Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2007 21:02:35 -0400 (EDT) From: Pear III David Subject: Crash Survivor Chapter 3 CRASH SURVIVOR By Drake General Disclaimer and copyrights: This is just a fantasy work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons or places is a coincidence. If you aren't old enough to read this in your country, don't read. If it's a criminal offence to read this in your country, don't read. If male to male relationships and sexuality offend you, don't read. If you think the story will be lame and boring, don't read it. All rights reserved. >From last chapter: "Jake, could you help me to get near your teacher? I wanna see how he's before we go to sleep." "Yeah sure Greg, put your arm around my shoulder, I'll drag you over to him." Jake replied. "Wait, I'll help you!" Matt said. So both guys took me from where I was to a spot near their teacher. First off, I wanted to take his vital signs. Matt was studiously watching everything I was doing. "Did someone see a flashlight or electric torch inside the survival kit bag?" "Yes, wait I'll find it for you." Wil said with a degree of enthusiasm. "Thanks Wil" After some shuffling in the bag, Wil finally found the flashlight and gave it to me. I started to take Mr. Jackson's vital signs. "Shit" I said. "Wh... what?" came from Jake. "I hope it's just... no... shit..." I said as I tried again to get a pulse. "What?" Matt and Wil said together. "I'm really sorry, I don't have good news for you guys..." I could feel the fear they had in their look, although it was almost dark inside the tent. It's never easy when it's time to give bad new to somebody, especially to a child. With the situation I was in, the only thing I could do was to blurt it out. "Sorry kids, your teacher's just died..." -------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3 I didn't see any reaction from the boys, but I could feel it deep within my chest. Their facial expressions were frozen as I moved my eyes from one to the other. I was going to repeat my fatal announcement, but I retracted that thought quickly, waiting for a reaction from them, that I in turn, could react to. They were powerless regarding this event. Another brick had struck them hard. It was as if the world had stopped turning - you know, when everything around you seems to go slower than it really does? I waited as time seemed to stand still - then it began. As I continued to look from Matt to Jake to Wil, then back to Jake and then Matt, I saw the fear and sadness in each the boy's eyes as the anguish in their tender souls was bared to the tragedy of the moment. I didn't expect my own reaction to the overwhelming innocence I saw in their eyes. I was ashamed, period. I was just too late to give the proper help to Mr. Jackson. I didn't have to find a pulse on him, but I did try; his eyes had remained dilated in reaction to the light, and he was already cold and stiff when I touched him. I cursed myself as I realized that if I hadn't had been so egotistical trying to figure out what happened to ME, and if I'd looked at him sooner, I'd have provided a better chance for Mr. Jackson's survival. Now, he was dead, and cold. At the moment, I couldn't investigate what caused him to die, I was too lost within my own thoughts, starting to think about this man I'd never known. I know my raft mates really cared for him a lot; he'd been very special to them. Before the crash and before I found him dead, he was one of the important people that the boys could attach themselves to; and now, the remembrance of the life they once had before the crash, was gone. I started crying, I was sad for them, and I was very angry with myself. I snapped back to reality when I heard some sobbing beside me. I looked at each of the boys, they were all crying uncontrollably; Wil rocking back and forth with his face in both hands; Jake huddling himself on the floor crying hysterically; and Matt was at the tent opening against the edge of the raft wall, choking on heart-wrenching sobs and starting to heave the contents of his stomach. Now I had a new crisis in progress, God, won't it never stop! I didn't know where to start. I've a dead man on one hand, and three painfully grieving kids on the other, who are starting to panic from the debilitating sadness within each of them. I was overwhelmed by my own emotions, and to say the least, I really didn't know what to do. I'd never had kids, I just did some babysitting in the past, but I never had to face such problem like this. "Mom!!!" I screamed in my head!! "What do I do now?!?!?!" No response. OK, let's put the things in the right order, maybe that will help. First off, I'm the adult here, so I have to show that I'm solid as a rock, that they can count on me and that I'll be able to stand up to the situation, although I'm almost