Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2005 09:04:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: T Chase McPhee <survivalgame@yahoo.com>
Subject: Nature Walk 23

The following story is a work of fiction set in the
format of reality. Any resemblance to real people is
entirely coincidental in nature, and is not meant to
accurately reflect persons in towns, cities, or
governmental areas, in which the story is staged. If
sexual scenes involving male to male relationships
offends you, then you should not read this story.
Additionally, if you are under 18 years of age, in
most states and countries, you are not allowed to read
this by law. This is fiction. Don't forget, in real
life, to think about 'sexual safety matters'; got
condom?

"Nature Walk" 23 (M/t oral anal kidstuff)
wriTten by T. Chase McPhee

%

"Oh cool! The dads are home!"

"Hey... hey... hey... you guys helped pick out the
food, now you get to help bring it in!"

So the parade of brown sacks proceeded, carting the
food from Matty's SUV, through the front door, through
the den and into the kitchen of Clark home.

"Okay guys, c'mon it's Spongebob Squarepants Monopoly
time!"

"Cool!"

"Um, do we get a snack, Jade?"

"Sure, help yourselves, Chad and Matty."

"Y'know, Jade, you do a lot of work around here."

"You think so?"

"Come off it Jade, we know why you put that extra
special touch into everything."

"I thought we heard some voices!" A dad's voice rings
out.

"Oh, hi dad."

"Chad... Matty.." they each greeted the two.

"What are we having for dinner tonight?"

"We are having chicken cordon bleu and I'm hoping that
you are inviting Alonzo to have dinner with us
tonight."

"Oh? What's so important about Alonzo being here for
dinner, Jade?"

"Oh, you leave that up to me."

"Uh-oh, I sense Jade's got a tif with Alonzo over
Diego's nutritional upbringing," Chad lays down the
subject to be reviewed.

"Steve... Barry... that child is malnourished," Jade
reports.

"Hey, the guy's had a tough life. Being a father at
fifteen I'm sure didn't help things."

"Fifteen?" Jade asks. "Oh the poor man."

Suddenly Jade's fiery emotion has gone out of her like
a doused candle.

"Poor Diego."

"Well, Jade, I don't think Alonzo's done too bad of a
job raising Diego. They love each other very much."

Barry adds to Steve's kind words, "A young guy
bringing up a kid.. well, what influence would he have
on what a boy should eat, but what himself feels like
eating."

"Oh, I feel so bad about what I've been thinking."

"Jade, your heart is in the right place."

"No it's not. You see, to prove a point I was going to
serve us all cordon bleu and...."

"What Jade?"

"I was going to serve Alonzo Spaghettio's."

Steve and Barry began laughing.

Chad says, "Jade, I didn't know you had it in ye to do
such a dastard deed!"

"I know... I'm sorry."

Matty breaks out with, "I think it's a good plan!"

"You do?" Jade looks up at Matty.

"Sure. I see Matty's point. This will make Alonzo see
what he's feeding Diego," Chad agrees.

"No, I don't think it's a good idea."

"Why not dad?"

"Barry's right. First of all, Alonzo eating something
different than the rest of us will embarrass the hell
out of him."

"Yeah, you're right Steve and to think of it, we
really hardly even know Alonzo."

"Okay," Matty gets a brainstorm, "What if we 'all' eat
the same thing and still get the point across."

Chad says, "Brilliant, but then we'd have to go back
to Donovan's and get more Spaghettio's."

"C'mon, I'll drive," Jade offers.

"No, I'll drive Jade," Matty counters Jade's offer.

They hear Chad scheming on the way out, "Maybe we
should have gummi bear worms for desert!"

"Well, Steve, looks like they have everything under
control."

"Yeah, now how about we go get something else under
control?"

%

"I don't know why you're making me to go out for
dinner, Alonzo. We can just as well have something
here."

"I know we 'can', Jabari, but I have Diego to think
about."

"You said he's with Steve and Barry's family."

"I know, but I'm his dad and he looks forward to me
being with him."

