Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2014 21:51:53 -0400 From: Eff Del Subject: Flights of Angels-Chapter 15 Flights of Angels-chapter 15 By Eff Del We all have within us a great desire to make a change. We are born unique and as we grow, we desire to leave our mark upon this world that we tread upon so briefly. With this intention comes the unrealistic notion that change is only accomplished by great actions and great events. It is certainly true that at times great actions have resulted in great change but the ultimate reality is simply this; The man who moves one stone at a time eventually moves a mountain. I was waiting with John on the tarmac as the jet touched down. I don't usually meet anyone at the airport but this was different. I was about to try to convince the passengers to literally change the entire direction they had envisioned for their lives and to accept a new path and a new course. This would take some persuasion, some theatrics and mostly an appeal to what I knew was their greater nature. They were meant to be part of this I only had to show them that this was true. She stepped down onto the skystair first. I watched as she exchanged pleasantries with Captain Lucas, my pilot. She was as lithe and tanned as when we'd first met that afternoon at Camp West Wind. Her long tanned legs were revealed with each step as she descended the staircase down onto the tarmac. Her wheat golden hair was pushed back and held in place by an old fashioned tortoise shell clip. Her blue denim shoulder bag rubbed against her left breast so enticingly that once again I thought to myself that if I were attracted to women, this would be the type I would be drawn to. She was lovely, she was lively and her smile was a beacon to the world. He was right behind her looking a bit befuddled. Tall and lanky, I noted with a smile that his mustache had grown in thicker and longer than when we'd last met, but his youth was not hidden by his facial hair and he could not even pretend to be too serious when in the company of the wonderful woman who was soon to be his wife. As I stood there, she was into my arms before I'd even decided how best to begin the greetings. "Eric! My God, I don't think I'll ever have another experience like this flight! Thank you so much for your generosity." "Mandy you two are very welcome here and I hope this will be the first of many, many visits." By this time Ricky had descended the stairs and with a sort of sheepish smile he extended his hand. "Hello Mr. Tucker...it's wonderful to see you again and ..." I cut him short with a quick knife like gesture and said; "Ricky, its `ERIC' and I'll be angry if you attempt to call me Mister again, OK?" He winced a bit at my rebuke but he quickly nodded his head and replies; "OK Eric. You're the boss." I thought to myself that I wished he knew how close to the truth I hoped that was going to be. I decided to soften the situation by taking a cue from his fiancé and I quickly pulled him into a hug. "Well guys, as you can see, this isn't one of those fancy international airports. This little place is kind of a puddle jump but it's big enough for my jet and that's all that actually matters to me. It does have a rather nice little lounge though. Why don't we go have a quick drink while they're loading your stuff onto the limo?" When we were sitting around the small table sipping cocktails, it was Ricky who finally brought up the elephant in the room. "Eric, I've read the very detailed report you sent me and I'll admit I'm fascinated but honestly...why me? I'm not an educator, I'm just a soon to be lawyer and I've got no experience with anything of the scope you seem to be implying." "Ricky, in the first place, from what I know about you, you are most certainly an educator where it matters the most; in your heart and in your soul. More than that though, you are a leader, a motivator and a positive influence. What I see in you is a caring person who wants to help young people grow up in a good and honest direction and to be special people moving in a well-directed manner through this world. The project we're talking about may be one of the most significant efforts in that regard that you'll ever encounter in your life." He took a long sip from his frosty mug of beer and said; "Eric, why me?" It was then that Mandy threw her arms around his neck causing him to spill some of his beer. She kissed him passionately upon the neck before exclaiming with a wonderfully light hearted giggle; "Ricky, Ricky don't be such a "cabrón"! We've read the proposal Eric sent to us. Who in the world would be better to do this job than you?" The idea of this beautiful blonde woman using Hispanic street slang to her fiancé was hilarious and only served to enforce my opinion that they were a couple with a long wonderful future ahead of them. It was also obvious that to some extent at least, Mandy was on my side. I decided to quit while I was ahead and suggested that we all get into the limo and go to Joyous Gaurde. *********************************************************** We were sitting around a table at poolside