The Farm At Maple Hollow - 15. Chapter 15

Our munchkin had found his way into our bed during the night and had come to rest between us once more. He was splayed out between us and as much as he could he was draped over us. His arms were askew and by the looks of his tousled hair he had been restless throughout the night. Laying there all contorted reminded me that when he was ‘off’ he was out like a light and this morning was no exception. With one arm he had clutched Ethan’s arm over his midsection as both were on their sides and his other hand had found mine down near his bellybutton and held it close. It was so comfortable under those covers, I had such a good night’s sleep, and here I was this morning on the island, one of my favorite spots on the farm. The early morning sun was cutting through the mist rising off the pond and I could hear the birds and ducks noisily greeting the day. The squirrels and chipmunks were scampering about performing gymnastics as they leapt from branch to surface or as they scampered up and over the trees. Out through the window you could see the fresh leaves on the trees.

A spider had set up shop in the upper corner of the window, traversing the finely woven web towards the next meal, struggling to break the bond that held it to the web. It was going to be a warm day; the forecast was for hot and sunny through Sunday afternoon with late afternoon thunderstorms. All was quiet otherwise, looking out in to the main room I could see the evidence of our games and stories last night, the oil lantern now competing with a rising sun. There was a gentle breeze wafting across the pond, rippling the leaves in the trees lining the edge. The dawn smelled fresh and full of promise.

Everything was in bloom and the pollen drifted lazily across the island universe as the multitude of blooming plants began the renewal of their life cycles. In many ways the world was a microcosm here in the safety of the cabin. We were warm, dry, and safe in a universe of our own creation. Here there were no wars or hatred, but a shared bond of brothers where acceptance was the norm. There was the love of family overcoming the loss of family, a reason for being and getting up each morning, so full of promise with the gathering the days offerings. It was moments such as these that time slowed, the lazy fat house fly circling the table, looking like a plane in the far-off distance coming in for a landing. The day had ended yesterday with the sounds of the peepers and the first call of the bullfrogs and had woken this morning with the sounds of the crickets and their fellow travelers. This day was starting off in innocence of a world reborn in the dawning of the eternal sunrise. The day smelled of green and of new life. It would be fraught full of adventure and the doings of our own creation.

Our sunshine warrior was restless as he found a more comfortable position on his back, drawing both of our arms closer towards his chest. He radiated innocence tempered with an overwhelming need to learn and understand his world, a world through no fault of his own…changing. These changes would both be welcomed and not so welcomed. He would no longer be that youthful innocent, but a young adult. His awareness of things around him would take on newer, far more dangerous meanings. I believe he had adopted us to be his guides as he went through these changes, he trusted us to protect and shield him as he made his way to understanding this new place, he found himself in, in the headlong rush of his impending adulthood. Until he decided for himself whether something or someone was good or bad, right, or wrong he was going to make his own choices as to what he would do, when he would do it and who he would do it with.

We were his safety valve in the pressure cooker he unwittingly lived within. He knew what we had been through, our trials and tribulations and he had comforted us in his own sweet innocent way. While he did not know it, it was his down payment for comfort for when he stumbled or crashed and burned. We would be there; we would help him pick up the shattered pieces of the misfortune he found himself in. We would always be there to help to make him whole again.

He was a little radiator full of life, you could feel the energy as it replenished itself, rising-up off him; soaring towards my nostrils. His scent was a freshly washed basket of clothes that had been hung out to dry on a spring morning such as this. It was a clear clean crisp smell, at once fresh yet striving towards his future yet to come.

I saw Ethan looking over Sam’s shoulder contentedly; he had been watching me as I was lost in my world of thoughts. He knew when he saw the far-off look in my eyes that I was traveling and he knew I’d be back when my mind had finished taking me where I was going. He’d ask me later where I had been and I’d tell him I had been lost deep in his love, blessed that I had him in my life. He’d smile give his head a little shake and give me a look so full of love it would melt the hardest steel. His was a head full of numbers and practicality where I was word, thought, deed and emotions. What I felt you could see plain as day except for the times my mind was soaring, lost in my thoughts. With Ethan you’d have to mine for his thoughts unless you knew where to look. His subtitle gestures spoke volumes, you just had to listen to the beating of his heart, feel the blood course through his veins, and it was his simple honesty…there for the entire world to see if you knew where to look and what to look for. He’d give when asked, give completely if necessary, he loved without hesitation or reservation and I was thankful that when he looked for what he needed, he saw me.

