Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2023 22:38:52 -0400 From: James Karvonen Subject: Song of the Lonesome Steel Rails : 45 45. It was late that afternoon when train finally slowed down coming to a complete stop. Getting up, Bobby walked over to the door of the boxcar and glanced outside. From what he could see they were in a small rural town somewhere in Georgia, but where he wasn't quite sure. At least five hours had gone by since he and Josh hopped the freight train back near Griffin, Georgia. "Why did we stop? " Josh asked. "No telling. When you ride the rails like we're doing now stops like this happen all the time." " How long do you think we'll be here? " Josh asked. "Who knows, could be about an hour or half a day just depends how much work this train has to do here before it can continue to head North." Bobby explained. And then Bobby noticed that not far off from where the boxcar was standing, there was another Railroad nearby that crossed the Central of Georgia Railroad at this location. He heard the release of the air brakes which told Bobby that train was about to do some work here. There was two toots from the whistle, followed by a sudden lurch that almost threw Bobby off of his feet. As a train moved forwards, Bobby managed to regain is a balance. He watched through the opened boxcar door as the as the train slowly past a small Depot. The sign on the depot read Bremen, Georgia. Just passed the depot they crossed another Railroad that had a double track main line. That Railroad had to be the Southern Railroad's main line that ran between Washington D.C. and New Orleans, Louisiana, Bobby concluded. The cut of cars that they were in was about to be handed over from the Central of Georgia railroad to the Southern Railroad. They were definitely on the right track now, Bobby thought breathing a sigh of relief. A few minutes later after they had crossed the railroad, the train stopped. And then the cut of cars that they were in began to move backwards. "I know what's going on, " Bobby told Josh walking back over to him. " We're at Bremen Georgia and we're about to be handed over to the Southern Railroad which is the railroad that we just crossed. So that means everything's fine we're on the right track, literally speaking. Now its just a matter of time before a westbound Southern freight train comes by and picks up this cut of freight cars that we're in. When that happens we will be on our way to New Orleans, which is exactly where we need to go right now." Bobby explained. " How long do you think it will take before a Southern train comes and picks us up?" Josh asked. " I can't really answer that question Josh. Hopefully we will be pick up within 24 hours, then again we could be here for a day or two, maybe even more, that all depends depends on the railroads schedule. " Bobby said. After a minute or so, the cut of cars that they were in stopped. They heard the hissing of the air brakes and two more toots from the locomotives whistle before they started moving backwards onto a siding that was connected to the Southern Railroad from the Central of Georgia Railroad. It didn't take long before the cut of cars was in that siding. A few minutes later there was the hiss of the air brakes as the locomotive uncoupled from the string of freight cars that had just been handed over to the Southern Railroad. Now began a waiting game. It was just a matter of time before a westbound Southern freight train picked them up. "So, what are we going to do now? " Josh asked. It's just a waiting game now for a westbound Southern freight train to come around and pick us up. But if you want to we can go and explore the town a little. It's not a pretty big town from what I could see, but at least that would give us something to do. If I had money I probably buy some groceries that I need." Bobby said. "I don't have any money either, " Josh frowned. " That's why when we get to New Orleans we're going to need to find a job, because without money we're not going to make it very much further. " " Who would hire us? " Josh asked. " I don't know. Pervis hired me to do a job for him while he was on the campaign trail, and look where that job got me. Almost killed. He still never paid me and that hurts, especially when you don't have no money. Without money I can't buy the things I need to get me where I want to go to. And right now after all this time that I've been on the road, I'm still not even halfway to California from where I started the trip. " Bobby solemnly said. "I just hope that we're not here that long." Josh said. "Do you miss your family any Josh? " "Hell no, the only person that I really miss my mother, and she died over 3 years ago. I've already told you what my two brothers and Pa would do to me. To be honest with you for putting me through all the shit they put me through I hate them! " " I know where you're