Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2015 00:26:59 -0400 From: Eff Del Subject: Green Grow the Rushes o- Chapter 7 *Green Grow the Rushes O- Chapter 7* *By Eff Del* *Sometimes, we have to step outside of the mental fortress we've build around ourselves and breathe some clean fresh air.* *It's important to remember that we cannot plan our lives.* *The world is just too filled with surprises for us to determine our ultimate direction.* *As life's astonishments leap out at you, be they good or bad, don't ask; "What the hell?"...Ask; "What's next?"* Captain Lucas greeted us as we entered the jet. "Hello Eric, Hi Sean. Sorry I didn't get to fly you here but it was my daughter's first communion. Obviously, Billy Ruiz did a good job of getting you here and I'm going to get you home. So Sean, in just a few weeks you begin your pilot training are you still excited about that?" "More than anything Captain Lucas. Are you gonna' be my teacher?" He frowned. "Sadly no, Sean for a number of reasons but mostly because I'm not a certified instructor. I've worked with your Dad though and we've found a great guy to be your instructor and I hope you like him because you can't solo fly until you're sixteen so you'll need an instructor or a qualified pilot at your side for the next three years. That's going to take a lot of patience from you I suspect. It's my hope that I can be sitting at your side for many of your flights though. Because, after all, I AM a qualified pilot" He smiled and took Sean by the shoulder, come on up front and watch me and Billy do our pre-flight check list and then sit behind me while we take off. Then you can go back with your Dad and I'll get you back into the cockpit for landing OK?" Sean's face was beaming. "That OK with you Pops?...Ooops! That OK with you Dad?" I tossed his thick mane of black hair. " Well Sean, `Pops' isn't OK with me, but you being up front with Captain Lucas and co-pilot Ruiz certainly is. I'll see you after take-off." The boy was as wired as a spring toy as he almost hopped after my pilot to the front of the craft. I didn't know the blond woman who was serving as flight attendant but she smiled as she handed me a crystal tumbler of scotch. "I'm Danica Mr. Tucker. Anything you need, please just ask." I smiled up at her. "Thank you Danica, you've already anticipated my first need." I raised my glass so she understood. Her smile was dazzling. It was about twenty minutes before we were racing down the small runway and then making our sudden leap up into the sky. Very soon after, the twinjets were making a less stained sound and we'd leveled off to what I assumed was going to be our cruising speed for our flight down the coast. He came into the cabin glowing with pleasure and he sat down right next to me. He leaned over, wrapped his young arms around my neck, and squeezed me tight. "That was sooo neat. I love you so much. I can't believe I'm gonna learn to do that." I brushed my fingers through his hair and replied. "Whoa little man. You're going to learn to fly but it won't be in a jet. It will be in a single prop plane and you already know that you won't be able to do it alone until you're sixteen. You'll be a full grown man before you're ever qualified to fly a jet like this...it would take a lot of work. I suspect you'll be satisfied with a prop plane." His head was against my chest. "Yeah, you're prollly right but Dad...I'd never have done none of this if it wasn't for you. I can't believe what I did to deserve you." I brushed my fingers softly against his cheek and whispered; "You didn't do much baby boy, you only saved my life." I knew he wouldn't understand that but I said it anyway. He was tired. It had been a strenuous time out on the water and our sexual liaison had been quite a physical experience as well as emotionally draining. I motioned Danica over and spoke softly; I'll have another drink and then...there's food onboard I assume?" She smiled. "I've got a couple of lovely tee-bone steaks and lots of good stuff to go with them. When would you like them served?" "In about an hour I think." She returned with my drink and as I stroked Sean's soft cheek, I thought about his upcoming birthday. Last year, I'd adopted him and also given him his own highly customized top of the line golf cart; the `red kitty' that had brought him to emotional overload and I'd had to take him to bed as he sobbed almost out of control. This year, was going to be something else again. I'd spent a lot of time with Captain Lucas and Will Fletcher who was the man I'd chosen to be Sean's flight instructor and I suspected his gift was going to floor him. That was still a few weeks away so I held his warm body against