Date: Sat, 02 Sep 2000 00:19:20 -0400
From: Sequoyah <pendor@mailcity.com>
Subject: A Special Place--Part Twenty-seven

A Special Place--Part Twenty-Seven

				 Warning!

The usual warning applies: This story contains sexually-explicit, erotic
events involving alternative sexualities. Do not read the contents if they
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				Disclaimer

  This is a work of fiction, any coincidence is just that, a coincidence.

			     About This Story

There seems to be some impatience among those who are awaiting the
exhibition and concert. I am sure it would be almost as easy to do the two
as to write about them in a way that will help you see and hear the
event. It's taking time. In the meantime, other characters just insist on
telling their story. So patience. I trust the wait will be worth it.

Thanks to a fan who pointed out the attribution of "Trumpet Tune" at David
and Margaret's wedding to Purcell rather than Clarke who wrote it. I hang
my head in shame because my notes on the chapter clearly states it was by
Clarke, but the popular and incorrect attribution won out when I typed it.

To all who have asked about the music: other than Matt's original
compositions and transcriptions, the music will be given and much is
available as MP3 files.

This part is dedicated to J, S and G who have greatly enriched my life!

Hopi overlay rings exist. If you are interested in them, look at
http://www.hopimarket.com/. Search other sites, but PLEASE be sure you look
at genuine Hopi work. There is much imitation work around.

To all who have written, my sincere thanks and appreciation. As always,
your comments and encouragement are welcomed!

A few dozen of you have asked about the timeline for "A Special Place."
Others I have reminded of how compact it is. I intended to post the
timeline with "A SpecialPlace--Part Twenty-five and then Twenty-six, but
neglected to do so. Here it is:

The A SPECIAL PLACE Timeline---The Year is 1995

Luke's Attempted Suicide--Mid-March
Family Meeting without Luke's Parents--April 1
Easter and David and Margaret's Wedding--April 16
Student Body President Election--April 21
Prom--April 22
******************************* Part Twenty-Seven gets you to here.
AP English Exam--May 10
AP Calculus Exam--May 11
AP Physics Exam--May 17
AP Music Exam--May 15
AP Art Portfolio Due--May 12
Recital/Concert and Art Exhibition--May 21
Graduation--May 27
Matt's and Luke's Birthday--May 31
Everything else---TBA

Sequoyah

		 A Special Place--Part Twenty-seven--Matt

Luke had suggested we get to school early to find out what Larry and Bill's
big secret was. A new, fire engine red convertible pulled into the school
parking lot just ahead of us. I parked beside it and, when I looked around,
saw Larry, grinning from ear to ear, getting out of the car. "Gene's
present from the Easter bunny," he said as I got out of the Jeep.

"Must have been a hell of a big rabbit," Luke joked.

"Millie hates to get up before God who, it seems, always sleeps in, so she
got me a car so I wouldn't bother her getting to school. I guess it's more
than my father would have given me," Eugene laughed.

As we stood admiring Eugene's new car, Bill pulled into the parking
lot. Linda and a couple of first string basketball players were with him. A
third car pulled into the parking lot with two more of the first string
players. "Hi, guys," we all said and they greeted us in return.

"See you guys later," Larry said, as he waved the basketball players and
Michael toward the front door.

"Linda, I've been thinking..."

"Dangerous, Matt, but what have you been thinking?"

"Ok, we had real plans to get you and your cousins home by your curfew so
we could have a private party after the prom. We have a real surprise in
store for someone. However, now that you are apparently hooked up with
Bill, the two of you should join us--that is, unless you get put off by
guys making out with each other. Shouldn't be any problem for Bill to get
away; after all, his date is one his mom arranged. How about you? You have
those two cousins around your neck."

"Don't think I haven't been thinking about fun time after the prom
myself. I mentioned it to Bill and he said, 'You name the time and
place'. If I could just convince Mom there was an important private party
after the prom that was restricted to Independence students, she'd find a
way."

"Eugene--by the way, what's with this 'Gene' bit? I've never heard you
called Gene before."

"Not for public use. Larry sorta called me that last night. We've never had
pet names for each other and I told him I liked hearing him say it, so it's
been "Gene, Gene, Gene' last night and this morning."

"Well, I guess that's for private use, Eugene, but what I started to say
was, of course we're going to end up at the falls, but what if Millie
called Linda's mom and invited Linda to a private party?"

"No doubt in my mind she'd do it. Hate to say this, Linda, but Millie hates
the social climbers and takes great delight in putting one over on them."

"Problem solved then," Linda said, then immediately added, "Holy shit, hide
me fast". Luke shoved her into the Jeep and pushed her down into the seat
just as Orie and his new "friends" and hangers-on roared into the parking
lot. I wondered when his uncle got to drive his convertible because Orie
seemed to be driving it to school every day now.

As they roared past, one of them shouted, "Other end of the parking lot,
Orie, this end's for fag parking". Orie parked as far from us as possible
and we crowded around Linda to keep her from being seen and walked into the
school. As soon as we were inside she said, "See you at lunch--I promise!"
as she walked toward her locker and away from us.

The bell rang for homeroom and students started leaving the commons
area. As soon as the roll had been checked and a few announcements made,
the political videos started. The two football players reminded the
students how they and their team--who was supporting them--made
Independence High School what it was. Luke leaned over and whispered, "How
can the team support two people running against each other?".

"Because they probably can't count to two," I joked.

The next video was a second string, but very popular, basketball player who
had something silly to say and ended with, "I'm cute, so vote for me".

The screen went blank, then the TV station's picture of Independence
superimposed on the Declaration of Independence gradually faded in. When it
filled the screen, a hole started in the center and widened until there was
a head and shoulders shot of Bill with his four first string team mates
standing behind him. The music faded and Bill said in a strong voice,
"Fellow Independence students, I am not here to ask for your vote. I am
here to state loudly and clearly that I will fight bigotry and intolerance
any way I can. I was mortified when I walked into our school last Friday
and saw what had been done to Michael Andrews' posters. After giving it
some thought and talking with Ms. Jones, I made a decision. Over the
weekend, I talked with my team mates and four of the first stringers agreed
with my decision and stand with me. Michael Andrews has shown, by actions
and words, that his enemy is bigotry and intolerance. I am happy to
announce that my team mates and I am joining in his fight. I am hereby
announcing my withdrawal from the race for student body president in favor
of Michael. My team mates and I are warriors in Michael's campaign against
hate and I ask that all of you join us." He then held up his hand so his
ring was clearly visible and said, "Talk with anyone in the Fellowship of
the Rings--they are all wearing a Hopi ring similar to mine and they will
be happy to tell you what we stand for!". I think you could have heard a
pin drop in the whole school for a short time, then there were cheers and
boos resounding throughout the building. I don't think anyone heard a word
Michael said in his video which followed.

