Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2001 21:19:24 -0600 From: Fredric L. Brothers Subject: "SUMMER WITH VAL" - Chapter 8 Disclaimer: The following contains scenes of deep affection between an adult white male and a minor black boy. It is fiction. If you find any of this disturbing, please leave now. Email any thoughts or comments to FLBROTHERS@hotmail.com. New address! --------------------------- SUMMER WITH VAL --------------------------- By Fred Brothers Copyright (c) 2001 by Fredric Law Brothers (All Rights Reserved) Chapter 8 - Off the Road and On Elise brought Val, along with his bags and other items he would need for the trip. She was exceedingly prompt. She gave me a written report from Val's therapist and a notarized statement detailing the reasons for Val being with me. This was so I could not be accused of kidnapping and had parental permission. She actually got out of the car to kiss him good-bye and to thank me for all my help. I must admit, her actions surprised but delighted me. Val had already eaten dinner; he quickly installed himself in front of the big TV in the family room and started systematically going through the channels. His therapist called and we had a short and somewhat enlightening chat. She could not speak about the depths of Val's analysis. However, it was enough to give me some idea of how to treat him and what he needed. Basically, he needed love and attention; I had already figured out that much. After that not too enlightening conversation, I joined Val to watch TV. I asked if he'd like to meet the two kids who had moved into the apartment over the garage. He thought it would be okay, so I called Alicia and Eric and asked them to join us. They were eager to meet Val and in about five minutes, they were here. I thought it important for Val learn to socialize with kids his own age and not always be self-conscious of his handicap. When the kids walked into the room, Val stood up and I made the introductions all around. He offered his right hand to each of them. Both had no difficulty accepting the hook and shaking it. Alicia giggled slightly but the boys were very serious about their ritual. They shook hands, and both began laughing riotously as Eric tried to give Val one of those complicated handshakes that included slapping, pulling, finger curling, etc. They fell onto the couch laughing and Eric put his arm around Val's shoulders. I went into the kitchen to make popcorn and get some drinks. When I returned Alicia was watching TV, while Val and Eric were off in a corner talking and playing chess. I sat down opposite her and she gave me a small smile. We began to make small talk and I asked her how she liked living here. "It's really very nice, sir. I like it a lot...so far." "I'm glad to hear that." I paused and took another handful of popcorn. "But what do you mean by 'so far'?" "Well, Dr. Greene, the last two places we were at.they were like also very nice. Gramma and Grappa and Eric and me loved them very much. But for some reason momma didn't...she didn't, like, wanna stay and each time we...well, we moved." She looked down at her lap then up at me. Her eyes seemed sad, and had a forlorn and had a somewhat vacant look. "Just something about how momma." And her voice trailed off into silence. I sat back thinking about this new and seemingly disquieting information. "I see," was all I said. Laughter came from the corner where Eric and Val were playing. Both Alicia and I looked over at the boys. They seemed to be having a good time and enjoying each other's company. It was a rather loud and raucous game of chess. Alicia turned her eyes to me again and, to my surprise, continued her story. "After daddy left...left us after the accident, my momma.well, she...she...I don't know...she became sorta highly emotional." "Accident?" "Yeah. Well we were in an auto wreck and daddy was injured and it took him a long time to get well again. He also...well - I don't know if I should say this or not - he also has a alcohol problem." She looked up at the ceiling. "We haven't heard from him in over three years now." I sighed deeply and then looked over at the boys again. Everyone has problems I suppose - everyone! I was going to ask Alicia another question or two but the boy's game seemed to be over and they came running over and flopped on the couch. Eric reached for the bowl of popcorn, grabbed a handful then held it out for Val. I thought the gesture very considerate. Val took some, smiled at Eric and ate. The kids all watched more TV while I went into my study to jot down some mental notes I had made for myself and to check of the evening email. Good news! My publisher has received my latest round of corrections and revisions to my new novel, had read it and was