Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:38:46 -0500
From: David Dillon <tulsaauthor@hotmail.com>
Subject: Tales from the Ranch, Book 2, Chapter 6

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 2006 by Tulsa Driller.  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
society.

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 to read the last chapter of this story.

Tales from the Ranch
Book II, Chapter 6
A Christmas to Remember
     It was Saturday, December 15th, a week before Christmas and
the shoppers were out in full force.  Joey was glad he'd
completed his shopping a few days earlier.  He hoped that
everyone would like the gifts he had purchased for them.  As this
was the first time he'd purchased gifts for more than one family
member, it was a different experience to figure out what his new
relatives might like.  But, he had discussed some of his shopping
with Dale and Craig, as well as having gotten some help from
Frank and Doris.
     Saber Computers was full of customers and many times all six
of the demo computers were in use by the salesmen as they were
working with people.
     Marty and Chris decided to buy a computer for Jason and
Kevin to share.  Jason was receiving some computer instruction in
a class at school and several teachers in middle school were
encouraging students to submit book reports and other papers
prepared with a word processor.  Other teachers took issue with
the fact that it didn't promote students learning how to spell
and also to write with legible handwriting.  Computers were
starting to change the world, starting at the very bottom and
bubbling toward the surface.
     This morning Joey was working with a customer and his son,
giving them a demo of a Lotus spreadsheet and how the WordStar
program worked.  Daniel Pearson asked Marty if he could help him
and was told that he would look around while he waited for Joey
to help him.  Later Forrest approached him and was told the same
thing.  One of the other salesmen, Phil Stephens, spotted Marty
and asked the other two, "Do you know who that blond guy is?"
Both Daniel and Forrest did.  "He's the richest man in
Williamsport," he told them.
     Daniel said, "Sure, he's Dale's boss.  Everyone knows
Marty."
     "Wow, I can't believe that he's in this store.  He's got so
much money that he doesn't have to come to a discount store."
     Daniel couldn't believe what he was hearing.  "That's
probably why he's the richest man in Williamsport.  He doesn't
flaunt his money and he's interested in a good deal, just like
everyone who shops here."  He was annoyed with Phil, as he seemed
to be overly impressed with everything that happened in the
store.  He was kind of nerdy, but sometimes he was too loud.
     About that time Joey finished with his customers and handed
them their merchandise claim form to take to the cash register.
He turned around and greeted Marty, who had walked to the area.
Joey flashed his full smile, held out his hand and said, "Hi
Marty.  It's good to see you."
     Phil whispered to Daniel and Forrest.  "He called him Marty
instead of Mr. Williamson."
     "Well, duh," said Daniel.  "It's not like they don't already
know each other."
     Joey questioned Marty, getting a feel as to what he wanted
to buy in the way of a computer.  He knew that he would want
software to help the boys in school as well as games they could
play for entertainment.
     "What about Internet access?" Marty asked.
     "All we need to do is add a modem card that plugs into one
of the slots on the motherboard and you'll need to have a phone
line available to plug it into," Joey answered.  "You might want
to get a separate phone line so they don't tie up your house line
while they are on the computer."
     "Good idea " Marty said.  The line is already available, we
just need to have Southwestern Bell activate it and connect it to
the phone jack in their room.  The boys are at the age they
should have their own phone anyway."
     "After I tied up the line at our house for a couple of hours
one evening, my Dads had another line installed immediately,"
Joey laughed.
     They quickly decided how the computer should be configured
and what software packages were needed.  Joey wrote up the sales
order, and then excused himself for a minute to see when the
service department could have the computer ready to pick up.  He
checked with Earl Downey, who ran the department, then took the
order to Frank.
     "Grandpa, Marty Williamson is buying a computer for Jason
and Kevin.  Do we want to give him an extra discount?"
     Frank quickly answered, "Of course.  Give him 10%," he said,
taking the ticket, writing the figure and initialing it.
     "Thanks," Joey said as he took off for the area where Marty
was waiting.
     "The Service Department can have the computer ready on
Wednesday and all of the software will be loaded," Joey reported.
     Great, I'll pick it up sometime around 5 o'clock, if that's
okay," Marty told him.
     "Sure, I'll even have the processor unit and monitor gift
wrapped.  Sorry, but they don't wrap the other things like the
keyboard, mouse and software."
     "That's no problem," Marty said. "It will give me something
to do in my spare time," he teased Joey.
     As they walked to the cashiers' desk, Marty asked, "How's
business going?  Looks like you are busy today."
     "My Dads' told me that sales were way above projection and
they are going to start up the mail order business in February.
Leland thinks that will more than make up for the drop in sales
after the holidays are over."
     Marty, of course, already knew that.  Leland kept him up-to-
date on Saber Computers each day and both were delighted with the
sales volume.
     "Thanks Marty," Joey told him.  "I took the ticket to
Grandpa and got you an extra 10% discount."
     Marty offered his hand.  "I appreciate that, Joey.  You have
a good store here and I'm glad it's starting out to be so
successful."
     "See ya at church tomorrow morning," Joey said as they
parted.
     When Joey returned to his usual work area, he was surprised
to see Ranger Kyle MacGregor there, along with another fellow who
looked familiar.  Joey presumed he was the roommate Kyle had
mentioned the day he and Craig went on the tour of the Longhorn
Caverns, north of Williamsport.
     "These men are waiting for you to help them," Daniel said,
motioning with his hand.
     "Ranger MacGregor." Joey started to say, offering his hand
to shake.
     He was rewarded with a big smile.  It's just Kyle when I'm
not wearing my uniform.  He shook Joey's hand.  "This is my
roommate, Cory Walford," he said as an introduction.
     "Joey Sullivan.  You teach in the Vocational Ed Department
at Davy Crockett, don't you?"
     Cory shook his hand.  "Yes, I teach Metal Working and I've
seen you in the hallways from time to time, too."
     "Cool," was Joey's reply.  "I'd like to take that course
sometime.  I've seen some nice pieces some of your students have
made.  Some of them won honors at a convention, didn't they?"
     "Yes, they did.  Two students won first prizes at the last
one."  Cory was pleased that Joey was aware of his department;
most kids looked down their noses at Vo-Tech students.
     "That's good."  Joey was glad to see the men.  "What can I
show you about computers?"
     "Well, I'm pretty much in the dark about how to use one and
what they can do.  Cory is a lot smarter than me," Kyle laughed.
     "You're the first person he's ever admitted that to," Cory
grinned, punching Kyle's arm.  All of the men laughed.  Joey was
sure they were a gay couple like his Dads.
     "Let me give you an overview of the computer.  Some people
use them mostly for word processing.  Others like to use
spreadsheets for keeping track of their bank accounts, budget and
other financial applications.  Still, we sell a lot of games.
Joey walked them to one of the display models that wasn't being
used at the moment.  He pulled a floppy disk out of his notebook
and put it in the drive bay.
     He, along with Daniel and Forrest had developed their own
demos.  A couple of the other salesmen had objected and cornered
David Perkins about it.  His reply was that none of the three
used the same demos and advised them to develop something they
understood and were comfortable using.  End of discussion.
     Joey opened a spreadsheet showing figures in a row of cells
that had been added together, and then displayed an average of
the input.  He addressed this demo to Cory, who could use it for
recording grades.  Both men were impressed.  Then he opened an
MSWord screen and showed them how figures could be copied and
pasted from one program to another.  The third demo was pure word
processing and both were impressed at how easy it was to correct
spelling and also insert and delete words. They were impressed
that fonts could be changed, enlarged or made smaller.  Joey
quickly showed them a game, but didn't get much response from the
men.  Then he accessed the Internet and he knew immediately he
had cinched the deal.  The next step was to sell them a printer
and he made short work of that demo.
     The two men conferred briefly and Kyle said, "You've
convinced us that this is what we need."  Joey told them about
the classes starting in January.  He wrote up the sales order and
gave them each a card with information about the free computer
class, urging them to enroll as soon as possible as the class was
filling up.  Kyle and Cory were really pleased with that
information, but a little disappointed when Joey told them that
their shop needed to configure the computer for their needs,
install a modem card and ready it for use by loading the software
they had purchased.  They were hoping to take their new computer
home and start learning about it immediately, but Joey was right;
they would be better off waiting until the equipment was tested.
     Joey shook hands with both men, thanking them for asking for
him to wait on them and wishing them "good luck" with their new
computer.  Cory asked, "If we have a problem, can we call on
you?"
     "Sure.  I can answer a lot of questions, but am sure I can
at least find the answers elsewhere for things I don't know.
But, you'll have fun with it."
     Joey noticed that Cory was the one who wrote the check, then
saw that both names were printed in the upper left hand corner.
On a whim, he told the men he needed their names, address and
phone number to add to his customer list while he wrote the
information on a sheet in his notebook.
     By noon, Joey had sold five computer systems.  Daniel and
Forrest had sold 4 each.  Phil had sold one and the other two men
had sold three each.  That was 20 computers in three hours.  By
the time the store closed at 8:30 that evening the six men had
sold an additional 22 computers with Joey leading, having sold a
total of eleven himself.  Forrest and Daniel were right behind
him with 9 and 10 each.
     Joey was glad that his two young friends were doing so well.
He would have to talk to David and his grandpa about the other
three salesmen.  They didn't seem to be trying very hard and Joey
knew they had each missed sales because they didn't know their
product.
     * * * * *
     The men in the computer department staggered their lunch and
supper hours.  As it worked out, Joey and Forrest went to lunch
together and in the evening Daniel and Forrest went to get
something to eat at the same time.
     * * * * *
     Much to Matt Rhodes' surprise and delight, his mother
arrived at Tom and Eddie's house to visit with him on the
afternoon of December 16th.  She seemed genuinely interested in
the progress he was making in school and talked with Tom and
Eddie at length privately while Matt visited with his brother and
sister who had come along.  They brought a couple of their
favorite board games in case Matt wanted to play them.