coming from. " Bobby replied. They sat around in the back of the box car or a good hour or so, and then mainly out of boredom, Bobby said, "No telling when a westbound Southern freight train is going to come and pick up this kind of cars. So if you're up to it we might as well take a walk around town. We're going to need to get some water anyway. Did you bring a canteen with you? " Bobby asked. "No just a water bottle." " Well bring that with you because we're going to need to get water. I believe that between the two of us we'll have enough food to get us to New Orleans depending on how fast the train runs. " " Alright. When we're in town maybe I could hock me a pack of cigarettes or something. " " You smoke? " Bobby asked. " When I can get cigarettes. " Josh smiled. " But if you don't have no money, how are you going to buy cigarettes? " Bobby was curious to know. " You'll see. " Josh smiled. " Ohhh, so you can do what I did that got me in trouble and ended me up at Pine Island back in May. " Bobby chuckled. " One thing that my old man did teach me was how to be a good thief. Every time we went into the town of Griffin, Georgia do shopping, he'd have me and my brothers hock as many things as we could off the store shelves. If we got caught Pa would beat us when we got home. " Josh chuckled. " If you're going to steal cigarettes be careful, I'm not sure how the police around here deal with things like that, but I know how they dealt with them back in Middletown New York. I ended up being sentenced to three years at Pine Island. If I didn't run away I'd still be there right now. " " Oh don't worry, I'm very careful. I've done this many times before. " As Bobby rummaged through his backpack to get his canteen, Josh opened up the sack that he was carrying and pulled out an empty bottle. When the boys had everything they needed to into town with, they stuck their heads out of the boxcar door so that they could look around to make sure no one was around in that general area that would see them and possibly cause them problems. But everything looks safe so they hopped on out of the box car. They had to walk around five freight cars that we're in the siding before before they could cross the tracks. Once they crossed the railroad tracks they found themselves in the small town on Bremen, Georgia. Bremen wasn't that much of a town, the street wasn't even paved. There were only a few motorized vehicles present. Most of the vehicles that were there were horse-drawn wagons. From what Bobby could see, Bremen was basically an agricultural town. There were only a few stores along main Street, if you even want to call it Main Street. Since it was late in the afternoon, Bobby and Josh walked to the first store that they came to. Before they walked into the small store, Josh took Bobby off to the side and said. "I'm going to hock me a pack of cigarettes, do me a favor and try to distract the lady behind the counter while I do it. " Josh whispered. Probably nodded in response. He went on a head and walked into the store and headed directly to the counter to talk to the lady behind it. While he was doing that, Josh snuck into the store behind him. The lady behind the counter the looked at them suspiciously. Apparently this was a small town where everyone knew each other, and being that they were strangers that made things a little more difficult for the two boys. "Can I help you?" The lady proprietor of the store asked. Looking over his shoulder, Bobby noticed Josh walking over to the cigarette rack. He immediately started a conversation with the female proprietor of the store. He didn't talk about anything special, just asking a few questions about the town that they were now in. While he was talking to the proprietor Josh did his thing and quickly swiped a pack of cigarettes from the display counter in the back of the store, quickly shoving the cigarettes in his back pocket. " Are you going to buy anything or not? " The lady asked apparently getting tired of the conversation. Apparently she didn't want to talk anymore, she just wanted to do business. Since Bobby had no money all I could do was shake his head saying, " Maybe next time. " The female proprietor of the store looked look irritated as Bobby turned and headed out the door. Josh quickly followed behind, a pack of cigarettes richer. "You did great. Maybe we can work as a team, and get the supplies that we will need when we run out of what food we have." Josh exclaimed. He looked pleased now that he now had a pack of cigarettes to smoke. As they were walking along main Street, in a distance to the east they heard the whistle of a westbound train approaching. The train was about a mile or so away but from the sound of it it was approaching fast and would arrive in Bremen within the next few minutes. "We better get over to the box car, because if that's a westbound freight train heading