flat out incredibly enthusiastic about it. The tentative publication date was set for the next March, after more mandatory rewrites and edits. This was very good news indeed since another bestseller would really insure Gabe's and my futures. When I returned to the room, Alicia and Eric were getting ready to leave. Alicia gave me a small kiss on the cheek and Eric shook my hand. They both embraced Val and all seemed quite happy in their new friendships. I invited them for a swim in the morning and they graciously accepted. Val climbed into my lap and we cuddled on the sofa while I idly flipped through the channels. I squeezed his body and he giggled. He seemed to like what I was doing. "Have ya seen Eric's club foot?" he asked quietly. I looked at him. "Eric has a club foot?" He nodded. "No, I haven't seen it. I really hadn't noticed. How do you know?" "He told me and showed me," Val said rather nonchalantly. "He was born tha' way, ya know." "Yes. I realize it's a congenital anomaly." I didn't realize that Eric was crippled. No wonder the two boys became fast friends so quickly and so thoroughly. "He showed you his foot?" "Yeah, when we were in the kitchen gettin' more Cokes. He has special shoes." "I would suppose so. He also wears his pants very baggie and quite long." "Yeah. That helps him hide it." He lifted his hooks and looked at them. "I can't hide these." I gave him a hard squeeze. "There's no need for you to hide them. Because they're beautiful...you're beautiful." He looked up at me and then moved to give me a kiss on the cheek. He snuggled real close and it was heavenly. We went to sleep early and again I awoke in the middle of the night to find Val in my bed. "Maybe it would be simpler just to start off with him sleeping here," I thought; "this way he doesn't have to move in the middle of the night and disturb his sleep." He cuddled real close to me and had his left arm thrown over my bare chest. I gently grasped his arm, and rubbed and kissed his beautiful stump. He delicately rubbed it on my chest; I didn't know if he was awake or doing this in his sleep. I kissed the top of his head as I fell back to sleep. The next morning Alicia and Eric were at the house by 10 AM, their bright smiles enlightening my morning. Brigitte served them breakfast after I invited them to sit down with Val and me. Their grandmother smiled approvingly at her grandkids. Both looked delicious. Alicia was wearing a two-piece bikini-type suit in bright yellow, pink and orange and one could easily make out her blossoming womanhood. Eric was wearing baggy jeans cut-offs and for the first time I saw his lithe body - and his deformity. Both kids looked gorgeous - their extremely blonde hair absolutely glowing in the bright California morning. And, of course, my Val looked extremely handsome as he joined us for breakfast. Earlier that morning, Val had come to me looking very forlorn and unhappy. I was sure it had to do again with his hands - most problems with this kid did. He crawled into my lap as I was retrieving my morning emails. He didn't say anything but I knew something was bothering him and that he needed to talk about it. I put my arms around him, hugged him and kissed the top of his head. "What's up Val?" He shrugged, and then spoke very slowly. "I don't know if I can swim any more, Zack." "Why?" "I never been swimmin' since my.you know, since my a-a-accident.and the docs took off my h-h-hands" "That should be no problem," I assured him. "No problem at all!" "But I got no hands!" he whined. "How do I swim?" "Let me show you something." Since I was already connected to the Internet, I simply selected one of the amputee web sites I knew and brought up some pictures of amputee athletes, particularly swimmers. Val was stunned with what I showed him. He saw picture after picture of arm amputee swimmers, some with practically no arm stumps at all. There were also leg amputees and multiple amputees. He was stunned. "Are these real? Real pictures?" he asked in an obvious state of shock. "Of course they're real! All these swimmers you see here were actually competing in races. Some of these pictures were taken at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, which are always held right after the regular Olympics. And all of the athletes competing in those games are handicapped. All of them! So what you see here are real people with real handicaps, many with the same as yours, doing all kinds of incredible things." Val continued to stare at the pictures, studying certain ones particularly closely. He looked up at me and then hugged me tightly. "This is wonderful, Zack. I didn't know. I just didn't know anythin' 'bout 'em. I didn't know there're people like that in the world who could do so much.and be such good