Date: Wed, 8 May 2013 19:01:36 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jerlar <jetdesk2@yahoo.com>
Subject: Porterville 6

This story contains graphic sexual scenes between males. If material of
this nature offends you then you should not read this story.  Additionally,
if you are under 18 years of age in most states you are not allowed to read
this story by law.
  This story is purely a work of fiction.  Any resemblance to person's
living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely
coincidental.
  The author claims all copyrights to this story and no duplication or
publication of this story is allowed, except by the web sites to which it
has been posted, without the consent of the author.


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Mark Stevens



PORTERVILLE



CHAPTER SIX



	Sam Taylor was visibly shaken and fell into the only other chair in
the room, one covered with dust. His hands shook as he tried to speak. He
said, "Alice was concerned and went home to check on her mother. I'm not
sure what happened. Didn't you say she was perfectly all right yesterday
when you saw her?"
	Finding it hard to believe that Margaret Cooper was dead, Britt
nodded, and said, "She was fine. A little confused, but otherwise, she
seemed very healthy." He closed the computer down and stood to his feet. He
said, "I'm going over there, Sam."
	Sam also stood up. "You do that. Go and see if Alice needs any
help. I don't think she has any other family to her name. Her mother was
all she had."
	Britt hurried out to his car and drove as quickly as possible to
the Cooper home. He pulled into the driveway and hurried up the steps. He
didn't even ring the bell today, but rather, he opened the door and ran
inside. He discovered Alice sitting on the same couch he had shared with
her mother only the day before. A lady was beside her, trying to console
Alice.
	Britt was the first to speak. "Alice, what happened?" He put his
arms around her.
	Alice gave him a hug and thanked him for dropping by. "I couldn't
find her. I looked all through the house, but she was no where. Then I
noticed the kitchen door was not shut all the way, and I walked out onto
the deck. I thought she must be out there, because sometimes of a morning
before it gets too warm she enjoys sitting outside drinking her tea. I saw
her at the bottom of the steps face down.  She must have fallen and hit a
rock with her head."
	"Is she..." Britt couldn't finish.
	The woman beside Alice said, "They've taken her away already. Not
more than five minutes ago."
	Alice introduced her neighbor. "Britt, this is Laura Thomas, our
neighbor."
	"Hello, Mrs. Thomas. I'm glad you are here with Alice."
	"Britt Williams, I know your mother very well. In fact, she is one
of my quilting buddies down at the center. She told me you were in town for
a while. She is very glad to have you home for the summer."
	"I'm glad to be here," Britt answered. He looked at Alice and
asked, "Is it all right if I walk out to your deck? I'd like to take a
look."
	Alice nodded, and he walked through the tiny dining room and made
his way across the floor of an even smaller kitchen. He quickly found
himself on a deck that was actually very nice, and quite elaborate for a
house the size of the Coopers. He walked over and looked down the
stairs. There were five steps in all counting the top of the deck. At the
bottom he saw a flat round rock covered with what he assumed was Margaret
Cooper's blood.
	Britt made his way slowly down the steps, and stopped. He bent over
to take a closer look at the rock. Suddenly he knew for certain that it was
Margaret's blood he was looking at, and the thought of it made him
absolutely nauseated.
	He stood to his feet and allowed his eyes to take in the stairs
once more. He wondered what had caused the woman to lose her balance and
fall down the steps.  He thought back to yesterday, and he couldn't
remember her having any trouble walking or moving around. She had seemed
very steady on her feet and quite capable of moving around on her own. He
looked up toward the deck. It wouldn't be a great fall for most people he
thought, but the woman's age probably had been against her. Her head must
have landed directly on the rock from the looks of the blood.
	As Britt was looking up toward the deck, something shinny caught
his attention. He reached underneath the steps, his fingers moving blindly
until they grasped hold of a pointed object. He carefully brought his hand
out and opened his fingers. Could it be a diamond, he wondered? It looked
like it belonged in a setting, but he wasn't sure.
