Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2004 20:23:10 EDT
From: RitchChristopher@cs.com
Subject: if-love-were-all-4

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.

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


                                IF LOVE WERE ALL

                                       by

                                Ritch Christopher

                           with literary enhancement by

                                   Les Martin


                                  Chapter Four

                               "WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW..."


                  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


	The boys' evening had been stimulating, as well as educational, for
Toby. He was a bit shocked when his two brothers came down the stairs and
immediately began to take off their clothes.

	"Come on, dodo," Marc said to Toby, "we're doing this for you, now
take off your clothes...ALL of them!"

	Toby was reticent until he saw that Marc AND Buddy were actually
getting undressed in front of him. He complied, not knowing what was to
happen, and stripped down to his white briefs. Marc and Buddy were already
completely nude, standing in front of Toby, giving him a long stare.

	"Come on, shy-face!" Marc said, "the briefs, too!"

	Slowly Toby eased his briefs down to his feet and stepped out of
them.Neither of his brothers had seen him naked since long before Toby
entered puberty. Letting any member of your family see you nude had always
been an unwritten taboo in the Browne household. There was really nothing
wrong with it, it was just, well, something you didn't do. Even though Ted
and Lisa, their parents, slept in the same room---in twin beds, for some
reason---all the boys had wondered when the last time either of their
parents had seen the other completely unclothed. The boys had wondered to
themselves why their parents didn't sleep in the same bed, but none of them
had ever queried the others. Maybe Dad was a kicker or Mom was an
arm-flailer...there had to be some reason why theirs were the only parents
among their friends and peers who didn't share at least a queen- or
king-sized bed.

	Marc took a look at his baby brother and said to Toby, "Good gosh,
no wonder he shot his load in wrestling practice! He's hung like a baby
stallion!" Then back to Toby, he said, "Tobe, when did you grow that patch
of pubic hair?"

	Toby wished the floor would open and swallow him whole. He
instantly covered his private area to hide it, but there was no way he
could conceal the bright red blushing on his face.

	"Let's see, Tobe, move your hands!" Buddy said.

	If the request hadn't been from Buddy, there was no way Toby would
have complied, but THIS is what Toby had asked of his brothers, he just
didn't realize that his lesson would be so graphic or so soon! As soon as
he had covered his penis with his right hand, he felt it start to grow, and
now he would be REALLY embarrassed.

	"Come on, Tobe," Buddy urged, "we're all guys...we're all
brothers. It's time we saw one another. There's nothing wrong with it."

	"I...I...I got hard," Toby uttered.

	"Good!" Buddy said, "That's a good start! You're already ahead of
Marc and me."

	"Then you and Marc get this way too, or I won't move my hands."

	"Looks like he drives a hard bargain, Marc," Buddy smiled at Marc.

	"You mean a 'hard-on' bargain, don't you?" Marc retorted.

	"Then I guess us two had better sit down and catch up with Toby."

	Marc and Buddy seated themselves on opposite sides of the long sofa
as Toby stood watching his brothers, his eyes were about to pop in
disbelief. A minute later, both older brothers were sporting big-brother
size boners.

	"Is this good enough?" Marc asked Toby, while at the same time
removing his hands to show the youngest brother his prize trophy. Next,
Marc turned his head to see if Buddy had managed to reach the same first
step in their visual display. Marc was astonished to see how large Buddy's
penis actually was. "Lordy, Buddy, if I was that big, I'd be screwing every
girl in sight."

	Suddenly it was Buddy's turn to blush. Ten minutes earlier he had
revealed his innermost secret to Marc about being gay, and now Marc was
making condescending remarks about his being a virgin with girls.

	"Can it, Marc!" Buddy said, curtly. "We're doing all this for
Toby's benefit. Remember?"

	"Yeah, sure! Toby, we did our part of the bargain, now why don't
you come over and sit between Buddy and me?"

	Reluctantly, Toby complied and walked slowly to the sofa and sank
down on the center cushion.

	"Now, what do we do?" Toby asked, looking from one brother to the
other.

	"Marc?" Buddy said. "What DO we do next? You're the scientist!"

	"Yeah, but you're the oldest!" Marc snapped.

	Buddy assumed the role as the teacher and Marc, the teacher's
assistant, as they spent the next half hour showing Toby the art of
masturbation as they knew it. Buddy and Marc had different ideas on how to
hold their organs and which procedure gave the most pleasure and
satisfaction. None of the three ever touched his brother's penis as the
audio-visual lecture became quite academic. Toby's head turned from one
brother to the other, trying to emulate both of them, while, at the same
time, Toby was discovering for himself which method or methods he liked
best. By most of their peer's standards, Buddy and Marc's systems would
have been rated amateurish, but they got the job done anyway.

	The lesson was totally successful for they all three managed to
climax at the same time. All three were exhausted and satiated and each had
a pool of semen on his stomach and hands. No one said a word for all pairs
of eyes were closed, each locked in his own fantasy...Marc dreaming of
Sandy; Buddy's focus was split equally between thoughts of Clint AND
Mr. Parsons, to Buddy's surprise, and Toby hadn't fantasized because he
kept peeking at Buddy's method while concentrating on his own. If truth be
known, Toby actually wanted to reach over and grab Buddy, but this would
have been something difficult for Toby to explain to either Buddy or Marc.