We clasped hands with the little bed bug and watched as his go button was pressed, his smile infectious as he saw us. Like a bolt of lightning illuminating the darkness, the night disappeared from his body. He lay there holding our hands against him as he tried to stretch sleepy muscles awake. The mattress telegraphing the movements of his feet and shoulder blades as they began readying themselves for the adventures of the brand-new day.

Sam looked down the light blanket and snorted his all too familiar chuckle “looks like we all got pee boners…ha…ha…ha.” He sat up and tossed the blanket aside, turned and got on his knees and his tee shirt not hiding what made Sam unique. He looked at me and noticed my pubes were back and leaned over to feel the newly grown hair and reexamine my scars. He took a moment to reassure himself my left testicle was healed; turning to Ethan he grasped his penis and gave it a closer look. He asked to examine us as he had done before; he was a curious soul with a need for understanding through his sense of sight, touch, and smell. Sam was tactile, in order to understand how things worked he needed to learn how. If something was heavy, he’d have to pick it up, if it were hot, how close could he get to it, if it felt good, how was it done? Ethan removed the hand that he had been cupping his balls with so Sam could have unfettered access to him for his voyage of discovery. Lying so he was completely flat on his back, he parted his legs to let Sam explore.

Ethan placed his hand in mine as I watched intently. I brought it to my lips to kiss it and the smell of his musk drifted up my nostrils. I held his hand to my face as Sam slowly moved the skin of Ethan’s shaft back and forth. He brought Ethan to a shuddering climax. As Sam brought him closer Ethan would instruct Sam to speed up or slow down, to keep pace and to warn him of the impending ejaculation. Watching as I was, allowed me to see and experience this from a distance yet still feel connected, I was anticipating the moment and enjoyed sharing it with Sam. As the event was to unfold, Ethan gripped my hand a bit tighter as I watched his body tense, his toes curled as he went rigid. I heard a soft…don’t stop…don’t stop and then he volleyed four distinct ropes of cum onto his chest and mid-section. Sam to his credit kept the pace Ethan needed and when he had finished, Ethan gently caressed the hand that had been stroking him. He let go of my hand and running those fingers through Sam’s hair he expressed his thanks to Sam. The room filled with the smell of Ethan’s essence setting my brain fully aflame. Ethan grabbed the tee shirt he had been wearing yesterday to clean himself off with as Sam turned to see what made me tick.

As with Ethan, I laid on the flat of my back moving my legs apart and drawing the soles of my feet together. Sam cupped and massaged my sac, gently rolling and squeezing each testicle, he’d lightly trace the tiny ridges of skin as they closed tighter to my body. When he was satisfied with his explorations, he drew a finger from the top of my anus over the exposed surface of my bits and pieces till he reached the opening at the end of my penis. Unlike his moment with Ethan he encircled my shaft with his thumbs and fingers and slowly stroked me without moving my skin. With Ethan it was a tugging and pulling, with me it was the use of friction of his soft hand on my hard, hot, throbbing penis. The sensation set me on fire, it was so different from anything else. I buckled and lifted my hips. I reached out for Ethan’s hand and brought it to my face. Some of his seed that he had cleaned up remained on his fingers and the smell of his secretions, his unique perfume helped to send me off. I had never been stroked like this and I was in uncharted territory, my body reacting wildly to the new yet at the same time old familiar sensations. He would lightly rub my testicles and press at the root of my penis underneath them; he would let his fingers roam in that space as he traced the furthest outlines of me. My eyes were clouding over as I looked at Ethan smiling upon me and then it hit. As I moaned, I was over the edge, Sam raised my penis to near vertical and I splayed three distinct arcing discharges to the heavens only to have them fall from orbit as they splattered on my belly. My body suffered tremors and aftershocks as if it had been hit by an earthquake as I felt Ethan and Sam’s hands cleaning me off. I was out of breath and unable to move, temporarily paralyzed.