me stroking his cheeks which seemed to now have some soft downy fuzz to them...my little boy was growing up and as Doc had warned me almost two years ago; I couldn't stop it. My heart ached with love. My mind wandered to what we had done together yesterday and even more, the night before. I felt like I should be horrified at my actions because he was still weeks away from being thirteen but in my heart, I realized that it was something we both knew we would do and the timing was irrelevant. It happened and though I was probably tricked into doing it, I'd done it and it was wonderful. I knew we'd do it again but I also knew that I needed to take some control over that. All in all, I realized that the little boy snuggled against me was the dearest thing in my life. I'd never loved anything this intensely with the possible exception of my lost little brother Kyle. I hadn't felt this content and this comfortable in a very long time. I nudged him awake as Danica had indicated our meals were ready. His head shot up in typical boy startlement at being driven from sleep. After he was back down on this planet, he grinned. "Guess I fell asleep huh?" "Yep but that's OK, I enjoyed the peace and quiet." He scowled at me. "Dad!" I grinned down at him. "Just kidding Sean but I DID enjoy the cuddling." He looked at me with a serious face. "You're great to cuddle with Dad" We lowered our tray tables and dove into the surprisingly delicious food. One of the advantages of having your own private jet is the quality of the meals. We were sitting together sipping on our drinks (Sean's was decidedly soft) when Captain Lucas walked into the cabin. "Want to sit behind me as we land Sean?" The boy looked quickly at me for permission. I smiled. "Will he help you land us better Captain?" "You never know do you?" I waved them both off to the front and into the cockpit. ******* Arlen was waiting with the limo. Standing with the rear door opened. "Welcome back Sirs. Did you have a good trip?" Sean grinned and said; "It was better than good Arlen. Most of that stuff being loaded into the trunk ain't our luggage, its frozen salmon we caught. Mrs. Edwards is gonna love this." As I slid into the limo, I decided to do what I regretfully had never done with Terry. "So Arlen, how have things been here while we were gone?" "Actually from what can gather, things have been going quite well Mr. Tucker." "Arlen, if you intend to remain in my employ and rise up in the ranks and be this closely exposed to me and my family, you need in private situations to call me Eric." He actually sputtered. "Y-yes sir...I mean yes Mr. T...I mean yes Eric... thank you." "Arlen you are currently our utility man; the more or less the `go to guy'. You'll be working closely with Daniel and later with John when he returns. Eventually, you'll sort of work your way into your own unique position in the household. Is that OK with you?" "Yes Sir Mr. Tucker. I mean Eric. Yes Sir. Thank you very much." Sean giggled and leaned over the seat patting Arlen on the back. "You're cool Arlen. We all like you." I noticed his smile in the rear view mirror and I thought to myself that if I'd paid this attention to Terry perhaps the invasion and all those deaths might not have happened. At once, I thought of Walter and his heroics up on Hawkes Hill and I suppressed a sob. Daniel and his staff were there to greet us. "Lot's of flash frozen fish Daniel but please have someone get our travel bags up tour rooms first." As we walked down the hall, Sean was holding my hand like a little kid afraid of crossing the street. "So, can I sleep with you tonight?" I looked down into those impossible eyes. "Sleep? Or do you mean something else?" His face was serious and he half whispered; "You know..." "Tonight, certainly love bug but it isn't going to be a regular event. You have to learn to grow into your own world. I think you've begun that with Jack and with Ricco too...am I right?" He looked up with a twisted little grin. "Yeah, you already know that Jack an me fucked but he thinks of me different for some reason and the few times we've done it I've actually had to ask. I think he takes the brother thing differently than I do or maybe...and I think this is possible; he's really into girls. Ricco and me...we do it a lot. He's so hot...I like him a whole lot and once Jack popped my cherry, I talked Ricco into letting me pop his and now we do each other whenever we get together and its private but...Dad...it's you I've always wanted and you gave that to me this trip and I can't tell you how important that was to me." "Just so long as you know this isn't going to be an every day or night thing Sean. We are not going to become a