Date: Mon, 28 May 2001 10:59:56 EDT
From: Bwstories8@aol.com
Subject: The Castaway Hotel - book 4   chapter 9

Legal Notice:
The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts.
The story is a work of fiction and has no basis in reality.

Don't read this story if:
**You're not 18 or over,
**If it is illegal to read this type of material where you live,
**Or if you don't want to read about gay/bi people in love or having sex.

The author retains copyright to this story.  Placing this story on a
website or reproducing this story for distribution without the author's
permission is a violation of that copyright.  Legal action will be taken
against violators.

I wish to extend my thank you to Ed for his editorial assistance with this
chapter.

If you have enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me at
http://members.tripod.de/wolfslair, in the 'Other Stories' section.

E-mail responses to the stories, story suggestions, or other 'constructive'
comments or advice may be sent to: bwstories8@aol.com.

             *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Although the boys in these stories have unprotected sex, I strongly urge
all of you out there to be smart and protect yourselves from various
sexually transmitted diseases by using condoms when having intercourse.

                 *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

The Castaway Hotel-Book 4-by BW (Young-Friends).  Copyright 2000 by billwstories
Chapter 9 - More highs and lows.                 March 2001

The following week proved to be full of accomplishments and changes.
Monday after school, Dustin filled me in on some of Pat's accomplishments
over the weekend.  It seemed that Pat had been able to maneuver from the
family room to the downstairs bathroom and use the facilities during the
evening, without having to ask Dustin for assistance.  He even went to the
kitchen, got a glass from the cupboard, and got himself a drink too.
Although these may seem like small accomplishments to the rest of us, these
were major leaps for Pat.  He had obviously made up his mind to be
independent again and not let his blindness defeat him, so this was a major
sign that he was healing emotionally and psychologically, as well as
physically.  Later that night he even told me that he had reconsidered
Dustin's earlier offer, to have him stay with him on the second floor, and
announced that he was ready to tackle the stairs and move out of my room.
We talked about this in more detail privately, until I was convinced that
his motives were appropriate and that he was ready to take this step.  Then
I gave him my blessing to try it, with the appropriate words of caution to
go along with it, like be careful around the stairs and be sure which wall
you are using at night.  He beamed from ear to ear when I gave him my
approval, and made his way to me so he could give me a hug, before he left
the room, on his own.  From there he went to tell the other boys of his
decision.

Later that same evening, I also got some other news, of a more disturbing
nature.  It was after dinner when Brent approached me and filled me in
about some things he overheard at school.  It seems that Nick has been
hitting on other boys at the school, having sexual encounters with some of
these boys in the boys' rooms, locker room, and in secluded outdoor
locations.  Brent said that one of the boys he was becoming friends with
asked him about Nick, wanting to know if Nick was really like that, as he
was considering letting Nick suck him off.  Brent said he did tell the boy
that Nick did seem to have a large sexual appetite and that Nick had made
him similar offers as well.  It seems as though Nick had made his way to
Brent's room on occasion, looking for a little action.  From what Brent
told me, they had gotten it on a couple of times.  When he told the other
boy that, the boy said that he was going to let Nick do him.  Brent said
that he didn't mind so much what Nick was doing, but he was more concerned
about Kevin and how Kevin would take the news if he found out.  Brent had
heard all the stories about the rough times Kevin went through with Dustin,
and he didn't want to see Kevin have to go through something like that
again.  I thanked him for his filling me in on what was going on, so I'd be
ready to be there for Kevin if he did find out about this, and to give me a
chance to talk things over with Nick.  Brent ended our conversation by
saying that he really liked Kevin and didn't want to see him get hurt
again, but he knew that he would if he stayed with Nick.  I told him I
would try to cushion the blow for Kevin, but there wasn't much, at this
point, that we could do to protect him completely.  He nodded his
understanding, but said that it still bothered him anyway.

Later, as the boys were getting ready for bed, I asked Nick if I could
speak with him and we went into my room for some privacy.  "Nick, I've been
hearing some stories that you're on the prowl again, having sex with boys
outside the family.  Would you like to fill me in on what's been going on?"

