Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 11:02:51 EDT
From: Tulsadriller7@aol.com
Subject: Tales from the Ranch, Chapter 44/?

Disclaimer:  The following story is a work of fiction.  If you
are offended by descriptions of homosexual acts or man/man
relations, please exit this page.

TALES FROM THE RANCH
Copyrightc 2003 by Tulsa Driller 7.  All rights reserved.

This is a story of men who have two common interests.  You will
see that they love the land where they live and work, but it is
also the story of young men who love other men and their coming
of age in a culture of prejudice and misunderstanding.  It is a
story, which deals with difficult and often disturbing issues
but, nonetheless, issues which must be confronted in today's
world.

This is a work of fiction and in no way draws on the lives of any
specific person or persons.  Any similarity to actual persons or
events is entirely coincidental.  This work is copyrightedc by
the author and may not be reproduced in any form without the
specific written permission of the author.  It is assigned to the
Nifty Archives under the terms of their submission agreement but
it may not be copied or archived on any other site without the
written permission of the author.

PLEASE:  In a perfect world AIDS doesn't exist.  My characters
have unprotected sex.  I hope you use proper precautions because
I'd like you to be around the read the last chapter of this
story.

Tales from the Ranch
Chapter 44: How to start the week
     Bret Jenkins, Sr. arrived at his office a few minutes before
8 a.m.  Amanda had just poured herself a cup of coffee.
     "Morning, Bret.  Would you like some coffee?"
     "Good morning to you.  Yes, I would," he said.
     As she was pouring him coffee, he asked, "How was your
weekend?"
     That surprised Amanda.  Bret usually ignored her unless he
needed her help.  Something was different today.
     "I had a nice weekend.  The rain kept us from doing much on
Saturday, but yesterday was super," she said.  "How about yours?"
     "Well, it was interesting, to say the least," he said.  "Has
Morris come in yet?"
     "No, but he didn't call that he'd be late, so he will
probably be here soon," Amanda said.
     "I need his guidance on some stuff for the Victory Temple.
I hope he can help me with some decisions."
     "I'll tell him when he comes in," Amanda said.
     Bret went back to his office.  Amanda wondered if that was
the same Bret Jenkins that had been working there the last few
months.  He almost seemed normal.
     About 10 minutes later, Morris stuck his head in the door of
Bret's office.  "Amanda said you needed to talk to me," he said.
     "Morning, Morris.  Yes, I do.  Would you mind shutting the
door?"
     Morris wondered what was going on, but did so and then sat
down in one of the chairs in front of Bret's desk.
     "What's going on?" he asked.
     "Morris, I know you aren't an attorney, but I think I've
uncovered a big mess at the church and we need to get someone to
help us who is good and knows their way around government
reporting for churches and the reports that have to be filed to
keep them in compliance with corporate regulations."
     "Can you tell me a little of what's going on?" Morris asked.
He was most interested.
     "Well, you know our financial status since you're on the
board of the bank that has our notes?" Bret asked.
     "Yes."
     "Last Wednesday, Riley Boyd called me.  It had never entered
my mind to really look at the deposit slips that the secretary
made up on Monday morning.  However, Riley told me that he and
his wife had put cash in the plate when it was passed and several
others around them did also.  The deposit ticket that was given
to me didn't have any cash listed, it was all checks."
     "Is the secretary stealing the money?" Morris asked.
     "No, Jimmy Bob Jones."
     "What?  Don't you pay him well?"
     "Yeah, $48,000 a year, plus retirement, insurance, house and
utilities and a car."
     "He shouldn't have any reason to steal then, with that
compensation package.
     "Well, he did.  We searched his desk and found $56,000 in
cash that he had stuffed in file folders in his desk drawer, some
even had dates written on them."
     "That's hard to believe.
     "There's more.  We went to the parsonage and found $41,000
in his bedroom and almost $18,000 in her bedroom.  That's almost
$115,000," Bret told him.
     "That would certainly make a big impression with the bank on
your loan status.  You did put the money in the bank, didn't
you?"
     "Yes, it's secure.  I was afraid they would question the
fact that it was so much cash, but they didn't."
     "They would if it was an individual, churches sometimes have
a lot of cash to deposit for various reasons."
     "We had a meeting on Wednesday night and again yesterday
morning after church.  A question came up about our corporate
status and Jimmy Bob admitted to me that we hadn't been filing an
annual corporate report and apparently not paying our annual
corporate license fee, either.  I don't know what kind of
problems that will cause us."
     "You'll have to go back and file the missing reports and pay
the fees and a penalty.  The only problem would be if someone
else has filed to use your corporate name and it was granted.
You would have to incorporate under a new name," Morris told him.
     "That might not be too bad, then.  It will be a matter of
trying to put financial statements together for all the missing
years.  Can the Secretary of State's office tell me what's
missing?" Bret asked.
     "Yes, and they can provide copies of the ones they have.
That probably is your best bet - to find out what they have, then
construct the missing reports," Morris said.
     "Is it just easier to go to their office?" Bret asked.
     "Probably not.  They aren't going to have time to research
it while you stand and wait.  It's better to call and find what
you need, then let them research it and let you know what you
need to do."
     "Okay," Bret said.
     "Let me ask you something.  Why didn't you catch this before
now?  I mean, you are a good accountant and put these reports
together for our clients," Morris asked.
     "Jimmy Bob took care of everything.  It was a year after I
became treasurer before I found out what our liabilities were on
the three notes.  I seldom ever wrote a check, just more or less
rubber-stamped what he did.  I've set up an accounting system,
but I'll never know for sure if it's accurate when it comes to
assets and liabilities."
     "I won't say anything because I understand what it must be
like, but you have put yourself at risk, too, if you were a
registered officer of that corporation.  However, from what
you've told me, there probably haven't been any reports filed
listing you as such," Morris told him.
     "Well, I think we need an attorney and you will understand
why when I tell you the rest," Bret said.
     "It surely couldn't get any worse than this?" Morris asked
cautiously.
     "Oh yeah.  It can.  I went to the jail yesterday because we
needed answers as to our corporate status.  Jimmy Bob was moaning
about the fact that no one had come to see him, except your
priest.  He really seemed pleased that he had taken the time to
visit and pray for him.  He gave Jimmy Bob a prayer book, too.
     Morris smiled at the idea of Jimmy Bob trying to read the
Book of Common Prayer and it making any sense to him.
     "I didn't mean to get off the subject.  He asked if we had
found the money and I told him yes.  He didn't even have any idea
as to how much he had.  Then he dropped the bomb by telling me
there was more money hidden at the parsonage.  He said that
nobody else knew about it except him and offered to give it to me
because he wouldn't have any use for it in jail."
     "And.?" Morris asked.
     "You are not going to believe this.  There were five big
coffee cans with money rolled in bundles.  A total of a half-
million dollars!"
     "What?!" Morris about dropped his jaw on the floor.    "My
God, what did you do with it?"
     "I took it home.  It's in the closet in our bedroom.  I know
it belongs in the bank, but I wanted to talk to you and I guess.
an attorney about what I do next."
     "Nobody else knows about this?" Morris was stunned.
     "Beth does now.  I told her about going to the jail to visit
Jimmy Bob, then she saw the sacks.  We opened one can, but I
didn't count any of it.  It appears to all be $50 and $100 bills
in rolled bundles of $10,000 each."
     "You are right.  Your church does need an attorney.  I
suggest that I call Gus Douglas.  He's probably the brightest
attorney here in the city and he's honest.  Let me go call him
and see if he can see you today.  I'll go with you if you want me
to."
     "Thanks Morris.  I just don't have any idea of what to do."
     Bret felt relieved.
