Date: Mon, 04 Dec 2000 20:27:51 -0500 From: Charlie Subject: David's Christmas Present - 3 The following story is total fiction. Any relationship to persons living or dead is purely accidental. This story depicts sexual acts between people of the same sex (male), some of whom are under age. If you find this concept distasteful, or if it is illegal where you live, or if you are underage, please stop reading now. III. Christmas Day When Adam opened his eyes in the morning, he didn't know where he was. He looked around at the immense wood paneled room, but he hadn't seen it last night. He wondered if he'd frozen to death and was now in some sort of purgatory, or perhaps even Heaven? He certainly was warm and comfortable! He had always heard that when people freeze to death, they simply go to sleep and have wonderful dreams until the end comes. How people could know that was something of a mystery to Adam. After all, it wasn't as if they had come back and told someone what it was like. But it would certainly explain his current situation. But then he heard the steady breathing of someone else, and at the same time he felt the twitch of a hand that was attached to the arm that was wrapped loosely around him. He turned his head and saw David's face as he slept, and he remembered. It was true! All of it! It wasn't a dream and he wasn't dead! He was very, very much alive! Oh man, was he alive! David woke a few minutes later. He opened his eyes and found himself looking directly into the strong, sculptured, beautiful face of a teenager. Those deep dark liquid eyes were looking directly at him, and there were tears falling from them. "Adam?" he questioned. "What's wrong, Adam? You ok?" "Yeah," Adam whispered. "I'm sorry, it's just that... you looked so peaceful sleeping there! I love you so much! I've had such a great time, but it's all over in just a few days. I'll be gone back to my world and you'll still be here in yours. I can't believe how much I love you after such a short time! I don't want it ever to end, David!" David held Adam close and let him cry. "It isn't going to end, Adam," he whispered. "If you don't want it to end, it won't! It's just that simple, you'll see. If I ever had any doubts, they melted as soon as I opened my eyes this morning and looked into your gorgeous face. I don't ever want to wake up again without you to look at! I love you, Adam! And I'm gonna take care of you. Forever, if you want me to." Adam didn't answer. He pulled away far enough to get his face up to David's, and he kissed him. The kiss lasted far longer than he had intended. He ventured his tongue into David's mouth and found the sensations, the tastes, the reaction, much to his liking. He felt himself get hard and push against David's stomach, and at the same time he felt David's penis growing and pushing itself between his legs. "Now, David?" he whispered when they finally broke the kiss. "Can I suck it now?" "If you want to," David replied. He was completely in Adam's control now, had thrown caution totally to the wind. He didn't have to be told twice. Adam kissed David once more, then slithered down his body as David had done to him. He took David's seven inch member in his hand. He inspected it, sniffed it. His tongue flicked it, wiping the precum that had accumulated at the tip. "It's big," he commented. "You don't have to if you don't want to," David said. "Are you kidding?" Adam said as he licked the head again. "I was just sayin' that it's bigger than mine. I want to, David. Is it ok now?" "Any time you're ready." Adam was more than ready. David felt the heat and dampness of his mouth as he encircled the thing he'd been admiring, licking, longing for. It felt so incredible to Adam, and tasted even better. All the talk at school, all the comments and jokes, all had been wrong! There was nothing dirty about this! There couldn't possibly be anything dirty about something that tasted so good, felt so right! In a stall of the boys' washroom perhaps it was less than great; but when the thing in your mouth belonged to one you love, it was a truly beautiful thing! And what was even more beautiful was the way that David was responding to his ministrations. David, his lover, the person he had not yet known twenty-four hours, and who was now the most important person in Adam's life! Perhaps in the whole universe! David was moaning loudly, writhing about the bed as if being tortured with pleasure, kneading Adam's head with his hands, absolutely unable, it seemed, to lie still. Adam didn't know what he was doing, or so he thought. But the memory of what had happened to him last night, the absolute total love he felt for David and the desire to please, not to mention the pleasure he was enjoying himself, drove him to heights he'd never imagined possible. When he felt the head of David's member strike the back of his mouth, causing him to gag slightly, he reminded himself what it was in his mouth: his lover's most intimate body part! Unfortunately, Adam's efforts had their effects long before either participant was ready. "I'm gonna cum," David said hoarsely as he continued to writhe and squirm. Adam moaned loudly, but he made no effort to release his hold on the instrument