There was a shocked expression on his face, as he had obviously thought he
had been very careful and discreet along the way, and then he began to
stutter a bit.  "Well...a...I was...uh...who...uh...who told you?"

"I do have my sources.  Did you forget that I work for the same school
district you attend and that I have many friends, associates, and former
students who confide in me?"

"Well...a...no...I didn't forget.  I just...well...uh...didn't
think...well...you know...that anyone else...uh...knew."

"Nick, this isn't a large city and everyone here seems to know everyone and
their business.  People see and hear things, and then they talk about them.
It's very hard to keep a secret in a small town like this.  We've been
fortunate so far, as the boys have kind of kept their activities confined
to the home, so people have only been able to suspect that some of them are
gay, but they've had nothing substantial to go beyond the speculation
stage.  You're doing it with others, outside of the family, and some of
them are bound to talk.  Besides, you're also doing it at school and on
school grounds, and there is a chance that you will get caught or people
will see you meeting with these boys at various places and speculate about
what you're up to.  That's bound to get tongues wagging around here."

"Are you mad at me?"

"No, Nick, I'm not mad at you.  I may be disappointed that you didn't
discuss this with me first or let me know that you were thinking about
including non-family members in your sex-capades, but I'd be one of the
last people to try to get a leopard to change his spots."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"It means that you're one of those boys who are not happy with just one
partner and that you like doing different things with different people.
I'm not saying that I totally understand that, but I've known other guys
who were like that, straight and gay.  It just means that you have to be
more careful about your encounters than the others, and you have to be
careful to protect yourself from diseases."

"I know, and I have.  I use rubbers whenever we're doing stuff like that."

"That's good, and I'm glad you're being careful, but what about Kevin?
What's going to happen to him when he finds out that you've been messing
around with other boys?"

"You're not going to tell him, are you?"

"No, I'm not going to, but he's going to find out on his own, sooner or
later.  I think some of the other boys might already have heard some rumors
or have their own suspicions about what you're up to.  I know that this
will be very hard on Kevin, as he's a one-guy kind of boy.  He can only
love one person at a time, and then he loves them very deeply and gives his
heart completely."

"I know, and I tried.  I really did.  I do like Kevin, more than anyone
else I've ever been with, but...well...it's just
that...well...sometimes...uh...I just get this itch...to do it with
somebody else...and, well...then it's like...uh...well, I have to scratch
it...you know...before it drives me nuts."

"I appreciate your honesty and the fact that you are taking precautions,
but I think you should find a way to tell Kevin and let him down as gently
as you can.  You can talk to me about it, if you want me to try to help you
figure out what to tell him, but I think you need to do this and do it
soon, before he finds out about this on his own."

"Yeah, I know you're right, but I don't want to hurt him."

"I think it's kind of late to prevent that.  Once he finds out what you've
been up to, he will definitely be hurt and it will be very hard for him to
accept it.  I just want to make this as easy for him as we can."

"But how can I tell him, especially after Valentine's Day?  He acts like we
got engaged or something that night."

"I know, he did think that was a sign that you really wanted to be with
just him, but that doesn't change what needs to be done.  You still need to
break this to him as gently as you can."

"Okay, but I'm really going to need your help."  I agreed and we talked a
while longer, not coming up with a definite plan, but we did make some
progress in that direction.

The rest of the week was full of ups and downs.  Pat was becoming more
independent, handling the stairs and the second floor better than I
anticipated, and doing well with his tutor.  In fact, he had even discussed
the possibility of attending regular classes again with his tutor, asking
him to try to talk me into it.  They had discuss ways Pat could do this,
agreeing that he could probably tape-record his notes and replay them
later, when he needed to study, having a different cassette to use for each
class.  He would need to figure a way to get around the school and move
from class to class, especially in the crowded hallways where everyone
bumps into everyone else, but the tutor suggested to me that Pat would
probably do better if he could socialize with his friends and peers again.
He told me privately that, if I agreed to it and the school was willing to
go along with our plan, he would be willing to accompany Pat to all of his
classes and help him with his homework, if that's what the two of us
thought was best.  I told hiim we'd all have to talk thisover, to make sure
we had thought everything through and considered all of the ramifications
before we acted.  I didn't want to give Pat more than he could handle or
rush him into things.  He said he understood and we would move cautiously
forward.

