Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:17:45 -0700 (PDT)
From: Joe Collins <joecollins7420@yahoo.com>
Subject: Cabin by the Lake  Chapter 6

If this story is prohibited in your area, you are underage or gay sex
offends you, then please leave. If you are looking for hard core sex, you
won't find it here. This story is fictional and so are the characters.
However, the setting is a real and is located in Central Oregon.  It does
sit on the edge of the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. Please feel free to
email me and be sure to include the title in the subject line.

Thanks, Randy for your help and editing.

Now just sit back and enjoy!


The Cabin by the Lake
Chapter 6

Now, everything started going at a very rapid pace. The animals were moved
to the ranch in Christmas Valley for the coming winter. Several trips were
made to Costco in Bend to get supplies. Propane, gas, and diesel tanks were
filled. Electric generators were serviced and checked to make sure they
were operating properly so they could be used during power outages. Wood
for the fireplaces was hauled and stacked under covered sheds. Everything
was winterized in preparation for the long cold spell.

With all the hustle of getting ready for winter, The Wilderness Experience
had several elk hunting parties to manage. Dennis was the only one of the
employees to draw an elk tag and got a four point bull. He just walked on
the clouds and strutted around like a proud peacock. He had to have the
head mounted to hang on the den wall and the hide tanned. He found patterns
on line for making a leather jacket, moccasins, and gloves. He would try
his hand in making the jacket during the slack time. If he had any leather
left, he would take it to a professional in Bend to make the gloves and
moccasins. The deer hides had already been tanned and Kyle had a pair of
leggings started. Several of the deer hunters did not want their hides, so
they were given to the boys who had them tanned Now there would be lots of
soft leather to use.

Several small snowstorms moved through the area and left about 15 inches of
snow behind. Dennis and Kyle completed their winter survival
training. Terry and Stan were giving them private lessons on operating
snowmobiles, using skis, snowshoes, and just getting ready to start the
winter operations.

The winter crowd started arriving and life began to get exciting
again. Dennis and Kyle thought they liked the summer activities but they
found they liked the winter activities just as well. Each had its
merits. However, Dennis and Kyle thought they were the luckiest people in
the world. They could have fun and get paid at the same time.

By the first week of December, the highway was closed for the winter and
would not reopen until around the middle of May or the first of
June. Snowcats (large enclosed vehicles the size of a small truck and
equipped with tracks to travel on snow) and snowmobiles became the only way
in or out. Dennis made a daily run to the parking lot located near the
Bachelor Ski Lodge to pick up clients and to take them back. Soon, he
became an expert driving the big snowcat, which could carry up to 16 people
and all their gear.

Kyle's parents made reservations for a week at Christmas. They wanted time
to spend some time playing in the snow. Actually, they were coming to spend
Christmas with their only son, Kyle. This would become one of his best
Christmases and one that he would always remember.

Jim had also called and told Dennis that he was coming for Christmas. It
just so happened that he would be there at the same time as John and
Jennie. Now Dennis was walking in the clouds, again. Kyle and Dennis may be
young men but Christmas with their folks was still very special for both of
them.

Dennis was not taking any reservations for Christmas week and the week
between Christmas and New Years . This was to be his treat to himself and
Kyle. When he told Terry and Stan, they decided to take a vacation and go
to Hawaii for two weeks. This would be the first vacation for them since
they started working at Wilderness Experience.

Dennis planned on cooking Christmas dinner for everyone and Kyle agreed to
help. They decided this year that instead of the traditional turkey they
would have elk tenderloin steaks with all the trimmings. Out came the cook
books and a royal feast was planned. Dennis and Kyle took one of the
snowcats to the parking lot where they kept a 4 wheel- drive SUV which was
stored in a garage rented from the lodge. Driving the SUV, they delivered
Terry and Stan to Redmond to catch their flight to Hawaii and then went
shopping.

The boys returned to Bend to do their Christmas shopping and to purchase
everything they needed for Christmas dinner. They decided to get matching
neck chains for each other. This really added excitement to the Christmas
season for both of them.

While in Bend, Dennis and Kyle stopped by the Boys and Girls Aide Society
and discussed the possibility of taking three families out to the lake for
Christmas. The woman in charge thought this was a perfect idea. She had
three families in mind. All had children between the ages of 12 and 16, a
total of eight children all together. She asked if Dennis and Kyle could
stop back by in the afternoon after they did their shopping. She took their
cell number and would call to let them when to stop by the office.

