The Company - 2. The Family

I woke up as the rosy pink of dawn’s light began to warm me up. I lay still and enjoyed the warm feeling of Frank against my back and his monster cock pressed against my back side. I grinned at the thought that someone was glad to see me this morning.

Just across the bed, Chris and Tony were a tangle of long arms and legs, and their two faces were angelic in repose. Seeing them there in the pale morning light was like an oil painting by some old master.

As gently and stealthily as I possibly could, I disengaged from Frank and slipped off the end of the bed. I found some shorts in the wardrobe and put them on, and then put a light blanket over Frank and kissed his neck.

I put another one of the blankets over Chris and Tony and slipped into the bathroom.

Quietly, I moved out of the master bedroom and went out on the deck overlooking the lake. This early and on this end of the lake, it was quiet and still. In the distance, I could hear the motors of early rising fishermen.

Almost hiding in the shadow of Cedar Island, not thirty yards from the end of my dock, was a canoe. I had seen it before and grinned. Two teenaged boys from a few houses over had the bright idea of paddling out to the shallows, grounding there, and then making out in the bottom of the canoe. It wasn’t really a bad plan. They just didn’t expect someone to be standing on this balcony at stupid o’clock in the morning.

As the morning light got a shade brighter it was easy to see a bare bottom sticking up in the air then it came down, and I could see them sixty-nining and by the intensity of it, they were soon bound for glory.

I heard the balcony door open quietly, and I turned to see that Frank had found me. I put my finger to my mouth to indicate quiet, and I motioned for him to look. He instantly saw what was going on and whispered, “We should be doing that.”

The boys in the canoe were actually getting noisy.

I replied, “We will. You want more sleep?”

He said, “No. More of you.”

I noticed that the canoe had slipped off the clay shoal that they had been resting on, but the kids were way past caring, and we could hear them climaxing and, capsizing. I said to a shocked Frank, “Meet me downstairs” I went over the side of the balcony, using the gutter drain pipe to slow my descent.

Once I hit the ground, I sprinted down the dock and dove in. I was there so fast, I think it shocked the kid I grabbed. I pulled him close to the canoe, so he could get a grip. I saw some Transformers shorts floating, grabbed them and handed it to a shocked looking kid.

I said, “Maybe you should… transform?”

He giggled and put his arm through a leg hole, so he wouldn’t lose them. I pulled the canoe and two very nervous looking boys to the shallow side of the dock as Frank approached with towels.

The younger looking of the two, wide-eyed, asked, “Sir, are you Batman? The way you can down that wall…”

Frank and I laughed hard, and I said, “No, I’m not Batman but, if I were, would I tell you?”

The boys giggled at that, and I said, “Let’s get you two on dry land.”

The older of the two said, “Ummm… Uhhh”

Frank asked sweetly, “A little nervous about being stark naked?”

At that, they both looked petrified.

I said, “Look, you’re not in trouble. Frank and I were on that balcony when you two got a little noisy and flipped over, doing what boys do. We’re the last people who would bust you for that.”

It clicked for the older boy. The younger one was still so afraid and looked like he might cry.

I asked the little guy, “Aren’t you Toby Rankin?”

He sniffled and said, “Uh-huh.”

“I know your Dad. I can call him…”

The little guy's eyes got wide, and I said, “I’ll help you guys get through this.”

Toby looked confused and asked, “Why?”

His older pal said, “Because, they’re gay like us.”

Then Toby asked, “You aren’t going to do anything to us, are you?”

I said, “Other than hose the mud off you, give you a towel and maybe some breakfast, no.”

Toby looked at me, then Frank and a puzzled Chris and Tony coming across the lawn and said, “It’s just my luck to get shipwrecked on the island of smoking hot guys, and I’m only thirteen.”

 

When we got the boys out of the water, they were covered in mud and both boned up. Frank got towels around them, but it was still stupid o’clock, mostly dark and there wasn’t anyone within a mile.

I bent over and asked them quietly, “I take it you guys didn’t finish.”

Toby said, “We were getting there, but Brandon made the wrong move, and we landed in the water.”

I looked at the older of the two and said, “Hi, Brandon. I know how it is when you’re almost there, and you have to stop. It hurts. After you shower, I’ll give you two some privacy. After that, we’ll call your Dad. I know him. I promise we’ll get you through this.”

Brandon said, “You are the coolest person I’ve ever met. Adopt me?”

Toby said, “Yeah. Me too.”

We quickly covered them in towels and brought them inside to the big open shower in the gym. After they were done, I put them in the sauna on a low setting. After pointing out the oil, I winked at them and left them alone.

Frank met me in the master bedroom with a big hug and said, “You are the coolest person I’ve ever met. Adopt me?”

I said, “Already have. I need a shower. Join me?”

He said, “Oh yeah.”

My usual three-minute shower ran a lot longer than usual that morning. When we were done, Frank and I dressed and went down to the kitchen, warmed up the stove and started preparing a big breakfast.

Before I got to the serious business of cooking, I ran down to the gym, where Chris and Tony were sitting near the hot tub with their feet in the water waiting for the boys to finish their business in the sauna.

“Hey guys, how are our guests doing?”

Tony grinned and said, “Judging from the sound of it, they’re having a blast.”

About that time, a hooting sound came from the sauna.

Chris said, “I can’t even imagine what that was.”

“I read that boys that age can manage multiple-orgasms.”

Tony said, “By my count, there’s been four.”

“Think about it from their perspective. They’ve always had to sneak around, and now they feel safe and secure. They’re just making the best of it.”

Chris said, “You said you know Toby’s Dad. Might he freak out?”

I chuckled and said, “I don’t think so. Remember where we met?”

Chris nodded.

“He’s swallowed a number of my loads there.”

Tony said, “No way!”

I nodded. “He’s a closet case. He’s married and only gets a little on the side when he steps out, but that one has the call of the wild. I’ll make sure our little pals don’t crash and burn. I’ll have breakfast in about ten minutes, guys.”

I walked over to the sauna and heard soft scuffling and rhythmic thumping. I knocked on the door, waited, and cracked it open just enough to be heard through. “I’ll have breakfast in about ten minutes, guys. You might want to run through the showers again. I’m leaving some extra towels for you out here.”

In unison, they said, “Thanks, Tim.”

I headed back up to the kitchen and began cooking biscuits, frying bacon and scrambling eggs.

Frank watched things as I went into my office and dug through the Lakeview homeowner’s association membership list and found the number I was looking for: Samuel Rankin. I sat down at my desk and punched the number in.

A sleep bleary voice answered, and I said, “Hello Sam. This is Tim. I hate to bother you so early in the morning, but Toby and Brandon flipped their canoe and washed ashore in my backyard.”

“What?”

“They’re OK. I hosed the mud off them and am about to feed them breakfast. Oh, you had better bring them some clothes. They were just wearing shorts, and Toby lost his.”

