Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2006 00:22:44 EST
From: RitchChristopher@cs.com
Subject: briarwood:i-will-lift-up-mine-eyes-73

All rights reserved. Copyright held by the author. If you are underage or
are offended by gay fiction, containing graphic sex and explicit language,
please exit now.



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                                   "BRIARWOOD"
                             Copyright Ritchris, 2005

                          aka "Whence Cometh My Help"
                             Copyright Ritchris, 2003

                                Revised Version

                                A dramatic saga

                                      by

			        Ritch Christopher

                                  <><><><><>


		   	          BOOK SEVEN


                            "I WILL LIFT UP MINE EYES"

			      Chapter-Seventy-three


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"Show me how to love,
  so I'll know how to live."

                        From "Maybe In September"
			Music and lyrics by
                        Ritch C. Snyder
                        Copyright 1967.


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	Why couldn't he sleep? Steve lay in his bed, tossing restlessly.
He glanced at the bedside clock.  Ten before 4 AM, and little rest.  He was
still disturbed by Noah's taunting behavior at the movies, but worse, he
was unable to understand his reaction to them as he found himself sexually
stimulated, masturbating as he relived Noah's leg touches and Noah's
revelation that he was gay.

	Noah, in his own bed, was remembering his exhilaration at causing
Steve's uncontrolled erections. Noah giggled, then stopped, surprised at
the depth of his feelings. Why had he deliberately tried to put the make on
his brother's best friend? The most obvious conclusion was that Steve was
highly attractive and extremely good-looking. Plus, Noah knew he was safe--
Steve would never have the guts to tell Hal what had gone on between them
in the darkened theatre and, afterwards, in the car.

	Noah would have laughed even harder had he known that he had ruined
Steve's sleep by making Steve question his manhood, fantasizing about the
night's activities. Noah could never dream that Steve was in his bed
thinking about Noah, his own aroused cock in his hand. Noah, as it
happened, was busy jerking off with the same fantasy. He had almost reached
the point of no return when he heard Hal enter the bedroom which the two of
them shared. Noah was only able to curtail half an ejaculation as some of
his semen did dribble and wet the underneath side of his sheet and blanket.

	The bedroom was dark when Hal entered. Noah lay very still and
pretended to be asleep as he peeked at his brother undressing by the light
of the moon, spilling in from the window that separated their two
beds. Once he was naked, Hal stumbled in the dark to the bathroom for his
final night's pee. This short period of time, gave Noah the chance to reach
under his bed for a towel to wipe off some of the seminal residue. His
testicles ached from reaching only half an orgasm. He grabbed the shaft of
his penis and tried to milk it like a cow's udder to clear his urethral
track as best he could.

	Hal had turned on the bathroom light to urinate and almost walked
back through the doorway before turning the light out. This let him see
that Noah was not asleep and Hal had a pretty good idea what Noah was
doing. Neither of the brothers had ever shared a masturbation session. Both
knew that the other did it, but neither of them ever discussed it.

	"Why should we?" Hal thought. "We're brothers and as long as we
respect each other's privacy and keep our own secrets, why create an issue
that might create a wedge between their brotherly bonds?"

	Realizing that he might have been caught with the clean-up, Noah
spoke, "Hey, Hal, you just getting in?"

	"A few minutes ago," Hal replied. "How was the movie?"

	"Long. Triple feature."

	"Damn! You're ass must be sore," Hal said, but quickly added before
his response was taken the wrong way, "from sitting. I don't know if I
could sit through six or seven hours of non-stop movies."

	"That's because I'm younger than you and my ass hasn't had as much
wear," Noah joked. "How was your date?"

	"I was with Carolyn, if that answers your question."

	"Pretty hot, huh?"

	"A date with Carolyn is not always hot...maybe the first couple of
times were mildly warm, but she's nothing I'd like to settle for, at
least, not for the rest of my life."

	Noah didn't respond.

	"How did Steve like the evening? I'll bet HIS butt is sore...I
mean, him and me's the same age."

	"Oh, he got up a couple of times to go to the men's room...to smoke
a cigarette, I guess. He didn't sit through all three features at one
sitting like I did."

	"Did...did you go anywhere after the movie?" Hal asked,
cautiously. "I mean, to get a bite to eat?"

	"Just the Dairy Queen. We had some burgers, fries, and shakes."

	"Did you go shoot pool after that?"

	"Ah, no, we...we just came straight home."

	Feeling that Noah had relayed the whole truth, Hal was relieved and
that lessened the blow of his not being invited.

	"You shoulda come with us," Noah added. "But just as Steve said,
you had bigger and better things to do with Carolyn."

	"Hey, you went out with Steve, how about going on a double date
with me and Carolyn some time? I mean she knows lots of girls who might
like to go out with you...especially now that you've come home lookin' like
the Incredible Hulk."

	"Aw, I haven't built myself up that much!"

	"Your chest looks bigger than mine or Steve's or anybody else's,
for that matter."

	Noah dropped his head, a bit embarrassed but didn't respond
verbally.

	"So, how's about it?"

	"How's about what?"

	"A double date?"

	"I...well, maybe. It's just I'm not all that experienced with
dating and I'd rather know something about the person I'm going out with."

	"What difference does it make? All of 'em have holes! Ask Steve. He
and I feel almost the same way when it comes to pussy."

	This remark upset Noah, twofold. First he didn't wish to double
date some floozy with his brother, especially when his brother might see
that girls didn't appeal to him. Second...what Hal said about Steve--Noah
knew that Steve had always had a reputation of being a "cunt hound" and he
knew he might never stand a chance of getting to second base with him.

	"Let me open a window so I can smoke a cigarette. I don't want
Momma to wake up and call the volunteer brigade," Hal said, raising the
window between their beds about three inches. He sat on the side of his
bed, pulled out a Marlboro and lit up. He was enjoying his conversation
with Noah and wanted to prolong it, as he felt somewhat ashamed that his
best friend, Steve, had taken a whole evening to get to know Noah and he
hadn't made the same gesture toward his own brother. "You know, we've never
really talked...you know, the way grown-ups do. Hell, when you left for
school, you were just like a snot-nosed brat kid brother...but you come
back all muscled up and lookin' much older, I feel I don't know you the way
I should."

	Hal's remark pleased Noah, as he was being treated as an equal for
the first time.

