Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2001 10:36:19 -0600
From: Tags <tagsnola@lycos.com>
Subject: The Charges 9

Disclaimer

This story is a work of fiction.  None of the characters portrayed herein
represent any real person, living or dead.  It includes characters invented
by Chip Masterson including the muscle super kid, "Danny Henderson" who
appears in a number of stories created by Chip.  These characters are used
in this story with his express permission, (Thanks, Chip!) although this
story differs substantially in tone and theme from stories written
heretofore by Chip.  There are inconsistencies between Chip's story line
and mine.  The characters in my scenario dwell, therefore, in some sort of
`parallel universe.'  Also included in this story is a character inspired
by "Billy," the lead character in John D's "Billy Muscles up."  One
incident is borrowed directly from the "Billy Muscles Up" series and some
of the things Billy does in this story echo "Billy Muscles Up."  However,
although this "Billy" begins with more or less the same personality and
physical strength as the original, events take "my `Billy'" in a somewhat
different direction.  My use of the "Billy" character is with John D's
express permission.  Thanks, John D!

If you are looking for erotic stimulation, please look elsewhere because
you won't find that here.  Aside from some coarse language and violence,
this story could almost be rated "G."  But if Chip's "Danny" series is one
you have enjoyed, you may find this story entertaining as well.  My
interest in Chip's "Danny" series has been mainly, "what are people
thinking and feeling?"  (Something Chip has preferred to leave to the
reader's imagination.)  This story delves into that question in just a
little bit more detail.  Of particular interest to me as well, is how some
of these characters respond to situations and circumstance that could
happen to anyone as well as how they react to extraordinary situations.

I've introduced my own characters in this story, among them, "Andy Jackson
Partlowe," and, to some extent, this is HIS story...  how he came to meet
Billy, Danny and his friends and how he reacts to their phenomenal strength
and abilities.

My thanks to the web master for his work in maintaining this site and for
posting this story.  I would like to express my special thanks to Chip
Masterson and John D. for graciously sharing their characters with me and
especially for their work and creativity in creating their stories.  This
story is dedicated in their honor.

Thanks a lot for sharing, Chip and John D...

Tags

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SUNDAY

Northwest Airlines Flight 784, inbound LAX from Tokyo, turned to final
approach heading, rolling wings level about sixty nautical miles from
touchdown.  Servo motors, nestled in the wings, whined as their worm gears
deployed the flaps and leading edge slats for landing.  The under carriage
dropped into down and locked position with a loud "kathunk." Cabin noise,
until now, a muted purr from the hi-bypass turbofan engines slung under the
wings, and from the air- conditioning blowers, dropped in pitch and rose in
volume to a deep throated rumble.  The nasal voice of a female flight
attendant droned over the PA system.  "Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be
landing at Los Angeles International Airport in about ten minutes.  Please
raise your seat backs and tray tables to full upright position for landing.
Flight attendants are passing through the cabin at this time to collect
your refreshment containers.  Please have ready your completed customs and
immigration forms, distributed to you, earlier during the flight.  A
Northwest passenger service agent will be standing by at the jetway exit to
direct you to the customs and immigrations screening area.  Your baggage
will be available to you there you within thirty minutes after landing.  We
realize you have a choice.  Thank you for choosing Northwest Airlines.  We
look forward to serving your travel needs in the near future...  Thank you
for your attention, Ladies and Gentlemen.  Enjoy your stay in the Los
Angeles metro area...."

Momentarily, the same announcement was repeated in Japanese.

Nineteen year old Billy Hartlander, in the aisle seat on the starboard
side, immediately aft the partition between coach and first class, hadn't
heard a single word of the announcement in either language.  He was a
little anxious.  He had just finished his third class midshipman cruise in
USS Nimitz in the Southwest Pacific, immediately following completion of
his sophomore year at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.  His mom,
Andy's mom and Andy would be waiting for him at the airport by now.  He
hadn't seen them, the people he loved more than anyone in the world, since
the previous Christmas.  He had been looking forward to this reunion for a
long time.  The hours en route from Tokyo had dragged by and now time
seemed to slow down even more.  These last few minutes of this overseas
flight seemed to Billy like an eternity.

Billy loved the Naval Academy.  He loved the Navy.  But he had missed this
little trio more than he'd ever imagined he would.  How his heart had ached
from the separation.  Without his mom, Andy's mom and Andy, it had been as
though a vital part of his body were missing.  He'd wrestled with this
"issue" for months.  Billy had gotten... homesick!  Here he was, a big
strapping, athletic young man...  physically, the strongest midshipman in
the history of the Naval Academy...  having completed his sophomore year
number one in his class standing, academically, militarily and in
athletics...  and he'd gotten as homesick as a nine year old little boy at
summer camp away from home for the first time.  Oh God, it was so good to
finally be coming home!

Andy, his mom and Billy's mom waited nervously at the exit from US Customs
at LAX.  Passengers from the Northwest flight, just arrived from Narita
Airport, outside Tokyo, were filtering out a half dozen or so at a time
from the Customs quarantine room.  It was Andy who first spied Billy,
through the open door, inside the Customs area as another small group of
passengers was exiting.  Billy was next in line and would be coming out
within a matter of minutes.  The black opaque tinted glass door swung shut
momentarily.

Not two minutes later, the door burst open again and there was Billy, all
decked out in his tropical white navy midshipman uniform, big, blond,
tanned, handsome beyond belief, incredibly fit, looking better than any
Navy recruiting poster ever printed.  Billy dropped his gear, ran to his
mom and enfolded her in a muscular but gentle bear hug.  He lifted her off
the floor and twirled her around.  Strictly against Navy regs, of course.
PDA (public display of affection) in uniform is strictly `verboten.'  But
Billy didn't give a damned.  He set his mom down, held her at arms length,
looked into her eyes and said, "Oh, mom, I've missed you...  God, it's so
good to see you!"

Then Billy turned his affections on Andy's mom, giving her the full
treatment, just as he'd given his own mother.  (Andy's mom had been like a
second mother to him, just as Billy's mom had been nearly a second mother
to Andy.)  This was a poignant reunion among a very close knit little
group.)

Finally, Billy turned his attention to Andy.  Andy extended his right hand,
out of a cast less than a week, to shake Billy's. Billy started to clasp
Andy's hand, but then he said, "Aw fuck this... C'mere, bro." ...and then
Billy pulled Andy into a warm embrace but sparing him the "lift and twirl"
he'd given both their moms.  It's good to see you, Andy!  You're looking
great...  But, shit, dude!  Lookit all that gray hair you got goin' on!"

Andy laughed.  "Yeah, Bill, there's a little bit of a story to that.  I'll
tell you all about it when I get the chance.  S'matter of fact, we gotta
lotta catchin' up to do.

Andy was obviously as excited to see Billy as Billy was to see him.  But
Billy sensed something "different" in Andy.  He seemed just a
little... `older,' not quite himself, and it wasn't just the salt and
pepper hair.  Billy thought, "Something's happened to Andy."  Billy lay his
hand on Andy's shoulder and asked, "Is everything OK, buddy?  Are YOU OK?"

Andy laughed again, "Aw heck yeah, Billy, never better!  I'm just fine,
really."

Billy thought to himself, "Andy always was such a little white liar.  He's
doesn't wanna spoil the moment.  But I'll get to the bottom of this.  He
never could keep a secret from me for very long."

As they made their way back to Billy's mom's car Billy said, "You didn't
hafta do this yah know... Parkin' and meetin' me at Customs. You could've
just as well met me with the car at baggage claim out front."

Billy's mom, Andy's mom and Andy all said in unison, "Yeah, right" and they
all laughed.

As they drove along I-5 from LAX on their way back home, they caught Billy
up on all the latest of this and that... Who married whom, who's having a
baby, etc., etc.  Billy's mom drew up in front of Andy's mom's apartment
and before parting company, the two mom's agreed that They'd all meet at a
nearby Mexican restaurant for supper within the next day or so.
Mrs. Partlowe said her good-byes to Mrs. Hartlander and to Billy and went
on inside.

Billy remained with Andy outside at the Partlowe's front door and they chit
chatted for just a few minutes before Billy turned to rejoin his mom in the
car.  But Andy grabbed his elbow and pulled him back...

"Billy.  I know you just got home and you need to spend time with your mom
tomorrow.  But do you think you and I could get together day AFTER
tomorrow?"

"Sure buddy, besides spendin' time with mom, that's the number one item on
my `agenda' for my time here.  Like you said, we gotta lot of catching up
to do and I got some stuff I really wanna show you.  You'll think last
Christmas with that Dodge duelie was nuthin'.  Kinda weird though...
almost startin' to scare me!"

"Call me tomorrow Billy.  We'll hook up early next morning.  Mebbe grab
some breakfast together.  After that, I know just the place we can go.
Nice'n private.  You can show me your stuff with nobody else around to
bother us.  That sound like a plan?"