sipping on frozen margaritas and chatting and it was becoming obvious that this was not Sean's cup of tea. He liked things to be livelier although the fact that he was being forced to wear his swim trunks might be applying a bit of a damper on his attitude... despite the fact that he looked stunning in them. Although I relished every opportunity I received seeing him naked, I reflected at times like these that a wee bit of clothing quite often enhances a person's sexiness. I had warned both boys before I'd left with John for the airport that for the duration, swimming suits were to be worn at the pool at all times. I'd heard a semi-suppressed guffaw behind my back and turned just in time to catch Chris attempting to hide his grin. "Somehow, I hadn't thought that I'd have to explain that to YOU." I chided him with mock sternness. My gorgeous young friend had the supreme decency to blush. Despite the initial- if mock- protests regarding poolside attire, decorum was being maintained around the deck. Chris had of course grown up in the `real' world and even my two NEST boys had never considered swimming naked until (as Sean had so humorously pointed out) they had come under my "bad" influence. This was going to be an extended tactical meeting lasting from a week to ten days depending upon circumstances and we were waiting upon the arrival of three more important people. I hoped they would arrive before dinner. I watched my two boys with interest because this was essentially the first time a beautiful woman clad in a skimpy bathing suit had been inserted into their lives. Sean seemed fascinated just as a little boy might be over anything new and interesting but Jack was reacting quite differently. The poor kid seemed to be spending a great deal of time in the pool I couldn't help but wonder if this was in order to hide his boner which seemed at perpetual alert. I smiled and thought to myself; "Well my gorgeous little Rufus, you may just find out that after everything you've been through, you are straight as an arrow." I promised myself that if that was the case, I'd do everything possible to help the boy transition into the realization of his personal orientation as easily as possible despite all that had happened to him. One of my expected guests would be able to help me significantly with that problem. By now, several of the group was in the pool playing a rather heated game of water volley ball. Somehow, it had wound up being Sean, Mandy and Ricky against Jack, Chris and John. While I was watching intently, Richard was suddenly standing at my shoulder. It was spooky. When Richard was in `Butler Mode', he was an eerie younger version of Walter. It amazed me how quickly he had assimilated that role. He did it so well that I'd noticed most of the staff accepted him as if he'd been doing the job for years. I glanced across the pool and saw Walter sitting chatting with Uncle Phil and Doc Swaim and for the first time I actually thought to myself that I was indeed forming my own team. "Eric," he said quietly to me, "Terry has arrived with your next guest". I stood up and grasped his arm in a grateful grip and told him that I'd come out front with him. Slipping on a loose multiple pastel patterned shirt, I followed Richard through the house. I saw him before he saw me and I automatically broke into a smile. Every time I saw him I thought to myself that he was a living avatar of all that was good and decent about humankind. "Commodore Tipton welcome aboard!" I extended my hand and clapped him on the shoulder at the same time. "I'm sorry that you were subjected to the inconvenience of flying commercially but it couldn't be helped. I hope your flight was alright?" He gave me one of his looks that always reminded me so much of the great character actor Burgess Meredith especially when he was playing `Mickey' in the `Rocky" movies. "Little E, you must be richer than I think you are if you can imagine flying cross country in First Class...paid for by someone else and then being driven from LAX to here in a chauffeur driven fully restored classic '89 Lincoln an inconvenience." He gripped my upper arms tightly and shook them affectionately but roughly enough so as not to seem too emotional...the Commodore liked to keep his patina of `toughness'...his `Crust'. I'd decided to send that car to pick him up because I'd known it would delight him. I silently considered that he should only know that a first class seat on a commercial airline would most certainly be something I'd consider more than an inconvenience and, I certainly didn't dare tell him that the car in question was no reconditioned show car. It had been my father's and had never left the family. He bought it as a relatively young man because he thought it was cool I suppose. I was only three when he'd bought it and I think or at least strongly imagine I remember when he took me for my first ride in it. That was back in the days when three year olds weren't required to sit in car seats and adult seat belts were considered alright... as was letting a little kid ride in the front seat for that matter. I remember...or