Date: Tue, 1 Nov 2011 20:22:23 +0000 (GMT)
From: Andrew Foote <footea81@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Boy on the Towpath 12

BOY ON THE TOWPATH

Chapter XI

This chapter does not feature descriptions of sexual activity but more a
close bonding between an adult male and a young boy. If anything it's
sensual and loving if slightly erotic but if due to the laws of your
country of residence, religion or spiritual beliefs you are not permitted
to access such material then please leave now.

All comments are welcome and will be responded to and these should be
directed to the author.

Andy.

footea81@yahoo.co.uk


I think we both slept soundly. I for one didn't stir and if Tom did, well I
wasn't aware of it.

I glanced up at the clock.  7.15.  The sun was filtering through the blinds
and I could feel the humidity on the boat rising already to the point where
despite last night's shower, I was in need of another one.  Tom slept on
and he was a pleasure to watch!  He looked so young and vulnerable yet
poised and calm. Yet again the need to hold him tight and protect him from
the inevitable was all but overwhelming but I forced myself away.  We had
time enough for that.  Today was of paramount importance to all of us and
HAD to go well for all our sakes.

Following my shower, I laid out the clothes for later on and made some
tea. I didn't want to wake Tom too soon as there was nothing much to do
until such time as we left for the church.  The weather forecast on the TV
was for a fine and settled day so that at least would be cheerful even if
nothing else was.  I wondered how Janet would be feeling because as hard as
I tried, I could feel no excitement only a kind of sadness that it had come
to this, an `arranged' marriage, not in the accepted sense of the word but
arranged none the less.  I cast my mind back to David's words.  "All
weddings are joyous occasions." And I hoped to God he was right and that I
could pull myself up when the time came.

I sat at the table with my head resting on my folded arms and I must have
drifted off briefly as I felt Tom's hand on my back bringing me back to
reality.

"Are you okay Stu?"

"Sorry pal I was miles away. Yes I'm alright."

"You don't sound very happy?"

"I just wish things could have been different, that's all."

"The wedding? You're not happy about it, are you."

"Like I said, I wish circumstances were different."

"I'm happy you and mum are getting married and I know mum is as well so you
should be too."

"You're right. I'll be okay once the time comes. Honest."

We ate a light breakfast, Tom showered and we both got dressed in our
finery.  The taxi arrived twenty minutes before we were due at the church,
arriving there ten minutes before the event.

It was odd just the two of us being there along with David's wife and the
verger and still I was having to fight hard to supress tears and I was so
afraid that I wouldn't be able to sustain it but just as the clock ticked
around to the allotted hour, suddenly the church started to fill with
people. People from my past, most of which I hadn't seen in years all of
them waving to me as they took their places!  Then another crowd of people
arrived, none of which I knew but guessed they were friends of Janet.  Tom
recognised his head teacher and his maths teacher plus his young friend
Paul but I couldn't get my head around how they'd all found out?  Sure Jan
could have told her own friends and acquaintances but mine? Then the penny
dropped!  Maggi. It had to be Maggi!  I'd invited her and she'd offered the
use of her Alvis as a wedding car and during that conversation, I'd voiced
my concerns about the service being a forlorn affair and now I wondered
just how much of what I'd said she'd taken on board. But my thoughts were
suddenly interrupted as the organ struck up announcing Jan's arrival.

I was nervous, really nervous! I wanted to turn around and look at her but
I resisted however Tom didn't.

"Oh wow Stu? Mum looks lovely!"

I swallowed hard in an attempt to keep my emotions in check but this time
it wasn't the feelings of sadness but more now a mixture of love, pride and
happiness that stabbed at my heart.

Jan moved to my left side and we looked each other and smiled!  She looked
incredible! Ten years had been knocked off her and she genuinely looked
happy and relaxed!

A normal wedding service for the most part but David's talk was indeed very
special.

"I would very much like to congratulate Janet and Stuart on taking their
vows of marriage this afternoon and I pray God that their life together
will be happy and fulfilling.  Also I would like to pay tribute to other
very splendid people who have played a very special part in facilitating
everything that makes this perhaps the single most rewarding service I've
ever conducted and the single most pleasurable.

Our best man! Young Tom has done a sterling job in supporting Stu and
despite his tender years, has conducted himself with a maturity far beyond
that and now I can fully understand the love that Jan has for her son and
more especially, the love that Stu has for him and I KNOW that no matter
whatever the future brings, he will nurture and grow in a very loving
environment.

Over the last week or so, it has been my privilege to spend many hours with
one particular lady.  Whilst we don't share the same faith, she is without
doubt the most fascinating person I've met in many years and our
conversations reminded me of a visit I once made to Tibet where I fortunate
to spend some days talking to and learning from a Buhdest priest.  A very
leaned man who exuded a calmness and dare I say, an understanding of people
that I've never experienced since. That is until I met Maggi.

Stu, you must know that it is because of this remarkable lady that so many
of your friends and acquaintances are here to celebrate with you today and
whilst I know you have learnt a lot from her recently, you are not alone as
I too have gained an insight into things I once dismissed as imponderable.

I know that it's not normal practice at a wedding to applaud but this is no
normal wedding ceremony!  Please ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause
to these fine people, Stu and Janet and also to Tom and Maggi."

The church erupted with the clapping of hands and wolf-whistles!  I think
that all three of us standing in front of the alter were completely
overcome and just as the applause was dying down, I took hold of both Jan
and Tom and held them both in a tender embrace.  If the first round of
clapping wasn't loud enough, the roof was almost lifted off the building
with the second!

We walked, all three of us down the aisle wiping away tears of pure
happiness and joy!  David had been proved right after all!

Many photographs later and we headed for Maggi's car and away to the
vicarage and the reception.

I don't recall much of a conversation on that short trip. I think that the
whole thing had blown us away but as we turned into the driveway of the
vicarage, we were met by another surprise.  A massive marque had been
erected in the gardens complete with waiting staff holding trays of drinks.

"What on earth...?"

"Stu I don't know! But who paid for all this?"

"I've no idea but you bet your socks I'll find out! Nobody is going to be
out of pocket on our behalf!"

"Do you know what you just said?"

"Um, what did I say?"

"On OUR behalf silly! That one small comment has truly made this day one of
the happiest of my life and you know why? It's because you actually feel
that we're a couple!"

"But, `MRS' Cavanagh! We are! What's more, we're a family and a very
special one!"


Chapter twelve ends.

I'm gob-smacked!

I didn't know what to expect when I first set out on this journey,
especially as sex wasn't the driving force behind the storyline.

To date, I've received almost 1100 emails and whilst I promise to reply to
all of them it's taking time but this I will say to all who have taken the
time both to read my stuff and contact me, a very big `thank you'.

I'm humbled in the extreme and I hope in some small way, you take some of
it away with you.

Andy.