that was about to explode. Like David, he knew what was coming; also like David, he couldn't wait! This was what he'd wanted last night! This was the consummation of his love for David! This was the very essence of the man he had fallen for so completely! And then the first volley of David's orgasm blasted the back of his throat. When the storm was over and both David and Adam were coming down from their incredible high, Adam wriggled up in the bed until they were again face to face. "Your turn," he said with a grin. "Thanks man, that was totally awesome! I had no idea that could be so special! I love you, David!" "I love you too, Adam," David answered. "Thanks for the offer, and believe me I'm gonna take you up on it, but not right now. I'm afraid I'm gonna have to go in to work for a few minutes. We can't stay in bed all day, much as I'd like to." "Work?" Adam questioned. "You work?" "Course I work, dude! You think this house, the pool, all those toys in the garage just materialized out of thin air?" "I guess I never thought about it. I guess I just thought, you know, rich folks are just... well... rich! And if you're rich, you don't have to work." "Not that simple, my friend. Maybe someday, but for now I have to go in just to check on things. With all that snow the other guys might not be able to get in, so it's up to me. I guess I really don't have to work if I don't want to, but I love my job, and it does impose certain responsibilities." "Where do you work?" Adam asked as he realized that he really knew very little about his new lover, his benefactor, perhaps his future adoptive father. "PowerNet. It's an Internet provider company." "No way! You work for PowerNet?" "Uh-huh. You've heard of it?" "You kidding? Man, PowerNet rocks! They're at my school, and all the kids that I know that have computers either have PowerNet or wish they did. They're where it's at, man!" 'Do you have a computer, Adam?" "Oh yeah, man! I got the very latest multimedia system. Social Services bought it for me, the same day they bought my complete new wardrobe, along with my new Chevy Blazer complete with chauffeur 'cause I'm not old enough to drive yet. Hell no, David! I use the computers at school, but there's no hope of me ever getting my own computer." "Never say never, Adam. This is Christmas, remember? This is a magical day. Today you will have your own room, with your own computer in it." "Yeah, right!" Adam laughed. "I suppose I'll also have my own closet full of clothes, right?" David regarded Adam. He was sitting up in bed now, still naked, still the most beautiful thing on the face of the earth. His long straight black hair was draped on his bare shoulders now, framing his beautiful dark face, those incredible liquid eyes. "The wardrobe might have to wait till tomorrow," he said with a laugh. "The stores are closed, and by the time we get dressed and have breakfast the day will be half gone anyway. But tomorrow the stores'll all be open, and then we'll see about the wardrobe. You like clothes, Adam?" "Well," Adam stammered, realizing that David had taken him deadly seriously. "Uhhhh.... yeah, I love clothes! But... well, that's just one of those dreams kids have, ya know?" "Not any more. Trust me, little brother, that dream just came true! Now, let's find you some of my clothes that you can wear, and we'll go check on things at PowerNet, ok?" "Wow!" David whistled as he glanced out the window. "It must've snowed a foot last night, and it's still comin' down. I don't think I've ever seen this much snow here, and I've never seen more than an inch or two at Christmas. Those stores we were talkin' about might not be open tomorrow after all. Oh well, no matter. I think I can find things for you to wear. They'll be a little big for you, but that's the style anyway, right?" David told Adam as they dressed that the snow still looked quite deep on the roads, so they would have to take the red pickup. "It's a four wheel drive," he explained. That was perfectly fine with Adam, who had spied that truck the minute they'd driven in the garage last night and had fallen in love with it instantly. "We'll grab some breakfast on the way," David said as they went downstairs. "I'm pretty sure that same Jewish restaurant where we ate last night will be open, if that's ok." "Fine with me," Adam said cheerfully. "I usually don't eat that much breakfast." "We'll fix that," David said as he handed Adam a heavy jacket he thought would more or less fit. It didn't take Adam very long, once they were in the pickup, to discover all the options it had to offer, including a very high grade stereo complete with CD changer. "Wow!" he exclaimed. "What kinda CD's you got in the changer?" "Just ones I made up," David answered. "I hate it when you buy a CD and there's only one song you like, so I make my own CD's with songs I like. Help yourself to the six in the machine, or if there's nothing there you like there's a case in the console. But we won't be in the truck all that long." "Prob'ly nothing here I like anyway," Adam grumbled good naturedly. "What kinda music do you like?" "Just about anything, dude. Country, Gospel, Classical, some light rock, folk, oldies, just about anything except