Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2020 04:16:19 +0200 (CEST)
From: jacoblion@tutanota.com
Subject: A Neglected Boy The Twins LXXXIX

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.

This story is told by Jake...........

A Neglected Boy "The Twins" LXXXIX
jacoblion@tutanota.com

   After 2 days at sea we were picked up by a fishing boat and brought to
Southwest Harbor, Maine.  Kori called Neil and Peter to let them know what
had happened.  Neil thought it was best that Peter make the trip to
Southwest Harbor while he, Lukas, and Lars went up to the farm house to get
things ready for our return to the farm.  He kept telling Kori over and
over how sorry he was to hear this.  Peter drove their SUV nearly 7 hours
and most of the night the 368 miles from Ashfield to Southwest Harbor,
Maine.

   It was just before sunrise when Peter arrived at the Coast Guard
station.  The greeting was tearful and walking to the SUV the morning
seemed eerily somber.  A feeling of impending doom hung low over the entire
station.  A guardsman collected the blankets as we entered the SUV.  Even
with Peter's thoughtfulness to have the heater on we remained cold.  The
cold was much more than just the remains of the night air.  No, it was the
depth of the chill left in our bodies after the intense beating of the
storm and the feeling of despair and the tragic loss of what we have loved
most.

   The return trip to Ashfield was solemn.  There were just a very few
words spoken in the seven hours.  Keith never uttered a single word.  It
was just past 3 pm when we drove the winding driveway and pulled to the
backdoor of the farmhouse.  Neil stood on the back steps, there was no sign
of Lars or Lukas; Neil had sent them home.

   He walked over to help with the baggage but, we had only one small gym
bag and it contained everything that was left from Jabbering.  The house
looked good and Kori and I thanked him for what he, Lars, and Lukas had
done.  There was fresh coffee and even hot tea for Kori and cold drinks on
the counter.  Peter understood the grief we were feeling and simply said
. . . . "If there's anything you need Neil and I will be there for you;
just ask.

   Peter looked at Neil and pointed at the back door.  They were gone.
Only Kori and I were in the kitchen and we could hear someone in the living
room crying.  Sometimes it's best to just let things be.  A few minutes
later Kori and I heard Ethan say something and then first one-bedroom door
shut then the other.

   How many times in crisis mode had Kori and I stood in this kitchen?
When he was 12 it may have been something at school or because Liam was
hurt.  Last year it was because the Fish and Game Officer shot at the bear
and the rug-rats began throwing a fit.  I mentioned the rug-rats and
immediately felt sick.  I tried to get something made for dinner and just
couldn't.  Kori had gone to the den.  I put things in the regenerator with
a note if anyone wanted something.  I needed to escape and went to the
bedroom.

   I don't remember Kori coming to bed and I don't remember him getting up
either.  I think I remembered Ethan and Keith coming in at some point; I
just don't really remember much.  I looked at the clock; I must have been
extremely exhausted because it was nearly 10.  I did feel slightly better
and the coffee was telling me to get up.  I walked into the kitchen.  My
coffee cup was on the counter with a note saying "fill your cup but, be
very quiet someone is still sleeping and come join me on the porch. Kori"

   I opened the backdoor to find the morning warm with a bright blue
cloudless sky.  I sat next to Kori, who was smiling, and pointing at Kyle
and Lars.  Tears began swelling in my eyes as I watched Kyle and Lars
placing hundreds of wild flowers on the grave.  They had gone over the
fence to the field with 2 pillow cases and filled them with beautiful wild
flowers.  This small grave was now decorated so beautifully.

   I thought I was about to cry when the backdoor opened.  I turned to see
a very sleepy Justin rubbing his eyes and then I heard . . . . "Dad, I'm
starving and Keith is still asleep, can I wake him up?" . . . . No! you
can't ..... go put sneakers or flipflops on and help your brother and Lars
put flowers on the hamsters grave and I'll make some `French Toast'.