couple." I actually giggled as I said that it sounded so preposterous. "Does that mean I can't sleep with you like I always have?" "Of course not Sean but it means that most times we'll sleep together like we always have...cuddling and sleeping with the occasional sex stuff we've always shared and, I'm certain that now and again some fucking will be the new addition to the mix." He grinned. "Tonight though, we'll try out the new addition to the mix right?" "You're a real rascal you know." ******* He was sitting on a stool in the kitchen telling Martha about his Alaska adventure; obviously eliminating what was perhaps the most consequential event of the trip. Sean had always had a strong sense of discretion. He told her about the large quantity of flash frozen salmon currently in the process of being loaded into the freezer in the butler's pantry. Though he didn't ever lie, if you'd listened to his story and not been there, you might have gotten the impression that he'd landed every single one of those fish himself. She smiled; "Well Sean, we'll make good use of those. I happen to know some wonderful ways to cook salmon and beside that, large king salmon filets on the grille with just some light herbs are wonderful. You'll soon see." I excused myself to walk down to my study and check my voicemail. The fourth one in was from Chino Lopez; the baseball coach at Deer Run Club. I wasn't surprised by the news but I delivered it as if it was hot off the press. He was still sitting with Martha eating some of her cookies as they chatted and giggled. "Sean Michael Tucker...you are OFFICIALLY on one of the two `triple A' teams being sponsored by Deer Run! Congratulations Son. Not bad for your first try out huh?" He was up from his seat in a flash and wiggling around in what I assumed was a `happy dance' before he finally ran to me and hugged me around the waist. He whispered into me; "Dad, I was so afraid that I'd let you down." I pulled his little body against me in a tight hug. "Sean, none of this is for me. It's all for you. It's you and your happiness that matter to me. I admire watching you compete but that's all son. Watching you compete. Of course, I love it when you win but ultimately, it's the joy of watching you play. Go into this season with that attitude. Even though you've never played baseball before, your skills and athletic ability have placed you in the top class of your age group You're a fabulous athlete and I'm so proud of you." His head was pressed against my chest and he murmured into me. "Can we go up now Dad and would you make love to me?" I sighed. "Yes we can Sean." He grinned up me. "Sometimes you're so serious Dad but I still love you." He took my hand and we walked down the hall to the elevator. The beauty of his naked body always brought me near to tears. He was growing and maturing... he was not the perfect little boy I'd brought home a year and a half ago. Puberty was changing him but despite those changes, he was perfection personified. For some reason, my eyes were drawn to the small of his back and I cherished the sight of how his young ass grew from that point into two glorious round healthy globes and extending into the beautiful young legs of a maturing boy. I actually had to fight the urge to cry as he undressed. In my mind I uttered a mournful prayer; `Don't run into manhood so swiftly son. Linger for a while in the spring. Slow down this mad rush to grow up. I love you just as you are.' I didn't actually say these things. If I had, it might have actually frightened him but I thought them as I realized how short boyhood actually was. I realized that to him it was an eternity while to me it was almost ephemeral. He lay down upon the bed once he was naked and his eyes locked with mine. "Please Dad...please." I made him move as I placed a pillow under his sweet young butt and I leaned over him and kissed him on the lips with intense passion. I couldn't help but recall the very first time I'd had him naked in my bed and I'd virtually bathed his body with my lips and tongue and I decided to do that again. I wanted this to be slow, sensuous and lingering. I started with his strong young neck, which was stretched out because I'd removed the pillow from beneath his head. Nibbling and licking, I slowly worked my way down to his protruding collarbone, suckled, and worked my tongue along the two bony ridges. Slowly, I slipped down to his tiny but pert nipples and I sucked the right one as I rolled the left; not very gently, between my thumb and forefinger. He began to make little kitten like noises and I lingered there basically splitting my attention from one nipple to the other before reluctantly moving down his torso and