"Good friend," Luke whispered to me. "He has made an issue of the rings
which will eliminate any questions we don't want asked".

Lunch started off as usual, but our table was the focus of a lot of
attention. People came over to shake Bill's hand or slap Michael on the
back. When things had settled down a little, I glanced over toward where
Orie and his crowd were sitting, and could see Linda sitting with Orie and
Jake Hilliard. She had both of them in the palm of her hand and Jake was
leaning over, whispering something in her ear. Suddenly Bill cried, "That
fucking son of a bitch!" He was staring at the table where Linda was
sitting--in fact, his eyes had hardly left it even when students came by to
speak to him. I had to turn to see Linda and when I did, I saw Orie's hand
moving up her thigh and Linda pulling her leg away. "Shit! That Orie
bastard had his hand up..."

"Orie, I warned you," Linda shouted as every student turned to see what was
going on. Bill was half-way out of his seat as Linda slapped Orie so hard
the "splat!" was heard throughout the cafeteria. As she tried to stand,
Orie pulled her back down, saying something not loudly enough to be heard
in our corner.

Bill shot across the room, shoved Orie aside and gently pulled Linda
away. "Orie, the lady asked you to stop," Bill said in a deadly tone of
voice. He pushed Linda behind him, placing himself between her and the
jocks.

"Yea, take her back to the faggot's table, basketball faggot," Marshall
Tucker sneered. "Orie, we don't want the fag hag around. Let her go with
this queer basketball player."

Bill turned to Linda and said calmly, "Linda, you go back to the table
while I tend to business here". Linda walked quickly toward our table and
Luke, Michael, Eugene, Larry and I stood, ready to rush to Bill's aid. He
didn't need it. Marshall kept up his bigoted slurs which the other five
guys at the table seemed to be ignoring. "We're making a trip to the
office," Bill said as soon as he was sure Linda would be safe.

"Says who, basketball cocksucker?"

"I think I did," Bill said, reached over, took Marshall by the arm, twisted
it behind him and started out of the cafeteria.

"You're hurting me, you son of a bitch!" Marshall yelled, looking toward
his "friends" who made no move to come to his defense. "HEY, guys, this
bastard is hurting me. Aren't you going to do something?" As if in answer,
the five remaining jocks turned their attention to eating.

"If you'll just walk briskly, I won't have to twist," Bill said. As he
passed our table, he said, "Need a couple of you as witnesses to Marshall's
use of pejorative words". Linda and I went to the office with
Bill. Marshall walked on his tiptoes most of the way because every time
Bill loosened his grip, he tried to break away and Bill twisted his arm
again.

After Bill told Ms. Jones what had happened, she called Marshall's father
and told him Marshall had violated board policy on prejudice and
discrimination. She offered Mr. Tucker the option of picking up Marshall
and enrolling him in the workshop, or suspension until he enrolled
himself. "I understand," she said as she hung up the phone. "Marshall, your
dad said he was through with you. It seems since you have taken up with
what he calls the wrong crowd, you have come home drunk, or not at all,
been abusive to your mother, and your grades have gone out the bottom. He
said I could do whatever I could, he was giving up. Marshall, if you are
willing to enroll yourself in the prejudice workshop, then you can return
to school. Until you do that, you are suspended. Not only does that mean
you cannot be at school during school hours, but also that you may not be
present or participate in any school-sponsored events. Do you understand
that?"

"Who gives a fuck, you old bat? I won't attend anything which tries to tell
me faggots and faggot lovers have a right to anything except to be beat
into shape. You can go to hell as all faggots and faggot lovers will."

It was obvious to me that Bill was ready to give Marshall what for and it
was all Ms. Jones could do to hold her temper. "I'm sorry you feel that
way," Ms. Jones said. "You have exactly twenty minutes to be off this
campus and if you are not, the police will be called and you will be
arrested for criminal trespass. Do I make my self clear?"

"Fuck you, bitch," Marshall yelled as he picked up a glass paper weight
from Ms. Jones' desk and threw it in across the room, turned and left. Bill
started to pick up the paper weight when Ms. Jones yelled, "Don't!" Bill
looked stunned. Ms. Jones took a tissue from a box on her desk and
carefully picked up the paper weight. "I suspect we now have the third set
of fingerprints there."

As we left the office and headed to our next class, I saw Orie in his
uncle's convertible roaring out of the parking lot. Marshall Tucker and
someone else were with him. "Think we ought to inform Ms. Jones?" Linda
asked.

"I will," Bill said, and turned and went back to the office for a minute or
two.

"When the next class started, Ms. Jones came on the intercom and announced
that teachers were to take roll and send a list of absences to the office
at once. If there were none, they were also to report that. Dad looked
puzzled, but did as she asked.

When the next to last class of the day was over, the Fellowship of the
Rings--had a nice sound to it, especially since all of us, including Linda,
had read Tolkein--met me and Luke as we got ready to leave. "I got all of
you together," Bill said, "to witness something". He looked at Linda and
said, "Linda, this is not a proposal of marriage, but will you be my
steady?" When Linda nodded, Bill took her ring from his pocket and slipped
it on Linda's finger and kissed her. It was obvious he wasn't an amateur!

Luke and I went home to work. At this point, I was working on my playing
more than anything else. Paula and Eugene were as much a part of putting
things together as I. That was the pattern for Tuesday and
Wednesday. School moved along. The gay basher's table lacked
Marshall. Having left school without permission, I was surprised to see
Orie there. I thought he would have been given a vacation for a few days.

Tuesday at lunch Linda asked Bill what he was wearing to the prom, and when
he told her his mom had picked out a baby-blue tux, she made all kinds of
faces. "Hey, I didn't say she or I had any taste," he laughed. "Guess I
should have asked one of the three fashion experts first," he continued.

"Meet us at the car after school and we'll take care of that," Eugene
said. "I know the tux guy will be happy to make a change. You'll be very
classy and he has more demand for Easter eggs than real tux."

"Thanks, guys. I may become a classy guy yet!"

"Bill, you are a classy guy right now. You are as fine as they come!"
Michael said, and we all agreed.

Thursday, something was up. Two sheriff's deputies were at school, along
with the sheriff. Teachers were told to report to Ms. Jones' secretary for
an appointment with Ms. Jones or Mr. Allan during their planning
period. No-one seemed to know what was going on.

