Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:38:46 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Of Man and Boy 10

Of Man and Boy
by: dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)

10:  Chicago and Montana Adventures

In the gray mroning light Paul snapped awake, he was staring up at the
cream colored ceiling.  His body was still on Atlantic time, two hours
ahead of Chicago's Central time.  Paul's mind drifted to how time zones
came about.  He thought about Sir Sandford Fleming, the Canadian railway
engineer who worked out the idea of standard time in the 1870's.  Grant
slowly opened his eyes, realizing Paul was awake he strained a bit to kiss
him on the neck.  Paul's hands immediately found Grant's small round butt
letting his fingers drift over the soft, smooth skin to bring those alto
giggles, the voice of an angel to his ears.

Grant moved his head to the shoulder and looking into Paul's blue green
eyes as the logical question was asked.  "Why are we awake so early?"  Paul
explained Jet Lag, the time zones, about Sir Fleming and how it effects
people when traveling, like them.  Paul carried his little man into the
bathroom for their mroning hygiene call.  Sitting in the tub with the
shower raining down warm, Lake Michigan's finest water, Paul took Grant's
small boy goodies into his mouth and using two fingers in the kid's butt
brought him to the first orgasm of this fine new day.  The first because
they would spend another hour in bed delivering as much physical pleasure
to each other as possible.

Grant was fascinated as he looked out on the now brightening city.  It was
white, it was covered with snow.  Grant knew about snow but he had never
seen it before, except in pictures.  He could see, out the window between
the buildings, Grant Park, it was white and the lake was blue, the sky was
blue.  "Is it cold?"

"Oh ya, very cold, look you can see the water vapor condensing from stacks
and car's, as the warm, moisture laden exhaust condenses.  For tropical
people like us, real cold.  After we get some winter clothing we can walk
over to Grant Park."  Paul pointed out the window.

"Grant Park, is it named after me?"

"You wish, it was named for Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War hero and
president."

"I read about him, he was quite a whiskey drinker but a successful general.
When President Lincoln was told he drank, perhaps to much, he is reported
to have said, `then find out what he drinks and send a case to all my other
generals'."  he giggled.  Paul mused that for all the great and perhaps not
so great things the man did, he is most remembered in the mind of an eight
year old for his whiskey consumption.  "Ok, eat, warm coat and visit my
park, lets go."

"Not quite, eat, swim, fitness club, warm coat, visit the park and the
Field Museum of Natural History, then I have some business while you do
some studying, then we do dinner.  The stors don't open for a couple of
hours, remember we got up early.  Ok, go."  It was Paul's plan to take
Grant to all the big museums and cultural places in Chicago over time.
They would be visiting about four times a year.

Paul and Grant are staying at the Palmer House, in the Loop area.  This is
the oldest hotel in continuous business in the United States.  It was built
in the 1870's and has preserved the grandeur of that time.  Grant's eyes
were wide open as he stepped from the elevator into the opulent lobby,
filled with guests.  It was early and people were hurrying from place to
place, the Concierge was not even about yet.

Grant reached over and took Paul's hand.  He must want some additional
security, Paul thought.  They headed for the coffee shop, a good place to
get a light breakfast.  The hostess greeted them warmly, recognizing Paul
as a regular but only perodic guest.  Paul has been making quarterly visits
to Chicago for almost five years now.  He "camps" at the offices of a
physician he went to school with.  Paul has two Kallmann's Syndrome clients
and several former trainees living in the Chicago area.

After breakfast they found the pool which was set up for lane swimming.
Several lanes were occupied but one was open, Grant dove in and dolphin
kicked the length of the pool underwater, surfaced turned kicked off the
wall and dolphin kicked back.  This is not a 50 m pool but it is good
sized.  Paul entered the same lane and began swimming lengths, chasing
Grant back and forth.  When they finished and began climbing out everyone
else in the pool area began clapping.  This was a surprise to Paul, it was
a shock to Grant who turned bright red.  One lady asked where he learned to
dolphin kick like that?  Grant replied, "from my pod, we swim together
every day when we are home."  Grant was back in the water leaving Paul to
explain.

Grant had never been in a store as large as Marshall Fields or Carson Pirie
Scott.  This was quite a thrill for him.  In the boys department Paul told
the clerk to outfit Grant for outdoor winter activities, including long
underwear.  Grant wore the ski jacket, hat and mittens, taking his old
jacket and the other stuff back to the hotel.  Grant was inthralled by the
snow.  Paul assured him he would get all the snow he could handle in
Montana.

While they both enjoyed the museum it was obvious to Paul that the other
kids Grant's age seemed to be having a lot more fun than he was.  Paul
figured it would be better if he could find some other young people to go
with them on their next trip.  For Paul and Grant too, the new display of
Sue the T-Rex in the great hall, was a true highlight.  Grant made sure
they both had Sue Tee shirts before they departed the gift shop.

"Dad are we going to exchange Christmas presents at the Ranch, will grandpa
have a tree and decorations?"

"Yes, I'm sure he will, we always had a decorated tree and presents when I
was growing up."

"But ... but I don't have any presents, you know to give."  Grant had that
look in his eyes like he was about to cry.  That look that turned Paul's
resolve, what little he had where Grant was concerned, into smoke.

"Then I guess we had better head to a store or two what do you think?"

"I think yes.  Are you going to take me shopping or just sit there?"

"Just sit here for now.  We can go shopping tomorrow morning before we head
to the airport, is that acceptable?"

"I guess so, do I have a budget?"

"For me you can only spend $50, for grandpa there is no limit except
reasonableness.  Is that Ok?"

"Why only $50 for you?"

"Well $50 is a lot of money for an eight year old to spend on one gift.
Besides you are my gift remember."  Grant looked at him, cocking his head
to one side, hands on his almost nonexistent hips.

"There is a down side of having a son who's IQ is off the chart high, I
don't fall for that soft reasoning stuff.  You just dropped $457 on a ski
outfit for a boy who not only can't ski, lives in a tropical place and will
out grow it by next fall and you expect me to settle for a fifty dollar
Christmas present budget for him.  I think the same rules as for grandpa."
Paul could have argued and reasoned but he could not win and he knew it.
Grant was right, Paul needed to trust him, besides the kid has way more
cash in the bank than he did.

On the morning of the 23rd, after the breakfast, swimming and pack, Paul
took Grant down to the Concierge.  Paul told the Concierge, Grant needed
some Christmas shopping advice and stepped back to let the boy talk in
privet.  The Concierge made several phone calls and wrote some instructions
on a piece of paper for Grant.  Grant thanked him for his help and came
over to dad.

"We can walk up Michigan (north), you can come in but you got to let me
shop by myself."

"Ok Bud where are we going?"

"We are going to Eddie Bauer and Tiffany's.  EB is just up the street and
Tiffany's is on the east side a little north of the Art Institute.  The
Concierge told me to go to Tiffany's first and EB on the way back."  Paul
was nodding as Grant explained in a rather animated fashion.  The Concierge
smiled and chuckled at the performance when Paul looked his way.  Paul lead
the way out and one block east, then north along Michigan.

Once in Tiffany's, which is not a very large store, Grant made Paul stand
over by the door as he spoke to the clerk.  "I'm Paul Grant Stum the
Third," he announced.  The clerk responded, "yes right over here Mr. Stum,"
and pointed to something in the glass case.  "It's for my dad," Grant
pointed at Paul.  "Oh yes, I think it will be perfect, you will need one of
these," she fumbled behind her, "this one should do," Grant nodded in
agreement.  "Do you want it wrapped, sir?"  "Yes please," he respond.  The
clerk wrote up the sales slip, and wrapped a small package.  A very small
package, Paul thought.

"How will you be paying sir?"  Grant pulled out his wallet and his Amex
card.  She took the card and processed it.  This would be the first time
Grant had used it.  His charge limit, which he did not know, is $250, so
Paul knew it was less than that.  Grant carefully signed his name on the
charge slip and placed the receipt in his wallet along with his card.  He
looked very proud as he and dad walked toward EB, hand in hand.

