Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 13:56:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: mycandlelight_dreams <mycandlelight_dreams@yahoo.com>
Subject: Sailor Boys - chptr 25

THE NORMAL BORING DISCLAIMER: This story is FICTION, and just one of my
fantasies.  Any similarity to real persons is purely coincidental.
Further, this story contains sexually explicit information between an adult
and a teen-ager.  If this type of material offends you, do NOT read
further.

However, if you like these kinds of stories, then read on and ENJOY!

---

CHAPTER 25

---

After drying off, they returned to the Billiard Room.  As they sat on one
of the leather couches, Miwaka noticed something that caught his eye.

He stood up and walked to the dark wall behind the Billiard table.  Hung by
a single leather strap was a wooden flute.

"Do you mind?" Miwaka asked.

"No, please...be my guest."  Steven responded.

Miwaka removed the flute and looked at it closely.  "I haven't seen one of
these in a long time."

"Do you know how to play it?" Steven asked.

"Well, it has been a while."  Miwaka pressed the end tightly to his lips
and began to blow.  Almost instantly, a melodious solemn tune exuded from
the flute.

The soft music filled the room, and Steven sat back down in awe.

Miwaka played for a few minutes before realizing that Steven was staring at
him, totally engrossed in his performance.  He dropped the flute from his
lips.

"That was incredible.  Please don't stop." Steven smiled graciously.

Miwaka looked at his face.  He looked sincere and genuine and his smile was
different than before.  Miwaka lifted the flute to his lips and began to
play again.

Soon the music filled the room and escaped in calling whispers to the
sleeping chambers above.  ---

As Jake kissed me good night, and quietly left my room, I settled back
against the feather pillows and closed my eyes.

Soon, I began to hear the most wonderful music.  I was sure it was in my
head, but as I listened more intently, it grew.

I sat up on the bed and listened again.  No.  It wasn't in my head.  But,
where was it coming from.

I walked to the door and opened it.  The music seemed to get a little
louder.

I stepped into the hallway, and the cool breeze against my balls reminded
me that I was still naked.  I quickly ran to bed, threw on the terry robe,
and went back to the hallway.

I stood there for a moment, trying to determine which direction in the huge
house the melody was coming from.

I headed to the large staircase, but as I reached the bottom, facing the
foyer, the music had become faint.  I walked softly across the cool marble
floor.

As I opened the inner doors, the music raised again.  A flute; a wonderful
single flute.

I continued my search, and as I moved deeper into the hallway, the music
grew louder again.  The tune started to become familiar.

I reached a set of dark wooded double doors, and as I pressed my ear to the
door, I could distinctly hear the flute.

The tune wasn't sad nor was it happy.  It was relaxing and calm.

I stood there for a moment, listening, fascinated with the sounds,
searching my mind, hoping to recall where I had heard such music style
before.

Then it hit me.  "Ahhh, yes," I softly whispered.  I had heard similar
music from an artist named Kitaro.  But even this was more soothing and
serene.

Quietly, I cracked the door and peaked in.

---

Miwaka pulled the flute from his mouth again.

"You're really very good, Miwaka." Steven said approaching him and standing
by his side.  "My father has had that flute for years, but never before
have I heard such wonderful music come from it."  Steven placed his hand on
Miwaka's shoulder.

"My grandfather had one of these." He said, as a tear began to form in his
eye.  "When I was little, he would sit near the fire and play his flute for
me.  For hours and hours, sometimes until I slept."

Miwaka stopped for a moment as the flood of memories of family and
childhood surged his mind.

"Come, sit down." Steven directed, guiding Miwaka back to the black leather
couch.

"He taught me how to play." Miwaka said as he stared at the flute,
caressing the fine, sculpted wood.  "He used to tell me how important
tradition was to our tribe.  'You must pass on these traditions, Little
Miwaka,' he would say to me.  'Traditions keep the tribe alive.  Someday,
it will be up to you to continue our traditions.'  Then, he would play some
more, teaching me new songs."

Miwaka stopped for a moment, and pressed the flute to his lips, but unable
to produce the air.  "It was my favorite song, and Grandfather used to
listen as I played, only correcting me occasionally, no matter how many
mistakes I made."

The memory of Miwaka's grandfather took over his mind, and he closed his
eyes tightly, as the memory played like a movie in his mind.

---

"Each day will bring new life," Grandfather said, his arm wrapped around
the small boy.  "Each day the sun rises and falls, and soon you will be a
man.  You must learn our ways.  Never forget, my son.  If you forget, our
tribe dies.  Go. Play your song."