	"Heck, we've only got a couple of years separating us. I just
lifted a few weights and got my body in shape, that's all."

	"Yeah, but we can talk about older things now. Hell, you're big
enough to look like MY older brother now. Would you like a cigarette?"

	The offer astounded Noah and he took a Marlboro from Hal's pack.

	"Yes, thanks. I don't smoke much. I just started a couple of months
ago."

	"I saw you drinkin' beer at the pool hall."

	"Rite of passage, I guess. I don't really like the taste of the
stuff."

	"Oh, you will. There's lots of things you acquire a taste for, as
you get older. How about hard liquor?"

	"Not yet. Baylor will overlook an occasional beer, but hard booze?
That would be a major infraction and I could get expelled."

	"You...you, uh, how about girls? You seein' anyone special?"

	"Not really."

	"Hell, it's nothin' for any girl to put out on the first date. You
gettin' any action?"

	"No."

	"Not even a 'bj' or a hand job?"

	"Nope!"

	"Christ! You must get horny as a toad!" The cigarettes were
relaxing the conversation and Hal began to probe in unexplored territory
about his brother's traits. "I...I suppose you're beating off by now."

	"Masturbating?"

	"Yeah."

	"Occasionally?"

	"Do you mind my askin' who taught you? I always thought it was the
older brother's job to teach his kid brother about such things?"

	"Who taught you? You don't have an older brother?"

	"It was just somethin' that came natural to me, I guess. When I was
fifteen or so, Steve and me would go down by Logan's creek and jerk off."

	Noah was glad that the bedroom lights were off so that Hal couldn't
observe the rush of jealousy that suddenly surged in his face.

	"You and Steve used to...jer...masturbate together?"

	"Hell, yes...me, Steve, then later Randy, Tyler, and Wade came
around to learnin' and soon, we'se all doin' it?"

	"All five of you? Together?"

	"Don't get the wrong idea, none of us ever did it to each
other. Hell, that'd've been queerer than old man Taylor's three-balled
bull."

	This eased Noah's mind a bit.

	"But you DID see one another while you were doing it, didn't you?"

	"Sure, we all skinny-dipped together. We had nothin' to hide. It
was just like we was sittin' around drinkin' a beer together, only we sat
around and told stories about the girls that turned us on, and jerked
away," Hal explained, as if his and the guys actions were perfectly
normal. "Don't tell me you never jerked off with some of the guys in the
shower at Baylor."

	"No, never!" Noah replied, somewhat too strongly.

	"Well, maybe they don't get around to doin' things in military
school, the things us guys did at regular high school. Would it embarrass
you if I asked if you've ever 'gotten any'?"

	"You mean sex? With a girl?"

	"Hell, yes! I didn't expect you to say you'd had sex with another
guy."

	"Well, actually, no."

	"That means I gotta git Carolyn to find you a girl real
soon. You're old enough now. Hell, when I was your age, I'd fucked forty or
fifty different girls...Steve? Well, he'd fucked more than I had...more
than any of us had."

	The rush of jealousy came back to Noah.

	"Hal, I don't want to hurt your feelings and I do appreciate your
offer, but my first time...? Well, I'd rather pick out the person I want. I
want it to be special."

	"You're still a virgin? Got your cherry? Man, I can see I've really
let you down. I almost feel kinda guilty."

	"Don't!--please don't. I just want it to be with the 'right'
person, that's all."

	"How you gonna meet the right girl if you don't go out on dates?"

	'I was just out on a date with the RIGHT person', Noah thought to
himself, 'but I didn't know what to do even if it had been with a girl.'
Then he said to Hal, "Oh, I'll know the person when the time is right!"

	"Well, just remember, my offer still stands. Anytime you feel like
you're ready for your first piece of cunt, let me know. Hell, let Steve
know! Steve can fix you up with gash-- almost better than I can."

	"Maybe I'll ask him, the next time Steve and I go out together."

	"You mean that the two of you have already made plans to go
somewhere's else? Hell, I'm going with the two of you next time. I don't
want people talkin' that you and Steve have gone queer for each
other. Where you goin' next time, anyways?"

	"Oh, we haven't made any plans. I was just saying that if there was
a next time...."

	"Well, if there IS a next time and I'm busy with Carolyn and can't
go with you, just make sure that Steve brings two girls along with
you. That way, everything'll look normal if anyone sees you."

	"I'll tell Steve, Hal."

	"Hell, I'll tell him myself! You won't get mad if I kid him a
little bit about the two of you goin' off to the movies together, will
you?"

	"I'd rather you didn't. I just wanted to be like you and go out
with your best friend, as if you and I were the same age and shared the
same things and the same friends."

	"Buddy, boy! Before this summer is over, Steve and I are gonna
teach you plenty! I wanna be there to see the smile on your face when you
get your first ooze of cooze."

	Noah was sure that his face was redder than a fire engine at a barn
burning. He quietly put out his cigarette in the tin can on the nightstand
and lay down. Hal thought maybe he had gone too far with their first
brotherly talk and dowsed his cigarette and lay on his bed. The room was
dark and neither of them could see the other's face to read the
expressions. Noah stared at the ceiling while Hal pulled up his cover and
rolled over to face the wall. Both were silent for a couple of minutes.
Hal was sure he must have embarrassed Noah. He could feel a slight friction
of tension between the two of them.

	To ease the possibility of latent hostility, Hal finally
spoke. "Noah, I'm sorry if I said anything out of turn."

	"That's okay, you didn't."

	"I...I'm also, sorry if I interrupted anything when I came in."

	"Pardon?"

	"I saw you with the towel when I came from the bathroom. I assumed
you had been havin' a private moment."

	"Oh, that."

	"Did you...did you finish? I mean did you get off before I came
into the bedroom?"

	"Enough," Noah replied.

	"Cause if you didn't, I have no objections if you wanna do it
again. Hell, do it any time you wanna. I won't say anything. What you do is
none of my business."

	"What would you have said if I had caught you?"

	"Probably nothin'...but I would've finished! Shit! Half-cummin'
hurts like hell."

	"Thanks, Hal, but I'm all right."

	"Okay, then. Good night."

	"Good night."

	Hal soon drifted off into a deep sleep, having been sexually
gratified with Carolyn's best. Noah stayed awake for quite a while,
touching himself in the dark, while he thought about all the girls that had
done many things with Steve, wishing he had been one of them.

