Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2004 00:00:26 EDT
From: Jetjt@aol.com
Subject: RON AND MATT, Chapter 44

The story below is a work of fiction. It may contain erotic or sexually
explicit behavior between males. If you find this work offensive or are too
young, please exit now.

The author reserves copyright privileges as of June 2004.  This work may
not be posted on any other website, nor reproduced, except for personal
use, without the written permission of the author.

Dedication: To Susie, Man's best friend. (Woof)

If you'd like to comment or just say `Hi", my e-mail address is
JETjt@aol.com John Tucker.

				RON AND MATT

			          Chapter Forty-four

Thursday, 6 PM, McCarran Executive Jet Terminal, Las Vegas

Ron, Matt and Ronnie entered through the double glass doors spotting Tyler
and Dan seated in the Lounge area. Ronnie took off running and grabbed
Tyler around the waist as he rose to greet his arriving family.

"Hi, Tyler. Hi Dan," he said as he traded his hug for Tyler into one for
Dan.

"Hi kiddo," Tyler said with a smile. "I hear you're the newest hero in the
family. We're both proud of you."

"It was nothing, more like an accident I'd say," Ronnie replied modestly.

"That may be son, but your curiosity in this case saved the cat!"

"Huh?" Ronnie replied. "We don't have a cat."

Ron and Matt who had just joined the trio, laughed along with Tyler and
Dan, then explained the old phrase.

"I had Parker pack fresh clothes for you," Ron said speaking to his brother
and Dan. "He packed dark suits too, in case the funeral will be in
Houston. Is the plane ready?"

"Yes," Dan responded. "It's refueled and they've restocked the food and
drink and all those things. We've only been here for 35 minutes, but we're
ready to go."

"I know you both must be tired, especially Tyler. I presume that Gary has
gone on home."

"Yes," Tyler answered. "He offered to go back with us to help handle Emma's
arrangements, but I wouldn't hear of it. He did a great job for us in
Atlanta. Will and the Whiz Kids should be returning tomorrow on a
commercial flight"

"Gary's a good man," Ron commented. "He's got all the qualifications to
head up the Atlanta office before too long."

"We'd better get on with it," Matt urged, trying to get the flight
boarded. "It's going to be the middle of the night when we get to Houston
as it is."

"You're right about that, my love. Tyler, I think it would be advisable for
you and Dan to put down the sofa and get some proper sleep. We'll probably
only get two or three hours of rest once we get to the hotel in Houston
before we have to take care of our duties. We should get up pretty early to
see Jerry and make the arrangements for his grandmother."

"Thanks Ron, that's probably a good idea," Tyler responded.

The men left the building and soon disappeared into the doorway of the
G-V. In minutes it began to move down the taxiway in preparation for
takeoff.

			* * *

Friday morning, M.D. Anderson hospital, Houston Texas.

Dan, followed by the three other men and Jerry's friend Ronnie, stepped to
the nursing station down the hall from Jerry's room.

"I'm Dan Barnes. My companions and I are here to see Jerry Smith."

"Oh yes, Mr. Barnes," she replied. "I've seen you several times here with
Mrs. Thorsruud. I'm terribly sorry about her death."

"How did it happen, and how's Jerry taking the loss?" Dan inquired.

"She passed away in her sleep in his room. When visiting hours were over,
the floor nurse went in and found that she'd passed away. Fortunately Jerry
was asleep. We summoned the doctor before we woke him. The doctor wanted to
allow him to see her before she was sent to the funeral home. He of course
was very upset, but the doctor prescribed a good dose of medication to put
him to sleep. He's been awake for about an hour now. When last we were in
there, he was sitting stone-faced and had refused his breakfast. The doctor
said that you would be coming, or we would have called in a psychologist by
now."

"We'll do our best to comfort him," Tyler said. "This is my brother Ron
Turner and his partner, Matt Davidson. The young fellow there is Ronnie
Turner."

"It's nice to meet you all. You may go in and see Jerry now, if you're
ready," she said. "Mr. Barnes knows the way."

"Thank you nurse," Dan responded as he turned to head toward Jerry's
room. "You've been most helpful."

The nurse acknowledged his thanks and turned back to her work as Dan led
the group to Jerry's nearby room.

"Hello Jerry," Dan said as he entered the room. "How are you doing?"

