Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2020 03:29:59 +0100 (CET)
From: jacoblion@tutanota.com
Subject: A Neglected Boy The Twins XCII

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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" XCII
jacoblion@tutanota.com

A Neglected Boy, At the Farm Chapter 4
Shepherd's Pie, Night Shirts, and Building a Hunt Course

   Santa Claus and his helper Kris along with the teens found the
nightshirt demonstration quite funny and were laughing at Kyle and Justin.
That encouraged the Whippets, not releasing their chewy, to come right out
of their kitchen beds and see what was going on ... hmmm, a sniff here and
there.  I think you have to be a dog to understand the sniffing here and
there thing but, I can tell you they sure did lift those
nightshirts...........

   Kori brought everyone back to earth as he opened the oven door and
pulled out that huge shepherd's pie. ...  Ahhhh, that aroma grabbed
everyone's attention.  Seems like hunger hit all of us at the same time.
The teens, younger and older ones, began setting the table.  I told the
rug-rats to go change; then I asked them nicely to go change again, shorts
and t-shirts not nightshirts for dinner.

   I thought I asked nicely. ... Kori was at the counter getting everything
ready and the teens were busy so none of them could see what I was having
to deal with. ... ... ...

   Justin and Kyle are twins, identical twins a real mirror image, however,
not all the time identical twins.  Let me explain; ... There are moments
when these two kids are so identical that even Kori and I have a difficult
time knowing which one is which.  More often they are just identical but,
we know who is who.

   Now, there are times, frequently, when we know they can't be related.
It's just impossible!  In one moment, they are playing nice and the next
second trying to kill each other.

   Sorry, let me get back to the `nightshirt episode'. ...  This is one of
the most identical twin times but, not the good identical `twins' as they
are shoulder to shoulder looking more like conjoined twins ... the bad ones
sprouting horns, red in color with hands-on hips and staring defiantly at
me.  Pouting!

   Now they have Kris and Antonio's attention so the show must go on. ...
When in times like this I have a secret weapon `counting'.  If I start
counting and I get to 5 then it's `time out' and Kori uses the same and the
rug-rats know it.  This time they have an audience and the show must go on
for the benefit of Kris and Antonio.........

   I wasn't smiling and I began counting ... 1, ... 2, ... 3, ... 4, ...
"5-6-7-8-9, I can count too" in unison is what I and everyone else heard.
Now they are both looking at Kris and Antonio as much as to say ... "we're
still in night-shirts."

   Kori looked over and went right back to getting dinner ready.  He knew
this was something I needed to work out.  Antonio and Kris were a little
embarrassed by the rug-rats little show and went back to helping Ethan and
Keith.  Now the audience gone it was back to me and the tyrants.

   "Fine we'll change", they said as they turned toward the hall calling
Penny and Silence. ... ... Perhaps they were about to learn a big lesson, a
very big lesson.

   Kyle and Justin were at the archway to the hall when they turned to call
the Whippets again. ... ... Looking at Penny and Silence they called "Come
on, come on......" the Whippets didn't move.  They were lying down in their
beds with their heads down and just their eyes looking up at Kyle and
Justin.  The two boys called 1 more time but, the Whippets didn't move.

   With a smile, I slowly went over to "The Twins" and kneeling on the
floor explained that Penny and Silence had seen Justin and Kyle always with
happy faces and full of fun.  I said ... `Whippets are gentle dogs, most of
the time, and can feel the emotions of people around them especially people
they love.  I think that they were watching you when you weren't being nice
with me and they picked up on the way you were acting and maybe got a
little afraid.'..............

   ..............Eyes were full of those big tears, not crying but ready
to. ... "We're sorry dad, we was just fooling don't be mad, Ok?" ... ...
The second I got hugs and kisses those Whippets were out of the bed and
right next to Justin and Kyle and now the dogs were getting hugs and
kisses.  Rug-rats turned and started skipping down the hall to their
bedroom with Penny and Silence right at their heels.  For now, nothing more
needed to be said.