     When she got ready to leave after having been there for
about an hour, Tom helped her unload the car and brought in two
large boxes of gift-wrapped presents.  When Matt started crying
(out of both joy and frustration since he didn't have anything to
give his family) she gave him some little comfort, telling him
that she had brought presents for Ruth and Thomas and they would
have his name on the tag.
     She didn't say anything to Matt about what was going on with
his father, nor was his possible return home even mentioned.  In
her usual abrupt and cold manner she told him goodbye without
giving him a hug or encouraging one from him.
     Matt watched them drive away and then broke into tears as
the car turned at the next corner and disappeared.
     Eddie stepped beside him and put his arm around his
shoulder.  This had the opposite reaction from what was intended
as Matt broke away and ran to his room, slamming the door before
falling on his bed.
     Tom wanted to go comfort him, but the two men decided that
he needed some time to grieve alone.  They needed their own time
alone to discuss their conversation with Mrs. Rhodes as she had
really laid a load on them.
     "I need a drink, so why don't you fix each of us a double
and I'll go downstairs and build a fire," Eddie suggested.
     "Sounds like a great idea to me.  I'll bring some snacks
while I'm at it," Tom said.  "I feel numb and if we don't have
something to eat I'll get drunk."
     "That wouldn't be a bad idea," Eddie told him.  "I can't
believe that family."
     Tom put the drinks on a big tray, along with two kinds of
cheese, crackers and chip and dip, something that usually wasn't
in their pantry, but had been purchased for when company dropped
in over the holidays.  He arrived in the downstairs family room
as the gas starter came to life.  The men hugged each other and
sat down close together as they needed some comfort themselves.
They each took a big sip of their drink, saying "cheers" and
touching glasses.
     "What did you think about the visit from the Wicked Witch of
the East?" Eddie asked.
     "I don't think that title even begins to describe her.  She
deserves a place in the Hall of Shame for Nazi henchmen," was the
reply.
     "That's too good for her, she might deserve some respect if
she got rid of her husband, but nobody dumps their child like
she's doing.  "I can't believe that she hasn't bothered to call
Jeremy Houser to tell him what's going on."  Eddie was livid.
     "I can't believe that she came out here prepared to give
Matt the news that they had decided it was best if he didn't live
with them anymore and would put him in a foster home if you and I
didn't agree to take him.  That sucks!  Big time!!"  Tom was
agitated.
     "I'm not going to sit still and see that happen.  Matt is
just now starting to feel comfortable with us and I think we both
agree that we'll do whatever is necessary to keep him here with
us.  He's a good kid and doesn't deserve this.  I think you are
with me on this, aren't you?" Eddie questioned.
     "Oh yes, I agree, but why did she bring a car load of
Christmas presents and then tell us she had bought him a new car
as well?"  Tom was really frustrated.  Matt wouldn't be 16 for
another three months "Well, we've agreed we are going to help
Matt through this, but you and I have some decisions to make and
we need to talk to Jeremy Houser before we get any deeper into
this.  There is no use allowing Matt to know what is going on
until we know what all the options are."  Eddie was starting to
calm down, but only a little.
     He got up to check the fire and turned the gas starter off.
After that he pulled the mesh curtain open and moved the wood
around as it was starting to burn.  Then he added a small,
fragrant log on top of the two that were starting to burn.
     "Do you want to adopt Matt if we can work things out?" Tom
asked as Eddie sat back down, working his way into Tom's
shoulder.  Tom moved slightly and turned to accommodate him.
     "I'm all for it.  I think we've helped Matt understand his
sexuality better and now he's more comfortable with it.  He's
shy, but starting to open up to us and he's doing well in school.
I'm just a little worried that he doesn't seem to have anyone to
pal around with," Eddie stated.
     "He may be afraid of developing any close friendships after
what happened with him and his buddy getting caught by his
sister.  Then, too, we've warned him about telling others in his
class that he's gay.  He's probably overly cautious because of
those things," Tom agreed.
     "We need to have a talk with Fr. George about this, too.  He
may have some ideas as to how we can proceed.  Texas law isn't
exactly friendly to gay men adopting children," Eddie stated.
     "Well, Jeremy Houser can help with that, too.  He has said
that it's a fairly easy process in some cases and it's documented
in Matt's files as to what has happened and what is going on."
Tom was hoping he was right.  He turned to Eddie.  "Let's not say
anything to Matt until after Christmas.  I don't want to ruin the
holiday for him or for us, either."
     "I agree," Eddie said.  "We need to talk to Jeremy Houser
first and get him involved.  He may have some other ideas as to
how to proceed.  You are right, we want this to be a joyous
Christmas for all of us."
     "Hey, I almost forgot.  Tonight is the Dignity/Integrity
Christmas party.  We're supposed to be hosts for the happy hour,
so have to leave here in about 45 minutes," Tom said.
     "Right.  "We'd better check on Matt to see if he wants to
go.  I'm not sure if anyone else his age will be there, except
maybe Joey.  One of us had better call Joey now to find out,"
Eddie agreed.
     "Good idea, I'll call over to the guys' house now and see if
somebody is still home.  Otherwise, I guess we'd better show up a
little early and help get everything ready.  I'm glad that Trisha
from LeGourmet is catering this at her new shop.  She puts out
good food at a very reasonable cost," Tom said.
     As Tom was making the phone call, Matt came down the stairs
and into the room.
     "Feeling better?" Eddie asked.
     "Yeah, I'm sorry I lost it when Mom left.  I just feel that
she doesn't love me and you guys are always so great.  I'm glad
Mr. Houser brought me here and that you are both willing to be
here for me and help me."
     "Don't worry about it.  But, you are right, we both love you
and are glad you've been with us the last six weeks," Eddie told
him.
     Tom hung up the phone, nodding his head yes to Eddie.  "Matt
do you want to go to the Dignity/Integrity Christmas party with
us this evening?  We need to be there in about 45 minutes."
     "Sure, do you think Joey will be there?" he replied.
     "Yes, he'll be there.  I just called to check.  He comes to
all of the meetings with Dale and Craig," Tom told him.
     "Count me in.  What are we going to do?" Matt asked.
     "There will be a happy hour, then after we eat dinner there
will be some music and skits, then some dancing.  We're going to
have a gift exchange after the dinner," Eddie explained.
     "I don't have a gift to take.  I didn't know we were
supposed to do that."  Matt sounded upset.
     Tom spoke up, "I've taken care of that and the gifts are
wrapped.  I put a couple of kitchen gadgets in each package and
didn't spend more than the $10 limit for each gift."
     "Neat.  You guys think of everything," Matt said, giving the
men a hug in turn.  Tom noticed tears in Eddie's eyes and felt
the same in his own.  They looked at each other, the sadness
mixed in with their joy for having Matt as part of their family.
     * * * *  *
     Almost all of the Dignity/Integrity members showed up for
the Christmas party, plus several brought guests.  John Sterling
was surprised when he saw Dale and Craig walk in with Joey ahead
of them.  He turned to Ray.  "Are they really queer?"
     "It's pretty obvious to me, but maybe you should ask them,"
Ray replied.  He knew that John still wasn't comfortable with
being out.  Before John could move, Dale crossed the room and
held out his hand to John.  "Merry Christmas, John.  Glad you
could come to our Christmas party."
     He turned to Ray and they gave each other a hug as they
said, "Merry Christmas."
     Other than being in a gay bar in Austin, this was the
largest group of gay people that John had encountered.  He
discovered that he knew several of the people from the business
aspect of his job.  RJ Barton worked at the Texaco station and
convenience store.  One of the other guests worked at the lumber
yard where his company bought a lot of lumber and supplies and he
had seen several of the others around town, but didn't know their
names.
     Ray grinned at Dale.  "I guess you know my guest, John?" he
laughed.
     "Sure do, you stole my best help right out from under my
nose."  Dale was grinning his usual 1000-watt smile.  I'm glad
things are going well for you in the new job," Dale told John.
     "Yeah, they are.  You were a great boss and so is Ray.  I've
learned a lot while working for both of you," John told them.
     About that time Craig joined them, exchanging greetings with
Ray in the form of a hug and shaking John's hand.  "Merry
Christmas, John.  I'm glad Ray brought you as his guest."
     "Merry Christmas to you, too."  John thought that Dale and
Craig made a handsome couple.  Then there was Joey, who he could
easily tell that he and Dale were brothers.  He was cute and John
knew he was a lot younger than he looked.
     Ray asked John what he wanted to drink and he replied,
"Bourbon and Coke."
     Craig looked at Dale, raising his eyebrows in question.
"Scotch and soda for me."
     Ray and Craig walked off in the direction of the bar,
leaving Dale and John standing there to talk to each other.  Dale
wanted to cover the awkward silence, so said, "I'm pleased to see
you and Ray together.  Is this something new?  He hasn't said
anything about it to me."
     John was somewhat embarrassed.  This was the first time that
anyone had questioned him about the fledgling relationship he and
Ray had started.  "Un. it just happened Thursday night."  He
could feel his face getting red.
     Dale could tell that he was uncomfortable and wanted to let
him know it was okay.  "Hey, Craig and I started the same way and
most of the others in the room did, too.  We met one morning to
discuss the idea for the crew quarter's house that we built at
the Bar-W.  I invited him to my place that evening and we ordered
a pizza to be delivered.  He invited me to his house the next
evening after work and he ordered in.  We've not slept apart
since that first evening."
     John was surprised.  "I have to tell you that I thought you
were as straight as could be.  All three of us were scared to
death that you would find out we were gay and fire us."  John
realized that he had just outed Michael and Pat.  But it was out
in the open and he'd tell the other two men what was going on;
that he had met Dale and Craig at a gay party.  They could handle
it from that point on - if they wanted to say anything to Dale.
     He felt badly about what he had done, but the whole idea of
meeting so many gay people all at one time at a party was a bit
overwhelming.
     Dale was cool about it though.  He realized what John had
inadvertently said.  "Don't worry, their jobs are secure and I
won't say anything to them about what's going on.  If you want,
you can tell them that you met Craig and me at a party for a
group of gay people."  Dale thought, 'Maybe that will break the
ice.'
