A Second Chance - 7. Chapter 7

I called Greg back telling him, "Greg we have to be in Denver Saturday by 9:30 p.m. at the general aviation terminal. JC will be meeting us there when he comes in from Honolulu . He will be arriving at gate 32; he will get to general aviation on his own. I want to take Buckaroo, I think Cowboy, would be a little bit too brash and flashy, with James's portrait meeting him in the face. What do you think of that?"

Thinking about what Charles just said, "Charles’ I think just the opposite, I think it would do him good to see a portrait of his uncle being displayed in such a prominent, and befitting manner." I'm just wondering why Charles wouldn't want him to see his Uncle James’ portrait, could it be that he didn't want JC seen his own reaction? "However, of course that's your decision. It’s only my suggestion."

"You have a good point Greg let me think about that and I'll get back to you, but go ahead lay on the flight crew and take care of all the preparations as you always do so well." Knowing it would be a first-class job as it always was.

"Question, will we be spending the night in Denver , returning to Casper , or going somewhere else from Denver ?" Thinking I always have to out guess him, to keep one step ahead of him?

"Sorry Greg, no we may go downtown to do a little shopping, depending on how JC feels when we see him, otherwise we'll just go shopping in Casper . To your question, we will be returning to Casper , any other questions?"

"Okay Charles’ I'll get right on it, you do want Richard as your pilot correct?" If Charlie didn't want Richard as his pilot, I would be looking for a psychiatrist to see what the matter was. Laughing out loud

"Oh yes I also want Clyde , and Carl aboard, the rest you and Richard can choose, OK?"

"Okay Charles just let me know which aircraft, so they can fuel it and have it ready to go, I'm sure you'll get a call from Richard before long." I don't think I have ever scheduled a trip by air that Richard didn't call Charlie. Of course, I expect that, and Richard is chief of aviation.

I was just sitting in my chair day dreaming, about what, I can't remember. I do that more and more. Someone dear to me told me that daydreaming was the body's way of letting the spirits soar and the mind relax, James was quite a philosopher, It seems the older I get the more I do it. Still drifting in thought, I heard Clyde coming in the door. I opened my eyes and looked at him.

"Charles dinner is served." Clyde informed me.

"Will you join me please," I asked, always hoping he would, eating alone is lonely, but I have gotten used to it, that's not saying I enjoy, or like it.

"I would be most happy to, Charles," I always try to make a point of eating with him if it's only Charlie and I for the meal. I feel empathy for him always being alone. Then I spoke saying, "you really need someone, you have this beautiful home and no one to share it with." And I keep telling him that, it's almost like James's spirit has a hold on him.

"Clyde I'm getting to be too old now, oh I have looked, and I've seen, but I'm afraid because every time I look at them I'm comparing and judging them to a mythical being."

I was famished and the meal was out of this world, telling Clyde ." I have no idea how you do this, but every time you fix prime rib it gets better, you just amaze me."

"Stop that Charles, you’re embarrassing me, I'm just a poor country boy that knows how to cook."

"I don't know about you being a poor country boy, but you certainly know how to cook."

We finished dinner, and dessert was homemade peach cobbler, which was scrumptious. Clyde finished cleaning up and told me that he was leaving for the day. He asked if I needed anything special before he left. I told him no, and I would see him in the morning.

I went into the living room turned on the TV, flicking through the channels trying to find something intelligent to watch, and that was a joke so I turned it off, picked up a book, and started reading. There was a wonderful roaring fire in the fireplace, that Clyde had started. My reading was interrupted by the phone ringing. I stood up and headed to the office. I answered the phone. "Hello this is Charles Lambert may I help you."

“Hi Charles this is Richard, have you decided on Cowboy or Buckaroo for the trip tomorrow to Denver ?"

"Yes I think we'll take cowboy, I thing Greg had a good idea, or would that present a problem?"

"No problem Charles, I just want to make sure it's shipshape for you and your guest."

"I have no doubt that Cowboy will be shining tomorrow, I know you too well, and of course I pay you enough," I chuckled aloud.

"Our lift off time will be 8:45 p.m. which puts us into Denver , at approximately 9:20 p.m. give or take 10 minutes, is that alright with you Charles?"

"You're the boss when it comes to flying, as long as we'll be there by 9:30 p.m. which I gave this a 15 minute cushion as well."

"Okay goodnight Charles see you tomorrow."

"See a tomorrow Richard have a goodnight."