The boys loaded the SUV with presents and food and had gone out for Chinese
and were just waiting for Ms. Clark to call. They were considering taking
in a movie but decided just to buy one and take it home to watch.

Dennis' cell rang. Ms. Clark was able to contact all three families and
asked the boys to meet her at the homeless shelter and she would introduce
them.

It took some persuading, to get them agree to come for Christmas. First,
They said that they did not have any way to get to the parking lot at
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort. Problem easily solved. Ms. Clark replied that she
would have her driver take them out in the activity bus. Secondly, they did
not have winter clothes proper and no money to buy any. Dennis responded
that he would take them to Bi-Mart and /or Target to help them get what
they needed. Mrs. Clark called the driver and asked him to come to the
shelter. Finally, Dennis had to convince them that they would not be a
burden to anyone and that they were more than welcome. In the end, the
children made up the adults minds.

The activity bus arrived and the families were ushered on board. Dennis
asked Ms. Clark if she would sit with him in the back so that they could
chat. "Ms. Clark, I noticed that the clothing that everyone has on is
starting to look a little thread bare and well used. No one in the group
has a good winter jacket or boots. I would like to get them some nice warm
winter clothing, but I don't want to offend them. How do I go about doing
this?" asked Dennis.

"Not a problem. I will just tell them that the Boys and Girls Club has just
received some extra money through an anonymous donation and let it go as
that. I will write Bi-Mart or Target a check and you can reimburse me
later. I would suggest Bi-Mart for the rugged out door stuff and Target for
the rest of the winter gear," replied Ms. Clark "Are you sure you want to
spend that much money? The tab will be rather large you know."

"Money is not a problem for me. I own the Wilderness Experience and I have
a large reserve of funds You might say that I am very well off. I may be a
punk-nosed kid but I have full control of all my money. After we get the
shopping for the clothes completed, I am going to write you a check to buy
Christmas presents for all of them. You can ask everyone of them, including
the adults, what they want. You know bicycles, electronic equipment,
skateboards and the like. This does not include clothes--the presents are
to be above and beyond normal necessities. You may have to get some
volunteers to help you. I would like to have them wrapped and sent on the
bus when the families come out to my place. Can you handle all of this at
the Christmas season?" Dennis asked.

"That is going to be a tall order to fill but it will get done. Do I have a
money limit and if so, how much?" Ms. Clark asked. I'll have one of the
drivers deliver all the stuff before the group comes out. This way, it will
be a complete surprise for everyone. The driver can give you a call and you
can meet him.

"I was thinking in the neighborhood of $1500-$2,000 per family. If you need
more, spend what ever you need and I will make up the difference. I want to
give these people a Christmas that they will always remember," said
Dennis. "I like the idea of the surprise. Just keep me posted."

"Be sure and keep all receipts because everything can be used as income tax
deductions. You will have to give me a check for all the purchases and I in
turn can pay for the clothing for the outing. I am not sure if you can buy
clothing and give it directly to the families in need. I think that you
have to go through a non-profit organization," Ms. Clark noted.

"I'll have to go on your judgment. I'm brand knew at this financial game. I
know nothing about all the tax laws and etc. I am going to take some
classes this winter in accounting and business management. In fact, Kyle
and I have already started on-line classes," Dennis said.  "I would advise
you to hit the accounting and tax laws hard at first and then move on to
the business management. It seems that if you get these under control then
you can fill in with business management. You will find that there is a lot
of over-lap in all three. I wish you good luck in all your undertakings."
Ms. Clark exclaimed.

"Thanks, I think we have arrived at our destination." declared
Dennis. "Hey, Guys! Listen up for a minute. When we go into the store, I
want each family to stay together to do their shopping. I want you to get
outdoor winter clothing. Moms and Dads you will be in charge of making sure
that the kids select the right things and get the right sizes. You will
need insulated gloves, hats, jackets, pants, socks and ski boots. I would
suggest the bib type overalls. I want you to look like arctic explorers
when you are through. Each of you will need at least two changes of winter
thermal underwear. Read labels and get the ones with the coldest rating and
make sure they are waterproof not water resistant. Pretend that you are on
the TV program "Shop Until You Drop". When you have completed the list
Kyle, Ms. Clark, and I will meet you up front by the check out
stands. There we will go over what you picked and may send you back to
complete the list.
 Remember to stay together as family groups. Any questions?" Dennis asked.

