Date: Fri, 10 Jul 2015 23:26:49 -0400 From: Eff Del Subject: green grow the rushes o- chapter 9 *Green Grow the Rushes O- Chapter 9* *By Eff Del* *Life is actually all about change.* *The trick is to not fight against the new stuff but to stop clinging on to the old.* *If the new things don't challenge you, then they will never change you.* *Life doesn't get better by accident.* *Life gets better through change.* I'd forgotten to set up the meeting with Arlen and Daniel and so, I made that a priority in the morning. We met in my study and we sipped coffee, as I got right down to business. "Arlen, we need a trusted utility man on our staff and to tell you the truth, you've been actually doing the job. I need a man who can competently serve as Daniel's assistant and as John's assistant. You've certainly shown your ability behind the wheel and Daniel assures me that he feels that with some training, you could certainly become his back up in managing the household so I'd like to formally offer you that position. The actual title will be `House Steward' and you'll work under Daniel except when John requires you. You'll answer to me and then Daniel and then John. Your duties will be diverse but not very strenuous. You'll be expected to be able to take up either John or Daniel's jobs in an emergency so you need to learn a lot especially from Daniel. I'll need you to live on the estate and so, when the north condos are ready in about six months, I want you to move into one. You will live rent free as long as you remain in my employ. Until then, I'll take over the rent on your apartment in town. Here is my proposed compensation package." I handed him the paper I'd prepared last night and as he read it, his eyes grew wide as saucers. "Is-is this really serious?" "Do I look like I'm kidding? I expect the best and I pay for the best. We think you're the best Arlen and we want you on board." Daniel clapped a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him as he literally shook in surprise. "I had my eye on you from the beginning Arlen and I knew you were the guy for this job." "Well, I'm certainly shocked but you both gotta know that I won't let you down." I smiled. Two new promotions in two days and I was happy with both of them. I also thought to myself that I was populating the condos rather quickly. "Hey, Arlen Sean's got baseball practice tomorrow you'll be driving but mostly watching OK?" He grinned. "OK Eric. Trust me on that." As I was doing some paperwork, which of course wasn't `paper' work but rather computer work, I sensed someone at the door to my study. "Eric, Mr. Kevin wishes to see you." "Certainly Daniel, please bring him in." The good-looking young man entered accompanied by an equally good-looking young woman. "Mr. Eric, this is Grace my fiancé and we both wanted to thank you for this wonderful opportunity and to tell you that I accept this offer and I promise you that I'll do whatever it takes to keep this property magnificent ." "Thank you Kevin, I'm so pleased. Hello Grace, I'm happy to meet you. In about ten months, we'll have a nice home ready for you in fact; I want you to meet with the architect before we get started on the renovations. Therefore, you can have some input. Now I must tell you that next weekend I'm having a Memorial Day pool party and Barbeque and as key members of my staff you are invited. I hope you can be there so that I can officially introduce you and announce the changes we've discussed." They smiled. "Thanks Mr. Eric." I grinned. "That's an Andy thing Kevin. You have to lose the `Mr." part OK?" They left smiling arm in arm. ******* Chris really wanted to go to baseball practice however, there was some serious stuff going on and he couldn't leave. Uncle Phil was making him do all of the heavy lifting to prepare him for when he was in complete control. He wasn't here to play; ultimately, he was here to work. Arlen and I watched from behind the fence. "We gotta work on his swing." Arlen said as we watched Sean take batting practice. "He's too tight into his body and too open with his arms. He's not setting his feet right. I can fix all that quick." As Sean played the various positions in the field, Arlen expressed his approval. "Sean...man he can play any position out there. He's that quick and that good. We just gotta work on his batting and he'll be a star Eric." I grinned and said; "On top of all of that Arlen, thanks to you, Sean has the best cap curl of any kid on the team. He grinned and we slapped a high five. Coach gathered the team around him and they talked for about twenty minutes before a massive high five and they dispersed. Sean walked up to us with a smile on his face. "Coach says I'm a starter! I'll be playing first base and center