Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2015 18:16:19 -0400 From: Eff Del Subject: Green Grow the Rushes O- chapter 12 *Green Grow the Rushes O- Chapter 12* *By Eff Dell* Nolitimere156@gmail.com *Two absolute essentials for life are having something to love and having something to hope for.* *Always attempt to have eyes that see the best, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that seeks the truth and a soul that never loses the gift of hope.* *When hope is lost, love and joy will very soon depart from you as well.* "Put it up on the screen Barry." Richard said. "Go make yourself come coffee guys though I have no idea how you take yours Sean, so you or Eric need to pour your cup. Your Dad is easy to handle." He grinned wanly as I nodded and headed over and fixed myself and the boy each a cup. "Now Sean, since your Dad has brought you up here, I don't want you to be confused or misunderstand anything we tell you, but I also want you to realize that in the end there may not be good news. You've got to be able to handle whatever the outcome is because frankly Tiger, that's the way life works. You sit over here so that you can see the screen clearly." I handed Sean his coffee mug and sat beside him as Barry put an image up on the big drop-down screen. "This is a high level image of the ship floating on its side. As you can see, they'd strayed quite far away from their original intent to just cruise around the Maritimes. We don't know why so for now, we can only assume they'd stumbled upon something very interesting. We know that when the rogue wave knocked the ship over, seven crew members survived by essentially clinging to her side. We also know that six life rafts were launched but I've got to tell you that even if they were filled to capacity, they wouldn't accommodate the unaccounted for remaining crew of thirty two which of course includes Jack. We have to assume that a great number of them are dead...drowned below decks. I also have to tell you that of the surviving sailors, none of them could confirm they'd seen Jack after the ship's knock-down but that's not very surprising considering they were trying to survive. The dismaying thing in this search is that each of the life-rafts were equipped with GPS location devices and therefore, we should have located them all by now but...there's no signal from any of them so, the equipment must be defective. We'll be looking into that when all of this is over and if I'm right, someone is going to pay. Right now, we're doing high-level fly-bys and low level surface scans using the ship as the center of our search grid. We're still hoping to pick up some kind of signal but you've both got to steel yourselves to the possibility that since the capacity of these life-rafts is only four, Jack may very well have been caught below when the wave knocked over the boat." The pain on his face broke my heart almost as much as his news did. "Hold on guys! Hold on!" Barry was jumping in his seat. "I've just picked up three bleeps. If they'll just stay on for a few more seconds I'll zero in on them." His fingers were flying as he did his Barry magic. He grinned as he turned to us and said; "Well, we just found three of the six. I've just sent the coordinates to our helicopters. Now we can just sit and hope but I also trust everyone realizes that whatever the outcome for us personally, we ARE saving lives out there." I nodded grimly at him because, in the end, he was totally right. I rose from my chair and pulled Sean to me. "Call me when you've reached those three rafts and I'll hope for good news guys." Both Richard and Barry looked at me dourly and I knew that they didn't hold out much hope and were just trying to be kind and gentle. ************** Arlen was out on the big lawn essentially playing catch with Brian and I suggested that Sean go out and play with them while I went down to my study. I had to say goodbye to Ricky and Mandy. They entered my study and Mandy rushed over and wrapped me in her arms. "Oh Eric, I'd stay if there was one little thing I could do for you." I smiled and whispered; "Thanks sweet girl, but it's going to end the way it's going to end and you guys have an Academy to run together. Arlen is waiting out front and Captain Lucas certainly knows how to get you to Houston. I also think you could get used to my jet couldn't you?" I grinned as I said that and she kissed me warmly right on the lips. It turned out that Daniel was operating the limo having chosen to leave Arlen playing with the boys. I shook my head as I marveled at his thoughtfulness. "Keep us informed Boss-man." She whispered as she smiled warmly and they were out the door. I fought the urge to go back up to the command center because I didn't want to be a distraction or in their way. I also didn't want to be a presence that inhibited their open conversation. I reverted to an old habit and poured myself a drink, picked up the bottle, and walked down to the music room. I sat down and my fingers began to fly over the keys. I didn't know what I was playing but it flowed out from my fingertips and the room was filled with wonderful sounds. I am a very accomplished pianist though I don't play very often anymore. I must have played mindlessly before the door to the room opened and in walked Doc, Gary and Tim. They were bearing glasses two bottles and an ice bucket. Despite my anguish, I smiled to myself and thought; `Well this is certainly not an intervention.' I looked over at the Wizard and he smiled sadly and said; "I've given the three boys the next few days off because they've got other things on their minds." "Perhaps that would be a good reason to keep them in the classroom Doc." "Not when the tutor is so distracted it isn't." I nodded and I looked at Tim. "Well, your son and new daughter-in-law will be home in two days. It certainly would be wonderful if my son was