Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 23:17:54 -0700
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Of Man and Boy 3

Of Man and Boy
by:  dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)


3: Normalizing life

It was still dark when Grant started to come awake.  He actually was jolted
awake, in a friendly way.  Paul had his index finger buried in the lad's
anus and was giving his prostrate more than an examination.  Grant liked
the feeling and as soon as he realized what its source was, pressed his
face tight into Paul's neck; kissing his man's flesh as the invading finger
slid in and out.  The pressure and friction sending stimulating, pleasure
signals to his crotch and his brain.  Grant's orgasmed, dry but never the
less real.  He gasped, raised his body a little, shuddered and exploded.
Paul knew this was a truly magic time for a boy.  Prepubescent boys can
organism like a female, over and over.  No need to recharge the semen load.

"I don't know what that was or how you did it but you can sure do that
again."  Paul would save the technical explanations for later.

"That was your man giving his boy some pleasure."

"More please, sir."

"Much, much more but not right now, we have `miles to go and promises to
keep,' first."  He dressed his little man, holding a pair of tight white
briefs for Grant to step into, blue shorts and his Cub's T- Shirt.  Dad's
hands made sure to cover the smooth body at every opportunity.  Eight year
old boys are not all that keen on being dressed by an adult, it cramps a
boy's independence.  Now if that adult is giving your little body full
attention, including tickles, besides being your hero, that changes things.
Since that hero just gave you your first organism, he can do anything he
wants.  This brought giggles to Grant's voice.  Paul would buy him new
clothing in Charlotte Amalie.

Paul made steak and eggs with fried potatoes, lots of fruit juice and
chocolate goat's milk.  They were just finishing when the marine radio
began to caracul.  "Ni–o del Muchacho, Dr. Stum. Ni–o del
Muchacho. Dr. Stum".  Paul reached for the mike.  "Go ahead Ni–o del
Muchacho."

"We are passing Bull Rock, over"

"We will be on the dock, over" That puts them about 10 minutes away, Paul
though.

"Dad, don't I need shoes?"

"Oh yes, I think you will find some shoes in your cabin."  Grant looked
very puzzled.  "Its the one next to mine."  Grant went running, found a
pair of runners that were not to much to big and came storming back.  He
was looking very sad.

"Problem?"

"If that's my cabin, and it is a nice cabin, does that mean I can't sleep
with you anymore?"

Paul swept him up into his arms and kissed his nose.  "No you still get to
sleep with me but every boy needs his own space and a place to put his
stuff, you know his treasurers, toys, school books.  You remember from the
movie last night about your public face, our public face, right."  Grant
brightened up and smiled, "yes but I was just afraid ..."

"That's Ok, little one you have every right to ask questions and to
question me, sometimes I forget that's all.  Some day you may decide you
want to sleep alone, in your own bed, you should have one assigned to you,
right."  Paul put him down and the boy ran off again.  Paul went about
collecting his things.  Grant was waiting at the door to help.  The kid had
one of those, I know something you don't looks on his face.  Paul scanned
the room.  That's when he noticed the door to Grant's room or cabin.  On
the white board, affixed to the door, all the bedrooms have them, he
printed: Paul Grant Stum III, the Grant was underlined.  Paul smiled and
handed Grant a laptop case and a partly empty backpack.  They stood on the
quay as the Ni–o del Muchacho slowed and prepared to dock.  Paul
explained the craft.  Grant having lived on a long liner for several years,
at least had some idea what he was talking about.  In fact, the kid knew
quite a bit about marine craft and seamanship.

The Ni–o del Muchacho is a sleek modern, long range Yacht.  It is 20 M
in length, 4.5 m pass height, steal hull and aluminum superstructure, 2
Volvo 93L engines, It has three very nice cabins (sleeps 6), plus crew and
a first rate lounge, heads, galley and so on.  It has all the toys, bells
and whistles.  It curses at 15 Kn and was built in the Netherlands.  It is
a lot more "iron" than Paul needed to go between home, St. John and
St. Thomas.  It was quite capable to taking them any place they might want
to go.  Paul's nursing staff is bringing the ship home from service.  Later
that day the maintenance and cleaning staff will come to the house and
service everything.  They will bring fresh water, to top up, propane, other
fuels and so on.  Paul had devised a unique docking system at the house
quay, so he could come and go in such a large vessel by himself.