	Buddy wiped the excess warm liquid on his belly and walked to the
linen closet to get three washcloths, going into the bathroom to dampen
them with warm water. Then he returned and handed a cloth to Marc and Buddy
who then cleaned themselves.

	Finally, it was time for the endgame discussion.

	"So? What did you think?" Buddy asked Toby. "Was it fun or was it
like you expected?"

	"Oh...yeah..." Marc sighed.

	"Now remember what Marc and I showed you...and when you're alone or
you feel Mom and Dad aren't about to peek in on you, you can relieve
yourself when you feel tension mounting and you won't ever have to worry
again about having an accident in wrestling practice."

	"Do all guys do it?" Toby asked, eagerly.

	"So far as I know," Marc answered.

	"Dad, too?"

	"I...I guess so. Only he's married," Marc began to explain, "so I
really doubt if he does it."

	"You mean he gets off with...Mom?"

	"I suppose," Marc said. "What do you think, Buddy? Does Dad
masturbate?"

	"He must or he'd be dropping a load at work...or when he's showing
a house to a client, because...keep this between the three of us, will you?
I don't think he and mom have married sex anymore. Remember about five
years ago when Mom replaced their double bed with two twin beds? It might
be hard for them to have married sex in one tiny bed."

	"They DO love each other, don't they?" Toby asked, a sudden worry
inserting itself in his mind.

	"Sure they do," Buddy said. "But I saw this movie on Fox Movie
Channel with Marilyn Monroe and some dude. It was called, 'The Seven Year
Itch'. This dude, or rather, this guy was married. He lived downstairs from
Marilyn. It was a real funny flick but he implied that after men and women
are married for seven years, they think about having affairs with other
people...and Mom and Dad have been married for twenty-five years...so it's
no wonder they don't sleep in the same bed. They've been married three
times seven years plus more."

	Buddy's explanation intrigued Marc. "Do you think Mom and Dad had
affairs? I mean, according to that movie, they should've had at least three
apiece by now!"

	"Heck, can you see either of them having an affair and keeping it a
secret from the other...and from us?"

	"Not really," Marc said, "neither of them is the type."

	Toby was listening to Marc and Buddy and suddenly came to his own
conclusion, "So if Mom and Dad haven't had affairs, and if they don't sleep
in the same bed to have married sex, then Dad MUST masturbate."

	Marc and Buddy laughed, "Brilliant deduction, Dr. Watson," Marc
said.

	"Now, listen, Toby, what Marc and I just showed you has got to be
OUR secret. You can't tell Mom, Dad, Jimmy, the coach, or ANYONE...or we're
all gonna be in a lot of trouble."

	"I won't!" Toby said, firmly. "I promise...on one condition..."

	"Uh oh," Buddy replied.

	"Yeah, here it comes?" Marc added. "What's the one condition,
bozo?"

	"That we do it again...NOW!"

	"Shit!" Buddy sighed, "You're a monster! You know that? A sex
monster! Is there one of those on 'Sesame Street'?"

	"There's a cookie monster..."

	"Well, you're the cookie(s) monster!"

	"What does that mean?"

	"Well, some guys call masturbating, 'getting your cookies
off'...and that makes you the cookie(s) monster!"

	"Can we do it again, or not?"

	"I suppose, but only if YOU promise to go to bed when we're
finished."

	"I will...on another condition..."

	"Oh, for pete's sake, what now?"

	"Can I take a wet wash rag to bed with me?"

	"Damn!" Buddy said, "I KNEW you would say that..."

	"Well, can I?"

	"I suppose, if you can find a place to hide it."

	"Of course I will! You think I want Mom to find it?"

	"Okay, but just be careful...and the next time you see the washing
machine running, throw the cloth in so Mom can't see it!"

	"OK!" Toby said. "Now are you two guys ready? I AM!"

	"Good grief, Tobe!" Marc chimed in, "Give us a chance to catch up
with you, will you"

	The initial sex-ed class was quickly followed by Toby's 'refresher
course'. He was happy and bounced off to bed WITH washcloth in hand. Marc
and Buddy listened as Toby closed his door and locked it. They both sat on
the couch and laughed while they began to dress.

	"Well, that's one problem solved," Marc said, buckling his
trousers. "Now if we can find a way to make Sandy 'UN'pregnant...and find
YOU a boyfriend..."

	"Forget about finding me a boyfriend..."

	"Yes, but scientifically speaking, you should go get an STD test,
just to be on the safe side."

	"I...I'll think about it."

