Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 12:48:19 -0800 From: Steve Thomas Subject: Leonards-Lust - Ch. 17 This is a fictional story. It is based on many experiences and fantasies of the authors. If you are really into graphic sex, it may not satisfy your purpose for coming here. If you like to hear of real love and real teen angst, with a little sex thrown in, you are in the right place. There may be some amount of graphic sex between males. If this is objectionable to you, or you are legally too young to be here, you are cordially invited to press your back button. Cast of Characters: Leonard Kirk Harston (Lenny) Lawrence Olivier Goodwin (Rennie) Mrs. Harston, Lenny's mom Mr. Harston, Lenny's dad Mr. Goodwin, Rennie's dad Mrs. Goodwin, Rennie's mom Joy -- Rennie's older sister Jennifer -- Rennie's younger sister Bobby -- Joy's husband Seth -- Lenny's friend Luke -- Seth's lover Chris -- Seth's Brother Criag -- Chris's lover Jake Smith -- Seth and Chris's cousin. Colin -- Jake's husband & Bobby's brother Morty -- Rennie's Cousin Ursula -- Jake & Colins daughter Uri -- Jake and Colin's son Carrie -- Jake's sister Uncle Jake -- Jake's dad Aunt Lindy -- Jake's mom Renate -- The Goodwin's housekeeper Etta -- the Smith's housekeepe Shelley -- Friend at University DeVon -- Shelley's cousin Marcus -- DeVon's brother Arthur -- A team leader at the shelter George - Ren's tennant From Chapter 16: "Lenny -- I -- don't quite know how to say this" Ricky said, "but -- I think you need me -- now -- and," he hesitated only a moment. "And I definitely need you!" "I -- I don't understand." I said, woodenly. "I just can't be with him -- Ty -- right now." He said shakily. "And I don't wanna -- well actually I'm afraid of being alone. Can I come with you?" He seemed like a little boy. "Of course!" I said. "Let's go home!" I was not a happy boy. Chapter 17 We grabbed the bus and were home in a half hour. The bus was crowded, so we didn't chat much. But it gave me a chance to just watch -- and look at -- him. He was a shy guy, turned red every time I caught him looking at me. As red as he got, it could never be as red as his lips. They were delicious looking. Well, I had already discovered that they actually WERE delicious! His face -- when not red -- was very fair skinned, and clear of any scars or marks of any kind. The hair above his lips was very fine and barely visible, as was that on his arms. His hair was a dirty blond color, and looked like it needed cutting -- about 2 months ago. But I decided I liked it that way. He followed me off the bus. As we walked up the drive and into the courtyard at the Smith's, we were met by Etta. "Hel-ooo cutie boy. Pretty friend you got!" Now it was I who turned red! "Etta -- um -- do you think - " "I awreddy tell da boss dat you gonna hab a fren'. Dey wanna talk with you." I had learned not to question how Etta knew such things. She ordered us to be at dinner with the Smiths at 7:00. Ricky and I said thanks and ran up the stairs and into the flat. When the door closed behind us, I almost fell against it and started to giggle. "What was that about?" Ricky said, looking bewildered. "Get used to it. "Etta seems to have -- um -- some kind of natural knowing of things -- before they happen -- or something." "Yeah -- like I believe in voodoo!" "No -- really! I don't know how she does it, but -- well, she just does." "So what was it she said out there?" "That she knew you were coming -- and -- that she already told the Smith's -- that's the folks who own this place -- that you would be staying with me -- for awhile." "Shee-yit! I didn't even know that! Am I?" "Apparently." I shrugged. Where's your stuff -- I mean how far away is -- er -- was -- your place?" "It's just south of the beach where we met you." "You mean -- I mean -- um -- is it within walking distance -- I mean -- er -- how much stuff do you have?" "Actually quite a lot. More than we can carry. "Carrie! That's it! She has an SUV." "She?" "Carrie! She is the Smith's daughter. She and her partner live in the house with her parents." "Wow! Cool parents! She has a partner -- and they let him stay there?" "They let HER stay there -- and yes, they're gay too. Seems that's all the Smiths seem to be blessed with. Wait `til you find out the whole story!" "I can't wait. What time were we supposed to be at dinner?" "7:00 PM. And with Etta -- that's 7:00 PM sharp!" "Dude! I've got nothing clean to wear!" "Well, 7:00 is 3 hours away. We'll think of something." Vrooom! Vroom! I ran to the window. It was Rennie's car. But -- it was NOT Rennie! How many times can I feel this stabbing pain in my heart? Ty got out of the car and ran up the steps. I opened the door. He stepped in and said, "These are for you." He handed me the keys to the