"I'm OK," Jerry answered with no expression in his voice.

"We're here for you," Tyler said in a soft, comforting voice. "We'll take
care of everything for your grandmother too."

"I'm here for you too," Ronnie added moving around the bed to the other
side and taking Jerry's hand.

Tears began to fill Jerry's eyes when he saw his friend.

"Why'd she have to die?" he asked plaintively.

Ronnie crawled up onto the bed and held his friend in his arms.

"It was her time," Dan said in a choked-up voice. "I know she wanted to
live to see you walk out of this place, but she did get what she said she
wanted."

"What did she want?" Jerry asked blinking away his tears.

"She told me that she wanted for you to have someone that would love and
take care of you. You have that in Tyler and me. Ronnie is here as your
special friend too. We all love you, including Ron and Matt. She also said
she wanted to know that you were going to recover from your illness. I
guess after the doctor told us that you were well on the way to recovery,
her heart just stopped its fight to keep beating. She told me only
yesterday that she was ready to see her husband Frank again. We can trust
that she's at peace and with God and with your grandpa in a better place."

"I still love her and want her here," Jerry sniffed.

"I know son," Tyler answered. "She will always be with you in your
heart. She's probably looking down on us right now wondering what all the
fuss is about."

"I guess you knew her better than I thought," Jerry said forcing out a
small smile.

"Dan, Tyler," Ron interrupted gently. "I think we'd better get on with the
things we need to do. If you'd like to stay here, Matt and I will take care
of everything."

"No," Dan said. "I know where everything is, and have the key to the
apartment.  Why don't we leave Tyler and Matt here with Ronnie and
Jerry. Before we go we need to see the doctor too."

"Is that alright with you two?" Ron asked Tyler and Matt.

"Sure," Matt answered as Tyler nodded. "Just call if you need help with the
apartment or anything."

"Jerry, where is your Grandfather Thorsruud buried?" Ron asked.

"He's in Las Vegas," Ronnie replied. "Gramma used to take me to his grave
and we'd put flowers on it and keep it nice. It's the Palms one near
Gramma's house."

"I'm sure she'd like to be buried next to your Grandpa," Ron said.

"Yeah, she's already got a little place next to Grandpa. She told me that
that's where she wants to be."

"Thanks Jerry," Dan added. "I know it's a difficult time for you. We'll
take care of everything. Just know that we love you."

"How can I go to the funeral?" Jerry asked. "I'm stuck in this hospital."

"That's what we need to talk to the doctor about," Ron said. "We'll be back
as soon as we can."

"We'll be here Babe," Matt told them.

Ron and Dan turned, and with a goodbye wave stepped into the hallway.  Dan
spotted Jerry's doctor making his rounds and quickly walked up to him.

"May we speak with you a moment?" Dan asked.

"Of course," the doctor said. "I'm sorry about Mrs. Thorsruud. I'll do
anything I can to help. Please step into the office over here."

"Thanks doctor. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. I'd like you to meet
Ron Turner, Tyler's brother."

"Nice to meet you sir," the doctor said as he offered his
handshake. "Please follow me."

			* * * An hour later, Emma Thorsruud's apartment

The door opened noiselessly to the apartment. The manager had seen them
arrive and moved to intercept them until he recognized Dan. He knew Dan as
he had made the leasing arrangements less than a week earlier and he had
seen him numerous times since. Dan explained about Emma's passing, but told
him that they would probably keep the apartment until Jerry was released
from the hospital. He was glad that the apartment was still going to be
rented, so he simply offered his cooperation.

"You did a nice job with selecting this apartment," Ron complimented as he
surveyed the cozy unit.

"Thanks.  Yes, it has a great location and came fully furnished," Dan
responded. "If Jerry has to stay in the hospital for long we might as well
keep the apartment for awhile. I'm sure that Tyler or I will be here
regularly. I'm really pleased that we were able to make arrangements for
Jerry to leave the hospital for the trip to Las Vegas. I don't think he
could have tolerated not being there for the funeral to demonstrate at
least symbolically, the love he had for Emma and to get closure by saying
goodbye in that way."

"I'm sure you're right," Ron agreed as he walked into the dining area. On
the table was a large envelope on which the names of Tyler, Dan, Ron and
Matt were written. Under their names was written in large letters, `IN CASE
OF MY DEATH'.

