Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2020 07:18:51 +0100 (CET)
From: jacoblion@tutanota.com
Subject: A Neglected Boy The Twins LX

Please support Nifty to keep stories coming.

http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html

Thanks to all Nifty Staff for their help. Please remember this Story is
fiction, names fabricated, locations may be accurate. Included links are
fun. ... There may be some sex; it will be gentle and loving.

Just a reminder that the story is told by either Jake or Kori in
alternating Chapters.


A Neglected Boy "The Twins LX ... The Compass"
jacoblion@tutanota.com


   Jake and I remain unsure regarding the entire situation with Antonio.
It appears that he has loving parents and a very loving and generous
grandfather.  Jake has mentioned several times that he thinks there's a
family situation just under the surface and its only time before we get a
real surprise.  One thing for sure, the Judge is correct about, and that is
Antonio has become a delightful kid and we all enjoy having him with us.

   Jake and I were enjoying a relaxing cup of tea and some soft Japanese
music we both like when the back door flew open at 2 Tasmanian Devils
rushed in and exploded in some alien language and pointing at the porch.
Justin and Kyle grabbed our hands and it was at an all-out dash that we
flew back out the door being pulled by these overly excited Devils
.........  Holy mackerel I thought as Jake hollered out ... Geeeezze, Mary
and Joseph will you look at the size of him?

   There, right there next to the giant swing set was that black bear.
Ethan and Antonio had put the horses in the barn and closed the doors and
had come in through the front door and grabbed the cameras.  Jake and I see
why the rug-rats were so excited.  Antonio, Ethan, and the rug-rats, still
holding Jake and my hands, were trying to guess how big he was.  Ethan used
some formula and the result was that the bear was about 650 pounds
https://www.liveoutdoors.com/news/226641-650-pound-massachusetts-black-bear/
and that is big!

   Jake called Deputy Morgan and in 20 minutes he was standing on the back
porch with us.  Morgan took a few photos and then using his 12-gauge
shotgun with rubber slugs chased the bear firing 6 rounds at his rump; the
bear took off into the adjoining woods as fast as he could go.  There was
an immediate downside to this ... Kyle and Justin were in tears ... Jake
and I had all we could do to hold them back from running after the bear.

   We got the rug-rats calmed down but not before Kyle called Deputy Morgan
"a stupid bastard" and tried to kick him; Kyle's sudden outburst was in
pretty good English.  Jake and I apologized several times while Ethan and
Antonio took Justin and Kyle to their bedroom.  Jake, Morgan and I realized
that we should have explained to Kyle and Justin was going to happen.
Morgan was more laughing about the situation than anything but understood
how the 2 boys saw it.

   Rug-rats, now calm, were having a lesson with Deputy Morgan about
... why he used the rubber slugs, how bears black bears can be so
dangerous, and what we can do to protect them and keep them in the wild.
It was all about keeping us and the bears safe.  Everything was fine when
Morgan gave them a rubber slug and explained that it was more like a good
kick in the butt.  Now our little tyrants were laughing and singing
... "the bear went over the mountain with a kick in the butt".

   We all went to unsaddle the horses and close everything up for the
night, nice and tight.  Water buckets filled and clean hay flakes thrown in
the stalls 4 boys decided to race back to the kitchen.  There was a nice
fresh pile of horse poop just outside the barn door and 1 (one) boy slipped
in it and 3 (three) boys found it quite funny; Ethan did not.

   Ethan started to say something, I believe it was something not very
nice, but quickly changed his mind and began to laugh.  At this point,
Ethan, Antonio, Justin, and Kyle decided it was time for snacks so Jake and
I made a deal.  We told the boys to go take a nice hot shower and put on
`clean clothes' and Jake and I would bake some cookies.

   About the `clean clothes' ... Ok, you would think that a shower and
`clean clothes' after horseback riding and grooming the horses would be
what everyone would do ... but ... with Tasmanian Devils never assume
anything, and perhaps they like the aroma of horse smelling clothes (Jake
and I don't) so, ... explicit instructions about `clean clothes' are
necessary.