   The backdoor squeaked and then before I could get up it squeaked open
again as Justin tried to slide by me, I grabbed him and got my morning hug
and a cheap peck on the cheek.  He was completely different from the trip
home last night.  He seemed much better and I felt relieved seeing him run
across the lawn to Kyle and Lars.  We all were very concerned about
Justin. In had been in these last few days that he had no will to live and
he had said a number of times he wanted to be with his mom.

   From inside the raft during the storm, the time on the fishing and even
the entire ride home he wouldn't let go of my hand.  Most of the time I
either held him or he was squished against me.  I think he wasn't in bed
with me last night because he and Kyle were in their room crying and he
fell asleep that way.

   Kori joined me in the kitchen and said he hoped that sleeping in his bed
here had helped him recover somewhat.  We both knew we would have to watch
Kyle and Justin carefully for some time.  The trauma of the storm, the
sinking of Jabbering, and the hamsters dying on the raft made us realize
The Twins would have some lasting effects.

   Kori sat watching Kyle, Lars, and Justin while I started breakfast.  I
had the eggs, milk and bread on the counter and I was just beginning to
crack the eggs when Ethan and Keith shuffled alongside me. ... ... "ummmm,
French toast, looks like the kind form the north of France" ... ...  Ethan
was trying to make me smile, and he did.  It was good to see that they both
looked much better today.

   The teens both poured a cup of coffee and began helping with breakfast.
Keith gently placed his hand on my shoulder and as I looked at him, I knew
I there was something he wanted to tell me.  He looked at Ethan and Ethan
nodded as saying yes, tell him.  I wasn't sure I wanted to hear what it was
as he began.................

   ................. "Jake do remember about last night, about The Twins?"
. . . . No, about what? ... I was beginning to feel uneasy.  ... ... "Do
you remember me and Ethan coming in telling you that Justin and Kyle were
in our bedroom?" ... ... then Keith continued to tell me that shortly after
they went to bed, he and Ethan heard Justin and Kyle crying.  They went to
check on The Twins and found them on the floor in the corner of their
bedroom crying.

   So, now I find out that Justin and Kyle had actually spent the night
with Ethan and Keith.  Ethan was putting the eggy bread on the griddle when
Kori walked in.  I asked Kori if he was aware that The Twins had slept in
with Ethan and Keith ... ... now, I get more of the story.

   Kori said . . . . "I got up a little after 3 and after a quick pee I
went to check on Kyle and Justin.  They weren't in their room.  I found
them all wrapped up in the middle of the bed with Ethan and Keith.  Jake,
they were sleeping soundly and they needed that.  I also think they were
looking for their brothers to protect them from the ghosts that the storm
created.  I've noticed that at times our, not so little, rug-rats want to
be with Keith and Ethan more than you and I."

   I thought about what Kori just said and I looked at the teens, he was
right.  Justin and Kyle are getting older ... `tweens' ... and my problem
is I don't like the idea of them getting older. ... ... Juice, milk,
coffee, tea, butter, syrup all on the table when 3 cute kids charged in
letting us know they were `starving'!

   Of course, Lars, like his brother Lukas, is just part of the family and
needs, like the other two rug-rats, to be reminded to wash filthy hands
first and leave the dirt in the sink not on the towel, please.  The three
musketeers arrived back in the kitchen all excited.  Lars looking at Kyle
and Justin said ... "Just ask...." ... ... hmmmm, ask what I said ........

   Then in stereo . . . . "Dad can we get a dog, please? ... doesn't have
to be a big one Dad, just medium would be good". ... ... I looked at Kori,
Kori was looking at me, Ethan and Keith were looking as if a bomb was about
to drop.  The silence was deafening. ... ... "Dad, please" the rug-rats in
stereo again.  I could feel Kori just about to say something and I didn't
want it to be No. ... ... I shouted Yes! ... ... I don't know how I said
that it just burst out of me.  The next thing was I looked at Kori and he
had the biggest smile, a huge smile.

   Hugs, more hugs.  Hugs from Justin, hugs from Kyle, and Lars and the
teens too.  Now let's eat! ...  Breakfast conversation was ... what kind of
dog? ... When, today? ... ... No, not today.  We decided that the rug-rats,
me and Kori along with Keith and Ethan would sit and look at some different
kinds of dogs on the internet and see what we could all agree
on. ... ... Ha, all of us need to agree on the same kind of dog, could be
Christmas before that happens.