Miata. "Rennie says these are yours." I was speechless. Literally! I was about to attempt to speak and he handed me an envelope. "Gotta go pardner! Rennie's waiting." My heart stopped. Waiting where? He jumped out the door and closed it behind him. I ran back to the window. All this time Ricky was standing behind me, glaring at Ty. He joined me at the window. I saw him run out of the courtyard and then saw his car -- with him and Ren in it -- speed off. I turned and collapsed into the nearest chair. I felt like such a fool! I started to cry -- right there in front of Ricky! I also felt stupid. How many times had Rennie tried to tell me -- I should have known. Was it because we were too young? Was it because we were so different -- came from such diverse backgrounds? As I was musing on all this -- and still crying softly -- I became aware of Ricky stroking my head. "It'll be okay dude -- really." "I know. I KNOW!" I started. "But in the mean time it feels like -- shit!" "I can't imagine." He said. He stopped stroking my forehead. "Come over here. He gently pulled me up by the hand. He sat on the couch and motioned for me to lie down with my head on his lap. He resumed stroking my head and also my face. This brought out even more emotion. He wiped my tears, closed my eyes, and hummed a little tune. I started sobbing in huge gulps. He stroked my head, and hair, and just kept humming. I opened my eyes and looked up at him. He looked so concerned. He seriously looked like he felt my pain too. He half lay down and pulled me up to where I was lying on his chest, and held me that way for a long time, continuing to stroke my head. "Thanks." I whispered in his ear. "I -- um -- really don't have a clue what to do." He whispered back. "Whatever you're doing -- it's perfect." I smiled through my tears. He stroked my face again so gently. "MMMmmm!" Was all I could say. "You're crumpling up the envelope." He said. "What?" I retorted. "The envelope -- that my cousin gave you." "Oh -- Ty!" I said. "I don't even wanna say his name!" he said bitterly. "Ricky -- he's your only relative here." "He's no relative of mine! No one close to me would do anything that scummy!" "No! that's not right! Ricky, I -- *sob* -- was recently disowned by my parents. SIGH! You need to forgive him -- he's all you got right now." "I got you, don't I" I hesitated longer than I wanted to. "It's -- not the same. He's family. I saw the way you guys looked at each other when we first met. He has needs -- or something -- and if I don't blame him -- and I don't -- then you should be able to forgive him." "I know I will -- in time -- but -- well, sometimes he just really pisses me off!" "So this isn't the first time?" "Duh! The first time was when I thought I was in love with him. I know he was right about us being cousins and all -- I think -- but - - - he was just an ass hole about it. I got over it though. And I will again. I just need to hate him for awhile -- to make sense of these feelings I am having for you!" "What?" I was stunned by that! "What -- oh, never mind." I didn't want to press him. And I wasn't sure I wanted to hear his explanation. Apparently he was glad I let him off that easy too. But there was still an awkward pause. Finally he said, "So- - are you gonna open it?" "What?" I said. "The envelope -- in your HAND, dude!" "OH!" I sat up and shakily opened the envelope. It had "Lenny" written in Ren's messy handwriting. Dear Lenny, I'm so sorry to hurt you like this. I really am. I cried and cried when you left this morning. I really do love you." I saw it coming before I read it! "But I don't think we will ever make it. I have such a feeling for this guy! I just have to be with him. I know you hate me now. Please don't hate me forever. I will always love "that guy in the band"! Please also take the enclosed token. I call it a token because it is just the start. You KNOW I can afford almost anything. Ty doesn't know this yet. But I hope it will be soon when I feel comfortable telling him. Lenny -- I feel responsible for what happened between you and your `rents. You will never have to worry about money, Lenny. I really do still love you. The money is folded in the pink slip for the car. I always meant it to be your's. You knew that! I love you, Bro! I hope we can still be friends -- forever! Love, Ren" I looked up at Ricky. "He wants to be friends." "Ooooo, goody!" He said sarcastically. "So -- will you be?" "I -- I don't know. If I can ever get over loving him -- maybe. It's not as if this is something new." "He's done this before?" "Yes. NO! Not exactly. Before -- at least I wanted to believe -- he was stoned. And I have to admit -- well, never mind." "What? Never mind? No! I DO mind! What were you going to admit?" He smiled as he said