as grief stricken as they are together with my shame, but they don't have to know that. I have to look after the more crucial things, like a kid ready to drop into the ocean while he's puking. My legs still unable to move, so I tried to drag myself to Matt who was dangling over the raft wall while he was vomiting. I knew he wasn't aware of the danger that he may fall into the water. With a lot of effort, I was able to get beside him as quickly as I could and grab him, just as he was about to slip off the raft. All I could do was to hold him by his tiny waist with one hand, stroking his bare back with the other. "Matt..." No response. "Matt..." "WHAT!!! Brrwwwwaaaaaa!!!" The wretching and sobbing continued. "Are you ok, angel?" "OK? You're asking me if I'm OK? He's dead!!!!" then pointing toward his teacher. "That fuckin' plane took his fuckin' life!! Brrwwwwaaaaaa!!!" He continued to sob hysterically between gut- wrenching heaves. What could I add to that - that he was right, even if his words were free and crude! Welcome to Matt's world! "I know Matt... but..." "BUT WHAT! He's gone now, and we'll all die too!" He yelled at the top of his lungs. That caused Jake and Wil to turn around and look at us. I held my index to my lips hoping they'd know to stay quiet. I didn't need them to add their emotional hysteria to an already fragile situation. "Listen Matt, I know you're angry, that you're shocked, but please don't yell at us. We didn't have anything to do with that plane crash, we're the victims, just like you. I just wanna give a little help here, ya know?" I said in a somewhat calm voice. I continued to gently rub his back while I waited for him to compose himself and be able to speak. "Sorry Greg... This time, I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you." He said still crying. "It's OK buddy, I know you must have loved him a lot and that you have to let the anger out, maybe we all feel the same, but it's not fair for you to yell at the rest of us guys who really care about you. It's OK to be angry, but we're all here to support each other, you know?" "Yeah, I know... I understand. Will you pull me in? I'm finished. I can't puke anymore," he added with tears still in his eyes and coursing down his face. I didn't have to pull him at all, Jake was there in a flash and pulled his friend inside the raft, looking at me with a 'don't-say-anything' look. I gave Jake an understanding approbation. Matt crawled weakly, then sat in the middle of the floor and crossed his legs. Jake followed behind him, put his legs on each side of Matt, and held him in his arms, his chin resting on Matt's left shoulder, his cheek rubbing against Matt's; Matt's hands holding Jake's to his chest. The only sound was a quiet whimpering from each of them. Wil and I just looked to each other, with astonishment! Something was happening; together, they looked like they were only one, each boy quietly soothing the other. Wil was left out of this sympathetic intimacy. I didn't know how he'd react to such closeness, but I took a chance; patted my hip and opened my arms while I was looking at him. Opposite to what I thought, he came quickly into my embrace, burying his head in my chest and continued sobbing a little. I started to gently stroke my hand in his hair to relax him. Each boy seemed to avoid looking directly where Mr. Jackson was. We stayed like that for more than fifteen minutes. I was heart- broken for the boys as each of us overcame our initial grief. Eventually, Wil lifted his head and looked at me with his deep sorrowful eyes. "What we'll do with him?" he whispered. It surprised me that the shy boy was the first to bring this up. "What do you think we should do with him Wil?" I asked. "I dunno, I don't want him to stay here in the raft, but I don't want to leave him either... it's confusing!" "I want to give him a decent ceremony at least," Matt said calmly as his mind started to reason with the problem at hand. "What would you like to do for a ceremony?" I replied. "I want to give him my respect, I think that each one of us should talk to him sincerely, and maybe we should offer a prayer..." Matt said still holding onto Jake. "I want to relate some past events we had with him," Jake added. Then there was some silence. Wil was again in his introverted mood, not giving his own opinion while everyone sat there looking at him. So, as I continued to hold him, I helped a little by asking, "And you, my little Wil, do you have any idea for a ceremony?" "Hmm... I just want to hold his hand, and tell him something in my head." "Hey, that's no fair if he doesn't..." Jake quietly protested. I cut Jake's whining quickly by saying, "Everything's fair young man, this is what Wil needs do for himself and Mr. Jackson, and we'll respect him and his private thoughts, is that OK with you?" I