     John was relieved.  He told Dale, "I visited with Ray
several times when his crew was building the house.  It was just
friendly conversation and the next thing I knew he was offering
me a job with his company.  I was really hesitant to change jobs
because I liked working for you and the ranch, but Ray told me
that even if things didn't work out in my new job, that I could
still work on one of his construction crews and earn more money
than I was making at the ranch.  He and the other guys have been
super to me and I think I'm doing pretty well."
     "Ray has told me that you are.  You were good help at the
Bar-W, but you have to take opportunities when they open.  Things
don't always work out for the best, but you never know if you
don't try."
     "Thanks," John replied.
     Craig and Ray were visiting while waiting in line for the
bartender to serve several people in front of them.
     "You didn't tell us that you had a hot romance going," Craig
teased.
     "It just started, but I've been hoping it would happen.  I
just trust it's not a mistake since he works for me," Ray told
him.
     "Just take it slow and easy," Craig smiled.  "I'm sure that
things will workout if they are supposed to.  They certainly did
for Dale and me."
     "Thanks for the support," Ray said as they moved up to the
counter at the bar.  Craig ordered two scotch and sodas.  Ray
ordered the Bourbon and 7 that John wanted and a Vodka Collins
for himself.
     The bartender lined their drinks up on the bar and they each
put a couple of dollars in the tip jar before heading across the
room to their mates.
     About that time Fr. George and Paul arrived.  Fr. George was
wearing casual clothes, khakis and a sweater.  It seemed strange
he wasn't wearing his usual clerical collar and cassock.
     John spotted him.  He looked familiar, but he couldn't
remember where he'd seen him before.  He quietly asked Ray, "Who
are the two men taking to the two women over there?"
     The other three men turned to look and all had smiles on
their faces.  Ray replied, "That's Father George Tikker, the
rector of St. James Episcopal Church."
     John's mouth was agape.
     Craig added, "That's his lover with him.  Paul is the
organist/choirmaster and they live in the rectory together.
Everyone in the parish knows they are a gay couple and it's a non-
issue.  He's increased the membership of our church by about 200
people over the last three years."
     Dale added, "After I'm baptized and confirmed in February,
Fr. George is going to officiate at a commitment ceremony for
Craig and me.  It's kind of like a wedding and we would like the
blessing of the church."
     That was more information than John could absorb
     "He's had that ceremony for two other men who are here this
evening.  It has no legal bearing at all, but some priests will
officiate for ceremonies like that as long as there is no
publicity.  Some Bishops won't allow it, but others are more
enlightened and have given permission; but again, they don't want
a big deal made of it," Craig told the two men.
     The crowd at the party was growing and people were
circulating around the room, introducing themselves, visiting
with friends and guests, wishing everyone Merry Christmas or
Happy Holidays.
     The bar was doing a land office business and the aroma of
the food was making everyone hungry.  Ray made sure John was
introduced to everyone he knew and together they introduced
themselves to the people they didn't know.
     Soon, Fr. George and Paul stopped to talk to Ray and John
and introduced themselves.  They had a nice visit and, of course,
Fr. George wanted to know if they attended church.  Ray explained
that he hadn't been to church for 10 years and that was for a
wedding.  John told him that his parents didn't go to church on a
regular basis and he didn't either.
     "Then you must come to our Christmas Eve mass.  Be there
early because the church will be filled.  We have a service that
will make you think you are in an English Cathedral.  Paul has a
wonderful choir and Joey Sullivan is going to sing 'O Holy
Night'."
     Without giving the men a chance to reply, Fr. George added,
"I'll tell Dale and Craig that you will be sitting with them and
their family.  They sit about the 4th row on the north side of
the nave."
     With that the two men moved on.  John was wondering what had
happened.  'No wonder the church had grown by 200 members, he
didn't take no for an answer,' he thought.
     Ray had similar thoughts.  He had heard about the beautiful
services at St. James, but had never been inside the building.
He'd have to talk to John and find out if he was going to be in
Williamsport for Christmas.  Maybe they could go together.
      The party continued.  When Tricia was ready to serve the
meal of roast turkey and all the trimmings, she passed the word
to the President, Eddie Thompson, to get everyone's attention.
He said a few words of welcome, thanked Tricia for preparing the
meal and told the group that they were the first ones to use the
dining room in her new facility.  Then he asked Fr. George to say
the blessing.
     The round tables were set for 8 people each and beautifully
decorated with greenery and four candles.  The meal was served
buffet style and everyone found a place to sit.  This group
seemed to enjoy being together and it was obvious from the sound
level that everyone was visiting as well as eating.
     * * * * *
     Sales at Saber Computers were running way above projection.
The new catalog was shaping up and would be available to those
customers shopping in the store about the middle of January, with
a mailing going out to their customer database on the first of
February.  They had fixed up a room large enough to handle
several people working on the order desk and set up an "800
number" for incoming calls.  A shipping department had been
established to handle mail orders.  Additional inventory items
were appearing on the shelves and new component parts were
arriving each day.
     The company Christmas party had been put on hold, as Frank
and David couldn't find a place to have the party.  Every
restaurant with a party room had been booked months ahead of the
holiday season.  So, the next best thing to do was have a party
for the employees in January.  The Sunday evening date of January
13th was chosen and would be at the new facility LeGourmet had
opened early in December.  Tricia didn't have a liquor license
yet, but that wouldn't be a problem.  Frank would stock the bar
and Leland volunteered to serve as bartender.  There were several
employees who were under 21, so that situation would have to be
monitored carefully.
     Frank and David, along with Leland decided that a year-end
bonus should be given to each employee.  Some employees were new
and wouldn't get as much, but there were 14 employees who had
been with the new company from the very beginning and 6 others
who had been hired during December.  Two more employees would be
added in early January.  It was decided to pay the bonus on three
levels.  Those hired in November would receive $750, those hired
the first half of December would receive $500, those hired he
last 2 weeks of December would receive $200.
     This plan was submitted to Dale, Craig and Joey who happily
endorsed the idea.  Those who received a commission would receive
an additional two-percent of their commissions through December
31st.  That should make all of the employees happy and let them
know their work at Saber Computers was appreciated.  Hopefully
the employees would get the idea that this could become and
annual occurrence.
     Joey was the only one of the owners who would receive a
bonus as he was paid an hourly wage as well as a commission.
But, they allowed him to think that he would only receive profit
sharing later in the year.  Hopefully, he would be surprised,
too.
     Frank, along with Dale and Craig approached Leland about
paying David a bonus for his work in helping Frank getting the
company up and running and being a good manager.  Leland agreed
and it was decided to pay him $5,000.  He would receive a profit-
sharing payment along with Dale, Craig, Joey and Frank at the end
of the first year of operation.
     * * * * *
     Although the store was busy, the young men working in the
computer sales area had plenty of time to go to lunch and supper
that day.  As it turned out, Joey and Forrest went to lunch
together and in the evening Daniel and Forrest walked up the
street to McDonald's to eat.
     Forrest was sad because the nurse at the rest home told him
that his grandmother wasn't responding to the nurses and starting
to get confused about things.  She wasn't eating well and had to
have someone feed her what little she would try to eat.  Forrest
knew this as he had tried to get her to eat more when he was
there.  Everything they gave her looked like baby food to him.
     Joey was sorry to hear this and assured Forrest that he
could turn to his friends to do whatever was needed to help out.
He would remember to tell Dale and Craig what was going on as
well as his grandparents.  For his part, Forrest was grateful
that helping customers occupied his time and helped him forget
about her decline.
     Daniel also assured him that he could call on his friends to
help out.  Daniel wanted to tell Forrest about staying at Joey's
house the previous evening and night, but couldn't think of a way
to work it into the conversation since Forrest was concerned
about his grandmother.
          * * * * *
     Paul Rathborne had scheduled two choir rehearsals this week.
The regular rehearsal was on Wednesday the 19th and the special,
extra rehearsal was the next evening.  Everyone was to be there,
no excuses.  There was music for three services he needed to
finish polishing.  The 4th Sunday of Advent was December 23rd,
Monday was Christmas Eve and the Christmas Day mass was at 9:00
a.m.  The choir sounded great, but he wanted it to sparkle and by
the time the rehearsal was over on Thursday night, it sounded
like they had been singing the music forever - and it seemed like
it since they had started working on the harder sections of it at
the beginning of November.
     Joey arrived for choir early on Thursday evening to make
sure his solo; "O Holy Night" was as Paul wanted it to be.  The
first time through, Paul stopped him twice, pointing out places
where he wanted more sound, going back over those sections again.
The second time Joey sang it as Paul wanted and it was wonderful.
Joey was elated.  Paul was proud.  Those of the choir who had
arrived early gave them a big round of applause.
     The choir worked hard during the rehearsal and at 8 o'clock,
Paul told them that everything was perfect.  He had prepared a
little reception for them, with punch and cookies and gave each
of the choir members a new silver choir cross to wear around
their neck.  They were hung on a red ribbon and would show easily
over their choir surplice.  At Joey's urging the choir had taken
up a collection about three weeks before to purchase a music
composition program for the computer in Paul's office.  Needless
to say, Paul was very pleased with that gift.  It would make his
arrangements easier to read than the hurriedly hand-written
pages, which he copied and handed out.
     * * * * *
     The Christmas tree in the condo was not large, but it was
real and smelled good.  Craig had purchased new ornaments,
consisting mainly of red, gold and silver balls.  Joey wanted
some "bubble lights" which were back in vogue again, so there
were two strings of those and two long strings of small multi-
colored lights.  At Joey's suggestion, they popped corn and
strung the kernels on thread, doing the same with fresh
cranberries and draping them on the tree.  After Christmas they
could be hung on the balcony for the birds to eat.  To the three
men, it was a beautiful tree.  It was the first time they had
shared Christmas with each other.  More gift-wrapped presents
seemed to appear under the tree each day.
     Joey's anticipation was growing as this would be his first
Christmas with a full family of parents, grandparents and aunts
with potential uncles, too.  He would miss his father, of course,
but Joe was a happy memory.  Joey never thought about his mother,
as he didn't remember much about her.  Joe had given him enough
love to make up for both parents.  And now, there was even more
love in a somewhat unconventional family.