Paul had guessed the Concierge had not only checked to see if Tiffany's had
what Grant wanted but had forewarned them he was a young boy, accompanied
by a parent.  Grant asked what Paul had gotten for grandpa.  "I ordered a
jacket from EB for him along with a down filled vest.  Do you have anything
specific in mind?"

"No, but the Concierge told me I should by able to find something for an
older gentleman who likes the out of doors."

"I'm sure you will find something but they may not gift wrap."

"The Concierge checked, they will wrap it for me, I guess they only do that
at Christmas time."  In the store which is filled with many wonderful
things.  Grant found: a Multi function outdoor tool (a knife with different
stuff and a compass on the handle), a Mini Pocket Multi-Tool a pliers with
(sizers and other blades) and a Kinetic Flashlight.  This time he allowed
Paul to assist his selections.  Again Grant pulled out his AMEX card and
paid the bill.  Paul made sure to stand behind him and smile at the clerk
as he toted up the bill.  The clerk looked at the boy and the card.  He
smiled and asked if Grant had any other identification, just like he asked
the lady ahead of them.  Grant pulled his hospital ID out and show it.  The
clerk smiled, thanked him and processed the charge.

When they got back in the hotel lobby Grant ran over to the Concierge's
desk to thank him for the help.  He went around the side of the ornate
table.  The Concierge bent over and Grant kissed his cheek.  Paul figured
that was the best tip he would get for a long time, but then he is a bit
bias.  They squeezed the new purchases into their overstuffed luggage and
checked out.  Paul had the doorman get him a taxi.  The driver was a very
rotund latino looking man.  Paul whispered something, Grant could not hear,
to the driver, while bellman and himself were placing the cases in the
trunk.  On the way to O' Hare the driver made a small side trip, stopping
at a small hot dog stand.  The word Vienna painted on the side.  He asked
Grant in Spanish if he liked hot dogs for lunch.  Grant was delighted and
began jabbering in Spanish back.

Like all eight year old boys Paul had ever encountered, he knew Grant liked
hot dogs, hell he likes hot dogs, specifically "Chicago Style" dogs.  They
piled into the stand the driver with them.  He was not passing this up for
anything.  The look on a young boy's face, on his first encounter with one
of these delicacies, is more than worth the effort of getting out of the
car, even if it is cold.

They squeezed inside the small stand, filled with people seeking their noon
meal or treat meal as Paul would later dub it.  Grant squeezed forward,
standing on his tiptoes, pressing his nose against the glass that separated
the customers from the condiments.  The array was amazing, peppers,
pickles, onions, chili, vegetables of different kinds, mustard, ketchup and
shoe string french fries.  Grant observed how people ordered.  The clerks
were efficent and quick.  They pointed at you and you had better tell them
how many and what to put on.  An older man, needing a shave, partly bald
with a small paper hat on his head pointed at Paul.  He pointed to Grant,
"what-ell-it-be?" he barked in a south Chicago nasal accent.  "One with
lettice tomatoes, dill pickles and fries," Grant responded.  The clerk
smiled, placed a bright red dog in a steamed bun, he spread mustard and
ketchup over it, added the other requests and placed a huge hand full of
shoe string potatoes on top, folded the paper around it and pointed to Paul
and then the driver.  They moved along the line, got drinks and paid the
bill.  The driver, who must have young children of his own, grabbed a stack
of paper napkins as they left.

Once in the car the driver spread some napkins on Grant's lap and dad
handed him the package.  Grant was not quite sure how to go about eating
such a huge thing.  There was no way he could get his mouth open that big.
He began picking the potatoes up, eating them until the pile got smaller.

They departed for Billings (BIL) via Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP), this time
a DC9 (DC9-30) The flight would leave O' Hare a little after 2 pm and they
would not get to Billings before a little after 6 pm MDT.  The aircraft
change at MSP was another quick one but this time the boarding lounges were
not very far apart.  This close to Christmas all the seats were filled on
both flights.  The flight from ORD to MSP was in an Airbus 320, wide body
with two iles, Paul and Grant were next to each other but in the middle of
the central seat bank.  The DC 9 is a single isle three and two.  They had
the two, toward the front, again Grant on the window.  This flight was
operated by Northwest.  Paul grabbed some snacks from a little stand in the
concourse, since this flight did not have any food service.

Paul and Grant managed to get a nap for part of the five hours in the air.
It would be another three hours of driving to the ranch.  Grant was
snuggled up against Paul, covered by a small blanket.

Billings is a relatively small terminal with one baggage area and waiting
room. (Expanded in 2009) Being at the front of the aircraft Paul and Grant
were among the first off.  Paul senior was hanging back a few paces but
Grant spotted him, bolting from dad he ran across the room shouting grandpa
and leaped into his arms, almost knocking the poor man down.  There were
other children on the plane too but none were allowed to express their
exuberance as Grant was.  Apparently Grant and dad had formed a bond via
telephone and e-mail that Paul was unaware of.  Not that Paul had a problem
with it, he was relieved to see it.

Paul had no experience to guide him in this aspect of family life.  His
grandfather was a very old man when he was a child and he had grown up,
from birth until 11, with his grandparents and mother.  His grandpa was
more like his dad.  He could not have realized the kind of bond that forms
between grandpas and grandsons.  It is a magical and mystical thing, sure
it has that element of kinship but beyond that there is a tacit kind of
understanding, running through it as a kind of undercurrent.  This was
something Paul had no conscious understanding of.  If the truth be told,
and it will be, he did have that kind of experience he just didn't realize
it.

Paul Senior, Paul Allen Stum, now the First, was almost overwhelmed with
emotion.  He had tried to prepare himself for this moment.  The instant in
time when he would hold his son and his son's son or daughter, his grand
children in his arms.  He had been anticipating this moment since Paul
Junior was only a child of 11 or 12.  PA as we will call him, more or less
from this point forward in the story, is not a highly emotive person.  He
is and always has been one to hold the expression of his emotions close to
himself.  He is one person you don't want to play poker with, his face can
not be read, his voice is always steady.  Paul had learned to read his dad
but only after living with him for several years.  He could tell what the
old man was feeling but never what he was thinking.

He always knew PA cared for him from the time he was a very small boy.  He
learned how much the man loved him only after having lived in his home for
almost two years.  He was amazed at the level of unconditional love and
commitment PA was giving him.  That was when he ask dad to adopt him.  He
was amazed now at the outpouring of unconditional love his dad was showing
toward his prince, his new son.  He was just a bit short of Grant's
outpouring of affection toward his dad.  Something Paul had enjoyed
exclusively was now shared, but he could think of no other better, equal
perhaps but not better, for that affection to be shared with than his dad.

PA gave Paul a brief but hardy embrace whispering in his ear, "thank you
son" and turned his attention back to the boy. Grant for his part was
ecstatic and excited, he cold not stop talking he had so much to tell
grandpa and was determined to do it all at once and in one very long
sentence.

Paul collected their baggage and with PA's and Grant's help made the short
trip from the baggage collection area to the back of PA's SUV in one trip.
It was already dark in Billings.  The airport is on the north side of town,
on the plateau.  Billings itself is mostly in the valley of the Yellowstone
River which is a wide gash in the otherwise flat landscape of southeastern
Montana.  As they descended into the city the lights of Billings at night
shimmered in the cold northern air.  Grandpa had two stops to make before
heading north and west to the ranch.  First was a western wear store that
sold boy sized boots.  He wanted to get his grandson, his first pair of
cowboy boots.  This is kind of a right of passage, like a boy's first hair
cut at the barber shop.  Something he was not able to do with his own son.

Grant was most impressed.  The store was large by local standards but small
when compared to Chicago.  It is typical of such places that specialize in
"western wear".  There are shelves and racks with jeans, jean jackets,
range and hunting type jackets, cowboy hats, jean and plaid shirts, wool
socks, belts and buckles, vests and a whole wall of boots.  Boots in
different colors, different designs, from fancy to quite plain, different
leathers, just different.

