The Castaway Hotel: Next Generation - 47. Our Athletes

Dion and Trey arrived home from school a little later than they normally did and had Joshie and Noah with them. I must have had a puzzled look on my face when they entered the house, so Dion attempted to clear things up for me.

“Noah went to the meeting about the soccer team, if you’re wondering,” he told me, “but he wasn’t there very long. We’d waited around just to see how long he’d be, and when we saw the meeting ended fairly quickly, we told him he could ride home with us. That way he wouldn’t have to wait around for Elliot to finish up at the high school.”

“Thank you for doing that,” I replied. “I’m glad he didn’t stay there by himself.”

“I could have done it,” Noah insisted.

“I’m sure you could have,” I agreed, “but you might have had to wait around for an hour or more before Elliot called for a ride. I’m not certain how long he’ll be with the swim team today, so I’m just glad you didn’t have to wait around with nothing to do for such a long time.”

“Oh, okay,” Noah muttered.

I had a feeling he had taken my initial comment to mean that I didn’t think he was mature enough to wait by himself, but it’s not what I was saying. I hope he realizes this now, because I didn’t get a chance to emphasis that point to him before he disappeared up the stairs.

It was only about fifteen minutes later when Elliot called and I went down to pick both him and Jesse up. He told me the meeting for those who wanted to join the swim team had ended, but he wouldn’t start practice until tomorrow. Everyone joining the team has to have their physical first, but once he passes it he can begin practicing with the others.

“Man, this is gonna suck if I have to wait around for Elliot to finish swim practice every night,” Jesse sputtered.

“You can always ride home with Dion and Trey,” I suggested.

“But their car is crowded,” he countered, “with Joshie and Noah riding home with them.”

“Even though their car isn’t very big, I think you can still squeeze into the back seat with those two boys, since neither of them is very big,” I offered. “However, that won’t be a problem either, since Noah will be staying after school with the soccer team. It’s my understanding that he signed up for the seventh-eighth grade squad today.”

My comment seemed to placate Jesse temporarily, but I knew we might eventually need to come up with a better solution for his problem.

That night at dinner, Danny and Brandon asked the boys about their day. They started with Elliot first, so Noah could see this was something they frequently did and not because they were checking up or didn’t trust him.

“How was your first day, Elliot?” Brandon inquired.

“I think it’s going to be a good year, except my math teacher is kind of geeky,” he answered. “This is his first year teaching and he’s put up posters of Bill Gates, Albert Einstein and different Star Trek crews on his classroom walls. I hope it doesn’t mean we’re going to have to listen to him rant about how great they all are.”

I think the rest of us were trying to contain our humor over his observation.

“What about the swim team?” Danny followed.

“I’ll get my physical and start practice tomorrow,” Elliot told him. “I brought home a schedule, so you guys will all know when I have a meet. I hope you’ll come to some of them.”

“We’ll be there for as many as we can,” Brandon assured him.

“Me too,” Jesse chimed in.

“And Joshie and I will be there for all your home meets,” I added. “I may even try to go to an away meet or two, if they’re not too far away.”

“Cool. I’m glad you’re all willing to do this for me,” Elliot confessed.

“How about you Noah? What did you think of your new school?” Brandon asked.

“It was good,” was Noah’s minimal reply.

“Did you like your teachers?” Danny pressed.

“Yeah, they’re okay,” Noah answered.

It was obvious that getting information from him was going to be a little like pulling teeth.

“Did you sign up for the soccer team?” Brandon followed.

“Yep,” Noah confirmed.

“Well, when do you start?” Brandon asked.

“Tomorrow,” Noah replied.

“Noah, we’re going to need a little more detail than that,” Danny informed him. “Did you have your physical yet?”

“Yeah, I was the second one in line,” Noah answered. At least it was more than one word.

“When will you get a schedule, so we can know when your games are,” Brandon asked. “We’d like to watch you play too.”

“I don’t know when we’ll get the schedule,” Noah replied.