	Marc turned on the TV while Buddy went into the kitchen to put his
and Marc's washcloths in the dirty clothes hamper in the adjacent laundry
room. He picked up a box of 'Cheezits' for himself and a box of
'Crack-Doodles' for Marc, plus two cokes and went back to join Marc to
watch "War of the Worlds" on cable TV. The movie ended at 11:00 PM, just in
time for the two of them to go to bed and for Ted and Lisa to come home
from dinner with the Alford's. The boys were headed upstairs when their
parents walked in the front door.
                                                                                                      Lisa
arrived home after dinner with the Alford's in her usually gleeful
manner. Ted's demeanor left a lot to be desired, especially by himself. He
was glad he had had a long talk with Charles in the men's room. He was
amused at the glint of envy in Charles' eyes when Charles believed that Ted
had an affair without Lisa's knowledge, and wondered how Charles would have
reacted if he had learned the entire truth that Ted's mistress had been a
mister.

	"Hi, Mom,"

	"Hi, Dad," Marc and Buddy greeted them.

	"Hello, dears," Lisa replied.

	"You boys going to bed?" Ted asked.

	"Yessir," they answered.

	"Marc, why don't you go on up to your room?" Ted said, "I want to
speak with Buddy for a moment."

	"Yes sir," Marc said, telling his parents good-night again.

	Lisa smiled at Ted and continued upstairs th their bedroom to
undress, leaving Ted alone with Buddy.

	"Yes, sir?" Buddy said.

	"Son, I want to talk with you about that dizzy spell you had at
school?"

	"How did you learn about that?"

	"Doesn't matter. Things which happen to his kid always find their
way back to his father. So, do you mind telling me what happened?"

	"It wasn't anything, Dad! Honest! I just got too hot on the
field. I think I was dehydrated and just needed to cool down with some
water."

	"Just the same...Charles Alford wants me to come in for a checkup
Monday and I want you to come with me. I'll write a note to get you excused
from your morning classes and Charles can examine us both on the same
visit."

	"I'm all right, Dad, really!" he protested.

	"Let's hear that from Charles to settle both our minds."

	"OK, Dad. Anything else?"

	"No, not really, unless you know a way I can get out of going to my
class reunion without breaking your mom's heart..."

	"I thought you wanted to go..."

	"Actually, I don't, but for goodness sake, don't say a word to her
until I can break the news to her."

	"All right, Dad, but in my opinion, you SHOULD go."

	"Oh? Why?"

	"Dad, did you ever hear about something called, 'the seven year
itch'?"

	Ted laughed. "Yes, son, I know all about it."

	"Did you...I mean...?"

	"No, son, I didn't get the itch. I guess I was vaccinated against
it when the three of you boys were born."

	"What about Mom?"

	"Now, that's another story," Ted joked. "Why don't you ask your
mom? She might've had a whole strew of affairs even I don't know about."

	"Nah, I don't have to ask. I'm sure she never did..."

	"Then why did you ask me? You think I did?"

	"No, sir, but...I was just wondering..."

	"Well, the answer is still 'no'. You can rest assured, I've never
cheated on your mother one time in twenty-five years."

	"Were you ever tempted? I mean, did you ever think about it?"

	"No, son, now go to bed and get your rest. I don't want to learn
that you got dizzy during practice because I kept you up late."

	"You won't. Good night, Dad."

	"Night, son."

	Buddy started up the stairs toward his bedroom and turned back to
Ted.

	"Dad?"

	"Yes?"

	"I love you..."

	"I...I love you too, son." Ted was briefly startled. In nineteen
years, Buddy had never said that to him before.

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

	The next morning, Buddy arrived an hour early for band practice
because he knew that Mr. Parsons would be there at least two hours before
anyone else. Scott was surprised to see his prize student, hoping that
there was no important reason for his being there at that time of the
morning.

	"Mr. Parsons?"

	"Come in, Lonnie. I'm glad to see you, I was just working on the
finale of next week's routine. I want to incorporate ten waves in a row."

	"Sounds good."

	"Lonnie, I can't say I'm not surprised to see you here so early. Is
there anything wrong?"

	"No, sir," Buddy replied. "I...I still wonder why you wanted Phil
to stand in for me..."

	"I told you, Lonnie, I was doing that so that you..."

	"Were you trying to punish me, Mr. Parsons?" Buddy cut him off.

	"Punish you? Whatever for?"

	"I think if you can remember EVERYTHING that happened that last day
here in your office, you might know why I think you're punishing me..."

	"Lonnie, I have no idea what you're talking about. Why...nothing
happened that I can recall."

	"Think again, Mr. Parsons, please..."

	"Perhaps you could give me a tiny hint?"

	"Okay, sir, if I have to paint you a picture...it's what happened
when I leaned forward and rested my head against your body."

	"I thought nothing about that because you WERE dizzy from the
heat."

	"Sir, it wasn't my dizziness that...that disturbed me...it was what
I felt when my head touched your...your midsection..."

	"Lonnie, I'm sorry but you seem to be talking in riddles, I don't
know what you're getting at."

	"Okay, Mr. Parsons, I guess I made a mistake. I'm sorry...I really
am."

	Buddy started to leave and Scott stopped him.

	"Wait, Lonnie, I...I...well, maybe I...uh...have a slight notion to
what you're referring..."

