Date: Tue, 5 Apr 2005 10:40:07 -0700 (PDT) From: T Chase McPhee Subject: Nature Walk 22 The following story is a work of fiction set in the format of reality. Any resemblance to real people is entirely coincidental in nature, and is not meant to accurately reflect persons in towns, cities, or governmental areas, in which the story is staged. If sexual scenes involving male to male relationships offends you, then you should not read this story. Additionally, if you are under 18 years of age, in most states and countries, you are not allowed to read this by law. This is fiction. Don't forget, in real life, to think about 'sexual safety matters'; got condom? "Nature Walk" 22 (M/t oral) wriTten by T. Chase McPhee % "I thought Dr. Roberts said a doctor would be meeting us here right away, Alonzo?" "That's what I thought too, Jabari." "Hell, I could be bleeding all over the floor waiting for him to come." "Well, if you haven't by now, Jabari, chances are you didn't do any damage." "Okay, well you look then." "Me? I'm not a doctor, Jabari." "Hey, Alonzo, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out if I pulled a stitch. Besides, I'd rather be outside soaking up some sun than in here... who knows what radiation lurks about?" "True... true... okay. I'll take a look... but take it easy, Jabari." So, to make it more private, Alonzo rolls the twenty-six year old into the handicapped jon. "Careful now, Jabari. I'm not qualified to sew anybody up!" Jabari giggled at Alonzo's frank humor. Standing, he placed his hands on Alonzo's shoulders. Alonzo opened the robe. "Oh great." "What? You see red?" "No, I can't see anything with this stupid hospital gown over you!" "Just lift it up, Alonzo." "I tried that, dah! It's tied down in the back." "Reach around and untie it, fool!" Alonzo took the teasing all in stride. So, reaching around and like hugging Jabari's stomach, he untied the tiny cord. "They sure don't make it easy for a person," Alonzo made mention. "I'm not complaining," Jabari hoped his unfastener, got the message. Finally, after toying with the thin stringy fabric, Alonzo realeases the gathering in the back. Bringing it forward, he makes a startling discovery! "Man, you're hard as a rock!" "Um, do you go around telling every man that, Alonzo?" "Hee heee... no... sorry." Looking up at Jabari, Alonzo sported quite a red face. "Um, how's the stitches?" "Oh yeah, let me check! Nope... no damage. You're still in one... piece." "Great!" Before he stood up, Alonzo caught sight of Jabari's privates and memorized the large stalk, not at full staff, protruding from the black, curly-haired pocket, complete with two base balls. "Oh, I forgot to ask," as Jabari sat down in the handicapped chair, all put back together again, "is my cock still big?" "Well, you don't think I'm going to go through that again to find out, man!" Alonzo replied. Alonzo became totally shocked when he felt a hand on his own rather stout erection. "Looks like more than me is hard!" Shooing his hand away, he replied to Jabari, "Okay, so looks like we're both gay." "Wow! You mean if ye weren't a science teach, you wouldn't be able to tell that, Alonzo?" The two are getting way in over their heads for their gaysex teasing. Alonzo, out of the blue and entirely much against what he would even, in his right mind, but being out of his right mind, at the time, says, "Want to have some sex?" "Leave it to the science teach to be direct!" "Hey, look, I'm sorry man." "You're sorry Alonzo? I'm not. I'd love to have some sex with you." "Oh shiiiiiiit!" Alonzo laughs, Jabari accompanying him, as he rolls him out in the hallway. % "Oh, one other thing, gentlemen?" "Yes, Mike?" "Where are the boys now?" Barry replies, "My son and his friend are keeping them busy, along with Alonzo's son, playing hooky from school." "Good. I was about to suggest having you meet them after school, just in case the boy who shot his mouth off yesterday remembered doing so, might decide to cover his tracks." "Our thoughts precisely." "However, this is not going to just go away. Do you think you could arrange to have your boys come down to the station?" "Um, I doubt a high school kid is going to have his picture on an FBI poster, Mike." "No, but