The little munchkin was pleased, very pleased with himself. He had added to his knowledge base and managed to give pleasure, uncomplicated pleasure to us. It was a sign of his affection and trust in us, a measure of his feelings. He was all boy, every bit of him. He didn’t do mushy as he showed his love and affection in our private moments through his tender touches. There was a need to give to him as he had just given to us, to make his body writhe as it received and gave pleasure to himself through the administration of others. We had him lie on his back and as he did, he spread his legs. We stroked and rubbed, massaged, and tickled as we caressed him. His body was an open book and as we turned each page, new delights awaited us all. We read to him of pleasure and good feelings, exciting chases, and stunning vistas, of unexplored worlds and hidden treasures. We saw new unexplored lands and journeyed into unexplored places. We discovered new sensations as we traveled deep into space as he orbited his solar system.

He smelled of freshly mown lawn and was a flower full of nectar opening its petals in the early morning sun. He was an ocean liner on a transatlantic voyage of discovery, seeking the joys hidden within as he crossed the threshold betwixt the old and new worlds. We were exploring ancient civilizations on our way to new undiscovered places. As we read of him, his body telegraphed the apex and culmination of our efforts and the changes growing unceasingly within. His soft downy skin became rigid and the coloration of his member darkened as his newly descended testicles cleaved from whence, they came. He arched his head back, the tendons standing out in his neck and clawed his fingers deeply into the mattress in a desperate, failing attempt not to surrender, but keep his boyhood as the first intense wave rolled over him, producing a distinct throbbing that traveled the length of his urethra and depositing clear droplets of his seminal fluid, followed by a second and third wave, leaving a spent man-child in its wake.

Sam’s train had left the station that morning and it was slow coming back, returning him to the present, a changed soul. It was clearly obvious that Sam was trying to process what had just happened to him. We held him close in our arms as we pressed our bodies together. His moment was magical; there was a mystery in the wonder of what had transpired. His face was a roadmap as he processed his feelings; a dreamy sweet peaceful veil overlaid the flesh and bones of that face. We rubbed and caressed his body, ran our fingers through his hair and stroked his sides. As the intensity of his experience subsided his breathing resumed its regular pace, occasionally punctuated by soft exhalations as the tremors within subsided, the fleshy sac that hewed so tightly to his body relaxed and fully distended as his member lay wilted on its side. Sam’s first steps into young adulthood were guided with love and tenderness, his journey of discovery commencing secure in the knowledge that we would always be at his side if he needed us.

We lay for a few more minutes lolling in the warmth of the bed. We knew when Sam’s train had returned to the station when he announced he had to ‘pee wicked bad’ and it was time to write our last this time, not our first names as usual, in the dirt as we reclaimed the island for one more weekend. He jumped up, tossing the covers fully on the floor, tossed clean tee shirts to us and went to wake Eddy and Bobby as we put them on. The sight of his barely covered ass scampering around the corner as he went to get the boys confirmed Sam was in his element and safely returned.

The two sleepy heads were slow to get up, to slow as Sam pranced from foot to foot needing to pee. Seizing the moment, Sam grabbed the covers exposing two naked boys lying side by each. Looking out of the bunkroom door towards us and then back into the bunk room Sam giggled “booneers, they got pee boners’. Eddy now fully awakened and laughing told me to grab Sam, as we were going to have him for breakfast. Sam giggled and put the screen door between him and the outside so he could bolt if he had to escape the clutches of his new tormentors. All the while he was chirping in a sing song voice it was time to write our last names in the dirt of this new morning. The reluctant twosome joined us as we all stood there in just our tee shirts and once more staked our claim to our island kingdom.

Breakfast was a casual affair of eggs and bacon followed by pancakes all devoured by boys in casual state of dressed and undressed condition. Ethan was wearing an apron over his tee shirt as he cooked this morning. I set about cleaning and clearing the table as the three others found their shorts. Once I had the table set, I found a pair of shorts and put them on and brought a pair out to Ethan and helped put them on him. I must admit I found the sight of him in an apron very enticing but with three sets of eyes there wasn’t much I could do. Sam took charge of the cabin clean up, opened all the windows, had us make our beds, fold, and stack our dirty laundry in paper bags he had given each of us, and generally pick up, sweep, and put things away. The outhouse was used and when it was my turn, I left the door open as I watched the morning fade away. We needed to get some work in before lunch as we were off to the rope swing afterwards. I had Sam help measure the spacing we would need for the new footings that would support the floors. Earl had helped me determine our starting point, we would measure from two existing footings and by careful measurements and cross checking to see we stayed square to the main room of the cabin, we then marked the holes we would need to dig.

