Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:51:43 -0400 From: Eff Del Subject: Flights of Angels-Chapter 8 Flights of Angels-Chapter 8 By Eff Del We are often told to be cautious of what we wish for. This caveat is intended to suggest that we might be disappointed were the wish actually fulfilled. The truth however is not that we should be careful but rather we should examine closely what we are actually wishing for; and why. Perhaps it is something you should be creating. Perhaps it is something you should be becoming. Perhaps it is something you actually already have and should be sharing or improving. Do not waste your time wishing for something if the reason you do not have it is simply because it is difficult. I slowly sat up in bed as the first soft light of dawn brought a warm glow to the room. It was a different but pleasant awakening this morning and I smiled to myself as I mentally replayed my first sane and sober adult sexual encounter in four years. Chris lay sleeping on his stomach; one arm stretched across my chest in the last remnant of the embrace we had shared before sleep had overtaken him. His soft brown hair was ruffled and mussed in an amusing but attractive way and his handsome face was soft and youthful in its repose. He was stretched out peacefully; the sheets bunched down around his calves. The long lean muscles of his arms, legs and back were accented by the still dim morning light. I enjoyed the private view of his youthful body almost as much as I had enjoyed using it physically last night; and use it I most certainly had. He had shed his clothes and come to my bed enthusiastically. As I had earlier guessed he was really an exuberant man-boy; still a youth in a newly adult body; a butterfly just free of the cocoon. He had proved to be a fervent bottom and his athletic generosity in giving his whole self was erotic and exhausting. The night had been a wild combination of lovemaking and passionate contortionism. Gently slipping out from under his arm, I left the bed and walked into the bathroom to perform what the classic novels romantically refer to as my 'morning ablutions'. Having pissed, shaved and brushed my teeth, I wandered back into the bedroom hoping he would stir soon and that ultimately he would be inclined to share a morning shower with me. After eight, almost nine months of doing this with my energetic and entertaining little Sean, I'd come to dislike showering alone the few times I'd been in a position to have to do so. Chris hadn't moved and his deep rhythmic breathing gave me to think he might sleep for a while yet. I wasn't certain who had been dealt the more exhausting role in last night's wild acrobatics, but I did know that my grateful body and mind were not inclined to begrudge him the respite. After yet another long moment gazing at his naked sleeping form, I moved into the kitchenette and got the coffee maker working. When the pot was filled, I poured two cups full of the steaming, black, silky Kona and carried them back into the bedroom. Moving a chair closer to the bed, I placed one cup on the occasional table while I sat sipping the other; watching the man-boy sleep. The enticing aroma of the fresh brewed coffee worked its magic, and soon the beautiful body on the bed began moving...working into the ritual of awakening from a deep and deserved slumber. Shortly, eyes still heavy lidded and a silly little smile decorating his gorgeous face, he raised himself up on his elbows and looked at me; his long dark lashes blinking away the weight of sleep. "Is that...is that by any chance coffee?" Passing the second cup over to him I said; "I noticed at dinner that you drank it as I do; black with no sugar. I hope that's how you like it in the morning." By now, he was sitting up knees raised against his chest. He smile grew wider as he reached out and accepted the mug from me and almost urgently took a large sip. "Oh God, that's perfect! Thank you Eric." He took another sip and then grinned at me. "Good morning by the way. Did you sleep well?" I almost spit out a mouthful of my coffee at that remark. "Sleep? There wasn't much sleep in this room last night you bugger!" I was smiling as I said this and he arched an eyebrow and wagged an index finger playfully in my direction. "To be technical about it Eric, I think it's you that qualifies as the 'Bugger' last night; or is that 'Buggerer'? Either way, I think that I should technically be referred to as the 'Buggee' eh?" He placed his cup down on the side table and hugged his knees as he giggled; obviously quite pleased with his own cleverness. I stood up and took one of his hands and guided him to the bathroom and into the shower. The steaming water coursed over our close pressed bodies as we stood with our lips locked and our hands feverishly rubbing and touching every inch of the other's flesh. *************************************** After we had eaten breakfast, Chris went up to his room