Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2001 13:08:22 EDT
From: AmateurishWriter@aol.com
Subject: M.A.R.C. Ch. 16

M.A.R.C.

Warning: The following story is a work of fiction.  It is a fantasy.  It
never happened, except in the author's imagination.  This story may contain
sex between teenage boys, a man and a teenage boy or multiple male teens.
The author does not encourage or condone sex between adults and little
children. If you are underage, or this is illegal where you are, you
already know what you're supposed to do.  Delete this file and find
something else.  If this kind of story turns you off, delete this file and
find something else.  If you're looking for a story that has someone having
sex in every other sentence, this one is not it.

The author retains the copyright for this story.  Placing this story on a
commercial web site or in print without the authors permission is a
violation of that copyright.

Disclaimer: M.A.R.C. is in no way related to a certain movie character or
characters of a similar age and construction and/or recently released
sci-fi movie.  Any and all similarities are purely coincidental.

Comments to AmateurishWriter@aol.com, pro and con and of a constructive
nature, will be gratefully received and acknowledged, if possible.  Flamers
will be ignored.


Near the end of Chapter Fifteen:

Marc swiveled his head urgently from side to side, again, as though looking
for someone.  The mode change had scared him and he grasped my arm, "I just
had ... I don't know, it was almost like the other dreams but just you and
me ... no, it wasn't me.  And ... and it was, well, over in a second."  He
was trembling badly now and perspiring heavily again.

I tried to convince him, "it must have been just a flash of memory, maybe a
flashback."  I got the wash cloth and, once again, cooled his face and
forehead.  I tried to convince him that it was all just nightmares maybe
triggered by the loss of his parents.  He seemed to calm down some.  I'm
going to go to the bathroom, rinse the wash cloth with more cool water and
get you a Tylenol PM.  You try to think something nice, relax and I'll be
right back.  I got up and went to the bathroom.  As I passed the dresser I
scooped up the cell phone.

Closing the door and running the water, I dialed support.  They answered on
the first ring.  I spoke low but with all of the anger I could muster;
"Listen carefully you sons of bitches, I'm only going to say this once.
Stay out of his head unless I'm there.  There ARE no second chances here.
Once more and I blow the deal wide open.  I don't make idle threats.  Don't
FUCK with him or me.  If you don't believe I mean it just ask Edward.  He
knows, I'm a man of my word.  Don't call me back, I'll call in the morning.
Have Edward there."  I broke the connection.  Fury shook through my body
like a jolt of high voltage electricity.  I had to calm down before going
back out to him.  I splashed cold water on my face.  Flushed the toilet.
Anything to buy a moment's time to calm down.

Now I had to go out.  "Here we go kido."  I gave him one tablet and again
tried to cool his cheeks and forehead.  When I slid down next to him he
rolled over and snuggled in my arms.  His warm moist face pressed into my
neck and his breathing kind of hiccoughed in the after affects of his fear
and crying.  But, in minutes we were both asleep and I didn't move until I
heard the fog horn from the lighthouse on the point.  It meant that the
rain was over, the storm was past and just the fog was left in its place.
I only hoped it were true.  I hoped that the real storm wasn't just
beginning.


Chapter Sixteen - That's great!  That's just f***ing great!

I rolled over to face Marc.  His back was to me.  I snuggled up behind him
and wrapped my arms protectively around him.  He was half awake and sighed
sleepily.  I soothed him, "Shhh, shhh my love.  I'm here with you.  Go back
to sleep."  I felt him relax in my arms.  I lay there holding him and
listening to the fog horn until the sun rose and started to burn off the
fog.  I had worked out what I was going to say to Eddie and if our
relationship of so many years before meant as much as he said it did then I
thought things would get straightened out quickly.

Along about 7:00am Marc moved and stretched, arching his back and kind of
vibrating like he does.  He rolled around and snuggled up to me face to
face.  He spoke softly, "Thanks for last night.  I was really scared."

"That's okay Marc.  I love you."  I reassured him.

