Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 19:18:09 -0700
From: luvyngcks@hotmail.com
Subject: Lil Dude  Chapter 3

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.

Personal Note:

I would like to sincerely and appreciatively thank all the readers for
their comments and compliments they have taken the time to email to me. Due
to the great number received I am sorry that I can no longer respond to
them all and still have the time to write the story's continuation.  Thank
you for understanding, and I do hope you will continue to enjoy this work
of fiction.  Wishing all of you enjoyable reading, happiness, health and
kindness to all. - D.


Lil Dude   Chapter 3
The Second Night     The Night of Truth

      As much as I was enjoying all this, reality was sinking in about
future responsibilities.  Yes, I could probably really enjoy sharing sex
with this adorable kid, and he would probably have a good time with it too.
But there is a lot ahead of us now that we will have to work out and
sharing sex would complicate, and maybe compound problems all out of
proportion. We can still show affection for one another, but we have to do
it without the sexual contact is all.

      "Okay lil dude, we gotta cut this out, that's enough, okay?  I know
you're curious, but we can't do this anymore.  I know you are enjoying it,
and yes, I enjoy it too, but we just can't.  I hope you'll understand why?"
I will have to keep setting boundaries for him and myself or things will
get screwed up for the relationship that will have to be established now,
and I don't want things to get out of hand.  "We have to show our affection
for each other with hugs and kisses, but leave the sexual touching out from
now on, okay?  We can always talk about any questions you have or anything
on your mind about sex anytime, but we can't experiment with each other."

      "Yea, I understand Derrick.  I'm sorry, I know what you said earlier,
but I just kinda just forgot."

      "That's cool.  I don't want you to feel bad about it or think I don't
care about you lil dude, cause I really do.  I just don't want you for just
a sex partner is all.  I want you to enjoy grow up exploring with other
guys, hopefully closer to your own age, and I want to enjoy sex with guys
closer to my own age. I think we might be more comfortable then.  It'll be
clearer for you after we all talk some more later on."  I looked into his
eyes to make sure he was getting this. "Just know this, you are already
important to me, and I already care very much about you and your happiness.
I don't want you to feel guilty or bad about it.  Sex should always be a
good experience for you."

      "Max won't be here for another four hours or so. So what do you say
if we go to the beach for a little while and cool down some?  How's that
sound to you?"  I thought it time to change the subject and change the
scenery, to get out of this apartment for a while.  It would do us both
good to get some fresh salt air and exercise.

      "That's sounds cool Derrick.  Can we go in the water too?"  He was so
excited; he lit up like a star.

      "Sure we can go in the water.  What's going to the beach if you don't
check out the water?  Let's get these clothes back on and I'll grab some
towels, and then we'll hit the sand and surf dude.  We'll drive down in the
car since you don't have anything with you to really walk in easily.  When
we get there you won't have to worry about any shoes.  But I'll take along
the flip flops for you also just in case."

      We went into the bedroom, I grabbed my wallet and keys and made sure
I had the cell phone.  We walked into the hall to the linen closet to grab
some towels and then went on our way through the apartment.  We left out
the front door making sure it was locked and closed behind us, and started
walking through the complex toward the garages.  As we passed the apartment
next door to mine we saw that new tenants were moving in.  No sign of the
new tenants, but the movers sure were busy bringing in all the furniture.
I made a mental note that I'd have to remember to go next door later this
week and introduce myself to them.  We reached the garage and I pressed the
button on my keychain remote to open the door. As it opened Jorge spotted
the surfboard leaning against the wall.
  His eyes about popped out of his head.

      "Derrick, is that cool board yours?  Do you surf?"

      "Yea, it's mine.  Sure, I surf; I have since I was about your age.
Do you surf?"

      "No, I never have, but I wanna learn how to someday."

      "Well one of these days maybe we will see about teaching you to."

      "You mean that?  That would be so cool!  When?

      "Yea, I mean that.  I don't know, one of these days soon
though. We'll see."

      We got into the car and as I was backing out of the garage, the cell
phone rang.  I answered it and it was Max again.  He was telling me he was
meeting with Jorge's parents when they both got home this evening and he
would probably be here at the apartment later than he had originally
thought. I told him that was fine, that I hoped everything went smoothly,
he said he did too.  I told him we would see him whenever he got here.