PA had stopped at the store earlier in the day but the sales staff insisted
he bring to boy in for a proper fit.  They even stayed late, closing at 6
pm most days, for this to happen.  That's one reason PA had been purchasing
his clothing in this establishment for almost forty years now.

Grandpa is not that old a man.  He is forty seven.  He was 17 the year Paul
was born and 28 when Paul came to live with him.  His father would bring
him once a year as a child to Billings for his clothing, to this very same
store.  He brought Paul here as a lad.  Now the fourth generation was being
brought in for this right of passage, his first pair of riding boots.

Paul was recognized by the staff and Grant was introduced, his foot
measured and a selection of boots presented.  Paul wanted to get involved
but one look from his dad put his 30 year old little boy back in his place.
This was between grandpa and grandson, dad just keep out.  Grant had to
have a very fancy two tone red and brown, tooled and sculpted, split
cowhide version with a very pointed toe and rather thick stacked heel.
These were Sunday go to Meeting boots but it was what the boy wanted.  It
was what he would have.  Grant put his runners in the box and strutted
around in his shinny new boots.  Nothing was said about other clothing for
Grant so Paul figured his dad had already purchased it and Grant would find
numerous packages under the Christmas tree in two days.

The next stop was a long established steak house and bar that PA
frequented.  It was long on country music, something Paul could only
tolerate in small amounts.  The decor is so-so but the steaks are out of
this world.  Grant babbled on and on but within ten minutes in the car he
was asleep.  Paul had PA stop and he undid Grant's seat belt, laid him on
the seat, refastened the seat belt and covered him with a blanket.

On the way home dad and son talked about the ranch and made a few plans for
the immediate future.  PA brought Paul up to date on neighbors and
community, slowly drifting to the subject of Jerry Hoffman.  "Jerry is
getting old, son.  I'm concerned for him.  He seems to be lost, without any
focus since Ruth died."

"I saw him not six months ago and he seemed fine.  We talked on the phone
just last week he seemed Ok."

"I know he is always so happy to see you and so invigorated but as soon as
you go he slips back into a funk.  He never should have retired.  His
problem, he has no problems to solve and no reason to even get out of bed.
The fire is going out of him, Junior.  You must have stimulated something
about a month ago he came over and talked and we even went ice fishing.
But that is just temporary.  Right now he is in Denver at his daughter's
for Christmas.  He plans on being at our place on New Years Eve.  Junior
you must find a way to get him back into medicine."

"Have you tried to get him involved in anything?"

"Sure I have, so has his Eleanor but you were the only one he would ever
listen to except Ruth."

"Come to think of it that is true, aside from Ruth, I was the only one he
ever trusted for advice.  Can you imagine a 14 year old kid advising the
local doctor and being his apprentice."

"It always amazed me and I never understood it, still don't fully, but I
think I am getting a bit of insight, I'll let you know."

"That is about the tenth cryptic thing you said in the past month.  Being
cryptic is not like you dad.  You have always been the most straight up guy
I have ever known."

"I know and son I don't like it one bit.  I'm sorry, I am in a bit of an
ethical bind here and you will just have to trust me on this.  All will be
revealed sooner rather than later."

"God, you know I trust you, if your word isn't good than no ones is.  By
the way old man what sleeping arrangements have you organized?"

"I have your old room completely redone for Grant.  Dug out all your old
toys and books, everything.  Moved your adult clothing and stuff into my
room, hope you don't mind?"

"Mind, how could I mind, I haven't slept in that bed since I was 14.  I
know I told you often enough just how hard it was for me to sleep alone
since..."

"Are you and Grant?"

"Yes every chance we get.  You can expect him to join us at first light.
If you thought I was clingy you ain't seen nothing yet."

"Well Junior his circumstances are a lot different than yours were.  I
would say he will be a few more months before he is willing to even let you
out of his sight, let alone grasp.  Can't say I blame him, you are a nice
sight you know.  He credits you with saving his life and giving him a new
persona, new family and well kind of like being reborn."

"Dad when I first told you about Grant and how taken I was with him, you
told me you had experienced the same feeling when I was only three days
old."

"That is correct.  I also told you I would explain all when we can talk
face to face but you will just have to hold off for a week or so.  Trust me
I know what I am doing.  He doesn't expect me to..."

"No, I told him not to expect that.  That I couldn't speak for you but I
know anything between you and him would be at his instigation and that you
may not be willing.  He realizes lack of sexual interest in him is not a
rejection or lack of interest.  The kid is very bright, almost frightening
sometimes.  You can kid him and joke with him but never and I mean never
bullshit him, he can see through that in a flash."

"Did I ever bullshit you?"

"No"

"What I don't understand is how you could have lived with me for two years,
wanting me as much as you did and never even give me a signal?"

"Junior I loved you that much.  So much so, I was terrified any move I
made, before you were ready, if ever, would drive you away from me.  Son
when your 17 you think with your little head between your legs, when your
28 you think with the big one on your shoulders.  We are each different,
you were so introverted as a kid I knew the only way to get through to you
was to open myself and for you to come around.  You did.  I gave you plenty
of hints, you just don't remember.  If you recall one evening you just
climbed into my bed and just never got out.  You knew I would not reject
you but you knew the choice was yours.  I knew if I pressured you in any
way, you would rebel and reject me.  I also knew that once you made your
choice you would be as loyal and steadfast toward me as I was toward you.
Now enough of this, I told you all will be revealed in about a week."

Paul carried Grant into the ranch house, kicked off his runners and set the
boy down.  He had planned to put Grant directly to bed but Grant woke up
and wanted none of that.  While the men brought in luggage, Grant ran from
room to room inspecting.  He was quite taken with the huge Christmas tree
and the equally large pile of gifts under it.  PA flipped the switch and it
lit up adding to the lad's delight.  PA made up a batch of hot chocolate
with milk from the ranches goats.  Warm chocolate milk has a calming effect
on excited children and adults for that matter.  Grant climbed on dad's lap
as they talked.  He wanted to see his pony but PA told him the pony was
sleeping along with the other animals in the barn and he could see him
first thing in the morning and so it went.

Paul carried his tired and sleepy boy to his old bedroom.  He undressed
him, hanging up his good clothing and showed him the bathroom, the location
of the light switch, pointing out the night light in the hall and so on.
"You sleeping in here or with Grandpa."

"With my dad tonight, we will be in the next room, I'll leave the door
open, Ok."

Grant was asleep as soon as Paul kissed his lips, after pulling up the
covers.

PA may be in his late 40's but his body is mid 30's.  He is lean and fit.
He works long and hard on the ranch.  Sure he had help, lots of it.  PA has
worked hard all his life.  He is on the go from morning until late in the
evening.  He will not ask an employee to do anything he is unwilling to
tackle himself and often pitches right in with the most physical tasks.  It
is partly genetics.  His parents were lean fit people and so were their
parents.  He was a very late child.  His mother was already in the early
40's when he was born.  For a women of that age, at that time in history to
be having her first child, was very difficult.  Dr. Hoffman was just a
young new country doctor in those days.  Some how he managed to save both
mother and child.  PA did not want to come out easily, he was breach.
Junior did not know his step grandparents well, they were even older than
his grandparents and were already living in a senior citizen's lodge in
Harlowton when he came to the ranch.

PA was an absolutely devoted and dedicated man, to his parents, to his son,
to his ranch and to his friends.  He was a man accustomed to having his own
way, not by demanding it but by doing it.  There was noting, absolutely
nothing he couldn't do around the ranch or the ranch house.  Paul wondered
when he got older why his dad had never found a wife or any kind of
companion.  He asked several times but never got anything like a definitive
answer.  His dad would never lie to him, he was always totally straight up
he just never answered the question, except with, "never found the right
woman."  Paul knew he never looked either.  Not that there were all that
many around.  Hell there aren't all that many people around here period.

"Did you find the pajamas for Grant?"

"No, didn't look, he and I sleep nude just like you."

"The boy will get cold, he is not accustomed to Montana winters.  You and I
have a lot more body fat and each other."