"I love you too."  He kissed me sweetly on the lips and then hugged me very
close nuzzling his face into my neck.  It was a very warm and loving
snuggle, we each were gently rubbing the others back.  We were both hard
but that's as much as we both seemed to need.  We must have cuddled like
that for a good 10 minutes when he started to giggle.

"I know I've said it before."  I said, giggling back.  "But, one of the
things I love about us is that we giggle a lot."

"Yeah, me too," he continued to giggle.

"So," I declared. "You gots ta pee again, right?"

"Yup."

"Me too."  We both got up and headed for the bathroom.

He walked ahead of me and I enjoyed the view of his nice pumpkin colored
briefs holding his cute bottom.  "Ummm, nice color." I said huskily.  "What
do you call it?"

"Pumpkin and I can hear where your mind is going so don't even say it."  He
chuckled.

As we lined up for a dual pee I patted his sweet buns and said, "Let's not
take the others back.  This is too much fun."

"Well, there's only two colors left."  He teased back, "If I'd known how
excited you get looking at me in them I'd have bought all the other
colors."

"There's more?"  I bit.  "You're kidding."

"Yeah."  He laughed at me.  "I'm teasing.  It was fun to see the look on
your face though."

I went back and sat down on the edge of the bed again, scratching my chest
absentmindedly as I thought about when to call Eddie.  I guess I had a very
serious look on my face because Marc came over, pushing his way in between
my knees and sat down on the left one.  He put his arm around me and looked
me in the eye.  "Whatcha thinkin'?"

"Oh. I was just wondering about those dreams.  Is there anything else you
can think of?" I asked.

For a second I thought he was going to say yes.  It was something about the
way he reacted to the question.  But he evaded a straight answer, "Naw. I'm
already more than you bargained for.  I'm sorry to be a bother."

That was a masterful change in the direction of the conversation and I fell
for it hook, line and sinker.  "You're my Godson and I love you.  No matter
what, you're not a bother and don't you forget it."  I kissed his cheek and
said, "Okay my boy, time for breakfast and then it's off to sailing lessons
for you."

Around 8:00am Linda called from the yacht club.  The storm had caused some
damage there.  A tree had come down and they had no electricity.  The
sailing class was put off until Monday.  In a way, I was relieved.  I
wanted to get to the bottom of Marc's so called dreams and didn't want him
out of my sight until I had spoken with Eddie.

I told Marc about the sailing lessons.  He was disappointed but I reminded
him that he was meeting Jeffery and Josh at the arcade later and then we
had his golf lesson at 4:00pm.  That seemed to perk him up.

"Well," I asked.  "Since you're available, how about helping me with some
chores?"

"Okay." He said with surprising enthusiasm.  Hmmm, I thought, a kid who
doesn't mind chores?

With the breakfast dishes out of the way I asked Marc to go down to the
boat and open her up to air out.  The fog was gone and it was a good sunny
day with a strong northwest breeze, perfect for drying.  He should pull
anything out on deck that was wet.  A lot of rain had come down and some
might have gotten in.  So, I figured that the job would take him a good
hour or more.  That would give me time to think a bit and then talk with
Eddie.

Marc seemed very pleased that I trusted him with the responsibility and
dashed off to the dock at full speed.  I sat down out on the deck with
another cup of coffee and did some final thinking about what I had to say
to Eddie.

After a while, I'm not sure just how long I had sat there thinking, I went
up to my room where I could watch to see if Marc came back while I was on
the phone.  I sat in the window seat and dialed Eddie who answered as if I
was the only call he was expecting.  "John, I remember those good old days
way back and whenever you called me Edward I knew I was in trouble.  I also
know what you're going to say and I've already taken steps ..."

