Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:20:51 -0700 (PDT) From: Matthew Templar Subject: Never Take Love For Granted - Chapter 25 All rights reserved. Other than downloading one copy for personal enjoyment, no part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, except for reviews, without the written permission of the author. Furthermore, every word of this story is fiction. Nothing within this tale happened to anyone I know. Any reference to anyone, anything or any place, real, living or dead is coincidental. If there is someone that has written a law saying that you can't read this story because of age or local laws or other such 'wisdom', then you haven't really gotten this far into Nifty to read this anyway, right! But write to me and say how you liked it anyway. I will answer all emails. Thank you in advance for your time to write. Unless you've submitted a story, you can't know how important it is to hear how you, the reader, like an artist's work. Thanks again. Finally, there is not enough room to express my gratitude to my friend, Dwight Wilson for his dedication to the editing of this work and encouraging me to continue. Read Brad's Idol in Adult/Youth and New Horizons in Authoritarian (it's really a beautiful tale about freeing boy slaves and very anti-authoritarian) to know the experience he brings to my story. You will not be disappointed! Then tell him to write FASTER! I need my fix too! And I need you to continue to keep me honest. Mail me, Matthew Templar at matemp1148@yahoo.com * * * * * * * * Never Take Love For Granted - Chapter 25 I felt a lot of movement; too much movement for so early in the morning. It couldn't be time to get up; it just couldn't! It seemed like I just fell asleep. A smile came over my face when I remembered my time with Grant; a special time of loving that we would never forget. I also remembered falling asleep with the smallest size of my boy blankets covering my chest and mid-section perfectly. Hey! He was gone! My hand went out to search for my little guy next to me but he too had disappeared. I slumped down, burrowing myself into the mattress, not wanting to move, even if I could. I was exhausted, emotionally and physically. There was some familiar teetering coming from the bathroom. Then I heard little feet running past me and another set run up to the bed, on the side. I could feel the mattress move as he got up next to me and cuddled into my side. M-m-m-m. He was still a little wet but he smelled so fresh and clean. I sighed and started to maneuver my arm to snake under him and wrap him in my love. "Hunh-uh!" giggled my ten year old lover in the sweetest voice that I loved so dearly. I couldn't help but sigh again, reminded of his love for me. "I gotta go to school, lazy, and you gotta catch up on your sleep. You been up all night, James said." "But, I promised to get up with you, Grant. I want to help in anyway..." "James told us what you're doing with him. He was crying 'cause you made him so happy. He said he had more to talk about, but he loves all of us for loving him and 'specially you. So, Clayton says you better catch up on your rest or Dr. Owen will have you back, having Nurse O'Hara takin' care of your ass. He he he! He said the ass thing. I just repeated it. He he he. He makes us laugh." "M-m-m-m. You make me so happy, my little munchkin." I reached out without ever opening my eyes, but I could feel him jumping around and, finally, getting off the bed and walking to the hallway door. "Oh," I whined, in my best Grant whining impression, "can't I have one more hug?" "He he he!" he chuckled that low way that kids do when they've pulled something over on an adult. "No! You gotta sleep and stay here today. I don't wanna loose ya to that hospital again. I want ya here where I can love ya, big poop!" "Them's strong words comin' from a pint-sized sidewinder, partner." He giggled even more, but it faded from my ears as did my conscious self. I was back into dreamland, at least for a minute or two. I guess I was really tired, but I soon realized I was also really hungry. I heard a 'Whoop!' from the smallest boy in the house. It sounded like it came from the main floor. I did the things responsible young men do when they wake up and try not to offend anyone. Then, I made my way up the stairs and was beginning to find strength in the joy I heard penetrating the walls of this huge house. Coming to the top of the stairs was becoming one of my favorite joys when one or more of the boys were home. Something always seemed to be going on. Right then, Petey seemed to be going on Clayton's back; riding that is. "Whee-e-e-e-e! Giddyap, horsie. Go faster, Unca Clayton. Ha HA! Whee!" Music! A small one's laughter or, in the case, his screaming in glee; that was the sound, or one of them, that could save the world. No more speeches. No more armies. No more politicking. Just