Ethan and I would dig the holes and I had Sam and the guys; find the stones we would need to put in the bottom of the holes for drainage. I planned on bringing the cement and the wheelbarrow over after the holes were dug. The posthole digger and the iron bar to move the rocks we couldn’t dig around made the work easier than expected. We were far enough off the edge of the island that as we dug down the dirt was not as rocky as it would be had we placed the cabin further inland. Once we had finished the holes for the extension of the main room, we set to work on laying out the holes for the bunkroom addition. As with the first set of holes this went quickly and while we were digging, I set the guys over in the rowboat to grab the cement, wheelbarrow wood and a saw for the forms.

We were able to mix and pour our footings before we broke for lunch. We made crude forms to place on top of each hole so the cement footing would rise above the ground. Once the forms were set to level, we mixed the cement in the wheelbarrow; from there we would carefully pour it into each hole in the ground. Eddy and Bobby kept the water coming as we needed it and Sam took his turn at various tasks, once he had the basics, he’d move to the next so that the concept was clear in his mind. He kept us supplied with juice and water and whatever additional tasks we needed to accomplish he’d do. When the last of the footings were poured, we cleaned our tools and put them away knowing we’d remove the forms from the cement when it had cured in the morning.

We ate lunch at the picnic area by the outdoor fireplace and tossed our scraps and garbage in the fireplace for later use tonight. We had a date with the rope swing and a bar of soap. We were dirty and smelly judging by the looks and odor of us. It was a substantial morning’s work and we had accomplished much. We grabbed out towels and headed off to the rope swing.

Ethan and I had checked out the spot the morning we installed it. It was hung off a branch of a pine leaning over the water. The branch was about twenty feet up and allowed for a running start to get far enough out for letting go and splashing down. The shoreline dropped off quickly on this side of the island and if you got a few feet out there was no danger of shallow water. There were places on either side of the swing that you could easily climb back onto the island. It was a few minutes’ walk to the other side if you didn’t count the number of times, we stopped to explore an anthill or the discarded skin of a snake that had changed his clothes. The blueberries were flowering and we made note of the easy pickings for future use. We passed several large trees that had fallen and uprooted themselves, the tangled web of roots proved too fascinating to pass by; there were stories to be told there buried ancient wonders.

We tossed pine cones at last year’s birds’ nests as they barely clung to their branches. And we wondered what type of animal left hair in its scat. We saw turtles sunning themselves on rocks and stumps scattered among the flowering lily pads. The concentric rings left in the water as startled frogs jumped away from our noisy advancing army. Further out lazy ripples would form as the fish picked off unsuspecting insects for their lunch. There were tadpoles and frog’s eggs to be found hidden in the shallower pools amongst the weeds. Wild azaleas were blossoming and underneath the ferns amongst the pinecones, jack in the pulpits gave their benediction to the spring afternoon. Chipmunk scouts would announce our presence as blue jay sentries would spread the news of our impending arrival. Lady slippers would stand quietly as we passed by. Mother and father mallard showed off this year’s offspring as they serenely floated by, guiding their armada in this day’s lesson.

There was much to be learned in this quiet little corner of the universe and without knowing much was imparted to us in the guise of fond memories and recollections. I remember the sky being the perfect shade of crystal-clear blue. The air was clear and dry with no hint of the humidity that was to come. The wind was light and barely perceptible, enough so the bugs were kept at bay. The island once more securely in the hands of its conquerors, had yielded to our advance and onslaught as we marched towards the rope swing.

The old pine was a gnarly affair and stood taller than the large barn at the end of the driveway, it had been witnessing decades of life down at the pond. Much had passed beneath the branches of this old guardian of the island. The bark was thick and bore the scars of invasions prior. Branches further up has lost battles to the wind and snow but not the war, it had stood here for years and would be here for years to come. We placed our gear in the grass and pine needles at the base of this wizened old tree. Towels were spread out and tee shirts, socks and sneakers were carefully placed. Shorts came off revealing the faint outlines of the suns’ first caress of our bodies.