field. Spider is going to pitch and play left field, Charlie is going to be shortstop and Rico is catcher and playing right field. I could see Rico as a catcher. The boy was sturdy and determined. He would do well. Charlie as shortstop was a no brainer...his speed and aggressive agility would make him a threat to any grounders. At the end of practice, Spider came up to me. "Mr. T do you think you could give me a ride home? My Granma is very sick and my Mom's with her and sometimes she's late picking me up from stuff. If you could give me a ride, I could call her and tell her not to worry." "Sure Spider. Call her right now and tell her to stay with your grandmother." I then had a thought."Spider call your Mom and let me talk to her." After he'd spoken briefly with his mother, he handed me the phone. "Hello Mrs. Williams I'm Eric Tucker and `Spider' ...excuse me Brian is on my son's team He's been to my home for an overnight already and I understand that you have a medical problem with your mother. I was wondering if it would help you if he stayed with us for a while. We most certainly have room and he'd be no burden and if that would help you I'd be happy for that." She was crying as she explained that her mother was in hospice and dying and she wanted to be near her as much as she could. I told her that I understood and wished I'd been able to do that with my parents. She accepted my offer and so I gave the phone back to Spider and he talked with his mom and then smiled at me. "Guess I'm coming home with you guys." "Well first we're going by your house so you can pack up some clothes then there's your school schedule to figure out. As you know, Sean is Home Schooled by Professor Swaim. I have to see if you can transfer into that for the short time remaining of the school year. Either way, there's no school for you tomorrow Spider. He grinned and said; "Awww what a shame." I couldn't help it; I pulled him into a hug. "If it works out young man, you've got class with Professor Swaim." ******* Doc, thanks to his credentials was able to set things up so that Spider could finish the school year under his tutelage and so the boy moved into Jack's room while his mother dealt with her own mother's terminal condition. I knew that Jack wouldn't mind and I wanted the kid to be close at hand in case of any problem. Somehow, it just seemed normal to have two hungry boys at the breakfast table and Martha was in her glory dishing out French toast as well as bowls of fruit. "This is wonderful Mrs. Edwards." The tall boy exclaimed. "Thank you." "You're very welcome Brian." Martha smiled down at him. "Come on boys, I'll walk you down to the classroom." They gave Martha her hugs and we walked outside down the building to the North Wing. We parted at the first floor and I gave both boys hugs. Spider had somewhat just melded into our family traditions I suspected because he had no father, he craved male attention and there certainly was a lot of that in our house. Barry was staffing the control monitor this morning and he smiled as I walked in. "Morning Eric. The coffee is fresh I made it myself." I nodded and moved over and poured myself a cup and sat down next to him. "Anything going on that I need to know about?" "Not unless you're planning on taking a trip to Eastern Europe or the Middle East Eric. That was just a joke by the way...you aren't are you?" I patted his shoulder. "No, Barry at least not this year." He grinned up at me. "I'm looking forward to the party Eric. Thanks for inviting me." "I'm happy that you're coming Barry. I just wish I'd thought of doing this when Walter was alive." "I believe he'll be there enjoying it with us Eric." I gulped and nodded. Back in my study, I had my weekly meeting with Uncle Phil and Chris. They complimented me on closing the UK deal and bringing three Billion dollars into the mix. "Based on my calculations, that deal may be worth about fourteen million more than we'd originally anticipated." Chris said "Also, if we play our cards right, it's going to have an annual residual of about nine million beyond our original estimate. A pretty nice job Boss." I smiled and stood up and said; "See you both at the party Monday I hope." ******* I was waiting at the front entrance as Arlen pulled up with the limo. She got out first and she was as stunning as ever. If a woman could turn a gay man straight, Mandy was that woman. She ran up to me and wrapped her arms around me while Ricky pulled his lanky frame out of the car. "Welcome guys. Brought you up here because I want to discuss some things but also because I wanted you at my Memorial Day Party so think of this as a working vacation. Mandy gave me an earth-stopping smile. "Eric, you're the best boss in the world." "You