"Oh c'mon. It wouldn't hurt if you miss this one time,
Alonzo. C'mon back to bed."

Alonzo takes a good long look at Jabari.

"Y'know Jabari, you're a nice guy and I had fun this
afternoon, but I don't think you're right for me."

"Oh come on, Alonzo! What'd I say?"

Not being able to jump up and defend himself or go
after Alonzo, Jabari flops back down in the bed.

%

"Mike? Mike?"

"Connor?"

"Are you okay?"

"I hurt. You?"

"Some. Um, do you know what happened to us?"

"We got beat up."

Mike Finnegan played it cool, trying not to spill any
information that would jeopardize his name. Not at
this point, at least. He wanted to formulate his
thoughts and analyse them before shooting his mouth
off.

"Worst experience of my life. Did you see who did it?"

"Um, I think I'm falling asleep."

"Okay. You take care Mike. I hope you feel better."

Mike faked sleep, at least closing his eyes.

%

"Oh man are you such a hot beast, Mike."

"With a hot ass like your's Gary, how do you expect me
to control myself?"

"Tell you the truth, Mike, I didn't think your nine
inch pistol wound fit so nicely in my chute."

"Oh yeah, Gary? I had a feeling that I'm not the first
to rifle your ass!"

"Oooooh just keep drilling, Mike... oooooh it feels so
fuckin' awesome."

Officer Mike Green had met his match. Unlike the
straightforth, typical hospital professional that knew
he could throw his weight around, when it came to
bedding down, Mike commandeered the helm.

"So, you're not like those other guys, I see Gary,
huh?"

"Hey, I know a hot cop cock when I feel it. I'm not
going to jeopardize that, Mike."

"So, you only love me for my cock huh?"

At that point, both heard a popping sound, as Mike
pulls out, after doctoring up Gary's ass.

"Ooooooooh fuck noooooooooooooo!"

"Hee hee heeee... How about some lip-locking?"

Gary's hand moves around back, like the first time
Mike fucked his hot ass and slips his finger or two
in.

"Damn, you're big!"

"I don't know why you do that, Gary."

"Do what?"

"Feel your ass everytime after I pull out. You know
that I've already busted your chute wide open."

"I know and Mike?"

"Yeah Gary?"

"You do mean more to me than a hot fuck."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Hot about sinking down in the hot tub and I'll
show you what I mean?"

"Mmmmmmmmm," Mike responds, climbing out of the bed
and closely following Gary out to the enclosed porch.

%

"I guess it's my turn, then?"

"Haa ha ha ha haaaa" Aidan laughed his ass off,
followed by Philip and Diego.

"Hee heee...looks like you've got to pay to the piper,
SpongeSteve Wedgiepants!"

"Can I owe ya?"

"Yeah, okay."

"Dads, that's not how you're supposed ta play. If you
go bankdrupped than you lose."

"Aw shucks, guys."

Aidan says, "Here dad, I'll loan ya a dollar so you
wouldn't be poor."

"Aw thanks son, but I think it's going to take more
than a dollar to bail me out."

"Just the same dad. Here, take it. I insist."

Steve's so glad he and Barry opted out of the love
making to be with their sons. It's not that they will
be around their household forever.

"Helloooooo... anybody home?"

"It's my dad! Dad we're in here.... we're in here!"

Diego lit out of the den like there were ten sticks of
lit dynamite chasing him out of an old mine.

"Look guys! It's my dad!"

There Alonzo walked in, Diego perched high on his
shoulders.

"Well, what do we have here?"

"We're playing Spongebob Squarepants Monopoly. Wanna
play?" Philip shouts out.

"Sure. Let me loosen my tie up and I'll be raring to
go."

"Cool! Let's start over guys!" Aidan calls out.

"Yeah.. yeah... yeah... dad, you be my partner, okay?"

"Sure, Diego!"

"How about's a drink, Alonzo?"

"Sure."

"What'll you have?"

Steve follows Alonzo's finger as he puts his hand on
his stomach and taps where his navel is.