"Yeah, Andy.  Nice to see you're `on the ball,' as usual.  I can see you're
way ahead of me on this!"

Andy laughed and said, `Yeah, well, you know me.  I like to stay just a
little ahead of the game.  Have a great day with your mom tomorrow.  I'm
look'n forward to seeing you the day after."

Billy turned to leave but came back to Andy and held him by his shoulders
at arms length and just looked at him.

"What's up, Billy?"

"Dunno, little guy, it's been so long and I guess I just can't believe I'm
really home.  I've missed you guys: mom, your mom and you, mebbe a lil'
more than I thought I would.  I guess I just hadda get one more look at you
to finally convince myself it's real...  That you're really here...
standing right in front of me and not all the way across the country or
across the Pacific Ocean..."

Billy smiled broadly, but his voice had just a little hint of a quaver.
"Guess I better get outta here before I get all weepy and embarrass us
both."

Then he turned and walked back to the car.  As he opened the passenger
door, he flashed Andy his `trademark' million dollar grin, waved and hopped
into the car, making it sag heavily to the right with his muscular bulk.
Mrs. Hartlander pulled off, waving briefly as she drove away.

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MONDAY

Billy called next morning and arranged for Andy to pick him up at his house
the next day at "zero six hundred."  Andy had said he wanted to get an
early start.

TUESDAY

The following morning, Andy pulled up in front of Billy's in his little
4-banger pickup at five minutes to six.  Billy was standing at the curb.

"I figured I'd wait out here.  Mom's sleepin' in.  She's workin' a late
shift."

Andy nodded and pulled away from the curb.

They drove over to the "greasy spoon" just down the road from Andy's mom's.
Andy had worked part time there during his high school days.  The old man
he'd worked for had sold out right after Andy had resigned at the end of
the summer after his senior year in high school.  Through his high school
years, Andy had gradually been entrusted by the old man who owned the place
with more and more responsibility running the business.  The old man had
sold out to a group of investors for a bundle.  He had shared in his
`largesse,' giving Andy most of the credit for his handsome take from sale
of the restaurant, as well as a cashier's check for fifteen thousand
dollars.  The investors had franchised the concept and still ran this place
as a company store.  The franchise national headquarters was situated in a
glass office tower in Irvine.  Andy's portrait hung in the franchise home
office entry foyer alongside that of his former boss.  They were billed as
"cofounders."  Andy and the old man had each been given a token parcel of
franchise corporate stock by the investors.  Andy never paid much attention
to it, but it had grown to sizable value over the past couple of years.
And the modest quarterly stock dividends he had begun to receive were a
help.  Andy was starting to enjoy some "breathing room" in his budget and
had been saving and investing his money aggressively.

What Andy liked most about the franchise investor's generosity was that, in
the former `greasy spoon,' he was treated like a king.  He was free to come
in any time, order for himself and a guest, anything he wanted from the
menu, a menu largely of his own creation back when he had worked there.

Andy and Billy sat down to a hardy breakfast and engaged in small talk.
Andy carefully avoiding any discussion of today's "agenda."

When they left, Andy drove straight to an old deserted industrial facility.
It was relatively secluded, surrounded by a high cyclone fence hung with
opaque screens to block the view into the property from outside.  The gate
was open.  Andy drove through, stopped, got out, shut and padlocked the
gate.

Then he drove up to the enormous deserted construction hall, situated at
the center of the property.  It had been built back in 1938 as a machine
tool shop to service FDR's "Arsenal of Democracy."  This is were Salas and
Cole occasionally brought Danny to train him in use and control of his
phenomenal strength.

As they approached the building, Billy spied Salas' unmarked police car
parked outside...  Andy pulled up alongside.

"Looks like we're not alone, Andy."

"No, Billy, we're not.  I'm sorry to `spring this' on you, but there's some
guys waiting for us inside you hafta meet.  I can't explain what this is
all about.  You'll see for yourself...  And THEY hafta see you and what you
can do...  Trust me, buddy, I wouldn't have confided in them about you if I
didn't trust them with my life. There's a young man you're about to meet
who saved my life, literally! And, Billy, this is VERY important!  Trust me
on this, OK, Buddy?"

Billy, now completely mystified said, "OK Andy, whatever you say!  Now I'm
REALLY wondering what this is all about.  As for trusting you, Andy, I hope
you know I'd trust YOU with MY life!  I've felt that way from the day we
met at Reagan Middle when you lied through your teeth for me to Mr. Harding
right after I went and cracked one of your ribs for you.  `Friends for
life, joined at the hip!'  Always have been.... Always will be.  OK Andy?"

Andy nodded gravely.  He was a little nervous.  He'd been anticipating this
meeting for several weeks and now it was upon him.  He heaved a sigh and
turned to Billy.  "Dude, just remember to `fasten your seat belt,' cuz your
fix'n to experience one helluva `ride.'"

The two young men entered the building.  Salas, Cole, Danny and Scott were
waiting for them inside.  A little nervously, Andy made the introductions.
It was obvious to everyone that Andy was really `keyed up.'  Salas spoke.
"Andy, I appreciate your setting up this meeting between Billy and us.  I
promise you, son, you won't regret this.  Now lets get started."

"Billy, Andy has told us a lot about you.  We know about your unusual
strength, and we suspect it may be a lot more than even you realize.  But
right now, I'd like you to give us a little demo if you don't mind.  Scott,
go outside and bring my car in here.  Salas smiled at Andy and said to him,
"Why don't you move that little `piss ant' ride of yours inside too?"

Andy and Scott went over to a large access door, slid it open and stepped
outside to drive the cars into the building.  Scott maneuvered Salas'
police cruiser inside and Andy followed in his ancient, battered Japanese
pickup.  As they alighted from their vehicles, Salas spoke again.  "Now,
Billy, Andy says, Last Christmas, when you were home on leave, you military
pressed the front end of a big Dodge Ram duelie pickup for well over 50
reps.  So, the front end of my car should be easy for you...  Think you
could do that for us right now?"

"Yes sir."

Billy stepped up to the police cruiser, bent down and lifted the front end
over his head.  But instead of leaning into it and military pressing for
reps as he had done with that Dodge Ram duelie last Christmas, he walked
his hands rearward, underneath the full sized black Ford `Crown Vic' police
interceptor until it was standing almost on it's rear end!  Then he grasped
the frame, lifted the car off the cement floor, balancing it carefully and
began military pressing .  He pumped off ten reps and then carefully
lowered the car back down to the floor.

Salas, remained very cool.  "That's very impressive, Billy!  Very
impressive indeed!"

Andy had watched his friend as he executed his ten-rep set, lifting and
lowering the weight of the police cruiser, having military pressed the full
sized sedan, weighing in at well over a ton, as though it weighed no more
than a well loaded barbell.  Maybe Andy should've been prepared for this.
He'd seen what Billy had done last Christmas, as well as having gotten an
eyeful of what Salas, Cole and Danny could do since then.  But he was not
ready for this demonstration of phenomenal muscle power from his friend.
Lifting a full size car clean off the floor and pressing it for ten reps???
Billy???  Andy fell to his knees, literally floored by Billy's
demonstration.  The others in this small company had watched intently but
impassively.  Billy had broken a light sweat.  His heretofore loose fitting
Naval Academy cotton jersey had suddenly "filled out" as his muscles
strained against the confining fabric.

Then Salas turned to Danny.  "OK, kid, show time."

And then thirteen year old Danny stepped up to Salas' sedan and repeated
Billy's performance, but besting Billy by 100 reps! ... Not that he
couldn't easily have done many, many more!

Now it was Billy's turn to be floored.  He sagged to his knees and looked
over at Andy.  Billy's own performance had caused him to break a just a
little bit of a sweat, but DANNY'S feat had Billy sweating freely, like a
stuck pig.  Danny, on the other hand, had clearly not exerted himself at
all.  He was NOT sweating.

"My God, Billy murmured....  Oh...  my... GOD!

Salas's eyes bored into Billy.  "Son, before this month is over, you may
well match that little feat of Danny's.  We aren't sure what your full
potential is, but we suspect you haven't come anywhere NEAR your limits.
Danny's strength far exceeds mine and Cole's here but either Cole or I
could have easily done at least as many of those reps with my car with no
strain.  You're getting your start with really heavy weights fairly late in
life.  Danny, Cole and I got our start much earlier in our lives.  So you
may never get to where you might've been.  Then again, maybe you just
might.  But if you stick with us these next three or four weeks, I'd say
you'll at least double your strength, and you might increase ten fold or
maybe much much more.