After that, Nick and I discussed his situation further, going over ideas
about how to bring Kevin up to speed about what Nick had been up to.  We
discussed many possibilities, rejecting most of them rather quickly.  After
much talk and many suggestions later, I think we had finally agreed on what
Nick would tell Kevin.  Now the question was when and where.  Nick really
didn't want to do this alone and he really wanted me there when he told
him, but I explained to him that I thought it best that he told Kevin on
his own, then I would be able to be there to comfort Kevin afterward.  I
was afraid if we told him together, Kevin would feel I was part of the
problem and not let me help him get through this when he needed me most.  I
think I got my point across.  Reluctantly Nick agreed with me, but he said
he'd just wait until he felt the time was right before he told him.  I
tried to encourage him to do it soon, but I knew he was scared about
breaking Kevin's heart and letting him down, so he wanted to do it when
Kevin was in a good mood, rather than when he was already depressed about
something else.  I did kind of feel bad for Nick too, as I knew that he did
try to make this work.  He was able to remain monogamous with Kevin for a
few months, which was almost an eternity for someone with Nick's roving
eye.

I couldn't spend all my time with that alone, as other things were
happening around my house too.  That Friday Sally dropped Richard off for
his second weekend visit with the Beckers and I expected them to arrive
bright and early the next morning.  Ricky was more at ease for this visit
and he got involved with more of the boys, not just Ricky.  I saw him doing
things with Andrew, Sammy, Graham, Cole, and Dion too, as they were the
ones closest to his age.  After dinner he came up to me hurriedly, with a
matter of great importance to discuss.

"Uncle Josh, I've been thinking all week about this and I need to tell you
something.  I just don't feel right calling you Uncle Josh...it just
doesn't seem right to me, using your first name like that.  I also don't
think I'd feel right calling you Pop either, but I think I do have
something I think would be al right, if you let me.  Would you mind if I
called you Uncle Pop?"

I looked at him for a minute, thinking this combination odd, but then I
began to like the sound of it.  After a few seconds of thinking about it, I
told him that would be fine and that I loved it.  A huge grin spread across
his face, almost running from ear-to-ear, then he looked up at me and
spoke.  "Yeah, I liked it too and it will be something special for just the
two of us, okay?"

"You bet, sport.  I like that a lot."  That seemed to make his day and that
would be how he would refer to me from then on.

The next morning the Beckers arrived just after the crack of dawn, at least
it seemed that way to the rest of us.  They didn't come empty handed,
however, and they brought in bags of goodies with them.  Mrs. Becker went
straight to the kitchen and announced that she'd be preparing breakfast for
everyone.  I knew it would be useless to argue, so I just asked her if she
minded if I helped.  In one of her bags, she had a container of last
summer's homemade apple butter, straight from her freezer, and several jars
of homemade jams she had prepared herself.  She explained that she brought
one container each of strawberry, blueberry, currant, and grape jam.  I
thanked her and set them on the dining room table, sso the boys could use
them on their toast later.  From the other bag she pulled out a package
containing ham slices and some potatoes, which she began to cut up for home
fries.  The third bag contained cartons filled with eggs from their
chickens.  As the food began to cook and the smells filled the house, boys
started emerging from their rooms, drawn by the wonderful smells and driven
by rumbling stomachs.