pausing to tongue bathe his navel which again drove him into a frenzy. I paid only brief homage to his hard little nail. This was not supposed to be the center of my attention so, rather quickly, I moved onto his scrotum and then to his elevated perineum. At this point, the boy was writhing in ecstasy, but I wasn't going to let him off the hook yet. He'd asked for this and I'd decided that he was going to get it. I just loved him too much to shortchange him. I placed my hands upon the globes of his butt and raised him further up in the air while at the same time spreading his cheeks with my thumbs and lowered my lips to his clean young crack. I slowly licked my tongue up and then down his inner sanctum. I'd never done this with him before. His reaction was first surprise and then surprised pleasure...there is a distinction between the two. As I firmly but gently rimed his little hole I was thinking to myself that this was certainly a significant week for Sean. Not much long after, I realized that it was a significant week for me as well. I'd been worried about the idea of finally doing with Sean one of the main things I'd originally brought him home for, but I now realized this was natural and purely love. This didn't jeopardize our relationship. It actually enhanced it. Our family was assuredly unorthodox and wouldn't be approved by a large portion of society, but I was rich enough that I didn't give a shit what society would approve of. I rose back up onto my knees and reached for the lube. I had a fleeting thought that I wished I could figure out how to make it not so initially cold but then, I smiled and realized it would warm up very soon. I coated my very hard cock...this boy really turned me on...then, I gently worked some into his already damp little hole. "OK Sean?" I whispered to him. "Oh yeah Dad!" he replied softly. My entry was slow and gentle but once I was inside, I began a slow pumping motion. I wasn't aggressive but, the boy wanted to be fucked and I intended to comply. He was moaning before I came and I reached down to the tip of his erect little boy cock and was surprised as he came all over my hand. That was all it took and I was almost instantly cuming as I stroked slowly inside him. I'm usually a much more aggressive top, but being slow, soft and gentle with Sean just seemed so right and proper as well as wonderful. I moved the pillow and laid down pulling him against me and into a kiss. "It's so sad Dad." He almost murmured. "Most people don't seem to know about love like we do in our family. I love you so much I sometimes get afraid it will end. Don't never stop lovin' me Dad please." "I've already told you Sean, not loving you is impossible." ************************** The caramel morning light was flooding the room and a little boy was wiggling upon my stomach. Blue/green eyes blazing and his smile impossible to cope with, he leaned over and rubbed his nose against mine before planting a kiss upon my lips. "Mornin' Daddy O!" "Daddy O?" I scowled. He flinched at my tone but he knew me well enough. "Not good huh?" "Most definitely not kiddo. I'd prefer `Eric' to `Daddy O' but remember, I told you from the start that you can call me anything but `Sir'. That being said, I hope I might have a say in it. So far, I've enjoyed `Dad'." He demurred with a bit of a blush. "Kay Dad. I'm just trying different things...I don't even know why. Is that OK?" I crinkled my brow. "I suppose just as long as I don't wind up being `Pops' or `Daddy O'. Heck baby boy...'Daddy O' might be enough for me to break all of my promises and send you back to the NEST." I saw his face and thought to myself that I'd screwed up again and I quickly grabbed his shoulders. "That was a joke Sean! You're my son. You live here. You're a part of here. PLEASE learn to understand that. You are permanent...like Portland Cement." He looked at me so confused that I simply pulled him down and kissed him. "You'll never get used to my strange sense of humor but that's OK. Come on, my turn for the Shower Music Game." As I stepped under the spray with him, the programmed delay I'd placed on the music expired and the shower was filled with the sound of an acoustic guitar being brightly finger picked. I'd decided to reach back to something I fondly remembered and I suspected that he probably had never heard this song let alone this recording. The singer's pleasant voice came in over the guitar accompaniment; *He was a pal and a friend always* *We rambled round in the hard ol' days* *He never cared if I had no dough* *We rambled round in the rain and snow* Not even halfway through the verse, Sean's eyes shot up into mine. "That's Tom Paxton! I love Tom Paxton. I didn't know