It wasn't too late but the jet lag was getting to me so I decided to call it a night. Then I remembered my mental note about the PJ's, so I went back to the bedroom, opened the dresser, took every pair I owned out of there, and headed back to the living room. I Proceeded to tear them into pieces and burn them in the fireplace. Thinking to myself this must look stupid to someone if there was someone here to see me. A cold chill shot up my spine, then I knew there was someone watching as my eyes filled with tears. I whispered, "I still love you James, and I always will, I miss you so." but no one will ever know the deep affection I still have for you.

I waited for the fire to die down, then headed for the bedroom where I undressed. I took a quick shower and crawled into bed naked. Taking the spare pillow curling up with it trying to fall asleep. But my dreams caused my manhood to awaken, just knowing I had to give myself pleasure. I began slowly stroking my cock with my right hand; my left hand was toying with my balls, rolling them around gently, but firmly, squeezing tighter around my manhood. I stroked faster and faster. Then I released my balls. I then slid my finger into my ass, reaching my prostate, massaging it while thinking about James, and how wonderful it felt, when his manhood was buried deep inside of me. With those thoughts racing in my mind, I exploded with relief. I slowly wiped up my cum with my fingers tasting it, but something was missing and had been for too many years, the taste of someone else’s mixed with mine. I didn't even get out of bed to clean up. I just lay there in my mess, still dreaming, than falling asleep,

I Woke up to the smell of bacon frying, and the brewing of fresh coffee. I got out of bed, with my dried cum in places I didn't think I could reach, but I just put on a robe, and headed into the kitchen to find Clyde, preparing some breakfast.

He just looked at me and said, "Good morning Charles, did you have a good night?"

"Yes I had a wonderful dream about someone special." Smiling at him. Knowing he would be thinking who. But I wanted him to wonder.

"Good to hear you had a good night's sleep, are you ready for breakfast?"

"Well give me a few minutes and I will be," I turned and headed into the bathroom, to take care of the morning ritual, of shaving, showering and brushing my teeth.

I headed back into the kitchen, and found that Clyde had already gone into the dining room, so I joined him there, still in a robe but a different one. And ready to eat, saying, “it sure smells great, as always."

"Speaking of smells, when I came in this morning the place smelled like someone was burning clothes," Clyde remarked.

"Oh shit I burned up all my PJ's last night in the fireplace." I laughed and blushed bright red.

Clyde stared at me with a look of disbelief and said, "What the hell did you do that for? Oh sorry Charles that's none of my business." Still looking at me like I'd burned down the house.

"It’s okay Clyde, I've been wearing pajamas ever sense I lost James, and the other night coming home from Paris I slept all natural for the first time since then. And it felt so dammed good I burned my PJ's." By the time I had finished that sentence, Clyde was laughing so hard he spit a mouthful of food all over the table.

"Oh shit Charles I'm sorry," he took off for the kitchen bringing back a wash cloth and towel. Then said, "I wish I could have been a little mouse in the corner to see that." still laughing, almost uncontrollably.

I was laughing so hard my eyes were watering and I choked on a piece of bacon. I Picked up my cup of coffee drank a sip, trying to get control of my thoughts again to no avail. I said, "That would have been hilarious, we needed a video camera to capture that for posterity."

Clyde responded, "A video clip like that, I could've blackmailed you for a million bucks." Still laughing trailing off into a chuckle.

"Oh alright, you got me on that one," still blushing a lighter shade of pink...

"Good to hear that, I don't get you often," changing his thoughts, "do you want anything special tonight aboard Cowboy for your guest?"

Thinking what would be good for a meal tonight for JC, thinking if he is coming in from Hawaii , he will be starved... " Clyde I'll just let you surprise us!" Just knowing it will be unforgettable and delicious...

"Sure Charlie, I have some quick food, ready." Seeming to be in a deep thought grinning at me.

"Thanks, I replied." As I left the dining room for the bedroom, then, I changed into something more presentable, and casual.

The rest of the day was typical, except for me; I seemed to be on edge trying to think what to say, or how I was going to say it. How would JC react to seeing the ranch, would he like it, or hate it. Would he like Casper , or not. My mind was in a blur trying to guess, no trying to figure out, no trying to analyze, gees Charles quick torturing yourself. Just let things happen, he's only human, not a monster. I was excited about JC coming. I needed to relax, maybe I'll take a tranquilizer, I thought. No, I want to have a sharp mind tonight. My thoughts were interrupted by the telephone again.