In Charlotte Amalie he docked at the Yacht Club in the Long Bay area.  This
is a short taxi ride to the hospital and other places.  He stayed on the
Ni–o del Muchacho and often dined at local eating establishments.  Today
Joan and Fredric, two of nurses that work at the St. John clinics, greeted
Paul and Grant.  Grant's presence was, to put it mildly, a bit of a shock.
Not that they had never seen young people at Paul's home before but he had
usually allured them to his having guests.  Paul held the mooring line
while Grant handed the packages to Fredric.  He scrambled abroad while Paul
gave the line a toss and jumped onto the deck himself.  Joan eased the
Ni–o del Muchacho away from the dock and turned toward the open sea.  As
the Ni–o del Muchacho was about to pick up speed Grant began shouting to
cut the engines.  Paul poked his head in the cabin and call to Joan to do
just that, cut the engines.

Grant, by this time was leaning over the stern talking to his dolphin
friends.  The Ni–o del Muchacho has a small open stern area that is
mostly covered by the upper deck but would allow two or three fishermen.
Anyway Paul was at the boy's side, prepared to grab on to his feet, as
Grant was leaning so far over he feared the lad would fall in.  Paul wanted
to laugh, the shorts were a little big and his thin legs stuck out of them
like toothpicks.  Grant babbled on in his high pitched semi squeal, he
would be back to swim with his friends in three days he was gesturing the
entire time.

Joan and Fredric just stood back and marveled at the seen.  They had never
seen anyone lean over and talk to a pod of dolphins before.  They had never
seen a pod of dolphins just tread water nodding and squeezing back to a
human.  They had never seen a pod so close to one the large boats before.
They had seen this pod playing in the Ni–o del Muchacho's wake before
but thought nothing of it.  Grant pushed himself back until his feet were
on the deck and stood up turned and giving a slight bow, announced: "I'm
Paul Grant Stum the third, his son." Pointing to Paul and sticking out his
hand, "my friends call me Grant, since he's got Junior spoken for."

After the introductions he took Paul's hand and lead him to the bridge
house, "Show me how this thing runs, I want to take the helm, 11 knots, is
that all it will do?"  Joan and Fredric could not contain themselves and
began laughing.  They did not know Paul had a son, or that he was Paul
junior, since he was always Dr. Stum or Paul to them.  They were also quite
surprised that a boy, even if he was Paul's son, could so completely take
charge of the most take charge physician either had ever worked for.  In
the five years Paul had been in the Virgin Islands, they had been making
this weekly run to Cruz Bay.  Usually they take the ferry and meet Paul.
Today was different, although not totally out of the ordinary, as Paul had
left the Ni–o del Muchacho in port for service before.

"I can keep a compass heading you know."

"I'm sure you can Grant but you don't know the waters around here yet."
Paul opened up the throttles and the Ni–o del Muchacho topped out at
just under 20 Kn.  He rounded the east end of Thatch Cay taking the east
side of Middle Passage near Grassy Cay and crossed Pillsbury Sound to Cruz
Bay, the largest town on St. John.  "Do you like this better than a long
liner?"

"Way better but anything is better if you are with me."  Paul kissed the
top of his head.

"Help with the lines mate."

"Aye cap."  Grant hopped down from the bridge to the lounge cabin floor.
Why use the steps when you can jump.  "He thinks he's "Long John Silver"
you know.  I talk to all kinds of animals, mostly the ranch dogs and cats
and my pony.  Since Mom died I lived with grandpa, Paul Senior but now I'm
full time with my dad."  This too seamed a bit strange but not out of the
ordinary for Paul; since he shares his local practice with another
pediatrician and takes long breaks back to the mainland.  Dr. Norman who is
young like Paul but has a young family and likes to dive.

"How do you like VI, it must be quite different from Montana," Joan asked?

"Oh big time.  I mean the ranch has lots of horses and Black Angus cattle
and not much water, that's for sure and these aren't real mountains, not
like the Rockies."

"So you have a pony."  Fredric inquired

"He's a Welsh A colt."

With the lines secure Paul shut down the engines.  He instructed Grant to
bring his lap top and reading material as he would need to keep out of the
way and entertain himself for the morning.  About the only boy reading
stuff Paul had in the house were some Boy's Life magazines, left by
trainees and a couple of novels written for young people by a Canadian
author John Wilson.  Paul had no idea just how well read or competent a
reader Grant was.  It turned out he was reading well above his grade three
level but not well enough to handle the Wilson books yet, that's about
grade 5-6.  For lunch he took Grant to a little burger place, along the way
they found some comic books and a thick book of puzzles for his age group.
In the booth Grant managed to glue himself to Paul.  The boy sure needed
human contact, physical contact.