sit around listening to the greatest sound alive; and, oh, was Petey ever alive. I wasn't too sure how long 'Unca' Clayton would last, in that category. The 'horsey' was clad in tight nylon shorts that were always stretched to the breaking point, given his endowments. Muscles, not just in one place either. Atop him sat, or tried to sit a screaming little caballero, naked and tanned and loving every bounce and jar that his faithful steed delivered. I grinned when I thought that the same raucous little typhoon lay sweetly on me all night, giving me the joy of his closeness like never before. I made my way to the main floor and approached the rodeo to witness the horse take a dive and collapse under his naked rider. There was a very profound, 'oomph', as this happened, making a disappointed Petey stand up and walk around to the head of his steed. He bent both of his legs so that those skinny sharp knees stuck up and his tight little bronzed cheeks almost touched the carpet. "Unca Clayton. Is you done in? Did I waste ya already? I had bunches o' fun, huh? And you was the bestest horsey ever. I like ya lots better'n Dustin. Daddy's good too, but you'ze better. You gotz muscles everywhere, huh?" Then he scooted over and started giving Clayton a back rub, trying to help him live, I guess. Both knees went on either side of Clayton's head in just a way that, if Clayton had raised up, he would have crushed the growing maleness of Petey before it even got started. It was so cute seeing the little peg between Petey's legs laying in a forest of Clayton's hair as he reached as far as he could to minister to Clayton's back and shoulders. "It's about time you got up, David," was what Clayton said if you concentrated on his voice passing through the side of Petey's leg. As soon as he said my name, Petey jumped up and ran to me, jumping into my arms and hugging me as hard as he could. "I hope you are here to take over for me. I'm good for about an hour of his energy, and then I either need traction or a vacation." "Looked like you did him proud, you Palomino. He was a good ole horse, was he, Petey?" Petey was nodding and turning to look over at his favorite babysitter. "Uh-huh! He sure was fun, David. What are we gonna do now?" I set him down and the three of us walked into the kitchen. "Well, tyke, I don't know about you, but I want some breakfast." I looked over to Clayton as I said that, with a hopeful grin on my face. Petey looked up at Clayton too, in support of my every need, I'm sure. "Let's see. What do we have for someone who doesn't know when to go to bed at night?" Okay. I knew Clayton was pulling my leg because we met on the stairway and he knew I was going to minister to James. He didn't know how long it went on, though. "But Unca Clayton, we slept'ed good together, huh, David?" said the munchkin as he pulled on my arm. "Oh! Sleeping with the little guy, huh?" He raised his eyebrows at me, suggestively. What a boob! I reached over and pulled up his shorts in back, eliciting the required gasp. "Clayton, you know perfectly well that I would never..." He turned around so fast and grabbed me, wrapping me in his arms with my back to him that he got much the same gasp from me. One arm went to just above my package and the other went to my upper chest, holding me tightly against this strong man. Petey was having fits too, He'd 'eek' and yell and then laugh like it was the funniest thing in the world to see this sex fiend begin his slow rape of my innocent, virgin body. Then Clayton's grip tightened even more, right along with the intensity of my panic. His lips went to my shoulder and sucked. Oh my god! I was hardening, soon to be pushing into his hand! He sucked even harder. It was great. The feelings.... "Now you're marked for life, lover. Ha! You got a hickey the size of Euphoria." He pushed me away and even picked up Petey to show him. They had a great time giggling at my new tattoo. * * * * * Clayton talked while I ate. He told me that, of course, the kids were in school, Dustin for a half day and Grant until 2:30. Sam took James with him to work with the pastor's helpers and Joey at the other house, continuing to clear the land for the restaurant. And Russ was up in his studio. "Wow! Unca Clayton, I wanna go to the studio too and I can help and I can do stuff and I won't get in the way and I'll be quiet, huh?" Petey was jumping around until Clayton pulled the naked little guy into his lap and gave him a big, wet, sloppy kiss on his neck. Petey giggled and scrunched until he felt Clayton move his head away, then he pushed up to get more loving from his favorite 'horsy'. "Honey, I'm just sure you can be all those things too, but I think Russ needed someone a little older, more responsible, that could, maybe, help him with a few things up there." He smiled and nodded to me then looked down at Petey who held Clayton's head after