Mr. Rankin chuckled and said, “They think they’re so slick…”

“It might be time to have a frank discussion with them. Who does Brandon belong to?”

Rankin said, “He’s adopted. His mother was pretty bad off on drugs and got a fifteen-year hitch in prison. We adopted him to give Toby a big brother, and they got along well from the start. Look, I’ll be over in thirty minutes. Can I ask a favor of you?”

“Sure.”

“They need a gay role model that’s solid. Could you do that for them?”

“I think I can do the gay godfather. I have a plan that’ll help both of us out. Here’s what I have in mind…”

I talked to Sam for another few minutes, and we formed our plan.

When I returned to the kitchen, Frank was serving breakfast amid a babble of chatter. He made a plate and sat down beside me.

Toby said, “…I hardly even got wet before he was there. I think he’s Bat Man.”

Brandon said, “You should have seen him slide down that pipe. It has to be thirty feet up there.”

Tony grinned wide and said, “He just might be Bat Man. I’ve seen him do some pretty cool stuff, too.”

I interjected, “I talked to your Dad. He’ll be over in about thirty minutes. He’s not in a hanging mood. I think he’s more amused than anything.”

Both Toby and Brandon seemed relieved, but worried about facing the music.

Frank reached over and put a hand on Toby’s shoulder, gave it a squeeze and said, “It’ll be all right. With all the mud off you, you’re both pretty cute. I doubt anyone could stay mad at you very long.”

Toby looked at Frank and said, “You’re really nice. You are all really nice. Thank you for this morning.” He looked right at me and winked.

I couldn’t help but grin at the boy. Although he still had a little baby fat on him, I could see that he was headed for a growth spurt soon, and he already had charm in spades.

Brandon had clearly had his already. He was a head taller than Toby and was already starting to grow pecs. Looking at them two side by side, the two blonds could easily pass as brothers except for Brandon’s striking green eyes. No wonder, Toby fell for him head over heels.

 

Thirty minutes later, a knock came on the front door. Sam had arrived with a bag full of clothes for the two naked jay-birds. He took a knee and hugged the two boys tenderly. He was a little choked up and said, “I’m so glad you’re both OK.”

Then he popped them both on the fanny and said, “What have I told you about going out in the canoe without life jackets!”

Toby said, “We’re sorry, Dad. We weren’t thinking.”

Sam said, “If you had to capsize, you picked the right place for it. Tim is good people.” He looked at me and said, “Thanks for taking care of my boys.”

“My pleasure Sam. They’re great kids. Pretty cute too once you hose the mud off them.”

Brandon asked, “Is there somewhere we could get dressed? This towel been great but…”

I said, “You remember the gym?”

Both boys nodded… and smiled. “There’s a little locker room for changing on the side of the shower.”

Sam handed them the bag and said, “Now scoot and get back. We need to have a talk. There will be punishment for going out without life jackets, but I think you won’t mind it much.”

The two boys ran off downstairs, sounding like a herd of buffalo.

Sam sighed, smiled and asked, “Any changes to the plan?”

I shook my head. “Chris, Tony, when they come back, herd them toward my office. Frank, Sam, let’s get in there and set up this pup and pony show.”

We entered my office off the kitchen. As I hardly used it, it was nearly immaculate. I set the chairs up so that Frank and I were side by side the boys were side by side and Sam Rankin was close to them.

It wasn’t long before two nervous looking boys appeared.

Sam hugged the two boys and said, “Don’t be afraid. Nothing bad is going to happen. We just need to talk. I should have had this conversation some time ago, but I wussed out, and it put you in danger.”

The two boys sat down and looked at their Dad with equal parts confusion and consternation.

Sam continued after a beat, “When I was your age, I was just like you. I had a boyfriend that I loved a lot. My parents found out and broke us up when I was fifteen. That hurt a lot, and I will never, ever do that to you.”

“I’ve known for some times that you two have been having sex. Tim didn’t tell me a thing about it.” He grinned and said, “I’m not certain if you even realize it, but you two tend to get a little noisy.”

Both boys blushed bright crimson and Sam continued, “Many boys, and I do mean many boys, your age have sex with other boys. All of those hormones with nowhere to go, it’s pretty much inevitable. Most of them will grow up, marry and have children. A few of them will be gay and only want to have relationships with other men, and others will be bisexual and have relations with men and women.”

“My point is that I will love you gay, straight or bisexual. I just want you to be safe. There’s a new rule at our house: if you need alone time, shut your door and play some music. Dawn canoe raids are out unless you wear life vests, but, why would want to if you have privacy at home?”

“Now for your punishment: Frank and Tony are moving today and need help. You’re elected.”

The two boys were still, and Toby asked, “Did Mom leave because I was queer?”

Sam sighed and said, “No, son. She left because… I am. She couldn’t stay anymore. It wasn’t fair to either of us. Rather than drag you off to the West Coast, she gave me full custody of both of you.

The little family gathered in a hug and Sam spoke again. “I want you to be around some gay people who are good people and I can trust them not to abuse you. Tim and his partner Frank have agreed to be your gay big brothers. You can talk about things with them that you might not feel comfortable talking to me about.”

Toby asked, “Frank, are you Tim’s partner?”

Frank nodded and Toby said, “You two are hot.”

Sam said, “Toby!”

“Well Dad, they are”, Brandon said. Then he changed tact’s and asked, “Dad, will you get a boyfriend?”

Sam said, “Maybe someday, but my priority is being your Dad. Nothing will get in the way of that.”

Tim said, “Boys, I don’t have to tell you that many people dislike gay people. My advice is to stay discrete. Part of discretion is only having sex where you won’t get caught. Now that all the cards are on the table, Frank and I saw you this morning. If we had been the wrong sort of people, things could have gone badly. Lesson learned?”

Brandon nodded. "No more dumb chances."

Sam stood and said, “Are we OK, boys?”

They both hugged Sam, and he put an arm around both of them. “Work hard to help Frank and Tony. I put paddles and life vests in the canoe. When you are done, you can paddle home safely and… go to your room if you feel like you need alone time.”

Brandon said, “Love you, Dad.”

Toby just hugged his Dad.

Sam took his leave and I walked him out.

When we went out the front door, I said, “That was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.”

He replied, “It only worked because you were the right guy in the right place. Are we still on for tomorrow morning?”

“You bet. That part will be a big help.”

Sam said, “It will be done. See you in church tomorrow. Thank you for my sons.”

I said, “I don’t think they were in any real danger. They both swim like fish.”

Sam said, “No, it’s not that. They don’t have to hide from me anymore. That’ll make us closer.”

I patted his shoulder and he headed off to his car.

When I returned to the kitchen, the dishes were put away and the dishwasher was running.

Toby volunteered, “I’m helping Frank.”

Brandon was standing by Tony and didn’t feel the need to announce his allegiance.

I said, “Well then. Let’s get this show on the road.”

