Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2020 05:30:55 +0100 (CET) From: jacoblion@tutanota.com Subject: A Neglected Boy The Twins XCI 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. The story is told by Jake Roberts A Neglected Boy "The Twins" XCI jacoblion@tutanota.com Breakfast, Whippets, and Horses Oh Yes, the sun is up and so are Kori and I. Kori has this great big smile and so do Kyle and Justin. Those whippets had pushed their noses right under the covers scrambled down the bed, did a flip turn and right up again poking their little noses and heads out form under the covers between Justin and Kyle. They look so cute; all 4 of them. There is no doubt that this will be a great day. How I can tell is Kori and I have our little rug-rats and they have their little Whispets and we can all smell `bacon' and I smell amoretto coffee. Uh-oh ... ... there seems to be lots of laughter in the kitchen. Kori and I were curious. More curious were rug-rats and Whippets. The sounds from the kitchen had Justin and Kyle tossing off covers and scrambling for the bedroom door with Penny and silence right on their tail. Sign of getting old when Kori and I hadn't even touched the floor and rug-rats and Whippets were already in the kitchen. We knew it was Lukas and Lars their voices are unmistakable. Loud to start with and then there is that slight French/Swiss accent. It is not so noticeable when Lars and Lukas are speaking slowly, but, that's seldom, but when they are excited, and on a roll, it becomes quite evident that they aren't from the New England area. However, in the category of accents our Korean Twins have them beat by a mile. Lars and Lukas speak English all the time, ... perhaps, if they are alone, they may speak in French but, we have only heard a few words and that was when we visited them in Valberg. Now for the rug-rats ... their English is improving but with that heavy Asian accent and if they are excited it is definitely `Korenglish' and fast. After a quick washup and pulling on shorts and t-shirts Kori and I made our way to the kitchen and a great amount of excitement. ... ... "Dad, Dad guess what?" ... ... before Kori or I had a chance to ask "what" to either rug-rat we heard `in stereo' ... ... "that `damn' Bear is behind Lars n Lukas house n it stood right up and looked at them". Now we were smiling but Kori needed to address the use of "damn bear" ... language ... but, we were told it was `Ok' because uncle Neil said it's a `damn bear' and uncle Neil let's Lukas and Lars say it's a `damn bear' so that makes it alright. Now how can we argue with that? Next thing ...... if the `damn bear' is behind their Log Home and standing looking at them just how did they get here and help wake us up? ... and that was the question I asked them. Why do I even bother to ask such silly questions? Lars and Lukas each held up a can of Frontiersman Bear Spray pulled right of their bear spray holster. `Visions of these two villains with western style Colt 45s strapped to their side ... Yes, that shot to my mind.'.......... ..........Their story continued with letting us know that Neil and Peter went out on the back porch with their shotguns loaded with blanks. . . . . "Pow, ... Pow ... and the last we'd seen of that `damnbear' was his behind hightailing it for the woods. Peter said it was Ok for us to come up but take the bear spray." . . . That was how Lukas described it as Lars was acting out the scene. "Ummmm, we had breakfast but that bacon smells really good maybe if it's Ok we could have a little more with you guys?" .... hmmm, ... Now when Lars said that was it a question or a statement? ... Kori and I had to laugh because Ethan and Keith were already sliding two more plates on the table. On one side of the table sat Justin, Lars, Kyle, and Lukas in that order. I know today is going to be a great day but as I look at that crew I can only think --- mischief, mischievousness, trouble, and double trouble. I can't help looking at Lars and Lukas and thinking of Peter at 12 then thinking of Peter and Kori together at 12. Now looking at all 4 boys my thoughts of a great day are beginning to sway toward a great day of trying to keep them out of trouble. Mischievousness personified. Kori at one end of the table and I'm at the other end, ... 