We stood there, five naked, victorious warriors about to enjoy the fruits of their victory march across the island. Grabbing the rope from where it was draped across the tree, I would demonstrate how it worked. I worked my way back and with the rope held high, ran towards the pond. As I left terra-firma and reached the peak of my arc, I let out a blood curdling yell and let go. The distance to the surface from the moment I let go, was measured in fractional seconds. As I slipped my tether and fell to the water, I barely had the chance to grasp my legs and draw into a cannonball. I hit the water with a resounding smack as the cool waters of the pond enveloped me. A split second earlier I had pinched my nose and I sank until my buoyancy reasserted itself assisted by my flailing arms and legs as I broke through the surface. I shook the water from my hair bellowed how much fun was that and reached for the rope. Once in hand I tossed it to the shore and asked “Who’s next ladies?”

Ethan grabbed the rope and sailed out towards the heavens and let go. He hit the water with a resounding smack and the geyser created as broke the surface was impressive. He in turn tossed the rope back where an eager Sam was not to be denied. He screamed from the moment he began his journey to the pond to the moment he had splashdown. He was followed quickly in turn by Eddy then Bobby. Sam was standing on the bank when Bobby came up out of the water to wait for his next turn. He elbowed me and pointed to his groin, his face a curious mix of bewilderment. He wanted to say something but struggled to form the words. He looked at me, looked at Bobby until I understood his confusion. Bobby wasn’t circumcised. I tried to quietly explain that he had a foreskin and not draw notice to a puzzled Bobby, when he blurted out “foreskin…what’s a foreskin?”

Sam had to see for himself so he could understand this new mystery. Bobby was a good sport and explained the basics. To his credit he explained in terms that Sam could follow, trying to keep the reasons for being circumcised or not, simple. I think the explanation while heard by Sam, couldn’t satisfy the mystery in front of him; it required an inspection so he could see its workings for himself. Walking over to Bobby he knelt in front of him and gently took hold of his penis. He drew the skin back exposing the head and let the skin go and watched it cover the head again. Once was not enough and he moved the skin back and forth several times so he could be satisfied with its workings. The attention paid to Bobby’s foreskin had the effect of causing an erection and once fully erect the foreskin had been stretched so it no longer covered the head. Bobby allowed Sam to stroke him a few more times. Sam, his curiosity satisfied, turned, and said he thought it was cool but he was glad he didn’t have that bit, as it would only get in the way when he had to pee. I tossed Bobby the rope and he took off, by way of the cold water his ‘problem’ be cured. To be honest, I was as curious as Sam was, I was jealous for a moment in the sense I had been interested in his foreskin as well. I wasn’t alone in those thoughts as I noted Ethan had been watching as well. As he walked past me to start his swing, I whispered thanks for satisfying Sam’s curiosity and he replied smiling “no problem” as winked at me. He was a good sport and handled an embarrassing situation with class.

As quickly as our adventures with the rope swing had halted, they resumed. We played at the rope swing for an hour more or so and soaped up and washed off. Once we had cleaned ourselves, we lay on our towels in the sun as we worked on our tans. I discussed with the guys the next steps we needed to do in the additions to the cabin; I wanted them to understand that there was a lot of work yet to do.

It was time to head back toward the cabin, the afternoon was growing late and we needed to send for Earl and Marge who were coming over for supper tonight. We were going to have pan fried chicken and biscuits with fresh summer squash and onions. While Eddy and Bobby went to fetch Marge and Earl, Sam raced around the cabin making sure everything was neat and orderly. Ethan and I set the table and made sure the outdoor fireplace was ready for the bonfire after. By the time they got back everything was shipshape and ready.

When we saw the group come up the path we were in for a surprise, Trind was with them and Marge was beaming. The two of them quickly settled into the kitchen area and Earl came over to inspect our work setting the footings. He was pleased when he double checked our measurements. He smiled at Ethan and me and commented that every job starts with a good foundation. I was pleased at the complement. Ethan mentioned the use of the second rowboat with a motor when it came time for moving material out and Earl noted it would save some time. Sam was drinking all of this in, getting complemented on the fine job he did in helping. The six of us guys sat around the outside fireplace and discussed in more detail what we needed to do next. There was another shed to pull down and scavenge as much lumber as we could, get it sorted and ready to go. We weren’t far along in the process when we were told to come on up and wash our hands. Trind was very pleased with the cabin and she asked about the bathroom. Sam, the consummate gentleman that he is, explained we had an outhouse and when it was dark out you needed the ‘Pooplight’. Walking over to where it resided on the shelf, he also told her it was very important to make sure it worked before heading out. If you needed extra batteries, they were right next to it on the shelf.