	Later Saturday morning, Noah found he had slept until noon. He
would've slept longer had it not been for Hal shaking him and shouting,
"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake Up! Wake up, Superman! You gonna
stay in bed all day?"

	"Huh?" Noah grunted as he tried to open his eyes. "Heck, Hal, what
time is it?"

	"Noon! Momma and Dad have gone grocery shoppin' and I called Randy,
Wade, and Tyler and they're gonna meet us at Smiley's and we're gonna shoot
some pool."

	"Hal, I'm not awake. I haven't cleaned up, showered, shaved, eaten
breakfast and you want me to go shoot pool? I think I'll pass."

	"Oh, no, you won't! The guys want some equal time with you, seein's
that you and Steve spent last night all to yourselves. Besides, there might
be someone else I want you to meet."

	"Who?"

	"My surprise! Now forget about that showerin' 'n stuff and put on a
pair of real jeans...none of those military school khakis! I'll go fix you
some cereal or somethin'." Hal ran out of the room then came back, "Hey,
what kind of underwear do you cadets wear?"

	"There's no regulation. We can wear boxers or briefs."

	"What do you wear?

	"Usually briefs."

	"Do yourself a favor and don't wear any underwear under your jeans
today, OK?"

	"Why, for God's sake?"

	"Let your meat dangle! That'll make it grow longer."

	"Where did you learn that, Hal?"

	"Just simple physics, like I learned in high school. It's just a
matter of gravity. As long as your dick is hanging loose, it's bound to
grow. You can't keep it pinned up in a pair of tight briefs. That's like
those Chinese women who bind their feet when they're kids so their feet
won't grow and they can always wear the same size shoe their whole life."

	"Hal, I think you need to go back to school. From the way you talk,
you needed one more lesson."

	"All right, I'll show you soon how much bigger mine is than
yours. It's because I NEVER wear underwear. Come on, Noah, let it show. Let
the women see what you got to offer 'em. You won't stay a virgin very long
if you developed your dick the way you did your chest and arms!"

	Almost afraid to ask, but Noah did, "Is Steve coming, too?"

	"I didn't call him yet, so I guess he's not. Besides, I figgered
you'd spent enough time with him last night."

	Noah couldn't come to a conclusion, but it would appear that Hal
was jealous of his best friend being chummy with his kid brother, or was it
the other way around? Either way, there was an element of envy in Hal's
demeanor. It only upset Noah slightly. Frankly, he was amused and somewhat
flattered at being the center of so much interest ...and
competition?...between Hal and Steve.

	Noah did get dressed, but with a pair of Jockey briefs to keep his
genitals in their proper place. He used the toilet and went down the hall
toward the kitchen. The phone in the hallway rang just as he passed it.

	"Hello?" Noah answered.

	"Mornin'...or rather, 'afternoon'," said the voice.

	"Steve?"

	"Who else were you expectin' to call?"

	"Well, certainly not you," replied Noah.

	"Whacha doin?"

	"I...I'm trying to find some way of getting out of going down to
Smiley's to play pool with Wade, Tyler, and Randy. It seems Hal planned a
big Saturday afternoon pool shoot before I woke up."

	"Oh? He didn't call me."

	"Maybe he did and you were asleep when the phone rang."

	"Oh no, I've been up since seven."

	"Why so early?"

	"I...uh, had a little trouble going to sleep, so I finally just got
up."

	"Your butt probably kept you awake from sitting through a triple
feature."

	"Yeah, I guess that was it."

	"So, do you want to speak to Hal?"

	"No, not really. I called to talk with you. I wanted to see if you
wanted to go drivin' or something this afternoon."

	"You mean, Hal and me?"

	"Nope. Just you."

	"Why?"

	"I thought you might have more things to talk about...things you
didn't finish sayin' last night. You know, things that you don't want Hal
to hear."

	"Steve, I'd like to, but I'm afraid it might be a little
difficult."

	"Why, for fuck's sake?"

	"Oh, Hal said that the next time you and I made plans, he wanted to
come along."

	"My God! Is he gettin' jealous about last night...about the time we
spent to ourselves?"

	"I'm not sure, but he wants to be with us, just the same."

	"Well, why don't I come down to Smiley's and meet you, shoot a few
games, and we'll see what everyone wants to do tonight."

	"Don't you have a Saturday date with some of your Saturday night
steady women?"

	"They can get by without my stickin' it to 'em one weekend."

	"Okay, then, I'll see you at Smiley's in about an hour. I'll tell
Hal you're coming."

	"DON'T! Just let me drop by and see the look on their faces when
they see me show up...when I wasn't invited."

	"Okay. See ya!"

	"See ya, little buddy!"

	'Little buddy' was not exactly a term of endearment, but Noah
smiled and pretended it to be one. SO! Steve called to talk with him, NOT
Hal! If Noah had let his imagination go wild, he could read all kinds of
things in Steve's phone call. Interested maybe? This was going to be a fun
summer for Noah, after all. He just might meet that "right" person to give
himself to. That was too much to wish for, but he could wish, just the
same.


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	"Here, I bought you something," Mike said, handing a package to Tom
as he entered the Winnebago.

	"How does it feel to be rich, to be able to go out and buy whatever
you want, even though it's a present for me?" Tom replied.

	"I love being rich and I love being married to a rich lover!" Mike
said. "Go on...open it!"

	The package bore a Barnes and Noble logo. Tom opened the bag and
brought out a small brown CD case with the title, "Bleachers" written and
read by the author, John Grisham.

	"My God!" Tom exclaimed, "I didn't know about this one."

	"It's brand new. It's not about a crime or a trial; it's all about
this high school football team and this man who coached them for
thirty-three years. You see, the coach is very sick and all the team
members from over the years come back to see him."

	"Now, that's enough, don't spoil it for me. We'll put it in the CD
player and listen to it on the way to San Antonio and after that, on to our
next stop, Fort Stockton, to visit Lee's brother, Jake."

	"Oh, you can read that much of the plot on the outside of the CD
case," Mike said, and added, "YOU can listen while I take a nap with my
head in your lap."

	"No, no. I can't let you do that all the way across the
country. Besides, it might do you good to listen to John Grisham and expand
your cultural side."

	"Oh, by the way, while I was in the book store, I had the sales guy
send a copy of "Bleachers" to Ted up in Mackintosh. I know how much he
loves football."