to change clothes while I made a couple of telephone calls. We'd arraigned to meet out back near the cart parking area. I was there first but he joined me shortly striding energetically across the lawn giving no hint of the exhausting events of last night. "Feel like a little hike this morning?" I asked as he climbed onto the golf cart beside me. "Absolutely; I feel great this morning. I could use a little exercise." He was looking pointedly at me; a mischievous grin on his face as he answered. "Good, we've got lots to talk about but, if we finish in time, we can meet up with Doc Swaim and the boys at Fish Camp and have lunch with them." I drove the cart to a place where the trail broke into a triple fork. Leaving the electric vehicle parked over the side, I led Chris to the steep winding path that led to the top of Hawk's Hill. We stepped out into the clearing at the top only slightly winded. I let him look around. It was certainly nothing compared to the high mountains in the park he'd been working at for two summers, but being so abruptly higher than any other point in the property it was still a wonderful view. "It's beautiful Eric." He was so very much like an enthused boy as he worked his gaze across the panorama before him. "It's wonderful that your family has kept this property so essentially natural. It must be a joy to live here all of the time." I motioned to a large nearby rock and indicated he should sit down. "This was a favorite place of Kyle's and mine Chris. It's a good place to think clearly and to talk." I sat down on the boulder next to him. "Walter and Phil told me about your family and the accident. I'm so sorry Eric." He reached over and rubbed my shoulder tenderly. "Thank you Chris. It still hurts so badly. If Kyle had lived, he would only be a couple of years younger than you are now. When he died, I thought that I'd never get over it. I wanted to die as well and I tried my best to achieve that result; but then Sean came into my life and with his help and unconditional love; I've climbed up out of the darkness and back into the light. Don't misunderstand; Sean is not a replacement for Kyle. Sean is...well, he's Sean. He's my son, my joy, my passion and frankly my love." I looked at his face and tried to gauge his reaction to what I'd just said. "No Chris, don't get the wrong idea. Some of my interaction with Sean is certainly inappropriate by the standards of everyday society but I haven't got to the point that I screw little boys...even though he's asked me to on more than one occasion. I simply love him with all my heart; so much so that it almost makes my heart ache. I feel that you should know that." His smile was soft and melancholy. He reached over and plucked a long green leaf from a nearby yucca fern and twisted it nervously in his hands. "If you hadn't told me that, I would still have known Eric. It's obvious every time you look at him and it's equally obvious that he loves you just as strongly. I'm simply hoping that inside of you there's still room for a little affection for someone else...for me perhaps. I know that we'll never be lovers but maybe...maybe we could be friends; good friend with occasional 'benefits' even." He looked at me again. His smile was sad but hopeful. "I never had brothers or sisters. I used to dream about having an older brother especially after my Dad died. I used to pretend I had a big brother who loved me and cared about me. He was someone I loved and who loved me; someone I looked up to. In my imagination, he was like you Eric. He was just like you. If you could feel for me that way Eric, I could be happy. I can't be your lost brother Kyle but maybe in some way I could be your other little brother; Chris. We could care for each other...love each other that way. Does that sound stupid?" I pulled him to me and threw my arms around him in a tight hug. He rested his head on my shoulder and sighed. "It sounds wonderful. It sounds perfect Chris." I then proceeded to carefully explain my plans for him; to tell him about the position I hoped he would agree to assume in my family affairs. As he slowly realized what I was saying, he sat back and looked at me; eyes wide in wonder. When I had finished, he jumped to his feet and faced me. "Eric...Eric, Walter and Phil more or less told me you'd be offering me a job. I never dreamed that you would be asking me to train as Phil's successor...to take on that much responsibility." "If we didn't believe; no, check that... if we didn't know you were more than up to it Chris, it would never have been offered. You need to think about this very carefully. Only a handful of people in the world know as much about my affairs as you do right now and believe me, you only know very little. If you accept my offer, then you are not simply accepting a job. You will be agreeing to dedicate your life to one of the most intricate powerful forces on the globe. To take on the training and responsibility