Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2003 02:15:45 -0700 From: luvyngcks@hotmail.com Subject: Lil Dude Chapter 19 Legal Notice: The following story may contain descriptions of graphic sexual acts. These acts may be between boys, men or between a man and a boy. Just a reminder to all readers, this is a work of pure FICTION with no basis in reality, and is intended for reading by mature readers of the age of majority in the governing jurisdiction of your residence. The author, or his designee, retains copyright to this story. There may be no reproducing or distribution of this story without expressed written consent. Lil Dude --- Chapter 19 "Dude, what part of NO don't you understand?" Jared was really starting to lose it. "Hey chill, I just thought..." Jon was arguing. "The word No requires no thought!" Jared cut Jon off mid sentence. "He said he didn't want to do it...that equals NO!" "Yeah, well you didn't complain when I had my cock up your ass." Jon fired back. "Yeah well I happen to enjoy getting fucked once in a while, but he doesn't. He's not ready for it and that's HIS decision. He just said NO. COMPRENDE? (UNDERSTAND?)" Jared was this close to his fist making contact with Jon's jaw. "ENOUGH you guys." Dustin wasn't mincing words, his tone of voice and demeanor expressed even more than his words. "Jon sex with any of us, and in this home is consensual only. No one forces anyone to do anything they don't want to. If that's so hard for you to understand then you ought to go ahead and take off right now." He was thoroughly pissed with Jon. "Fuck all of you, if that's the way you want it. I'm out of here. You guys are fuckin' nuts." Jon got off the bed, pulled on his pants and shirt, grabbed his underwear, socks and shoes in one hand and went out the bedroom door slamming it behind him with the other. The guys heard the exterior door to their wing of the house slam shut just moments later. Jared looked over to Dustin and said he was sorry but he wasn't going to let that 'a'hole force Steve into something he wasn't ready for. Steve said he was sorry, that is was all his fault for wanting to try the four-way when Jon suggested it. Dustin told them it was neither one of their faults. It was Jon's fault for being an insensitive, inconsiderate and selfish asshole. Jared said he was sorry if it was going to be a problem with Dustin and Jon's relationship. "Bro, do you really think I want a relationship with a creep that treats people that way? Even if I didn't know Steve and care about him as a good friend, I wouldn't stand by and watch Jon do what he did. I've seen some of this coming but just let it go. Tonight, was something I couldn't just let go." Hurting inside, not so much because his time with Jon had come to an end, but because Jon was such an asshole and Dustin finally woke up to that fact. He had just shared his brutal awakening with these two. A shaken Dustin started to get up off the bed to go back to his own room. Sulking was best done in private. "Where ya goin' Bro?" Jared was worried. "I should go on back to my own bed now." Dustin answered him with a sullen tone to his voice. "Naw, you ain't going anywhere Bro. You're staying right here with us, hunh Baby?" Jared looked over to Steve for backup support. "Yeah. Dustin we really don't want you to go anywhere. Please stay here with us tonight." After what had just happened Steve didn't want Dustin to be alone right now either. "You guys sure you want me to stay? I mean I can understand if you don't. I should just go." Dustin really didn't want to be alone now either, but he didn't want to be where he wasn't really comfortable either, especially after what had just happened. Jared and Steve both grabbed a hold of Dustin's arms and pulled him back down on the bed and he melted in their embrace. "You're not going anyplace Bro." Jared brushed a kiss to Dustin's cheek. Both Jared and Steve held him in their embrace tightly and lovingly between them. Dustin began to cry. It wasn't a 'cry me a river' sob, more like a 'little kid that has stubbed his toe' whimpering. Steve nor Jared spoke; they just patted and soothed Dustin to let him get it all out. The tears and sighs mellowed while Dustin allowed himself to find comfort in the hug of those that really loved him. Jared was the last to fall asleep. He laid there watching Dustin's sleeping face. As self-appointed guardian of his brother's heart, Jared was thinking how much this beautiful guy sandwiched between he and his lover meant to him. After all they had been through together, Jared was so glad he had Dustin for his brother. A smile filled his face before slumber over took his consciousness. That smile radiated from his heart and deep into his sleep. Sunlight was just filtering into the