it might be in a school yearbook!" "Steve?" "Yeah, Barry?" "When you first met Mike, did you get the impression he was this smart?" After Mike began laughing, the other two continued. "I'd like to see your boys a.s.a.p., if you can arrange it." "How about in an hour?" "Good enough. I'll meet you at the station." % "I've lost my bearings here, Jabari." "Oh, believe me, I know where we are. The cafe's thataway." They dead end with the OR. "I can't believe I believed you, Jabari." "Oh yeah. Must've been the other way. Wait up Alonzo." "What?" "See that orderly down there?" "The blonde?" "Yeah... hee heeee...." "What about him, Jabari?" "Would you believe he wanted to give me a blow job?" "No way? You mean he came right out propositioned you?" "Hell no!" "Oh man! Don't tell me you're one of those badboys!" "Alonzo, do I look like I'm one of 'those'?" "I don't know." "Oh come on, Alonzo." "Hey, I don't know you all that well, Jabari. For all I know, you could be one of those wolves in sheep's clothing!" "Okay. Fair enough Alonzo. Maybe after we have sex you'll know me better." "Hmm..." "What?" "I don't know about you Jabari." "Hi Jabari." "Oh, hi Estefan." "Need some help or something?" "Um, yeah. My friend Alonzo here and I lost our way to the cafe." "Hello, my name is Estefan Sanchez," the dark-haired, youthful orderly took up Alonzo's hand from the side of the handicap vehicle to shake vigorously. "Nice to meet you." "C'mon, I show you the way." As Alonzo pushed Jabari, he leaned down to his ear and commented, "Tight little ass that Estefan has!" "Stop it, Alonzo. You're making me pitch a tent!" "Mmmmm... almost time to go camping!" >From within the cafeteria, rings out the voice of fate. "It's about time you two got here," It's Steve's light-hearted voice that calls out. Jabari lingers to chat with Estefan, saying how sorry he is that he's leaving the hospital today. Estefan scratches his telephone number down on a piece of paper, telling him to make sure he duplicates it for 'his friend'. "Hey, Jabari?" "Yeah, Alonzo?" "Do you have any clothes?" Jabari sits there grinning, wiggling his eyebrows. "Kenya's bringing them to me." "Kenya's not picking you up." "Whaaaaaat?" "Steve called her and told he's bringing you home and that he's stopping for lunch." "Not like this I'm not." Alonzo calls out to Steve, "We're not going to lunch!" "I got a better idea Alonzo." "What?" "Why doesn't Steve and Barry drop you and I off at my place and we'll make some hot dogs.... or something?" Alonzo thinks it over. Rather his crotch does! % "Nice of Alonzo to see Jabari inside and offer to help him with lunch and all, you know that Steve?" "Barry, are you 'that' gullible?" "What do you mean Steve?" "Never mind." "Oooooh... do you mean?" "A-haaaaah." "Oh man, am I that thick, Steve?" "Well if ye ain't now, that'sa how I'm intendin' ya ta be!!!" "Mmmmm.... keep yer hands to yer self, unless ya wan tus ta be in da ditch!" At about twelve forty, Barry and Steve rolled up to the West Richland High School area. Like everyone else, they had to find a parking place along the side of the road, being the yellow tape strung across the entrance to anyplace within the boundaries of the school yard. "Hee heee... think I'll drive right up to Washakie's toes." "Yeah and it'll be a short-lived teaching career, I'm sure Barry." "Yeah, what a pity that I would have to live my life never making another morning announcement." "I thought you liked doing that, Barry?" "Oh, I do. Brings out my creativity." "Hmm... I could think of something else." "My aren't we the horny little bumble bee this morning, Steve?" "C'mon let's get this over with!" Barry giggled to himself. He knew why Steve was in such a rush to get this over with and on to more important matters. "Hey look, Steve." "I don't believe it." "Believe what?" "That West Richland is so 'on the ball' that they have workers on the building already." "Hmm..." "Hee heee... bet you've got your eye on what I'm eyeing up Barr ol'boy!" Steve says, placing his hand on Barry's shoulder. "Well, for one thing, not that I don't mind the view, but how can a guy work barechested in the northwest at this time of year?" "Hey, he's getting no complaints from me!" "Steve, Barry?" "On