and then to abandon it and walk away would be a betrayal of trust at the very highest level. It will be either all in or nothing Chris." He had hunkered down resting on his thighs and was absently drawing patterns in the dirt with his finger. He didn't look up at me as he spoke; "Phil and Walter told me a bit about their history; how they were recruited and instructed by your father. It's very obvious how they both felt about him. They loved him Eric and they've dedicated their lives to his dream. I...I love you at least that well Eric. I can do as much for you; I can dedicate myself to you...easily and with joy." He raised his eyes and gazed into mine they were moist and glistening with unshed tears and he was smiling broadly. "Then let's seal it with a drink." I rose and walked several yards across the clearing. I searched through the bushes until I found what I was seeking. Raising the top flat stone on the short cairn that stood hidden behind some thick growth, I extracted a metal box and carried it to the boulder we'd been sitting on. Opening the lid, I took out two ceramic cups and a large sealed jar filled with a clear liquid. Chris arched a questioning eyebrow at me. "I have an old friend; Commodore Tipton. Among his many accomplishments, he happens to make the finest moonshine in the country. This stuff is about six years old. Kyle and I hid it up here a year before he...a year before I lost him. We were going to use it to toast special occasions as they arose in life. This is certainly a special occasion. Don't you agree...little brother?" Chris' smile was wide and joyful. I unsealed the jar and poured out two generous measures. Handing one cup to Chris I raised mine in salute; "Welcome to Magnus Venatus! You'll be a great and valued player." He returned my salute and spoke; "Thanks Eric. This is going to be wonderful... since I've already given my heart and my body to the Game Master, it seems more than natural to dedicate my life to the game." He took a large sip and his eyes flew open. "Holy shit Eric!" he exclaimed through a violent fit of coughing. "Smooth eh?" I laughed and refilled his cup. His face was red, his eyes were watering; but his grin was wide and lively. I clapped him on the back and said; "Only one more each or else we'll both roll down the hill." *************************** As I pulled the golf cart into the clearing in front of Fish Camp, it became obvious that no one was inside the little cabin. I noticed that there were no fishing rods in place in the rack on the far outside wall and I suspected that Jack's morning interrogation was over and that the professor had them off fishing someplace along the little lake. I led Chris down the path that hugged the south shore and we came upon them fairly quickly. The sound of young laughter and happy chatter could be heard before we rounded a sharp turn and saw them. The huge man was standing off to the side casually giving his rod a gentle flick as he played his lure among the deep water shadowed by the branches of the overhead trees. The two boys were a bit further along down the shore conversing happily as they lazily cast out their lines and slowly reeled them in. Jack had either been fishing before or else he was as quick a learner as Sean. His casts were effortless and well controlled. They were a sight to fit to take your breath away. Sean stood shirtless, wearing only a pair of well-fitting khaki shorts that came down to just above his knees. He wore no socks and on his feet were a pair of well-worn sneakers that I was certain had once been white. I wondered to myself if these could possibly be the pair he was wearing the day that I had picked him up in Houston. His skin was beautifully sun bronzed and rivulets of sun induced perspiration caused his well-formed young back to glisten. I laughed silently to myself as I noted the old oversized canvass bucket hat perched on his head with fringes of his thick black hair peeking from under the brim. Alongside stood Jack; a full head higher than the younger boy, he wore a sleeveless yellow tee shirt which hung low over his waist; partly covering his blue knee length shorts. He also wore no socks and was shod in leather flip flop sandals. Snugged down tight over his bright red hair was a well-worn baseball bap; the bill pulled down shading his eyes. They were all absorbed in their activities and as Chris and I walked up behind them, they didn't have the slightest idea we were there. "Have you guys caught enough for lunch yet?" I asked which caused all three of them to jump slightly before they turned and smiled at us. "Hi Dad! Hi Chris!" Sean had put his rod down and run up wrapping his arms around me in a tight joyful hug. Jack was right behind him and was soon hugging me in welcome while Sean had moved over and was greeting a surprised but smiling Chris in an enthusiastic embrace. The professor's white teeth gleamed from under his large mustache as he approached