Andy looked on in an abject stupor.  He'd set this whole thing up.  He'd
known Billy nearly half his life and had always known he was strong beyond
belief.  But, even with all he'd seen Billy do with his phenomenal
strength, he never thought he'd live to see the day when his friend could
lift a full size auto over his head and military press it ten times.  He
was more shocked by Billy's display than by Danny's far more formidable
demonstration!  Billy was, after all, Andy's best friend in the world!  The
two young men were closer than brothers...  Andy's mind was completely
blown!

But so was Billy's.  He just continued to murmur, "Oh God...  Oh God...  Oh
God..."

"Who ARE these guys, Andy???"

Andy looked over at Billy and said, "My God, Billy.  Who are YOU?"

Andy was trembling.  His friend Billy had always been abnormally strong.
But now he could see, before his eyes, that Billy had moved on to a
different `level' altogether with, if Salas were to be believed, much much
more to come!  He'd always managed, not withstanding Billy's phenomenal
strength, to regard him as more than a brother.  In many ways, they'd
remained peers.  But that had been before Andy's having been blown away by
Billy's performance just now.  Things would never... COULD never be the
same between them.  Billy was among new friends now...  His own kind.  From
now on, Billy would always be "other than" Andy...  like these supermen and
NOT remotely like him.  A wave of grief crashed over Andy that he struggled
to resist, but couldn't.  Reason could not withstand this battering ram
assault on his senses.  Andy was surprised and disappointed in himself that
he was affected this way.  He hadn't anticipate his own reaction.  He
should've KNOWN Billy would continue to grow in strength but he'd never
expected anything like this!  And Billy's opportunity to test and hone his
strength had been so limited at the Naval Academy, what with so few
opportunities for him to work out in secret.  What would be the result, now
that for the next month, Billy could train openly in front of these men who
would push him to his limits, expanding them, mercilessly?

Andy struggled valiantly to regain control of his emotions.  Then he said
with as much `enthusiasm' as he could muster, "That's incredible, Billy!
Really incredible!"

Billy was still in shock, on his knees, rocking back and forth, thoroughly
intimidated by what he had seen Danny do.  He was oblivious of Andy's
words.

Danny said to Salas, "Well, I guess now that Billy's `circuits' are
completely blown, yah think you can `bring `im back' and lets get him
started?  C'mon, enough with the `pussy weight' lets get after the heavy
stuff."

"In a minute, Danny," Salas said.

Salas spoke again...  "Billy, c'mon, kid, stay with us here.  Now I want
you to get back under my car and do what Danny just did...  Not 10 reps...
I want you to squeeze off 110 reps right now."

Billy looked up, still shaken by the muscle teen's phenomenal power, making
his own raw brute strength seem insignificant in comparison.  "Sir, there's
no way.  Not if my life depended on it!"

"Yes you can Billy...  Yes you can...  Now get on your feet and DO IT!  ...
MOVE!"

Billy complied.  He repeated his earlier movements, lifting the front end
of Salas' car, walked his hands under the body and lifted.  Balancing the
weight as before, he pumped off his first rep...

"Sorry, Billy, I forgot to tell you...  `count off' as you do each rep...
I'll start you off... One...'

Again, Billy pressed the car upward to full arms length, then with his next
rep, he took up the count...

"Two...  Three... Four... Five..."

At rep twenty five, his Naval Academy jersey began to come apart at the
seams, streams of sweat pouring off his body.  His sweat pants were
beginning to give way as his massive tree trunk legs, supporting the weight
of the car, expanded obscenely, almost grotesquely.  The jersey finally
gave way to Billy's seething upper body musculature as his bulging arms,
heaving armor plate chest, flaring delts, traps, lats and back expanded,
tearing it to ribbons.

Billy continued to count...  "Thirty-five...  Thirty-six...
Thirty-seven... Thirty- eight..."

His body was racked with agony from his struggle with more than a ton of
Detroit steel but he continued on, ignoring the searing pain in his
tortured muscles.

At rep fifty-five, Salas encouraged Billy, "All right son, you did all
those reps so you could `warm up' for these comin' up.  Now reach down deep
and pull it out...  Keep going man, you're doin' great...  Just keep it
pumpin'."

Billy croaked, "Talk to me, Andy...  Talk to me, buddy...  Get me through
this..."

Andy's mind was reeling.  At first he could not respond...

"Andy...  PLEASE!"

Andy recovered and began to coach his friend.  "OK, Billy, keep it coming!
One rep at a time.  Just do this one...  Don't think about anything but
this one rep...  Push it, boy.  Just go for this rep...  Pull it
out... Push it!  Push it!  Make it happen...  Easy Bill, watch your
balance...  Good one!  YEAH!

Andy started to move alongside Billy under the car but Salas restrained
him.  "No Andy, you can't.  Billy's gotta do this on his own.  If anything
goes wrong under the car...  if Billy `loses it,' he won't be hurt but you
could be.  Stay right here with me."

>From where he stood, Andy continued his nonstop staccato with Billy,
encouraging him... WILLING the weight of Salas' car to submit to Billy's
muscle power.  "Yeah, Bill, keep em comin' Watch that form!  Don't loose
it... Yeah, Billy that's all you... All you... It's all yours...  Stay with
me, buddy...  Stay with it...  Oh YEAH!  You OWN that weight...  It's all
yours... All you babe, All YOU!"

Billy's body was quaking from head to toe from the strain.  His jersey and
sweat pants were in tatters as his terrifying muscles were revealed through
his shredded clothing.  His flesh had flushed beet red and he was bathed in
sweat but he kept on pressing and continued his count...

"One-Oh-Eight... One-Oh-Nine... One-Ten!"

Billy grunted...  "OK, think you guys could get this thing offa me?"

Cole and Salas stepped to either end of the car and lifted it off Billy's
shoulders.  Billy staggered out from underneath as Cole and Salas lowered
the car to the shop floor.  Again Billy sagged to the deck, utterly spent
from his Herculean effort and momentarily drained of all his strength.

Andy rushed over to Billy and knelt alongside his friend.  Billy reached
over and held onto Andy his body now racked with sobs.  "Oh God, Andy...
Andy...  What is happening to me?"

Billy's whole body felt like jello.  He held onto Andy and just bawled.

Danny rolled his eyes at Scott...  "Oh brother, here come the `water
works!'"  Scott flashed Danny an icy stare and, immediately, Danny settled
down.

Andy was struggling with his own feelings nearly as hard as Billy had
struggled to pump off his 110 reps with Salas' police cruiser.  He wanted
desperately to be there for his friend but it was nearly all he could do to
deal with his own turbulent emotions.  Softly, he murmured to Billy, "It's
OK dude... It's OK...  I'm right here for you, Billy...  You did good...
It's OK..."

When Billy finally recovered and rose unsteadily to his feet, he looked at
Salas.

"I wasn't at all sure you could do that well, Billy.  At least not today.
Maybe you THOUGHT you've pushed yourself hard before but, evidently not
like you're really capable of.  Next time you'll find you can do more... A
LOT more.  Even normal guys can lift more; the more weight they workout
with.  The more demand they put on their muscles, the more the muscle grows
and the stronger it gets.  But it takes time for their muscles to recover
and rebuild.  With you, Billy, it's kinda different.  Your muscles respond,
recover and get stronger almost immediately even as you continue working
them.  Eventually, you can get worn out but, as you can see, it takes an
awful lot.  And next time, it'll take more before you give out.  In a just
few minutes your body will completely recover.  You'll see... except for an
unbelievable `pump,' you'll feel like you haven't even exerted yourself.
Right now, your body is rebuilding itself and getting stronger.  This is
how it works Billy.  And unlike normal guys, that pump you have goin' right
now never really goes away.  You'll just keep getting bigger and
stronger...  and stronger... and stronger."  Not only that, your body
heals, not only recovering from physical exertion very fast, but from
injuries as well.  I'm sure you've already realized that you never EVER get
sick.  Isn't that right, Billy?"

Billy nodded.

"Your body attacks any virus, any poison, any foreign agent, at least any
WE know of, and destroys it.  You are by no means invulnerable, but you'll
find as you get stronger, your body will get tougher and more resilient.
You'll find your injuries, if you ever have injuries, will heal faster.
What should take days to heal, takes only a few seconds; what would take
weeks for any ordinary man will take only a few minutes."

Billy was already getting his strength back.  He could feel the "engine"
that his body was becoming "miraculously" restoring and refreshing him.
Billy was still a little shaky but this was more emotion, than physiology.