	"Oh?"

	"You...you felt my erection, didn't you?"

	"Yes, sir, I did...but I didn't want to come right out and say it."

	"I hope I didn't give you an incorrect impression. You see, my...my
erection surprised me as much as it did you. I...I don't know how or why it
happened."

	"Mr. Parsons, I've done a lot of thinking about that moment and
maybe I can offer an explanation..."

	"You think there IS one?"

	"Yes, sir...you see, I...I had an erection also."

	"You did?"

	"Yes, sir, and I'm afraid I took advantage of my illness to pursue
the situation. I...I wanted to see if you had one, too...and when I found
out what I was hoping, I...it scared me and I jumped up."

	"You...you were hoping to find I had an erection, Lonnie? Why?"

	"Isn't it obvious, Mr. Parsons?"

	"What?"

	"I...I'm gay. You're the first person I've told except for my
brother, Marc."

	"Did...did you tell him that I...?"

	"NO! Marc doesn't know a thing about what happened between you and
me."

	"Lonnie, was it your intention to find out if I had gay
inclinations?"

	"Maybe not, but I was hoping..."

	"I must say that your blatant honesty intrigues me."

	"I know what I've just said could endanger my position as drum
major. I mean, if you want to kick me off the squad, that's your
prerogative and maybe you should kick me off...but I had to confront you
with my beliefs."

	"Lonnie, you say you're gay?"

	"Yes, sir?"

	"How did you know? How long have you known about yourself?"

	"I...I guess I've always known. I've had very little experience or
practically none. I...I guess I've had a hero crush on you for a long
time."

	"Lonnie, let me formulate a supposition...what would you say or do
if I said I WAS gay, too? You know I'm married with two children."

	"Yes, sir, but...but if you WERE, I'd...I'd..."

	"You'd what?" He both dreaded and eagerly hoped for what Buddy
would say next.

	"Okay, let's say you ARE gay and I've already told you that I
was...then, I'd like to find out what it would take for us to...you
know..."

	"Have sex?"

	"...yes..."

	"I don't know, Lonnie. I could lose my job and you'd be expelled,
probably for the rest of the year. Did you consider the consequences?"

	"No, I didn't think that far ahead."

	"Maybe you should..."

	"Can I be honest with you?"

	"I hope you will always be honest with me...what is it?"

	"I...well, us talking about this has given me another
erection...right now...and I was wondering if..."

	"If I had one as well?"

	"...yes..."

	"Would...would you like to feel for yourself?"

	"You'd let me?...I mean, I wouldn't get into a lot of trouble?"

	"As long as you keep it a secret just between us."

	"I...I'd like to."

	"Then, go ahead..."

	Slowly, Buddy walked toward Scott, reached out his hand and gently
caressed Scott's crotch. Buddy smiled when he discovered what he had
surmised.

	"You ARE hard, Mr. Parsons."

	"I know...and I can't explain it. This has never happened
before...with any other student. It...it's just that you remind me of
someone I knew a long time ago."

	"Was he gay?"

	"At the time I knew him, he was..."

	"What happened?"

	"He and I went off to separate colleges after high school."

	"And you never saw him again?"

	"No...no, I didn't..."

	"Just seeing me reminded you of him and you...you..."

	"I guess that's the only way to explain it."

	"You...you didn't get hard because of me, did you?"

	"I...I don't know."

	"Would you like to feel mine?"

	"Maybe, but only if you lock the door first."

	Buddy walked to the door, locked it and returned to Scott, placing
his hand where it had been before. Scott hesitated but slowly reached down
to grab the crotch of Buddy's jeans. Both their bodies shook at his
touch. Their light fondling with the other soon advanced to groping and
their heads nodded at the same time so that their lips met with a gentle
kiss. Both exhaled a deep sigh as if both their dreams came true at the
same time. Scott released his hand from Buddy and embraced him with both
arms, pulling Scott close to him.

	"Oh, God, I've thought about this ever since the other day,
Lonnie."

	"Me too."

	They kissed again, more intimately and each found himself filled
with yearning and passion this time. Thoughts of Clay encompassed Scott's
reverie. All Buddy could think of was that finally he had been kissed...by
a man. This was his first embrace and it met every expectation he'd ever
longed for. 'If there was such a thing as love, then this must be it' ran
through Buddy's mind. Phil could have his position as drum major as long as
he could have Scott every day just like this.

	"I want you, Lonnie..."

	"I want you, too."

	"But not now...not here...not like this..."

	"Where and when, then?"

	"I don't know. Let me think about it and meet me here after
practice. Maybe I can arrange a place for us to be together."

	"Would you mind it I unzipped your pants to see it?" Buddy asked.

	"Not now...later."

	"I won't be able to think of anything else all day..."

	"I suppose I won't either."

	"Mr. Parsons..."

	"Lonnie, when we're alone, please call me Scott. It'll make our
ages closer together..."

	"All right, Scott, if you'll start calling me Buddy."

	"Does it make that big a difference?"

	"It does if I'm gonna call you Scott. My family and friends who
love me all call me, Buddy..."