Running down the hall to the office, I picked up the phone saying "Hello Charles Lambert speaking."

"Hello Charles this is Greg, everything is all set, Carl will pick you up at 8:15 p.m. and I'll meet you at the aircraft. Is there anything else I need to know?"

"Greg I have a weird question, if you were me, how would you dress, I'm thinking casual but should I make a more formal appearance"

"Charles you do tax my brain, you’re trying to make me the scape goat.” Chuckling aloud "now who is mentoring whom, I thought you were the boss.” Now laughing a little harder "well I think because it's such a short flight, and you want to make a good impression, I'd ware a suit and tie, nothing too flashy, you want more the refined look, ya that's the Charlie you want to be tonight."

"Thank you Greg, you’re a darling, see you later."

Time to leave was near, so I got dressed in a light tan colored suit, with a light green shirt, and a plain brown tie. Looking at myself in the mirror, thinking is this what Greg was thinking, sure it was it’s about as plain Jane as I can muster, than I splashed on some Stetson, my latest favorite after shave cologne. Chuckling to myself.

I heard someone pull up to the front of the house. I knew it was Carl, so, I bumped into him as I was leaving, and he was approaching the door. We almost knocked each other down.

Carl spoke, "oh I'm sorry Charles didn't realize you were coming out."

"No, it's I that should apologize; I should've waited for you to knock." Thinking oh Charles, slow down you're too excited, no too anxious, too nervous.

"Charles it's ok, I was daydreaming as well." Wondering what JC would be like, but why was I concerned, could it be that I was worried about Charles?

"You're daydreaming, hope it was nothing serious, or too earthshaking." I chuckled to myself.

Nothing more was said on the way to the airport, upon arriving I saw Cowboy glistening in the evening sky, highlighted by the huge floodlights of the airport. You could see the wide black stripe down the fuselage, bordered on both sides by two thin golden stripes, trailing off at the rear of the fuselage, into flames of black and gold. Thinking how nice it will look if and when we place bucking broncos on the tail surfaces in the same color scheme.

As I got out of the car, I spotted Greg standing by the stairs, looking up at him, putting my hand out to shake his and speaking, "good evening Greg how are you today, hope this is a smooth flight," having a serious but nervous look about me, Greg spoke.

"Charles, nice outfit just what the doctor ordered, you look tense, and nervous, I know you, what's the matter?"

"Nothing Greg," you think he's going to believe that, I was thinking to myself, might as well be forthcoming. "Sorry I just hate to admit it I'm nervous; the brief meeting we had in Paris still leaves me uncertain."

"That's to be expected Charles, it's no different I'm sure then what JC is feeling about now. Just get on that plane, relax, and enjoy the flight. I'm right here with all the moral support I can muster, you got that!" Knowing all would be okay once the ice was broken and they were aboard Cowboy.

All that were going were aboard, and Richards spoke, "Flying time is about 45 minutes, with clear weather, there should be no turbulence making for a smooth flight. You all need to sit down and buckle up, it's going to be a quick take off." Then he was off to the cockpit, I thought to myself no wonder they changed it to the flight deck. Laughing.

We all buckled in, then Cowboy began to roar, rolling away from the hanger toward the end of the runway, turning into the wind then mightily surged forward with the thrust from his massive engines. It's still strange the way it feels when the wheels lift off and there is nothing supporting you but the air outside.

The flight was short, I felt us descending, knowing we were approaching Denver . I knew it wouldn't be long now. I felt cowboy touch down, then the reverse thrusters engage as we were breaking. Turning onto several taxiways, we approached the general aviation's terminal pulling up to our parking spot I heard Richard shutting down the engines. Now the waiting game was upon us. Richard told us that JC's flight would be 30 minutes late do to some minor mechanical problems they had in Honolulu .

.JC...

I was so excited, knowing that Uncle Charlie was waiting for me, cause we were late getting out of Hawaii , due to a minor malfunction in the galley of the 747. We were half an hour late departing, but the Captain was able to make up about 15 minutes of the flying time. But that was still going to have us landing later than scheduled, and it was changing the rotation of aircraft landing, which would make us a total of about 30 minutes late.

We landed without incident. When we had all the geese deplaned, I gathered my one small suitcase, with the extendable handle, and wheels, nothing fancy just the average crew members travel luggage. With very little in the way of civilian clothes, and the necessary toilet articles. I too deplaned, asking the gate agent what was the quickest way to the General Aviation Terminal. They gave me directions; it seemed confusing, so I decided to go to the employee's exit onto the tarmac, finding one of the baggage wagon drivers, asking him for a favor noticing Roy 's nametag.