"You will notice another change, Billy.  To fuel your body, your food
intake will have to increase, massively.  I'm sure you're already a big
eater.  You'd have to be.  But you'll be eating more now... A LOT more...
You can eat almost anything and your body will make it work for you, but,
of course, massive infusions of the proper nutrients are best for you, just
like with any normal guy.  Before you leave today, I'll start you off on
your diet.  You'll take several meals each day here with us but you'll need
to eat a lot more besides to fuel the kind of rapid muscle and strength
growth you'll be experiencing these next few weeks.  We're going to try to
get you to your present day max while you're here with us and plenty of
food and proper rest are a big part of that.  You'll need a lot of sleep.
You're playing `catch-up' right now, Billy.  Eventually, you'll level off.
You'll continue to grow and get stronger, but not quite as fast as you will
right here at the start.  You'll continue to eat more than normal guys, A
LOT more... but you will be able to slack off to something just a little
closer to normal food intake."  And once you're past this rapid-growth
`catch-up' phase, your need for sleep will begin to diminish.  Eventually,
even though you'll still need SOME sleep, you won't need much and you'll
almost NEVER feel tired or worn out unless you have REALLY exerted yourself
on something."

"Your muscles will get bigger, of course, but they will also increase
massively in density.  Your size and physical appearance will be
impressive, but it won't quite match your body weight because your muscles
will be so incredibly dense!  Don't count on being able to ride in Andy's
little pickup for very much longer.  It won't handle the load.  At the very
least it'll lean so far over to one side that you'd loose steering traction
on the high side."

"You feelin' a little better now, Billy?"

"Yes sir, I guess I'm ready to go again.  In fact, I've never felt
stronger."

"Great, Billy...  Now Danny, pick up Andy's truck... But use only on hand."

Danny nodded, stepped over to Andy's little Mitsubishi pickup, squatted
down, reached his arm under the body, even with the rear wall of the cab,
grasped part of the frame with one hand and stood up.  He balanced the load
on his palm and one arm pressed the vehicle over his head.  Danny held it
over his head for a second or two and then began to do reps.

"OK Danny," Salas, said, "that's enough.  Now you, Billy.  You saw how
Danny did it.  Now it's your turn."

Billy complied, lifting Andy's little pickup just like Danny had.  And then
he began his one arm over head presses.  His already distended upper body
muscles flared even wider.  But Billy wasn't straining nearly as hard as he
had with Salas' sedan.  After fifty reps, Salas said, "OK Billy, I know you
could do a lot more but we're just getting the feel of `all this,' right
now... OK, other hand.  Billy lowered his right hand slightly, cocking his
arm, and then heaved the little truck straight up into the air.  It "hung"
momentarily, as though suspended in mid air and then fell.  Billy caught it
on his left palm and did another fifty reps.

Then with his head bent slightly forward, Billy balanced the vehicle nose
up, high on his back.  He spread his arms and grasped both sides of the
frame.  Then he straightened with the little pickup vertical along his back
and began to do reverse curls with it.  Salas finally stopped him at 150
reps.  This time, Billy felt like he could've gone all day.

Again, Andy's little truck rested vertical along Billy's back.  From the
full down position of his reverse curl Billy hurled it straight up.  As the
truck rose toward the ceiling of the construction hall, it pivoted in mid
air about its lateral axis as the weight of the engine began responding to
gravity faster than the relatively lighter rear cargo bed.  By the time
Billy caught it on his right palm, the truck had returned to horizontal.
Billy squatted down, lowering the truck to the shop floor.

This time, even Danny was impressed.  "Dang, Billy, what's with you?
You're growing and getting stronger right in front of our eyes!"

Scotty smirked at Danny and, playfully, Danny gave Scott a gentle shove.
Scotty smirked again and snickered.  "Looks like this guy might give you a
run for your money, Danny, dude."

Danny stuck out his tongue...  "Mebbe so, Scotty boy, but not today...  Not
today."

But then Danny turned to Billy and said, to him.  "The grand finale' at the
end of the month will be you and me, one on one...  Arm wrestle!"

"OK, kid, yer on.  But only if you promise to go easy on me.  Right now I'd
be afraid you might KILL me!"

Danny couldn't hide his frank admiration for what he'd seen of Billy in the
last few minutes.  "Well, at the rate you're going, dude, come the end of
the month, you may hafta go easy on me!  Danny narrowed his eyes at Billy
but he was smiling impishly.  "We'll see, Billy boy... We'll just wait and
see."

Salas spoke again .  "OK Danny, next demo..."

Danny stepped over to the scrap bin and pulled out a twelve foot I Beam.
He methodically tore off the two horizontal flat edges from the vertical
member.  His striated muscles swelling to intimidating proportions as he
worked.  Then with his powerful hands, he rolled up first one and then the
other of the long, flat metal strips as one would roll up a toothpaste
tube, the muscles in his forearms rippling outrageously as he worked.
Next, he grasped one end of the vertical member of the I beam and tore it
in two, lengthwise. The groaning, ringing, protesting, hardened steel split
down the middle in Danny's powerful grip as though it were not much more
than heavy cardboard.  Only a couple of months ago, this would have cost
even Danny some exertion.  But not anymore.  His strength and body had
grown substantially over the last few fortnights.  But the steel hadn't.
Danny wasn't done yet.  He then proceeded to warp and "mold" one of the
torn lengthwise strips of steel, his dangerously swollen muscles bulging
incongruously all over his thirteen year old body.  The metal glowed red
hot in Danny's hands.  Danny tossed the scalding softball shaped spherical
hunk of scrap steel at Billy who caught it.  Amazingly Billy's hands were
not burned.  Billy tossed the smoldering steel spheroid back onto the scrap
heap were it landed with a crash.

Cole spoke, for the first time since Andy's introductions.  "OK, Billy, now
you try."

Danny pulled another length of I beam off the stack, hefted it momentarily,
then tossed it to Billy who caught it easily.  Andy was standing right next
to Billy.  He had flinched.

Danny giggled.  "Well Andy, finally!  I never thought I'd live to see the
day!"

Billy looked quizzically at Andy.  Andy laughed and said, "It's an `inside
joke'...  long story...  I'll tell ya about it later, when I tell you all
about all the gray hairs this kid put on my head."

Billy attacked the I beam, ripping the ends off the vertical member one at
a time.  His bare muscles surged and quivered.  This was not as easy for
him as it had been for Danny, but the cold steel submitted to Billy's
muscle and tore free.  Then, surprisingly, with less difficulty, he split
the vertical member lengthwise, tossed one half back onto the scrap heap
and went to work on the other half, crushing it in his powerful hands,
working it like heavy clay into a ball. As it had with Danny, the hardened
steel glowed form the heat.  When he was done, Billy worked the surface
until it was smooth.  It was an almost perfect sphere!  Then he worked the
softball sized sphere even more, compressing it in his powerful hands down
to the size of a golf ball!  He tossed his "work" to Danny who caught it
and pitched it onto the scrap heap.

"Wow, Billy," Danny said, "I could SEE you getting stronger as you mangled
that thing.  You ever see anything like this guy, Cole?"

Cole answered, "No, kid... Never...  Someone `blooming' like this right in
front of our eyes... This is new territory for me.  Billy's growing and
getting stronger by the minute!  His muscles have been STARVING for this!"

Cole, Salas and Danny continued to demonstrate for Billy who followed suit,
growing ever stronger as the morning progressed.  Periodically, Billy asked
Andy to resume his line of chatter. "C'mon Andy, talk to me...  Help me do
this..."

Andy would encourage, cajole and coach Billy as he worked.  Finally, Salas
asked Billy, "What's up with that?"

Billy walked over and wrapped his massive arm around Andy's neck.  "This
here's my main man.  He talks to me...  Tells me what to do and I do it.
But sometimes, it's kinda weird.  He talks to me in my head.  Doesn't even
hafta open his mouth."

Andy's jaw fell open...

"Oh?" Salas, asked.  "That's interesting.  How do you mean?"

Billy continued.  "Well, Andy here won't admit it, but it's been happening
for years.  We used to workout in my garage as kids.  Andy would spot me
and encourage and coach me, just talking to me like you've seen him do this
morning.  Then he'd go quiet on me, but I could still hear him inside my
head!  He'd be right in there with me, like he was `spotting' me from the
inside!  And then when we switched out, he'd pull me inside of HIS head and
kinda make ME `spot' him from the inside, the same way he did for ME!  Like
I said, He'd never admit it.  Still hasn't.  But I know that's how it went
down.  He's been doing it for me all morning...  Not just talking to me
with his mouth.  He's been inside my head.  And when he does it, you would
not BELIEVE how much stronger I feel.  It's always been that way.  Same
goes the other way around.  He's not like us... you, me, Danny and Cole and
I guess maybe he never will be.  But you'd be blown away by what he can
lift for such a little guy, especially when he `pulls me in' and makes me
`help' him.  He'll stand there and lie through his teeth about it, but, in
case you haven't noticed, whenever I start to sweat when I do my `stuff,'
his body sweats nearly as much as mine does.  While we were still training
with the weights in my garage, I tried to shrug it off.  But then he took
me to this old junk yard down the road from our neighborhood.  I used to do
some of my `stuff' there.  No question about it, guys, Andy would get
inside my head and `make' me pusher harder than I ever could've on my own.
And sometimes, if I got carried away, he'd make me `put on the brakes.'  I
`fought it' sometimes, just to see if I could.  And, yeah...  I could.  But
it was just so much easier to go with Andy's flow.  So I'd just let it
happen."