to New Orleans it just might make a pickup since the car we are is going to New Orleans. If that's the case it won't be long before, we will be on our way. " Bobby said hopefully. Josh nodded. They started running down the railroad tracks, crossing it once they got to the siding that the boxcar was in along with about ten other freight cars. Reaching the boxcar they quickly climbed in and waited. As they were waiting, Josh pulled out his pack of cigarettes, opened it and took one cigarette out shoving it into his mouth. "You want to smoke one with me? " Josh asked. Having never smoked before, Bobby just shook his head saying, " That's okay, thanks for the offer anyway." Rummaging through his sack Josh pulled out a box of wooden matches. "I made sure that when I left the house last night to take a box of matches. " He said. "I'm glad you did, because I don't have no matches. I wasn't even thinking about matches last night." Bobby replied. That was something that he had forgotten all about and matches were very important. He watched as Josh put a cigarette into his mouth and lit it. Bluish smoke drifted up into the air. Peeking out of the box car door they watched as the westbound freight arrived. It was moving at a very slow rate of speed, which told Bobby that train was about ready to make a stop. He watched as the train slowly chugged into Bremen, pulled by a World War 1 era 2-10-2. Bobby having rode the rails many times before knew right then and there that the freight train was about ready to stop and pick up the cut of freight cars that they were in to take them west to New Orleans. If all went well, within the next hour or so they would be on their way to New Orleans. As Bobby had concluded, the heavy freight train finally did grind to a stop. A few minutes later they heard the release of air brakes. That told Bobby right then and there that the cut of cars they were in bound for New Orleans was about to be picked up. He looked over at Josh who just finished smoking his cigarette. He gave Josh the thumbs up sign. Josh smiled in response and flicked the cigarette butt out of the boxcar door. "I really needed that." Josh replied. Bobby could definitely see why. He smiled then placed his hand on Josh's shoulder. "This is it. It won't be long before we will be on our way to New Orleans." Bobby said excitedly. Once they left Bremen there was no telling how long will it take for them to get to New Orleans. But one thing for sure was that they now had the time in the world to get where they wanted to go so nothing really mattered anymore. The main thing was that before very much longer they would be on their way to New Orleans. The heavy locomotive uncoupled from the train that it had been pulling. Once uncoupled the locomotive steamed up the main line for a couple of hundred yards or so, before stopping. A switch track was thrown, and the locomotive slowly backed into the cut of cars on the siding that Bobby and Josh were in. Yes, Bobby thought they were being picked up right now which meant that within the next hour or so they would be on their way to New Orleans. What happened when they reached New Orleans remained to be seen. But with any luck at all once they arrived at New Orleans it wouldn't take them all that long to find some type of job. A job that would carry them on for the next few weeks until they were ready to move onto their next destination wherever that next destination might be. About an hour later just as Bobby had predicted the cut of cars that he and Josh were in were picked up and coupled onto the freight train heading west. They heard the hiss of the air brakes beneath the freight cars being pumped up. Ten minutes later they heard two toots from the locomotives whistle, and then a minute or so later the train lurched forwards. Once leaving Bremen Georgia, the train started picking up speed. They were finally on our way to New Orleans. By now, darkness was closing in on them. It had been a long day and with any luck come morning they would be in New Orleans. But of course that all depended on how many stops between Bremen and New Orleans the freight train had to make. It still could be day or two before they finally reached New Orleans. Riding the rails, there was really no set schedule. With sunset looming in the west, Bobby and Josh shared a can of baked beans between them. After they finish eating they decided to settle in for the night. It had been a long day but at least they were well away from where they had been where their lives had been in jeopardy. Since Josh didn't have any bedroll, Bobby laid out his sleeping bag so that they both could sleep in it together when they finally decided to go to sleep. Being that the night was unusually warm for this time of the year they sat next to each other on top of the bed roll that Bobby had just laid out as a train rocked slowly along the Southern main