Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2003 17:12:12 -0800 (PST) From: Evan Bradely Subject: Chapter 39 of "Ambush" The following fictional story deals with sex among males. If you are offended by such material, are too young, or reside in an area where it is not allowed, depart. Though not observed in this story, care enough about yourself and humankind to practice safe sex. The author retains all rights. No reproductions or links to other sites are allowed without the author's consent. EvanBradley33@Yahoo.com Chapter 39 Beginnings After the dinner that followed the auction of Jim Belton's farm, a dinner that featured the disclosure that an agent had fronted for Miles Forbisher in buying the farm and that, if anything, the transaction bound the Miles and Jim to each other, the couple had excused themselves. Apologizing profusely for leaving so early, they explained that they still had a lot to discuss. "Between the sheets?" Ron had asked. Miles had laughed loudly while Jim blushed. "I have to show my hero how much I appreciate all he's done to save me," Jim had explained, his eyes filled with love. "Yeah, lawyers usually want their pay soon after they do their stuff," Evan had chimed in, grinning, causing Miles to give him a one-finger salute. "Well, our deal isn't legal until it's consummated," Miles had stated oh-so- seriously. Then he had chuckled as he put an arm around Jim's waist, giving him a peck on the lips. "By morning, it'll be so legal that the Supreme Court couldn't set it aside," Jim had added, holding Miles in a look of adoration. Ron and Evan didn't miss that look, wishing that, if it didn't mark their eyes when they spoke of each other, it would soon do so. After Miles and Jim's departure, Evan had helped Ron clear the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher. Then Ron had turned on the stereo to some soft music and pulled Evan over to the couch. After he had plopped down, he had pulled Evan across his lap, kissing him warmly while caressing his neck, shoulders, arms, legs. Evan had joined in, caressing Ron's face and ears, kneading his muscular shoulders, back and arms. Eventually, they had had to slow the pace of their necking, for it wasn't going to be easy to hold to their resolve not to have sex until they knew that they loved each other fully. They had reluctantly parted, with Ron sending Evan on his way with a passionate kiss. *** Later at home, Evan was lying in bed, allowing his thoughts to wander aimlessly - everywhere but toward Ron Hamilton, that is. That way was hot, but it led only to more of the frustration he'd tasted earlier that evening when he'd parted from Ron with a painful erection - delightful but frustrating nevertheless. He tried to move into a happy mindset, imagining how Jim's and Miles's lives would change now that Miles was a full partner in every way with Jim in the farm. Of course, he couldn't think of Miles and Jim for long without his thoughts shifting to Ron. 'Change your direction, Idiot,' he told himself. When he thought of Troy, Susan, and Cody, his mind was filled with warm feelings for them and sweet images of their threesome, which sent his mind sliding toward Ron. 'Change your direction, Idiot,' he told himself again. 'NO! Wait a minute! . . . Every thought leads to Ron!' his internal voice observed. 'Hey! Maybe I'm beginning to think of Ron all the time the way Miles and Jim think of each other all the time,' he thought. It surely felt good just now when he thought of Ron. It really wasn't sexual although something of that feeling lay in the background. Evan was just seeing Ron, feeling his presence. Maybe he just needed to celebrate Ron and the two of them together. He'd have to do that since they had postponed sex. Since they had started Ron's "no-sex" program, some kind of shift had occurred in his perspective on the two of them. Evan was more sensitive to Ron's physicality, but not just sexually. It was the same feeling he had when Troy or even Jeremy was in the house, especially when they were in the same room. How about that? Evan lay in the dark, smiling, seeing Ron preparing dinner in the kitchen of his apartment for Miles, Jim, and him. Even given Jim's depression about the auction, it had felt good to be there with Ron in that setting. Being caught studying the way he had used his hands to grip and slice tomatoes for the salad, the muscles flexing in his forearms as he had shredded lettuce for the salad and in his upper arms as he sliced potatoes for the casserole, the way he had almost moved his feet in a little dance when he was dicing onions, the way Evan had stepped back behind Ron to watch that killer ass wagging away. The way Ron had turned, catching Evan in his glance, knowing what Evan was doing. Evan couldn't imagine what Ron was seeing when he glanced up at him. They both had smiled at each other then, sharing the excitement each felt for the other, sharing the warmth. Evan's reverie was shattered by the muffled sounds of a key being inserted in the lock of the front door. He heard it open, followed by the sound of a backpack thudding on the carpet in the living room and the nylon in a workout bag whispering as it hit the carpet. He heard the front door close and the lock flip. Seconds later a light knock on his bedroom door was followed by its opening not so silently. "What ne'er-do-well is invading the inner sanctum?" Evan intoned in a deep voice. "A horny Viking come to steal virtue and virginity," Troy mimicked in a deep voice. Then Troy snickered, followed by "Whoops. I'm in the wrong place. There's no virginity at this address!" He giggled at his own joke. Then he entered the room, closing the door. "Yeah, right. Thanks to you, Horndog!" Evan exclaimed in mock injury. His eyes widened as he heard Troy throwing off his jacket and sweatshirt, unbuckling his belt, followed by the angry rasp of the zipper in Troy's chinos. "Hey, what's going on?" Troy didn't answer immediately. When he'd stripped out of his boxer briefs, his beautiful cock was filling, rising, and bobbing about as Troy strode to the bed, raised the covers on his side of the bed, and crawled in with Evan, immediately stripping him of his boxer shorts. "It's my turn," Troy murmured in Evan's ear, rolling on top of him, plastering him with a hot, wet, sloppy kiss, wrapping his muscled legs around Evan's lower extremities and squeezing, pushing his arms under Evan's back, trapping his arms against his side. Ordinarily, Evan didn't like to feel confined, but he relished this entrapment, for it symbolized Troy's wanting to possess him. Troy's body felt so warm, soft and hard at the same time, and heavy. Even though he'd showered after basketball practice, Troy's scent was lightly human and spicy, manly. Evan loved every second of it. Troy moved his arms under his captive's shoulders, pillowing his head on his hands, lightly moving Evan's head this way and that to be nuzzled, licked, kissed. Troy would break the kiss, pull his head back to study Evan, then run his tongue across Evan's ear, down his cheek, and across his lips before pushing his tongue inside. "When he broke a kiss, Evan gasped for air, looking intently at Troy. "You're turn?" "Yeah, my lover brother told me about the hot fuck you two had." He paused, nuzzling his nose against Evan's cheek, licking his jaw and neck. "I couldn't help it - I felt a little jealous - not for what you two had but for what I didn't have." Evan's head reared back. "What are you talking about? You were bedding one of the most exciting, desirable, beautiful women in the world." "I agree. Our sex so often has resulted from some event or other. I want us to be proactive, which I why I'm claiming your ass now for me." Evan gulped. "Will I be standing when it's over?" "Hell no!" he retorted, kissing Evan with feeling. "I want you to be my dad, Evan. You know what my real dad's like. I don't know if he'll ever measure up to his son's worth." Evan's eyes shone when he heard Troy actually declare his acceptance of his own self-worth. "But you're the man I want as my dad. Please, Evan?" Evan gulped a few times, then responded haltingly. "Nothing . . . would give me . . . greater honor," Evan gulped, "I'm honored and blessed - by all my sons. Only trouble is I never had the joy of getting off in creating such a hunky son!" Evan exclaimed. "We can take care of that deficiency tonight," Troy stated. "I'm going to make love to you, Dad. I'd be nothing but a knucklehead jock if it weren't for you. You introduced me to my intellect." Troy kissed Evan's lips sweetly. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have connected with Susan." Troy licked Evan's throat, especially the vulnerable hollow, which sent little tremors through Evan. "If it weren't for you, I'd never have moved out of my homophobia." Troy scooted down and licked, nipped, and sucked Evan's nipples, making them swell to the size of pencil erasers. "If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have accepted my bisexuality." Pushing the covers back, Troy attacked Evan's stomach and navel. "If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have connected with my brother Cody." Now Troy began licking the precum off Evan's cock, licking his balls and pulling on his scrotum with his teeth. "If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have joined with my other brothers, Jeremy and Kenny." Troy pushed Evan's legs back, nibbling up his inner cheeks. "If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have a home now." Troy moved to Evan's winking pucker, tonguing it, kissing it, pushing his tongue just inside. " If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't be helping others now to find their better selves." Troy moved back to lick precum slipping down Evan's hard cock, standing up in the air. "We don't need paper or a decree, Evan. You're my father now in every way. It's your love for me that cements it." Troy slid Evan's cock down his throat, bobbing and sucking on it for a brief time, causing a loud groan from Evan. Troy pulled off. "Now I need to claim you as my dad, to repay you." Troy moved up on his knees, reaching into the nightstand for the tube of lube he knew he'd find there. "Let me," Evan insisted, sitting up, taking the tube, unscrewing the top, and laying down a line of lube down his joined index and fuck fingers. Dropping the tube, he gently caressed Troy's lightly haired ball sack while gently smoothing the lube up and down the top of Troy's cock several times. As one hand played with Troy's balls, he let his fuck finger just slightly graze Troy's perineum as he moved the fingers of his other hand under Troy's cock to coat the underside with lube. Troy moaned. He moved his hands to gently clasp Evan's head as he leaned down to deliver a kiss, swiping his tongue across Evan's lips. As he closed his lips over Evan's, bestowing upon him the softest kiss, gently sliding his tongue over Evan's lips but not really penetrating into Evan's mouth. Evan continued to gently stroke on the lube. Then he took that hand and coated Troy's perineum and lightly coated Troy's haired hole with the left over lube, lightly pushing his fuck finger in until it met the muscle ring. "Bet you didn't know you've become a hero of mine," Evan whispered. Troy's head shot back in disbelief. "You can say that after the times I've hurt you?" Troy whispered back. "Funny, my Hero, I only remember the times you've loved me with your mind, spirit, heart - oh yeah - and fabulous body," Evan said softly as he tweaked Troy's nipples, bringing them to hard points, leading Troy to bite Evan's ear lobe. Troy pulled back, studying Evan's face. Then he kissed him hard. Troy ran the tip of his nose gently over Evan's face. " Oh Dad . . . Dad . . . Dad," he murmured as Evan continued his manual ministrations to Troy's cock and balls and hole, pushing his finger just past the muscle ring, making Troy gasp with pleasure. "It's funny," Troy whispered. "Sometimes a person who feels he's deeply in love wants to crawl inside the other's skin." He began gently nibbling on an ear lobe, slightly pulling on it. "But I want you to crawl inside my skin." He moved the fuck finger in his right hand down to Evan's hole, finding it wet. He slid that finger inside of Evan's hole no more deeply than he was sliding his tongue into Evan's mouth, teasing him, eliciting a desperate whimper from Evan. "I can't explain it," he whispered as he lightly licked Evan's lips with little swipes. "Don't know what it means. But I want you inside me, want you to be a part of me, want to feel powerful but loved with you inside me." "The maybe I should cum in you," Evan offered softly. "Not this time, Dad. I need to claim you. Next time it's your turn." As he said this, he grabbed Evan's legs, dumping him back from his sitting posture so that he was on his back with his lower legs held in Troy's arms. He moved his cock head up to Evan's hole, gently pushing in. He was amazed at how quickly his lubed cock slipped into Evan's chute. He gasped at the silky caress of Evan's walls against his steely cock, at the incredible warmth, registered especially by the flared cap at the end of his penis. He made an overt effort to connect the warmth of his cock with the warmth of Evan's body that his skin was experiencing. "Oh . . . damn!" Troy softly exclaimed. "This is so good, Dad . . . so good." Evan clinched his inner muscles, compressing them against Troy's cock, moving his ass in a small circle, causing Troy to gasp. "I want you to know how much I love you, Son." Something like a strangled sob escaped from Troy's throat. Evan's arms, resting on top of Troy's arms, his hands, moving in gentle circles on Troy's shoulder blades, detected tremors in Troy's upper body. Troy had been slowly pumping his hard cock into and out of Evan, which he continued, but another sob escaped Troy. It was followed rapidly by another rapid sob. "Son . . . Troy," Evan spoke softly, "what's wrong?" Troy continued pumping, gently sobbing. Evan looked intently into his eyes to see if he could discover what Troy was not telling him. "Dad, I love you . . . not just like a dad." He paused to sniff lightly. "I love you the same way I love Susan and Cody too," he confessed as he continued to slowly pump in and out of Evan's ass. "I never knew how much I needed all of you . . . wanted all of you. I feel so good about everything and everyone. I just want to share it with all of you." Evan smiled, realizing what a champion his new son was. "Let me show you how I feel about you, Lover and Son," Evan whispered as he clasped Troy's cock tightly with his inner muscles, rotating his hips as Troy plunged in and out. They both began trembling, for waves of pleasure washed over them. Both were pumping hard now, causing squishing noises as they used their bodies to create pleasure for the other. Troy's balls had been banging against Evan's ass, tickling the skin as they dragged up and down, but now they were drawing up, preparing for an orgasm. Both were breathing hard. Though it was a reach, Evan found Troy's lubed hole, pushing his thumb inside. All of a sudden, Evan froze, paralyzed by the beginning of a monster orgasm. He threw his head back, calling out Troy's name as his eyes rolled back in his head. Troy began banging Evan fast and hard, determined that his orgasm fit into his dad's. Suddenly a loud "Argggggggggggggggh!" shot from his throat as he too froze, catapulted by a huge orgasm. They held onto each other, trembling, wriggling, trying to catch their breath, feeling their cum stream between or into the other. Slowly, they relaxed, basking in the afterglow of their orgasms, of their bodies locked together. Evan began running his fingertips over Troy's back and down across his ass, barely touching Troy's skin, making Troy moan. Eventually, Troy's breathing deepened as he drifted into sleep. Evan pulled the covers over them, resting his hands lightly on Troy's ass with his fingers pushed ever so slightly into the cleft as he too drifted to sleep, a smile on his face. *** Jonah Stedman was sitting on the low wall of a raised flowerbed outside the entrance from the north parking lot into the school. Troy paced on the sidewalk. As soon as Jonah had related the details of the ride to school that Burt Graham had given him, Troy had called Burt on his cell phone, arranging for him to meet with Kate Williams, the Templeton Senior High School principal, that very