     * * * * *
     Dale drove in the ranch driveway just as Jason and Kevin
were arriving at the road.  He stopped so they could visit for a
minute.  The boys were excited, as they had gone to Dallas for
the weekend with their parents.  Chris had gone to a planning
meeting as her class had graduated from Baylor 1977.  The 15th
reunion was still a year and a half away, but the girls from that
school had always planned lavish parties.  This time they were
talking about a 7-day cruise that would include husbands and
children.
     Jason and Kevin had stayed with their grandparents, the
Lovell's who owned a huge road construction company that operated
all over Texas and into the surrounding states.  They hadn't seen
their grandparents for several months and always looked forward
to the neat things they planned and took them to do.  Marty had
divided his time between social activities that Chris and her
friends took part in, seeing some of his old buddies and the
family activities with Jason and Kevin.
     It turned out that the boys had spent quite a bit of time on
Saturday at Fair Park, so Dale told them that he and Craig had
been there the month before.
     They heard the bus coming up the road and around the curve,
so that was the end of their conversation.
     As Dale drove on up the driveway, he realized that the three
men who worked for him were right behind his Blazer.  They parked
their vehicles in the usual spaces.  Dale waited for them to
reach the barn before going inside.  He had empty containers for
milk, cream and eggs to return for refills.
     "Hi guys, how was your weekend?" Dale greeted them.
     "Well, Saturday wasn't so great," Michael said, "because it
was too wet from the night before, but yesterday was okay."
     "I was lazy all weekend," John said.  Actually Nolan spent
the weekend with him and they were too tired to do much of
anything else.
     Pat told Dale, "My parents and I met up in San Antonio on
Saturday afternoon and we stayed overnight.  That was only the
second time I'd been there, so we spent quite a bit of time on
the Riverwalk downtown."
     "I've only been there once.  It is a beautiful town, but we
were on a school trip and they kept us so busy we didn't have
time to see anything except what they wanted us to see," Dale
told them.
     "Bummer," said Pat.
     "Did you fellows have a chance to talk to Al at the
Starlight to see what you have to do about giving notice?" Dale
asked.
     "Yeah, I did," Michael said.  "Even though we pay by the
month to get a 10% discount, he considers us weekly renters, so
only expects that much notice.  He did say that if we could tell
him two weeks ahead of time he could probably have somebody lined
up for our rooms."
     "I think we can do that with no problem.  I didn't get to
talk to Ray on Friday, but I know he's to be here today, so I'll
see if I can extract a date from him.  He said two weeks ago that
he would finish ahead of schedule, which is November 1st, but
remember that it will take a couple of weeks to get furniture and
other things needed for you to live here."
     "That works for me," Michael said.  "Can we arrange the
rooms in any way we want?" he asked.
     "What do you mean?" Dale replied.
     "Well, Pat and I are going to share a room like we do now at
the Starlight.  We wondered if we could put both beds in one side
of the room and use the other side to put a couple of chairs and
TV and other things we have that belong to either Pat or me?"
     "I don't see a problem with that.  As far as I'm concerned
you can arrange it any way you want," Dale told them.
     "And that brings up another point.  We'll have contracts for
you to sign the first of November and there will be some
paperwork to fill out for insurance.  There will be a clause in
the contract that addresses housekeeping for the crew quarters.
Fellows, it has to be kept clean.  No maid service here," Dale
emphasized.
     "Not a problem to me," John said.  "I can mop and dust with
the best of them."
     Michael and Pat agreed.
     "Now, let's get to work.  You can start plowing section 16
this morning.  You can take the equipment through the pastures
without having to go out on the highway.  I'll bring the pickup
to you in about a half hour and one of you can bring me back
here," Dale said.
     "I can do that," John told him."
     "Good.  Let's get your timesheets filled out and on your
way."
     They fixed their cooler and thermos bottles and put them in
the bed of the pickup.  The three tractors left the yard with
John driving in the lead position.
     * * * * *
     Craig went to his office, consulting with Don about some
changes Warren Collins had come up with, then entering the new
dimensions in the computer to update the plans.  He found one
change where the dimensions weren't right and the computer
flagged the error.  Don had some extra time, so Craig questioned
him about properties that might be suitable to remodel for his
family.
     "Have you talked to the people who are looking into buying
the old Beauford mansion over on Buchanan?" Craig asked.
     "I'm glad you asked.  They are trying to make arrangements
to look at it on Wednesday morning, so put that on your calendar
and we'll both go with them," Don said.
     "With Joey living with us now, we've decided that the condo
really isn't large enough for three adult men and we're starting
to talk about another residence.  We might consider an older
property if something suitable happened to become available.
However, it might be easier to design something and build it."
     "You know there was a rumor about a couple of other
properties over on Buchanan becoming available.  The one next to
the Beauford mansion is even larger than it is.  It's more the
size of St. James Rectory," said Don.
     "Yeah, you mentioned that, but we didn't discuss which one,"
Craig said.
     "I've heard that the two just south of the Beauford mansion
could become available.  That would just leave the one north of
the rectory and those people aren't in good health," Don said.
     "That would be great if that whole block was restored.  The
properties across the street are in pretty good shape, but they
are at least 15 years newer than the others.
     "They are in a different development that wasn't divided
into lots until almost 20 years after the ones on the east side
of the street," Don told him.
     "That explains why," Craig said.
     They talked about other properties around Williamsport, but
there was nothing currently on the market that might satisfy the
needs of Craig and his family.
     * * * * *
     Craig went to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd for
Mrs. Ernst's funeral, arriving ahead of the organ prelude.  He
decided that the church probably had a small pipe organ, but
there were no pipes visible anywhere.  The organist played well,
but was no Paul Rathborne.  Craig had never been to a service in
a Lutheran Church before and was surprised at the similarity to
the Episcopal service at St. James.  Vernon Ernst had been right.
There were few people, less than two dozen, at the service.  He
was glad he had made the effort to attend.
     The burial was to be private.  Craig went through the
receiving line after the service.  He greeted Vernon and he
introduced Craig to his sister, who was very distraught.
     She grabbed hold of him and wailed, "Oh my God, you were the
last person to see mother alive."
     Craig tried to disentangle himself from her.  "That's
possible, but we don't know that for sure."
     More wails.  "I loved her so much, I can just never forgive
myself for not going over there to her apartment at least twice a
day," she sobbed.
     Craig was thinking, 'I don't need to be part of her guilt
trip.'
     Vernon helped him extract himself from her, thanking him for
attending the service and told him he would visit with him later
that afternoon.
     * * * * *
     After the funeral, Craig drove to the Bar-W to see Ray Evans
and check his progress with the crew quarters.
     Dale's vehicle wasn't in the driveway, so he thought he was
either out on errands or at another part of the ranch.
     "Hey Craig," Ray greeted him.
     "Ray!" he answered as he walked into the kitchen area.
     "We're going to be finished here by the end of the week.  I
told Marty 'November first' and we're going to make it," Ray told
him.
     "What's left for you to do?" Craig asked.
     "Installation of the air conditioning system and the floor
tile in each room, including part of the basement.  That will
take them about five days, so we'll certainly be finished a week
from today," he said.
     "It's looking good," Craig said.  "I wonder if he's going to
want the same type of building for the cattle and horse crews?"
     "Knowing Marty, he won't skimp on the other buildings.  The
Williamson's take care of their employees and they provide the
best they can to make sure they are treated right."
     "I know that.  You've done a great job in getting this place
finished," Craig said.
     "The weather was with us.  We've had several days of rain,
but it wasn't until after the house was closed in that it
occurred."
     "You have a good crew, Ray.  I've watched them work; they
don't fool around any and they seem to work well together."
     "Keith, Andy and I try to hire good people and pay them well
enough they generally stay on for a long period of time.  We've
grown our company slowly and have been lucky that we've been able
to prove ourselves time and time again with early completion
dates and good workmanship."