emphasized the 'OK'. "Yes, sir..." Both Jake and Matt said dejectedly. "Listen boys, we're all exhausted from the events since the crash, but we DO have to respect each other's self being, wills, thoughts and differences. We can't let anyone be isolated from our group as a whole. Each of us has to understand that we're in this together, and our lives at sometime or another will depend on it. Is that clear to everyone?" A mumbled, "OK" came from each of the kids. "Now with that little problem solved, I think you have a lot to think about before saying your last goodbye to Mr. Jackson... please take your time to calm down; I think we all need to, and let's try to prepare our own thoughts for the debt of gratitude we owe Mr. Jackson.... and God, for the life he shared with us. When everyone is ready, we'll begin." While the boys prepared their thoughts about Mr. Jackson, my mind wandered; I was overwhelmed by the things that had just happened. First, I was angry that Jake had commented about Wil's desire to keep his thoughts private. The most sombre event in a person's life had just occurred and any person's reaction to the pain of death should be allowed to be personal. For the few hours I'd been with these three, I was sensing that something was odd between each of them. They said they were all friends. OK, I could admit that they seem to know each other very well. However, I can tell by the look in Wil's eyes that he doesn't seem to like Jake at all. Jake probably suffers from that because he seems to love everyone around him. Jake is a little too direct and never knows when it's time to shut up, but otherwise, he's a good kid with good intentions. I think the way he acts with Wil is just because he'd like to be closer to him, but Wil, for the most part, seems to shun any degree of intimacy. On the other hand, Matt seems to be very friendly with both of them, if not with everyone on earth, - I knew from the beginning, even aboard the plane, that that's how Matt is, a big open heart on two feet! Matt and Jake seem to be very attached to each other, like two brothers, they always take care of the other one. With Matt, Wil looks like his little brother. Wil always relies on what Matt thinks or does. I'm not sure if I'm right with what I see between these guys, but I know I'll have to be very careful to avoid distension within the group. We need to stay bonded together to ensure our security and our survival. As my thoughts faded, I looked up from the floor of the raft and saw that the boys had been doing the same as me. They were doing nothing, just looking down, Matt playing with his fingers, Jake tapping on the floor, and Wil looking at a safety notice on the raft wall. "Is everybody's ready?" I asked. "Hmm hmm..." they mumbled altogether. "Sorry to ask, but who want to be the first?" For a moment there was no response, then Jake said, "I'll start... I won't be able to do it if I wait too much longer..." "OK, so go on... I want everyone to be patient and respectful of Jake, and to the others after him. This is not an easy thing for anyone to do..." So, Jake approached his teacher calmly, with tears in his eyes, then started to speak through a few sniffles. "Dear Mr. Jackson, never had I thought this could have happened. I never thought I'd give this kind of ceremony to you on a stupid orange raft. It's just too dumb. I mean, you shouldn't have died.... you shouldn't have been hurt so bad that you died. You were my best teacher, the only one I could rely on. You were our math teacher and our class tutor, the best one I ever had! You were the coolest teacher in the school. You always had time for me, you never judged me. Do you remember when I peed myself in the class last year? You protected me.... you told everyone to shut up and you took care of me. I was ashamed, but you taught me how to be proud of myself and to forget that little incident. Do you remember when it was too hot in the school at the beginning of the year? No one was listening because it was too hot inside the classroom, so you took everyone outside near the service door, and then you took the janitor's water hose and splashed us until we were all wet... even soaking our clothes from head to toe! Then we stripped to our boxers and you continued to give our math lesson outside in the shadow of a big elm. That was sick!" he added with a small tearful smile. "At Christmas, you gave each one of us a special gift. It was a personalized one. Knowing that I wanted to be an engineer, you gave me a book about the world's largest bridges and sky scrappers. That book must have cost over eighty dollars! I'd almost refused it, but you told me that I shouldn't refuse, because you'd have to put a 'D' on my next math exam. I must have read that book more than ten times and I got three 'A's on my exams! You organized this winter