it. "Even -- well, I mean -- I was -- you -- er -- well, - AHEM! Even when he was right there in the room, I saw him lusting after your cousin." "I thought so! I saw it too!" "But - " "But?" He demanded, still grinning. "Well, I mean -- um -- if you saw him lusting after Ty -- you mean you didn't see me?" "See you? You were right there! Of course I saw you! What are you -- huh? What? You were looking at me?" I nodded. We both turned red. "No way!" "Way!" "What else's in the envelope?" He asked. "Just the pink slip to my car. And some money." "Oh. That's nice." He said. What he didn't say -- but it was obvious he was curious about -- was "how much?" I didn't even know that myself. I unfolded the pink to count it. No need to count. It was a neatly folded $1000 bill. Ricky gawked at it. Well, actually so did I. I'd never seen one before. "Wow!" he remarked. "A hundred?" "Nope!" I put it closer to his eyes. "No shit!? Never seen one of those!" "Me neither." BBRRIINNGG! I answered the phone. "Lenny?" It was Ren. "Yeah." I answered woodenly. "Did you read my letter?" "Yeah." "What'd yah think?" "What did you expect me to think? That this would make everything okay?" "No. Len, I feel like shit. I really do." "Then you know a small part of how I feel. I appreciate -- I guess -- the -- stuff -- but I can't accept - " "Lenny -- the car was ALWAYS yours. And the money -- well -- DUDE! I -- I mean -- as I said, I love you. Someday we will forget - " "Right now I don't feel like I'll ever forget how I feel right now." I said. "Boy, you're really making this hard -- AND THAT'S OKAY! I deserve it, I guess. But hear me out, Dude. I know you can find a use for the loot. Don't -- as my dad said -- cut off your nose and spite your face." I knew he was right, but right now I wasn't feeling like I wanted to make him feel better. I sure didn't. "Rennie, can I ask you something?" "Sure, Dude -- anything!" "Can you come back over here and say goodbye in person? You say you love me - - then maybe you can show me. Poor Ricky is trying to make me feel better, but maybe a hug from you -- would -- um -- help." "I wanted to come up -- so much -- when we brought the car. But -- I guess I just couldn't face you. I was sure you hated me." I broke down crying. "Oh, baby, please don't -- I'll be right there!" Five minutes later he was knocking at the door. I had stopped crying, but one look at him and my eyes filled up again. He looked so forlorn. I spoke first. "How could EVER think I could hate you?" "I -- guess we react in different ways, dude. I hated you when I saw you two together." He said. "I never learned to react that way -- I guess." I said. I was just hurt -- no -- devastated." When I said that, tears filled HIS eyes. "Len -- I never WANTED to hurt you! I still feel the same as I ever did about you. I DO love you. I -- I just -- I now know that what I felt -- even though it is love -- is not enough. Your body excited me. Your sweet spirit sweetened my life. But Ty -- he just, I don't know -- kind of -- completes me -- or something. I know. Sounds corny to me too!" "Are you gonna hug me good bye?" I asked, avoiding his eyes. "No. I'm going to hug you `I love you!' If its good bye then that's your call. I really want to be friends." I looked up into his eyes. He was waiting for me to accept what he said. I nearly jumped into his embrace. His head on my chest, he started to choke, then to sob. I cried too. Is this what breaking up is supposed to be like? I didn't know. I never did it before. I just assumed one person fell out of love and the other didn't. I guess I have a lot to learn. He mumbled something. I thought I understood it, but I had to ask. "What?" "I love you so much, Dude! This hurts me -- more than I imagined." He said, haltingly. "I have to be with Ty, but -- O GOD! I wish it could be both of you!" We cried together once more before he craned his neck up and kissed me on the mouth. I closed my eyes and kissed him back -- passionately. "I'll always love you, Rennie." "I'll always love you too, Len. Really. Friends?" "<>!! Yeah." I still didn't feel like -- just friends -- but what could I say? He left my embrace almost unwillingly, and walked over to the door. We locked eyes once more for an eternity. Then he was out the door. Even though I was feeling numb, I went to the window. He walked painfully slowly down the stairs, got into Ty's car. I was sure that I saw him crying as he drove off. I turned and Ricky was right there behind me, so I fell into his arms. I am so much bigger that I'm surprised he was able to carry me to the bedroom. Well, I actually walked, but without Ricky's help, I think I would still be on that floor. He gently lay me on my bed, then covered me up. Then he sat on the floor and resumed his stroking