athletes and all with no arms or legs. Hey, thanks.thanks so much f' showin' me all this neat stuff." I hugged him back very hard. "No problem, big guy. No problem at all." After breakfast, we all went out to the pool. First Val and I went upstairs to remove his prostheses. When we came down, he seemed embarrassed. Eric ran up to him and hugged him tightly. "Yer arms look great, Val. They really do!" "Yeah, they look great!" Alicia exclaimed. "You guys like 'em too? So does Zack," Val said rather softly. "Sher! What's not t' like! They look great! I bet you can do a lotta things with 'em" Val looked down at Eric's deformed foot but did not say anything. They just smiled, grabbed each other, and jumped into the pool together. They began swimming and splashing around. Alicia was already in and the three seemed to have lots of fun together. Val swam extremely well on his first attempt since losing his hands. Eric was an excellent swimmer and even was able to dive very well. They had tremendous fun in and out of the pool on that warm, bright, exhilarating California day. When we were eating lunch around the pool, Val suddenly brought up the subject of Eric's foot. "Ya see Eric's foot, Zack?" I nodded and gave Eric and embarrassed smile. "That's okay Dr. Greene. I don't mind." He raised his foot to give us all a good look at it. "I've always had it so it really doesn't bother me.'cept sometimes when I walk." When the boys returned to the pool, I asked Alicia why Eric's deformity had never been corrected. "I understand that the surgery is rather routine these days." "I know," she said softly while shaking her head. "But momma wants him that way. She says that's the way God made him and that's the way he'll stay." I remained silent. I become very suspicious when people invoke God's name as an answer to a problem. I then know that I'm not speaking to a rational person and I simply keep my mouth shut. ************************************************** I'm lying on my bed reading the screenplay and making more corrections. The television was on. Val was showering. I had already packed my stuff for the trip. I was happy that Val was coming along and that the two of us would be spending more time together. I really loved having this kid around. Whenever I thought of him, I felt and indescribable warmth spread throughout my body; I found myself getting all weepy about being with him.and holding him...and gently touching him. I don't think that I had yet reconciled my honest feelings about Val. Could it be only fatherly affection that I felt? Was it a bad case of infatuation? Was it just a passing phase? Would I lose interest in him when I was reunited with Gabe? Was I solely attracted to his disability? Was I just lonely and craved company? Or was I beginning to feel true love for him - the way one feels for a partner...or lover? I was seriously confused. I didn't know how to act toward him and if I should temper my feeling when he was around.or if I should just act naturally...or as the moment dictated. These and other thoughts were swirling through my head while I continued staring at the script. I hadn't notice that Val had finished showering and was now in the room. When I looked up, I saw him sitting on a chair facing the television. He was concentrating on the screen and looked absolutely delectable. Suddenly, the only thing I knew was Val. The only thing I saw was Val. The only thought occupying my brain was Val! He wore only his white briefs. He was leaning forward on the chair, with his truncated forearms resting on his thighs. His undiluted young boy beauty brought tears to my eyes still again. I'm sure I was staring at him open-mouthed. He turned his head instinctively and gave me a shy smile. He slowly stood and walked to the bed. I had decided to have him to spend the night here instead of going to sleep in Gabe's room and then moving during the night. It would be more convenient and I know I would love to have Val sleep with me tonight - and maybe every night. I threw the script on the floor, scooted over and held my arms opened for him. He gave me a big smile and climbed onto the bed. He made himself very comfortable next to me and I covered us. I put my arm around his shoulder and he settled close, his head resting in my armpit and on my chest. He rested his left arm on my chest and rubbed it very slightly - enough to get me quite excite however. He looked up and was just so delectable - the attractiveness of this child just permeated my very being. The awesome force of his personality and his tremendous beauty overwhelmed me. I bent my head down to kiss him on his forehead. He smiled at me. I kissed him on his nose. He giggled. I kissed him on his beautiful soft lips. He put his arm behind my head and