Date: Thu, 13 May 2010 22:14:06 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Of Man and Boy 16

Of Man and Boy
by:  dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)


16: Taking On A New Persona

There was something about Paul that was familiar, right from the first time
he saw him.  Somehow he knew this man already.  Something about him, as if
he was a brother or uncle.  Eric thought trying to remember.  It struck him
like a load of bricks.  Eric Hoffman, his new name, the name of his foster
father's biological father was also the name of a long dead, but still
famous male model.  It was his work that inspired him, his poses he
studied.  The work his brother and uncles urged him to emulate in their
photo shoots.  It was the familiarity of his face.  They were the same
features.  He would know when he saw Paul naked, he would know for sure.
He could ask but not here, not in public.

As they walked the short distance from the Hospital toward Tim's office
Toby ask, "How does it feel to have a name so short and specific people
can't screw around with it?"

Eric looked up at Tim, "good I think, I'm still getting accustomed to it."

"You may not realize it but you owe Toby a big thank you," Tim said.

"I do?"

"We both do, if a Social Services lawyer had been in his place he would
have challenged the legality of the guardianship order or at the very least
questioned it.  He did not, letting Mrs. Watson think she had no
alternative."  Eric looked up at Toby and he nodded his agreement.

When they stopped to enter the office building, Eric signaled for Toby to
bend down, he kissed him on the cheek.  "Thank you Toby, thank you very,
very much."  Then he kissed him on the lips.  Paul and Tim said nothing.
Toby blushed and Eric felt very satisfied with himself, although he did
spring a woody.  That never happened to him before.  Not spontaneous
without wanting one.  Wow!

Our Toby is not a boy lover, he is not gay and he is not seeing any females
at the moment.  He is a very dedicated, heterosexual bachelor.  He, like
many other people in the world, is a bit lonely, a bit self centered and
just a bit lost.  He liked this lad.  He was not sure why but he did.
Perhaps he sees in him some elements of himself at that adolescent age, or
maybe what that Toby adolescent would have liked to try on for size.

Simon had told Eric that he need not tell anyone about his past sexual
activities or his modeling, unless he chose.  Tim and Toby worked quickly
through there stuff, agreed who would do what and when.  Toby departed
making sure Paul had his card with his home number on the back.

Tim quickly set up a trust account for Eric's money and prepared some other
papers.  "We need a good reason for the name change, the less we tell the
Family Court judge the better."

"Manfred Mahn is a well known boy model," Eric said striking a provocative
pose.  "I'm told I am very good."

"Why can't he keep that as a stage name.  Since he had no choice about it,
why not reverse that," Paul suggested.

"Excellent, it all makes sense, new foster family, new name and if he ever
wants to make a living as a model, he can still use his stage name.  In
fact, I will set up a professional corporation for you Eric with a Delaware
address.  This could prove to be fun depending on what happens," Tim added.

"But won't people be able to find me?"

"Good question, simple answer is no.  They will be able to find the
company's head office, which is your corporate lawyer's office.  If any
inquiries or communications come in they will be forwarded to me.  All
Delaware will ever be able to do is take a message," Tim replied.

"Okay, but how is that fun for you?"

"Ah, another good question.  It works like this, you are a well know and
popular model.  That means some one is paying for the use of your image.
You never gave permission, i.e. signed a model release or contract did
you?"

"No."

"Those pictures are still yours, your image belongs to you, until you sell
it.  You still have copyright and anyone who uses those pictures without
your permission violates that copyright.  Who took those pictures and who
is getting paid for their use?"

"My older brother and two of my cousins are the photographers and my uncle
is the business men of the family.

"I take it no one ever told you how much money was being earned or
explained how it was being shared?"

"No they just told me to perform, and I like doing it.  Same for my sister
and cousins, just do it."

"So you were never even asked?"

"Well, when your brother or uncle say, `Maney I want to take some picture
of you.' and you like modeling, you just do it.  When a parent or older
relative ask a kid to do something, is that the same as seeking
permission?"

"Wow son, are you sure you didn't study law.  That is correct.  You never
surrendered your copyright.  Now if those pictures had never been published
or sold; no permission needed but as soon as someone makes money from
them," Tim said.

"I got it, but how?"

