Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2011 03:41:49 GMT From: "tedmack@juno.com" Subject: The Wager: chapter3 proceed at your own risk. copyright by the author. THE WAGER Chapter 3 The whole house was in a hustle. Maids were fluttering all over the place cleaning and re cleaning in nervous fits. Cook was clattering pots and pans in a dither- even though she really had nothing to worry about. Upstairs sitting on his bed little Joey was sitting half dressed in a funk. Several weeks of tender loving care had still not over come several years of being abused. Johny looking at his tie in a mirror noticed his brother, turned and sat down beside him. He gently put his arm around Joey's shoulder and pulled him into an embrace. "Don't worry, Joey, it's only uncle Jacob and you know how nice he is. I'm sure that whatever news he has is good new and then we'll have a party. Just you, I, and daddy. We'll have ice cream and soda and everything." Joey looked up at his new brother and said softly," You promise." "Yeah, I promise so let's finish getting dressed and go jump on daddy,O.K.?" Joey nodded and forced half a smile. Johny reached under Joey's arm pit and started to tickle. "No!" joey responded. "All right, I won't tickle this time but you gotta' smile." With that he grabbed Joey's hand and pulled him up. Just then David the butler came in and asked if he could be of assistance. No sooner did he have both boys righted and ready for the visit that they took off like two bullets and headed for daddy's room. Jonathon was putting on a pair of cuff links when the two boys jumped him from behind. In one swift motion he hurled them on his bed. As soon as he was ready they heard downstairs for the sitting room No sooner had they seated themselves than the doorbell rand and David went to answer it. The three of them stood up to greet their guest as he entered that room. "Be seated gentlemen. I won't be long. I am sorry to disturb you but I have some news. Actually I have two things to tell you. One is that sister Adelia is very happy with the progress that you are making so rapidly and to that I end we want to put all your hard work to the test. I must tell you that we are very happy with all the hard work you have put in and don't worry I think that you will enjoy this. We are inviting you to Thanksgiving dinner at my home. No, our brother and his family will not be there. They are having their own function, thank goodness but their is one little hitch. I have invited the new British Ambassador to the United Nations and his family. They are new to this country and so we feel safe in thrusting them on you. They have two boys and a girl. One boy has just turned thirteen and the other is nine so they might make good playmates for you boys. If they ask you about Buffalo just tell them that you don't feel like talking about it just yet. Most likely they won't. We'll be getting you up to Buffalo right after Thanksgiving by the way, so don't worry about that. We will have some fun on Thursday. I am sure. We can teach our visitors about the great American sport of touch football, then we will watch some television and have what I hope will be a great dinner. Why thank you David." This last he said to the butler as he was served a martini. It was an exciting week of preparation. Miss Adelia was busy teaching them the intricacies of a Vanderkill Thanksgiving and Jonathon had fun teaching the boys touch football in the large front yard. Thursday morning they were up bright and early getting ready. They were wearing informal clothes for the football match and bringing a change of more formal clothing for dinner. Rodney had the limo all spit and polish and waiting for them and they were off. This was to be their first foray into the world of high society. They soon were arriving at "Uncle Jacob's" estate. If they thought that where they were staying was a mansion their eyes were popping as they pulled up at the mansion. This place was huge. They were greeted by servants and their things taken to the changing rooms that they would using later. Johny smiled when he saw the pool table in one room. Johny loved to play pool but would be disappointed to learn that there would not be time for that on this day. After introductions were performed the men all trooped out onto the huge front lawn to begin the game. In touch football the idea is to down a player by touching him with two hands but as you most likely know sometimes players can get carried away. On about this third play for the game Johny was touched rather hard by Sydney the thirteen year old British boy. "Hey! not so rough" called out Jacob's son Jesse ""Sorry," Sydney replied. Then he turned to johny, smiled and asked' "You all right mate?' patting Johny on the rump. That Johny liked. He smiled back and winked. Sydney winked back. "I'm going to like this boy!" Johny thought to himself. A few plays later the positions were reversed. Johny touched Sydney on the chest with one hand but "accidentally" let his other hand slip down and touch the boys shorts over his privates. This time he received a wink in return. "I think that we will be friends." Sydney whispered in his ear. When they went in to watch some television the two sat next to each other. They soon were firm friends. After dinner Jacob walked jonathon and the boys to their car. "I think that went very well. You boys got along very well with my children and I am sure that the Ambassador was impressed. So now when you go to school you will have some friends and not be ostracized. I have you all leaving on a plane for Buffalo on Sunday. I have a friend who will show you around and introduce you to some people. Learn as much as you can. It will be important as we prepare you for the hornet's nest. You will have your first meeting with my brother, his intolerable wife and their even worse son on Christmas Eve. His younger son Jeffery you don't have to worry about. For some reason he has turned out quite nicely." With that on their minds our three heroes returned tired from their long day to their home. Joey was soon fast asleep. As soon as he was Johny tip toed out of their room across to Jonathon's, took off his clothes and crawled into bed with the man he loved.