The Farm At Maple Hollow - 23. Chapter 23

Mr. Hopkins arrived just before lunch in a canoe with Earl who was coming out to check on our progress. We greeted them as they were coming up the path. We showed Earl and Mr. Hopkins the progress we had made in finishing the additions to the cabin as the guys cleaned up for lunch. We had a quick meal of sandwiches’ as Mr. Hopkins explained what he wanted to do. Sam was following every word intently and as you could guess, raring to go. It was explained that there would be a search today in the area that Sam had found the stone in. that he didn’t expect to see or find much but to get a better idea of the lay of the land so to speak. Sam allowed of course as he would lead the expedition and Pietro would assist. I had to slow Sam down as we finished lunch; he was starting clean up before we were finished as he was chomping at the bit. You could hear him groan when I asked Mr. Hopkins if there was there anything else, would he like; he returned a smile my way as he heard Sam groan and asked for some cookies to go. Standing up Mr. Hopkins thanked us for a delicious lunch and asked his ‘guides’ if they were ready to go. Sam bolted for the screen door and held it opened and as they were leaving, I tossed Pietro their canteens as they scrambled out the door.

Earl inspected our work to date on the additions to the cabin and was genuinely pleased with what we had done. He helped us with the tin roof and the siding and except for a few remaining items the work would be complete with another day’s effort. We spent most of the afternoon buttoning up loose odds and ends and cleaning up around our worksite. All the scrap lumber was brought to the outdoor fireplace and once finished we sat at the end of the dock as we awaited our guest and his guides. Ethan had brought down the soap, towels, and some snacks while we waited. We had a serious discussion on hiring the farm manager. Earl informed us that Ernest and Ezekiel had selected four promising candidates from the Agricultural College and had their resumes for us to review next week. Interviews were scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday and hopefully we could conclude the hiring process early the week after.

As we finished our discussion Mr. Hopkins led by Sam and Pietro wandered down to the dock where we were sitting, the boys were beaming and obviously delighted with their excursion. Both looked as if they had swallowed a cat, they were bursting to tell us of their afternoon. Mr. Hopkins broke the ice by saying he’d like to have the site properly looked over. Sam couldn’t contain himself any longer and allowed as how if anyone wanted to come out, he and Pietro would have to be part of the project. Mr. Hopkins informed us that it did in fact look promising and he’d like a crew of archeology students from the community college spend some time further examining the site if we ok with it. While he couldn’t say with any certainty, he was of the opinion, that there may be some significant finds. There were indications that we weren’t the only ones to have used the island.

Looking at Ethan and then towards an eager Sam and Pietro, I didn’t see how we could refuse on several fronts. It would be interesting to know to what degree the island may have been habited before us and it would be something that would be of lasting benefit to the boys. Ethan asked Mr. Hopkins what he thought it would entail and we were told that he had a couple of students in mind who would be able to come out in a couple of weeks to conduct the dig in a professional manner. He asked that we set up a tent platform for them as they would be spending a week or so. They would bring all their own gear and he would be out to monitor their progress as needed. We agreed, shook hands, and told him everything would be ready for their arrival in two weeks.

We would need the dimensions for the tent platform and offered to build a roof over it. Earl was delighted, more so than the boys. He had an affinity for the Indians that roamed this area so many years ago and was very excited about the prospects. We offered supper and were politely turned down as both Earl and Mr. Hopkins both needed to get back to their wives. We watched them depart in the canoe and turned our attention to the new tasks at hand. Building the tent platform would be easy and we thought it could be finished next weekend. However, we were all grimy from our day’s exertions and needed to clean up before we ate supper. It didn’t take long for us to jump in and wash up; we were all starving and were going have some burgers at the outdoor fireplace.