twisting around so he could lay his own sloppy wet kiss all over his big friend's unsuspecting nose. There are so many wonderful things in a five year old's life that are ridiculously funny and that one must have been high on the list. Add to that the spice of a tickle or eight from Clayton and you had a squirming dervish in the making. When Petey'd calmed down he looked around the room for something. "Ha ha. Who you gonna get that's 'sponsible, Unca Clayton?" This joke! From a five year old. No regard to the obvious inference to me. Oh no! "Very funny, you little boob!" I said as I reached for his butt cheek for a good pinch. Well, you've never seen a kid move so fast. He crawled up Clayton until he was one step shy of getting on his shoulders. Laughing up a storm, he swatted at my hand and worked his feet all over Clayton, trying to get away, until we were all laughing like hyenas. "I think he's expecting you, David." Then Clayton recovered a child from his perch and pulled him into his lap once again, so that each of Petey's tender little cheeks were in one of Clayton's huge hands. "As for us, Tiger? We're gonna have some fun reading and doing some learning games so you'll be ready for your school after summer. We're gonna have fun, AND!" he raised his eyebrows and Petey answered with a gasp and opened mouth in anticipation of the next wonderful experience. "And, I'll ask Grampa Russ when we can have a time to make something in his shop, too! 'Kay?" Such wagging of a hairy little head, the happiest around. They were finding some books to read when I walked out of the house and made my way to the shop above the garage. The air was dry and it was already beginning to get hot, not just warming up; hot! At the top of the stairs, I found the door closed, so I knocked. "Enter, Whippersnapper!" Russ was standing over one of his wood sculptures with a chisel and mallet. He was pretty much covered with the small chips of wood he'd carved from the masterpiece in front of him. "You're sure into some long hours, partner. You and James get everything settled or we gonna have another explosion tonight?" He did his roll thing, where his head slowly turns to look at you. When he completed the turn he had this goofy smile on his face, so I knew he wasn't asking because he was concerned about him missing any sleep. "Actually, we were just at the point where he was going to tell me what they did to him after they tied him up. He was tired and I was near death myself." His jaw dropped as he heard me. "Don't worry! I'll be fine." He was motionless for another three seconds, then shook his head clear. "Wha...What are you . . . Not you, you polecat! James! He was tied up? They . . .they didn't. . . ?' "Didn't? Oh. Well, I don't know. We were just getting there. He indicated that he hadn't been, uh, penetrated up to then but he made it sound as though that was the last of his childhood that night. Even so, I think talking about it has been a help to him." "Well, I imagine, David. Somehow, the good Lord's seen fit to give you a gift of bringing people's inner most feelings up and out. Frightening, yet healing." "I didn't even get to say goodbye to my little guy this morning." It wasn't quite a whine, but it was enough for Russ to look up from his work. "Oh, he's just fine. He's working with Sam at the other property today. He should be back....What?" he asked, with a gleam in his eye and a partial grin on his face. "Very funny, Russ. You're just jealous cuz I've never ravaged your studly body. You know very well who I'm talking about." I even had my hands on my hips in mock indignation that he didn't acknowledge that the guy I was referring to in loving terms was his only grandson. He turned and walked over; each step made that slight smile beam brighter until he was in front of me and his hands were on my shoulders. "You sure got a hard on for that little po-dunk, David. The only one whose love shines even a bit brighter is his for you." He grabbed me up and hugged me like it was our last time together. I couldn't do anything but cough a little. Finally, . . . . "Ha! Sorry. I just love you so much, David. You made this family come together, allowed each of us to see different aspects of our very cores that helped us be together again. We owe you a lot, my young love, a lot." "You know I love you all so much, Russ. You're like the family I never really knew and always wanted. And you helped me see who I am. I'm so indebted to you." I was actually beginning to feel a tear or two at my eyelids. I even had to sniff a time or two. I shook myself back to reality as I caught myself remembering the events of the last several days. "What are you working on, Russ?" "Just do-dads and what-nots. If I don't have something in the galleries every month I get calls from angry owners. And, for some reason, they never last too long." I looked up at him. I'd heard the