   Lukas arrived with . . . . "Hi, smells good can I have some?"
... ... another plate Keith.  Then when Lukas found out we were going to
look at dogs he just needed to tell us why the best dogs are Great Danes or
Boxers or Rottweilers.  Kori thanked Lukas for his expert advice and said
we would look at all of those and let him know what we decided later
tonight or tomorrow.  I think Lukas felt good that he was able to give
suggestions. I felt good knowing it wouldn't be any of those.

   Neil called for his boys and when the door shut it was a scramble for
the living room and we began the search for the perfect dog.  Kyle like the
Doberman, Justin like the Golden, Ethan and Keith decided they didn't want
to be in on the pick.  They thought that it was more something Kyle and
Justin should choose.  Kori looked at me and I could read his mind ... our
teens are growing up.

   Ahhhh, a Giant Schnauzer, no Justin said it looks grumpy.  If one liked
it the other didn't.  After 90 minutes of arguments ... Ethan and Keith had
already left and Kori said . . . . "Ok Kyle and Justin, .. Jake and I are
going for a walk over to check the horses `you two' sit and decide but
perhaps look at a first choice and a second choice then let Jake and me
know." . . . . The rug-rats were fine with that and just said "Have a good
walk".

   Kori and I were out the back door and over to the upper pasture to watch
the horses. We were hanging on the fence near the spot where I first
spotted Kori, years ago, when Kyle and Justin came running full speed.
Either something was chasing them or they had made a pick.  They were
halfway to the pasture fence each waving a paper and screaming .... "this
one Dad, this one!  Only this one Dad no others only this one!"
... ... They both arrived and shoved a printed photo at us. I couldn't
believe it, just couldn't believe it.

   Kori and I looked at the printed photos.  They were the same photo but
both Justin and Kyle had to each have a photo of the dog of their dream.
What I couldn't believe was that it was the same dog my grandfather had
here when I was about 8 or 9.  Actually he had 3 of them and he always said
you can't have just one.  Kori looked at me and said . . . . "Wasn't there
a picture of one of them in the attic room when I was a kid?"

   I looked at Justin and Kyle and told them that my granddad had them when
he lived here.  Justin said . . . . "We want a Whispet only that dog a
Whispet." . . . . Kyle was nodding his head up and down but correcting
Justin saying it's a Whippet not a Whsipet and we were all laughing.  What
could be possibly be better than rug-rats and a Whippet?

   We were in the living room again looking at videos of whippets.  I was
just about to give Justin and Kyle even better news about their choice when
the backdoor opened and shut.  Kyle and Justin took off like shot and were
dragging Keith and Ethan back into the living room.  Kori said ... "Hope
you guys had a good walk because we're gonna be busy.  Then all we could
hear was "we're getting a Whispet I mean a Whippet.

   Ethan and Keith were surprised that a choice had been made then came the
bad news.  I was being very serious when I told Kyle and Justin to sit and
listen very carefully to what I had to say.  They both sat on the floor and
then so did Keith and Ethan, All 4 boys close together resting against the
couch.

   I looked at Kyle and Justin and said ... I'm sorry you can't have one.
Faces turned to shock and were about to cry until I said ... you'll have to
have two one for each of you.  Whippets are very social and they have to be
with another one to be happy, just like you two.  There is no description
to tell the excitement that followed.  I thought Kori and I would be
knocked over when those rug-rats jumped on us.  Well, it became a pig pile
with me and Kori on the bottom and rug-rats and teens on top.

   We all needed this happiness.  Now all we had to do was find two
`Whispets'.  I called a friend that I worked with at Yale.  I knew he had a
Greyhound and might have an idea or know a Whippet Breeder in the area.  I
only got a voicemail so I left a message and told him what we were looking
for.  Now I was looking at 2 unhappy faces at the moment.  Try explaining
to Justin and Kyle that sometimes things take more than 30 minutes to
accomplish.