line heading to New Orleans. As the train slowly rocked along the Southern mainline Josh asked, "Do, do you feel like doing anything together? " "What do you mean? " Bobby asked. He was sleepy but open for whatever Josh wanted to do. "You know, doing something together without being forced to having to do it." Josh continued. Now Bobby knew what Josh was talking about. " What do you want to do? " He asked "Maybe, you know, make each other feel good, something like that." Josh whispered. It didn't take long for Bobby to decide what he wanted to do. "Okay , I guess, since we have a long ways to go in this boxcar and there really is nothing else that we can do." Josh seemed pleased. Almost eagerly he said "Here let me do you first. Lie down on top of your blanket roll. Bobby went on ahead and did what Josh just told him to do. He had no idea what Josh was about to do to him, but whatever it was he was about to find out. And then, in the darkness Bobby watched in the Josh slowly pulled off his shirt baring himself to the waist. He stood up, sucked in his stomach then unfastening his pants pulled them down over his muscular well formed legs. Once his pants were puddled around his feet he stepped out of them kicking them off to the side. Even through the dim light in the rocking boxcar, Bobby could see by the way the front of Josh's underdrawers were tenting outwards that he was very much erect. He watched as Josh slowly pulled his underdrawers down feeling his his own penis lengthening beneath his pants. A second later Josh's slender but lengthy erection snapped into view from his still hairless mound angling upwards over his lower stomach. Josh slowly stepped out of his underdrawers then stepped over Bobby before dropping down on his knees to straddle Bobby's legs below his knees. Leaning over Bobby, Josh reached down and with both hands slowly started unbuttoning Bobby shirt. Bobby just laid there on his back enjoying the personal attention that Josh was giving him, glad that this time he wasn't being forced into having a relationship with Josh. As the train rocked slowly along blowing its lonesome whistle for the numerous grade crossings enroute, Bobby sat up. Once his shirt was unbuttoned all the way down the front he slowly took it off baring himself to the waist also. It was then that Josh leaned towards him, wrapped his slender arms around Bobby's bared torso. Pressing his warm moist lips firmly against Bobby's lips he kissed him almost hungrily. Bobby wasted no time in returning Josh's kiss. It had been a while since he felt like this, having a warm loving relationship with another person without having to be forced into it. Opening up their mouths they darted their tongues out. Before long their tongues started clashing together, sparring with each other in what could only be described as a deep loving french kiss that left both boys burning with desire. As they were kissing Bobby wrapped his arms around Josh also so that he could hug him like Josh was now hugging him. All the hurt and pain that they had suffered over the last few days had dissolved into just a bad memory. This time they were alone with each other, doing what they wanted to do with each other without being forced into doing something against their will. For the next several minutes they just stayed in that position hugging each tightly other as they kissed. Their breathing became rapid and deep, becoming even more drawn out as sexual desire overtook both of them. Finally Josh drew his lips away from Bobby's lips a bead of saliva snapping wetly between them. "That felt good doing that together, didn't it Bobby? " " Yes. " Bobby replied. " It felt real good. " And then without saying another word Josh moved both of his hands down to the front of Bobby's pants. Slowly he unbuttoned them then easing in back a little pulled Bobby's pants down past his knees. He gazed down at Bobby's erect penis standing up proudly from his hairless loins. Sliding down a little so that he was now straddling Bobby below his knees Josh reached down and took Bobby's slender 4" inch cock between his thumb and forefinger. Slowly he started moving his thumb and forefinger up and down around the slender shaft just beneath the circumcised head sending waves of pleasure surging through Bobby's young body. Bobby moaned with pleasure in response to Josh's tender loving touch. He moaned again as tingling feelings rose upwards deep within his loins. And then as he laid there on his back now trembling with the desire, Josh Slade his thumb and forefinger all the way down to slender shaft to hold it upright. Slowly he leaned over him, to take Bobby's circumcised cockhead between his warm moist lips. He started bobbing up, sucking and swirling his tongue around his cockhead and upper shaft and sending even more waves of pleasure surging through Bobby's now tense body. "Oh yes. " Bobby heard