     * * * * *
     No predictions had been made as to how busy Saber Computers
might be on the last Saturday before Christmas.  The store was
not as busy as the previous Saturday, although Joey sold more
printers than computers.  It seemed like this was the day to buy
"add-ons" for existing systems, along with other accessories such
as modem cards, games, some software and floppy disks.  The
service department was emphatic that they could not build
computers or load software for delivery before Christmas.
     * * * * *
     Craig and Doris, with Joey's help, had planned a Christmas
Eve buffet dinner as well as their Christmas Day afternoon meal.
Since Joey had to sing his solo at the early Christmas Eve mass,
they planned to eat about 8 p.m.  They decided that simple was
best for Christmas Eve, so would serve ham with two casseroles
and potato soup.  They could have dessert after they arrived back
from the late Christmas Eve mass.
     The Christmas Day meal was going to be more English in
tradition.  Everybody loved prime rib, so Doris asked the butcher
at Food Land to bone and roll a large rib roast.  The finished
product was close to ten pounds and virtually no waste to it.
Doris liked to serve this instead of a standing rib roast and
everyone agreed this was better for a large group of people.
     Yorkshire Pudding, fresh green beans, Harvard Beets,
Cranberry Relish, Scalloped Cabbage, Au gratin Potatoes, Broccoli
salad and Squash pudding would accompany the roast.
     Doris suggested that a table be set up with hors d'oeuvres
during happy hour when they were opening gifts.  Craig agreed,
suggesting serving shrimp with several sauces, a cheese board
with crackers and some chip and dip.  It was nothing elaborate,
but enough to snack on during the early afternoon.
     * * * * *
     Joey had received permission to have a small party for the
gang of boys he ran around with.  The best time was right after
school on Friday evening, December 21st.  Dale and Craig gave
their permission and Joey insisted that they attend the party,
also.  So, invitations were given to Bret Jenkins, Jr., Bryce
Barnett, Daniel Pearson, Forrest Ross, Hal Shaw, Barry Tilford
and Matt Rhodes.  They drew names for a gift exchange with the
limit being $10.  Joey drew Forrest's name.  He finally decided
on a sport watch that had several special features on it,
including a stopwatch.  It would also show the time in both
Military and regular format.
     Bret Jenkins, Jr. drew Joey's name and gave him a really
neat kaleidoscope that he had found in a science shop that
carried all kinds of gadgets and learning aids.  Dale and Craig
bought each of the boys a solar-powered calculator.  They were
starting a small gift department at Saber Computers and these had
come in just a few days earlier.  Dale happened to be in the
store when they were unpacking and arranging a display of all the
items bought for the sales inventory.  All of the young men were
very appreciative they were remembered.  The guys had a great
time together; playing Monopoly while they were waiting for Tony
D's to deliver two giant pizzas.  Dale and Craig were
appreciative of the fact that they had been asked to stay for the
party.  Most young people didn't want any parental supervision at
their age, but Dale and Craig seemed to be treated more like
older brothers.
     Daniel was hoping they could watch some of the movies in
Joey's extensive collection, but realized that wasn't going to
happen.  In the first place he didn't know what kind of reaction
they would get from the other boys.  He didn't want to upset
anything as he had enjoyed what Joey and he had done the previous
Friday night.
     * * * * *
     The family members from Dallas arrived the same evening,
about an hour after Joey's party for his gang was over.  Doug
drove his car because he had to return to work the day after
Christmas.  Becky would stay for a few more days and ride back to
Dallas with Chuck and Susan on the Sunday before New Years.  It
seemed strange to Craig's sisters not to be celebrating Christmas
in their parent's home in Arlington, but Frank and Doris were
enthusiastic about what was going on in their lives.  After all,
Dallas and Williamsport were less than three hours apart.
     There was great excitement, as everyone knew that the two
Williamsport families would be living in new homes before the
next Christmas rolled around.  On Saturday everyone rode out to
see the land that had been purchased by Dale, Craig and Joey.
The burnt-out house had been torn down and the ground leveled.
Dale drove them around the larger farm so they could see it.
Everyone agreed that they should buy it if possible.
     Afterward, Dale drove them down to Kawarce so they could see
the lot Frank and Doris had purchased.  The people who were
living in the trailer had refused to vacate the property, so
Frank told them they could do as they pleased, however, the
trailer would be moved off the property and taken to the landfill
in 30 days.  The people were defiant and had threatened to sue
him.  Actually this was a pretty good idea.  Frank wouldn't have
to spend his money to file a suit against them.
     The four people from Dallas thought the little town was
charming and liked the lot Frank and Doris had purchased.  Doris
was hoping that Marshall Sidney would come out to visit so Susan,
Chuck, Becky and Doug could meet him.  All had a hard time
visualizing the description they had been given.
     * * * * *
     On Sunday morning all of the family attended church
together.  The "Bastian family" as Dale liked to think of them
were in their usual chairs in the fourth row, north side of the
aisle.  Paul Rathborne had chosen to play a prelude of his own
arrangement based on the hymn tune, "Helmsley" (Lo, he comes with
clouds descending).  The piece ended in a joyful toccata.  The
thundering pedal passages gave foundation to the sparkling scales
played on the manuals.  When it was over, Craig nudged Dale,
saying "Wow"!!!  Dale shook his head in agreement.
     Susan and Chuck were wishing that the organist in the Dallas
parish they attended could play like that.  It was enough to make
them consider having their wedding in Williamsport.  Frank and
Doris had similar thoughts and both were pleased at the uplifting
worship services they had experienced at St. James.
     The processional hymn was "Sleepers, Wake" and with Paul's
accompaniment and the choir processing down the aisle made one
want to lift their voice in joyful song.  Jason and Kevin led the
procession.  Jason had learned some things about handling the
thurible at Acolyte Camp and was swinging it in a full 360-degree
circle part of the time.  Jason thought it was neat as it really
produced a lot of smoke from the packed incense.
     At the end of the introit the Advent candles were lit,
today's candle representing "Love".  Dale and Craig were pleased
that Bret Jenkins' family took part in that ceremony, with each
of the family members reading a portion of the explanation of the
candle for that particular Sunday.  Bret and Beth, along with
Bret Junior and Paul had been attending the inquirers class and
had declared their intention to be confirmed.  Bret Junior and
Paul had not been baptized, so that would take place two weeks
before confirmation.  Bret Senior and Beth had been debating
about being re-baptized because of having come from a church with
a much different background than St. James.  In the end, the
entire family would be baptized together at St. James; however,
Terry and Sally were not old enough to be confirmed at that time.
A lot of healing had taken place in that family in a short time,
but they were still seeing a counselor on a weekly schedule.
They had also been meeting on their own initiative with Fr.
George and had received excellent counseling from him.
     It was the 4th Sunday of Advent and the vestments worn by
the acolytes and clergy were deep purple with red and gold trim.
The cope worn by Fr. George was gold with purple trim.  These
were new vestments and were being worn for the first time.
     The service went smoothly with the Gospel procession moving
up the aisle and back to the sanctuary area.  Fr. George's short
homily summed up the message of the Advent candles; Hope, Peace,
Joy and Love.  Dale was always amazed that Fr. George could
squeeze so much into five minutes.  His messages were well
thought out, short and to the point.
     Mass resumed with the congregation chanting the Nicene
Creed. Then the Prayers of the People were offered in Litany
form, followed by the exchange of the Peace.  Fr. George greeted
the congregation and guests present.  His offertory sentence was
"The Lord loveth a cheerful giver."
     Craig remembered the joke that Fr. George had made in the
Inquirers' class.  "The Lord loveth a cheerful giver, but he will
joyfully accept from a grouch."  The class had a big laugh over
that line and Craig couldn't help but smile.
     The choir's offertory anthem was a beautiful arrangement of
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel", starting as a stark, unaccompanied
plainsong verse and building through various rhythms, accompanied
and unaccompanied by the organ.  Finally the last verse was sung
in 4-part harmony in the key of E-flat Major.  It was enough to
bring shivers to those who loved good choral music.  The organist
picked up the melody after the choir was through singing and the
congregation stood for the presentation of the gifts.  The
doxology was sung to the traditional tune and Paul really outdid
himself with the extended improvisation he played while the altar
was being censed, then the thurifer and boat carrier moved into
the chancel to cense the choir and on down to the chancel steps
to offer incense to the congregation.
     The Mass continued with the Sursum Corda, leading into the
Sanctus-Benedictus and the consecration prayer.  After the Lord's
Prayer and Agnus Dei, it was time to go to the communion rail.
Dale led the family and knelt to wait for his turn to receive the
bread and wine.  He was aware that the choir was singing
"Watchman, tell us of the night" as they passed through the
chancel to the altar rail.  He caught Joey's eye and they grinned
at each other for a moment, Dale giving Joey a 'thumbs up'.
     After the mass was over, the family sat to listen to the
organ postlude, then greeted some of the people sitting around
them who had stayed to listen, also.  They walked down the hall
to the parish hall for coffee and cookies.  Craig was always
amazed how quickly the boys in the choir managed to take off
their vestments and arrive at the table to claim their share of
the treats.
     Fr. George entered the parish hall, joined shortly by Paul.
As per usual they both had a line of people waiting to greet
them.  Finally some of the people began leaving and the two men
started moving around the room.  Chuck and Susan were amazed at
the love the men received from the congregation and that both Fr.
George and Paul gave each of their family a hug.  The priest at
their parish church in Dallas was a very aloof person and was
only rarely seen at coffee hour.
     * * * * *
     Frank drove Doris, Susan and Becky to their condo to change
from their good clothes into something more casual to go to
lunch.  It had been decided earlier that morning to eat at the
Mandarin Palace as they had an excellent buffet.
     Frank took a route past Saber Computers and was surprised to
find that there were about a dozen cars in the parking lot across
the street.  He was pleased, but was hoping that it would be the
last Sunday they would be open.  It was hard to juggle hours to
have experienced people working and many of them didn't really
like working on Sunday.  They were going to have to analyze the
sales to see if it was really worth opening the doors.