kitchen while Mom was cooking breakfast. She had a big skillet of chiliquiles (a tortilla, egg and salsa scramble) very slowly cooking on top of the stove and a big bowl of fresh-cut fruit m‚lange chilling in the refrigerator. It would all be ready to serve her brood of strapping young men upon their awakening. Coffee had been brewed for several minutes and was just waiting for the first of her sleepy heads to join her in the kitchen for a cup. She looked around again and was pleased that the caterers had left the kitchen so clean last night. Checking the progress of the chiliquiles, she turned the burner down as low as it would go. After pouring herself a cup of coffee she slid open the sliding glass door to the terrace. Mom walked out onto the terrace for a moment to take a look at her garden. Exchanging comments about the party last night, wearing only their boxers and tee shirts, Derrick and James entered the kitchen. They smelled and saw Mom's early morning labors. Each one getting a cup of coffee they saw the open door and joined her on the terrace. "Ah, Buenos Dias (Good Morning) Mijo y Segundo." "Good Morning Mom." Their combined voices echoed as they approached her to give her a morning group hug. "Looks like you have been a busy little bee already." James was smiling in anticipation of tasting Mom's breakfast. "It's just a quickie." Mom replied. "A 'QUICKIE' hunh?" James tauntingly teased her answer. "Mijo, get your mind out of the gutter. Honestly, you boys are just too much at times." Mom launched into her melodious laughter, Dustin and James laughing along with her. "What's so funny?" Jorge asked as he and Danny walked out onto the terrace, both were wiping the remnants of the sandman's deposits from their eyes. On hearing Jorge's voice, Mom, James and Dustin turned around to greet them. "Oh, Good Morning Mijitos. Nothing, your dad was being a nasty boy was all. He wants me to wash his mouth and brain with a little soap I think." Mom laughed. Even more perplexed by Mom's answer, and still not quite awake, Danny asked if breakfast was ready. He was hungry. "Si Mijito, why don't you go wake up your brothers and tell them breakfast is ready NOW." Mom instructed the younger ones. "Yes Ma'am." Jorge said as he spun around and started for the sliding glass door. "Whoa, wait a minute. Just knock on their doors and tell them breakfast is ready, don't go barging into their rooms. Okay?" Derrick advised them. He was sure the older brothers both had overnight guests and wanted them to have their privacy respected by the younger ones. "Okay, we promise. Come on Danny." Jorge tugged Danny along with him as they entered the kitchen. "I'm sure we'll have a couple of extra guests at the table this morning." Derrick shared with Mom and James. "Yeah. Probably." James agreed. "I made a lot of food so there's no problem. If we need more I can have it ready in no time." Mom quickly chirped her reply. As they were walking back into the kitchen to get things ready to serve their hungry herd James asked, "Where do we want to eat? The terrace or the dining room?" "Mijo, why not the terrace? It's so nice out this morning." Mom offered. "Sounds good to me. I'll set the table." Derrick volunteered. He started pulling silverware out of the drawer, napkins and plates from the cupboards. Loaded down with his hands full, he took them to the table and began to set the places. Derrick made sure there were nine chairs and settings. He was sure this would be the number to turn up for breakfast this morning. Jorge pounded on Dustin's door and yelled that breakfast was ready. He waited but there was no response. Danny knocked on Jared's door and shouted through the closed door that breakfast was ready. Jared answered him with a, "Yeah, we'll be right there lil bro. Thanks." Jorge told Danny there was no answer from Dustin's room. Danny told him that Jared had said THEY would be right there, so maybe Dustin was in Jared's room. They both giggled and left for the kitchen. Their little minds were conjuring visions of all kinds of fun behind that bedroom door last night. "Did you wake your brothers?" James asked them as they returned to the terrace. "I guess." Jorge answered his dad. "What do you mean, you guess?" Derrick questioned his obscure answer. "Well, ugh...there wasn't any answer from Dustin's room. But Jared said they would be right here when we knocked on his door." Jorge was giggling as he replied. "Oh, okay." Puzzled, Derrick raised his eye brows, surmising something more had happened last night. He looked at James and James returned the same puzzled expression. "You guys go on ahead and sit down. We'll wait until your brothers get here before we start to eat though. Remember, you have to get cleaned up and dressed right after eating