"If he gets cold or lonely he knows where we are."  PA smiled at that and
embraced his naked son, letting their erections press together in a kind of
duel.

"Have I told you how proud I am of you son?"

"Only for the tenth time today."

"Taking on the responsibility of nurturing a child is probably the most
rewarding and difficult thing a man can do.  And giving me a grandson to
spoil and love is my reward for having done such a good job of putting up
with you all these years."

"And I suppose my reward for putting up with you is between your legs."

"Oh ya."

Junior propped himself up on several large pillows resting his head against
the large wooden headboard.  His body was slightly bent in the middle just
above his inny navel.  Junior's butt, almost hairless smooth skin shimmered
in the faint yellow glow of the hall night light.  Junior's wide shoulders
formed a perfect, straight across Tee as he arms lay limp on the bed.  His
man was about to pay homage to his body and his sole, he was about to
worship at his male temple.  Junior's abbs gently rippled highlighting his
blond, well trimmed treasure trail.  Junior spread his legs into a Y his
penis standing straight and tall highlighted by his small patch of pubic
hair.  His scrotum filling the open angle made by his legs.  His man
settled in between his legs and Junior raised up his knees placing his feet
flat on the bed.  "It was just like this seventeen years ago that I took
this position, in this bed, in this room with this man, my man, my dad.  I
was frightened and lonely and so introverted.  He placed his lips on my
penis, like he is about to do now, he brought me immeasurable pleasure and
he has ever since," he thought.

Paul lowered his head and engulfed this straight, long penis in one smooth
even stroke, full to its root and began delivering the pleasure he knew his
boy, his son so desperately needed.  His throat and mouth would milk this
male member as his hands so often milked the goats tits.  His hands would
travel over the smooth body of this youth.  His tongue would curl around
and over the phallus until he was able to take all the boy's essence into
his body.  A symbolic exchange toward oneness.  As a youth Junior was able
to regain a full erection within minutes of ejaculation, now at 30 it took
a bit longer.  That mattered not, Paul would have a him rock had and
ejaculating a second load be the time he finished with his smooth, round
ass.

PA was awake first.  He looked around the darkling room, something was not
right.  Not wrong but just not right.  In the dim early mroning predawn,
illuminated only by the yellow night light in the hall, his eyes could just
make out the large lump under the covers next to him.  The lump was much to
large for just Paul's body.  He smiled, although no one could see it.  PA
gently pulled back the covers from his son.  He was right, the lump was to
large for one body.  Grant's head appeared just below Junior's chin.  He
was pinning his dad, pressing his body against his man's chest as he had
done since the day he came into Paul's life.  Grandpa slipped out of bed,
headed for the washroom.  He gently closed the door to Grant's room and
pulled his door closed, after reentering.

Mrs. Slocan would be arriving soon to prepare breakfast.  He dressed
himself, kissed his son and grandson and tiptoed out.  He did not need
Mrs. Slocan discovering them all in naked the same bed.  He quietly crept
down the old staircase, kicking the thermostat up from night to day.  The
propane furnace started in with a whoosh.  PA activated the electric coffee
pot and sat at the table.  He was glad Junior had him install the furnace.
It sure beat the old coal boiler in the basement.  "Junior had seen to it
that many things changed after he came to live with me," he thought.  "He
taught me as much as I taught him, he taught me how to love and I taught
him how to live."  The coffee pot was sizzling and sputtering as the last
of the brown liquid filled the glass carafe.

"Grandpa," the little voice called and the small hand touched his arm
bringing him back to reality.  Grant stood next to him naked and shivering.
He looked at the boy.  "Grandpa, I need help getting dressed."  Grant was
now pulling on his sleeve.  Grandpa swept him up into his arms and carried
the boy up the long curved staircase to his room.  He snapped on the light
bringing to life a boy's room filled with all the wonders of his dad's
childhood.  Models of airplanes and boats, kites, posters, rocks, feathers,
books, a microscope, a telescope, star charts, a large bed, doors and
drawers all hiding treasures, Grant's eyes were wide, and he was
speechless.  On the desk was a new computer and across the room a
TV-VCR-DVD.

"This was Junior's room when he was a boy, I just upgraded it a bit."
Grandpa opened up Grant's travel bags looking for appropriate clothing.  He
laid out jeans, a sweater, underwear and athletic socks.  "How is that, do
you need any help?"

"I can dress myself but you will need to help me with the boots, I think."

"Right after breakfast I want you to come up here and put your things away,
otherwise Mrs. Slocan will do it and you will never find anything again."
he chuckled.

"Who is Mrs. Slocan?"

"She is my house keeper, that's how this place keeps so neat and clean and
how most of our meals get cooked."

"Oh, dad makes me pick up after myself and he cooks most of our meals.  Can
I play with these toys?  Did dad have all this stuff when he was a boy?  I
want to see Dolphin can I, please?"

"Yes you can play with these toys and yes most of it was Juniors except for
the upgrades."  He pointed to the computer and TV.  "We will go to the barn
just as soon as you put your stuff away and get your barn cloths on."

"Barn cloths?"

"Yes, we have special clothing for the barn, that way we don't drag all
kinds of dirt and muck into the house.  Junior will show you."  PA helped
him put the new boots on.  "Mrs. Slocan won't allow us to ware boots in the
house but since yours are still new it will be Ok."

"Good, you can kiss me if you want, I like kisses, dad does it all the
time."  Grant stated in a very grown up matter of fact voice all be it high
alto in tone.  Grandpa did just that kissed him on the head several times.

"And you can kiss me if you want, I like them too."  Grant kissed the old
man's cheeks and gave him a big hug and headed straight into the other
bedroom to wake up his dad.

PA just smiled.  This lad was something else.  Being a grandfather was new
to him.  Something he thought he was fully prepared for.  He knew from
observation and some experience that grandparents dote on their
grandchildren, that they are just short of perfect, in spite of what their
parents may say.  He was prepared to fill that role, just as he had been
prepared to fill the role of dad when it was presented to him.  Paul Allan
Stum the First, is just one of those people you meet, that step up to any
challenge and simply overwhelm it.  He was not a proud person but had a
great deal of personal pride.  He was not boastful, preferring to let his
actions and deeds speak on his behalf.  He was not religious but felt a
strong spiritual connection to his family and his land.  He was the kind of
neighbor that didn't wait to be asked, he just did things because they need
to be done.  This boy impressed him.  Sure his son had impressed him but
not like Grant.  In his many telephone conversations with the boy he had
come to realize the child was eight going on twenty.  His self confidence
was almost overwhelming and yet he was still that tender, just a little
unsure, child.

By the time PA returned to the kitchen Grant had Mrs. Slocan wrapped around
his finger and she had only been in the house for ten minutes.  Ethel
Slocan is an older woman.  She had several children and a squad of
grandchildren, all scattered across the northwest.  She had taught school
until the districts had been combined a few years ago, taking an early
retirement rather than travel to the new school.  Her husband retired from
ranching and took up selling fertilizer and seeds.  Much to PA's good
fortune, Ethel had found retirement not to her liking.  Looking after him
and his household, on a part time basis, provided a symbiotic relationship
for both of them.  As he came into the room Grant was explaining all the
pictures grandpa had posted on the frig.  Grant was giving her a lesson on
dolphin anatomy and behavior.

"Why do you think the pod has adopted you?"

"Because, when dolphins greet each other or a mother interacts with her
calf, they rub their heads against each other.  It is a sign of affection.
When dad and I swim with them they do that to us too, mostly to me."

"Paulie lets you swim with wild dolphins?"

"Sure, as long as he is there too.  I'm not permitted to swim alone but my
pod would not let anything happen to me, they are very protective.  Dad
made a video a week ago, I'll show it to you after I meet my pony, I named
him Dolphin."

"Its all right Ethel he swims like a sea mammal himself," Paul interjected
as he entered the kitchen.

"Paulie, how could you hide this beautiful child from us for all these
years?"

"I had noting to do with that, it was just a situation beyond my control.
I'm sure he will ware our his welcome soon enough."

