Date: Sat, 12 May 2001 22:49:03 -0700 (PDT)
From: Zane Green <ZaneG7@excite.com>
Subject: FIRES-5

Copyright Notice: the author copyrights this story and the author retains
all rights. Expressly prohibited is placing this story at a for pay site. It
is a fantasy, and is not about anyone real. It has minor characters, and is
intended only for a mature audience. None of the characters are based on
real people. They all grew up in my imagination. Comments are very welcome
and appreciated at ZaneG7@excite.com Flames will go up in smoke. I want to
thank T for inspiring the good stuff I write, when it is good, still working
on it.


Fires  by:Zane Hunter-Green Part 5

                                                     1.
I had not stirred those ashes for a long time. Because of Hank I had been
able to live a constructive life. It never amazed me more that he was just
as happy to cuddle with me. He also got me enrolled into school, and many a
night we would fall asleep with him helping me with my algebra. Instead of
telling me I was so pretty, he would tell me that I was smart and I was
going to make the world a better place. Everyday during the five years that
I lived with him he would thank the lord that I was sent to him. I will
never forget as long as I live that motorbike ride to freedom. At first I
didn't know what he was going to do to me, he was a physically large man,
and I had still been a small boy. Several blocks away he stopped the bike
and he told me that he wanted to have a talk.

"Do you have a home or family because if you do I'm taking you home."

"No, my mother is dead, she's all the family that I ever had."

"What's your name child?"

"Shane."

"Well Shane then, I reckon you can be mine if you want. You can give me a
trial period and see if I pass. I will tell you now that I do not expect
anything from you."

"What do you mean?"

"I will take care of you and in return what ever happens between us is up to
you. I will respect you and love you without strings attached."

"Wow."

"I'm saying wow. I always wanted a boy to take care of. I never expected to
find such a nice one though. Welcome Shane, now hang on we are riding home."


For the first time in two years I feel asleep with a protector. Hank was
better than his words. I found out that it was by coincidence that he had
even been at that party that night, as he didn't really know anyone. He had
been appalled when I arrived, and was going to leave, but he had a feeling
that he could help me out. He had stayed to rescue me.

He loved me. I was number one in his life, and he gave me a world of camping
trips, baseball games, fishing, and the magic of fire. I missed him
everyday, but sometimes I felt him with me it was odd. When we lost one in
the fire I would feel a gray shadow. It was Hank saying, "Don't worry, Shane
you'll save one in the next fire. There will always be another fire to prove
that you are the one who makes the difference. You will always be my
greatest boy!"

                                                        2.

I could sense him now, and he was saying that now I had my own boy. It was
time. We pulled into Wall King. I parked the car and Noh scooted out. First
we had a breakfast. The special was hotcakes, and eggs. We were both
starving. It wasn't until I had my second cup of coffee and he another milk
that we talked.

"So lets see, we need to get you two swim suits, a few pairs of jeans and
shorts, several tee-shirts and a sweater. That shouldn't be hard to find."

"I don't have any money."

"Well I do, lets see and beach shoes, socks, and ah are briefs okay, I know
that I wear boxers but..."

"They're fine, you want to get me something sexier than briefs"

"No! And let's see you'll need beach shoes and sneakers, and some stuff for
fun. Let me pay the bill and we'll go shopping."

"Shane, you're making this like Christmas."

"It's Christmas in July! Let's go!

Less than an hour later we were loading our bags into the SUV. I had one
very happy boy who was playing with a yo-yo. I would have thought he wanted
electronic games, but he was the type of kid who liked traditional toys. He
was beside himself when I got Frisbees and stuff for beach volleyball. I
knew we were going to have a good time!