	"Then, Buddy it is..."

	"Thanks...Scott."

	Their lips touched together for the third and final time of the
morning, then Scott told Buddy to go unlock the door. It was time for the
rest of the band to arrive for practice.

	"I can't wait until this afternoon..." Buddy said.

	"Me neither...but we must...and we will..."

	Buddy unlocked the door just as Lulu was entering the band room.

	"Morning, Buddy," Lulu called out. "Feeling better?"

	"Much better, Lulu. You can tell Clint I'm much, much better."

	Later that afternoon, Scott had Buddy meet him at the 'Lucky 6
Motel' where they had their first sex together. To Scott, it seemed as if
he were performing oral sex on Clay as he often had, years ago. After
convincing Scott that he was still an anal virgin, Scott had intercourse
with Buddy, not bothering with protection since Buddy had never been
penetrated before and Scott hadn't had sex with anyone but Kathy, the last
time probably a year or two ago.  Scott and Buddy's quick tryst lasted
until 5:30 when each went home to dream about the day's events.

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

	"Marc, you're being ridiculous!" Sandy said. "Suppose I did go
upstairs and get a wire coat hanger from Mother's closet, what would we do
with it?"

	"I don't know...maybe stick it up inside you and jiggle it around
like you'd stoke a fire with a poker," Marc urged.

	"Suppose I jiggle something loose that's not supposed to be
jiggled?"

	"We'd just have to be extra careful that we didn't jiggle too
deep."

	"Where did you ever get such a nonsensical idea in the first
place."

	"Watching old movies. Before abortions were legal, all they had to
use was coat hangers."

	"I'm sure it would hurt like all heck..."

	"Maybe we could tape a cotton ball on the end of the hanger and it
would feel nice and soft."

	"Look Marc, if I'm going to get an abortion, I'm going to use a
scientifically safe method using a real doctor."

	"But---you're underage! You'd have to get permission from your
folks and you know what would happen then!"

	"Yeah, they'd either insist I carry this embryo for nine months or
go to live with my Aunt Alice in Wichita, Kansas...then we wouldn't be able
to see one another for at least a year."

	"Maybe I could come with you to Wichita."

	"And how would you support yourself AND go to school?"

	"How do you suppose those guys at MacDonald's or Wendy's have a
wife and kids? I could work, just like they do."

	"Marc, my hospital bill alone would be over ten-thousand
dollars. It would take you two years to save that much money working for
minimum wage at MacDonald's."

	"Then I could work on the day shift at MacDonald's and the night
shift at Wendy's. That'd be like making two salaries at once."

	"Okay, so you work night and day to pay the hospital bill in
Kansas, there's still all the expense of having a baby...diapers, formulas,
doctors' checkups, baby clothes. That could mean hundreds of more dollars."

	"We'd make out, honest."

	"Then there's always the fact that my Aunt Alice wouldn't let you
live with us. That would mean you'd have to rent your own room or
apartment, plus utilities and food. You'd need a car, too."

	"Yeah, but if I got my own place to live, you and the baby could
move in with me and we'd become a family."

	"Marc, we're both fifteen years old! Are you ready to settle down
with a wife and child?"

	"If it was you and MY child...yes."

	"Well, I don't think I'm ready. I want to finish high school and go
to the junior and senior proms with you...but NOT if I have to hire a
babysitter!"

	"Okay, so you want to try the coat hanger?"

	"No, I don't."

	"Then what's your solution, Sandy?"

	"I guess I'll have to tell my folks that I'm pregnant and that I
want an abortion and if they try to stop me, THEN I threaten them with the
idea of a coat hanger."

	"Are you sure you wanna do that?"

	"I have no other choice, Marc."

	"Maybe I can ask around at school. Surely there's some other girl
that's had the same problem..."

	"Then you'd better get busy because the end of my first trimester
is drawing near...in about three or four weeks. Oh, my God! I think I'm
gonna throw up," Sandy screamed as she ran into her house from the backyard
where she and Marc had been talking.

	Marc assumed that Sandy had eaten something which had upset her
stomach. He was totally oblivious to morning sickness. That's another thing
Ted and Lisa had failed as parents to teach any of their three sons. Marc
sat on the back steps as Liz, Sandy's mother, drove into the driveway and
parked the car.

	"Hello, Marc," Liz said, cheerfully.

	"Hello, Mrs. Sholler."

	"Are you waiting out here for Sandy?"

	"Yes, maam. She had to go inside for a minute. She said she had an
upset stomach."

	"Oh, dear, I hope it's not a stomach bug. Maybe I should go inside
and she if she wants me to call Charles Alford and see if we can get an
appointment to see him."

	"Oh, I wouldn't want you to do that!" Marc replied, perhaps a bit
too hastily.

	"Oh? What difference does it make to you if I make an appointment
for Sandy?"

	"I...I'm sorry...it's just...it's just that Sandy didn't seem sick
enough to go to the doctor's."

	"I'd better be the judge of that. Us girls have problems you boys
don't know about."