break trip too... and this is what caused your death...." Each of us respected the silence while Jake, with great effort tried to compose himself before he continued. "You proposed this trip to 'Down Under' like you used to say. You prepared us for the trip.... you gave lots of evening information meetings for our parents.... you taught us what Australia was like and you let us decide where to go and what to do for the trip. I'd like to thank you 'cause you're the only one that really believed in our potential, and you never treated us as dumb kids. When I grow up, I wanna be just like you. I'll miss you a lot. I hope we can see each other sometime. I..." then, Jake started to cry, "...I... I'm... I can't....! Bye bye Mr. Jackson, I'll always love you..." Then Jake took the cold man's hand in his, and touched it to his lips. Everyone's eyes were watering by now. Matt moved beside his friend to comfort him and then he started his own recitation while holding Jake in his arms. "Well, Hi Mr Jackson..." he started with a shy grin. "Not easy to do, Jake's told almost everything!" Jake smiled slightly to that comment. "First, I'd like to thank you for the help and support you gave me throughout last autumn. We both know how important your help was to me then. I won't say anything here, but I can say I'm here today because you were there at that time. What happened between you and me will always stay between us. I know I'm the person I am today because of you. You were more than a father for me, as hard as it is for me to tell what a real father is." He said with a sad look. "I dunno what will happen with me, but for sure, you're part of it because of the way you shared your life with me. I'll always owe you one. I hope to see you again one day..." He said pointing upward. "I have a favour to ask you, Mr. Jackson. Will you protect us while you're there in heaven? If ever we're able to get back home, I'll erect a monument in your memory." He choked back a quiet sob and ended with, "G'bye my teacher, I will never forget you..." Matt held onto Jake, burying is head on Jake's shoulder. I thought Matt would explode into tears but no, he kneeled there like a real gentleman, offering his blessing to his beloved teacher. Then Wil, moved nearer his teacher's lifeless body, to give his silent dedication. He started taking Mr. Jackson's hand in his, but feeling it cold, he retracted. I looked at his furrowed brow and I too could feel his level of discomfort, however, with determination and courage, he took the hand again. We remained silent for more than five minutes before Wil released Mr. Jackson's hand. "I'm finished, I told him everything I wanted to and.... I'll never forget his voice..." he sniffed and then added, "We should give him a prayer before we let him go..." OK, I'm not too involved when it comes to the religious things, but that's what the boys wanted. So, I started slowly with what I felt in my heart. "Lord, you know I'm not a deeply religious person, but I am well aware of your presence and strength. Lord, we owe you a debt of gratitude for sparing our lives through this horrific event. We've yet to learn why, in your wisdom, you spared our lives, but we know that this experience will enrich and strengthen our future until it's our time to join Mr. Jackson. I too would like to provide gratitude for the life of Glenn Jackson, because without him, these three boys and I would never have met. His intellectual values, guidance, and profound love of life provided these boys with the courage they've needed to survive this ordeal, and in doing so, also saved my life. I can only hope that we can emulate the wholesome values that Glenn Jackson portrayed throughout his life. It is with deepest respect that we commit his life to your service and please accept our respect when we pray - "Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name..." The boys followed me in the prayer. All our eyes closed in respect. "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from eveil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever. Amen." It was something special, to hear those little voices, in the middle of nowhere, offering an innocent heartfelt prayer to a beloved one. After the prayer, we all knew that the difficult job was yet to come. Matt was the first to speak. "Who's gonna put him into the water? Greg, would you... hmm... I mean... I can't... We can't... He's our teacher, we can't do that..." "Boys, although I'd honestly like to do it for you, I can barely support myself and I can't move my legs at all. There's another thing that's bugging me..." "I know," Jake said. Then he added, "You shouldn't have to be the only one to do a very hard job. Later, I don't want us to hate you because you're the one that pushed him into the water..." "So what do you propose?" "I say