Marge and Trind cooked a fabulous meal…it was superb and there was plenty to go around. Everyone complemented the both of them. Marge allowed as how the old cookstove reminded her of her mother’s kitchen and she had grown up learning on a stove just like that. Whenever she could turn the complements towards Trind she did who would blush at the attention. I know she loved and missed our parents and was brought up like her two brothers to be self-sufficient and independent, but she needed the attention Marge was giving her. Marge had always wanted a daughter and she wasn’t letting Trind go. They were quickly becoming inseparable and I swore Trind took years off Marge’s life and she looked younger whenever Trind was around.

We went outside to the fireplace after supper. Marge and Trind elected to sit on the screen porch in the rocking chairs. We guys circled the fire with our marshmallows and listened as Earl told stories both funny and scary. When it was time for them to go, Eddy and Bobby loaded the rowboat with what needed to go back, had a list of items for the next trip out and brought our three guests back to the farm. While they were gone Sam once again took charge of the clean-up. When it was clear we were in his way, we went and sat back down at the outdoor fireplace. We held hands and said much of nothing, content at the conclusion of a fine summer’s day. We sat until the guys came back and they joined us for a spell. We enjoyed discussing the day’s events and our plans for tomorrow. We had the gathering to go to and we made sure Bobby knew he was invited. It was amazing how well we were all getting along and it looked as if we were going to have a great summer. We could hear Sam bustling about the cabin as he swept the floor. He had the battery-operated radio on and the Red Sox were playing the Tigers, to be truthful it was just noise in the background. We stared into the fire and watch the glowing embers and the sparks fly off into the sky. The evening sky had darkened sufficiently that the stars were out, the moon would be rising soon and the temperatures hadn’t cooled. I supposed it was from the humid warm front that was expected to stay through tomorrow evening when we were supposed to get thunderstorms. Hopefully it wouldn’t interrupt the family gathering tomorrow.

Sam had finished the cleaning of the cabin to his satisfaction and came down to join us. We roasted a few more marshmallows and sat quietly for the most part enjoying our evening. Sam let out a prodigious fart; I swear it was loud enough to be heard back up at the house. Ethan asked Sam if there were any lumps with it and we all laughed and giggled hysterically. There’s nothing worse than a lonely fart, that fart cries out for its siblings in such a crowd as ours, and it wasn’t long before its lonely cry was answered. Eddy leaned over and let a squeaker go, that brought another bout of laughter. I lifted my hips off the bench with my hands by my side and played a trumpet blast, this got Bobby going followed by Ethan as they both imitated the bullfrogs at the water’s edge. Not wanting to push out luck and see if they really did have lumps we quieted down and once more were lost in the fire of our own thoughts. Suddenly Eddy stood up and raced to the cabin, when he came back, he had an armful of towels and a bar of soap.

As he neared us, he tossed the towels and clutching the bar of soap raced down to the dock and dived in screaming “last one in is a rotten egg”! To an outside observer watching the four of us suddenly try to get coordinated enough to slip out of our tee shirts, shorts, and sneakers in a glorious effort not to be last, would have provided a night’s worth of entertainment. We stumbled and bumbled as we ran in various stages of undress towards the dock where our pride would be saved and salvaged. There were boys with tee shirts over their heads as they ran with shorts at their knees while sneakers were flying off at each half step. The trail of scattered clothes wasn’t unlike the trail of bread crumbs left in the forest by Hansel and Gretel. I had seen pictures in Life of the debris left by tornadoes in the mid-west, as they tore through some innocent, unsuspecting town and the night reminded me of that.

I had managed to get my tee shirt up and over my shoulders when Ethan pushed me back down on the bench. Bobby was trying to knock a giggling Sam over as he had lifted his hips and had his shorts down past his knees. I gave Ethan a slight elbow sending him over as I stood up again victorious in my battle with the tee shirt and had turned to make my way to the dock, kicking my sneakers off when a finger caught the elastic band of my old gym shorts. As I flew forward, I put my hands in front to me and caught the ground. My forward movement ripped the back of my old gym shorts and dragged then towards my ankles. Scampering towards the dock, trying to regain my footing I managed to fully slip out of the last remaining bit of my torn shorts, and was nearing the dock when a streaking Sam flew past me on one foot as he was removing the last sneaker. It came off just a little bit with each step. I think we tied each other as we dove in each of us flailing our arms at each other to slow the other down. Ethan and Bobby were grappling as they approached the dock, I could hear the sounds of their laughter as I dove under the water.

