tom answered, politely. "Would you care for something to drink? Perhaps a snack?" Nina offered. "No, thanks." "Nina," Jim began, "when you were in the hospital, you recommended that the three of us have a talk...that is, when you felt well enough to talk. So I thought I'd bring Tom by and see if you're up to it." "I could've been more prepared, I guess," Nina said, "but since we're all here, maybe this is the right time." "How are you feeling, Mrs. 'K'?" "Much better, thank you. My nerves are still a little edgy, but Dr. Middleton told me that it would take almost a month for my Paxil CR to regulate my emotional condition." "Yes, ma'am, when my mother was alive, the doctor prescribed Zoloft for her and it took a little over a month before she felt its full effect." "How's the football team and the practice?" Nina asked. "We're getting everything down pat. I hope you're going to be able to see the game. It would mean a lot to us guys to see you there!" "I'll do my best, Tom, but I'm not promising." "No ma'am. All of us know what you've been through...well, not all of it, but the team always included you in the prayer during the huddle." "That's very sweet and comforting, Tom. Please tell the boys how much I appreciate being remembered." "Heck, Mrs. K, you're like a second mom to most of the team and like a real mom to some of us...myself, included," Tom said, looking down at the floor as he spoke. Jim watched Nina closely for her reaction to Tom's last remark. Nina caught her breath before she let a tear form in her eye. "Mrs. 'K'," Tom continued. "I don't know where to begin apologizing to you." "Tom, why do you feel like you have to apologize?" Nina asked. "Because I feel like what happened between Jim and me got out of hand and it was all my fault." "Tom," Jim interrupted, "it was not your fault. If anyone is to blame, it's I." "Not entirely," Nina said. "Tom, I'm partly to blame. I could have stopped what was happening, but I didn't. I sat on the sideline as a spectator at one of your games to see how far yours and Jim's relationship would go...but I said nothing." "NO, NINA," Jim insisted. "It was all MY fault. I kept my hidden desires suppressed for practically my whole life. You had no inkling how far my feelings for Tom would go. I was surprised at them myself. For the years that you and I never slept together or made love, secretly I always blamed you...but I was too blind and too much of a fool to realize that it was I, not you, that no longer had the desire to have sex between us. I didn't know what it was. I wasn't aware that I was attracted to people of my own sex. I'd never had a homosexual experience of any kind...at least, not one that I acted upon. It was only when I was in the relationship with Tom that it came to me that I had had these feelings before...a long time ago...about some other male...or rather, a boy. Perhaps if I had obeyed my instinct the first time, I wouldn't have married you and made a mess out of two lives...and now, counting Tom, three." "Jim," Nina said, "you didn't make a mess out of our married life. We, or at least I, have been very happy and very much in love with you. Sex isn't love, nor vice versa. Perhaps it was I, who first took notice of your affinity for the male sex...long before you did. Maybe that's why I encouraged you to take Tom to bed...to see if you would open your eyes about yourself and see the things I had seen. Jim, even if it meant the end of our marriage, I wanted you to be happy...no matter what!" "What? You were trying to give me enough rope...?" "Not at all, Jim. If I had seen that you were headed down the wrong path, I would have found a way to steer you back. I only wanted you to choose the direction you were meant to go in...if it was with men...or Tom...then so be it. BUT, if you found out that being gay was not your true nature, then, so be that, too. I would still be here, knitting, as Madame DeFarge." "My God, Nina, Madame DeFarge knitted through the entire French Revolution." "I was willing to wait that long if it took that much time." Tom had offered his apology and had nothing more to say. He listened while Jim and Nina tried to come to their own conclusion concerning their future. Tom had Mike now, and his only desire was to see if Jim and Nina could return to the way things had been before either of them had met him. Maybe they could find the happiness that they had once known and shared. "Mrs. 