afternoon. He asked if Burt's buddies would be with him. Burt said he'd try to round up as many as possible. Troy wondered if he were pushing events too fast. Still, the sooner the guys got back in school, the sooner they'd make up what they had missed. During the lunch break, he'd alerted Kate that Burt and some of his buddies might be paying her a visit, sharing their dropout status with her. She suggested that Jonah and he accompany Burt. Jonah caught Troy's eye. Troy walked over, reaching down and gently massaging the muscles in Jonah's slim neck. Jonah looked up at Troy, his eyes big with wonder that this super jock was touching him as though he liked him. "You did a good job, Jonah. If it weren't for you, these guys might not have this chance to get their lives back on track." "I didn't do anything," Jonah said softly, looking into Troy's eyes. Troy saw adoration in Jonah's eyes. He wondered if anyone other than Robert and Jonah's mother had shown him acceptance and affection like this. They both looked up as two cars entered the school parking lot. Burt Graham was driving his car with Austin Wilson riding shotgun. Chad Murphy was driving a RAV4 with Rex Tolliver in the passenger seat. Jonah stood as the guys alighted from their cars, locking the doors and making their way toward Troy and Jonah. Troy had to check a frown when he noticed Jonah edging closer to him as the guys approached. "Hey, guys," Troy greeted them warmly, holding out his hand to Burt. They shook hands. Then Troy greeted the others. Jonah held back; after all, these were bigger, older guys, and he really had gotten to know only Burt. He still couldn't forget the threat they had posed to him at the mall. It was also a natural defensive mannerism because they were jocks and so much larger than he. Burt walked over to Jonah, throwing an arm across his shoulders and pulling him up against his body in a hug. "Thanks, Buddy, for helping make this happen. I owe you." Jonah's smile as he looked up at Burt was so big it could have cracked his small face. He was basking in Burt's praise and acceptance. It was really amazing. He'd been invisible on the high school campus just a couple of months ago, and now people were really including him with them. "Where's Denton," Troy asked. "Couldn't reach him," Burt replied. "His mom didn't know where he was." "Well, let's go talk to Kate Williams, our principal." Troy allowed Jonah to lead them into the north hall toward the office. Troy was wondering if he should warn the guys about Kate's being no one to mess with. He decided to let the scene play itself out. They would have to handle people like Kate throughout their lives. They arrived in the office on the dot. The secretary showed them right into Kate's office. She arose, coming around the desk, smiling at them. Troy introduced each one, followed by a handshake from Kate. "Gentlemen, be seated," she said, pausing to lay an arm over Jonah's shoulder and to inquire quietly how he was. Then she seated herself behind her desk. She looked straight at Burt. "What's up, guys?" Actually, Troy had filled Kate in on the short history of the boys, how they'd met, what had transpired, and what they'd learned. She wanted to boys to start speaking for themselves, for that would be required as they reintegrated in a school. "All of us - and another buddy of ours too, Denton Cooper - dropped out of Canton Senior High School about six weeks ago. We realize now that it was a mistake." Burt grinned. "Jonah and Troy here worked it out so that we could come talk to you. We'd like to get back into school. This school if possible." "Why this school and not Canton?" Burt looked at his buddies, using a nod to signal to Austin that he was to answer the question. "It would be easier with a new start in a new school. And Jonah and Troy have offered to help us get back into the swing of things. Jonah's even offered to help tutor us or find others to help us. We think we could make it work this time," Austin explained. "What caused you to drop out, Burt?" Kay asked gently. Burt gulped. "I don't know . . . lots of stuff, I guess. My dad left us. There's just my mom, my brother and sister and me." He put a paw on the back of Jonah's neck, squeezing gently. "Jonah and I know what that's like." Burt's eyes swung back to Kate's somber but sincere gaze. "I guess a male role model for a son is more important than we might have thought. It's hard for me to believe I have much of a future. Life is hard. My mom works two jobs. I have a job too to keep my car and help out at home." He was silent, swallowing loudly. "What about you, Chad?" Kate asked. "Well, when Rex decided to drop out, I just followed him. We've been buddies forever. I just didn't want to be in school if Rex wasn't there. I haven't really enjoyed school, so I knew it would be hard if Rex was gone." "And you, Rex?" Kate queried. "Same here," Rex answered. "I don't really know what I want to do with my life. I've thought hard about it, but I can't figure out anything I want to spend the rest of my life doing." "Austin?" Kate asked. "I'm kind of aimless I guess. I don't seem to have a lot of ambition. It made school a drag. The only good thing about it was being with my buds." "Burt, in the best of all possible worlds, what would you like to do with your life?" Kate asked. Burt was silent for a while. "Sounds kind of stupid." "Try me." "I'd like to own a car/van customizing shop. When I look at a car, most of the time I'm trying to figure out how I'd soup up the engine, create an awesome interior, make the exterior look rad." Kate shook her head a bit in understanding. "What would be required for you to be successful in that venture?" "I'd have to really know the technology, keep up with design features, build a good reputation." "What about knowing marketing, management, personnel?" Burt's eyes enlarged only slightly. "Well . . . that too." She turned to Austin. "How about you, Austin?" "Someplace where my suave, debonair manner and killer looks would stand out," he stated slowly, impishly. The other guys snickered; Kate smiled. Jonah's jaw had dropped slightly as he studied Austin. "And where might that place be?" Kate pushed. Austin was silent, clearly pondering Kate's question. "Some corporation, I guess. Sales, maybe." "And what would be required for that to happen?" "A degree in marketing or management, maybe both for a killer resume." Kate turned to Chad without asking the question. "Something with Rex." She looked at Rex. "Yeah, I want to work with Chad. But I really haven't thought about what." "What kind of events have you shared that you both have enjoyed to the nth degree?" Rex and Chad communed through their eyes. "Well, for me," Chad started, "it'd be hiking and camping with Rex. I feel so free but so complete when I'm with Rex outdoors like that." "I'd have to say the same," Rex added, continuing to look into Chad's eyes. "Are you two twins separated at birth?" Kate asked teasingly. Again the guys chuckled. "We could have been," Rex answered. "What would be required for you two to make a living in such a setting? Again, Chad and Rex communed wordlessly. "Working for a park system," Chad answered. "I'd like doing that as a fire control officer," Rex added. "And what would be required for that to work?" Kate again asked. "Training as a firefighter." Rex answered. "Maybe a forestry degree," Chad answered. "Or some kind of environmental or conservation degree," Austin chimed in. Kate pondered them silently, studying each one. Finally she broke the silence. "Well, gentlemen, here's what's possible. I will call Jefferson Alternative High School this afternoon and make an appointment for you to meet tomorrow morning at 9:00 with Jeff Rumson, the principal there. He'll see to it that you start back to school there. Plan to remain throughout the day, for he'll put you right into the classes you need." "Why not this school?" Burt asked rather plaintively. "If you couldn't stomach Canton, you ultimately won't stomach Templeton even with Troy and the gang here. The same factors that caused you to leave Canton will be here too. You need a different kind of start, some special services and flexibility in integrating back into high school, and