We soon forgot who was last, as other games were played; we played chicken and tag, we had contests to see who could swim the furthest underwater. Who could jump the furthest; make the biggest cannon ball off the dock. There were races and standing flips. We played so everyone had a chance and applauded each other’s successes. We dunked and dove, we played hungry fish, we’d sneak up on one another and occasionally someone would let forth a stream of bubbles as we bathed in the light of the rising moon. We played until everyone was full.

We had vanquished the pond and the night was calling us inside. We clambered on shore and retrieved our towels as we dried ourselves in the light of the dying fire. Clothes were gathered collectively, to be sorted later. We’d sing of our victories in the game we played as we marched towards the cabin. The bonds formed in our competitions unshakeable. We divvied up amongst ourselves what was ours and put what we needed away, the night remained warm and the cabin comfortable and clothes were not necessary. On the table there were games and cards awaiting us for their entertainment and on the counter next to the sink, a pie and five glasses. There was fresh milk in the cooler and our exertions would be fed. It was quick work that pie was; the fresh milk drowned the pie’s sorrows. Where five formerly flatulent sons sat, a new country song sprang forth in a chorus of belching. There were high notes and low notes, inner rumblings producing bursts of song and as quickly as it started it was over, there would be on occasion a quick release of gas from one end or the other, as we played through the game we had set out. We sat at that table warmed in the comfort of each other. Our bond grew and deepened in the noise and silences we shared.

After the last game was played, we threw the blankets and pillows down in front of the couch, we lit a small fire in the wood stove to ward off the impending chill of the cool dawn air. It was story time. The hour was late and tales of struggle, woe and horror told. There were mysteries, the disappearing judge, the one-armed bandit, the car that started by itself, of people disappearing and graves mysteriously empty. Our munchkin was the first to lose the battle with his eyelids as his head drooped and the security of our laps grew inviting. His battle would start imperceptibly, a nod and a yawn. A futile stretch of his arms and legs as he struggled to remain upright between us, deep breaths failed to chase the sleep away. There would be a lean to either side just to get comfortable. A head placed on a shoulder as neck muscles relaxed from the weight of the day. Another stretch, creating space between his sentinels, a shift of position so for a moment, he could lay back and relax and then nestled comfortably, ensconced across our laps the light would go out. He’d take a few deep breaths in one last effort to chase the sandman away and then finally succumb. For him the struggle was prolonged for us all to brief. We would let him lay there as he floated off and when we were assured, he was in the land of dreams and adventure, we carefully carted off our charge to bed.

All that was left to do was to pick up and clean up after ourselves. We packed up and put away what we needed to, wiped down and washed the remainder. We went out to the porch and watched as the moon rose higher in the sky. We stood there absorbing the beauty of the night, reveled in the adventures of our day, took comfort in the ones we held close and listened to the sounds of our hearts beating together.

I had often thought I was too young to feel the way I did, there were times I was confused as to the depth of my feelings, and I was a kid after all. This wasn’t the path I had started on or had bargained for and as I stood there wondering, I remembered everything else as well. I had grown up fast, recovered from sorrows and discovered strengths deep within me. I had experienced a lifetime in my short time here on this planet, caught in turbulent waters and found safety on the distant shore, I had loved, lost, found love, and lost cruelly again. Through all of this I had found myself, understood my needs were simple as they were.

I was wanting, needing, and seeking for what completed me, that which filled the empty side of my soul. I had found myself in the darkest depths of despair, pain and suffering so unbearable that my insides had been stripped clean away. As quickly as I had plunged, I had been rescued. I knew of hurt and loss and of the joy’s life equally shared. Through it all, when all was lost, I had moved reluctantly forward and now, when I had found where I needed to be, it made sense, I understood my life, my reason for being. Far more than my peers I had experienced, as the innocence of my childhood was stripped away. Had I not been who I was then, I would not have earned the depth of my feelings. At any other time in my life, I have never been as sure of anything as I was then, right there at that very moment in time.