Mrs. Becker cooked their eggs to order and was very generous with the ham
and home fries.  I kept busy throwing four slices of bread at a time into
each of two toasters, buttering them, and taking them out to the troops.
They disappeared almost as quickly as I could get them to the table and the
jams were being applied generously on one side before being consumed.
Mrs. Becker seemed in her glory feeding all the boys and watching them
devour her creations, but then she made me go sit down and made sure that I
had all I could handle too.  Finally she and her husband joined us, being
the last two to sit down to eat, and I watched as Richard got up from his
place and moved over to stand between them, talking and laughing with them
while they ate.  I could recognize that this was a sincere gesture and not
just an attempt at sucking-up to his possible 'rents.

After breakfast, the Beckers asked Ricky if he would like them to take him
to their farm, so they could spend the weekend there.  He seemed excited by
the idea, but he looked at me, wondering if he should go.  "Uncle Pop, do
you think it would be all right?"

"I certainly do, and it will be a great opportunity for all of you to get
to know each other better.  You all run along and have a good time, and the
boys and I will clean up here."  Richard ran over and gave me a hug, said
good-bye to all the boys, giving my Ricky a hug too, and then he and the
Beckers went out and got in their car and drove off.  Mr. Becker had
informed me that he would bring Richard back fairly early Sunday evening.

That altered our weekend plans drastically, at least the activities I had
planned to accommodate Richard and the Beckers.  Now all we would need to
follow through on was Dustin's birthday party on Sunday, his eighteenth.
The rest of Saturday turned out just to be another normal weekend for us,
and there was nothing remarkable about the rest of the day.  Sunday started
off as usual too, as we all went to church and had an early dinner, but
then we had to set up for Dustin's party.  He and I had discussed his guest
list far in advance and he invited several friends to this gathering, both
male and female, which was unusual for one of these parties.  Dustin had
wanted his girlfriend and some of their other female friends there, and I
saw no reason not to allow this.

When everyone had arrived and the party began, it immediately took on a
different air than I was used to.  First of all, Dustin's girlfriend began
to use his boom box to play some of his CD's and then she and Dustin began
to dance and the other girls asked the young men who had come with them and
some of my boys if they would care to dance too.  Soon there were bodies
swaying and moving throughout the room and even Steve and Mary joined in
the fun, so I asked Sally if she would like to dance with me.  She agreed
and we joined the other couples on the floor.  Even though we were dancing
in the family room with Dustin and his friends, the music could be heard
throughout the house and I would be willing to bet that some of my gay boys
were dancing with each other in the dining room, at the other end of the
house.  I was to learn later that my hunch was correct.

Pat came out to join the activity in the family room and Dustin's friends
came over to talk to him and see how he was doing after the accident.  They
had all heard about it and they were anxious to see how he was doing.  I
did see them checking out his scars and his damaged eyes, and listening to
his answer to their questions about how he was doing.  After playing
several more tunes and wearing out the rug, we took a break and had the
cake and ice cream.  After that, we took a little more time to allow Dustin
to open his presents and do the typical birthday party oohs and ahhs.  Just
as he got to the last of his gifts, the Beckers arrived, returning Richard,
so I went out to talk with them briefly.

Richard was all excited about his time on the farm and he had to tell me
all about it.  He told me how he fed the pigs, collected eggs from the
chickens, helped milk one of the cows, and how he had gone riding on the
horses with the Beckers.  He sat on the horse with Mr. Becker, but he was
allowed to hold the reins and help decide where they were going, and it was
the first time he had ever been horseback riding.  He rambled on and on
about the things they had done, and the Beckers just sat back and smiled,
pleased by his enthusiasm and the knowledge that he had enjoyed his time on
their farm.  Before long they announced that they had to leave, as they
wanted to get back before dark, then they wished Dustin a happy birthday
and apologized that they didn't have a gift for him.  He told them that
yesterday's breakfast was more than enough gift for him, as he had enjoyed
that immensely.  Richard and I went out, to wave good-bye and watch them
drive off, and then we went back in, got him some cake and ice cream, and
then he hung with the younger boys and they went to find their own
activities.