     "It shows," Craig said.
     "We're going to have to hire another crew soon.  We've got a
bid out now on a big job and I've been told we only have one
competitor and he's not reliable.  The company contracting the
work knows that and is glad they don't have to go the 'low bid'
route.  So, if you hear of a good foreman that's looking for
work, send him around to see me," Ray said.
     "I'll do that, but I sure don't know of anyone right now."
     "Keep your ear to the ground, maybe you'll hear of someone."
     "Say Ray, we've decided that the condo we live in isn't
large enough for the three of us.  We're starting to consider
something else and are debating about looking for an old, elegant
house to totally refurbish like we did with St. James' Rectory.
The other alternative, of course, is to design something for us
and build from scratch," Craig said.
     "I think you fellows would be much happier with something
that you designed and built, Craig.  The other is time-consuming
and expensive and most of the time you have to compromise so much
that you really don't get what you hoped for.
     "Right now, there is the rumor that the old Beauford house
may become available.  That wouldn't be large enough for the
three of you, but the place next door would be.  However, if
someone buys the Beauford property to restore, that will make the
prices go up on the other places on that block."
     "I know about the Beauford place.  Don and I have an
appointment this week to look at the property with one of his
clients," Craig said.
     "Of the properties on that block, it's the most desirable,
but only because it's been kept up and needs minimum outside
work.  The inside is in pretty good shape, but needs to be
stripped out and new wiring and plumbing put in, as well as
modern air conditioning," Ray told him.
     "I've been doing some thinking about designing a house that
looks like the old turn-of-the-century places with modern
fixtures and amenities, or going completely contemporary.  You
know that you can take a very contemporary design and put old
things in it with great success, too," Craig said.
     "Yes, and there are a number of salvage places around here
where they have rescued old houses that were being taken out for
freeway construction or urban renewal.  You can buy everything
from stained glass to brass fixtures, old plumbing fixtures and
about anything else you can think of," Ray told him.
     "I know that.  Every large city has them from Houston to
Dallas and anywhere else.  You just have to 'shop carefully',"
Craig said.
     "There is a whole treasure trove of stuff that's available,
but you almost have to go every week, especially if they are
tearing out old homes and buildings.  The inventory changes
daily, but they will look for specific things you are wanting,"
Ray added.
     "I'm glad to have your input on this," Craig said.  "It's
always good to have a builders opinion."
     "I'd be glad to bid on anything that you decide you want to
do.  It would be an honor to work on a home for you," Ray said.
     "Thanks, bud.  I really appreciate that, and I know Dale and
Joey do, also," Craig said.
     * * * * *
     As Craig was leaving the Bar-W, Marty was backing his car
out of the garage.  They waved at each other, but Craig didn't
stop to talk.  However, Dale was coming up the driveway in his
Blazer, so he pulled over to let Marty by, and then talked to his
lover.
     "Hey, guy, what's going on?" Dale asked.
     "I've been the funeral for Mrs. Ernst, then came on out
here.  I knew Ray was going to be here this morning and wanted to
talk to him.  He thinks he could be done by Friday and certainly
will finish next Monday, a week from today.  That will put him
two days ahead of time on his estimated completion date."
     "Great.  The guys only have to give a weeks notice at the
Starlight, although Al would rather have two weeks.  If Chris
eats lunch with us today, I'll try to find out how she and
Jeanine are doing on furnishing the place.  We'll certainly have
them moved in by Thanksgiving."
     "There shouldn't be too much to do.  I figure there will be
mini-blinds at the windows, beds in every area, a chest or
dresser and maybe a chair in the bedrooms.  The main room on the
first floor probably should have a table and chairs where they
can eat, play cards or other games, Craig said.
     "Yes, and the weight bench in the barn can go in the
basement," Dale told him.
     "You might talk to Ray, but he said the main things to be
done was installation of the heating/air conditioning unit and
then put down floor tile in all the rooms and part of the
basement," Craig reported.
     I'll drive back and talk to him right now.  I'll see you
about 5:45 when I get home," Dale said, then quietly added, "I
love you, stud."
     "I love you, too.  Don't forget to drive a pickup home so we
can take care of Joey's TV and entertainment center."
     "How could I forget?  He's a good kid, isn't he?" Dale
asked.
     "The best.  I'm lucky, I've got two of you," Craig said as
he started on down the driveway.
     That statement made Dale feel good.  He loved Craig and they
both loved Joey.
     * * * * *
     Dale didn't make it down to the crew quarters right away as
he was working in the office, trying to clear up the mess of
paperwork that seemed to have found its way to his desk.  Most of
it was routine, initialing invoices that Sam and Lee had already
approved, but he needed to sign off on it, too.
     He noticed a vehicle drive past the barn, but wasn't really
paying any attention.  Shortly afterward, the office door opened
and Mort walked in.  He was carrying another sheaf of paperwork
in a file folder.
     "Hi Mort.  Don't tell me you have another 20 pounds of
paperwork to dump on my desk, too?"
     "Naa. only 15 today.  I left the other five a little
earlier," he said, laughing.  "What's the matter, getting tired
of 'rubber stamping' everything around here?"
     "No, but that brings up a question.  I trust Sam and Lee
because I know you guys are doing your job, but are there any
safeguards that invoices aren't being pushed through for goods
that aren't delivered?  I mean, it's not like we have a purchase
order or something to compare everything to," Dale questioned.
     "You have a good and valid point.  I've never had any
problem with either of them or any reason to doubt anything
they've ever told me, but you might question something from time
to time, just to let them know you are on top of things.  I don't
think you have anything to worry about, but that does show them
you are interested in their departments and have an interest in
what they are doing."
     "Good, because I have to trust them and I don't want to
offend them because we all have to work together," Dale told him.
     "Do you have the last set of financial statements that
Morris Johnsmore provided to the Bar-W?"
     "Yes, right here," Dale said, pulling an envelope from the
file drawer.
     "A lot of items are things you can compare the year-to-date
figures against from previous statements.  Morris used to provide
us with a statement that showed several years, along with the
percentage to income figures.  If he isn't still giving you that,
ask for it.  It can sometimes help spot figures that seem too
high or too low.  You can look at the detail to see what caused
it, then ask questions if you feel it's necessary," Mort told
him.
     Dale had the papers Mort had mentioned and laid them out on
the desk.
     Mort went on to explain about seasonal purchases, sales
happening in July of one year and maybe in September the next.
They spent quite a bit of time looking at the financial
statements with Mort explaining some of the finer points to Dale.
     The telephone rang and Dale could see that it was a call
from the main house.
     "Dale Richards," he said as he picked up the phone.
     "Dale, it's Bertha Wood.  Are you going to eat with us
today?"
     "Ohmygosh," came out as one word.  "Mort is here with me and
we're looking at financial statements.  I'm sorry."
     "No problem, Dale.  Why don't you ask Mort to eat with us?"
     "Just a minute."
     "It's Mrs. Wood," Dale told Mort.  Do you want to eat lunch
with us today?"
     "No, I need to meet Margie about ten minutes ago.  Sorry, I
didn't mean to run into your lunch hour."
     "Mort has to meet his wife," Dale explained.  "I'll be there
in about five minutes," Dale told Mrs. Wood.
     "That's okay.  We'll be ready to sit down about the time you
get here," Mrs. Wood said.
     "Mort, thanks for taking the time to explain all of this to
me.  I don't fully understand it, but I think I have a better
idea of where to start looking, now," Dale said.
     "That's okay.  Why don't we make an appointment with Morris
Johnsmore sometime soon?  I'm sure he can tell you what to look
for and give you some pointers about financial statements.  I'm
sorry, but I need to get on my way.  We're still looking at RV's,
but think we are going to take your suggestion and rent several
different ones before we actually buy one.  And, that's not to
say that we might not stick with renting one whenever we want to
travel.  Like you said, we can stay in a lot of first-class
hotels for the cost of ownership of one of those fuel-guzzling
road hogs."