I heard Ethan whispering in my ear as I came back “You’ve been traveling again, care to tell me where you went?” His arms wrapped around my middle as he stood behind me with his head on my shoulder. “Eddy and Bobby headed off to bed a while ago” he continued “They said goodnight and see you in the morning”.

“How long have we been standing here?” I asked.

“I’ve been here holding on to you for an hour or more.”

“Get outta here, it can’t be that long!” I exclaimed “We just walked out here after putting the munchkin to bed.”

“If you listen closely, you can hear Eddy snoring” That’s how long it’s been.” He pointed out. “You know I don’t mind; I have enjoyed the quiet time holding you while you were gone on your mental fishing trip.”

“I’m so sorry; I didn’t mean to drift off”. I tried to say “I don’t know what to say”.

“Don’t be sorry, just once let me know where you’ve been, I wish I had a camera to record the expressions you make, I’m just so glad you keep coming back to me.”

I clasp the hands that are crossed in front of me and lean my head back into him so our cheeks are touching. I never want this moment to end.

I find I don’t, for all that I am, have the words at this moment to tell him what I need to tell him, to overcome my feelings of inadequacy. To be able to express to him the depths of my soul right here and now, to expose myself fully to him. I am looking for the right metaphor as I gaze out towards the pond, silvery moonlight softly illuminating the world in front of me.

“You’re traveling again, care to take me with you?” he asks me tenderly.

Oh fuck, oh shit, oh fringing piss on a stick is what I think as I stumble for a response. I can’t think of anything clever witty or wise. All I can do is to pull him closer and tighter to me. We are rocking side to side ever so slowly. I am the glib one, always quick with a retort, my wit a rapier, words are my weapons and I am misfiring, I’m shooting blanks. If there’s a heaven on earth I am there, and I can’t frigging describe it. I simply can’t find the words to share or describe it.

“I’ll be right here when you come back again, don’t worry…I won’t let you go, just remember to come home to me.” He tells me as he nuzzles my neck “Take your time, we’ve got all night.”

I can’t hold him close enough or tightly enough. While our bodies are pressed together as we stand there swaying in the moonlight to the songs in our heart, it seems I am struggling to close the distance between us. There’s a million ways to say what I want to say and a million ways to get it wrong. As many stars are in the sky are the reasons, I love this man, this life, this moment, and this time we share. My feelings are old and new, I am connected to the world as if I understand the mysteries of reincarnation. I have been here before and yet, I don’t know what is around the next corner…or the next thought. All I know is…now.

“Why the tears, what’s bothering you so much my love, let me help you chase the pain away, please come back to me and let me be there for you.” As he squeezes me tightly, holding me, protecting me, keeping me safe in his arms.

The dam bursts and the words come “I love you so much it hurts, my love for you shakes the core of my being, and it is so overpowering it overwhelms me. I am so scared when I know I shouldn’t be and I am so helpless to let you know how I feel.”

“I must be the luckiest person on the planet” he tells me. “When I am away from you a part of me is missing. You make me complete and while I can’t find the words as you do and struggle at times with my feelings, I have moved heaven and earth to be with you…to come home…home to you. I wake up secure in the knowledge that I will see you in the morning sharing my bed. In the jungle when all seemed lost or when the plane was going down it was your face that gave me the strength and the courage to go on, that I would go on holding on to you. And as far as telling me how you feel…I think…you just did and I am the luckiest son of a gun in the world.”

Continuing “Everything about you, your smile and eyes, your gentle soul your easygoing manner excites me to no end. I watch you as you deal with people and strangers, I see the deep love inside you the kindness you give to everyone. When I see you coming around a corner, I get all tingly inside, I love the way you walk, the way you carry yourself, the way you treat my family, how you came to terms with your parents, how you care for Axel and Trind. I see the way you are with Sam and I love you for it, that you gave yourself to Eddy when he most needed you. Ma beams with pride with your accomplishments and Dad delights in your gumption. He’s always stunned and amazed at what you do. I love the thoughts you put into everything. I love that your heart is on your sleeve, you are as honest as the day is long, your considerate and put the needs of others before yours. You have my back and prop me up when I am down.”

Removing his arms from around my waist Ethan spun me around and held me close so our noses were touching as he looked me directly through my eyes and into the depths of my very being… “Aric Johan Peterson, what’s not to love?