"But, Grandfather.  I am no good at this flute.  It sounds like a crow, not
a song."  The small boy protested.

"Play.  Let Mother Earth touch your heart.  The song will come.  Play."

Miwaka pressed the flute to his lips and blew as hard as he could, but only
screeches and sour notes slipped from the flute.

"Better.  Each day you are better." Grandfather smiled at him.

"Grandfather?  Why does Father not play?"  Miwaka looked upon his
grandfather with worried eyes.

"My son is not like you, Miwaka.  He is of the new world.  Traditions have
died in him.  It is up to you now.  You are the future of our tribe.  Play
for me now, I must rest."

---

"Yes, Grandfather." Miwaka whispered and again pressed the flute to his
lips.  The memory faded and only Grandfather's face was visible in Miwaka's
mind as the melody exited, strong, but sad.

The notes were long but pleasant, and as Miwaka played the tune, I softly
entered the room.  Steven noticed me right off, but Miwaka was lost in a
time that had long since past.

I moved to the couch and sat next to Miwaka, placing my arm around him.

Miwaka stopped suddenly, his mind jolted back to current time.  "Captain?
I'm sorry, Sir, I didn't mean to wake you."

I wiped the tears from his eyes, and gently kissed his cheek.  "You have
nothing to be sorry for.  The Ebeu Tribe was a strong and spirited tribe,
and you have every reason to be proud.  Your grandfather was just as I
expected."

Miwaka laid his head against my shoulder and began to weep.

"I know, my brave Ebeu.  I know."  I softly stroked his head, and allowed
him to weep.

Steven suddenly felt out of place, but stayed just the same.  He watched
how I interacted with Miwaka, and was surprised by a side of me that he had
not previously seen.  It was only too clear how I felt about this boy;
about all my crew for that matter.

"Your grandfather was right, Miwaka.  Only you can continue the traditions
of your tribe.  Hang on to those memories, son.  They will guide you and
protect you through your life."  I pulled him tightly to my side, as he
continued to weep for his lost grandfather, his father and mother, and the
sister that he missed so much.

We sat in silence for a few minutes, the only sounds were the soft sobbing
of my broken hearted Miwaka.

I looked down at the dark wooden flute and then looked at Steven.  "I'd
like to buy this flute from you, Steven."  The look in my eyes was a
mixture of love for Miwaka and sincerity about my offer.

"I couldn't possibly sell it to you, Captain." Steven said, hanging his
head.  "It wouldn't be right to take your money."  Steven took one of
Miwaka's hands in his.  "Keep the flute, Miwaka.  Consider it a gift."

With that, Steven rose from the couch and left the Billiard Room, leaving
me alone to console Miwaka.

After an hour of gentle rocking and soft whispers, I had managed to calm
Miwaka.  All the while, he kept the flute clutched tightly to his chest,
trying to squeeze as many memories from it as he could.

I knew in my heart that each time Miwaka played that flute, the memories of
his grandfather and his childhood would overtake him, but mixed with the
sadness will be the good times as well.

---

Safely tucking Miwaka back into bed, I returned to my room.  I was just
about to settle in, when I heard a soft knock on my door.

"Come in." I said, pulling the robe to my body.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Captain." Steven said as he entered my doorway.

"I wasn't asleep yet anyway.  What's on your mind?"

"I wanted to apologize." He said, hanging his head down.

"Apologize for what?  You've been nothing but a gracious host, and we
greatly appreciate your hospitality.  Especially giving that flute to
Miwaka.  You have no way of knowing how precious it is to him."  I smiled
at him, as I sat further back on the bed, making myself comfortable.  "The
truth is, after seeing Miwaka, I convinced Jake that you guys should stay
the night."  He walked to the window and looked out at the darkened sky.
"I mean, Jake's a great guy, and I'm very fond of him.  He's taught me a
lot, and allowed me to express who I really am."

"Steven, what are you trying to tell me?"  It was impatient of me, but my
exhaustion was taking over, and my eyes were growing heavy.

"I've only been 'out' to a few people, Captain.  Most think that I'm just
some playboy too busy spending my parent's inheritance to be involved in a
serious relationship.  Hell, people in this town think the only reason
Jake's my friend is for 'police protection.'"  Steven shook his head
slowly.

"But, you're not just friends, are you, Steven?"  I already knew the
answer.