us. "Well now, you two are just in time for lunch! Nothing from our creels today I must tell you. We've been practicing 'catch and release'. I have however, got some lovely catfish fillets marinating in buttermilk back at the cabin. A quick roll in some cornmeal and I expect they'll make you happy enough Eric." I licked my lips in appreciative anticipation as I nodded my head in agreement. "Boys, why don't you run ahead with Chris and show him the cabin while I trudge along behind and have a chat with Eric eh?" The big man gestured down the trail and the boys picked up their rods, and tackle enthusiastically calling for Chris to follow. "How is it going Doc?" I asked when the three were out of earshot. "Amazingly well Eric; almost better than I could have hoped for. Young Jack has no reluctance to talk about his life and his descriptions are extraordinarily mature and informative. I would guess that I'll need him here for a couple more days and then you'll be able to take him back to Houston." I stopped walking and turned to him. "Oh, I guess I forgot to tell you Doc. He's not going back to the NEST; he's staying here with us." The big man smiled down at me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "That's what they both told me last night before bedtime. I just wanted to see if you were still firm in that resolve." "I most definitely am. I would never go back on a promise like that." I replied and his big smile grew wider. "Good Eric, very good; Jack adores you and he and Sean are like brothers. It's wonderful to watch them together. They're like two puppies. Jack is as bright as Sean and seems to learn new things almost as quickly as your son does. Like Sean, he picked up on casting and playing his line with remarkable speed." "I suspected that might be the case Doc. Will you want to do more fishing tomorrow or shall I set things up with Andy and have Jack spend some time at the gun shed?" The big man's eyes lit up behind his dark rimmed glasses. "Oh the shooting range of course!" he smiled with delight. "I haven't broken any 'clays' in a long time perhaps after Jack has gotten his tutelage from Andy, we can all spend the afternoon shooting a bit eh?" "In that case, I'd better check on Chris' background and see if he needs to spend some time with Andy as well." "Am I to assume then, that in young Jack I've acquired a second pupil?" "I was hoping you'd be agreeable to that Doc. Will it be a problem for you?" "Not at all Eric. The way those two have been taught to learn, it should be quite easy and very pleasurable. I will need to test him though. May I use the library one day next week...say Wednesday?" "Absolutely. Does that mean I can have Sean for the whole day?" I grinned at him and he grinned back nodding his head . "Well I suppose we've a lot to talk about over lunch then yes?" he asked rhetorically as we strode off the path and into view of the cabin. ********************** As we entered the cabin, we heard happy chatter coming from the kitchen. We entered the room to find that Chris had Sean and Jack at work peeling potatoes while he was busy slicing radishes and throwing them into a bowl with some carrots he had neatly julienned. He looked at us with a cheeky happy smile . "If you're going to be nice enough to pan-fry us some catfish Doctor Swaim, I thought the least we guys could do, would be to put together a salad and fry up some potatoes." He had put down his knife and was tearing off leaves from a large wet head of lettuce adding them to his bowl. "Wonderful Christopher!" Doc Swaim exclaimed. "Our lunch shall be a team effort. Come over here Eric, I'll show you how to dredge these catfish in the seasoned corn meal." Within twenty minutes, we were all seated at the large table enjoying our feast and discussing the series of upcoming events. Everyone seemed to be particularly excited about spending time at the gun range tomorrow. Like Sean, Jack had never shot a fire arm in his life and Chris acknowledged that as a youth, he'd been pretty proficient with a 22 rifle but had never handled a shot gun. Jack was enthusiastic over the news that he'd be joining Sean under the private tutelage of the Professor. The happy conversation made for a very pleasant meal. "Sean," I said to my little boy who was sitting across the table from me next to Jack, "Professor Swaim feels he'll need Jack's help on the project for two or three more days. Do you want to stay out here with them or would you rather come back to the big house?" The two boys exchanged looks and Jack's expression was almost one of pleading. "If it's OK with you Dad an' everybody else," said Sean; "I'll stay here and keep Jack company." "Of course it's OK." I smiled at him. Oh and Jack," I said turning my attention to the red head. "Where in the world did you get that cap?" I indicated the well-worn St. Louis Cardinals cap I'd first seen him wearing down by the water. "Walter gave it to me this morning." The boy