	"You are so special, Mike. Always thinking of others, sharing bits
of love wherever you are. I know Ted'll be happy to get it."

	"I signed both our names on the gift card to let Ted know that
we're thinking about him," Mike said.

	"Where's your coonskin hat and musket?"

	"What?"

	"I thought for sure that, since you were out shopping, you'd outfit
yourself for the Alamo!"

	"Oh, I can buy all that stuff once we get there."

	"Another penalty I have to pay for being rich!" Tom joked.

	"Hey, did you water the cacTI?"

	"No, Mike, you don't water cacti every day. They go for months
sometimes without feeling a drop of rain in the desert."

	"When I was a kid in Alabama, Mama used to have a bunch of African
violets in potted plants all over the house...and she'd talk to them as she
watered them. I thought she was crazy but she said, 'plants are living
things. They must know that you love them, care for them, and intend to
take care of them. That'll make them happy and they'll grow'."

	"Mike, don't worry, I'm sure your cacti know that you care about
them, especially when you don't try to drown them every day."

	"Are you sure?"

	"Trust me." Tom replied as he started the engine.

	The audio-CD of "Bleachers" took four and one-half hours to play,
complete and unabridged. By the time John Grisham enacted and read the
final passage of the novel, both Mike and Tom rode silently in the RV with
tears streaming down their cheeks. The story was beautiful and read
wonderfully by its author. Tom was thoroughly entertained and Mike's
literary knowledge had, as predicted, been enhanced.


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	Saturday night's bathing had become a ritual in Kyle and Ryan's
household. The two new dads purposely made Saturday night's bath even more
fun than the regular nightly baths. Danny was nine and Little Pete was
six. The four of them had bathed together once a week for almost four
years. Now, it was almost a staged presentation because, after dinner, Kyle
and Ryan would don faded overalls and go barefoot, assuming the roles of
two old mountain hicks being forced to take a Saturday night bath. Danny
and Little Pete wore patched jeans and shirts and delighted with glee over
seeing their dads making such a fuss about a bath.

	The game began with Ryan assuming the role of Zeke, while Kyle
played Clete.

	"Hey, thar, mountain man," Ryan called to Kyle.

	"Hey, thar, yoreself!" Kyle replied.

	"You got any hootch?"

	"What hootch?"

	"Drinkin' hootch!"

	"Wouldn't tell you if I did."

	"Well, yore still makin' it, ain'tcha?"

	"You don't see none, do you?"

	"What's that smoke comin' from the back of your house?"

	"I'm smokin' a pig!"

	"Like fun, you are. You ain't got no pig. That's your still back
thar, ain't it?"

	"Still?"

	"Yeah, yore still! How is yore still, anyways?"

	"Still."

	"That's what I ast. How's yore still?"

	"And I sed it's still."

	"You mean like still still?"

	"That's what I sed, my still is still! It's broke."

	"Then why are you burnin' kindlin' in yore back yard?"

	"I'm bilin' water!"

	"Bilin' water? Whut fer?"

	"It's Satiddy and I gotta bathe them young'uns!"

	"Where are the little varmints anyway?"

	"They're around."

	"Hidin', I bet. How you gonna find 'em?"

	"With my nose!"

	"Yore nose? You ain't no bloodhound!"

	"Maybe not, but I can sniff a nasty kid a mile away, just by his
stink!"

	It was at this point, even though Danny and Little Pete had hidden
between the ottomans and their dads' easy chairs, that it was impossible
for either of them NOT to giggle.

	"Yes sir, I think I smell one of 'em now, over behind that
rock. Zeke, you go git that 'un and I mess around here in the briar patch
until I find the other'n."

	"You gonna bathe both of 'em at the same time?"

	"Got to, otherwise the first 'un will get out of the tub and get
dirty agin, whilst I scrub the other'n. By that time, the first 'un'll be
stinkin' agin."

	"Boy, Clete, you sure have yore work cut out fer ya!"

	"I wouldn't have half so much to do if it warn't for these two
stinkin' kids! Now whar are ya?"

	"Here, Daddy, here," Danny and Little Pete cried out through their
laughter.

	"Okay, just for hidin', I'm gonna use some goose grease soap on ya
both and use a scrub brush."

	The two kids loved hearing their dads using hillbilly dialect. It
was a fun family get-together. Each dad hoisted a son over his shoulder and
began undressing him piece by piece, letting the kids' clothes leave a
trail from the living room into the kid's bathroom. Soon, all four of them
were without clothes and the big steamy shower was awaiting them. Kyle and
Ryan had never tried to hide their nudity from their adopted boys, but they
always made sure that neither kid would ever catch them while they were
having sex. Neither of the kids showed any early homosexual signs. Danny
had a girlfriend at school, and Little Pete had a girl in the first grade
that he "liked" a lot. Ryan and Kyle encouraged the boys to follow their
own natural sex instincts. If they turned out to be straight, then so be
it!  It had to be that way, not only for the kids' growth, but to quash any
ideas of social services that gay parents adopt young boys to turn them gay
and become objects of pedophilia.

	Danny and Little Pete felt at ease getting undressed and sharing a
shower with their two dads. There was nothing to fear. This parental
gesture was not at all sexual, just a matter of family togetherness.

	The four of them cussed a blue streak about having to bathe, using
euphemisms such as 'dadgum', 'consarnit', 'dadblame it', "shucks', 'golly
gee', 'goldarn; etc, as they screamed and yelled as the water from the shower
hit them. NEXT came the soap, with more fussin' and cussin'.  The kids laughed
at the same remarks every Saturday night.

	Neither Ryan nor Kyle would let either child touch their adult
private parts, on the assumption that they were both heterosexual; there
was no need in carrying their education to include homosexual
gestures. This rule did not keep Kyle or Ryan from soaping the kids bottom
cracks or sudsing their genitals. One night, as Kyle was lathering Little
Pete's penis, Pete suddenly sprang a boner. Kyle knew not to laugh, for
fear Pete would think he was being teased. Kyle DID look at Ryan and say,
"Little Pete is not so little any more."

	Ryan looked down at Pete's penis between the suds and replied, "He
takes that from my side of the family."

	"Since I'm left to be the judge of that," Kyle said, "I think I'll
have to agree with you."

	Ryan placed two soapy hands over Danny's ears and Ryan mouthed,
silently, "Size queen!"