"Hardly.  He was the first man I've ever had sex with, and it felt
incredible.  Like I was finally expressing my feelings.  We did things that
I wanted to do.  He rocks my world, Captain."

"That's wonderful.  I know he's very fond of you.  Jake's not an easy
person to get to know.  He keeps this brick wall around his heart, and it
takes more than a pretty face to break through it."

Steven felt his face redden, so he didn't turn around.

"And now, I've betrayed his trust, Captain."  Steven said softly, causing
me to strain just to hear him.

"What do you mean?"

"Miwaka."

"Miwaka?  What's this have to do with him?"  As soon as the question
escaped my lips, I knew what had happened in that Billiard Room.
Everything suddenly made sense.  That is, except for one thing.  "So?  The
flute was a payoff?"

"NO!" Steven turned to me, his cheeks wet.  "That boy made that flute sing.
You heard him.  They belong together, and I was not about to keep him from
it!"

"Come sit down, Steven."  I patted a spot on the bed next to me.  As he
sat, I said, "I don't think I'm the person you should apologize to.  You
should really talk to Jake about how you feel."

"I can't.  He'll leave me in a second if he finds out I fucked around with
somebody else."  Steven's eyes continued to water.  Then he looked up at
me, almost pleading, "I couldn't help it.  There's something about Miwaka
that touched me.  I simply had to have him.  I had to touch his cock.  And
then, my own urges took over and I was sucking him off."

"Steven, I think you're not giving Jake enough credit.  He's human too, you
know.  Talk to him.  Tell him what happened.  If you don't feel you can be
honest with him, then what kind of relationship do you have?"

Steven stopped for a moment, letting my words sink in.

"Steven, do you love Jake?"

The question stopped Steven cold.  He had thought about it for weeks now.
Jake was all he could focus on, and found himself making trips into town,
just to see him.  Any excuse he could come up with, just for a few minutes
of Jake's attention.  Then, when he followed Jake to Catherine's Diner,
Jake invited him to sit with him.  The two just seemed to hit it off, and
things naturally progressed from there.

I could see Steven's facial expressions change as he pondered his thoughts.
Then, I saw his face change again.

Now this Miwaka boy had entered his life, and he had given in so easily to
temptation and lust.  How could he face Jake again?  What if his eye caught
another young man, closer to his own age?  Would Jake be just a passing
thrill?

"Steven?"

"Huh?  Oh, sorry."

"I said, do you love him?"

"Yes, Captain, I really think I do, and it scares the shit out of me.  I've
never been in love before.  I don't know what to do, how to react.  Am I
crazy?"

"Easy, Steven.  You're not the first man to fall in love.  But, you have to
sit down with Jake and talk about it."

Steven began to shake his head.  "I simply can't."  He got up from the bed
and went back to the window.

I got up and wrapped the robe around myself, and stood behind Steven.

As I touched Steven's shoulder, he said, "I saw the way you acted with
Miwaka."  He stopped, sniffled and continued, "My father died three years
ago, Captain.  And you know what?  He went to his grave not knowing I'm
gay.  He went to his grave, Captain, without ever saying I love you.  I
never even heard my parents say it to each other, let alone me.  He never
touched me.  He never hugged me or made me feel better when I was sad or
hurt.  I had nannies to care for me, or butlers or servants of some kind.
But I was never loved."

He paused again, sniffling back the tears.

"You asked me if I loved Jake."  He turned to me.  "The truth is I don't
know.  I don't think I know how to love Jake."

"Shhhh, okay, Steven, easy." I sat as I pulled him to me, wrapping my arms
around him.  "I think you already know how.  It's just in you, Steven.
But, you have to tell Jake.  Don't be like your father, and hold your
feelings inside.  You need to tell him."

Steven sniffled again, and I hugged him tight.

"I'll tell you what we'll do.  First thing in the morning, we'll talk to
Jake together.  I'll get things rolling and you take it from there.  You'll
see.  It'll be all right."

"Thank you, Captain." Steven whispered.  "It's no wonder Jake still loves
you."

 I wasn't sure what to say.  "Yes, well, I still love him, too.  But he and
I live in different worlds.  His world is here, and mine is on the sea.  He
needs someone that he can trust, Steven.  Someone that can make his heart
glow.  Someone like you."

"Thank you." He whispered again.

We said good night, as Steven left my room and I quietly closed the door
behind him.

I had just settled under the covers when another knock came on my door.

"Jesus, this place is like a fucking train station," I grumbled as I
stomped out of bed to the door, not even bothering with my robe.