Luke and I were really ready for our "Mr. Mitchell" class. We opened the
new gate and drove to the falls, took the blanket and crossed the canes
behind us as we entered that special place. As soon as we reached the
shore, we started shedding clothes since the day was really warm and the
water was truly inviting. Holding hands, we walked to the top of the falls,
stopping occasionally for a hot kiss. By the time we reached the top, we
were both hard as rocks. When we stood on the lip of the falls, Luke
grabbed my hard manhood and started to dive. I was horrified until he
laughed, turned loose and dived in. I was right behind him. True, the day
was warm and the water warmer than it had been, but it was not yet
warm. Actually, it was never really warm. Nonetheless, we swam for about
half an hour and, by that time, Luke's lips were turning blue. I swam over
to him, kissed his cold lips and said, laughing, "Think we best get out
before I have to start calling you Blue Angel". Luke nodded and, when we
were out of the water, he had goosebumps all over and was shivering. "Guess
you white men just aren't as tough as us 'breeds'," I laughed as we flopped
down on the blanket. "And look, you've taken away my toy." I pointed to his
cock which looked as if it belonged to a five-year-old.

"Seems to me you've taken away mine too," he laughed, pointing.

We lay on the blanket, my head on Luke's chest, being warmed by the sun. As
I listened to Luke's heartbeat, it seemed to be sounding out a rhythm of
life and love. "Yonghon Tongmu, your heartbeat is the greatest sound in the
world, especially in this place where it was almost stopped." We both were
silent for a long time, each thinking, I am sure, about how close our life
together had almost ended in this place where we were now so alive and
happy. I looked up into Luke's eyes and saw a tear. Moving up his chest, I
kissed his eyes, then his lips. "Bright Angel, I love you beyond the
telling and you have made me happier than I ever dreamed was possible." I
then started kissing his face, his neck, his nipples. I was getting hotter
and hotter. Any damage done by the cold water was more than repaired. I
moved down Luke's body, kissing and licking it as I went. When I reached
his manhood, I kissed it and wanted to take it into my mouth so bad, I
looked up at Luke as if asking permission.

"Sarang Hanun Pomul, you know I want you to take me into your mouth as much
as you want to do it, but..."

"But, but, but! Damn, Luke, I know what we promised. We were fools. Why
should we wait? Are we going to be any different after some magic date?
Why, Luke, why?"

"Matt, you know the answer to that as well as I do. Are we really fools,
Matt?"

"Of course not, Luke. God, when I think of what the whole family has and is
doing for us, and all that has been asked of us is to wait until we're
eighteen. Luke, I understand that, but damn, Luke, Babe, it is so hard, so
very, very hard."

Leave it to Luke: when the pressure is really on, he finds a way to let me
escape without being smug. "I couldn't help but notice that!" he laughed,
pulled my body on top of his and gave me a passion-filled, lustful
kiss. Lying across his body, I continued to kiss him as my hand moved down
his hard stomach, past his hard man's tool until it found his pucker. I
rubbed my fingers over it lightly as he had done the night he declared I
was his. His cock was pulsating with every heartbeat and every
breath. "Please, Sarang Hanun Pomul," he groaned, moving his head from side
to side. I took his wonderful manhood in my hand and began, slowly, to
stroke it up and down.

Luke was kissing my shoulders and neck like mad as I continued giving him
pleasure. He managed to stick his tongue in my ear, which was so erotic I
couldn't help but stroke his tool harder and faster. He had my ear lobe in
his mouth and was biting it gently. My hand continued to keep up a pace
which I wish had been that of my mouth as Luke started kissing and then
sucking a spot on my neck below my ear. His sucking became more and more
intense and I knew he was nearing the point of no return when his breath
began to be a gulping of air. Suddenly he bit my neck as his climax hit him
and between clinched teeth he groaned, "Sarang Hanun Pomul, I love
youuuuuuu," and started shooting his man's seed into the air and over my
pounding fist. He shot charge after charge as if he would never stop, then
suddenly relaxed all over, his eyes closed, his breath coming in short,
shallow gasps. I stopped stroking his beautiful cock and lay across his
body, my ear pressed to his pounding heart.

When he slowly opened his eyes, I brought my hand to my mouth and, as he
had done, licked the taste of Luke from it. Luke looked at me, smiled, and
said, "Matt, Babe, you give me more pleasure than I ever dreamed possible,"
and brought my mouth to his, his tongue sharing his gift to me.

As he broke the kiss, he reached for my Lakota arrow, but I pushed his hand
away, crawled atop his body and pressed my lips to his, hard. Then, looking
into his eyes, I said, "Today was yours. I now know that giving you
pleasure does not short-change me." Luke wrapped his arms around me and we
lay together, the sun warming our bodies and making us drowsy. Before I
knew it, I had fallen asleep. Perhaps half an hour later, I waked up to see
Luke lying beside me, his day-brightening smile covering his face, his eyes
shining. "Why did you let me sleep?" I asked.

"Because I could just lie here and drink in the beauty of my Lakota
warrior, feel his heartbeat and sense his love for me. Now, it's time for
me to use that warrior's arrow." With those words, Luke started kissing me,
running his hands over my body and within seconds, the Lakota arrow was
hard, straight and true--ready for action! It got it from Luke, my Yonghon
Tongmu.

After resting in each other's arms and enjoying the afterglow of having
made love, Luke picked me up, ran to the falls basin and tossed me in,
diving in right behind me. Once again, we swam and enjoyed being,
period. Mr. Mitchell would have been proud of his students.

"We need to go into town, Matt, and pick up our tux," Luke said as we
walked to the Jeep. We did that and Luke asked me to go by an electrical
shop where he picked up two motors. He then asked me to take him by a scrap
yard where there were some gears and metal pieces waiting for him. When I
looked puzzled, he gave me the dimple treatment and said, "Don't ask".

I dropped Luke off at his studio and drove home. Before I left he said,
"Just leave my tux at your place". I went into the house, hung the tux in
my closet and looked over the music for Sunday. It would be Low Sunday and
the music was the easier pieces from last Sunday, so I worked on some rough
spots in the concert pieces which Paula, Eugene and I had discussed after
practice yesterday. The music was actually coming along better than I had
dared dream.

When I heard Mom and Dad come in, I went downstairs and asked, "What was
going on at school today? Why did Ms. Jones call teachers in? Why was the
sheriff at school?"

"It seems," Dad said, "that when Marshall Tucker was ordered off the
campus, he left with two other students, Orie and Jake. Both were supposed
to be in Coach Dallas Mason's class, and when the undercover custodians
told Ms. Jones the three had left, she suspected they would not be reported
absent. The absentee list each teacher turned in was checked against that
teacher's roll book and, sure enough, Coach Mason hadn't marked the two
absent on either. Ms. Jones has told Coach Mason to be in her office at
8:00 in the morning for a conference. I suspect she knows more and that he
is about to get in real trouble. He let those guys in the gym and everyone
knows it."

"But why were the police there?"

"All this is from a high administration official, you understand, and is
not to be repeated; well, I know the--what is it now, the Fellowship of the
Rings?--will have to know, but don't let it out where you heard the news,
although it will probably be all over school before the first period
bell. With Mr. Tucker's fit today, the three who had not been fingerprinted
have all donated their fingerprints--his was the last. The police were
there to pick up the paperweight and a couple other things."