That worked out for the best anyway, as the lights soon went out in the
family room and the rest of the dancing went on in the dark.  I think all
they were doing was dancing...and maybe checking each other's tonsils and
reading Braille embossed clothing they thought the other was wearing.
After another hour or so, I told them it was time to break it up, as they
had school the next day.  I think everyone had a good time and things went
well for our first co-ed get together.  By the time Dustin's friends began
to leave, it was time to have the boys get ready for bed.  Before he went
up to shower, Pat asked me if I was going to check with the school this
week, to see if he could return to classes.  I told him that I would start
contacting the appropriate people and see how they reacted, but I also
warned him that I expected it would be a week or two before they gave us a
final answer.  He said he understood that and that would be fine, but he
wanted to make sure that I sped it up as much as possible, as he was
anxious to go back with his friends.  I told him that I understood how he
felt and would move the process along as quickly as I could.

I spoke to Richard again, after that, to see what he wanted to do about
sleeping arrangements tonight. He then informed me that he was going to
sleep with Ricky, Graham, and Cole, in the king size bed in their section
of the old master bedroom.  I just smiled and told him I thought that was a
great idea and he should spend time with the boys, while he had the chance.
Unless I heard different from Sally, this was the last weekend we were
expecting him as a guest for now, though he was always welcome to come
whenever he wanted.  When we finished our conversation, he went upstairs
with the boys and I heard that he showered with all of them in the old
master bath.  The shower in there is quite large and he did mention to me
before how he took showers in a huge shower room at the school, with all
the other boys, so I didn't foresee any problems there.  I did warn the
boys that there was to be no sexual activity, as I wasn't sure where Ricky
stood on that issue and I felt it best to play it safe.  Later on I went up
to check on them, and they were all sound asleep, lying peacefully next to
each other.

I went back downstairs and was doing some menial duties when Nick came
racing down the stairs, trying to find me.

"Pop, I just told Kevin and he's upstairs crying.  Will you go see if you
can make him feel better?"

"Of course.  Did you tell him the way we talked about?"

"Yeah, I told him that I still liked him a lot, but I couldn't settle with
just one guy.  I tried to explain to him that's the way I am, at least I am
now, but that if I did stay with just one guy, I'd want it to be him or
someone just like him.  That's when he started asking me what was wrong
with him and why he couldn't get any guy to love him and stay with him.
That's when he started crying and he wasn't listening to what I was trying
to tell him, so I thought I'd better come and get you."

"I'm glad you did and I'll go up and see what I can do for him."  I walked
upstairs and headed for Kevin's room.  I knocked on the door softly,
something I did with all the boys in an attempt to give them some privacy,
and he screamed, "Go away and leave me alone."

"Kevin, it's me, Dad."  There was no response right away, so I spoke again.
"May I come in?"

There was a pause before I heard anything more.  "I guess," he answered,
somewhat softly.  I think he only allowed me in because I was the head
honcho around here.  He looked up at me, his eyes full of tears and his
checks streaked with the telltale traces of his emotional breakdown.  "I
guess you've already heard?" he said barely audibly.

"Yes, Nick came down to get me because he was worried about you.  He really
didn't want to hurt you, you know."

"Well, he did, whether he meant to or not."

"I know, but only because he was being Nick.  We all knew what he was like
from the start, and he did try to change for you."

"I'm not blaming him, it's me.  There must be something about me that makes
guys want to leave after a while."

"No, Kevin, it's not you.  It just happened that you ended up with guys who
weren't ready for that type of a relationship."

"Both of them?  Don't you think that it's kind of strange that I'm the only
one this has happened to, and then it's happened to me twice?  It didn't
happen to Danny and Brandon, and Trey and Dion are still together, so why
can't I get anyone to stay with me like that?"

"Kevin, you can't blame yourself for someone else's problems.  Dustin is
bi-sexual and decided that he was more attracted to girls."

"Only because I couldn't satisfy him."

"That isn't it at all.  It's just that his attraction to females was
greater than his attraction to males.  He told me that if he did decide to
stay with a guy forever, it would definitely be with you."

"A lot of good that does me."

"I know it doesn't help, but it's true.  And Nicky tried to be faithful,
but some guys just can't seem to stay with one partner.  I don't know why
or if there is any scientific or genetic basis for this, but some people
just can't confine themselves to just one partner."

