Date: Thu, 1 Jul 1999 22:40:49 -0400
From: Sidney Gittler <SidG@compuserve.com>
Subject: Mall Punk Part 18

Mall Punk Part 18:
by Sid G

	Tuesday night, two days after my birthday, I asked Stya to drive me
over to Longston Mall after closing.  I had him drive over to Lamont's
house so we could follow the path I had that fateful night a year and two
days earlier.
	This time I saw the darkened streets, the dark and lit houses we
passed.  As I drew closer to the mall I started thinking about how far I'd
come in the last year.  How while the calendar said I was fifteen in a lot
of ways I was only one.  No, I was fifteen, the first year of love from my
parents counted a lot I guess.  So did the next thirteen of hell.  But as
the streets flowed beneath us and as we turned into Longston Mall's
driveway those years finally seemed to fade away and my new life took over.
	The names I hadn't recognized my first night still shown at the top
of the darkened brick complex as we circled it on the way to Macy's loading
dock.  Tonight I knew them all to well, after all this had been home for
four months.  But now, now I can walk into any of them and buy what I want
without having to suck some guy's cock.
	Stya pulled into a parking space and cut the engine and turned off
the headlights.  The vast darkness broken only by the lights from the neon
signs seemed more overwhelming than it had a year ago.
	"Are you sure you want to do this?"
	"Yes, I never said good-bye.  I never really thanked him for
helping me, letting me live here."
	"As I recall you were blowing him on a regular basis."
	I shrugged and got out of the car.  Dad was right, but besides the
point.  Ever since I wrote about my first week of freedom I'd been thinking
about him and needed to do this.  I heard Stya's door close and turned my
head.  He extended his hand and I took it.
	Unlike the first time I didn't try to be quiet or find a hiding
place.  We walked through the loading dock and receiving area.  I pointed
out where I'd slept all those nights I didn't have a place to crash.
	"Stop right there.  This is off limits and the store's closed
anyway."
	"Is that you Bob?" I said and stepped further into the light.
	"Jesus Christ boy, you scared me half to death."
	"Sorry, how are you?"
	"Fine, now.  Is this your foster father?" Joe said.
	"Yes, Stya this is Bob.  Bob, Stya.  How did you know?"
	Bob laughed, "I might be a stock boy but I read the paper.  With
all that mess at the academy," he stopped and shook his head.  "Glad
though, I'd wondered what happened to Fido.  Prayed some sicko hadn't
killed you and dumped your body where nobody could find it."
	I shivered at the danger that had plagued my every day.  "I know.
It's why I wanted to come here tonight.  To thank you and apologize for not
saying anything earlier."
	"Your welcome Jon, I'm just glad you found somebody who could give
you a good home."  Bob turned to Stya and held out his hand.  I elbowed
Stya when he was slow to take it.  "Sir, I guess your boy's told you about
the sex, and I just hope you won't hold it against me."
	"No, not now that I've met you.  I'm glad Jon found someone who
took pity on him when he needed it.  God bless you."
	"God bless you for doing what I couldn't then," Bob said.
	Stya took his wallet out.
	"I don't want your money sir."
	"I wouldn't insult you Bob, and call me Stya.  Here's my business
card, if I can ever be of assistance let me know."
	"Like if you ever want to become a Big Brother and need a
reference," I said.
	Bob took Stya's card, looked at it and slowly put it in his pocket.
"I'll think about it.  I've missed having you around.  And not for the sex,