I threw open the door and yelled, "What?!"  There, with a startled look on
his face was my angel boy, Jeffy.

"I'm sorry, Cappy.  I didn't mean to make you mad."  He looked up at me
sadly.

"Oh, Angel," I said softly as I quickly leaned down, and pulled him to my
chest.  I pulled him inside and closed the door.  "Why are you up?"

"I couldn't sleep without my Cappy."  He tried to muster a sweet smile.

I picked him up and clung him to my chest, hugging him tightly.  "I love
you so much, Jeffy.  You make my heart so happy.  Come on, you can sleep
here."

I walked to the bed and tossed his slender body on to it, causing Jeffy to
bounce a couple of times.  He instantly began to giggle.

"Come on.  Get under the covers and let's get some sleep.  Cappy's
exhausted!"

As soon as I was under the blankets, Jeffy snuggled up to my shoulder, and
almost immediately fell asleep.  I wasn't far behind him now that I had my
boy teddy bear.

---

I was wakened from a dreamless sleep, as Alex announced that breakfast
would be served shortly.

I turned to view the bedside clock and saw the time read ten o'clock.  I
blinked and looked again, confirming the late hour.  My room was clearly on
the backside of the house, which caused me to miss the morning sunrise.

"Holy Shit!" I yelled, jumping from the bed, startling Jeffy.

"What's wrong?" He yawned.

"It's late, and we've got to get moving.  Sleep in if you want, but I'm
grabbing a quick shower."

As soon as Jeffy heard the word 'shower' he was up, out of bed, and at my
side.

The warm water of our private shower cascaded gently down my back.  I
pulled Jeffy close to me, leaned back and let the stream soak both of us.

"I wish we could stay here forever." Jeffy smiled up at me.

"Me too, Jeffy."  I was sure Jeffy was talking about staying in the house.
I was talking about staying in the shower with him at my side.

Jeffy began to gently stroke my dick.  My dick immediately responded to his
gentle fingers, as the blood rushed in, raising my dick from its softened
state like a snake from the charmer's basket.

I lathered Jeffy's hair, gently massaging the shampoo into it, as the
bubbles flowed down his neck and chest.

I continued to wash his hair, as he began washing my dick.

Jeffy's attention not only raised my dick, but also raised my hunger to
fuck him.  And although I loved the affectionate touch, my internal clock
was clicking away, and I had felt the sudden urge to get moving.

"We'll play more tonight, okay, Sweetness?"  I began rinsed the shampoo
from his hair.

"Okay." He smiled, always content with me.  It was another reason I loved
him so much.

---

We quickly dried off, dressed in yesterday's clothes, and joined the
others, already enjoying breakfast.

As I entered the dining room, I was impressed to see that all of my boys
had taken advantage of the private showers, as they were all bathed and
properly combed.

"Good morning, Everyone!" I greeted them with a broad smile.

"Good morning, Captain," almost in unison.

The aroma of the bath soap lingered in the room, along with the aromas of
the breakfast food that was being generously served.  Eggs of varying
styles, bacon, sausage, hot cakes, hash browns, slices of honey baked ham,
fresh slices of cantaloupe, melon, and peaches, bagels with lox and cream
cheese, toasted slices of wheat, sour dough and rye bread, almond
croissants.  In addition, there were four different types of juice, orange,
fresh squeezed, of course; grapefruit, grape and guava.  Also fresh hot
coffee.

I'm not a coffee drinker, but the aroma of the cup Jake was sipping smelled
intoxicating.

All of us feasted like it were our last meal of our lives, and as I looked
around the table, my eyes caught Steven's.  I nodded, assuring him that I
would still speak with Jake.  He smiled softly and went back to his
conversation about orchard farming.

I glanced at Jake, whose eyes were glued to Steven.  I thought at that
moment that Jake surely felt the same toward Steven.

During a lull in the conversation, I heard the grandfather clock strike
once.  "What time is it?" I asked.

"Eleven-thirty." Jake answered, peeking at his watch.

I stood up from the table.  "You boys finish your breakfast.  Jake, may I
speak to you and Steven privately?"

Steven got up from the table, and Jake said, "Yeah, okay.  I guess so."

Steven led us into a small study and closed the doors behind us.

"There's something you need to know, Jake."

Jake looked at me, slightly tilting his head, and I began to relay the
events of the previous evening.

All the while, Jake would look at me, then at Steven, then back at me.
Even during my pauses, Jake uttered not one word.