	"I wouldn't be too sure about that..." Marc said dejectedly to
himself.

	Liz went into the house to find Sandy while Marc closed his eyes
and said a short but pleading prayer.

	Two minutes passed and from faraway in the Sholler house, Marc
heard Liz scream..."YOU WHAT?"

	"Oh, dear God, why didn't you listen to my prayer? PLEASE! PLEASE!
PLEASE! I said DON'T let Sandy tell her mother!"

	"MARC!" Liz shouted.

	"Yes, maam?"

	"COME INTO THE HOUSE...NOW!!!"

	"Caught!" Marc uttered. "Fuck!"

	Marc slowly climbed the stairs as if he were about to face the
guillotine. and went into the kitchen where Liz was waiting for him.

	"MARC! Did you get Sandy pregnant?"

	Marc's reply to her was blocked by a huge gulp in his throat. then
he croaked "Yes, maam, I guess Sandy and I both got her pregnant."

	"BOTH?  Sandy didn't get herself pregnant...not unless a male was
involved."

	"That male was me, Mrs. Sholler."

	"Have you and Sandy been sleeping together in this house while I'm
gone?"

	"No, maam..."

	"At YOUR house?"

	"No, maam..."

	"I know you don't drive a car...so WHERE then?"

	"In...in the greenhouse in your back yard. I guess we got a little
too high to realize what we were doing..."

	"HIGH? HIGH ON WHAT, for God's sake."

	"Uh...some of that...that herbal tea was a bit too strong...and we
both felt kinda funny after we drank it."

	"What kind of tea were you drinking?"

	"I can't be sure. Sandy and I planted over fifty varieties!"

	"Do you think you'd recognize the plant if you showed it to me?"

	"I'm not sure...but maybe."

	"Then come with me to the greenhouse and show me."

	Marc didn't have to wait for his arraignment and trial. He was
about to be sentenced to execution if Mrs. Sholler recognized the 'special'
plant. He trotted slowly behind her as she led the way to the solarium. She
gave every plant a close look, going row by row.

	"Come on, Marc! Which tea was it?"

	"The...the tall green leafy one in the middle of the second row."

	It only took one glance for Liz to realize what the plant was.

	"MARC! THIS PLANT! Were you and Sandy aware of what you were
planting?"

	"Yes, maam. We placed a wooden marker in front of each plant."

	Liz leaned over to see the word, 'cannabis'. "Jesus, Marc! Did you
and Sandy know that this was marijuana?"

	Marc dropped his head..."Yes, maam."

	"And the two of you have been smoking it in here?"

	"Yes."

	"For how long?"

	"Since August, I guess. It was still a little young to make good
tobacco leaves, but we tried it anyway."

	"And then, I suppose you both got high...had sex...and Sandy got
pregnant?"

	"Yes, maam, that's about the way it happened."

	"Oh, good Lord, what's Burt going to say? Do Lisa and Ted know?"

	"No, maam. I don't think so."

	"Then I think it's high time that they did know!"

	"Pardon?"

	"Come with me! You, Sandy, and I are going to pay your parents a
visit!"

	"Mrs. Sholler, I think my dad's still at work..."

	"That's all right, we'll tell your mother first and then wait for
your dad to come home. I'll have to leave a note for Burt, but I won't tell
him about this in writing. I want you here with Sandy and me when we tell
HIM!"

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

	Lisa was busy in the kitchen peeling red potatoes to boil. Ted
wasn't due home until 6:00. She assumed Marc was over at Sandy's as
usual. Toby was in his room with his door shut and Buddy was late coming
home from band practice as he sometimes was. Lisa's pot roast was almost
done. The carrots, onions, and celery were ready to be mixed with the roast
in the oven. All that was left was the new potatoes. Lisa loved to
cook. She loved all kinds of house chores since she always seemed to make a
game out of them...and besides, these were the things that made her a good
mother and wife. When she peeled the final potato and put the lot into
boiling water, she washed her hands and the phone rang.

	"Hello?" Lisa answered, a la Margaret Anderson, the all-American
mom.

	The voice on the other end of the call was definitely female but
was one that Lisa didn't recognize. The voice sounded muffled as if it were
being disguised.

	"Mrs. Browne?"

	"Yes..."

	"Are you the mother of Buddy Browne?"

	"Yes, I am...oh, dear Lord, please don't tell me that you're the
police or the hospital telling me that something has happened to Buddy!"

	"Something happened to him, all right, but it's not what you
think..."

	"Please, tell me who you are! Tell me what's happened to my son."

	"You might be surprised to find out that I just saw your son coming
out of a motel with one of his male teachers."

	"You MUST be mistaken! Buddy is at band practice."

	"I don't think he was practicing, if you know what I mean..."

	"I have no idea what you mean..."

	"I think he went into the motel to have sex with his band director,
Mr. Parsons."

	"You've made a mistake! Whoever you saw was NOT Buddy and he'd
never go to a motel to...to do what you said he did."

	"Why don't you ask him when he comes home...He isn't there now, is
he?"

	"Well, no..."

	"Ask him!"