at least think I remember my father hooting and laughing as he turned around the sharp corners of the roads we drove upon. I dearly hope that those were true memories but the mind can be strange as I know better than anyone. Dad always loved driving. I know he drove Mathew crazy that way though John never seemed to mind. That's why it was still in the garage and kept in top shape. My Dad loved that car and so I love it too. He'd even paid a heavy premium for the deep metallic green color because Lincoln wasn't offering a green that year and `our family had always owned green Lincolns'. I smiled at the fact that I've never purchased a Lincoln in my life and wondered if I should do so just to keep up the family tradition. Even before it was out of warranty, the car had been meticulously cared for by Mathew, John's predecessor and since then by John himself. John called her `Green Lady' and I was musing that the idea of calling that car a restoration was almost an insult to it and the two capable men who had looked after her throughout her whole life. Caught daydreaming again, the Commodore's voice pulled me back into reality; "Let's not just stand here Little E, aren't you going to buy an old shipmate a drink?" Grinning and shaking my head, I grabbed him by the arm and led him in the direction of the patio. "You know Little E, that young man Terry who picked me up is quite a bright fellow. I really enjoyed his company and he sure has a head on his shoulders. I hope you're using his talents to the fullest." I assured him that we were and that Terry was one of our employees that we were keeping an eye on...because that was true, and after some additional small talk, we reached the pool and stepped out onto the deck. Everyone was engaged in some sort of activity and hadn't notice our arrival and so I decided to use my boyhood skill and put two fingers to my lips and whistled. It was like a bomb had gone off. Everyone on the patio and in the pool froze save for the fact that every eye was now turned upon us. I guided Commodore Tipton out onto the deck and with a smile I said: "Folks, our latest guest has arrived. If you've met him please welcome and if you've not yet met him please say hello to..." "Commodore!" It was Ricky from the pool and from the look on his face you might have thought he was witnessing the second coming. Someone...I hate to admit my suspicion that it was either Sean or Jack, tossed the volley ball at him and it bounced unnoticed off his head. He seemed to just sink below the water but Mandy quickly pulled him back up. "Yes, Ricky thanks..." I quickly jumped in to cover the interruption; "Commodore Tipton". There were immediate reactions of welcome and soon the old man was surrounded by friends and soon to be friends but it was my little Sean who proved to be the perfect host. Guiding the old curmudgeon to the chair that had only recently been occupied by me, he asked the now seated man; "May I bring you a drink Commodore?" Not so easily subdued, the old man squinted up at my baby boy and asked; "What are you offering me then my bold lad?" Sean was as bright as they ever come and he learned quickly. Once he'd learned, he never forgot. He graciously excused himself saying; "I'll be back Commodore". . While he was gone, the Commodore smiled up at me and said; "You understand Little E, I must distill my own because I'm just a poor sailor...but you, you're rich and I expect in your house to taste nothing but the finest grog." I rolled my eyes just as Sean returned pushing a small cart. Upon it rested a bottle of Ron Viejo Blanco, pretty expensive stuff for white rum that had been my family favorite for at least three generations even though it was brewed in witches' cauldrons in the Dominican Republic rather than more traditional places. There was also a silver ice bucket, a crystal tumbler, a small bowl of lemons and lime and strangely: a pewter platter upon which stood a shotgun shell and a book of matches. I suddenly realized what my clever boy was doing. He was offering the Commodore a traditional British Navy "Proof". I began to wonder how he would even know about this ceremony and then instantly shook my head and realized; this is Sean...the little maven seems to know everything. In the days of wooden ships and when Britannia ruled the waves, British sailors were given daily allotments of rum. After a national scandal where petty officers and even Captains themselves were accused and convicted of watering down the sailor's rum and selling off the excess, it was decreed that a designated officer must; if required, demonstrate before the men at each ration that the alcoholic content of the liquor was true. The ceremony was simple; a sailor would call: `show us the proof sir' and a line of gunpowder would be drawn upon the top of a barrel. Pretty much like a line of coke is laid out today before a purchase. A small pour (witnessed) of rum from the cask would then be spilled upon the gun powder. After giving it a moment to soak in, an officer named the Purser would apply a flaming end or rope called a match. If the line of gunpowder