"First we enjoin any user from paying your family by claiming copyright.
They must pay into a trust fund.  Second we sue your family for any money
gained to date, from the sale and for all reproducible images in their
hands and so on.  They will defend by claiming a "Contract In Tort" or
producing written documentation, which we know will be false.  The only way
for them to defend is to get you to admit, on the stand, they explained
everything to you and that some portion of the money was being set aside
for you.  Same goes for your cousins and sister.  If they can show this,
set aside or trust fund, all well and good," Tim told him.

"But how is that fun?"

"It lets you make your point about not being fair to you and the others.
Tort law is complex and very interesting for me.  Best of all, if they
claim you ran away and they made no attempt to find you, they tip their
hand at being questionable parents and the court will be inclined to
believe you not them.  If they admit that, the court and Child Protection
will ask why and that opens up several other cans of worms.  Since they
will not be able to serve you with a appearance order and can not produce
you, it think you see.  If the families assets are ceased in the drug or
Kiddy Porn investigation, you and the others have a pre-established claim.
In any event your former family, not the children, will probably all wind
up in jail, along with any state or county officials that have been
complicit.  This way we keep you and your friend, completely outside any of
that and believe me Child and Protective Services will come down on it like
a blanket."

"Okay, I think I understand, I'm for it but what I don't understand is why
you and the others are doing this for me.  I know its your job, like
doctors Sid and Simon but it seems everyone is doing a lot more than just
their jobs."

"I think it is because we can.  What do I mean by that?  For most of our
human encounters nothing more than our job is required or nothing more will
make any significant difference.  If I remove a child's tonsils, having
determined that is the best treatment and there are not unforeseen
difficulties; I did my job and that is all that was need, wanted or useful.
If you come to Tim to have a straight forward Will drawn up and you have no
other problems, he can work on then he just does his job, to do more would
be useless and may in fact cause harm.  That is the same for all of us.

Sometimes, you encounter a client or just another person and when doing
your job you realize, there is a lot more I can do, a lot more is needed.
You have the power or ability, resources or what ever, to do it.  You can
make a difference.  To do less than all you can, not to make that
difference, is just not right, not satisfying," Paul explained.

"Eric, sometimes it is just doing the right thing.  Sometimes it is the
recognition that your contribution is needed to support someone else's
efforts.  The band wagon effect," Tim added.

"I realized a long time ago I often had the power to make a difference.
Sometimes that difference is political or institutional and sometimes
individual.  When ever I do make that difference I get a feeling, a high
that's better than any drug or even sex.  The back handed complement we got
from the Administrator this morning is almost that good," Paul explained.

"There is one other reason, Eric.  Some day you will be in the same
position I was in a few hours ago.  You won't analyze your options, you
won't wonder if this or that will produce a benefit to yourself.  You will
just do it because it is the right thing to do and you can.  You will do
it, because in your life someone did it for you," Tim said.

"That's how I show my appreciation isn't it?"

"Not quite.  You show it by large and small gestures, kissing Toby's cheek
or including Timothy as your middle name.  You demonstrate it by how you
live your life.  Just stick with me kid, I'll show you the way," Paul
answered.

................

Over the next few days Eric was settled in the Condo and taken to
Poseidondoro.  He shared Grant's room at both locations.  He swam with the
dolphins.  Learned to drive the Pequeño Niño del Muchacho, Paul's new,
very fast inboard outboard, the Niño del Muchacho and his way around the
city.  He swam in the pool and at the beach, made use of Grant's bicycle
and got organized on his computer.  He and Paul had several dinners with
Mr. Potter and Toby.  Paul reluctantly made several opportunities for Eric
to spend the night with Potter, before he retuned to North Carolina.  He
was reluctant, not from a moralistic view but because he was jealous.  He
had promised himself and Eric, he would not push himself on the lad.  He
knew Eric would come to him, just as he came to his father, when he was
ready.

Eric and Grant were sending photographs back and forth and massive e-mails
as well a numerous phone calls.  They were getting to know each other.
Grant was beginning to demand Paul bring his brother to Montana or bring
him home.  Paul kept putting him off.  Eric liked running around the condo
in his briefs and around Poseidondoro nude.  He was not as quick as Grant
but still learned fast and well.

Paul took him to meet the photographer who expressed great interest in Eric
modeling for him.  He was not overly impressed when Paul told him to make
all business arrangements with Tim but he did.