Grant was accustomed to not having playmates or the TV and Game Boy as a
constant companion.  He could listen to stories and plays on the radio and
read books without lots of pictures, all things that fired his imagination.
And this one had plenty of that.  He was imaginative and creative.  More so
than dad realized.

Children are naturally sympathetic and emphatic toward other children.
They are protocolary so toward age and gender cohorts.  It is the, there
but for dumb luck go I, knowledge.  When they returned from lunch the
mothers and children were already lining up.  It was general preventative
vaccine day and for some, annual checkups combined.  There were lots of
upset little ones.  Kids just don't like shots.  These things are
inter-muscular and usually given in the buttocks.  Most little kids don't
have much muscle any place else on their bodies.  One little boy drew
Grant's attention.  Not because he was by far the cutest kid in the place,
which he was.  Not because he was a potential play mate for Grant, the boy
was probably six at most.  Grant was drawn to him because of his
determination not to get that shot and not to be examined, to not
cooperate, period.  The child's mother was just as determined that he
would.  Grant could see the poor woman needed help, besides this obstinate
boy she had a three year old and a baby in tow.  Grant had been here before
and he knew the kid could not win and if he continued he would suffer some
kind of parental wrath.

Grant started to play the make eye contact, smile, act shy and look away
game.  The boy probably had little or no contact with white kids, since
whites are only around 10% of the VI's population.  Grant did not know this
but assumed being the only white person in the place except for dad, he was
a novelty.  Before long the boy settled down and Grant began reading his
comic book to him.  Had Paul been around to observe, he would be amazed at
how well Grant translated English to Spanish on the fly.  Joan called the
boy's mother and she took the two little ones for their shots and came
back.  The boy didn't even notice she was gone.  When he was called to see
the doctor well that was something else.  Grant just took charge, much to
Fredric's amazement and the boy's mother's.  Grant stood up took the kid's
hand saying, "I'll go with you, I'm not afraid of the doctor, any more then
I would if he were my dad."  Mother and siblings followed him into the
examination room.  "Dad my friend thinks you are going to hurt him, you
won't will you?"

"No of course not, Alejo and I are old friends aren't we Alejo?"  Paul
patted his knee and the boy climbed up but not with any joy showing on his
face.  Paul asked him if he had been sick recently and boy said not, the
Mother detailed some minor ailments.  Paul ask him to climb up on the table
and pull his pants down, and lay on his tummy.  Grant assisted the boy and
while he lay down Grant resumed the story, directing the lad's attention to
the comic book.  Paul gently patted his bare butt saying all done Alejo,
pull you pants up and lets finish my examination.  "Thank you Grant, you
can finish the story later."  Paul motioned Grant out, giving him a wink.
Mother was absolutely amazed and of course asked about Grant, praising his
people or better put, little boy skills.  Alejo came out smiling and
laughing with a lollypop in his mouth and one in his hand for Grant.  Grant
was able to finish the story while Paul looked after the others.
............

Its called the Pampered Pirate, specializing in children's fashions.  Grant
was not all that sure about this.  He thought K-Mart (Big K these days) was
high fashion for boys.  They marched in about two hours before closing.
Paul was on a mission and poor Grant was along for the ride, like it or
not.  Grant figured he could get Paul to buy him anything he wanted.  In
that, his assessment was correct but he failed to consider that when Paul
got an idea in his head, it took a lot more then weak boy protests to get
it out.  They are learning about each other and while love may concur all,
it is not instant.

Paul charged up to the first sales clerk he could locate.  A very comely,
tall, black woman about 25, with the nicest ass Paul or Grant probably ever
saw before and instructed her to completely outfit his son, enough for two
weeks.  He explained, "his luggage has gone missing and by the time Delta
finds it he will have out grown the contains".  She asked a few questions
and proceeded: Socks (crew and dress), undies with action heroes and
animals, T-shirts all different, jeans, shorts, swim ware, dress slacks, a
"church quality" sport coat, dress shirts, clip on tie, dress shoes and
runners.

