Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2016 19:11:37 -0500
From: Eff Del <nolitimere156@gmail.com>
Subject: The Oak and the Ash- Chapter 7

The Oak and the Ash- Chapter 7

By Eff Del

Nolitimere156@gmail.com

If you're lucky, three things you have in this life are; something to love,
something to do and something to hope for.

Hope is that little voice you hear inside your head when the entire world
seems to be saying `NO'.

When the world is essentially telling you to give up, Hope is that little
voice that whispers to you;

"Try it one more time."

Try it one more time my friend...try it one more time.

The two boys wolfed down breakfast and Martha smiled as she filled their
plates with eggs, pancakes and grits.

She filled them full with fruit...melon and berries and bananas. They inhaled
everything she placed before them and finally, she hugged them both and
kissed them on the forehead.

"You'll do very well boys. I have great hope for your future."

In unison they responded;

"Thanks Mrs. Edwards."

"You're welcome boys. Have a wonderful flight out west and I'll include you
in my prayers every day."

Washed, dressed and brushed, Howie and Paulie were two very good-looking
young men. They certainly cleaned up well.

"We're all going to fly out with you guys because we want you to feel safe.
John will drive us out to the jet and then...we're off to Montana. Nothing
will hurt you from this point on. You're protected I promise you."

"For sure?"

"Yes Howard for sure."

Brian cuddled up next to Paulie in the seat right behind me, as we rode in
the van to the little airport.

I heard the older boy softly say;

"I never told Howie that you peed your pants. Nobody needed to know that so
I kept that a secret."

"Thanks Paulie. I only told my Dad."

"I think that was the right thing to do Brian.

You got the kind of Dad you can tell things like that to...not like my old
man. He'd a smashed me in the mouth."

I smiled but it wasn't a smile of pleasure or happiness...it was a sad smile
because what Paul had just whispered to Brian was no doubt the truth.

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

A few hours later, Captain Lucas signaled me that we were nearing our
approach. The ranch had its own landing strip because of its remoteness so,
once we'd landed, we'd pretty much be there; just a short drive to the
house.

"Howie and Paulie, look out the windows on both sides of the plane.
EVERYTHING you can see is where you'll be working and learning. EVERYTHING
is the wonderful world that Mr. Pete Riddle will be sharing with you. I
can't imagine a better place for two young men to come to terms with their
lives.

Now, fasten your seat belts, we're landing.

**********************************

We stepped off the jet greeted by a sky so blue that it could bring tears
to your eyes. The vastness of the land was almost incomprehensible. It
seemed to go on forever, gently sloping, rising and falling as it spread to
the horizon.

A large stream that couldn't quite qualify as a river flowed off to the
east and in the distance, the hills turned into soaring majestic mountains
that were still clad with spots of snow.

The colors ran the spectrum from brown to gold...red through green and blue
through grey.

I was like a scene from a children's storybook and the two city boys stood
slack-jawed as they took it all in.

My three though they'd already traveled extensively, weren't immune to the
splendor either and they smiled appreciatively as they looked around.

A stocky sun-tanned man wearing a black Stetson hat and cowboy boots with
his jeans tucked inside them, climbed out of one of two relatively new Ford
F-150's and walked over to us smiling.

I thrust out my hand in greeting.

"Pete! It's good to see you...but, where's your mustache? I've known you most
of my life and you've always had a mustache."

He grinned.

"Darnest thing Eric...I woke up one morning and the thing had gone and turned
white. Made me look too old so it had to go.

Oh, I suppose it'll be back come Winter but for now..."

He turned and smiled at the five boys.

"Likely looking Ranch Hands Eric. I'd be willing to take all five of them
on but...I suspect that I couldn't talk you out of your Sons could I?

Judging by size and hair color, you're Sean, you're Brian and there's no
mistaking you for anybody but Jack."

My three boys smiled and exchanged handshakes with Pete who then turned to
our two miscreants.

"That of course means that you are Paul and you are Howard."