We all piled into the Mustang. True, it was a cool car but for six people, not so much. I drove to the industrial park where I maintained my office. It had been a steal. It was once leased to a print shop, but they had moved out some years ago, and it had sat empty. I had a paid five-year lease.

I showed my ID, passed through the gate and drove around to the loading dock of my building.

“This is it, guys. I told you last night that I had started building a business, this will be its headquarters.”

I parked but left the engine running. I said, “Frank, when I pull the van out, pull the car in.”

I took the keys to the garage like loading dock door and opened it. Inside, the GMC van that I bought was sitting there waiting. It cranked on the first turn and I pulled out.

We changed vehicles and left the car locked up nice and tight at the warehouse. The work van as I thought of it was a lot more comfortable for six people and its 350 engine had a nice authoritative tone. It was just a few minutes until the air conditioning had banished the muggy early spring heat.

Frank’s place was a furnished one bedroom starter apartment with a kitchenette in a modest complex favored by students. We had him cleaned out, key returned and deposit promised by the end of the month.

Tony’s place was a furnished room in a boarding house favored by hobos. He was out in less than thirty minutes.

When we returned to the warehouse, I had Frank drive the crew home in the van while I took Tony for a side trip.

When we got down the road in the Mustang I said, “Tony, last night when I gave you your rub down, it broke my heart to see that someone had deliberately hurt you. I don’t know what happened, and I won’t venture to guess, but it’s clear many bad things happened after your parents split up.”

Tony said, “It started before. My old man was a drinker. He found out I was gay by listening in on the phone. When he got drunk, he would beat me up or do sexual humiliation things to me. Mom caught him at it and we left. Things went from bad to eventually worse with step-dads. I think the last two were more sexually interested in me than Mom. Finally, I gathered what I could and came back here looking for Chris.”

“You came back for him.”

He just nodded his head.

“Have you told Chris about it?”

“I’ve been so caught up in the joy of getting back together; I haven’t wanted to bring us down with all of that misery.”

I sighed and said, “The kind of injury that you have had can come back to haunt you later on. This week, I’m going to take you to a doctor, and we’re going to get you checked out physically. Later on, we’re going to find a shrink that you can sit down with and help you with the invisible injuries. At some point, you can sit down and talk to Chris about it. His love will help you heal.”

Tim was quiet for a moment and said, “Tim, you aren’t Bat Man. You’re a saint.”

I chuckled and said, “I’m hardly a saint. People often forget that in our world, saints and angels are just good people doing what they feel called to do. I love you, Tony Romano, and I want you to be part of my family. I will be the father to you have never had because you are damned well worth it.”

Tony wept like a child. I pulled off into one of the many parks near the big lake and held him as he let out the pain and the hurt that he had been holding inside for so long. Like a quick summer storm, the power of the pain and hurt roared, but it had been robbed of its power, and it ebbed away.

Twenty minutes later we rolled into one of my favorite department stores where I got Tony a dozen assorted socks, a pair of good running shoes, a pair of good shoes, four Levis 501 jeans, two khaki pants, six shirts, a good belt, a weeks’ worth of boxers, assorted toiletries and an overnight bag.

On our way back to the house, Tony started to say something several times, but couldn’t find the words.

When we got home, I said, “I’ve seen you searching for words and maybe being a little overwhelmed. There’s an old country saying my Dad used to repeat: what you are doing speaks louder than what you are saying.” I then gave him a huge hug when he returned with surprising intensity.

We got Tony installed in his new room, which turned out to be my old room from high school. I had long since gotten everything that I needed out. It was nice enough with a desk, a Technics stereo, wardrobe, nice queen-sized bed and a comfortable chair near the window where I used to read and do homework.

Brandon parked himself at Tony’s elbow and was being quite helpful. I observed something about the older of Sam’s two boys that I didn’t quite understand, but I filed it away. Brandon was a real people pleaser. He was very polite and attentive, which was quite different from most boys his age. At first, I attributed it to wanting to be liked by the older boys. Then I remembered that he was adopted. Sam had mentioned the circumstances, and I wondered if he and Tony didn’t have some bad stuff in common.

When I entered my bedroom, it was obvious that Frank had taken on the room as a project. It smelled of Pine sol and the vacuum was parked by the bed. There was a Toby shape lump curled up on the bed.

Frank appeared from the bathroom and I hugged him and gave him a kiss. I said, “You’ve really been working.”

He grinned and said, “I want our nest to be just right.”

“It looks like Toby ran out of gas.”

Frank smoothed Toby’s hair with a brush of his hand and said, “He’s a cross between an angel and a horn dog. I can’t believe some of the things he asked me.”

“Like what?”

Frank motioned with his head toward the balcony, and we went outside. Once there, he plopped down in the chair and sighed. “He’s really curious about us. He asked many questions about what we do, how to do anal without it hurting, what it’s like to be with you, how to improve sex and all sorts of miscellaneous sexy gay details. I've never even done anal."

“I’m not so sure if that’s what Sam had in mind with us being role models.”

Frank chuckled and said, “Certainly not for the thirteen-year-old, horn dog that he is.”

“It’s not bugging you, is it?”

Frank said, “No, I can handle Toby and Brandon is a real sweetheart. Someday in the future…”

“You think you might like to have kids?”

“Yes. And you would be a great dad.”

“I’m for it but, it would be uphill all the way. This is the South, and Joe-Bob and Joe-Anne Baptist doesn't see any difference between gay and pervert.”

Frank snorted and said, “It would take living on our side of the street for a day for them to figure that one out. I don’t have to tell you that I had more than a few perverts sniffing my ass growing up in a boarding school, not to mention a certain dirty, lecherous cop.”

I gently stroked his shoulder and felt the tension there. I said, “I had troubles with that sort.”

He said, “The adults you might want to be with were too decent and the ones that wanted to, you wanted to avoid being anywhere near. Anyway, we can leave it at maybe someday, and we’re both for it.”

I said, “Lunch is going to be late but, it’ll be worth the wait. Are you done in our room?”

Frank reached over and took my hand, “Yes, and that’s the sweetest thing you’ve said to me so far.”

“What do you mean?”

“You said our room.”

 

When Frank made it to the door to the master bedroom, he stopped, put his fingers to his lips and motioned for me to come.

Brandon had knelt by Toby. He had one arm around Toby and was gently stroking his back with his other hand. There was nothing remotely sexual about it. The sight was both tender and touching.

I said quietly to Frank, “There are depths to those boys; especially Brandon. They aren’t just a pair of teen horn dogs. I think it is time for their first lesson.”

Frank followed me as we went into the bedroom, causing Brandon to start. I sat beside him on the floor and little Toby stirred but didn’t wake.

I said very quietly to Brandon, “Toby asked many questions about all sorts of topics. I thought I might start teaching you a few things when I saw you doing something right. What you are doing right now, this tenderness that you are showing, is very right. Lots of grown men can’t do it or wouldn’t even think to.”