so we can get you to the church for your Catechism class." James reminded the younger ones. "Morning everyone." Jared greeted them all as he walked out onto the terrace followed by Steve with Dustin pulling up the rear. Clad in their boxers and tee shirts, they all greeted Mom with a kiss to her cheek. She smiled and glowed with each peck. "Mornin' guys. Did you all sleep well last night?" James inquired of the late arrivals. "Yeah, we slept okay." Jared responded not knowing what to really answer. "Good. Sit down then. Breakfast is ready. We've just been waiting on you guys." Derrick directed them to their seats with a nod. As they sat down to the table the redness of Dustin's eyes was very obvious. Derrick's fatherly concern kicked in seeing this. "Lil Dude? You want to say Grace for us this morning please?" Derrick asked while not taking his eyes off of Dustin. "Okay." Jorge bowed his head, "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Bless us oh Lord for these Thy gifts for which we are about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of..." Finishing by making a second Sign of the Cross on his little chest, Jorge had led the others in their morning blessing of the breakfast. "Thank you Mijito." Mom said. "You're welcome." Jorge was sharing that famous broad smile of his as he unfolded his napkin onto his lap and reached for the fruit bowl. When it came to food this little guy wasted no time. He spooned some onto his plate and then put a large spoonful on Danny's plate before passing the bowl. "Are you okay Son?" Derrick was still looking directly at Dustin. "I'm okay Pops." His answer and facial expression said otherwise to Derrick and the others though. Derrick decided he would wait until James took the younger guys to the church. He would then pull Dustin aside to find out if there was anything he could do to help him. "WOW! Mom, this is great!" Jorge complimented Mom on her delicious breakfast masterpiece. "Can you teach me how to make it sometime?" "Gracias (thank you) Mijito. Si claro (of course). The next time I cook it I will teach you. It's very easy. Ask your Dad. I taught him how to make it when he was a young boy." Flashing a broad smile, Mom was looking forward to passing on her culinary talents to Jorge, just as she had so many times before to so many of the others in her care. Jorge was so sincere in his interest that she would enjoy it this time again. "Dad, you can cook this too?" Jorge asked James. "He can, but it doesn't taste as good as Mom's when he does." Danny didn't give James the opportunity to reply. Danny's response was too quick and honest, and beat out his dad's reply and ego. "Well thanks a lot squirt. I'll remember that one." James was just as quick to fire back to Danny with an evil grin and menacing pretend frown. "I didn't mean it that way, well you... You know what I mean Dad." Danny was twitching in his chair and stammering with discomfort over his blunder. An outburst of laughter followed his very uncomfortable attempt to smooth it over. "Thank you Mijito." Mom smiled at Danny and laughed again joining the others. An hour later Mom was loading the dishwasher with the breakfast dishes. Jared had left to take Steve back home. James was leading the young guys out the door to the car to drop them off at the church. Derrick walked up to Mom. "Mom, I'm going to go talk with Dustin and see if I can find out what has happened." "Good, he doesn't look too well Segundo. I'm a little worried about him." Mom was wondering what was going on inside Dustin's head or was it his heart, this morning. "Thank you for the wonderful breakfast Mom, Jorge was right it was delicious." Derrick gave Mom a peck on the cheek and grabbed his cup of coffee as he turned to leave the kitchen. "It looks like it's probably a matter of the heart. Dustin will be okay." "Thank you Segundo and you are most welcome." Mom blushed at the compliment as was her habit. "I hope that is all it is with him." She closed the door to the dishwasher and turned it on, looking out the window she saw her downtrodden grandson lost in thought. A frown of grandmotherly concern crossed her brow. Derrick went out onto the terrace and walked over next to where Dustin was seated on one of the chaises. "Okay if I sit down here with you Son?" Derrick's voice was soft and gentle as he slowly sat down on the chaise across from Dustin. "Sure Pops." Dustin was a little slow to answer he was lost somewhere else in his own world's concerns. Derrick opened the opportunity for Dustin if he was up to it, "Do you want to talk?" Dustin waited a very pregnant moment before answering. "I don't know Pops if I can." "Well if you do, or need to, you know I am here for you. I've got some big ears and some broad shoulders. And they are