yes, Mr. Washakie. Um, Barry and I made comment of... um, how quickly things are being put into action about repairing the damage." "Yes, well as you know, winter is around the corner. Um, Barry I was wondering if you could head up our telephone chain." "Telephone chain?" "I know you are new and all, but as I understand it from the other teachers, well for whatever reason, you have an 'in' with the students and..." "Wait.. wait... what is this 'in' you're talking about, Alex?" Steve inquires. "I'm surprised you haven't noticed it yourself, Steve." "I'm afraid I haven't Alex." "Well, for one thing is the drama club... um, that High Society club or whatever dang name you gave it, Barry." "I know." "You know?" Steve asks Barry. "Yeah, we didn't get the whole gist of the size because of the suddenness of the fire alarms going off, but at Alonzo's estimates, it seems that at least two hundred students showed up yesterday afternoon." "Two what? Holy shit!" "Um, Steve?" "There's no students around." "Yes, but this is school property and..." Steve grinned when Barry came out with, "Oh, can it Washakie. Don't you think we have more important things to work out." "Well um, okay... I guess you're right." Wondering, Steve mulled over the thought that perhaps Barry stood up to Washakie on his behalf. It would make for good bedtime chatter. "Um, thanks for sending your little boys over, men!" Officer Mike Green spills out of the blue, in a sarcastic manner of speaking. Steve breaks the cardinal rule again, "Oh shit!" Barry, acting more subdued replies, "Oh, Mike, I'm terribly sorry. Steve and I have had so much on our minds that we forgot about that. How can we make it up to you?" Of course Barry meant making it up in a rational way of thinking. "Eh, forget it." "You don't want to talk to the boys now, Mike? I even thought them going down to the police station would be an exciting adventure for them." "No, I meant forget it for right this moment. Um, of course it would be a nice experience for them to see the guts of a police station and we definitely need to get this all cleared up, for the boys' sakes." "Let me see if I can get Chad on my cell." Barry walked away from their gathering. Steve took up with talking with Officer Green, reapologizing for the inconvenience. He didn't really seem to mind. Then their conversation went in other directions, for small talk. "So, you and Dr. Roberts have something going, Mike?" "Gary? Yeah, I guess. You know he's nothing like he is at the hospital." "Oh? How so, Mike?" "Well, you know how he's always running around so business like, sometimes using his hi-tech education, well un-uh... not at home." "Home? You fox, Mike. You've made it into his bed already?" Steve made Mike blush over and over. "Yeah, well... like I said, he has this reluctance on the job, but in bed he's like a beast!" "Don't tell me anymore, Mike." "Why? Gettin' a little hardon there, Steve?" "Not really. Only one man gives me that!" "Oh? Would that be the barechested, brown-haired bombshell on the roof?" "No, the one over there on the cell.. hee heee, but the one on the roof ain't too bad either. I had to peel Barry's eyes off of him!" "Okay, Mike," Barry rejoins them, "I have it all settled. Chad told Matty to gather up the guys and bring them over here, right after the movie's over." "And when would that be?" "Twenty minutes?" "Oh shit!" "Problem, Mike?" "Um yeah.. I mean... can I use your cell phone real quick?" "Sure. No problem, Mike." Mike goes over to where Barry stood and makes his call. "Seems kind of nervous. What do you think Steve?" "I have a feeling that Mike had a hot date lined up." "Hee heee... bet he's getting to know West Richland Memorial like the back of his hand." "Yeah, probably spending lots of time on the couch of Dr. Roberts, getting anal-lised!" "Really Steve?" "What?" "Hmm, in a way I figured it to be the other way around." "Now Mike just said something that makes me want to believe you're right, Barry." "Oh? Keeping secrets from me, Steve?" "Damn, Barry he just mentioned it these past few minutes." "Hee heeee... I love it when I get your balls tied up in a knot, Steve!" "Hmm..." "Well, spill it, Steve." "It's not much, actually. Mike said that