took flame, the rum was true; if it did not, the keg was tainted. That flair therefore was the liquor's `proof' and it prevented the possibility of very many fights; even munities. The Commodore was no stranger to theater and he caught on at once to what Sean was doing. By this point everyone was gathered around and from the gleam in his eyes, I knew that Sean was in his element. He'd donned a navy blue polo shirt and stood at ridged attention...did they teach formation at the NEST or was that something he'd seen on TV? He slowly and dramatically dropped four ice cubes into the glass and then poured a significant measure of rum. Slicing the lime and one of the lemons, he squeezed the fruit over the glass first ensuring the juice dripped upon his fingers and dropped slowly into the glass; his fingers carefully catching and excluding the seeds. After wiping his hands on a towel, he held the glass to the Commodore with one hand while brandishing the shotgun shell in the other. His wonderful eyes almost blazed as he said with a little boy smirk; "Will this please you Commodore? Or do you require the proof?" The old man almost bent himself over in laughter as he accepted the tumbler from Sean. With tears in his eyes he hugged the little boy and with his arm around his shoulder he explained the PROOF ceremony the others crowded around them. "Show them kiddo." He said as he patted my boy on the back. With one of his quick grins, Sean took the shotgun shell and cut the paper open. He then drew a long line on the pewter platter. He then took the rum bottle and then flashed us all a bright `Sean smile' and proclaimed; "Hey guys, I've never done this before so Professor Swaim would call this an experiment but this should work...if it don't...sorry... if it does...well...it'll be cool." Then he did a really Sean thing; he looked at me and wiggled his eyebrows and said; "And if this goes completely wrong and I blow up all of you and this whole house...I'm sure I'll be REALLY sorry." With that, he dribbled the rum over the line of gunpowder and after a few moments he took a match from the box, lit it and applied it to the mixture. It erupted in a quick blue flame. There were immediate laughs and sounds of approval accompanied by light applause and Sean stood grinning until he caught my eye and saw my wide grin. He cocked his head to his left side with a grand smile and did a little magician's `ta da" with his hands and then straightened up. Pulling off his shirt, he half skipped half jumped back into the pool. A bit later, Richard came out to inform me that the next two guests had experience flight delays and thus would be landing later that night. The timing was such that Terry would be able to pick them both up in the limo The afternoon progressed wonderfully except for poor Ricky being unable to interact comfortably with his hero; the Commodore. It was almost comical to watch. Dinner was wonderful. Martha had out-done herself with a simple but almost sinful meal of broiled Maine lobsters, brown butter, herb fried potatoes, and her own special coleslaw. Everyone but Sean happily washed the meal down with several bottles of perfectly chilled five year old Gewürztraminer. My boy decidedly did not have a taste for alcohol in any form it seemed. After dinner, I'd told everyone that I would wait for our additional guests to arrive and suggested that they all find something to do to amuse themselves. Doc Swaim and Uncle Phil had escorted the Commodore out back and onto a golf cart and whisked him off to Fish Camp. Although he had visited Joyous Gaurde several times, the old man had never been out to the little cabin on Lake Eric. Despite being invited to join that group, Walter decided that Richard had performed yeoman's duty this day and deserved a bit of a break. He was sent off to the kitchen where Martha had a lobster dinner waiting for him. When he emerged back out onto the patio with a huge satisfied smile on his face, he and Chris invited Ricky and Mandy back to the condo complex. I'd told Walter that he didn't need to stay behind but he assured me he didn't mind and that it was always a good idea to have a `butler on duty' when guests were coming for the first time. He called it; `flying the flag'. As I watched the carts carrying the four young people disappear into the woods, I commented to Walter that Barry might ultimately be getting the short end of the stick because his Role in Skuggor had no public personae. "He'll have fun tonight when they all get together" Walter replied "but you're right of course. Maybe we should make more of an attempt to bring him into the social circle more." I'd initially toyed with the idea of sending the boys up to get ready for bed but a glance at my watch showed that it wasn't yet 8:00 pm, so I asked them if they'd like to hang out down in the library with me for a while. Shortly, Sean and I were bent over the chess board beginning another game. It had gotten to the point with us that victory wasn't assured for either of us; we were that evenly matched. In my heart however, I knew that Sean, with his younger more agile mind