Brandon said, “He’s just so darned cute, I want to hug him all the time.”

I said, “That’s how I feel about Frank.” When I said that, two strong hands grabbed the upper trapezius muscles of my shoulders in just the right place with just the right force. Frank had liked what he had heard.

Brandon asked, “Are there any other tips you have for us?”

I said, “When you two are together, take your time. It’s not a race, you know.”

Brandon chuckled and said, “Well, we do race to see how fast we can make each other…”

Franks interrupted, “Yeah, that can be fun sometimes. It’s one of the rare competitions where everyone wins but, I think Tim means, if you aren’t rushing, take your time and enjoy it.”

I said, “Well, I’m going to have hamburgers in about thirty minutes. Why don’t you and Toby take a nap here, and we’ll come and get you when they’re ready.”

Frank and I both hugged Brandon, and he curled up around his little brother.

As we left, I heard Frank sigh and I asked, “What?”

Frank said, “They’re just so cute together.”

I agreed, “They are that.”

Frank said, “We should try that game of theirs sometime.”

When we passed Tony’s room, Chris had returned with an overnight bag and the two of them were both sitting in the big chair by the window in deep conversation. Frank was going to go inside, and I stopped him.

He looked back at me in silent question, and I said quietly, “Tony has lots of unpleasant things to tell Chris about what happened while they were separated.”

When we made it to the kitchen, I did my short order cook thing. That job I had in the summer of tenth grade was of great value. I had learned how to make a kitchen run like a fine engine. Frank watched in fascination as I put six ears of corn on to boil, a can of baked beans, pulled out an appropriate amount of frozen French fries and prepared twelve hamburger patties.

Frank said, “I don’t think I even saw blurs where your hands were moving.”

I grinned at Frank and said, “I’m fast in the kitchen. I slow down when I’m making something special, but this is supposed to be fast.”

I had the grill warming up, and I had the burgers ready. Ten minutes later, and Frank’s help with the French fries, I was ready to feed my crew.

Frank began to set the table, and I went back upstairs to call everybody to dinner.

Chris and Tony were still having that discussion, but I decided to let them know lunch was finally here. I stepped into the room and said, “Lunch is late but, it’s here.”

Chris hopped up from where he was sitting and jumped at me. I caught him easily as he wrapped me in a hug with his arms and legs and kissed me.

“I didn’t realize you were that hungry.”

Tony joined the hug and said, “No. He’s just really pleased about what you are doing for me.”

I squeezed Chris and Tony and said, “I love you guys. I’d do that for all of you if you needed it.”

Chris kissed me again and said, “That’s what makes you so damned special, Tim. We know you would.”

Chris and Tony shared a mischievous look and Chris said, “While we can’t do anything quite as nice for you, we have an idea of something we would like to try that we think you’ll enjoy for later.”

“I’m intrigued. What did you have in mind?”

Chris whispered something so salacious in my ear that it made my cock twitch and was aware of his rather intimate embrace.

I gave him another kiss, gently let him down and said, “It sounds like fun to me. We’ll have to see if Frank will go along. I’ll have to get a tarp from the garage to catch all the fluids. Now scoot- off to the kitchen, you two.”

 

The next stop was my bedroom where I found two little cuties napping face down cheek to cheek.

I sat on the edge of the bed and used my favorite wake up routine: I gently massaged both of their backs.

Brandon made an unintelligible sound and stretched his arms and legs out as far as possible. I suspected that Toby was playing possum to enjoy the attention, as the little horn dog was humping the bed.

Finally, I said, “Lunch is late, but it’s ready.”

Toby said, “Murfengerbler.”

Brandon started giggling.

“OK, first one up gets a big hug.”

Brandon rolled over and lowered his legs over the side of the bed. I picked him up, and he wrapped me up with his arms and legs, just like Chris had done a little while ago. He giggled, I gave him a peck on the cheek and told him to scoot.

I looked down and Toby was giving me puppy eyes, “I don’t get one?”

I reached down, picked him up, and he wrapped me up just like Brandon and Chris had done. I was aware of his very hard boner in my ribs as he whispered in my ear, “If you want to, I’ll never tell.”

I sighed and sat down on the edge of my bed, stroking his back and said, “We can’t, Toby. You’re much too young.”

Toby said, “Grownups like to have sex with me. I like it.”

Holy shit. I asked him carefully, “Where does this happen, Toby?”

“I was with my dad one day, and we had been out on the lake in our boat. Dad had to go to the bathroom, but I didn’t, so I stayed in the truck. A man in the woods showed me his weiner and some money. I came back later on my bike, and we went into the woods and sucked each other’s weiners. Then he did something I’d never even imagined. He stuck his tongue up my ass and licked it, and I spurted and spurted. He gave me fifty dollars.”

I had to be cautious here. I had seen the signs, but I just hoped it wasn’t true. “That’s really, really dangerous, Toby. There are men that like to hurt boys. They get off on it.”

Toby humped into me. He said breathy, “I’ve seen Chris there, and I saw Frank’s big dick in there and I know dad sucked your dick there. I was watching from the bushes. Come on. Let me suck you off. Nobody will ever know.”

I said, “Toby, I’d like to but, I just can’t. You’re adorable and everything, but you’re 13. When you cruise, does Brandon go with you?”

“Uh huh. Lots of teenagers like us go there. It's fun. If someone is there you want to avoid, you just ride away.”

I could tell Toby was really getting hot, and it was turning me on. As Toby was humping me, a hand slipped up my shorts, and it was Brandon. He looked up at me, smiling as I hardened.

“Guys, please. We can’t do this. They’ll miss us downstairs.”

Brandon said, “No, they won’t. I told them that we had something to talk about. Come on. You saved us. We’re your reward.”

“Yes. We will miss you downstairs. Now stop humping my boyfriend this instant”, Frank’s voice said with authority.

Toby froze and Brandon unhanded me. Oh, thank God. They were busted and they knew it.

I put Toby down by Brandon and said, “I think I understand why Sam wanted you to spend time with us now. You’ve got to learn what’s appropriate. I haven’t bitched you out because you’ve hit on everybody in the house because I was going to have a quiet word with you later. That’s how I do things like that: praise in public, correct in private. That way saves a lot of embarrassment and hurt feelings.”

Toby looked like he might cry, and Brandon eyes were downcast. While they weren’t looking, I motioned to Frank to come closer and follow my lead. I got down on one knee and hugged the two boys, and Frank got them from the other side, and we had them in a big hug.”

I said, “The grownups here are off limits. We like you a lot, and we want to be friends. It’s only natural that you’re crushing on us. Everybody makes mistakes. We forgive you. Learn from it and move along. OK?”

Toby said, “We’re sorry.”

Brandon added, “We won’t do it again.”

Frank said, “You can have all the hugs you like.

In unison, the two boys said, “Cool”, and hugged us back fiercely.