   In a few minutes, the Tasmanian devils returned dressed in nice shorts
and shirts, crew socks and big smiles.  As Kyle and Justin took their seats
Penny and Silence went right to their kitchen beds.  Kori and Ethan were
placing Liam's version of Shepherd's Pie along with a large serving bowl of
butternut squash on the table.  Keith was sliding a basket of warm dinner
rolls and homemade whipped butter from Elmer's store.  Dinner served.

   As the first few forks of shepherd's pie and squash found their way from
plates to mouths it was "oohs and ahhs" about how delicious dinner was.
Kori, Ethan, and Keith were somewhat less than gracious about the
compliments and begged for more.  Antonio and Kris had the perfect end to
the begging as they asked if it was from Wal-Mart or Elmer's store.

   The dinner conversation went from one thing to another and we all
enjoyed Kris and Antonio telling us about their visit to Valley Forge and
Valley Forge National Historical Park with the `Judge'.  Henry has planned
that the boys will spend some of the summer learning about some historical
events in our
history. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRz-G-bNino&ab_channel=UnravelTravelTV

   The boys began comparing that historical tour to the tour of Plymouth
Colonies and then the tour of `Old Ironsides' and of course Keith and Ethan
had to have their little `smirk' and comments about that `Seaman' guide
that they found so interesting.

   Dinner finished and it was on to dessert and that was Keith's creation.
Poached pears with `French' vanilla ice cream. ... ... oohs and ahhs, and
Keith taking a bow and begging for a round of applause.  Then the rug-rats
drastically changed the conversation.........

   ......... as Kyle, with his very big mouth, pointing to Ethan and Keith
said . . . . "probably will just be plain ol sandwiches tomorrow with those
two working for Peter" . . . . and now Ethan and Keith are looking at me,
Kori and the rug-rats who have just let the cat out of the bag.
... ... Ethan was surprised and asked ... "What was that? ... Who's working
for Peter? ... Kyle, seems you know something Keith and I don't and when
did this happen?"

   For a minute Ethan and Keith looked like they were watching a tennis
match as their heads looked back and forth between Justin, Kyle, and Kori,
and me looking for some explanation. ... ... Kori looking at the teens said
. . . . "Hey, now that the cat's out of the bag why don't you guys give
Peter a call and see if he wants you to jump in the jeep and drive down for
a little visit?"

   "Can we go too?" ... ... Kori answered that quickly with . . . . "No,
while Keith and Ethan go see Peter you and your brother, the trouble maker,
can help Antonio and Kris with dishes and clean the kitchen." . . . . I
thought that would bring about a great `pouting' session ... however,
sometimes "I'm wrong" ... although I hate to admit it.

   "Ok Dad, that'll be fun too" ... ... What did Kyle just say? ... and
Justin is agreeing? ...  Kori looked at me and said ... "Jake, they must be
sick better call the vet." ... ... rug-rats, Antonio and Kris were laughing
and Keith and Ethan had already headed out and as the backdoor slammed, we
heard Keith say ... "Hey, don't eat the rest of the `poached pear dessert'
save some for us."

   Kris had this naughty and sly little grin as he thought it would be a
good idea to hide the rest of the dessert.  Yep, it was a great idea that
Ethan had to bring Antonio and Kris back from New Haven with them.  Kyle
and Justin were already to help with that; then I redirected their
attention to the sink and dirty dishes. ... "Right"? ... sink and dirty
dishes `Right' after they hide 2 plates of `poached pear dessert'.  Kori
winked at me and I can't help but think how great it is to have Kris and
Antonio with us.

   Kori and I were putting the large casserole dish back and moving some
stuff in the cabinets over the refrigerator.  As we turned Antonio and Kris
were lifting Kyle and Justin up to look out the kitchen
window. ... ... excitedly Kori and I heard ... "Dad -`Jake' - Dad - `Kori'
come look at this it's a deer in the back yard", most of it was in English
well, at least from Antonio and Kris, as for the other two, Kori and I
understood the `Dad' part.

   First reaction was `those teens' didn't close the gate. ...  Kori was
first out the back door.  That whitetail deer never even budged just kept
right on*** eating.  Well, now I had joined Kori and so had Justin, Kyle,
Kris, and Antonio so, all 6 of us stood watching that deer enjoying its
dinner compliments of us.  About the gate ... it was closed and latched
... `sorry' Ethan and Keith.