   We had just started to talk about dinner when there was a knock at the
backdoor.  Keith said he heard a car and we know it can't be Neil, Peter
and his kids they don't knock.  Kori opened the door and we were so
surprised it was Deputy Morgan and Helen.  We didn't have to think about
dinner now.  We did have to think about how to get the rug-rats pried off
Morgan as he was being attacked like a long-lost friend.  I did have to
chuckle to myself at how polite Kori was to Helen.  I remember a slightly
different Kori from years past when it came to Helen being around the farm.

   The subject of our sailing adventure was just barely mentioned and
dropped.  The conversation was mostly about Ashfield, the need for teachers
at all three schools, and an increase in black bear population.  It appears
there have been a number of bears opening doors and crawling through
windows. The result has been leaving kitchens a mess as well as eating
everything in sight.  Kyle and Justin found that very funny.

   We added chairs and 6 became 8 for dinner.  I was relieved and welcomed
the company.  Dinner was a large pot roast with all the fixings of onions,
carrots, potatoes, and parsnip.  Apple sauce on the side and the best
cornbread we had ever had.  To finish a 3-layer strawberry cream cake.
Helen had remembered how we all love strawberries .... Truth is we love all
kinds of strawberry things.

   During dinner the rug-rats conversation was mostly about "were getting 2
Whippets" and the paper photo was passed to Helen and Morgan a dozen or so
times.  Kori, Ethan, and Keith did their best to change the conversation
but, we're talking about Kyle and Justin being a little wound up at the
time.

   Helen and Deputy Morgan didn't stay but just a few minutes after dinner
but did give us another surprise as they handed us 2 large apple pies.  We
walked them to the car and Morgan said . . . . "Hey, if you need anything
call and remember you are our family and always have been, always will be."
... ...  He shut the car door and they drove off.

   We were in the living room and just starting a program about Africa on
National Geographic when the phone in the kitchen rang.  Keith grabbed it
and it was my friend from Yale.  I took the phone and ... great news he
gave me the number for the lady in charge of Whippet Rescue in New Haven.
The call was short and I just thanked him and immediately called Jan with
my fingers crossed that she may have what we needed.

   Our conversation lasted about 15 minutes.  I walked back to the living
room and all I said was ... `who wants 2 Whippets?' ... and to hell with
Nat Geo we've got planning to do. ... `Korengish' ...  I think that is what
the rug-rats were speaking; it's a language frequently spoken when Kyle and
Justin are excited.  Keith and Ethan attacked them and they were all
rolling around the floor shouting ... "We gots Whispets 2 of dem."

   Kori and I were relieved to see the boys happy and excited.  I think the
Whippets will be good medicine for everyone.

   Kori was on the phone to see if Peter or Neil could drive he and Ethan
to Mystic in the morning so they could get the SUV and Willys.  The house
was insane with nonstop chatter and full on excitement.  We were getting
not 1 but 2 Whippets and they'd be here tomorrow afternoon.

   The plan.  Peter, Kori and Ethan will leave at 6 am for the trip to
Mystic.  They will get the SUV and Willys and then drive to the house in
New Haven.  Kori and Peter will head out to PetSmart and get everything on
the list that Jan gave me during our phone conversation.  Ethan in the
meantime will be packing everything on the list we all made to bring back
to the farm.  Shirts, shorts, socks, underwear, light jackets, hats,
Gameboy and games from the rug-rats room and anything he might think of.
The remainder of the summer will be at the farm.

   Now while they are on the road to Mystic, leaving at 6 am, I will be
enjoying another 2 or 3 hours of peaceful sleep with two of the cutest
munchkins you ever did see.  Oh, as for that teen Keith ... well, I can bet
he could sleep till near noon if we let him, and the rug-rats will never
let that happen ... you can bet on that!

   It was 10 pm and I was tired.  Kori was going over the list for the
eighth time.  Keith and Ethan were helping the rug-rats discover what
Whippets are like watching
videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfb2taGZEbk&ab_channel=WilmertheWhippet
Things had been quiet and then all of a sudden, a lot of laughter.  Kori
and I went to see what was going on and the boys replayed the video for us.
It was hilarious and just like I remembered my grandfather's Whippets
... they can be a little on the crazy side.  I remember Angie how she could
jump up a take a piece of popcorn right from my lips and never touch
me. Oh, and she was a thief with an attitude.