both know that Walter is gone. This is Daniel and he'll take you up to your room and he'll see to your every need. The pool is opened the water is swimmable by now although the official opening isn't until Monday. I'll see you at lunch on the wildflower patio." I was rewarded by a sweet kiss from Mandy as they then followed Daniel into the house. It was a wonderful diner in the big dining room. Martha had made osso buco; Milanes style veal shanks braised with tomatoes, carrots and assorted other vegetables. She served it with risotto and a great salad with Italian dressing along with garlic bread. I passed around the wonderful Bordeaux I'd opened. Sean declined but interestingly, Spider accepted a glass. After dinner, we all moved to the parlor and Sean entertained us for about an hour with his guitar. I glowed with pride. As everyone left, and he was putting his guitar into its case he said to me; "Do you think me an Spider could sleep with you tonight?" "Spider Sean?" "Yeah Dad. He's scared about his Grandma and he's scared to be alone from his Mom...he sure could use some Dad time." He smiled as he said that. "Does he know we sleep naked?" "Yeah I already told him." "There will be no fooling around of any type?" Sean gave me a serious look. "Course not Dad. That's not what this is about." "OK then, meet you upstairs." ******* They were waiting in my bedroom; Sean in his boxer briefs and Spider in his white briefs. "So, jump into bed guys" I said trying to sound casual. Sean shucked off his unders and jumped onto the bed. I turned to Spider and said; "If you'd be more comfortable keeping them on, then by all means do that. In this house no one does anything that makes them uncomfortable." He gave me a nervous grin. "It's only just I never have done it before even alone. I've never slept naked. I think though it might be fun." He smiled and pulled down his underpants and climbed into bed with Sean. I turned down the lights and got undressed and got into bed. After a short while, I realized that Spider was hugging on to me as much as Sean was. The boy was certainly starved for male attention. I was in the middle of a bed of boys and that was fine with me. I gave into sleep quickly. ******* As the honey- colored morning light crept into the room, I awoke to the realization there was a boy sleeping on each side of me each with his head using my shoulder as a pillow, each with an arm across my chest and each with a leg thrown across my legs. Sean was breathing softly making his usual almost snoring noises and Spider was decidedly snoring...not loudly but snoring none-the-less. I had to pee badly so I decided to risk waking them up by slowly extracting myself out from under them. As I moved carefully, Spider rolled onto his side. As he did so, he emitted a sharp audible little fart. "Scuze me." He muttered still three quarters asleep. I smiled as I made my way to the foot of the bed and then stepped off onto the floor. After I'd pissed, I made myself a small pot of coffee and tried to decide if I should shower by myself and let the boys sleep. I made the decision to shave and see what happened and as I was working up the lather in my mug, Spider walked into the room. He smiled a bit sheepishly. "Good morning Mr. T. Can I use the toilet?" "Of course. " I replied casually but when he walked over and sat down, I realized that he need to USE the toilet. I've always maintained that shitting is the only time in a person's life that he requires and should be granted total privacy. It's the one body function that shouldn't be shared with other people. "I'll leave you alone Spider. Sean and I usually shower together and you're welcomed to join us or, if you choose, you can shower alone. There's a great shower in Jack's room where all your stuff is. Whatever you decide will be fine but, you certainly need some privacy right now." He smiled and I left to drink my coffee and see when my favorite little lazybones might decide to stir. It didn't take long and soon he was stretching and smiling at me while yawing at the same time. Those were some damned cute facial contortions. "Morning Dad! Where's my kiss?" I quickly leaned over and presented the requested smooch. "Where's Spider?" "He had to use the toilet." Sean nodded understanding the required privacy for that activity. "Can I try a sip of your coffee?" I was shocked. "Why Sean?" "Cause I think I should be learning about drinkin' grown-up stuff." I nodded because I couldn't find any fault in that logic. "OK son but I don't think you'll like it the way I drink it. See, I drink it black and that's a taste you rather have to learn to enjoy. Here, take a sip." He accepted my cup, took a mouthful and his face crinkled up. "Ewwww Dad! That's awful! How