Barry picks up on it, saying, "I'll have one too,
Steve," then giggles.

The three boys hurriedly get the unique Monopoly game
back to the starting session, moving it to the floor.

 Philip sits with his dad, as Alonzo lays back indian
style, letting Diego lean back on him as if using him
for an easy chair.

"Where's the drinks, Steve?"

"Jade caught me in the act and insisted on making them
and serving them."

"Does she know how to make a fuzzy pierced navel?"

Right away the three boys' attention is drawn to poor
Barry.

"What's a fuzzy purred bellybutton, dad?"

"Navel, Philip."

Steve tries to help out, "It's like your dad's hairy
navel and Diego's dad's pierced navel, except it's a
drink in a glass."

"Huh?" Aidan says to his dad.

It's Diego who brings some light to the subject.

"My dad's got a pearl in his bellybutton."

"Oh, can we see?" Philip pleads.

"Now, Philip, that's kind of personal."

"Oh, I don't mind showing them," Alonzo replies.

"It's up to you Alonzo."

Of course Barry and Steve wouldn't mind seeing it
again, either.

"Oh, excuse me, son," Alonzo says, moving his son's
shoulders forwards.

Diego moves away from his dad's lap and kneels,
awaiting the bellybutton show to begin.

Alonzo decides to unbutton the white shirt he's been
wearing all day and strip it. Getting on his knees, to
bring the show down to kid's level, he pulls his white
tightey-tee from his beltline, up to his pecs.

"Oh wooooow!" Aidan reacts.

"Hey, Diego, you're right! Your dad does have a line
down his belly!" Philip calls out.

Barry and Steve look at each other, then to Alonzo.

"Can I touch it dad Alonzo?"

"Dad Alonzo?" Diego's dad questions Philip about.

"Sure. You hang around our dad's a lot, so you could
be our dad, too!"

"I never thought of it that way, Philip." Alonzo
shrugs his shoulders and smiles at Steve and Barry.

"Can we?"

"Yeah," Aidan adds, "I've never seen a stuffed
bellybutton before!"

"Alright, but only if your dads say you can."

"Can we dad? Pleeeeeease?"

"Okay, but just a little touch."

As if touching a dog, hoping he doesn't bite, Philip
dabs his finger on the jewel in Alonzo's bellyhole.

"Go ahead, Philip. I've touched it lots of times....
see?"

Diego reaches forth and literally handles the small
pierced item, shaped like a little metal ball.

"Wow! Go ahead, Aidan. It doesn't hurt!" Philip
suggests.

"Cool!"

"Can I touch it again?"

"Okay. But this is the last time, Philip."

Sneaky little Philip had ulterior motives, the little
snake! First he touches the little pearl and then runs
his thumb up Alonzo's trail, until a grabbing hand
collides with it.

"Um, I think that's far enough, son!" Alonzo says.

"Philiiiiiiip!" Barry scorns him.

"Oh dad."

"You were suppostta feel only my dad's bellybutton,
Philip!"

"I know, but I told ya Diego, that I like them lines
on a guy's belly."

"Yeah, but your not suppostta touch a guy's body
without asking!"

Barry's gesture to Steve, a thumb's up, gave the
impression that Alonzo is teaching Diego some good
values. However, he also sensed embarrassment at what
Philip had done.

"Alonzo, I'm terribly sorry."

"No problem, Barry. Kids are inquistive. You know what
they say, inquiring minds have to know."

"Yeah, they say that about adults, too."

"Well, Barry, if you want to, you'll have to inquire
later!"

"Oh really, Alonzo?"

Alonzo began putting himself back together again,
going with only the tightey-tee covering his pecs and
belly.

"Here we are!"

"Oh Jade. This is too much!"

"Where on earth did you get this table?"

Steve had to stand up from his sitting position on the
floor to view the elegant rolling cart that Jade had
just rode into the den, drinks and foods atop.

"Kade and I have had it at home for so long and never
used it."

"Oh wow! Look at this detail," Alonzo makes mention.