     * * * * *
     Tom and Eddie hosted a Christmas open house for fellow
teachers and other friends that afternoon.  The invitation had
arrived about two weeks before and was marked RSVP.  Craig called
to accept the invitation, asking is they could bring anything.
Tom assured him that he had everything under control.  Frank and
Doris had received an invitation, also, and had responded that
they could stop for a few minutes.  When Eddie saw that they had
relatives with them at church that morning, he immediately told
the family that he was unaware that they were going to have
company, otherwise Susan and Becky and their boyfriends would
have received their own invitation.  They thanked him and assured
him that they would stop for a little while.
     * * * * *
     Christmas Eve Day was family time with everyone being at
Dale, Craig and Joey's condo.  The store was going to close at 3
p.m.  Joey had been given the day off.  He enjoyed working at the
store and especially the paycheck and commission but, Frank and
David had assured him the other young men could handle the
customers without him.  As it turned out, Forrest and Daniel's
sales were far ahead of the other young men.
     Joey and Susan helped Doris in the kitchen as needed, but
she had things so well organized that she was able to enjoy
quality family time with the rest of the family.  Craig had
rented some classic Christmas movies, "Holiday Inn", "Miracle on
34th Street", "It's a Wonderful Life" as well as "Christmas
Carol" and "Christmas in Connecticut".  These were playing on the
TV in the living room and there were always a couple of people
who were half-watching them.  The aromas drifting in from the
kitchen made the condo smell good and helped make everyone
hungry.
     Frank, Chuck, Dale and Craig started a poker game.  The
players seemed to change every few hands and Joey decided he
wanted to learn to play.  Frank had him sit in his chair, pulling
up another one so he could coach him.  To his own surprise, Joey
quickly absorbed the basic rules and Frank needed to help him
less and less.  There was a chessboard set up on a wooden TV
table, but no takers for that game.  Becky and Doug were working
a complicated jigsaw puzzle on another card table.
     It was a nice, relaxing day.  Everyone had time to visit and
other than having to make two trips to the grocery store for
something needed in the kitchen, nobody left the house.
     Frank had also taken the day off, but went in at 2 o'clock
to make up the bank deposit so it could go to the night
depository.  He was surprised that the sales for the day were
almost $25 thousand.  Five computers had been sold, all with
printers.  Then another five printers had been sold, along with
computer parts, modems and a lot of games.  The shelves reflected
the high sales volume, being bare in a number of places.
     The kitchen crew had prepared a lunch of Lasagna with an
Italian tossed salad and homemade Italian bread.  Doris worked
with Susan and Joey on their pastry skills so there were three
kinds of pie for dessert; mince, cherry and apple with ice cream
available.  The lunch fare accounted for just a few of the smells
coming from the kitchen.
     Forrest was invited to the condo after the store was closed,
but he wanted to go to the rest home to visit his grandmother and
take his gift to her.  He found her in the dining room with other
residents, being entertained by choral groups from several
churches in town.  She was seated in a wheelchair, dressed in a
nice red and green dress.  Her hair had been washed and set and
someone had helped her apply makeup.  She was in good spirits and
enjoyed their visit.  Forrest moved her to a more private area so
they could talk and he gave her the gift he brought; a nice boxed
gift set which had powder, cologne, and body lotion in the box.
She was pleased with the gift, as it was her favorite scent.
Much to Forrest's surprise, she had a gift for him.  The nicely
wrapped box contained a beautiful sweater she had knit.  There
was a ladies needlework guild in Williamsport and one of their
projects was to provide patterns and yarn to people in rest
homes, like old Mrs. Ross.  She had picked the pattern shortly
after moving from the hospital.  One of the ladies selected the
appropriate yarn provided by the group.  The sweater was perfect
and Forrest was elated, as he had not even thought about
receiving a gift from his grandmother.  He realized that this was
a special gift; because it was something she had made just for
him and might possibly be the last gift he would receive from
her.
     At 4:30 they started getting the residents ready for their
dinner.  The lady that came to take Mrs. Ross to the dining room
invited Forrest to eat with his grandmother.  He happily accepted
the invitation and they were seated at a table for six people.
Forrest had met two of the people before and soon was laughing
and joking with all of them.  Mrs. Ross seemed to be more alert
today than lately and Forrest attributed it to the fact that they
had something special going on at the rest home.
     His grandmother was pleased that he was going to spend the
evening with friends and go to church, and then be with the
family again on Christmas Day.  She indicated that she was tired
after finishing her meal.  Forrest also noticed that she had
eaten better than usual.
     He told the others at the table good-bye and wished them a
Merry Christmas and thanked the nurse's aid that took his
grandmother to her room.  He kissed her, thanking her again for
the beautiful sweater.  He left the rest home with a happy heart,
stopping at their home to change clothes before walking on to the
condo where his friends lived.
     * * * * *
     Happy hour started at the condo at five o'clock.  Craig
fixed the first round of drinks and everyone was on their own
from that point.
     It had been a great day.  Dale and Craig (and Joey, too)
felt they had gotten much better acquainted with each of the
family members.  The day had been unhurried, people had watched
some of the movies, the poker game had been fun and Becky and
Doug had almost completed the 500-piece jigsaw puzzle, which was
a rural scene in New Hampshire with a covered bridge.  Things
were on schedule in the kitchen.  Everyone was always thankful
for Doris' great food and she thought it was great to have Susan
and Joey to help her as needed.
     Dale drove Joey to the church at 7 o'clock.  The service was
already underway, but Paul had told Joey to go to the choir room
to put on his vestments, then he was to wait at the chancel door,
close to the organ console for Paul to cue him to take his place
to sing the offertory solo.  Dale went with him and they walked
to the choir room together, then down the hall toward the church.
He intended to duck around the corner and take a chair in the
chapel in the south transept to listen.  There were only a few
seats available, but he had a view of Joey as he stood at the end
of the choir stalls, close to the crossing.  "O, Holy Night" had
never sounded like Dale heard it sung that evening.  He had goose
bumps on his arms and the final page brought tears to his eyes.
He wanted to applaud when it was over.
     As the gifts were being presented, Dale left to meet Joey
back in the choir room so they could go home.  The two men
greeted each other with their famous 1000-watt smiles.  Dale
hugged Joey.  "Bud, you really wowed them tonight.  It was just
great!"
     Joey was modest in accepting the accolade, but was pleased
that he could share his talent with others.  "Thanks Dad.  I'm
glad you came in."
     "I wouldn't have missed it for anything," Dale assured him
as they walked back outside to go to their car.
     * * * * *
     They returned to the condo as the food was being put on the
buffet table.  Craig fixed Dale a scotch and soda as he gave
everyone a glowing report of Joey's solo and, of course, they
would all hear it later at the midnight mass.
     Tables and folding chairs had been set up so they could
enjoy the Christmas Eve buffet of ham, potato soup, a cheese-
mashed potato casserole and a pasta salad.  For those wanting
sandwiches, there was freshly baked bread, cheeses, mustard and
other condiments.  Doris had prepared a fruit salad to go with
the meal, plus the same kinds of pie as had been served at lunch.
     The family gathered in the living room, holding hands so
Frank could ask the blessing.  Everyone crossed themselves as
they said, "Amen".  The women started the line and it didn't take
long for everyone to fill their plates and find a place to sit.
     Conversation was lively during dinner.  There was a lot of
teasing among the assembled people as well as good conversation.
It was a leisurely meal and everyone had plenty to eat.  It was
after 9 o'clock when they cleared the tables and put them and the
chairs away to use again for their Christmas dinner.  Everyone
needed to freshen up and change clothes to go to church and both
bathrooms were available to use, the men using Dale and Craig's
and the women using Joey's bathroom.
     The singing of Christmas Carols was to start at 10:20 and
the family decided that they should be in their seats by 10
o'clock.  They divided up into two cars, as there were 10 of them
to go to the church.  They didn't get there any too early, but
Eddie Thompson had blocked off the row of chairs where they
usually sat.  People at St. James generally sat in the same area
each time, but the visitors didn't know that fact.  However, the
ushers did their usual good job with seating visitors.  Dale was
surprised when Eddie brought Ray Evans and John Sterling to their
row of seats.  Since there was no extra seating in that row, Dale
and Craig moved up one row, seating the two men between them.
     The singing of the carols was fun.  On some, the brass
ensemble joined with the organ and it was a majestic sound.  The
church was beautiful, decked out in greenery and poinsettias.  It
was simple, but effective.  At 10:50 the brass joined the organ
to play a ten-minute prelude of Christmas hymns and carols.  As
they were finishing the last of the prelude music, the acolytes
carrying the processional cross and candles moved in from the
south side of the chancel to stand at the gate into the
sanctuary, turning to face the congregation.  The congregation
stood.  Fr. George, wearing a white and gold cope, entered from
the same side with Jason and Kevin ahead of him.  Jason ran the
lid up on the chains of the thurible so Fr. George could put 8
large scoops of incense pellets into it.  He made the sign of the
cross over it as Jason lowered the lid and secured it.
     Fr. George raised his hands, addressing the congregation.
"Alleluia, Alleluia!  Let us go forth in the name of the newborn
Christ.  Alleluia, Alleluia."  The congregation responded,
"Alleluia, Alleluia.  Christ is born.  Alleluia, Alleluia.
     `There was a brass fanfare and the organist started playing
"O Come, All Ye Faithful".  Jason and Kevin led the procession
down the main aisle toward the front door.  The processional
cross and candles followed with the choir entering the chancel
from each side to join the procession.  After the choir, came the
verger carrying his symbol of authority followed by the lay
people assisting with the mass.  The clergy cross was next in
line, flanked by two candle bearers, then the Deacon carrying the
Gospel book.  The Sub-Deacon was next with Fr. George bringing up
the rear, sprinkling the congregation with Holy Water.