"No Eddie, you don't know." I interrupted.  "In addition to your overriding
my wishes for advance notice of mode changes and our guarantee of privacy,
we have two other more serious things to discuss.  First, on a more
positive note, I can honestly already say that the research is a complete
success.  Physically, he's human in every outward appearance and bodily
function.  Mentally, he is evolving emotionally and intellectually, as any
normal 13 year old boy would.  He makes mistakes and learns from them.  He
feels the excitement of adventure, the fun of being mischievous, the
happiness of a good time, the satisfaction of success, the joy of love and
I could go on and on including the feelings of fear and even terror.  And,
even as a knowing participant in the research, I have been completely
persuaded to the point of several times momentarily forgetting that he's
actually an android.  In addition Eddie, I have fallen in love and so has
he.  So, as you know, I will do what I think is best for him and protect
him right out the window."

"That's good news indeed John," Eddie interjected quickly.  "And your
second point?"

"Second, we, or maybe just I, have a moral and ethical problem.  We have
been, in effect, lying to him and I, for one, think it was and is the wrong
procedure.  He needs to ... no, he has a right to know the truth and it has
to be soon because I think he suspects something.  This is not a dumb kid
here.  He's a very intelligent android who was designed to look like and
programed to act like a 13 year old boy.  And, as you well know, when a
curious and spunky 13 year old kid gets a bug up his ass about something he
scratches it until it goes away."

After a pause, Eddie patiently asked.  "John?  Are you through?"

"For the moment," I responded sarcastically.

"Now, please here me out.  I have a lot to cover."

"Okay."  I'd had my say and now honestly wanted to listen.  To control my
impatience, I consciously gritted my teeth.

Eddie continued, "Before I address your comments I give you my solemn word,
as someone who loves you, that no one here has, at any time, eavesdropped
or in any other way compromised your privacy.  Okay.  Now.  John, I ... we,
couldn't agree with you more.  This is a learning process for us all and we
realize that we have made mistakes.  But, we have taken steps to correct
them.  We also know we will make more but that is a part of learning, as
I'm sure you will agree."

"Yes, I understand."

"Good.  Thanks.  Okay.  On the idea of his suspicion, you are very
perceptive and that is the reason for the two additional mode changes.
However, they were not triggered by us.  They were triggered by Marc the
Tech.  I'm sure you'll remember, Marc the tech was programmed to speed
things up if he thought that things were progressing well and he has been
doing that.  But, perhaps he was a bit premature.  As a result of last
night's uplink, we were planning to call you this morning anyhow.  I take
it, something big happened yesterday or last night.  Marc had some sort of
major experience or a bad dream perhaps."

"Both actually." I added being intentionally vague.

"Well," Eddie continued.  "There seems to be an emotional component to Marc
the Tech's involvement."

"I suspected as much and it's fine with me."  I gave credit where credit
was due.  "He is ... no, both of them are very remarkable Eddie."

"Thank you, we appreciate that John but there's more to it.  It seems that
Marc the Tech has fallen in love with you as well."

He hesitated thinking I would have a thought and I did. "I'm glad to hear
that.  Things might have been complicated otherwise.  But, I didn't know
that the Tech mode could do that."

For the first time Eddie chuckled.  "Well, logic told us that the Tech mode
would be capable of it because it's all the same programming but we hadn't
considered it actually happening.  However, it does make sense.  Anyhow,
and more importantly, as we explained from the outset, Marc's Tech mode has
the ability, in an emergency, to initiate an uplink.  He did so mainly
because of the dreams and waking thoughts that Marc has had in the last few
days."

"And?"  Now I waited for the other shoe to drop.

"Well, ... because of them, we have taken the precaution of preparing Marc,
beneath the conscious level, for your telling him the whole story."  Eddie
again sounded hesitant.  Like he was expecting a bad reaction which is just
what he got.

"That's great!"  I jumped in with both feet.  "That's just fucking great!
You guys leave the difficult news for me to tell?  Where is the
psychologist in all this?"

"Actually John, the shrink thinks you, as someone he loves and trusts, are
the best person to tell him.  As I said, Marc the Tech has received
programming and will help you beneath the surface.  When it is complete, he
... both of them, will have their choice of what mix of the facts and
fiction they want to make and continue on with.  All you do is, in whatever
setting you think best, tell him the truth.  Then your Marc and Marc the
Tech will work it out, think it through, and when they reach a solution, a
balance, whatever you want to call it, the result will be one Marc and one
mode.  What we've learned is that this is the way we should have done it in
the first place."