I laughed, "If Orie hadn't been stopped, Linda would have had to submit her
private parts to be checked for Orie's".

"Matt!" Mom exclaimed, then smiled. "By the way, I liked not only how Bill
took care of any problem with the rings, but also the fact that it
indicated the boy reads. Oh, I almost forgot, Millie came by school after
you and Luke had left with envelopes for a group of students. Mary Kathryn
has Luke's."

I opened the envelope and found an invitation inside which read,
"Mrs. Millicent Willingham and Mr. Eugene Willingham request the honor of
your presence at an after-prom supper and dance. Invited Independence High
School students only. Regrets to Mr. Willingham."

"Leave it to Millie to take care of her kids," I laughed. "There is an
after-Millie's party at the falls," I said. "Ok?"

"Sounds like a grand idea to me," Mom said. "You can all change here."

"I suspect we'll change at Eugene's, if not then here."

We soon had supper and then it was off to choir practice for me. When I got
home, I went upstairs, undressed and tumbled into bed. "So much to be
thankful for," I thought as I drifted off to sleep.

When the Fellowship of the Rings arrived at school Friday, I told them what
I had learned from Mom and Dad. No-one was surprised. When Orie roared into
the parking lot, his gang was with him, including Marshall. They got out of
the car and swaggered around the parking lot before disappearing into the
gym. "Well, how do you like that?" Bill asked. "Marshall is supposed to be
out of school and arrested if he comes back on campus. I wonder what's
going on?"

"They're up to no good and you can bet the farm on that!" Linda exclaimed,
just as the first bell rang.

In homeroom, everyone was chattering about what had happened yesterday, and
no-one seemed to know what was going on today since several students saw
Marshall go into the gym. Today was the final announcements by those
running for student body president and, as usual, Michael's video was slick
and impressive. Voting took place immediately after the videos, with the
results to be announced at lunch. When the bell rang for classes, those
going toward the front of the building were surprised to see Marshall, in
handcuffs, being put in a sheriff's car.

At lunch, the whole school was abuzz about Marshall, and a few students
commented on the fact that Coach Mason had not shown up for his classes. As
Luke and I passed through the commons area, the remaining five of the jock
gang were being escorted to sheriff's cars. "I guess the fingerprints
clinched the case," Luke commented. During lunch, there was tension in the
air, waiting for the announcement of the election results.

Before the bell ending lunch, Ms. Jones came on the intercom and finally
the student chatter in the cafeteria calmed down for her
announcement. "Students, I am happy to announce the results of today's
election. A total of 618 votes were cast. The results are as follows:
Michael Andrews, 407 votes." The cafeteria went wild. The count for the
other candidates didn't matter. Michael had won with over two-thirds of the
vote cast. For the first time I could remember, there would not even be a
runoff. When the shouting and cheering died down, Ms. Jones said, "From
what I hear on my end of the intercom, you didn't hear the count for the
other candidates. Phillip Harris, 56; Junior Johnson, 35..."

"So much for the football jocks," Bill laughed.

"... and Jacob McAllister, 120."

"Given the landslide victory of Mr. Andrews, the basketball jocks didn't do
so badly," Bill grinned.

"I'm sure there would not have been a landslide without your support,"
Michael said, as he reached across the table and shook hands with
Bill. "Welcome aboard to the new student government, Mr. Secretary of
State. How do you think we can work with Jacob since he will be
Vice-President?"

"He's a really nice guy, immature, but next year? I think we can make a
real man out of him." As Bill was talking, Jacob walked up, extended his
hand to Michael and said, "Hate to say this, but it's true, the best man
won. Congratulations."

"Thank you, Mr. Vice-President. Shake hands with our Secretary of State."
Bill extended his hand, the two shook hands, embraced and patted each other
on the back. "Why don't you join us for the few minutes of lunch left?"

"Thanks, I will." We had only a few minutes left before the bell, but I was
impressed by Jacob. Sure, he was immature, but I could see an ongoing
"Select Few" or possibly "Fellowship of the Rings". Maybe Mr. Swartz would
sell more Hopi rings than he thought!

When Luke and I left, a sheriff's car pulled up with Coach Mason in the
back seat. An officer got out, went inside and came back quickly with an
envelope under his arm, got in the car and left. "Well, I guess we know why
Coach Mason didn't show up for class today," Luke said.

As we drove through town, the local rag was being prepared for delivery and
I saw a headline which had "Coach" in it. I pulled to the curb and Larry
bought one from the man getting ready to distribute them. He read the
article under the headline as we headed for the country. "Coach Dallas
Mason, Independence High School's head football coach, was arrested today
as an accomplice to six students who have been charged with vandalism," he
read. "One of the six has an additional charge of criminal trespass lodged
against him. The Sheriff refused to comment further except to say other
charges might be brought later." The rest of the article stated that the
six had allegedly been admitted to the school after hours by Coach Mason
where they had spray painted derogatory slogans on the campaign posters of
Michael Andrews, a candidate for student body president. "Guess that takes
care of that," Luke remarked.

Well, apparently the case was solved. The local TV evening news from
Lexington carried a story about the arrest and used footage from the
memorial service to pinpoint who Michael was. The end of the story caused
Mom and Dad some concern since it stated that the six students and the
coach had been released from jail almost immediately on bond. "I don't
think there is anything to worry about," I said. "Surely they have enough
sense to realize they are in deep doo-doo."

"I don't know," Dad said. "You would have thought the three who were
involved in abusing Gregory would have learned their lesson, but apparently
they did not."

I didn't have time to worry about that since the Fellowship of the Rings
was going back to the school at 7:00 to help decorate for the prom. We
didn't finish until well after midnight--of course we could have, but we
were having too much fun. Since tomorrow night was the big event, we all
went home and, I guess, tumbled into bed and were asleep shortly
thereafter. We had all agreed we would sleep late.

The guys were picking up the girls and bringing them to my place where the
limo would pick us up for dinner, then take us all to the prom. Bill, of
course, had been invited to join us and getting reservations for two more
at dinner was no problem. Paula was coming to my place early to get
dressed. What Mom and Mary Kathryn had cooked up for her to wear was still
a big secret.

Luke borrowed the Jeep at 5:00 to go get her and, when he got back, we got
our things and went to his house to dress. Our reservations for dinner were
for 7:00 so we didn't have a lot of time to play around. Well, we did take
longer than was absolutely necessary to shower, but I mean we didn't do
more than wash each other and shampoo each other's hair. Ok, so we did stop
now and then for a kiss but, I mean, we're horny almost-eighteen-year-olds
in love with each other! After the shower we dried each other's hair. Luke
still had not cut his hair and it was now a frame of soft, pale gold curls
around his heart-stoppingly handsome face. I had more hair, obviously, but
it was straight, straight. His curls took longer for me to dry than my hair
did him. When my hair was dry, Luke brushed it until it shone. "Up or down,
Luke, Babe?"