4 rapscallions on one side and 2 very handsome 17-year-old teens on the other side. Plates were full of scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, toast with jam and we had just taken our first 2 or 3 bites when two of the family began to whine. I've never seen Kyle and Justin look sad and guilty at the same time. They pushed their chairs back so quickly they almost knocked them over. They ran to the Whippets and gave them a hug and said . . . . "Ok, ok you get some too." Kyle grabbed Silence and Penny's bowl while Justin put 2 hands full of snack kibble in the bowl. Then a big surprise to everyone the rug-rats both added half their bacon to the kibble. What? ... Rug-rats gave up a piece of bacon? Kori had the biggest smile and called Kyle and Justin over ... "Dad ... not in front of other kids ... geeeeze `Dad' so barrassing." ... As Kyle was trying to get away from Kori's hug and kiss. Justin on the other hand just went with it and as he was sitting back down said . . . . "So, I seen Neil kiss them two." As he was pointing to Lars and Lukas. See, trouble starting already. Breakfast over kitchen all clean and Keith and Ethan said they were going to make a trip to New Haven. It seems they needed to stop at Yale and pick up the new schedules for their senior year. Always being very thoughtful they asked if anyone needed anything from our house there. Isn't it amazing how thoughtful Ethan and Keith are? They said they would check everything in the house and even stop at our big Wal-Mart to pick up anything we needed and to just make a list. Interesting. A trip to New Haven today. ... Kori and Peter in high school at that age; never mind in high school just Kori and Peter at that age and Liam, Riku, Garret, and Ning. I'm sure they did need to get the new schedule; I also realize that things have been less private for them for the past 2 months. Probably best if they took a shower before heading back to the farm. Kori and I thought it would be good for Ethan and Keith to get away for the day by themselves. We know they had lost some things and New Haven would give them the opportunity to replace the lost items. When Kori and I handed Ethan and Keith each a check for one thousand dollars I think they were in shock. We told the teens to get a new iPad or tablet of their choice to replace the ones that now lie deep at the oceans bottom and whatever else they may need for now. As far as new clothes for school they need to wait and we'll get that in a few more weeks. I wonder if I could get another hug like that. Is it true that some people just have warmer bodies than others? I'm thinking about that because Keith always seems to be on the warm side and I love how his hands feel. I need to stop thinking................ Only minutes later our teen boys were out the door ... Hey wait you two! I called ... What time will you be home? ... Ethan hollered back ... "Dad, we'll be back by 6:30 or 7 and hungry ... how bout Liam's Shepheard's pie a big one! ... and down the drive they went. ... ... Wait, did Ethan just call me Dad? ... I knew it was going be a great day! ! ! Kori was pushing all four Tasmanian devils out the door, the Whippets were already charging around the yard. Then I heard Kori shouting . . . . "Hey, Kyle n Justin you forgot something ... the pooper scoopers and you'll need them."........ ........I was chuckling as he turned and informed me, he heard what Ethan called me. Then I got a nice hug and a sharp slap on my backside. He had a big smile; don't know why I love him so much. We had seen the video of whippets and frisbees so it was only natural for Kori to throw out a frisbee and 2 tennis balls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw7TkserTHM&ab_channel=FrisbeeRob It's just born into whippets to chase things and what can be better than frisbees and tennis balls. Why else would be they called sighthounds? It was 10:30 when two dogs came sliding in the kitchen followed by 4 little monsters. The dogs went directly to bowls of water and the little monsters directly to the refrigerator. The chill drawer open, (how long can 4 boys look at apples, pears and oranges?) and it was a continuous conversation about riding this afternoon while trying to decide on if it should be an apple, pear, or orange. Kori now nowhere in sight, I'm left to deal with the tyrants. ... "Dad can you make a fruit bowl for us? ... like the one Ethan and Keith makes, that one it's the best" . . . . I'll try Kyle but, you guys know Ethan and Keith are like the chief chefs, King of fruit salads. ... "aww come on Dad try, you can do it." Hmm, encouragement from Justin and I