heavy metal and rap. There should be something there you like." Adam was about to push the eject button to nix the CD in the player when a song started. He recognized it instantly: the group Alabama with a song he'd heard hundreds of times. David had heard this song too, many times actually. After all, David himself had chosen this song and included it on the CD that was in the player. Why had he liked it so much anyway? It hadn't meant anything special to him at the time... it must have been just the musical qualities that attracted him. But now as Randy Owen began to sing, David heard the song, really heard it, for perhaps the first time. Suddenly the chatter in the truck fell silent, leaving only the deep throaty sound of the truck's exhaust, and the voice of Randy as he sang the song: If I had you, We'd run like Gypsies in the wind We'd be lovers, we'd be friends If I had you. If I had you We'd count the stars all one by one We'd make love 'till they were gone Oh, if I had you. Cause you light a fire, 'way down in my soul The flame keeps growin' stronger, There ain't no control And there's nothing, no there's nothing No there's nothing that I wouldn't do.... If I had you. If I had you We'd sail the seven seas as one We'd never say it can't be done Oh, If I had you. Cause you light a fire 'way down in my soul The flame keeps growin' stronger There ain't no control And there's nothin', no there's nothin' I know there's nothing that I wouldn't do.... If I had you... If I had you. David glanced over to Adam. He was staring at David, eyes glassy and watery as if he'd had a sudden allergy attack. But David knew it wasn't an allergy attack because he was suffering from the same affliction. They had both been affected by that song. He pulled the truck to the side of the road and stopped. Adam melted into his waiting arms and they both cried. "We're gonna do it," David soothed. "Wait and see, Adam. You're never gonna be alone again. Never!" "You're somethin' David," Adam said as he looked into his eyes. "I can't explain it, but I know just from lookin' at you that I'm safe with you. I dunno how, but... it's just in your face. I love you, David!" They found the restaurant still closed, probably because of the snow. "No problem," David said, "We'll make a quick stop at the office while I check things, then pick up your computer so you can have something to do this afternoon. Putting it together will be your first assignment." "Where are you gonna get a computer today?" Adam wondered. "PowerNet, of course. Where else? We always keep a few systems on hand for special needs, stuff like that." "But... isn't that stealing? Won't ya get in trouble?" "No, I don't think so. It'll be fine. Besides, today is Christmas. I already told you, this is a magical day." "Someone is already here," David observed as he saw tire tracks disappearing into the parking garage. He followed the tracks to the security station, inserted his badge into the slot, then pulled into the garage when the door pulled open. There were three vans parked in a row, all three painted with the PowerNet logo. Next to them was a green Jeep Wagoneer, still covered with melting snow. "Just as I figured," David said half to himself, "Arnie." "Arnie?" Adam questioned. "Yeah. I knew he had a four wheel drive, so I figured if anyone came in to check things it'd be him. He's one of our best men." They exited the truck and got in the elevator. David again used his security badge, then pushed 2. When the doors opened on the second floor, they came face to face with a man in his early forties. "Hey, David," he said cheerily. "I figured that was probably you. Merry Christmas, my friend!" "Thanks, Arnie," David said as they shook hands. "This is Adam, Arnie. He's my little brother." "Pleased to meet you, Adam," Arnie said as he shook Adam's hand. "David, it's funny, but I guess I kinda assumed you didn't have any family. You've never mentioned any of them. Where do you live, Adam?" "He's gonna be moving in with me," David said before Adam had a chance to answer. "He's not really my brother... YET. I'm going to be seeking legal custody. Adam's homeless." "Really! Well, David, no one can ever say you're not full of surprises. You could do a lot worse, Adam. But I know you won't believe me, I'm just buttering up the boss, right?" Adam snapped his head toward David. "Boss?" he repeated. "He didn't tell you?" Adam said with a grin. Yeah, David's the boss. He owns the company, the building, and all fifty of us employees. He's the master and we're the slaves, right David?" "You got it, Arnie. So tell me, slave, how are things here?" "Ok now. I had to reboot that stupid mail server again. I assumed that's why you came in. It crashed sometime this morning." "No," David said, "I didn't know it had crashed. Come to think of it, I haven't checked my email since some time yesterday morning." "That's gotta be a first. You've been keeping him pretty busy, Adam? He has to be pretty involved not to even check his email. I'm not even gonna ask what you're doing to keep him that busy." Adam didn't know how to respond to this line of questioning. At better moments he would probably have smirked, possibly busted out laughing; but