Frank asked, “Do you guys know Jeb?”

Toby wiped and eye and said, “Yeah, isn’t he the hot guy in the jeep?”

Frank said, “Yes he is. Would you guys like a play date?”

The two boys looked confused, and then Brandon said, “Are you offering to hook us up?”

Frank said, “I know him pretty good. He’s cute, a real horn dog, and he’s just fifteen.”

The two boys squealed and hugged us fiercely.

Frank said, “All right then. This matter is closed. Let’s eat.”

 

Everybody was in on the plot when Frank pulled into the driveway, followed by Jeb’s tricked out jeep. Frank brought Jeb into the carport and introduced us: “Jeb, this is Tim, Chris and Tony and I think you know Toby and Brandon.”

Jed said, “Yeah, I’ve seen most of you around. It’s really cool to finally meet you all.”

Brandon said, “Oh… we’ve met”, and gave Jeb a huge wink. Jeb blushed so hard, I thought he might fall out.

I said, “We were just about to hit the gym. Care to join us.”

Jeb said, “Sure. Sounds like fun.”

I lead the whole shirtless crowd through the gym and everybody pumped a little iron. I showed off maybe just a little and coached everyone in the use of the free weights and the machines. After seeing Frank pumped up a little, I got more than a little excited.

While the group was working, I gave Jeb a little nod, and he followed me out to the car port. He said, “I wondered who owned that Mustang.”

“That’s my baby.”

Jeb said, “I’ve seen you around the docks. How come you never…”

“I was tempted. Frank said you had talent.”

“I take it, Frank and you?”

I nodded. “We don’t do under aged guys. When Frank was with you, he was too stoned to notice anything but your huge dick.”

Jeb chuckled and said, “You’re lucky. Frank is hot as hell. If you don’t do under aged guys, what are you doing with Toby and Brandon?”

I said, “We look after them. Sure, they crush on us, but none of us will. So, how would you like to spend a little time with them?”

At that moment, it clicked in Jeb’s head, “Are you hooking us up?”

“Only if you’re into it.”

Jeb said, “Hell yeah! Brandon is hot and Toby is so cute it’s ridiculous.”

I said, “Two rules: no anal and you’re gentle with them, OK?”

Jeb said, “You really are looking out for them.”

I nodded.

Jeb said, “Would you look out for me?”

I asked, “How old are you?”

“I’ll be sixteen[1] in July.”

“Sure. You can hang out with us. Just don’t hit on the grownups; at least until after your birthday. When we wrap us the workout, follow our lead. You’ll find yourself alone with Toby and Brandon.”

“Damn. This is the best Saturday ever!”

I said, “One word of advice. It’s not like cruising. You’ll be safe in there. Take your time and really enjoy it.”

I looked down, saw his shorts bulging and said, “I see you comprehend the possibilities. Are we cool?”

Jeb said, “Oh hell yeah.”

We went back inside and everyone made one more round through the machines. Then we hit the showers. I thought Toby and Brandon’s eyes were going to bug out of their heads. Everybody got a towel to cover up their boners.

We crowded into the sauna and I started giving hot oil rub downs, but without the sexy finishing moves from the night before. Tony and Chris were the first to depart. Then I gave Frank a rub down, and he gave me one, and darned if he wasn’t getting good at it.

Then I started with Toby, who groaned in pleasure as I worked his back and really got a kick out of my massaging his feet.

Brandon also enjoyed my attention, and I have to admit that I was impressed by the size of the tent he had pitched.

Finally, I got to Jeb and really enjoyed the way he was so responsive. While I stayed well clear of the usual erogenous zones, he quivered and shook as I worked his legs. As I was working his feet, I heard Toby chuckle and Brandon gasp. Jeb’s boner had twitched and thrown off his towel.

When I finished up, I said, “Y’all have fun” and Frank and I hit the showers.”

As we showered off the oil and sweat, Frank said, “What you say we go upstairs and play that game Brandon mentioned.”

“Sounds like fun to me.”

As we passed Tony’s room, the door was closed and Rush’s Signals was playing at moderate volume. We grinned as we went into our room and played that game that everybody wins.

It turned out that Frank and I really enjoyed Toby and Brandon’s game. We both won, and it didn’t take very long. In fact, we played twice; once in bed and the second time in the shower.

While we were dressing, I said, “Stop humping my boyfriend” and we both cracked up.

“You saved me, you know. With Toby humping me and Brandon having me by the crank, they damned near got me.”

Frank said, “I was standing outside and heard most of it. You were doing OK until Brandon double-teamed you.”

I said, “The hell of it is, they wanted it bad, and they were warming me up. As far as sins go, nobody was getting raped.”

He chuckled and said, “Well, nobody but you.”

“I just didn’t want to let that get started. Once it starts, it wouldn’t end there.”

Frank nodded and said, “Toby is really sweet and cute but, he really works it. Have you noticed how sometimes he acts like he’s a much younger boy? He even sounds younger when he’s doing that.”

“It works for him, and he works it. It gets the attention that he wants. Knowing that those two cruise the park makes me really nervous.”

Frank slipped on his cute YMCA mid-rift shirt and said, “If the wrong person were to show up, they would become pictures on milk cartons.”

I dropped to one knee, kissed his navel, and he giggled. “Are you starting again?”

“In case you didn’t know, this is my favorite shirt”, I said and put my tongue in his navel.

“You are starting again”, he said as his cock twitched in his boxers.

I stood up, embraced him looking him in the eye and said, “Frank, I haven’t said, and I don’t want it just assumed. There really is no temptation. I love the other guys, but I’m in love with you.”

Frank surprised me by jumping into my arms and locking his legs around me like Toby had done. We just stood there kissing for a while, when two more pairs of arms wrapped around us.

Tony said, “It looks like they figured it out”, and kissed me on the cheek.

“There was never really any doubt”, Chris said. “At first, I was disappointed when Tim didn’t look at me that way, and then Tony came back for me.”

Frank said, “Many people live their whole life and never have this. We are blessed. By the way, Tim, can we get a cat?”

I laughed and said, “We’ve got Toby, who is ten times the mischief and trouble of any cat. We really don’t need one.”

And that’s how we got a cat, but that’s a different story.

 

When it turned five o’clock, Toby, Brandon and Jeb had been in the sauna almost two hours. When we left I turned the heat off, so they hadn’t cooked, but I decided to check on them. I went down to the gym and the only sign anything was afoot was the pile of clothes in the locker room.

I picked up three water bottles and stopped outside the sauna and listened. There were giggles and low conversation, but it didn’t sound like anything serious was going on.

I knocked on the door and cracked it, so they could hear me, “You all right in there?’

Brandon said, “Just a minute… OK.”