   Just about then the teens arrived ... loud and laughing all the way to
the gate.  Now we know how the deer got in as it found its way out the same
as it came in ... right over the fence.  Kyle and Justin were looking at
each other saying that it had springs on its feet.

   The deer, just like Justin and Kyle sometimes, disappeared into thin
air.  Magicians. ... ... Evening light was fading and now we all wanted to
hear about "the job".  `Poached pear' found then they added some whipped
cream and Ethan began . . . . "Peter said that Keith and I need to be at
the workshop at 8 am, `sharp' Neil said, unlock and clean the floors and
follow the list on the pegboard."

   Keith continued ... ... "Neil showed Ethan and me where the different
kinds of woods are and the list will tell us how much to put at each of the
two bandsaws.  He and Peter will be in at 9 or about 9 depending on Lars
and Lukas."............

****

   ............ Keith made everyone laugh including our Tasmanian devils,
and said . . . .  "If you think these 2 roughnecks are trouble you should
see what it's like when Lukas and Lars are the troublemakers and `pretend'
they don't understand English.  Ethan and I can't believe how good they are
here, after seeing them at home."

   We were all laughing until what we heard next.  Ethan said ... ... "Hope
you can manage the extra help with building the hunt course because Neil
told Lars and Lukas to be here by 9:30 to help you guys." ... ... Well,
that pleased Antonio, Kris, Justin, and Kyle.  Honestly, Kori and I have no
problem with Lukas and Lars helping.  This should be tons of fun.

   I'm rethinking `this should be tons of fun' ... saws, hammers, electric
drill, nuts and bolts, paint.  White paint, green paint, red, blue, and
brown paint.  Justin, Lars, Kyle, Antonio, Lukas, and Kris all with
paintbrushes? Hammers? electric drill? ... ... Tons of fun?

   The boys were all asking Kori about this and that and can Kyle use the
`Skill Saw' ... geeeeze NO! ... ... what can they use maybe the electric
drill?  If I heard `Dad I can do it' once I heard that 20 times in 2
minutes.  I'm getting ready for bed and I have this vision of Justin
holding the drill and what he's about to do to Lars......... I'm gonna have
nightmares!

   It was off to showers.  It's never a dull moment with Antonio and Kris
around.  Kori had made us a nice wine cooler and were sitting in the
kitchen looking at the different hunt course photos that the rug-rats and
Neil and Peter's delinquents had bookmarked for us to look at.

***

   I recall that one of them said it could be simple and my partner and I
were chuckling at the photos provided for us just as Kyle, Kris, and Justin
casually slipped by with towels draped over shoulders. ... ... "Hey, hold
on where are you 3 going?" ... Kori asked. ... ... As if the rug-rats were
part owners of `our' master bath Justin answered..........

   ............"Dad we can use the big shower cause those other 3 are using
me and Kyle's shower." ... ... "Oh, I see" said Kori ... then I had to
remind Justin that it's not `Dad (we can) use the big shower' but ... `Dad
(can we) use the big shower, please?' .... "Yeah, `Dad' that's what I said"
... I gave up and said ... Ok, Justin but don't you 3 be in there all
night.

   It was about 15 minutes when 3 happy boys passed by me and Kori.  We
were still enjoying our drinks and making some notes and some simple hunt
course drawings.  All 3 boys had their towels wrapped tightly around them
like they do when they exit from showers to the locker-room at the pool.
With Kyle and Justin hardly anything is noticeable but, with Kris and his
towel wrapped so tight it wasn't difficult to see the outline of what was
trying to hide.

   As they left the kitchen Kyle said . . . . "We didn't use all the
shampoo Dad" .... "geeeeze, Kyle you really do have a big mouth"
... ... "well you got something big Kris." ... ... "Shut up Kyle"
... ... all we heard from Justin was a lot of giggling.  We do try to teach
the boys not to say `shut up'.

   Kori and I finished our shower and said goodnight to all the boys.
Rug-rats and Whippets in their room, Ethan and Keith in their room, and
Antonio and Kris with a King size inflatable bed down in the music room,
now more a playroom than a music room.  A playroom for all kinds of play
like table tennis, or pantomime or air hockey or other `stuff'.