   Jake looked at Ethan and Antonio and said . . . . "the cookies take 16
minutes to bake so that's all the time you have." ... Jake had that evil
smile of his and Antonio wasted no time pushing Ethan out of the kitchen.
Not a minute later they were back and asked to use the big shower in the
master bathroom; both boys with big smiles were very polite.  `The last
statement needs no explanation everyone knows what Ethan and Antonio are
thinking'.

   About 15 minutes later 4, clean and wearing `clean clothes' boys arrived
in the kitchen.  Two of the boys had great big smiles and were a little
pink, the 2 smaller boys were still talking about that bear.  We all sat
down for snacks and then Jake and I said that with the bear coming so close
to the house that we have decided to have the back yard fenced with
chain-link fencing for safety.

   I decided to call Peter to see when he and Neil and the boys would be
back and perhaps, we could get it done in 2 or 3 days.  Just as I reached
for the phone there was a knock at the back door; Jake tried to get to the
door before rug-rats but was cut off by the little tyrants.  Now the best
part was that as they opened the door, ... they were greeted by a
6-foot-tall Game and Fish officer holding a shotgun. ... Whoa! ... rug-rats
backed up so fast they almost knocked Jake off his feet.

   The conservation officer introduced himself and sat at the kitchen table
and looked at the photos Ethan and Antonio had taken.  It seems that this
bear has been in several yards in the area and for the safety of the
residents' game and fish has decided to relocate the bear.

   Justin and Kyle were at first concerned but then had the great pleasure
of climbing all over and around the big steel bear trap.  The conservation
officer began to raise the trap door and offered to let our delightful
`Tyrants' spend the night; ahhhh, how quickly they found protection
latching onto Ethan and Antonio ... but, with a few laughs from our
uniformed guest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUefrz9huZ8

   The big steel strap was hauled down through the upper and lower pasture
and through the large gate.  The fish and game officer carefully backed the
trap between a few old apple trees and almost back to the approaching
woods.  The trap door was raised, some honey coated apples and corn placed
at just the right place to release that door when our beautiful big bear
was all the way in and his short tail would be safely out of harm's way.

   Justin and Kyle took a few photos of Ethan and Antonio standing next to
the trap; then Antonio and Ethan took several photos of me, Jake and the
rug-rats standing next to the big bear trap.  It was a quick hike back to
the house and we waved goodbye to the game and fish officer.

   It was about time to start dinner and Jake wanted Liam's meatloaf and so
he and I got that started with the help of Antonio while Ethan, Kyle and
Justin played some game on the Xbox.  While Jake and Antonio had their
hands squishing the ground beef together with onion, eggs, seasoned bread
crumbs and, apple sauce, `yes apple sauce', I called Peter and the good
news was that Neil and Peter had finished all their paperwork and would be
returning to Ashfield day after tomorrow.

   News in any small community spreads like wildfire and this house is no
exception.  The excitement of the return of Peter, Neil, Lars, and Lukas
was instantaneous.  Jake and I find it so difficult to understand how
really great the rug-rats hearing can be at times and nearly deaf at other
times, like when we ask them to clean their room or shower by themselves.
Kids! All kids?  Some kids?  Just our kids?

   Jake was just as excited and happy as the kids and I believe I heard him
humming the song "when the bear went over the mountain" with a happy smile
as he and Antonio seemed to be having the best time killing that meatloaf.
Jake turned and said . . . . "Kori could you please ask Ethan when Keith is
coming back?" ...... it wasn't a surprise to hear Jake ask that question
... he is happiest when all the kids are here.

   Since we again have the farm and are spending our free time here, I see
Jake as I remember him when I was 12.  There's just something about this
place that is so magical, it seems to spell love in every room, every tree,
every blade of grass, and every breath of air.  The happiness that is felt
here is not the happiness and love that just Jake and I feel but for
everyone who spends time here.

   I was about to ask Ethan to text Keith when the phone rang and I
answered .......... "Hello" ... I said ... it took a minute to recognize
the voice ...... "Alina? ... what? ... when? ... OMG, that is so great let
me put Jake on."  . . . . . Jake, it's Alina from Naples. .......... Jake
took the phone, Antonio had a very questioning look, and the rug-rats and
their incredible hearing slid into the kitchen at warp speed followed by
Ethan just breaking the sound barrier.