While Paul paid the bill Grant took loads out to the taxi.  The taxi driver
was one of the funniest people Grant had ever encountered.  Paul had used
him before as he often has a place in the stand at the yacht club.  He is a
short, very black man with a round face and a large mouth.  When he smiles,
which is most of the time, all you can see are his eyes and teeth.  He
speaks in a rhythmic Caribbean cadence and is always telling some kind of
joke or funny story.  He drives like his ass is on fire and Grant wondered
it the machine had any brakes, since he never seamed to use them.  In the
Virgin Islands driving is on the left, not the right.

They were quickly off to all of Paul's other stops: Book store, sporting
goods, diving shop, hardware, Computer store, K-mart to name a few.  Grant
was almost overwhelmed by the boxes and packages.  It was a struggle to get
everything stowed on board.  Grant had to try on his new things and model
them for Paul.  He had to do this because Paul insisted.  Having insisted
Grand do something he was not keen on doing, it was Paul's obligation to at
least make it into a game producing some fun.  Boys in general are not
overly fashion conscious.  They are not unaware and if given a choice will
choose to dress like other boys or their heroes.  As long as they are not
radically out of place, they just don't "give a rat's ass".  Paul
understood this, so he made it into a little game with lots of touching and
feeling of Grant's body by his man, along with tickles and kisses.  Grant
was not all that pleased with the idea of a sport coat and tie but when
Paul attired himself almost exactly the same, right down to the polished
black shoes; Grant could not object beyond the normal kid, "Awh"; after
all, Paul was not just a fictional hero or figure Grant would never meet,
he was dad and his personal super-hero.

Before they dressed for dinner Paul took advantage of the situation and
worshiped at Grant's phallic temple.  While his lips and tongue, kissed,
nibble, licked, sucked completely interacting with Grant's smooth soft skin
from head to toe.  Paul's index finger was buried in his anus; delivering
both prostrate and sphincter stimulation but a minute quantity of a
powerful analgesic.  In very small quantities, especially in children, this
substance does not deaden pain or render unconscious but stimulates
sensations and produces a relaxed euphoric feeling, which builds toward
climax enhancing the normal feelings orgasm.  Paul knew, within a week
Grant would be reacting to the touch of his man just as his trainees react.
He knew his was a sacred trust as teacher.  The trainee will willingly and
lovingly give his body and his affection to his man, the man must never
abuse or take undue advantage of that trust, he must also give of himself
to the boy in equal measure.  The boy is never required to do any sexual
act he is not willing to do; however, Paul's training is so complete that
his boy's will willingly do anything their man asks of them.  He would just
have to be careful and fair in his relationship with this boy, his boy.

Paul concentrated on Grant's penis and scrotum taking the entire package
into his mouth and letting his tongue play over smooth sensitive surfaces.
He concentrated his finger action on the lad's prostrate steadily bringing
his closer and closer to climax.  Grant arched up his back, lifting his
butt off the bed, trapping the finger in his anus and shuddered several
times.  By this time Paul's penis was leaking precome like a small hose and
his erection was beginning to hurt.  He brought himself to the lad's head
and presented his penis to Grant's lips.  Grant licked and kissed took the
head into his mouth.  Paul gave his brief instruction and encouragement.
Paul withdrew it briefly and dabbed some honey on his penis head.  The
honey in this case is laced with small quantities of another chemical
enhancers that are designed to bring euphoria and suppress the gag reflex.

Grant opened his mouth wide and took it back in licking and sucking the
sweet honey from the phallus, tasting his man and tasting the sweetness of
nature.  Paul kept fondling his boy's genitals and letting his fingers play
in Grant's butt cleft.  Paul placed his small hands on his rather lager
penis.  Grant instantly knew what to do and began masturbating the exposed
length from Paul's pubis to his lips.  The best Grant could do was take
about one third into his mouth.  Paul thought that very good considering
this was his first time.  Grant had seen Paul masturbate himself and he
knew Paul would expel copious quantities of ejaculate.  He knew he was
expected to ingest as much of it as he could.