   It was a very cool night.  The bed was so welcoming and we were both
tired.  Kori was warm as I hugged up close and his breathing was slow.  I
may have been thinking about a little playtime but as I said `He' was tired
and I think already asleep.  It wasn't more than 3 minutes later and I must
have drifted off to dreamland.

   I was having one of those really amazing dreams in technicolor.  A real
life-dream.  The kind of dream where your heart is pounding and the action
is nothing short of hot.  I don't know who he was but he was young and like
some kind of Greek god.  It was that blond curly hair; blue eyes and he was
leading me into a pool of beautiful blue-green water.

   I stepped toward him.  My hand reached out to touch him just as the
bedroom door burst open and the Whippets came flying across the bottom of
the bed followed by 2 very excited, alarmed, and what appeared to be
terrorized Korean boys.  These boys did resemble our very own Justin and
Kyle.

   "Dad, Dad, someone is outside our window scaring us!" is what Kori and I
could get from Kyle; Justin wasn't speaking anything in English.  We tried
to calm them down.  The Whippets had done the flipflop thing and were
poking their heads out from under the covers.  It almost looked like they
were smiling.  If I didn't know better, I'd say they planned this.

   Only one thing to do; get up and go see what Justin and Kyle were so
afraid of.  We had the big flashlight and much like a `who done it' we
silently crept through the kitchen, and into the hall.  We turned left and
slowly, very slowly, careful not to make any noise proceeded past their
bathroom door on the left and then into the rug-rats bedroom.

   Kyle and Justin were holding onto Kori's and my shorts so tightly it was
like getting a wedgie and I think my balls were turning blue.  Into the
room and we all stopped about halfway. ... ... shhh ... I could hear my
heart beating or maybe it was Justin's and there it was ... complete
silence. Nothing.  Not a sound.

   Enough of this.  Kori looked at Kyle and Justin, not pissed or anything,
but just asked if they really heard something????  .... "YES, Dad it was
just outside the window" ...  Kyle was convincing.  Now it's back down the
hall through the kitchen, put shoes on, and out the backdoor and onto the
porch.  Flashlight shining down the side of the house nothing, no one, all
is quiet.

   Now Justin's crying because he thinks we don't believe him and his
brother.  Kori picked up Kyle and I had Justin and now Kori and I are in a
position of trying to let them know that whatever it was is gone.  Kyle is
blaming Lars and Lukas.  Justin is blaming Lukas because he does things
like that.

   In any case, we were just walking through the backdoor and plain as can
be `who' ... ... Justin shouted . . . . "see we told you, that's it" ! ! !
... ... We all turned in a flash and there it was again ... hoo, hoooooo
... Kori started to laugh and that made Kyle mad and he punched Kori in the
arm, hard!  Now I was laughing and we both knew we wouldn't find the
culprit tonight but, tomorrow that `Great horned owl will get found.

****

   Now Kori and I are having a bit of fun with the rug-rats and they wanted
to know why the owl was horny.  All of a sudden, we realized we haven't
seen Penny and Silence.  We walked back into our bedroom and there they
were right in the center of the bed with only their heads peeking out from
under the covers.  Whippets like to sleep and can be quite lazy in the
house.

   The Whippets definitely like to sleep in bed.  Let me explain that a
little better ... `Not' a dog bed ... no they quickly have claimed
territory in the rug-rats bed, Ethan and Keith's bed, `our' bed and Kori
and I don't mind as long as Kyle and Justin are included.  Funny how
Silence and Penny like the center of the bed.

   Strange sounds in the night have been identified.  Before I could
suggest that Justin and Kyle take their 4-legged sidekicks back to their
bedroom they were already in the center of the bed with the Whippets.  Eyes
closed and pretending to be asleep.  Our king-size bed does have advantages
and I got the right side of the bed and Kori got the left side.

   About 4 am, I found myself awake and right on the very edge of the bed.
I had to pee and as my feet touched the floor I stood and looked at the
bed.  Kori was on the very edge of his side and Justin and Kyle were in the
middle hugging Penny and Silence.  Now that is cute, what isn't is that
those Whippets were all stretched out and had been pushing me with those
Whippet feet so they could have a little more room.  Bed Hogs!  Whippet
feet have Whippet nails!