Jefferson is just the place to help you identify a track for yourselves and to move you into it. They focus on what you need now more than Templeton or Canton are able to do." She observed the guys swapping looks. "You won't miss these guys. You all connected enough to make this happen, so you can connect for help with studies, socializing, all of that." She smiled. "Let me tell you these guys don't lack for things to do. And if I see one of them, I see half the circle of friends with them . . . . If you do well the rest of the year and you decide you still want to attend Templeton your senior year, I'll approve your transfers. However," here she raised he eyebrows, fixing each of them with a stare, "I'll be watching you, expecting you to demonstrate that I haven't made a mistake." She slowly smiled, with Burt returning a monster grin. "Are you tough?" he asked? She rose to show the boys out, her eyes twinkling. "I've brought lumberjacks to their knees." The boys burst into laughter. *** Later that same day, Greg Dunwoodie was sitting alone in a pocket park down from Osama's Coffee Shop, where he'd nursed a cup of coffee for over an hour, reviewing what he considered the sad state of his life. His former lover, Ross Brownlee, who had been an art major at the local college, had been forced to return home upon the death of his father to manage the family hardware business and care for his mother. Ross had told Greg that his dad had always run the show, rarely allowing his wife or son any knowledge of the business. He'd breathed a sigh of relief when Ross went off to college, for that meant that no one in the community would tip to the fact that Ross was gay. When Mr. Brownlee died, Mrs. Brownlee, who had no managerial experience at all, was fairly helpless, another of those women who had defined herself in the home but had no experience in the workplace. There was no help for it - Ross, the only child, had to return home to run the family hardware, his mother's means of support. His mother, used to a man looking after her, had taken it as a given that Ross would come running home to look out after her. Mr. Brownlee's death had effectively ended Ross's and Greg's relationship, for Ross soon hooked up with his high school lover, who still lived in the town, running his parents' large farm. Ross had been a wonderful lover, tall, burly, butch, strong - a hairy beast but gentle and romantic, Greg thought, as a small smile moved into his lips. Ross loved towering over Greg, clasping him tightly against his hard, hairy body, picking him up and cradling in his arms as he walked Greg to their bed, pushing Greg to tell him how safe he felt in Ross's arms, how loved he felt in Ross's presence. In Ross's absence, Greg had turned inward, more or less deserting his friends, just going through the motions in his life. He did just enough in his classes to remain shy of trouble. He sporadically attended basketball games and arts events. Even his friends, especially Beth Walker and Paul Hartford, had given up on him after heroic attempts to get him to go out with them, to hook him up with someone. They'd make arrangements to meet Greg to go to a movie or a party. Then Greg would stand them up. They'd set him up with someone, and then Greg wouldn't show up. He would sometimes discover his favorite teacher, Evan Halsey, studying him when the class was at work at their desks on some writing assignment, but, other than encouraging remarks written on his essays, even Mr. Halsey no longer tried pushing Greg to get out of himself. Greg wanted something to change, but he also lacked the will to do anything himself. He couldn't explain it. It was as though he were frozen in time. At one point, he'd thought about going to visit Ross, but he knew it would only leave him in a deeper funk, seeing Ross with his current boyfriend. Working on a farm, the guy was probably a hunk of the first order, which would mean that Greg's slimmer build would make him come off a poor second to Ross's new boyfriend, named Hart, Greg seemed to remember Ross's explaining. Greg's presence might cause trouble in their relationship, and it could leave Ross feeling guilty, perhaps, at seeing Greg so lost. He wouldn't do that to Ross for anything. He still loved him. Besides, it wasn't Ross's fault his dad had died of a coronary. It had to have been tough for Ross to give up his dream of being an artist. He'd loved his major. Sometimes Greg would have to nearly kidnap Ross to get him out of the studio for some time together. The promise of serving as a nude model for a sketch in Ross's small apartment was sufficient to lure him from the studio for the hot sex that always followed. They were quite imaginative in the scenarios that Ross sketched. That was another reason for not visiting Ross - if he'd buried his aspirations, then Greg didn't want to reawaken dreams Ross didn't think he could ever fulfill. It would be a cruelty, not a kindness, done out of selfishness. Greg had been taking himself to task lately for not stirring his bones to start his life up again, but he just lacked that spark that would get him moving. He knew he was drifting. It occurred to him in a flash of insight that he might be foolish: one could drift into rough waters as easily as peaceful waters. He had been assuming that, at some point, some guy would walk into his life, want him, and then all the pieces would fall back into place. Life would start up pretty much as it had been. He realized that not only was there no guarantee that that would happen automatically but that it would never happen without his taking responsibility for jump-starting his life again. While Greg sat morosely dissecting his life, Denton Cooper swaggered by, noting Greg's longer, curly hair, tight, designer jeans, crossed legs, chain around his neck. "Fag," he said softly to himself. But Greg had heard the epithet, for his eye had been caught by Denton's tall, leggy form. He liked what he saw but hated what he'd heard. "What was that?" he challenged the stranger, who whirled around and then belligerently approached Greg. "Fag!" Denton spat out. For Greg, this was the last straw. He rose and stalked over to Denton, his eyes fiery. "You don't even know me, Knucklehead. So you better not be calling me names." "You are a fag, aren't you?" "Yes, but I don't like the way you raise the issue, Retard," Greg responded. Being a high school dropout, Greg's epithet "retard" stung Denton. In response, he started to swing his arm back. With lightning speed, Greg stomped hard on the toes of Denton's left foot with the heel of his shoe. The pain was immediate and intense, expressing itself in a bellow from Denton, who raised his foot to his hands and immediately toppled over backwards. Greg wasn't surprised at all. It was one of several moves Ross had taught him to turn the tide when someone got in his face. "Why'd you do that?" Denton whined. "Don't get in my face, Man. Just because someone's gay, you shouldn't assume that they're punching material for you and your nasty personality." Denton snarled, starting to arise, but Greg planted his shoe right on Denton's crotch, noting quite a nice lump there. "I'd keep my ass planted on the sidewalk if I were you, Slim." Denton rolled down onto his back. "Just lie there and recover," Greg commanded. "What's up with you anyway? I'm just sitting here, peacefully minding my own business. Then you have to put me down. What makes you think you're so special anyway?" "Fuck off." "Well, articulate you are not," Greg muttered with a superior air. "I suppose you think you are. You spoiled rich kids are all the same. And you all seem to run to fags." "Just because you realize you can't make yourself fit in, you have to start calling people 'fags' to feel superior. Do you know how pathetic that is?" "I'm not pathetic," Denton remonstrated, starting to rise again, stinging more than Greg knew from the charge that Denton didn't fit in, but Greg ground his foot into Denton's crotch just enough to remind him to stay where he was. "And how do you know I don't fit in?" Denton shot back. "If you did, you'd try to find some common ground. Only someone who feels he can't fit in starts out being hostile to others. It's such