She looked over at PA.  "I doubt that is possible, you didn't," she said,
poring a coffee for Paul.  Then she started in on the Paulie stories for
Grant's benefit and Paul's embarrassment.

"I was Paulie's fifth and sixth grade teacher and let me tell you what a
hand full your father was..."  After they finished and got organized, Paul
took Grant into the "mud room" fitting him with boots and coveralls and the
like.

"Don't worry dad I wont call you Paulie."  Paul puzzled at the comment.  He
didn't think he cringed physically every time she called him that, just
mentally.

"Thanks son, I appreciate it.  Mrs. Slocan, well she is in that class of
older ladies like mothers, you just kind of accept what she tells you, like
it or not."

"That's what I figured.  I know how much you hate Paulie but I could see
you working so hard to... to ... ah ..."

"Suppress."

"Ya, suppress it.  Later you can explain the difference between suppress
and repress, during my lessons, OK."  Paul nodded and placed his arm around
the boy's shoulders pulling him into himself.  They both giggled as Paul
opened the barn door with his left hand.  Paul flicked on the lights.

Paul looked around and saw a number of horses.  "Where are the goats and
cows?"

"The goats and sheep are in the other barn.  We don't have pigs, rabbits or
chickens anymore.  As a matter of fact we only have a few sheep for food
and keep a few goats for milk.  No cows, since I can't drink their milk."

"And lots of horses."

"Yes lots of horses and cattle but most of the horses and cattle are on the
range over the winter and not in the barn."

One of the animals whinnied and snorted.  Paul stopped and petted it,
giving the gelding a big hug and many kind words.  The horse made some soft
sounds and stretched its head out more looking at Grant.

"This is Tiger, Grant.  Tiger this is my son Grant."  Paul scooped him up
and holding him with one arm around his chest presented the boy to his now
very old mount.  Grant stroked his muzzle and nose as the horse took a good
sniff of the boy.  "Tiger was my mount when I was a boy, an older boy than
you and much bigger."  Paul slipped his old friend some sugar cubes and a
couple of carrots.

As they passed down the line Paul greeted each horse, introducing Grant.
Each horse got a good smell of the boy.  "Why do they all smell me like
that?"

"That is how they will recognize you, not only as you but as my son.  You
have my smell on you in addition to your own.  They now know you are
family, you belong.  Remember horses are herd animals, its like a big
family."

"Like my pod?"  Paul chuckled, "Yes like our pod, I get the feeling they
had adopted me too you know."  Grant giggled and nodded.

"The last stall is the foaling stall.  That's where Dolphin and his mother
are being kept."  Just as they were about to enter several of the ranch
hands came through the back door with sacks of feed over their shoulders.
They immediately set them down and greeted Paul and of course made a big
fuss over Grant.  One on the men filled Grant's coat pockets with bright
green pellets.  Foals at about two months usually start eating some green
food but are still dependent on mother's milk for several more months.
Paul did not know the mare, her name is Goldie.  He leaned over the rail
and began talking to her.  She came over and he began petting her and
feeding her carrots.  While her attention was on Paul, Grant slipped in the
stall.  Dolphin like all foals of two months was right at mom's side but
when he saw the small human, one his size standing there, his curiosity got
the better of him and he causally came over to him.  The ranch hands and
now PA were softly giving Grant advice.  "Let him come to you."  "Don't
move to fast" hold the pellets in your open hand.  Grant was giggling as
the Dolphin's lips tickled his little palm.  As soon as Dolphin realized
Grant had food and pets and was a boy like he was, instant friendship.
Grant was softly talking to his pony, he rambled on like he did with the
dolphin pod.  Frequently using the pony's name.  When the mare jumped a bit
when she realized someone was in the stall.  Paul petted her and kept
talking softly, "that's my son, he wants to be friends with your son" and
so on.

She easily moved closer and sniffed at Grant's head and sniffed her foal
went back to paying attention to Paul and now PA.  Welsh A ponies are not
large animals compared to other horses (13-14 hands) but compared to an
eight year old boy the mare was not small either.  A two month old colt
foal's head is about the same height from the ground as an eight year olds
so they looked eye ball to eye ball.  Colts want to run around, like all
young animals they are full of energy and want to test themselves.  Grant
is not one to stand still either, it only took a short time before the
stall gate was open and colt and lad were racing up and down the length of
the barn.  Grant was delighted with this, he was laughing and giggling the
whole time.  Mother was concerned but as long as she could see the foal was
content to stand and be petted.

She whinnied and the foal raced back into the stall with Grant hot on his
heals.  Goldie bent her muzzle down and Grant petted her offering a hand
full of pellets.  It was obvious she was accustomed to children and seemed
to like Grant's attention.  Grandpa handed Grant a large feeding bottle
full of fresh goat's milk.  "Here son, you feed him, the vet thinks the
mare is not producing enough milk for him."  Grant was happy to do this and
Dolphin was delighted, like all growing young animals, he is always hungry.
Paul knew this was one of the best ways for the colt and boy to make
friends.  Paul had to almost drag Grant away, promising him he would be
able to spend time in the afternoon with Dolphin.

Right now Grant had to have his first riding lesson.  He showed Grant how
to place a hackamore on Tiger.  He was far to old for Paul to ride anymore
but Paul knew his horse and he knew the his old animal friend missed their
time together, racing across the snow covered fields.  He knew Tiger would
be easy and proud to cary his human's son.  Grant could sense Tiger's
excitement as Paul lead him out to the corral.  Paul dropped the rains, a
signal for Tiger to remain stationary.  Paul's massive hands grasped Grant
and swept him onto the horses back.  "Don't I need a saddle?"

"Yes but not yet.  First you get accustomed to the motion bareback."  Paul
handed the rains to Grant and slowly walked across the corral.  Tiger
followed his master, his old head high in the air as if to say to the other
horses "see me, I am trusted with this new colt."  After a couple of
circuits Paul gave Tiger more sugar and told him to take the boy for a
walk.  Tiger nodded his head, who knows if it was in understanding or just
a horse gesture but slowly walked around the corral with Grant giggling in
delight.  PA handed Grant his photo cell phone and let him take some
pictures to send back Julia in Charlotte Amalie, once he got the hang of
walking and hanging on to this rather large animal.  Goldie and Dolphin
joined them, the mare trotting and walking around, the colt racing from one
place to another, dancing around Grant and Tiger.

"Junior, I didn't know he spoke Spanish."

"He is learning a couple of other languages in addition to that too.  I had
him tested.  I thought I had a high IQ, he scored off the chart for his
age."

"He has a way with animals, like you had, remember,"

"I think he is even better.  You never did tell me how you got the
Latchfords to let you have the mare and foal here for him."

"It was easy, they wanted a winter holiday but a late foal kind of crimped
their plans.  I offered to take the pair and foot the feed and any vet
bills, until the colt is off the tit.  Besides I wouldn't have missed that
first meeting for any amount of money would you?"

"I love you dad."  Paul, the taller man slipped his arm around his dad's
shoulders.  ...................

"Are you going to spend some time on your lessons?"

"Yes but I need my physio therapist first, riding horses uses mussels I
didn't even know I had."  Grant was rubbing his butt and upper legs.  Paul
was not so sure about that but he knew the kid wanted some physical
attention from him.  Once in Grant's room he quickly began pulling his
clothing off.  Paul gave him a massage ending up with two fingers in his
ass and another dry orgasm.  Paul took advantage of the situation to give
Grant his electro stimulation session.

One of the old books on the shelf was a copy of Gray's Anatomy that Jerry
Hoffman had given Paul when he was about 16 and a small booklet "How to
pronounce medical terms."

When Mrs. Slocan came up to make sure the second floor was clean, since she
would not be back for several day, she found Grant about a quarter of the
way through Gray's.  He was so engrossed that he didn't hear her
approaching.  Grant was fixing his eyes on the illustrations, every once in
a while he would look up a term to get its pronunciation correct.  He
jumped with a start as she began dusting.

"What grade are you in, do you like school?"  She was making conversation.