   Long story short ........ Alina has enrolled Marco and Lorenzo in an
international student exchange program with a sponsor family in Little
Italy, Providence, Rhode Island ... Great! ... right? ... Of course,
... but, can we go and get Marco and Lorenzo at the Boston airport and have
them stay with us till the end of winter break and then introduce them to
the sponsor family in Providence. ........ Boston, Ashfield, Providence,
New Haven all close to each other.

   What could "we" say? ... Of course, the answer was yes, I know I said
"we" but Jake had already said "yes" before he even looked at me.  Now when
were Marco and Lorenzo arriving? Day after tomorrow. ... When are Peter,
Neil, Lars, and Lukas arriving? ... day after tomorrow ... and now Ethan
said . . . "Keith will be here tomorrow at noon." ... what? What? WHAT?

   The excitement in the kitchen was unbelievable although Antonio looked a
little confused and with all the dancing the big mixing bowl of meatloaf
almost ended up on the floor but Jake caught it just as slid from the
table. Ok let's settle things down a bit................

   ..................not possible!  Ethan, Kyle, and Justin were all
talking at the same time trying to explain to Antonio who Marco and Lorenzo
were.  Jake and I stood watching this excitement and then just finished
getting the meatloaf and dinner ready; all this while trying to understand
some of the alien language.  Ethan and Antonio seemed to understand every
word and Jake signaled me to glance at the front of Ethan's shorts ... I
did ... and that's interesting.  It must be that all this excitement is
exciting other things or is it a memory for Ethan?

   With the meatloaf in the oven, it was a meeting of the round table and
let's make lists of things.  Food was the main list and then about sleeping
arrangements ...... I think that list will need more thought and no Justin,
Kyle, Marco, Lorenzo, Lukas, and Lars can't all sleep in the same room; can
they?  I think Lorenzo, age 12, would be better off with Antonio, age 14,
... Oh No! ... that is not a good idea, no, no that is just not a good
idea.

   Ethan began to giggle a little then said . . . . "Full House! ... Jake,
Kori, me, Justin, Kyle, Keith, Peter, Neil, Lars, Lukas, Marco, and Lorenzo
... Yep that's 12 full house all boys, lots of testosterone.  We need to
have plenty of spaghetti and garlic bread." . . . . then Antonio, bless
that boy he knows just what to say and spoke up with . . . . "Yeah and
plenty more towels and bleach." ...... I know the rug-rats didn't know what
Antonio was referring to, I think, but they were very excited about Marco.

   Dinner and then a movie and popcorn and it was time for bed.  Jake and I
were again going to have a peaceful night to our selves because our little
cherubs had announced they would sleep in their room and didn't need to
sleep with Jake and me tonight.  hmmmm, ... Jake and I never really believe
that and at any moment we could find the bed with more than just the 2 of
us.

   Antonio and Ethan were off to their room, rug-rats off to their room and
me and Jake well, that shower was calling and we weren't slow about
answering.  Sex is a normal thing, it's enjoyable, and tonight it was very
enjoyable.  I'm not sure why Jake was so damn horny, but he was, and I
admit it ... I love it when he makes me just get to the point of no return
... then stops touching me, he teases, uses one finger to touch just the
underside .......... Ohhhhhhhh ... that was it!  And I was over the edge.

   We weren't exhausted, we hadn't finished, and Jake was still hard, very
hard ... yeah, but not for very long.  I know what he likes best and I let
my hand make those small circles just barely touching his skin and then
stopped a fraction of an inch above his hard throbbing ......... he spun
around and pulled me tight ... damn! ... I waited too long and I could feel
the pulsing hot liquid on my stomach.  Jake kissed me passionately and in
only a minute I was having my third orgasm.

   I guess it was time for bed but I was thinking that I bet I could get
him to go one more time ... and I know I could.  We were in bed about 10
minutes when there was a knock at the door and Jake said unenthusiastically
. . . . "come in".  hmmm, a little surprise, it was Antonio and what he did
next was a real surprise.  ...  Antonio walked over to Jake's side of the
bed pulled the covers up and slid in right next to Jake..............

