Date: Fri, 03 Mar 2000 16:02:51 EST From: William Watts Subject: The Castaway Hotel Chapter 7 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. E-mail responses to the stories, story suggestions or other 'constructive' comments or advice may be sent to: bwstories44@hotmail.com * * * * * * * * The Castaway Hotel - by BW (Young-Friends). Copyright 2000 by bwstories44 Chapter 7 - Growing closer as a family. February 2000 The next day, Danny was true to his word. After school, the boys changed their clothes and Danny began working with Ricky on his baseball skills. They went out in the driveway to play catch. I watched, unobserved, from the window to see how it was going. Danny was very patient with his brother, teaching him how to step when he threw and how he should hold his arm through the entire throwing motion. He didn't even lose his temper when one of Ricky's throws went wild and he had to chase the ball. He, also, taught Ricky about 'soft hands' when catching or fielding the ball, 'Soft hands' describes the process of letting your glove move slightly back toward your body, a recoil motion, as the ball enters the glove. It helps keep it from popping back out after it hits the leather. Over time, Ricky's throws got harder and more accurate and he was catching nearly everything that Danny threw to him. By dinnertime, Ricky was doing much better and I was very impressed and proud of both of them. "That was fun," Ricky was saying as they came inside. "Thanks, big brother, you're a great teacher." "No, it's just that you learn quickly. Heck, you'll be looking like a pro by summer." "You think so?" "Well, maybe not a pro but you'll be as good or better than everyone else. There will be no reason for you not to play. When do you turn thirteen?" "July 17th. Why?" "I think because your birthday is before August 1st, you will have to play the whole season as a thirteen year old. If that's the case, we'll be playing in the same league. If they do the same as they did where I used to live, that means we'll be playing on the same team." "Yessssssssss. I'd like that. Dad, do you know if they do that here?" I walked into the other room. "If they do what here?" "If brothers get to play on the same teams." "Well, yes. At least they did when my boys were playing. There's only one small problem. Legally you're not brothers. When the time comes, however, I will explain the situation to the league officials and request that you be allowed to play on the same team, if that's what you both want?" "Yes," they screamed. "Thanks, dad, we knew we could count on you," Ricky added. They practiced every day, after school, and for several hours on the weekend. I watched as Danny taught him how to field grounders and pop ups. He really did know a great deal about baseball and he was a very good coach. Ricky improved rapidly on his fielding. On the weekends, the boys would ask me to go with them to the school field so Ricky could practice his hitting. I would pitch and Danny would run all over to field the balls. After a while, Ricky insisted that Danny take his turn and he went and chased the balls his brother hit. They were becoming closer and closer every day. The weekend before his party, Danny asked me a question after we got back home. "Dad, after we have the cake and ice cream at my party, do you think you could bring us down here so we could play a pick-up game with my friends? That way Ricky could get some practice in a real game." "That would be fine. Just let your friends know that they should dress accordingly and bring their gloves and whatever else they feel they would need." "Thanks, dad. I'll e-mail them all tonight. Don't tell Ricky, though. I want this to be a surprise." "My lips are sealed. Go and get cleaned up for dinner and tell your brother to do the same." I was really proud of Danny. Even though it was his party, he was still thinking about his younger brother. That takes a special kid. It's too bad his father didn't realize how terrific he was. I won't complain, however, as Ricky and I are benefiting from his being here. The morning of the party, the three of out got into the van I had borrowed from a friend. Ricky let Danny have the front seat because it was his birthday. I told him that was very thoughtful and generous of him and he flashed me his 'it's no big deal' face and got in the back. We left at 11:30 so we would have time to drive the 30 miles on twisting, country roads. When we picked up the other boys, Ricky looked confused at how they were dressed. He was polite enough not to say anything, though, until we got back home. He took me aside and asked me. I told him that he would have to ask Danny. He went out and asked Danny if he could see him for a minute. He must have asked his question and received his reply because I heard him yell out, "All right." He came rushing back to tell me what he had discovered. "Dad, he told them to dress that way so we could go to the field and play ball later. He said he wanted me to have the opportunity to practice in a real game. He said this was the only time he could think of when we would have enough guys to play a game with at least 5 or 6 man teams." "I knew that already. I just wanted Danny to be the one to tell you because it was his idea. He was thinking about you when he made that decision. I thought his choice was pretty special so I wanted him to have the honor of letting you know about it." "Yeah, I'm glad he's my brother. Should I change now?" "You can, if you want to, although you'll probably have time to do that later." "I want to be ready. I'll be back in a minute." He raced upstairs at breakneck speed. Brandon was at the party, as well. He had been waiting for us at the house when we arrived back with the other boys. Deep in my heart, I was proud of Danny that he found the courage to invite him, despite of what it might mean for him. Brandon was a good kid and he did well in school. He was, also, a good- looking boy. He was the same height as Danny, roughly 5'4". He had light blond hair, pale brown eyes and a very fair complexion. He was slender, but not skinny, and he had long legs, compared to his trunk, that