"Look here Dan," Ron said as he read the words on the outside of the
envelope, "It looks like Emma knew that her days were numbered."

"It doesn't surprise me," Dan responded. "The past couple of days she
looked constantly fatigued and said that she tired easily, but I knew that
she was too stubborn to take it easy. She did confess to me that her time
was very limited because she had a degenerative heart condition. She said
nothing yesterday, but she must have known that her time was about up.
Please, open it."

Ron undid the clasp and pulled the contents out of the manila envelope,
placing them on the table. When the large packet was empty, there on the
table were a small pile of documents and several keys.  The first sheet of
paper on the stack was a letter neatly written in pen. On the top of the
page was written their names.

Looking at the page, Dan asked Ron to read it aloud.

Ron began:

"Dear Boys, If you are reading this letter, it means that I have gone to be
with my Frank.  I have been feeling very poorly lately, and I know that my
heart is not good. Please know that I have gone to my rest with a peaceful
mind and that my soul rests in God's loving hands I cannot tell you what a
blessing the Lord has bestowed upon me with you young men coming into the
life of my grandson Jerry and me. You are like the fathers I always prayed
for for my grandson. I love you and I know, without a doubt, that Jerry
loves you too. I rest easy knowing that you love him as well and will
provide for his welfare. I am encouraged with the doctor's report of his
progress against the disease that has threatened his life. I pray that as
he makes full recovery you will guide him into adulthood by loving him and
advising him to the best of your ability.  I have attached a copy of my
notarized will, which your attorney so expeditiously amended. Today I
mailed an additional copy to him for safekeeping.  I have named Tyler and
Dan as co-executors, and, as you will read, have encouraged the courts to
allow them to adopt Jerry, if they so choose. Your attorney has agreed to
assist in the executorships, so that it need not be too great a burden. In
this envelope are a number of other papers that I had brought along to
assist your attorney in amending the will. In addition, the smallest key of
the group in the envelope is to a safe deposit box that I have rented since
long before Frank and I were parted. In that box are a number of other
papers including some old stock certificates that Frank bought long
ago. I'm sure they are worth nothing, but I have kept them for sentimental
reasons. He always believed that someday our `ship' would come in. The
other keys are to my house and car.  I wish I could have left more for my
grandson. I'm afraid that all I have of value is my little house, and my
old car, both of which are paid for. The furniture might bring in a little,
but much of it is pretty worn and can be just given away. Knowing that I
would probably be away for a good while and fearing that I might not
return, I tried to organize the things at our house into groups that I
thought Jerry might or might not want. Also attached to this letter are two
pages with the names and addresses of people that need to be notified of my
death. The first page is a list of people I have done business with. The
second is one of distant relatives and friends that should be notified. The
relatives are so distant that they hardly know of Jerry's existence, and
therefore I believe that he will be far better off with you. I know that
you will raise him in the light and spirit of the Lord.  Please let Jerry
know how much his Gramma Emma has loved him. I do not wish to leave him
yet, but he must know that the fate of all of us rests in the hands of
God. He has been a true blessing in the life of an old lady, and I'm sure
that he will bring the same blessing to your lives and relationships. Love
him for me.  May God bless you all for your loving hearts.  Now, with great
love and thanks, I remain your grateful friend, Emma Solvig Thorsruud

Tears were in both the men's eyes as Ron read Emma's name.

"The letter is dated yesterday," Ron commented. "She cut it close."

"You know that Tyler and I wish to adopt and raise Jerry," Dan said.

"Matt and I were sure that you did, but we knew that it was unlikely unless
Emma was no longer able to care for him because of his leukemia.
Regardless, I know that you would never have separated them and would have
cared for Emma had she become incapacitated, but I guess God had other
plans for the dear lady."

"Have you and Matt discussed Ronnie's future?" Dan asked.

"Yes, we both want to adopt him," Ron revealed. "He's been with us such a
short time and there are legal obstacles to overcome so we've not pursued
it yet.  I think that with the recent turn of events with Jerry, it's time
to see if he's agreeable, then assuming he is, start looking into the legal
entanglements we'll have to overcome."

"There's no doubt in my mind that Ronnie and Jerry are best friends," Dan
commented.