      "That was Max again.  He said he would probably be here to talk with
us around eight thirty or nine tonight.  It looks like we can grab a pizza
before heading back to the apartment when we're finished at the beach.
Would that be okay with you?  Do you like pizza?"  I knew that was probably
a stupid question, almost all boys his age love pizza.

      "I love pizza.  I like everything on it except for those little fishy
things."

      "Anchovies?"  I laughed. "I don't really like them either."

      "Yeah, yuck, they're nasty."

      We really didn't need to drive to the beach, I mean it was only about
twelve blocks away, but it was still extremely hot out and it would have
been awkward for Jorge walking in those flip flops that far.  We found a
parking space in the lot south of the pier.  Good thing we were getting
here this early in the afternoon, any later after people started getting
off from work and this lot would be full from everyone coming here to park
and cool off before heading to their hot homes for the evening. The nice
thing about today being a week day was that the sand wasn't crowded towel
to towel like it would have been on a weekend day.

      Jorge had his passenger side door open before I even turned off the
engine.  Talk about anxious, he was over the short sand wall dividing the
beach from the parking lot before I was even out of the car.

      "Come on Derrick.  What's taking you so long?"

      "Okay, okay.  I'm coming, I'm coming, hold your horses lil dude.  I
have to feed the meter first, unless you're paying for the parking ticket
that is."  I fed the parking meter a pocket full of quarters and jumped the
sand wall.

      "Last one to the water is a rotten egg."  I challenged him and then
took off toward the water.  He was right behind me all the way.  I barely
made it to the water's edge before him, and then I saw a look in his eye
that tipped me off to give a real quick warning to him.

      "Hey dude, I know what you are thinking and you just better not even
think of doing it.  I've got my wallet, watch and cell phone on me." I was
already becoming intuitive of his thoughts.

    "Oops, I forgot.  I just wanted to cool you off really fast was all
Derrick."  He was giggling and smiling that broad moonbeam smile again.

          "Well, let's see how fast I can cool your little fanny off."  I
grabbed him up in my arms and tossed him into the surf.  He came up soaking
wet from head to toe.  He was laughing his little butt off.

     "That's not fair Derrick."  He giggled.

      "Who ever said things were fair?"  I laughed back at him.  He had no
idea how unfair life was about to become for him, or maybe he already had a
foretaste of it.  But for now, that was all a thousand miles and another
lifetime away for this kid. Right now he was laughing and not having a care
in the world and that was what was important at this moment.  I only hoped
I could keep it that way for him for the next several hours, and do my best
beyond that.

      I went back a ways up on the dry sand and put down the towels, my
sandals and the flip flops all in a pile and then returned to the surf.  He
was still frolicking in the water and having a great time.  He threw
several splashes my way that I returned with fervor and delight.  The water
droplets glistening off this beautiful boy's body and his fantastic smile
threw off an aura of contentment that I hadn't felt in a long time.  It was
a feeling I could bask in forever.

    "Come here lil dude."

      Jorge came on over to me, I hoisted him up on my shoulders and
proceeded to walk along the surfline.

     "You comfortable up there?"

      "Yea, I like this, I can see forever from up here.  This is cool."

      I held his legs to my chest as I just walked along the water letting
it roll and splash over my feet and then it would retreat back to the surf
again.  We walked this way for quite some distance; the pier was becoming
an elevated short line on the horizon in the distance behind us.

      "You wanna head back or keep going?" I broke the silence.

      "Can we keep going?  I like this.  If I'm too heavy for you, you can
let me down now if you want."

      "No, you're not too heavy.  I like this too."  We kept walking, not
saying anything.  He was no weight on my shoulders now, he would never be a
weight on my shoulders, ever, I thought.  We walked another couple of miles
this way, and then I turned around to head back.

      "Derrick?'

      "Yea, lil dude."

      "You can let me down now."

      "Okay."  I bent my head forward and reached both arms above me and
lifted him over my head and lowered him to his feet on the sand.  He
reached over and grabbed my hand.  We held hands while walking, sometimes
swaying our arms as we walked.  We remained quiet, neither of us saying a
word.  He was as comfortable with this as I was, it felt natural.