"I don't go to a school, I am home-schooled, dad and Grace are my touters."

"Who is Grace?"

"Miss Grace Nunes, she is a Brazilian graduate student at the university,
she does history, social studies, reading, spelling and languages.  Dad
does the science and math.  I'm very good at math.  Dad showed me how to
use a slide rule, so now I don't need a calculator to multiply and divide.
I don't have a grade they just let me go as fast and as far as I can."

"What if you don't have a slide rule?"

"Oh that's easy, I just memorized the "C" and "D" scales and I can move the
slide and cross hair in my head.  Dad said everything I do goes straight
into my long term memory, if I read it or see it or even hear it and am
paying attention, I got it."

"Do you have assignments?"

"Yes, all done," He pulled some papers and a book from his backpack,
handing it to her. "this looks very complete."  It was grade five level
Social Studies long answer questions.

"Do you have many friends, you know kids to play with?"

"Not to many, that's the down side of living on an otherwise uninhabited
island.  I have a few in town and dad has purchased a condo for us so I
will meet more kids but it is hard sometimes.  You know having an eight
year old body and a twelve year old brain."

"That was always Paulie's problem, he was way to smart for his age group.
I think he got along with his contemporaries on a sports and general play
level.  He did have a buddy, Eric Hoffman.  Do you miss your mother?"

"A lot some times, but I only ever had one parent around so I guess it
could be a lot worst.  Are there many kids living around here?"

"Not to many your age a few girls southeast of here.  Most of the kids live
in Harlo and few in Judith Gap." (Harlowton to non locals, the county seat
of Wheatland County, about 15 miles south of the ranch.)  "In fact, not
that many people live here any more."

"I like girls, my best friend Julia is a girl."  Grant brought up her
picture on the computer.

"Is she in the hospital?"

"Yes, she has cancer.  Dad and Dr. Sid are her physicians and I'm their
assistant.  We are a team, My job is to be her friend, that's the easy
part.  The hard part is to keep her spirits up, dad said the cure is almost
as hard as the cancer."

"Well if anyone can find a way to help her it will be Paulie."

"You know dad hats to be called Paulie."

"Yes I do, but it is pay back for all the trouble he caused in my grade
five and six classes.  Its just a reminder, in my eyes he will always be
one of my students."

"Was my dad a difficult student?"

"He was a good student, to good I think, he was a constant disruption in my
classes, I think he was bored.  Until he went to work for Dr. Hoffman at
least.  I think it was about half way through grade five that I just let
him do what he wanted, you know special projects and things like that.  He
took his mom's death very hard at first and his grandparents couldn't do
anything with him.  I know Paul had to work very hard but I think the
results speak for themselves."

"Dad always says "you teach the way you were taught," I guess that's why he
lets me go at my own pace."  Mrs. Slocan kissed him on the forehead and
went off to another room.  Grant went outside to find his dad.

He did not find Junior or grandpa, he did find another bottle of goat's
milk and a hungry colt.  The only horses in the barn were Tiger, Goldie and
Dolphin.  Grant climbed up on Tiger's stall and petted the old horse
talking to him like he could understand, like he talks to the dolphins.
Then he climbed up and over into the large stall at the end.  Dolphin was
excited to see his new boy size friend.  He gave both Dolphin and mother
hands full of green pellets and then the milk to Dolphin.

"Junior you must be quiet."  PA and Junior were sneaking along down the
center isle of the barn.  They looked over the rails.  In the corner of the
stall laying on top of a thick straw mat were Grant and Dolphin.  Grant had
his head on Dolphin's neck and Dolphin had his mussel on Grant's chest.
They were both fast asleep.  Junior took several digital photographs and
grandpa slowly opened the gate, reached under the boy and effortlessly
swept him into his arms.  With that the colt was up standing by mom looking
with a kind of puzzled look at PA and Grant.

Junior was about to admonish Grant to let them know where he was going and
why and so on.  Grandpa gave him the stifle it look.  He did.  Grant
clamped his legs and arms around the old man placing his head on his
shoulder.  "It time for us to have dinner or aren't you hungry?"

"Hungry enough to eat a steer?"  Grant was now awake.

"Junior will bed the horses down for the night and I will give you a bath,
how does that sound."

"Sounds good to me."  Junior was just a might jealous, after all it was his
job to bath his son.  His dad never bathed him, Ok he was older and Grant
only puts up with it like he does, allowing dad to dress and wash him,
because he likes the attention.  He did get to bath Grant often, very
often.  He was being stupid and he knew it.

Christmas Eve at the Stum's is a laid back, full of fun time.  The Stum
family immigrated to Montana from Pennsylvania in the 1870's.  The family
name is Dutch meaning silent or quiet in middle Dutch and Low German.  No
one was sure when their ancestors came to North America, no one cared very
much.  The Hoffmans, Stums and other German, Dutch and Flemish named
families had immigrated from the east in the 1870's and 80's.  They mostly
became ranchers and farmers.

During PA's parents time it had become traditional for ranching families to
gather at the Stum's for a Christmas Eve party.  There were still a few
families in the area, most of them hands on the Stum spread, now the
largest in the county.  The Stum ranch had originally been six sections of
land.  Junior had inherited another four when his grandparents died.
Gerald Hoffman began leasing his five sections to PA a few years before he
retired.  This lease had several secret clauses, which will be explained
later on.  In addition to that the Stum family held a 60 percent interest
in the mineral right for another ten sections in Petrolia County, the next
one east.  That land was held by Paul's second the third cousins.  The
Stums still had steady, if no longer substantial, royalty income from them.
In fact Paul had no real idea just how rich his family was.  PA had always
made him earn his spending money by raising and selling cattle and horses.
He was lucky that all through school he never needed to barrow money or
work part time.  He always made enough on the livestock side or so he
thought.  The reality was his share from the land he inherited was more
than he ever needed.  With the BSE problem in Canada, prices were now at
record highs.  They were making to much money.

After a large ranch dinner people began stopping by.  Grant was the center
of attention for everyone.  He was in the middle.  There were much older
teens and babies and toddlers with their parents and grandparents.  People
came and went all evening.  Paul and PA consumed a few more than a few
bottles of beer.  Grant told and retold his adventures of swimming with
dolphins and learning to dive, living on an otherwise uninhabited island
and so on.  They told him a little about living in rural Wheatland County.
The teens grumbled about having to ride a school bus to and from grade
school as well as high school.  Grant told them how much he liked the home
study except dad was a hard task master and he sure missed not having many
friends and only seeing the few he had a few times a week not like every
day.

What they both discovered was, in spite of the age differences they had
more in common than they had apart.  By about ten everyone had gone home.
Paul put away the food and settled on the sofa with Grant pressed against
him.  Grandpa sat in his big recliner.

"Do you think we should attack that pile of presents or leave it for the
mroning," PA asked? That got the boy's attention and his obvious response.

"Why don't you begin by distributing things Grant," Junior suggeted.  Not
everything was wrapped.  Some of the packages were in the shipping boxes.
When you order stuff from a catalogue or over the internet, they don't
always come wrapped, wrapping stuff was not PA's thing.  When Grant
finished, Grandpa and Dad had small piles at their feet.  Grant had a huge
pile so he sat on the floor.  Junior made sure to take lots of pictures.
This was Junior's first Christmas with Grant as his son, it was the first
Christmas for Grant's new persona, it was grandpa's first Christmas with
his grandson.  Junior could not understand how parents, with considerably
fewer means than his, could afford events like Christmas.

"Come on Gramps you start, open yours first."  PA smiled and began
unwrapping his packages, making sure to open the ones from Grant first.  He
made a great deal of fuss over each one, telling Grant how much he
appreciated them and how useful they will be.

"Did you pick these all by your self?"

"Yes, dad came with me to make sure I got things you didn't already have.
I even paid for them with my own money."

"Your own money?"

"Well maybe not my own cash money but the credit card has my name on it."
PA smiled

"Well that's as good as having cash."  PA was delighted with Junior's
selections: Jacket, vest, hiking boots and sexy swimsuit.  Which he held up
to Junior indicating a kind of what is this for unspoken question.  "You
will need it when you come to Poseidondoro and we should all go to White
Sulfur Springs for a ski and soak."