"Sure what do you need?" Roy replied.

"Could you give me a lift to the General Aviation Terminal; I have someone there that's been waiting a long time for me?" Hoping he would say yes, knowing he wouldn't, hoping still though.

"Hop on and I'll drop you off, it's not far out of my way anyhow." Smiling at me.

"Thanks so much, you are a lifesaver,"

I had no idea of whom or what to look for, so I thought I would just go inside the Terminal building and look for Uncle Charlie. We came around the end of a hanger and I could see only one 737, even close, it was a beautiful aircraft, now I have been around many large airliners, but this one was truly gorgeous. I also noticed that the stairway was there, and the boarding doors open. I thought, do I go up and see or do I go into the Terminal and see if uncle were there. While I was contemplating which to do I saw someone I recognized, the gentleman standing on the boarding stairs looked like the person that uncle Charlie was with, could that be his plane. So I walked up to the stairs looking up, I said, "Hello, would this happen to be Charles Lambert's aircraft?"

Greg turned to see who was speaking, noticing it was JC, and he waved gesturing for him to board the aircraft. Saying "Hello JC, you got that right its Charlie's aircraft." Smiling at him.

Charlie...

I heard Greg speaking to someone, not knowing who, thinking it was JC, I got up and walked to the boarding door, looked out and there he was, coming up the stairway, he was gorgeous, just as I remembered on the flight to Paris. I just wanted to reach out and squeezed him, but something was telling me, Charles don’t, be presumptuous, you have no idea where this is going, control yourself. Gathering my wits about me, I spoke, "Welcome aboard JC, I hope your flight from Honolulu was enjoyable."

JC spoke, "It was so so." Thinking, the whole trip all I thought about was this moment.

We were still standing on the landing before you enter the aircraft; Carl, Clyde , Richard, and Greg were all standing in or around the doorway, so I figured good time for introductions.

So I began to speak saying, "JC this is, Capt. Richard Lane , Chief of Aviation, and my one and only pilot if he's not flying this bird, I don't fly!"

Richard reached out in a gesture to shake JC's hand, saying, "Pleasant to meet you JC, I've heard a lot about you." Thinking Charles wasn't wrong. He looks just like James.

JC, "I hope all good things," Thinking, I know him, he seems familiar. Then brushing those thoughts aside, have to pay attention.

This is my personal secretary and much, much more, Greg Carlson.

Greg shook his hand and said, "Pleasant to see you again, where you have a little more time to relax." Smiling at him

JC, "Same here, yes last time we saw each other I was rather busy." Chuckling and smiling at Greg.

And now for my bodyguard/chauffeur, Carl Mattson, don't get on his bad side, "I chuckled"

Carl then reached out to shake hands with JC, saying, "Welcome and don't worry about me my bark is worse than my bite. If you listen to Charles, I could chew up tanks and spit out nails." This brought a huge laugh from JC.

JC, still laughing said, "Thank you, and from what I see Charles might just be right." Still, laughing

"Last but not least is my personal chef and confidant, Clyde Summers."

Now Clyde reaching out taking hold of JC's hand with a firm grip saying, "You look starved, yes I'm the chief cook and bottle washer for this crew," Smiling all while shaking JC's hand like he was churning butter.

JC... "Thank you Clyde . I am somewhat famished." I licked my lips as if I had just eaten something.

After introductions, everyone got back on the aircraft except JC and I, we just stood on the landing looking at each other trying to figure out what to say. Carl had taken JC's things storing them in the second bedroom. I then spoke saying, "Would you like to go aboard, I know you have been on many airplanes, but I think this one is kind of special I call it, ‘Cowboy’ that name is sentimental to me."

"Yes I would, Uncle Charlie, You don't mind me calling you that do you?"

"That's OK with me," I replied

As we entered the cabin JC noticed the bar making the comment, "Very attractive" and turned to face the bulk head gazing upon James's portrait, with a serene look about him, his eyes glistening with joyous expression on his face. Saying "That's a painting of my Uncle James, I just wish I had known him, I’m hoping I will through your help, Uncle Charlie."

"You will JC." My eyes filling with tears. Saying to myself, "Cowboy this is your nephew JC, he will know how loving, caring, kind hearted, and what a wonderful person you were, remember I still love you!" But to my surprise, the words were spoken aloud. I blushed saying, "I'm sorry that was not supposed to be heard."