We were impressed with this expanded answer, but his fathers still wanted to know more.

“Do you want us to come see you play?” Brandon pressed.

“Yeah, sure,” Noah agreed.

Since they weren’t getting a great deal of information out of Noah, Danny and Brandon decided to stop questioning him. They hoped that over time he might become a little more communicative, especially after he sees how the others shared details of what was going on with us.

After we finished dinner, we sent the boys off to do their homework, before we allowed them to watch TV or play games. Noah didn’t have very many assignments to complete, so he returned first and joined us in the family room.

“You’re all done with everything?” Danny asked.

“Yep,” Noah answered.

“Have any problems or need any help with anything?” Brandon followed.

“Nope,” Noah replied.

This is definitely different, since we’re used to boys who are eager to talk and fill us in about things. We did invite him in to join us watching TV though and Danny and Brandon offered him the spot between them on the sofa. Without hesitation, Noah went over and sat down with them.

I spent my time observing Noah, as he watched television. He seemed to be warming up to both Danny and Brandon and appeared to be comfortable as he sat between them. I know it’s only been a week since he moved in, but I think this is a very good sign.

Elliot and Jesse came down a little later and joined the rest of us for a while. When the show we were watching ended, they asked Noah if he wanted to go to the rec room with them to play air hockey and table tennis. He eagerly agreed and the three of went bolting out of the room, as they headed toward the back of the house. The boys stayed out there until bedtime and then Danny and Brandon sent Noah and Elliot up to shower and hop into bed. Before Jesse had a chance to do the same, I pulled him aside for a second.

“What’s up, Dad?” he asked, once the other pair had disappeared up the stairs.

“I just wanted to tell you to be very careful, if you and Elliot decide to do anything sexual,” I began. “Please make certain your door is locked and Noah doesn’t overhear what you’re up to. I don’t think we’re anywhere near ready for him to get involved in those types of activities yet and I don’t want him to become suspicious about what you’re up to and then begin asking questions. Okay?”

“Yeah, we kinda figured that out already,” Jesse confirmed. “We haven’t really done much since we got back from vacation anyway and now Elliot will be spending a lot of his time with the swim team and then doing homework at night, so I don’t think we’ll be doing much anytime soon.”

“I understand, and I’m glad you boys are smart enough to have figured this out for yourselves,” I told him. “I hope you’re not getting down about Elliot becoming involved in his sports again.”

“Nah, I was expecting it. It isn’t really a big deal for me, so you don’t have to worry.” Jesse observed.

I hope he means what he said.

The following morning, Elliot and Noah grabbed everything they needed to take with them to school. They not only had their schoolbooks and homework, but they also took their sports gear with them, so they could practice with their teams after their classes ended.

Jesse looked a little lost when he came home later, but he played with Joshie for a short time, before going up to his room and starting on his homework. I decided not to bother him or ask any question about how he was feeling. I thought if he wanted to talk about it he’d come to me, so I gave him some space and let him work this out on his own.

I gave Noah about two hours for his practice to end and to clean up afterward, before I went down to the school to see if he was ready to come home. I’d only waited about five minutes before he came wandering out the front entrance. When I saw him, I beeped the horn, because I wasn’t sure if he’d spot me. After hearing the horn, he looked up and eventually figured out it was me in the Suburban, so he hurried over and hopped in.

“I was wondering how I was going to get home,” he told me as he entered the vehicle. “I forgot to ask Uncle Dion about that this morning.”

“I usually pick everyone up after practices, because your fathers are generally still at work,” I explained. “Since you don’t have a cell phone yet, I just figured out when I thought you’d be finished and then came down to get you.”

“Thanks,” he told me.

“I think we might as well head over to the high school next,” I added. “We’ll go in and see if Elliot is about done too.”

“Okay,” he replied.

Once we reached the high school, I set off in the direction of the pool, with Noah following behind. When we got there, I saw Elliot up on the high platform and pointed him out to Noah.