Eric used his personal money to commission a nude photograph of himself.
The only jewelry he wore was the caduceus and chain Paul had just given
him.  He struck a classic Eric Hoffman pose, standing tall in strong side
light, three quarters to the camera.  He looked right into the lens with
his large brown eyes, his face lit by a soft overhead, putting one
reflection spot in this eyes.  His butt was sharply defined and his erect
penis stood straight out, foreskin starched back and tight.  The smoothness
of his lithe form contrasting and blending at the same time into the
blackness of the shadow.  It was black and white.  The photographer was
most impressed as Eric instructed him on how he wanted the scene lit,
choosing a cream colored seamless background.  Eric placed his right arm
straight down at his side and held his left slightly bent with the palm of
his hand up turned, fingers pointing at the camera.

The photographer used his 4 X 5 studio plate camera taking 6 shots.  For
film he selected a rather low ASA, very fine grained, medium contrast.  He
used quartz studio lights, several with diffusers.  This was a true
artistic collaboration.  Eric and Paul returned several days later selected
the proof to be printed and placed the order.  Paul ordered two 16 X 24's
for himself, two 11 X 17's for Montana, Eric a number of 8 X 10's to be
sent by the photographer, complements of Maney, copyrighted to Maney Mahn
Inc. and dated.  Tim had worked out a lucrative deal with the Photographer.
Four of the six shots would be marketed.  All the photographers production
expenses and time would be compensated and he would receive a share of the
royalties after all expenses have been covered.  Paul had Grant's
educational trust fund loan Maney Mahn Inc. the seed money needed to found
the corporation, undertake its copyright recovery plan and launch the new
line of images.

Since it would take about 30 months to move all the money into that fund.
A loan of 150 thousand, repayable with normal interest in three years, was
a good business decision on both sides.  Maney Inc. was not
undercapitalized, one of the major problems new business enterprises often
have.  Another advantage lay on the tax side.  It would take a long time
for the company to show any kind of real profit and the trust fund would or
should grow by the interest.  Grant could care less about any of this.  He
just wanted his new brother to be successful.  If left to him he would just
give Eric the money.

That was not in anyone's best interest from Paul's prospective.  Eric on
the other hand, wanted to know everything about every penny.  He had this
idea about earning his own way.  Paul thought that a good thing if properly
tempered.  Eric was satisfied that this was not a gift or grant with
strings, just an interest bearing loan and that everyone would be fairly
compensated for their work or participation, including him, he was in
complete agreement.

What Paul did not tell him was, the interest and investment growth now
being generated from the capital in the fund, was more than enough to pay
both Grant's and his educational expenses.

Eric was not impressed with having glasses for reading and computer work
and even less impressed with the braces.  Fortunately he did not need an
appliance.  It was toward the end of the second week when Eric came on to
Paul for the first time.  Unlike with Grant, they were not in love.  Eric
and Paul liked each other, they respected each other but Eric did not yet
feel love for Paul and Paul's love for Eric was not romantic.  Once they
started however, things progressed very quickly.

Eric had spend most of his first 13 and three quarter years as a sex object
for adults and adolescents.  He had been fondled and probed, licked and
sucked, kissed and stroked, since before he could remember.  He had become
so accustomed to ingesting ejaculate he truly missed it.  His bowl was
empty and he needed it filled.  Eric thought the only way he could relate
to other males and females for that matter, was though sex.  Eric's lust
was growing daily and Paul knew it.  They touched each other but not in a
sensual way.  They kissed a lot, not on the lips.  Paul kisses his boys all
the time.  Paul had to work hard and fast to change Eric's belief system
around, to socialize him as Simon put it.

Grant insisted Eric should share his room.  Paul did not quite understand
this, with such a big house but if that is what they wanted, in the condo
and at the Ranch, it did make sense.  Paul was using all his skills to make
this new person into a new person.  He made sure to spend as much time as
he could with the boy.  He encouraged him to read books and watch movies,
all selected by him and Simon.  Most of all, he took advantage of every
meeting or social encounter he would normally have, to include him to build
his self worth, on something other than sex.

Eric quickly made friends with the dolphin pod.  They seemed to accept him
almost right away but still they looked for Grant.