an obvious defense mechanism." Denton knew the kid was right. He couldn't even fit in his own family - ever since . . . . Denton stared at Greg, flushing. "I suppose you think you've got all the answers?" Greg frowned, a gesture not missed by Denton. "No, in fact, before you rudely interrupted, I was assessing the sad state of affairs that I've allowed my life to become." "What'd you do?" Denton asked suspiciously, rising enough to lean back on his elbows, finding it difficult to believe this guy had problems. Greg turned his head away, grinding his foot down harder on Denton's crotch just as Denton thought he'd distracted Greg enough to throw his foot off and then jump him and pound him. "Life tossed me a curve ball, and I stepped away from the plate," Greg answered. "Huh?" Denton asked after he'd realized that Greg was onto his ploy. "My boyfriend's dad died. He had to go back home. It's over for us. We didn't do anything wrong, but it's over for us." Greg pursed his lips. "There's no one for me now. I've just been existing, not trying to do anything to put my life back together. I've been pushing away friends who wanted to help with that. I've pretty much burned my bridges there. I could use their help, but I don't think I can ask for it now because I've been such an asshole to them." Denton couldn't believe what he was hearing. Here was this stranger, a rich kid, a good-looking guy, intelligent, spilling his guts to him, a stranger who'd wanted to pound him. How could he do that? Denton couldn't even talk to his buddy, Burt Graham, about his feelings, his loneliness, his isolation, his hurt. His parents and all his brothers and sisters had given up on him a long time ago. This conversation was amazing! Greg's eyes swept over Denton's face, picking up vibes that told him Denton had suddenly heard something to which he'd connected. "Why are you looking like that?" "Like what?" "Something I said registered with you. What was it?" "Bug off," Denton retorted grumpily. Greg studied him for a few seconds, removed his foot from Denton's crotch, noting that it felt a little denser than it had been earlier. He reached down, clasping Denton's hand and pulling him upright. Denton was surprised at the change in his circumstances. He was also surprised by Greg's strength. "Come over here and sit down with me," Greg commanded. "Why should I?" Denton challenged, none too politely. "Because we may be the best thing that's happened for each other in a while," Greg explained as he sat on one end of the bench. "How could that be?" Denton asked, edging over to the bench. "Unless I miss my guess, you and I have ended up in the same place personally even though we might not have started at the same place," Greg answered, gesturing for Denton to seat himself at the other end of the bench. "Whad'a ya mean?" he asked, sitting on the edge of the plank bench. "When I was talking about feeling lost, about turning aside others' attempts to help me, your pupils narrowed and the expression on your face tightened. You connected with the description of where I saw myself. Means either you were in the same place once in your life, or you are there now. If we talk to each other, we can at least understand our circumstances better. Maybe it will be enough to give us a kick in the ass so that we start moving forward." "You're a homo. How can you help me?" "You're starting to sound stupid again." Denton sprang off the bench with Greg not far behind him. "Do I have to ground you again to get you to listen?" Greg asked. "I'm NOT stupid!" "Then quit behaving as though you are!" Greg snapped back. "Whad' I do?" "You applied that label 'homo' to me as though I couldn't relate to you, help you. We're people first, you know." Greg looked around back of Denton. "And I don't see that many people lining up who want to help you. By the way, what's your name?" Denton remained silent. He studied Greg for the longest time, pondering how thoughtlessly the slur had been on the tip of his tongue. Greg spoke softly, "Do it nicely. You know how." Then he stood waiting. Gradually, Denton held out his hand. "Denton Cooper." "Greg Dunwoodie." They shook hands. "Where do you go to school?" Denton frowned. "I don't." "Oh," Greg replied, realizing that it wouldn't be productive at this point to sound judgmental. "Why don't we sit back down again, talk a little?" If they could manage to be civil to each other for a bit, Greg thought he might invite Denton to Osama's for a cup of coffee. "I told you how my troubles began. What started you down this road?" Greg asked gently. Denton sat, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees, rubbing his hands together. The longer he thought, the more agitated his hands became, a signal of inner turmoil not missed by Greg. Denton pulled in a couple of breaths quickly. "Don't ever trust the ones who are supposed to love you," he blurted out. "They are the ones who'll betray you. Hurt you - when you least expect it." Greg saw the tears sparkling in Denton's eyes, and he hurt for him. He placed his hand on Denton's shoulder, who pulled it back from under Greg's hand. "What are you doing?" he challenged Greg. "Offering comfort," Greg replied. "Telling you that I recognize how much you're hurting. Telling you I don't want you to hurt that much." Denton shrank back. "Don't touch me, Fag!" Greg shook his head wearily. "Now what? Can't you see when someone is offering you a gesture of peace for all the difficulty you have experienced?" Denton stared back at Greg, at a loss for words. "I . . . I don't . . . I don't need a fag feeling sorry for me!" he exclaimed. "What you need," Greg stated, "is a fag loving you. Anyone loving you so that you know you're okay. There's nothing wrong with you, Denton. You're a person worth loving. I'll love you, if you allow it." Denton drew back as though he'd been struck. "You hitting on me?" Denton asked sharply. "Oh, Denton, I'm not talking about homosexual love. That's not what's required to save you. Just love. Love from any person. When another person offers you love, they validate your personhood. Your reason for taking up space on this earth, for breathing. Can't you see what a rare commodity love really is? I KNOW you understand all the counterfeit behaviors that pass for love. You've apparently been the victim of several of them. You've been deprived by the very people who are responsible for offering it to you. That's a low blow!" Denton rubbed his hands together harder, squirming on the bench. "I'll tell you that the hardest lesson for you to learn," Greg continued, "is that, out there in the future, you have to forgive them for their shortcomings." Denton stared at Greg, trying to assess Greg's motives in this line of conversation. "'But,' you argue," Greg sassily assumed Denton's place in their conversation, rocking his head back and forth as he spoke as though he were rehearsing lines in a script, "'that would be letting them off the hook.' NO! It's not about them. It's about you! You forgive them to allow YOU to move into the healing waters! You deserve the healing waters; you are worthy of them. But the fare to enter the waters is forgiveness. The quickness with which you offer it, Denton, is a measure of your strength. Notice how quickly, once you started hearing me, you came over to this bench to talk with me. That required strength. You probably have more strength than you realize. Most people who've been victimized for a long time do possess hidden strength. They just don't see it. And they couldn't have survived the victimization if they hadn't possessed that strength. It takes strength to forgive. Maybe most people in your life would not credit you with the ability to forgive so easily. But if you act according to their expectations, you limit yourself. You subject yourself to their limitations. Isn't that what you've been fighting? Their diminished expectations for you? Shove it back in their faces, Man. Show them dignity and honor. They won't understand it, but others will, and at some point, those others will realize the limitations of your family. Their respect for you will grow. Can you last that long? Queer that I am, I'll help you just because you deserve it." Greg studied Denton. He