We continued to talk for a few minutes until I saw the boy coming up the
lawn.  Jeffery was with him.  I told Eddie that I had to think about how
and when I would do it.  He assured me that Marc the Tech would bring
support up to speed when needed.  "John, You have done a far better job
than you might think.  Even better than we had hoped.  I know you may not
feel like it right now but, all things considered, we are very happy.  And,
my dear friend, I am very proud.  You should have been a father figure to
more than just me and Marc.  I love you and will talk with you soon."  He
broke the connection.

I came downstairs just as the boys came in off the deck.  "Well hello there
Jeffery, how are you today?"

"Fine thanks Mr. ... er, John."

I smiled at his slip.  "That's good son.  You been down to the dock?"

"Yes sir and I love your boat."  He looked really interested considering
his lack of enthusiasm for sailing lessons.  "I think my folks would love
to see it.  They've been thinking of getting a small one."

"Tell you what.  How about a sail this weekend?"

Both boys reacted at once.  "Oh man!  That would be so cool!"

I was pleased and glad to have Eddie's call shoved to the back of my mind.
"Okay then.  Is everything in good shape on board Marc?"

"There was hardly any dampness down below Uncle John.  I dried that up in
just a couple of minutes.  Then Jeffery came along the shore and helped me
wash down the deck and cabintop."  He was beaming with pride.  "Come take a
look."

We walked down and sure enough, they had done a beautiful job.  I got a
great deal of pleasure in knowing that Marc cared so much to do it on his
own and do it right.  I also enjoyed praising and thanking them both.

"Well boys, it seems you have the morning free.  Jeffery, why don't you
show Marc around the neighborhood a little?  Come back in time for lunch
and then I can run you both over to the mall."

"What are you gonna do?"  Marc looked a little concerned.

"Thanks for asking kido."  I smiled.  "But I have more laundry to do
including more of those rainbow shorts of yours."

"Oh, that reminds me."  Jeffery broke in and pulled the pair of electric
blue briefs, that he had borrowed from Marc, out of his pocket.  "I don't
think my Mom would have approved of my wearing these so I didn't show her.
They should go in the laundry too.  Thanks Marc, it was neat wearing them.
Real sexy."  He blushed a deep red when he realized what he'd said.

I took them in two fingers like they were contaminated and held them out at
arms length.  "Gee thanks Jeffery.  You made my day."

The poor boy looked stricken but when Marc started to laugh he giggled a
little.  I ruffled his hair with my other hand.  "Don't worry Jeffery my
man, in the week that Marc's been here I'm sure I've handled worse."

"Rrrrriiiiiipppppp!"  Marc ripped off a good tongue fart at me and laughed.
"Yeah, yer own."  Then he lit out up the lawn and yelled back.  "Come on
Jeffery!"

In spite of his shyness Jeffery let out a guffaw and then took off after
Marc.

The minute they were gone my conversation with Eddie came rushing back into
my mind.  I went about my morning activities and let my thoughts drift over
the near future and talking with Marc.  It had to be done ... should have
been done in the beginning.  I worried that what we had built in a
relationship in just a week would be changed or worse, lost.  I tried to
tell myself that worrying wouldn't do any good but that was like trying to
hold my breath.

Blessedly soon the boys were back.  They had stopped at Jeffery's house and
his Mom had given him money to eat at the mall as well as play some of the
games.  They both were eager to go early.  I was not as I'd be back to
spend the afternoon worrying again.  But, I took them anyway.

With a pickup time set for 3:00pm, giving us extra time to drop Jeffery at
home and get to the golf range, I headed back to the house.  As I passed
the Town Hall I had an idea and pulled into the back lot.  The Board of
Education was there and it was a good opportunity to start the school
registration process for Marc.  Having never done this before, I was quite
surprised at the amount of paperwork involved.