"Y-yes sir." Howard managed to squeak out.

Pete put a hand on Howard's shoulder.

"Howard, there's no `Sir' on a ranch. There's `Boss'...which is me, and
there's `Pete' which is me as well."

Howie and Paulie looked baffled and Pete laughed and slapped them both on
the back.

"Don't let it bother you none, you'll figure it out and don't be surprised
if a month or so from now you both wake up and realize you've acquired some
new names as well.

You boys jump into the back of these trucks and you three grown-ups get to
sit in real seats.

Eric, you're with me."

Captain Lucas and co-pilot Ruiz hopped into the cab of the other truck and
I jumped in with Pete.

We pulled onto the dusty trail that led up to the big ranch house.

"They sure don't look like kidnappers or murderers to me Eric. I'm glad you
didn't shoot them."

There was only a hint of humor in what he said because he'd been involved
with my family for a long time and he'd `heard' things.

"They're not Pete, they're actually intelligent caring young men who've
been so badly neglected and abused by the very people who should have been
caring for them and nurturing them.

I'm certain that kidnapping Brian wasn't their first criminal act but I
don't want to know about that, I just want these boys to learn the value of
work, the joy of self-respect and an adult that can teach them, care for
them and appreciate their progress.

If there is a guy in this world Pete, you're him.

I'll fly out here every couple of months and we'll of course talk on the
phone but I want these boys to have the best you can give them Pete."

"Eric, I would have expected that you'd know that I never do less than
that."

"I know Pete it's just that I think you'll find these two boys are special."

He simply nodded.

The big ranch house was so rustic that it was beautiful. I'd had the entire
interior redone after the Chang incident and it looked like something out
of a classic western movie.

We were seated around in wonderful leather chairs...the leather had obviously
come from this very ranch.

"Now you two Gents will be flying the jet outta here so I suspect I'm
correct to offer you iced tea?"

"I'd prefer a Diet Coke if you've got it Pete." Captain Lucas replied and
his co-pilot requested the same.

"None of you boys have seen the Ranch House so Pico here will take you on a
tour."

Turning to the young Hispanic man he said;

"Pico, during this tour please show these two boys the room that I've
selected for them.

Howard and Paul, for most of your first year here you'll sleep in the Ranch
House. If things go as I suspect they will, in your second year we'll move
you into one of the bunk cabins as we all get together and plan for your
futures.

I know that you have no luggage but that will change tomorrow. We'll take
the long drive into town...and believe me it's a Loooong drive.

There we'll get you both outfitted through the winter so tonight; you'll
have to make do. OK?"

"Yes Mr. Pete." Paulie was on the verge of crying again.

The young man (whose identity at least was `Pico') ushered them away.

"Now you Eric, I've never opened that bottle of Glenn Fiddich you gave me
for accepting this job so now, its two years better aged yes?"

I smiled at him.

"You bet Pete but only if you allow me to replace it."

"Certainly Eric, but only if you replace it with something more to my
taste.

I was raised a cowboy and cowboys don't drink single malt scotch. They
drink Rye whiskey. That's why I never opened this bottle. I was just too
polite to tell you."

He grinned and I smiled back.

"So would a case of Jim Beam make a suitable replacement?"

"I'd certainly consider us square Eric."

I was on my second drink when Pico returned with the boys.

"This place is as neat as the Cabin at Long Bear Lake Dad!" Sean exclaimed.

Paulie was actually crying.

"Paul, what's the matter?" Pete had drawn the boy into his arms.

"Our room Mr. Pete...it's bigger than my parents' crappy apartment. We each
got our own real beds an there's a big bathroom with a walk-in shower an a
bathtub plus, me an Howie got a TV and two desks...nice chairs an a real
fireplace. I never even dared to dream I could live like this."

"Dare to dream Paul. The whole reason why you're here is so that you can
dare to dream."

The blond-haired boy collapsed sobbing against Pete's chest and the man
held him close and allowed him to continue as long as he needed. Finally,
he'd calmed down and drew away.