made him appear to be taller than he actually was. If it hadn't have been for that damned rumor, I would have expected him to be a fairly popular kid. The party went really well and everyone seemed to get along nicely. When the kids had finished their cake and ice cream, I told Danny he should open his presents before they went to play ball. He got some nice things from his friends but a huge smile came over his face when he opened Ricky's gift - a new baseball glove. He gave his little brother a big hug. "I can't use this until I break it in but I really like it and I can't wait to use it. Thanks, bro." Ricky blushed in front of the other boys. Sally gave Danny two pair of shorts and pullover shirts to go with them. I saved my presents for last. I gave him a soccer ball, a lacrosse stick and ball and a small goal he could use for both. Then he opened the last box that contained a new pair of cleats he could use for all three sports. He came over, gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and thanked me for his presents and for the party. I took Ricky out of the room and handed him a box wrapped in birthday paper, as well. "Consider this an early birthday present." He ripped off the paper and opened the box to discover a pair of cleats, just like the pair I had given to Danny. "Thanks, dad. Can I wear these today?" "Of course. That's why I gave them to you early." He kissed me on the cheek and started to put them on. When everyone was ready, I took them down to the field and they had a good game of six on six, with me catching for both teams. Sally came down to keep score and cheer both teams on. Both boys did very well and Danny's friends congratulated Ricky on how well he played. I think Danny had e-mailed them the story about how he had been working with Ricky. After the game, I loaded everyone back into the van and I took all of them home. I delivered each one to his doorstep, met his parent or parents and told them that they were all welcomed to visit any time. I, also, told them that I thought Danny had selected his friends very wisely and that I had enjoyed their visit immensely. One of the boys asked if they could have a sleepover sometime, seeing we lived in such a big house. I told him that that was an excellent idea and a sleepover would be fine. I told him that we'd set up a date, in the future, and notify them all when it would it take place. They really were a nice group of boys. After the party, the rest of the school year passed by quickly. Both boys did quite well in their schoolwork. Ricky's grades and behavior had continued to improve since he had moved in with me and Danny was a very good student all along. The second week of May, they signed up for the 13-15 year old baseball league and we managed to get them on the same team. It turned out that Danny was the shortstop and Ricky played second base. The ironic thing was that Brandon ended up on the same team as well. They all seemed to get along really well on the team but I could tell that Ricky was bothered by Danny's friendship with him and the fact that Danny would frequently invite Brandon to the house. One day I decided to confront him about it. "Ricky, I know that you get along with Brandon when you play baseball but I get the feeling that you don't like him coming to the house. Would you mind telling me what that's all about?" Ricky hesitated before he answered. "You know, it's what they say about him in school." "What is it that they say?" I played dumb. "You know, that he's.well everyone says.that he's gay." "Has he ever done anything to you or have you seen him do anything with anyone else?" "No but everyone says he is." "Everyone said you were a bad kid before you came to live here but I never believed any of that gossip. Do you know if anyone has any proof that Brandon's gay?" Ricky looked slightly embarrassed by my last statement. "No. I guess maybe I shouldn't judge him until I'm sure, huh?" "Well, that would be a good way to look at it. Danny doesn't seem to have any problems with him." "Yeah, your probably right, dad. I'll try to act better to him. I didn't know that I was that obvious." "Yes, you are, but only at home. Why don't you go find the boys and see what they're up to." Ricky did and he found them in the family room playing table tennis. The three of them played together, rotating in and out, letting the third person play the winner. They seemed to have a good time at that and they seemed to get along better after that day. They boys had several baseball games during May and then many more during the month of June and the league finals and playoffs were held during the first half of July. The first weekend in June, we had a sleepover for Danny's old friends. Danny also invited Brandon. I picked them up on Saturday, early in the afternoon, and I took them home late afternoon on Sunday. The boys had a riot. They played ball until dinner. I ordered two sheet pizzas, and I bought some chips, soda and vegetables and dressings for a green salad that I threw together. They devoured everything in sight and, then, went outside to play hide-and-go- seek after dark. When they came in for the evening, I had them all take a shower (it went quickly with three bathrooms) and they followed that with watching a video we had rented, a horror film that wasn't overly violent. When the movie had ended, I told them one of my patented ghost stories before they settled in (I was notorious for my spooky tales with my children, at school campouts and at the camp I used to work at). When I had finished my little tale, the boys decided that they all wanted to sleep together on the floor in the living room, ignoring all of the beds that I had upstairs. Danny, Ricky and I dragged down all of the blankets and pillows we could find and the boys settled in for the evening. Being the scorcher and prankster that I was, I went outside and peeked into the large living room window, with a flashlight under my chin. I made the worst face I could think of, turned on the flashlight and made some loud moaning sounds outside the window, to make sure I got their attention at about the same time. I heard