Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:36:31 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Of Man and Boy 9

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

9: The Grant Effect

It is now several weeks later and just a day after the opening paragraphs
of Chapter 1, Grant and Paul were preparing to head north and west for
Christmas.

"Where is Grant," Sid asked?

"He is with Julia Sid.  Do you have her latest labs," Paul replied.

"Yes and more good news too," he handed the papers to Paul.

"I thought she was looking better and this proves it.  Do we know why the
improvement," Paul asked?

"No, just that our treatment regain is finally working; look it started to
kick in about two weeks after Grant started his visits," Sid said.

"Perhaps it is just a placebo effect," Paul suggested.

"I'd like to call it the Grant Effect; placebo implies something fake or
known to be ineffective, has been substituted.  What ever the hell it is,
I'll take it," Sid said.

"The Grant Effect you say, hum I don't think we want to publish that
without a few more tests and lots more data," Paul mused.

"Maybe but we are being called on the carpet for writing prescriptions the
pharmacy can't fill and disregarding operational rules, by the hospital
operations committee.  They want to take us before ethics," Sid said.

"When?"

"Later this morning, after our rounds.  Oh my god, you have that look
Paul."

"What look?  The one I always get when my overactive imagination creates a
new and diabolical plan?  We have nothing to fear from ethics, do no harm
and all that but from bureaucrats, that's another story.  Their only
problem is the idiots can't find a way to bill for Grant.  Hum, I think we
should propose wheel chair races in the kids ward.  That should boggle
their petty, little minds."

"Yes, that very same look and attitude you had last time you almost got our
privileges revoked.  Not that I don't agree with you fully.  We should find
a way to get along with them don't..."

"Ah, but we came out on top of that one, didn't we.  I guess it is publish
or parish, therefore we publish.  I think a note in NJM or the AAPMJ don't
you?  Shall we..." Paul said.  They left the lounge and headed on their
rounds.  Sid knew his partner.  He knew Paul was prepared to put up with
just about anything except dolts and idiots.  If it would benefit sick
children, even they would be tolorated.

They collected Grant early.  He did not want to leave but Paul and Sid
offered no choice.  "You said Julia was doing much better, what does that
mean?"

"It means her blood count is getting back to normal and the cancer is being
defeated, at least for now, it is called remission.  She will continue to
get treatments on a weekly basis and will be able to go home for the
holidays," Sid replied.

"I will leave my lap top with Julia so she can e-mail me.  Can I ask Grace
to make sure Julia can connect from her home, please dad, I mean Paul?"
Grant had been admonished, when acting as part of the medical team he
should call Paul and Sid by their first names or titles.

"Sure thing, but how will you send and receive if yours is here," Paul
asked?

"I will use yours while traveling and grandpa is having a special line put
in at the ranch for his computer.  He told me I can use it any time I
want."

"Oh" Paul knew his dad would do anything he could to make the ranch a place
Grant would want to spend time at.  He was not a hundred percent sure he
was willing to share him.

"Grant, we have a very important meeting to attend and we need your help,"
Sid said.

"Ok, you know me, boy helpful."  he flipped his head.

"Now what goes on in the meeting is a secret.  Your presence will be
challenged; Sid and I will insist you should be present but if we loose you
may be asked to leave, do you understand?"

"Yes, but if I am forced out I won't go without saying my piece first."
Paul, Grant and Sid entered in that order and seated themselves at the
table.  There were all the usual objections to having a child and non staff
member at the meeting.  Sid took over and laid that objection to rest by
pointing out he and Paul had appointed Grant to their wellness team,
because he could make a contribution that no adult or professional could;
that was to become Julia's buddy and child friend.

"The only treatment we had not tied was an attitude adjustment.  As you can
see it has or at least appears to have made a difference."  Paul pushed the
lab reports toward the medical people.

"We call it the Grant Effec,." Sid added.  The "Grant Effect", hum I like
the sound of that, Grant mused.

"You are not claiming the boy's presence had a therapeutic effect on the
patient, are you," questioned Dr. Gleghorn?

"I did not say he affected the results of the tests, I am saying his
presence, i.e. friendship and time spent with the patient, appears to
correlate with an improvement in test results.  We are calling it the Grant
Effect.  Had we prescribed a placebo, and had good results, we would call
it the placebo effect, which has been well documented in the journals," Sid
said.  Grant was sitting up straighter than normal.  He was proud that he
was in some way responsible for Julia's improvement and proud Sid and Paul
called it the Grant Effect.

"This is all very unorthodox wouldn't you say," asked the chief
administrator, an R.N.?

"Yes it is, it isn't the first unorthodox thing we have done and I dare
say, it probably won't be the last," Paul said.