   Returning from the bathroom I passed Kori as he was going in and heard
him `growl' something about "this has to change"! ... ... `We could' just
wake Justin and Kyle and tell them they needed to take the dogs and get
back to their own bedroom.  I had a much better idea. ... ... I grabbed my
pillow, Kori was watching me, as I headed to the bedroom door, he caught on
to what I was doing and grabbed his pillow.

   Through the kitchen and down the hall we went and spent the rest of the
night in a sound sleep in the rug-rats bedroom.  The morning was nice.
Justin and Kyle's bedroom face west so the sun behaved and I just continued
to sleep.  I continued to sleep, Kori continued to sleep that is until 2
rug-rats and 2 four-legged creatures came pouncing in.

   The 2-legged `ones' stood with hands-on-hips demanding to know why Kori
and I were in their beds. ... ... Kori, trying to be all pissed off, jumped
out of bed and made a mad dash at those little brats.  There was screaming
for help and laughter all the way down the hall and right out the backdoor.

   Everyone else in the house was awake now.  Oh, wait..... everyone else
was just Antonio and Kris.  Ethan and Keith were gone ... teens going to
work first thing in the morning what an amazing accomplishment that is.

   Then reality hit.  Keith and Ethan were gone.  Dirty dishes were in the
sink.  Kori's tea wasn't made and neither was my coffee.  Worse, 2 tweens,
and 2 teens, and 2 dogs were all complaining they were hungry.  Pancakes,
or waffles, ... no eggs and bacon with hash browns, "I just want toast with
peanut butter n OJ and sprite" from one of them but I don't know who it
was.

   STOP! ... I didn't ask that was an order to `be quiet'! ...  Kori was
making me mad because he was laughing at me and was one of the mouths
complaining because his `bloody tea' wasn't made and I think it was him
that wanted eggs and bacon, `he' always wants eggs and bacon and if the
eggs are slightly more than over easy he gets all pouty.

   It seems I'm the center of focus at the moment and several people are
pointing at my red face and giggling.  Ahhh ha! ... I'll fix this.  I
pointed at Kori and told him `he hasn't changed much from when he was 11'
so, you make the damn eggs for those that want eggs and then they'll be
just right.

   Then I pointed at Antonio and told him to get the pancake mix and make
pancakes and I want 3, and don't put them on a cold plate.  That left Kris,
Kyle, and Justin. ... Kris you make all the drinks and set the table and as
for the tyrants ... ... Go take the dogs out and fix the Whippets
breakfast.  I'll make my coffee!

   Coffee made and I sat at the table waiting for my pancakes.  Everyone
just couldn't stay out of each other's way, continuously bumping into this
one and that one.  I sipped my coffee it wasn't like Ethan makes it, didn't
have much taste at all but I wasn't about to let anyone know.  Kris wanted
eggs sunny side up and got 2 over medium and the yolk wasn't runny.

   I was served pancakes; golden brown on one side very dark on the other
side and not cooked in the middle, the syrup was cold.  Ethan and Keith
never do that ... their pancakes are perfect.  Oh, and how do you burn
toast?  The toaster does all the work you just put the bread in push the
handle down and it pops up just golden brown.

   I had to ask, please let me enjoy 3 pieces of bacon with my not-so-good
coffee ... well, that's another story.  It seems that Kori learned from
Ethan that slow cooking the bacon is the best way.  I agree, but you still
need to turn the burner on and as I can see the bacon is still on the
cast-iron griddle uncooked.

   I decided to just have some cereal and as I was pouring some Cheerios in
a bowl the microwave exploded.

*****

I looked over and what a yellow gooey mess.  Someone, and I would never
mention who, had decided that a 3-minute egg is perfect.  That's what
Justin remembered Keith saying so, that person just put a raw, in the
shell, egg in the microwave set it on high for 3 minutes.  I'm not finding
this as funny as the other 5 people.

   Somehow breakfast ended.  I decided that I needed some time and told
everyone to find something to do while I cleaned the kitchen.  Kori decided
it was perfect timing to have Antonio and Kris help get all the materials
ready to work on the hunt course.