      We finally arrived where the pile of shoes and towels were.  He broke
loose of our hand holding and rushed into the water again.  I stretched out
a towel and sat Indian style crossed legged just watching Jorge jumping the
waves and listened to the harmony of his giggles blending with the
screeches of the gulls and the soothing sounds of the surf.  I could see
that he loved the surf, sand and sun as much as I did.

      I let him play in the waves for another couple of hours or so and I
was relishing the moments watching him commune with nature.  He came out of
the water and sat down on the towel next to me.
  I grabbed another towel and started drying him off a little.  We sat
there and watched the gulls flocking on the sand.  Every now and then an
inquisitive one would wander over near us checking us out to see if we had
any kind of food with us that he could perhaps abscond with.  Jorge began
tossing bits of broken seashells toward them teasing them, as if it was
food being offered.  We laughed at their antics.  I shared with him that
seagulls were my favorite animal.  He asked me why and I told him that I
guess it was because they were enjoying the beach most of the time, I loved
watching them fly and gliding above the ocean.  They appeared to have a
lighter side to approaching life, almost comical at times.  And I liked the
community they appeared to share with each other within their flocks.  Then
I shared with him that my favorite book was Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
He asked me what the book's story was about, and as we sat there I tried to
tell him as condensed a version as I could that he could still get the gist
of the story.  He said he would like to read it sometime.  I told him I
would get him a copy to keep for his own that he could read.

      We sat there admiring the beautiful yellows, reds and oranges of the
sunset blending into maroons, purples and deep indigo as the sun dipped
below the horizon over the ocean's waves.  We didn't talk but could both
feel the each other's appreciation of what we were viewing and sharing
together.  Even with the sunset and darkness now, the temperature was still
very hot.

      "What do you say we go and get that pizza now?"  I interrupted the
sunset's imposed trance.

      "Sure, let's go."

      We stood up, brushing sand off where it had clung to our bodies.  He
reached down and picked up our towels, I reached down and picked up our
shoes, then we headed across the sand toward the parking lot with my free
arm draped over his shoulder.

      We arrived at the sand wall and each stepped over it.  We got to the
car and shook off any remaining sand, then climbed into the car and I
headed for Luigi's Pizzeria.  Luigi's had the best pizza to be found
anyplace around for miles.  I pulled into their parking lot, found a space
and pulled in and shut off the engine.  We both got out of the car and I
slid on my sandals and tossed Jorge the flip flops.

     I said, "Here, put these on, you'll need them now."

     "Why?"  He asked me.

      "You'll see."

      As we got to the entrance, in the window next to the door was a sign,
the old standard restaurant greeting, "NO SHOES, NO SHIRT, NO SERVICE".  I
looked over at him to see if he had seen the sign and smiled.

      "Okay, now I see."  He smiled back.

      We went inside and were seated.  The nice thing about most
restaurants at the beach was that they were almost all casual atmosphere
and allowed casual beach attire.  The young waiter was right at our table;
he asked if we were ready to order. I asked him to give us a couple of
minutes to decide; he said sure and then asked if he could bring us
something to drink.  Jorge said he wanted a large root beer and I decided
on a large lemonade. The waiter left to get our beverages.  We decided on a
large thin crust combination pizza with everything but those 'nasty little
fishes'.  The waiter retuned with our beverages and asked if we had decided
on what we wanted.  We told him and he left to put our order into the
kitchen.

      "He's kinda cute, Derrick."  Jorge very openly commented in a soft
voice.

      "Yea, he is.  You little horn dog, you."  I laughed.

      "How old do you think he is?" He whispered.

      "I don't know, maybe seventeen or eighteen, not much older though."
I responded as Jorge was amazing me with his sexual acumen.

      We took some good sips of our drinks.  Jorge told me how much he
enjoyed the time at the beach today.  I shared with him how very much I had
also.  He made me promise that we would do it again sometime soon.  I
assured him that we would.  Then he reminded me about the promise to teach
him to surf.  I told him that would be fine but that we would have to drive
farther down the coast for a beach to do that at.  Long Beach did not have
any real wave action due to the breakwaters that were in place because of
the harbor.  We'd have to head to Bolsa Chica or points further south to
find any good surf worthwhile.  I told him of some of my favorite surfing
locations.

      The pizza arrived at our table via the good looking young waiter.  We
both tore into the pizza and had it demolished in no time.  The salt air
and the exercise there at the beach had given us both ravenous appetites.
Jorge commented on how it was the best pizza he had ever tasted.  I told
him I agreed with him and that was the reason that I always came here for
my pizzas.  We finished the pizza and stood to leave.