home at the same time." He nodded his head and stood up and wrapped me in his arms and I totally lost it. I sobbed and shook and tears welled from my eyes while John's powerful Dad just held me tightly and rubbed my back. As I finally calmed down, Gary softly took my arm and whispered; "Have hope Eric. Have faith." I looked at him and said; "Unlike you Gary, I don't have faith, but I do have hope...lots and lots of hope." ********* I gathered the boys from Arlen. Bobby had joined their impromptu game of catch and I told them to head over to the pool. Mr. and Mrs. Costa are going out to look at the construction on their condo so you three are free to skinny dip. They looked up at me with forlorn eyes. "Dad, that don't sound like so much fun when we're all so worried about Jack." "Guys, you not having fun isn't going to change a thing about what's happened to Jack. If you love him, then do what he'd expect you to do...enjoy yourselves. Jack was all about having fun. You know that." They all nodded their heads in agreement and shortly, three gorgeous naked little bodies were diving into the water and very quickly were horsing around. "Wow! Swimming naked is so much better outside than inside." Spider exclaimed. "Plus, you get a tan all over your body Spider." Sean said. "You'll see. It's great." Gary walked out into the pool area and sat down next to me after pouring himself a drink and spent a few moments enjoying the wonderful sight of three naked young boys in the pool. Only Spider had a lily-white ass. Sean and Bobby had spent enough time in the sun naked last year that their skin was still residually tanned all over. Gary reached over and gripped my arm. "Hope, Eric. If you can't have faith then keep focused on hope. Hope is like an unconscious prayer and it's a very powerful force. You know that I understand what it's like to lose a beloved son. Whatever happens Eric, you will survive it and emerge strong and kind. You won't ever sink back into that pit of darkness you once lived in." I smiled at him. "Somehow, I believe you're right Gary but right now, it doesn't feel very good." He took my empty tumbler from me and re-filled it. As we sat watching the boys in silence, Daniel was suddenly at the edge of the deck. "I waived him over. "Daniel, it's not like you haven't seen these boys naked before." He nodded. "Eric, they'd like you up in the control room." "News?" "So it would seem." I thought for a moment and then motioned Sean out of the pool. "Gary, would you keep an eye on Brian for a bit?" "Of course Eric." I didn't have to tell Sean what to do. He quickly dried off and got dressed. "Remember what I told you. Whatever the news, I expect you to act like a young man and not a baby. We have no control over what has happened so we've got to handle what we learn with common sense...OK?" "Yes Dad. Thanks for letting me come up with you." He leaned tightly against me as we walked. ******* Richard and Barry were sitting huddled around Barry's multiple screens and they looked up at me but not with any joy as Sean and I entered the room. It was Barry who spoke; "Well, Jack was not in any of the three life rafts we recovered. There were four people in each of them but they'd never been trained in how to activate the GPS system and had only figured it out after trial and error. We're hoping that will happen soon with the other three rafts. That means the equipment is not defective just that the survivors weren't properly trained." Richard quickly added; "We also have been told by three of the rescued people that they saw Jack on board one of the life rafts. We consider that a confirmation. If he's on a raft, even if it's fully populated, they're packed with enough food and water to last at least a week. We'll find him Eric...I swear to god that we'll find him." I suddenly realized that my Chief of Staff was on the verge of crying and I remembered that Richard had from the beginning a special relationship with Jack. I remembered the boxing coaching with Walter and I had to suppress a sob as I reviewed the joy that was shared between the three of them. Walter was now gone and Jack was lost at sea. "The water and the wind out there are currently wild and unpredictable so we're expanding our search perimeters. We're also hoping that like these first three rafts, someone will figure out how to turn on their GPS locators. The good news though is that we now know that Jack wasn't trapped in the ship and that he's on a life raft. Our current job is to find that raft and I promise you that we will." I didn't even try to suppress my sob. I tried very hard to make dinner a pleasant affair. We were in the big dining room. Tim and Alice, Gary and Bobby and Doc Swaim joined us and Martha had made roast beef. I'd opened a couple of bottles of wonderful Medoc and as it was passed around, I wasn't surprised when Bobby and Spider accepted a glass but I was again surprised when Sean did as well. I sighed softly as I realized that my little boy was growing up. As we walked down to the parlor, he pulled me aside and said quietly; "Dad I really need you tonight. Can we be together please?" I realized that I really needed him as well and so, I pulled him into my side and said: "You bet love bug but not Brian." "He knows Dad. Just me." "Ok then." ******* He was so beautiful standing in the room wearing only his red boxer briefs and he turned coyly around to give me a full view. Unfortunately, his smile was sad and his face was melancholy. "Are you gonna finish stripping me Dad?" I hoped that my smile was warmer than I currently felt, but I said; "You bet little man, you know that's my favorite thing to do." I put my fingers into his waistband and drew the tight fitting garment down. He assisted by raising his hips off the mattress and I smiled as his little cock sprang to attention as his garment freed it as it descended down his legs and over