pulled me closer and tighter. The feel of those soft, pliant lips eagerly accepting my kiss had the effect of making me weak. I was thrilled that Val was eager for this kiss; God knows, I was! I moved down the bed slightly so that our faces were exactly opposite and so that I could feel the full extent of his lips and body against mine. I pressed my lips against his and they just seemed to merge - to become one, as if it had always been meant to be this way. I was breathing deeply and so was Val. We both fell into the passion of the moment. While we continued the kiss, I slowly began to move one of my arms down the side of his body, soothingly caressing his smooth skin. He had his arms behind my head, holding me. My hand lightly touched his armpit and continued down his side until I felt his pelvic bone. He began to struggle slightly and suddenly broke our kiss. He pulled his head back and looked at me. His eyes were sparkling and a seductive smile was on his lips. "Thanks, Zack. I've wanted ya t' hold me...a-a-and to touch me again since that first...first day...I was here...and you held me so...so wonderful." I kissed him once more. "I've wanted to hold you so very much, Val." I smiled at my beautiful Val...my beautiful and extremely sexy Val. "But I didn't know if you wanted me to...you know, I didn't know how you felt about it." He giggled. "I feel great about it...and I wanna...very, very much." I leaned down and kissed him again, this time more forcefully. To my great delight and utter surprise, Val parted his lips allowing me to put the tip of my tongue into his mouth. I lovingly rubbed his lips and the front of his mouth; he began to squirm his beautiful body and make guttural noises. I continued to tantalize his mouth. I was getting incredibly aroused by kissing Val and could feel my cock pressing against the insides of my shorts. Val moved one arm and began to slowly stroke my back and sides. Felling his warm, smooth stump playing with my flesh, rubbing and stroking me, was exhilarating. He moaned slightly and squirmed in my arms. Lifting my head, I stared at his sweet face and into his luminous eyes. He looked at me rather seriously. Then he smiled. The smile was a strange mixture of sweetness, warmth and tender desire - I had never seen such a look on his face before. "I love when ya hold me, Zack." I smiled and my desires were, if anything, greater than Val's. Before I could say anything, he spoke again. "Couldya also...well, like...couldya t-t-touch me in other places, too, Zack? I think I'd love that a lot." I was totally speechless. "I love how I feel when you hold me...and touch me. It's the best I ever know." I placed a string of kisses on his forehead. "Val, there is nothing in the world I want to do more than to make you feel good and to let you know how much I..." I hesitated, wondering if I should give voice to my true feelings - if I should let Val know how much he had captivated me and how much I desired him. I decided that the kid had a right to know. I must be honest and completely forthright. I gently caressed his cheek with the back of my hand and he pushed his face against it. As I continued to stoke him; he turned his head to kiss that hand. "Val...Val...I feel that I must really let you know that...that..." I never finished my sentence. He swiftly rolled on top of me and we began kissing passionately again. I wrapped my arms forcefully around him and squeezed that glorious body very hard. He placed both arm stumps on either side of my head and began to rub my ears and neck vigorously. I was so very happy and so very, very excited. Val was completely accepting of what I was offering him...my devotion and my love. I could feel his hard little penis pressing into my lower abdomen and the sensation was stupendous...totally astonishing! I moved my arms down his back until they were resting on his hard, round ass cheeks. I squeezed them through his briefs and Val pressed himself harder into me. I continued to rub those mounds and then the backs of his thighs. Val moved his arms away from caressing my neck and began to stroke my arms and my sides. I was beguiled by his tender and caring attention to my body. Val was so thoughtful that I did not want to do anything with him or to him that would frighten him and/or make him shun or be ashamed of the love we were sharing. I gently rolled Val's enticing body off of mine and sat up on my haunches to fully comprehend the great beauty and allure of his body. He opened his eyes slightly, looked at me, and smiled. I smiled back at him and his smile broadened. Val may have needed me for reassurance, for strength and, hopefully, for a sexual connection. But I knew at that instant that I was truly in love with this wonderful creature - this