"To put it perhaps more bluntly, Miss Hanksmith, your rules play second
fiddle to the welfare of our patients.  If I thought for one moment that
having you or your minions standing on your heads would improve a patient's
outcome, you would be doing it." Sid said.  Grant was struggling to hold in
the giggles, so were several others, they just play acted better.

That's when Grant jumped in.  "Miss Hanksmith, when your a kid, being in
the hospital is a scary thing.  Being isolated from your friends and family
is scary.  All the adults are so serious and formal.  I know you don't try
to make it scary and that professional people need to act, ah,
professional; but that's the way it is.  Like Dr. Stum is fond of saying
about politics, "perception is reality".  My job on this team is to make it
less scary and more fun.  One thing that you adults could do is spend more
time just playing with the kids, reading them stories and things like
that."

She sputtered on about budgets and rules a bit.

"The rules around here are designed more for the administration and the
medical staff than the patients.  Our children, that's primarily Sid's and
my patients, need rules designed more for them and their needs.  We know
children metabolize some pharmaceuticals differently than adults.  I submit
they react to rules and situations differently as well," Paul said.

"We think the administration can make a number of changes in policy
concerning children that will not effect your budget or staffing but will
benefit their medical outcomes," Sid informed.

Paul looked at his watch.  "I know Sid and I have a number of suggestions,
too many to go into now, how about we submit them in written form."

All agreed and the meeting ended.  Gleghorn came over to meet Grant.  He
had been impressed with one so young being so articulate.  He was not
convinced about the place being quite so scary but when Grant told him of
Julia's question, was he here to die too; he got the message.  "Hum, the
Grant Effect you say, hum...  Did you notice how skillfully your collages
managed to turn this "Kangaroo Court" around?  I hope you were taking
notes."  He said with a twinkle in his old eyes.

"Who is Dr. Gleghorn, I mean what's his job?"

"He is chief of medicine, kind of like our boss," Sid replied.
.................

The night before they took the flight from Charlotte Amalie (SST) to
Atlanta (ALT), and on to Chicago (ORD), Grant made Paul take him home for
one last swim with the dolphins.  Their flight does not leave until 4 pm
(3:58 to be exact) arriving in Atlanta at 7:09 pm (remember the Virgin
Islands are Atlantic time and Atlanta is Eastern, so the flight is ±5 not
4 hours).  It includes a meal but airplane food, is airplane food.

For the quick trip back to Poseidondoro, Paul borrowed a very fast 25' (7.6
m) twin inboard/outboard.  There were tears in the poor kid's eyes as he
explained he would be away for almost three weeks but he and Paul would be
back to swim with them again.  Paul knew the dolphins didn't understand
what he was saying but he sensed they realized Grant was sad and he would
return.

Paul would get a faster craft for this commuting business, as soon as they
returned.  The lawyer had found a very nice condo not far from the marina,
it would be available for possession in January.  It was on the third floor
and had a nice view of the bay and the marina.  He would get bicycles for
them to ride around on.  Grace would be able to do her teaching in the
apartment, which would have fewer distractions for the lad than the record
room at the office.

The condo came completely furnished, that was a good start.  At least Paul
didn't have to face shopping for furniture, linens and pots and pans.  It
was also a bit bigger than he had wanted.  This one was three bedrooms but
that gave both him and Grant space for a desk and computer in each of their
rooms and an additional bedroom for guests.  The furnishings were mostly
modern and functional which Paul liked.  He would be able to hire the same
cleaning and maintenance service he used at the Poseidondoro.  Another
bones.

His divorce lawyer had followed up on the bank accounts; there had been
nine in total from 4 banks, two in each country.  The odd account must have
been some kind of slush fund.  It held about ninety thousand and had not
been accessed for some time.  Paul's suggestion that four of the accounts
were drops was correct.  They only held a few hundred dollars and the
records indicated large deposits and almost immediate withdrawals and
redeposits to its twin collector account.  The collectors also showed large
withdrawals but more sporadic and directed to other accounts or off shore
places, like the Isle of White, Malta and so on.  These accounts were all
closed and consolidated into 4 four new accounts.  The lawyer had retained
a small local accounting firm to manage these assets.  In total Grant would
have almost nine hundred thousand dollars.  Some of that money must
represent the stash that was found the DEA. It was someone's loss but
Grant's gain, a cost of doing illegal business.

As it tuned out the DEA was hot on the trail of several accounts.  They
were asking questions, since money had come from them into the Jennifer's
operating accounts from time to time.  All the banks would do was confirm
that funds had been transferred.  Paul surmised the Jennifer's books listed
the incoming cash as charter fees.  Not having those books he would never
really know and he frankly didn't really care.

