Date: Fri, 25 Nov 2022 08:26:56 -0600
From: Keith Yates <keith.96@att.net>
Subject: Devyn's Struggle V2 55

This is a fictional story involving sexual acts between two or more men.
If this offends you, why are you here?  If you are under the legal age to
read sexually explicit material then do not read any further.  This story
in no way represents any person living or dead.  Any resemblance to any
real person is purely coincidental. This story is the property of the
author and no copying or posting to any other website is permitted without
the author's written consent.

To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and
whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like
administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by
scripture. Thomas Paine

For the readers in the US, I hope you are having a good Thanksgiving
holiday. I hope you are still continuing to enjoy Devyn's Struggle. If you
have not found Brent's Struggle, please check it out at:

https://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/highschool/brents-struggle/
Feel free to send me your thoughts and comments to keith.96@att.net.

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Devyn's Struggle
Chapter 55

Devyn was trying to not let the revelations that Sue had told him diminish
the fun he had over the weekend. The concert and hanging out with Sam had
been fantastic. It had been a boon to Devyn to have Sam's unwavering
support. Also, Janet and Steve had not wavered in their affections.

Joe had been as shocked as Devyn about what Sue had told him. "I guess in
some way my folks and I were thinking the same lines," Devyn told Joe after
Explaining about what Sue had told him. "I said that the old Devyn Roberts
died."

"I'm not sure he died. He just transformed into one hell of a stand-up
man. The kind of guy he was always fated to be." Joe could not be more
proud of the man Devyn was becoming.

"Maybe, but I do feel like a different person. I just was not expecting it
to come from my parents in that way."

"No one should," Joe said. "I think you are managing that news well."

"It did hurt. I, um, guess it was good to have Sam's support right then. He
is a good friend. I think if he were gay, we would have something."

"Are you getting a crush on Sam?" Joe was studying Devyn closely.

"No. Not really. He's a good friend. He's even cute and all but I'm not
attracted to him like that."

"But you are attracted to Charlie like that?"

Devyn looked down at the table. They seem to always have their meaningful
conversation sitting at the kitchen table. "Yeah, I am."

"I think he feels the same," Joe said.

Devyn believed that Joe was right about that. After the long weekend, it
was good to see Charlie in school. Devyn got so busy with the tutoring that
Mrs. Jones had encouraged him into that he did not have much free time
during the day. He was making plans with Danny, Randy, Julie, and a couple
of others for some after school tutoring sessions.

It wasn't until almost the weekend that Devyn finally got to spend some
time alone with Charlie. Well as alone as they could be in the crowded
cafeteria. Charlie had perked up when Devyn had joined him at the table. It
made Devyn believe Joe was right and Charlie was having similar feelings to
Devyn's.

"Where is everyone?" Devyn asked, sitting down next to Charlie.

"The girls are off working on some special project. They aren't talking
about it. If it is girl stuff, I don't really want to know."

"Yeah, me either." Devyn was glad he and Charlie had a little time
alone. Well as alone as they could be At school. "What about Sam?"

"He's outside on his phone talking to that girl he met while you two were
at the concert. He seems too really be into her"

"Lori isn't going to like that." Devyn knew from talks he had with Sam that
Lori could be a bit jealous.

"She isn't but I never thought they were right for each other. You know he
can't talk enough about how much fun the concert trip was." Charlie was
picking at the food on his tray.

"It was a lot of fun," Devyn said. "Sam is cool. He's a great friend."

"You and Sam seem to have gotten closer."

"We did," Devyn confirmed. "Sam's a good friend but he's not my boyfriend."

Charlie looked up and into Devyn's eyes. The look in those warm eyes sent a
surge through Charlie's belly. He was so glad now that Sam was not gay. He
did not want to compete for Devyn.

"How was your weekend? How was that family thing?"

"Awful and tense."

"I know you weren't looking forward to it but was it really that bad?"

"It was. There was something going on between Dad and Mom and Howard."
Charlie did not want to add how he had overheard his ass-hole cousins and
Howard making homophobic comments. It was just another sign that Howard was
never going to accept Charlie being gay.