	He went inside the house and rejoined Alice and her
neighbor. Holding out his hand, Britt asked, "Alice, had either you or your
mother lost a diamond stone that you were aware of?"
	Alice looked at his opened palm. Shaking her head, she said, "I've
never seen it before. It's not mine or Mothers. In fact, the only diamond
Mother ever owned was the single solitaire in her wedding ring. It was on
her finger."  "And this couldn't be hers? Perhaps she lost it when she
fell."  Again, Alice shook her head. "When Dad bought Mom her ring, he
couldn't have afforded anything this size. She still wore the small
original he had given her not long after they were married."
	"I see," Britt said quietly. "Alice, would you mind if I hung onto
this for the time being? I would like to try and discover who it belongs
to."
	"It's all right with me," she answered.
	Britt wasn't sure what his next move should be. He thought about
the funeral arrangements and wondered if Alice needed any help making
them. He voiced his concern.
	"Everything's been taken care of," Alice assured him. "Mother made
arrangements years ago. In fact, not too long after we lost Daddy."
	When Britt seemed unsure of what to do next, she said, "Thank you,
Britt, for coming over. I know you have things to do, so please, don't feel
you have to stay here on my account. I will be fine."
	"I'll stay with her, Mr. Williams," Laura Thomas said. "I live
alone, so it will be no problem."
	"Britt, do me a favor, will you? Drop by the office and tell Sam I
am all right, but that I will need a few days off. And also tell him I'll
let him know when the service is. I know he will want to put it in the
paper."
	"I'll do that, Alice, and I will be back and check on you later
this evening."
	"That's not necessary. I'll be all right. Especially with Laura
here," she ended.
	"Just the same, I'll be back to check on you. I'm not sure what
time, but I will be back."
	Once Britt was inside his car, he picked up his cell phone and
called his mother. He wanted, rather needed, to hear her voice. When she
answered, he said, "Hi, Mom. God, it's so good hearing your voice. Are you
all right?"
	"Britt Williams, why shouldn't I be? Sometimes you worry over me
way too much, I think."
	"Mom, something happened earlier today. Margaret Cooper had an
accident. She's dead."
	"What?" Catherine Williams wondered if her ears were deceiving
her. "What happened?" she asked.
	"I'm not really sure. It looks as if she fell over her deck, down
five or so stairs, and hit her head on a rock. I'm just leaving the Cooper
home now."
	"Is Alice alone?"
	"No, a neighbor is with her. I believe you know her. Laura Thomas?"
	"Oh, thank God! I had forgotten she lived next door to the
Coopers. Britt, when are you coming home?"
	"I'm not certain." He looked at his watch. It wasn't even two
o'clock yet. "I may grab a sandwich from Ralph and stop back by the
newspaper office. Alice asked if I would drop by and talk to Sam."
	"I'm going to whip a couple of things together and run them by
Alice's," she told her son. "I have everything ready to pop into the oven
for our meal this evening with Devon, so that is out of the way. Tom and
Margaret Cooper have been wonderful people over the years, and I feel I
need to stop by and see Alice."
	"You do that, Mom, and if you need to reschedule our dinner this
evening, that's all right as well. In fact, I could give Devon a call and
we could go look at his new place first and eat afterward."
	"No need to do that," she assured him. "We'll keep everything as
planned. It's not quite two now, so there is still plenty of time."
	"Thanks, Mom. I'm sure Alice will appreciate you dropping by."
	Telling his mother goodbye, Britt backed out of the Cooper drive
and headed for down town. He ran into the coffee shop and ordered a
sandwich from Ralph. He paid for his food, spoke only briefly to the store
owner, and then headed for the Beacon.
	He opened the door and stepped inside. "Sam?"
	The newspaper publisher stuck his head out into the office. "What
did you find out, Britt?"
	Britt took a seat behind the desk normally occupied by Alice
Cooper. "Evidently Margaret must have been out on the deck. It looks as if
she lost her balance and fell down some steps. Alice found her at the
bottom where she had landed on a rock. I think she would have survived the
fall, had it not been for that rock."
