Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2007 22:00:45 -0800 (PST) From: John Colorado Subject: Sunset on the Edge of the High Desert Chapter 8 If you are here illegally, then it is time for you to leave. This story contains man/man sex. If this is bothers you, then it is time for you to leave also. This story is fiction but some of it is based on real situations. The names and places have been changed. Sunset on the Edge of the High Desert by John of Colorado cldjhn@yahoo.com Chapter 8 "Adam wake up. I heard the kid starting to wiggle in the other room. We have about one minute to get into our sweats and then we are going to have company". We did not even have that long. We just got into the bottoms when the monsters were at the door. "I see we gave you just enough time to get some clothes. Next time you don't get a warning." Debbie said. "What are we having for breakfast?" "Oh, I thought some spinach and Oatmeal with raisins." "Grandpa, you know we don't like that!" lamented Josh. "How about pancakes, eggs, and sausage? "That sounds a little better, You had me worried for awhile." Grinned Adam. "I think I will skip the sausage today. I had mine last night. You know too much grease is not good for the cholesterol." Louie looked at Adam and grinned. "No more sausage for a week or until you get your cholesterol down." retorted Adam. "Grandpa Louie, what is cholesterol?" asked Josh. "It is something in your blood and if it gets too high, it could cause a person to have a heart attack." Said Louie. "Oh, that is bad. I had better not catch you putting any more sausage in your mouth. I don't want you to die." Warned Josh. Adam almost choked and started coughing. "Are you ok, Uncle Adam?" asked Josh. "I am now, I just swallowed some sausage wrong. I won't do that again." replied Adam grinning from ear to ear. I turned red and coughed. "Grandpa Louie are you Ok?" asked Debbie. "Yes, Honey I am. Thank for being concerned." After breakfast and the dishes were cleaned, we headed over to the house. Josh told his Grandmother that Grandpa Louie can't have any sausage. It is full of cholesterol and that is not good for him. "Grandma, I don't think Uncle Adam should have any sausage either. Do You?" Asked Josh. Now it was my turn to cough and for Adam to turn red.. I spent most of the morning talking with my ranch manager, Jack. He ran the ranch when I was away. I had confidence that he could do it with my help. He always wanted to check with first before making any major decisions. I have told him many time to just do it but he is more comfortable letting me make the decisions. I don't know what I would do without him. I told him to have the four new guys clean the restaurant and Gene's house from top to bottom. We would be moving when we returned from Disneyland. I called the garage and made a deal to buy the garage and his house. I knew that he was out of both already and that they we ready to move into. Things were progressing very well. I called Jack and told him that he could send Jeff and party to Owen's garage to could clean the house and get it ready for a family to move in.. The family could stay at my place for a few days and we could go furniture shopping in Bend and have it delivered and set up. We could redecorate the places like they wanted. I spent the rest of the morning on the phone with the travel agent. I always use the same one because she know what I like and would want. I knew we could trust her to give us the best. She would spend a lot of time getting Tickets to shows, different entertainment events and etc.. I gave her free rein and told her to put a super package together and to leave some slack time so se could just lay back and loaf on the beach. I choose a week from Monday as a starting date. This seem to fit everyone schedule best. I told her to put it on my website and we could check it out. She could print tickets, itinerary and other needed information and ship everything overnight delivery to Gene's address. All that was left was lunch and then off to the memorial service. Debbie wanted to go to a buffet close by and we all agreed that this was a marvelous idea. Of course we would eat too much but what the heck. Off we went. On the way to the memorial services, Adam and I had a discussion about what we wanted in the future. We both agreed that a partnership was not possible at this time. We both needed time to get over our lost loves. We could continue our physical relationship with no strings attached. If we wanted to see other men, we could do so without offending the other. If fact we encouraged the other to do so. We wanted to keep what we had and our feeling for each other. If something, should develop and it probably would then, we could consider a long term relationship. Both of us thought that this would be the way we would go. The state of Oregon recently passed a law allowing domestic partnerships. Partners would have the same benefits and rights as married couples. It would be the same only not called a marriage. Neither of us, was ready for this type of commitment. I loved Adam, but only as a good friend. I enjoyed his company and would do anything for him. I wanted to be near him but at the same time, I didn't want to control him or just use him for my selfish pleasures. We arrived at the memorial service with a brand new feeling and we were both glad we had our discussion. The bond that we had formed was even stronger. We were a few minutes early, so we just sat and held each other until it was time to go in. Maybe I could share him with another man and again maybe not! Joe and Lila's services were just beautiful. Adam's voice was the best that I have heard him sing. When he and Sarah sang I swear I could hear Joe and Lila clapping. Gene and the kids were beyond belief. Tim and I looked at each and we were both about to burst with pride. Dan offered the Eulogy. He had known Joe and Lila for almost as long I have. He remembered the good times we all had together. He had everyone feeling what a loving and caring person Joe was. Lila had a fairly large gathering of friends. They made us all see where Joe got all his good qualities from. There was a quartet that sang some of her favorite songs. Of course, they were some of Joe's also. After the services were over, We all went away with a very good feeling. It is hard to give a loved one up. However, knowing that Joe and his mother were looking down on us with love and that they were at peace with each other. This made our loss less tragic. Lila's two friends told us that a call was made to Oregon. Adam's friend had accepted the position as minister of their church. He and his family would arrive on Friday. All of us were invited to attend welcoming services for him on Sunday. Rev. Paul said that he would like to extend an invitation to his members to attend if this would be acceptable. He immediately received an warm and cordial acceptance. Things had really changed. Gene told the little congregation that Louie was buying her house and would be donating it to the church for a parsonage for the new minister. It would come completely furnished. Adam had told her that his friends had been living in a furnished apartment and had nothing in the line of furniture. They would have to make arrangement for them until she was out of her house. They told Gene, that they were putting the family in Lila's place until suitable housing could be found. Their prayers had been answered again. Gina and her son, Mark, were at the memorial service. Adam, Mark and I were talking and were visiting. Mark invited us to go to a gay karoke bar. He had a friend that he would invite to go with us.. He asked if Adam and I were into a serious relationship before he made any passed at either of us. He received a green light from both of us. "That is what I was hoping to hear!' exclaimed Mark.