     Dale laughed.  "Tell Margie that I hope you both have a
great time making a decision like this."
     "I'll do so.  You have a great lunch with Mrs. Wood and
whoever else is there.  I'll talk to you later," Mort said.
     Dale walked Mort to the door and started for the kitchen as
Mort drove away.
     * * * * *
     "Sorry, I'm late.  I hope I didn't hold you up," he told
Mrs. Wood and Chris, who was standing in the kitchen.
     "No, we're just ready to sit down," Chris said.
     Dale held the chair for Chris as she sat down.
     "Go ahead and sit, Dale," Mrs. Wood said.  "I'll serve the
plates."
     They had a nice conversation as they ate.  Chris told a
little about their weekend and the planned cruise to Cozumel.
She and Mrs. Wood had questions about their trip to Houston, the
possible sale of the house and estate sale.
     Dale told them about Craig's parents driving down from
Arlington to help go through everything and pack the things Joey
wanted keep, and their weekend in Williamsport.
     "Sounds like you had a very busy five days," Chris said.
     "Yes," Dale said.  "We managed to get in some recreation
time, too.  I took all of them on a horseback ride to the river
where we swim, then across the pastures of the horse operation
and back out below the bluffs at the north end of the ranch.
They were really impressed with my favorite place to go on the
ranch.  It's a wonderful place."
     "Where is that?" Chris questioned.
     Dale told her about the area.  She could tell he was excited
about it.
     They talked about the crew quarters and Chris told him that
Jeanine had done some of the preliminary work toward furnishing
the place, mainly buying things needed in the kitchen; a
microwave and a few small appliances, pots and pans and a table
and chairs for the main lounge room.
     "We need to get measurements and decide about mini-blinds or
shades for all the windows.  Then we need to find out about beds
for the guys.  I understand that there is space for a double bed
in each of the six bedrooms?" she asked.
     "Yes, but Michael and Pat have indicated that they want to
share a room, put the beds in one area and have the other
available to put comfortable chairs and their TV set in," Dale
told her.
     "That's fine.  Maybe I need to talk to the men and find out
what they want.  We won't do this again, but since they are the
first to live there, they might as well have things that are
comfortable to them.  The ones who come after them will have to
be happy with what's already there."
     "You are being more than generous," Dale said.  "Most people
would go to a used furniture store and pick out the cheapest and
not care if it fit the employee's needs," Dale said.
     "We are doing this because we hope the men will stay on
longer and when they do leave for whatever reason, there is a
line of good men waiting to take their place."
     "These men are good - and appreciative, too," Dale agreed.
     "When do Jeanine and I have to have our work completed?"
Chris asked.
     "Ray will be through in another week, maybe even this Friday
or Saturday.  The men need to give at least a weeks notice at the
Starlight, so you tell us when they need to do that."
     "I'll see if Jeanine can go down there with me this
afternoon.  If we're lucky, we can find blinds and curtains to
fit without having to have anything made."
     "That would be great.  If I can help you in any way, please
let me know."
     "Thanks, Dale.  I'll keep you informed about what's going on
and if you think of anything we've forgotten, let me know," Chris
said.
     * * * * *
     Morris was able to secure an appointment for Bret and
himself with Gus Douglas at 1:30 p.m.  He told Gus that Bret
worked for him and was also treasurer of the Victory Temple and
had discovered a serious problem with the finances of the
organization.  That was all the explanation given.
     He and Bret hadn't had lunch together for a couple of years,
mainly because Bret seemed to idolize Jimmy Bob Jones and his
whole world seemed to revolve around whatever the ministers
latest whim was.  He felt sorry for Bret, but it was really none
of his business.
     Then Bret had gotten nasty about things he was doing at his
job, being critical of how the Williamson family spent their
money.  The latest had all started with him taking exception to
Dale being appointed as general manager of the Bar-W Ranch and
then Bret started questioning legitimate expenses and credit card
usage by Dale.  He really came unglued when he saw Craig's name
on a motel reservation in Waco, Texas.  It didn't make any
difference that the Bar-W had sent a number of people to that
horse show.
     So, he invited Bret to lunch with him at the Men's Grill in
the Cattlemen's Hotel that noon, not knowing if he would even
accept.
     Bret did accept and they walked to the hotel about noon for
their meal.  He had never seen Bret as relaxed as he was that
day, although he could tell he was probably anxious about their
meeting with Gus Douglas.
     Morris decided to have a noon drink, something he seldom
indulged in, but when the waiter came to take their drink order,
he asked for a dry Manhattan.  He looked at Bret.
     "Unnn, I seldom have a drink, what do you recommend?" Bret
asked.
     "Bring him a dry Manhattan, also," Morris told the waiter.
     He had barely left their table when Bret told Morris that
his son, Bret Junior, had attended St. James church the day
before.  "He certainly is impressed with your church service and
has been invited to sing in the choir," Bret said proudly.
     "That's a wonderful choir and they are a real asset to
Williamsport.  They have been invited to sing next fall at the
Convention for the Diocese of Dallas.  That's not even our own
diocese."
     Bret, of course, didn't know what he was talking about, but
it sounded important.
     "I'm not going to continue as the treasurer for Victory
Temple, but I want to get this mess worked out and not just quit
in the middle of it because I feel somewhat responsible for not
questioning things, but it wouldn't have done any good, anyway, I
guess," Bret said.
     Morris nodded his head without saying anything.
     "I don't think we will be attending that church anymore,
regardless of whom they find to replace Jimmy Bob.  I was raised
in the Baptist Church and Beth grew up in the Assembly of God
denomination.  Some friends invited us to attend Victory Temple
right after we moved here.  Dr. Phil Arnett was still alive, then
after his death Jimmy Bob was the new leader.  It seemed like he
was gung-ho to wage his war against sin and the church actually
grew for a little bit, then we started losing members, usually
with no explanation as to why they no longer attended."
     "That's a tough decision," Morris said.
     "No, actually it isn't.  I feel like I've been used by him
and have gotten no thanks for it.  He made a lot of messes and
expected others to clean them up for him, not really knowing what
kind of damage control we were doing.  If someone quit attending,
he expected me to call on them, smooth things over and then make
them feel guilty and make a contribution or pay their obligation.
     "I did so, thinking I was helping the church and all the
while he was helping himself to the cash that was coming in.  It
makes me feel as guilty is he is, I guess just by being
associated with him.  Regardless, Beth and I've come to conclude
that Victory Temple isn't where we want to be in the future."
     "Bret, from what you've told me, you have no reason to feel
guilt or wrongdoing on your part.  You have done what so many
others like you have done.  You've followed a charismatic leader.
That person happened to be Jimmy Bob Jones, but there are a lot
of others out there, in every denomination.  They come in, build
up the church, leave for various reasons and those who are left
find out they've been following the leader, not working to build
the church.
     "We could possibly have the same problem at St. James.  Fr.
George has made a big hit here in Williamsport and has made our
parish grow by leaps and bounds since he's been at the church.
However, I think I can safely say that he's not running the
parish all by himself.  He's provided leadership, but the various
boards and committees seem to function without his even attending
all of their meetings.  He chooses to delegate others to take
care of the actually running of the parish.  You'll find him out
making contacts, visiting the sick and infirm, those in need and
those who have a heavy burden.  He has no authority to solicit
money, nor spend it, except for his 'Rector's Discretionary Fund'
which is funded mostly by contributions for his services for
weddings, funerals and special needs.  The vestry regularly puts
money in but I'm pretty sure the account is closer to an
overdraft status all the time, rather than amassing large amounts
of money.  You'll never hear him make a plea from the pulpit for
money, even during our annual Stewardship Drive.