      "Make sure you leave him a really good tip, cause he was so cute."
Jorge chided.

      "I did, but not because he was good looking, but because his service
was very good."  I answered.

      We got up to the cashier's desk and I paid our check, and then we
went outside.  It was still scorching out.

      "How about an ice cream cone before we head back to the apartment?"
I asked him as we were getting into the car.

      "Ummm, yummm, that would be really cool." Was his response to my
suggestion.  Looks like it was decided.

      I pulled out of the parking lot and drove on toward Mom's Cool Cone
Concoctions, a little hole-in-the-wall ice cream parlor popular here at the
beach.  Luckily I was able to pull into a space right there on the street
following a car that was just pulling out of the space.  We were only a few
doors up from the ice cream parlor.  We got out of the car, walked up to
the front of the parlor and stood in line.  There was a formidable line
there waiting to make their selections and purchases due to the hot
weather.  We had made our flavor choices as we were crawling along at a
snail's pace in front of the glass fronted display freezer cabinet.  We
both decided on old fashioned cones, he wanted a scoop of chocolate chip
mint and a scoop of strawberry marshmallow, I had decided on a scoop of
rocky road and scoop of butter pecan.  We got to the front of the line and
placed our orders, were handed the cones, and I paid.  We went outside and
just wandered down the sidewalk, people watching and window shopping as we
indulged in our cooling treats.  Finishing off our cones, I reached over
and wiped off a trace of strawberry marshmallow from his chin that he had
missed with the swipe of his tongue. We headed on back to the car.

      As we got into the car and started back toward the apartment, I asked
him how he would feel about spending the night there at the apartment with
me again tonight.  He answered that it would great with him.  I told him
that when Max got there we would talk about what his mom and dad had said
to Max tonight when he talked with them.  He did not appear to be upset at
this point thank goodness.

      We arrived and I opened the garage door and started to pull the car
in to park it, and again he noticed the surfboard and reminded me of my
promise to teach him to surf.  I told him I would keep that promise.  We
got out of the car and left the garage, I closed the door and we headed
through the complex to the apartment.  We noticed that lights were on in
the apartment next door; looks like the new neighbors were there now.  We
got to the front door of my place and as I opened it, he took off in a mad
dash for the bathroom.

      "Are you okay?"  I shouted out him.

      "Yea, I just need to pee real bad.  I think I drank too much root
beer."  He yelled back to me.

     "Okay, I was just checking."

      I went through the apartment tuning on lights and fans.  I checked
the telephone answering machine for any voice mail. There were a couple of
messages, nothing urgent though.  I went out onto the terrace and lit up a
cigarette and was soon joined there by my new little shadow.  He asked if
he could have one too.  I told him I would make a deal with him, if he
wouldn't smoke any more I would take him for his first surfing lesson later
this week.  He said it was a deal but that my part of the deal also
included quitting smoking too.  I told him I would agree to that but I
would have to pick a date to do it, not just right now.  He said that was
cool with him, so long as I did.  I finished my cigarette and looked at my
watch and saw that it was eight thirty five. I suggested to Jorge that he
jump in the shower and wash off all the salt from today and I would get him
another tee shirt to put on.  I would take my shower after him and hope to
get both of our showers out of the way before Max arrived.  He said okay
and got into the shower.  I got a tee shirt from my dresser for him, took
it to the bathroom and put it on the vanity counter for him.  I picked up
his cut off tee shirt and shorts and took them to the bedroom and put them
in the hamper.  I thought, tomorrow we have to get him another set of
clothing to wear until we get him some more clothes.  In the meantime, in
the morning I would do a load of laundry to wash these for him.  He had to
have something clean to wear.

      I went back out to the terrace and lit up another cigarette and took
several drags off of it while reflecting back over today's events.  It had
turned out to be a pretty good day after all. I could hear soft stereo
music coming from next door.  It was a smooth jazz melody, my favorite
music.  Looks like the new neighbors had the same tastes in music as mine.
That's a good indicator I thought.  Just as I was stubbing out my cigarette
into the ashtray, Jorge appeared at my side, smelling sweet and looking all
fresh.  I told him I would get into the shower now and get rinsed off and
dressed before Max got here.  He said okay. He said he would go watch TV
until I came out.  I said fine, that I would be out soon.  He left for the
living room and I grabbed a tank top and pair of boxers from the dresser
drawer and headed for the bathroom.