I opened the door and stuck my head into a miasma of come, teen hormones and the coconut scented oil. The boys were quite a sight, all sitting in a lump in the right top corner of the sauna. Toby was sitting in Jeb’s lap with a towel covering their bits, and Brandon was leaning against Jeb with his arm around him. Jeb had white pearly come drops in his hair, and Toby had something on his face that I suspected was the same. They all looked completely spent.

I handed them each a bottle of water and asked, “Did you guys enjoy yourself?”

They all took a hard slug of the water bottles.

Jeb said, “Oh my God.”

Toby giggled and Brandon said, “You were so right. When you have a chance to take your time it’s so much better and Jeb was so... nice.”

Jeb leaned over and kissed Brandon’s head and hugged and kissed Toby. “I’ve seen you guys around for months, but I never imaged…”

I said, “I’m glad you guys had fun…”

Toby said, “Fun is Disney world.” He snuggled against Jeb’s bare chest. “This was way better. Guess what?”

I chuckled and said, “Well, I seriously doubt you’re preggers.”

All three laughed at that, and Toby said, “Jeb and me have the same birthday: July 25^th.”

“We’ll have to throw you a party.”

Toby’s hand disappeared under the towel in Jeb’s lap and said, “This is all the party I want.”

I picked up a stray towel and wiped the suspicious stain off Toby’s face and the pearly blob out of Jeb’s hair, which elicited a chuckle from Brandon.

“You guys really need a shower. It’s getting a little late in the day. Brandon and Toby’s Dad wants them home before sunset, and I’m about to start supper. So, are y’all about ready to wrap it up?”

Jeb said, “At this point, we’re just enjoying each other’s company. We’ll be out soon.”

“Good. Sunset is about eight o’clock, so, you’ve got a little time.”

As I turned to go out, out of the corner of my eye, I caught Toby diving under the towel in Jeb’s lap and the surprise on Jeb’s face.

 

I went into the kitchen and put a big pot of water on to boil and threw in a packet of crab boil. As soon as it was boiling I threw in lemon slices, onions and new potatoes and let it boil for twenty minutes as I slipped off to call Sam. We had quite a lot to discuss.

That was a discussion that ran a bit longer than the twenty minutes that I allocated for it. Sam was not at all amused that Toby and Brandon had been cruising the park. Nor was he thrilled to know that they had actually seen him cruising the park, much less being with me. The idea that some asshole had lured Toby into the bushes at the park and molested him, however gently or pleasantly, made both of us livid.

That explained Toby’s sexual aggressiveness. Brandon was similar, but not to the same degree. Sam sighed as I recounted how they had made advances to everyone during the day, climaxing with their one-two ambush of me just before lunch. Then he howled with laughter when I told him about Frank’s Stop humping my boyfriend.

Neither of us could put our foot down and say no more cruising. Hypocrisy like that with teenagers never works. It was also no huge surprise that even teens looked for a place to get together with like-minded people.

Then I told him about my matchmaking, and he was quiet for a moment.

“The Jeep kid, huh?”

“Frank actually knows him. He’s really sweet to the boys.”

“That makes a lot of sense. As tall as he is, I would have never guessed he was just fifteen.”

“He and Toby share the same birthday: July 25^th.”

“It’s not a perfect solution but, if they’re together, they aren’t cruising.”

I said, “I think it’s good for Jeb too. I think he’s pretty lonely. Frank said his parents have already left to summer in Europe and left the poor kid by himself all summer.”

“Summer in Europe? His last name isn’t Somerset, is it?”

“I believe it is.”

“Jesus. Do you know who they are?”

“Old money?”

“Big time. They own a big chunk of the shipyards on the coast and most of DSP (Deep South Power). They’re worth at least 9 figures.”

“If you ask me, anybody that would treat their kid like that is worthless.”

 

We had a feast that night. In some cookbooks, they call it a “low country boil”. In the part of the south where Cajun culture had left its footprint, we call it boiling up a mess of shrimp. It works the same way for crawfish. Each plate had at least twenty boiled shrimp, new potatoes, corn on the cob and smoked sausage that had all picked up the seasoning of the crab boil spices in the water.

I had mixed up a concoction of ketchup, lemon juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce and Tiger sauce. It was a spicy sauce to dip the shrimp in.

After the shrimp were done, I pulled out a lemon icebox pie that didn’t stand a chance.

The boys were sad that they had to go, but I told them that I had talked to their Dad, and he was looking forward to meeting Jeb and had invited him to spend the night.

It was a simple matter to put the canoe on the rack on top of Jeb’s truck. As the shadows lengthened, Jeb sought me out and said, “Thank you for the best Saturday of my life.”

I hugged him and said, “You helped me out by being so good to and for the little guys. I won’t forget it. Earlier you asked if I would look out for you too. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Jeb smiled, hugged me again and took off in the jeep after carefully bucking Toby and Brandon’s seat-belts. That told me all I needed to know about Jeb Somerset.

He was in my ledger of good people.

 

That night we were all wasted from the efforts of the day. We all ended up on my bed in our boxers, just hanging out and enjoying each other’s company. I think we laughed for a half hour about Toby and Brandon’s ambush, Frank’s stop humping my boyfriend and getting hit on all morning by clumsy teen boy horn dogs.

When we had been quiet for a while, Tony asked, “Hey Tim. I know you’ve been hearing indecent proposals all day. Are you up for another one?”

“As long as it doesn’t involve thirteen-year-olds and long prison sentences, I’m all ears.”

Frank and Chris perked up and paid attention and Tony said, “I know we’re couples, but there’s something I wanted to ask about: Chris and I were talking and uh…”

I saved Tony and said, “How would we feel about swapping from time to time?”

Tony nodded.

“I don’t know”, I said, as I ran my hand down Frank’s back. “How do we feel about that.”

Frank shrugged and said, “I’m too tired now, but I’m not really against it.”

Chris said, “I owe you at least one for all the blow jobs you gave me, and I was too selfish to do anything for you.”

“That doesn’t bother me”, Frank said. “We were friends and you needed someone.”

Chris said, “It bothers me. You were good to me, and I was selfish.”

Tony said, “I want to show my appreciation to Tim for everything he’s done.” He hugged Chris and said, “You gave me back my life.”

I said, “None of this is really about sex. It’s really about closeness. We’re talking about using sex to express a bunch of feelings that I’ll bet we don’t all have sorted out yet. None of us are really against swapping partners?”

Everyone shook their heads.

Frank said, “Let’s give it a little time. There’s another question I had on my mind. Cruising has been my recreation and way of meeting people since I started in junior college. In some ways it’s fun and exciting and”, he put his hand on my hand and said, “It’s how I met you.”

Tony flipped his hair and said, “I’ve never cruised but working in a restaurant, my ass sure got slapped. I had to learn how to keep moving, so none of the old geezers could get too grabby.”

“We don’t have to decide any of this tonight, and we’re all dead. Let’s get some sleep.”

Chris and Tony started to rise, and I said, “Not so fast.”