that we should all give a hand together to lift him out of the boat and drop him in the water," Jake said calmly. "Jake... I'm very proud of you!" I said sincerely. "You're showing a lot of self control and confidence.... and I think you're right, it would be best." "Yeah Jake, what you said may be hard to do, but Mr Jackson deserves our respect and that we should all do something for him." Matt said. "I agree too. I'll take the tent top down, and we'll all do it." Wil added. "Guys, I'm speechless, you're demonstrating a lot of maturity, and I'm very proud of you. I should add that it won't be easy, but we have to do it together." No response came from the group, but their sad eyes were agreeing with me. Wil finished removing the tent top, rolled it into its small pack, and then secured the pack by strapping it to the boat with the provided attachment. In unison, we moved as close to the teacher as we could, then in a common move, we all lifted him against the raft wall and rolled him over. With just a little splash from the fall of the weight into the water, the body of Mr. Glenn Jackson was committed to the sea. With only the light of a near full moon, he was gone, into the black ink of the ocean. Just a small whirlpool from the spot where he sank was visible for a little time and then it faded to nothing. The boys continued to look at the spot where the body left the water's surface and they stayed there, looking at the ocean for more than fifteen minutes. I did the same. It was the cold breeze that brought us back to reality. We started to feel the bitter cold enter our bodies. We were all shivering, only in our boxers, so the boys quickly put the tent top up and zipped the door almost completely. "Ok, boys, it's finished, come here..." I said. "I know we're all sad, but we have to get some sleep too." Then I took Wil's arm to see what time it was. "It's past four AM, so I want each of you to have some rest. Before that, I want you to secure everything properly to the raft strapping kit and I want you to put your life jackets back on while we're sleeping." "Nooo!! It's a... It's uncomfortable... I mean we can't exchange body heat with those things on. I'm still shivering!" Jake exclaimed. "OK, I agree, but I want you to put it near you, a hand into it at least." "OK, thanks!" Jake said Then I lay down as they organized themselves in the same position as last night. Matt's belly against my back, his left arm crossing over my chest. Jake was glued to Matt from head to toe. Surprisingly, Wil asked Jake if he could stick to him. Jake smiled him gently and offered the place behind him. Wil took Jake in his arm and put his face in Jake's hair. We pulled the thermal sheet over us and we slept until it was too hot in the raft, five hours later. When we woke in the morning, we were all thirsty, so we removed the thermal sheet and drank a little sip of water. Before returning to sleep, Wil opened the door and the opposite window. The light ocean breeze was enough to freshen the air in the raft and the temperature was comfortable for sleeping. I told the guys to leave the orange tent top on because I'd noticed that the sun was starting to burn Matt's back. The top provided us with the shade we needed under the sunlight, so we wouldn't catch severe sun burns anymore. I awoke for the second time this day around noon. I turned my head to look at the boys. They were all sleeping, but something was poking me in my back. So I turned over to see Matt supporting a major boner in his boxers, probably from the need to take a morning piss; understandable for a sleeping boy of this age. What was a bit startling and less understandable was Jake's left hand in Matt's boxer. He probably didn't know what he was doing so, to avoid any embarrassment, I gently removed his hand to his side before waking all them. I was relieved to see that my legs started to work. I couldn't stand on them, but I was able to move them a little, which made the boys very happy and relieved. We started our third day in the raft by emptying our bladders, this time with Wil joining the boys as they peed over the side. After they finished, I was a little constrained to ask for help - to find a way to get mine emptied. I didn't have anything at hand to pee into. I'd have to go at the door opening to get over the raft wall like they had, but I wasn't able to stand by myself. Then Jake suggested that I should sit on the edge of the wall, my feet near to the water with someone holding me while I peed. Wow! Jake thought of everything, but forgot one thing that Matt thought about. "Hmm, sorry to destroy your almost genius plan Jake, but it won't work at all." Matt said "Huh? Noooo?!! Everything will be fine Matt, he just has to..." Jake started to add, but was quickly cut off by Matt. "Jake, he'll pee on his boxers in that