'K', I just wanted you to know that as far as Jim and I... well, I'm out of the picture now!" "Oh?" "Yes." "You have someone new in your life, if I may be so impertinent?" "Yes, I do." "I hope it's not with another married person or a member of the faculty." "NINA, FOR GOD'S SAKE, LET THE BOY TALK!!" "Forgive me, Tom...Jim," Nina said, almost curt. "Just let me know when it's my turn to talk again." "Will you stop it, Nina? Please?" "Will BOTH of you stop it?" Tom said, raising his voice for the first time. "I came here to see if we could put all this relationship business behind us and become friends once again. It's very obvious that if I had never come to Briarwood, you two would still be happily married!" "We'd still be married, yes...but happily?" Nina said, almost snidely. "JIM! DO YOU STILL LOVE NINA?" "I told you that at the gym. I will always love her." "AND NINA? DO YOU STILL LOVE JIM?" "Of course...without Jim, I would have no one to love." "THEN CAN'T YOU TWO SEE THAT YOU BELONG TOGETHER? ISN'T THAT WHAT MARRIAGE IS ALL ABOUT? TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER THROUGH THE BAD TIMES AS WELL AS THE GOOD?" Neither Jim nor Nina replied...nor did they look at one another as Tom continued. "You see, I'm in love with a guy who may not have more than a month, or a year at most, to live...and I'm going to make every moment of the time we have left, meaningful...and if he miraculously gets well, then I hope we can live as happily and as long as you two have lived together! You both go to Father Cliff's church. He's your friend and you value his judgment and Father Cliff says that when two people meet, fall in love, and become soul mates, then it's God's plan for them to stay together...and I BELIEVE FATHER CLIFF, just as both of you should!" "Maybe we could have, Tom, until I found out that I had feelings for you," Jim said. "Jim, I know you had feelings for me, but you had stronger feelings for Nina, your soul mate. You had most of your feelings for me when we were in bed...SEX! That's what was missing between you and Nina and sex is NOT that important. I've had dozens of relationships with men and usually after I broke up with them, I wanted to go jump in a huge Jacuzzi and stay until I was thoroughly clean. Nina gave her, I guess you would call it, her permission to let us have sex...to let you fulfill you physical needs...and if that's what it takes to make you happy, then I'm sure she would let you have your 'night with the boys', once a week or once a month. Sex is like bowling or playing poker. You go out once a week, have a few drinks, have a good time, but then you come home to your life with your wife...the one who loves you and doesn't object to your occasional physical pleasure. AM I RIGHT, NINA?" Nina took her time before replying, "That's all I thought would happen when I told Jim that he should sleep with you. When I thought your relationship had become more meaningful, I became frightened. I had overplayed my hand. I had pushed the envelope too far and had lost my husband in the process." "I think I should leave and let the two of you talk," Tom said. "I know you didn't like hearing what I had to say, coming from a student...and a former bed mate, Jim, but maybe the two of you will know how to express it better...especially since you can read each other's thoughts...So I'm saying 'good night'." Tom stood and walked to the front door, then turned, "Mrs. 'K',...Nina...I hope to see you at the game next week." "Thanks, Tom, I'll see what I can do to be there." Tom left. Jim slowly sank into the couch, seated across from Nina in her easy chair. The two of them sat staring silently for a long time. No words had to be spoken. Tom was correct, Nina and Tom COULD read each other's minds as a trickle of tears came down their cheeks, almost simultaneously. "I do love you, you know," Jim said, quietly. "Yes, I know...and I'll always love you," Nina replied. "I'm sorry, Nina." "Me, too." "Is there any life left between us?" Jim asked. "Hilary didn't divorce Bill," Nina said. Jim chuckled. "That's right, Bill got