He had a goofy grin on his pretty face as he turned to his friend and said;

"Howie, know what?...I was wrong. The smartest thing you an me ever did was
kidnapping Brian Tucker!"

It took a second but we all burst into laughter.

Pete ushered us to the table and soon each of us had a sizzling steak with
a baked potato and a small pot of ranch style beans. Huge loaves of fresh
baked sour dough bread with home-churned butter surrounded us.

"One of the advantages of living on a ranch Peter and Howard is you'll soon
learn that you never go hungry and in-fact, you eat very well.

Now boys, tomorrow's shopping trip is going to take up most of the day. I'm
going to pick-out most of your clothes because I know what works best out
here and they won't be snazzy. If you have a question about my choices,
I'll be glad to discuss it with you but I'm going to outfit you right down
to your socks and underwear and I know what I'm doing.

You will have the choice about your boots, your belts and your hats. Hats
are particularly individual and therefore unless I think you're making a
serious mistake, you'll get to pick. I may try to talk you out of a hat
that I think makes you look like a dumbass...some styles of brims fit some
types of people and make other people look like jerks.

The day after tomorrow, you start training to ride. You're lost and useless
on a ranch if you can't ride boys."

"D-do you mean like riding a horse Mr. Pete?"

He let out a gigantic laugh.

"Of course I mean riding a horse Howard. What else do you think you'd be
riding on a ranch...a Hyundai?"

"I've never sat on a horse in my life."

"Well my boy, that will change in two days."

"S-so does that mean we're going to train to be cowboys?"

With a chuckle, Pete got up and threw his arms over both boy's shoulders.

"Howard and Peter...by the way, don't worry we'll soon find you better
names...yes, you're going to learn to be cowboys, you'll also learn to be
sheep-headers, buffalo wranglers, chicken fetchers and pig sloppers.

You'll also learn to be fence-menders, ditch diggers, shit shovelers,
woodchoppers as well as short-order cooks, tractor mechanics and you'll
learn to wait upon your compadres and serve in the mess-hall. You'll be
plumbers and electricians, carpenters and stone masons

You'll learn to read and do the lessons that I assign you, you'll learn to
hit your knees every single night and pray.

You'll learn to laugh because life is worth laughing about but I hope you
won't cry so much. Crying is for loss and sorrow boys it's not for
happiness and good fortune...that's what laughing is for and I hope you'll
laugh often.

Mostly what you are going to train for boys is to be men...good and true
men...honest and trustworthy men. You'll be men that I'm proud to know and
call my friends.

Both boys were sobbing uncontrollably and Pete raised them each to their
feet.

"Go say good-bye because they've got a long flight home."

The two young men walked around and my three boys exchanged hugs with them.
They then walked over to me.

Paulie wrapped his arms around me and buried his face against my chest.

"T-thank you for this. I can't believe it's happening. You're the kindest
man in my entire life."

I stroked his blond hair.

"Paul, just do well as I expect you will and I'll be out here checking up
on you on a regular basis."

Howard came up and he'd tried to wipe the tears from his eyes as he hugged
me with a great fierceness.

"I tried to hurt you and look what I got in return. I got a whole new
life...a whole new future.

I was mean and you were kind. Why did you do this for me Mr. Tanner?"

I smiled and pulled him into me and said;

"Because you are essentially a loving heart Howie. I can't sense any evil
in you and ALSO...

Because when I come to check up on you in a couple of months, I hope you'll
have learned my name is TUCKER."

He giggled.

"Sorry Mr. Tucker."

I kissed the top of his head.

"Work hard, listen to Pete and do good Howie. You're safe here."

`Y-yes sir. Thank you Mr. TUCKER."

He looked up at me and grinned.

I planted a kiss on his forehead.

"You're in the best of hands Howie. No one will do anything but help you
from here one. Paul was right when he said that the best thing you guys did
was kidnap Brian because, who knows what would have happened to you?

Now, we all know what will happen to you and it will be positive."