	Soon the bathing fun was over and it was bedtime for the two
boys. After all, they had to attend church school the following morning at
St. Genesius. Ryan took a huge terry towel and dried Little Pete as Kyle
did the same to Danny.

	Each dad carried a son on his shoulder to the boys' bedroom, still
wrapped in terrycloth. Ryan flipped Danny onto his back and Danny bounced
high on the foam mattress. Danny screamed with delight.

	"Now, me, Daddy Ryan! Do the same to me," Little Pete begged.

	So from his shoulder, Ryan plopped his younger son onto his
mattress.

	"Okay guys," Ryan said, "Skins or rabbits?"

	This, too, was part of the Saturday night routine. The boys were
given a choice to sleep in bunny rabbit jammies or naked under the sheets
on Saturday. The other six nights of the week, pajamas were mandatory, but
on Saturday night, they let the kids have an option.

	"Skins! Skins! Skins!" Danny and Little Pete cried out.

	"Okay," Kyle said, "but no peeing on the mattress? Promise?"

	"We promise."

	"Now, on your knees and say your prayers."

	Little Pete and Danny rose to their knees, closed their eyes and
prayed silently until each peeked at the other to see if he had finished
praying. They concluded with, "Amen". The two dads tucked their two sons
each respectively in his own bed. Each kid got a hug and a kiss from each
dad before the lights were turned out.

	Once in the hall outside the boys' bedroom, Kyle said, "Whew! Zeke,
are you ready to get wet, yoreself?"

	"I spects so, Clete, only I wanna git into that thar BIG warsh
tub. The one with the scrubbin' board," pointing to the whirlpool with the
Jacuzzi."

	"I'll race you." Kyle said.

	"Oh, no, the kids are sleeping, the Ozarks are fading into the
distance and I would like a tall drink before getting into the tub."

	"What would you like, lover? I'll play bartender."

	"How about a Long Island iced tea?"

	"Hell, you'll be through with your bath before I get all that
mixed."

	"I'll wait on you. Fix yourself one as well. I might be in the mood
for a little underwater nookie."

	"Hell, if that's what you have in mind, I'll get tumblers and make
doubles."

	"Sounds choice to me."

	While Kyle made the drinks, Ryan went into their bedroom to get
their cashmere bathrobes to use once they had bathed. He placed them beside
the tub and dimmed the lights, lit a half dozen scented candles, and went
to the CD player and installed Johnny Mathis, Julie London, Barbra (of
course), "Only the Lonely" by Sinatra, and some quiet and seductive George
Shearing Quintet for good measure. If the two of them sat in the marble tub
for five CD's, that would be more than enough time to make love and let the
water shrivel their skin.

	Kyle brought the drinks and entered the family sized whirlpool. They
were still nude from the boys' shower. Each of them sipped his drink before
placing it on the tray, which extended like an arm from the side of the tub.
Ryan put his arm around Kyle and pulled him into his shoulder kissing him
passionately. Yes, after all the years they had lived together, and after
adopting two kids and watching them grow, Kyle and Ryan still loved one another
as much as they had in their first year. Each still excited the other sexually
and they never went to sleep until each had reached his orgasm in the various
and sundry ways they had learned to use over the years.

	The two of them relaxed in the tub for a while, drinking their
drinks, occasionally swapping kisses, all in all, just enjoying the other's
company.

	"You know, Kyle, I've been thinking," Ryan said, as he put his arm
around Kyle's neck to use it as a pillow against the edge of the Jacuzzi.

	"Uh oh," Kyle replied.

	"You remember how Cliff and Roger used to put on the CD of "Mame"
with Angela Lansbury, and the two of them would reenact the entire
production in their den, singing every song?"

	"God, yes. It was only a matter of time before ALL of us knew the
words to every song from "Mame". Roger played the disc almost nightly. Why
did you suddenly remember that?"

	"Oh, the other afternoon, I had one of the premium stations on the
TV and the original 'Auntie Mame' came on."

	"You mean with Rosalind Russell and Peggy Cass?"

	"That's the one."

	"And?"

	"Well, it was Mame's philosophy that the best way for her nephew,
Patrick, to learn about the world was to see it first hand."
	"What are you getting at, Ryan?"

	"Danny and Little Pete, our boys, our sons..."

	"And?"

	"I think they're getting old enough to see real things in their
real settings in the world."

	"Are you suggesting that we take them on a vacation when summer
rolls around?"

	"No, Kyle. I want to take them out of school...maybe for a whole
year, and show them everything...the way Roger left and saw the world."

	"I don't know about their missing school, Ryan."

	"They'll learn more in one day watching a camel fill his hump in
Egypt, or watching the Royal Guard in London changing their posts, or
finding out how many wheels are on a rickshaw that carries two adults and
two kids?"

	"You're really serious about this, aren't you?"

	"Yes, I am, Kyle. You only have your kids as kids for a short while
and I would like to look at the world through their eyes. God knows we have
the money!" Ryan looked seriously at Kyle. "So what do you think?"

	"I don't want to make a rush decision, but I think it'd be a good
idea to discuss it with Cliff and Roger."

	"And if they agree that it's all right...?"

	"You and I both know goddamned well what they'll say!"

	"Then I suggest that we get Walter to have his travel agent start
looking at tours for the four of us."

	"You mean it?"

	"Of course, I do, you silly!"

	"We're good together, aren't we, Kyle?"

	"Always have been and always will be."

	"And now that there's four of us."

	"It's twice the love and happiness."

	They kissed.

	"Now, Unkie Mame, now that you're getting your wish, wanna go up
and make some babies of our own?"

	"Go on upstairs and pull down the covers, I want to lie here awhile
and turn one of the jets on my upper arm. It's a bit sore and the gushing
water might relax it a bit. I'll be right on up."

	Kyle got out of the tub, dried himself on a huge bath towel and put
on his robe. He went upstairs, leaving Ryan to the gusts of jet-streams in
the water.

	When Kyle was out of sight, Ryan raised his right arm and looked at
the lump in his armpit. He had discovered it a couple of days ago, but now
the lump was bigger and almost too tender to touch. He was a bit concerned,
but not enough to mention it to Kyle. He decided to drive down to Cole
tomorrow and let Dr. Harvey Whitman, who was now acting chief of staff at the
Institute since Ed's departure, take a look at it, just to be safe. He tried
to put his pit under one of the jets but it proved too painful. He got out of
the tub, dried his body, except the spot under his right arm, put on his robe,
turned off the Jacuzzi and went upstairs to make love, as he had for every
night since the two of them became lovers.