Paul helped Grant to dress in his new dress cloths.  Grant was getting
accustomed to this giggling and pressing his groin into Paul's hand as the
pulled up his new dolphin figured briefs.  All of the public and most of
the privet schools in the Virgin Islands have school uniforms.  Paul hoped
Grant would treat these dress cloths as a kind of uniform.  Paul moved into
his room followed by Grant.  For a man that likes to go naked most of the
time Paul has a bit of an underwear faddish.  He has a drawer full of
different colors, styles and material types.  Making a game of of the
selection he held up one pair after another until Grant approved.  Low
rise, white boxer briefs by JM (that's what it said on the waist band).
Paul stepped in and pulled them up adjusting his manhood in the pouch.
Grant's hands inspected the brief ass covering, paying lots of attention to
the front pouch.  He smiled and stepped away leaving Paul with a mostly
erect penis straining at the stretch material. "Is this a game dad?"

"What do you mean a game?"

"I mean now that we both know exactly what underwear we each have on we can
imagine each other without our pants."

"Yes, that is correct, so I guess it is a game.  Now lets get moving, I'm
hungry aren't you."  Grant lead the way up the stairs and out on the stern.
He drew up short and stepped back right into Paul.

"That's the one, that's the long-liner."  Grant was pointing out into the
harbor, a green and white long-liner was slowly making its way seaward.
Paul pulled him in the main cabin.  In a few seconds, Paul had the hatch
cover slid back from the top of the bridge/ wheel house.  Grant stood on a
stool as they trained the binoculars and telescope on the departing vessel.
Paul wrote down the registration number and name.  The vessel was called
"Segued Occasion" (Second Chance) Christiansted (a city on St. Croix's
north coast).

"They are going to get away Paul, what are we going to do?"

"We have two choices, we can go after them.  The Ni–o del Muchacho can
run rings around that rust bucket or we can call the cops."

"Lets go get them dad."

"And just what do we do with them once we catch them?"

"We kill the bastards just like the killed my parents."

"Yes, and what does that make us and what firepower is in your pocket?"

"Awh ..."  Grant realized he had no firepower and seeking revenge, while a
pleasant thought makes him and Paul no better then the bad boys.

"We don't know if those men are even on the Segunda Ocasion, did you see
them?"

"Ah, no.  So I guess we call the cops."  Grant did not look all that happy
about calling the police.

"No Grant, I call the cops with an anonymous tip or two.  Did your dad have
any product on board?"

"Yes of course, that's what they came to buy.  He had a silver case, like
your brief case, ready for them, I saw it in the wheel house."

"Did he have any more hidden on board?"

"That I don't know but he always hid his stuff below a false floor in the
number two fish hold.  I wasn't supposed to know that but I saw him put
stuff in there once."

"So those men didn't know you were even on board did they?"

"No, probably not at the time, they never came looking for me or turned on
the search light or anything."  Paul wrote a brief statement, names of men,
name and number of suspect vessel, location of stash on the Jennifer and so
on.  He and Grant sauntered along the dock to the taxi stand and secured a
ride to a very busy and fancy downtown restaurant, located in one the
hotels.  Paul was mulling in his mind the best way to get his anonymous tip
to the cops and still protect himself and Grant.  What he needed was some
kind of serendipity.

Paul and Grant were seated at a small table near the windows.  The local
people Paul already knew, were not sitting near them.  These were people
who Paul knew from official kinds of things, not socially.  One gentleman
he noticed was a well known lawyer in the community.  That's when his plan
hatched.  He would retain one of the younger lawyers in the city to deliver
the "tip", he would be bound to keep his client's name confidential but
still carry the air of credibility.  Problem solved.  He informed Grant
that he had a plan.  He also had a plan for how to establish Grant's new
identity but that would require a little work on his part.  He would create
the necessary paper trail in Montana as soon as they got home.  He had a
plausible explanation worked out for why Grant had never been seen by the
local people, since he had been away at school and now in VI for over 15
years and the boy lived with his mother with a religious sect in Utah most
of his early life.  All Grant need to say is: didn't like those people,
glad to be with dad, don't want to talk about it.

Grant was a bit mystified by all the forks and spoons on the table and at
all the fancy names for the food on the menu.  Paul quickly explained what
was for what.  The waiter asked Paul if he wanted the children's menu but
Grant would have none of that.  He was determined to eat what dad ate.
Paul suggested they split an appetizer and salad, for the main course they
would have chicken Italian style, Grant a half order and a large glass of
milk; Paul the house red and coffee.