      I got into the shower and found that Jorge had the water temperature
set right where I preferred it for my showers also.  I was washing off all
the salt and sweat from the day when I heard Jorge's voice call to me from
the other side of the bath tub door.

      "Max is here."

      "Good ask him come on in and get comfortable and ask him if he would
like something to drink.  Tell him I will be right out, okay?"

      "Okay."

      "Thanks, lil dude."

       "I finished rinsing off, turned off the water and stepped out of the
tub to dry off.

       "Here."  Max standing right there handed me a towel.

      "Hey there.  Thanks buddy."  I took the towel and began drying my
body with it.

      "I hope you don't mind, I wanted to talk with you some before we talk
to Jorge.  That is quite a kid.  He introduced himself to me and then
offered me a drink.  Looks like he has made himself at home and playing the
gracious host already."  Max was holding an iced tea, so I could see that
Jorge had gotten Max a drink.

      "No, I don't mind.  Hell you've only seen me naked a thousand times
in the past.  What's one more time?  Yea, he really is a great kid Max."  I
laughed.

      "Yea, I didn't think it would bother you.  Damn, Derrick, you're
still in good shape.  And I am still in love with that gorgeous cock of
yours."  Max and his flirting he will never change.

      "Thanks ol buddy, you're going to make me blush, but I know that
isn't what you came in here to see me about."

      "Well, that was part of it.  I was never able to get enough of that
beauty during our last years of college.  But, yes we really need to
talk...things at Jorge's house are a fucked up mess."

      I finished drying and tossed the towel over the top of the bath tub
door and pulled on my boxers and tank top. "Let's go on the terrace and
talk."  I turned off the bathroom light and as we got into the hall Max
reached over and gave me a long slow grope just like old times with a
couple of good tugs for old times sake.  I smiled back at him.

      "Jorge, I'm going onto the terrace to talk with Max for a bit and
then we'll come in and talk with you."  I called down the hall to him.

      "Okay."  Was his response back from the living room.

      We got onto the terrace and I picked up my pack of cigarettes from
the table there, I offered one to Max and he took it and I took one for
myself.  I took my lighter and lit his then mine.  He sat down on one
chaise and I took a seat on the other one facing him.

      "Okay.  What happened and what's going on?" I couldn't wait to hear
the details.

      "You know Derrick, with each case I think I have seen it all and then
the next case comes along to outdo the last.  These parents of Jorge's
definitely had no business ever being parents. They have some real
issues...both personal and otherwise.  From what I got today talking with
them was, they cannot accept his homosexuality and will not. They never
wanted children to begin with, but when he came along they accepted the
situation and tried to make the best of it around their own lives.  They
have never been physically abusive to him, but they have been abusive to
him in other just as damaging ways.  Neither one of them spends that much
time with him; they have their own lives and would rather not be 'bothered'
with him.  They want to give up all custody of him to the system and go on
about their lives without him.  There are no other family members to take
him for them.  I told them what this really meant and they said that was
their decision and they were standing by it.  And get this, they appeared
to show no remorse or sadness about it."  He stopped and took a long drink
of his iced tea before proceeding on.

      "So, here is where we are now.  I got them started on all the
paperwork to terminate their legal custody of him and to transfer it over
to us in social services.  I got you covered with the court for temporary
foster custody of him, by the way, I have a packet of forms here with me
you will need to fill out and get back to me in the next day or two.  I
have a suitcase out on your front step with some of his clothes to get him
by until we can get the rest of his belongings from his parents' home over
here to him. They said they will give him everything, his bedroom
furniture, clothing and all the rest of his earthly possessions.  They just
don't want anything ever to do with him again.  I told them I will have
some people from my office come by their home tomorrow evening to get
everything. Then I will have my staff bring everything over here to you the
following morning.  Tomorrow I will contact his school and take care of
everything there and tell them Jorge will be out the next week while
settling in here.  I will set up an appointment for you to meet with them
at the school, his teacher, the principal, etc. to introduce yourself and
for them to bring you up to speed on his activities there at school.  Jorge
will also be getting a complete medical physical evaluation and you will
need to get one also.  The foster parent program will take care of all his
medical needs and provide some financial support for his personal needs."
Max took another long drink and pause.