answered, his emerald eyes gleaming. "Yes, Eric" the Professor joined in "Walter was out here early this morning checking up on the boys. He told Jack this was his old lucky hat and that he should keep it for him." I leaned across the table and whispered to the big man. "I think our Walter is getting soft on us Doc." "Eric, if you haven't noticed that underneath his crust, Walter is a big fluffy marshmallow, then you're not half as observant as I give you credit for." I nodded my head and then spoke loudly to get everyone's attention; "Now for the really big news; Chris has accepted my offer to come and work for the business and he will shortly be moving to the estate here with us." "Christopher, that's wonderful. Congratulations!" Doc Swaim was on his feet clapping Chris on the back and the boys were exclaiming their delight, bouncing on their seats as only noisy boys can. I glanced across and saw that Chris was blushing a deep red but his face was lit with a smile of pure pleasure. *********************************** After lunch, we'd said our goodbyes and driven across the property because I wanted to show Chris the large apartment that would be his once he'd moved down here. It was essentially identical to the other three in the complex and was luxurious in every way. It had three bedrooms and three large well fitted bathrooms, a large living/dining area adjoining the big well equipped kitchen. There was also a smaller office/den. The den, living room and master bed room each had a working fireplace. "This place is bigger than my Aunt Rita's house up north." He said as he walked around the empty spice shaking his head. "I need for my key people to be very comfortable Chris." I'd assured him "Tomorrow before you go to the gun shed, I want you to spend some time with Richard, Walter's assistant. He'll help you select furniture and he'll get it ordered for you. He should be a big help because he's just finished doing the same thing for himself. He's just moving into the apartment below this one. Now that you, Richard and Barry will be sharing this complex with Phil, I'm going to have a swimming pool and hot tub put in the center quad. There's already a gym, sauna and steam room in the smaller building at the end of the compound." "This is like a dream Eric." Chris was looking at me and his eyes were wide with surprise and wonder. "I suppose I'd better plan on heading back up north soon. I've got to quit my job at the lodge, figure out what to do with my college transcripts and then stop by to say good bye to my Mom and Aunt Rita, tell them I've transferred to a 'work internship' down south. I don't have much stuff I need to bring back with me; just some clothes, my banjo and a few special mementos. Almost everything else is more or less junk." "Well, I want you to take all of the time you need Chris. As to your job at the lodge, your manager already knew you probably wouldn't be coming back. I more or less hinted that I was going to try and hire you when I arraigned to have you meet Phil at the airport. I'm going to call him tonight and confirm that you've accepted the position so, you don't really need to go back there. I've also taken the liberty of having your transcript's transferred into our program. From now on, everything you do with us will work towards your degree. Spend all the time you need with your Mom and Aunt and be certain to tell them you'll be inviting them down for a visit. After all Chris, you've got plenty of room here. Later on we'll go over to the garage so you can take a look at the Lexus LX570 I've got out there. I think it'll be big enough for your stuff. If it is, you should drive that up there. Take your time and make a nice lazy trip out of it...we'll certainly be putting you to work once you get back and I promise you, it will be hard work." "Eric...man, you're amazing!' I walked over and pulled him to me in a loose but affectionate hug. "No Chris, it's you that's amazing." I ran my hand down his back and rested it on his tight ass and he sighed. "Eric..." he whispered in my ear "I know our relationship is going to be different once I get back from up north but...tonight...can we...may I spend the night with you again?" I squeezed him tightly to me. "I was hoping you might be up for that" I whispered. "How about we go out for dinner in town this evening? There's a nice Italian place I think you'd enjoy and then...well, I bet we'll think of something to do." "I feel like my whole life has been changed in just a few days Eric." He was looking into my eyes as he spoke. I pulled him to me and kissed him long and deeply. "It has silly; but then, so has mine. Life just keeps getting better." (To be continued) Thanks for the emails filled with comments and suggestion. They are appreciated and I try to answer them all because your feedback is one of the incentives to keep writing. Next time, we'll begin to hear about growing up in the NEST from Jack's point of view