I have a boyfriend my own age now.  Thanks a lot for coming, but I'd better
get back to work.
	Stya and I watched him turn and walk away.  When he was out of
sight we left.
	"Go by the movie entrance," I said when we were back in the car.
Might as well close the circle.
	Stya started the car, put it in gear and took my hand as we pulled
out of the spot.  As we turned the last corner I thought I saw a bag by the
door, but it disappeared when our headlights hit it.
	"Did you see that?" Stya said.
	"Yeah, this is weird."
	"Very."
	"Let me out," I said.
	Stya pulled to a stop and cut the lights.  "Be very, very careful.
He may be armed."
	I kissed his cheek and slipped out of the car and walked to where
I'd seen the figure disappear.  I stopped at the edge of the light coming
through the mall's doors.
	"Hello, don't be afraid I won't hurt you."  No response, but I
thought I heard a rustling.  "Look, I'm just fifteen and ran away once
myself.  I found someone to help me.  We can help you."
	"You won't beat me?"  The voice was so weak I couldn't tell if it
was a boy or a girl or how old.
	"I swear.  I was beaten too and I'll never do that to anybody."
	"I want to believe you but I'm scared."
	I moved back so I was fully in the light and took off my jacket and
shirt.  I shivered in the cool November night.  "Come look, come touch."  I
flashed back to when we'd found Ton Ton at the cabin last summer.  This
time I had to hold together when he touched me.  I heard rustling and then
a shadow fell over me.  A finger touched one end of a long scar and traced
it all the way down my back.
	"Can I turn around?" I said.
	"Yes," said the small voice.
	I turned and looked at a small boy.  A little over four feet tall
with long, scraggly red hair.  He was wearing shorts and a torn tee-shirt,
both too small on him.  His ribs pushed through the bruises covering his
chest.  One eye was almost swollen shut and there were more bruises under
his other eyes and around his jaw.
	"My name's Jon.  What's your name?"
	"Jeff, and I'm eight.  Can you really help me?"
	"Yes, I promise.  How long have you been out here?"  I put my shirt
over his head and it reached down to his ankles.  I slipped my coat on, it
felt good over my bare skin.
	"Three days."
	"Hungry?"
	He nodded and took my outstretched hand.
	"My foster father's waiting for us in that car.  Let's go," I said.
Silently we walked over and got into the back seat together.  It was a bit
of a squeeze for me but with the bucket seats I couldn't sit with Jeff up
front.
	"Dad, this is Jeff.  Jeff this is my new dad, his name's Stya."
	"Hi, can you really help me sir?" Jeff said.
	"We'll try.  First let's go to our house and take a good look at
you."
	"Some food too," I said.
	Jeff leaned against me and winced.  As gently as I could I put my
arms around him.  We were halfway home when the cell phone rang.  Stya
handed it to me and I answered it.
	"Hi."
	"Jon, is that you?"
	"Yes Grandpa, what's up?"
	"As long as you two are out do you want to join a search party?"
	"For what?"
	"Whom actually.  An eight-year-old who disappeared in the woods
this afternoon."
	"Long red hair, about four feet two inches, thin, answers to Jeff."
	"Where is he?"
	"In my arms.  We found him outside the mall.  Meet us at the house
with a photographer and a doctor.  This kid's in worse shape than me or Ton
Ton."
	"Damn it to fucking hell.  Where do these fucking assholes come
from?"  Grandpa Sheriff Maskovitz took a deep breath.  "Sorry Jon."
	"Don't be, you said it for me.  Maybe call Eric and have them meet
us home too."
	"Good idea, see you soon.  Love you both."  We both hung up.
	"Dad's meeting us?" Stya said.
	"Yeah, and I think Jeff's sleeping."