“That’s Elliot up there?” he asked, since he didn’t believe his eyes.

“Yes, it is,” I confirmed. “Your brother is about to dive into the swimming pool from up there, so keep your eyes on him.”

A moment or two later, Elliot executed one of his dives and Noah’s mouth dropped open. I don’t think he believed Elliot was actually going to jump from such a height.

“Wow. That was neat,” he mumbled, barely audibly.

“Yes, it’s not an easy thing to do,” I concurred.

When Elliot resurfaced and was getting out of the pool, he looked up and noticed us. He then strolled over to where we were standing.

“We’re just about done,” he stated. “Your timing is pretty good.”

I merely smiled, as he turned around and walked back toward his coach. Pretty soon, the coach blew his whistle and the rest of the team gathered around him too. He said something to them and then they all began heading toward the locker rooms. That is, everyone except Elliot. He came walking back toward us.

“Noah, I’ve got to go change first,” he stated, “but it won’t take long.”

“Okay,” Noah said, and then he followed Elliot toward the locker room.

I don’t think Elliot expected him to do this and I’m not even sure he noticed Noah was behind him until they got to the locker room. Since Noah was already there, Elliot told Noah to sit on the bench and then merely peeled off his Speedo and went to take a quick shower. Noah stayed by Elliot’s locker until he returned.

“Do you always take a shower with the other boys?” Noah asked, when Elliot got back.

“Yeah, pretty much,” Elliot answered.

“Some of the guys on my soccer team did that today after practice, but I didn’t,” Noah admitted.

“Why not?” Elliot asked.

“Um… I didn’t have a towel,” Noah acknowledged, “but it was also because I’ve never taken a shower with anyone else before. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get naked in front of all those other boys.”

“I know. I had some trouble doing it at first too,” Elliot admitted. “Now I just go in and don’t think much about it.”

Noah considered what Elliot had told him for a minute, before he said anything else.

“But I’m not sure if I should,” Noah confessed. “The other boys all have bigger wieners than me and some have even got hair down there, like you.”

Elliot smiled. He knew how Noah was feeling.

“Yes, those things happen to some boys sooner than others,” Elliot advised him, “but it’s nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. It will happen to you sooner or later. You just have to wait until it’s your time.”

“So there’s nothing wrong with me?” Noah asked.

“Nah, you’re as normal as the rest of them,” Elliot confirmed.

Once Elliot got dressed, the boys came back out to where I was waiting for them. After we were all together again, I led them out to the Suburban and we headed home. As soon as I pulled in the driveway, the boys jumped out, raced into the house and went up to their rooms. I took my time going inside and then began fixing dinner, while we waited for their fathers to come home. Before long, Noah walked into Elliot’s room, clad only in his underpants.

“Elliot, will you come into the bathroom with me?” he asked. “I think I want to see how it feels being naked and showering in front of another boy, so I can see if I want to try it after practice tomorrow.”

“Okay, if you think it will help,” Elliot agreed.

The boys then made their way to the bathroom and Noah hesitantly removed his last article of clothing. He still managed to keep his privates concealed, as much as possible, and it began to appear as if he wasn’t convinced he really wanted to do this. Then, he suddenly turned toward Elliot and dropped his hands to his side.

“It looks like a baby’s, huh?” he asked.

“No, not at all,” Elliot answered, while looking at Noah’s two inch circumcised penis. “Trust me, it will get bigger soon and you won’t feel that way. I’ll even bet there are other guys in your grade that are about the same size as you.”

“You think so?” Noah wondered aloud.

“Yes, I do,” Elliot agreed. “But the size of your dick doesn’t mean anything, except that you haven’t started growing yet.”

“I guess,” Noah said, as he turned away and started to adjust the water.

When Noah started washing, Elliot put the lid down on the toilet and sat down, as he waited for his brother to finish his shower. He didn’t want to leave prematurely and make Noah feel that he didn’t want to be there for him, so he decided to stay. It only took Noah a few minutes to clean up and then he turned off the water again. When he stepped out of the shower, he looked over at Elliot.

