Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2021 19:41:35 +0200 (CEST) From: jacoblion@tutanota.com Subject: A Neglected Boy The Twins XCVIII 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. Chapters most often are told by Jake Roberts............... A Neglected Boy "The Twins" XCVIII (98) jacoblion@tutanota.com This Chapter will be told by Keith...... Ethan gave me a high-five as Kori, Kyle, Jake, and Justin walked out of the kitchen, to their shower, all the time barking orders to let the "dogs out"! ... ... We were both happy to see the smiles, and wondering what may have been said regarding `the boat'. I'm in a great mood with Ethan as my `sexy helper'. It was so much fun making Liam's shepherd's pie for dinner. It hits me, every so often, that Ethan is much more than my boyfriend, I can't explain that feeling, it's something that words can't describe. Oh, I was talking about making "Liam's shepherd's pie". As Jake tells the story whenever Liam made shepherd's pie it required a hands-on approach from his helper Kori, and sometimes Peter. It's that `hands-on' part that causes me to smile. Perhaps making shepherd's pie requires roaming-hands from the helper ... and I didn't mind at all. Their shower must be over because the naked rug-rats are taking their time and flaunting their jewels as they attempted to moonwalk through the kitchen. I said they attempted that is until Kyle began to fall backwards. The best part of that was he grabbed Justin and they both went down. Getting up they turned and I guess you'd say they not only showed Ethan and I their little jewels but also mooned us. That was kinda a cute view. `Justin, language!' and there's that finger again. Ethan made 2 steps like he was going to `spank them if he got hold of them' ... it was the laughter from those two little brats that always makes us feel good. Sometimes they squeal in their excitement. We love them so much, most of the time that is. I chuckled; it was an afterthought when Ethan looked to see if the `Whippets' were outside. We have learned about the bond between our rug-rats, and Penny and Silence. Threatening moves are not a good thing. Sometimes if Justin and Kyle are sleeping in their room, for a change, we may peek in. The brats may be sound asleep, and Penny and Silence pretend to be asleep too, but then they will slightly open one eye. If everything is Ok ... well, that eye just closes. I'm sure if it were an aggressive move toward `The Twins" someone would get bitten. Oh wow, I was talking about getting dinner ready. Shepherd's pie is a heavier dish that already includes meat, potatoes, and vegetables. Ethan suggested a fruit salad and we never, never have Liam's shepherd's pie without garlic bread. Tonight, has to be special so, to end dinner we will have the very best strawberry shortcake with ice-cream. Hmmmm, Ethan and I are not sure who these finely dressed gentlemen are that just arrived in the kitchen. The one with the greying hair does look a little like Jake, but are those shorts and shirt mine? ... Oh, n the other guy with Khaki shorts and burgundy polo shirt ... seriously is that Kori and both clean shaved? ... Ethan was staring. What the `hell' kind of shower was that? Ethan couldn't contain himself ... nope ... he just had to make comments and looking directly at Kori said . . . . "Wow sexy, ... `you' n that other guy clean up pretty good. ... any plans for later tonight?" ... Kori did turn red and Jake was all smiles. I was thinking if there might be any chance Justin and Kyle would sleep in their own room tonight. ... Damn, Jake looked good! ... Seems a little afternoon nap and that shower did wonders. Ethan whispered in my ear . . . . "Let's make dinner special for them" . . . . So, Ethan and I dashed to our bedroom, changed into our best shorts and polo shirts. We arrived back in the kitchen at the same time as two very well-dressed, and smart-looking 10-year-old Korean boys. ... ... Wow! ... they are so cute. ... ... You know this crew is very good looking ... I know I'm conceded. ... No, I'm not! Just ask Ethan, he'll tell you I'm not conceded. Liam's shepherd's pie was placed in the center of the table and the fruit salads next to each plate. I put our best dishes and glasses out, the ones we use for when we have company. Things did feel special. There was, however, one slight seating change. Kyle and Justin moved their place settings and chairs closer to `Dads' and smiled at Ethan and me as they did. My sidekick, Ethan, gave them a thumbs up. I don't know, but for some reason this shepherd's pie was outstanding! Justin and Kyle got a bunch of hugs from Jake, and Kori and neither complained about a little kiss on the cheek every so often. Dinner was about finished and only a few bites of the `strawberry shortcake' remained when Jake said . . . . "Keith and Ethan's dinner was excellent, thank you." . . . I could tell there was more coming than just the compliment. Right then Jake reached over to Justin and pulled him to his lap and Kori did the same. Then he said . . . . "I think tonight would be a good night for a family meeting." ... ... Jake had his arms around Justin and kissed the top of his head. Kyle was contently holding Kori's arms as Jake continued. "I think it's time for us to talk about how we feel. It's been stressful for each of us in different ways, but we all have been keeping it in. So, popcorn, OJ and Sprite some very soft music. Let's plan on 8 for our `roundtable' that will give our teens time to clean the kitchen." . . . . Excuse me, I said ... and no help from you guys? ... ... Kori