Junior was overwhelmed by the dolphin charm and necklace that Grant had
picked out.  It was silver, detailed, large but not to large and hung from
a masculine chain.  He immediately put it on, making Grant very happy.

Grant's pile was huge and he plowed into it with his usual vigor.  The
highlights were his very own western belt and silver buckle.  Several long
sleeved, flannel shirts, a Play Station 2 along with games and a ton of
other stuff.  The last box contained a model of the human skeleton with all
the bones labeled.  When put together it would hang from a wire stand about
3 feet high.  There was no tag.  Grant was delighted but puzzled, who
should he thank?  He inspected the paper again and found a small tag that
said "P3/GH".  Which he studied a bit.  PA knew very well who it was from
and Junior had a good guess.  "P3/GH that sounds like the name of a rock
band, P3 must be me but who is GH?  I know he is the same man who gave you
that copy of Gray's Anatomy."

"Gerald Hoffman, he is the doctor I studied under, I told you about him."
Grant gave a big yawn, which Junior took as a sign bed time was upon them.
Grant dropped everything, except a package of new super hero undies and ran
up the stairs.  Junior and his dad buttoned down the ranch house, turned
off the lights including the Christmas tree and followed.

Grant was not in his room or anyplace obvious.  The men looked at each
other for a moment and smiled.  He was laying as still as an eight year old
could, under the comforter in the middle of PA's bed.  Dad and son went
about getting ready for bed as efficiently and as quietly as they could.
Playing a bit of butt and crotch tag and sharing a number of loud kisses.
They knew what to do, no need to signal or talk about it.  Each man went to
different sides of the large bed and slipped in.  Still no movement from
Grant.  They both rolled toward the center to embrace and kiss.  This
action trapped the lad between them.  Grant was not expecting this and
began to squirm.  Junior and Dad pressing tighter together.  When they
broke their embrace four man hands began tickling the boy in real earnest.
This got exactly the reaction expected, giggling, laughing, squirming,
flailing of limbs and pleading to stop.

It was late on Christmas morning when Junior's eyes opened.  He was an
early riser, always has been.  It come from growing up on a ranch.  Stock
needs to be tended in the morning and that stock has no sympathy for your
indiscretions of the night before.  He could hear Gramps and Grant giggling
and whispering in the kitchen.  They must have heard him getting up, as
they stopped what ever they had been doing by he time he struggled down the
stairs, collapsing into a chair.  Junior had not been hung over since his
college days.  He didn't remember drinking all that many beers over the
evening.  Five or six at most.  The other important thing he didn't
remember was the effect altitude has.  When you spend five years at sea
level the ± 1000m (3000') elevation at the ranch has a significant effect.
Grant was concerned for his dad he had never seen him hung over before, or
inebriated for that matter.  PA was only slightly sympathetic, after all
Juniors discomfort was self inflicted.  It was when starring at the
steaming cup of black coffee with his left hand across his forehead and his
right index finger point at his dad, saying rude things about attitude,
that Grant realized it was not a good idea to sit on his lap.

PA set a bottle of generic ASA and a glass of water next to the coffee.  He
knew about pounding heads resulting from over indulgence, based on personal
experience.  He knew how Junior reacted to his over indulgence.  PA was
kind but did make sure to tell Grant and remind his son, of the time in
high school when Junior came home after over indulging on cheep wine and
was sick for most of two days.

"Dad must you go into so much detail about it?"

"Yes Junior, it is the price you pay for your actions.  It is a valuable,
vicarious lesson for Grant.  He needs to know that even you are human and
can screw up once in a while.  No shame in that, only shame in making the
same mistakes to often and to close together."

"Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes Grant, I'm `A-Ok' as the old saying goes."

"Good because Gramps said you had to take me on the snowmobile to check on
the horses and cattle."

"I think that is a doable, when?"

"Right after we have lunch and you fix this empty feeling in my butt."

"Ok which first, food or sex?"

"Sex!"  Grant was in the air clamping his legs around dad's middle.

..................

PA put the last of the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, another of Junior's
improvements.

"Grant why don't you look in the living room and see if anything has
changed since last night."  Grant slipped off his chair and disappeared
around the corner.  He found the gifts all just a they had left them in
neat piles.  He also found a large package about four feet long and three
feet high and perhaps 8 inches thick. (1.2 X 0.9 X 0.2 m).  He appeared in
the doorway.

"There is a box in the middle of the room that as big as I am, maybe even
bigger!"  In fact it was not quite as long as he was tall and much wider
but he is a bit thicker.

PA smiled and Junior had a question mark face.  "What does the box say on
it?"  Grant disappeared again.

"It says Stum Corp. Att: P. Stum Jr."  He spelled the Att: not knowing it
was an abbreviation for attention.

"You better see what it is Junior," PA winked at Grant.  Grant immediately
realized it was the surprise he and Gramps had cooked up.  Mostly it was
Gramps' idea, since he had ordered it some 6 months ago, before Grant came
into the picture.

The package had been shipped by UPS from Calgary to a law office in Harlo.
This was the law firm that looked after the ranch and family legal matters.
Paul inspected the box, it was addressed as reported, the delivery
instructions pasted on the UPS receipt.  The sender was an art gallery in
Calgary.  PA handed Junior a box cutter and smiled.  Grant was so excited
he could hardly restrain himself.

"See Grandpa, I can keep a secret."

"I knew you could Grant, that's why I told you."  He kissed the boy's head
getting a sniff of his clean, boy hair, smell.

Boy Series Folio A # 75 of 875 by Royce Evers, Calgary, Alberta.  Inside
the box was a large hard board folder almost a big as the box . Inside the
folder were 5 limited edition prints, signed and numbered by the artist.
The name and numbers were printed on the outside of the folio. The one page
insert had a photo of Mr. Evers and brief biography.  It said the models
for the boys were his sons and the paintings were made on location at the
Evers' Lazy E ranch, south of Calgary.

Paul was more than impressed, so was Grant.  PA told them he saw the artist
and his work at the Stampede in Calgary.  He knew the Evers name.  The
Evers are well known Mustang and Quarter breeders.  He had done business
with Royce's father and the Lazy E ranch.  Paul and the others inspected
the five prints.

In one picture of the two naked boys at the swimming hole, a dog was
already in the water. The swimming hole is a small pond in a coulee
(ravine).  It was just like some of the places Junior knew on this ranch.
A thick rope hung from a large Cottonwood (Populous angustirolia) that
leaned gently over the water.  Chickadees were in the spruce trees eating
seeds from the cones.  Not the Black Capped Chickadees (Poecile
artiscpillus) but the Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambli) its markings are
slightly different although recognizable as a member of the family.  Junior
was amazed at the detail.  The boy series were so real and so detailed that
many people had to look twice to be sure they were paintings and not
photographs.

These were not nostalgic pictures or true renderings, the things in them,
clothing and the like were contemporary but the ideas were timeless and
universal.  Universal in the sense that all boys did them or fantasized
about doing them.  The images evoked nostalgia but in a contemporary
context.  In the swimming hole picture the boys are naked and by a pond the
time is fixed by Royce's inclusion of an "ipod" and a cell phone neatly
placed on top of a heap of blue jeans next to riding boots.  In each
picture the artist always included some small details to set a context; in
addition, to many small and carefully added details such as insects or wild
birds, or small mammals.  Evers' work draws the viewer into it.  The viewer
is about to look away and notices some minute detail not recognized before
and is drawn back deeper into the image.  There is no doubt in the viewers
mind, the artist was here at this place, at this time.  The place is real
the time is real and the emotions invoked by line and color are real.  Not
only that but the emotion or feeling the viewer brings to the image are
reflected back to him or her with the understanding that the artiest
experienced those same feelings.

Junior grabbed his dad kissing him again and again.  This was the best
Christmas present ever.  Hands down, no doubt the best.