     "Now we don't have an ideal situation, but he's perfectly
content with the way the parish runs and people are certainly
happy with him and his partner, Paul, our organist and
choirmaster.  Everyone in the parish knows they are gay, and will
defend them to a man if someone says something bad about either
of them.  We are looking at what they can do and not worried
about their sexual preferences."
     "Yes, but what the Bible has to say about those sexual
preferences." Bret started to say.
     "Bret, you have to remember that Old Testament Books of the
Bible were written several thousand years ago.  If you read the
first five books of Moses, the Jewish people call them the Torah,
you find five books prescribing ritual slaughter, laws governing
sacrifices, cleansing, marriage, and everything about the daily
lives of those people.  If any minister today suggested we return
to those words and take them literally, they would be laughed out
of town.
     "I don't pretend to be a scholar of the Bible, Episcopalians
are noted for hearing only the lessons read at mass, but we don't
know the true intent of much of what we read today.
Circumstances were much different then.  Human seed needed to be
protected and used for procreation only.  Is it any different
today?  Do we still sacrifice animals at the altar of God?   What
else has changed from the time these books were written - and
were they only written by one person or were things added as the
centuries went by?  We don't know, but anything can be taken out
of context and made to seem a complete statement and have a
meaning totally different than what it is extracted from.  Then
there is the problem of the original language being translated
into others.  They've found mistakes in meanings that changed the
whole subject."
     Bret started to say something.  "I. err."
     Morris waved his hand.
     "Bret, this is the reason we have at least 30 different
churches in Williamsport.  The Presbyterians don't quite
interpret the Bible the same as the Methodists, or the Roman
Catholics, or the Episcopalians, or the Baptists.  Hopefully, we
are all trying to get to the same place when we leave this life,
but one denomination is not better than the next.  It's where our
comfort level is and what appeals to us.  Victory Temple appealed
to you at one point in your life.  Now it doesn't.  Find a place
and visit it, visit others, ask questions.  No one will criticize
you for doing that - except maybe the people at Victory Temple."
     They both laughed.
     "I really don't care what they think.  I feel like that
church has extracted a very heavy penalty from my family.  It's
hurt our family life.  It's affected two of my sons, both of
which knew about Jimmy Bob's dalliances.  Bret Junior was a
victim and Paul knew about what was happening to a friend of his,
but both felt they were powerless to do anything about it.  This
is because of two reasons; the first was that Jimmy Bob told them
they would go to hell if they told.  In the case of Paul's
friend, he told his parents but they didn't believe him.
However, they did stop attending Victory Temple.
     Morris was listening carefully.  He, of course, knew that
Bret Junior had been a victim.
     "You know, I think we should suggest to Gus Douglas that
some of the money be put into a fund to provide counseling to all
those Jimmy Bob has wronged and their families, too."
     "Can we do that?" Bret asked.  He hadn't thought about that.
     "I don't know what we can or can't do, but this is the
reason we're going to see him and see what he has to say about
this whole thing.
     Bret cautiously asked, "If my family was to visit your
church, would we be welcome. and what should be expect?"
     "Of course, you would be welcome.  The service is
considerably different than what you are used to at your church.
No offense intended, but our service is very dignified and there
is a lot of ritual and ceremony.  The core of the service, or
mass as we call it, is somewhat the same each Sunday of the year,
but we recognize the liturgical year and each special day has
it's place in the church calendar with the whole scheme of
scriptures and Gospel lessons read during the year.
     "The service can be very daunting to someone who has not
experienced it before.  I'm sure you will be in awe of the music
and ceremony, but that's only a small part of it.  My wife and I
would be happy to give you a little preparation ahead of time,
but it really is better if you go to observe and take part if it
suits you, then ask questions later.  The next Sunday you attend,
it will make more sense.  There is a new 'Inquirers class' that
is just starting and that should answer a lot of questions."
     "Right, my son went to something called Evening Prayer and
then there was a class afterward.  He said it answered a lot of
questions he had, but that he would be going back as the class
lasted several weeks."
     "Sounds like your son has already found a new church home,"
Morris said.
     "He's been invited to join the choir and he loves to sing,
so maybe this will be an opportunity for him to feel that he's
part of something he chooses to do instead of being forced as
we've been doing.  I'm sorry to say this, but we've had some real
'knock-down drag-outs' over him attending Sunday School and
church with us."
     Morris wisely kept quiet.
     "I feel like a jerk.  We, at least me, thought we were
guiding him in the right direction, only to realize that we were
heaping more pain on him - on top of what he had already
experienced."
     "Don't beat yourself up over this.  It isn't something that
you are alone in experiencing.  I'm not saying that some damage
hasn't been done, but let him find his own way.  You've shown him
the way, he knows the difference now, let him do what he wants
regardless of you and your wife and the rest of your family do as
far as attending a church."
     "Thanks, Morris.  I really appreciate you taking the time to
help me.  I didn't realize that I'd gotten screwed up and was
doing the same thing to my family.  If Bret wants to become part
of St. James, that's fine with his mother and me.  I think we'd
like to come see what he's excited about."
     "Why don't we talk about this later in the week and you can
sit with my wife and me if you want to go with us next Sunday.
I'm not promising that we can answer all the questions you might
have, but certainly Fr. George can."
     "Thanks.  We'll probably take you up on your offer."
     To Bret, this opportunity to have lunch and a frank
discussion with Morris was the best thing that had happened to
him in years.  He hoped he could remember the entire conversation
to relate to Beth.
     * * * * *
     Dale enjoyed a romp with Brandy and Ginger, Jason and
Kevin's collie dogs.  The pups were now almost four months old
and although they hadn't yet attained their full size, were very
much adult dogs in their personalities.  The dogs were being
trained well as they obeyed any commands to sit, heel, shake and
roll over.  Dale figured that Marty and Chris probably had helped
with that, although Jason and Kevin were diligent when it came to
any duties that needed to be done.
     Leaving the dogs in the confines of their fenced yard, Dale
walked down to the new house that was being build for his crew.
Ray and two of his men were measuring and snapping chalk lines
for laying floor tile in each room.
     "Hi Ray," Dale said in greeting his friend.
     "Hello Dale.  Be with you in just a minute, trying to see
why the rooms are not square.  Must be the faulty plans that
architect gave me," he said, laughing.
     "Don't tell him that," Dale laughed.
     About that time, all three men stood up.  "This is Migel and
Rafael," Ray said, introducing his men.  "This is Dale.  He's the
General Manager of the Bar-W Ranch."
     They shook hands.
     "This is looking good.  I can see you are getting close to
completion," Dale told them.
     "If everything goes as planned, we should be finished by
Friday.  We've got about 2,300 square feet of floor tile to lay
on the three floors and Migel and Rafael are fast workers.  The
fellow from Climatic Systems has promised he will be here
tomorrow afternoon to set the air conditioning equipment in place
and hook it up.  Then there is baseboard to cut and nail in place
after the floor tile is down," Ray said.
     "It looks like somebody hit the wall," Dale said, fingering
a dent in the sheetrock where someone had hit it.
     "I'll go through tomorrow and fix places like that, then
sand them and cover them with some paint on Wednesday," he said.
     While they were talking, a delivery truck came up the
driveway.
     "Here's our floor tile and mastic right now," Ray said,
walking toward the door.  "Come on guys, you can help unload
this."
     Migel and Rafael followed him outside.  Two men from 'Floors
and More' hopped out of the cab and rolled up the rear door of
the delivery van.
     Ray and Dale stood to watch, Ray telling the men to stack
the boxes along the wall of the common room.  He was watching the
numbers on the boxes to make sure all boxes of each pattern were
of the same lot number.