was obviously taking in all that Greg had said. "You and I made a mistake," Greg continued. "We could deal with all this shit if we'd kept our friends close to us, connected with them. But we closed them out, so we had nothing to buffer the negative stuff we encountered. That caused us to turn inside ourselves to block any more of the junk that hurt us." Denton was looking at Greg, but mulling over all Greg had said. He slowly shook his head in understanding. "How did you get to be so smart about this stuff?" "I've been thinking a lot about it, trying to analyze what has made me hurt, then trying to figure out why, and lately what I can do about it, what I can do to get back on track." "Can you forgive people who've put you down, hurt you when you didn't do anything to ask for it?" "That's one place where we're different. Circumstances caused my problem. But I guess people caused yours. Maybe if you tell me about it, I can suggest something for you." Greg sat patiently while Denton weighed the invitation. Finally he shrugged his shoulders. "I'm the youngest in a big family. All my brothers and sisters are older. One day my dad and my brothers were working on the roof of our home. My mom said I was too little to be up on the house with them, so I was playing around on the ground just below where they were. I just wanted to be near them. I'd been running in and out of the house. I guess they thought I wasn't down below because I overheard my father calling me 'the Accident.' My dad was a man's man - never had time for me. I realized later why he was that way with me. He'd already established 'buddy' relationships with my three older brothers. Much like Dad, they mostly ignored me. They were into girls and sports when I was born. Once, my brother John, while on a visit home from college, called me a 'leak.' I'd been bugging him to do something with me. I guess I pissed him off. "'What?" I asked John, not understanding. "You were a leak in the rubber. That's how you happened, Leak," John said. I know I blushed. "I was not!" I responded, hurt and angry. "That's what Dad told us," John had responded, contemptuously. Just then Mom inquired from the kitchen what we were arguing about. John said we were arguing about a football game on TV. The rest of the weekend, John didn't pass up an opportunity to needle me, calling me 'Leak.' Seemed like every time he did it, I felt smaller and smaller. After John went back to college, I thought a lot about it. I knew then my dad must feel the same way about me. I guess my other brothers did too. I wondered if my sisters knew, for they didn't seem to see much more use for me than my brothers. For a long time after that, I replayed this shit over and over in my mind. It was a bad movie. I just seemed to sink lower and lower. I couldn't talk to anyone about it because I thought it would make me feel even worse - I'd get the same reaction. Even when my friend Burt Graham pulled me to him and introduced me to his buddies, I couldn't tell him this shit." Denton paused a moment. "So why am I telling a fag this?" Greg let out a gasp of exasperation. "Denton, are you stupid?" Denton shot off the park bench. "DON'T CALL ME STUPID!" "Well, how stupid do you have to be," Greg shot back, "not to realize that you are doing exactly to me what your brothers and dad did to you?" Denton froze. 'Greg was right. He was doing to him exactly what John had done to him. He'd been taken over by his father's and brothers' behavior. Damn! He hated that! How could he not have seen it?' Slowly he sat down on the bench, resting his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. No amount of macho sensibility could staunch the flow of tears and the silent sobs that wracked his body. Greg slowly rested an arm over Denton's shoulders, squeezing the muscular ball that rested under his hand. "It's okay, Denton. You're okay. You didn't realize that evil replicates itself like a virus. The shit you had to bear was what you dealt out to others. But now you know. It never has to happen again. You never have to cause it again. You are smarter, wiser, more compassionate. See how we've helped each other?" Denton slowly allowed his body to slide toward Greg, resting his head in the crook of Greg's neck. Suddenly, he felt drained, empty, but, oddly, clean. How could one have "clean feelings"? "What do I do now?" Denton asked softly. Greg placed his hand under Denton's chin, raising to to lift Denton's eyes to his. "Celebrate the Great Denton Cooper, who has gained more wisdom in one day that his entire family possesses. Celebrate a new friend he has, Greg Dunwoodie, who honors him and who needs him as a friend. Come have a cup of coffee with me while we plans some stuff together for this next week." *** Evan entered the main office of the school after his last class and on his way home. He'd dropped by to leave a list of assignments for a senior who had been injured in a car wreck. After he'd left the papers with a secretary, he turned around and ran into Mary Ellen Branson, head of the Science Department. She was preparing to tack a flyer on the huge bulletin board for faculty members. "Oh Evan," she effused, "such good news. I know you'll be delighted. We're all so excited. Tim Minor is the keynote speaker at a professional development conference for teachers in this five-county area. It'll be at the Radisson downtown." Evan's heart plummeted; he immediately was angry at himself. After all this time, the mere mention that Tim would be in town made him want to run and hide. It couldn't happen at a worse time with Ron and him in some kind of suspended state. It meant he could not count on their relationship offering him any kind of refuge when he felt so threatened by Tim's mere presence. Why did he feel so threatened? His knuckles must have been white, but he managed to mask his reaction. Mary Ellen was awaiting a comment. Evan hoped his voice held steady. "What kind of professional development conference brings Tim back here?" "Oh," Mary Ellen uttered breathlessly, "it's his new job - arranging for summer internships for teachers working out in business places connected to their teaching fields so that they can take the experience and learning back to their students." "I thought that involved only chem teachers." "Well, Tim impressed officials in the state department of education so much that they asked him to enlarge the program to include all teachers. He's connected with some legislator, who must have lobbied for that purpose. He was instrumental in the legislature appropriating special funding just for this program. That's why this conference is so big. It'll put Tim 'on the educational map' in the state," she gushed. "You're attending, surely?" she asked. "I'll have to check my calendar," Evan replied. He made motions of leaving. "Don't miss it," Mary Ellen emoted. "You'll regret it. Imagine what exciting summer activities may await you," she said, smiling. Evan smiled back as he turned to leave. 'Yeah right, like I'm going to come within a mile of Tim,' Evan thought. He wondered if he should alert Ron. He pondered the matter as he walked down the north hall to the parking lot and his car. He decided that if he said anything to Ron, he might assume Evan was warning him so that he could avoid Tim. He didn't know that Ron wanted to do that at all. Especially at this juncture, he didn't want to imply to Ron that he had any standing to tell Ron what to do. He decided he'd leave the matter alone. Either Ron found out or he didn't. It wasn't any of Evan's business. In a flash Evan realized that Ron already knew about Tim's impending arrival because it would have been discussed in the Science Department. He halted for a minute in the parking lot, asking himself why Ron said nothing. A bit of mulling led him to the realization that Ron probably said nothing for the very same reasons he had resolved to keep quiet. He slowly started moving on to his car, trying to push away faint whispers that Ron might be glad Tim was coming back to town. The next morning, Evan found a "Return Phone Call" slip in his mailbox. It indicated that a Tim Minor had called, asking him to call him at the number listed on the slip. Evan quietly snorted in