I positioned us so that Frank was on my right, Tony on my left and Chris was opposite Tony. I reached up, turned out the lights and the moon glow dimly illuminated the room.

I said, “Everybody, rub the back on your right.”

I felt Frank's hands on my back, and I reached over and rubbed Tony’s back and shoulders. There were a few sighs of pleasure as everyone got comfortable. We stayed at it for a few minutes and then turned over.

Now I was rubbing Frank’s back and Tony was rubbing mine. After a few minutes of that, I said, “There’s more than one way to show affection and feel closeness to the people you care about. Goodnight.”

Tony snuggled in behind me with his arm over my shoulder. I had my arm over Frank and my chest against his back. Soon I could feel Tony’s rhythmic breathing on my shoulder. That bed had never been more comfortable.

 

I woke before first light and savored Tony’s morning wood in my back and my own neatly parked in the cleft of Frank’s behind. The night had cooled, and I could smell rain but, I was warm and quite comfortable.

Tony snorted and rolled over. I was surprised that we had stayed together as long as we had. I was entirely too fascinated by the way the early morning sun caught Frank’s hair to give it much notice. It sparkled and glowed, making his sleeping form appear angelic.

I kissed that beautiful neck, which rewarded me with a moan, and he rolled onto his back. The morning light revealed that Frank’s cock was standing up in all its majesty through the fly in his boxers.

There was a slurp and a moan behind me. Chris had the same idea that I did. I kissed my way down Frank’s chest and arrived at the only part of Frank that was wide awake. I licked it a few times, causing it to twitch and harden even more, and then I went down on him.

I gave Frank a very gentle, non-rushed blow job, starting very slowly and raising its intensity gradually as his cock responded. This wasn’t at all about me. This was all about giving my love the most pleasant wake up possible.

Frank slept soundly, but his cock was wide awake. It hardened to the point of the foreskin pulling back, exposing the exquisitely sensitive glans. His breath quickened and caught, his hips twitched, and he shook. I tasted pre-cum and his cock began to pulse. He was still asleep, but his body was waking up.

I resisted the urge to go fast. I wanted his orgasm to wake him.

Behind me, Chris was applying the same treatment to Tony and from the sound of it, things were going well.

Suddenly, as I gently sucked Frank’s cock, it twitched and there was so much pre-cum I thought he had come but, his whole body began to shake. He gasped as the orgasm brought him to consciousness, moaning in ecstasy. Frank’s come hit the back of my throat once, twice, thrice, four and five times. He shook and twitched, breathing hard and making cute little whimpering sounds.

When he was done, I moved to take his head and shoulders in a powerful kiss. He stopped me, giggling, and whispered, “I’ve got morning breath.”

I said, “I love ALL of you baby, even the morning breath”, and kissed him with all the passion in me.

As I kissed him, there was wonder in his eyes. I looked deep into those sparkling blue eyes as I held him and saw a tear forming.

I reached out and wiped the tear away and asked, “What’s the matter?”

His arms went round me and kissed my neck around to my ear and said, “I never knew. I never knew that anyone could look at me the way you do. I never knew anyone could hold me like you. I never knew that anyone could touch me like you. I have never felt so loved, and I’ve never been so happy. Now, it’s your turn.”

Unlike the slow deliberate blow job I had given Frank, he went down on me fast and fierce like he was starving for my come. It was absolutely amazing looking down and seeing his beautiful face on my cock. It was an incredible turn on that made my head lol back and my toes to curl. I felt the orgasm building in my balls.

I looked beside us and Tony was applying the same treatment to Chris, who was also really feeling it. Not that I needed it, but seeing Chris’s back arched in a shuddering, shaking, twitching orgasm was the last little thing that made me come explosively in Frank’s mouth. I heard him choke, but he didn’t back off. It was a mind-blowing orgasm. Something like a religious experience as most people that have one yell— Oh God, oh God, oh God.

As Chris came, he actually did.

After I was done, I sat up and pulled Frank into my lap, we held each other.

It was quiet as the morning sun warmed the room, and we held our loves. Finally, Tony said, “Now that’s what they mean by rise and shine.”

Frank said, “If you have to wake up, there’s worse ways.”

I said, “We really don’t have to get up yet. It’s still a little before six. We could stay here a while, enjoying the company.”

Chris said, “I have an idea.” He hopped up and went in the bathroom. I heard the bath running. After a flush, he came back.

“Nice. You started filling up the big tub.”

Chris smiled and nodded. The running water had the predictable effect of making us all need to go. One by one, we made a pass through the bathroom and watched as the water level in the sunken tub slowly rose.

Frank said, “After church, what are we going to do?”

I said, “It’s Memorial Day. I own a little place in the country. How would you guys like to take a drive, have a barbecue and camp out?”

Frank said, “What kind of camping?”

“It’s a deer camp. I lease it to some hunting clubs, and they take care of it. Nobody will be there this time of year. We’ll have a house and there’s a really nice woodsy, private area. We can spend the night and come back tomorrow afternoon. Heck, there's no real reason we have to come back for a few days.”

Frank smiled and said, “As long as I don’t have to wrestle mosquitoes. Sounds like fun.”

Chris and Tony both nodded.

We spent a while in the big sunken tub having fun washing each other and being silly. Then we got dressed.

Tony and Chris wandered off to their room for clothes.

Frank and I stood naked in front of each other and made a game of dressing each other. I picked a pair of blue boxers for Frank. He picked a red pair for me. We dressed each other and as he was pulling the red Polo over his head, I knelt in front of him and kissed his belly button.

He giggled and said, “Are you starting again?”

“Not really. I just love this belly button”, I pulled his shirt down, kissed him and said, “and everything attached to it.”

He melted into my arms and said, “I had no idea that it would be like this. It’s like a dream.”

“Me either. When you are in my arms, when our friends are by our side, I feel more alive than I have for a long time. Frank Beauregard, you will always be first in my heart. I love you more than life.”

Frank stiffened in my arms and said, “Did you just propose to me?”

“Yes.”

For the second time that morning, tears leaked from Frank’s eyes.

“Tim Shepherd, you will always be first in my heart. Your love honors me, strengthens me and lifts me up. My life began when I met you. You have taught me to look forward to each new day with joy.”

I said, “Wow. This is…” Now it was my turn. Big fat tears rolled down my face.

Tony stuck his head in my door and said, “Are you guys about ready… wait, what’s wrong?”

Frank said, “Tim and I just said our vows. I think we’re married now.”

I choked and said, “Well, it won’t hold up in court.”

Tony joined Chris in the door and said, “You two just figuring it out?”

“What?” I asked, cluelessly.

“That you’re a couple, that’s what”, Tony said with a big grin on his face. “I could tell the first time that I saw you that you two were as totally into each other as much as me and Chris.”

I stroked Frank’s hair and said, “The feelings were there, we just got them out. If you guys are ready, let’s eat.”