   Things quieted just before 11 and it was showers and off the bed.  Kori
and I had finished our shower and discovered a large lump right in the
center of our bed.  We began discussing the situation loudly.  Kori began
.... "Jake, it looks like someone or something has destroyed all the
bedcovers.  I think perhaps they dumped something in the center of our bed
then tried to hide it with the messed-up sheet and blanket."

   Kori continued ..... "hmmm, Wait ... could that possibly a burglar?"
... ... the `giggling' had started and the lump in the bed was
moving. ... ... I agreed with Kori and said that it couldn't possibly be
Justin or Kyle because they were probably in their own bed. ... ... Right
then that big lump tossed the covers off and those obnoxious little brats
confessed that they were the lump culprits.

   Well, it was to late to try to change things so Kori and I decided it
was probably best to just make the best of things and crawl in with the
`lumpies'. ... Neither Kori or I heard any complaints and I was able to hug
up to my little lump all night.

   Morning came with the sound of the alarm at 5:15.  One person decided to
get up and he needed to get going.  I quietly slipped from beneath the
covers and joined he and Ethan for coffee.  It was 5 minutes to 6 when
Peter walked in.  I had to laugh to myself because none of them looked
awake.  Peter filled his insulated mug with what coffee remained and the
three of them were out the door.

   I watched as Peter's truck pulled away.  It took a minute or 2 and the
kitchen was all straight and coffee pot washed.  I looked in at the bed and
nothing had moved so I gently lifted the covers and slid right back in.
Not more than 3 minutes later the bedroom door, that I had left ajar,
opened and a sleepy teen lifted the covers on Kori's side of the bed and
slid in not making a sound.

   Now I will admit that I have a love/hate relationship with the sun this
morning I love it.  The sun in all it's tender warmth and glory only began
to slowly enter and warm the room.  The window had been open all night and
this was one of those times when the valley morning can be very cool even
in summer.  It felt good to feel the sun's warming rays.

   I wasn't the only one who slowly noticing daylight.  "The Twins" quickly
found Keith.  They also found that he was, like most teenage boys in the
morning, in a certain condition.  Two heads disappeared for a closer look
but I grabbed both of them and rolled them right out onto the floor.  I
pointed to the bathroom and they could read my lips ...NOW!.

   I guess Keith could hear some giggling and two streams of pee hitting
the water in the toilet.  I just hope it all went in the toilet.  He looked
at me and said . . . . "I gotta go too." ... and with that off he went.
Well, guess Justin and Kyle got a good look and I know it wasn't the first
time.

   I headed for the kitchen and put some coffee on and soon the rug-rats
and Keith appeared.  Now it was my turn seeing that the bathroom was empty.
Keith volunteered to make breakfast and I was happy to hear that.  I'll
have a good shower and he can answer Kyle and Justin every time when they
ask ... "How much longer before the Whippets get here? ... Are they on the
way? ... Will they want to play? ... and about a hundred more and I know
because that's just how rug-rats are.

   My shower was over and breakfast was over.  I told Justin and Kyle to
find something to do while Keith went to let the horses out or better still
go help him.  I was going to try to pick everything up that could possibly
become a Whippet toy. ... hmmmm, with that thought I realize there needs to
be some education about that with everyone.

   I came back from Kyle and Justin's bedroom and they must have gone with
Keith the living room was empty.  I heard the phone ring once ... ... just
once then the `announcement' an excited `announcement' ...  "They're on the
way back they got the Whippets" ...  I said let me speak to Kori as walked
into the kitchen.  Too late. ... rug-rats hung up. ... ... I had to call
Kori back who was laughing when he answered his cellphone.

   The very best news was they would arrive about 1 pm.  Then he asked if
we could please have lunch all together quietly and let the Whippets get
use to the house. ... duh ... of course Kori.  I thought I had made it
clear I knew what Whippets were like.

   Oh, now we have to move the kitchen table back.  Seriously, I didn't
think they needed to move it all the way over to the phone.  But I guess
they needed to sit in a chair and lean on the table at the same time.  Much
easier than just sitting in the chair next to the phone.