I had noticed that Sam and Pietro were growing closer; they had seemed to be inseparable and obviously delighted with each other’s company. All throughout the evening from supper to our card and board games they were at each other’s side. When the evening wore down, they both managed to plant themselves next to Ethan and me. We talked a bit about tomorrow; we had the barbeque to attend to and the formal signing of the documents on the sale of the farm and the setting up of the college trust fund. It had been a long day and everyone was tired and I suggested it was time for bed. There was a near mutiny as we hadn’t had a story and I allowed Sam to pick and he chose the Last of the Mohicans. It seemed fitting with all that went on today and we settled into it. As I was finishing it, I had noticed that Sam was still awake for a change. Pietro was close by his side and they were holding hands. They appeared to be a bit excited and nervous. It was Ethan who broke the ice so to speak. Gently he explained to the boys that Friday nights were for all of us to have fun with one another but Saturday nights was for boyfriends to enjoy with each other he said with a nudge and a wink to me and the guys.

Bobby and Eddy stood up and announced that they were going outside to talk for a while giving Sam and Pietro some alone time in the bunkroom. While the addition was complete, the beds we needed weren’t set up yet. I grabbed Ethan and stood up and as we made our way to the bedroom, I told the boys to have fun and not to stay up to late. They both turned red and grinned like two lids caught at the cookie jar. I dimmed the oil lantern as I left the room with Ethan by my side. While at times if felt as if we were an old married couple my intimate moments with Ethan were anything but. Each time was brand new and fresh. I trembled just like a little kid on Christmas morning. I know I needed his love; I needed to bring him to completion as much if not more than he needed to do the same for me. Some nights the spirit over took me and needed to succumb to my raw base urges and rut, other nights I needed to be held tenderly, caressed gently to feel the power of gentleness wash over me as I surrendered to the tender mercies of my lover.

As I turned from the bed after pulling the covers down Ethan wrapped me in his arms, his nightshirt was off and as he lifted mine off, he followed the rising fabric with his lips. Once he had tossed the nightshirt on top of his on the floor my arms lowered to my sides as he kissed my neck and nibbled on my earlobes. His hands were firmly planted on my sides as he devoured my flesh. He slowly sank down to his knees making sure that his lips on my body controlled his decent. On the way he stopped at my pits and inhaled my perfume, the musk that was so uniquely mine. He paused at my nipples causing an involuntary shudder to course throughout me, setting miniature fireworks off in the further recesses of my brain. His hands slid to my hips as he found my navel, his warm breath contrasting with the blanket of cool air enveloping my body. As his chin was about to meet the top of my penis, he moved his lips so they gently darted over the tip, his tongue found the sensitive opening and the smooth patch of skin just under the opening.

My hands found the top of his head and I lightly ran my fingers through his hair whispering sweet sounds of sheer bliss. Turning his head slightly he wrapped his lips along the sides of my engorged shaft and traced his tongue over my urethra. The cool night air was all-encompassing my body; my nipples were firm as my testicles radiated my lust as his mouth embraced my rampant erection. There was nothing fraudulent in the sensations overtaking me, my thoughts had quieted, shut down as the overpowering sensations overtook me. Methodically Ethan moved me to the bed and sat me down; I was outside of my body looking down as I floated on the sea of tranquility. He kneeled before me between my legs as I balanced myself by holding onto his head and shoulders.

Rome fell to the barbarians, Troy was defeated, the great city of Alexandria burned to the ground, Hannibal may have marched his elephants over the Alps but he wasn’t immortal, Julius Caesar met his end having gone further than crossing the Rubicon. Somehow the Sphinx lost his nose and Napoleon met his match at Waterloo. George the Third lost a continent. Pompeii was swallowed up by a volcano, Krakatoa catastrophically obliterated an island, Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown and Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House. TR and Rough Riders defeated the Spanish at San Juan Hill and the Titanic met the iceberg. The Red Sox lost the ‘Babe’ to the dreaded Yankees and the stock market crashed. The Hindenburg never quite properly landed at Lakehurst NJ. The Battle of the Bulge began the final fall of the Third Reich and the fall of Iwo Jima, saw to the setting of the empire of the rising sun. The Soviets lost the space race and I was no different.