"He loves you, Jake.  He may not be able to express it the way you and I
can, but he loves you.  He loves you in a way that I can no longer love
you."

Jake looked at me sadly, then at Steven.  "Why didn't you tell me this
before?"

"I just couldn't.  I was afraid." Steven said shyly.

"Afraid?  Afraid of what?  Me?"

"No, Jake.  I was afraid that I was wrong, or that you didn't feel the same
way.  I've never been in love before, Jake.  This is all so new."

"Well." I said, standing up.  "I've done what I promised.  I've got the
conversation started.  We'll see ourselves out."

"Captain, wait." Steven said, grabbing my arm.  Then he threw his arms
around me and hugged me tightly.  "You're welcome in my home anytime.
Thank you, Captain.  Thank you."

"Call me Red," I winked at him.  Jake smiled.

We broke our embrace and then I hugged Jake, who said, "Don't be such a
stranger, Michael!"

"I'll get up here as often as I can.  I love you, Jake."

Steven pulled out his cell phone and flipping it open, pushed another
single digit.  "Yes, hello, William.  Bring the car around.  I have some
guests in need of transportation to the docks.  Yes, thank you."

"Goodbye then, Steven.  It's been a pleasure."  I extended my hand and
Steven shook it firmly.

"The pleasure has been ours," Steven responded, putting his arm around
Jake.

I giggled to myself, knowing that Jake was not publicly expressive.

---

I gathered my crew and as we walked out the large front doors, a long,
black limousine was waiting for us.  The driver, William, was at the rear
passenger door, holding it open.

"Your carriage awaits, Captain."  He said with a smile.

Each boy said thank you as he entered the car, and as I was the last one
in, I sat by the door, which William closed behind me.

In almost no time, we were whisked off to the docks, and as we arrived, a
rather brusk and largely muscular man greeted me.  "Hello, Captain.  Your
ship is in order and undisturbed as Mr. Rinaldi had requested."

'Steven Rinaldi.' I said to myself.  Jake had never formally introduced us,
and by this morning, we seemed like old friends.  "Uh, thank you, Henry, is
it?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Thank you, Henry.  We'll be shoving off shortly."  I shook his hand and he
tipped his baseball cap.

"Very good, Sir.  Have a good trip."  With that, Henry got into the front
passenger seat of the limousine, and William sped off.

"Ready the crew and the ship, Brandon.  We leave in five minutes!"

"Aye, aye, Captain." Brandon snapped into position.  Then, he paused for a
moment.

"It's all right, Brandon.  Don't make a fuss; just let the boys know it's
time to go.  They know what to do."

"Aye, aye, Sir," Brandon said saluting me and spinning around to start
spreading the word of our departure to the other boys.

In just five short minutes of time, the lines were secured, the anchor was
raised, the sails were unfurled, and The Mighty Miss made her departure
from Gatlin, Oregon.

With the noontime sun just above us, and a brisk and steady wind filling
our sails, we headed south.

"Take over the helm, Brandon." I said, waving him to the wheel.  "I have to
check radar and my charts.  I want to plot in a good course and make up for
some of our layover time."

"Aye, aye, Captain."

"Steady as she goes, Brandon."

"Aye, aye, Sir."  Brandon grasped the large wheel, like he was born to it.
I had to be cautious about calling him my First Mate.  He knew it as well.
But, I couldn't help but realize that this boy was made to be on a ship at
sea.  I nodded my head softly at him and then went below.

---

Since Steven and Jake had provided such a large banquet for breakfast, we
opted to skip the 'lunch hour' and keep sailing.

We were making excellent time.  As Brandon continued to steer, following
the compass direction I had instructed, I supervised the deck, making small
adjustments in the sails to capture the best and fastest headwinds.

The Pacific Ocean was wavy, but not choppy and by early evening, I began to
see signs of the untouched Northern California coastline.

We continued to sail as long as could that day, but as the sun disappeared
over the ocean horizon, the wind decided to retire as well.

We lowered the sails, and ran the diesels for another hour.

The faint blue sky gave way to darkness, and soon the stars followed.  A
few spatters here and there.  But, as I looked for a good place to anchor
for the night, more and more of the bright sparkling diamonds appeared.

I shut the engines down and just let her drift.  The boys gathered near me
as I walked to the bow.  No one spoke.  It was one of those quiet moments
that everyone instantly recognizes.  I waved Brandon over who joined us,
after securing the wheel.

"Look!" Jeffy said, pointing to a shooting star streaming across the black
sky.