can you drink that?" "I warned you Sport. Now, most people drink their coffee with milk or cream and some sugar. It tastes very different then. Want to try?" "Yeah, OK." I walked into the kitchenette and poured a mug about three quarters full of coffee stirred in two teaspoons of sugar and then filled the mug with milk. "Try it this way." He raised the mug to his lips, took a sip and smiled. He took a second sip and then a third. "This is better Dad. This is good. It don't taste like nothin' I've ever had before, but I like it. It's nice. This is cool, from now on; we can begin our day enjoyin' our morning coffee together huh?" He was so adorable that he made my heart hurt sometimes. "Yep, I guess we can my little man." He grinned and sipped from his mug. My boy was slowly but surely growing up on me. The tall boy emerged from the bathroom. He seemed comfortable with his nakedness and so I decided that there should be no comment about it unless he decided to say something. "Last night was so neat. I slept so good. Thanks." I didn't know which of us he was talking to so I just smiled. "Will it be OK if I shower with you guys?" He asked rather timidly. "Course Spider, but I gotta pee first! Thanks for the coffee Dad!" He bounded into the bathroom. "He's always so `up' isn't he? That's what I like about Sean I'm so glad he's become my friend. I'm sad a lot. My Dad's dead just when I really need him the most, my Granma's dying and my Mom is so sad and so busy trying to do everything and I feel like a stupid kid not doing anything but playing games and making her life more complicated." I hugged him to me oblivious of the fact that we were both naked. I rubbed my hand down his back as I held him close. "I know what it's like to be sad Brian. I lost my entire family in one horrible car accident; my father, my mother and my wonderful kid brother who I loved so much. The pain and the sadness almost drove me crazy but I eventually found reasons to live and to enjoy life again. Your wonderful mother is doing what she needs to do. Death is a part of life Brian, you can't escape it and you can't run away from it but you know that don't you? Your Grandma is moving on to the next level whatever that is and your Mom needs to be with her to help her with that passage. Until that happens, you'll stay with us so your Mom can concentrate on the task at hand. When it's over, you'll be standing by her side; her tall strong son to help her through her grief and she'll have it and she'll need you. You're not a stupid kid and you'll be there for her when she needs you the most. Trust me...I know this about you. Also trust me that when everything is over, you'll laugh again and you'll be happy again and life will become a wonderful adventure again. There's always more sunshine than there is rain Brian honest." He buried his face into my chest and cried. He cried as if it was the first time he'd ever cried in his life. His body shook and his chest heaved and he wailed. Sean came hurrying out of the bathroom and I silently motioned him to go back in. He finally slowed down to a few soft sobs and he pulled back from my chest. "I'm sooo sorry Mr. Tucker. I-I j-just..." "Don't be sorry and don't think you did anything wrong. I promise you that everything I said was true. By the way, you don't `just play games', you are like Sean, you excel at them and don't you think that brings joy into your mother's life?" "Yeah, I guess." "Come on Brian, let's go shower and then have breakfast." "Thanks Mr. T." "I'm here anytime you need me Brian I truly mean that." He was amazed as he stepped into the shower with us. It really was fantastic and I never took it for granted. He recovered from his morning shyness and we had some semi-erotic fun lathering each other up and then rinsing each other off. ******* At breakfast, I suggested that Spider might enjoy some time at the gun shed and he seemed enthusiastic about it. I called up to Andy and told him Sean and Spider were coming up later and asked if he could outfit the boy with a gun. He was almost as tall as Jack so I suspected one of the gun's Jack had used before I gave him his own should work. I asked him to work his `Andy Magic' and that me, Chris and Doc Swaim would join them this afternoon for a clay-breaking festival. Sean and Spider had taken off on a red kitty tour of the estate and I was looking over a report from Richard when there was a soft tap on the door. I looked up and it was Gary. "Word has to the manor come that you're planning on slaughtering some clay Frisbees this afternoon. Might there be room for two more? Bobby and I have our own guns so it would certainly be fun." I smiled. "You bet Gary. The more the merrier and we could almost make this a tournament