"I'm sure that's true," Ron agreed. "If they both turn out to be gay, they
might also end up as partners."

"Do you think they are gay?" Dan asked.

"Emma sure seemed to think so," Ron answered. "They're still a bit young to
know with certainty, but I know that we'll love them both without regard
for their sexuality."

"That we will," Dan said in agreement. "Well, we'd better get busy and go
to the funeral home and make the arrangements for Emma's body to be
prepared and her casket selected for shipping to Nevada. I presume we'll
fly her body back in the G-V?"

"Yes," Ron answered. "We'll need to call the crew with the dimensions of
the casket so that seats can be removed in order to make adequate space for
it."

Ron looked at his brother's lover, and for the first time fully appreciated
the good man within the handsome body.

"I think we've just begun our busy day," Dan said to his partner's brother.

"I agree," Ron said reluctantly. "We'd better get on with it."

			* * *

Saturday evening, Ron and Matt's estate, Las Vegas

The previous three days had been exhausting and more than one ache was felt
in their tired bodies as Ron and Matt performed their nightly ritual before
getting into bed. The funeral parlor in Houston had finished their work in
preparing Emma's body and had placed it in the beautiful copper encased
casket for transporting to Las Vegas. Dan had selected dress clothes that
Emma had brought to Houston and delivered them to the funeral home. Ron,
who had accompanied Dan back to the apartment to pick out the clothes,
spent the time after Dan left again to go to the mortuary, packing Emma's
belongings to take back to Nevada. The four men had all agreed that Emma's
small house would be maintained until Jerry was out of the hospital and he
was strong enough to decide what items he wanted to keep. Upon arrival in
Las Vegas, Palms mortuary met the corporate jet and took the body to their
facility near the cemetery. The visitation had been set for Sunday night
there, and the funeral for Monday morning

In addition to all the details that had to be handled for Emma's
internment, the men and Ronnie were spending as much time with Jerry as
possible. The men were proud of Ronnie for keeping Jerry company the most,
while the older men took care of other details. One of those details was
developing a coordinated plan for taking care of Jerry's medical needs
until he could return to Houston. An oncologist team in Las Vegas had been
contacted and would check on Jerry on Saturday and again Monday afternoon,
after the funeral. His return trip was then scheduled for Tuesday.  In
addition, each of the men had made several calls to their offices in Las
Vegas to keep their `fingers in the business pie'. Now they had made it
back after another long flight and had taken care of the necessary details
upon arrival, including a stop taking Jerry to the referred oncologist.

All in all, it had been an exhausting week.

Ron joined Matt on their master bedroom's California-king-size bed, sinking
down beside his lover before rolling toward him and placing a warm kiss on
his lips.

"I love you more each day," Ron stated sincerely and with pride to his
partner in life.

"And I love you even more," Matt responded. "In spite of how tired I feel,
and the grief we've shared, I've never been happier."

"I know what you mean love," Ron said as he snuggled his handsome frame
against the equally gorgeous body of his lover.

"I'm hungry for your loving," Matt said as his passions stirred, feeling
his partner's large organ swelling against his own upper thigh.

"Never accuse me of not feeding you," Ron said with a lusty grin as he
turned off the bedside light.

				* * *

Sunday evening, the Palms Funeral home

The four men and two younger boys, one of whom was seated in a wheelchair,
took their places in the small chapel of the funeral parlor. The time for
the visitation had arrived and all were dressed in dark suits as they
waited for friends of Emma Thorsruud to come and pay their last respects.

Ronnie stood close by Jerry's wheelchair.

"There's sure lots of pictures on the stands over there," Ronnie commented,
trying to keep Jerry's mind off of the open casket at the other end of the
room.

"Yeah," Jerry agreed. "My Gramma used to show them to me. She showed me my
dad when he was little and my aunt Bertha who died when she was
young. There's pictures of my mom and even me when I was little. My mom
didn't have much family and I guess all of `em are now dead. I don't even
remember meeting any of them. My Gramma had a sister, who had a couple of
kids but they lived in Pennsylvania. I think her sister died too, and if
ever I met my great aunt or her kids, I don't remember.  It seems strange
about families. Some are really big and there are grandparents, aunts and
uncles and their kids, and their kids' kids and all that. You know, you see
pictures of all these people getting together. Gramma and Grandpa's
families were small though and even if there are relatives, they don't know
me and wouldn't care about me. I guess now I don't have anybody."