of my head. Poor guy -- he didn't know what else to do. I invited him up onto the bed. We fell asleep, him holding me. BBRRIINNGG! "Hello?" "Hel-oo bay-bee." It was Etta. "Etta know you need wake up for dinner. Don't be late, kay-eee?" "Okay. Thanks!" "Who was it?" Ricky asked. "Etta. She called to wake us up." "How did she - " "I told you, man -- she just knows!" I shook my head. "What am I gonna wear?" Ricky said, panicky. "What you have on." "But they're all wrinkled!" "Trust me -- they won't care." I wasn't as confident as I sounded. I walked over to the closet and walked in to find myself something. As I was trying to decide what I could wear that wouldn't make him look ridiculous, I was staring at a pair of black jeans -- Ren's Jeans! "DUDE!" "What?!" He hollered back.. I threw him the pants and then saw the grey casual shirt that Ren wore with those jeans. I chose some blues for me, with a white Ralph Lauren Polo shirt Ren had gotten me. "Thanks!" Ricky said. He was a little stouter than Ren, so the stretch jeans were a bit tighter than Ren wore them. He had a very nicely shaped little package in there, and that could not be hidden. But with the shirt on the outside -- as he chose to wear it -- it wasn't too obvious. On the way down, I explained to him that the Smiths liked to be called either by the first name -- or Aunt Lindy and Uncle Jake. "So, what do I call them when I meet them?" "I'd say -- Mr. and Mrs. Smith!" I laughed for the first time in recent memory. "So -- why did they want us for dinner?" He asked. "Thanks!" I said sarcastically, as I came back to reality. "I don't know. All I'm banking on is that I know the Smiths are very nice people." We entered the house through the kitchen door as I had been accustomed. "Hello, Bay-bee!" Said Etta, her back turned to the stove. "Hello, Leonard." Aunt Lindy said. I froze. Then I decided to make the best of this opportunity. "Good evening Mrs. Smith." I said with my sweetest smile. She froze. "Mrs. Smith is it now?" She challenged. "Leonard is it now?" I retorted. "Touché!" She said. "Okay, Lenny -- then!" "Hi Aunt Lindy! This is my friend, Ricky." "Hello Ricky!" Aunt Lindy said. Ricky looked from her to me and back at her. I could tell what was happening inside his head. "What do I call her now -- after all that confab!" He said in his thickest Oklahoma drawl, "Pleased to meetcha, Ma'am!" I almost giggled out loud. "Boy, Mom, that must make you feel ancient!" It came from behind us. I turned and Carrie was standing at the dining room door. "You leave this boy alone, Carrie! The way he says it, I feel honored!" "Obviously, this is Carrie." I said. "Carrie, this is Ricky." "Hi Ricky!" "Pleased to meetcha, Ma'am!" He said as if he didn't hear a word we had said. "OOOO! That does make a girl feel special, doesn't it?!" She quipped. Ricky turned scarlet. She continued. And this is my friend Al." Al wasn't down the stairs yet, and I was hoping that Ricky remembered that Carrie was a lezzy. With out missing a beat, as soon as she was in view, Ricky said, "Pleased to meetcha, Ma'am!" Of course Al towered over Ricky. She came directly over and firmly shook his hand. Then she turned and gave me a very warm hug. "Pleased to meet you too Sir! Ricky!" Ricky beamed at that. "My old boyfriend was from the south and he knew how to treat a girl too!" "Uh -- that was MY boyfriend!" Carrie said. Then they both laughed. I knew they were referring to Rob, but I decided not to further confuse the issue. "Carrie -- we have a favor to ask." I said. "Anything -- as long as I get a hug better than you gave Al!" "That's an easy one!" I stepped to her and swept her into my arms and pressed my body into hers, pulling her as close as possible. She whispered in my ear, "Whew! If we weren't both gay, I could go for some of THAT! That is if there were anything going on down there!" I blushed. There wasn't! "Okay! Can we use your SUV to carry Ricky's stuff from his motel room to up my place?" "Why don't you just use the Navigator! It's bigger!" Uncle Jake said, walking in. I smiled widely. "Uncle Jake, this is my friend, Ricky." Uncle Jake strode to Ricky and grabbed his outstretched hand. Nice to meet you Ricky!" "Pleased to meetcha, Suh!" "Oh another southerner -- and a gentleman at that! Etta tells me you may be staying with us for a bit." "Yessuh. Thank you suh!" "Okay, now that the formalities are finished, please call me Jake -- or Uncle Jake." "Yessuh! Uh, Jake!" "You can let him have the room to your right, Lenny. Save the big one for Jake and Colin and their kids." "There's another Jake?" Ricky asked. "My son is also Jake. That's why - " "I get it -- Uncle Jake!" Said Ricky immediately. The Smith's seemed to take an immediate liking to Ricky. He was shy at first, but quickly