Devyn wondered if the tension was from the fight the night Dewayne had been
arrested. Devyn had tried to keep Howard out of it but Lee probably had
gone ahead and confronted Howard. There was little doubt in Devyn's mind
that Lee might have also had some words with Mr. and Mrs. Atwood. Devyn
would not put it past Lee to try and protect Devyn by going to Howard's
parents. Devyn tried to sound casual as he spoke. "You, ah, don't know what
the issue was with them and Howard?"

"No, they aren't talking about it. I asked Mom and she said it did not
concern me. She was a little abrupt so whatever it is has her pissed."

"I can see how that would make things tense for you. What about your other
family? Did you have fun with them?"

Charlie wondered how he could tell Devyn that some of his relatives were
homophobic. Of course, the biggest one in the bunch had been Howard. "I'm,
ah, realizing that some of my relatives are jerks." Charlie's voice was
soft. "I'll be glad when I don't have to go to these damn things anymore."

"I'm sorry it was not a fun weekend. I wish you could have been with me and
Sam."

"Me too. It would have been so much better. I hated feeling the tension
between Dad and Howard. They really are at odds."

"Any idea why they are?" Devyn was sure it had to do with him and the
fight. He so wished Julie and Lee could have left Howard out of that. He
hated that he was causing tension in Charlie's family.

"I think they were probably on Howard to stop hanging out with Dewayne. I
never understood why he was friends with that loser. I'm sure now that he's
been arrested, they were on him again about that. Dad also told him he
might need to reconsider taking the entire year off. It's too late for the
fall semester but he could take classes in the spring term."

"Do you think he will?" Devyn hoped Howard would go back to school. That
would be one less homophobe around and less stress for Charlie.

Charlie shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. He really doesn't want to. I
heard him talking at the reunion. He almost sounded like he wasn't going
back to school at all. He seems to think he can just take over the store. I
know Dad won't go for that."

Devyn did not want Howard around. It would be better for Charlie if Howard
were back at school and not in Charlie's business. "Do you want him to go
back to school?"

"I kind of do," Charlie admitted. "He, um, is more difficult to live with
now. Maybe because he already had a year away or something."

Or maybe you are realizing your brother's a dick. Devyn thought it but did
not voice those words. He would not hurt Charlie like that.

"You have been busy this week. I was worried that maybe you had found a,
um, new guy."

"A new guy?" Devyn was confused. Charlie could not be worried about him and
Sam. He knew as well as Devyn that Sam was straight.

"Sam told me about you hanging out with some hot guy while he was, um, with
that girl."

"Oh, Ricky. Well, he was kind of cute." Ricky had been a little more than
cute but he was reserved. Devyn wasn't even sure if Ricky was gay. "He
wasn't my type. I have it hard for a certain blonde."

Charlie felt his ears burn a bit at the words. "Um, good. Sam was telling
me we needed to help you find a guy."

"Oh, he did. Well, um, I've got one already." Devyn gave Charlie's knee a
brief squeeze under the table. He wanted to do more but knew they could
not.

"I think him and the others want to fix you up with someone."

"Well, that won't work. Like I said, I'm already taken."

"Thanks. I'm, um, glad, um, you feel that way."

"Maybe it's time you level with Sam. After this weekend, I'm certain it
would not change anything between the two of you. He's such a great guy."

"He is. That's why he's always been my best friend. You're probably right
that he would understand but, but I don't want it to change anything
between us. Me and Sam I mean."

"I don't think it would. He's really good with it." Devyn did not want to
pressure Charlie more. Charlie was slowly moving towards accepting
himself. Devyn had no doubt after this weekend that Sam would be there for
Charlie.

"I'll, um, think about it." Charlie was tempted to tell Sam. If anyone
would understand and support him it would be Sam.

"That's all I'm asking. Just think about it."

"Thanks for, um, being so cool with this. I'm just..."