except with Doc, Andy and now Sean...the rest of us will look like pikers." He grinned as he walked to the bar. He was comfortable here and I was glad of that. I remembered the terrified protective man he'd been when I'd first met him. He was now happy loose and exuded joy. "Oh we'll ignore those divas and have our own private shoot out eh? How's your drink?" I raised my almost empty tumbler and he took it and fixed it up. I really liked the fact that Gary drank what I drank which was becoming a rare thing in my inner circle. He sat down and I could tell he wanted to talk about something. I smiled and said; "Drop the other shoe Gary." He nodded and said; "Doctor Swaim has told Bobby and me that he could easily apply for early admission to the University next year. Call me selfish, but I want him with me as long as I can keep him. What do you think I should do?" "Well Gary, Doc Swaim is the consummate educator and that's foremost in his mind especially with boys under his charge but, let's be realistic here. Whatever degree Bobby earns will just be for his own satisfaction. With your fortune, he'll never really have to work a day in his life. What he does with himself will hopefully be something useful to the world and unselfish. I'd tell Bobby and Doc Swaim that you'd prefer that he enter the university with his proper age level frankly Gary, if you asked him...I think that's what Bobby would say. Look at my family...the old wizard has got Jack off on a four month sea adventure. I can't be mad at him but like you, I really want my boys with me as long as they're boys." He smiled and tipped his glass. "You have no idea how wise you are Eric." "I suspect that it's more instinctive Gary." ****** I had a rather intense late morning meeting with Ricky and Mandy. I explained the almost epiphany I'd had about the excellence of NEST raised boys and stressed that I wanted to continue in that direction. Ricky pointed out that the phenomenon was due to a large extent by the quality of the raw product. These were children plucked from very selective families with marvelous genes and DNA and then subjected to a disciplined highly effective education. They were almost guaranteed to succeed. "Now that we're not whoring them out Eric, we can probably even improve the mix because the children won't have to also be selected for potential good looks as well. In a few years the campus may not be dominated with so many beautiful boys but it should be filled with even brighter boys. The modified `Special Training' will slowly be phased out while the new `Special Training' will be phased in as the age of the boys shift.. We've got to deal with the boys that were involved in the `Whore Boy" practice and nurture them into graduation and we're trying to do that by essentially letting them know that those things are over and there are now other things for them to do. We sort of encourage them to remain sexually active with each other because, that's what they were trained to do. We've got many important programs for the younger kids as they move up including apprenticeships and lots of training in your SKUGGOR program though I don't fully understand what that is." He grinned because I know he most certainly knew all about the SKUGGOR. "Doctor Scott and Taylor are invaluable to me as is Mandy by the way... though she's not officially employed. "That's another reason that I wanted you guys up here. I realized that error and want to correct it. Mandy, I'm offering you the position of " one of the Assistant Directors" here's what I had in mind for compensation." I offered her a paper I'd prepared for her. She read it and whooped. "Really? Eric...you crazy moron...I'd have done this for free but THIS...THIS...Whoo Hoo!" I grinned and said; "So I take it that you accept the job?" She jumped up and grabbed the back of my head. "Give me a big kiss sweet boss man." I'm not into women but it certainly was a dammed great kiss. Even my very gay soul realized that Mandy was a very sexy woman. Ricky was a very lucky man. "So, when are you two going to do the deed? You're both financially stable enough now and your future looks terribly bright." He smiled and took her hand. "We talked about that as we were flying up here. She wants to be a `December Bride' so; I guess we're going to work on early December." "Have you told your parents yet?" She looked a little sad as she said; "All I've got is my Mom. Prostate cancer took Dad two years ago. Ricky's parents are thrilled we're getting married but we haven't set an exact date so we haven't said anything yet. It'll be a small ceremony though `Ricky Catholic School' here wants it to be in a church. I'm ambivalent so, I guess I'll go along with what my Latino Hunk here wants." I