available to you anytime Son." Dustin quietly began to cry. James set his coffee mug on the table next to him, got up from the chaise he was seated on and moved over to the chaise where Dustin was seated and sat down next to him. He put his arms around Dustin and Dustin went limp in his pop's embrace. "Go ahead and get it out sweetheart. Tears help cleanse the hurts. It's okay." Derrick just held his dear son, patting and rubbing him on the back and feeling tears welling up in his own eyes. One of his boys was hurting, so naturally he was hurting also. Derrick was thinking, more like silently praying, "God, help me to help my son. Please." "He was such an asshole Pops." Dustin got out between sobs. "Why do I always wind up with such lousy guys? How old do I have to be before I find a nice guy?" "I take it Jon is the asshole in the sum of things here?" "Yeah. He is." "Well Son, first off, there is no magical age that all of a sudden you can read people with complete accuracy. As far as boy friends and partners go, all I can tell you is, we all feel our way along the romance trail. It's like that path is marked in Braille, you have to feel your way along. There is no bright shining beacon lighting the way to Mr. Right, Son. We all stumble occasionally along the way. Some assholes we encounter turn out to be small obstacles along that path. They enable us to recognize the negative characteristics later on though. When they rear their ugly heads again we know what to expect. And when the nice guys do come along, we appreciate them all the more for being as nice as they are." "In the meantime, you have your family, you have your friends and you have your older brother. We are all here for you." Derrick gave Dustin a tight hug and gentle kiss on his cheek. "Second, you don't always wind up with lousy guys. I wouldn't call your brother a lousy guy. And you know he loves you more than anyone in the world." "That's not the same though Pops. We're not boyfriends or partners. It's different." "It's different and it's not. It's like your Uncle Max and me. I know that guy loves me to the end of the earth and there is nothing he wouldn't do for me or me for him. Are we lovers or partners? No. But we are more than that. We are brothers to the end. We have seen each other through the best of times and through the worst of times. We are always there for each other. He has seen me through several relationships that went awry." "Yeah, but..." Dustin started a rebuttal. "Wait, let me finish. He was there for me when my first relationship went down the tubes; he was also there when my life partner, Miguel, died. I literally wanted to die then too. It seemed there was no reason for me to go on living when my heart's greater half was physically gone from me forever. Max was the one who shared his love, his strength, his concern and his guidance to bring me around to the living world again. By going on with life, much later I had the great fortune to meet your dad. When we confronted the situation with your dad's health recently and I was so afraid of losing him, Max was the one that was there for me to lean on again." Derrick continued, "I know your dad will always be there for me and I will always be there for him. But I also know Max will always be there to the end for me. That is what you have in Jared. And you two will have that bond through the rest or your lives. I can assure you of that right now. I can see the way he looks at you at times and have seen the way you have taken care of him. You have it already Sweetheart. Was your brother a lousy choice? I sure don't think so. Boyfriends will come along and will go. Mr. Right will appear in your life someday. In the meantime appreciate what you have, what you have learned and look forward to the new opportunities. That's the best any of us can do." "No he wasn't a lousy choice. You're right. Thanks Pops. I love you." Dustin smiled and hugged Derrick back. "And I love you Son." Derrick had hoped his little talk helped some. "What are your plans for the rest of the day today?" "I don't know. I really don't have any I guess." The forlorn expression returned to Dustin's face. "How about you and me go for a little road trip down along the coast, and just chill out for the day?" Derrick would cover it all with James, when he got back from dropping off the boys. "Sound good to you?" "Yeah, I'd like that Pops. But what about everyone else? Won't they be pissed if it's just you and me?" "No, it won't be any problem. I'll talk with Dad when he gets back. I know he'll be fine with it, and he can may even come up with something for the rest of them to do together. It'll be okay. It's okay for Dad or me to spend time with any one of our boys when we want to or need to." "Thanks Pops." "You're so