"I've been there. I know how hard it is. Just remember you are not
alone. You've got me and you've got Joe. No matter what."

Charlie wanted to get up and hug Devyn. He wanted to kiss him. A part of
him did not care if the whole school was watching. But a bigger part did
care. "You are the best and so is Joe."

"Maybe we can get together this weekend?"

"I'd like that."

Charlie and Devyn did not get to talk more as Randy came over to get some
help with an algebra equation.

"I just wish it was that clear when Parker explained it," Randy
said. "Thanks Devyn."

"Anytime."

The bell rang then signaling the end of lunch and Devyn and Charlie had to
go to their separate classes.

# # #

Devyn kept checking his phone throughout the week. He was hoping for a text
or a call from Sue. He was worried about Brent and wanted to know how he
was doing. He also wanted to know where he was. He wanted to try and see
him when he and Joe went to visit Matt. Devyn guessed he also needed to see
his parents. He was not sure why he should see them since they were telling
people he was dead.

Devyn had talked about going to see Matt this coming weekend but he was
waiting to hear from Sue first. He wanted to do both things, see Matt, and
visit Brent.

Devyn had somehow managed to stay out of Tanner's way and had avoided Ted
and Dale all week. Devyn also had not seen Terry. He wondered where the guy
was hiding. As long as they were leaving him alone, then he would count
himself lucky.

Devyn was glad to make it to Friday. He had not heard from Sue, so he and
Joe were not taking the road trip. They both decided to give her a few more
days. Joe and Devyn had talked and were going to give Sue another week
before they made the road trip. Devyn thought Joe was looking forward to a
weekend away. He definitely did not mind missing a Friday of school. The
one drawback would be not spending time with Charlie. That was unless
Charlie could go with them.

Devyn had been planning to spend Saturday with Charlie but Stacy had
stopped him on Friday to tell him about the big dress rehearsal.

"Dress Rehearsal?" Devyn had assumed he was out of the play. Tanner had
told him as much last week.

"Yes, we need to practice in full costume. Does Simon need to come out and
pick you up?"

"Um, I thought I was out of the play."

"Out! No way! You're the only person to play the role."

"Well Simon..."

"Simon is alright, but you are so much better. You aren't quitting, are
you?"

"Um, I thought, um, that well I was being kicked out of the play."

"NO way!" Stacy's voice went up a couple notches in her distress. "Why
would you think that?"

"Um, Tanner told me he talked to Mrs. Rogers."

"No, no. We are finding out right now."

Stacy grabbed Devyn's arm and practically dragged him down the hall. It
only took Stacy a moment to get Mrs. Rogers out of her classroom and into
the hall.

"What is this all about?" Mrs. Rogers demanded.

"Devyn said he was kicked out of the play." Stacy's voice was getting more
shrill with each word. "You can't kick him out. He's the best male lead
we've ever had."

"I know," Mrs. Rogers said. "He isn't being kicked out."

"Um, Mr. Tanner said," Devyn began.

"I'm aware of Mr. Tanner's request," Mrs. Rogers said. "He made his opinion
clear. I also made my opinion extremely clear to him. You are not out of
the play. I expect you to be here tomorrow at ten for a full-dress
rehearsal."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Now both of you get to your class." Mrs. Rogers tore off hall passes and
handed them to both Devyn and Stacy.

Mrs. Rogers went back into her classroom leaving Devyn and Stacy in the
hall. Devyn glanced at the hall pass. He had one in his pocket that
Mr. Hanks had given him. Mr. Hanks was giving him one everyday so he always
had a pass with him. It would give Tanner no reason to bust him.

"I'm so glad that was straightened out," Stacy said. She wrapped her arm
through Devyn's. "The play would be dreadful without you in it."

"I'm not that good," Devyn said, as they were walking down the hall.

"You are," Stacy said. "You are good. You play the part so well. It is hard
to believe you haven't acted before."

Devyn guessed he had acted. He had been playing a variety of roles when
working for Tom. He had played roles from the innocent nephew for Judge
Green to an aggressive teenager and a number of roles in between.