truly remarkable person - this boy who made me feel whole. I wanted this magnificent human being more than I had even wanted anyone in my misspent life. I more than wanted him - I needed him so that I could be complete, so that I could fulfill my renewed and reawakened sexual hopes, so that I would have someone to adore...and love.... ****************************************** Val had fallen asleep in my warm embrace. I cuddled him close to my body. The thrill of holding his warm and the smooth body continued; my excitement had not diminished. One of his arms was on my upper chest, his beautiful stump resting right near my lips. His face was on my chest and his mouth near one of my nipples. I could feel his warm breath caress my body each time he gently exhaled. I lightly kissed his arm yet again and let my lips rest on his warm, scarred flesh. What could be better? Here I was with the person I loved. He had been so overwhelmingly desirable and affectionate. He was everything I could want or did want in a partner. Our first sexual experience together had been everything I dreamed it would be. Even better! As I listened to his soft, rhythmic breathing and watched his small body rise and fall with each breath, I rethought our time together tonight. Val seemed so caring and willing - it was almost as if his body craved the attentions I was giving it. Like it needed a fix of gentle love and loving devotion...and worship. I paid lavish attention to Val's impressively sexy body. I soothingly sucked on his smooth armpits, licked and gently bit those cute perky nipples, rubbed my hands over his young boy equipment and massaged his high round ass cheeks. All the while, I'd kept rubbing his silken skin and reveling in the experience. I paid loving attention to his wonderful boy equipment, and even though I was rubbing him through his briefs, it did not take long before he reached his first orgasm of the night. When he became quiet once again, he told me how great I had made him feel and asked me to remove his underwear. "Are you sure Val?" I asked gently. He nodded and smiled and rose to kiss me. "Zack, you know how t' love me. I want ya to love me always." "Yes, my beautiful Val. I will love you always." I moved down the bed until I was able to take his perky little toes in my mouth. I sucked them as Val let out a string of giggles. I slowly moved up his legs to his calves, licking one and gently rubbing the other. I licked behind his knees and he began squirming and kicking slightly. I soothing and slowly stoked his thighs, feeling the wonderfully firm young muscles beneath that exquisitely smooth skin. I licked them as Val began to purr slightly - a rapturous humming sound that filled my head with the most intense music. As I approached his genitals, I pulled back to take in the absolute loveliness of this boy - the magnificently proportioned body, the inviting, alluring aroma, the undiluted beauty. His penis was fully erect and was probably about 2-1/2 inches. The head was still covered by his long foreskin. His jellybean size balls were hanging rather low in their rather large bag. It seemed that Val had grown during the few months I'd last seen him, and he was going to be a very healthy sexual creature after puberty. I loved the sight of those immature yet exquisitely shaped organs. They were a pleasure to stare at - and I knew it would be a tremendous pleasure to fondle and caress them, first with my hands, and later, with my tongue and mouth. ****************************************** "Where ya goin' Zack?" "I'm just going to take a quick shower, Val. You go back to sleep. Okay?" I had ejaculated into my shorts during the just ended lovemaking with Val. I hadn't become totally naked - I did not want to overwhelm him with new sensations this first night. I smoothly moved him off of me and hurried into the bathroom. While in the shower I tried to do some thinking - trying to sort out my extremely conflicted emotions. I was worried about what I just done, how I had lead Val down the path of male love...and what was I prepared to do about it? How was I going to handle a ten-year-old boy who was rapidly becoming.becoming the center of my life...and my lover? What would Elise think...or Gabe! Words like "pedophile" and "pervert" and "predator" (funny, they all begin with the same letter) were flooding my mind. Was I those things? Yes, I was - technically speaking. But I had never taken made any advances to a boy before, and I felt that what was between Val and me was real love. I was not out to take advantage of his youth and inexperience but to love him. I had enjoyed our love making intently. I loved everything about this wondrous creature. I felt deeply about our newly discovered passion for each other. This