Grant was helping in this but didn't know it.  During one of their e-mail
exchanges Grant urged Eric to agitate for some time on the ranch, with him
of course.  Eric expressed some hesitation, not quite knowing yet how this
foster child/parent thing was going to play out.  Grant just flat out told
him.

"Dad can't say no to me.  He can't say no to you either, as long as what we
ask is not outrageous or overly dangerous.  Just sit on his lap, press your
face against his chest and in your best "little boy voice", just tell him
how much you need to meet your new little brother.  A tear or two is good.
He will cave, he always does."

"What will he expect me to do for him in return?"

"The same as always: do your best, think for yourself, take responsibility
for your actions, if you make a mistake try and fix it, ask for help when
you need it and most of all, be yourself."

"You mean he won't want something special from me?"

"Dad will say something like, you are special what more could I want."

"Yes but I'm just his foster child not his real son."

"Have you seen how he works with his patients?"

"Yes."

"You know some of those families can't pay any of their bill but I'll bet
you can't tell which ones.  Dad is just dad, what you see is what you get.
He will give you anything you need, almost anything you want and if pushed,
even stuff he may not want you to have.  Most of all he will give you all
the love a parent can give a child whether you want it or not.  I know your
story is sealed, he told me that much and we are not allowed to even ask.
I also know as soon as he realized you were a kid in need he didn't even
ask, he just took over to make it right."

"And you, you don't mind having a foster brother shoved on you?"

"Mind, I am delighted for any kind of brother.  You have no idea how lonely
it is being an only child do you?  That's all right.  I want a brother
maybe several.  I want you as my brother.  I just know as soon as you get
here we are going to have lots and lots of fun.  I mean, grandpa is already
training a great looking Quarter gelding for you and G3 is beside himself;
you have no idea how honored he is that you chose Eric T. Hoffman as your
new name.  I'll try to keep them from smothering you but you know how it
is."

Eric came out of his bedroom and found Paul sitting in the lanai.  He
hesitated by the door, slowly walking to Paul and getting his attention so
Paul would put his book down, climbed into his lap.  Eric did not fit as
well as Grant, his is quite a bit taller.  He did as Grant advised, pressed
his face against Paul's chest and gave him a hug.

Paul, gently stroked his head and shoulders, kissing the top of his hair.
"Junior, ah, um, when can I go to Montana?"

Paul knew Grant must have been pressuring the boy.  He would have a bit of
fun with that but not to much, just a bit.  "Soon."

"How soon is soon?"

"I don't know, you know, soon.  Grant's been after you hasn't he?"

"Well he just asked?"

"His asking is more like pleading if I know my boy.  I suppose he told you
that if you asked me it would generate some kind of action on my part?"

"Yes sir.  But I do want to go you know, I mean the grandfathers keep
asking me too and grandpa is training a Quarter for me to ride and you
know, I have a brother I never even met."

"Told you if I didn't react generate a tear to two right?  Don't answer.
I'm a pushover, I know it.  Can't say no to my sons or my father and
grandfather either.  Never could you know."

Eric pushed tighter against Paul's chest.  He could feel the emotion in
Paul's body and voice.  Grant was right, dad's a pushover.  Even dad admits
that.  Then he realized that knowledge came with a high price.  Knowing it
meant he had to use that knowledge wisely.

"I was wondering how long it would be before you asked?  I had hoped it
would be another week or two.  Selfish me wants to enjoy your exclusive
attention but you are correct.  It is time.  Now there is only one thing I
require."

"Here it comes, I knew it," Eric thought.

"I get to buy you your first pair of boots.  It's kind of a Stum right of
passage and dad got to buy Grant's first pair.  You promise me that
privilege?"

"Yes, oh yes."  Eric's head snapped up his eyes and smile wide.  "You
really do want me as your son."

"Oh ya, about as much as a man can."

"Even knowing what you do about me?"

"All I know about Eric Hoffman is his age, his physical form, his dry sense
of humor and his socially shy, exhibitionist personality, have captured my
heart.  If you are talking about that very handsome and photogenic model
Maney Mahn, can't say I know anything at all about him."  Eric pressed
himself even tighter to Paul and began sobbing.  This was the first time
the boy had displayed any real emotion.  This was good.  This was a chance
for dad, to be dad.