himself cry out as the feeling deep within his loins started to rapidly rise upwards within him. Josh lifted off leaving Bobby's acorn shaped head wet with his saliva. He jutted out his tongue then attacking the underside of Bobby's rigid length, slid his tongue down the entire length from the small V on the underside of his cockhead to his now hairless quivering ball sack between his legs. Again Bobby heard himself moan from the intense pleasure that he was now experiencing from Josh's hot wet licking tongue. When Josh slid his tongue back up the now throbbing shaft, and slid his hand between Bobby's legs to gently cup and fondle his balls, Bobby heard himself moan even louder. "Oh yes! " He cried out moving both hands upwards to gently clasp the back of Josh's head. He didn't want Josh to ever stop doing what he was now doing. Josh kept licking the underside of Bobby's rigid cock up and down sending continuous waves of pleasure surging through his body, pleasure that was now rapidly reaching it's breaking point. His shaft flexed hard again between Josh's tightly pursed lips, his balls clenching tightly within the palm of Josh's hand. Josh paused momentarily, this time opening up his mouth went down on him taking the entire length between his now tightly purse lips. "Ahhh!" Bobby cried out, every muscle in his young body tensing. He squirmed this way in that way as Josh bobbed up and down around him then started to suck on his now ultra sensitive cock for all it was worth. "0h God!" Bobby moaned squirming this way and that way beneath Josh's hot sucking mouth. His back arched as his toes curled outwards. There could be no denying the fact that he was quickly reaching his breaking point, his point of no return. "Ahhhhh!!!" Bobby cried, as his cock flexed hard between Josh's sucking and bobbing lips. He erupted like he had never erupted before, shooting his boy come in rapid short spurts against the back of Josh's throat. Josh swallowed and continued to suck draining all of Bobby's boy cum out from his clenching balls. When Bobby was finally spent and his cock became soft between his tightly pursed lips, Josh finally lifted off a big smile on his smooth freckled face. "I bet you never received a blowjob like that, " Josh proudly said, pleased by the way he brought Bobby off. It took a few minutes for Bobby to finally regain his composure from the mind blowing orgasm that he had just experienced. Taking a deep breath he said, " You're right Josh that was intense. " Josh seemed pleased with himself. As a train rocked along Josh said, " If you want to you can do me now. " "Okay. " Bobby said. He stood up and waited for Josh to lie down on his blanket roll. Once Josh had laid down on his back on top of the blanket roll, Bobby dropped down besides him. Through the darkness glanced down at Josh's lengthy erection. He could not help but to wonder why his penis wasn't as long as Josh's penis was when erect. Despite being 12 years old, the same age as Josh was, Josh's penis was still about 2" inches longer than his penis was. This made Bobby feel slightly inferior, but nevertheless he went on ahead and made a fist around Josh's upper shaft just beneath the tapered foreskin. He squeezed his fist downwards a little watching as Josh's tapered foreskin drew back to uncover Josh's pre-cum slick glans. Leaning over, he jutted out his tongue to lick the exposed glans, swirling his tongue over and around it tasting Josh's slightly salty precum. As his tongue swirled back over and around the exposed glans, he heard Josh moan with obvious delight. "Oh yes, that feels good Bobby. " Josh was quick to say. Josh's statement encouraged Bobby to swirl his tongue around even more. Finally, opening up his mouth he went down on Josh's upper shaft. He slid his tongue fist down the almost 6-in length to hold them upright, then pursing his lips tightly around the upper shaft, started bobbing and sucking, sending Josh to heights of pleasure that he hadn't felt in quite some time. "Uh, uhhh yes. " Josh cried, beginning to squirm and and arch in response to what Bobby was now doing to him. Josh's hands shot upwards to grab the sides of Bobby's head to hold him in place as while he continued to suck him off hard and diligently. Through the night the freight train was moving faster now, but both Bobby and Josh were completely oblivious to what was going on around them right now. The only thing that matter now to both of them was the pleasure that they were now giving each other. "Ah, uhhh, ahhh!!! " Josh cried out as he moved closer and closer to his upcoming orgasm. He clutched Bobby's head even tighter with both of his hands, his back now arching. In his intensifying lust he started trusting his rigid length in and out of as Bobby's hot sucking mouth, causing Bobby to gag a little when the head of his cock rammed hard against the back of his throat almost