When I got back to the house I hunted up the briefcase that I had been
given to me by the consortium.  I must admit, I had completely forgotten
the damn thing but it wasn't as though there were vital operator's manuals
inside.  It's main purpose was to hold all of Marc's technical
documentation.  Also forged, for want of a better term, birth certificate,
medical records, school records and so on.  There was documentation about
the consortium as well but nothing needed for day to day life.  I had to
laugh however, it was complete with a voice activated lock ... cute touch.

So, I spent the afternoon reading, trying to decipher and fill out forms.
That's one way to keep one's mind off more unsettling prospects than just a
poor little android boy's first day of school.  I was beginning to get
writer's cramp when I noticed that it was 2:30.  I should leave for the
mall to pickup the boys in about 20 minutes.  But, something made me go
right away and it was a good thing.

When I pulled into the mall parking lot and up toward the main entrance, I
saw the three boys waiting even though it was early.  As I came to a halt
beside them I saw that Josh was nursing what looked like a bloody lip.

I jumped out and ran around the car.  "Josh, are you okay?  What happened?"

His response was muffled by a wad of bloody paper towel so I looked at Marc
who shrugged.  "He says some guy hassled him and Jeffery but he wont say
any more."

I looked at Jeffery.  "Jeffery?"  He just shrugged.

I straightened up from looking at Josh's lip and looked around.  "Did you
call security?"

"No Uncle John.  Josh says it's no big deal.  He just wants to go home and
put some ice on it."

I was hesitant but gave in.  "Okay.  Well, pile in and let's go to Josh's."

We drove in silence but I began to wonder about something.  As I pulled in
under Josh's building I made a decision.  "Josh, do you want me to come up
and explain to your Mom?"

He half chuckled.  "No thanks.  It'll just make her think it's worse than
it is.  I'm fine.  Really."

"Okay, if you're sure."  I wasn't so sure but relented.  "Marc, you make
sure Josh gets up to his place okay.  I'll run Jeffery home and come back
for you so we can go to your lesson."

Josh started to protest but Marc wouldn't hear of it.  "Uncle John's right
Josh.  Suppose you pass out in the elevator?"

"HA!"  Josh was a bit indignant.  "Not likely."

Marc laughed.  "Well, I'd like to hear how you explain it and see your
Mom's reaction.  My Mom would go ballistic if ... "  His voice caught in
his throat and trailed off as he looked quickly at me.

Jeffery bailed him out.  "Any Mom would Marc, mine for sure.  You guys go.
I'll see ya' later."

That got them moving.  "I wont be long Marc.  Meet me back down here in 20
minutes.  You take care Josh."

He smiled a little.  "Thanks."  I watched them head for the elevator and
then I pulled out into the street.

Even though cold logic once again told me that it would be best for Marc
and I if I stayed out of it, I took this opportunity to speak to Jeffery.
I would never be able to live with myself if someone or something bad, that
I could have prevented, were to hurt him.  Besides, I find physical or
psychological force very upsetting.

"Jeffery?"

"Yes, sir?"

"It was Bruce, wasn't it?"

His voice was almost tiny.  "Yes, sir."

I tried to sound as gentle as I could.  "Son, I figure you've guessed it
was me in the bathroom at the club the other day."

He turned bright red and looked down at his hands which were fidgeting in
his lap.

"Jeffery, if Bruce is forcing himself on you then I have a moral, if not a
legal, obligation to report what I heard that day.  If you're not being
forced, then it's none of my business but my conscience demands that I ask
you this; Do you want me to speak to someone?"

He looked stricken.  "No!  Er ... no, please, my Dad will never speak to me
again.  Besides, he only said some stuff and Josh and he swapped punches.
Then he ran out."

I smiled over at him.  "Sounds like Josh is a good guy and a friend."

"Yes, I think so sir."

He flinched as I reached across the seat and put my hand on his shoulder to
reassure him.  "I'll not say anything to anyone then but if that boy forces
himself on you and you need someone, if you can't go to your Dad or Mom,
you can come to me.  Okay?"