"Loose bands. I'll have it loose later," he asked, giving me the full
dimple treatment.

When we had gotten dressed and went downstairs, Gabrielle had to take a
couple dozen pictures it seemed, "just in case" she didn't get some later
with our dates. Just before the last one, Luke pulled me into his arms and
gave me a tongue-in-the-mouth kiss. Gabrielle made sure she got that.

I dropped Luke off at my place, then went to pick up Linda. Eugene and
Larry were already there, looking classy in real tux. Linda was right; her
cousins were real lookers. One was dressed in a deep red gown which showed
off her blond, blond hair and the other, in a deep rich blue, was equally
stunning. But neither could compare with Linda. She was absolutely
radiant. Had I been as straight as Bill, I think she might have had my bod!
She was wearing a rich forest green shimmering gown which made her eyes
look green and they were sparkling. Of course her mom had to take a dozen
or so pictures before we could leave. "Enjoy yourselves, children," she
said as we were leaving.

"We will,"one of the twins said.

"Remember, your curfew is 1:00. I promised your mother."

"They'll be home on time, on my word of honor," Larry responded.

"I'll see you sometime tomorrow, Mom," Linda said.

"She'll be at church," I joked. "If I have to go, she has to go and I
couldn't find a substitute organist."

When we reached my place, parents were milling around with cameras and
camcorders. Everyone was present except Paula and Mary Kathryn. "Where's
Paula and Mary Kathryn?" I asked.

"Don't know. Michael and I were told just to be patient," Luke answered.

Just then Mary Kathryn came out of Mom's room, earning a whole bunch of
wolf whistles. She was dressed in a form-fitting black dress which had
silver threads all through it, and had a silver and black band around her
head. Her body had sure changed since she had gone skinny dipping with us a
few years ago! I could see Michael's eyes pop out and his mouth drop
open. "Michael, if you don't shut your mouth you'll drool on your tux,"
Luke laughed.

"Ok, studs, you've got a good collection of beautiful women here, but I'm
telling you, Luke wins the prize. Matt, you have competition," Mary Kathryn
laughed. Everyone joined her, except the twins who looked a bit puzzled. No
wonder. "Ok, Paula, we're ready. Mom walked down the hall from her room,
hiding Paula until she reached the door of the living room where she
stepped aside. The doorway framed a beautiful woman. I wondered why I
hadn't thought what was up as soon as I saw her. She was dressed in a red
and gold hanbok, the Korean national dress Mom had worn as a young,
unmarried woman. It, of course, accented her dark beauty. Mom had done her
hair in the traditional Korean style of young, unmarried women. She had a
long gold pin through the back of her hair with red and gold ribbons over
the ends and hanging beside her face. "Folks, you just can't beat a few
thousand years for real style," Mary Kathryn announced. I don't think
anyone would have disagreed. More and more pictures. Then Dad came in and
said, "The limo's here. Is he bringing you back from the prom?"

"Darn! I forgot about that. He's just taking us to the dinner and then the
prom," Linda wailed.

"No problem," Greywolf responded. "David, Jens and I will take the Jeep,
Eugene's and Bill's cars over to the school, and Yong Jin can pick us
up. The prom's over at midnight?"

"Supposed to be, but you know it always goes over until 12:30," Michael
said.

"Ok, we'll have the cars there by midnight."

We all piled in the limo, gave the driver a couple of CDs and off we went.

We caused quite a sensation when we walked into the restaurant: six guys in
absolutely classical tux with six beautifully dressed, stunning women on
our arms. Dinner was a blast. Sure enough, Linda's cousins had started
working on Eugene and Larry early. Every time they did something to get the
guys warmed up, Linda almost burst out laughing. We had to have a
toast--sparkling grape juice, sad to say--to Michael's victory, and one to
Bill for his leadership and principles and his appointment as Secretary of
State. In spite of the fact we were dressed as real adults, our teenage
appetites were evident as we ate like pigs.

We had planned to arrive a little late at school. I mean, if you're going
to make a grand entrance, you can't be early or even on time. When the limo
pulled up, students who had not gone inside gawked and, when we walked in,
everyone stopped what they were doing and watched us as we walked to our
table.

We had a blast at the ball, dancing every dance and, since Michael and Mary
Kathryn were the only couple among the couples, we kept switching
partners. It mattered not who was dancing with Paula, they never got to
finish. Someone always cut in. At eleven, Ms. Jones went to the bandstand,
took the microphone and announced, "The junior and senior advisors have
tallied the votes you cast after the first dance for prom king and
queen. If you will clear the floor for the king's and queen's dance." The
students all moved to the edge of the dance floor. "Mr. Luke Larsen, prom
king, the floor is yours for your dance with your queen, Ms. Paula Wright!"
Luke bowed to Paula, extended his arm and walked her to the center of the
room. The band started playing a slow dance tune and Luke and Paula started
dancing. After a few minutes they separated, and Paula came to me and Luke
went to Mary Kathryn. In good Independence fashion, as each new dancer was
added to the floor, they soon broke and picked two new partners. Of course,
the cousins--Linda's and Bill's--were included very early on, and as soon
as they had had their spin, Michael and Luke started picking some of the
least popular girls, ignoring the IN-crowd. Took me, Eugene, Larry and Bill
a minute to catch on, but soon the in-crowd--male and female--learned what
it felt like to be chosen last.

At midnight, Ms. Jones again took the mike and commented on what a grand
prom this had been. Then she said, "I was really surprised at the request,
but both your prom king and student body president-elect asked for the same
song to end the night. I think I was even more surprised when the band knew
it. Last dance." As I guided Linda to the dance floor, she said, "You'll
just have to close your eyes and pretend I'm Luke and I'll pretend you're
Bill.

I looked at her and smiled, "I'm afraid your job will be easier. You're
soft and have bumps in front! Luke doesn't!" She laughed, tiptoed and
kissed me on the mouth. "Well, that'll help," I laughed. We were about
half-way across the dance floor when the band started. They were playing
"More"! As I started dancing with Linda, I looked across the floor at Luke
and saw a huge grin on his face. When I looked at Michael, I couldn't see
his face. His lips were planted firmly on Mary Kathryn's as they danced.

As soon as the last dance was over, we went outside where the cars were
waiting. Greywolf came over with David and asked how we were going to
divide up. "Luke can take the Jeep since he and Paula are together. Michael
and Mary Kathryn can go with him. Linda and I can go with Bill and his date
and Eugene and Larry can take their dates."