     "I don't know for sure how much English Migel and Rafael
understand, but the rest of us assume it's more than they let
on," Ray said quietly.
     "If they do good work, does it make any difference?" Dale
questioned.
     "No, not in that sense, but I'd be glad to give them more
responsible jobs if they could, but they seem happy doing what
they are doing."
     "Why don't you find someone who is fluent in both languages
and have them talk to the men for you.  Maybe they need some
lessons and are afraid to ask for help?" Dale asked.
     "You might be right there.  I never thought about them being
embarrassed.  These guys can do about anything if you show them
what you want, but it's sure hard to communicate with them," Ray
told him.
     "Just a suggestion.  Lee Baker had the same problem last
year with a couple of new men he hired.  They were great with the
horses, but they talked mainly through sign language for the
first two months until he got them enrolled in a free "English as
a Second Language" course at the Junior College.  Come to find
out they understood most of what he was telling them, but they
were afraid to talk back because they weren't sure how to
pronounce words and thought he would make fun of them.  After
they got over that barrier, they speak as well as those of us who
grew up with it," Dale said.
     "Do you speak Spanish?" Ray asked.
     No comprehendo," Dale laughed, and then added.  "I guess I
should take a course, because I know that someday I'm going to
end up having to do so."
     "I should make the same effort," Ray said.
     "Hey, bud, I've got to get back to my office and get
invoices approved and to the accountant so they can be paid.
I'll relay the message to Chris and Jeanine that they can expect
you to be out of here by Monday afternoon, although Chris
mentioned coming down this afternoon to take some measurements
for blinds and curtains.
     "Yeah, I know we'll be done on Friday, but need to get tools
out and trash hauled away, so everything will be out of here on
Monday."
     "Great.  You've done a fantastic job and I know Marty is
pleased with your workmanship and the fact you are ahead of
schedule."
     "Thanks.  You guys are great to work with and don't tell him
that, but Craig is a great guy, too.  I just don't want him to
get a swelled head," Ray laughed.
     "By the way, he and I talked a little bit this morning about
a new place for you fellows to live.  I honestly think you would
be happier designing and building what you want rather than
trying to find an old house and restore it," Ray told Dale.
     "I think we've pretty much come to that conclusion.  I don't
think there is any existing property available with the character
we'd want.
     "Well, it's a big challenge to remodel an old place and
still make it look original.  Not that it can't be done, but
Craig knows that."
     "I appreciate your advice and I'll pass the word on," Dale
said.
     "He knows that.  I'd be honored to work on any project that
you guys would come up with, though," Ray said.
     "Thanks, Ray.  We appreciate that," Dale said, shaking hands
and turning to go back to his office.
     * * * * *
     By the time they finished lunch, it was time to walk over to
Gus Douglas's office.  Bret had financial statements in his
briefcase, so they stopped at the office to get them and walked
on to their appointment with Gus.
     His office was in the Williamsport Tower, a part of the
Williamson's Properties.  Bret had never been in the building
before, but knew it was in the "high rent" district.  The decor
of the lobby reflected money.  They rode to the 7th floor in
silence and stepped into a lobby that spoke of elegance and
money.
     "Why aren't our offices over here?" Bret asked as a joke.
     "Because you and I chose to be bean counters rather than rip-
off artists," Morris enjoyed telling him.  They both laughed
about that.
     They entered the outer office and introduced themselves to
the receptionist.
     "Yes, Mr. Douglas is expecting you.  Right this way," she
said, indicating they were to follow her down the hall.
     Bret had seen Gus Douglas before, but hadn't connected the
name with the face.  He was surprised at his gregarious manner,
greeting him like an old friend, along with the same for Morris.
     "Morris told me only a little bit about what you wanted to
talk to me about.  I think I'll let you start at the beginning
and I'll interrupt as necessary to clarify something or for
additional information, if that's okay with you," he told Bret.
     "That's fine," Bret said, launching into his story.
     When he got to the part about Marcus Streeter saying that he
wouldn't represent Jimmy Bob Jones, Gus interrupted.  "You're not
asking me to represent him, are you?"
     "No, what I want your advice on is something entirely
different, but connected with Victory Temple and their corporate
status.  I can skip ahead, but thought you might want some
background," Bret told him.
     "No, that's fine.  This is an interesting story," he smiled.
     Bret went through the part where the money was discovered in
Jimmy Bob's office and home.
     "Did you deposit this cash?" came the question.
     Bret answered in the affirmative.  He hesitated before going
on with the story, as if he was gathering his strength.
     "Go on, I didn't mean to interrupt you."
     "You didn't.  I was just trying to decide what I needed to
tell you next."
     He resumed with the story about their corporation status.
Gus questioned him a little, but told him the same thing Morris
had, that he needed to check with the Secretary of State's office
to see what they had, obtain copies, and then file the missing
returns.
     Bret went on with his story.  He was watching for Gus'
reaction to the part about the money in the coffee cans.  It was
as expected.
     "Geez. you mean with all the problems the church was having
financially, he was the cause of it - ripping you off?"
     "Yes."  Bret told him a little about Jimmy Bob trying to get
him to put a second mortgage on his home to cover them at the
bank.
     "You didn't, did you?" Gus asked carefully.
     "No, thank God.  I didn't, although I had made an
application that had been approved.  I just hadn't followed
through."
     "Where are the coffee cans now?" Gus asked.
     "Hidden in the back of one of the closets at my house," Bret
said.
     "Let's put this money in a special account so it doesn't
become part of the present bank accounts.  I don't think there
should be any problem.  The I.R.S. will probably look into this,
but that shouldn't have any effect on this as it's money that's
been recovered.  They may throw the book at Jimmy Bob, but it
won't do them any good as it doesn't appear that he has any
assets unless he has some other money hidden away."
     "Morris said something about putting some of this money
aside to provide counseling for the boys that have been victims,
along with their families," Bret said.
     "You don't want to get into that.  Too many people are going
to want to present claims for some of the money then and you'll
spend all of it trying to substantiate claims and the people it's
intended to help will never see a dime.
     "I think we can keep this quiet, at least for the present
time, but you're going to have church members who talk to others
and the story will get around town pretty quickly.  My advice
right now, is to use this money to pay off everything that is
owed on the property and buildings, but let me do a little
research on that first," Gus told them.
     Morris spoke up.  "I'll call a friend over at the Central
Texas Bank and explain that we have a large amount of cash to
deposit and request they set aside a room with a bank officer
present to help us accomplish this today."
     "Beth will thank you for getting the money out of our
house," Bret said.
     Gus stood to indicate their meeting was over.
     "Thank you for seeing us today," Bret said, offering his
left hand to shake.
     "I'm glad to be of help.  Let me see if I can get you better
advice about paying off the liabilities of the church and helping
you file the missing corporate reports," Gus said, shaking both
their hands.
     * * * * *
     Dale's cell phone rang about 4:30.  It was Joey, advising
him that he was at Daniel Pearson's house at 4003 Maple.  He
wanted Dale to pick him up there on his way home.  Dale agreed
and told him he would be there about 5:45.
     Dale called Craig at his office to tell him that he would
pick Joey up at a friend's home on his way home.
     "How was his first day of school?" Craig asked with a little
concern in his voice.
     "We didn't talk about that, but he's made at least one new
friend, and it's a name that I don't know so I'd say he's doing
okay.
     "Great.  I'll be home about 5:30 or so and I'll stop at the
grocery to get some things for dinner, unless you'd rather eat
out," Craig said.
     "Don't forget that we told Joey we'd move the big TV, then
look for an entertainment center cabinet for him," Dale said.
     "I know.  Why don't we eat at home?  That way we can work on
putting that cabinet together, if we need to and get it put in
place.  I'll have something simple to prepare, like baked chicken
or pork chops or something that's easy to fix and a salad and
vegetable to go with it," Craig said.