     The procession moved toward the vestibule, then turned right
to go down the aisle on the north side of the nave.  At the
crossing, the procession moved to the aisle on the south side of
the nave.  The choir and congregation were singing their hearts
out, the organ and brass were adding to the glorious sound as the
procession arrived back at the front door to go down the main
aisle of the nave to the chancel.  It was a well-rehearsed
procession and was the grandest thing that many in the
congregation had ever seen.
     The choir chanted the Introit as the clergy party moved to
the altar, genuflecting then bending to kiss the top of the
table.
     After the Introit the Christ candle in the Advent wreath was
lit.  The other four candles had been replaced with white ones
that were already lit.  Morris Johnsmore and his wife, Margaret,
took part in that ceremony, Morris reading the scripture verse
and explanation while she lit the candle.
     As they were taking their seats in the front row, Fr. George
intoned the "Gloria in Excelsis", the choir singing the music
from Mozart's "Twelfth Mass".  Paul's accompaniment was very
orchestral and the choir sounded wonderful.
     The service moved on with the Old Testament Lesson being
read by a layperson, the choir chanted the Psalm, and then the
Sub-Deacon chanted the Epistle.  The hymn for the Gradual was
"Once in Royal David's City".  Fr. George added more incense to
the thurible as the processional cross and candles moved into
position for the Gospel procession.  Fr. Whyte, vested as a
Deacon, was carrying the Book of Gospels and the Sub-Deacon was
ahead of him with Jason and Kevin bringing up the rear of the
procession.  The Gospel was announced at the end of the hymn and
the book was censed.  The Deacon chanted The Holy Gospel.  After
the Gospel, the brass ensemble played "Break Forth, O Beauteous
Heavenly Light" as the procession moved back to the sanctuary
area.
     Fr. George's homily was short and to the point.  The Nicene
Creed was chanted, with the choir leading and then it was time
for the Prayers of the People.  At the Peace, everyone turned to
greet each other, many in the congregation hugging loved ones,
others simply shaking hands and saying. "Peace".
     Fr. Whyte, reminding people of the mass schedule for the
Holy Days that followed Christmas, made the announcements.  Fr.
George then welcomed everyone.  He knelt at the altar rail so his
cope could be removed and replaced with the chasuble during the
chanting of the offertory proper.  He took his seat next to the
Bishop's chair as the Deacon prepared the table.  Paul was
playing quietly before starting the introduction to Joey's solo.
Although Joey had the music in his folder, he had no reason to
look at it.  The soft passages were crystal clear and as Paul
increased the volume, Joey easily sang over the organ.  By the
end of the solo, Paul had pulled on plenty of the stops to
support Joey.  Many people were sitting in the congregation with
tears running down their cheeks.  Dale wished that Craig was
sitting next to him so they could hold hands.  You could hear
audible sighs and murmurs of approval as the solo came to a
conclusion, the organ soaring after Joey finished singing.
     Paul used the melody and improvised as the ushers came back
down the aisle.  Fr. George moved to the altar, blessing the
collection plates which had been gathered on a brass tray, then
the Sub-Deacon moved them to a niche in the wall beside the
altar.
     More incense was added to the thurible and the mass
continued with the censing of the altar, the celebrant, the
clergy party, then the choir and finally the congregation, during
which time Paul's playing added to the solemnity of the service.
The trompette en chamade on the west wall was used liberally.  It
was such a grand sound, meant to cover full-organ.
     The mass continued with the Great Thanksgiving, followed by
the choir singing the Sanctus-Benedictus and on to the
consecration prayer with the Sanctus Bell being rung at the
appropriate times.  The congregation chanted the Lord's Prayer
and the choir sang the Agnus Dei.  Dale and Craig quickly
explained how to receive communion to Ray and John and then they
left their seats to go to the rail.  The choir was singing "Of
the Father's Love Begotten" which was followed by "Let All Mortal
Flesh Keep Silence" and then two Christmas hymns, "What Child is
This" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem".
     Dale and Craig both caught Joey's eye and gave him a "thumbs
up" as the line moved to the communion rail.  Craig's family also
let Joey know they had appreciated his solo.
     After communion came the General Thanksgiving, then after
the blessing there was a brass fanfare leading into the hymn "
The First Nowell".  The procession moved to the rear of the nave
and after the hymn the Deacon said, "Let us go forth in the name
of the newborn Christ, Alleluia".  The congregation responded,
"Alleluia".  People knelt for their personal prayers as the organ
and brass played a selection of Christmas hymns that Paul had
arranged.
     The family greeted those who had been sitting around them,
receiving many compliments on Joey's solo.  Marty's family came
over to offer their praise, which was joyfully received.  He
handed Dale an envelope, probably containing a Christmas card,
but telling Dale to open it when they opened their Christmas
gifts.  Dale looked at the outside.  It said, "To Dale, Craig and
Joey".  He thanked Marty, wishing him a Merry Christmas.
     As they moved toward the back of the nave to go outside,
more people made themselves known, again thanking Joey's family
for his contribution to the grand music of the evening.
     Fr. George gave each of the family a big hug, telling each
of them that he was blinking back the tears of joy created by
Joey's singing.
     Meanwhile, Joey had gone to the choir room to remove his
vestments.  All of the men and boys in the choir either had hugs
or a slap on the back for a "job well done".  He had tears in his
eyes caused by the accolades given him.
     Upon leaving the building, more people stopped him to offer
praise, as did his family as they were making their way to the
cars.
     Ray and John were introduced to the members of Craig's
family and they were at a loss of words about the beautiful
church service they had just taken part in.
     The family got into their cars to go back to the condo for
dessert.
     * * * * *
     Christmas morning came early and the family had to get ready
to go to the 9 o'clock mass.  It almost seemed like an anti-
climax.  The man who was supposed to sing the solo during the
offertory had been feeling like he was getting a sore throat the
evening before.  Much to everyone's delight, Joey sang "O, Holy
Night" again.
     Dale and Craig were surprised that the church was over half
full this morning.  There had been about 400 people at the
"family service" on Christmas Eve and only a few seats were empty
at the 11 o'clock mass.
     They were back at the condo by 10:45.  Doris had prepared a
breakfast casserole to be baked.  With that she served fruit and
sweet rolls.  Everyone was hungry but didn't want to eat too much
as they knew about the hors d'oeuvres to be eaten while people
had drinks and opened Christmas presents.
     The "kitchen crew" put things away, loaded the dishwasher
and Doris put the rolled prime rib roast into the oven.  She had
prepared four pies and two cakes the day before and there were
other food items that Dale and Frank brought up from their car.
     * * * * *
     Finally it was time to open Christmas presents.  Joey was
really excited; he had been appointed as the "official Santa
Claus" to distribute presents that were under the tree.  People
were to take turns opening gifts so everyone could see the gifts
the others' received.
     Joey received a gift certificate for a new suit from Dale
and Craig, along with two shirts from Susan and Chuck.  Becky and
Stan gave him a gift certificate to The Gentry Shop.  He was
really pleased with the Seiko sport watch that Dale gave him.  He
proudly replaced the cheap Timex watch he had been wearing.
Craig gave him a silver St. Christopher's medal that was made in
the shape of a 4-leaf clover.  It was on a silver chain so he
could wear it around his neck.  His other gift from Craig was a
pair of gold cufflinks with music symbols on them.
     Dale, Craig and Joey proudly modeled the new leather coats
given them by Frank and Doris.  All three seemed to be the
correct size.
     Joey had purchased a weekend at a Bed and Breakfast Inn in
San Antonio for Dale and Craig.  All they had to do was check for
an open date.  They both thanked him for being so thoughtful and
gave him a big hug and a pat on the back.
     Frank and Doris' gift from Joey was a set of Big Band CD's
from the old "Hit Parade" show.  They were very appreciative of
his thoughtfulness.
     Joey had purchased a book of "Treasures at the Metropolitan
Museum" for Susan and Chuck.  He thought a coffee-table book was
neat and he knew they loved museums.
     He had purchased separate gifts for Becky and Doug, giving
Becky a copy of the newest Lotus software package and a book of
coupons from Blockbuster for Doug.
     Frank and Doris, along with Dale and Craig gave Forrest a
gift certificate for $100 at Dillard's.  Forrest was elated that
they had thought of him.  He had tears in his eyes when he told
them that he had gone to the rest home this morning before coming
to the condo.  His grandmother had slipped into a coma during the
night and they hadn't been able to rouse her this morning.
     Everyone felt sad as his report of being with her the
previous evening had been very positive.  Doris remembered how it
was with her mother before she died.  She had been very
lethargic, and then they thought she was getting better when she
suddenly passed away.  She hoped for Forrest's sake that Mrs.
Ross didn't linger in a comatose state for a long time.
     Joey had purchased a book of Garfield cartoons in the form
of a daily calendar.  Forrest loved Garfield.
     One of the gifts that Dale and Craig gave Frank and Doris
was a scale model of the house they proposed to build.  They had
found the one Craig had built for them was great in that they
were able to plan furniture placement as well as location of
outlets and other utilities.
     Dale remembered the envelope Marty had given him at church
last night.  He went to the bedroom to retrieve it.  When he came
back into the living room, Craig asked, "What's that?"
     "I don't know, Marty gave it to me last night and said to
open it with the rest of our gifts.  It has all of our names on
it."  He handed the card to Craig, who untucked the flap and
pulled out the card.  On the front was a picture of a horses'
face.  Inside was written, "Gentlemen farmers need horses to ride
around their farm.  Please accept our gift of three horses from
the Williamson Family."  The card had been signed by Martin,
Jeanine, Marty, Chris, Jason and Kevin.
     Dale was stunned.  Craig was astonished.  Joey let out a
whoop, "When do we get them?"
     "Well, not until we have a place ready for them," Dale said.
"Besides, we have to buy hay and feed, as well as saddles and
other tack we'll need."
     "Maybe next week?" Joey pushed.
     "I don't know, Bud, we'll have to talk to Marty and see what
horses they are and if Lee can deliver them to the new farm.
I'll talk to Marty in the morning, but you need to write a thank-
you note, as Craig and I will."
     "This is the coolest gift ever."  Joey was about to bust his
buttons.