From the secret log he did know that a large amount of coke was on board
before the murder and it was destined for Bermuda.  The deposit records
show a substantial deposit several weeks before.  It was obvious most the
the Jennifer's operating funds came from fish transactions or small coke
sales made along the way.  Paul did not tell any of this to Grant.  Grant
did not seem interested in knowing anything about his late dad's business
or his bank balance.

Paul sealed the secret log, photo albums and other personal papers, in a
large envelope and left it in trust with the lawyer, in his fire vault
along with his Will, which left everything to Grant, except his share of
the ranch which would go to Grant eventually anyway.

During the preceding weeks Paul got a brief verbal report on Grant's former
relatives.  His assessment of the uncles was accurate.  None had very good
reputations, spotty employment and credit records, complaints about
domestic disturbances and the like.  None had criminal records.  The rumor
of incest surounded her family.  No charges had ever been laid.  Her father
seemed to be the focal point; however, her brothers in law were also being
fingered.  Grant had several older female cousins but nothing much was know
about them, expect they were teenagers.  Grant's biological father was a
bit more mysterious.  He grew up in a small town, not far from Mobile or
the mothers home town.  The family had left the place years before.  The
unsubstantiated word was his brother was in jail in California and the
parents dead.  That mostly fit with the letters and explains why Grant was
kept away from his relatives.  His parents were trying to escape their
past.  His father had even used his mother's name, Smith.  Grant had good
memories of his biological parents and Paul saw no good reason to dispel
them.

The news paper had noted that the murdered victims were being interred in
the local cemetery.  Relatives had come from the mainland and a small
privet service had taken place at the local Baptist church.  Paul had shown
the story to Grant but he agreed it was a poor idea for him to attend the
service.  Paul had taken him to the grave site about three weeks later.  He
and Grant had sat on a bench under a large tree not far away, giving the
boy a chance to express his grief.

The murder trial was due to start in early January.  The ADA was confident
of a conviction.  Since the police could not find any evidence of Grant
having been kidnapped or murdered they would not be charged with that crime
but all the other evidence was rock solid.  Grant was happy with that turn
of events.  The family got some cash from the estates and Grant was
declared missing and presumed dead.  Paul had disposed of life jacket and
clothing Grant had on, when pulled from the ocean, in the hospital's
medical and bio-waste incinerator.

The morning before the flight Grant and Paul took a long and slow time
getting out of bed.  It seemed every time one or the other made a move to
do so the other made a move to keep his partner in a sexually yielding
position.  Now that Grant had felt Paul's long hard cock up his ass he was
determined to have it again.  Mostly they played kissing and touching game
covering every square of surface area.  It took Grant a lot longer, his
hand and lips are smaller but that didn't matter.

Grant lay on top of his man and slowly rotated his body until his face was
in Paul's crotch and his crotch was in Paul's mouth.  Paul had formed the
habit of taking the boy's goodies completely into his mouth and playing
tongue tag with them.  Grant was now able to take most of Paul's length
into his mouth and throat.  He did not miss the honey at all.  In fact he
was now more fond of Paul's smell and taste than ever.  Paul inserted his
fingers one at a time into Grant's anus stretching it open and giving his
prostrate a good work over until the boy shuddered with orgasm.  Paul
continued to kiss and fondle his crotch, anus and buttocks until Grant was
recovered and reenergized.  In a flash Grant had righted himself and was
crouching over Paul's saliva covered member, lowering himself onto it.  As
the penis slid into his boy sheath, Grant's face light up like a
searchlight.  He giggled and smiled.  He bounced and responded to the
thrusts of Paul's hips like he had been doing it all his life.

Paul was as gentle as he could be but still firm enough to get a more or
less full, in and out thrust.  Paul arched his back a bit pushing his
crotch up into his boy and Grant rose and fell being propelled by his
strong, lean legs.  Grant was flexing his sphincter, tightening up when the
penis was full in and trying to hold it as the man and boy pulled away from
each other.

Paul was beside himself.  He had always prided himself on being able to
control his ejaculations to the perfect time.  This boy had learned his
secret and was milking him like no other had done before.  He finally
exploded into Grant, filling the small space with semen.  Grant collapsed
on his man's chest the kiss and played and fondled until both males were
covered with ejaculate that leaked out, before the sphincter close
completely up.

They showered and dried and continued to play crotch grab and butt tag.
Slowly organizing themselves.  Today they would eat out, wanting to leave
the Niño del Muchacho in perfect order for their three week
absence. Having cleaned out the refrigeration no food was available anyway.
They played the dressing game, Paul picking Grant's undies and Grant
picking Paul's.  Paul picked some bright blue briefs and Grant picked a
black thong.