a blow job too, didn't he?" "Are you recommending that I run for the Senate?" "I'll back you, if you do!" Jim said. "Through thick and thin?" "For better or worse." He reached for her hand. <><><><><><><><> Seated on the first four rows at the fifty yard line at BU's Thanksgiving game were the Briarwood Boys, minus those that were arriving tomorrow from Mackintosh. Next to Cliff sat Mrs. Jim Kerr, cheering as loudly as little Pete and Dan, who had no idea what the football game was all about. Ryan's and Kyle's two little boys only cared about the hot dogs, the drinks, and the blue and white banners, inscribed with 'BU', which they were gallantly waving. Mike, who had been released from Cole for the weekend sat next to Roger as he cheered watching his new 'guardian ad litum' on the field, playing the game of his life. Tom passed for three touchdowns and ran for two by himself, winning the game by a score of 38 to 6. Briarwood had won their league's victory and would, in all probability be invited to play in a bowl game...TBA! Nearly seven inches of snow fell overnight, covering the entire city of Briarwood. Troy arose early and was joined by Rob and Timmy in clearing off the driveway of the estate. Walter and Dave were also invited to breakfast so that everyone would be together when Walter's sons, Jeff and Alex, arrived with his two "sons-in-law". The four of them would be staying at their old home with Walter, while Scott and Alan would be at Kyle and Ryan's. Troy had to be at the Briarwood airport with the van to pick up the Mackintosh guests while the rest of the clan at Cliff and Ed's house gathered around the breakfast table for the feast of ham, sausage, bacon, and eggs which Jay had prepared. Troy had bought an additional dresser for Tom to be placed in Mike's Though tempted by two raging hardons, the two of them still hadn't had sex. But they had learned how wonderful it felt to sleep in each other's arms. Mike couldn't imagine how having sex could feel any better than the way he and Tom kissed and cuddled. A massive snowstorm had apparently hit the entire upper eastern states. The plane from Mackintosh would be an hour late. Troy was prepared for a long wait as he had brought the newest Harry Potter with him to read in the snack bar at the airport. He was glad that Jay had stayed home because all Jay would do was worry that the plane would crash in the snowy mountains of Vermont or upper state New York. It was a good thing that Rob and Timmy had arrived a day earlier to miss the inclement weather. Troy had enjoyed Rob and Timmy's description of their new show and how the rehearsals were going. Rob was to play Tommy to Dawn Upshaw's Fiona. Troy was a huge fan of Dawn's and had all of her popular and operatic CD's. Being Jay's lover and having lived so long with Roger and Father Cliff, had made Troy an aficionado of Broadway showmusic, Troy was still a lover of good voices. Too bad that the Christina Aguilera's and the Britney Spears had taken the place of good singers. Troyliked none of today's music. He was especially irritated by groups who nowsang the title songs of movies and TV shows. It seemed that a group would take the title of a film and sing it over and over with a few, "Oh, baby's" thrown in for good measure with a four note tune and the damned thing would sell a million copies and these no-talent groups were making millions from a song it took fifteen minutes to write and record. Where were the good old days when a song said, "I love you" and gave the reasons why. Why had music changed from Sinatra and Streisand to Eminem and Mariah Carey? Oh, well, back to Harry Potter. Troy had finished the next four chapters when the plane from Mackintosh arrived. He closed his book and went to look for familiar faces to come through Gate B. The first person that Troy recognized was Alex with his arm around Ted. Next came Jeff, not wearing his clerical collar, with Johnny, who was handsome as ever. Johnny was talking to two guys whom Troy didn't know. He assumed that they were Scott and Alan. Troy knew that Jay's jaw would hit the floor once he got a glimpse of Scott. Scott's looks were beyond good-looking and handsome. Scott was a downright gorgeous hunk. Alan was younger and his looks were nothing