"I'm just so glad you are in the play. Everyone in Drama likes you. The
other girls wish they had our kissing scene together."

"Um, they do?"

"Damn Devyn, yes, it is so much fun to act with you. Plus, it's
comfortable. You know with you being gay, it like takes off some of the ick
factor. Other boys like trying to cop a feel or try and spy on us
changing. But you are not like that."

"Um, thanks, um, I think."

"Even the boys like you. They say you're fun and easy going."

"Um, I guess that is good."

"You are making friends and that is good. Plus, now you got all those jocks
on your side. I wish I understood math so I could tutor Randy."

"I bet you would rather have that kissing scene with him." Devyn could see
the sparkle in Stacy's eye that told him he was right about that.

"He is, um, so..."

"Hot."

"Yes," Stacy said, her voice was a bit dreamy. "I wish he had tried out for
something."

"I'll try and convince him to try out for the next play. There is one in
the spring, right?"

"Yes, would you? If we had you both in the play it would be so cool."

"Maybe I could get a kissing scene with him?" Devyn liked seeing Stacy's
eyes grow large at that comment. "What you were just wishing for it."

"Well, I never, um, well."

Devyn could not help but laugh. "I guess the school drama club is not ready
for that yet."

"Maybe one day," Stacy said and lightly squeezed Devyn's arm. "I wish
things were easier for you."

"They have gotten better."

"That is good, maybe it's working?"

"What's working?" Devyn was a little puzzled by the comment.

"Oh, um, you, um, know. You being just so, um...I mean such a nice guy."
Stacy stammered through her explanation. "Um, do you really think you could
get Randy to try out for the next play?"

Devyn was not sure he believed what Stacy had said. He wondered what she
had really meant. "I'll see what I can do."

"You are the best." Stacy threw her arms around Devyn and hugged him. Then
she hurried off to her class. "Sorry I got to get to class."

Devyn started towards his own class. He was not going to have much time
left in it but he might be able to make some plans with Charlie for the
weekend. He was passing the men's room when Terry came out. The boy looked
drained. Both boys stopped and looked at each other.

"Hey Terry." Devyn decided to give the guy another chance. He saw Terry's
eyes flick up and down the hall before the boy spoke.

"Hi."

"You alright?" Devyn wasn't sure but there seemed to be something wrong
with Terry. Has the guy lost weight?

"Yeah."

"Um, you sure Terry?"

Terry once again looked up and down the hall. His eyes then traveled down
to the floor. He was not sure what he could say to Devyn. He was surprised
the guy was even talking to him. He knew he had not treated Devyn well but
yet the guy still seemed to be concerned about him.

"I know you are pissed at me but if you need to talk or something..."

"I treat you like shit and you are asking me if I'm alright?"

"I've always felt like a lot of that came from pressure from Dewayne and
others. I thought we were sorta friends before I came out."

Terry had thought they had been friends too. He had genuinely liked
Devyn. He had enjoyed hanging out with him. Devyn had never put Terry down
or made fun of him like some of the other guys in the group had. With Devyn
being gay, Terry just did not understand exactly what their friendship had
been. Dewayne had told Terry, Devyn had only been trying to get into his
pants. "He wants your cock. He wants your cum. That's all faggots like him
think about." Dewayne's words still flashed through Terry's mind.

"I, um, guess." Terry met Devyn's eyes briefly. Then he looked back down.

Devyn had always felt like Terry had been a better friend than Dewayne. It
had always been Terry including him and picking him up. It had been Terry
that Devyn had cut classes with. Yes, sometimes Dewayne would join them but
sometimes it had just been the two of them hanging out and smoking a few
hits.

"So, are...um...you cutting class or do you need to get back?"

"I, ah, wasn't feeling so good."

"You do look a little pale. Maybe you are coming down with something."

"Maybe, um, thanks for, um..." Terry's voice trailed off as he was not sure
for what he was thanking Devyn for. Was it for talking to him? Was it for
just being concerned?