While they organized for the snow mobile ride, Junior explained some of the
organizational realities such as why the painting was addressed to the Stum
Corp. and not him.

"You mean the ranch is a corporation and you and grandpa hold all the
stock."

"Not quite all the stock, some of it his held by our neighbor Dr. Hoffman.
We are on a rent to won plan with him, he gets rent income and we gave him
stock in the company.  That way he does not have to pay tax on the purchase
price.  Its a bit more complicated than that but that's how it works.
Anyway big purchases like your pony or these paintings are made by the
corporation, instead of giving us the money so we pay tax on it first."

Junior was surprised that PA had been able to round up boy sized helmet,
boots and a snowmobile suit in Grant's size.  His ranch staff was able to
find everything needed from things their own children had out grown.  To
say Grant was not delighted with his first snowmobile ride would be a gross
understatement.  Junior placed him on the seat between himself and the
handle bars and off they rode in a cloud of white powder.  The air was
bitter cold but in the warm uniform and with dad's arms around him he was
in boy heaven.  Of course he wanted to run it himself but that would be a
few years away.  Even with proper training, a rider needs enough strength
and weight to control these powerful machines.  Gramps towed a sleigh with
feed supplements.

They crossed several fields stopping to open and close the gates behind
themselves.  The horses were pastured about two miles (3.2 km) away and the
cattle another half mile (.8 km) on.  Large round bales of green feed had
been placed in field by the watering troughs and the supplemental feed
stations.  Grant was given the job of putting the pellets in the little
troughs.  Junior broke open several bales and spread them for the horses
while PA operated a gasoline power pump to fill the water trough which the
animals had to drink before it froze up.

Junior was glad he studied medicine.  Not that he disliked physical labor.
He craves physical activity but this was just mind numbing and routine.  He
wished the ranch was closer to some place, any place that could use him
medical skills.  He knew from the time he decided to study medicine, at
about 15 that he would need to leave this place.  Not just for an education
but because he would not be needed here as a physician.  He wished his dad
would come to the Virgin Islands but he was way to young to retire and too
"old to learn a new trade".

He envied Royce Evers, who could live in a city like Calgary and visit his
home ranch almost at will.  He did not know this as fact but he did know
the ranch was not far from Calgary, so the opportunity must exist.  He also
knew or though he knew that the best thing for his new son was spending
part of each year on this ranch too.  He knew his dad loved the boy and
would teach him like he was taught, how to be a man.  He knew the value of
bonding with animals and the joy of experiencing the freedom of just being
alone in the wilderness.  Ok, semi wilderness.

PA had no intention of having sex with any prepubescent boy especially his
grand son.  Junior had no intention of sharing his son with his dad.  Grant
had every intention of being shared and of receiving physical as well as
emotional love from both his dad and his grandfather.  He knew all he had
to do was bide his time and it would happen.  It happened sooner than he
expected but then expectations are just desires without a timetable.  He
did not know why he wanted this man.  He had his dad and in reality needed
little else.  He met many men and boys who were as desirable if not more so
than this older gentleman.  (Forty seven is not old unless you are 8, than
it is ancient, its perception not reality that counts.)

They had been in White Sulfur Springs, a town with mineral sprints and a
ski hill.  WSS is about 65 miles (105 km) due west along US Highway 12 from
Harlowton.  The hot spring water is piped into the motel where they stayed.
Grant was taken up to the ski hill early in the morning, fitted with rental
equipment and given ski lessons.  Junior though he looked very attractive
in his new outfit but not as sexy as those down hill racers in their body
hugging suits.  The ski outfit was fitted all right but it didn't show off
his bubble butt or boy package.  Not like his swimsuit.

He would put his boy up against any of the young models he had seen on the
internet.  Grant had seen some old shots of two naked boys painting each
other with water colors.  He had thought that looked like lots of fun.  As
we know Junior has a strong appreciation of the human form.  He has a
feeling about art in general and purchases quite a bit of it.  He enjoys
and appreciates young naked boys most of all.  He is less interested in
what those boys are doing or in there setting as in appreciating their
smooth sink, clean line and general physological from.  Had he not chosen
medicine he would chosen art as a profession.

Junior knew where his greatest talent lay.  He did like taking photographs
in general and of young boys and men specifically.  One of his former
trainees is now 15 and lives in Germany.  His man frequently sends pictures
of him to Junior, with and without clothing.  The lad is very photogenic
and fills out his leather shorts, oh so nicely.  Another 14 year old's man
has an underwear fetish and Junior get lots of that boy all in different,
usually sexy poses.  Grant likes to look at them too but he is focused on
the fact they are boys not much older then himself.  He needs and wants
more social contact, Junior concluded.

Grant was taking the intermediate runs like a pro by the afternoon.  PA is
a competent skier and Junior is quite good.  He did not want Grant on the
advanced runs his first time out.  PA was hesitant to attempt them without
some additional practice.  Soaking in the mineral baths in the evening
after a long day on the slopes was great for all three.  Grant missed
swimming a lot, so did Junior.  The next day Grant had another lesson and
all three were on the advanced runs in the afternoon.  Grant found some
other boys to ski with leaving the adults to themselves for a while.  When
Junior was a boy, PA would bring him and his friend Eric down hill skiing
quite frequently.  They would also cross country on the ranch when there
was enough snow.

It was the night of their return to the ranch that Grant's opportunity
came.  Dad tucked him in after giving his boy a whole lot of oral sugar.
Grant was just a bit to excited to sleep as soon as dad was out the door he
had a book and a flashlight under the covers reading.  Well Tom Sawyer is
exciting and was about to enter the cave with Huck and Becky Thatcher.

Junior and PA were getting it on assuming Grant was asleep.  Not that PA's
bed has squeaky springs or anything like that but two full sized male
lovers even when they are being quiet, make noise.  Grant could hear them
as the sound moved through the old house and having the bedroom doors open
well...

The view from the bedroom door was just what the fertile mind would imagine
a poorly lit porn movie to be like.  PA was on his back his flag waving in
the breeze, Junior was squatting over PA's head his flag stiff and hanging
down, he was fucking PA's face by lowering his body on his powerful legs,
his back to the door, hands on the head board to steady himself.  Grant
knew just what to do.  He moved in quietly, crawling up from the foot
in-between PA's legs and latched his mouth and small boy hands on the
moderate length of the man's penis.  This one was smaller then Junior's by
several inches.  Sure it was a bit fatter but Grant could manage it.  In
fact he could get this one almost all in.

Junior's attention was focused on his and PA's pleasure he was busy raising
and lowering his nice looking ass as his cock slid in and out of oral
heaven.  PA was completely aware of the boy's oral attention to his penis.
He could not see him as every time he raised his head Junior's cock press
deeper into his throat.  He wanted to signal Junior but the younger man was
not giving him a chance.  PA finally pushed him off pointing.  Junior saw
Grant's head bobbing up and down.  Grant noticed the men's action had
subsided and looked up.

Junior grabbed him sweeping the boy into his arms and kissing him.  Grant
was not sure if his joining was going to be accepted but when PA began
sucking his boy toy completely into his mouth, his mustache tickling his
pubis, Grant was reassured.  Junior laid the boy on his back with PA
following his crotch, never taking his lips off the little penis.  Grant
forded is legs apart and toward his head giving PA access to his anus.
Gramps knew what to do and in seconds has two fingers working of his
prostrate as him tongue trolled the boy's goodies.

Junior moved in behind his man and slipped his long penis into him.  The
earlier action had brought him close several times.  As PA's sphincter
closed tight round his joy stick Junior knew he would not be lasting very
long.  He didn't, neither did Grant.  As Junior rolled off spent and
dripping cum he pulled PA onto his side.  Grant took immediate advantage
flipping around and squatting over the now rock hard penis.  Junior held it
still and guided it into his boy was Grant settled down on PA until he
could feel his scrotum against his smooth butt.

...................

Note: The Royce Evers mentioned above, is a major protagonist in one of my
other stories call Chinook, also fond on Nifty.  The folio Boy Series A, is
more fully described in Chinook.