to toss to the winds. They made a very attractive couple. They both looked a bit on the thin side, probably due to the AIDS virus, but the Advocate magazine would do well to put them on its cover as a symbolic couple, an example of gay beauty. The Mackintosh group of guys were walking six abreast until Jeff saw Troy and ran to hug him. With Jeff's arms around Troy's neck, Troy lifted him and spun him around. "God, it's good to see you!" Jeff said. "It's wonderful just to hold you, little Father!" Troy answered. "I'll take a hug too," Johnny said to Troy, "only you don't have to spin me around." "Why not? I'm just as glad to see you." Troy said, repeating his welcoming gesture he had given Jeff. Alex and Ted surrounded Troy and embraced him together. "Ted, you're looking great. There's no way to tell you ever had an accident." "That's because I had a good nurse," Ted replied. "I had a sleep-in nurse!" "Looks like you did a pretty good nursing job on him, Alex!" Troy said. Scott and Alan stood back and watched the greetings until Jeff took Troy's hand to go meet the two new guests. Each of them put out his hand to Troy who said, "Hunh unh...no hand shaking if you're gonna be a member of this family! It's a hug or nothing!" Troy outstretched his arms and embraced Scott and Alan as one. Soon all seven of them were huddled together in a brotherhood squeeze. Scott and Alan had been in Briarwood less than five minutes and Troy had already made them feel at home. "You'd better get used to this kind of welcome," Alex said to Scott and Alan. "Once we get to Father Cliff's house, you're gonna be black and blue from all the hugging you'll get from this group." "Come on, let's get your bags while I go turn on the heater in the van. Rob and Timmy helped me to put chains on the tires." "Are they already here?" Jeff asked., his face lighting up even more. "Yes, they sang the entire score of their new show for us last night," Troy replied. "I hope they're ready to sing it again for us!" Jeff said. "Just try and stop 'em!" Troy joked. "Troy, how's Mike?" Troy put on a faux stern face and said, "I..I'd rather you ask Cliff and Roger about him. He's at the house with his new guardian." "What?" Johnny asked. "A new guardian? My God, is he so ill that someone has to make decisions for him?" "Johnny, I'd rather not say. I'll let Roger and Cliff tell you what's happening with Mike." Troy was determined not to 'let on' and spoil the surprise that Mike, Roger, and Cliff had waiting for them when they arrived. "Troy, who IS this guardian?" Jeff asked. "He's...well, he's someone that Mike met through Father Cliff and Cliff thought it would be better if Mike had someone nearer his age to look after him." "Good Lord!" Johnny said, "Mike is only sixteen. How old is his guardian?" "I don't know. I'd say he looks about the same age as Mike." "Troy, what the fuck is going on?" Jeff asked. "I won't say anything else, so don't ask me any more questions. I'd rather you size up the situation yourself when you meet the guardian." "Jesus! This doesn't sound like Father Cliff's doings," Johnny said to Jeff. "There's something very mysterious and very strange going on here that Troy doesn't want to tell us about." Troy almost laughed when he saw how seriously Jeff and Johnny were reacting to the joke he was playing on them. Troy also mentioned to Jeff and Alex that their dad and 'Daddy Dave' were awaiting them at Cliff's house, so there was no need to go by the Clayton residence first. As Troy drove up the driveway leading to Cliff's, Alex and Jeff saw Rob and Timmy outside on the white lawn building a snow man for little Pete and Danny, who were having an old fashioned snowball fight. "My God, Alex, look how the kids have grown," Jeff said with excitement. "Oh, they're corkers!" Troy replied, "both of them! Your dads have spoiled them rotten. Danny is not quite six yet, but I look any day for Walter to order him a Corvette." "Hah! He never bought Alex and me a Corvette!" "Maybe your dad trusts Danny's driving more than he did you two!" Troy joked. "Walter DID buy you roller skates when you were kids, didn't he?" "Come to think of it," Alex added, "I don't believe he did!" "OK, so you see, he didn't spoil either of you and look how you both turned