already know that Ethan and Keith always make it best. I started cutting up the fruit and putting it in the bowl with just a little sugar. ... ... Seems I forgot to toss the bowl like Keith does according to someone. Not mentioning his name, `Kyle'. ... ... Lars and Lukas are looking on quite closely and trying to snatch a slice every so often. Rug-rats took care of that and just pushed them out of the way. I thought I was finished ... that is till I was told to squeeze a quarter orange and a little lemon. ... I did, then I tossed the bowl again ... It's ready ... Oh, no it isn't ... in stereo ... "Dad, geeeeze Dad you forgot the vanilla yogurt, the Chobani kind not that other stuff." It's finished. I put 4 small apple sauce bowls and the overfilled fruit bowl on the table. Justin and Kyle were laughing ... well, giggling and one of them said .... "It's Ok Dad you did pretty good" ... that is as they were collecting the 4 bowls and replacing them with the larger cereal bowls. I was then instructed, not asked, to grab the cinnamon sugar for them, please ... Oh, and they needed 4 glasses for milk. Out of the kindness of their little hearts, the rug-rats that is, they got the dog bowls and gave the Whippets a snack too. Four kids and 2 dogs now happy. I went to find my partner and see just what he was up to. I opened the den door and Kori immediately closed the laptop. I didn't have to ask what he was looking at. Kori and the teens, especially Ethan, have deliberately avoided any mention of the loss of Jabbering. I knew what the answer would be but, I had to ask ... Kori, while the boys are having a fruit salad you want to talk? ... "Not now Jake, I think I'll go for a walk." ... ... There was no further discussion. Kori walked through the kitchen and just told the boys that the fruit salad looked good and walked out. ... Kyle watched Kori walk out the back door then he looked at me and said . . . . "Other Dad looks sad and I know why." ... Kyle dropped it as Justin whispered something in Kyle's ear and then Kyle had a big smile. I decided it was best to just let it go, at least for now. "Dad can we go for a trail ride?" ... It's so funny how Justin and Kyle get so close and I get these incredible hugs when they want something. ... Great idea boys let's clean things up and take Penny and Silence out for a walk then we can saddle up and .......... Oh, wait, perfect time to teach the Whippets about us riding and then going along with us. Here's what we'll do, I was talking directly to the rug-rats, ... Lars and Lukas can be our best helpers and they can ride first while `you' and Kyle walk Penny and Silence close but not real close to the horses. Then `you' and Kyle can ride and Lars and Lukas can walk Penny and Silence................. well, `without saying anything' the 2 rug-rats gave me a look like "are you nuts Dad?" .... I could see their brain and it was saying without talking, ...... "you seriously think were going to let those 2 crazy French delinquents walk `my' dog? ... Dad you've gone completely out of your mind, off your rocker Dad ... there ain't no way!" I had to backtrack fast. Ok, second thought all 4 of you saddle up and I'll handle Silence and Penny. Keep it at a walk and I'll jog alongside. ... ... Wow, look of relief from Justin and Kyle. It was Ok with Lars and Lukas they just wanted to ride anyway. I forgot how good the boys look on horses. Kyle and Justin although smaller than Lars and Lukas sit to the saddle well. Penny and Silence are enjoying this without question. We reached the end of the upper pasture and turned back toward the upper gate and barn. I had to make a decision. Should I keep the Whippets on the leash or turn them loose? I looked toward the barn and I spotted a boy hanging on the fence watching. He was still a boy in my mind. I knew I had to let the dogs go and reached down and unsnapped their leashes. First Silence and then Penny shook almost like they do after a bath. They turned for just a second and looked at me with what I knew was a look of thanks. My heart nearly stopped for a moment, what if they took off, what if they headed for the woods and ran into that black bear, what if they got kicked by one of the horses, what if......... Kori was at the other end hanging on the fence near the barn. What we both saw was Penny and Silence just side right up near Justin and Kyle on Sydney, and Peter Pan. Every once and while the Whippets would look up at the boys. It was an