Andy shuffled his feet and looked down at the deck, flat busted.  He hadn't
wanted Billy to `go there.'

Salas spoke up...  "Andy, why don't you tell us about this over lunch.
We're way overdue for some 'fuel,' especially Billy, and I've got a little
something set up for all of us."

In a very small voice Andy responded, "Well, I guess so.  It's not really
that big a deal but I guess I could tell you what I know."

They quit the main construction hall for a small 14' x 20' room,
partitioned off from the rest of the building.  It was situated in a corner
at one end of the shop. It had served as office space for the plant when it
had been in commission as a machine shop.  There were old fashioned glass
windows along the two walls partitioning the small room from the rest of
the building, the kind of windows with the little checkerboard glass panes.
The windows afforded a view from the room out onto the shop floor.

Salas had a heavy duty six-man picnic table set up in the center of the
room.  There was a refrigerator at the far end of the room and a counter
along the back wall with overhead cupboard cabinets above. At the far end,
there was a four- burner electric range set into a space cut into the
counter and a divided kitchen style sink alongside. At the opposite end of
the counter were two desktop computers set side by side and networked peer
to peer, with a laser printer in between.

The guys pulled plates and utensils out of the cupboards and took the food
out of the refrigerator.  In addition to plates and utensils, there were
containers of food supplements in the cupboards.  Once everything had been
set out, the men sat down.  As they were taking their seats, Salas had
patted the bench alongside where he'd sat down and motioned for Billy to
take a seat alongside.  He motioned for Andy to sit across from him.  Danny
sat down to Andy's right, Scott sat to Danny's right and Cole sat down
across from Scott.  That became the regular seating arrangement for the
rest of the month.  They would be eating three meals a day here.  Well,
Andy and Scotty would "eat."  The four supermen would GORGE!

Danny spoke first.  "OK, dude, what's up with this `mind game' thing you
and Billy got goin' on?

Andy sighed.

Salas spoke up.  "Andy, you're among friend here.  Just tell us what's
going on.  Nothing you say here will go outside this room unless you want
it to."  The rest of the men around the table nodded.

Andy sighed again and said, "I'll tell you what I know, which isn't much.
You've already got the gist of it from Billy.  I guess I didn't really
believe it.  Maybe I just COULDN'T believe it... couldn't face it.
Besides, I never thought it was really all that important.  Nothing like
what Billy said ever happened between me and anyone else. And the only time
it ever happened between Billy and me was when we were workin' out.  And
I'm not really sure exactly when it started...  I guess it was sometime
when we were training in Billy's garage before we started going out to the
junkyard.  Billy started it, really.  He used to make me talk him through
his lifts.  Said it made him stronger.  I thought it was crazy but, shit,
he's always been too big for me to argue with so I guess I just went along.
Then all the weird stuff where I would `talk' without actually speaking
just started to happen sorta gradually.  Didn't take long for Billy to
`call me' on it.  But I just told him it was his imagination.  But, yah, I
could get into Billy's head and I could pull him inside of mine and get him
do for me what I did for him.  Not that I had to, I guess.  Might've worked
out just as well, just letting him talk to me with his voice.  I'm not
really sure how much it really affected either one of us.  But it sure
SEEMED to make the workouts go better.  And besides, I gotta admit I kinda
liked it.  I could FEEL Billy's strength like it was my own.  And whenever
I pulled Billy into my head.  That made me FEEL stronger than I felt when I
didn't do it.  But that's gotta be all it was, just a feeling.  Like I
said, it DID give me something of a feeling what it's like to be as strong
as Billy is when I get inside his head.  I felt it this morning, like when
Billy was lifting your car, Salas...  and my truck....

Well, that's it.  That all I know.  Like I said, I never tried it with
anyone else but Billy and with him only when he and I were lifting.  And
then, it always seemed to come on kinda naturally.  I didn't ever really
hafta `force it.'  It's not like I have `telepathy' or anything like that.
I'm really not a freak."

Then Andy looked at Billy and said, "Billy, I never would've hurt you with
it.  I don't know WHY I even did it.  I guess it just sorta happened.  I
really didn't ever want this to come out like this."

Billy reached across the table with both hands, grasping Andy's right
between his palms.  "Andy, I wouldn't trade what we have with this for
anything in the world.  And, yes, Andy, it DOES make a difference.  I've
grown and gotten stronger while I was away at the Naval Academy.  But not
near as fast as I would have if I'd stayed back here with you.  I've wasted
two years of my life while I've been away at Annapolis. I was nothing but a
damn fool.  I wanted what you give me, Andy and for two years I've been too
stupid to realize it.  All these years I've begged you to own up to it.
I'm sorry I hadda put you on the spot in front of these guys.  But this has
GOT to come out some time, Andy...  Even this morning, I would NEVER have
done those things I did if you hadn't been there for me.  And now, come to
find out, you don't hafta be right next to me for it to work.  I'll bet you
didn't even realize what you were doin' when you almost came under Salas'
car with me and he hadda hold you back.  None of us knew when I might've
given out and maybe `lost it.'  I was so focused on my lifting and your
line of chatter and what you were doing with me inside my head and my body,
at first, I didn't even realize you were coming to me, or I would've
stopped and put the car down.  You really could've gotten hurt bad, Andy,
or, God forbid, killed!"

"Salas, THANK you for stopping him!"

Salas nodded.

"But, Andy, I know it was just instinct, when you started to come to my
side...  You were just goin' back to the way it always was before between
us when we lifted together.  I guess now's as good a time as any to tell
you, Andy.  I'm not going back to the Naval Academy.  I'm stayin' home.
I'm gonna transfer to Cal Tech.  I'll stay with the Navy thing, I guess.  I
can get into the NROTC unit here.  But now I think I'm gonna try for
something else besides the SEALS.  I found out something else about myself.
I don't wanna get into anything where I'd hafta kill somebody face to face.
I just can't do that.  I may go for Naval Aviation or nuc power... maybe
try for submarines.  But the bottom line is YOU, Andy.  I wanna keep you
close to me.  I KNOW having you there makes a difference.  I KNOW it does.

Andy was quiet for just a minute.  He sighed again.  "Billy, I think you're
makin' a big mistake.  God knows I've missed you while you've been away.
But don't let the `flush' of being back home with `all this' cloud your
judgment.  You've been doing so well at Annapolis.  You're gonna be a `ring
knocker...'" (a navy term for academy grads. ed.) "...and that's a big
thing in the Navy.  Please don't throw that away just because you've got
some crazy idea that this weird `thing' we had goin with our workouts
really MEANS anything because we both know that's impossible."

Salas interjected, "Andy, after what you've seen over the past month or so,
how can the word `impossible' still be in your vocabulary?  I think you
need to delve into this a little deeper, son.  See what you can do with
it. If Billy is willing to explore his limits with us, why won't you let us
help you too?"

"Salas, I really just don't want to `go there,' please.  This is crazy...
You don't really understand how it works.  It's just not that important.
Besides, none of this is about me, it's about Billy.  And now this whole
thing seems like it's derailed Billy's navy career.  I'd never forgive
myself if that happened."

"Andy," Billy said, "I've been wrestling with this `issue' for months.  And
what finally clinched it was when I came back up to your front porch and
just looked at you day before yesterday and nearly started blubbering like
a baby.  I don't wanna sound like a queer or nuthin'.  Hey, you got nuthin'
to worry about there, bro.  I'm `all man' that way.  But you and me, we got
something goin' on with this `mind meld' thing.  I don't understand it, but
there's no doubt in my `military mind' that I'm stronger with you there
than when you're not.  And it's not just that `mind thing.' It's more than
that.  I'll say it in front of all these guys, Andy, I love you...  Not
like a woman or like some `gay guy' kinda thing.  But like the brother I
never had.  Like a brother but way more than that.  It's like we were
`joined at the hip' at birth.  That's what we've always said,
Andy... `joined at the hip and friends for life....'"

Andy looked down at his lap and shook his head.  "Billy, I can't deny I
feel the same way about you, but I don't think it's healthy.  It's almost
like we're 'codependent' or something.  We can't do this anymore.  All
it'll do is hold you back.  First you ditch your navy career before it's
even gotten off the ground...  What's next?  I'm just holding you back...
Go back to Annapolis, Billy.  Get away from me... as far as you can...  I
can't do this `thing' with you anymore.  Keep it up with these guys for the
rest of the month while you're in town but I'm not coming back here with
you any more.  I'd just be `in the way.'  I do NOT belong here....  I'm
nothing..."  Tears fell from Andy's face as he said this.