	Sam shook his head. "That doesn't make much sense at all. Margaret
was getting on in years, and yeah, she got a little confused at times, but
hell, we all do that now and then. However, she was as steady on her feet
as the rock of Gibraltar. I never saw her unsteady or wavering in any way."
	"I have been trying to remember my visit with her yesterday. I
couldn't remember her being unsteady either. She did quite a bit of walking
around the room, too, as we talked."
	"Just makes no sense at all," Sam repeated.
	Britt thought of the diamond he had found underneath the steps of
the Cooper deck. He pulled it out of his pocket. "Have you ever seen this
before, Sam?"
	The man took the object from Britt. "What's this?" he asked.
	"I'm no expert, but I think it's a diamond," Britt answered. "And
if I'm not mistaken, I think it's a fairly expensive one, judging by its
size."
	"I'm like you, I don't know much about those things. You might take
it by George Carson's place. That's his line of work, and it's possible he
might recognize it; he might be able to tell you who the owner is."
	"I'll do that," Britt decided.
	He removed his sandwich from the bag, and taking a bite, he
suddenly remembered Alice Cooper's request. "Sam, Alice sent me down here
to tell you she would need a few days off. She also said she would send you
the information concerning the arrangements when she had a date and time. I
feel sure the service will be held in my mother's church."
	"Good; just let me know, Britt, if I can do anything."
	Britt finished his lunch sitting at Alice Cooper's desk. He even
answered the phone for Sam as he sat there. For whatever reason, he
couldn't work up the energy to do any more work that day. He felt drained,
and at the back of his brain a tiny thought was beginning to tap its way
through. He wondered if his visit yesterday had anything to do with
Margaret Cooper's death. Had it been possible that he had upset her so much
that she was disoriented and that caused her to fall down the steps? If
that were so, he could never forgive himself.  All the books in the world
wouldn't be worth the guilt that would cause him.
	An hour or so later, his lunch over, as well as receiving several
telephone calls, some even concerning a rumor going around that Margaret
Cooper had had an accident, Britt left the newspaper office. He felt he
needed to get away.
	When he arrived at his mother's house, he discovered she wasn't
home. The house was quiet as he made his way down the hall to his room. He
lay down on the bed, intending to organize his thoughts and perhaps getting
a little rest before their guest arrived for dinner.  Sleep took him by
surprise, and the next thing he knew, his mother was at the door calling
his name.
	"Britt, are you okay?"
	He came to with a start. "I'm fine, Mom. I just dosed off. I'll
take my shower and help you with dinner."
	"Everything's taken care of. Just enjoy your shower and come out
when you're ready finished."
	Britt opened the bedroom door. "How was Alice?" he asked.
	"Surprisingly enough, she's doing well. I'm not sure it has sunk in
yet. Laura is going to stay the night with her."
	"That's good. I understand they have no other family at all, that
it was just the two of them, and had been ever since Tom had passed away."
	"I think Alice has a couple of aunts, but other than that, their
family is gone."
	"I only hope I wasn't the cause of Margaret's death," Britt sighed.
	"How could you be responsible?" his mother asked. "It was an
accident."
	"I know what it looks like, and perhaps it was; however, I worry
that my visit with her yesterday might have contributed to her death."
	"Nonsense!" Catherine exclaimed. "Margaret has had problems for
quite some time now."
	"She wasn't confused at all my first visit, and on the second
visit, the only thing she was mixed up about was thinking I was Dad."
	"Alice has said before, and just this afternoon she told me again
her mother's mind came and went. Who knows, we may never know what
happened. What I do know, however, is that you are in no way connected with
the accident."
	Britt had his own thoughts on the matter, but he decided to keep
them to himself. Something told him Margaret's accident was just the tip of
the ice berg. He changed the subject and said, "Let me take my shower and
clean up, and I'll be out to join you."