With glassy eyes JC spoke, "Uncle Charlie, you have nothing to be sorry about, no one, and I mean no one, could have given me a more beautiful introduction to my Uncle James, than you just did! There is no one that could ever tell me that you two were not true lovers. Not even my father had a good word for my Uncle James or you Uncle Charlie."

"I'm sorry to hear that JC, ones own father should be the one to love his son, unconditionally with no strings attached!" Something is horribly wrong; my mind went back to when he was speaking of his father in past tense. Why?

Then JC walked up to the painting, concentrating on the face, taking his fingers and ever so lightly touching it, tracing the deep dark blue eyes, the nose, the lips, the ears, and the hair. Then ran his hands down to the engraved plate tracing the words. Then looked up at me and said, in an Astonishing voice, "‘COWBOY’ that was James nick name wasn't it, and you named this plane after him." Then JC began to cry.

I walked up to him, and opened my arms, and took him into them hugging him ever so tightly. He in turn returned the hug, Each of us crying; I whispered into his ear, "It's all right JC, it's all right, we both miss him, I will take you to him soon." Think I'll take him to where his ashes are scattered. I am always closest to James there. Nevertheless, something else was happening as well, and I was feeling something that my mind was not ready to accept. No Charles, no, this is wrong, he is your nephew, so I again pushed it out of my mind, but it was getting extremely difficult to do so.

JC was thinking, thank you Charlie, a loving uncle, someone, and a father I never had after Junior High School. However, he is more than that, I am feeling something more exciting, and my heart was pounding, I hope he can't feel it. No Justyn no, he is still in love with Uncle James, I could never take his place, put it out of your mind. I was straining hard not to kiss him, if I did, I will loose him, is all I could think.

Clyde came in breaking the tension as he spoke, "If we let Richard get this bird in the air, I can serve up some viddles, unless you have something else on your mind Charles?"

"Yes I do," pausing for a few seconds, then asking JC, "Would you like to go into Denver and do some shopping, for some clothes, I know you told me that you were short on civilian clothes, I think you look handsome in that uniform."

"Can we put that off until tomorrow Uncle Charlie, I can get what I need in Casper I'm sure, and I am rather tired?" Replied JC.

I replied, "JC we can do whatever you want, this is your vacation."

"In that case can we go, and I'm hungry." He looked at Clyde , and rubbed his stomach, and licked his lips. We all laughed.

I looked at Richard, giving him the high sign, saying, "okay Captain Lane you want to get this bird in the air."

Then JC spoke up saying, "Richard didn't you used to fly for United Airlines?"

"Yes I did, how did you know that?"

JC answered, "I caught a few hops in the jump seat with you, you’re a great pilot!"

"Well thank you JC for that complement."

"You earned that compliment that last flight, I rode in the jump seat on, you brought that bird in. In one hell of a storm and I never even felt the wheels touch the ground. Now that's flying, or piloting whichever you want to call it."

"Again, thanks now I need to get this bird in the air so we can eat." Smiling at JC with a glimmer of thanks in my eyes.

We all sat, JC and I were setting in the two front most recliners in the lounge, Carl and Greg were sitting in the other two, we all buckled up.

Then Richard came on the public address saying, "Buckle up back there, Cowboy is headin' home."

We felt Cowboy's engines start, and then we began to move out onto the taxiways, and onto the runway, then his engines began to roar. His powerful thrust pushed us into the air, again. We were airborne and heading home. We were no sooner airborne and Clyde came into the lounge saying, "hors d'oeuvres or snacks will be served shortly"

He rolled out a large food cart with all sorts of goodies, Crab Cakes, raw Oysters on ice, Shrimp Cocktails, Club sandwiches, Tuna Salad sandwiches, Grilled Ham and Cheese, some Swiss, some American and other goodies too many to tell you here. I just said, "My God, Clyde you have out done yourself again."

Everyone else thanked him and told him how delightful it looked, and after a few bites, they were raving about how good everything was.