contempt. He crumpled the paper in his hand, throwing it into a wastebasket by the mailboxes. *** The next two weeks flew by, highlighted by the weekend visit of Troy's brothers Drew, Justin, and Riley. Emily Morgan was excited that the boys, who had seen Troy only fleetingly at basketball games, would have the entire weekend with Troy. The boys were glad for a change of scene, and they were excited to spend some time with their older brother, whom each idolized to one degree or another. Troy was happy to be back in contact with his family although he wondered how to smooth over his rapid departure from their midst without causing any more difficulty. Susan, Cody and he had spent more than one evening hatching and refining plans for a fun-filled weekend for the boys. Jeremy and Kenny were also recruited to help out. They'd promised to be in residence that weekend to help Troy out with the fellas. Evan was glad because Troy would enjoy some family contact while sharing "his home" with his brothers. It promised to be an eventful weekend. Troy had asked his mother, Emily, to bring the boys over after school on Friday so that they could settle in, meet Evan, have dinner, and then start out on a "movie evening" that Susan, Cody, and he had planned. They had decided to hit Blockbusters to rent a stack of movies that the boys liked or would like since they hadn't seen as many as Troy and his crew had. They'd ask Jeremy and Kenny to maybe invite a few other friends over so that the boys had plenty of people to draw them out, keep them occupied. On the spur of the moment, Troy had asked Burt and Jonah over for Friday evening. He thought both of them could benefit from socializing with the crew. Troy decided that party central would be the family room because of its proximity to his bedroom and the gym and bathroom in the basement. It would allow the kitchen and dining room to be buffers for the rest of the house since his brothers were boisterous. He didn't want Evan to feel crowded. His brothers were bringing their sleeping bags for use on the floor in the family room. When Evan had asked what the boys wanted to eat, Troy suggested pizza for Friday evening. He said they'd all have dinner out Saturday evening with Susan and Cody, perhaps Jeremy and Kenny if he could rope them in. Evan worried that dinner out for that many would "break Troy's bank," but Troy explained that Emily had provided ample funds for dinner out. She would pick the boys up late Sunday morning so that they could do their homework before school on Monday. On Friday afternoon, Emily arrived with Drew, Justin, and Riley. Drew, an eighth-grader, resembled his tall, muscular jock older brother. Like Troy, he was going to be a blond Adonis. Already young women were beginning to swarm around him in his last year in junior high school. Justin, a seventh-grader at the same school, was just beginning to shoot up like his older brothers. But while his blond brothers favored their father, he favored his mother, with dazzling blue eyes, finely shaped, almost delicate features. Only time would tell if he was going to be on the shorter side like his mother. Still a young boy, Riley was in the third grade. He hadn't developed enough to indicate whether he'd look like his older two brothers or Justin. Riley was assertive, loud, and totally extroverted, apparently a result of having to work hard among those older brothers to be noticed and heard. He was also too cute for words. As Troy opened the door, he noticed the boys each bringing a workout bag holding extra clothes and a sleeping bag to the front door, all ahead of their mother, who was struggling to carry two packed grocery bags. Troy stepped outside, greeting his brothers warmly. "Hey, guys, why aren't you carrying those groceries instead of Mom? Put your sleeping bags here and go help Mom." Drew responded "Huh?" Justin stared back at Troy. "Be gentlemen. Go help your mother. Besides, you should be allowing her to precede you. That's what real men with manners do." "Oh," Drew said, dropping his things and returning to help his mother. "Here Mom, let me carry those," he said, taking the bags gently from her. "Justin, go help your mother," Troy said gently. "Oh . . . yeah," Justin said, following Drew's lead, dropping his things and trotting up to Emily and Drew and grabbing one of the bags of groceries. "Hi, Mom," Troy greeted Emily. She walked into his arms as he leaned down and embraced her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Then he held the door open. Justin made as if to move through the door first with the groceries, but a sharp look from Troy halted him in his tracks. Suddenly understanding dawned in his eyes, causing him to step back in deference to his mother. "Come on in," Troy invited first his mother and then his brothers. Susan had been standing inside the door observing the short by- play, smiling, understanding that Troy's tutelage of his brothers had begun, a necessary counter balance to their father's self- centered behavior. Susan had moved back from the door, but when Emily spied her, she exclaimed, "Susan, I'm so glad you're here! I don't see you often enough." She walked over to Susan with her arms out, exchanging a hug. Susan hugged back, understanding, from Troy's account of his discussion with his mother several weeks earlier, that Emily wasn't just greeting her. She was indicating that she accepted Troy's relationship with Cody and her. While they were exchanging pleasantries, Troy's brothers walked in the living room, looking this way and that. "Hey, Dude," Drew asked Troy, "where's the kitchen?" "Through the dining room there," Troy gestured. "I don't want to impose on Evan dreadfully," Emily explained to Troy and Susan, "so I brought some snacks and food for the herd. They eat A LOT!" "I know Evan will tell you that you needn't have done it, but he'll appreciate it too," Troy replied. "Hey guys, let's get your stuff. I'll show you where to put it while I give you a tour of the place." "Bout time," Riley spouted off. "I been standin' here waitin' for something to happen." "Oh yeah," Troy said, grabbing him and running his fingers up and down Riley's ribs, causing him to writhe and giggle. "When did you get to be so mouthy, Boy?" Riley spun out of Troy's grasp, assuming a karate stance. "I'm not a boy," he shot back, grinning evilly. Troy mirrored Riley's stance, and they postured a few karate moves against each other. Suddenly, Riley flung himself on one of Troy's legs, wrapping around it like Velcro, pulling on the leg in an attempt to topple Troy. Troy had a time peeling him off. Susan and Emily watched in quiet amusement, Emily thinking how good this weekend was going to be for the boys, Susan observing how Troy would behave as a father. Finally Troy straightened, "Come on, guys, get your stuff." He led the boys through the dining room into the kitchen and the family room. "Here's where you'll be camping out, but we're going to take your stuff down to my bedroom." "How's come we can't leave it here," Riley asked. Drew and Justin, having learned that they seldom had to question a command or request because Riley would beat them to it, turned to Troy with the same question written on their faces. "We aren't the only people living here. Others use this room too, so to be polite, we have to keep it looking good for them." "So where's this bedroom?" Riley asked in a slightly sassy tone. "Follow me," Troy said, taking them down the steps. As soon as Drew saw the gym, he whistled, followed by a loud "Cool! Hey Man, you work out here, right?" he asked Troy. "Yeah, a lot." "Can we work out here too?" "Sure. We'll work out tomorrow morning after we have a little breakfast." "That include me?" Riley asked. "If you want. Your puny little body could stand some building up, and that little butt is flat as a quarter." Riley nearly fell on his face trying to look over his shoulder at his butt. "My butt is NOT flat!" Riley shot back with attitude, whereupon his brothers all started laughing. "You guys don't know anything," he muttered in mock injury, clearly trying to keep an emerging grin under wraps. "Bring your things in here," Troy gestured to his bedroom. "In the morning when you wake up, roll up