you had him in this system. I kinda learned to finger pick for fun by playing along with the recordings from the NEST library. His songs are not just fun to listen to, they're fun to play. This is one of my favorites...'Ramblin' Boy'. Good choice Dad but you still ain't stumped me...'course, I ain't stumped you yet either. I shook my head in amazement. I couldn't help thinking that if he couldn't have been raised by his parents, a boy like Sean certainly couldn't have been raised a whole lot better than he was by the NEST. It seemed to be a thriving cultural stew and its resources were apparently extraordinary. I marveled at Sean's almost impossible knowledge of music and Jack's obvious advanced acumen in marine biology, not to mention both boys' extraordinary athletic ability. I made a mental `note to self' to fly Ricky and Mandy up to review progress at what I privately referred to as the `New NEST". I wasn't certain how many verses had passed but I was very aware when Sean joined in singing the chorus; *"And here's to you, my ramblin' boy* * May all your ramblin' bring you joy.* *And here's to you, my ramblin' boy.* * May all your ramblin' bring you joy."* My heart was filled with love and amazement as I tried to hide my emotions by shampooing his silky black hair and then soaping his gloriously sweet body. As we were drying he was wiggling in the towel and asked in his usual expectant manner; "So, what are we gonna do today Eric Arthur Tucker?" A devilish grin illuminated his sweet face. For some reason, he was playing around with what he called me. I wondered to myself if the `teens' were kicking in this early. I arched an eyebrow and tried so hard to look stern but that was impossible against his sweet face. "Well, Sean Michael Tucker, now that you seem to be excelling in a third sport, I think the first thing we need to do is head down to Greenwolds and make certain you've got what you need. Then, lunch...your choice of course but...we haven't been to Deegans in a while you know though, I never turn down a good Alfredo's burrito. Then of course, if you can handle it, we might make a stop at Mirreli's for some serious ice cream. I thought this afternoon you and I could ask Doctor Swaim to join us at the gun shed. We haven't broken any clays in a while and then, perhaps you'd like to invite some friends to spend the night. Tomorrow is Friday and we could do whatever you'd like. Saturday is your first team practice though I suspect it will just be a `get to know each other as well as the coaches' and receive your schedules. Sunday, we can just goof off because on Monday, we're both back to work. Doctor Swaim is liberal with your time off but he's not that liberal. He'll insist that you're back in the classroom. "How come Jack gets to sail around on a ship for four months an Professor Swaim don't complain about that but you an me go up to Alaska for three days an I'm on barely excused leave?" I smiled because I knew he already understood the answer and was just being an almost teenager. "Because silly Sean, believe it or not, you and I were having fun and catching fish. Jack is actually working on a scientific research project that is advancing his education. You knew that though, didn't you?" He tried to look serious but he couldn't control the grin. He looked at me a bit askance and acknowledged; "Yeah...but sometimes it's fun to complain anyhow." He tried to hold his serious mode but that was beyond his nature and in moments he was giggling and I pulled him to me and hugged him as I ruffled my fingers through his very damp hair. ******* "In recognition of your newest adventure, I've invented a new breakfast this morning." Martha was looking down at us very seriously. Sean was looking at her equally serious with his mouth wide open. "Do exactly what I tell you now" She moved into the kitchen and returned with two plates; each essentially covered with a large fluffy waffle. Smiling, she hurried back to the kitchen and returned with two new plates. She carefully slid an egg over each of our waffles and smiling explained; "These are two perfectly poached eggs. Break the yolks and let it drip over the waffle and then, here are syrup, butter and grits in this bowl here. Let me know what you think." I pierced the yolk of the egg on my plate and the creamy yellow oozed across the waffle. Taking up my fork, I cut a piece of the mixture and tasted it. I was nothing short of heaven. Sean was actually way ahead of me and he was dipping small pieces of waffle into a pile of grits grinning like a Cheshire Cat. "You gotta try it this way Dad!" He was so excited. I decided to outdo him. I dipped a few sliced into the grits to coat them and then