welcome son. Now you go on in and get cleaned up and dressed and we'll take off in a little while. Okay?" "Okay, thanks." Feeling a little better, Dustin gave Derrick another hug and got up and went inside. Derrick sat there thinking, remembering his first romantic heart break. He remembered how earth shattering it was at the time. He also recalled the others that followed, up to and including Miguel's death. He knew his son would recover, but a lot of 'Tender Loving Care' was the prescription for right now. "Damn, I could sure use a cigarette right now." Derrick thought to himself as he sat there. He was two weeks into quitting the habit cold turkey, keeping his promise to Jorge. There were times such as this, that a good long drag of nicotine still appeared to be very appealing. Several weeks later, it was the evening before Mom was going to return to her home in San Francisco. This would be her last return trip there before she moved down here to Long Beach for good. The family was all gathered on the terrace, they had just finished a sumptuous dinner of barbequed ribs with all the traditional fixin's. Now they were allowing the dinner to settle and make room, if that was going to be possible, for the dessert that was to follow. "I'm really excited about moving down here now. It still seems so far away though." Mom was answering a question that Jorge had asked of her during their family discussion. "Yes, it does seem a long way off, but it will give us all time to get everything into place." James added. "It was our good fortune that the Martin's moved from their apartment. It will be so convenient, with that apartment right next door as it is. Everything for the remodel there will be completed before we get all of your things moved down." Derrick chimed in. When Mom first arrived here this last trip, she James and Derrick had a long discussion one evening regarding her move and the living arrangements. James and Derrick had told her that they thought she would be much more comfortable living in her own place, allowing her more privacy and a refuge to escape from the boys. They didn't want her to change her lifestyle to accommodate theirs. In all fairness they wanted her to have her own life and still share in theirs as she so desired. Mom was agreeable to and appreciative of their thoughtfulness. Mom volunteered that she wanted to be with them for all meals, with her doing all the shopping and preparation for the family. She wanted to help out with the younger boys as needed and anything else she could do for the family. Derrick then offered that in return for all that she would be doing for the family it would only be fair if she would accept living in the apartment rent free all utilities included, including the telephone and cable TV. Mom tried to bargain on this one saying that was way too generous, but James and Derrick would have none of it and she eventually caved in. They had known about the vacancy in the apartment next to theirs coming up and had discussed renovations to it that would keep it her private domicile yet give her easy access to the main home. Changes to the interior of the apartment were planned and it was decided that the terrace from that apartment would have access through a gated privacy fence to theirs. There would be a common interior doorway between the two separate homes to allow for comfortable and easy access in inclement weather. During this visit Mom had been introduced to several of the lady members of the Altar Society at Our Lady's by Fathers Mike and Paul. She had also contacted the Dignity chapter and talked with several people there. She was prepared and looking forward to her volunteer activities as soon as she was settled in here. She was proud of her family's lessons and activities at Our Lady and looking forward to all of them attending Mass together regularly and participating in all of the activities at the church. Mom thrived on activity, she craved it and she knew she would find all she could possibly enjoy here surrounded with her loved ones. "Who wants some cheesecake? Mary gave me her recipe and I tried it out today." She knew this was a ridiculous question and laughed even asking it. Multiple "I do's" were heard from every location on that terrace. "Mijitos could you help me?" Directing her plea to Jorge and Danny. "Yes ma'am" they both answered and scampered to her side as she entered the kitchen. "Dad, when is Mom moving down here?" Jared asked James. James answered him, "She's moving here the first of October. She wanted to be in and settled before the holidays get here." "Are we going to help her move all her stuff?" Dustin asked. Derrick answered this one, "Yes, we'll go up there the week before and help her pack, then rent a moving van. We'll load up