interior argument continued as I toweled dry and went back to bed. As I got under the blanket, Val moved against me and snuggled in. I rubbed my hand over his back, down to the top of his butt. I luxuriated in the feel of his so soft and so warm skin. I kissed the top of his head again. He moved closer. I looked down at his sweet face. I caressed his head. I caressed his warm, smooth cheeks. I leaned forward and kissed his forehead. "God! He's beautiful! So incredibly beautiful!" He stirred slightly. As he pressed against me, I could feel that he was erect. It felt so wonderful. I felt so wonderful.and fulfilled. I absorbed his smells again - those wonderful, tantalizing essences of young boy. They were so different from that of a man but so satisfying all the same. "I love you, Val," I whispered in his ear. He stirred and pressed himself even closer into me. "I love you very, very much." I wrapped both arms around him and fell asleep. ************************************************** The trip to Seattle was quite enjoyable considering that driving is not my favorite activity in the world. Remember, I'm not a native Californian, to whom driving is a God given right. Val's presence made the time and the miles just fly by. Having this beautiful child sitting next to me lightened my attitude and brightened my day. My rancor towards Maryann seemed to have evaporated and I was eagerly anticipating my reunion with Gabe. We left the house early in the morning. Eric and Alicia had come out to say good-bye to us; the kids all embraced. We stopped for breakfast about ninety minutes after leaving. I was taking the most direct route, which meant simply getting on Interstate 5 at Sacramento and not leaving it until we reached the Seattle metropolitan area. The weather was glorious and Val enjoyed the drive. He'd never been north of the Bay Area before and was thrilled with the sight and the enormity of the San Joaquin Valley. We listened to music I had brought along - mostly classical stuff and jazz. We occasionally listened to the radio to get weather forecasts and the latest news. We did not discuss the events that unfolded last night. Some of my contradictory emotions were still doing battle but I think I had made the right and proper decision for both of us. We smiled at each other and I would rub his leg and arm stump occasionally. He seemed to like what I was doing and wiggled his bottom whenever I touched him. I caressed his fabulous smooth thighs and he would occasionally bring his left arm up to my lips so that I could kiss it and lick it and rub it gently with my hungry lips. He knew what I liked. Val's arms were exposed; he had decided not to wear his prostheses today. That morning he asked me if I would mind if he didn't put his hands on. I was shocked - and very pleased - at his request. I asked him what brought about this change in attitude. "Well, it was you Zack. You did it." "I did it? How?" "Well, when we were together that day, you know, at the ballgame and ate in the restaurant afterwards, and then when I took the bath and cuddled with you and you showed me how much you liked my short arms and my stumps, I decided that I'm goin' t' try doin' things with just the arms I've left and not with my hooks. So when I'm home alone when mom's workin' or whatever, I practice doin' everythin' with just my stumps and it's been great. I can eat and open doors and read a book and watch TV an' do almos' everythin'." His voice got lower. "I still can't go t' the bathroom by myself except to pee." He looked down at his lap and his arms. "But I'm gettin' real good at almos' everythin' else." "You are just incredible, Val!" I kissed him and he looked at me with a big smile on his face. "But how do you eat and all?" "Well, I've got these really thick rubber bands and I put 'em on my arms and I slip a fork under 'em and I eat. I been practicin' for a while now without Elise knowin' anythin'. She wouldn't like it, I know. It ain't bad; it ain't bad at all!" he said with enthusiasm. "And I like it. I'm really startin' to like the look of my arms - er - my strumps." I looked over at him. "Arms!" I said emphatically. So that is why he wore a short sleeve shirt that allowed most of his arms to show. I thought he looked great and I let him know how proud I was of him letting go of some of his inhibitions. When we stopped for breakfast Val showed me how he could eat using those heavy rubber bands to hold the utensils. I must admit that I got a great thrill seeing his arms exposed this way and him using them quite dexterously. He made steady but slow progress through his stack of pancakes and bacon. The waitress was also surprised to see him doing what he was doing and gave him a nice smile as she refilled his juice