out." As soon as Rob and Timmy saw the van, they immediately started making snowballs to bombard the Clayton brothers and start a war. Jeff opened the side door of the van and was instantly hit in the face by a direct throw from Timmy. "OK, guys, you're asking for it!" Jeff yelled. "Come on, Alex---let's get 'em!" The two brothers jumped out of the van and started to return fire at Rob and Timmy. Johnny, Ted, Scott, and Alan remained in the van and acted as onlooking cheerleaders. Jay had opened the front door of Cliff's house and came running to join in the snowy assault. Soon they were joined by Kyle and Ryan. "Come on, Johnny and Ted!" Jeff screamed, "Get out here and help! We're outnumbered and need some reinforcements!" Johnny and Ted came to the rescue and civil war was declared among the Briarwood boys. About the same time, Phil and Howie drove up, jumped out of their car and started heaving snowballs at everyone in sight. Alex took aim at Jay and hit him on the nose with a nice sized snowball, to which Jay screamed, "My God! I've been hit! Can I play a death scene?" Jay did a couple of pirouettes and rolled over and over, screaming at the top of his lungs. Troy sneaked up on his lover and pushed a wad of snow into his mouth to stop Jay's noise. "Good Lord, you're always trying to fill my mouth full of something!" "How's this?" Troy asked as he climbed on top of Jay and put his tongue into Jay's mouth. "Oh, Cap'n Butlah, thanks for saving me and Tara!" Jay said. "You got here just in time as the Yankees were disembarking from the wagon." "You idiot!" Jeff said to Jay. "Get the fuck up and give me a hug!" Jay jumped to his feet and soon he was embracing Jeff, followed by Alex, Johnny, and Ted. Rob and Timmy stopped throwing snowballs long enough to join the huddle. By this time, Cliff, Roger, Ed, Chris, Walt, and Dave had come out onto the veranda to watch the boys welcoming one another. Cliff put his arm around Roger's waist and said, "Isn't that a wonderful sight?" "They're OUR boys, Cliff. We've made them as you see them," Roger replied. "Oh, I had a little help. Two of them especially came from good blood!" Cliff said, indicating Walter. "The rest of them were special gifts from God." Walter looked at Cliff and said, "Cliff, have you ever seen such a display of love in your life?" "No, Walt. That's not saying that our boys are unique. You just have to look for the good in every boy...It's there." As soon as Jeff saw his dad, Dave, Cliff, and Roger, he broke from the brotherly powwow and ran to hug the four men on the porch. All four kissed Jeff at the same time as Jeff did his best to return each one. Next, Alex came running to do as his brother had, followed closely by Ted and Johnny. The porch was filled with happy tears and kisses. Scott and Alan were still standing near the van, not believing what they were seeing, wishing that they could be part of the reunion. "Oh, my God," Jeff exclaimed. "We haven't introduced you to Scott and Alan! Come here, guys, and join our family!" Scott and Alan approached slowly as all eyes turned to size them up. Jay was the first to respond, "My word, they looked like they just stepped off the cover of 'GQ'! Why in God's name aren't they staying with us, here?" "We'll loan them to you, Jay," Kyle said as he and Ryan walked to Scott and Alan to introduce themselves. "We're your new landlords, so to speak. I'm Kyle and this is my better half, Ryan." "Please to meet you," Scott said, taking Kyle's hand, "I hope we won't be much trouble to you." "In our house, the word 'trouble' is forbidden," Ryan added. "I hope you'll find it comfortable living with us and our two kids." Ryan and Kyle were so nice that Scott liked them instantly, as did Alan. They would get along just fine. Cliff looked at the four of them and couldn't decide which was the more handsome couple. It was a good match for them all to be sharing a house. Cliff knew how dedicated Kyle and Ryan were in taking care of AIDS patients at Cole. He was confident that all of Scott and Alan's needs would be met as he came over and introduced himself. Cliff and Roger put out their hands and Scott and Alan each took one and held it. Cliff and Roger were like magicians. They, each, could make anyone feel at ease