   ..................Antonio and Jake were face to face ... and then it
happened ... Antonio kissed Jake and said . . . . "I love you" ..........
He kissed Jake right on the lips, I saw it, not on the cheek ... right on
the lips, and simply walked out closing the door behind him.

   Jake turned and looked at me in shock, well, I was in shock too.  I was
about to get out of bed and go talk to Antonio when Jake grabbed me and
said . . . . "Kori best to let it go for tonight and see what happens
tomorrow."  Maybe Jake was right but that was more than interesting.

   It was the aroma of fresh Amaretto coffee and bacon that was dragging
Jake and me from bed.  The kitchen was full of 4, no 5 handsome smiling
boys.  Keith was early; not a surprise, and had brought with him 3 pounds
of thick-cut maple smoked bacon and 3 dozen range free eggs, not store
bought, but from real chickens that live on a real farm ... OMG, so good.
Bigger surprise fresh bakery honey buns.

   Breakfast was amazing and Jake and I were treated like kings.  It was
almost 11 am when they arrived to pick up the horses and we all enjoyed
telling them about the bear.  We all thought it was an amazing story but,
as I said before news travels fast in a small community and they already
knew.  Horses loaded and we waved as they drove off and the game and fish
officer drove in.  The constant confusion and action reminded me and Jake
of what it was like when I was in high school.

   Now for the big question as we all slowly and quietly walked down to see
the big bear trap ... is it empty? or has that bear found the honey-coated
apples and corn? ............. Ahhhh! ... success!  We couldn't get near
and the officer asked us to return to the house and he would drive down and
hook up to the trailer/trap.

   About an hour later the game and fish truck stopped near the barn and we
all went to see the bear.  The reaction of each of us was different.  Ethan
and Keith were the most interested and had many questions for the
conservation officer, Kyle, Justin, and Antonio seemed upset and went back
in the house, Jake and I felt somewhat relieved that such a large animal
would be relocated and at the same time felt bad that we would not see him
again.

   We were back in the kitchen and it was obvious that 3 of the boys were
upset and all 3 had tears.  It was Keith and Ethan that did all the talking
and explained how relocating the bear would make the bear happy and give
him a better life as well as protecting our neighbors and friends.

   Did it make things better for Justin and Kyle? ... not really.  Did they
understand what Keith and Ethan explained? ... yes ... but to Justin and
Kyle it was their bear and it had been taken from them.  Ethan was standing
leaning against the kitchen counter looking at Justin when I saw a tear.
It was then I knew that Ethan understood something being taken away.

   The rest of the day went fast with plans for "A full house" Neil, Peter
and their boys arriving around 10 am and Jake and I running into Boston at
noon to pick up Marco and Lorenzo.  Ethan and Keith would help Peter and
Neil keep the other 5 boys busy.

   It was just about time for bed and everyone was finishing a movie when
Ethan came out to the kitchen.  He stood next to me looking out the kitchen
window and very softly said . . . . "Kori, ... Antonio has a serious crush
on Jake ... he wishes Jake was his father and that his father hates him,
just thought you might want to know." . . . .  Now things are beginning to
come into focus.  So that's why Jake and I only see Antonio with his mother
and grandfather.

   The movie ended and the house was soon very quiet and everyone was off
to bed.  Jake and I were in bed about an hour and no Justin or Kyle tonight
... again?  I'm not sure either Jake or I like this ... I'm kinda missing
the little twerps.  Ahhhh ... the soft knock at the door ... rug-rats
... nope, ... Antonio. ... Antonio came in and sat next to Jake.  He didn't
try to lie down, he didn't say anything, he just sat there.

   I heard Jake ask . . . . "what's going on Kido?" ........  that's when
Jake and I realized that Antonio was crying and what he said was . . . . "I
don't belong anywhere, I don't have a brother, I don't have anyone, my dad
hates me, he says I'm not normal because I don't like sports and that's not
true.  I do like sports just not his kind of sports.  I like swimming, and
soccer, and I wanna sailboat but he says if I really liked sports, I'd like
football and baseball and boxing, but I still love him even if he doesn't
love me actually, he doesn't even like me."