	Click. The phone made a dial tone as the mysterious caller hung up.

	Lisa became unnerved and began to shake. Maybe Toby knew why Buddy
was late. There had to be some other logical reason. Lisa raced up the
stairs and opened the door to Toby's bedroom without knocking and her
breath stopped for the second time in less than a minute, for Toby was just
completing his afternoon Sex 101 lab experiment. Just as Lisa barged into
his room, Toby climaxed and a spurt of semen shot up and landed on Toby's
face.

	"MY GOD, TOBY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Lisa asked horrified.

	Toby was even more horrified than his mom and had less to say.

	"NASTY! NASTY! DIRTY! DIRTY! HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS?"

	"Uh...since last night when you and Dad went out to dinner with the
Alford's."

	"Do either of your brothers know about this?"

	"I...can't say, Mom."

	"Why?"

	"Because I promised Buddy and Marc I wouldn't say a word to you and
Dad."

	"Then Marc and Buddy DO know?"

	"Yes, maam...they taught me how to do it!"

	"Well, go wash up and you are going to have a long talk with your
dad when he gets home...probably all THREE of you..."

	"Yes, maam...I'm sorry."

	Lisa felt faint when she left Toby's room. First, she was terrified
by the anonymous call concerning Buddy, then she'd walked in on Toby, who
was only twelve years old...and already sexually active? Then her thoughts
returned to Buddy...WITH A MAN...HAVING SEX IN A MOTEL WITH SCOTT PARSONS?
It was too much for her to bear all at once. She held tightly to the
banister as she went back downstairs and then she saw Liz Sholler's car
pull into the driveway. Marc and Sandy were with her. Lisa ran to the
kitchen to wipe her forehead with a dampened, cold paper towel. Then she
ran her fingers quickly through her hair to straighten her appearance as
best she could. Liz, Marc, and Sandy mustn't think anything was
wrong. Maybe Marc and Sandy could tell her where Buddy REALLY was. And as
for confronting Marc with what he and Buddy had taught Toby...well, that
would have to wait until Ted came home.

	Lisa walked casually to the front door and opened it to greet Liz
before Liz, Sandy, and Marc reached it.

	"Well, hello, Liz! How ARE you?" Lisa asked, a bit over jubilant.

	"Sit down, Lisa," Liz ordered. "We need to talk."

	"Good heavens, Liz! What's wrong?"

	"Just about everything, Lisa...just about everything's wrong," Liz
replied, sitting on the sofa after making Marc and Sandy sit beside
her. Lisa suddenly knew she was about to faint...and when Liz finished her
verbal dissertation about Marc and Sandy, Lisa DID faint!

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

	Thoughts of the upcoming reunion wandered through Ted's mind
intermittently all day at work, but he had forced himself to concentrate on
his work and made it a very successful day, financially. When all his staff
of workers had gone for the day, Ted sat at his desk, making his final
mental notes on what to say to Lisa about not going to the reunion. He'd
written his speech three times on paper, editing and making revisions until
every word seemed just right. Now, if only he could remember to say what
he'd written. He was about to rehearse it verbally when he was interrupted
by a phone call. Normally, his secretary screened his calls and he was
reluctant to answer for fear that Rex might be calling for a second
time. However, the call was probably from that client who had taken all day
to make a decision on whether or not to buy a piece of Ted's property, and
so Ted answered the phone.

	"Hello?"

	"Ted?"

	"Yes..."

	"You old son-of-a-gun! You sound just like you always did."

	"Pardon?"

	"This is Vince...Vince Martino from way back in your high school
days."

	Vince had only been a casual acquaintance during those days. They
were never close friends because Vince, in spite of his Italian name, was
from New Orleans and his conversation was just TOO syrupy. On top of
that,he had been the high school gossip. But Ted thought it was safe to
talk with him for a few minutes.

	"Vince, buddy, how are you? Long time, no hear..."

	"I know...we have our own lives to lead...our own crosses to
bear..."

	"Pardon?"

	"Nothing, Ted, it was just a figure of speech."

	"Oh..."

	"Listen, Ted, I know you're dying to know why I called."

	'Not really', Ted said to himself, but to Vince he said, "Yes, as a
matter of fact, I am."

	"I was calling to see if you and Lisa are coming to the reunion?"

	"I'm not sure, Vince. Work is good and paperwork is piling up. I
don't know if I can get away next week."

	"Oh, but you must! You'll never guess who I ran into in New York!"

	"Probably not, Vince, so why don't you tell me?"

	"Rex!"

	Ted could feel the tension mounting in his body when he heard Rex's
name.

	"Rex?"

	"You remember, Rex Hastings...your best friend..."

	"Oh, THAT Rex!"

	"Yes and did you hear the awful thing that happened to him?"

	"No, Vince, I'm afraid I didn't."

	"Well, it was simply devastating...horrible!"

	Now Ted became honestly concerned.

	"What happened to him, Vince?"

	"Why, he lost everything that was dear to him?"

	Ted knew he didn't have to ask Vince for details because spreading
the 'news' was Vince's primary reason for calling.