     It had been a great Christmas as far as giving and receiving
gifts.  There was a lot of "ooing" and "aahing" as gifts were
opened.  The food on the dining table was good and the shrimp
disappeared quickly.  Several were consuming mixed drinks.  It
was a wonderful day for friends and family.
     * * * * *.
     The Christmas Day meal started with everyone gathering in a
circle so they could hold hands for the blessing.  Dale led off
with his being thankful to have found Craig and his loving family
and for discovering his brother, Joey.  The prayer passed on to
Craig, then Doris and around the circle with Frank completing it
with a thanksgiving for food, and for the loved ones around the
circle.
     The food was great and the conversation was fun while they
were eating.  Someone was always at the buffet table to help
themselves to more food.  The quantities prepared seemed to have
worked out to what people ate.  There was little left to put away
for another meal.  It had been decided much earlier that dessert
would be served a couple of hours after they finished eating.
     It was a nice day and several decided to go for a walk to
help settle the food they had consumed.
     Joey walked with Forrest to the rest home to check on his
grandmother.  The nurse told Forrest that there hadn't been any
change except that her heart rate and respiration was getting
slower.  Her skin felt cold to Forrest and he had tears in his
eyes as they turned to leave the room.
     "Why don't you stay with us tonight?" Joey asked Forrest.
"Give them our phone number in case they have to call you."
     "That's nice of you.  I'll do that because I don't want to
stay by myself tonight," Forrest replied.
     "That's what friends are for," Joey told him.  After they
left the rest home, they walked to the house where Forrest lived
with his grandmother.  Forrest was scheduled to work in the store
the next morning.  He packed a few things so he could shower and
have fresh clothes for work.
     By the time they returned to the condo, Doug had left to
drive back to Dallas, as he had to work the next day, also.
     Forrest told everyone about his grandmother and received a
hug from everyone.  Joey told them that Forrest was going to stay
with him for a few days, that the rest home had the phone numbers
for the condo and the store.  That was fine with Doris and Frank
since Susan and Becky were staying at their apartment.
Otherwise, Forrest would have been welcome to stay with them.
     * * * * *
     Later that evening, although no one needed more food, Doris
had prepared more potato soup and there was plenty of ham for
sandwiches, or however people wanted to eat it.  By the time they
were through eating, there was little left from any of the meals
consumed the past two days.
     Doris and Frank, along with Becky and Susan left about 9:45
to go to their apartment.  The five went back inside after
walking them to their car.  The telephone was ringing.  It was
for Forrest.
     A nurse at the rest home was calling to advise him that his
grandmother was experiencing respiratory failure and that he
might want to come to the rest home immediately.
     Forrest was going to walk, but Dale wouldn't hear of it.  He
and Joey drove him to the rest home and went to Mrs. Ross' room
with Forrest.  They could tell that although she was comatose,
she was in an agitated state.  Her hands seemed to be reaching
for something and Forrest took the cold hands into his.  This had
a calming effect on her.  He leaned over the bed.  "Grandma, I'm
here," he spoke softly into her ear.  He thought he felt her
squeeze his hands and he gently squeezed back as he kissed her
cheek.
     The nurse was watching the monitors as the blood pressure
and respiration rate dropped.  Mrs. Ross quit responding and
shortly afterward, the alarm on the monitor sounded as the
readings went to a straight line.
     Forrest stood up.  "She's gone, isn't she?" he asked to no
one in particular.  The nurse nodded her assent.
     Joey, who had gone through this just 3 months before had
tears in his eyes.  As Forrest turned around Joey gave him a full-
body hug, saying, "I'm sorry.  I'm sorry, Forrest."
     Dale joined in the hug.  It was comforting to Forrest to
have the men with him.  Tears poured from his eyes and this
triggered tears from Joey and Dale, also.  They were remembering
their loved ones.  After a few minutes, Forrest composed himself.
He went back to the bed, bent over and kissed Mrs. Ross' cheek.
"Good-bye Grandma.  Thanks for taking care of me after my parents
died."
     He turned back to Dale and Joey.  "Thanks for being here for
me.  I really don't know what I would do without your being my
friends."
     "I'm glad we could be with you," Dale replied, while pulling
out a handkerchief and wiping his eyes.
     The nurse said, "I don't want to hurry you because you can
stay as long as you want, but would you stop at the desk on your
way out of the building?"
     Forrest looked back at his grandmother one more time.  "I'm
ready to leave," he said to the nurse.  Dale walked on one side
of Forrest and Joey was on the other.  Both had their arms across
his back, Dale's hand resting on his right shoulder.  They
stopped at the nurse's station and the nurse pulled a folder from
the file.
     "Your grandmother wished to be taken to Oakhurst Funeral
Home, where she is to be cremated, then her ashes are to be
buried in the plots where your grandfather and parents are
buried.  Is that right," she asked.
     "Yes," Forrest said.  "We talked about that several times
recently.  I think it's already paid for," he added.
     "We'll call the mortuary and they will take care of the
rest.  I suggest that you call them in the morning to work out
any arrangements you want to have."
     "Thank you," Forrest said, starting to move away.
     "You can pick up the personal effects she had here anytime
after noon," the nurse said.
     "Ok," Forrest replied.  He was ready to leave.  This had
been a long day and he was tired.
     * * * * *
     The men arrived back at the condo about 11:45.  Craig and
Chuck were having a drink and visiting.  As soon as Forrest
walked through the door Craig knew what had happened.  He walked
to Forrest and drew him into a hug.  "She's gone," Forrest told
him.  Craig hugged him again, and then stepped back.  Chuck had
walked up to offer his condolences and was going to shake hands.
Forrest drew him into a hug, too.
     Dale said, "I could use a scotch."  Craig went to the bar to
fix it for him, and then poured some port wine into two sherry
glasses, giving them to Forrest and Joey.
     He raised his glass.  "To the good life your grandmother had
and to the wonderful grandson she raised."
     Forrest thought that was the nicest thing anyone could say
at that point in time.  He raised his glass.  "Thank you, all of
you, for being my friends."
     Dale put his arm around Forrest's shoulder.  "You can stay
with us as long as you want.  You don't have to stay in the empty
house alone unless you want to."
     This brought more tears to Forrest's eyes.  These men had
been so good to him and it was an accidental meeting to begin
with.  He remembered the first time he saw Joey, when he opened
the door to let Mitsy out as Forrest was delivering the paper.
Joey wasn't wearing any clothes and obviously had just gotten out
of bed.
     Then Joey had invited him to eat with his friends.  When
they were getting ready to open Saber Computer Store, the men
encouraged him to apply for a job and he had done well there.  He
seemed to have a natural aptitude for computers and had done well
with sales, thanks to help from Joey and Daniel.  Then the men
had taken him in at his hour of need, not questioning it, just
being here for him.  These men had become good friends, almost
like he had always known them.
     They sat down, Dale and Craig ending up on the loveseat
together, Craig cuddled close to Dale.  That didn't bother
Forrest a bit.  He thought it was cool that they were comfortable
with him and Chuck being there.
     Finally, it was time to go to bed.  Craig suggested that
Forrest take the day off from the store.  There were no special
offers this week as the next ad was scheduled for next Sunday's
"Austin American-Statesman".  They weren't expecting too much in
the way of merchandise returns, but might sell a few computers to
people who had received gifts of money for Christmas.  He would
talk to Frank in the morning and suggest that they might pay
Forrest for several days of bereavement as he still had to
arrange a funeral and there were other things to be accomplished,
too.
     The men took their glasses to the kitchen, and then were
ready to go to bed.  Chuck, of course, was sleeping on the sofa
bed in the living room and Forrest would sleep with Joey.
     Joey showed Forrest where he could put his bag and gave him
some hangers if he wanted to hang anything up.  Forrest went into
the bathroom first to brush his teeth and take care of other
things.  The wine had warmed him and made him sleepy.  He came
back out and Joey asked him if he was okay in sleeping on the
other side of the bed.  That was fine with Forrest.
     Joey took care of his needs in the bathroom, then walked
back into the dimly lit bedroom, wearing only his boxer shorts.
He debated about pulling them off before going to bed and decided
he'd be more comfortable in the nude.  He turned off the lamp,
pulled his shorts off and scooted into his bed.
     Mitsy jumped up on the foot of the bed and settled into her
usual place.
     "Good night, Forrest," he said.
     "Nite, Joey.  Thank you for everything you've done for me
since I've known you and your Dads.  You are all neat guys and
thoughtful, too."
     "Thanks," said a sleepy Joey, who turned on his side to go
to sleep.
     "Joey?" Forrest quietly asked.
     "Yeah," he answered sleepily.
     "I need a hug.  Do you mind?"
     Joey rolled around to scoot up to Forrest, his chest against
his back.  He put his arm under Forrest's and across his chest.
     A very sleepy Forrest said, "Thanks.  You're the greatest."
     Both young men went to sleep immediately.
     * * * * *
     Everyone slept late - for them - the next morning.  It was
after 7:45 when Chuck came to.  He slipped into Joey's bathroom
from the hall and saw that the door into the bedroom was open.
He started to shut it before turning on a light when he noticed
that Joey and Forrest were cuddled together.  "Hmmm." he thought,
closing the door.
     Mitsy jumped off the bed, waking up Joey, who discovered
that he had been spooned behind Forrest during the night.  He and
Daniel had stayed on opposite sides of the bed the night Danny
stayed over a couple of weeks before.  Joey thought it felt good
to have a warm body to cuddle up to.  Mitsy indicated that she
wanted to go outside so he needed to get up.  As he moved away
from Forrest he discovered that he was hard.  Forrest came to,
discovering they were entangled.  Neither was embarrassed and
nothing was said.
     * * * * *
     Craig drove Forrest to the funeral home after an appointment
was made for 1:30 p.m.  On the way they talked about funeral
arrangements and Forrest told him that his grandmother hadn't
attended church on a regular basis.  The family was Presbyterian,
but  that was about as far as it went.  "Do you want to talk to
Fr. George and have him hold a simple service at the cemetery?"
     "That might be okay," Forrest said.  "Do you think he would
do it?  I mean I've only been to church there a few times and
hardly know him."