words but I couldn't believe they came from the artist's own mouth. Sure, he wasn't the kind of person to brag, but, come on! His stuff was, well, wonderful! Before me, on the work bench were at least 20 little carvings in different stages of completeness. All wood and comprised of single animals or two of various combinations. Just lots of squirrels! "Whoa, Russ! How do you crank them out so fast? They're beautiful." "Well, thank you, Tadpole. I just get to work a good time each day like I was showin' up at the office. Except the office is right here and I love doing it. Each one is a little different. You really ought to try it. It's good for what ails you. By the way. Have you tried calling your dad again?" I'd almost forgotten that I'd told him I'd used the phone in his bedroom. "I'm meaning to. I just...well," I stammered and stuttered in my own special way until he whacked my shoulder; not hard though. "Ow! What?" "Oh, David. It's just so hard to understand how you can relate to our family and bring us all together and yet, you appear to be so distant from your dad. Hey, youngster! Why don't you go in and call him and invite him over for a week or two? I bet he'd love to have time with you." "Ha! Are you kidding? He'd freak if he saw my bare knee, let alone all of me and the kids. Wow! He'd have such a coronary." I couldn't believe that he would suggest such a thing. I also couldn't believe the feelings in my heart that were telling me how right he was. Very quickly those feelings expanded to include the pit of my stomach. "Boy, you sure have it bad. Why, you've got his whole life planned out for him, and you don't even know him. Why don't you take a chance and let him make his own decisions. You might be surprised." "Humpfh!" I whined, kicking around a pile of swept up sawdust, "I'll bet he hasn't left that house since my mother died. I just...." Russ turned to me and held my shoulders and shook me until I looked into his eyes. "Boy, have you no...," he said looking with that stare thing again. "No, you don't. Do you?" And having heard that wonderful speech, I found myself being pulled over to the stool where he'd played at spanking Grant. He whipped me down over his knees with no mind to my family jewels slamming into his legs. Then he raised his hand like with Grant. Then, well, then I made the mistake of the challenge. "Humpfh! Go for it!" I barely whispered, trying to turn to see his eyes. Big mistake! WHACK! "OW! Hey!" WHACK! "OW-W! Wait, damn IT!" Shit that hurt! And I was bare bottomed. He sat me up on his knee like I not only weighed as much as Petey but like I was his age too, by the next words out of his mouth. "Po widdow baby. You gotz a owey on your po-po from being an ASSHOLE?" Wow! I don't think he was going to get any child raising award for that kind of language. I raised my finger to make a point. WRONG again! "Don't even start, David! You listen to me, young man. I know I haven't taken much time with you since you came up here, but I am just as sure as I can be that there is more to your relationship with your father than you are seeing, or willing to see. There has got to be, David." I thought for a second that he was going to break down. I was in awe, pain, but awe too. "I want you to go in there and call him and just talk. Just make an effort. I know things will work out. I can not imagine for the life of me, that anyone would not want to know you." And then he just kind of waited for me to do something. "I...I've changed a lot since I've been with you, Russ. He doesn't know this 'me'. He knows the bitcher and the disgruntled little twerp I was back there; back then. Hunh. A month ago? Not even." "Not even, Twerp," he said smiling. Then we hugged. I don't recall who grabbed who first. I just know it was so warm and wonderful to be loved. I wanted to share this with my own dad so bad. He ended it by pushing me to my feet and pointing to the door. When I looked back, he was just picking up a piece to work on and shaking his head. "Damn kids'll be the death o' me." At least, that's what I think I heard. * * * * * Oh, I wasn't scared. No. I'd even gone down to my room and pulled on a pair of shorts! No. I was fine! I sat in front of the phone, on Russ' bed and smoothed back my hair, shook my shoulders, waiting there for the firing squad. I thought about what Russ talked about, then picked up the phone. "Hello? Whose there?" "Uh, Dad? It's me, David." "David? David, are you alright? I. . . where are you? That girl you were sleeping with called a week ago and wanted you to come over and get your computer. Why would that be? She said you hadn't been living there anymore. She's called three times. I've talked to her more than I've talked to you in a year. What is going on?" I guess he sounded concerned. I wasn't used to that tone. "Oh, she's right Dad. I haven't been living there. It just wasn't right