he was still in a state of shock over the revelation that he'd just spent the night with, been seduced by, was about to become the adopted son of, none other than the owner of PowerNet. The OWNER! "Thanks for coming in, Arnie," David was saying. "Now why don't you get your tail outta here? You've got those kids waiting at home, and if I know Valerie there'll probably be a pretty big meal waiting before too long. So get outta here!" "I'm going," Arnie assured him. "What are you and Adam doing for dinner?" "To be honest, we hadn't really thought about it. Ordinarily we would go to that Jewish restaurant I like, but they're not open yet. We've got lots of things in the freezer, so I'll probably cook up something." "Ughhh!" Arnie groaned. "That's child abuse if I ever heard of it, making him eat your cooking. Why don't you both join us? I know Valerie would love to have y'all, and the kids haven't seen you for a long time. I know they'd love to meet you, Adam." "Gee," David answered doubtfully, "I really appreciate it, but... well, things have been happening pretty fast for Adam. I don't want to throw the whole world at him in one day." "He'll be fine, won't you Adam? My daughter Karen is thirteen, and Billy is fifteen. I know they'd make you welcome, and you can't spend all your time with that boring old computer geek who calls himself your big brother." "Up to you, Adam," David said. Adam shrugged. "If you'd like to," he said. "It's ok with me. Actually it might be fun, if you're sure it'd be ok?" "Great!" Arnie exclaimed enthusiastically. "I'll get my tail home and let them know you'll be along about four. We'll have a blast! The kids have lots of new computer games and other stuff I know they're dying to share." After he was gone, David got a cart and took it to the stock room, where he and Adam loaded it up with a new computer, a large monitor, sound system, scanner and printer. "The network card is already in it," David said. "Our standard basic software has already been loaded, and the rest of it you can get off our internet FTP site. This should keep you busy for a while." "WOW!" was about all Adam could say. "I've been waiting a long time to have a kid," David continued. "I suspect there won't be any more, so I might as well spoil the one I've got." "But... you don't have me yet," Adam reminded him. "Matter of time, my boy. Just a matter of time. Now, would you like to see your new office?" "My office? What on earth..." David explained that things get a little busy sometimes, and there might not be anyone available to drive Adam home after school. "If you have an office here," he explained, "you'll be able to do your homework, and it won't be long before you'll be working along with the rest of us, that is if you want to." "Want to!" Adam exclaimed, "I never dreamed you'd let me near this place!" "You're one of the family, man! You gotta pull your weight. But all of that is in the future. Right now let's get that computer loaded in the truck, then we'll go home so you can get a start hooking it all up before we have to go to Arnie's. You sure you don't mind going?" "Not really. I think it's cool that he invited us. He seems like a really nice guy." "Arnie's one of the best. He and I started this business together. I consider him my best friend. He's also vice president." "Does he know you're... er... gay?" "Adam, I didn't know myself till last night. But he knows all about Gwen and what a fiasco that was, so I'm sure he's got his suspicions. But he's that good a friend that he won't ask." David showed Adam around the PowerNet offices, including the server room and communications equipment. Adam was convinced he'd never be able to figure out all the equipment and gadgets, and what they all did. David assured him that he'd be in here working on it all before he knew it. "Not me," Adam said. "You haven't seen my grades." "That'll change. You had no reason to get good grades. Now you do. You wait, and you'll see what I mean." They took the elevator to the third floor: the Executive level. There Adam was shown the most luxurious offices he'd ever seen in his life! There was a gigantic office with David's name on the door, one only slightly smaller with Arnie's name. Next to Arnie's office were two with the names "Karen McDougal" on one, "William McDougal" on the other. Next to those were two empty rooms. "One of those will be yours," David said. "It'll probably take a few days to get the furniture, computer and all. But that's gonna be your office, if it's all right." "All right!" Adam whistled. "David, this time yesterday I didn't have a bed to sleep in or a pot to piss in. Now you're telling me I'm gonna have my own office on the executive floor at PowerNet? Yeah, man, I'd say it's ok." As soon as they were home again, Adam was in David's arms. "You're spoiling me so bad," he panted as they broke a long, deep kiss. "Guess I'm just gonna have to spoil you back with my body." "I hope you don't think that's why I'm spoiling you," David questioned. "No, David. I know better'n that. But... how do you know that I'm not just out to get all I can from you? How do you know I'm not just using you?" "I guess I don't," David admitted, "if you mean iron clad