would eventually find me easier and easier to beat. Jack was stretched out on one of the large leather couches; head propped up on pillows and knees pulled up. A while ago, he's noticed me reading the latest novel by one of my favorite authors; Nate Mentor. After asking a few questions about his books, I'd shown the boy my almost shelf long collection. He's selected the first novel and begun reading it and now, the young red head was hooked. Although Mentor had written quite a few novels, the number was finite and at the rate Jack was tearing his way through the shelf, I though with amusement that if I didn't hurry up and finish the latest book, the boy would be tearing it out of my hands. "Guess what Uncle Eric..." My eyes shot across the room to the red head on the coach. He'd stretched his legs back out and was wiggling his toes mindlessly. The boy was beautiful. There was no doubt of that and my heart filled with love every time he called me `Uncle Eric'. It had been his choice and had come to him so naturally that it was obvious that he'd been longing for some symbol or token of affection and belonging. "What's that my nephew Jack?" I replied and his green eyes flashed and his face broke into his devilish grin. "Next week is my first fight. We've got some other club coming in and coach says I'm ready." He was now feigning a lack of interest; trying to make the conversation seem off the cuff but I knew something serious was imminent. With his eyes glued to the page of his book so as not to have to be looking at me he asked in the most casual manner he could muster; "Think you might want to come and watch?" This was it and my heart ached. He was afraid to ask because he thought I would tell him I was too busy or (worse yet) that I wasn't interested. I rose to my feet and strode over to him and pulled the book straight out of his hands. His stunning green eyes flashed up at me and for a moment apprehension filled his face. "Might want to come? MIGHT want to come...Rufus the Doofus...do you think there's any way in the world that I would miss it? " I grabbed his arms and pulled him to me and into a hug. "We're family now Jack. I love you...don't you ever forget that." He squeezed me tight and muttered into my shoulder; "I love you too Uncle Eric." We held each other tightly and before long a beaming Sean had come over and inserted himself into our hug and for the thousandth time I thought to myself that life couldn't get any better than this. Somehow, I'd wound up at one end of the couch with Sean sitting between my legs while Jack was at the other end. I wrapped my arms around Sean and he and I were taking turns playing `footsie' with Jack. "Ok my Tiger Cubs, while it's just the three of us here, I've got some news for each of you that I haven't had the time to talk about with you." I could tell that I had both of their attention and I smiled to myself thinking that little boys are so predictable. "First off Jack...John has pointed out that it is high time we started working on your driver's license. I'm surprised I haven't heard anything about it from you." His eyes were wide with excitement and he sat bolt upright against the arm of the couch. "Well...cause at the NEST kids didn't get their licenses or at least not until after they'd graduated out. I knew I was old enough but I didn't want to bother you or anything like that that an..." "Jack" I held up a hand to silence him. "Do you want to get your license?" "Do I? Oh man Uncle Eric! I sure do I mean I can't believe you're going to let me! Oh man!" I hushed him again. "So here's what we're going to do. Tomorrow we'll drive out to the DMV and get you a packet so you can study for the written test. Once you pass that and get your permit, John says he'll be happy to conduct your behind the wheel training. John is (among his many other talents) a certified instructor and he's also the best driver I've ever known. When John tells me he thinks you're almost ready well then...we'll get you your own car to take the test in." "My own car!" he was bouncing on the couch now. "Before you get too excited, let me explain my thinking on this subject. It will be the car of your choice; money is no object but...it will be safe and it will be strong and it will probably be a four cylinder." He looked at me with surprise and confusion. "Jack, I've heard of too many wonderful kids who received a powerful sports car as their first vehicle who wound up either maimed or dead within months of getting it. Teenagers are not ready to handle the power and the speed." He was about to open his mouth in protest but I signaled him to be silent. "Don't take it personally Jack. You're a bright level headed fine young man but you are still a teenager. When we purchase your first car, I promise it will be nice but it will also be safe." He was smiling from ear to ear. "Thanks Uncle Eric. You're the best." I twisted Sean around slightly so that I could see his face. "Now as for you little boy, I know you think I'd forgotten but actually I've has a couple of long talks with Captain Lucas. Based upon what he's told me and from what I've