drizzled syrup over the concoction. When I raised my first forkful to my mouth, my eyes seemed to roll back in my head it was so very good. Sean caught on quickly and our plates were soon clean enough to look like they'd been washed. "Mrs. Edwards! That was the BEST thing ever!" Sean was out of his seat hugging Martha who of course was beet red and beaming. "Well I guess I can plan on serving that again. I'm going to call it the Baseball Waffle because I got the idea last night after we heard that Sean had made the team." "B-but we can have it even if it's not baseball season right Mrs. Edwards?" Sean's look was so serious as he asked this. She hugged his head against her and smiled. "Of course sweet heart, I just wanted to give it a name. You can have it anytime you want." "You're so great Mrs. Edwards! I love you so much." She smiled and blushed and guided him back to the table. "Now, you haven't finished your juice or your milk and I still want you both to have some fruit." Somehow, bowls of melon and berries had been produced and we both enjoyed ample portions though honestly, Sean ate much more fruit while I enjoyed a second cup of coffee. ******* "So, before we go into town, can I invite Ricco, Charlie and Spider to spend the night?" I couldn't help but smile at the way he'd emphasized `Ricco'. "Of course Sean why don't you go do that now, if you need me to speak with any of their parents, I'll be right in my study." I must be growing up because I immediately decided it was too early for a drink...less than a year ago that wouldn't have happened. In twenty minutes, he was bouncing through the door. "They can all come though Spider's Mom wanted to know if we could get him home cause she's gotta bring her mother to the doctor. I said we could...was that alright?" I grinned at my super kid. "You bet that was alright so...now that you're going to have guests, you'd better go tell Mrs. Edwards and plan what you want for dinner. I'm going to tell Arlen to have the limo ready so we can go to town." He looked at me a bit puzzled. "We're not going to take the Red Cat?" "Not today Sean, I want to spend some time with Arlen is that OK?" "Sure Dad. I like Arlen a lot. He's not creepy like Terry was." "What do you mean Sean?" "Well, Dad it's kindda hard to explain but there was always somethin' kindda creepy about Terry...anyhow, I like Arlen a lot but I never liked Terry very much." I nodded my head and suddenly it dawned upon me that I never liked Terry very much either but I liked Arlen. ******* As we were driving into town, Sean and I were discussing what we needed to check on. I always insisted in less than formal situations that the privacy panel be down. "Sir...Eric, if I may risk my job by interrupting your conversation...I played for the University team from my sophomore to senior year. I was pretty good. Coach said that I had a good shot at the majors before I injured my Achilles tendon and never recovered. They'll give you a year and then write you off and that's what happened to me. My date with the game was over in a flash. I was a lost unhappy soul until Daniel offered me this job. This place is like a family and frankly Eric, your pay and benefits package is astonishing. The reason I've interrupted is to let you know that I can certainly help Mister Sean with his baseball if that's something that you might be interested in." I was stunned because I had no idea. Sometimes you look at people who work for you and have no concept that once they were on the threshold of greatness only to be foiled by a cruel twist of fate. I was both impressed and mortified. "That would be wonderful Arlen. Of course, you'd be compensated for anything you did in that regard." "No offense Sir. I wasn't looking for anything like that. I was offering to help." "I didn't mean to offend you Arlen. That was just my very clumsy way of saying that I take care of my close staff." It took a moment for that to register but I saw it happen on his face when it did. "Thank you Eric." "No Arlen. Thank you. Perhaps you'd come into Greenwolds with us when we get there?" "Absolutely. I'd love to." I could see in the rearview mirror that he was smiling. ******* Baseball shoes are apparently not nearly as sophisticated or divergent as soccer shoes..."boots" Sean corrected me once again. We quickly selected two pair for my super stud. We chose four pair of baseball pants and, because Sean thought he'd like to wear them in the old-fashioned Knickerbocker style, we threw in two more and six pair of long socks; half in white and half in red (the latter being Sean's choice.) We selected six essentially generic practice Jerseys to match the pants and likewise, six tee shirts all of