The boys all show frustration at their dad's deterred
attention and making such a big fuss over a dumb table
on wheels.

"Where did you get this?" Barry asks.

"It's been in my family for years. I'm not sure how
they happened by it, but it's old."

"Must be. Here's one of it's habitants."

"Oh cool Philip! Look!"

"Cool Aidan! A spider... Oooh can I have it for a pet,
dad?"

"No. He's going on a little trip out the back door!"

"Oh but he'll freeze ta death, dad!"

Jade to the rescue!

"I have a jar in the kitchen. How about we give him a
home?"

The three boys all follow Jade to the kitchen with
Barry cupping the little thin-legged creature along
for the ride.

"No sense letting all this go to waste Alonzo?"

"I know. Um, Steve, I need to talk to you about
something."

"Sure Alonzo. Shoot."

"Has Barry mentioned anything to you about the
possibility of me buying your house once you move?"

"Um, yeah. I think he mentioned something of the sort.
So, you're interested?"

"No."

"No? Is that a 'no' no?"

"Steve, I don't think I can swing it. You see, I've
had some debt, plus taking care of Diego and I don't
want to jeopardize falling into bancruptcy."

"Alonzo, I'm sorry. I didn't know things were this
bad."

"They aren't yet, but I don't wish to have things
reach that point."

"How can I help?"

"You can't, but I want your opinion on something."

"Sure. Whatever I can do to ease matters, Alonzo."

"Thanks Steve. You know Bernice Bridges better than I
do."

"Yes."

"Would you happen to know if she has a very modest
sized home. You see, the apartment we live in is no
place for a little boy to grow up. He needs fresh air,
a place to ride his bicycle around. You know what I
mean?"

"Yes, I do. I'll ask Bernice... in fact I'll call
right now."

"Oh, you don't have to go to the trouble of doing that
now, Steve."

"No problem for friends, Alonzo."

Steve goes for the remote phone and rings the Bridges
residence. He chats first with Alberto, then Bernice.

"Well?"

"She's headed right over with her portfolio of homes."

"Did you mention the word, 'cheap'?"

"Haa ha ha haa... don't you worry about that. I'm sure
she'll find something that you'll like and be able to
afford."

Yeah, like she found for Steve those almost eighteen
years ago. Looking around the place, he recalls the
good memories. Of course, it harbours some unhealthy
memories, but thinking about his boys growing up in
the house, sheds some light on how a house can become
a history of memories.

"Look dad, we now have a home for Kermit."

"Kermit's a frog, Aidan."

"Yeah, but now he's a spider, too!"

"Um, Jade?"

"Yes, Steve?"

"Better set another place at the table."

"Oh? For Kermit"

"Bernice is on the prowl!"

Next order of excitement fills the room.

"Oh cool! Wait til Aunt Bernice sees Kermit!"

"What is she's afraid of spiders?"

"If the spider knows us then she won't be afraid,
Aidan."

"Cool Philip."

Diego suggests, "Let's make real good friends with
Kermit so Aunt Bernice won't be afraid!"

The adults look down at the Monopoly game, the jarred
habitat sitting squarely on top of Spongebob
Squarepants' belly. The three are talking to the jar
like into a tape recorder, having the spider memorize
every fact they are feeding it!

"So, what's this with Bernice?" Barry asks, sipping
his fuzzy navel.

"I don't think I can swing it with the house, Barry
and I'm hoping Bernice can find something on a smaller
scale."

"Geez, if that's the case, I could've let you have the
third bungalow."

"Third bungalow?"

"Sure. The chatsworth place is built like that."

"Barry's right. We figured it out where we all
would've fit into two main parts of the house and the
third module would have become like a small
apartment."

"But I'm sure you could utilize the space as a family
room or..."

"No, that's the thing. In the two first modules, we
would already have plenty of bedrooms for each of the
boys, den, an office for Steve and I to share, plus
all the other amenities, including three and a half
baths."

"Wow! I hadn't an idea just how big that place is."

"Plus swimming pool, hot tub and a leaky barn!"