guarantees. But I think it's pretty hard to fake the kind of feelings we've got going on here. And you didn't really come on to me, at least not at first. I'm certainly no expert on love, in fact I guess I know now that I've never been in love before; but I think I know enough to know it'd be pretty hard to fool me. And besides, I love you enough to take the chance. You've made this the best Christmas I've had in years! Maybe ever!" "Me too, David. I think that really this is the first Christmas that's meant anything to me at all. And going to that house for dinner, well, I'm kinda scared in a way, but if they're your friends, I want them to be mine too." "Speaking of which," David said with a grin, "You better get your hand off my dick. It's time for us to go, and it wouldn't do for me to walk in there with a big hard on, would it?" Karen and Billy knew instantly that Adam's heritage was American Indian, and they were absolutely thrilled when he told them he was full-blooded Cherokee. No matter that he'd spent his entire life in the white man's world and knew nothing of his own culture, he was still Indian and so the ice was broken. They ate dinner shortly after David and Adam arrived, and dinner was what David knew it would be with Valerie in charge: fantastic! The food was great, the general happy chatter even better. As soon as they were done eating, the three kids helped clear the table, then they were gone upstairs. Arnie grabbed David and led him into the den and closed the door. "What are your plans for Adam?" he asked as soon as he had David alone. "I'm still putting that all together," David answered. "First thing in the morning I thought I'd call Ben. I dunno if he can handle adoptions, but if he can't I'm sure he'll know someone who can. Actually I think there's a lot more to deal with here than simple adoption. I mean, the kid's been thrown out of his foster home every time they want his bed for company! He needs treatments for a hormone deficiency, and they told him that Social Services couldn't afford it! Damn, Arnie, that's child abuse!" "Are there any other issues, David? Is there anything else you want to tell me?" "I don't know what you mean. What sort of issues?" David asked nervously. "I think you know exactly what I mean, David. You and Adam... there's something going on between you two, isn't there?" David went limp. He could see his life dissolving before his eyes. He could hear the steel doors clanging shut, locking him in a small cell for the rest of his life. It was all over! "Going on?" he echoed weakly. "What makes you think..." "Come on, David, this is me! I know you better than you know yourself. I knew the minute I saw you at the office today! And relax, I'm not gonna say anything. I just want to be sure you know what you're doing." "So you're calling me a queer, is that it?" "Of course you are, David! Shit, man, I've known that for years! I saw you try to make a life with Gwen, and I saw it fall apart because it's just not in you. I've watched you notice cute guys, seen how you completely ignore gorgeous girls that I'd have killed for when I was single. Of course you're gay!" "But... your kids! Billy! I mean, you've let him go off with me, spend nights at my house, swim with me in my pool, sometimes nude! I even took Billy to Mexico last summer. If you knew..." "I said I've always known you're gay. I've also always known you're not a monster. I knew my kids are as safe with you as they are with me. But Adam is different, isn't he? You and he are lovers, aren't you?" "Yes. I tried to fight it, Arnie, but it was no use! I know he's just a kid, and I know I should be ashamed of myself and I am. But I love him, dammit! And he loves me!" Arnie looked hard at his friend. He saw the hint of a tear. He saw the change in expression at the very mention of Adam's name. "I know you do, David," he whispered. "Trouble is, the world won't understand. That's why we've got to be very careful..." "That's why you're better off not knowing. With today's laws, if you know about it and don't report it, you're as guilty as I am." "David, don't talk so fuckin' crazy! Dammit, man, I'm your friend! Your FRIEND! When are you ever gonna get that in your head? I'm standing here watching my best friend in the world fall in love for the first time in his life! I'm not gonna do anything to interfere with that. But we've got to plan this carefully!" "Plan what?" Valerie asked as she opened the door. "You guys are doing a lot of hollering in here, what's going on?" "Nothing, Hun," Arnie replied. "We were just talking about Adam, figuring the best way to proceed, all that sort of thing. We'll be out in a minute." "I think you need me to help," Valerie said as she sat down, making no effort to close the door. "Val," Arnie argued, "it's... well, it's kinda private..." "That's precisely why you need me! If word ever gets out that you two are lovers, David, it's game over. I assume you know that." "Damn!" David exclaimed in frustration. "Does everybody know? Jesus Christ, how the hell do I ever keep a secret?" "Calm down," Valerie said. "Of course I know! I'm a woman, David! I'm a mother! I have a fifteen year old son! Don't you think I can read a