He looked a little relieved.  "You wont tell Marc will you?  Josh promised
he wouldn't either."

"No son but Marc is a good lad and will be a good friend to you too.  If
you aren't comfortable coming to me directly, talk with Marc.  You can
trust him.  He will do the right thing.  Neither one of us would ever talk
with anyone else without talking with you first."

We were just pulling into Jeffery's driveway so I let it go there.  "Maybe
we'll see you tomorrow Jeffery."

"Thanks for the ride and everything sir."  He got out and ran up to the
house.

I called after him.  "Sir is worse than mister."  He laughed and waved.

As I drove back to pickup Marc I wondered if Josh had made a lasting
impression on Bruce.  I hoped so.

Marc was there when I pulled up.  "Hey kido.  Everything okay?"

"Yup and his Mom was real nice to him.  It seems Josh stands up to all the
bullies."  He looked thoughtful and then added.  "Josh and Jeffery don't
know this but I saw Bruce run out.  Then I got the feeling from the way
they talked that they didn't want me to know who it was."

I shook my head.  "No, they didn't."

Marc looked at me seriously.  "You were right about him I guess."

"Yes son, I'm afraid I was."  I sighed.  "But, I have a feeling that Josh
will put Bruce in his place, if he hasn't already.  How about you?  You
okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine thanks." He smiled up at me.  "Hey, you just called me son.
I liked that."

"I did too."  I was pleased.  "Okay Tiger, let's hit some golf balls!"

All my life I have loved sailing and golf.  Oh, I've liked other sports
too, downhill skiing, baseball or softball, volleyball, Ping-Pong,
swimming, diving, Scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, bicycling and yes, even
fishing ... well, a little anyhow.  But, sailing and golf are the two that
I enjoy the most.  I had been active in each of them off and on all my
life.  Marc, on the other hand, was programed to like them but not
programed with any real experience.  In other words, he was programed to
need lessons.

It was very pleasing to me that Marc had asked for sailing lessons on his
own.  It was something that he alone had decided.  Something that he felt
he wanted to do even after his wild experience on his first sail with me.
I was proud of him for it.  Golf was something else.  I had just assumed he
would want to play.  I knew he liked it because I had asked that he be
programed to like it.  And, he had mentioned his favorite golfers.  So, I
had booked the lessons for him and made a deal with Pete, the owner and
golf pro at the range, for the used clubs.

Now the time for his first lesson was here and, despite this afternoon's
incident, he was very excited.  He told me he had a vague memory of going
to a golf range with his father.  But, that was the extent of his
experience.  Mainly he had just watched it on TV and found that he liked
the idea that it was a sport of individual discipline and skill.
Competing, not so much against other golfers but against the course, the
weather and one self.  It was a sport that required imagination,
concentration and, of course, practice.  Now he liked it even more because,
like sailing, it was something that we could do together.

Sailing and golf are great but they are also time conflicting sports.  If
you are a hard working person then you only have time for your sports
evenings and weekends.  So, do you sail or golf?  However, being
semiretired, I could play golf and sail most any time I chose and that was
a special advantage that I had earned by years of hard work.  Now I could
enjoy sharing and teaching both with someone I loved and whose company I
enjoyed.  It had been fun to hear Marc's enthusiasm for sailing, especially
after his first couple of lessons.  I had high hopes that this golf lesson
would be enjoyed as much.

The golf range wasn't too crowded when we arrived and we went right in to
meet Pete for his lesson.  The first half hour was used to get Marc
measured for the set of second hand clubs, check him out on them and cover
the basics of the swing.  Then, with just a six iron, they went out to a
mat for Marc to start a slow swing drill.  I went and got a bucket of balls
for myself.

Pete always conducts his lessons down at the right end of the range far
away from most of the customers.  He had a top of the line artificial turf
mat there along with a highly maintained grass tee and small fairway and
rough area.  There was even a small sand trap for instruction and practice.
This whole area was only for lessons and private practice.  It was a nice
touch to Pete's range.