Devyn could see Terry was struggling. Devyn knew the guy did not have many
friends and his best friend, Dewayne, was now out of the picture. "I'm sure
it is rough for you, ah, with Dewayne being away."

"You know life sucks sometimes." Terry looked at Devyn. He had blamed Devyn
originally for Dewayne being arrested but he knew it was not exactly
Devyn's fault. Dewayne had been using and had been looking to pick a fight.

"It does sometimes." Devyn could not help but agree. "It does get better
though."

"Does it? I don't fuckin' know. Dewayne's in deep shit." Terry paused
trying not to get too worked up. He had no real friends. He could not even
really count Dewayne as a devoted friend.

"He kind of brought that on himself. If he had not been harassing me and
Julie, he would not have gotten busted."

"Him and his buddies just can't handle you being, being..."

"Gay. You can say the word, Terry. I know what I am and I'm fine with it."

Terry looked up and met Devyn's eyes. The gold seemed to almost be glowing
in the pools of deep chocolate. "You are, ain't you."

"I am."

"You got balls. Hell according to Mindy that ain't all you got."

Devyn chuckled. "I wish she'd stop talking about that."

"It pisses Dale off big time."

"I don't think I blame him too much for being pissed about that. But he
needs to be pissed at her and not me."

"You know you telling him to wear two rubbers is fucking funny. I fucking
busted a gut when I heard that. It got me and Dale into a fight but it was
fucking funny. The guys got a little dick and a hair trigger. I'm surprised
he doesn't fucking cum just from putting on his underwear."

Devyn could not believe what Terry was saying. He was talking trash about
one of his buddies. "Um, I thought you and he were friends."

"He's a fucking prick. We hang out but we aint friends."

"Was he, um, more a friend of Dewayne?"

"Not really but they, ah, have a common friend."

"Ted?"

"Nah, Ted and Dale are friends because of the football team."

"I guess I'm confused."

"Look, Howard, Dale, Ted and Dewayne the only thing they all have in common
is not liking fags...I mean, ah, guys like you."

"Hold on, I know Howard and Dewayne are friends, so Howard is friends
with..."

"Look, just, ah, watch your back. They, ah, are, um, not done with you."

"I actually thought things were, am, better without Dewayne around."

"It aint Dewayne that is in charge."

Devyn wondered if that meant it was Howard. "So does that mean..."

"Look, just be careful and um, avoid them."

Devyn was not exactly sure what Terry was telling him. If Dewayne was not
the one in charge, then who was? Devyn had never really understood the
dynamics between Dewayne, Ted, and Dale. He understood Dewayne and Terry
were friends and Terry was going along with harassing Devyn out of some
sort of loyalty to Dewayne. Devyn also understood Ted and Dale being pals
from the football team. It was when you put them all together that it was
confusing. The four of them did not have anything in common. Devyn had
never noticed them spending time together until they had started bullying
him. Plus, how did Howard fit into this mix? He was older than all of them
and in college. Or at least he had been in college before deciding to take
this year off. Had Howard just done that to harass Devyn? Had he done it to
keep an eye on Charlie? Devyn could not help but wonder if maybe Howard had
some clue that his little brother was gay. Did Howard think he could stop
Charlie being gay by being around more. Or maybe he thought it could be
stopped by getting Devyn out of the picture.

"Terry, just what do you mean?"

Terry looked up and down the hall. "Look, just be careful. Dewayne might be
gone for now, but they aint going to leave you alone. Not until..."

Terry's voice trailed off as the final bell began to ring. "What Terry?"

Kids started coming out of the classrooms and the hall was filling up. "I
gotta go," Terry said. "Just be careful and you didn't hear anything from
me."

Devyn would agree with that. He really didn't learn anything from Terry. He
also had not gotten a chance to talk to Charlie. He would just have to call
him and try to work something out for the weekend. That was what little he
would have after his Saturday was going to be spent rehearsing for the
play.

# # # #

Joe let Devyn use the truck to drive in for the Saturday rehearsal. It
saved him from having to bother Simon, although Simon never seemed to
mind. They had become friends and Devyn learned just how bad a crush Simon
had on Stacy. Devyn guessed correctly that Stacy did not even realize it.