position!!" "Duh!!!" Matt said dumbfounded by the thought. OK, I should say that Matt was correct. It was the only way I'd be able to do it, but the more I thought about a solution, the more I was afraid they came to the same one as me. "Hmm... sorry Greg, but we'll have a hard time helping you... maybe if... no... you won't allow us... but..." a unwilling Matt stumbled over his words. There he was; with the same solution as me. "You want me to remove them before climbing on top of the wall?" I said pointing my boxers. "Hmm, sorry, yeah. It's the only way we'd be able to help you." "Hey it's Ok Matt. I'm not ashamed of my body, but I don't want to cause you some embarrassment. I don't really want to be the only one in the nude here, but if it's what it takes, I can get over it. We're all guys here and everybody here knows what dangles between our legs..." While each of the boys giggled, I continued, "....so there's no problem at all with me if there's no problem with all of you. Is that OK?" I hoped that the boys wouldn't mind because the pressure in my bladder was becoming unbearable. "I don't have any problem. If you want, we can remove ours too so you won't be the only one embarrassed." Jake eagerly added. "You don't have to do that boys!" I replied almost upset. "With the situation I'm in right now, it's the only way I'll be able to pee, I can't do it any other way. You don't have to remove your boxers and I'll never force you to or even ask you to!" "Yeah, but we just want to be as equal as you. You don't have to be embarrassed by yourself while we aren't.... that's not fair!" Matt said. "Are you boys sure?" "Yeah, we like to be nude sometimes!" Both boys replied. I thought quickly about what they just said; nude sometimes? Oh, OK that's their own business. Then Jake added, "Otherwise, why would we have brought it up?" Matt added shyly, "And... hmm, our shorts are starting to stink a little too ..." "OK, I agree... but do it ONLY if you all want to, is that Ok?" I asked. "No," came a single response from the opposite side of the boat. Shit, I forgot the shy one, Wil. "I won't do it. Don't any of you ever think I will. They'd probably call our raft the "Queer Mary II" when they find us." Wil said with a devilish grin that I didn't like at all. "Listen Wil," I started to tell him. "We won't ask you to do something you don't want to, however if there was something that would put you in danger, we'll probably pry a little bit," I said giggling. "Your friends just offered me to be nude to put me at ease because I have no choice, but to remove my clothes to be able to pee..." I added. "They want to be nude against my will and I think they won't stop bugging me until I agree, so I'll let it go. And for God sakes my little man, stop the gay thing, we're in a kind of abnormal situation here, we'd all like to have some privacy, but since we're all in the same spot, we'll have to share this little space with everyone. Remember, we aren't in a house here, it won't be that easy sometimes, like... like right now..." "Yeah, it's OK. I understand... you guys can do whatever you want.... I won't mind, but I won't take mine off..." "We'll respect everyone here Wil," Matt added. "If you feel you wanna join us, just do it, but we won't mind either if you don't want to, OK?" "Thanks Matt, you're such a friend," Wil replied sincerely. "Hell yeah, I know I'm the greatest!" Matt said trying to do his best Mohamed Ali imitation. "OK, so if both of you are up to it, we should start getting me out there before I make a mess on the floor!" I interjected. So, Matt, Jake and I quickly removed the only clothes left on us, with Wil giving a glimpse our way from time to time, but trying to be unnoticed. "Wow!! Yours is a lot bigger than ours!" Matt said. "Hmm yeah, maybe. But I'm a grown-up and you're just about to start puberty. Don't despair, yours will grow too!" "You sure? I mean, I never saw my father's or an adult one; I didn't think it would be that big!" "Yeah I'm sure. Just give it the time to grow." I replied. "I want mine to be as big as yours when I get older!" Matt giggled. I took a quick look at the boy's equipment, then added, "You shouldn't be ashamed for the size of your penis, they're pretty big for boys of your age... I was smaller than that at your age." "Wow, does that mean that we'll be bigger than you?" Matt asked. "Maybe, maybe not. I should say that it's not the quantity, but the quality that matters!" I grinned. "Huh?!?!" both boys said, looking at me with question mark in their eyes. I laughed adding, "I mean, it's not the size that's important, it's more important how you use it..." "Oh, hmm... okay! I think I understand... it's like when I..." Jake started to add. "That should be a private matter young man, we don't have to know all about your sexual history!" I said with a