"Ok, but Matt, be sure Luke has your cell phone. Here is mine for
you. Eugene, do you have a phone?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. I want you to keep then handy. Those six hoodlums are free; they
have just missed the prom because of you--at least in their minds you are
to blame--and there is no telling what they might do."

"Dad, I don't think they are that stupid."

"Well, I do. Just keep the phones handy. And I want both cars to stay
together. You can drop off Linda's cousins at her place then drive out into
the country with Bill. Promise."

"Sure, if it will make you feel better, but I don't think we need to
worry."

"I'm a parent and worrying is what parents are supposed to do." Dad smiled,
but he didn't laugh. "David, Yong Jin and I will follow Luke to
Millie's. When you leave there, I want all three cars together."

"Ok, Dad, see you in the morning."

We drove to Linda's place where Larry and Eugene were thanked for the
evening with a goodnight kiss. The twin with Larry was giving him a full
body press and an all-out goodnight kiss. Linda and I broke up laughing. We
drove to Bill's house, left his cousin and started back into town. A couple
miles from Bill's place, a car came speeding down the road headed directly
for us; Bill was in front and swerved to the side and Eugene did the same,
both almost losing control of their cars. Eugene regained control first and
drove back onto the road with Bill now behind. As we started back toward
town, the same car, which had turned around, came racing up behind us and
started bumping Bill. I grabbed the phone and dialed 911 just as the car
dropped back a bit, pulled beside us and raced ahead. I told the operator
where we were and that a car had tried twice to run us off the road. She
asked for a description and I handed the phone to Linda who knew Orie's car
well. She even gave the operator the license number.

At the edge of town, Orie and his gang came racing toward us again. This
time they slowed down and started shouting, "Faggots and fag hags" as they
started throwing bottles. One cracked Eugene's windshield--luckily it did
not hit him or Larry, but Eugene was rattled enough to slow down. Bill did
likewise as I started to roll up the window.  Before I had time to close
the window, a bottle came whistling in, tipped the edge of the window and
hit me in the head before it bounced into Linda's lap. I was dazed, so
Linda grabbed the phone and dialed 911 again. "We are fucking under attack
by Orie Greenley and his jock jerks. Damn it, get the cops out here!" She
had barely finished the call when Orie turned around again and was racing
up behind us, bumping Bill's car. "I'll never tell Dad not to worry again,"
I said. "Frankly, I'm scared shitless."

Orie dropped back once more then started full speed toward us again. "Hold
on," Bill said. "Here they come!" Just before Orie's car reached Bill's,
Bill jammed on the brakes. The impact was hard, but this time Orie's crew,
none in seat belts, got tossed around. As soon as that happened, Orie
stopped, jammed his car in reverse, pulling back away from us and
stopped. Soon it was clear he had done so only to get a running go at
us. Bill laid down on his horn to warn Eugene and headed for the shoulder
of the road. Eugene did some quick thinking and did the same. Instead of
hitting us, Orie raced into nothing. He floored the car, threw it into a
spin and headed back toward us. It looked as if he would hit Eugene head on
because Eugene was having a hard time regaining control of his car.  He
just missed being hit, but Bill had enough time to dodge Orie who went
roaring past. A few yards past us, Orie threw his car into another spin to
come back when the blue lights appeared.  Two sheriff's cars raced down the
road. One turned sideways between us and Orie and the other drove past,
turned and blocked the road on the other side. Four officers, two from each
car, got out with guns drawn and walked over to Orie's car. Within seconds,
six guys were standing, legs spread, leaning against their car. All six
were cuffed and marched into the two patrol cars. One officer drove Orie's
car onto the shoulder, off the road. An officer came to Bill's car and
another went to Eugene's. "Everyone ok in here?" the officer asked.

"I think so," I said.

"You better check him out, Officer. One of the bottles those jerks threw
hit him in the head," Linda said.

"Let's get you out and have a look," he said. He shined his flashlight on
my head. "No skin broken and you seem to be doing ok, but you sure have a
nice bump there, a real goose egg. Put some ice on it as soon as you
can. Hate to ask you this since it's pretty clear what happened, but would
you object to a breathalizer test? You don't have to and I have no reason
to believe you've been drinking, but there's a beer bottle in the car--the
one that clobbered you--and this way no-one can claim you were drunk."

"No problem, Officer," Bill said. "I hope those six agree as well."

"In their case, they can agree or disagree. If they disagree, it will be an
admission of guilt in court. There's empty bottles in their car, a couple
more six packs unopened, and several bottles with some beer in them and two
open bottles of vodka. No, I'm afraid they won't have a real choice. But
let's get yours over with so you can get on with your night. You're sure
dressed for something. Good looking bunch," he said as he smiled.

The breathalizer tests took only seconds and, of course, we all blew a
zero. When that was over, the six were hauled out for theirs. A couple
times the officers whistled when they read the results. "Who was driving?"
Fingers were pointing in all directions.

"Orion Greenley was driving," Linda said. We all nodded.

"Which one of you is Orion Greenley?" None of them answered. "Doesn't
matter. If your parents will claim you, maybe they will know."

"Officer, all six were arrested today and are out on bond," Linda said. Not
dumb and sure not one to get pissed off.

"Makes our job easier," the officer smiled at Linda. "Now let's check these
cars and see if they are safe to drive." Bill's car was damaged where it
had been rammed, but that didn't keep it from being safe. Eugene's was
another matter. The shattered windshield was definitely a safety
hazard. "Son, your car really isn't safe to drive. Where are you headed?"

"Home. My mom and I are having an after-prom supper and dance for friends."

"And who's mom?"

"Millie Willingham."

"Holy shit! Excuse me miss, I heard Millie had adopted a son, but I
expected... I don't know what I expected, and you have a smashed windshield
on Millie Willingham's brand new car."

Eugene laughed. "Well, it's actually mine. The Easter bunny brought it."

"Must have been one helluva big ass rabbit," he joked, then blushed when he
remembered Linda was there. "I know you want to get home and don't want to
leave your car. Why don't you follow us into town if you can see enough to
drive."

"The break is on the passenger's side, so I can see. I just don't want the
rest of it to come flying back in my face."

"It won't and we'll drive slowly. And I think you kids have had enough to
deal with tonight and you've got a supper dance yet to go. It's 1:30
already. Come down to the sheriff's office sometime tomorrow and we'll take
care of the paperwork. No rush; those six young men have nowhere to go and
when they get there, it'll not be a party." We drove into town slowly and
it was almost 2:00 when we got to Millie's.

When we drove up, Millie rushed out of the house, grabbed Eugene, then all
of us and hugged us. She was crying! "I was so afraid my babies were hurt,"
she said. "The sheriff called and told me what had happened and that you
were all right, but I was afraid he wasn't telling me the whole story. Come
on in. We're waiting for you!"