Paul would get Grant's full medical work up and blood stuff done in the
next day or two.  He also had to get his schooling reorganized and
formalized.  From what Grant had told him he was born in Mobil and attended
kindergarten there.  His family took to the water when he was about six.
Paul would ask a contact that lived not to far away, to get copies of
Grant's records.  Stuff was beginning to fall into place he thought.
...........  Paul slowly opened his eyes, and even more slowly, realized
that the brightness he was seeing was sunlight, leaking between the port
hole shades, and signifying morning.  He rolled over, and raised up on one
elbow, a smile breaking across his face, as he focused on the soundly
sleeping boy, his cute face buried in his pillow and his smooth, naked,
body.  He grinned, drinking in the beauty of the boy, his boy, once again
marveling at the blemish free smoothness of his skin.

Paul's eyes came to rest on the rise of his slim hips, the tight, golden
brown, perfect globe of his naked butt cheek, the morning sun resting
there, highlighting the softness of his young flesh.  Paul shuddered
slightly, remembering the events of the predawn sex, reached out a hand and
gently cupped that firm melon, working his fingers over the satiny
smoothness.  He didn't stir, so Paul got up, and headed off to relieve the
pressure from his bladder.

In the head, he took care of morning business, brushed his teeth and
shaved, then stood a while under a hot wake up shower.  Toweling off, he
padded, naked, into the galley, and got the requisite coffee brew going,
and poured two glasses of cool OJ.  Still naked, he returned to the
bedroom, and found the bed empty.  He heard Grant running water in the head
(bathroom), so he sat on the edge of the bunk, and sipped his OJ, placing
the other glass on the night stand.

Leaning down, he pressed my face into Grant's still warm pillow, sniffing
deeply, and inhaling the wonderful scent of the boy, as it lingered on the
linen.  Rising back to a sitting position, he smoothed out the sheet a bit
and leaned back on his elbows, as sweet, naked, Grant boy exited the head,
dancing toward him, smiling broadly, that darling boyhood all in motion at
his smooth crotch.

About half a step out, he launched his naked self airborne, landing
squarely in my middle, and Paul wrapped his arms around Grant, hugging him
tightly, and rolling around on the bed, Grant giggling madly.  They settled
down, and Paul dropped his hands, firmly grasping both butt cheeks, and
squeezing firmly.  "Morning, hot stuff!" he said, "How are things, this
morning?"  Grant wiggled his tight butt in Paul's groping hands, still
giggling, and answered,

"Awesome .... really, really, awesome." He chirped in his high-pitched
voice.

Paul laughed, and let go of that scrumptious butt, reaching for his OJ.
"Good deal, here you go...some vitamins for you."  he took the glass, and
drank deeply, then swiped a small, hairless, arm across his full lips,
smacking, dramatically.  Paul ruffed his silky blond hair and idly wondered
exactly how he had been so blessed as to share his bed, his life, and body,
with this unbelievably cute, 8 year old boy.

"Hungry?" Paul asked him, to which he responded with a rapid nod of his
head, and a firm pat of his soft, tummy.  Taking his small hand Paul pulled
him to his feet, and told him, "Come on, then."  And they headed, naked, to
the galley for cereal and fruit.

"We will be spending our mornings at the Hospital and the afternoons at my
office.  You should wear your white shorts and a T shirt.  Bring your books
and your laptop, Ok."

At the relatively small hospital Paul checked in with admin. office and got
a picture ID badge for Grant.  "Paul Grant Stum III" Pediatric Assistant.
He had to introduce Grant to everyone, the most important was Dr. Sidney
Norman his partner.  Sidney gave Grant a close inspection which Grant
noticed.

Grant is actually very cute, his shaggy cut, blond colored hair, those
wispy bangs across his forehead, and his very, very, light blue eyes, his
face is an oval shape, and when he smiles, there are these deep dimples in
his cheeks, and his small, white, teeth show a lot.  He is pretty small
compared to the man, 4' 5" tall, and he weighed maybe 65 pounds, or so.
His skin is really nice, really smooth, and not any freckles, or anything,
its actually pretty creamy and tanned looking.  His nipples look really
small, like a dime, maybe, and he has an "inny" belly button.  His legs are
kind of thin.  Grant has thin boy arms but his shoulders are perhaps a bit
better developed than most 8 year olds.  His hair is getting a little long
it covers to upper part of his ears.  Paul parts it just the the left of
center so his bangs are kept out of his eyes.  His noes is small and
"button like.  Grant has a wide mouth with a bow shaped upper lip and a
smooth rounded chin.  His eyes are much more then just blue they are large
and round and captivating.  In many ways he looks like a girl or would if
properly dressed.  He could easily be taken for a model now that Paul had
him properly dressed.