<><><><><><><>


	Charles made a larger than usual pitcher of melon daiquiris and
brought it on a tray with two frosted glasses from the kitchen to the den
where Doug was busy writing on his word processor.

	"Care for a refreshment break?" Charles asked.

	Looking at the tray, Doug replied, "You're just what the doctor
ordered." He took a glass while Charles filled it and Doug added, "in more
ways than one."

	"I know that you've been slaving at that computer for over three
hours and I thought this would relax your tiring shoulders and fingers."

	Charles poured himself an icy drink and left it on the tray while
he walked behind Doug to place his hands on Doug's shoulders and give him a
deep massage.

	"Oh, God," Doug sighed, "that feels wonderful. Thanks for being so
thoughtful."

	"Maybe I should thank you for giving me a new home and a new life."

	"Make that plural!"

	"Pardon?"

	"'Lives' not life, you've given me a new life as well."

	Charles lowered his head to kiss Doug on the cheek. "The boxes with
the things I chose to keep should arrive day after tomorrow. I never
thought I'd be happy getting rid of my house, but suddenly everything I
wanted was here in Briarwood."

	"We're talking like a newly-wedded, old married couple. How's that
for an oxymoron?"

	"Sounds like a phrase that should come from a writer," Charles
replied as he continued kneading his hands into Doug's taut neck and
shoulder muscles. "How's the book coming along?"

	"The book is going great! But all morning long I haven't been
working on my novel. I've been sitting at this confounded thing making
lists?"

	"What kind of lists? Christmas cards? Shopping? Things to do?"

	"No, please sit down and let me discuss something with you."

	"All right," Charles said, getting his drink and sinking into the
sofa.

	"What's happened between the two of us is somewhat
phenomenal. We've both pondered how two men in the mid-fifties could change
their lives so radically. We're both independent and free, due to our both
being widowers. We've both lived normal and fairly successful lives, and
were perfectly content to spend our twilight years in solitude.  But here
we are, having changed our lifestyles to something that was all but foreign
to us, this time last year. We've entered into a homosexual relationship,
which we both find gratifying and neither of us can explain reasonably or
rationally how it happened. As I sat as my desk to begin typing, a question
occurred to me. 'Do I consider myself gay now?'. It's a scientific fact
that one does not just 'become' gay. It's in the genetic makeup of the
person. I thought about that for a moment and a larger question rang in my
mind. 'If I am gay, what's the biggest change in my life besides sexual
pleasure?'. I reminisced about my life as a hetero and suddenly wondered
how I felt about gays several years ago? I've always been liberal...as most
romantic novelists should be...in my estimation.

	Charles interrupted by asking, "You wondered if you've suffered
enough to have the right to be gay. Is that it?"

	"Not in those exact terms, but, yes."

	"I've had the same thoughts."

	"When I was a small boy, gays were thought of as, well, there's not
a better word than 'queer'. They were outcasts. Those who didn't become
unhappily married were not accepted in the places that I was. In those
days, gays were sent, not to private psychiatrists, as they weren't in
vogue yet, but to asylums where many gays were treated with horrifying
electro-shock treatments. Those that didn't lie about being cured,
continued to be shocked until the majority became cabbage heads or they
lost their ability to reason and function in society. So they remained
incarcerated their whole lives."

	"I had forgotten about that."

	"Yes, now let's go forward a couple of decades...even up to the
present and think about how society would not or will not let gays lead
normal lives, but rather still thinks of them as freaks of nature. Only
recently has it become permissible, not totally acceptable, but permissible
for a gay to become a member of the armed forces. How often did we read
where a gay soldier was found dead in the barracks? There was little or no
investigation. No one was ever caught or prosecuted. It was just assumed
that the 'queer' got what he deserved."

	Doug took a big sip from his daiquiri before continuing. "Now let's
talk about the present or the past ten or twenty years. Gays are still not
permitted in many places just as blacks once weren't before Lyndon
Johnson. If it was publicly known or even suspected that a man or a woman
was gay, then he wasn't allowed to teach children in school. If a kid
joined the army and was caught looking at an all-male magazine, he was
immediately less than honorably discharged with no benefits! He was denied
application for most civil service jobs. Policemen, firemen, government
jobs, daycare workers, any jobs that had anything to do with children were
definitely off limits. Various apartments and housing developments forbade
gays from living there. When the AIDS epidemic began, it was impossible for
most gays to get any kind of employment in health fields, for fear they
were ALL spreaders of the disease. Why, if a restaurant owner had an idea
that a person was gay, a kid couldn't even get a job as a waiter or a fast
food server. Who would want HIV germs all over their food? Gays can't
demonstrate their emotions in public places; no hand-holding, no kissing,
not even hugging unless they pat each other on the back three times, just
to show the hug was friendly, not loving. Otherwise, they run the risk of
being arrested for lewd behavior. It just doesn't seem fair or right.
"Some gay kids, unfortunately, have lisps. They can't even get hired to
answer a phone. Where are they supposed to go? How are they supposed to
earn a living? No wonder so many gays went to Mackintosh to hide and die!
Their lives weren't worth living. They were important to no one, not even
themselves! And what's even worse, except for one congressman, Barney
Frank, gays dare not run for public office to help change the laws which
prohibit them from ninety-percent of society and social benefits. Gays pay
more taxes than any married couple combined. Only in the past few years
have they been considered for adopting orphans that straights don't seem to
want or care for. Gays are barred from clubs, organizations, and
sports...in schools, colleges, or even the professional levels. Millions
are denied health insurance because they are gay and susceptible to STD's
and worse. The highest cause of suicide among teenagers is from their being
gay and not being accepted.  "For years and years, gays have fought for
equal rights, always to be accused of wanting 'special', not equal,
rights. Gay teens and adults alike are always in constant danger of being
beaten or killed, only because they are different. In spite of the
protective legislation that has been passed to benefit them, hate crimes
are at an all time high. Does it seem logical that any kid would want to
grow up and 'become' gay and be exposed by this 24/7 harassment and
discrimination? I think not! A gay kid has no choice. He must live a life of
fear, doubt, and danger. An adult can lose his job for being 'outed' in
many work places."

	"You paint a very bleak picture, Doug."