   The thing Antonio said that hit me so hard was when he said ... "I don't
have anyone" .... I knew that feeling, it was the feeling I had the first
day I watched Jake work Finley.  I felt so empty, so alone that
day. ...... Now I had to do something, I reached over grabbed Antonio and
pulled him to the center of the bed between Jake and I and wrapped my arms
around him; what happened next ... I surprised myself when I kissed
Antonio.  I love this kid he's just a sweet kid.

   Over the next hour Antonio received more affection from both Jake and me
than he had received perhaps ever.  Yes, Antonio has had sex with Ethan and
Keith and I know Lukas but not affection.  We had drifted off to sleep, yes
that would be all 3 of us.  It was almost 5 am when I needed a quick trip
to pee; what I couldn't figure out was how Kyle had found his way in bed
between me and Antonio and Justin was all wrapped around Antonio with Jakes
arms around Justin.

   Like a great alarm clock, that wonderful aroma of Jake's coffee floated
in our bedroom and Jake and I silently made our way out of bed, dressed and
joined Ethan and Keith in the kitchen.  We had a good talk with Keith and
Ethan about Antonio and it was during the conversation that both Keith and
Ethan said they had thought Antonio had cried in his sleep several times.

   Minutes passed quickly and soon we were joined by 3 smiling and happy
boys although still looking a little sleepy.  Pancakes!  French toast!
Eggs n bacon!  The choices ... it was pancakes and bacon for all 6 of us;
no, no, all 10 of us because Lars and Lukas wouldn't let Peter and Neil
sleep so it was on the road at 4:40 am and arrive in time for Pancakes n
bacon.

   Neil wasn't in the best of moods so says Lars; but good coffee and the
pancakes n bacon fixed that.  Good food and coffee can change a few things
we learned.  We told Peter, Neil, Lars and Lukas all about Alina's boys and
that seemed to get all the boys happy and giggling.  Antonio started to say
something about towels but then we all heard Keith loudly say
. . . . "Antonio shut up!" ...  Antonio laughed and said . . . . "Yeah
Keith and a big one for you."

   Lars and Lukas were laughing and one of them said . . . . "and a bottle
of Listerine blue mint" ...... Peter said ... "enough" and that was kinda
the end of it ... we think.  I looked at Peter and asked . . . . "Peter do
you remember when Liam got mad at you in the truck and called you Pen....";
. . . . Peter shut me up quick ... but the story was that Liam got really
mad at Peter one day coming home from school and called Peter "penis
breath".  That all comes from who was sucking who at that age.  Ok, ok so
Peter and I were both guilty but not anywhere near as bad as Riku.

   It was time for Jake and me to get to Boston to pick up Marco and
Lorenzo.  The trip was fast almost no traffic and as we waited for the
attendant to bring the boys out we began to talk about what if this or what
if that and ..... Wowww there they were.  Lorenzo had grown 6 inches from
summer and Marco about 3 inches and both boys were so amazingly cute.  We
called Alina right away and the boys said the trip was fun and they were
excited to be here in America.  Then we heard Lorenzo say . . . . "Mama, Ok
I love you ... now stop me n Marco aren't 3 anymore."

   The ride back to Ashfield was nonstop chatter and the boys English was
so good.  As we drove the boys kept saying how beautiful everything was.
Nice-a houses, nice-a farm, nice-a horses, nice-a trees then we pulled in
the drive and up to the back door.  OMG, holy mackerel there was a rush of
people to greet Marco and Lorenzo.  First thing we all heard was ... "Were
hungry" so what's new? And what did they want? ... French Toast ....

   Ethan and Keith were the early afternoon chefs.  It was introducing
everyone and poor Lorenzo and Marco having to answer a hundred questions.
There was one quiet boy ... Antonio wasn't saying much but by the
expression on his face he was in love and just simply couldn't take his
eyes off Lorenzo.  Jake noticed something and brought it to everyone's
attention when he said . . . . "wow, Antonio you and Lorenzo look so much
alike you could be brothers."......... Now 2 boys were blushing, but so
damn cute.