 

A half hour later, we rolled into the IHOP on the highway. Chris and Tony looked really sharp, and Frank and I were in khakis and Polo's.

The girl that seated us said, “Oh my”, blushed hard, and fanned herself with the menu.

It was fun as the whole wait staff and at least one of the bus boys flirted with us.

We had a good breakfast and I noted Frank’s preference of breakfast drink: pineapple juice. Tony was totally into and Chris was sort of into coffee. Apparently, Chris actually liked cream and sugar more than coffee.

 

We reached the church a quarter to ten and met Sam, Toby, Brandon and Jeb. The transformation of Jeb was striking. He wasn’t the sullen, downcast teen that I had seen cruising the park. He was smiling and animated, chatting amiably with the boys.

I shook hands with Sam and asked, “So how do you like Jeb.”

Sam said, “He’s a great kid. When we adopted Brandon, we had a big brother in mind for Toby. Now Brandon and Toby have a big brother, and they love him.”

I asked the boys, “No more pre-dawn canoe raids?”

Toby and Brandon replied in unison, “No sir.”

I leaned over, and gently pulled Toby and Brandon to me and whispered, “Not that I really mind pulling really cute and really naked teens out of the water. I just don’t want them to get hurt.”

They giggled and hugged me.

Frank and Chris were laughing with Jeb, and Tony was talking to an older woman who gave him a big hug.

Sam asked, “Tim, I hate to ask, but could you keep the kids for a few days? My dad is really bad off, and I need to go down to New Orleans.”

I said, “Sure. I’m taking the guys up to my place at Arrowhead after church. They’ll love it.”

All of a sudden, someone grabbed me in a big hug. I turned around to see Jeb smiling at me. He said, “Thanks for everything, Tim.”

I grinned at him and had him come close. “After church, Sam has to go to New Orleans for a few days. I’m taking the guys to my place in the country. It’s nothing fancy, but it’ll be fun. Heck, we might even stay another day or two if we’re having fun.”

Jeb’s eyes smiled and said, “Can I run by my house and get some things?”

“Sure. You got a Speedo?”

He raised an eyebrow and nodded.

“How about Brandon and Toby?”

“Yeah, they do, but try not to give me a boner in front of the church.”

“Make sure you bring them and some flip-flops. We’ll be miles from anywhere, and we can let our hair down.”

Organ music pipped, and the crowd gathered, everyone went inside the Saint Thomas’s, medium-sized gorgeous Anglican Church. It was my first look at the inside of the place. The building was a large A-frame with great timbers. Kids in robes were busy lighting candles and a big flag was front and center with a sign that read, “Remember” in keeping with Memorial Day weekend.

Sam, his boys and Jeb sat on the row in front of us. Our clump, sat behind them.

Father Ashley, Chris's dad, began the services, which have been aptly called Anglican aerobics. We stood, sang, sat, listened, stood, read, sat, stood, sang and so on. This went on for a good fifteen minutes. I guess that’s why so many Anglicans look fit.

The Priest got to his message and began, “Today is a remembrance of our soldiers, and many of you know that I was a Marine Officer. I want to remember an officer who I greatly respected and who taught me all I ever knew about being a soldier. When I first met him, I was probably the greenest 2^nd Lieutenant in Vietnam and Colonel Shepherd was already a legend.”

I noticed Frank raised an eyebrow and Tony glanced at me.

“Colonel Shepherd was a country boy who was drafted in 1942 to fight in World War 2. He chose the Marine Corp, and it made him a rifleman. In his first action, he won a Navy Cross and a field commission at Tarawa. In the following years, he was awarded Two Silver Stars and a Purple Heart at Guam and Okinawa, and finished the war the youngest Captain in the Marine Corps.”

“After the war, he went to Annapolis and graduated in the top 5%.”

“He was there in Korea for the Inchon landings and the Chosin Reservoir.”

“In 1968 when my platoon ran into an ambush, and we were all injured, low on ammunition and in very deep trouble, the Colonel personally took command of a company and came and got us.”

“I was grateful but not surprised because the Colonel taught all his young officers’ three things: take care of your men, take care of your men, take care of your men.”

“There was never a more appropriate name for an officer than Colonel Shepherd.”

“People, I was there when the Colonel came down on the Vietcong like the wrath of God and saved my platoon. I also saw him weep for the men he couldn’t save.”

“Was he a hero? He would tell you no. He was a Marine doing his job, but when he came to get us out of that trap, he was my hero. It will always be an honor that I knew him, served with him and called him a friend.”

“The Colonel has been gone for a while now. Cancer took his oldest son in the late seventies and his wife and himself within a year of each other in ’83, but the Colonel’s legacy will always live on in the Marines he took care of.”

“Yesterday, I heard a remarkable story. Two of our young members were up at dawn having fun paddling their canoe around the lake. In their haste to get started, they forgot life-jackets. When something startled one of the boys, they capsized in the deep water of the channel. Those two boys were in trouble.”

“They weren’t alone out there. Someone else saw the boys go over and knew that they were in deep water. He was on a patio thirty feet off the ground. There was no hesitation. This person acted without thought or fear. He slid down a drain pipe, went in the water and saved those boys. One of the boys said he was barely wet when those strong hands grabbed him and put him on the canoe. The other said he thinks this guy is Batman and doesn’t want the secret to get out.”

Laughter ran through the hall as I caught Toby’s eye, and he winked at me.

“It did not surprise me in the least that the person was another Shepherd— the youngest son of my friend, the Colonel.”

“Sam and Tim, would you mind coming up?”

Sam and his two boys and I joined the Priest at the front of the Sanctuary.

“Sam, you had a request?”

“Yes father. I’ve known Tim for some years, and he is a fine young man. I can’t think of anyone who would be a better Godfather for my boys.”

The Priest smiled and said, “I think that’s an excellent choice. Mr. Shepherd, are you a Christian, sir?”

“I was raised Methodist.”

The Priest grinned and said, “Well, nobody’s perfect. I know the kind of people you come from. Will you agree to guide and protect these boys, and raise them as your own, should Sam fall?”

“I do father.”

“Then it is done. I have already done the paperwork, and it will be filed on Tuesday.”

“People, remember this Memorial Day all the fallen. The Wall in our Memorial Garden has too many names from this very county. We will sing the Doxology and be dismissed.”

The choir director stood, and the big pipe organ played the song. Taken up by the choir and the congregation, it was quite majestic.

We left the Church after shaking hands, introductions and comments from well-wishers.

As I was on the way out, Chris’s Mom intercepted me and spoke in my ear, “Thank you so much for getting Tony and Chris back together. Chris was so lost without him.”

“It was a just happy coincidence. I’m glad I could help.”

She smiled and said, “There’s no such thing as coincidences. Those two belong together. A mother knows these things.”

 

We left in the van for the house, while Jeb and the boys left in the jeep to pack a few things for our outing. This was going to be a lot of fun.