noticed Ricky was blushing but he was grinning as well. "If we didn't get married by a Catholic Priest, my Mom would think we weren't really married and that we were living in sin. It's not a big thing and I actually think a church wedding would please Mandy's Mother as well." "Keep me informed of your plans guys. I'd like to pay for the reception if you'd let me." "Eric, we couldn't let you do that! You've done way too much for us already." I gave her a sort of melancholy smile. "I'd like to do it in your father's name and memory. I lost both my parents and I miss them dearly especially on special occasions. Your father would have done whatever was required to `get you properly married' and I'd like to do that for him not you. He's been gypped out of walking you down the aisle." She stood up and threw her arms around my neck. "Eric, if I stay in this room with you for one more minute, I'm going to cry like a baby." She kissed me and ran out of the room. I realized I was the one blushing now so I smiled sheepishly at Ricky. "I suppose we're done for the moment. Go have fun." ******* The popping of shotguns pierced the air as Chris drove our cart into the Gun Shed lot. Andy was guiding Spider and his gun and whispering his magic into the boy's ear. Gary and Bobby were standing to the side and almost moments later, Doc's cart pulled in. Andy smiled at me and patted Spider on the shoulder. "The boy'll do fine Eric and Jack's old gun is joost fine fer him w' his long arms. He'll not be embarrassed this afternoon. Now, even w' me shooting, we don't have enough for two full stations of five so let's do two sets of four we'll start from station one and move til' each group is through each position. Master Sean, you go in the first group and I'll work the trap then I'll go in the second group and you work the switch. Is that alright?" Sean grinned. "Sounds fair to me Andy!" We decided that Doc and Andy couldn't be in the same group so, we split up so that I was in the group with Doc, Spider and Gary. Sean was with Andy, Chris and Bobby. So it turned out that we'd have Spider work the button for the second group. We were first so, we took our positions on one and two and four and five. As we completed our rotation, we'd all take a shot from number three before the round was over. I was in position one so I called `pull' first. The target glided sleekly to my left and I swung my barrel and fired. It exploded. I smiled to myself as I'd really hit it clean. Spider was next to me and he called `pull' without hesitation. His bird came out flying to his right he swung and fired and my heart was delighted as I watched it vaporize. "Way to go Brian!" I patted his shoulder and his smile of delight was priceless. Doc was next and there was no surprise that his shot was clean and true. Gary called for the target and nailed it before it was hardly out of the trap. I wondered if that was luck or skill but it certainly was impressive. We moved to the right with Gary walking down to position one. I nailed my second bird, Spider missed but not by much, Doc destroyed his and Gary missed. This continued until we'd each fired from all five positions. In the end, I'd hit four out of five, Spider had a respectable three out of five, Doc of course had five and Gary, like me had four. As the others took up their stations, I smiled as I realized Brian was loving this as much as Sean already did. I so wanted to bring some happiness into this boy's life. You can't save the whole world but you can save parts of it. To my surprise, at the end of their rotation Sean had actually missed one. Andy had hit all five and Bobby had hit three out of five. These were respectable rounds. We shot five more rotations and then I decided to call a halt. I was particularly conscious of what Spider's `virgin' shoulder was going to feel like tonight. "Let's go in and clean our guns guys." "Nah. T'day I'm cleanin' everyone's gun b'cause I want the chance to examine them and make sure they're not needin any maintenance." "Well Bobby and I will certainly clean ours Andy." Gary said. "Nah Mr. Gary. I think I know these things better than you. Fact is, y' should begin leavin' your guns here so's I can help you look out f' them." Gary looked at me and I smiled. "You should do what he says Gary, he's the Lord of the Gun Shed." Doc Swaim smiled and said; "I'll stay here to assist because Andy claims he's going to cook me an outrageous gumbo for dinner. I just have to experience this. Can you imagine a Welshman cooking gumbo?" I think Andy was almost smiling as he said; "Its m' daughter's recipe. She taught it to me and it's pretty all right." ******* I suppose I wasn't surprised to find them both sitting on my bed when I came up that night. Sean was