      "Now, I need to ask you buddy, are you really sure that you want to
go through with this?  You do understand all the responsibilities that will
be involved here?  This isn't something to rush into, we need to be careful
and advance cautiously for Jorge's sake because this is going to be a major
earthquake in his life and feelings.  This isn't a matter that we can take
lightly at all.  I can see from the expression on your face and tell from
your silence you are in a semi shock.  You do realize I would never rush
into a placement as quickly as this one, if I didn't already know you as
well as I do, and know that you would provide a caring and loving stable
home for him to be placed in?"  He was looking for my response now.

      "Max, I am in total shock, not over my responsibilities in this
situation, because I have no reservations at all in that matter.  I can't
believe what you have just told me about his parents is all.  Damn, I am
dumbfounded.  How can they...I don't even know how to ask...I mean, damn
it, Max!  I am at a loss of words.
  But no, I don't have any hesitations about accepting this responsibility
on my part. I know his life and mine are changing drastically as of this
very moment and there is going to be a lot of adjusting on both our parts,
but I know that I am more than willing and wanting to; and from what I have
seen of Jorge's inner strength already I am sure he can do it too.  But we
need to find out what he wants and what he feels, that is the most
important core of the issue."  I remained still in shock from his parents
actions.

      "Derrick, dear buddy, I know you all too well.  I knew that was going
to be your answer and that is the reason I have no qualms about placing him
with you.  Let's go talk with Jorge now."

      We both stood up and headed toward the moment of truth with Jorge.  I
think that was the longest walk I have ever made down that hallway since my
moving into this apartment.  Thank gawd Max was here to make it with me
this time.

      Jorge was watching a sitcom on the TV and laughing at the show as Max
and I walked into the living room.  His eyes went to the both of us as we
entered. I went over and sat down next to him and Max took a seat in the
chair across the room facing us.

      "Hey lil dude, is it okay if I turn off the TV.  Max has some things
he needs to tell us and we need to see how you feel about it, okay?"

      "Yea, Derrick, it's okay."  He was looking a little unsettled and
frightened.  I grabbed the remote from the table and clicked off the TV,
then scooted next to him and put my arm around his shoulder.  He leaned
into me for security I could tell.  Max cleared his throat and was ready to
speak.

      "Jorge, I am really impressed with you.  You are quite a young man.
And Derrick is just full of compliments about you; you have really made an
impression on him as a new friend already.  As you know Derrick called me
this morning to tell me what happened with you and your parents last night
and today I stopped by your house and talked with both of them.  They
aren't upset with you, and they did agree with me that it might be best for
everyone if you could stay with Derrick for a while.  How would you feel
about staying here with Derrick at his apartment for a little while?"  Max
was not going to reveal any more than just what he needed to so he could
spare Jorge's feelings with all the truth.

      Jorge just sat there quiet for a few moments then answered, "It's
okay with me, is it okay with you Derrick?"  He looked up into my eyes for
some indication of my feelings.

     I looked down into his precious face and holding back tears, hugged
him tightly to me and answered him, "You bet it is lil dude.  But I want to
know for sure that you will be comfortable with it."  I tried to keep my
voice from breaking.

      "I feel good about it Derrick, I really like you and you make me feel
safe.  You make me feel good about myself when I am with you."  He hugged
me back real tight.

     "Well, looks like that is taken care of for now.  Jorge, I have some
of your clothes with me out front on the step and day after tomorrow some
of my people will bring by the rest of your things for you."  Max appeared
satisfied with the answer.

    "Tomorrow we will get the things I that I have stored in the spare room
out of the way and we will turn that into your bedroom.  We'll have it
already for when your things arrive." I smiled down at him as he was trying
to read my eyes.

     "Guys, looks like we have things taken care of here for now, so I
guess I can head home to my family to let them know I am still alive and
kickin'.  I'll stop by again tomorrow and we can talk some more."  Max
stood up, followed by me and Jorge.  I shook Max's hand and gave him a big
hug and Jorge walked up and gave Max a hug too.

      "Wow, you guys really know how to make someone feel appreciated." Max
turned for the door.