Danny put his left hand on Andy's right shoulder and spoke his name...

Sadly, Andy acknowledged Danny's comforting gesture.  "These guys are your
'peers,' Billy.  You need THEM a LOT more than any of you need me.  All I
am is 'in the way!'"

Billy spoke across the table to his friend... "Your wrong there,
Andy... WRONG!  ...All this 'strength stuff' I've got goin' on was never
ME, Andy... It was always YOU and me...  I'd never have gotten as far as I
did without you by my side.  You saw how it worked between us this morning.
Besides, I'd never have met these guys, Salas, Cole, Danny and Scott if it
weren't for you.  How many YEARS might it have taken for me to finally get
around to doing what I did this morning?  ...NO, Andy... NOT me... It was
US...  WE did it together, you and me, with my body.  That might NEVER have
happened if you hadn't brought me here today."  I couldn't have done it
without all you guys.  And it was YOU, Andy... YOU are the one who pulled
this whole thing together for me..."

Billy continued, "You're really disappointing me, man, big time.  You've
always been the strong one between you and me, not physically, Andy, but
you know very well how I mean.  Now c'mon, man, get a grip.  I NEED you,
now more than ever!  I can't 'do this' by myself!  You are NOT 'nothing,'
Andy.  Don't EVER let me hear you say that to my face again.  Cuz it makes
me VERY angry.  You've said to me out of your own mouth so many times,
'everybody matters.'  I think you need to let your ears hear what your
mouth is sayin'.  Cuz you MATTER, Andy.  You matter a helluva lot to me and
to the rest of these guys.  And, bud, you're not leavin' me now!  Andy, you
are NOT leaving to 'get outta my way,' as you put it.  I won't allow it!

"...You are NOT... going... ANYWHERE..."

Andy looked down at the table and wept as, from across the table, Billy
held Andy's right hand gently between both of his own.  Danny kept his left
hand on Andy's shoulder gently stroking it and said, "Stay with us, bro...
Stay with us..."

In just a minute, Andy was back in control of himself, more or less...
"I'm sorry guys.  I'm OK now.  We were just supposed to be having some
lunch here so let's have at it.  Somebody pass me the beans."

Salas looked at Andy and said, "Son, this isn't over.  This `thing' you've
got with Billy isn't gonna just go away.  We won't push you on this for
now.  We've got enough on our plate with Billy at the moment.  But whatever
you've been doing for him.  I'm counting on you to stay with him.  Billy
says he needs you in this and that's good enough for me.  Once we get Billy
up to speed, I want us to come back to you and try to figure out what's
really going on."

"Yes sir," was all Andy replied.

"OK, Andy.  Good show.  Now lets eat and get back out onto the shop floor.
Time's a'wastin'."

The afternoon went much as the morning had, Billy following Salas', Cole's
and Danny's lead.  By late afternoon, his strength had grown phenomenally.
They broke for "snacks" two more times during the day so the supermen could
refuel.  Although this wasn't strictly necessary for any of the four
supermen, except for Billy.  These next thirty days were going to be very
interesting... Very interesting indeed.

After they'd more or less cleaned up the place, Andy spoke to Salas, Billy
and Scott.  "Billy, would you mind riding home with Salas?  Remember, we're
meeting your mom and mine for Mexican food tonight...  Scott, I'd
appreciate it if you'd let me drive you home.  I need to talk to you, OK."

Scott said, "Sure, Andy.  Lemme grab my stuff out of Sala's car and we'll
head on out.  See ya Danny, Salas, Cole, Billy."

Billy moved in front of Andy and said, "Thanks, bro., thank you for today
and thank you for being my friend.  Everything you've done for me,
everything your are means more than I could possibly tell you..."  Billy
was silent for just a moment, just looking into his friend's eyes.

Andy answered, "OK buddy, mom and I will see you and your mom at Pancho
Villa's at eight."

Scotty opened the sliding access door as Salas, Cole, Danny and Billy
boarded Salas police cruiser.  The car settled down heavily on the shocks.
Salas started the engine and backed his car out of the building and drove
away.  Andy moved his truck outside and helped Scotty slide the access door
closed and Scotty locked up.  Andy drove through the gate, got out, shut
and padlocked the gate and then they headed for Scott's house.

"Scotty, I meant what I said when I told you a few weeks ago about what I
wanna do with my life.  But now it looks like you guys are gonna figure
into my life from here on out as well.  Seems like I kinda got `drafted'
into this little thing.  But, Scotty, I'm not some 'superman' or anything
like that.  I'm really the weak sister in this bunch."

Scotty answered, "Well, that's not what I heard Billy say.  You're no
'superman,' but Billy says your one strong ass sombitch.  Sounds like you
might even be able to take me."

Billy smiled to himself.  "I doubt that, Scotty, but, really, it's
academic.  You're not a 'superman' and neither am I.  I know you've been at
it with these guys for almost a year now.  I just need to know how you do
it and how you keep from going insane.  And I just hadda get away with
someone `normal' even if it's for just a few minutes.  Billy says I gotta
help him get through this.  Fine.  OK.  I'll be there for him.  But, Scott,
*I* need YOUR help.  You're the expert between us on how to handle living
alongside these human volcanos.  If I don't figure out how to manage this,
I'm afraid I'll go out of my mind!"

Scotty thought for a few moments.  "Andy, sometimes I really don't know
myself how I manage.  All I do is all you can do.  It's all anybody in our
position could do.  Just keep doing what you always have.  Just do the best
you can and try to do what's right, come what may.  Just take each day, one
day at a time.  That's all anybody can do.  That's all a mule could do."

"Well, Scotty, like I said that night I first told you about Billy, I
respect you, but I don't envy you.  Now it doesn't look like Billy's gonna
let me off the hook with this... even though none of this has anything to
do with me, really.  I love Billy like a brother.  Really I do.  But I
don't relish the though of living in the shadow of any man.  And, Scotty
you with Danny!  ...at least Billy is MY age.  Danny is only thirteen!  I
feel so emasculated around these guys.  The only way I can `deal' is just
not to think about it.  It makes my stomach churn when I think about it.
And, get this.  When I first met Billy back at Reagan Middle School, he
wasn't much into school work.  He helped me with my workouts. So I helped
him with his studies.  We both brought something to the table.  At first I
hadda struggle with him just to get him to focus.  But when he finally put
his mind to it, he passed me by academically like I was standin' still.  He
didn't even hafta WORK at it.  Everything just CAME to him.  By the time we
graduated high school, he was not only the class stud, he was the class
brain!  By our senior year, it was BILLY helping ME with MY studies!  He
was class valedictorian.  I came in a VERY poor second as salutatorian."

"Andy, you have NO idea!  If you knew the stuff Danny could do, it would
curl your hair.  I swear to God, he's even got PHD's in the Physics
Department at Cal Tech. cowed.  He knows a `gazillion' languages.  He
learned Mandarin Chinese in an afternoon!  At Cal Tech, he sat at two
computer terminals doin' stuff on both...  SIMUL-FUCKIN-TANEOUSLY...  At
the same time, he, reproduced a renaissance etching of a view of Florence
from Brunicelli's Duomo...  from memory, with his BARE ASSED FUCKIN' FOOT,
cross hatching and all... and all the while, he sang a Mozart aria
flawlessly, in perfect goddamned pitch!  There is no astrophysicist who can
touch him.  Stephen Hawking is a fuckin' RETARD by comparison.  No opera
singer alive could hope to perform at his level...  no pianist who could
come close to his musicianship, and there is no human being on Earth, at
least none *I* know of, who can match him in physical strength.  Oh, and
get this, he can hold onto a glass tumbler, boil the contents out of it and
then melt the glass in his hand.  And his hand doesn't get burned.  I just
keep telling myself, the kid ain't human.  I really have NO idea why he
keeps me around.  Many times I've wished to God he'd let me go.  And, Andy,
from what Billy said at lunch today, you're in the same boat as me.  We're
both trapped!  At least you've got this `mind meld' thing goin' on with
Billy...  He seems to feel you bring a LOT to the table with that.  Seems
like you got a LOT more goin' for you in `all this' than *I* do.  And Salas
seems like he wants to help you develop that."

"Scotty, please, let's don't `go there.'  I really never wanted any of that
to come out.  It's part of the reason I never `owned up' to it to Billy.
Now I guess I should have.  Mebbe then I could've managed to talk him into
keepin' his mouth shut about it."