"Quick, Jeffy.  Make a wish," Brandon said.

"I wish for all of us to always be friends."  Jeffy replied with pride.

It was the perfect wish, and in my heart, I prayed for it as well.

---

Finding a sufficient rock outcropping, I motored my ship in and we secured
her for the night.

Nine o'clock was read on the helm's clock, and none of the boys were ready
for bed.

As we secured the ship and the boys began to make their way below, I
thought of a way to pass part of the evening, until the boys were
sufficiently unwound to rest.  I locked the deck door, and went to the main
room.  "Chess anyone?"

Their eyes lit up.  It had been several days since the championship round,
and some of the boys had learned the game rather quickly.

The two boards were set up and the next round of games commenced.

As Miwaka and Shaun sat down to play each other, Shaun said, "Wanna bet I
can beat you?"

"And what do you want to bet, Shaun?  The loser has to suck off the
winner?"  Miwaka asked.

The room fell silent, and Miwaka suddenly realized he had spoken too loud.

Undaunted, Shaun replied, "Okay!  You've got a bet!"

I smiled to myself, wondering in part if that was how it happened in the
Billiard Room.

As the games commenced, I was working my way through the group of boys, my
goal to regain my own championship title from Brandon, who was only playing
half-heartedly as he would watch his own game, and then eye the game I was
playing, checking my status.

Win after win, Brandon and I could not be beat.  Miwaka went down, then
Shaun, then Thomas, then Binder, Jeffy was allowed some rather fancy moves,
but eventually was also beaten, Max, Jeremy, Billy, then Zach.  Each boy
groaning with defeat, but knowing the much larger event was coming.  It was
obviously all of us that Brandon and I would once again meet on the same
chessboard.

"Checkmate!" Brandon declared as he toppled Billy's King.

A moment later, "Checkmate!" I declared, as Andrew's King was cornered.

I looked around the room.  The boys knew it; Brandon knew it; I knew it.
The excitement of another 'master chess game' between Brandon and I was on.

"Let's take a quick break, in case anybody has to pee, and I'll go get the
timer."

Every one quickly scrambled, using the head, grabbing something to drink,
and reclaiming their seat on the spectators couch.  Andrew put away the
board he and I had been using, and Brandon's board was placed in the center
of the room.

I returned with the timer and placed it on the table.

"Since you ARE the reigning champion, I'll let you select the color." I
said with pride, making a rather large production of such a small game.

All eyes were on Brandon as he studied the newly prepared board.  "White,
please."

"Very well."  I turned the board around, with the white pieces closest to
Brandon.

"Remember the rules, Gentlemen.  The timer must be hit after each move.  No
help from the audience, please."  The boys giggled.  "And in the event of a
stale mate, the timer will decide the winner."

"Captain?"

"Yes, Brandon?"

"Shall we make a small wager on the game?"  Brandon asked, smiling
sheepishly.

"What kind of wager?"

"Well," he hesitated, looking around the room.  "I know I fucked up and
abused my position.  I really am sorry."  Now, he was addressing all the
boys, not just me.  "I'd like my position back."

"Brandon, the First Mate's position is not something that you can win in a
chess match."  I didn't like the way the 'bet' belittled the position, but
it would give me an opportunity to reinstate the boy to the rank that I
still felt he deserved.

"I know, I know.  It's just that I worked so hard at it.  And, I'm good.
I'm really good."  The boys began to nod, recognizing his sailing skills.
"If I win, will you at least CONSIDER giving First Mate back to me?"

It was my turn to look around the room.  "What do you think, Gentlemen?
Shall we give Brandon another chance?"  My eyes locked on Billy's.

Billy looked at Brandon, then back at me.  Slowly, purposefully, he nodded,
unnoticed by the rest of the crew.

"All right then, Brandon.  It seems the crew is still behind you."  I
paused for a moment.  "So be it.  IF you win, I'll reinstate your
position."

The boys cheered and I again looked at Billy.  "But understand something,
Brandon.  Even if you DO win, and you DO get your position back, these boys
aren't going to put up with your shit.  One more fuck up and you'll be
locked up for the remainder of our time together.  Got it?"

The boys all nodded in agreement, and Brandon said, "I understand."

"Very well, then.  Let the game begin.  And may the best man win."  I moved
my Bishop Pawn forward two spaces and hit the timer.  The game had begun...

---

I hope you're enjoying this adventure.  I welcome comments and questions,
so, write me at mycandlelight_dreams@yahoo.com.