"Still. I don't know guys."

"Let's do this, Alonzo," Barry lays out the plan,
"Look at what Bernice has to offer and then if there's
nothing in your wallet range, take the third
bungalow."

Steve adds, "Even if it's a temporary solution for
you, Alonzo. At least think of Diego and getting him
out into the country."

>From the floor, around the spider habitat, they hear
little quips of repeated conversation.

"Hear that Diego? You're gonna be living with us."

The three dads look at each other. Barry and Steve
begin to giggle.

"Well there's nothing much I can do now about not
accepting your plan. Alright, if Bernice doesn't have
anything maybe we'll do the temp thing, but I insist
that whatever rent I'm paying now, I pay to you two."

"We'll work all that out if that be the case, Alonzo."

"Thanks guys. I really appreciate what you're doing
for Diego and me."

"Hi dad!"

"Sean? Seaaaaan!"

"I hope you don't mind a couple of extra dinner
guests."

"Oh course I don't. Jacq, welcome!"

Barry walks over and hugs each of the men, then brings
Jacq into the den to introduce him.

"And what is this?"

"Do you know anything about spiders, mister?" Diego
asks Jacq.

"Why sure. I'm an expert on them!"

"You are?" Philip questions.

"Sure. Let me see the fella, please."

Aidan reaches up and hands the jar to Jacq, as they
all stand.

Sean saunters over to Jacq and hangs on his shoulder.

"So, you counsel spiders, too, Jacq?"

"Sean if this your boyfriend?"

"Yup. That he is, Aidan"

"He's older than you!"

"So? You're a year older than Philip and he's your
boyfriend!"

Philip and Aidan look at each other, then Diego. They
realize they forgot to fill him in on their little
secret.

"Diego, we gotta talk to you!"

"That's okay, Philip. I know you and Aidan are
boyfriends."

"You do, Diego?"

"Yeah."

Suddenly Kermit has lost the three kid's attention.

"So, what's so special about this spider, Jacq?"

"Okay, we're back Jashock!"

"It's Jacq."

"How do you spell that, Sean?"

"J-A-C-Q."

"Hmmm... how come it's not Jack-cue."

"Because it's French. But listen up Squirts, Jacq is
going to tell you about Kermit."

"Cool!"

"First of all, Kermit is a simple garden spider. His
technical name is Argiope Aurantia, a common orb
weaver of the Araneidae family.

"So is that his last name?" Aidan asks.

"Not really. You see, unlike humans, animals and
insects can have several names."

"Wow! So Kermit has a lot of names."

"Yes. The interesting thing about this little bugger,
whom looks to be a baby, can grow to about almost two
inches long."

"Wow!" The boys speak out in awe of the fact.

"Where is he from?" Philip asks.

"Well, garden spiders can grow anywhere in the North
America's, including Mexico. So varieties are found in
Europe and Hawaii."

"I wonder if they can hula?"

"Aidan, don't be lame!"

"But I will tell you the sad part about Kermit."

"What's that Jock?"

"If we keep Kermit in the jar and not release him
outside, he'll die."

"Ooooooooooh!" The sad groans ring out.

"How long can we keep him, Jock?"

"Think of how long 'you' would live in a jar, Philip?"
Hmm?"

"I guess we better let him out."

They watched as Sean, Jacq and the three boys headed
out of the den, on their way to the outdoors.

"Well, it looks like Jacq has hit it off with the
boys."

Alonzo asks, "Um, is that your boy's partner?"

Steve replies, "We assume so."

"What Steve means is that as of yesterday he found
out.... we found out that they have had a relationship
going."

"And are you happy about that?"

"Well, at first I wasn't sure Alonzo. You see, Sean is
nineteen and Jacq is thirty-two, but from Sean's point
of view, I can see that he loves Jacq very much and I
think the same in regards to Jacq's feeling of Sean."

"The only thing I can see of concern, which could be
meaningless, is that they both understand that one
part of the relationship will age faster than the
lower number."

"True."

"Steve, Barry?"