by their touch. All the Briarwood boys had experienced that same sensation from Cliff and Roger at one time in their lives. They were like a father to all of them. They were not only men of God, the boys felt they were sent by God. When Cliff stepped aside, Jeff came toward him and asked in a low voice, "Father, where's Mike?" Jeff was almost afraid to hear Cliff's reply. "He's in the house, waiting to see you and Johnny. I told him to stay inside. I didn't want him to get a chill and perhaps catch a cold or the flu." "How IS he, Father?" "I'd rather you see him for yourself." "Then let's go in." Jeff said, almost cautiously. Cliff put his arm around Jeff's shoulder while Roger did the same to Johnny and led them into the house. One by one, the rest of the clan followed to get into the warmth and out of the cold and snow. Jeff and Johnny entered the foyer and went into the large living room where they saw Mike standing beside the huge open fire in the hearth. Tom was seated in a large leather chair next to Tom. Jeff didn't want to excite Mike, so he called to him, gently, "Mike?" "FATHER JEFF!" Mike screamed and ran to put his arms around Jeff. "IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU!!!" Jeff was surprised at Mike's raucous greeting. "Mike must be feeling better," Jeff thought. "AND JOHNNY!" Mike continued. "ALEX! TED!" The four from Mackintosh weren't really sure how to respond to Mike's enthusiasm, for fear he would tire himself. But there was no stopping Mike, he was jumping up and down, trying to make his four friends do the same. Jeff, Johnny, Alex, and Ted were still cautious but they all were relieved to see that Mike looked better than they had ever seen him. They were puzzled. Could only two weeks at Cole made that much difference in him? "Come on," Mike said, "I want you to meet someone." He brought the four of them toward Tom, who stood up to greet them. "Jeff, Johnny, Alex, Ted...this is Tom." "Pleased to meet you," they all said. "You're...you're Mike's new guardian?" Jeff asked, giving the handsome young quarterback the 'once over'. "He's just my guardian on paper!" Mike said. "Oh?" Jeff added. "Heck, you might as well know it! Tom is my friend...well, he's more than a friend. We...we love each other! We sleep together and everything!" "So that's who took the coaches place in Tom's life!" Phil said to Howie. "A wise choice, wouldn't you say?" Howie replied. A pleasing smile swept across the four boys from Mackintosh. "I see a lot has happened since you left us, Mike," Johnny said. "You don't know the half of it!" "What's the other half, Mike?" Ted asked. "CLIFF! ROGER! TELL 'EM!" Mike exclaimed. "Tell us what?" Alex asked. "They've found a new medicine to fight my AIDS!" Mike announced. "What?" the four asked in disbelief. "It's not a cure, boys," Roger said, "but we have a new drug that seems to be combating the HIV strain that Mike is carrying." "My God!" Johnny said, "That's wonderful!" "I'm gonna get well! Just wait! I'm gonna get cured!" Mike told them. "It's like a miracle," Cliff said. "The staff at Cole accidentally came across a compound that seems to be working wonders with Mike." "Actually, we have many people to thank for this discovery," Roger said, "but we might as well start at home. Jay had the right idea all along." "Jay?" Jeff asked, surprised. "There are many elements in the drug, but the basis of it is found in things such as broccoli." "You've GOT to be kidding!" Jay exclaimed. "I've preached 'broccoli' for years. I know what it did for Troy. The stuff works on all kinds of illness. That's why I'm going to nominate myself for the Nobel Prize in Medicine." "My God, this is just too wonderful!" Jeff said. "Scott! Alan! Did you hear this?" "Yes and we're both so happy for Mike," Scott replied. "So, guess what I stuffed the turkeys with?" Jay said. "BROCCOLI!", all twenty-four guys said together. "Now, let's all go into the dining room and give thanks," Cliff said. This was only another happy day in the lives of the Briarwood Boys. This was the first of many more to come over the years. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THIS ENDS BOOK SIX OF "BRIARWOOD". (The saga will continue in BOOK SEVEN--"I WILL LIFT UP MINE EYES"-- chapter-sixty-seven.)