“Will you hand me the towel please?” he asked, and Elliot reached over, picked it up and gave it to him.

“I guess it’s not so bad,” Noah stated. “I’ll put a towel in with my other stuff for tomorrow and then take a shower with everyone else after practice. I guess I can do it, as long as you don’t think anyone will say anything about my little wien… dick.”

Noah had started to say wiener again, but then remembered that Elliot had called it a dick. He felt he’d better start using the right word for it, if he didn’t want anyone to pick on him about it. Now that his problem had been addressed, he finished drying off and went back to his room to get dressed. Elliot returned to his room as well, but a few minutes later, Noah appeared in his doorway.

“Thanks for doing that for me,” he told Elliot.

“Not a problem,” Elliot confirmed, “anything for my little brother.”

Hearing Elliot say this brought a smile to Noah’s face. In fact, it might be the first time he’s really smiled since he came to live with us. I hope it means he’s starting to feel like he belongs and will soon start to be more relaxed around the rest of us.

The next afternoon, when I went down to the middle school to pick Noah up, he came out with a grin on his face. I was a little surprised by this, but pleased that he didn’t appear as sad as when he first came to live with us. As soon as he jumped in the Suburban, he had a question for me.

“Are we going to go pick up Elliot now?” he wanted to know.

“We certainly can, if that’s what you want to do,” I agreed. “Normally, I’d wait for him to call first, but we can go, if you want to see him dive again.”

“Yeah, I do,” he answered.

We quickly set out for the high school and then walked to the pool. Noah immediately looked toward the high platform, but another boy was up there, so he began looking around for Elliot. A few seconds later, he spotted him waiting for his turn to climb up the tower to make another dive. When he saw Elliot look in our direction, Noah began to wave. When Elliot saw him, he smiled and waved back.

After this little exchange, we watched as Elliot climbed up to take his turn. I could tell Noah was very excited, and even proud, as he watched his brother make his next dive. After Elliot came out of the water, he strolled over to speak to us quickly, before he went back to practice some more.

“We’ll probably be a little longer, so I hope you don’t mind waiting,” he advised us.

“Not at all,” I replied. “Noah was eager to come back here, so he could watch you dive again, and I was happy to bring him. Waiting a while longer isn’t a problem.”

Elliot grinned and then went back to do a couple more dives, before his coach blew the whistle and called the team in for one final piece of advice. Once he’d finished, the team members started to head toward the locker room, but not before Elliot came over to speak to Noah first.

“Okay, I’m going to go shower and change now,” he stated. “I won’t be long.”

“Okay,” Noah readily agreed, as he got up and tagged along behind Elliot again.

I thought it best not to say anything, since this didn’t seem to bother Elliot, and merely watched as the boys strolled way. I thought it was cute how Noah followed Elliot around, like a little puppy, and was pleased that the pair seemed to be bonding.

Once they got inside, Noah spoke to Elliot as he was taking off his Speedo.

“I took a shower at school today,” he began. “No one said anything about my dick and you were right, a couple of the other boys have little dicks just like me.”

“See. I told you,” Elliot confirmed. “I’m glad you realize that now.”

“Yeah, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be,” Noah confessed. “Thanks for helping me with that.”

“Like I told you yesterday,” Elliot responded, “anything for my little brother.”

“Thanks. I like hearing you say that too,” Noah admitted, with an ear-to-ear grin.

Elliot then went to take his shower and returned a few minutes later. When he came back, he had Hayden with him.

“Hayden, this is my little brother, Noah,” Elliot stated, as he introduced them. “Noah, this is my best friend, Hayden.”

The boys said hello to each other and shook hands. I think Elliot must have told Hayden about Noah before dragging him over to meet him, because Hayden didn’t seem surprised by the introduction. Noah, however, appeared proud that Elliot had referred to him as his little brother and was also willing to have him meet his friend.

I think Elliot had just made our first major inroad with Noah.