some screams and saw some of the boys run into the other room. When they realized that I was the one outside and not a monster, they all started laughing and ran out the door after me. I think they all enjoyed that little diversion. Their baseball team did well and had a chance to finish in first. They fell a game short but it didn't seem to bother any of them all that much. They all had fun and that was what seemed to matter the most. During the season, before Ricky's birthday came around, he asked me a very serious question. "Dad, I'm having a problem deciding about whom I should ask to my birthday party. I want to invite all the guys on my baseball team and I want to invite all of Danny's friends from Springville. What do you think I should do?" "Well, that is a large number of people. Why don't you go get Danny and we'll discuss this as a family." Ricky went and found his brother and we were soon seated together. I explained the situation to Danny and then asked him his opinion. "Danny, the reason I wanted you to be a part of this decision is because I didn't want you to feel cheated or feel that Ricky was getting more if I let him invite all those people to his party." "You don't have to feel that way, dad. Actually, I'm happy that Ricky likes my old friends well enough that he wants to include them. As far as I'm concerned, he can invite as many people as he wants to. We'll all have a good time together no matter how many are here." "Ricky, it looks like the guest list is up to you." "Thanks, Danny. That was nice of you. You know, we'll have enough people to play touch football on the side yard. Would that be OK?" "Of course," I responded. "Just let everyone know about your plans so they don't wear good clothes to the party. I wouldn't want any of their mothers to get upset if they came home dirty, grass stained or if their clothes got ripped." "Sure, dad, I'll tell them." "We could even make this a sleepover if you were interested," I added, confident that I knew the answer before I suggested it. "What do you think, Danny?" Danny shook his head to indicate that he agreed with my proposal. "Yeah, dad" Ricky answered me, "we'd like that, thanks." "Your birthday is on a Friday so why don't we plan the party for Saturday, the 18th." I advised him. "We'll take the boys home Sunday, before dinnertime." "That sounds great." "Ricky, do you want me to help you e-mail my friends?" Danny offered. "Yeah, I was going to ask you if you would. Thanks." The boys went off to do their thing and soon the invitations were sent to the boys from Springville. Ricky invited his baseball team over the telephone, as we had a list of their names and phone numbers handy. Everyone accepted, except for one boy who would be out of town on vacation. I had purchased a custom van before the party, seeing we seemed to need one quite frequently. I, also, had some other plans in mind in which a van would come in handy. The morning of the party, we picked the boys up from Springville and headed back to pick up the others. The van was more than crowed. After we arrived they played football, first, and, then, we had a cook out with hamburgers, hotdogs, macaroni and potato salad and soda. It went over well and the boys had a great time. Sally was invited to the party, as well, and joined the rest of us in time for the meal. I had planned out the day in my mind, in advance, and I had given her a general idea about when she should arrive. After dinner, we had the cake and ice cream and Ricky opened his gifts. Danny had given him a new football, before they went out to play earlier, and Ricky looked relieved that they would haven't to use the battered old thing that he and Danny had been tossing around outside. Sally gave him an identical gift to the one she had given Danny, two pairs of shorts and two shirts. His friends gave him a variety of gifts that he seemed to appreciate. I gave him a lacrosse stick and ball, so he could practice with Danny, a basketball and a fold-up portable basketball hoop for the driveway. That way, we could take it down and put it away in bad weather. Seeing both boys planned on playing basketball and lacrosse, this would give them the opportunity to continue practicing their sporting activities with each other. The party ended late, so I sent the boys to shower before they turned in. It took twice as long as it had at the sleepover, seeing there were twice as many boys, and it was a little more crowded in the living room. I had suggested that the boys who owned a sleeping bag should bring it with them and we provided blankets for the others. I had purchased sleeping bags for Danny and Ricky and had given them to them on Friday. Once the boys settled down, I told another of my ghost stories before they went to sleep. Danny, Ricky and the boys from Springville watched the others after the story ended, in anticipation of my appearance at the living room's picture window. I didn't disappoint them. They howled as the other boys screamed and raced around the room and we all had a good laugh when I came back in to join them. Sunday evening, after we had taken the others home, I told the boys about my next surprise. "Danny and Ricky, I have something that I'd like to tell you." They both came closer. "How would you two like to go on a vacation with me and spend the last week of July and the first two weeks of August touring through Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C?" They jumped up and started running around the room yelling things like 'yes', 'cool' and 'way to go, dad'. I guess I had my answer. "We'll take the van and you can each invite one friend. When you decide whom you are going to invite, I'll speak with his parents. How does that sound to you?" They, both, jumped around some more, hugged me and gave me a big kiss. I told them that they had to decide fairly quickly, as I should talk to the other parents as soon as possible. Now, we all started to make plans for our trip. * * * * * * * * If you enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me at members.tripod.de/wolfslair, in the 'Other Stories' section. E-mails may be sent to: bwstories44@hotmail.com.