Mrs. Rogers was barking orders at everyone as they ran through their
lines. Devyn had most of his lines memorized, but still stumbled over some
of them. He thought Stacy was getting a little too much into the kissing
scene.

"Alright, take a break and then we will work on these last scenes,"
Mrs. Rogers instructed.

Devyn was working up a sweat on the stage. There was no air conditioner
running and with the lights on, it was sweltering.

"You are so good' Devyn. I'm glad you wanted to be in the play." Stacy was
fanning herself with one of the scripts.

Devyn could not help wondering what world Stacy lived in. He had not wanted
to be in the play. She had badgered him and pleaded with him.

"It is great having you in the play," Simon agreed. "You have been our best
leading man."

"Um, thanks. Maybe you should have tried out for it."

"Oh, well, I thought about it," Simon said. "I, um, just wasn't quite
right." He was looking down at the floor.

"He's good," Stacy said. "He makes a great antagonist."

"He does," Devyn agreed.

"Um, thanks," Simon said. "Those parts are actually more fun to play."

"I'm sure they are but the lead always gets the girl." Devyn slid his arm
around Stacy.

Stacy laughed. "This is why it's so comfortable with you. You make it easy
to do the scenes. I don't have to worry about you going where you
shouldn't. I wish we had more gay boys to be in the play."

"That would really send Tanner through the roof," Devyn said.

"Maybe we could bus some in?" Simon offered. "I would like to see his head
explode."

Devyn just wanted to avoid the man. He wanted no more of the man's
attention. He just wanted to get through the play.

"You coming over after, Devyn?" Simon asked. "I mean for the burgers and
chips?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell him. Simon's dad is grilling and we are all going
over thereafter. You can come, can't you?" Stacy's eyes pleaded with Devyn
to join them. Her fingers were gently squeezing his upper arm.

Devyn had never made any plans with Charlie and he knew that Joe did not
have any plans. Ethan would be out and he was sure Joe would not need the
truck this afternoon. "I, um, guess." It looked like Devyn's whole Saturday
was going to be taken up with the drama club.

# # #

Devyn had enjoyed himself at the cookout with the drama club even though he
had not been a part of the group that long, they made him feel like one of
them. Stacy was already trying to get him to agree to be in the spring
play. Mrs. Rogers had not even picked the play yet but Stacy was telling
Devyn he would be perfect in it.

With the drama club, his farm chores, tutoring and schoolwork, Devyn did
not have much free time. When he was free, Charlie was not. Charlie's
responsibilities at the hardware store were increasing. Devyn wondered a
little if Howard were doing that just so Charlie could not spend time with
his friends. Sam had told Devyn that he and Charlie had not spent much time
together either. "He's doing all of the grunt work," Sam told
Devyn. "Howard thinks anything that is not management is beneath him. His
head is getting bigger and bigger."

"You don't care for Howard much, do you?" Devyn could see in Sam's
expressive eyes and face that he did not like Howard.

"He's always treated me like trash. He's always been a bit of a bully to
Charlie. Maybe that is brother stuff, I don't know. I just don't like it."

"He doesn't like me much either," Devyn admitted.

"That doesn't surprise me. I'd say it is something to do with being on the
football team but Randy and some of the other football jocks treat you
fine."

"Randy and his friends are nice. It is only Dale and Ted that have it in
for me. Once in a while some of the other guys will make a negative comment
but since I've been helping most of them, it has made them all back off."

"That is great! I'm glad it's been easier on you. I never liked seeing the
shit you were putting up with."

"You know I never realized until now that Howard was on the football
team. I guess I assumed since Charlie wasn't that Howard wouldn't have been
either."

"Right, Charlie isn't much of a jock but Howard was. He ate that shit
up. He liked strutting around like a big man. Folks still place too much
importance on sports. As much as I like Charlie's Dad and Mom, they went
overboard on Howard and him being a super jock football star. I started
referring to him as the `golden child'."