Being at that end of the range his right handed students, which was
naturally almost all of them, had their backs to the rest of the customers
and so, weren't distracted by them.  I went down to the far left end so my
being there wouldn't interfere with Marc's concentration.  The tees were on
a very gradual curve so I could look across and watch them but was still
about 75 yards away.  I started my own practice drill so that as Marc
looked around he'd see that I was busy and not watching.

When he started to take a few swings, I slowed my own workout to watch.
Pete let Marc swing once without a ball.  Then he stopped him and made a
few adjustments.  Marc swung a second time without a ball and again Pete
held him up to make more adjustments.  This went on for a while and I could
clearly see improvement each time.  Finally Pete put a ball on the tee and
let Marc hit it ... I dropped my club.  It was a nearly perfect swing and
the ball flight was quite good.

I chuckled as I watched Pete lift his hat and scratch the top of his head
in thought.  He continued the same routine as before only this time letting
Marc hit balls and each time making adjustments to his aim as well as the
mechanics of his swing.  Finally, still scratching his head, he gave Marc a
small bucket of balls and pointed to an artificial green about 140 yards
out.  He patted the boy on the shoulder and started walking in my direction
shaking his head.

By the time Pete reached my mat Marc had put three balls on the green.
"John.  You pulling my chain?  Your boy has played or at least had lessons
before."

"Well Pete, to be honest, I don't know.  He kind of remembers his Dad
taking him to a range."  I explained about the fire.

Pete shook his head, "That's a sad story.  It must have been horribly tough
on the boy."

"Yeah, it was ... and is."  I decided to be vague on the subject.  "I try
not to talk too much about it.  Only when he brings them up.  So, I don't
know how much experience he has."

Pete was watching Marc as he continued to put 3 out of 4 balls on the small
artificial green.  "John, I don't say this often about my younger pupils
but his concentration is wonderful."  He scratched his head again as he
watched Marc.  "He takes in almost every suggestion I give him the first
time."

I smiled a knowing smile.  "I know that he's a fast learner and a good
student.  He has great hand eye coordination.  He must because I've heard
that he's a whiz at computer games."

"As you know John, as Coach of the high school golf team, I'm always
looking for future team members."  Pete looked excited now.  "I'd like him
to come every weekday afternoon until school.  Then try out for the middle
school team.  Is that okay?"

I was a bit surprised.  "Well, I don't know.  Marc and I will have to talk
it over.  He was thinking about the swim team."

We both watched as Marc finished the bucket of balls and then turned to
look for us.  Pete beckoned him down to our end.  Marc came at a trot.

"Uncle John!  Did you see?  Did you watch me?"  He was full of enthusiasm.

I smiled broadly as he ran up.  "Yup, sure did kido.  You were great."

He looked over at Pete.  "Mr. Williams?  How'd I do?  You think I'll be a
good golfer?  When can I come back?"

We both laughed at his excitement.  "Young man, I think you will do fine as
a golfer and you can come back as soon as you and your Uncle set a date.
I'm free at this time all next week."

"Oh man!  John?  Can I come back?"  He was almost jumping up and down.

I looked at Pete who shrugged his shoulders as if to say, "don't look at
me, he obviously loves the game."

"Sure Marc, I'm glad you like it so much.  How about we go home and check
the calendar?"  I turned to Pete.  "I'll give you a call tomorrow.  Is that
okay?"

"That's fine John.  I'll be here."  He clapped Marc on the back and praised
him.  "You did good kid."

After thanking Pete, we gathered up my clubs and then Marc's new used clubs
and headed for the car.  As we drove home Marc continued to bubble with
enthusiasm from his first lesson.  On the other hand, I could feel the
positive feelings literally draining out of me as we got closer to the
house.  I knew that shortly I would have to tell Marc just who he was and
that the revelation might just tear his world and mine, apart.

Next: Chapter Seventeen - Uncle John, you're scaring me