     "Max, thank you.  And you'll never know how much we both appreciate
it.
  Thanks again so much old buddy."

     "Mr. Max, thank you."  Jorge added.

     "Max is fine Jorge; you don't need to add the mister.  You guys are
welcome, I am glad I could help and if you need me for anything just call."
With that Max opened the door, reached down and grabbed the handle of the
suitcase and set it down inside the apartment.  "Good luck you guys and
good night.  See ya tomorrow."  And with that he was headed down the
walkway toward his car.

      I closed the door and locked it for the night.  I picked up the
suitcase and carried it down the hallway and into the bedroom.  Jorge was
right on my heels the whole way.  I opened it and reached in and grabbed a
pair of bikini briefs and one of his tee shirts and handed it to Jorge.

      "You'll probably be more comfortable in these lil dude."

      "Thanks Derrick, but I don't need the shirt; it's too hot."

      He pulled off my tee shirt and then quickly pulled on his little
briefs.  He came over and gave me a big hug.

      "Thanks Derrick."

      "You're most welcome Jorge.  But what is this thank you for?"

     "Thank you for being so nice to me, for being my friend and for a
really cool day.  I really am glad I am here with you Derrick."  His
sincerity got to me and I could feel a tear racing its way down my cheek. I
hugged him even tighter and told him that I was really glad he was here
with me too.

      I looked at my watch and saw that it was eleven thirty already.
Damn, today and tonight flew by.  This had to be the fullest day and night
I had ever experienced in my life I thought.  I yawned and then Jorge
yawned in suit right behind mine.

     "Looks like it's bed time for the both of us lil dude.  It's been
quite a day and evening.  I'll get the sheet and pillow for you so we can
set up the sofa for your bed again tonight."

     "Derrick, can I sleep in bed with you tonight, please?"

     "Yea, sure you can lil dude.  Why don't you go crawl into the bed now
and I'll go turn everything off and come on back and get into bed myself."
He went over to the bed, pulled back the bed clothes to the bottom of the
mattress and yanked down his briefs dropping them to the floor and got up
onto the bed 'in the raw' and laid down with his head on the pillow.

      I left the room and went back through the apartment, turning off fans
and lights and then headed back into the bedroom.  As I walked in I could
see he was already sound asleep.  I turned off the light, stepped out of my
boxers, and pulled off my tank top dropping them all to the floor next to
the bed.  I walked out onto the terrace and lit up another cigarette and
sat down on one of the chaises.  I noticed the light filtering through the
thick shrubbery walling off my terrace's privacy from the neighbor's next
door, and saw it go dark.  The new neighbors must be calling it a night
also.  I finished the cigarette and headed to the bed, leaving the sheet at
my feet just as Jorge had, I stretched out, buried my head into the
pillow. In the moonlight I watched Jorge in his peaceful slumber and soon
joined him in sleep.  This day had really drained me and I was as ready for
slumber land as he had been

      "No, no, please don't leave me, please don't leave me!" His cry
awakened me instantaneously.  I looked over and Jorge was crying fitfully
in his sleep, struggling with a nightmare demon.

       I reached over to gently wake him.  "It's okay lil dude.  You're
okay."  I soothed and hugged him.

      "I was scared you were leaving me Derrick.  Please don't leave,
please don't."  His eyes sprung open.  He was pleading in his crying, his
little body was shaking with fear.

      "Oh, no.  Shhhh, shhhh, I will never leave you Jorge, I am right
here.
  I will always be right here.  I will never leave you.  It's okay now.
You were just having a bad nightmare.  Shhhh, now, relax.  It's okay."  I
held onto him tightly.  He calmed down and his body's shaking subsided.

      "You promise Derrick, you won't leave me."  His crying was softening
up now.

      "I promise you lil dude.  I will never leave you.  Now you try to go
back to sleep and I will be right here with you, I promise."  It didn't
take much to figure what brought on that nightmare.  He knew he had been
abandoned by his parents now and that I was all he had in life now.  Kids
can pick up a lot more going on than we give them credit for.  I pulled him
into my arms and held him tightly against me until I could feel his body
relax and go limp and then I knew he was asleep again.  I continued to hug
him tightly to me so he would feel that security even through his sleep.
Somehow I was able to drift off to sleep myself also, but not until after
having some real choice thoughts about his parents.

To be continued...