"What are you talkin' about, Jerry? You have me," Ronnie countered. "And
you have Dan and Tyler, and Ron and Matt. Heck, you have more family now
than you ever had."

"I guess that's true. I'm sure gonna miss her though," Jerry admitted as he
glanced at Emma's open casket. "Even if she was old she was always there
for me, doing her best. "

"Yes, she was a really nice lady. I liked her a lot too.  But at least you
were loved. My momma died when I was little and my dad never liked me. He
was never really mean to me, but he yelled at me, made me work around the
house, and we never did anything together. Then when he found out I was
gay, he threw me out."

"I'm sorry, Ronnie," Jerry said squeezing his friend's hand. "You know? At
first I thought that Ron was your dad or uncle or something. I was really
confused when you said that he was your friend. I mean, like, you have the
same name."

"Yes, I was surprised too when I met him in the hospital and he told me we
had the same name. I'm still having a hard time believing that he and Matt
love me. I had a really hard time when I was all by myself. I was hungry
and did things that I'm ashamed to even tell you."

"You don't have to tell me anything," Jerry said. "I like you for who you
are and I know Ron, Matt, Tyler and Dan accept you that way too."

"They wouldn't if they knew what I'm having to do," Ronnie said with tears
forming in his eyes.

"I think you're wrong," Jerry said. "Whatever it is, you can tell
them. I'll listen too if you want, but there's not much I can do to help
you, having to go back to the hospital and all."

"I want them to love me so much but I'm afraid that they won't even like me
if they know."

"I don't know what's bothering you, but I do know that I'll always be your
friend. In fact, I more than like you. I probably shouldn't say this here
in the middle of the funeral stuff, but to me we're best, best friends, and
I'm hoping that maybe we might be even more than that someday."

"You don't know how much that would mean to me," Ronnie confessed. "I'm
just not sure if you'll feel that way when you find out about me."

"Well, now's the wrong time to talk about it even though I want to. I see
some people coming in," Jerry observed, ending the discussion. "I guess we
have to be nice and polite and stuff to `em for a while. I really hate all
of this, but Dan told me that it was a way of honoring my Gramma, so I'll
just get through it somehow."

"You won't have to get through it alone, friend," Ronnie said. "I'm here
with you. The older guys are all here too. You're one of us now."

Ronnie thought about what he had just said, and the beginning of tears
glistened in his eyes.

"Thanks," Jerry said with a sad smile as he looked down and missed the
downcast expression that had appeared on Ronnie's face.  Gritting his teeth
as if getting ready for an ordeal, Jerry looked up and turned his
wheelchair to face the oncoming visitors.

At the same time, Senator Young's home in Las Vegas

"I'm glad you could come over after church Orville," the Senator said to
his burly guest as they entered his home office.

"Nothing could keep me away, once I was invited," the man said as he placed
his heavy frame into an indicated office chair across the desk from his
host. "I hate those fuckin' queers as much as you do."

"I'd put it a bit more delicately," the politician admonished. "I just
think of my crusade against them as my way of doing God's work."

"Amen to that, brother," Orville responded. "Now tell me what your plan is
for ridding this town of the vermin?"

"Well," Ben said, "You should know that I have to be very careful. I'm
under indictment for kidnapping my own son from that gay camp. That's why I
need your help."

"I heard about that Senator. I can't believe that those faggots could foil
the attempt either. They should put them in Jail."

"Don't worry about that, my friend," Ben Young replied, "that's exactly
what I plan to do!"

"I can't wait to hear about it," Orville said smiling.

"I'll get to that pretty soon," the Senator responded. "I just wanted to
see if you're in?"

"Well Ben, I'm not too sure just yet. I mean, I don't know what's involved
and what's in it for me."

"I can only skirt around the full plan until I know that you're in solid,"
Ben explained. "I can't afford to have someone walking around that knows
everything, but is not a part of it."

"I guess it's one of those 22 things," Orville said scratching his head.

"22 things?" Ben asked.

"Yeah, you know what they say when yer damned if ya do and damned if ya
don't"

A light came in the Senator's eyes, and he laughed.

"You mean `Catch 22'?" Ben said.