incredible sight as they just seemed to be such a perfect match. I know it was my imagination but it almost appeared that the dogs were matching the gait of the horses. I ran up along side just for a quick second to tell the boys to go into a slow trot and then to an extended trot. Watching them was pure poetry in motion. Something was going on. I had to look close to make sure I wasn't letting my imagination run away with me. We reached the gate and I told the boys to turn and go the length of the pasture but back and forth across the pasture diagonally. I stood next to Kori actually leaning against him as we watched Justin, Kyle, Lars, and Lukas and the 2 Whippets as the passed by. I looked at Kori and he was looking at me we both were a little shocked at what we were seeing. They weren't riding 4 across. Justin and Kyle were side by side with Penny and Silence next to them. Lars behind Justin on Autumn and Lukas behind Kyle on Bolt. It was a perfect formation of four. That part was acceptable but what was amazing was that the four horses were on exactly the same gait with left leg leading on the left diagonal pass and switching lead to the right leg on the right diagonal. How the `hell' are they doing that? The horses were on automatic doing what they had been taught at some time in the past. Kyle, Justin, Lars, and Lukas just need to sit to the saddle. As Kori and I watched the boys at the trot the posting became natural and all 4 boys were rising at the same time. The boys, horses, and dogs reached the far end of the pasture and turned and now it was directly up the fence line to me and Kori. The smiles on each face were so incredible; they each knew they must have looked quite smart as the passed down the field. The boys had been talking and they had a "great idea" well, it was Lars and Lukas that had the `great idea' and it was something that Neil and Peter had put in their heads. ... ... Rug-rats were in agreement. This will be interesting............. When in Valberg, Peter and Neil's boys had riding lessons and it included jumping and now we are listening to ... ... "Please Dad, it'll be fun and good exercise too." ... Yes Kyle, as Kori and I were nodding our heads and certainly can't argue with what Kyle said........ "Well, can we Dad? ... you're always saying we need to keep fit, please Dad ... just say yes Dad." ... ... Kori looked at me and reminded me that we both had said when taking on these two kids; `in for a penny in for a pound'. The next thing we heard from Lukas and Lars was that we can keep it simple. ... ... hmmm, where are Neil and Peter? Nothing is ever simple when they say that! ... ... "Dad, are you and other Dad still thinking cause we're not getting any younger Dad." ... ... Neither are we Justin! ...... My brain is saying we should think about this and Kori's lips are saying "OK, ok" ... I'm happy the 4 of those arm-twisting little monsters are still in the saddle or Kori and I could be in deep horse sh....t. ...... I'm thinking Kori and I have courses to teach at Yale and the house in New Haven and teens and swimming lessons, diving lessons for Keith and the swimming team. Kori having said yes gave no thought to how Kyle and Justin react to anything. ... Like thinking the whippets would just appear 30 minutes after we agreed they could have a dog. Everything is instant gratification to kids these days and our rug-rats are no exception. "Uncle Kori, Uncle Jake, can you put a fence rail up on something so we can practice?" ... Kori was `thinking' when he said .... "Lars why don't we take the saddles off the horses and go talk to your Dads. I think we all need to be together on this." ... ... Kori said that and ... OMG, what a look I got from Kyle and Justin. We hitched the horses and took the saddles off and then turned out all the horses. It's always fun to watch them as they run and romp. Of course, for the four that have just been ridden they must find the most perfect spot with lots of dirt to roll in. I know what 4 boys will have to do later ... grooming responsibilities. With the Great Dane down at Neil and Peter's log home it was best to let Penny and Silence have a little nap in the rug-rats bedroom. An argument or slight disagreement ensued as to the Whippets will be in their crates or just left out in the bedroom. We were told, by Jan, that when we went out it's best to let them just go to their crates. A safe zone for them. ... ... That's why they are crate trained. Now