"Yeah, Alonzo?"

"I want you two to know that when I left Jabari this
afternoon, it wasn't on pleasant terms."

"Oh?" Barry wonders.

"Want to talk about it?" Steve inquires further.

"Well, yes, but not get too much into it. You see, I
got this feeling that he wanted to develop some kind
of relationship..."

"It did seem like you two did hit it off."

"Right, Steve, but what I sensed to discover is that
Jabari doesn't want Diego to be a part of it."

"Ooooooh!" Barry sighs, "I can see where that could
strike a wrong chord."

"I lost my cool at that point and stormed out of
there. Damn it! When it comes to Diego, I just
couldn't stand for talk like that!"

"Easy, Alonzo," Steve tried calming him, putting his
arm around his shoulder.

"Steve's right. It's not like you're in a relationship
where it's too late to bow out, Alonzo."

"I know. Thank God for that."

"In fact maybe it's good you found out now where
Jabari stands before it's too late."

"That's the way I'm trying to perceive it, guys. In
fact, I think we both acted out of lust more than
anything."

"So, you don't really feel any great attachment for
Jabari?"

"Nah. Just two horny guys who needed a quick trick,
but still."

"There's that apprehension."

"Right, Barry. And there's more."

"You really like the guy?"

"No. I.... I really like you guys."

Steve and Barry couldn't have been more unprepared
than what just escaped Alonzo's lips.

"What do you mean like, Alonzo?"

"Just he way it sounds and I'm sorry for saying it."

"Why?"

"Why? It's obviously isn't it? Here I am trying to
bust into your lives by expressing my feelings. I
mean... I don't fuckin' know what I mean."

"Alonzo?" Barry tries to help rationalize, "I can't
speak for Steve, but..."

"Yeah, you can speak for me Barry." Steve grinned at
his lover.

"Alonzo, we both like you too."

"Like... but.. you guys have been great to me, but I'm
looking for more than 'like'."

"I think what Barry is trying to tell you Alonzo is
that we more than like you, too."

"Huh?"

By this time, Barry and Steve stood on either side of
Alonzo.

"I know this sounds like something out of the Twilight
Zone, Alonzo, but there's a reason why we both decided
to keep the third bungalow void of our presence."

"For me?"

"Yes, but it's not like we wanted to force you into
taking it and that's still the case."

"Oh man, guys. You two are something special."

"To each other we are and we didn't know exactly how
to go about drawing you into our relationship,
Alonzo."

"You overwhelm me."

"Alonzo, may I make a suggestion that I think makes a
lot of sense?"

"Sure Steve."

"When Bernice shows you her book, thumb through and
show some interest, but settle for the third
bungalow."

Alonzo turns and looks Steve dead in the eyes, then
does the same with Barry.

"I'm still not sure, guys."

"Then just go with what you think, Alonzo."

"I.... I think I want to trust your judgement,
Steve... and Barry."

"Then do it, but know this that if things don't work
out, Alonzo, then no hard feelings."

"One thing I can say to the good, at least the
transition will be easy for Diego, thanks to your
wonderful boys."

A three way hug ensues, Alonzo getting all the rubs up
and down his back. Barry teases, sending his finger
tips lower than the beltline, inside.

Soon noises are heard coming back in the back door.

"She's here!"

Steve begins on that tinkly tune, the theme from 'The
Outer Limits'.

"Dads, Aunt Bernice is an actress!"

"Don't tell me. What did she do, Aidan?"

It's Philip who squeals out a scream.

"Yeah, dads, she screams just like Philip did and then
pretends she faints, after we let Kermit outta the
jar!"

"Hmm, Barry. Maybe Bernice missed her call and should
have been a drama coach."

"You know that's not a half bad idea, Steve," Alonzo
states.

"What? Oh you're kidding. Bernice?"

"Sure, I agree."

"You do Barry?"

"Sure, I think she'd be able to tell the kids like it
is, too."

"Oh for sure she wouldn't let any of those kids get
away with any shit."

"Only one problem Steve."