your sleeping bags and bring them down here." "You sleeping down here?" Justin asked. "Yeah," Troy replied. "Is Susan sleeping with you?" Riley queried, a sly look on his face. "No, why?" Troy asked, looking vacuous and, therefore, innocent. "Is that why Dad said you were a fag?" Riley asked in a more subdued fashion, realizing that it was a sensitive issue. "No," Troy said, turning somber. He was silent for a few beats, pondering the situation in which he found himself. "Guys, come over here and sit down on the bed. We may as well sort this out now before we get into the weekend." The three younger brothers did as bidden. Troy sat on the carpet facing them. "What do you know about why I left home?" The three looked back and forth at each other. Justin was the first to reply. "We only know what we've overheard." "What's that," Troy asked quietly. "Dad kicked you out because you're a homo. We heard Mom and him talking loudly about it in their bedroom the next morning. Boy, Troy, was Mom ever pissed! I've never seen her so mad. I don't know what she said to Dad, but when they came out of their bedroom to breakfast, they were really quiet and Dad was really red in the face," Justin recounted. "And that's when Mom gave her speech that I told you about," Drew added. "Whoops!" Riley popped off. "I said one of those words we aren't supposed to say. . . . Please guys, don't tell Mom. When I said it I wasn't using it in a nasty way. I just have wanted to ask Troy, and this is the first chance I've had. . . . Please?" he asked ingenuously. "Okay," Troy answered, "but you have to try to keep from using that word, Riley." "Okay," he replied meekly. "Why can't we say those words, Troy? Dad does." "Because they are meant to hurt, Riley. We don't have a right to hurt anyone who has done nothing to us. They also are hate words. Hate is an emotion we humans need to stay away from. It turns us into bad people, sometimes monsters. You can't be good and hateful at the same time." "So why did Dad call you that?" Drew asked Troy. Troy thought for a moment. "You may have noticed that when Dad doesn't like the way we behave, he sometimes uses those words to push us back into line, HIS line. He overheard me talking to Susan. He didn't like what I was saying, so he called me that name." "What were you saying to Susan?" Drew asked. Troy smiled. "Something personal between Susan and me." "I don't understand why he'd say you were a homo then," Drew persisted. "Something had to be really wrong for him to throw you out." Troy frowned, again pondering an answer. "For a long time Dad hasn't liked me and Cody being friends. I think if it were possible, he'd have told me Cody couldn't play on the same basketball team with me." Drew started shaking his head in understanding. "Like he tries to tell us how to play basketball," Drew interrupted. "Yes. You guys have seen how close Cody and I are. I hope you will have friends who are that close someday. I'm too old for dad to be telling me that I can't have someone as a friend or that I have to play ball a certain way. . . . We just weren't seeing eye to eye. "Are you gay," Justin asked quietly. "Dope," Drew shot back at Justin. "Susan's his girlfriend. He couldn't be gay." Justin looked alarmed. "I'm sorry, Troy. I just don't understand why everyone's mad all of a sudden. I don't know what went wrong, what these bad names mean." Troy smiled weakly. "I understand, Justin. Look, we've got all weekend to discuss this. Maybe it will work better if I talk to each one of you individually. Then you can be certain all your questions are answered." The boys looked back at him levelly. Just then Emily called down the stairs, "Boys, come say good-bye before I leave." Troy smiled, gesturing his brothers to the door. They clambered up the steps. Troy smiled, wondering how long ago he'd started walking up steps instead of assaulting them in that manner. All that energy! When they were in the living room saying good-bye to Emily, Evan walked in. He immediately shook Emily's hand and walked over to hug Susan. He spoke a greeting to Troy and looked at his brothers. He looked back at the adults and said, archly, "I think there are Morgans in the house. Who might these Morgans be?" Troy stepped forward, introducing each of his brothers and then telling them that they were in Evan's home and that Evan was Susan's and his English teacher and also the father of one of his good friends, Jeremy Halsey, whom they would meet soon. Riley was eyeing Evan closely, taking Evan's measure. "Are you the boss?" he challenged impudently. Evan stared at Riley until he knew they were concentrating on each other. "If I have to be. Why, do you need a boss, Riley?" Evan asked kindly. "Of course not," Riley responded. He eyed his older brothers. "Drew and Justin do though. Troy's always after them to clean up their act." Justin gasped in protest. Drew snorted in contempt at his younger brother. "You little Dweeb!" Justin exclaimed. "You're the one who needs to clean up his act!" Suddenly he blushed, looking first at Emily and then Troy. "Sorry," he said softly, realizing that he'd violated his mother's prohibition against slurs. Emily Morgan spoke softly, "Riley." That was all that was needed to put him on notice that he was teetering on the edge of unacceptable behavior. Riley frowned, then pursed his lips but said nothing more. 'My,' Evan thought, 'she's already established her position with the boys. All that's needed is just the mere mention of a son's name.' Just then the front door opened and Jeremy and Kenny entered, bearing book bags and workout bags. "Hey guys," Jeremy said in greeting, moving immediately to his father and hugging and kissing him, followed by Kenny, all noted with interest by Troy's three brothers. Then Jeremy and Kenny turned to Troy and Susan, greeting them as brother and sister. Troy immediately introduced them to Emily and then to his brothers, making it clear that Jeremy was Evan's son and Kenny was Jeremy's boyfriend. At this, the brothers' looks at Jeremy and Kenny intensified, a factor not lost on the adults. But the Morgan boys were aware that Emily was monitoring their reactions, so they remained in control of their behavior. "Gentlemen and Susan," Emily broke in, "I must take my leave. Evan, thank you so much for your hospitality, for allowing the boys this opportunity to be together." "My pleasure," Evan responded with a smile. All the while, the younger Morgans were attending to the adults' exchanges. "Susan, would Troy allow you out of his company long enough for us to do lunch some Saturday? I'd love the opportunity for us two just to visit together." "I too," Susan replied warmly. "How about next weekend?" "Great. Where do we meet?" Emily asked. "How about lunch at Francini's Italian Restaurant at noon straight up?" Susan asked. "Tony Francini and Angela Walker are classmates of ours. We'll receive the royal treatment." "Wonderful," Emily replied. She again offered departing salutations, kissing each of the boys. Riley postured impatience at her motherly gestures, but his eyes were shining when Emily leaned down to hug and kiss him. "Bye, my little man," she whispered. "Make me proud." Evan realized that whatever bond Emily had with her other sons, there was a special bond between her and this little firecracker. He loved his mother even if he tried to hide it. After Emily had left, Evan asked, "So guys, what's the game plan." Troy filled Evan in on each day of the weekend plans, indicating that Evan was free to join in whenever he wished. When Evan heard the beginning line-up of movies for the evening, he indicated one he might watch with the crew. Then Troy explained the plan for early morning, including a workout for all the younger men. "So you're going to work out too?" Evan asked Riley. "Yeah." Riley replied. "They begged me to." His brothers were stifling grins at Riley's bravado. "But I DON'T have a flat BUTT!" he charged back at Evan. Startled, Evan replied, "I'm glad to hear it," which caused all but Riley and Evan to break out in gales of laughter. (To be continued.) I apologize to my readers. Way too much time has passed since my last posting. Lots of travel, job-related issues, bringing work home, etc.