teenager's emotions? I think in many ways I think of myself as your mother. I know I'm too young to be your mother, but I also know I'm the closest thing you've ever had to one. I saw the way you two looked at each other! I saw the fire in your eyes: the fire I've never seen before. It's written all over both your faces, David. Of course you're in love! Now let's quit wasting time playing word games and dancing around, and figure out how we're gonna get you two together for good, ok?" David sat astonished as Valerie and Arnie took over. Adam would of course go to Rivercrest Academy, the same school their kids attended. It was an exclusive private school, very expensive and extremely highly rated in the country. Valerie confirmed that her kids had concluded long ago that David was gay, and more than likely had already figured out that he and Adam were lovers. She also affirmed that their attitude would be the same as their parents: that they were delighted that two lonely people had found love, that a homeless kid had found a wonderful home, and that all of the above was for the moment irrelevant to the task at hand: to establish David as Adam's adopted father, guardian, whatever word they chose to use. "You'll have to tell Ben," Valerie said as they ironed out the details. "Sure," David said sarcastically. "Why don't I just take an ad in the paper? I'll make a general announcement on the PowerNet website and then the whole world will know!" "He's gonna figure it out anyway," Arnie said. "David, Ben has pulled some pretty tricky deals on your behalf, some of which might be less than what the Bar Association would call legal. He's gonna do what's right, David, and not what's legal. You know that! You've got to trust him! He'll find out anyway, but you've got to trust him!" "Arnie," David protested, "I've seen Ben give people the third degree. He'll do that to Adam and me, and I don't want that for Adam. He'll tear him apart." "Yes, he will," Arnie agreed. "It's time somebody did. He's pretty young, David, and someone needs to help him discover his true feelings. He's not stupid either. There's always the chance that he's just taking you for a giant ride. Ben will find that out. Is that what you're afraid of? That Adam will break down and say some things you don't want to hear?" "Who's Ben?" Adam asked as he appeared in the doorway. "Adam," David said, "I'm sorry... No one meant..." "I know exactly what he meant, David! Of course they're suspicious! You're right, sir, I'm not stupid! I'm surprised it took this long for someone to wonder if I'm for real. But who's Ben?" "He's our attorney," David replied. "We've got to see him in the morning about your adoption, and Arnie was just saying we should tell him about you and me, and that he would really give you the third degree over the whole thing." "Bring him on!" Adam said defiantly. "Uncle David," Billy said as he joined them, "you've got to give Adam a chance! You can't shelter him from reality, and really, there's no need! He loves you so much, Uncle David! And Karen and I are so happy for you! We're looking forward to going to school with Adam, and bein' his friend, and... but you have to give him a chance to speak for himself. He's been doin' it for fourteen years, and he can do it now! Adam's cool, Unc! He's the greatest!" "Billy?" David said weakly. He was totally aghast now. "He... Adam told you?" "He didn't have to, Unc. It was so obvious! We asked him how you met, and he started to cry. He said you were so good to him! Of course we've always known how great you are, but... well, it didn't take long to figure out that it was more than just you being nice to a homeless kid." Now it was David's turn to get weepy. "I never knew," he said as he broke down. "All these years I've kinda felt sorry for myself because I don't really have a family, at least not one who cares about me; now I find out I've had one all along!" "You've always known," Valerie said as she hugged him. "You just had those defensive walls built so high you couldn't see over them. But now you need a family, and we're gonna be here for you - BOTH of you!" It was almost 10 PM before David and Adam left for home. "Damn, David," Adam exclaimed, "I never dreamed a family could be like that! I mean, Arnie and Valerie are one thing. They've seen a lot, they're open minded, and I can understand them accepting us the way we are. But Karen and Billy! God, I was so scared of them finding out! They're such great kids, and I wanted to be their friend so bad! And when they figured it all out, they hugged me, David! Both of them hugged me! Billy said he was happy for both of us, and then he warned me that if I ever hurt you, I'd have to deal with him! David, those kids would do anything for you! I mean, kids aren't like that, are they?" "Not usually," David replied. "But I guess you know now, they aren't your average run of the mill kids." "You can say that again. But they're so excited about me goin' to their school. By the way, what is Rivercrest Academy anyway?" * * * I sincerely hope you enjoy my writing efforts. If you do, or for that matter if you don't, I would appreciate if you would write to me. My email address is charlieje@mindspring.com.