seemed to fit right in to their balls-out type of communication. It made me a little nervous -- probably because of how I was so quickly being drawn to him. After Dinner, we took the Navigator to his motel. Ty was there -- by himself -- watching TV. Ricky still was pretty cold to Ty. "Thought you'd be moved outa here by now!" "Me? Where would I go?" "Over to your `new friend's' place." "New friend?" "You know exactly who I'm talking about!" Ricky snarled. "Lenny's boyfriend!" Ricky cast an apologetic glance at me. "We didn't hit it off so good." Ty said, without emotion. That wasn't what Rennie had told me. Could they have had a falling out this soon? I took a deep breath. Then I let it out slowly, but forcefully. Hope sprang through my body like a bolt of lightning. Then a despair washed over me that almost made me puke. Then that familiar aching throbbed in my chest. I felt light headed, like I would pass out. I WANTED to pass out. Ricky looked at me and looked like he was about to cry FOR me. He glared at his cousin, then said, C'mon Lenny, let's get my stuff!" "What?" Ty said "I'm moving to Lenny's place!" Ricky said. "WHAT!!??" Ty hollered. "I thought we were a team -- you and me! I thought -- what about - " "YOU fucked that up -- messing with my friend's boyfriend!" Ricky yelled. I felt really like I didn't want to be here. "OH! And so now YOU are moving in with him!!??" Ty yelled even louder. "What does that make you!!??" Ricky turned to face his cousin. He lowered his voice, and squinted his eyes. "I'm not moving in to his bedroom, ass hole. Just into his apartment. And I'm just his friend -- for now!" A quick glance at me said a world to me. I was really beginning to respect this boy. "Ricky! Please! You can't leave me alone! I don't wanna be alone!" He actually looked scared now. "I told your momma I'd look out after you!" "Yeah, nice job you're doing -- nice EXAMPLE you're setting!" Ricky countered. I didn't have any close cousins. It broke my heart to see these guys fighting like this. Along with my former trauma, it was all I could take. I just started crying! Ricky ran to me. "I'm sorry, dude! I didn't mean to put you through this!" "Guys -- please don't fight! I feel like it's my fault!" "Noooooo, dude! It's not!" He hugged me, pressing his face to my chest. Then turning to Ty, he said, "Can't you see what you've done to this boy?" "Ricky," I said, not quite knowing what I was going to say, "Ricky- it's not -- Ty!" "I don't -- don't understand. What - -?" Ricky started. I took a long slow breath in -- to calm myself -- and said, "I told you that this is not the first time -- or even the second -- that Ren has hurt me. It's not Ty. It's Ren who's hurting me. And you!" "Me -- noooo, dude -- why me?" "Ricky -- ANYONE can screw up. Ty was -- I dunno -- horny or maybe even wanting something more -- anyway, IF he screwed up, that's all it was. A screw up. That shouldn't make you act this way toward him." "But, Lenny -- I -- I -- I just don't know what to say. I really like you and - " "But that has nothing to do with what went on between Ren and Ty. You and I hit it off right from the start. So did Ren and Ty. Don't totally blame Ty." Ricky sat -- more like fell -- on the couch. He sat there staring into space. "I don't understand. Dude! I was defending you!" He looked at me with so much hurt on his face. "I appreciate that you like me. I like you too -- a lot. I hope that's been obvious. That's why I asked you to come stay with -- er -- at my place." Ricky looked up at me like I was speaking a foreign language to him. I reached for his hand. He gave it to me. I led him outside. Ty looked on in bewilderment. I closed the door. As soon as we were outside, I said, "I think maybe you should stay with Ty for now." Ricky looked like I had just hit him -- and like he wanted to cry. "Really! We'll still see each other, I promise. For one thing, I have decided that I can't go back to Rennie -- not any more. I just can't do it any longer. So -- I'd like to start dating you -- maybe -- if you want -- and I think that would work better if you didn't live in the next room." Ty looked like the rug just got pulled out from under him. ""I guess if that's what you want." He said to the ground. I put my hand under his chin and raised his face. "Do you have any interest in -- seeing me -- I mean like -- dating?" He looked like he was about to cry as he quietly whispered, "Yes." "Then I think this is the way it needs to happen. Can you be okay with that?" "I -- I guess. It's just so -- disappointing. I really liked the Smith's too." "You'll still see them. Look, I moved in with Ren when we were only 17. Well, I was barely 18, but it was an eon ago -- or seems so. That didn't work. We moved in together before we even