	"You mean his house burned down or he lost his job or business?"

	"Heavens no, boy, it was a lot worse than that."

	"I sorry Vince, I've heard nothing about anything..."

	"Why, Ted old boy, Rex was your best friend, you ought to know what
happened to him."

	"Are you gonna tell me, Vince, or are I gonna have to sit here all
night and play 'telephone Jeopardy' with you?"

	"Ted, Rex lost everything, his wife and two sons...EVERYTHING!"

	"Being honest, Vince, I didn't even know that Rex was
married. We've been out of touch since...since graduation
night...twenty-five years ago. What happened? Did his wife leave Rex for
another man and runaway with his kids? Or was it the other way around. I
can see Rex leaving his wife...ANY wife."

	"Ted, his wife and kids were killed just a few months ago. Shot!
Dead!"

	"That's terrible, Vince. I didn't know. How did it happen?"

	"Well, you know that Rex has his own advertising agency in New
York, don't you?"

	"No, I didn't..."

	"Well, it seems that Rex's wife, Miriam, took their two kids to
visit her parents to Illinois on a summer vacation since school had just
let out. Rex couldn't go because of business commitments...and Miriam and
the boys weren't there for two days until she took them shopping at a local
mall...and there was this robber with a gun! Miriam and her sons got into
his line of fire accidentally, and all three of them were shot and killed."

	"Good God! Vince, I had no way of knowing."

	"I didn't think you did. That's the reason I called. I thought if
you wanted to call Rex and find out if he was coming to the reunion, you
might offer him a bit of comfort, seeing how the two of you used to be best
friends. You know, Ted, long about the middle of senior year there was this
rumor that you and Rex just might be closer than best friends."

	"That's enough, Vince! That was a long time ago. Whatever there was
between Rex and me ended graduation night. I haven't seen him since."

	"Then maybe you should talk to him at least. I tried time and time
again to call him at his office to offer my condolences, but it seems he
just stopped going to work...and from what I got from his
secretary...reading between the lines, Rex has practically given up
living. I know he's been drinking quite a bit...that's what his secretary
implied without saying it out loud. It wouldn't surprise me that when I get
to the reunion next weekend, that someone tells me he's committed
'sideways', if you know what I mean."

	Ted became extremely alarmed.

	"Vince, do you have Rex's phone number?"

	"I should say no, but his secretary gave me his home phone
number. I...I was too afraid to disturb him for fear I'd say the wrong
thing and then I'd feel responsible if he DID take his own life."

	"Vince, please, just give me Rex's number."

	"OK." Ted waited for Vince to fumble around with his address book
before finally telling him Rex's phone number.

	"Thanks, Vince!"

	"Are you gonna call him?"

	"I might. Well, Ted, if you do, tell him how sorry I am about his
tragedy and I'm hoping to make him feel better at the reunion."

	"I...I'll do that, Vince."

	The two ended their call and Rex looked at the piece of paper with
Rex's number and Ted's hands were shaking.

	'Damn! Rex wasn't trying to renew an old love affair, he was
lonely...lonely for me...the first person he ever loved.' Ted thought out
loud. 'Maybe I SHOULD go to the reunion. Maybe Rex has no one in his life
to talk with...and he thought about me...and DAMN! I was so rude to him. He
probably wouldn't talk to me now if I DID call him. My God, how hurt he
must feel...how lonely!'

	Ted reached for the phone to call Rex, but against his better
judgment, he thought it best to call only after he'd chosen the right words
to say to his old buddy and lover. He looked at the clock on his desk and
decided to call Lisa to explain why he was late...but definitely nothing
about Rex and what had happened. He just wanted to let Lisa know he was on
his way home. When he called, Buddy answered the phone at his house.

	"Hello?"

	"Buddy?"

	"Oh, DAD! You've gotta come home quick!"

	"Good Lord, what's wrong, son?"

	"The whole house has gone berserk. Mom passed out and she's in your
bedroom with Mrs. Sholler. Toby's locked himself in his room and won't come
out. Something bad has happened between Marc and Sandy...but you don't want
to hear about it over the phone."

	"DAMN!" Ted exclaimed, "Are YOU all right, Buddy?"

	"No...not really..."

	"Too much pressure when you got home from school?"

	"No sir, there was too much pressure BEFORE I got home. I need to
talk with you...but it looks like I'll have to wait my turn, once you get
here."

	Ted was still shaking when he finished his conversation with
Buddy. How could so many bad things happen at once?...Maybe they weren't
TOO bad, but if things were bad enough to make Lisa faint, they must be
pretty bad!

	Ted turned off the lights in his office to go home, but first, he
folded the paper with Rex's number and placed it in his wallet. As he
locked the front door of his business, he automatically started to assess
just how bad things could be at home...but all the way, his thoughts kept
returning to Rex and how Rex must need him. Ted was certain that now he HAD
to go to the reunion. With that finally settled, he began to wonder what to
expect when he arrived home. Little did he know...


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

(To be continued in "If Love Were All" Chapter Five!)