"I guess that was not a term of endearment."

Sam chuckled. "Definitely not. He's an ass. I wish he would just go back to
college. Charlie was happier when he wasn't around as much."

Devyn wished Howard would go back to college too. It would make life easier
for Charlie. It might give Devyn and Charlie some time to be together to
explore their relationship. Devyn wanted to take things further with
Charlie. He wanted to explore their feelings and discover what Charlie
liked sexually.

Devyn knew he needed to get his mind off Charlie and sex or he'd be having
a bulge in his jeans. Of course, there was no one out here in the barn. He
considered slipping his teenage cock out and thinking about what he and
Charlie could do the next time Charlie spent the night.

He pushed the idea out of his head. He needed to finish feeding his calves
and he needed to work on his lines for the play. He definitely did not want
to make a fool out of himself on stage.

Devyn went back to his chores. He kept the lines of the play running
through his head as he added some more bedding to the pen. It was getting
colder out and he added a little more straw. He then set to adding some
feed to the trough. He reached out and scratched the head of one of the
calves as it came to the trough to eat. He could not believe how big they
had gotten. Soon they would be moved out of here to be with the larger
calves. One day soon they would be sold. Devyn almost did not want that but
knew it was the way things went on the farm. He knew better than to get
attached to them but they were his first ones. He wondered if Joe had felt
like that with any of his calves.

The barn door opened then and Joe stepped inside. "It's taking you longer
tonight. Everything alright?"

To Devyn, it almost felt like he and Joe had a mental connection. He had
just thought about the man and now here he was. "I've, um, been thinking
while working."

"Nothing wrong with that. I do some of my best thinking while watching the
animals and I don't mean you and Travis."

"Not funny."

"It is good you added the extra straw. It is getting dang cold these days."

"I noticed that too," Devyn said, turning after placing some hay in the
feed box.

"I've noticed you have been coming home late every night."

"Sorry about that. I've just been so busy with tutoring and the play. I'll
be glad when the play is over."

"I hear you are doing great," Joe said.

"Who told you that?"

"I ran into Mrs. Rogers at the feed store. She was picking up feed for her
chickens. She said you were doing great."

"I'm alright."

"Don't always be so modest. I'm looking forward to seeing it."

"You, um, were going to come to it?"

Joe chuckled. "Of course. Didn't you think I would?"

"Well," Devyn was looking down at the barn floor and pushing around a piece
of straw with the toe of his boot. "I know that sort of stuff isn't really
your thing." Devyn looked up at Joe when he felt the strong hand on his
shoulder.

"Whatever you are in, is my thing. I'm always going to support you."

"Thanks. I guess seeing Sue again has made me dredge up some old feelings."

"Maybe it is time to confront some of them." Joe's voice was tender as he
spoke. "We have been putting this off but maybe it is time to just do it."

"I was putting it off to hear from Sue."

"And you did." Joe gave Devyn's shoulder a firm squeeze.

Sue had called Devyn just yesterday to let him know what she had found out
about Brent. She had talked to Brent's Mom. Brent's Dad had been at
work. "Yeah, but she did not learn anything from Brent's Mom." The most Sue
had learned was that Brent was out of the coma and was still recovering. He
was not able to remember everything from his past. Devyn just did not know
if that meant that Brent did not remember him or other stuff. According to
what Sue learned Brent was fragile and was not living at home. He was
recovering somewhere else. When Sue had asked to visit Brent, Linda had
told her he was not ready for visitors.

"Then how about you skip school Friday. We can take care of some business
and then drive over to see Matt. We can spend the night just like we had
planned before."

"Um, I guess I could do that. I'll have to check with Mrs. Rogers to make
sure there won't be another rehearsal this Saturday."

"Then we should do it. I'll get Lee to come out and take care of the
livestock. He'll even feed your calves...well that is if you ask nicely."

"Oh, then it is off." Devyn chuckled. He knew that Lee would do whatever
either of them needed.

"What about seeing your folks? Are you up for that?"