started dating! How many guys have you dated?" "None." He Whispered. "Accept for Ren -- me neither. Well, except for some dudes that only wanted sex. Let's date, k?" He looked up and half smiled. "K". "Not only each other. Let's date each other -- and others." "I -- I - " he got a sly smile on his lips. He looked me up and down. "Damn! I was hoping to have sex with you!" "You know what?" I started. "I've had sex with three guys. I love sex! But I have learned this much. It really screws up the perception of what my real feelings are. I don't plan to remain sex-less forever, but I want to find something else first." "Love?" he asked. "I don't know. Something like that maybe. Can we go back in now? Are you okay to tell Ty you'll stay with him? He looked pretty scared." "<> Okay." When we came back in the door, Ty was sitting on the bed, staring blankly at the wall. "Ty -- I -- I guess -- I'm st -- st -- staying." Ricky said. "St -- staying -- here?" he said hopefully. "Yeah. Sorry I went over the hill there on yah." Ty looked at me and tears welled up in his eyes. "Thanks -- dude!" "I'm suddenly exhausted!" I said. "I think I better go." "Lenny! Your clothes!" Ricky said. "Keep them. Ren doesn't need them!" I said, as I closed the door. I walked slowly to the Navigator and stepped in to it. I glanced at their room. Ricky was standing there, his hand on the glass. I waved. He waved back. I drove home slowly. I felt melancholy. I felt sad. I still felt that ache in my chest -- my heart. But at the same time, I felt good -- proud -- that maybe I saved a relationship between two cousins. I thought about all that had happened to me in the last year or two. I met Seth and fell for him -- he never knew. Then I met Rennie -- or actually I already knew him, but at his cousin's we were thrown together. Dang! That seemed like an eternity ago. I couldn't forget that day I kissed Rob! Man, he was hot! And Rennie. Oh my god, I feel a hole in my life with him gone. A huge lump came up in my chest as I thought about how much I loved -- LOVE -- that boy. I parked the Navigator, and took the keys into the house. No words were spoken. They already knew that he wasn't there, and I was glad that they didn't ask for an explanation. It was an effort dragging myself up the stairs. I guessed I forgot to lock the door. I didn't care. I closed the door behind me. It was dark in the living room, but not so dark that I couldn't easily see that Ren was sitting on the couch. "Hi." He said. "Hi." I said. "What are you doing here?" It was just a simple question, not delivered in anger or spite. "I - I'm not sure. That depends on you. -- on us." "Rennie -- I want you to know that it's taking everything in me -- all my energy -- to say this: There is no more us." "I -- okay -- I was prepared for that -- as much as I could be. And I know I deserve it." "It has nothing to do with what you deserve. Did you deserve to lose your whole family? Did you deserve to -- to -- be gay!?? It's more my own sanity and self preservation that -- that makes me say that. I just can't do it any more. On one hand I love you more than -- anything else. On the other, I am not willing to kill myself -- and that would be the next thing -- logically. I've gotta do something different. I'm gonna start dating -- as we said before -- and -- and -- that's all." "Will you -- I mean -- would you -- consider dating me?"" After a short, calculated hesitation, I said, "No. Not now at least. I just tonight realized -- we're still teenagers. I just want to be a normal teen for awhile." "But -- but -- can't two normal teens date?" "Ren -- no -- not you and I -- not now. Maybe later, but -- I don't know -- it will have to be at my choosing -- the time line for all this. I'm sorry! I KNOW you love me. I know this may be tearing you up as much as it does me. But this is the way it has to be." "Okay." He looked at me and smiled sadly. "As I said, I was prepared for this -- really. But before I go, I have to tell you -- I love you." A stab went into my heart. "and -- you're uncle Jake has something he wants to discuss with you. Bye." He left quickly, before he broke down. This time I didn't run to the window and watch him leave. I plopped down on the couch. It occurred to me I was sitting in the same spot he was. It was still warm. I leaned back, my neck stretched over the couch back, and closed my eyes. My eyes were dry, but the rest of my body was crying. Notes. This is either "the end" or "an end" for Lenny and Ren. My co-writer, Kenjamin, has returned and he has expressed a desire to maybe write about Rennie and where he goes from here. If he does, I'll let you know. As always, remarks may be sent to Steve at s4d@hotmail.com. Please put Lenny in the subject line. Thanks and love, Steve