The kid is sharp and he demonstrated that again.  "I favor my mom, except
she had freckles, everyone including gramps says so.  She died a few weeks
ago." tears started to form in his eyes, "so now I can live with my dad,
she would never let me out of her sight and didn't even like it when I
visited dad and gramps at the ranch.  I like it here but I miss the ranch
too."

"It's a long sorted story Sid, Ruth and Grant were living with this
fundamentalist, anti everything group and he literally risked his life to
escape when she died, dad rescued him and well here he is.  I don't trust
those bastards but that's another long story."

"I see you have an official title Grant, Fredric said you were a big help
yesterday, do you like helping dad," Sid asked?

"Sure but I like helping kids even more, sometimes it is scary for kids, I
know all about being scared, its more about not knowing than anything else,
but its also about not being alone too.  I mean adults are always doing
stuff to us.  We know almost all of it is ...  ah, well intended, but it is
still scary some times."

"For his first three days on the island I don't think he let me get further
then his arm's length away."

Sid looked at Paul and said a girls name, Julia.  Paul shrugged his
shoulders, and raised his eyebrows.  "Grant, Sid and I have a patient name
Julia, she is about 10 and is undergoing some very serious chemo therapy.
It is pretty scary for her, it will be very hard and will make her almost
as sick as the cancer we are trying to cure."

"I don't have any friends here yet, maybe she would be my friend." He
picked up his computer bag in preparation for this new assignment.  Sid was
just a bit taken aback, Paul was too but proud never the less.  He placed
his right arm around Grant's shoulders giving him a gentle squeeze.  A
small reward, a small sign of approval.  Paul liked to use small bits of
positive reinforcement for positive behavior.

Sid and Paul lead Grant out of the staff lounge up to the second floor.
They had rounds to do together in the morning and office hours in the
afternoon.  Sid would then take three days off and when he came back Paul
would take time off and the cycle would start again.

They introduced Grant to the nurses at the floor station, explaining that
Grant was to keep Julia company in the mornings.  Just as someone was about
to raise an objection, based on the rules of visitations and the like, Paul
took out his prescription pad and wrote: "Laughter, fun, frivolity and the
company of other children.  In full measure." The floor's head RN just
rolled her eyes and welcomed Grant.  He stayed and talked to the staff
while Sid and Paul visited and examined Julia.  She was her sullen, almost
fatalistic self.

No one would tell Julia or Grant just how seriously ill she was.  Her
prognoses was anything but good.  The cancer was not responding to the
treatment, her hair was falling out and she was weak and it was hard to
keep food down and her white cell count was still rising.

They called Grant in and introduced the children.  This was a bit awkward
but that was expected.  Grant sat down at the little table and pulled up
the lap top and some of his new books.

"Is Dr. Paul really your dad?" She asked in Spanish.  Grant answered also
in Spanish.  The official language in the VI is English and that is taught
in the schools and so on but at home most of the native Islanders speak
Spanish.  Grant had picked it up over the two years he lived on the
Jennifer with his parents.  His spanish is not textbook Castilian but the
street lingo of island children.

"Yes, he is.  I just arrived here from Montana.  My mother died and now I
live with dad.  The only people I know here are adults and well now you."

"Are you dying too?"

"No, not that I know of but you aren't either."

"I know they say that but I hear them talking in English, the chemo is not
working and my mother she is always so ... so sad but trying to be hopeful
at the same time."

"I don't know about that, all I know is, I almost died last week and my dad
saved me and he and Dr. Sid will do everything they can to help you.  All I
know is dad picked me up and held me and kept saying, `I'm not giving up on
you so you better not give up on me'."

"If your not sick why are you here and not home or in school."

"He won't let me stay on the Ni–o del Muchacho by myself.  I was being
home schooled before and I guess that will continue. I was hoping you would
be my friend."

Julia kept asking Grant questions and the more she learned about him the
less she thought about her own situation.  She had never know anyone who
lived on a ranch or an otherwise uninhabited island, that played with real
wild dolphins, who had his own pony, who's mom just died, who just knew his
dad could probably do anything.  Soon she was telling him about herself.
Her friends and family.  Her cat and dog.  Her hobbies and dancing lessons.
They were laughing having a good time.  One of the older children, with a
compound fracture to his leg, was reading Harry Potter and the Philosophers
Stone to all assembled.