   He told Kyle, his best buddy, and Justin to take the Whippets out for
some good playtime and be sure to pick up after them.  He only had to say
don't forget the pooper scoopers twice.  They didn't hear it the first time
and they didn't hear it the second time.

   I finished the dishes as Kris came in with it's time for a pee break.
As he was on his way back, I asked if had seen Justin and
Kyle. ... ... "Yep, they're out at the big tree on the side yard with their
new comic books.

   I was feeling better, not that I was sick or anything, breakfast was
just so unorganized and I can't remember it ever being that bad.  I headed
out and around to the west end of the house.  I stopped right at the corner
and just watched Kyle and Justin.  They were so absorbed in those comic
books they never noticed me.

*********

Neither did the Whippets.

   It was maybe 2 minutes and then I heard . . . . "Dad is it time to go
build stuff? ... can I use the drill?" . . . . Maybe Kyle, I'll see
... "Other Dad said I could." ... ... Kyle are you sure `other Dad' said
you could use the drill? ...  Right then Silence interrupted the
conversation, conveniently; so, I didn't get an answer.

   "when can we paint, I want to paint all the blue stuff, blue is my
favorite color." ... Yes, I know Justin but first, we have to get
everything built and it might take all day today and
tomorrow. ... ... "What? we can't jump today?" ...  Justin, do you guys
always say the same thing at the same time? ...  they were being their
typical `twin selves'.  I love to hear them giggle, their giggles even have
a Korean accent.

   Ok, rug-rats better let Penny and Silence go to their crates. ... Major
pouting. ... ...  The crew was assembled.  Foreman Kori, Antonio, Kris,
Lars, Lukas, and our very own Tasmanian devils.  As for me I was `directed'
to pull out all the electric cords and set up 2 sawhorses, unpack the skill
saw and drill. ...  I was directed<>not asked nicely, directed.

   I was pouting! and huffing and puffing and acting just like some other
characters do on occasions. ... ...  "Hey uncle Jake, suck it up n don't
act so spoiled" ... ...  Now the crew thought Lukas was quite funny ... I
was laughing at him so I guess he was kinda funny.

   Sawhorses, electric cords, and construction area all set.  Now, Kori
`directed' Kyle, Lars, and Justin to bring the 22, 8' foot round rails and
neatly stack then near the paddock fence.  Kris, Antonio, Lukas, and I were
directed to stack all 66 precut 4x4 posts to the left side, but not to
close, to the rails.  Some people are naturally gifted at being a boss.  I
have to wonder if that is one of the traits of an archeologist?

   First, everything was measured and marked with pencil to show where each
rail would be attached.  Kyle was practicing running the drill and when he
was told to put it down Justin would pick it up and practice.  That drill
won't last to finish the job.

   We began to make the upright wings and single rail jumps first.

******

"when do we get a break?" ... "after you do some work Kyle and could you
please put that drill down" ...  that was only the 8th time Kori said
that. ... "I gotta pee, me too, me three" ... ... and off went Justin,
Kyle, and Lars.  They didn't go far and one was drawing circles, the other
a triangle and Lars was trying to spell his name but ran out of pee on the
`r'.

   At this rate, it'll take a week.  It was noon.  And you guessed it
... ... "all this hard work makes me hungry" that was Justin and the rest
of the crew chimed in and agreed. ... ...  I looked at what we had
accomplished ... not much, and we were right in the middle of assembling
the first jump.

   Kori said . . . . "Ok just 30 minutes, and we can finish this jump and
have lunch" ... ... Whining, no not the dogs, you would think we had been
using them as child labor or like a prisoner at hard labor ... the only 2
that had really done anything was Antonio and Kris ... Oh, n me.

   The cross rail jump with upright wings finished and we decided to let
them paint it after lunch; that'll give them something to do. ...
Wowwwwww! ... Ethan and Keith perfect timing and just in time for lunch.

   17-year-olds know how to make Kori and I feel good as they both said
.... "That's all you guys got done?" ... I wanted to say something but just
bit my lip.