When we got inside, Luke grabbed me, hugging me close and crying. "I'm ok,
Yonghon Tongmu, I just took a beer bottle to the head."

He looked at my goose egg, kissed it, then gave me a gentle, soft, tender
kiss. "Sarang Hanun Pomul, I was worried sick," he said and kissed me
again.

"I wasn't. I was scared shitless!" I laughed and the gang joined in,
releasing our tension.

"Well, Matt and I have a surprise if the rest of you are up to it," Luke
said as he walked across the room and opened a door. All eyes were on the
door as Sheldon walked through, dressed as all the men, in a classic
tux. He smiled a funny smile as he was attacked by Paula.

While there had been munchies at the prom, we had all spent our time
dancing, so teenage food consumption was at its usual level as we attacked
a delicious supper at Millie's some time around 2:30. She had obviously set
the table again and it gleamed with silver, crystal and elegant
china. There was wine, of course, and therefore real toasts to the
newly-elected student body president. Michael toasted his Secretary of
State. Bill toasted the prom king and queen and Millie toasted young
love. Everyone had a second glass of wine with dinner and I was not happy
when I noticed Sheldon had a third, fourth and fifth. Paula didn't seem to
notice. She had eyes only for Sheldon, not his drinking.

After dinner, we went to the living room which had been prepared for
dancing. Larry had taped the music which began--need you ask?--with
"More". We danced until 4:30 and I was ready for my Luke and the falls, but
not before Millie had another surprise or two. "Before the crew goes
running off to the falls to make out..."

"Mama! How could you think such of these pure, innocent, lovely
grandchildren," Eugene said in mock horror.

"Because, Son, I can remember, even in my aged condition and senility,
being young. Besides, I know that there have been two head prints on a
certain young man's pillows! Anyway, got a surprise or two. First of all,
Matt, I know you looked for a sub for tomorrow and didn't find one. Well,
its been ages since I have played in public, but I still play some, so you
can sleep in--when you finally go to bed and go to sleep." Luke grabbed me,
his eyes sparkling, and gave me a long, tongue-in-the-mouth, passionate
kiss. "Well, if we can get on with the program. I have a poster for you to
see." She reached behind a wall table and pulled out a poster announcing
the concert and exhibition. "Luke, this should definitely be included in
your AP art portfolio," she said as she held up the poster. Luke had done
sketches of Eugene, Paula, himself and me in a kind of fantasy, ethereal
manner in a slightly darker blue than the pale blue poster background. The
lettering was in a type face most people could associate with fantasy, but
was clear, sharp and very readable. It was done in a still darker blue.

"Great job, Luke," Michael said. "Bet you four will have autograph hounds
all over you, clutching posters.

"Here are the invitations. I thought maybe we'd have a hundred for the
Saturday night concert, but if all invited come, St. Mary's will be
packed." The invitations had a reproduction of the poster on the front with
the invitation inside. "Tickets for the Saturday night concert are enclosed
in the invitation with a note that they may be given to someone else if the
invited person cannot attend. The regular tickets will be mailed out when
people call in for them."

"I forgot to add Uncle Michael to be invited," Luke groaned.

"Not to worry, Luke. As soon as you get over the prom, he has offered to
help you get the catalog together and arrange the exhibition. Some very
expensive talent you are getting for free, let me tell you. It costs money
to breathe the air as you walk by Sanders and Sanders Gallery in
Charleston! Ok, what next? The Saturday before the night concert, Luke,
Eugene, Larry, Paula and Matt, you are having an early dinner here with the
Oberlin admissions committee and the heads of the organ, music, art and
mass communications departments. Dress accordingly--blazers and ties
guys. Larry has talked with the audio and video engineers of the public
radio and TV stations. The TV station will do a documentary on the art
exhibition to be broadcast if they consider it good enough. It will be. The
radio station will do the same with the concert. They are working on a
nationwide broadcast on the PBS "Performance Today" program. The admissions
committee will hold individual interviews with you at school Monday after
the concert. Don't know whether that kills your evening or not, but I just
got word today and wanted you to know what you have ahead of you. Right
now, I suggest you change and get out of here. Oh, David and Margaret got
back late today and you are all having lunch at Michael's tomorrow
afternoon. I think that covers it." We all gave Millie a hug and went to
Eugene's suite and changed into shorts and shirts.

When we started down the path to the falls, Luke said, "Matt, we forgot
blankets, towels, all that stuff." Before he finished, we emerged from the
path. The moon had been waning for a week so it was not bright, but
surrounding the beach area of the basin were torches, casting shadows
about. In a neat stack on the beach were blankets, towels and a basket of
munchies and drinks.

"Sure hope there's some beer in there," Sheldon said as he spied the tub of
ice and drinks.

"Bet you are out of luck on that one," Mary Kathryn said. She was right of
course.

Within five minutes, five couples had taken blankets and found their own
place for some serious making out. Well, to tell the truth, I guess others
were into serious making out. Luke and I just held each other, our eyes
smiling at our love and exchanging soft, tender kisses occasionally. "Matt,
you know what I wanted more than anything tonight? I wanted to dance the
night away with you. I wanted to walk to the center of the dance floor and
take you in my arms and dance. I wanted to have you on my arm instead of
Paula when the king and queen were announced."

Luke was being very serious as he talked softly, but his last statement
sent me into gales of laughter. "Hey, everyone, Luke just called me a
queen!" I shouted as soon as I could stop laughing loudly enough.

"I did not," Luke shouted and started tickling me. Soon we were wrestling
around on the blanket, tickling each other and trying to not laugh as we
kissed each other. It was fun! We finally calmed down and Luke held me
tightly and kissed me. As our tongues did battle, our breathing became one
and, I'm sure, our hearts beat together. As our kisses became more
passionate, I felt Luke's hardness against my thigh as I'm sure he felt
mine. Just as things were getting really hot, Michael yelled, "Ok,
everyone, in the water!" I looked up and saw he was naked as a jaybird and
Mary Kathryn standing beside him getting naked.

"Hell, why not?" Luke laughed. "Babe, I want to see your naked body." He
pulled me upright and started undressing me. I did the same and soon we,
along with Michael and Mary Kathryn were standing in the dim moonlight,
wearing what we had worn the day we were born. Larry and Eugene were soon
as naked as we while Paula and Sheldon, Bill and Linda looked up in
amazement from where they were lying.

Linda said to Bill, "Ok, I haven't tried to get into your pants yet and I
can't if you don't have any on!" She stood up, grabbed Bill's hand and
yanked him to his feet. As soon as she was standing, Linda started shedding
clothes, Bill right behind her. Michael and Mary Kathryn raced to the top
of the falls and dived in. Luke and I dived in as soon as the way was
clear. By the time we had surfaced, Linda and Bill were standing at the top
of the falls. "Are you sure this is safe?" Linda asked.