anymore. Well, actually, she pretty much kicked me out." A feeling I couldn't explain passed through me. The result was a confidence, like I had with Grant and Russ, even Sam, to tell all. "Dad, this may come as a surprise to you but I was a slob, a nobody. I didn't care about anybody but me." "H-m-m-m." He didn't sound gruff or huffy. He still sounded like he wanted to know; like he cared? Naw! "What? Did you say something, Dad?" "No, I was waiting for you to continue. I assume there's more to this." Not demanding or accusing. Did I have the right number? Was this the man I'd blamed my lost relationship on? "Uh, well, I just didn't know where I was going; what my future was going to be, so I came out here to relax and think." "And how is that working out, David?" We talked! He'd ask something or lead me to another part of my new life and we talked! I'd never talked to him so long in my whole life! It was. . . invigorating. Who was this gentleman who . . . oh! The person that had done the most changing, had the most reason to change, wasn't on the other end of the phone line. He was sitting in a bedroom on the outskirts of a paradise called Euphoria. I can't tell you how long we talked because I'd done the teenage phone call thing and was laying on Russ' bed looking at his ceiling fan making sweeping circles overhead. I talked about the explosion and coming up to the house to recover. I missed the part about falling in love with the old guy and then, even faster, falling for a ten year old boy; must have slipped my mind. I just generalized about 'a family' and called it good. "You've had quite the adventure, David. I'm glad to hear that you are well. I'm also glad to hear it in your voice. So what's it to be, son? What happens next? Are you coming home?" His voice was so different to me. It was like I'd never heard it before or, more likely, never accepted it as the sweet sound I remembered when I was so very young. "Dad, would you consider coming out here for awhile? I know you'd really like it. The weather is warm like you like it, the people are so giving, and you'd really like Russ and his sister, Ch. . . . Dad? Was that a gasp? Are you okay?" There was silence for the longest minute. "Yes, yes. It was nothing; just something you said reminded me of something. I guess it was . . . uh, oh, well, son, uh, when would this be. I have appointments and such. I, uh, would have a hard time changing." His voice lost some of the confident force I'd been hearing. "Well, I guess you could wait for a week or two. I think I'll be here for a while yet. I, uh, may have found someone, and this family means so much to me that I think I should stay for a while longer. Maybe you could make arrangements to come a little later; you know, plan now." I was really excited about him coming! I could hardly believe my ears. My mind was forming a plan of how to meet everyone and show him around. "Oh, uh, David I have a, well, in two weeks I have a trip already planned for just a weekend." Oh, no! He wasn't backing out. I wasn't loosing him again was I? "But, son, what if I just extended that trip to two weeks or so and made arrangements near you for a room? I could . . ." "Oh, Dad! You don't have to stay somewhere. I mean you don't have to make arrangements. What I mean is, there is so much room here, and you could have your own suite, practically. It's so wonderful up here, Dad. I just know this is your kind of place." "Oh my! Well, heh heh, you make it sound very inviting, my boy. I will certainly consider it. Will you get in touch with me again to make the arrangements?" Oh my God! It sounded so much like the professional voice I heard coming from his study when I was so young. He sounded so dignified and proud. I had to sit up because my eye sockets were beginning to fill up. How could I have been so lame? "Dad, this has been the best day of my life. I've had a wonderful time up here but hearing your voice and getting to share this experience with you; I can never thank you enough." "It was good to hear from you too, David. We really must be going you know. It must be costing someone an arm and leg. But I do want to convey one more thought that I've neglected for far too long, David. Something that I will never take for granted again." "Uh, okay? What did you want to say? Is there something wrong?" I thought his voice had started to sound shaky. It sounded like he was wavering about something. What could be so important? "I just wanted to thank you for calling, Son. But mostly, I wanted to tell you that, well, I love you. Yes, I love you very much, my David. Good bye, Son; for now." Click. NTLFG - The End of Chapter Twenty-five To be continued Comments on the story are very much appreciated. Thank you for the emails you've written. Each one is an encouragement. I get to answer all of them. Please don't stop. I'm Matthew Templar at matemp1148@yahoo.com