	Under the spray of needles, Britt let his thoughts roam as the hot
water splashed hard against his body, forcing his muscles to relax and lose
all the tension that had accumulated during the afternoon. The harder he
tried to convince himself Margaret's death had been an accident, the less
he believed it had been. He thought of the diamond he had found under the
deck. He was fairly certain it was genuine. And he definitely felt it
belonged to someone with a much higher life style than Margaret and Alice
put together.
	The harder he tried to think it out, the more confused he
became. He decided to put it out of his mind, at least for the time
being. He rinsed off, shut the water off and reached for a towel.
	Britt wrapped it around his body and made his way down the hall,
returning to his room. Later, dressed, his hair brushed, and a little
cologne splashed on, he joined his mother in the kitchen.
	She turned as he entered the room. "Feel better?" she asked.
	He nodded and said, "Much better. It's amazing how much better a
hot shower can make you feel."
	"I agree. Here, this will help as well." She handed him a glass of
wine.
	"Mom, are you trying to turn me into a wino?" he teased.
	"I'm sure the little bit of wine I've served you here is going to
do that," she laughed. "I shudder to think what all and how much you
consume when you're in the city."
	"I do drink now and then," he admitted. "Mostly, however, I like to
keep my head clear. It sort of helps to have a clear mind when I'm
writing."
	"You are a good writer," she praised. "I always enjoy your
books. Makes me proud as I read your stories, knowing you, my son, Britt
Williams, created the plot I'm reading and formed the words that are
printed on the pages before me."
	"Mom, when I hear you talk like this, I think I certainly know
where my writing skill came from. You have a wonderful way with words
yourself."
	She pushed his praise aside. "I doubt that," she laughed.
	Devon arrived on time, just as Catherine Williams declared her meal
to be ready. She put the finishing touches on the table as Britt was
greeted him at the door.
	"Hey," Britt said with a smile. "Come in." He closed the door and
held his arms out. "I've missed you today."
	Devon went to him willingly, almost eagerly, and whispered, "I've
missed you like hell." He gave Britt a hug, and then pulled back. "I'm so
sorry you've had such a bummer of an afternoon. I didn't realize, however,
that you were close to the Coopers."
	"I'm not really," Britt answered. "It's just that since I've been
back in town and working at the newspaper office so much, I've come to know
Alice. I knew of them when I was growing up, but never had a lot to do with
the family. Alice was quite a bit younger than me, so we never ran in the
same crowd."
	"Like me," Devon grinned. "I was too young for you back in those
days."
	"Had I only known," Britt smiled. He guided Devon out into the
kitchen, "Come make yourself known to Mom. She's been in her realm this
afternoon as she cooked for you."
	They passed through the dining room where the table was set for
three, and walked out into the kitchen. As they came into the room,
Catherine walked over and greeted their guest with a smile. She reached for
Devon's hand and said, "We're so glad you could join us for dinner this
evening, Devon."
	Devon McKenzie smiled warmly at the little woman before him. "The
pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Williams. I appreciate getting a home cooked
meal, and I know that you are a wonderful cook."
	"You're embarrassing me," she said. Her laugh let him know she
wasn't embarrassed at all, but was quite pleased with his compliment. She
told Britt to pour the wine, and for them to go into the dining room and
find a seat. "Everything is ready."
	Catherine had prepared a delicious meal, and everyone at the table
praised her cooking talent. An hour later, the meal was over, and even
though she protested, both men helped clear the table and return the
kitchen back to his normal state of being.
	Afterward, they sat for a few moments in the living room
talking. Not much was said about Margaret Cooper's accident, for which
Britt was grateful. There was so much about her death that puzzled him, and
he was thankful the subject hadn't come up.
	As they were leaving for Devon's new home, Catherine thanked her
guest for coming, and let him know he was welcomed anytime in her home.
	"I appreciate that, Mrs. Williams," he said. At the door he gave
her a hug and thanked her again. "Your meal was simply wonderful," he
praised.