grinning and Spider looked very apprehensive. I decided to play it for humor. "Oh no, not again! Do I have to share my gentle slumber with two stinky noisy boys?" Spider got a stricken look on his face. "Oh, Mr. T! I'm sorry. I know I farted in the bed this morning but I..." I grinned at him and rubbed his arm. "Yeah you did Brian. I wasn't sure if you were aware of that because you were more asleep than awake but, see...the `stinky little boy' thing is a private joke between Sean and me it has nothing to do with farts. Everything that lives farts. Hell, if we didn't fart we'd all probably blow up at some point. However, you both snore so if at some point you find yourselves kicked out of bed you'll know why." Sean grinned and said; "Dad...truth be told, you put on a concert sometimes too." I tickled his ribs and said; "Liar liar pants on fire!" He giggled and twisted around. "Na Uh!" "Uh huh. Now boys, especially you Brian, take off your shirts so that I can see your shoulders. We did an awful lot of shooting today and I expect that you're both bruised. As I suspected, they were both very colorful. I expected my shoulder was a sight to see as well but I was concerned about the boys. I let out a whistle. "Wow! You're both works of art. I'm going to fill the tub with hot water. I want you both to soak your selves and then I'll apply some cream before we sleep. By the way, in the bathroom, you might want to look at yourselves and enjoy your black and blue badges of honor." They followed me into the bathroom and I started the tub adjusting the water to a rather hot temperature. I looked over my shoulder and they were both admiring their bruises in the mirror. Little boys always were proud of their cuts scars and bruises. I had to smile. "OK in you go and slide down so that your shoulders are under water. I'm turning on the jets and I want you to soak for fifteen minutes. Then I'll apply cream to your shoulders and you should both be feeling fine by the morning." I smiled to myself because Brian stripped down without hesitation this time and climbed into the big tub opposite Sean. I turned on the bubbles and both boys let themselves slip down until just their chins were above the surface. They soon both had large smiles on their faces. "I'm going to make you some hot chocolate. In the meantime enjoy the bubbles." As I was returning to the bathroom with two mugs in my hand I happened to overhear them talking before I was actually in the room. "Dude, you're the luckiest guy in the world. I just wish I had a Dad but man...to have a Dad like yours...I'd give anything for that." "Spider, Dad and me chose each other. It's a long and complicated story and I'll prolly tell it to you some time but I love him more than anything in the world and I think he loves me the same." "Yeah he does Sean. It's so obvious. I'm so jealous. I like to think my Dad wouldda loved me like that but I was only six when he died so...sometimes I think I remember him but I can't really be sure. It may just be my imagination you know? I was really little an it was a long time ago. Mom and me we get along and I love her so much. She does everything for me and she works so hard. It makes me sad that she has to work so hard and now it looks like my Granma is dying. Mom is trying to hide that from me but I know what's going on and I wish I could help. Your Dad told me that I'll help later after Granma...after and then I'll be strong for Mom and I think your Dad's right. I will be strong and I'll help her then." I decided to enter the bathroom. "Beer for my horses and hot chocolate for my men!" I exclaimed announcing my entrance. They of course, didn't appreciate my skewed country music reference. They sat up and each accepted a mug and after a sip I received two smiles of appreciation. "Thanks Mr. Tucker." "You are very welcome Brian." "Dad, you're the best." "You better know it champ." Later, I had them side by side on the bed. Two spectacular naked examples of youth and I rubbed soothing lotion onto their bruised little shoulders. "Things should feel better in the morning boys after a good night's sleep" I leaned over and kissed Sean and began to leave the room. "Uhhhm. Do you think I could get a goodnight kiss too?" "Of course Brian I just wasn't sure what you were comfortable with." I leaned down and kissed him and as I raised up I noticed he was smiling. "I'll be up in a couple of hours because I've got some stuff to do. You guys sleep well and leave some room in the bed for me." They were giggling as I left the room. (to be continued) Thanks for your responses and input I love getting your email and your comments it's what keeps me writing. Also remember that NIFTY needs your contributions. Let's keep this a free forum.