big smile while I put my hand over my ears. "Duh!" "Hey, guys, help me to get over this wall!" I smiled. So they helped me to climb up onto the raft wall. I sat on the edge; my body facing the center of the boat. Then while Jake was holding my waist to help me to keep my balance, Matt took my legs and used them to turn me so I was facing the water. He carefully released them near the water. After they'd lifted me, each one supported me under my armpits and inched me as close to the to the water as they could. They both grabbed one leg and my waist to holding me secure and then I was ready to do my job. OK, now I'd like to explain that it's easy to remove some clothes, being nude and everything, but when it comes to peeing while a child is holding you to keep you from falling in the water, I must say - nothing seems to happen. I was there, ready to pee, but nothing would come out. What was very odd is that the kids were looking at what I was trying to do - create a golden thread into this vast ocean - and it wasn't happening! I'd never had a hang-up with other guys watching me pee before. I was stressed as hell and so uncomfortable with the situation. "Hmm, Greg?" Matt attempted to ask. "Not workin', huh?" "I... It... It's coming..." I shyly replied. Then, I tried to relax, because I was just about to get hard. Knowing the turmoil my dick caused with the boys while it was soft, I wouldn't stand a chance if it started growing!! Soon it started to release, God that hurt!! Considering the volume I released, I really did need to pee!!! When I finished, the boys turned me around and slid me to the floor of the raft. While Matt and Jake supported my arms, I tried to kneel and support myself on my knees. It took some effort, but I was supporting myself - a bit wobbly at the hips, but bit by bit I was gaining some balance. That was very encouraging. For the time being, I thought maybe I'd be able to get around the raft on my hands and knees doggy style. Once we were back inside the raft, we found Wil by the window opening, verifying the attachment that kept the other raft secured to ours. He said that everything looked fine. We sat there on the floor, our backs against the wall. Wil avoided looking at us, he seemed very uncomfortable with the nudity situation. Matt seemed to sense it and went over to sit beside Wil, so he could talk to him discreetly. I looked at them, Matt taking Wil by his shoulder and talking quietly to him, and then I looked at Jake, who smiled at me warmly. I was wondering what they were talking about, but I thought it wasn't of my business - until Matt approached me with a shy grin. "Sorry Greg, I think Wil's having a problem." He said. "Oh, and what it is?" I replied. "Hmm, I think you should talk to him, he'll explain it himself. He really does have a problem, and I guess we'll all have to face it sometime..." he said without any explanation. I looked at Wil, who now had his head buried between his knees. He was looking down and seemed to be very sad. Poor Wil, what is it that doesn't work with him? What can I do to make a connection with him? He's so unstable, always shy, yet angry about many things. The only one that he seems to rely on, is Matt. "OK, help me to get over to him... I'll have a talk with him," I said. With a bit of support from Matt, I kneed myself over to Wil, slow and steady. I sat beside Wil and started to stroke his back. He turned his face toward me, and although he looked at my face, he wasn't making eye contact. "I'm sorry Greg. I... I want to apologize... I want to apologize for the gay thing... I didn't mean it." "It's OK Wil. It just that if someone here is gay, you could have misjudged him unknowingly, and hurt his feelings, without knowing what you were doing..." "Yeah, it's what I thought too... I said that to Matt." He said with a rather calm voice. "It's just that, sometimes, I feel like the odd fellow in the group. I know I'm different, but I can't tell why. I know when I say or do something bad, but I can't help it....it's as if I do it against my will." "You know my little friend, I'll try everything that's possible so you'll be at ease around me and especially around all of us as a group. But first, maybe you should think twice before saying or doing something. Ya think that might work?" "That's what my mom's always says!" He replied surprised. "Uhh? So if mom's saying it, it should be true. Our moms always tell the truth, didn't you know that?" I smiled. "Yeah!" He giggled. "So, from now on, if you feel like crap, or you have something that's bugging you, don't wait; just come to me, I'll take the time to talk with you. Is that a deal?" "Yeah, thanks Greg. Now I know why Matt likes you so much..." "Thanks. I like him a lot too. In fact, the more I know about all of you, the more I like each of you. You're the kids I