"What's that Barry?"

"I don't know if Alonzo and I could stand all that
hogcallin'!"

Alonzo didn't exactly get what Barry was driving at,
but just to see the two laugh made him feel good
inside.

"The way you two talk Bernice up, even though I
haven't met her, seems that she's a pillar of the
community and to me, she would be worth having on our
team."

Steve decided to interject an idea into this
conversation, drawing reference to Alonzo's attitude
in the car earlier.

"Worth having on our team for what purpose in mind,
Alonzo?"

"Hey, look who just walked in?"

'Oh perfect!' Steve thought. 'What better time for
Kade to show up!'

"Hey Kade."

Alonzo stood a little standoffish, mumbling a quiet
greeting.

"Um, I just wanted to stop by to..."

"Good that you could make it, Kade!" Steve quickly
grabbed him in a hardly handshake, then passed Kade
off on Barry with, "Here, fix Kade up with a hairy...
er I mean fuzzy navel, Barry! So, Alonzo, I wanted to
get the full gist of just how you were going to use
Bernice here."

Sitting down in one of the easy chairs, Steve crosses
his legs, knee on top of knee, both hands situated on
top of the mount.

"Um, well I didn't exactly mean use in the sense of
'use' Bernice."

"That's the way it sounded. Isn't that the way it
sounded to you, Barry."

"Yes, that's the way it sounded to my ears, Steven."

Barry rolls his eyes, catching both Alonzo's and
Kade's visual senses. Steve, on the other hand
couldn't detect anything happening, with his back to
his partner and the cart of fuzzy navel fixin's.

Rather than play Steve's obvious game, Alonzo directs
his words to the one this whole charade is intended to
address, "Look Kade," Alonzo gets up to talk straight
in the eye, "I'm sorry I blew up at you in the car
this morning."

"Well, I have to admit you came on strong, Alonzo, but
I did provoke you in a way, but I think there might be
a good reason."

"Oh? Care to explain."

"First, I want to say, Barry, this drink is
fantastic!"

"Ahem!" Alonzo clears his throat."

"Oh yeah.. hee hee... I didn't come up with it. It's
Alonzo's concoction on account of... of, um he likes
fuzzy navels.. oh shit that didn't come out the way I
intended it!" Barry stands there half embarrased, but
knowing Alonzo takes it all in jest.

"You're lucky I like you Barry!"

"So," Steve gets the conversation back on target, "do
you care to explain what you think happened this
morning, Kade?"

"Hee heee," Barry makes one last quip, "sounds like
you're playing referee, Steve."

"Well somebody's gotta keep these kids from fighting!"

After the laughter died, the four take their fuzzy
navels to the lounging area, near the fireplace, which
sits unlit at the moment. Two shortee sofas face each
other, with a coffee/cocktail table in between. Barry
and Steve face Alonzo and Kade. The sofas allow for
minimal space in between.

"First of all," Kade takes a deep breath, "I know this
is not an excuse, but I believe my knowledge of
precludes me of the thinkings in a gay world."

"So, you're saying your ignorance of the gay world in
itself gives you reason to call judgement, Kade?"

Steve interjects, "No more than using a person for
one's own gain."

"Steve, I didn't mean that and you know it!" Alonzo
bursts out, going back to the 'Bernice usage'
question.

Barry pats Steve's thigh, "Let them talk it out,
Steve?"

He smiles back at his lover, then switches his
attention back to the two.

"Look, Alonzo, I know that no matter what I say or
what excuse I could offer, I wasn't right in bringing
up the matter of Marsha Burke and whether she's a
lesbian or not. Not that it would matter if you are
gay or Steve and Barry."

Steve infers, "Or if you were a homosexual?"

"Steve, do I have to get out the duct tape?" Barry
says, threatening him to keep his mouth shut.

"My lips are sealed."

Like Aidan would do, Steve zips his lips shut and
opens his mouth to swallow the key.

"That was a dumb thing to do."

"What was, Alonzo?"

"Now how are you going to get that key out to unlock
your lips you just locked up?"