   Marco and the rug-rats were so wrapped up in their own little world that
they never heard a word that Jake said ... but Lorenzo now had his
attention focused directly on Antonio and the smile on Lorenzo's face spoke
thousands of words ... and I'm sure I heard "Amore" telepathically but none
the less these 2 boys shared the same feelings.  Peter looked at Lorenzo
and then at Antonio and then at me; Peter knew exactly the same thing I
knew and so did Jake; will they be best of friends or more?

   Neil was trying to help Ethan and Keith but when he turned and spotted
Lorenzo and Antonio he looked at me and said . . . . "well, I think
something is very obvious isn't it?"  Ethan and Keith saw the 2 boys and
how they were looking at each other and smiled, looked at me and Jake and
winked.

   The rest of the day was a blur and dinner finished and kitchen all
cleaned, showers finished and now for sleeping arrangements.  Rug-rats,
Lars, Lukas and Marco in the rug-rats bedroom.  Peter and Neil in Ethan's
bedroom.  Ethan, Keith, Antonio and Lorenzo down in the music room.
Somehow, and neither Jake nor I know how, twin inflatable beds in the music
room were swapped for 1 queen size and 1 regular double inflatable.  Ethan
and Keith on the queen size and Antonio and Lorenzo on the regular double.
Something Jake would call double trouble.

   Morning arrived and as I passed the laundry room Ethan was putting some
towels in the washer and I just smiled and headed for the kitchen but was
passed by Lukas who handed Ethan 2 more towels.  ...  They must have taken
early showers.  Keith, and Peter were already making breakfast and I
stopped Ethan just as he was about to go back down to the music room and
asked ...................

   ....................."Ethan you and Keith were good last night, right,
you know what I mean?" . . . . Ethan's look already said .. No .. but then
Ethan said . . . . "Kori, Lorenzo is as big as Antonio, who is about 4
inches, and Keith and I didn't do anything till Lorenzo and Antonio were
already doing stuff n they did it a few times."  I thought to myself ... 12
and 14 ... horny 24/7 and I hope they had as much fun as Peter and I did
when we were that age, if the barn could only talk ... no! better it can't.

   We had the next 5 days together before we needed to get Lorenzo and
Marco to Providence and to their sponsor family and the rest of us back to
New Haven.  During this time we all had the most fun out snowshoeing,
hiking, skiing, and that is not to mention the continued nightly
activities, oh and daytime activities when we could, .... they defined =
Ethan and Keith, ... Lorenzo and Antonio, ... Marco, Lars, Lukas, Kyle, and
Justin .... Jake and I found that the activities did definitely included
Justin and Kyle.

   There was the occasional thought about Neil and Peter too.  Peter always
seems to have a nice big smile every morning.

   The biggest event occurred on the third day when Ethan and Keith called
for a family meeting.  The boys have bonded and they never want to forget
or lose where each of them may be, even if in different parts of the world.
They have an idea that they want something special like a ring that would
symbolize their love and bond like being special brothers; something that
only they would have.  Neil, Peter, Jake and I understand the idea but a
ring isn't practical.

   It was Ethan and Keith that had an idea about a compass, a silver
compass on a chain that would symbolize their ability for each of them to
find any of their brothers in any part of the world.  Wowww!  Perfect idea
and they all agreed.  The boys looked online and found this one silver
compass that was perfect.  There was just one problem and that was that the
boys wanted something that no one else could ever have just them.

   Jake, Neil, Peter and I looked at the compass and agreed that it was
perfect but anyone could buy it, expensive at $500.00 each but not
a-one-of-a-kind.  It was Lars that had the solution when he said
. . . . "Dad you could make it." ........  Peter looked at it, then at the
boys and said . . . . "Yes!  One very special hand-carved compass made of
the most exotic wood in the world.

   Peter explained that it would be African Blackwood the most expensive
wood in the world known as Dalbergia Melanoxylon, Mozambique ebony and he
had just one piece at the shop and there could be no mistakes.  When
finished there would be only 9 compass necklaces like these in the world.
The boys were all excited and so were Jake, Neil, me and Peter because this
was something very special.