choking of him. Finally Josh could no longer hold back from the intense ejaculation that had been rapidly building up deep within his loins. He let out one last cry before exploding into his own intense release. His cock bucked hard in Bobby's mouth then started to thrumping away rapidly with his intense release. Bobby gagged even more as Josh's boy cum jetted out in rapid spurts against the back of his throat kicking in his swallowing reflex. "Ah, ahhh ah! " Josh panted as he unloaded his small amount of boy cum that he was able to produce. Bobby swallowed everything that Josh had to offer him. When it finally was over he lifted off, the taste of Josh's still slightly immature boy cum lingering in his mouth. He swallowed one last time, then asked, "How was that? " It took Josh a few minutes for to recuperate also from the intense orgasm that had just ripped through his loins. Finally after taking a deep breath he said, "That felt real good. " Both boys were pleased by would have just gone down between them. If this was any indication of of what was going to happen in the future then both boys couldn't have been pleased even more. They had a long haul together and sharing the love that they had for each other would make that long haul all the more easier for them to comprehend. " I'm burnt out now after what just happened between us. What about you Bobby, how are you feeling?" Josh asked. " I'm feeling the same way that you're feeling. " Bobby was quick to respond. It was time for them to call it a night. Without saying another word, Bobby drew back the top of his blanket roll so that Josh could crawl in with him beneath the blanket. Cuddling up beneath the blanket with each other, after the long tiring day it didn't take long for both boys to fall into a deep sound sleep. Sometimes during the night the slow moving westbound freight train passed over the Georgia state line into Alabama. The train made a brief stop in Anniston, Alabama to pick up some cars before steaming onwards to it's next stop, Birmingham Alabama. They arrived in Birmingham, Alabama early the next morning, spending a good three to four hours in the large freight yard switching out and picking up freight cars to carry west to New Orleans. Through all this, as tired as the two boys were they slept naked in each other's arms. When they finally did wake up the train was steaming through Tuscaloosa, Alabama. By this time the sun was just beginning to rise in the east. As the freight steamed through Tuscaloosa, the two boys dressed preparing themselves for the upcoming day. They had no idea where they were until after they crossed the Alabama, Mississippi State line. They finally found out where they were when the train rolled into Meridian, Mississippi to make another brief stop to pick up and drop off freight cars. Looking out of the boxcar door Bobby read the name of the city on the large brick Railroad station paralleling the railroad tracks. "It won't be long now before we arrive in New Orleans. " Bobby told Josh. " We're in Meridian, Mississippi. Hopefully by night fall we will be in New Orleans. Once there we're going to have to figure out what we're going to be doing next as far as trying to find a job is conserved. " " What happens if we can't find a job?" Josh asked. Bobby really had no answer for that question. In his mind they had to take just one step at a time, and cross that bridge if they come to it. After a quick pick up in Meridian, Mississippi the train continued on it's westbound run making one final stop in Laurel, Mississippi. It was in Laurel Mississippi that the two boys found out that they weren't going to continue to go to New Orleans on their own. As a train was stopped on the main line at the Laurel, Mississippi station, they were surprised by another hobo climbing into the boxcar to be with them. Only this hobo wasn't a man or boy riding the rails, it was a woman. "Well, I'll be damned, I thought I would have this box car all to myself. " The woman said after climbing into the car and seeing Bobby and Josh sitting together in the back of the car. "Who are you? " Bobby asked, taken completely by surprise at this women's presence. "Might I ask the same question about you two?" The woman was quick to reply. Bobby and Josh looked at each other, not sure how to respond to this woman's presence. After she had climbed into the boxcar. Bobby noticed that she had a suitcase with her. She was an attractive woman, with an almost perfect figure. She had long flowing blonde hair, and a cute dimpled face. She looked young not older than 25. Josh was curious as well as who is intruder was. After giving it some thought Bobby finally said, "My name is Bobby Rumph. My friend's name is Josh." He nudged Josh who was standing besides him. "Well pleased to meet you Bobby, Josh. My name is Hannah. Were you two boys heading to might I ask? " "New Orleans. But