never had, but you Wil, I don't know you very well because you're a little shy and closed. However, if you give me a just a little chance, I think I'll happily grow to know a very kind young man. Just let your happy side out sometimes and you'll see that without any effort, your life will be easier for you and for those around you. Don't be shy to stick to us, to fool around with us, to be dumb, or to show us what's buried deep inside you. We may be together for a long time and we have to be comfortable with each other." "Geeze, I'll really try hard. But sometimes, I know it won't be that easy." "It's OK providing you try; just don't set your sites too high. Go at it little by little, before you know it, things will change faster than you'd think. Not only that, Matt, Jake, and I are pretty understanding and we'll talk you through any tough times if you give us the chance." "Ok, I'll try. Thanks, I really appreciate what you said. I've never had anyone talk to me like that... my parents don't give a shit what's happening to me. The only thing they do is to yell about nothing and everything." "Oh, I'm sorry Wil, I didn't know..." I said sadly. "You don't have to be sorry Greg. I'm probably the only one here that doesn't want to go back home. For the first time of my life, I'm free, I can breath freely. I don't feel the tightness in my chest like I normally do at home. I'd like to stay here forever. I have my friends around me, I have the sun, the air.... if I had to die right now, I'm exactly where I'd like to be." "That's a very deep thought Wil. It's shows a great deal of maturity on your part. I wouldn't have thought you were in such distress at home." "Matt's got lots of problems at home too. The only one who seems to be happy at home is Jake. His parents are funny as hell, he has a little brother, Jim. He's the brother everyone would like to have. I really envy him." "Well, I can understand how you appreciate watching how a happy family interacts." "Can I tell you something else?" he asked, for the first time not in a shy mood, but more proud of himself. "What is it dear boy?" "Greg, I wish I could put my shyness aside forever. I really want to because I feel bad for the others every time I'm shy. It stops me from doing a lots of things I'd like to do. Maybe sometimes I might fall into my old self, but right now, I really want to give something a try..." Then, he surprised me by adding, "So, I decided something for a good start.... I think I'll be the same as all of you. I'll get naked too." "You sure?" "Yeah, because one day or another, I won't have the choice. You'll all have the time to inspect my dick and my beauty when I take a crap in the ocean! So why should I wait 'til then, since all you guys are naked already!" He said with a big grin. "Well, THAT seems to make sense!" I replied chuckling, then laughing. That caught the attention of Matt and Jake and then their eyes watched in astonishment while Wil dropped his boxers, and more surprised that he was supporting a major boner, which seemed just at bit larger than it should be for his body size and years! "What! Are you jealous? Does it get you a little excited?" Wil said giving two quick strokes to his dick to entertain his audience with a wink and a big grin from ear to ear. We all started to laugh uncontrollably with Wil. I could tell he was doing a really great job to put himself at ease. "OK guys! No more pee, poop, dick or ass talk for a while because we might get too distracted and do something crazy! Now, let's get ready to eat, we have a lot to do this afternoon!" I said chuckling, trying to recompose myself. Now with the gloom of the last 24 hours lifted, we all moved toward the center of the boat to start preparing our lunch. I didn't know why, but I thought we'd have a great one!! To be continued... ____________________________ He he!!! I told you this one would not be a sad ending or a cliffhanger! I would like to thank everyone who took the time to write me. All the feedbacks to this story were positive. It helps the author (that is me, duh!) to know that I'm on the right track, doing a job that the readers appreciate. I'd like to thanks some of you for the help that's been offered. I'll never know when it should come handy, so I appreciate it a lot. I would have been ashamed if I had forgotten to thanks my editor. This chapter was really hard to write for me. I didn't wanted to miss some details and wanted my readers to feel like they were in the raft. I think he did a really great job to wrap this one up. So there it is; thanks my friend! For those who write me, and because I'm curious as hell, let me know where you're from and how old you are, so I can get some personal statistics of my readers. As usual, let me know if you like the story or not. Flames will be ignored. Drake drakanian32@yahoo.ca