	As Britt road along in Devon's car, he said, "Boy, you certainly
have my mother eating out of your hand. She was purring like a kitten when
we left."
	"I like your mother," Devon said. "She's everything a mother should
be and exactly how I wish mine was."
	"She is a great lady," Britt agreed. He was silent for a
moment. Then he said, "You know why she likes you so much, don't you?"
	Devon took his eyes off the road for a second and looked across the
seat at Britt. "Why is that? Is it more than just my simply wonderful, warm
and caring self?" He grinned and placed his hand on Britt's leg.
	"If you must know, the reason she likes you so much is because she
knows how happy you make me."
	"She does? You sure about that?"
	Britt nodded. "Yep, I am. In fact, she and I had a talk a day or so
ago about you."
	"You're serious, aren't you?"
	"Very serious, Devon. She told me that for a long time she thought
perhaps you and I had more in common than most people would think."
	"She's a smart woman, your mother," Devon pointed out.
	Porterville not being too terribly big, Devon soon pulled up before
a closed gate. He reached out and punched in a code on the box beside his
car window.  A heavy metal gate swung open, allowing him access to an
otherwise gated community. He drove another block or two, and turning a
corner, he pulled underneath a covered parking area.
	They got out of his car and Britt followed him inside a very
exquisite looking lobby. As they walked for the elevator, Britt couldn't
help but remember the words Elaine McKenzie had said to her son. "Devon,
there is absolutely nothing in Porterville that is available and acceptable
for you to live in." As Britt looked around, he couldn't think of any
better place to hang his hat if one could afford it.
	A short time later Devon unlocked a door, and swinging it back, he
said, "Welcome to my home."
	Britt followed him inside and took in the sight around him. "Devon,
this is absolutely gorgeous," he said. "I love it."
	"Thank you, kind sir. I have to agree with you, and I think I will
be quite comfortable here. Speaking of which, you need to remember these
numbers: 1931."
	"What do they mean?"
	"That's the code to get inside the gate, and I plan on you using it
quite often."
	"Do you, now?" Britt laughed. "Who knows, I just might just take
you up on your offer."
	"You'd better. Now, let me show you the rest of the place."
	By the time they had finished touring Devon's new home, Britt was
very impressed. There was, of course, a huge living room, with a fireplace,
and lots of windows overlooking a very well kept lawn. There was a big
arched doorway at one end of the living room that led into a "formal"
dining room. Britt couldn't help but smile when he saw it. He wondered how
much entertaining Devon would be doing. To the other side of the dining
room was a narrow door. Devon swung it back, and a nice decent size kitchen
met their eyes. A "breakfast" nook was at the far end of the room. There
was another small door to the side, and when Devon opened it, the laundry
room greeted them.
	Next Devon led him back though the dining room and down a long
hallway. On one side was a bath, and across from it, a guest room. Devon
told him it would most likely house his office. "I really need one here,
even though I have one at the plant."
	At the end of the hall was another closed door. When Devon opened
it, Britt saw the large "master bedroom". Out of this world, was the only
way he could describe the room. On one side was a giant walk in closet, and
next to it was the "master bath". It was much larger than the one off the
hall.
	"Wow, look at that tub," Britt grinned. He pointed to the big
sunken tub in the middle of the room.
	"Yeah, water jets and all," Devon said. "You will have to come over
and try it out real soon."
	"You can count on it."
	They went into each other's arms, and neither one spoke for a
time. No words were needed to express their feelings. Finally Britt pulled
back. "I'm so happy for you, Dev. I'm glad you are finally getting your own
life. I am sorry it has upset your parents the way it has, but at the same
time, I'm really glad for you."
	"For us," Devon corrected. "Don't you see it will afford us the
chance to spend more time together?"
	"I know, and I'm sure your mother will be so thrilled."
	"Yeah, well, she's just going to have to get a grip and accept the
fact things are going to be the way they are."