Dr. Roberts... Gary, isn't at all the mild mannered guy he is at the hospital." "Hmmm... aha! So what kind of fiend does our Dr. Jekyl turn into on the full moon?" "Hee heee... you're probably being accurate Barry." "So?" "Oops.. here he comes... dummy up!" "Okay, we're all set," Mike reports. "So," Barry entertains the thought, "the precinct clear you for a few minutes more on duty." "Ah... yeah." Sounded good enough to Mike, so why not let Steve and Barry think that's the case, since bringing it up! "Um, my cell, Mike?" "Oh yeah. There ya go." "Hee heee be funny to read about it in the papers." "Read what Steve?" Steve holds his hands up, like he's reading something out of the newspaper, "Officer Green caught redhanded with citizen's stolen cellphone." "Got a better one for ya Steve," Barry says, holding up his imaginary paper, "Citizen Steve caught redhanded at telling stupid joke!" Mike cracks up with laughter, giving Barry a 'Bernice' slap on the back. "Hey, here comes the boys now." "Uh oh, Washakie's headed right towards them!" "Oh boy... time to have a field day with the old geezer!" the officer calls out, doing double time to meet up with Alex Washakie, the principal of West Richland High School. "Something tells me that Washakie and Mike Green don't jive with each other." "You would know better than I, Steve." "Oh? What's that supposed to mean, Barry?" "Meaning that I've only been living in town for what? Five days?" "Yeah. Doesn't it seem like weeks, months..." "Seems like a year or more Steve. I didn't think that I'd be falling in love this quick, if at all." "Yeah. I'll tell you frank..." "Geez, Steve you forgotten my name already?" "Ha-ha, Barry. I was going to lay something heavy on you, but...." "Okay, Steve. Sorry. What sweet, tender thing were you going to tell me?" "Well... I was going to say that I didn't think that I'd ever find a man that I would want to spend the rest of my life with." Barry stood there. Not awestruck, but definitely touched by Steve's words. "Steve, I think I've been searching for those words, but didn't think they could be true for me, too." "Really, Barry?" "Yeah. And as a bonus, look, we've got all these wonderful kids to go along with the package." "Yeah. Just look how well they get along." "And like Alonzo had hoped, look how Diego is opening up to them." "The kid was pathetically shy. Looks like Philip is doing to him what he did to Aidan." "Aidan? Shy?" "You didn't notice that, Barry?" "No." "That's what I've noticed about Philip, Barry." "Oh? What's that Steve?" "Philip, like Chad, has this charisma about himself. It seems to be like... like osmosis." "Osmosis Steve?" "Don't tell me you missed that chapter, Barry? 'An unconscious process of assimilation?" "I know what it means, dufous!" "Hee heee... I think osmosis is working between you and Chad'n'Matty, too!" "On the contrary Steve, I think their dufousness is rubbing off on you!" "I'm glad I know you're kidding, Barry." "Am I Steve?" The two laughed it off. Like behind closed doors, they didn't think anything of placing arms over shoulders, appearing to be like any other two buddies. "Dad, do we gotta go to the police station?" Philip sighs. In Barry's mind, he has a flashback to this afternnoon in class when he asked Glenn to read and his response came back in his face, 'do I gotta?' "Yes, Philip. I want to tell you that this is something very, very important for you and Aidan to do." "It is, dad?" "Yup." "What about Diego?" "Was Diego standing with you when Aidan and you heard what those big boys talked about?" "Nope." "Then I think Officer Mike will want to talk with only you and Aidan." "Dad?" "Yes, Philip?" "Officer Mike is kind of goofy, but I like him." "That's good to hear, Philip. I mean about the like part, but I think he's trying to be nice to you too. Maybe he's not used to little boys like you and Aidan, so if he acts kind of goofy, just make him think he's being okay with you guys." "If you say so dad. He said we don't have to go to the police station." "No?" "Nope. He says that us talking in front of Jade, Chad and Matty is fine." "Well, let me talk with him all the same." Philip and his dad walk over to where Steve, Aidan, Jade, Chad, Matty and Officer