the van and haul it all down and unload it for her. It will give all of us a chance to see a little of San Francisco together as a family, and take a lot of the load of the move off of Mom." Two angelic waiters appeared on the terrace bearing plates of homemade cheesecake and started distributing them. They made return trips until everyone had a slice of Mom's cheesecake if front of them. Mom asked who wanted what to drink with their dessert. Getting everyone's order, she had the two appointed waiters filling the orders and delivering them. Later that week with Mom now back in San Francisco, life was getting into a fairly smooth routine for the family. Her presence was missed but there was plenty to keep them busy. School was starting for Jorge and Danny next week. There were school clothes and supplies to be purchased, schedules to be rearranged and all the regular day to day needs to be taken care of. James and Derrick were planning out their work schedules to share in the care of the boys before and after school. Paul, Derrick's attorney had been given the go ahead by Max to file the petition with the family court for Jorge's adoption. Interviews had been conducted, all the background checks had been completed, all the medical reviews had been done and now all the cogs of the family court were to be set into motion. Derrick and Jorge were on cloud nine with this news. The rest of the family was just as ecstatic. Reflecting on events, James was so glad he had accepted the transfer to Long Beach. He loved his new job and coworkers. He had a wonderful life partner now and a fantastic family. Danny was the happiest he had ever seen him. James was considering the idea that Derrick had tossed to him the other evening though. Derrick had told James he wanted to get someone on board with his company with a strong business and computer acumen to electronically facilitate the various responsibilities of the real estate investment, development and management departments within the company. And then possibly sell that service to others in the trade and eventually spin that department off into its own entity. He wanted to know if James would be interested in the position, that he would basically be his own boss as he developed and grew the department. James was very seriously mulling this over. A position like this, is one he had dreamed of for quite some time. His only concern was how this might have an impact on his and Derrick's relationship. Derrick didn't seem to think it would, but James needed to feel more secure with it before making his final decision. Derrick had been getting very involved with a new project, residential loft redevelopment in downtown Long Beach. This was now his new pet project. The renovations and rebuilds from the earthquake were either completed or close to completion. And he welcomed this new venture. With a growing population seeking the new 'City Living Lifestyle', and all the urban redevelopment springing up all over Southern California, Derrick had committed a strong interest and participation in that market. The company now had about a six square block area of downtown that it was up to its elbows with developing the residential lofts and the leasing of them. So far it was paying off far better than Derrick had ever imagined it would. The first week of school was a fairly smooth transition for the family. The boys were pleased with their teachers, new classes, their classmates and their new friends. James and Derrick had adapted their work schedules so one or the other was there for the boys at all times before or after school. The weekly routine for the family now involved school, some school related activities, catechism classes for the younger boys, adult membership classes for the older guys, attending a couple of Dignity functions, Sunday Mass, and still some time for surfing. An occasional doctor or dental appointment, parents' night at school or family outing would provide breaks in the routine. Jared and Steve were still growing closer as time moved on. Steve was almost a permanent member of the family now. He was at their house more than his own. Dustin was dating on a regular basis, but no one special guy was in the picture for him as of yet. Jared and Steve spent a lot of time with Dustin attending movies and concerts together. All three of them had enrolled in an evening self defense course that was offered at City College. Between their participation in the classes and their workouts on the new home gym equipment the boys now had in their rooms and on the terrace, and their surfing, their bodies were becoming sculpted into young living replicas of Adonis himself. The time for Mom's big move had crept up on them quicker than they had all expected. The apartment's renovations were