     "As long as it's you that's cooking," Dale teased.
     "You're right, maybe we should eat out," Craig giggled.
     "I'm sure you'll do fine, dear.  Joey and I are very
appreciative of your kitchen skills."
     Craig sensed that Dale was giving him a bad time,
nevertheless, he'd see to it that they had a good dinner that
evening, even if he had to call Tricia at LeGourmet and have the
meal catered in.
     * * * * *
     Craig had just let Mitsy out and followed her down the
stairs when Dale and Joey drove up in the Bar-W pickup.  Mitsy
wasted no time greeting Joey and demanding that he rub her chest
and stomach.
     * * * * *
     After they were back home from shopping, Joey took Mitsy
outside while Dale and Craig took the box with the entertainment
center to Joey's bedroom.  Everything was included in the Busch
package and all they needed for assembly was a screwdriver and a
pair of pliers.
     With the three of them working together assembly didn't take
fifteen minutes and they were ready to place the unit in the
corner of Joey's room and start loading the TV, CD player, VHS,
tape deck and tuner, plugging the cables for all the components
into the appropriate places.
     Craig went to the kitchen to take care of finishing their
evening meal while Joey checked out the various remotes and
hooked up the cable for the TV.  Although they seldom watched TV,
Craig had subscribed to HBO, Showtime and Cinamax so those were
available without a 'black box' being used.
     Dale and Joey went to the living room and hooked that TV and
VCR up to the cable and soon had those units working properly.
     When they went to the kitchen to report, Craig thanked them
and suggested that Dale fix them a drink.  Joey was looking at
the mail Craig brought in earlier.  There was a note from his
friend, Jeremy Young, in Houston.  Joey was surprised to hear
from him as he figured two or three of the others might try to
keep in touch, but not Jeremy.
     He had scrawled, "If you want me to come visit next summer,
I think it would be awesome to see the ranch you talked about."
He had simply signed it, 'Jeremy".
     Dale came to the kitchen with the drinks but had to add ice
to each.  As he gave Joey his Ginger Ale, he said, "Anything
interesting in the mail?"
     "Yeah, here's something addressed to both of you.  Looks
like it's from Tom and Eddie."
     "Open it," Craig said.
     "They're having a Halloween party on Saturday night and all
three of us are invited," Dale said as he read the invitation.
     "Cool!" Joey replied.
     "This says 'costumes mandatory'," Dale was still reading.
"Cocktails at 6:30, Buffet at 7:30."
     "That should be fun," Craig said.
     "Costumes.  That's really awesome," Joey said.
     "Guess we can come up with something," Craig said.  "I might
go as 'Father Time' or something like that."
     "What about some of the Star Trek characters?" Dale asked.
     "I know!" Joey said.  They both could tell he was excited.
Craig looked at him with a question in his eyes.
     "You're gonna love this idea," Joey said.
     Craig wasn't so sure, even though he hadn't heard it.  He
just knew.
     "Dad Craig can go as Cinderella, you can go as Prince
Charming and I'll be the Fairy Godmother," Joey said, obviously
pleased with himself.
     "Joey!" Craig said.  "What on earth made you think of
something like that?"
     "Dale was laughing, after all his character required no
costume (he thought) and he could go as himself.
     "Why not?" Joey said.  "Halloween is all about spirits and
spooks and the improbable and that would be great for us to do as
a family."
     Dale was all for it.  Craig wasn't so sure he wanted to be
Cinderella.
     They talked about it while eating their dinner and Craig
finally gave in.  Secretly he thought it would be fun, but
wondered whatever possessed Joey to come up with this idea.  Dale
didn't get off the hook so easily, either.  His costume was to be
tights, a ruffled-front shirt and vest with a crown.
     Joey thought that Craig should be a "modern Cinderella" with
a mini skirt, see-through blouse with plastic tits showing under
the blouse, but Craig nixed that idea thinking he could probably
find a formal at the thrift shop that would fit.
     For his own costume, he was going to dress like a genie in
tights, fitted shirt, a hat of some kind and carry a pouch that
said "Fairy Dust" on it.
     Dale thought this was the best thing he'd heard in a long
time.  Craig did, too, but wondered about Joey's idea.  Oh well,
Halloween was supposed to be fun.  They agreed to start looking
for their costumes the next evening.  In the meantime, Dale
called Tom and Eddie to accept their invitation and see if they
could help by providing anything.
     "Hi Dale," Tom said.  "No just bring yourselves.  This
really is a mixed party as there will be both gay and 'gay-
friendly' straight people and there will be a few high school
students as well as adults.  It's a great group of people and I'm
glad you will be joining us.  Our party has become somewhat of a
tradition here in Williamsport."
     "Well, it sounds like fun and we're going to start looking
for our costumes tomorrow," Dale told him.  Craig was standing in
the kitchen rolling his eyes.  Joey was excited about being
invited to a costume party.  And this one sounded like an adult
party.
     * * * * *
     As they were putting things away in the kitchen and loading
the dishwasher, talk turned to the purchase of a computer system.
     "This Computer Lab seems to be a required course," Joey
said.  "But, I'm not sure Kent Korte knows much more than those
of us in the class.  His big thing is this bulletin board that he
has on his computer at his house.  Everyone in the class is
supposed to call and register everyday and he can tell who has
made access and when."
     "What's the purpose of the class?" Craig asked.
     "To make us computer literate.  We're supposed to learn how
to write some simple programs in Basic computer language, but
that's already outdated.  There are newer programs that are much
more powerful and can do a lot more than Basic, which is pretty
limited."
     "What are those programs?" Craig questioned.
     "dBase and FoxBASE," are two of them and they use identical
file structures.  I asked him about those two programs and he
acted like he didn't know what I was talking about," Joey told
them.  He's teaching a little about Lotus and WordStar and the
teachers allow us to hand in reports that have been printed by a
computer.
     "He doesn't make any real effort to teach anything.  It's
kind of like a 'learn it yourself' class.  Daniel and Hal said
that if you act interested, he'll answer questions, but otherwise
he leaves you alone.  Hal said that he didn't think anyone had
ever gotten an 'A' but that he hadn't failed anyone, either.
I've worked hard to maintain my status as an honor student and
hate to see that end just because a teacher isn't doing his job."
     Dale agreed, loudly.  "There are too many teachers like
this.  Paul Dennison is another one.  He's impressed with himself
and the only thing the kids are learning is a bad image of boot
camp!"
     "Let me make a few phone calls tomorrow," Craig said.
"Maybe we can beat him at his own game, whatever it is."
     "That would be great," Joey said.  "I don't like to complain
or sound whiney, but I think if you talk to some of the others in
that class who are really trying, they'll back me up."
     "We don't doubt but what you are right," Dale said.  "I
think Craig agrees with me that we can find someone to help the
bunch of you and Kent Korte will wonder what has hit him."
     "What are you going to do?" Craig asked, knowing Dale had an
Ace up his sleeve.
     "We can maybe interest the people at Electronic Home or
another computer store to offer a 'free' computer course.  It
shouldn't be too hard to get someone from the Junior College or
even from Austin to teach what's needed.  After all, the more
users they get, the more computers they are likely to sell,
right?" Dale said.
     "That's brilliant.  I knew there was a reason I married
you," Craig said, kissing Dale on the lips.
     Joey walked up and gave them a hug.  "Thanks Dads, I really
appreciate you helping me out on this."
     "It's not a matter of 'helping out', Joey, it's for your
survival.  After all Kent Korte isn't smart enough to realize
that as an honor student, you getting a bad grade in his class is
a flag that he's not a good teacher.  The other, more serious
problem is that you shouldn't have any problem in getting
scholarship offers for whatever you want to do.  This is a more
personal matter as far as you are concerned," Dale told them.