"Well, Andy...  The cat's outta the bag now.  And Salas is NEVER gonna let
that go.  Once he gets Billy up to speed, you're next, buddy.  And from
what I heard today, Billy is `four-square' behind him on that.  I don't
understand how that thing you got goin' on works, Andy.  But these guys'll
MAKE you try to get stronger at it.  You won't have any choice.  And don't
even THINK about tryin' to sneak off someplace.  They'll run you to ground
and bring you back no matter WHERE you go.  Trust me, I know.  In may ways,
they are some of the finest guys I've ever met in my life.  But they've
gotta dark side to `em, Andy.  Wouldn't do to cross `em.  You better stick
close to me and follow my lead.  I'll show you when and how to keep your
head down...  Remember this morning how you told Billy to take one rep at a
time with Salas' car?"

"Yeah."

"Well, Andy, you just gotta take `all this' one DAY at a time...  One day
at a time."

Andy pulled up in front of Scott's house.  "OK, Scott, thanks for talkin'
to me.  I'll keep what you said in mind."

"Sure thing, Andy.  Thanks for the lift."

Andy pulled away from Scotty's and headed home.  He had just enough time to
get ready to leave to meet with his mom and ride with her to Pancho Villa's
where he would be meeting with Billy and his mom....

... Meanwhile, in Salas' car, Danny spoke up.  "Billy, I gotta give it to
you.  You're really something else. I can't believe how far you've come
today.  But is that stuff between you and Andy for real?"

"As real as it gets, Danny...  As real as it gets.  I know.  From time to
time, I was able to sneak out of my quarters at the Naval Academy and try
to work off excess energy.  And I got a lot stronger doin' it.  But,
compared to workouts I do with Andy around, it was like I was spinnin' my
wheels.  I made more progress this morning than I have in the last two
years!  He does something to me with his head that helps me make it
happen."

Salas asked, "Billy, do you really think what Andy has been doing for you
has something to do with your `breakthrough' this morning?"

"Yeah, Salas, like I just told Danny, there's no doubt in my `military
mind.'  Andy's got something goin' on that's as amazing as anything I did
this morning or anything any of you can do.  And I'm fairly sure it's just
like he said.  He hasn't even begun to try to `tap into it'.  But if he
ever did, I think you might find some very useful applications for what he
could do."

"Billy, could Andy do for the three of us what he's been doing for you?"

"Well, Salas, I really don't have any idea.  There's a certain `dynamic'
goin' on between Andy and me. That might not be there between Andy and any
of you.  Without that, why would you follow his lead once he gets inside
your head?  I trust Andy with my life.  He would lay down his life for me
and I'd do it for him.  I love that boy more than I love my own life.  When
somebody gets inside your head and you get inside theirs, you just know
things like that.  You feel what he feels and he feels what you feel.
Maybe if he got inside your head, you might just freak out and tear him to
pieces.  Andy and I were already so close to each other before any of that
happened, it just felt GOOD to have him inside my head right from the
start.  And I know he had to feel the same way I do.  It's Andy who PULLS
me into his head.  I couldn't have gotten into his mind on my own. I don't
know how that would work between Andy and any of you.  I KNOW Andy would
NEVER do anything to hurt any of you.  But you've GOTTA FEEL that in your
heart, not just KNOW it in your head.  It HAS to be FELT.  Trust is just
such a big part of it.  So I'd hafta be sure Andy was protected...  That
none of you would `lose it' and go after him.  You might not MEAN to hurt
him.  But I'd hafta know it COULDN'T happen."

"Billy, you know we all think the world of Andy.  But you really don't know
the story of how we met him.  You probably know Andy better than anyone.
How could it be otherwise since you've shared each other's thoughts and
feelings the way you have all these years?  ...Even though it's been kinda
limited so far.  But until we tell you how we came to meet Andy, and until
you see it, you're blind sided.  Billy, none of us would DARE raise a hand
against Andy.  You have my word on that.  We know as well as you do, Andy
would never try to do anything to hurt any of us.  So there won't be any
freaking out on any of our parts.  Frankly, from my experience with Andy,
I'd be more worried about HIM `losin' it.  And goddamn, Billy, you don't
wanna be around when Andy freaks, cuz he's unbelievable when he does."

Billy said, "Oh, so you've SEEN that side of Andy!  Yeah Salas, I've been
around for little of Andy's `mean streak' and it ain't nuthin' nice!"

"Boy, have you ever got THAT right!"

Salas continued, "Now I'm leaving it up to you, Billy.  Once we get you up
to speed, I want you to persuade him to work with us... to develop that
`ability' he has and find out everything he can do with it.  We all have an
obligation to do what we can to develop whatever `talents' we have the best
we can and try to make our lives matter.  Andy has already proven to us
that he believes that.  He doesn't know how to live any other way.  Now all
you have to do is to convince him that he can do more with us and with that
special gift he has than he could just living an ordinary life as an
ordinary man on his own.  You said all the right things to him at lunch
today, Billy...  telling him you wouldn't let him go.  After seeing what
you, Cole Danny and I can do, I guess I can understand how inadequate and
insignificant he must've felt.  But, as you know better than anyone, Andy's
always lived his life by his words, that `everybody matters.'  Just keep
helping him to remember that, Billy.  And while you're at it, keep helping
US to remember it, too.  And, Billy, I'd REALLY consider it a personal
favor if you would keep that in mind with Scotty.  He's a vital member of
this team even though what he brings to the table is less tangible and less
conspicuous than what the rest of us have.  Without him, we'd be crippled."

Danny piped up, "Yeah Billy, especially me!"

"OK, Salas, Danny, I'll keep that in mind with Scott.  He seems like a
great guy and Andy obviously thinks he hung the moon."

Salas responded "Thank you for that Billy.  It really means a lot to me."

Salas pulled up to the curb in front of the Henderson's and let Danny and
Cole out.  Salas had picked up Scotty at his house early that mooring and
then driven over to the Henderson's to pick up Danny and Cole.  After brief
good-byes and agreeing on the same rendezvous arrangements the next
morning, Salas pulled away.  Now he and Billy were alone.  He set out for
Billy's house.

"Billy, there's something else I wanna talk to you about.  Are you serious
about dropping out of the Naval Academy and transferring to Cal Tech?"

"Salas, I've never been more serious about anything in my life.  Consider
that a `done deal.'  I'd already decided that even before I'd met you guys.
I love my mom more than anything and I've missed her like you wouldn't
believe.  But when I'm away from Andy, it's like a part of ME is missing...
like my right arm is gone or something.  Andy says he's afraid that makes
us 'codependent' or something.  But, Salas, I don't give a damned.  I'm not
`queer' for him or anything like that, but I don't really care what anybody
thinks.  It's not just the `mind meld' thing, either.  He `completes me' is
some weird, off the wall kinda way."

"Well, Billy, it wouldn't matter a hill of beans to me if either you or
Andy WERE gay.  You're both `all man' in my eyes, I don't care WHAT either
of you does in the bedroom...."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------

Salas had one more item of business with Billy... "Look, son, I know all
about how Andy got you to "sandbag" on your strength.  I think you're
having to do that may have had a lot to do with why you've never managed to
reach anything remotely approaching your full potential.  The only time
you've ever really busted loose has been around Andy and then only when you
two were alone. And I can see now how Andy might very well have been
responsible for `holding you back' even though he obviously never intended
to.  If that's what happened, most likely it was because he was afraid you
might hurt yourself.  How could he have KNOWN that as you got stronger,
you'd become practically indestructible.  Well, Billy, now Andy has a much
better sense of that.  Now, you two can both `take the gloves off' and go
after everything you've got inside you.  After today, it'd probably take an
Army field gun to do you in.  And even that may not do the job.  Tomorrow
I'm going to teach you how to hold a grenade in your hand and let it
explode without leaving a scratch on you.  There IS a trick to it.  You get
it wrong... you'll blow your hand off.  But, trust me, Billy, you WON'T get
it wrong.  When the time comes, you'll KNOW how to do it.  And, if Andy can
handle it, I think you'll wanna have him inside your head with you.  I want
him to KNOW and to FEEL inside himself that you're gonna be all right with
us.  Billy, like I said earlier today, you and Andy are among
friends. Stick with us and you'll get there, son... you'll get all the way
to where you were meant to be...  And I KNOW Andy will be behind you in
`all this' once he understands."

"But, Billy, Andy's advice to keep your super strength under wraps was
absolutely the right thing to do.  More than either of you could ever have
appreciated.  It's important, now more than ever!  When you're in the
military, they think they *own* you and, in a sense, they do.  Some of the
brass think they `own' everybody and can do anything they please with them.
Some of the finest men who ever trod shoe leather are guys I worked with in
the military...  Good, decent, dedicated, patriotic men...  But we've also
run into some of the nastiest pieces of work ever spawned by the human race
...  men in the military.  The things that those bastards did to me, to
Cole and to Danny, who, let's remember, is still just a boy, would break
your heart.  Please, Billy, just be careful and don't trust anybody in the
Navy with your secret.  If they lock you away and try to do stuff to you,
we might never know and even if we did, we might not be able to get you
out.  And even if, by some miracle, we managed to bust you loose, you'd be
a hunted man.  And, my God, if they ever found out about how close you and
Andy are...  or got wind of his `mind meld' thing!  ...Well, Billy, just
keep all this in mind before you decide to join the Naval ROTC unit at Cal
Tech.  I'd feel a lot better if you just gave the Navy a wide berth!"