looked at me, and this came as a surprise when he said . . . . "No, you and Ethan can take care of it while Jake and I play a video game with Kyle and Justin." Ethan looked at me, and I read his lips ....... "Kori hates video games." . . . I had to think ... was it because he's to much an academic. Is that why Ethan feels close to Kori? They both have that same type of personality, well, most of the time. ... Jake is much the opposite, relaxed and willing to just go with the flow, most of the time. I like Jake, I like Jake a lot, but it isn't anything that Ethan doesn't know, just like I know he likes Kori. The kitchen was clean. There is enough shepherd's pie for lunch tomorrow unless someone gets into it later tonight ... that's happened before. ... ... Right on time 4 well-dressed, handsome, guys walked down the hall and into the living room. Some were older than others I should mention, but those rug-rats look so good all dressed up. Jake on one end of the couch Kori at the other. Kyle was all cuddled up to Kori. Jake had Justin sitting between his legs with his arms all wrapped around the brat. Penny and Silence had finished their dinner and were contently snuggled up in the center of the couch. I had one of the overstuffed chairs, Ethan had the other and we were facing Kori and Jake. Kori started . . . . "When we went in and took our little nap with Kyle and Justin we did talk about the boat. We did reach an agreement." ... I know it was only a second or two before he finished his statement, but it seemed like an hour. ... ... Kori continued . . . . "No boat, at least for now" . . . . Kyle and Justin were all smiles. For me, it was a relief to hear Kori say that. I looked at Ethan ... there wasn't any expression at all. I hope he will say what he's thinking. ... ... It was Jake who began with . . . . "Each of has had a problem, in his own way, with what happened. No one has wanted to even mention the name of the boat. It was Jabbering, and she's gone. The important thing is that we are together as a family. Tonight, it's time we say how we feel. What is important to each of you, I should say us. Keith, why don't you start, and don't be shy to say how you feel it's important to all of us." Well, Jake had put me in a position I didn't want to be in. I didn't want to start and didn't know how or what to say. ... ... Then from out of nowhere my mouth opened and I almost blurted out ... "STRESS". ... ... I heard Ethan . . . . "Me too" ...... and then I just emptied my feelings. The word "stress" got me going as I said .... I feel stressed out most of the time. When we're here it's like being in competition. I mean at University School it's a continuous competition between Ethan and me for who's in first place academically each week; one week it's Ethan, and the next week it's me. Swimming is the same for Ethan and me, and Justin and Kyle too. I couldn't stop and Ethan was agreeing. We all live so close and do things as a family all the time so, what I said next not only shocked Jake and Kori, but I think I shocked myself when I said ... `I don't even have any friends!' I realized what I had said. The room was silent. Justin got down from Jake's lap and crawled up with me and said . . . . "Keif, me n other `brat' we your friends" . . . . I hugged Justin so tight I nearly broke his ribs. ... Ethan jumped in and said.......... .......... "I know what Keith is saying. He and I are together, but he's right we don't have any friends. When we're here it's like we're boyfriends and when we're at the farm it's like we're brothers, more relaxed. We all talked for 2 hours. It became obvious that for all of us including Jake and Kori that living in New Haven with their being department heads at Yale and Justin, Kyle, Ethan, and I at University School are expected to be at the top. ... It may not be `said in words' that we are expected to be at the top, but it is implied in one way or another. Jake made a comment about `social gatherings' that was interesting. It seems that if there is a `social' event at our school either for Justin and Kyles grades, or senior school it's always doctors, lawyers, or some politician that's attending the event never a kid's dad who may be a plumber, electrician, or truck driver. Important people at an important place, making important decisions for important kids they hardly know. Kyle and Justin hadn't said much, but I think they understood and took in most everything. Kori made an observation about the difference in the amount of stress between the rug-rats at school and Ethan and me at school. Kyle and Justin were used to school in Korea, and how different the family and state expectations for children there. So, what he was saying was that for `The Twins" it was about the same as what they had experienced in Korea just in another language. For Ethan and me the whole scene was different. Kori looked at Ethan and me and asked . . . . "Where would you both really like to go to college next year if not here? ... Where do you want to be in 10 or 15 years? ... ... I didn't like the question, and by the look on Ethan's face neither did he. ... So, I didn't like the question, but I knew it was the `academic Kori' asking................ I didn't have the chance to answer when Ethan answered . . . . "Kori, you're being a bit of a prick with that question." ... Whoa! ... That shook things up. Before Kori or Jake could say anything, Ethan continued ...... ........ "I might have phrased that wrong, sorry. What I meant was that it almost sounded like if we didn't attend Yale, Harvard, Brown, Princeton then we weren't living up to your expectation, or that we weren't applying ourselves or having the ambition to become "someone'. I'm still not phrasing things the way I mean. I think what I really want to say is that you love us so much that you want the best for us, however what you want, and what Keith and I want might not be the same." (Hmmmm, I think Ethan may have phrased everything perfectly. It's funny when Kori was a kid Jake was teaching at a country elementary school. That country elementary school is where Kori went ... not University School. Maybe what Ethan just said brought Kori back to his roots. If it had not been for Jake's project and Professor Alves then Yale may not have been a thought and Kori may have gone to U Mass or a community college. I don't think I'll bring that up ... Kori loves Yale.) "Ethan" answered Kori's question like this . . . . "Kori, right now I think Keith and I just want to get through our senior year here at University School, and during the year we'll figure things out. We may need you and Jake to help us along the way. I have to be honest Keith and I have even talked about taking a year off after graduation, you know a `gap' year. Maybe spend a year with "The Peace Corps" or work on some special project in Australia so Keith can see his family." I was all smiles when Ethan said that. I thought Ethan was right and we do have the money now to take a `gap' year. The look from Jake and the look from Kori were different. The look from Justin and Kyle were not surprising and Justin, still on my lap, poked me and said . . . . "NO!" Kyle and Justin's look and reaction was expected. The look from Jake was a smile as if to say ... "that will be Ok with me" ... the look from Kori was a little hard to describe, but perhaps like he didn't understand but wasn't going to fuss about it, at least not at the moment. I think everyone said what they were thinking, and the conclusion was that we all needed to be involved in more fun things and away from school. One interesting comment from Kori was about swimming and that if Ethan and I decided to drop the swim team he would understand. I think that was like saying that he would support that decision should Ethan and I make it. Now that comment from Kori did bring a response from the rug-rats. It seems Kyle and Justin like being on the swim team, and have no idea of dropping it even if Kevin is a `prick'. ... Watch your language Kyle! ... Strawberry shortcake and ice-cream, some snacks for Penny and Silence ended the night. The dogs and rug-rats went for a walk and then it was off to bed. Jake, Kori, Kyle, Justin, and Whippets went to the master bedroom. I and my `partner in crime', and other activities, went to our room. We were very tired from making dinner and cleaning the kitchen. I'm not saying if we enjoyed any fun and games. `You can figure that out'. The clock said 3 am. I became aware that Ethan and I were not the only people in our bed. Two brats had undone the sheets at the end of the bed and crawled their way to between Ethan and me. It was very obvious by my condition what Justin was up to. ... He was up to `No Good' and neither Ethan nor I made any attempt to stop either Justin or Kyle. I never made a sound nether did Ethan. We just continued to pretend to be asleep. Soon things were slippery then they got messy. Now the `brats' know it'll get messy so, they bring along a hand towel ... maybe that's why they're called hand towels. Well, that was fun and now they just wanted to cuddle. I heard the bedroom door creak ... ... it opened just enough to let 8 little feet enter and jump on the bed. Cold, wet, noses poked at each of us then did their trick flipping the covers up just enough to dive under turn and return peeking out from under the covers. It was 4:15. The sound of 3 loud cannons exploding woke Ethan, me, Kyle, Justin, and the Whippets from our sound sleep. Not bad enough was that awful banging at the door, but the sound of Kori's voice was loud and obnoxious, saying 10 minutes and be showered, dressed, and at the table! I think he meant what he said ... his voice was not joking! ! ! ! It was a scramble, a mad dash out of bed, race across the hall for showers. Justin, Kyle, Ethan, and me all in the shower at the same time, and never touched each other ... that was a first. Shampoo, rinse, lather the Irish Spring bath soap quickly, rinse ... grab towels dry and just drop them on the floor ... no time to hang. Rug-rats in their room dressing, Ethan and I in our room dressing ... get the dogs out ... ... 1 minute to be at the table.......... Silence and Penny were out in the backyard, and as the very obedient junior members of the family, we were in our seats awaiting some kind of torture or punishment for whatever it was that we had done to get Kori so riled up. ... ... Not a word was said, not from anyone. Milk arrived at the table in a rather abrupt manner as well as 2 boxes of cereal, bowls, and glasses. It was the dead silence that was not only awkward but for the rug-rats somewhat terrifying. ... ... Jake and Kori were leaning against the kitchen counter when Kori started............ ............"Ok, all 4 of you are in big trouble". ... ... then he looked directly at Kyle and Justin and said . . . . "As for you `two little munchkins' the next time you decide to get up in the middle of the night to go on some adventure remember to take your 4-legged sidekicks with you." ....... ...... Kori continued, but the feeling had been softened when he called Kyle and Justin "munchkins" . . . . "Jake and I got no sleep after you decided to abandon your `Dads' in the middle of the night. I gave up when Penny and Silence decided to sit by the bedroom door and whine. So, I had to get up and take them to where `you' decided to have your little adventure." Ethan and I were next as Kori said . . . . "As for the two of you ... who should know better than to encourage them. You are both grounded till you're thirty, and don't try to change my mind ... Jake wanted to make it 40, but I reminded him that you can be reliable at times." It was almost a sigh of relief; however, we did get the meaning. Now a look at the week. Ethan and I are seniors, and with our schedule, we have a parking permit, and with that comes a little additional responsibility. Mondays take the `brats' and drop them at their part of the school. After school pick them up on the way to the pool for swim lessons and meets. Jake will pick them up at the end of practice and of course make sure they do `all' their homework; then drop them back at school in the morning. Ethan and I will stay at the dorm because of class schedules. ... ... A little added excitement for this week is that the `delinquent brats' were told they could invite Carl and Sven to the farm for the weekend. Ethan and I will pick up Antonio and Kris after swim practice on Friday. Now looking ahead at the weekend and the included company it'll be exhausting. I can bet that Jake will forget to pick up the rug-rats more than once this semester. I told Ethan what I was thinking, now we have a $20.00 bet on it. We were off to school. The Willys was packed with all our stuff for the dorm plus what Kyle, Justin, Ethan, and I needed for swim lessons. Extra Speedos, towels, soap, flipflops for the shower, hair gel, and deodorant. We always want to smell good because you never know who you may meet. The day was torture! English-"Creative Writing", (we both had English 4 last year) AP Calculus, Italian 2, AP Physics, AP US History. Then it's get the `monster brats' off to the pool say hello to Jake or Kori as they pick up Kyle and Justin. From the pool, it's stop at the dining hall for something quick then to the dorm and unpack the Willys and lug everything to the dorm room. We finished dinner and made 3 trips up to our dorm room. It was on the 3rd trip to the room that we passed the new transfer student. Ethan and I smiled, but he seemed to be in a hurry so we didn't stop to chat. Now I must say, `before you get a look at him', he is handsome, cute, a real looker, sexy, amazing eyes, sexy, nice hair ... Oh, did I mention sexy? I'm not saying who was looking more at him ... Ethan or me. Simple we both watched as he approached, nodded, smiled, then passed. Nice looking backside as he went down those stairs. I mean he looks nice from the back. We had just finished putting clothes away and hadn't made the bed when there was a knock at the door. Ethan opened the door and standing there looking quite handsome was that transfer student I have mentioned. He said . . . . "Hello, I'm Calvin I transferred in from the University of Copenhagen for my junior year. I did meet you on the stairs but I had to turn papers into the `House assistant' ... I hope you didn't think me rude." Ok, now that Ethan and I have regained our senses we both shook hands with Calvin and invited him in. It was easy to see that Calvin would become good friends with both Ethan and me. He was very friendly and not shy as he began to tell us a little about himself and showed us a photo of his country home in Denmark ... I bet he'll like the farm. ................... "My parents are here in the US as part of the diplomatic team from Denmark. They thought it would be good for me to transfer here although I will not be able to see them very often. I love swimming, horses and skiing. I'm a little homesick and I miss my boyfriend." ............ What did he just say? ... he has a boyfriend? ... he's gay? ... ... He was looking at Ethan and me and at how we have the beds pushed together. I apologized for how messy the room is and just said that we hadn't had time to make the beds. Calvin was looking at me, what he said next was very interesting . . . . "With the beds pushed together as you have them can I ask do you sleep together? They really make a very large bed probably 3 would fit." ... Umm that almost sounded like he was asking if he could spend the night. Calvin invited us to see his room. It was one of the small singles. It was very cozy though, and he had spent some time making it look like a real home. We walked back to our room and talked. Calvin made himself at home and we really like him. We tried to straighten things out ... he even helped us make the bed. Now making the bed with all 3 of us turned into so much fun that Calvin ended up spending the night. No kidding he did. Before things were over, and sleep came to each of us, Ethan and I weren't about to let him spend the weekend alone on campus. Yes, that's right we invited Calvin to spend the weekend with us at the farm. How interesting. Comments to jacoblion@tutanota.com To be Continued: A Neglected Boy, "The Twins" From New Haven and Yale to the Farm The next Chapter will be told by Jake *** A Note to readers *** This Chapter posted to Nifty on August 29, 2021 Please note that at this time I have been working for the National Forest in the Northwest USA. My time there will end at the end of September 2021 and hope to continue this series mid-October 2021. My sincere thanks to all Nifty team members for their continued work and to all my readers. Please stay safe. Jacob and the Neglected Boy Family