Kori tried to explain that to Kyle and Justin, ... I tried to explain the same thing in different words to the same 2 characters. The results were the same ... pouting, crying, `fake crying' and of course Kori and I are mean for locking the dogs up. Guilt, pure guilt trip provided by our 10-year-olds, and they're good at it. Good idea, bad idea. I knew better ... I did but, now it was 3 against one and after all what could happen in just an hour or so? Penny and Silence had been out all day and running around and with the horses ... I was being convinced that they would just sleep. ... Thanks Kori for backing me up ! ! ! We walked down to Lars and Lukas' house. Up the front steps and around to the back porch. Oh, something new ... a very beautiful jacuzzi looks very similar to ours and it's open. I can imagine Neil or Peter or the boys getting up in the morning and walking out to find that black bear in it. That would be so funny. Well, we had to walk a little further to find Peter and Neil in the shop trying to get a shipment ready to send to Valberg. They couldn't take a break and our conversation didn't last very long but, things may have just worked out to everyone's good fortune. With Peter very behind in orders of carvings and plaques he was going to offer Ethan and Keith a part-time job 4 hours a day. Just wait till they get back later and hear the news. For now, Neil suggested we take the 4 tweens and run up to Bennington and check out what we will need for equipment so the boys can learn a little hunter jumper technique. Perfect. Bennington, Vermont is only 47 miles and we can have lunch there. Chatter, nonstop. Little mouths going and some of it was in plain English that Kori and I could understand. Kori said . . . . "Ok, Lukas and Lars go change clothes quick, we'll wait next to the jacuzzi ... then up to the house and take the whippets out. Isn't it how funny how quickly the boys can move sometimes? ... that was what I asked Kori and he knew what I was referring too. He was smiling and then I heard .... "I guess what goes around comes around; I can remember me and Peter giving you a hard time getting dressed for school ... only occasionally Jake." Kori had told the rug-rats to let the dogs out and to go change quick and he and I would pick up after Silence and Penny. Lars and Lukas were on the back porch having a drink while we were getting everything sorted out. Out came the rug-rats with a smile and ready to go. I looked at Justin and Kyle and said they needed to go back and change their sneakers to the good ones. Then Justin said . . . . "These are the good ones." ... ... Oh, what a guilty look on those 2 faces. Lukas and Lars scrambled to their feet and were running as fast as they could to the rug-rats room. Those two have a Great Dane and had it from a puppy so they knew something exciting had happened while we were at the place. By the time Kori and I were in the hall looking toward Kyle and Justin's bedroom ... Lars and Lukas were standing in the hall outside the bedroom door looking at us with their hands over their mouths trying not to laugh. I rounded the corner and stood looking at the rug-rats bed. ... First, one of those Asian comic books they love ... well, about a billion pieces ... and the good Adidas `swift run' sneakers ... Oh, not really bad if Justin wore his right sneaker and Kyle's left one. That would count for a pair. Crate door opened and Silence and Penny went right in. Kori gave them a big rawhide chewy. No need for any discussion. It was off to Bennington. Lunch over and it was 5 minutes to the Bennington Pony Club. We were so lucky to meet with one of the owners who gave us a list of supplies, drawings and "how-to" instructions. Looks like we can get everything at the farm store tomorrow. It was a quick drive home and we drove around to Neil and Peter's and dropped off Lars and Lukas. As they were getting out Lukas asked Kori how long the rug-rats were grounded for. Brats! ... We turned around then out their drive and up the side road and into our driveway. I love the entrance all lined with those big trees. Justin and Kyle took the Whippets out while Kori and I started to get things ready for a large Shepheard's pie. Not just any Shepheard's pie but Liam's special one. Rug-rats and Whippets back in the house and they were off watching a video on hunter, jumpers. "Dads, you gotta see this hurry he's only 11 and he's so good if he can do it so can we. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PQrA3B_6CA&ab_channel=HaileyRoyce ... Kori and I did try to hurry and Kyle restarted the video from the beginning and then the rug-rats found it necessary to narrate it from the beginning making sure we didn't miss a thing ... ... Rug-rats weren't kidding this kid is amazing. "I wanna do that Dad" ... "Me too" is what Justin and Kyle were saying then reminding us again, and again, and again. I think Kori and I will hear that all night and perhaps all day tomorrow. Just then we heard the back door. Kyle and Justin ran for the kitchen but, Penny and Silence got there first. The two dogs were standing right at the doorway to the kitchen. The hair from the back of their head to behind their shoulders was standing straight up and both dogs were snarling and growling. ... Big white canine teeth showing. They didn't take another step. They stood and looked like they were ready to attack........... I had told everyone that with that bear around to make sure the backdoor was closed not just the screen door. I grabbed Justin and Kyle's shirt and pulled them back and stood face to face with............ ............Antonio and Kris both holding big shopping bags. ... ... ... I told Kyle and Justin to let Silence and Penny know that it's Ok; and as soon as they did all the hair on the Whippets back went down. The back door slammed again and now we have two extremely handsome teens with more large shopping bags. Oooooh, some teens got nice haircuts and look like they were right out of `Teen Vogue'. Ummmm, new dress shorts and Ralph Lauren dress button-down shirts. Ethan was wearing peach colored shorts and a light blue shirt while Keith was wearing dark blue shorts and a soft pink shirt. ... Kori said it right ... "WOW!" ... to complete the look, they both had new Sebago Schooner boat shoes. I wasn't the only one drooling. ... ... Ethan was looking at the rug-rats, me and Kori when he said . . . . "Hey we need a little fun so I thought I'd bring along Antonio and Kris to liven things up a bit." ... ... I don't know exactly what Ethan meant by `liven things up a bit' but, any time Antonio and Kris are around things get very lively and I'm sure this will be no exception. "Oh, I forgot to tell you that we did check the hot tub and we wiped down the shower before we went shopping; the ride down was really hot." ... Kori couldn't help himself and said . . . . "Well I hope you enjoyed your shower I'm sure you needed it." ... ... Keith said they enjoyed the shower and nearly ran out of hot water. ... I thought to myself ... Oh, it was one of those showers........ Then it was the curiously of Justin and Kyle and them wanting to know about the `big shopping bags. Was it just the rug-rats curiosity ... no, Kori and I were just as bad, maybe Kori was a little worse. All the bags were on the table and then Keith and Ethan began pulling out one thing at a time. First there were 2 new toys each for Penny and Silence, ahhhh, teens are smarter than the average bear ... and now the Whippets are in their kitchen beds with new chew toys. Then it was new `hot wheels to add to their collection, one each for Kyle, Justin, Lars, and Lukas. A new `cross pen and pencil set' for me and Kori. ... ... I couldn't wait any longer and asked if they got a new iPad. ... ... Nope, they both bought a Surface Pro 7, shorts, shirts, and new shoes and the rest was little gifts for the rest of us. Ok Keith and Ethan come on let's see what else ... kinda like Christmas early and Kris and Antonio were `Santa Claus'. So, on with the show and it was getting to be quite a show. All the boys got new books and a box of shuttlecocks. That was about all but there was one last bag that looked almost full and very interesting because it was marked "Ye Old Time Store". ... ... OMG ! ! ... ... Ethan and Keith had bought everyone a `Old Fashioned Night Shirt including Lars, Lukas, Peter, and Neil. Then we were told that the night shirts are all you wear. .... What? ... then those devilish teens said "Way more fun like that." Justin and Kyle were all over Ethan and Keith with hugs and thanking them for the `Stuff'. Whippets and rug-rats scrambled down the hall and to their bedroom. ... ... Not more than a minute later they were back dressed in their new night shirts. Now we find out just why a `Night Shirt' is so great as our rug-rats demonstrated ... ... "if you have to pee just lift it." To be Continued ~ ~ ~ Perhaps jacoblion@tutanota.com