read, next year we can begin your training to become a pilot." He was up off the couch and grasping my hands almost jumping. "For true Dad? For really true?" "For true son but, you need to know it will be hard work and will involve a lot of study including math." Math was Sean's least favorite subject which was strange because it came naturally to him and he did very well at it. "Captain Lucas suggested that we wait until you're thirteen. The law won't let you solo until you're sixteen but he feels that you'll be flying quite well by the time you're fourteen even though you'll have to have a licensed pilot with you." "Holy Guacamole Dad! You remember everything!" We were interrupted by Walter. "Eric, Terry has just arrived with your two guests." "Thanks Walter, I'll come up front with you. ********************************************************************************************************************************* They were seated in the small parlor just beyond the main door. They didn't know each other and hadn't traveled together save for the recent limo ride from the airport. Though I'd spoken extensively with each of them by telephone, we'd never met and I took advantage of the one-way glass my grandfather had installed in the parlor years ago. From their perspective it was an antique quilt framed mirror on the wall but from the small private room Walter and I were standing, it was a window into the parlor. I could see them clearly though they had no idea I was watching. They were as diverse a pair as you could imagine. Sitting in a green arm chair, with his hands folded on his lap was Doctor A.C. Scott. He was a thin man with a lion like head of snow white hair. Seated as he was, I couldn't guess his height but he looked remarkably healthy for a man in his mid 80's. Doctor Scott was the man who had conceived the radical educational system that has been used so successfully by the NEST. He was still retained as a consultant by that organization. My research assured me that he had no connection with the sexual aspect of NEST activities though his teaching methods had certainly been modified to accommodate the "special training" NEST boys received. The second man was the antithesis of Doctor Scott in appearance. He was a tall, athletic handsome young man of twenty. He sat lightly upon one of the other chairs casually leafing through a magazine. He was Taylor Houlte; a recent graduate from the NEST and currently a student at the University. After watching them for a few more moments, I nodded to Walter and we headed into the parlor to greet them. After introductions were made and after some small talk mostly regarding how badly their travel had gone today, I asked if either of them was hungry. I was gratified to learn that Terry had taken that into consideration after picking them up and had taken them both to dinner on the way out here. My offer of drinks was accepted enthusiastically by both of them however and the four of us strolled casually to the library while I took the time to point out certain rooms and features of the great house. As we approached the library, I thought to myself that a potentially uncomfortable situation was about to arise. I'd planned for it to happen differently because each of today's guests was supposed to have arrived separately. Because of the uncertainty of the interrupted schedules, I hadn't had the opportunity to come up with a better plan and therefore decided to let the chips fall where they may. As soon as we entered the library I announced a bit too loudly I fear; "Boys come and meet our final two guests. This is Doctor Anton C. Scott and this is Mr. Taylor Houlte. Gentlemen this is my son Sean and my Ward Jack." With large smiles and hands extended, both boys started across the room but Jack stopped cold after only a few steps and I watched as he and Taylor exchanged shocked looks of recognition. "Tip!" "Rufus? What the hell are..." They were in each other's arms almost instantly. The reunion was almost silent but obviously highly emotional. I turned to Doctor Scott who was watching the event a bit perplexed. "I'm sorry for this Doctor Scott. Both Taylor and my ward are products of your system you see. Taylor was Lead Senior to Jack." I led the old man over to the bar and was pleased when he indicated his preference for single malt Scotch whisky. "I fully understand the emotions involved Mr. Tucker. The Lead Senior/Follow-Boy system was designed to create life long bonds between the two so I'm hardly surprised at their actions." "Let him go long enough so that he can get a drink Jack." I tapped the young red head on the back and drew him away from his older friend. I steered Jack and Sean over to the elderly educator and again made formal introductions. "You both owe Doctor Scott a great debt boys. I'll explain it all over time." Turning my attention to the still befuddled Taylor, I was able to ascertain that he preferred a beer. A few quick questions determined that his palate was sophisticated enough for a more complex beer and so I gave him a tall glass of IPA from Stone Brewing Company in Escondido. Jack