all finished and ready for her arrival. The older guys had arranged time off from their work with Max. James and Derrick had cleared their schedules at work and made arrangements for the younger boys to get time off from their schooling with home study and homework assignments to keep them up to pace with their classes during their absence. It was now time to make the big trip to San Francisco to pick up Mom and her belongings and relocate her to her new home here in Long Beach. They packed what clothing and essentials they would need for the week, the boys' school assignments, and with a lot of excitement hit the road. The older guys took their truck and James, Derrick and the younger guys rode in James SUV. The caravan meandered the freeway system through Los Angeles and through the San Fernando Valley, to the 'One O One' Highway; they had decided to take the coastal route north for the scenic opportunities. And then they'd return home via Interstate Five South through the Central Valley for the sake of time. They pulled off the highway at Pismo Beach to savor some of the world renown Clam Chowder for lunch. The shame of this was that few clams are harvested at Pismo any longer because of over fishing of them in the past. Now the clams that were served in the restaurants there were mostly imported from Mexico. However, the chowder was still just as fantastic; and the setting was a nice break from the long ride. After the lunch they all went for a short walk on the beach. The younger boys had their pictures taken with Mr. and Mrs. Clam, an older retired couple that dressed in outlandish costumes as clams and spent their days walking around the town and beach bringing joy to the kids and great PR for the town with the adult tourists. It was time to get back into the cars and continue on the journey. A short while later they pulled into a very nice motel in Cambria, where they would spend the night. The next morning they were going to visit and take a tour of the Hearst Castle just a few miles north in San Simeon, before continuing the journey to San Francisco. The motel they were staying at was right on the beach. There were fire pits with concrete seating provided around them for enjoyment of the beach after dark. The rooms all had wood burning fireplaces in them and sliding glass doors to balconies that overlooked the beach. After unpacking in the motel rooms, they went next door to a very nice restaurant and had a delicious family style dinner. After dinner they went out and walked along the beach for a short time then settled on some seats by one of the fire pits that was ablaze with warmth. The setting couldn't have been more inviting. The sound of the waves crashing on shore and the crackling of the fire, the salty mist in the air, the smells of the salt air and the wood burning in the pit melded into a moment to never be forgotten. An almost mystical mood came over all of them. They talked a little, laughed a little, but mostly they just enjoyed the moment of being together in this special place at this special time. The next afternoon on the drive to San Francisco the boys were all astir talking about what all they had seen on the tour of the castle and grounds that morning. They settled down as they reached the city limits of San Francisco. Danny began recognizing familiar sights and pointing them out to Jorge. They neared the Mission District and James said they were just about there. It was a good thing Danny was buckled in with his seat belt the way he was fidgeting all over the place with excitement. James turned onto a small residential street and a few houses up he turned into a driveway of a small bungalow style home. Danny would have been out of that car like a rocket if he hadn't had a hard time unfastening the seat belt in all of his excitement. The older guys pulled in behind us and parked. Mom opened the front screen door and with a big smile on her face rushed out to give them all a big hug. After several minutes of hugs and kisses and chatter from the boys sharing their new adventures to Mom; she ushered them inside her small home. They looked around and saw that she already had everything in boxes and ready to load. She told them that she had gotten everything packed and ready to go so they would all have a little time to enjoy the city and some sight seeing without any hurry before loading up everything for the move south. She brought out some homemade lemonade to quench their thirsts. She said she had made it this morning over at her neighbor's house because she already had all of her kitchen items packed away in the boxes. Mom shared with them that she had already made reservations for dinner at a famous restaurant on the Wharf. It was to be her treat. James and Derrick tried to object