Mike Green huddle together. Diego stands in front of Chad, with the teen's arms draped in front of him. "Hi guys!" Philip's familiar greeting turns them all towards the two approaching Barrs. "My dad said it's okay that we don't have to go to the slammer." Aidan replies, "Sounds like we 'get out of jail free', Philip!" Those that can relate to the Monopoly quip, chuckle over Aidan's joke. "That's pretty good, Aidan. You're getting as funny as my dad!" Barry blushes, as they look towards the proud dad, ruffling the mane of the youngster's scalp. "So, you're going to do the 'interrogation' right here?" "Yes. Inside the van will be sufficient and these three as witnesses will be fine," Officer Mike explains to the dads. "Okay. Well, if you need anything, we'll be over at the faculty meeting." % Ken was getting mighty nervous. He had one more day to set up, at the least, Sean for his cousin's party. He looked a wreck, too. Not having had a solid night's sleep, he paced the floor nervously, lay down, then jumped back up. Across his face, several afternoons of five o'clock shadow riddled his pores. Even though he remained in the same briefs for the past two days, cumming in them twice, he didn't smell anything different, with the events on his mind. "Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Ken yelled out, after dialing Sean's cell phone and getting the answering message for the umpteenth time. Things got downright serious here. Ken began to freak out. Thoughts began running through his own head of what the outcome would be. Instead of Sean at the mercy of his cousin, he pictured himself hanging by his arms in the service center, himself getting fucked long and hard by Hiro and his leather buddies, himself in line at some slave auction and having his freedom sold out from under him. After dialing one more time, Ken threw the lousy recording device at the wall. Then he got a brilliant idea. Surely Hiro could call the party off, with ample time. Two days would be plenty of warning notice. % "How's it feel to be in a real shower for a change?" "Oooooh you don't know until your shower-starved, Alonzo." "I wasn't only talking about being 'shower-starved', Jabari!" The two, standing under a trickle of water, turned their attention to each other. "Whoa! Careful now, Jabari. We don't want to go ripping that open." "Then again, your body will be sheltering the stitches with mine, Alonzo." "Hmmm... you must be a fantastic teacher, Jabari." "Oh? And how would that be?" "Because you're right on the 'ball' with all the answers!" Alonzo's hand finds the lower, center of Jabari's midsection and indulges in carefree tossing of his balls in between fingers. "Mmmm... I'd say you're intent on catching up, Alonzo." Two lips make up for the vocal intentions of each, locking for mutual pleasures. % "I thought Alonzo said he would have Jabari here on time, Steve?" "Barry, forget them two. Like I said..." "I know Steve." "So, like I've said Barry.. ahem..." Washakie cuts back into their conversation, after a momentary lapse. "Oh yeah, what about this phone chain?" "To keep the parents informed. It's not much actually and it'll only be for a few days." Washakie fills Barry in on the aspects of the phone chain, with Steve hanging around. Out of the corner of his eye, he spies the barechested roof worker, off the roof, walking across the front of the school. He deems it strange that he approaches the police officer, chats with him a second and then heads back up on the roof. "Steve? Yo Steve?" "Yeah, Barry?" "Weren't you paying attention?" "Um, yeah. So, what's up?" "Look what I have to do. I've gotta call each name at the beginning of each letter of the alphabet." "Yeah, so?" "So, while I'm calling this half," Barry flips through the pages, "you're going to be calling the other half." "Is that what Washakie told you?" "No, that's what I'm telling you!" "Huh?" "Yeah.. hee hee...." "What's so funny?" "It's your punishment for watching the barechested hunk strutting his stuff!" "Oh? And how did you know the hunk was strutting his barechested stuff, Barry?" "Oops!" "You're lucky I love you, Barry. Let me see that list." The two stood huddled with the other teachers, listening to the plans set