   Would the boys play in the backyard? ... No ... and now Lars and Lukas
are here.  Best news ... sometimes Lars and Lukas are brilliant.  Seems
Neil told Lars and Lukas to get Kyle and Justin and clean stalls and Keith
was in charge. ...  Oh, the extreme pouting! ... I had to use `Or Else' to
the get rug-rats to comply. ... Attitude!  Oh, the attitude sometimes makes
me think someone should write a good parenting book about handling `twins'.

   I think someone at the barn was on lookout because the Willys and SUV
and Peters truck all pulled in and that created a charge of wild Indians
from the barn.

   Kori put a screeching halt to things.  He took all the boys to the front
porch and began to explain that we needed to be very quiet and he and Ethan
would walk both dogs first then they would bring the whippets in the
kitchen and one by one each of the boys could greet and pet each of the
whippets. ...  Then Kori said he and Ethan would take the whippets to each
room and let them sniff around.

   Everyone agreed and understood that it would be all new to the two
whippets and we didn't want to frighten them.  After they had seen the
downstairs rooms, we would all sit and have lunch. ... ...  I couldn't
believe how well Justin, Kyle, Lukas, and Lars behaved.  The plan worked
perfectly.

   The two whippets were cage trained, housebroken and obedient trained,
... well, somewhat.  They were just a year old and well mannered, of course
we had watched a number of videos and whippets seem to be the dog
counterpart to rug-rats.  Quiet and gentle one minute and crazy the next.

   One by one everyone was introduced.  Room by room they sniffed and
looked, very polite these two whippets.  Then it was into the kitchen for
lunch.  Kori had bought 2 large soft beds and we placed them near the door
to the hall and living room.  The beds had just been set down and both dogs
found the one they liked and it was time for a nap.  I think they were a
little lost and the bed was a safe place offering some comfort.

   I glanced at them every minute or so.  Their eyes would close then hear
a voice and look to see who it was. ...  Lunch over Lars and Lukas were off
down through the pastures to their house.  Kori let us all know what Jan
had suggested and that was to take them out after the initial greeting and
then just sit in our living room for an hour or so and let the two whippets
just visit who they wanted.  We did as she suggested.

   Silence and Penny were their names.  The two dogs at first didn't pay
much attention to any of us.  They just walked around the living room
sniffing and checking everything out.  Then it was out to the kitchen for a
drink then down the hall and into Justin and Kyle's room.  Kyle was just
about to head down the hall when I asked him to just wait.  We all sat in
the living room waiting, and waiting.

   We didn't hear anything but soon the whippets came trotting in.  It was
funny what they did.  Penny and Silence began sniffing at each of us.
Typical of a dog their noses sniffed feet, chests, faces and for some
reason a sniff directly at each crotch, more of a poke and then both dogs
went back down the hall to the rug-rats room again.

   Kori in his authoritative manner told everyone to stay and not to change
places.  He very quietly snuck to the rug-rats room and returned.  He had
this big smile and said . . . . "The whippets have each jumped on Kyle and
Justin's bed and pulled the blanket into a bunch and are taking a little
nap I think." ... we all wanted to see and it was hard to get Kyle and
Justin to just sit for a few more minutes.

   It was only about 5 minutes at most when Penny and Silence trotted into
the living room again.  This time they passed by me and Keith then Kori.
Silence took a few mores steps ... she stopped next to Kyle, sat and then
just curled up right next to him.  I motioned to Justin not to move.  The
expression on his face almost made me cry ... then Penny sniffed Ethan, my
heart was pounding, she was looking directly at him and she sniffed again
then walked to Justin.

   Justin was almost in tears when Penny sniffed him and then sniffed again
and then it happened, she crawled right up close and like Silence curled up
next to him.  Justin began to pet her gently, she licked his hand once then
tucked her nose under his hand and gave it a good push ... like saying Ok,
pet more please.

Perhaps the story will continue; ...  Remember that authors deserve your
feedback it is the only payment they receive.............
jacoblion@tutanota.com