"But why can't I find someone who really wants me and will stay with me?"

"You will, believe me.  I know you probably won't buy this now, but most
people will fall in love many times in their lives.  None of those loves
will be exactly the same and only a percentage of them will be the romantic
type.  Sometimes you love someone as you would a sibling, or as a parent or
a friend, but you will eventually find the right guy and fall in love
again."

"Fat chance of that."

"I really mean that, Kevin.  Your luck will change and you will find the
right guy, just hang in there and don't get discouraged."

"It's hard not to.  I really loved both of them and I thought they both
loved me too.  After that special Valentine's Day, I thought Nick was
really serious and I had nothing to worry about."

"I know and he did want to do that for you.  It was important for him to
show you a great time."

"Why, so he could let me crash and burn later?"

"No, and I know he feels bad about that too.  I'm convinced he tried his
best not to hurt you, but he just couldn't resist his urges.  It would be
like asking you not to like other boys."

"You mean it's something he really can't control?"

"Yes, I do believe that.  He did try, I saw the effort he put into it, but
I'm not sure Nick will ever be able to stay with just one guy.  I hope he
does change, or he could end up alone when he gets older, but that's
something he'll have to cope with when the time comes.  Nick just likes the
variety and the challenge involved in getting other guys to say yes to him.
In fact, that challenge may be more rewarding to him than the sex."

"But Nick is a very good lover and he really does enjoy the sex."

"Yes, I'm sure he does, but I do believe the chase and capture is just as
exciting for him as whatever they do later.  You know how some people are
just obsessed with winning or with gambling, well, Nick's the same way.
It's like a game with him, or a bet, and he gets a great deal of
satisfaction from the guy saying yes and agreeing to do those kinds of
things with him as he does from having an orgasm or making the other guy
have one."

"Wow, I never thought of it like that.  I guess I did see that in him.  He
was always scouting out other guys in school and when we were out
someplace, but I let it go, figuring that it was okay for him to look, as
long as he didn't touch.  I guess it was silly of me to think that he
wouldn't want to start touching again later.  I really did love him, Dad."

"I know you did, Kevin, and I think he loved you too, more than he ever has
loved anyone else, but it just wasn't meant to be.  You can't blame either
of you for this happening, any more than you could blame either of you for
what happened between you and Dustin.  I know that doesn't make it any
easier to accept or any easier to bear, but life is definitely not fair."

"Oh, I knew that before, but I thought all that had changed when I came
here to live."

"Thanks, it's nice you thought that, but life will still have its ups and
downs, and not everything that happens will be fair."

"Dad, do you really think I'll ever find someone who will love just me and
want to stay with me?"

"Yes, I do.  I don't know when it will happen, but it will, and then you'll
look back at these two failed relationships and say that it was all for the
best."

"I hope you're right, but I still hurt inside.  I feel all empty inside now
and I just can't think about anything else at all."

"That's understandable.  I mean, it still hurts even if you do understand
what happened and why.  Do you want to stay with me tonight?"  Kevin looked
at me and thought for a minute.

"No, Dad, I'll be fine."

"Do you want me to have Nick sleep somewhere else?"  Again he took some
time and thought about it before he answered.

"No, not unless he wants to.  I think I'd actually feel better if he was in
bed beside me and then maybe we could work things out."

"Kevin, I thought you understood that wouldn't be possible."  He looked
puzzled for a second.

"No, Dad, I didn't mean work it out so we were back together.  I just meant
work it out so we were still friends.  I still do care about him and he is
still like a brother to me."

"Oh, I'm sorry that I jumped to conclusions.  I guess that's a bad habit of
mine.  Do you want me to have him come up here and talk to you?"

"Yeah, if he's willing."

"I'm sure he will be and it will make him feel better too.  He really does
care about you, it's just that he's not a one-guy man."

"I think I'm beginning to understand that now, Dad, and thanks."