"Of course," Michael answered. "Just be sure you come out to the edge of
the rock where you are standing and dive. You can swim can't you?" As if in
answer, Linda dived with Bill right behind her. Paula and Sheldon still had
not joined us, but when we yelled to them, Paula got up and started
undressing. She walked to the top of the falls alone and dived in. A few
minutes later, Sheldon finally got up, undressed slowly and dived in from
the beach. He just didn't seem with it.

We swam for, I guess, for an hour and even I had blue lips, I suspect, when
Luke said, "Enough already!" and climbed out of the water, grabbed a towel
and started drying himself. I climbed out and finished that job and then he
dried me, stopping for a couple of kisses. Soon everyone was out.

A Special Place--Part Twenty-seven--Mary Kathryn

When Michael whispered in my ear, "Mary Kathryn, I feel like
skinny-dipping," I looked into his face and asked, "What's stopping you,
Mr. President-elect?"

"You. I want you to go with me."

I kissed him--God I loved this man--hard, strong, handsome, caring--and
said, as we had as kids, "Last one in's a rotten egg." Before the words
were out of my mouth, he was standing and stripping off his clothes. "Man,"
I thought to myself, "all that personality and a bod to die for!" as I
joined him in getting undressed.

Before I was completely nude, Michael shouted,"Ok, everyone, in the water!"
Matt and Luke couldn't get undressed quickly enough and Bill and Linda were
not far behind. Sheldon seemed reluctant to join the party, but Paula
finally dived in and Sheldon kinda slunk in. There was something going on
here and I didn't like it.

After we had been in the water at least an hour, we were all half
frozen. We all crawled out of the water, dried ourselves, or dried each
other. As Michael dried me, he got that wicked grin on his face, kissed
first one nipple, then the other and said, "Remember the first time we were
nude together--I mean after we were grown?"

"Was that you? I couldn't remember who it was. I seem to remember something
a bit larger," I said, pointing to his joy stick which was hiding from the
cold water.

"Sorry, I meant to tell you. It got hit by a shrinking ray," he joked, as
he pulled me to his hard, naked body for a special Michael kiss.

"Bet I could hit it with an unshrinking ray big time," I laughed, kissing
him back. We lay on the blanket and, even though it was warm for a predawn
April morning, it wasn't warm enough after the cold water. Five guys got up
and grabbed another blanket and five couples covered up their bare
bodies. As Michael and I lay side by side, he looked at me with a very
serious expression on his face and said, "Mary Kathryn, we'll be sixteen
soon--sweet sixteen--getting our driver's licenses and just know we are all
grown up. But deep down inside, we both are smart enough to know we're
not. We've got a long way to go before we're really grown." I looked into
the face of the man I loved and nodded. "We're young and what the future
holds, well, we don't know. But I want you to promise me you will remember
that you were loved as fully and deeply as a nearly-sixteen-year-old can
love. I know that if there is never anyone else, our love will grow, it
will change, but tonight with every fiber of my being, I love you my wild
woman."

"Michael, I'll promise to remember if you promise you will also remember
that on this night you were loved as fully and as deeply as this woman can
love a man, my shining knight." We sealed our promises with a long,
passionate kiss, then I lay my head on Michael's chest, listening to his
heartbeat, warm and comfortable in his arms. And I slept.

I awoke slowly and when I opened my eyes, I was staring into Michael's
smiling face. "You are so beautiful when you sleep, Wild Woman. I have been
awake just watching you sleeping and wondering how I could ever love you
more." With those words, he bent his face to mine, placed his arms around
me and kissed me softly, gently, lovingly. His tongue entered my mouth and
brought me a warm feeling of being loved and I returned his love in my
kiss.

As he leaned over me, I felt his hard manhood against my leg. Breaking our
kiss, I smiled and said, "It seems a night's rest has overcome the effects
of the shrinking ray."

"Actually," he laughed, "I think it was cured by my aching need to pee!" He
jumped up and went to the edge of the river below the falls and let loose a
golden stream into the clear water. As if on cue, he was joined by the
other males in the crowd. The women were a little more modest and went
behind a clump of cane. When we came back, we were all--males and
females--shivering in the predawn air, so we got dressed. When we were
dressed, I noticed the first faint glimmer heralding the sunrise. Without a
word, I pointed to the eastern sky and picked up a blanket, put my arm
around Michael's waist and he mine. We started walking to the top of the
falls and were soon followed by the others couples, all arm in arm except
for Paula and Sheldon who were walking side by side, but not too closely.

Just above the lip of the falls there was a huge boulder with a flat
top. Many times members of the family had sat there, in silence, facing
east watching the sunrise or facing west to watch it set. Four couples sat,
one between the legs of their beloved, leaning heads against manly
chests. Paula and Sheldon sat side by side. Clearly something was going
on. As the sun crested the horizon, I leaned back with my head on Michael's
shoulder and he leaned forward to kiss me good morning. In spite of the
fact that we had done nothing we had not done before except sleep side by
side, I sensed that the sun as dawning on a new relationship for me and
Michael and not just on a new day. From the time we had started the walk to
Lookout Rock, not a word had been spoken. As soon as the sun was fully up
and no longer colored the sky, we all got up and walked back down to the
fall's basin. With few words being spoken, we folded the blankets, picked
up the towels and food and drinks. We left the torches in place.

After everything was loaded into the cars, we drove to Matt's place. When
we arrived, Matt suggested we make as little noise as possible since his
parents were still asleep. Before we entered, Sheldon said, "Matt, could
you run me into town to the bus station in a few minutes?"

"Sure," Matt responded, "but I thought your bus left at 2:00."

"I changed my plans. It leaves at 8:00. Give me fifteen minutes with Paula
and come on down."

A Special Place--Part Twenty-seven--Matt

When the Fellowship of the Rings got upstairs, I grabbed sleeping bags out
of the hall closet and tossed them on the floor of my room. We may have
been awake for the sunrise, but we hadn't slept more than an hour or two
and Linda and Bill, Michael and Mary Kathryn immediately flopped down on
the sleeping bags and were asleep in seconds. I had told Larry and Eugene
to use the bed in the guest room. Luke and I sat in the middle of my bed,
Indian style--or maybe it was Korean style--our knees together, holding
hands and worshiping each other with our eyes. After a few minutes, Luke
said very softly, "Matt, something's going on with Sheldon and Paula."

"Yea. I know he had until 2:00 when we planned to get him here so why the
change in plans? And he has been acting strange ever since he got here."

"Did you notice how much he drank at Millie's and expected beer at the
falls?"

"Sure did. Well, I've got to go take him to the bus."

"As sleepy as we all are, I'm going along to make sure you don't fall
asleep coming back." Luke and I left the room quietly and walked
downstairs.

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Sequoyah--- pendor@mailcity.com