but she would have none of it. She said it was her thank you to them for helping her move. James and Derrick looked at each other and knew better than to try any further debating on the matter. Mom told everyone to get a move on, if they left now there would still be time to see Pier Thirty Nine and all of the Wharf before the dinner reservation. They hopped back in the cars and James drove off in the lead to the Wharf. Finding a reasonably priced parking lot to park the cars, they pulled in and parked. Danny had all of a sudden come to life as tour guide. He was giving the full rundown on everything they were seeing. Jorge had eyes as big as saucers taking it all in. James told Jorge not to worry; he didn't have to see everything this time. They would be back here to visit often and he would eventually see it all. The cool dampness in the air, with the smell of fish underlying the salty fragrance told you this WAS definitely Fisherman's Wharf. For this time of the year, this day of the week and this time of day, it was still crowded with tourists and some locals. Everyone bought souvenirs except Mom, James and Danny. They said they already had enough trinkets from here to remember it by. They arrived at the restaurant about ten minutes or so before the reserved time. James gave the hostess Mom's name. She looked down at the reservation sheet in front of her and said that they were ready for them now if they'd like to be seated. Leading them to a table in front of the large window she seated them in a plush tufted leather horseshoe shaped booth. The restaurant looked very elegant with its dark woods, burgundy colored table cloths, white cloth folded napkins, silverware and sparkling glass wine and water goblets, and candles on all the tables. The hostess handed each of them a menu and told them that the waiter would be with them shortly. She wished them an enjoyable meal and returned to her station at the door. The busboy approached the table with two baskets of warm fresh baked sourdough bread. He returned and filled all of the water glasses. The aroma of the warm bread was absolute heaven and inescapably tempting. James took one basket and offered it to Mom; she broke off a piece and passed it on. Everyone was buttering their warm 'chunks' of San Francisco sourdough when the waiter arrived. He took their cocktail orders, including a Roy Rogers for Jorge and a Shirley Temple for Danny, both with extra cherries, and left for the bar. Everyone scanned the menu for entr‚e selections that looked good to them. Needless to say everyone decided on a seafood item of one sort or another. It would have been an inexcusable travesty to eat here and not order seafood. The waiter returned with their beverages and then took the dinner orders. They ordered a couple of the appetizers to start off their meal. James proposed a toast to Mom, her move and her future life in Long Beach. Glasses clinked and 'Saluds' were exchanged. The waiter returned with their appetizers. They enjoyed the appetizers while sharing the completion of the apartment's projects with Mom. She said she already knew where she was going to put this and that. Mom informed them she was renting her little bungalow home out to one of James' cousins and her husband. They were newlyweds and she knew they would take very good care of the house. James agreed knowing this cousin very well; he had full confidence that they would do so. Mom said that they were so anxious to move in, the husband had already brought over all the paint to paint the interiors and the cousin had already sewn curtains for the entire house. Mom was pleased that the young husband enjoyed gardening so she knew the yard and gardens would continue to be well tended. Her mind was at rest as to the care of her little nest in her absence. At first Mom wanted to sell the place, but James and Derrick encouraged her to hold on to it and rent it out then decide later on if she still wanted to sell it. The dinners arrived. To everyone's pleasure the presentation of the plates, the quantity of food on the plate and the overpowering aromas had every one of them salivating. Danny said Grace and they all began eating. To be continued . . . Personal Note: I would like to sincerely and appreciatively thank all of you for your comments you have taken the time to email to me. I do read every email! I only wish I could reply to each. I cannot just send out a formed reply to each in good conscience that is the reason I try to reply as I am able to. Thank you for understanding, and I do hope you will continue to enjoy this work of fiction. Thank you for your kind encouragements, suggestions and comments. They are taken to heart. My wish for all of you is enjoyable reading and happiness, health, peace and kindness. - D.