my main goal is to get to get to California. " Bobby answered. " Same here. " Josh replied. " You two runaways? " Hannah questioned. Bobby really didn't want to go into detail about why he was on his train and why he and Josh were going to California. So he simply said, " Yes I guess you could say that we're runaways. I'm from New York. My friend here is from Georgia. " " That don't surprise me, a lot of boys are running away nowadays. You say you're from New York, that's an awful long way from here. How long have you been riding the rails?" Hannah wanted to know. " Since July. " Bobby replied. " July! That's an awful long time, and this is as far as you have gotten so far? " Hannah exclaimed. Bobby nodded. " But it hadn't been a straight shot. I've been held back quite a few times since leaving New York." "What about you? " Hannah asked, looking directly at Josh. "I'm running away also from my Pa and brothers who don't want to have anything to do with me. " Josh solemnly said. " Oh really. " Hannah smiled. " I guess you two are wondering why I am riding the rails." " You don't have to tell us if you don't want to. " Bobby was quick to say. " Oh I don't mind." Hannah smiled. " I'm going to give it to you straight. I'm going to New Orleans because I already have a job there waiting for me. " " What type of job? " Bobby asked. "I'm a lady of the night, you know what that is don't you? " Josh and Bobby gave each other and inquisitive look. " In case you two don't know what a lady of the night is, I'm going to give it to you straight. I'm a prostitute. I've worked at the Sheiks Brothel off of Bourbon Street in downtown New Orleans since I was thirteen years old and the money is good. " Josh and Bobby looked at each other in surprise. So between Laurel Mississippi and New Orleans they would be riding the rails with a prostitute, Bobby thought. "So what are you two going to be doing once you get to New Orleans? " Hannah asked. " Looking for a job. If we can't find temporary work in New Orleans I guess you can say we're screwed. Without a temporary job in New Orleans we're not going to be able to make it all the way to Bakersfield, California. " Bobby was quick to reply. " That's for sure, Bakersfield, California is a long way from New Orleans you know." Hannah said. "Yes, we're both aware of that. " " So what type of job you are are you looking for? " " Any type of job, we can get. " Bobby replied. " Well good luck. I'm going to tell you two one thing. Boys your age won't find very much work now a days in a cities like New Orleans. As I am sure that you are both aware of, jobs in this time and age during a Great depression are very hard if almost impossible to find. " Bobby frowned. " We're aware of that. But we need to try and do something. If we're ever going to make it to Bakersfield, California we can't just sit on our asses and do nothing as far as finding work is concerned. Work won't find us, that's for sure. " "True. You said that you would two would be willing to do anything? " Hannah then asked. " Anything, as long as we both can earn some money. We're just about out of supplies and because we still have a long way to go we're going to need to buy some supplies to see us through the rest of our trip. We need to get to California because that's where my father lives. " Bobby admitted. " What about your mother, where does she live? " And I asked. " She lives in Middletown, New York. Let's just put it this way, I ran into some trouble back when I was living in New York and ended up and reform school. It was a horrible place called Pine Island Industrial School and Farm for boys. I was lucky to manage to run away from that place and make it down here thus far. So escaping from a reform school you can see why I can't go back to New York. Because if I go back to New York, and get caught I would end up back in that horrible place. " Bobby explained. "And you've been on the road since July? " And I asked. " Since July. " Bobby repeated. "And I just hooked up with him back in Bremen Georgia, just over the Alabama Georgia State line. My family don't want me so I needed to get away from that place." Josh added. With two toots of the whistle, the train lurched forwards. Once again after an hours delay they were once again on the move. "Well, it looks like we're finally on our way. New Orleans is still a couple of hours away from here. " Hannah told them. " I sure hope that me and Josh will be able to find some type of work " Bobby said solemnly. " Its going to be difficult for two boys your age to find a job, that's for sure. There are hundreds of men out there who are looking for work also and haven't been able to find anything because what jobs there are have been filled. " Hannah continued. " Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of. So it looks like both of us are up shit creek. " Bobby frowned. " Unless." Hannah