"Not really. I'm dead after all."

Joe could hear the pain in Devyn's voice and he could see it in the boy's
eyes. "I knew you were hurt by that."

Devyn turned away. He looked at the calves in the pin. "I shouldn't be
surprised. They hate me. They don't want me."

"Devyn..."

"I know, I should be over it. I should accept it..."

"No, you shouldn't." Joe placed his hand on Devyn's back. "It is completely
understandable that it hurts. I'm sorry they could not accept you for the
man you are."

"I keep thinking the pain is gone but then it comes back. Learning that
they want me dead, well it was like..." Devyn was not sure of the words.

"Like being kicked in the gut. Or maybe having them sliced open?"

"Yeah, it is like they want to find new ways to cut me. They threw me out
without a second thought. Then they came to the police station to just turn
their backs on me. What did they even fucking show up for?"

"I think Roberta might have had some influence on them showing up."

"Then they don't even fight the adoption. Now I've learned they want me
dead."

Joe moved a little closer and slid his arms around the teenager. He held
Devyn tight. His arms holding Devyn's against him. Devyn's back pressed
firmly to Joe's chest. "They just don't understand, Devyn."

Joe's breath was warm against Devyn's ear. He leaned into the embrace. He
felt so good being held like this.

"They maybe could not love you but I do. Travis does and I think so does
Charlie."

"I'd be lost without you." Devyn was looking at the barn wall and then down
into the pin. He could not help but think how easy a calf had it. He did
not have to worry about anything but his next bottle or bucket of feed.

"I would be the same without you. We are family now. I know their rejection
still hurts. Hell, after all these years, my old man's rejection still
hurts. I was lucky. I had Hannah and Lee."

"I thought I had Brent, but he, like my parents, turned his back on me."

"I know that hurt but remember he was struggling too."

"I know and I am not as angry with him as I was. I know we won't be what we
were..."

"It is hard to go back. You have changed so much and I'm sure Brent has."

"Plus, now I have Charlie."

"You do. I can tell he cares about you a great deal."

"I'm afraid he'll do what Brent did. He is so scared about being outed."

"With his brother, I can sort of understand that." Joe paused
thoughtfully. "He's not been through what you have. He is a good kid though
and he has good parents. Give him time."

"I will. I'm not going to push him. I just want...well I'm not sure."

"Total and uninhibited love?"

Devyn's lips turned up, "Yeah, something like that. I'm just a damn
romantic at heart."

"Give him time."

Joe released Devyn. "Now what do you say about the weekend trip?"

"Let's do it. I'll check with Mrs. Rogers. Tomorrow."

"Good. We will take care of business and then head out of town."

"What business are we doing?"

"Oh, just a small matter. You know, of the legal kind." Joe's eyes were
sparkling.

"You mean?"

"Yes, we have an early morning appointment at the courthouse to meet with a
judge. We will get the papers signed and then you and Travis are legally
mine."

Devyn let out a loud whoop of excitement. "That is great for Travis."

"Hopefully, it is great for you too. It will make you legally a part of
this family. Of course, we never needed paper for that."

"No, but it will be awesome not to have to worry about, um, family services
doing something stupid." Devyn had always been more worried that Tanner
would cause family services to break them up. With the adoption finally
going through, Devyn hoped that meant that Tanner's threat was now
meaningless.

"Not going to happen now."

"Thanks Joe." Devyn moved in and this time he hugged Joe. He squeezed the
man tight and then kissed him. "I do love you."

Joe enfolded Devyn in his arms. "I love you too kid."

Devyn rested his head against Joe. He could stay like this forever. There
was nowhere he felt more safe or more loved. Having those cords of steel
around him, the steady beat of that heart in his ear and the love created a
bubble of bliss. Devyn hoped everyone found this bubble at some point in
their life. It made you understand what was enormously important.

# # #


Copyright 2022 by Keith yates (keith.96@att.net) all rights reserved.

Character is much easier kept than recovered. Thomas Paine

A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial
appearance of being right.  Thomas Paine