As the conversation goes on, Steve backtracks his
actions.

"So, you're saying because of your ignorance, that all
this is a misunderstanding then, Kade?"

"Well yes, but it's not like I didn't learn anything
from it."

"Oh and what did you learn?"

"If you don't mind me venting my feelings."

"No, not at all, Kade," Alonzo takes on the
psychiatrist's chair mode, relaxing back after taking
a sip of his fuzzy navel.

Steve turns slightly to the right, his ass pointed up
towards Barry.

"What Steve?" he whispers.

"That's where the key is going to come out!" He
smiles, then is greeted back with a harsh, but warm
slap on the ass.

"Owwwch!"

"Would you pay attention?" Barry scolds the little kid
in Steve.

"That hurt."

"I'll put a bandaid on it later," Barry replies. "Now
what were you saying, Kade before you were so 'rudely'
interrupted?"

Steve smiles.

"I... think my whole life is a wreck," Kade seems to
break down, after leveling with them.

Steve, Barry and Alonzo look back and forth to each
other, as Kade puts both hands over his face and snaps
his head back against the rear of the sofa.

"What's wrong, Kade?"

Steve turns to Barry and whispers ever-so-softly in
his ear, "Periscope up," then makes the signs of two
antennas coming out of his head like 'My Favorite
Martian'.

His reward is an elbow in the abs!

"C'mon Kade. Whatever's ailing you it looks like it's
time to get it out. You're among friends, you know."

Sitting up, he picks up his drink and upends it. Barry
reaches over for his glass, then hands it to Steve.

"Here, make yourself useful!"

Kade looks up, "Make it a double of whatever you're
serving, Steve."

"Will do, Kade."

Barry restarts the conversation.

"So, tell us... what's troubling you Kade."

Both Alonzo and Kade lean forward, elbows resting on
their thighs as Kade begins to unload his life into
their ears.

"First of all, Jade and I are getting a divorce."

First wave of oh-no's fill the room.

"Secondly, which is maybe tougher for me to say than
the first is... I'm gay."

It's no surprise to the three of them, but it's Alonzo
whom brings out the reality of it all.

"Kade, that's nothing to be ashamed of. You wouldn't
be the first married man that's come out and said
that."

"I know, but I didn't think that it would ever come to
fruition. I figured I would just keep on being married
and live with it."

"Kade, living with a lie about your life would be the
worst thing you could do."

"But I never meant to hurt Jade."

"And how is she taking this?"

Just then, who should enter the room?

Barry rises and at first only offers words, "Jade I'm
sorry."

"I... I'm not upset."

But Steve, as well as the others could detect
otherwise. He switched from the navels to the
highballs. Jade took an invited seat next to Barry.
After serving something stronger to Kade, Alonzo,
Jade, Barry and himself, he sat in the high back chair
opposite the fireplace.

"Kade and I have talked this out. I'm not angry. Maybe
a little disappointed, but I realize that I can't make
Kade into the husband he's not or ever will be."

"That's very understanding of you Jade."

"I'm not saying that I'm impervious to the hurt at
this moment, but I do wish Kade well and there will
always be a part of him in my heart."

Silence prevailed for a short interval. It's unclear
what thoughts she be revealed at this point. For sure
Kade's gay realizations should not be discussed, but
at the same time, something needed to be brought forth
to break up the monotony of the situation.

"Hi guys!"

"Jade, you should have seen Aunt Bernice when she saw
Kermit!" Aidan gasps.

Diego says, "Dad, she almoss fainted dead!"

Jacq and Sean can see that something morose is on the
minds of the five.

"Something I can help you folks with?"

"Uhhh..." Barry looks at the kids and then back at the
circle of adults, with unsurity.

"Sean, why don't you take the kids to visit with Chad
and Matty."

"Okay. I just hope they're not in the 'middle' of
something important!"

%

continuendo.........

       Copyright 2005 T. Chase McPhee  All Rights Reserved.

	 www.assgm.net   www.nifty.org

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