"Yeah, that's it!" Orville responded. "Though it's beyond me what that's
all about. I just know some people say it."

"It's the name of a book," the Senator explained. "In the book appears the
dilemma that I face in telling you about my plan before I know if you're
in."

"You got your plan out of a book?" Orville asked.

Ben looked up at the ceiling and prayed silently, `Lord protect me from
idiots!'

Recovering quickly he said, "No Orville, the plan is my own, but now I
think I have a solution to my concern."

"Ok Ben.  I'm listening."

"Orville, one of the reasons I asked you over here, besides our mutual hate
for queers, is that you have a somewhat, shall we say, questionable past."

"I'm not saying nothin' to that pack of lies," Orville said defensively.

"It's to our advantage," the Senator replied. "I will tell you a little
about what I know, and I promise never to divulge your past to anyone, as
long as you keep your mouth shut, whether you're in or out."

"What do you know?" Orville asked.

"I know there was a little matter of a young lady that was raped three
years ago in a small town in southern Utah. Even though there was a lot of
evidence and a lot of publicity, it seems that they never caught the guy
that did it."

"I didn't have nothin' to do with the rape of Karen Smith!" Orville
exclaimed.

"I didn't accuse you of anything, but neither did I give you her name."

"Uh... Uh..."

"Let's just say that some new evidence in that case might appear if
anything about my plan escapes your lips," the Senator said with an evil
smile.

"I get your drift," Orville said as he slumped down in his chair.

"Now that we've got that over with," I'll tell you a bit about my plan."

"I want you to know that I want to destroy a man named Ron Turner and his
queer boyfriend, Matt Davidson, but I have to do it in a way that doesn't
lead back to me directly. That's why I need you. What I'll be asking you to
do is to be a middleman to get a few things done that I can't do myself,
because I'm sure I'm being watched."

"You're being watched now?" Orville asked looking around.

"Yes, I'm pretty sure," Ben replied. "But I've been asking people over here
after church for the last 6 weeks, just so that your coming over would not
be noticed. I'll have more people over in weeks to come, too."

"Clever," Orville admitted. "Now, how do we stay in touch without anyone
noticing?"

"I have a rental post office box located in a mini-storage facility not far
from here. There are two keys. I'll get notes into the box, when I have
instructions, and you will check it for "mail" every day at 5:30 in the
afternoon."

"That should work," Orville admitted. "Now assuming I want to help you with
your little `project', what's in it for me?"

"I am going to put you in touch with someone I know politically. I will
give you $10,000 in cash to give to him. You will sign some papers, and
`make an investment'. Afterward you will put your copy into the mailbox I
was talking about. When we've accomplished our mission, you'll find the
papers back in the box. You will take the papers back to the man I name,
and you will find that your `investment' has grown to $80,000."

"Sounds pretty fair to me, as long as I don't have to do anything that will
get me in jail," Orville responded.

"No, it will mostly have to do with carrying messages. There will be a bit
more than that later, but it won't be dangerous."

"Heck, that's easy," responded Orville. "I'd do that much for free!"

"I'm sure that's true," Ben said smiling. "The bit more at the end will be
more public. I want you to accuse Ron Turner and Matt of sodomy and
statutory rape."

"How am I gonna do that?" Orville asked. "I don't even know those
perverts."

"I'll take care of all of that. When the time comes, it will be all set up
and we'll have a victim/ witness to back you up. All you have to do is to
make it public, keep your jaw from flapping, and do what you're instructed,
but nothing more."

"I guess I'm in then," Orville committed.

"Good! I'm glad. As long as you do what I tell you and keep your mouth
closed there is no risk," Ben assured the bulky man.

"Can I ask a question?" Orville asked.

"Sure Orville," Ben replied. "I'll tell you now if I can."

"How are you going to get this victim/witness you're talking about?"

"I already have him," Ben responded with an evil grin. "He's already
working inside in preparation for our move."

"You already have someone close to Ron Turner?" Orville asked, amazed.

"Yes I do," Ben assured the big man "He's just a kid, but he'll do what I
want. He's the one that you'll get messages to."

"What's his name?" Orville asked.

"I guess it won't hurt to tell you now that you're committed to our plan,"
Ben responded after a moment's thought. "His name is ... Ronnie Turner."

				* * *