forth by Principal Washakie, as he dictated them into the bullhorn. "Um, do you see Kade?" "No. Not that I've been looking for him." "He must be here some place." "Why, Steve?" "No reason." "You know that Kade's got me still wondering." "Me too, Barry. Jade's a good person. I don't want to see her get hurt." "What brought that up?" "Well, I really don't know if she knows anything about what we suspect, Barry. If you think about it, what would you think if you found that I was fooling around with another guy?" "Okay, who is he, Steve?" Steve chortled, shaking his head back and forth. "I can guarantee you, Barry that 'that' will never be the case." After about fifteen minutes of listening to Washakie say the same thing in three different ways, Barry felt a little hand slip into his. "All done, son?" "Yeah, dad. Aidan and I didn't want to have snuck up on you and dad Steve and scare the wits outta you." "I appreciate that, Philip. Thanks." "Me too," Steve says to them both, smiling." "Dad, do you know where Diego's dad is?" "Oh yeah, Steve, do you think Alonzo forgot?" "Um, Barry?" Steve didn't think the comment had been good, made in front of the kids. "Um, forgot that we said we would take care of feeding Diego, that is." "You mean Diego is going to eat dinner with us, dad?" "Yes, Aidan." "Cool, Philip. Now we can play the Spongebob Squarepants Monopoly!" "Cool, Aidan!" "Guys, the meeting should be only a couple of minutes more." "That's okay dads," Philip explains, "Chad sent us over here to tell you that we're going home." "Oh good. We'll be there as soon as we're done here." "Dad?" "Yes, Philip?" "I love you." The sweetest scene took place of the two boys hugging their dads. % "So, what would you boys like for dinner?" "I don't know Jade. Whatcha got?" "Well, I wanted to leave that up to you boys." Diego volunteers, "How about Spaghetti-o's?" "Spaghettioes? I don't recall ever having them, Diego," Jade peers down upon the nine year old next to her. Aidan replies, "Oh, my dad has had them. They're little round spaghetties in a can with this spaghetti sauce." "Oh yeah," Philip jumps on the bandwagon, "the sauce doesn't really taste like real spaghetti sauce." Diego says, "I dunno about that, Philip. I've never tasted any other kind of spaghetti sauce." Inquisitive to what this child's been living on for the past nine years, Jade delves into the subject more intensely. "Well, what other foods have you had for dinner, Diego?" "Jade, aren't we supposed to be talking about..." "Shusssh a minute Philip. You're interrupting, honey." "Oops! Sorry Jade," Philip accepts the criticism. "Diego?" "My dad doesn't know much about cooking. He says he likes cooking out of a can." "Okay," light-heartedly Jade provokes Diego's thinking, "you have Spaghettio's and what else?" They all watch Diego look down in his lap, counting on his little fingers, as if trying to remember the different 'gourmet' endeavors his father has put together for an evening meal. In the front seat, Chad mentions to the driver, "Told you the kid is deprived!" "Well, sometimes we have a pizza from a box." "That's nutritious!" Jade comments. She begins to get the feeling that Diego thinks that she's trying to pry something out of him, which is the truth! She's not the only one who is thinking this. "Um Jade?" "Yes, Matty?" "How about Shepherd's Pie? Do you know how to make that?" "Oh yes and with sweet potatoes, it makes it extra special." "Sweet potatoes? Hmm... never had it like that," Matty reports. Chad says, softly, to Matty, "How do you know you're invited to dinner?" "Um, I could let you out anywhere along here, Chaddywaddy!" "Chaddywaddy?" "Now you went and did it Matty Bridges!" "Haa haa haaaa... Matty just called Chad, 'chaddywaddy'!" The boys in the back began to have a hootenanny, yelling out the chaddywaddy phrase and making it stick like glue to Chad's persona. Matty found a way to bring the situation under control. "Well, Chad, I guess the three Squirts have decided they 'don't' want to go on the picnic!" For the next few moments statements rang out through the SUV, with ten different approaches of apologies! "Matty, if you don't mind, could we stop at Donovon's for some groceries?" Next, a conglomerate