his feet. I kissed him deeply and then rose up and undressed. I wrapped him into my arms and pulled him so close that I was afraid that I might hurt mime. "Sean...I just ..." He put his finger to my lips. "Noli Timere Dad. Great grandpa's motto for the family. `Don't be afraid' remember? We gotta be brave and love each other and know we'll be ok...that Jack will be OK." He rolled onto his back and silently pulled his knees down to his chest. Without a word I grabbed the lube and worked it into his wonderful little hole and then all along my cock. Gently, I pushed against his tiny gate and it yielded swiftly. As I moved into him, I presses my lips down onto his and as we kissed passionately, I moved slowly in him in fluid gentle stokes. He was moaning very quickly and I knew I was making rhythmic contact with his little boy prostrate. It wasn't long before he was writhing on the bed beneath me and I grabbed his waist and pulled him closely into me as I expelled my load. When we woke in the morning, he was straddling me as per usual and he smiled down at me and said; "We ain't played the shower music game in a while Dad. It's your turn to choose you know." I nodded and got up to pee and thought about my choice. I really was hoping to beat this kid. I moved to the controls and walked into the shower with Sean right behind me. The music soon filled the shower. *I was born in a cross-fire hurricane And I howled at my ma in the driving rain, But it's all right now, in fact, it's a gas! But it's all right. Im jumpin jack flash, Its a gas! gas! gas! I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag, I was schooled with a strap right across my back, But it's all right now, in fact, it's a gas! But it's all right, Im jumpin jack flash, Its a gas! gas! gas! I was drowned, I was washed up and left for dead. I fell down to my feet and I saw they bled. I frowned at the crumbs of a crust of bread. Yeah, yeah, yeah* He smiled a very sad smile. "Dad, that's not a great choice. It's `Jumpin Jack Flash' by the Rolling Stones...but I think..." I hugged him to me and whispered; "Like a very wise young man told me last night, `Noli Timere' we have to hope and believe. Now get your hair wet so I can shampoo you." As we all sat around the table eating breakfast I tried very hard to be upbeat. "Boys, you've got baseball practice this afternoon. Arlen will take you but if I can, I'm hoping to be there too. Tim and Alice, what are your plans for today?" "Well, we're actually going to do some exploring Eric. If we're going to be living here, we ought to learn more about what's around here don't you think?" I smiled and nodded. "Absolutely. John and Jenny will be home tomorrow night and then, he'll be able to help you a bit because he's lived here for a very long time." Just as I was finishing my coffee, Daniel was at the door. I approached him and he simply said; "They've got more news Eric." His face was non-descript so I simply excused myself and headed to the command center. "We've located a fourth raft." Richard told me as I entered the room. "Jack wasn't on it but they all confirmed that he was on one of the rafts that launched after the knock-down. Since they were all launched at the same time, we're now using this as the center for our search circle. We're getting closer and I swear that we'll find him." Barry suddenly exclaimed; "Guys, I've got two blips! Somebody turned on the GPS devises! We've got them! By god, we've got them." I felt the blood rush to my head and I was afraid that I'd faint but I sat down into a chair and recovered quickly. I smiled weakly and said; "Go get them and let me know when you've got my boy." ******* I was on the proverbial pins and needles but I also knew that this rescue mission would take time so I followed Arlen and the boys out to the ballfield. I was driving the red cat because I was frankly hoping to be called back to the estate. I was so proud as I watched Sean run through his fielding exercises. The boy was swift and instinctive. Though he'd never played organized ball before, it just came naturally to him. Not a single hit got buy him. At batting practice, Arlen moved next to me and I could tell he was tense. "Arlen, he'll do well I think." "No, Eric...he should do great." I watched in awe as ball after ball was thrown to the little boy and he connected and sent them deep into the outfield. Not one ball got passed him. He left the plate to a round of hoots and applause from his teammates. "Now I have to work on teaching him how to position his hits so he can place them where they need to be but Eric, he learns so fast, we'll get that done quickly. He's some kid Eric." "Yeah, I know Arlen." I watched the rest of the practice and my phone hadn't sounded so I told Arlen to bring the boys to Deegans and we'd all have lunch. They truly looked like little angels as they sat in the booth in their baseball caps and sun burnished faces. It seemed that Brian shared Sean's propensity to wiggle and I enjoyed that a lot. Watching them today had alleviated the apprehension I was experiencing but it was still very real. I smiled at the three of them and as we walked out, I said; "I'm going out for a drive so, I'll see you a bit later." I got into the sleek Jaguar and headed out onto the road. I was thinking that a great road run would clear my head but if the truth be told, my mind was still very much pre-occupied and the deer that stepped out onto the road took me completely by surprise. I swung the wheel instinctively and realized in horror that the car was headed down over the cliff. (to be continued) Thank you for the wonderful feedback I've received after the last chapter. You are all a treasure. Some of you have asked about a list of characters for this saga because there are so many. I've actually got an excel spread sheet which I'll send you but then you've got to up-date from this point on.