This was a battle with a predetermined outcome as the will to resist was ground down by the persistent administrations I faced. As the relentless onslaught continued unabated, I was under assault by forces greater than myself. The tide was coming in and like King Canute I was powerless to determine the outcome, like anything else, the human body only absorbs so much punishment. I began to fail and it started on a cellular level. A switch had been triggered awakening glandular reactions and I slowly gave into my inevitable fate. The muscles in my neck gave out as my head fell back.

Desperately trying to hold out, my arms falling from Ethan, as he tried to prop me up at my sides, in a failing desperate effort. I collapsed to my elbows and forearms as my hips thrust forward trying to ward off the onset, the kindling of my climax. The match had been struck and the flames that would consume me burst forth greedily. I felt the surge from deep within me and as it coursed through me, it tore the very fabric of my being as it took me with it, body, and soul. Blinding lightning bolts went off in front of me no matter how hard I tried to close my eyes. I lost control of my body as the roaring of the freight train drowned out everything inside of my head. I was but a spent empty husk, a sea shell that had been vacated. My body twitched and shuddered as misfiring electrical impulses spastically jolted my arms and legs. I breathed deeply as my senses slowly reluctantly returned. My voice bleated like a new born lamb as I struggled to put my feelings into words. I felt Ethan’s hands gently massage my legs, chest, and arms. I was as helpless as a baby and as weak as a kitten.

I don’t know how long I lay there as Ethan tended to my body smothering me with gentle kisses, gradually my head cleared and I felt strength gather as Ethan held me. He looked deeply into my eyes and asked if I was alright. I sought out and brought his hand to the side of my face and felt its warmth against my cheek. My eyes moistened as I mouthed the words that I loved him more than life itself. I could feel his heat, need, and desire and I knew I would return his love. As I moved to Ethan’s prize, I could hear rustling coming from the bunkroom. I had forgotten how thin the walls actually were.

“Sam…I am so close to cumming…if you don’t stop it’s gonna be to late…Sam…oh god Sam…I’m gonna cum in your mouth…SAM…if you…oh fuck…oh Sam…I’m cumming!!” A moment later we heard Pietro tell Sam to stop, it was too sensitive.

I couldn’t help it, a soft giggle escaped from my mouth; I knew Ethan was chuckling by the way his belly shook. I knew my task at hand and I proceeded to return the favor. Ethan was ready and I think he was close to cumming himself as I blasted off into his mouth. His penis was twitching and his sac was very tight and firm. As he lay on the bed I got between his legs and breathed deeply of his scent, I was an addict, hopelessly in need of his musk.

I touched, probed, licked, and fondled. I would gently take him in as far as I could and then as I slowly withdrew, I would trace a finger along his length. I kissed the tip and traced my tongue around the edges of the helmet shaped top. I scooted from between his legs so I was at his side; leaning over his middle I began my efforts anew. I held him by the base of his shaft and slowly stroked him, massaging his length with gentle motions playing out over his velvety skin. He was so soft and yet so hard and I brought him straight up from his body and again kissed the tip, partially swallowing him. I lightly rubbed the taught moleskin covering his testicles. Ethan groaned as he rubbed my head, lightly scratching my back as he moved his hand back and forth. He was close and I wanted his seed so badly, it was the nectar I needed. From the bunkroom we could hear Pietro bringing Sam close to the edge. It heightened Ethan’s sense of urgency and I met his pace. As he came closer to the edge he grew firmer and the head of his penis swelled. His head was rocking from side to side; his hips were rising to meet my mouth as I descended on him.

“Just like that Pietro…don’t stop…please…oh fuck that feels good…sooo frigging good…oh yea…uh…uh…uh…o man that feels good…don’t stop…. please!”

“Squirt…I’m gonna…I’m gonna…

“Pietro…don’t stop…dear god…don’t stop…so close…

“I’m cumming…” I heard from both in stereo and as I savored Ethan’s offering as I was sure Pietro was doing the same.

I held on to Ethan as he came down from his orgasm and the afterglow settled in. I lay by his side and rested my head on his chest. I managed to pull the blankets over us as. As I was falling asleep, I heard Bobby and Eddy come back into the cabin talking softly between them as they headed to the bunkroom.