   Peter was so excited that he drove all the way back to his shop in Maine
to get both the wood and his small carving tools.  He then would return by
night so the boys could watch him as he carved.  The brotherhood of 9 was
about to take a different turn when Antonio called his grandfather and
asked him to make all 9 boys' legal brothers.

   Antonio explained to his grandfather about each of the boys and how
Marco and Lorenzo are here from Naples, Italy and that Lars and Lukas are
Swiss/French and from Valberg, France and are Peter and Neil's boys....
There was a long silence ...................... then Antonio handed the
phone to Jake.  Jake finished the conversation and announced that the Judge
would arrive tomorrow afternoon with legal papers claiming the brotherhood
of 9 to be a legal brotherhood recognized throughout the world much like
the knights of the round table.

   The day went quickly and Peter returned at 7 pm with the exotic wood.
It was a deep shiny black and nearly as hard as stone.  He had an enlarged
copy of the compass the boys had chosen and began work almost immediately.
The boys watched for hours and one by one fell asleep near Peter, that is
all but one boy who never closed his eyes.  Peter worked never stopping
except for an occasional drink of coffee or a cookie.

   Jake was on the couch and I was sitting next to Peter as he continued.
He needed a special visor with magnifying lens to carve each compass
exactly as the one before.  On the back of each compass was the first
initial of each boy and on the front in the center was a world globe and 4
arrows pointing North, South, East, and West.

   It was now almost 6 am and Peter's eyes were blood red.  Neil sat next
to Peter opposite me as Peter made the last stroke with his fine chisel,
the 9 compasses finished.  All the boys were sleeping but one, as Peter had
made the final stroke he leaned into Peter and kissed him on the cheek and
whispered . . . . "thank you for giving me, my brothers."  Peter turned and
kissed Antonio on the cheek then picked him up and put him in the center of
Jake and my bed and curled up with him.

   I covered Jake with a blanket, Neil went to Ethan's room and to bed and
I returned to our room and curled up with Peter and Antonio.  It felt good
to put my arm around Peter once again.

   Noon came with that incredible aroma of fresh coffee and beautiful
laughter coming from the kitchen.  It was noon but time for breakfast.
Each of the boys were sitting holding their compass and Jake had taken a
hundred or more pictures.  Antonio had slept with his compass and was not
about to put it down.  Brunch over and we all agreed that a shower and a
good walk would be a great idea.

   I won't describe the showers because nothing happened.  It was the walk
when Jake, Peter, Neil and I realized just how the 9 boys had become so
close.  It was the magic of this place in Ashfield, Massachusetts, it is
still the same magic that was here now some 21 years later; I call the
magic Jake but Jake thinks it is the true magic of the farm his granddad
left him so many years ago.

   We soon returned to the front porch to find a smiling Judge.  Antonio
ran to his grandfather and it was big hugs but then those hugs were shared
with everyone as Antonio introduced all the boys to his grandfather.  Now
for this ceremony ... nope not quite yet.  The judge had made some calls
and we all needed to go to the courthouse for what was to be a very special
ceremony and we needed to change clothes to something a little better.

   We arrived at the Ashfield Town Hall to find Deputy Morgan and a few
other officers from the National Guard with our National and State flags,
State Police, and even the mayor along with about 50 guests.  Each compass
was fitted with a sterling silver chain and the Judge made this a special
event by presenting each boy with a formal certificate claiming each a
member of "The Brotherhood of Nine".  There were ribbons and flowers for
each of the boys and hundreds of photos.

   The event was over and it was off for dinner at the Lakehouse and then
the Judge needed to return for court duties in the morning.  Back at the
farm, it was a movie, snacks and off to bed.  Jake and I were just about to
crawl into bed when the Tasmanian Devils flew like the wind past us and
landed right in the middle of the bed.  There came lots of giggling as Jake
and I began to torture them and soon all was well as Jake and I joined
Justin and Kyle at some far-off magical island with dancing dragons.


To be Continued:  A Neglected Boy "The Twins LXI"
https://jacoblion.weebly.com/a-neglected-boy-the-twins.html
Did you enjoy the story? What part was special for you?
jacoblion@tutanota.com