	"The most important thing about my list is this...up until we
became a couple, a few weeks ago, I asked myself, 'WAS I ONE OF THOSE who
makes life an endless hell for gays? Ministers, judges, doctors, and many
other professionals treat gays differently...and they SHOULDN'T! I want to
know if there's something I can do to change people's way of
thinking...maybe in my next novel."

	"Well, you certainly have millions of readers and can reach out to
the masses."

	"Maybe that's part of why our relationship began. Maybe this new
philosophy I'm trying to adopt is my new purpose...to make life a little
easier for those who just happen to fall in love with a member of the same
sex...just as I did, at age fifty-five."

	"So, do you call yourself 'gay' now?"

	"AS AN APRIL ROSE! I've been reborn with a new set of genes! I'm
gay and I'm in love with a man, so I presume he's gay now, as well."

	"Doug, you've made me so happy, I'd become a
Muslim-Mormon-Jehovah's Witness, if you were one also."

	"I think I'll begin another novel later this evening!"

	"Before or after we go to bed?"

	"After, big guy! I want to enjoy gay sex so that it will be fresh
on my mind as I begin to type."

	"You, uh, wouldn't want to extend your daiquiri break for a
quickie, would you?"

	"Take my hand and lead the way!"

	The two went upstairs to the master bedroom.


<><><><><><><><>


 	"No, Jeff, the book said ninety to one-hundred degrees for baby
bath water...no more, no less," Johnny said to Jeff.

	"Well, I stuck my elbow in the water to test it, just like the book
said, and my body temperature is ninety-eight point six and it didn't burn
me, nor did I get frost bit!"

	"Jeff, just PLEASE, use the thermometer that Alex bought the
babies."

	"Christ! What hasn't Alex bought the babies?"

	"Well, there's still a pony and a trampoline."

	"For God's sake, don't mention those things to him or Larry will
have his crew up here building a barn and horse stall in the backyard."

	"Jeff? Don't you just love the way that the whole town has all
become 'uncles'? I think it's wonderful. No two kids, ever born without
love, have had so many people loving and caring for them as Little Roger
and Little Cliff do."

	"I know," Jeff said, "Used to be when I drove into town, guys would
yell, 'Hi, Father, how are you?'. Now, it's 'How are the boys?'.

	"The twins have brought new life to the residents here. Everyone
wants to be related to them. I had a call last week at the Center from one
of the townspeople, a guy named Barry Stillwell.  He wanted to tell me that
someone wanted to know how his 'new nephews' were coming along. It seems
that Barry had written this person about the new additions to his
family...Little Roger and Little Cliff."

	"But, my God! The gifts, Johnny! We have more toys than F.A.O.
Schwartz, only ours are not for sale."

	"There's always Christmas. Think of the kids in the children's
homes we can make happy with the overflow of toys."

	"Damn! You have an answer for everything. No wonder I keep you
around."

	"Well, if my purpose in life is to keep you supplied with answers,
then it'll be time well spent for the next fifty years or so!" Johnny
pecked Jeff on the cheek.

	"Incidentally, Johnny, do you know a guy named Steve Jarvis?"

	"Steve Jarvis?"

	"Yes, he called here and asked to speak with you."

	"I have a cousin, Steve Jarvis, but I'm sure he doesn't know to
call me here in Mackintosh."

	"This Steve said he was calling long distance from
Hawthorne...either North or South Carolina."

	"Hawthorne is in North Carolina. That's where Steve lives with my
Aunt Mary and Uncle Ford. Mary was my mother's sister. I haven't seen or
heard from them since Mother died and they came to her funeral. Did Steve
give you any idea why he was calling?"

	"No, but he did ask something strange."

	"What?"

	"He wanted to know if I was your boyfriend."

	"Wow! Steve knew I was gay but it was something neither of us ever
discussed since he was straight as a tightrope and had very little to do
with me when he found out about me. He must have told Aunt Mary and Uncle
Ford, because I never heard from them again after the funeral. What did you
tell him when he asked if you were my boyfriend?"

	"I didn't know who he was or why he was calling. I thought maybe it
was one of your old tricks from Summerville, so I said, 'No, I'm not
Johnny's boyfriend. I'm the father of his two children!"

	"That must've set his head reeling. What did he say after that?"

	"Nothing. He hung up."

	"I hope nothing's happened to his folks. That's the only reason I
can think of that would make him call me long distance."

	"Had I known he was your cousin, I'd've given him your number at
the Center."

	"If it's important, I'm sure he'll call back. Oh, by the way, Alex
called me at work and he wanted to know if you and..."

	"I know, 'if you and I would like to go out alone for dinner and a
movie, he'd be glad to baby-sit. How many times has he offered since Dale
went back to his nursing duties in Briarwood?"

	"And how many times have we let him baby-sit?"

	"It's just that..."

	"Jeff, Alex is your brother and I trust him to do the right
thing. If we wait until the twins are asleep and then ask Alex if he'd like
to come over and watch them while we go out for a couple of hours by
ourselves, I see nothing wrong with it."

	"I suppose you're right."

	"Jeff, Alex loves our kids as does everyone else in Mackintosh. You
just have to face it. Our names might be on the adoption papers as legal
fathers, but Little Roger and Little Cliff belong to everyone in
Mackintosh, and it'll always be this way as long as they live here."

	"You're right...naturally. I'll call Alex and ask him to
baby-sit. See how you make me give in to you?"

	"You might recall, when we first met, I was the one who was always
submitting to your desires!"

	"God, where did I go wrong? How can I backtrack and get things the
way they used to be?"

	"I'll never tell! Now, let's test the water temperature and you
bathe Cliff and I'll tackle Roger!"

	"How old do they have to be before they can wash themselves?" Jeff
laughed as he followed Johnny upstairs to the nursery.


<><><><><><><><>



	Hal and Noah made it down to Smiley's by 1:30PM. Randy, Wade, and
Tyler had already arrived and were in the middle of a game of nine ball.

	"Hey, Hal...Noah!" Randy called to them.

	"What's up guys?" Hal replied. "Who's winnin'?"

	"ME!" Tyler said, smugly. "Who'dja think?"

	"Let's play partners on fifteen ball next!" Hal said.

	"Who's playin' who? Who's sidin' up?"

	"You wanna play?" Hal asked Noah.

	"I'll sit out the first couple of games, if you don't mind."