"You're welcome and I'm glad that you're handling this maturely."

"I guess it's a little easier after the Dustin thing.  Besides, for some
reason I kept thinking this might happen.  I had noticed things going on in
school, but it's just that I didn't want my suspicions to be true.  I
thought if I didn't make a big deal about things, they really wouldn't
matter."

"I know it is easier to ignore the obvious or try to give 'the truth' a
different spin."

"Yeah, and that's what I was doing.  I knew that a group of other guys were
talking with Nick quite often and he was disappearing from time to time.
When I would ask him where he was, he wouldn't have a very good
explanation, but I never pushed it.  I guess down deep, I knew what he was
up to."

"I'm sure you did, it's just not always easy to admit the obvious, not even
when you're older and wiser.  Well, let me go down and talk to Nick, and
then I'll send him up to chat with you.  Good night, Kevin.  I love you" I
kissed him on the forehead and we hugged each other, then I got up to
leave.

"Thanks, Dad.  I love you too.  I sure don't know what I'd do without you
to get me through all these things."

"Hey, that's what a dad is for."  We both smiled, and I went down to talk
things over with Nick again.  He rushed to me as soon as he heard me coming
down the stairs.

"Is he all right, Pop?"

"Yes, I believe he is."

"Are you sure?  He was pretty upset and kind of mad at me earlier."

"Yes, we talked things out and he is going to be fine."

"Does he want me to move out of the room now?"

"Actually he doesn't.  He wants you to spend the night with him, so you can
talk things out."

"Is he going to start hitting me when I go in there?  I mean, I wouldn't
blame him if he did.  I think I probably would want to do that if I were
him."

"No, he's not going to attack you and start punching you.  He was deeply
hurt, but I think he's beginning to understand, and he still wants to be
friends.  What about you?  What do you want?"

"I really do want us to be friends and maybe we could still be lovers, if
he doesn't mind me doing things with other guys now and then."

"I don't think he'll be that forgiving.  He might still be willing to fool
around with you once in a while, but I think Kevin wants to end up with
someone who will be happy with just him.  I'm not sure, and you can discuss
that possibility with him when you talk this out, but I wouldn't get my
hopes up if I were you."

"Okay, I understand.  It was just a thought."

"I know, and he might surprise me, but I don't think he will."

"Well, I'll just be happy as long as he doesn't hate me.  Kevin is really a
nice guy and I hate to see him hurt.  I really didn't want this to happen."

"I know, but you just have to scratch that itch now and again, right?"  He
snapped around and looked at me when I said that, studying my expression to
see if I was condemning him or making fun of what he told me.  After
careful consideration, I think he understood that I was just letting him
know that I understood what he meant.  Finally he decided to respond.

"Sometimes I wish I could control it, so I could be with someone like
Kevin, but other times I'm glad that I am like that, because being with a
bunch of different guys is really fun.  Everyone's dick is different and
they're all a little different to be with."

"Well, I can understand what you're saying, though I don't have enough
experience myself to confirm or deny that.  I'll just take your word for
it."

"Thank you for talking to Kevin for me and making him feel better.  And
thank you for understanding and not getting mad at me too."

"Well, I do try to give all my boys the benefit of the doubt when I can.  I
could tell by the way you worried about Kevin that you didn't want to hurt
him, so I couldn't be mad at you.  Now why don't you go upstairs and talk
things out with him."

"Thanks, Pop, I will."  He started to take the stairs two at a time, and
then he stopped, ducked down, and looked back at me.  "I love you, Pop."

This kind of surprised me, because he hadn't said that very often, but I
knew it was he was grateful for what little I had done to make things
better.  Finally I found my tongue and answered him.  "I love you too,
Nick.  Now get upstairs and work things out with Kev."

He nodded and finished going up the stairs.  I heard him knock on the door
and Kevin tell him to come in, but the last thing I heard was the door
closing behind him.

              *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

If you have enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me at
http://members.tripod.de/wolfslair, in the 'Other Stories' section.
E-mails may be sent to: bwstories8@aol.com.