"OK, Salas, I'll give that some serious thought.  You KNOW I'll hafta talk
to Andy about that."

"Well, this morning, Andy was dead set against your leaving the Naval
Academy.  I think he'll freak right now if you tell him you've decided to
leave the navy altogether.  The night he told Scotty about you he said in
no uncertain terms that he didn't want us trying to recruit you into our
`little thing.'  Now I've gone and `crossed him' on that.  Please be
careful with Andy.  He's a strong kid in many ways.  But I don't know if
you really understand how wild he can get if he goes and freaks out."

"Yeah, Salas, I do.  I've know Andy a lot longer than you have.  I know
very well when I can `take the gloves' off with Andy and when I hafta
handle him with `kid gloves.'"

"Well, you still don't know the story of how we met Andy.  And you need to,
Billy.  There isn't time for me to go into that right now.  We're almost in
front of your house and I know you've gotta get a move on so you and your
mom can meet Andy and his mom for dinner.  But we'll be taking this Sunday
off.  The Hendersons take Danny to church on Sunday mornings.  I want to
meet you for breakfast, just the two of us.  I need to fill you in on that.
There's still some things you don't know about `all this,' Billy.  Things
Andy would never tell you.  Not that it's a secret.  But he just wouldn't
be the one to tell you, at least not in any detail.  That has to come from
me.  Be ready to be as `blown away' as you were by anything you experienced
today.

Salas pulled up in front of the Hartlander's house and Billy got out.
"I'll see you and Andy down at the shop at seven thirty.  You guys have a
good time at dinner."  And then Salas drove off.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------

Billy and his mom were waiting just inside the entrance at Pancho Villa's
when Andy and his mom walked in.  They were led to a table in the
nonsmoking section where they sat down.  Andy's and Billy's mom's did most
of the talking.  Neither young man had EVER shared very much with their
mom's about Billy's extraordinary strength and their moms were, of course,
clueless about the `mind meld' thing between the two boys.  The talk was
chatty and lighthearted until Billy brought up his plans to leave the Naval
Academy.  Mrs. Hartlander appeared stunned as did Andy's mom.

"But, Billy, you've been doing so well at Annapolis.  What about your
career in the navy?"

"Well, mom, I'm not so sure about that now.  I've put a lot of thought into
it but I'm not at all sure that's what I want to do with my life.  For one
thing, the SEALS is out.  I know now I could never kill a man face to face.
I'd love the physical challenge of BUDS (Basic UDT/Seal School), but I'm
just not a killer and never will be.  As far as going forward with the
navy, I could join the NROTC unit at Cal Tech, but I'm not really too sure
about that either.  Naw, mom, I wanna come back home, if you'll have me.
I've missed you guys more than you could possibly know and all this
separation has `worked on me,' especially since last Christmas...  more
than I ever thought it would.  I GOTTA get back home and figure things out.
Meanwhile, I'm gonna take classes at Cal Tech and see where I go from
there."

"Andy sat quietly as he `bit his tongue.'  He'd be having a little `chat'
with Andy about this later.  He hadn't expected Billy to `break the news'
to his mom without telling him first that he was going to `burn his
bridges' like this."

Mrs. Partlowe picked up on Andy's silence.  "You're awfully quiet, Andy...
Did YOU know about this?"

"Yeah, mom, Billy just told me this afternoon."

"Well?"

"Mom, I can't tell Billy what to do.  Yeah, I think he's making a big
mistake.  I told him that.  But I have no right to interfere with Billy's
life decisions.  He's gotta make his own choices and live with the
consequences.  Billy and I are already `talked out' on the subject.
Mrs. Hartlander, I know you and Billy have a LOT to talk about on this but
could you two PLEASE go into that later when you're by yourselves?  Please,
lets talk about something else."

The rest of the meal went smoothly, the two moms doing most of the talking
as before... chatting about this and that.  Andy picked at his food.  He
didn't have much of an appetite.  Billy, on the other hand, ate like a
starved animal.  He cleaned out his plate and then scavenged what was left
of Andy's meal.

They rose to go, walking to the exit.  Andy now flush with cash for the
first time in his life, picked up the tab.  Billy had left the tip on the
table.  Andy got a little bit of an argument from Billy on the tab, but
`won the day' as he usually did with things like that.

Before they walked out the door of the restaurant, Mrs. Partlowe excused
herself to go to the ladies room.  Mrs. Hartlander asked Billy to wait for
Mrs. Partlowe in the lobby and motioned for Andy to join her outside.

After they'd stepped through the door, Mrs. Hartlander took Andy aside to
keep from blocking the entrance.  "Andy, I don't really know exactly what's
going on with Billy.  But I think I've got the gist of it.  I'm his mother.
I've known that boy all his life.  You know how it is between mother and
son.  He's coming home because of you.  He never said that in so many words
but I know it's true."

Andy choked...  "Mrs. Hartlander..."

"No, Andy, it's OK.  I guess I'm a little disappointed that Billy won't be
finishing at the Naval Academy but I know I shouldn't be entirely surprised
by his decision.  I was more surprised he went off to Annapolis in the
first place.  There's always been something about you that Billy's really
NEEDED.  I may not understand all the in's and outs of it.  But I know it's
there and that it's very real.  Thank you for `being there' for my son..."

"...And, I guess I'm a little selfish, too.  It's going to be so good
having Billy back home...  You know, Andy, you and your mom have meant so
much to Billy and me through the years.  Your mom is like a sister to me
and you and Billy are closer than brothers.  We both love you and your mom
very much.  Please don't ever doubt that."

As Mrs. Hartlander hugged him, Andy was at a loss for words.

Momentarily, Mrs. Partlowe and Billy joined Andy and Mrs. Hartlander
outside.  They said their 'good-byes' and started toward their cars.  Billy
called back to Andy, "Zero Six Hundred tomorrow morning, mom's house?"

"Yeah, Billy, I'll be there."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------

As Mrs. Partlowe drove, Andy sat in the passenger seat and reminisced in
his mind.  He was nostalgic for those early years with Billy.  Flashbacks
were passing through his head, one after another...

Andy smiled to himself as he recalled Billy's valedictory address at high
school graduation.

He remembered every word Billy had spoken that day...

Billy's address had included the usual rhetoric, "... Today is the first
day of the rest of our lives..  The future lies ahead...  Academic
achievement...  The memories...  Hopes and dreams...  Thanks to the
families, the teachers... etc. etc.  But in his closing remarks, Billy
singled out his mother and Andy, his class salutatorian, pointing them out
to his classmates their families and the faculty.

"I am standing here today because of two people, my mom, Mrs. Emily
Hartlander and my best friend Andy Partlowe..."

"Since I was six years old, my mother has raised me as a single parent.  My
father died in the line of duty as a police officer, serving and protecting
this community.  Mom has always been there for me.  She has worked her
fingers to the bone to keep us in food, clothing and shelter.  She has made
me laugh, dried my tears and whipped my bottom when I needed it.  She is a
living study in courage, honor, good humor and unconditional love.  She has
been my role model in my father's place.  Thank you, mom, for always ALWAYS
being there for me.  I love you, mom..."

"...I met Andy Partlowe one day back in middle school.  I am ashamed to
say, I failed to live up to that auspicious occasion.  I was a bully and I
hurt him.  But he stood up to me.  He answered my contemptible behavior
with courage, defiance, and uncompromising will..." Billy's voice
cracked... "...but also with common decency and uncommon charity.  That
day, I learned from Andy what it means to be a real man.  Andy is a young
man who kowtows to no one, but who extends his hand in friendship to
anyone.  He is today, the kind of man I aspire one day to become...  I owe
Andy so much.  If it were not for him, cracking the whip over me and MAKING
me hit the books, starting way back when we were in middle school together,
I might've turned out to be nothing more than a big, dumb muscle head...
Nothing more than a stupid young moron in an over grown body.  He has been
my `moral rudder.'  ...And he is my dearest friend.  Without Andy, I might
be in reform school or prison today, or maybe even dead...  instead of
being on my way to the Naval Academy.  This young man has `poured himself'
into me...'  making me stronger, helping me to become a better person.  I
cannot begin to tell you all the things Andy has done for me...  all his
friendship means to me...  I know I am supposed to know exactly what to say
to thank you, Andy...  But I just don't have the words.  I love you,
buddy..."

Andy wiped a tear from the corner of his right eye and stared out the
passenger side window.

To be continued...

Comments welcome.
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