glass. When Val went to the men's room before we left, our waitress (her nametag said Kitty) came over to me. "Your son looks great using his arms like that." "Thanks," I replied, not bothering to correct her error in paternity. "He usually wears his prostheses but recently decided to try something new. He's really very good with his hooks." "When did he lose his...you know, his h-hands?" "About two years ago." "Wish I could make my Sammy." she began to say, but then quickly add, "Oh, never mind. Have a good day, sir." She handed me the check. "No, no! Please!" I insisted. "What were you about to say?" She reached into the pocket of her uniform and pulled out a picture and handed it to me. "This is my youngest son. His name's Sammy. He lost both arms a year ago. The picture was taken before the accident." "How old is he?" "He's fourteen now. And outside of going to school, he does nothing. He sits around the house all day and does nothing. He won't wear his prostheses or nothing and nothing I say seems to help him." She shook her head slowly and sighed. "His arms're shorter than you sons, but he does have both his elbows." "I'm sorry, Kitty. Very sorry." Just then Val rejoined me and I rose to leave. "Tell me something, sir. Just how did you get this young man to become...you know, to learn to use his hooks...or what's left of his arms...to do all these things for himself." Val interrupted, as I was about to speak. "He jus' gives me lotsa love. That's all." My eyes started tearing up when I heard my lovely boy say this. I looked at him; I put my arm around his shoulders and hugged him tightly to my body. I was so proud of him...and so incredibly happy. We smiled at each other and Kitty smiled too. "Thanks, guys. Thanks a lot," she said, and began walking into the kitchen. "Kitty!" I called out. "Let me give you my card. You can call me or Sammy can call me or Sammy can call Val - whatever." "Thanks," she said giving us both a smile. After looking at the card, she raised her head; her face had a rather stunned expression. "Are you.are you the fam- famous.famous author? Are you the Zachary Greene?" "Well, I don't know how famous, but yes I'm the Zachary Greene?" "Of 'Classless Distinctions'?" "Yes, I am." "We've all read your book - every one here. We all love it! Even the guys love it. Our morning cook has read it three times!" I put my head down and blushed. She pulled off a blank check from her pad and wrote something on it. "This is my home number. Call if you want...you know, want to meet Sammy. Thanks, thanks again so very...very much." ************************************************** We had been on the road about fifteen minutes before Val spoke. "How's Sammy gonna call me or speak t' me? I'll be in Santa Barbara." "I know, Val. But maybe...well, I've been giving this a lot of thought, and maybe...maybe there's a way you don't have to go there and can stay with Gabe and me instead." "Really?" he screamed. "Really, really?" I looked over at him. "That is, if you want to." He screamed again. "I'll take that as a big yes!" I playfully tapped him on the knee. "I think I can convince Elise that it would be better if you stayed in the Bay Area and lived with us." "But you guys are goin' t' Hollywood. What abou' me? I put my hand on his thigh and rubbed it slowly. I slowed the car down and pulled into a rest area. What I needed to say I did not want to do while driving. "Val, I'm going to open and honest with you." He nodded and a look a fears crossed his face. When he saw that I was smiling, though, he grinned back. "Val, I don't think I can live without you being with me...living with me. I love you Val...I love you very, very much." He tried leaping into my lap, but forgot about the seatbelt and shoulder harness. I released him and he came flying into my arms. He began to kiss me all over my face and I returned them. Then he brought his lips slowly to mine and proceeded to give me a deep, passionate kiss. He moved his tongue into my mouth and moved it around to every corner. I was completely taken aback at his overtly sexual response. I kissed him back with as much passion and rubbed his arms, chest and back. I thought I could feel his erect dick pressing into my belly. I know I was fully erect, but nothing could be done by the side of I-5. He put his head on my shoulder and began to cry lightly. I soothed him and he brought his right arm stump to my lips. I kissed it lovingly while grasping him tightly. "I love ya so much Zack. I jus' don't know how t' say it all. But nothin' will be better 'n bein' with ya and livin' with ya...and loving ya." ************************************************** Val began chattering incessantly - nerves I supposed. He seemed so happy and I had spoken what I felt in my