said, giving it some thought. "Unless what? " Bobby asked. "Unless you two would be willing to do the same type of work that I do." What Hannah just said took Bobby completely by surprise. He looked over at Josh who had also had an inquisitive look etched across his face after hearing what Hannah just said. "Let me ask you this question first, and be honest with me because I was honest with you. Are you two sexually active with each other? Don't get me wrong, It's not unusual for two boys your age to be sexually active with each other? I was sexually active with another girl back when I was 10 years old. I'm into men or now because that's how I earn my living." Bobby wasn't sure that he wanted to answer that question or not. He looked over at Josh, but Josh didn't say anything either. After last night what was there to say? "Well have you been sexually active with each other or not? Don't worry, I have no intention of passing judgment down you boys. All I'm trying to do is to help you two out since you told me that you need temporary work to make it the rest of the way to California." Hannah continued. " When you say doing the same type of work that you are doing, are you suggesting that Josh and I become prostitutes? " Bobby asked. "It's not unusual for boys your age to become prostitutes. I've seen many boys at the brothels that I've worked at in New Orleans that were younger then you two are who were prostitutes. They made good money serving men who were into boys or men who were into boys who dressed up as girls. That's very popular with certain clientele. And like I said, I've been a prostitute since I was 13 years old. " Hannah continued. " And what money we earn we get to keep?" Bobby asked. " Of course. The brothel however will take out a certain percentage of your earnings, because after all you will be living there and eating what food they serve to their clientele. So you won't have to worry about going hungry. But you will earn money I can guarantee you that." "You said that you have worked at that brothel before? Then why did you just get on this train? " " The reason why I hopped on this train in Laurel, Mississippi is because this is where my family lives. I hadn't seen them in years so I thought that would spend a couple of weeks visiting them just before the upcoming holidays. That's going to be a very busy time at the brothel." Hannah went on to say. " Oh." Bobby acknowledged. "So, now that you know all about me so are you going to answer my question or not? " " Yes, we just started to become sexually active with each other." Bobby finally admitted. " I see, my next question is, are you both experienced in sex?" Without going into any detail Bobby said, " I guess Josh and I are experience in sex. I just met him not all that long ago, but I'm not going into any detail about what happened and the reason why we are now traveling together on this freight train to New Orleans." " I'm not really concerned about the why's and the where's. As long as you both have had some sexual experiences together, that's what I am mainly concerned about. That definitely help Madame Eustis decision to take you on. " Bobby and Josh nodded. They were not exactly sure what they were getting into, but as long as they could earn a little money over the next couple of weeks that was all that really mattered to them. "Alright then, so tell me, what do you two want to do? I'm sure that Madame Eustis who runs the Sheiks Brothel will take you two on especially if I put in a good word for you. You won't have to stay there forever because Madame Eustis has a policy that whenever one of her girls or one of her boys gets ready to leave you she won't stop you. She will pay you what she owes you and will let it go at that. She knows how it is in this time of the great depression. " Looking over at Josh, Bobby asked. " Is this something that you might want to do Josh? " " Sure, why not. I already know all about sex, so nothing about more about sex would shock me anymore." That was for sure, Bobby thought. Then looking over at Hannah, he nodded saying, " Okay if you can get us a job with Madame Eustis then we will go for it. " " Like I said, Madame Eustis will be more than happy to take you two on, I'm sure of it. But I must warn you two however, you will have to go through a week of training with Madame Eustis without pay before she decides to put you to work. If you don't do good during training, then you're gone, out on the street without pay, it's as simple as that. Is this something that you two can live with?" Hannah asked. Bobby looked over at Josh. Josh nodded. " Yes." Bobby said. " This is something that we both agree on." " Okay, when we get to New Orleans I'll see what I can do as far as getting you hooked up at the Sheiks brothel. " Bobby and Josh looked at each other. The next chapter in their life had already been decided.....