"Can we stay together as one group and help each other out?" One mother
asked. "I have absolutely no idea what I am looking for!"  "Hey, good
idea. The three of us can tag along and help out when we can." Ms. Clark
replied.

Once inside, Ms. Clark asked the greeter behind the behind the check-in
counter if Lonnie, the manager was on duty. She was in luck and he was
called to the front of the store. Ms. Clark explained what was going on and
he was delighted to help. He called two associates who were experienced in
the winter clothing department and asked them to help the group in their
selections. Fortunately Bi-Mart had put all of winter clothing in one
section, so they would not have to be running all over the store.

An hour later, all the shopping carts were filled and the group was ready
to check out. The manager got three cashiers to handle the check
out. "Ms. Clark, are you paying for all this or how is payment going to be
handled?"

Before she could respond, Dennis spoke up. "Ms. Clark is officially buying
but I am writing the check, if that is all right with you." Dennis said.

"Dennis, this will be a large amount, and I will have to call the bank and
get clearance." Lonnie explained. "I see no problems. Are you agreeable
with these terms, Ms. Clark."

"Absolutely, Lonnie. Get all his money while you can," replied a smiling
Ms. Clark

"Lonnie, I have an account at the local US bank. I can give you all the
information you need for you background check," stated Dennis "I was going
to write a check and Dennis was going to reimburse me. This will cut out
one step and expedite things a little." Ms. Clark said.

"Ms. Clark since you are officially buying. I will give you your 20%
discount, then all I will need is a receipt from your office." Lonnie said.
"Sounds good to me." Ms. Clark replied

Now the scanners started dinging. Soon the totals were handed to Dennis who
wrote a check and gave it to Lonnie, who went to his office. He returned
andthanked Dennis for shopping at Bi-Mart.

Everyone, took their purchases and headed for the bus. Once everyone was
seated, Dennis stood and said, "Hey, everyone, we are not finished with our
shopping, yet. We have to go to Target and complete the shopping. I suspect
of you might need to get some regular winter clothes to wear to school,
around the house and when you go out. So I want each of you to pick out 5,
yes I said 5--winter outfits. Not the type of things that we just got, but
sweaters, long sleeve shirts, sweat shirts and so forth. You will alsoneed
new undies, socks, some good snow boots and tennis shoes, sneakers, running
shoes or whatever you call them.

After all had completed their shopping and had checked out and were just
about to leave the store when Kyle spoke up. "I assume that all you have
suitcases for all this stuff when you come out to go snowmobiling."

"Wrong, we don't even have one. We are living out of cardboard boxes and
paper sacks. Our clothes mostly are the ones were are wearing. Most of us
does have at least one change of underwear," one man said. The other two
families nodded their heads in agreement.

"Okay, I'll get a couple of associates to you escort all of you to the
luggage department and have each person pick out a large wardrobe suitcase
and a smaller one for personal items and bring it to the front," Dennis
said.  .  Soon each person returned carrying his or her luggage
selections. Target gave them the same discounts that Bi-Mart had given and
they were ready to leave.

"Dennis, could you leave the receipts with me and I will enter them in my
records. I can send them out when everyone comes out at Christmas."
Ms. Clark said.

"Ms. Clark I would like to extend to you and your family an offer to spend
Christmas at the Wilderness Experience. No expense just a paid
vacation. All I need is a head count so I will know how much food to cook."
Dennis suggested.

"I will talk it over with my husband and will call you with my answer."
Ms. Clark said.

On the way back to Ms. Clark's office, Dennis had the driver stop at
Bi-Mart. He rushed inside and invited Lonnie to spend Christmas at the
lake.

"Dennis, I don't have a family but I do have a domestic partner. Will that
make any difference?" Lonnie asked.

"Not a problem, Kyle and I are a couple, but haven't gone that far yet. We
re still getting to know each other. I have two male employees who are
honeymooning in Hawaii. Well, not exactly honeymooning, as they have been
together for 6 years. My dad just lost his partner. So I don't think you'll
have any problems." Dennis answered.

"Leave your number and I'll get back with you." Lonnie said.

TBC