	"Suit yourself!" Hal replied and turned to Randy, "Me and Tyler'll
take on you and Wade!"

	"Shit! That ain't fair!" Randy scoffed. "Why do you always stick me
with Twinkle Toes? You know Wade can't shoot pool worth a shit! Like I
always tell him, if he'd pull his pants down and bend over we could use him
for a cue sharpener."

	Wade didn't say anything, but Noah could see that Wade was
embarrassed by his lack of pool talent, so Noah spoke up, "I'll tell you
what, if you and Wade lose the first game, I'll pick Wade as my partner and
we'll play you and whoever you like for a partner, Hal OR Tyler."

	Wade lifted his eyes with mild amazement that Noah had come to his
defense. He was pleased but also scared that his lack of skill would cause
Noah to lose the next game with him being Noah's partner.

	As was expected, Hal and Tyler walloped Randy and Wade and now it
was Noah's turn. Randy, being a bit of a smart ass, chose Hal to be his
partner.

	Noah looked sternly at Randy, then looked at Tyler and said, "RACK
'EM!"

	Noah broke the balls, running three of them into a pocket. He
missed the next shot and it was Randy's turn to shoot. Randy made the four
and five ball, but missed on the six. It was Wade's turn, next. Wade had an
easy shot at the six, but he was so nervous, he missed the six ball
completely and scratched the cue ball, which caused a wave of laughter
among Randy, Tyler, and Hal.

	Hal picked up his cue stick to run the rest of the table as two
girls came into Smiley's and caught Hal's attention.

	"Hey, Sally! Rita!" Hal called to them. "Come on over and watch a
pro play pool!"

	The two girls came over to the pool table. Each was wearing a tight
leatherette mini-skirt. Their upper bodies were scantily covered by v-neck
halter-tops, open to the waist. Both had on four-inch spike high heels.
Sally's hair was bleached almost to the point of being snow white, while
Rita had blonde streaks in her normally brown hair. She had four or five
streams of bangs across her forehead. The two were wearing so much makeup
and lipstick, one would think they had just come from the cosmetic counter
at the drugstore and had sampled everything in sight.

	Hal spoke to the girls, "You know my kid brother, don't you?"

	Rita and Sally took one look at the handsome Noah with his bulging
muscles.

	"That's not that scrawny little kid that used to chase after you on
your bicycle, is it?" Sally asked.

	"The one and the same," Hal answered proudly, putting his arm
around Noah.

	"Well, I can't say that we actually know him. We've seen him, but
we don't really know him...especially now."

	"I think you ought to get to know each other better! Whacha both
doin' later?"

	"We HAD plans...but they can change," Rita said, pulling up her
halter to accentuate her bustline for Noah.

	"Noah, whaddya say? Wanna double date tonight with me, Rita, and
Sally. You can have your pick!" Hal exclaimed to Noah, who was not only
embarrassed but getting angry.

	"I don't know, Hal," Noah replied. "Momma is fixing a special
dinner for me tonight."

	"Ah, hell, the food'll still be there when we get home!"

	"HEY!" Randy screamed. "WE GONNA SHOOT POOL OR NOT! It's your turn,
Hal."

	"Push your hard-on down in your jeans, Randy, you're embarrassin'
the ladies here."

	"Both of 'em have seen my hard-on before...up close!"

	The girls giggled.

	None of them had seen Steve enter the poolhall. He had snuck in
quietly and went to stand by the beer bar, out of sight, but had heard
everything that had been said. He knew what trick his best buddy was up to;
only he hated to see it played on Noah.

	"Hey, Noah!" Steve cried out from across the room. Everyone looked
up, surprised, especially Hal, who didn't expect Steve to be there since he
wasn't invited.

	"Hey, Steve!" Noah replied.

	"You and me still plannin' to go 'you know where' tonight?" Steve
asked.

	Noah had no idea to what Steve was referring, but was glad to
accept the invitation whatever or wherever it was. It was Hal's turn to
become angry. His best friend had invited his kid brother out, two nights
in a row and he was again excluded.

	"Where or what is 'you know where', Steve?" Hal asked. "I'm fixin'
up my brother with a date! We're gonna double tonight!"

	"It's funny, you didn't mention having a date to me last night,
Noah." Steve said.

	"I didn't mention it because I didn't have one," Noah replied. "I
STILL DON'T!"

	"Good, that means you can go with me!"

	"It sure does!"

	"I'll pick you up at your house around seven...after you've eaten
your momma's special dinner!"

	"I'll be ready!" Noah said, enthusiastically.

	Steve turned to go out the door and stopped, "Thanks, Hal."

	"For what?"

	"Inviting me to shoot pool this afternoon!"

	Steve didn't wait to hear Hal's remark or excuse. He left.

	The rest of the afternoon and evening was spoiled for Hal by his
jealousy. Not only did he not go out with Rita and Sally, he stayed home
all night to watch TV and to wonder what his best friend and kid brother
were doing? As the night wore on, Hal was made more furious by each passing
minute.

	It was shortly after midnight when Steve brought Noah home. Hal was
still up. He turned off the light in the dining room so that he could peek
through the lace curtains to watch Noah as he got out of Steve's car. He
saw Noah get out and return to the car and put his head through the
passenger window opening to say a final word to Steve before the car drove
off.

	Hal, then ran to the bedroom, quickly stripped off his clothes and
dived under the covers to pretend he had been sleeping for hours before
Noah came into the bedroom.

	Noah undressed quietly, down to his skin, and crawled into his bed,
not caring if Hal was awake or not. An hour or so passed. Noah was in a
deep sleep, but Hal was still wide-awake. He couldn't decide whether he was
angrier with his brother or if he should end his long friendship with
Steve. He decided to sit on the side of his bed and light a cigarette to
calm his jealous nerves just as Noah rolled onto his side to face the
wall. Noah was murmuring some words in his sleep and Hal couldn't quite
hear what Noah was saying. So, Hal got out of his bed and tiptoed to his
brother's bed to decipher Noah's uttering. Hal almost stumbled backward
with amazement when he heard Noah say, quietly, "Hold me, Steve. Hold me. I
love you."

	A gamut of emotion ran through Hal's mind...rage to jealousy to
disbelief---and a desire to kill.


<><><><><><><><>

(To be continued in "Briarwood"--BOOK SEVEN--chapter-seventy-four.)