	"Maybe she will," Britt agreed. He didn't want Devon to get down,
so thought it best to lighten things up a bit, perhaps even change the
subject. He asked, "I'm going to call it quits at noon tomorrow. If I get
an early start in the morning, I will be finished and ready to help you
unpack."
	"Good. The movers are going to be there at noon to load the moving
van. They should be here around two or a little after."
	"I think I will meet you here if that's all right with you. I don't
think your mother would appreciate me showing up at her home."
	"Not that I care, but to save you from being dumped on, that would
probably be best. I have everything packed that I intend to bring over
here. She's not too happy about it, but I'm bringing most of the furniture
that has been in my living quarters."
	"Guess you could have started with all new things," Britt teased.
	"I could have, but I like the things I have."
	"Hey, that's good enough for me."
	"I'm glad I have your approval," Devon teased.
	"Oh, I approve of you in every way possible, Devon McKenzie. You
can count on that."
	They walked through the apartment one last time before Devon took
Britt home. He pulled in the drive, and Britt invited him inside.
	"I would love to," Devon answered, "but I think we both have a big
day tomorrow, and perhaps I should head home for tonight. Besides, I still
have a couple of things to take care of."
	"I thought you were finished," Britt reminded.
	"For the most part, I am. "I have maybe half an hour tops of
packing left to do. That's all," he finished.
	"Good, I'll see you tomorrow. When I wind things down, I'll give
you a call just to touch base with you, and see where you are. Night, Dev."
Britt reached over and gave the man a kiss. "See you in the morning."
	He stepped back from the car and watched as Devon backed out of the
drive. He stood there until the tail lights had disappeared from
sight. Then he turned and walked inside the house.
	As he closed and locked the door behind him Britt heard his
mother's voice call from the living room. "Britt?"
	"Who else are you expecting?" he answered.
	"I thought maybe you'd be much later," Catherine remarked.
	Britt shook his head and said, "Hadn't planned on a late evening,
Mom. I need to hit the road early in the morning. I want to take off at
noon and help Devon with his moving."
	"May I ask you something, Britt?" his mother asked.
	Britt took a seat beside his mother. "Anything, Mom," he answered.
	"Are things becoming serious between you and Devon?"
	"I'm not sure. I know we like each other and we enjoy spending time
together. Other than that, for now, I'm really not sure."
	"I enjoyed having him here for dinner this evening."
	"I think the feeling was mutual," he assured her. "I think Devon
believes you are everything a mother should be, and everything his mother
is not."
	"Elaine McKenzie is a different duck all right," Catherine
agreed. "However, to give her a little credit, I don't imagine it has been
easy for her. At least not in her younger days," she added.
	"Why do you say that, Mom?"
	"Well, not that I know first hand, but I would think growing up
surrounded by the money and all power she's had to deal with, life hasn't
always been the easiest for her."
	"She certainly seems to thrive on it now, though."
	"Money doesn't make a person happy. I have never thought Elaine was
ever truly happy."
	"I would probably have to agree with you there," Britt remarked
thoughtfully. "I certainly know that Devon has not been very happy most of
his entire life."
	"That is why I am grateful the two of you have found each other. I
think you are good for each other."
	"I do enjoy spending time with him; that I know for certain."
	"Good." Catherine stood to her feet. "Guess I'll be heading for bed
now. It's going to be busy day for me tomorrow as well. Night, Britt."
	"Night, Mom. I love you."
	"Love you, too," she smiled.
	After she had disappeared down the hall into her bedroom, Britt
remained in the living room. His thoughts kept returning to Devon McKenzie,
and he began thinking about how important the man had become to him. What
he had told his mother had been the truth. He did enjoy spending time with
Devon, and he was fairly sure Devon felt the same way. Britt thought about
their two lives and how different they were. Devon's life was here in
Porterville, and Britt had a life in the city. How would that work out, he
wondered? There were a lot of miles between the two.
	Reaching no conclusions, Britt headed to bed. He decided that what
or if anything ever worked out between the two of them, time would have to
work it out. For now, at least, they were living in the same town, so
perhaps that would do for a start.