     "That doesn't make any difference to him.  He had never met
Joey and Dale's father and yet he held a beautiful requiem mass
for him.  There were no questions asked, he just volunteered to
do it."
     "He's a neat guy.  Everybody seems to like him really well.
He's always been nice to me," Forrest said.
     "Let's call him later and see what he suggests," Craig said.
     The meeting at the mortuary was brief.  The director asked
Forrest if he wanted the body to be prepared for viewing.  When
Forrest found out that the pre-paid amount only included
cremation and a brass urn for the ashes, he nixed the idea.  The
director told Forrest that the ashes could be picked up on
Thursday afternoon.
     Craig called Fr. George from his cell phone after they got
back into his car.  The church secretary put his call through to
the rector.  Craig quickly explained what had happened and
immediately Fr. George told him he had a meeting at 4 p.m., but
if they could come to the church right then, he would make the
time to visit with Forrest.
     Craig parked in the lot about 12 minutes later and they made
their way to the church offices where Donna Appleman greeted them
and took them into Fr. George's study.  He stood to greet the
men, giving both of them a hug.
     "I'm very sorry to hear of your grandmothers death, he told
Forrest.  I stopped in her room twice when she was in the
hospital and gave her communion.  She was at the weekly chapel
service in the rest home and received communion there, too."
     "Thank you," Forrest told him.
     They discussed the possibilities for a funeral service and
Forrest told Fr. George that she didn't have many friends left
and he would be happy with just a short service at the gravesite
when the ashes were buried.  It was decided that the service
would take place at 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon and Fr. George
would keep the service short and simple.  That was fine with
Forrest.
     They thanked Fr. George and left to return to the condo.
     * * * * *
     When Dale returned to his office at the ranch the next
morning, he called the house to see if he could talk to Marty.
Mrs. Wood told him that he hadn't come downstairs yet, but she
would have him call Dale a little later.
     Pat and Michael had taken the week off to visit their
families, so there wasn't much to do around the ranch.
     He was working on the bills that had come in when the phone
rang.  He could tell that it wasn't an outside call, so said,
"Good morning.  This is Dale Richards."
     Marty replied, "And a good morning to you, also.  I trust
you had a nice Christmas."
     "Yes, it was a grand Christmas for all of us.  Especially
with the three horses you gave us.  All of us are very
appreciative."
     "Hey, you guys deserve it.  I do want you to know that these
horses aren't show quality, but will make good saddle horses for
you.  We just can't register and sell them as top-line horses
because of imperfections in their markings.  They are in good
health and one of Lee's men will break them to ride, so you can
probably take them to your spread in a month or so."
     "Gosh, Marty, you have been so kind to all of us.  I can't
thank you enough," Dale told him.
     "Well, all of us can thank you.  I'm surprised that you came
to the ranch this morning.  This is supposed to be a holiday week
for all of us.  As soon as you are through with whatever you're
working on, I expect to see that Blazer of yours heading out the
driveway and going toward Williamsport."
     "Marty."  Dale thought he wouldn't win, so said, "Thanks.  I
guess I'll see you soon."
     "Don't mention it.  And, don't forget that we are having a
cocktail party and dinner for Mort and his wife on Sunday at the
country club.  It's at 5 p.m. and I expect the three of you to
join us," Marty said.
     "Yeah, it's on our calendar.  I hope we'll see all of you at
our place for cocktails on Saturday evening?"
     "Wouldn't miss it for anything," Marty told him.  "Listen,
Mrs. Wood is ready to serve breakfast, so we need to eat while
it's hot."
     They told each other "Good-bye" and hung up.  Dale was
thinking that he had the greatest job in the world, working for
people who really cared for their employees.
     * * * * *
     Dale and Craig, along with Joey, Frank and Doris decided to
have a cocktail party on Saturday evening, December 29th, from 5
to 7 p.m.  They really wanted to have a Sunday party, but with
other things that were going on, it seemed like the best time.
They sent their own invitations and were surprised when they made
up the guest list and merged it with the one Frank and Doris gave
them, there were 60 people to be invited.  Invitations were sent
with an RSVP.  Surprisingly there were only 3 regrets.  Doris was
of the opinion that people would stagger their times, with some
arriving early and leaving for dinner after one drink.  Others
would arrive later, and then go to dinner.  There were always
those who would arrive promptly and stay for the entire time.
     * * * * *
     Chuck and Susan took advantage of their time in Williamsport
to make two trips to Austin.  They did a little shopping and
Susan looked at wedding dresses.  They had made several
appointments for interviews before leaving Dallas and on Thursday
evening they made the big announcement at dinner.
     Chuck had been offered a job with the Texas Parks Department
and would be working for the Lake and Watershed Division.  That
agency was similar to the Army Corps of Engineers, but on a state
level.  He would be monitoring water conditions in the lakes and
would be tracing pollution back to its source.  There was a round
of applause.  Then Susan told them that she had been hired to
work for the Austin Department of Streets in a similar position
as to what she now had in Dallas.  They would be moving to the
area at the end of January, but hadn't decided where they wanted
to live.  Each had plenty of vacation time, so they would return
to work on Monday morning, give their 30 days notice and take
vacation until their quit date at the end of January.
     That brought forth a lot of discussion among those at the
dinner table.  Chuck would be working in the district around
Austin, stretching about 150 miles in all directions.  Susan, of
course, would be working in Austin, but the office and yard
facility was in the west part of the city, so living in
Williamsport was a possibility.
     Also, they had discussed their wedding plans and decided
that they would be married at St. James Church in Williamsport
and would have a May wedding.  They would invite their Dallas
friends, but expected only a few to actually attend.  They had
talked to Fr. George and he had put the date of May 25th on the
church calendar.  It was Memorial Day weekend.
     Craig spoke up; "Dale and I are going to have our commitment
ceremony sometime after the middle of February.  We could have a
double wedding and save a lot of money."
     There was much laughter around the table.
     Susan had a quick retort.  "I've seen pictures of you in
your Cinderella dress and I'm not about to be upstaged at my own
wedding."
     Everyone in the room howled with laughter.
     It was some minutes before anyone could look at Craig
without laughing again.
     Dale spoke, "I still like you better as a man."
     "Hey, Mom.  I thought you looked pretty neat," Joey told him
     Poor Craig.  He thought the whole idea was funny, but was
embarrassed that his joke had made him the one being teased.  He
loved his family.
     * * * * *
     Christmas at Tom and Eddie's house was a lot of fun.  Matt's
mother had bought him a lot of new clothes and that was the main
reason for their being so many presents, everything was wrapped
separately.  The two men had bought Matt a number of games and
educational software for his computer.  Then they found out that
Matt's computer was pretty obsolete and wouldn't run some of the
programs they had purchased, so the next step was to talk to Joey
to find out if Matt's computer could easily be upgraded.
     On the Saturday before Christmas Eve, Eddie had a phone call
from Hampton Ford in Austin, wanting to make arrangements to
deliver a car for Matthew Rhodes.  They agreed on a time of 10:30
a.m. on Christmas Eve.  Tom would take Matt with him to run a
couple of last minute errands.
     The doorbell rang at the agreed time.  Parked at the curb as
a 1991 Mustang "muscle car".
     'Geeze,' thought Eddie.  'Just what the kid needs.'
     Their neighbors to the south were gone on a cruise and Eddie
had keys to their house so he could take in the mail, water
plants and have access in case of an emergency.  He and Tom had
decided to park the car in their garage.
     The salesman parked the car, then gave Eddie the paperwork,
title, insurance papers, etc.  He was surprised that the car
title showed his name as the registered owner.  He determined
that everything was in order, signed the delivery sheet and by
the time he was through, a second car arrived to take the
salesman back to the dealership.
     'Pretty nice car,' Eddie thought, hoping that it was the
right thing for Matt's mother to buy him.
     He closed the garage door and walked to his own house.
     So, Matt was elated when he opened the small package that
had a set of car keys in it.  The men put on their jackets and
walked Matt to the garage next door.  He let out a big squeal
when he saw the car.  He had his restricted driver's license with
him, so Tom crawled in the backseat and Eddie sat in the
passenger side.  He helped Matt adjust the seat and mirrors
before he started the car.  He turned the ignition and the
Mustang came to life.  The exhaust had a throaty roar to it.
Matt had a grin from ear to ear.  He carefully backed the car out
of the garage and turned it around in the driveway so he could
exit to the street.
     "Sweet!!" he exclaimed.
     Much to Tom and Eddie's surprise, Matt was a careful driver.
There was no traffic on the street and Matt drove down the main
street of the business district, then to the highway leading
south out of town.  He drove the speed limit, but no faster.
They rode down to Kawarce and turned around.  On the way back to
Williamsport, they discussed the car and rules for driving it.
     "I didn't think my parents would allow me to have a car, let
alone one like this one," he exclaimed.
     "Yeah, you are pretty lucky," Eddie told him.  "You realize
that if you are going to drive the car before your birthday, that
either Tom or I have to be with you, or that you have a
responsible licensed driver with you that is over 18, don't you?"
     "I know.  But it won't be very long.  I'll be 16 on March
14th.  To him, that was going to be a long time, but he knew Tom
and Eddie would allow him to take them on errands and other
places.  He would have to call his mother and thank her when they
returned home.  He then realized he was thinking of Tom and
Eddie's house as "their" home.
     * * * * *
     Author's Note:  Thank you for the overwhelming amount of
emails you sent following the release of Book II, Chapter 5.  It
was wonderful to hear from all of you, some new people and a lot
of old acquaintances.  I enjoyed reading your comments and
appreciate your continued interest in the story.
     This was a longer than usual chapter.  I was trying to get
the timeline to the New Year of 1991, but didn't make it.
     My special thanks for proofreading help to Paul Daventon
("Dukes of Windsor"), who has taken time to help me catch obvious
errors.  Also to Randy Smith of San Juan Capistrano, who has been
a loyal reader from the very beginning.  Any comments are
appreciated and you can reach me at TulsaAuthor@hotmail.com
     Thanks, David.