heart - I absolutely could not live without this boy. We drove the rest of the day, stopping only to eat and to relieve ourselves, and by early evening, we were in the suburbs of Portland. We checked into a motel, rested for a short while and went to dinner. Val decided to wear his prostheses. I was incredibly pleased and proud that he was making these important decisions about his appearance by himself. The kid was learning fast and I couldn't be happier. We went to a highly recommended seafood place. Val said he liked fish but I told him that if he wanted meat they also serve that. He said he'd stick to the fish. And he did. He ordered broiled salmon prepared in a delicious red wine sauce and he seemed to enjoy it very much. He ate completely unaided - I did not help him once during the meal. I mentioned this to him after dinner and he was stunned. He had not realized that he had eaten the whole meal without any assistance from another person; he was tremendously please and beamed at me with undisguised pride. When we got back to the motel, I called Gabe. Of course, I had to speak to and deal with Maryann first. She was in her usual hyperactive state, asking all kinds of questions and wanting to know all kinds of information. I explained to her, in my calmest voice possible, that I would be there tomorrow and all these questions could wait. She finally agreed. When Gabe got on the phone and we had a nice conversation. I told him about our travel plan for the next week and we would see all kinds of wondrous sights. When we finished, I asked him if he would like to speak with Val. "I can't," he replied. "I called him last night and there's no one home. I'm kinda upset he wasn't there. Do you know where his is, dad?" "Gabe, listen to me carefully. I asked you if you would like to speak with him. I mean right now!" There was a silence and then a sound of comprehension. "He's there? With you?" he said and then began to squeal loudly. " Oh God! This is great! Thanks dad! Thanks so much!" "I thought you'd be excited," I said and handed the phone to Val. Val also began to squeal and started jumping up and down. I went into the bathroom to take a shower. I needed a good long hot shower to wash the road grim from my body and so that I could relax and get a good night sleep; there was a moderately long drive tomorrow morning. While I was soaping up, I heard the bathroom door open. "Val? Is that you?" "Yeah, Zack." "When you finish peeing let me know before you flush so I can get out of the way. Okay?" "I don't havta pee, Zack." "Okay. Do whatever you have to." "I'm gonna take a shower, Zack." He pulled back the shower curtain and looked at me - his eyes were moist and huge and sparkling. "I'm gonna take a shower with you." I was flabbergasted. I was rocked back on my heels and I literally fell slightly backwards against the tiled shower wall. "Really?" was all I could respond. And by the time I got it out of my mouth, Val had already joined me in the shower. I was petrified; I was completely immobile. I was completely immobile except for my cock, that is. Having a naked ten-year-old boy showering with me may have panicked the reasoning part of my brain, but the sex drive part had other ideas. "I need a shower," he said guilelessly while looking up at me, "and I think it'd be better if we do it together. Ya know it'll be much faster." "I don't know about that Val; I really don't know. What I do know is it'll be much more fun." We smiled at each other. Val lowered his head and looked directly at my now fully erect cock. It was the first time he had seen me nude. I was embarrassed but he seemed to be smiling; however, I didn't really know because he was looking down and because I was still in a state of shock and hyperventilating slightly. I had completely lathered my body and was about to rinse myself and step out of the shower when Val joined me. So there I was, all soapy and feeling like a blithering idiot, when Val looked up at me and gave me a heart melting, heart stopping smile. Val reached his right arm stump out and very, very lightly touched my very erect, very heavily throbbing, very needy cock and then moved that arm down the full length of my cock until he was touching my pubic thatch. He moved it all around and gently stroked the mound over my cock. His eyes penetrated into me and I was reduced to a quivering mass of millions of isolated nerve endings...he consumed me. He lifted his other arm and gently began to rub the stump over one of my nipples. I knew - absolutely knew - that Val and I were now inextricably bound together - and we were part of each other's very being. (To Be Continued) Please forgive the delay in the appearance of this chapter. Life has recently become much, much more complicated.