of seeing what the 'goodie-of-the-day' at Mr. Donovon's market would be, in the way of a giveaway, flooded the interiors of the minivan. Philip calls out, "Remember our first day here, Aidan and Mr. Donovon gave us those delishush dixiecups?" "Yeah, Philip and that was a lot of loot to lose over all us guys!" Aidan replies. Jade smiles. Diego reveals, "One time he gave my dad a whole package of icescream sandwitches." "Ooooh man are you a lucky kid, Diego!" Philip calls out, like the kids been given a pot o'gold! "Ev'ry time we go there he gives my dad somethin' special for me." "Hey, I just thought of somethin', Philip!" "What's that Aidan?" "Maybe Diego is like a lucky charm." "Yeah! I wonder if we're going to get a package of somethin' with Diego with us?" Philip deduces. "I don't know if I'm a lucky charm, Philip and Aidan. My dad says I'm very special to him and he loves me a lot." A few seconds of silence follows, before Philip leans around the seat and says, "That's okay Diego. We don't have to get somethin' from somebody. Aidan and I like ya anyways." "Yeah," Aidan agrees, "Philip's right. We don't need no lucky charm. We're lucky we got you as a friend!" Jade smiles and gives Diego a chummy hug. "Isn't that the sweetest thing you've ever heard, Mattywatty?" Of course Chad's comments, out of slight comic revenge, brought on the barrage of name calling from the backseat, followed by the 'picnic' bribe, for makeup purposes, once again. % "Well, Ken'ichi, you gave me your word of honor." "I know Hiro, but I haven't been able to reach the guy." "But, Ken'ichi, in our family you do realize what you've committed yourself to?" "I know Hiro. I..." Ken, knowing the honor at stake, mainly his reputation, if it ever got around the family, would mean. Bad enough he didn't get along with his old man. That's all the information his stepdad would need to haul off and belt him one. He would never be able to live this down. His emotions towards one guy, Sean, whom he equated to love, then taking it so personal when the relationship came to a bitter end, now his getting beat up over family tradition. For himself, there weren't many alternatives to getting out of the predicament he were in. Hiro had been more like a brother, growing up, than a cousin. All Ken'ichi could recall is his parents working day and night at the family restaurant business, to make a go out of it. Then uprooting the family, mainly them and himself, moving to West Richland and now rerouting their lives to begin again, left Ken with little to go on, as far as family had been concerned. Now, the really only person whom meant something; anthing to him, called the shots. "So, what's it going to be, Ken?" "If I can't get the guy, I... I guess I'll have to make the trip alone, Hiro." "Ken?" "Yeah, Hiro?" "I'm happy to see that you are finally becoming a man." "How do you see it that way, Hiro?" "By seeing through something, based on giving of your word. The giving of yourself." "Sure. Even though it means I'm going to get my ass reamed and.. shit, suppose I'll now have to finance your service station." "Ken'ichi, I have a confession." "Oh? What's the Hiro?" "I don't have any slave contacts. It is all a myth that I tell you about." "But the guy that I was going to bring you. You..." "Would have played with him and sent him home with a bandaid on his knee!!" "But I was going to... oh shit." "Ken'ichi, I think there are some things you do not tell me, so why don't you come alone and we'll have some fun like old times." "But I thought you said that if I didn't bring a guy with me that I would be 'it'?" "My own cousin? Never, Ken'ichi. I've got some college jocks that like to play slaveboy and wouldn't mind giving up a weekend for some hot, submissive fun. C'mon, you and I rule the slaveboys, like old times." Ken, after hanging up the phone, angered himself for all the downtrodden attitude he hurled on himself. All of this fingernail-biting for nothing. With a lilt of glee back in his life, he jumped in the shower to freshen himself up, shaved and changed into some fresh clothes. A couple of things came floating across Ken's brain, as he thought about Hiro's words of 'becoming a man'. One aspect had been the argument he had with Sean. Why should he care about that? He's young and there will be other guys to meet and fall in love with. His own thoughts convicted himself, 'Oh, what a little jerk I've been. Hiro is right. I've got to grow up.' Then another thought crossed his mind. All these teen years Ken has been wanting his mom and dad to spend time with him. 