     "And if I have to learn to program in Basic, you can be
assured that I'll do anything I can to help our son," Craig said,
giving Joey a hug and a kiss on his cheek.
     "Gee, thanks Mom," Joey said, beaming a 1000-watt smile.
     "Young man, you are pushing it." Craig teased.
     "Just don't say anything to the other kids until we've had a
chance to see what we can do to help all of you, okay?" Dale
asked.
     "Okay!" Joey said with enthusiasm.
     "I have some reading and need to review the Algebra chapters
they've already covered here.  Mr. Shanklin wants me to take a
test that covers some problems from each chapter to make sure I'm
up with the rest of the class."
     "Mark Shanklin?" Dale questioned.
     "Oh yeah, I forgot, he said he'd had you for a student and
that you were good in all his classes."
     "He was a good teacher.  Instead of lecturing, he got right
in and worked with us.  The last year I was in school they had
him teaching only Advanced Placement classes.  Is he still doing
that?" Dale questioned.
     "Hal said this was the only class he taught that wasn't an
A/P class.  But, I have to agree; he makes you want to learn.
Not like Kent Korte," Joey said.
     "You'll do well with Mark Shanklin.  He's good and realizes
that if you don't do well, it's a direct reflection of his
ability to teach," Dale said.
     "I'm going to go look at my Algebra.  That's the only thing
that I have for tomorrow.  The rest of the classes, the
instructors just suggested that I review what they had already
done."
     As Joey left for his room, Craig said, "Smart kid.  That
really frosts me that people are paid to teach students and then
sit on their duff and don't do anything.  He can't give anyone an
A because he didn't teach them anything to earn an A.  By the
same token he can't fail anyone because none are doing more or
less than average work."
     "We'll find a solution.  We'll get most of those kids up to
a level that he's going to wonder why his face is full of dust."
     "Are you going to run for PTA president?" Craig asked.
     "You know, that might not be a bad idea," Dale said, turning
out the kitchen light as they left to go to their bedroom.
     * * * * *
     They used the bathroom and brushed their teeth, then washed
their faces.  Their love for each other turned physical even
before they were in bed.  It started by playing their version of
stripping each other's clothing off and laving the exposed skin
with their tongues and sensuously rubbing the other to full
arousal.
     There was a trail of clothing from the bathroom to the bed
and it seemed they were trying to devour each other with kisses
and a tongue duel.  Dale lay back on the pillows, pulling Craig
on top of him.  This was one of Craig's favorite positions as it
allowed him full frontal contact with his hairy lover.  He loved
the feeling of the silky hair rubbing his own bare chest.  Soon
they were both leaking precum, making their groins slick and they
ground their cocks against the other.
     Soon Dale was attacking Craig's ears, putting his mouth
completely around one and inserting his tongue while brushing the
other with his fingers.  Then he traded ears.  Craig loved it.
He thought (at the moment, anyway) that his ears had to be his
most sensitive erogenous zone.  Then Dale's tongue moved to his
throat with fingers in both ears.  He tried to do the same to
Dale, but even though he was on the bottom, Dale was in the
drivers seat tonight.
     He managed to roll them over so he was on top, and then
started massaging Craig's nipples and pecs.  Back to kissing him
on the mouth.  He loved this guy and wanted to be inside him, to
make them as one, to feel Craig grip his cock with his sphincter
muscle.  He wanted to paint the inside of Craig's bowels with
slick, white-hot cum.
     Their foreplay was long and was making each hornier by the
minute.  Finally, Dale slipped down and capped Craig's cock with
his mouth, swallowing him to the balls in one thrust.  Craig
almost lost it and could feel a big dollop of precum make its way
out of his slit.  Dale, of course, was trying for this reward.
Craig tasted so clean and he relished the fact he could make his
lover give up this ambrosia that was only for him.
     He worked on around to his balls, laving them, then to his
perineum, shoving his tongue in the crack and at the hole that
seemed to open like magic.  This boy was going to be ready for
the main event very quickly.  Dale worked a pillow under Craig's
lower back, and then went back to work on his rosebud.  Between
the precum they were both producing and some saliva, Dale quickly
worked first one, then two and three fingers into the tunnel.
Craig was thrashing around on the bed, starting to make his
"Craig noises" that Dale loved to hear.
     "Fuck me!" he heard Craig whimper.
     "What do you want?" Dale teased.
     "Fuck me.  Fuck me now!" was Craig's insistent chant.  "Put
your cock in me!!"
     Dale was only too happy to oblige his lover.  Putting his
legs on his shoulders, he moved into position, shucking back his
foreskin and using lube they had both produced to make himself
slick, then adding saliva, he was ready.  This was better than KY
or some of the other lubes because it was natural and lasted
longer.
     Dale pushed his cock snout against Craig's sphincter and
gently started to ease it in, but that wasn't what Craig wanted.
He bucked up against Dale and in two thrusts he was buried to the
balls in his lover's hot hole.  His greedy mouth found Dale's and
they started kissing as each thrust against the other.
     To each of them, sex just kept getting better and better.
Craig was working his sphincter muscle as if he were trying to
milk the cum out of Dale and since it was getting slicker; he
must be producing more precum, something that usually stopped
when he got really hard.
     They brought each other to the brink three times, slowing
down to prolong the exquisite feeling, but the fourth time they
sensed this was it and brought each other to a roaring climax
that seemed to be accompanied by thunder and lightning.  The only
storm was in their groins.
     It took quite a while for them to return to a normal
breathing pattern and finally as Craig tried to give Dale one
last thrust, his cock had softened to the point it was expelled.
     The next thing either of them knew, it was morning, although
they had moved apart and were facing each other when Dale woke
up.
     * * * * *
     Joey thought about the day.  He knew he could count on his
two Dads to help him with his school problems.  Both men were
resourceful and would find a way to quietly solve the problem
without it becoming an issue.  Kent Korte and Coach Paul Dennison
were jerks, both dangerous to themselves without realizing it.
     He was thankful for his new friends at school.  Williamsport
was going to be a good place to live and he knew it would soon
seem like he had always lived here.  He liked Hal, Daniel, Bret,
Barry and even Bryce, although Joey thought he was a little too
cocky for his own good.  He had a good feeling that these were
guys he could count on for their support of each other.
     And, he was excited about the Halloween party at Tom and
Eddie's house.  This would be his first "adult" party.
     Joey was horny tonight, too.  He couldn't think of any
particular thing that had made him that way, but his cock was
demanding attention as he wondered what Dale and Craig were
doing.  He'd like to know more about "making love" as opposed to
"just fucking" or jerking himself off.  Certainly the movies he'd
seen it didn't seem like any of them, men and men or men and
women were "making love".
     He used his sock for a while, but decided that felt too
rough.  He was producing some precum, so used that along with
some saliva to make himself slick.  When he was ready to cum, he
decided to let it spill out on his chest and abdomen.  He'd had
better feeling masturbation sessions before, but this one made
him feel relaxed.  He licked his fingers clean, then used his
sock to wipe up the cum on his chest and front.  He cleaned his
cock with the other sock.
     The next thing Joey heard was the ring of the alarm on
Tuesday morning.
     * * * * *
     (to be continued)
     AUTHOR'S NOTE:  Thanks for the great response to Chapter 43
and Joey's first day at a new school.  Many of you wrote of your
own experiences in high school and thought you had the same
teachers as I described.  I enjoy hearing from each of you and
have tried to answer all emails, but know I've missed some in the
process.  I would appreciate your comments and you can email me
at TulsaDriller7@aol.com.  If you want to be added to the
notification list, write me there, too.
     Again, special thanks to Paul Daventon for his help in
catching the obvious errors.