At some point during the night after our escapades it had rained, I could hear the droplets of water falling from the trees hitting the roof of the cabin as I awoke. As I gathered my thoughts and took in my surroundings, once again we had our familiar tadpoles in bed with us. I wondered just how they managed to pull this off without waking either of us. Ethan had draped himself over Sam and had him wrapped in his arms. Pietro had his head on my chest as he lay on his side beside me. One hand covered my morning wood and my arm was wrapped protectively around his back. I leaned into his head and luxuriated in his smell. Sam had stirred slightly and had grasped my free hand and brought it close to him, drawing it against his chest.

I lay there enjoying the quiet of the early morning, the first of the songbirds were shaking off the residue of the late nights passing storm and as the sun slowly woke our world, they sang a song of greeting to the new day. A light mist rose from everything I could see out the window as I looked down towards the pond. I was watching, living that rare moment, when night gave way to day and a calm stillness pervaded my surroundings. It was a time of being in between things, and events that were beyond my control, but was fully a part of. I had a role to play as did everything and everyone around me.

This was a moment of change; I remembered once reading of hikers who would climb Maine’s Cadillac Mountain to catch, glimpse the first rays of sunrise. They were there because there was a moment, when the sun won the eternal battle against the dark forces of night. As that moment, at the peak of battle, there was a green flash as the sun broke the horizon. It lasted but a second, a fraction of an instant as it signified that a mighty change had occurred. While I couldn’t see this green flash from the cabin, the new day had other ways to make its presence known.

It was in the cry of the wood ducks, the chattering of the chipmunks, the morning dew evaporating from the damp grasses and leaves. The way the trees smoked as their bark dried out. The mist as it rose and cleared from the water, the hungry, daredevil bass breaking the surface as they fed on the low flying insects shattering the glass like surface. The warmth of the new day growing as the rays of sunlight broke over the tops of the trees surrounding the pond. I watched with amusement as a family of ducks took flight from their sheltered cove skimming lowly over the water heading for breakfast. Their honking announced to the rest of their fellow creatures that a new day had arrived.

I felt Pietro shift slightly as he pressed against me in his sleep. His hand relaxed its grip on me but didn’t stray, there was a firmness pressing against me and it radiated heat against my leg. He would lightly press against me as he dreamed sweet thoughts. I looked over towards Ethan who was still captive to the sandman. He looked so calm laying there sleeping, the terrors that had followed him from half a world away had been put to rest, slowly he had healed. It was evident as he would unknowingly welcome the munchkins into our bed as we slept, and as they sought comfort and safety in our arms and under our covers.

He had learned to love and trust again as the horrors subsided and were banished. While they would never fully go away, they lessened as he grew stronger and healthier. I had also started healing, like Ethan I carried scars both physical and mental. The pain of losing my parents would fade but would never fully go away. I had been lucky, suffered an unkind cruel twist of fate that no amount of prayer could have avoided. It was the luck of the draw, the roll of the dice that decided my fate as I was ejected through my father’s car window.

Las Vegas could only grow as gamblers always ignored the one basic truth, you play with house money and invariably, the house always wins. I ran out of bullets and chips when I heard that Ethan had erroneously died and through another twist of fate, come back to the farm and me. And I survived an accident I had no business doing so. I had beaten the house twice and if I had any say in the matter, I would do so again.

“I wish I had a movie camera” was my good morning greeting from Ethan. “You were traveling again, I could tell by your face, the way your expressions change as you go from one place to another, lost in those deep thoughts of yours. I love you so much; I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”

As I watch him speak tears leak from my eyes, he has been watching me for I don’t know how long, my soul is willingly laid bare before him. I am but an open book to him, I hold no secrets as he can read my moods before I can.

“I love you more, more than life itself.” I reply. It’s sappy and cliché and I mean every word of it. “It’s gonna be a big day for us today, are you at all worried? I ask.

“Not at all, as long as we are all together, we’ll make it. I know we both have a lot to learn but as long as you are beside me and with Dad there to guide us, we’ll be fine.”