'Why didn't I ever think of spending time with them?' With the snap of his fingers he planted his wallet in his back pocket, put on his jacket, took the car keys from hook on the back of the door of his room and lit out on the road for 'downtown' West Richland. % "Jade, can we get some of these?" Philip and Aidan commandeered the shopping basket. They watched Jade, her hand coupling Diego's, as she had him pick things from the shelf and hand to the two livery drivers to place into the metal bin. "One box, Diego." "Cool, Jade," Aidan exclaims, "are you going to lets us have gummi worms now, too?" "My dad used to buy four or five boxes, Jade." "Well, to answer both of your questions, I'll allow you one pouch of gummi bear worms a week. You may pick the day." "But my dad lets me have one everyday, Jade." It's for sure Jade would be having a talk with Alonzo before the day's out. When it came to the fresh vegetables and fruits section, Chad and Matty came into play with having the boys hold open plastic bags while they helped Jade fill them with green beans, eggplant, broccoli and other varieties of wholesome foods. "Hold that bag open nice and wide for me Diego honey." "Is this wide enough, Jade?" "That's good." "Jade?" "Yes, Diego?" "Do you have little guys at home?" "No, Diego." "Then how do you know what us guys should eat?" "Well, Diego," Jade explained, picking through the green beans for the 'good' ones, "I grew up with four brothers and three sisters. My mother and father were not very rich and we lived off the land." "What does that mean?" "My father was a farmer, so all of us children worked in the garden." "Is that how you know how to pick good beans?" "Yes, mostly. Here, look at these two beans, Diego." "Yeah?" "Which one would be the one you would like to eat?" "That one's all brown," Diego pointed to the one on the left. "Right, so now you've picked out a good bean for us to eat tonight!" "Wow! I picked out a bean for us?" "Yes. Here, let me hold the bag and you try to pick out some more good ones." "Okay Jades, but if I pick out a yucky one, you tell me, okay?" "Promise." Jade was loving it, helping Diego 'farming' the green bean bin at Donovon's market. At the same time she saw the kick he was getting out of helping and sharing in the family chores of shopping. "Now, one more thing, Diego." "What, Jade?" "Now that you've helped picked out...matter of fact I think I only picked out four or five of these beans. Look! You've picked out the whole bag!" "Wow! I sure did pick a lot of beans!" "What I was going to say, Diego is now all you have to do is help us eat them!" That one fact Diego wasn't too sure about and chances are Jade might have a tough time putting that one across the young lad! "How did the rest of you make out?" "Okay Jade." "Ahem! And what is that in the shopping cart?" Jade asks, hands on her hips, addressing the two smiling angels. Not the little ones, either! "Ah, c'mon Jade. Dad used to let us make candied apples when we were kids." "Forget it Chad and Matty. Candied apples will rot your teeth out in no time!" After Jade had her go at the two teens, the three young 'Jades', began wagging their fingers and scolding the two. Next time Matty and Chad would wait until they're on their own to buy something as risky as the candied apple making kits! "Geez, Matty, if I'd known we were going to get all this flack, I wouldn't have had you talk me into picking up the damned candy apple kits." "Me? Chad, you're the one that said you knew how to make them." The two teens batted the issue back and forth all the way to the register. Of course eventually they would kiss and make up! % continued......... Copyright 2005 T. Chase McPhee All Rights Reserved. www.assgm.net www.nifty.org Permission is NOT granted to publish this story to any PAY site, nor any site that is not listed above, without the author's prior consent.