which would look decent with his pants and socks. "You need a cap Sean." Arlen said. "I've never seen you wear a ball cap." "That's cause I actually don't have one Arlen." (I was shocked as I realized that was in fact correct. "Anyhow, I'll get one with my team uniform." "Oh no Sean. You don't wear your game cap to practice or around town. It's part of your uniform and it's place is only for official occasions. You need an everyday cap for practice and around town." "You're right Arlen." I said. "Come over here Sean and pick out one." Greenwolds had a complete array of MLB caps. Sean was perplexed. "Guys, I don't know much about any of these teams. I never paid much attention to baseball cause I never played it. Which is your favorite Dad?" "Well Sean, I never actually had a favorite team. I usually don't get involved until after the All Star Game but Walter was crazy about the St. Louis Cardinals." Arlen gave a bit of a start and said; "It was the Cards that were scouting me before I got hurt." "I guess I'm gonna wear a Cards cap then huh?" We smiled as we selected one that fit him as I insisted on a fitted cap rather than one with an adjustable back strap. I loved looking at him in the cap. Arlen said; "Sean, when we get back home, I'll show you how to form that cap bill into the perfect curve. The cap will only be worn in by wearing it but you can get a head start by helping to curve the bill. Flat bills are for punks, nerds and posers." I discussed gloves with Arlen but after he learned that I'd bought Sean a pretty good glove just a bit more than a year ago, he suggested that he look at it when we got home and then wait until we learned what positions Sean was likely to be playing. "A new glove might not be in order right now Eric." I was about to grab some bats and Arlen stopped me again. "Wait until he's been to his first practice Eric. Bats are best chosen on a height to weight ratio but first you need to know the league limitations. Many youth leagues have restrictions that don't conform to the official Little League regulations so let's wait until we know what the league specifications are then, I'll help you guys select some bats. Sadly, they'll probably be aluminum. I understand why but I sure like the crack of leather against wood." We did add a dozen baseballs to our cart as we moved on. "Arlen, you've turned out to be quite a surprise. Thank you." "No Eric, Thank you. I'm beginning to feel like my life might actually may have some purpose. I was so despondent when my baseball career disappeared before it ever had the chance to begin. " As we passed by the section Sean hated the most, I eyed Arlen. "Two at least and I'd suggest four. Boys often forget to clean them." Sean rolled his eyes as four jock/cup combinations were into our cart. We left Greenwolds with bags of stuff and Sean wearing a baseball cap grinning with delight. "Well, which will it be...Alfredos or Deegans?" "What do you think Arlen?" Sean asked. "I can't answer that. I've been to Deegans and I like it a lot but I've never been to Alfredos." "Then you just gotta have a carne assada burrito!" I took great pleasure watching Arlen enjoy his burrito and try to look dignified at the same time. I really liked this guy and meant to compliment Daniel upon hiring him but I was also realizing that Daniel was simply amazing at his job. As we were driving back to the estate after burdening our bellies with Mirrellis ice cream a thought occurred to me. "Arlen, where are you living now?" "I've got a little apartment right in town not too far from the estate." "What if I needed you say...in the middle of the night?" "Oh, I could be there in about thirty minutes." "I'm going to want to talk with you and Daniel tomorrow. He'll let you know when OK?" "Yes sir. Is everything alright?" "Better than alright Arlen. It's just going to be a talk. I thought to myself that the new north end condos just got the second resident but I didn't want to say anything. ********* Back at the estate, the three of us were in the kitchen because Arlen said he required a coffee mug. "There's lots of ways to do this Sean but believe me, this is the preferred way." He curled the brim of Sean's new cap equally inward and stuffed it into the cup. Smiling he said; "It will be almost perfect by morning but to truly train it, wear the cap and do this at least four more days you'll look like an expert by your first practice." The boy was beaming. "Thanks Arlen!" "My pleasure Sean." (To be continued) Please provide your feedback. I love hearing from you and try to respond to all emails. Also, please remember NIFTY is free but it ain't FREE. Contributions are needed. You can do that right from the home page.