As we finished eating, JC, and I took a small tour of Cowboy. Up to this point the only thing he'd seen was the lounge, we showed him the galley, conference room/dining room and on the way back, showed him the guest bedroom the main restroom and back to the master bedroom and its private bath with Jacuzzi. He was impressed. You've been aboard several 737s, but never a custom-built one. I explained to him that buckaroo was a duplicate in every detail to Cowboy except the painting that hung in the lounge was of me. Of course the nameplate was different I smiled as I explained that. When I did so, JC looked at me with a curious look asking,

"Was James's nickname for you Buckaroo?" Had to be I thought if Cowboy were Charles's nickname for James, knowing I'm right, but I ask anyway. We were standing in the middle of the master bedroom. Wondering if they made love in here, then coming to my senses realizing and Uncle James died some 30 odd years ago. Yet Uncle Charlie reminisced about their love for each other, as if he just passed a few days ago. God I hope I find someone that I can cherish with the love and admiration Charlie still shows for James.

I answered, "Yes, those two nicknames we gave to each other, Cowboy was the first I gave that to James the second time we made love, he gave me Buckaroo, on the third occasion," This was my first chance to tell JC something about his uncle James and myself.

JC said, "you know I was never back to Casper since we moved away, I think I was one or two years old, so I have no idea what the place looks like."

By the time, we had eaten, and I took JC on the tour we were approaching Casper .

Richard came on the public address saying, "Back to your seat’s cowboys, it's time to buckle up, if you don't, I'll lasso and hogtie you, we are on final approach into Casper ."

Greg said, "I think we need to get Richard a pair of chaps and a rope when he flies his plane." Everyone started laughing at that remark.

JC said, "I'm already enjoying my visit."

I said, "Not as much as I am enjoying having you here, JC," smiling at him with a gleam in my eye.

We could feel the flaps being lowered, as we were on final approach into Casper , touching down we were soon taxiing into general aviation and the gangway was placed, then we de-boarded. Clyde pulled the car up, JC with his gear, and I were driven out to the ranch. Greg took the remainders of the crew home in a company van.

"JC, I am really pleased you came here to enjoy Charlie's hospitality, I think you're going to enjoy yourself," Carl said.

"I am already, and the anticipation of sharing Charlie's ranch with him is quite exciting," thinking oh my God, that did not come out right, or did it, of course it did sharing a ranch doesn't mean sharing Charlie.

We arrived at the ranch house, Carl pulled up to the front door, and we all got out. It was now near one o'clock in the morning so Carl excused himself and went home, but not before I told him, "I'll need you tomorrow morning we'll say 10 o'clock so we can take JC into town shopping."

Carl replied, "No problem boss, I'll be here at 10:00 a.m. sharp. Just make sure you're all up and out of bed, or I might have to take you to town naked."

JC chuckling said, "if I don't get some clothes, other than this uniform, I might just have to take you up on that offer."

Somehow, that remark had me very interested in what he would look like sitting in the back of that car naked.

I looked at JC as we entered the house, and spoke;"it's now time for the nickel tour of the Lazy "L.” Yes that's the name of the ranch," we walked down the hall. I showed him the kitchen, the dining room. Then into the living room, down the hallway showing him the study. Then James's office there was a smaller painting of me, and then my office there was a smaller painting of James. Turning left going out into the bedroom area. There was a guest bedroom, and the guest bathroom with an extra-large shower and tub. Then back to the master bedroom with its King size bed, the painting of Casper Mountain over the head of the bed, then into the master bath, with an oversized Jacuzzi tub in one corner and in the other, an oversized shower with four spray heads.

JC replied at the end of the tour, "very attractive place you have Uncle Charlie.' Thinking to myself this is a dream house, no wonder that my uncles loved it so."

I spoke saying, "Are you tired JC, would you like to talk some more tonight?" Knowing I had many questions that I wanted to ask but we have plenty of time, and I don't want to be pushing him.

"Uncle Charlie I would really like to go to bed. I’m so tired. It's been a long day. If you don't mind?" Wishing I could crawl into bed with him, if for no other reason than just being close to him. Still, I knew this was not going to happen, anytime soon. Oh how I wish we could.

"No problem JC, you have a good night, and make yourself at home, and I mean that! I'll see you in the morning, and Clyde will be here preparing us a scrumptious breakfast as always."

I walked back to the guestroom with JC, put out my hand to shake his, and I said, "This is not a way for a nephew and an uncle to be saying goodnight." I opened my arms to hug him and he came into my arms. We hugged each other for a few minutes, not a long passionate one, but nonetheless we did hug.

JC pulled away and said, "Thank you Uncle Charlie I needed that, and thank you for everything. I'll see you in the morning." I just wish that hug could have turned into more. But never, will that happen, or will it, who knows?

"Goodnight JC, see you in the morning. Tomorrow brings another day."