gave me a look and with a nod and a smile I also handed one to him. When we were all seated comfortably, I explained that our conference would begin after breakfast tomorrow. They each had at least a rudimentary idea of why they were here and what my ultimate purpose was. After a second round of drinks, Doctor Scott expressed his fatigue and Walter escorted him up to his room. As Sean was pouring Taylor another beer, Jack drew me over to a far corner of the room. "Uncle Eric...do you think...would it be ok...I mean would you be mad if...if Tip spent the night in my room?" I looked deeply into those bewitching green eyes and saw the need and the honesty in them. I thought to myself; `my little Jack, I wonder what your sexual orientation actually is...but there's no doubt about your loving nature and your need for close contact'. I cupped his chin in my hand and gently raised his face. I tried to sound as concerned by loving as I felt; "Jack you may do this only if that's what you want to do. Nobody has the power to make you do anything like that ever again. Tip's things have been taken to the room that's been assigned to him. For the sake of appearances, I suggest you take him up there and let him get everything he'll need for the morning including a change of clothes. Remember Jack...NOBODY is allowed to hurt you." One large tear rolled out of his eyes and down his cheek. He nodded to me and said; "Only you or Tip Eric. Only you or Tip and you never will." I was about to say something and then decided the better of it. Instead I bent slightly and kissed him and then patted his wonderful ass. With a smile, he walked across the room to Taylor and Sean and said something so softly I couldn't hear but I could guess because Taylor looked directly at me from across the room. I just nodded and the young man drained his beer in one long pull. Jack took his hand and led him from the library. Just before he left he stopped and turned. "Good night Sean. Goodnight Uncle Eric." And with that they were gone. Less than a minute later, Sean and I were stepping off the elevator and without a word being spoken, he was following me into my bedroom. Once inside, he wrapped himself around me in a tight embrace and held there for a long time before he muttered; "Sleep with you tonight..." And I couldn't understand what else he said. I pulled away from him a step and tugged at the hem of his shirt. He raised his arms silently and allowed me to pull it over his head and off. I rubbed my thumbs softly over each of his pert brown nipples and I kissed him passionately. Slowly I moved my hands down to his belt buckle and worked it open and unsnapped his waist band. I worked the zipper down his fly without breaking our lip contact. His snow white shorts dropped to his feet. Silently I lifted him up and laid him upon the bed. I removed the shorts that were dangling from one foot and then yanked off his sneakers and socks. My fingers glided up his legs and thighs and grasped the band of his underpants. He raised his hips up allowing me to slide then down and off. I drank him in greedily with my eyes and then with a burning urgency bend over and engulfed his rampant little tool in my mouth. Until that very second, I hadn't realized how hungry for him I was...how great my need was. His wonderful little body writhed slowly under my ministrations as he gave in to the pleasure. Later in the darkness, he sat up and straddled my stomach. His little hands gently brushed my nipples and chest almost unconsciously he was staring into my face and even in the almost black of the room I could see the intensity of his eyes. "I been talkin' to the Professor about you a lot lately." He said softly. I'd reached up and was stroking the cheeks of his wonderful butt with a sensuous slowness. "Oh, What have you been saying about me?" "That you seem to allatime worry about other people being happy first. You never seem to worry about how you feel Eric." "Oh, I don't think that's true Sean...I..." "Yes it is. It is true. That's one of the reasons I love you so much Eric. The Professor says there's a word for it." "What word is that Sean?" "Kind. You're a kind man...the kindest person I've ever known." I was speechless. This startling evaluation from a twelve year old boy. I pulled him down and squeezed him tightly against me. I lay there in the dark thinking to myself. "I am a kind person? I don't feel kind but I DO feel loved...perhaps that's the secret; perhaps in order to be kind you must know you are loved." Sleep took me swiftly but gently. (to be continued) I'm really sorry this chapter has taken so long. I have been really really ill. Thanks again to all of you who have sensed something was wrong and have written to enquire and offer good wishes. I hate authors who start stories and then never finish them and I refuse to let that happen. If this story stops then you know I'm dead I promise you that. Your notes and emails are a great source of joy and inspiration so please keep them coming. Next chapter the assault on the NEST will begin I got a little carried away with "my boys" this chapter.