   It was getting very warm so a nice tossed salad and ham and cheese
sandwiches and cold drinks for lunch would be great.  I helped Ethan and
Keith and soon everyone was happy shoveling food into open mouths.  Ethan
and Keith told us all about the projects that Peter and Neil are working on
and promised to bring photos tomorrow or the next day.

   Whippets went out for some fun then we let Justin and Kyle spend an hour
with the dogs while we went back to work.  It was getting very hot and
northwestern Massachusetts can get that way.  Kris checked the thermometer
and it was 90F or 32C and we were in the open and getting baked.

   Kyle and Justin joined us and as promised we let the boys paint the
cross rail jump with upright wings.

*********

Kori and I were very surprised they did a great job.  It was the constant
nagging of Kyle and Justin about being neat, no spills, press the paint out
of your brush ... and they didn't let up.  It may be a smaller crew
tomorrow if they nag much more.

   We finished the day with about a third of the jumps put together and it
looks like with Ethan and Keith it will be just two more days and the
course will be finished.  As we were walking to the house Peter and Neil
came up to see how things had gone and to invite us for a cookout.  I was
so thankful that they were very complimentary about how things looked.

   We went in for a quick washup and then together, with the Whippets,
walked down to their Log house.  Grilled flat steaks for dinner.  As we
were just relaxing on the back porch and enjoying the view over the open
meadow, where we have discussed the possibility of a summer camp, Kris
pointed across the meadow and asked . . . . "Did you see something move
under those trees?"

*****************

   Neil turned and looked ... ... "probably that damn bear again, I'm gonna
call the game warden" ... ...  GAME WARDEN is what Justin and Kyle heard
... ... "no, no Uncle Neil it was just wind no bear, bear is gone you shots
it." ... ... Justin was almost hyperventilating.  Neil tried to get out of
it telling Justin he was right and it was just the wind.

   There are things that can be said or even something that Justin may see
that just causes him to have a meltdown.  Justin was so upset that he
couldn't eat and wanted to go home.  Neil was sorry.  Nothing he said fixed
what had already been done and Keith ended up taking Justin and Kyle home.

   Dinner was over and we thanked Neil and Peter and decided it was best to
get going and retire for the night.  We agreed to get an early start in the
morning so we would all be up by 7 am and have a good breakfast with Ethan
and Keith.  Showers over and everyone was off to bed.  Whippets along with
Justin and Kyle went off to their bedroom.  I didn't think it would last.

   Kori and I had a warm shower and slid into bed.  We talked for a few
minutes and I even tried to bring up the subject of insurance and if he had
heard from the agent.  The subject changed to he needed to make a trip to
the university soon.

   It has only been a little more than a week here at the farm but in some
respects, it seems like it has been so much longer.  I fell asleep with my
arm around him, I know what Jabbering meant to him I just wish he would
talk about it. ............

   ............The night went on and it must have been around 2 am when
Justin crawled in alongside me.  At first, he just hugged me ... ... "Dad"
it was just a whisper ... ... "Dad, tell uncle Neil not to call the warden,
please" ...... I rolled over and hugged him, he kissed me and said "thanks
Dad" and went back to his bedroom.

   Two more days and the hunt course was finished.  Everything was painted
and we had tried to place the jumps about where they looked like they
should go.

*******************

   It was time for a cold drink and a shower.  Lars, Lukas, Antonio, Kris,
Kyle, Justin, Keith, and Ethan along with me and the `boss' headed to the
back porch.  Kori's cell buzzing .... It was Neil saying . . . . "Hey, you
guys come down through the pastures now and don't make any noise.  When you
get to the steps at the front porch don't even talk and be sure to make my
2 monsters close their mouths tight! ... bring cameras"

   That was interesting.  Kori told everyone to go wash and grab cameras
and we were going down to uncle Neil's'. ... ...  There was this feeling of
mystery, drama, excitement.  We arrived at the steps and even took our
shoes and sneakers off.  We crept step by step around the south side and
turned.  Peter and Neil were standing at the railing with their video
camera and pointed>>>>

*************

bear in tree.

To be Continued:
A Neglected Boy, At the Farm Chapter 5
The Bear Returns, A sudden stop at the Jump, Bees