"Would you hug me like a real father would Mr. T?"

"Of course I will Howie."

I pulled him against me and drew him close and he made little moaning
noises.

Eventually, I let him loose and he had tears in his eyes.

"You know, if you coulda been my father, I coulda been a different kid...I
coulda been a good young man instead of bein' a punk. My father is a rotten
piece of shit an my mother is a whore. Your boys are so lucky to have you.
I feel so jealous."

"Well Howie, I'm looking out for you now and Pete will take care of you and
teach you things that you've never imagined.

Believe that I'm looking out for you because I am... and trust Pete to lead
you on the hard tract of running a ranch.

You'll be surprised and happy as you both grow up and realize the men that
you've grown up to be.

Trust me Howie and please believe that I'll ALLWAYS hug you Howie."

"Thanks Mister Tucker."

I pulled him close.

"Well, you learned that very quickly little Howie."

He giggled and I held him tightly.

"Howard, I have such high hopes for you and Paul. I'll be out to check up
on you every couple of months.

Please enjoy your new lives and listen to Pete. He'll never do you wrong."

We all hugged each other before we boarded the jet and said that we'd be
back in a couple of months.

Howie made a point of waving and saying `goodbye Mr. Tucker' I smiled and
made certain that I'd understood the importance of his last farewell.

Our flight back home was rather quiet.

The boys were silent and quite circumspect.

************************************

Back at Joyous Gaurde, we met in the library with Richard.

He quietly explained about the GPS Chips and I was astonished at the boy's
reactions.

"Of course I'll take the implant." Brian said.

"Me too." Sean said quickly.

"Wouldn't that have helped me when my ship rolled over?" Jack asked.

"Actually Jack, we probably could have found you that first day." Richard
replied.

"Well then hell yes I'll take the chip."

Richard smiled at me and I smiled back at him.

"Then I suppose you'd better count me in as well. When are we going to do
this Richard?"

"First thing tomorrow morning guys and I promise that it won't hurt."

"Thanks Richard" Sean smiled and gave him a thumbs up.

"I'm the first one guys."

We sat in the library discussing the day.

"I'm so happy about today that I don't think anything could have gone
better."

"I agree Jack. I've got great hopes for those two boys.

Now though, it's very late and so it's time for bed boyos.

Brian is in my bed tonight because we've got to discuss something."

There was no argument because our bedtime was shared rather equally.

************

I wanted to make certain that the pants peeing wasn't a big deal for Brian
and besides that, I hadn't held him in my bed for a while.

He smiled as he pulled down his underpants and climbed onto my bed.

"Are you OK son?"

"Yes Dad. I was very scared and like I told you, Howie pointed his gun at
me and I peed my pants and then Pete stuffed me in the trunk of that little
car. He knew that I'd peed my pants but he didn't say anything. He just
nodded his head and pushed me into the trunk. He was actually kind and
gentle.

When the Skuggor let me loose and I was in your arms, I cried but I think
that was alright with you and then you sent me into the lake to hide the
pee stain on my shorts...thanks for doing that ...I knew I was safe and knew
I was alright and I felt so very loved Dad...so very loved."

"Brian you ARE so very loved. I just didn't want you to feel bad about the
accident back at the mountain. Surprise and fear can create that kind of
reaction almost every time. Fear is a terrible thing and no one deserves to
experience it.

I pulled him to me and kissed him passionately and he wrapped his legs
around me and we swapped spit and writhed together for at least an hour.

Finally, I fetched the lube from the side table and worked it into his
little hole and then I coated my cock.

"Ready for me my son?" I asked and he almost moaned;

"Yes Dad."

He raised his legs high with his knees pulled back and I moved into him and
slid in softly and firmly.

"Hmmmm Dad." He muttered.

"Yes Brian" I muttered in agreement.

"Dad, can't be any better than this."

"No Brian, it can't be sweet boy."

We collapsed together and soon we were both asleep.

Life couldn't be any better than this. It just couldn't.

***********************************

Feedback is so welcome