This was sport coat and tie time for both, dress shoes and white shirts.
Paul found it very hard to tie his tie with Grant's hands fondling his half
erect penis, but he managed.

"Dad I know most boys do not have sex with their fathers, or any man, don't
they know how much fun it is?"

"Son, I do not exactly know the answer to that question, it is complex.
Most men and boys avoid sex with each other because modern society tells
them it is wrong, not all boys are interested in sex with men or other boys
and not all men want sex with other men or boys.  Fathers and sons have the
added problem of the power relationships.  You know from your education
about them and why in our relationship, power must be set aside in the
bedroom."

"Ya, and most other rooms too." Grant giggled.  Paul swept him up into his
arms and kissed him several times.

"All I know little one, I can't get enough of your love and affection and I
can't get enough to touching your perfect little body.  Your man loves his
boy more than anything."

Grant returned the kisses and hugs, wrapping his long boy legs around
Paul's small waist.  "This boy can't get enough of his man either.  I love
you dad, the only time I fell completely safe is when you hold me."

The funny taxi driver got them to the airport about 90 minutes before the
flight.  Grant had never been on a commercial aircraft before, so he was
asking lots of questions and making his observations.  On this flight, it
is a 757, which is a single isle configuration, three on each side.  Grant
had the window and Paul was next to him.  The flight was almost full,
filled mostly with tourists.  Paul was lucky the seat next to him was taken
by a thirtieths business woman.  She was dressed in a linen business suite
and carried a brief case and lap top.  As soon as the view out the window
changed from islands and ocean to clouds and water, Grant found it
necessary to use the facilities and after the first round of soft drinks
again.  Between his getting up and down and serving dinner the young woman
finally put her lap top away.  Paul was trying to read but that too was a
lost cause.  Grant spent a lot of his time with his new puzzle book he and
already moved up to a much higher level.  The one for his age was
completed, all three hundred pages in about a week.  This one was as big
but offered more challenging content.

During dinner Paul was able to strike up a conversation his adult seat
mate.  The movie turned out to be something with copious quantities of car
chases, shootings, explosions and wondrously lacking in plot.  It appealed
to the eight year old mind, enough said.  Paul and his new female friend
had a most pleasant conversation.  The business woman turned out to be a
federal civil servant who travels from DC to Charlotte Amalie on a semi
regular basis.  Paul made sure they exchanged cards, you never know what
the future may bring; she was good looking, educated and single.  Grant
wound up sleeping with his head on dad's lap.  Paul's new friend was most
impressed with both Grant and the way Paul related to him.  His mother's
recent passing gained lots of sympathy points for him and since she assumed
Paul also lost a wife, for him too.  "Hum a young boy as a women magnet.
Why not? What ever works?"  Paul thought.

Grant woke up and got ready to land.  The connecting flight to Chicago was
at 8 pm so they had to hurry.  This was a smaller aircraft, an MD-90
another single isle arrangement.  This time they had no seat mate so Grant
could stretch out, he slept most of the way to Chicago's O'hare which was
another three hours.  He was greatly impressed with the view of the biggest
city he had ever seen.  Their flight was spiraling in one of the stacks
over Lake Michigan which gave an excellent view.

Paul collected their baggage and opening one, handed Grant the warmest coat
he had for him.  For Chicago's cold and windy winter weather totally
inadequate, but all he had.  You just can't find parkas in a tropical
environment.  Grant dosed off again in the taxi and woke up as the machine
stopped in front of the hotel.  Paul carried him in his now patented leg
and arm press; a bellhop the baggage.  Once in the room Paul undressed his
boy, who was asleep, placing him in the queen sized bed, took care of
himself and crawled in beside the sleep prince.  Somehow Grant sensed
Paul's presence rolled over and climbed onto his dad, pressing himself to
his man without ever opening an eye.

Paul, the archetype of self confidence and assurance, began to wonder just
what was happening to him.  Paul the uber-smart, uber-achiever, the Type
A's, Type A, self styled hero, now self styled father was beginning to
feel, well was unable to repress perhaps, those deep seated and often
fearful emotions of domesticity.  Before this boy his life had been filled
to overflowing or so he had thought.  Before this boy he was that island of
masculine power, that heroic figure living on his intellectual mountain.
Now he was confused.  Grant floated into his bay and his life, completely
captivated his imagination and his empathy; almost completely taking over
his life.

Paul mused on his little prince who came to him limp and lifeless, totally
dependent.  Paul's emotions pored out on that morning, he did not think, he
acted.  In that action, like the citizens of Troy, he took in this gift and
that gift has now taken him over.  In short order he had come to depend on
Grant's love and affection just as Grant depended on him.  It is a totally
symbiotic relationship.  Paul's arms draped over his sleeping boy, their
smooth naked bodies pressing together.