	After we pulled into the driveway Stya went to open the front door
so he could carry Jeff in.  On his way back to the car two squad cars
pulled up and Stya went to meet them.
	I shook Jeff to wake him and barely got a moan out of him, and when
I tried to move him he was limp.  "Help!  Something's wrong, help!" I said.
	Stya, Grandpa and the two other men came running.  Grandpa yelling
to someone else to call for an ambulance.  The door across from me opened
and a stranger leaned in.
	"Hi, I'm Dr. Wheaton, the police doctor," was all he said as he
started checking Jeff.  The front doors opened and Grandpa and dad got in."
	"Is he alive?" Stya asked what I couldn't.
	"Yes, but he's in bad shape.  Maybe internal bleeding.  Where's
that ambulance?"
	Seconds later it pulled onto our block and into the driveway
followed by the EMS truck.  Stya held me as they opened the door behind me
so I could slip out of their way.
	While we watched some of our neighbors joined us and we told them
what we could.  Eric and Ton Ton arrived, but Eric left his foster son in
the car when he saw the commotion.  I went to join him.
	"Us," he said.
	"Worse," I said.  We prayed, and cried.

	I barely noticed when the ambulance and EMS truck took off despite
their blaring sirens and flashing lights.  The door opened and Eric
motioned us to come out.  We went to our fathers and held them tight.
	"How is he?  Will he live?" I said finally.
	"He's alive, and has a chance, thanks to you son," Stya said.
"Dr. Wheaton says if Jeff hadn't gotten help this fast they'd have found a
dead boy outside the mall in the morning."
	I looked around and saw Grandpa was standing nearby.  "What about
his parents?" I said.
	"His father, Richard Aaronson, said his mother died two years in a
fall.  Right now he's in a jail cell with Bubba Jones who is six and a half
feet tall, 350 pounds, and has never forgiven his daddy for the years he
was whipped.  Jeff's two sisters are being picked up by the state.  I'm
going to reopen the case on his mother after this," Grandpa Sheriff said.
	"I know it's a school night, but come inside everybody," Stya said.
	"I did my homework," Ton Ton said.  For some reason it struck all
of us funny and we started laughing.

	After he finished locking up the house Stya knocked and came into
my bedroom.  I was laying under the covers studying the ceiling.  Dad came
and sat on the bed next to me and my hand sought his.  "How you doing son?"
	I shook my head and he wiped a tear away from my eye.  Suddenly I
was in his arms crying into his shoulder, clutching him tight. He held me
tight, hands soft on my scarred back.  Soft soothing words on my scared,
scarred soul.
	Finally I flowed through his arms and onto my bed, totally drained.
	Dad got me a glass of water and after I gulped half it down I
smiled up at him.  He bent down and kissed my forehead.
	"Better?" Dad asked.
	"Yeah, it's just how many kids like me are there out there?  Am I
doomed to find every one of them?"
	"Too many and no.  So far two boys have been lucky and you've been
there for them.  How many more you'll encounter I can't tell you."
	"I know all of us helped save Ton Ton's life, and maybe we saved
Jeff's tonight, but knowing out there, in some corner of Longston, another
boy or girl is feeling the strap or fist or cock for no good reason and
against their will is scary," I said.
	"Son, right now there's only one boy I'm concerned with, and that's
you.  Are you handling this OK?"
	I thought this over, then shook my head.  "Better than with Ton Ton
but I can't shake the memory of his limp body in my arms.  I was sure Jeff
was dead."
	"He's not."
	I nodded, and thought "for now."  I squeezed my dad's hand.  "Will
you sit on the chair until I fall asleep dad?"
	He closed the lights except for the bathroom light which left a
soft glow through a crack.  He pulled a chair around, kissed my brow and
sat.
	It didn't take me long to feel secure and fall asleep.

	It was Saturday afternoon before they let me see Jeff.  In the gift
shop I bought a small Winnie-the-Pooh doll and brought it upstairs with me.
	A doctor was walking out of Jeff's room when we got there.
"Doctor, how's Jeff Aaronson?" Stya said.
	"You are?"
	"Stya Maskovitz and Jonathan Sorrel."
	"Glad to finally meet the two heros.  Jeff's still unconscious but
if you hold his hand and talk to him he might hear you?"
	"Any improvement," I looked at his name tag, "Dr. Montoya?"
	"A little, but not enough.  To be honest the bureaucrats upstairs
are hurting him.  He should still be up in ICU or the surgery recovery
floor, rather than a pediatric ward."
	"You're talking money," I said.
	Dr. Montoya nodded.
	"Dad, call him now.  Doctor, move him where you think he belongs
and make sure he get's everything he needs," I said.
	"Son," Dr. Montoya said.
	"Doc do it, the bill will be covered.  I'm calling my son's cousin,
Lamont Sorrel," Stya said as he pulled out his cell phone.
	Leaving the doctor and Stya I entered the institutional green drab
box of a room.  The window overlooked another window and I heard kitchen
noises drifting up from below.  There were four ancient hospital beds and
Jeff's was hidden by the door.  I looked at the boys in the other beds,
they stared listlessly at the television while dressed in their hospital
gowns.  Three more charity cases.
	I sat next to Jeff and slipped the doll under his arm.  It might
have been my imagination but I swear his arm tightened around it.
Remembering what the doctor said I started telling him about my week in
school.  The big football game coming up that night against our arch-rival.
	"What school do you go to sir?"
	I looked around and saw the other three boys sitting around me on
the floor.  I smiled at them.  "Longston Academy, and my name's Jon not
sir."
	"Oh, your parents must be rich.  My big brother had to drop out of
school to help my parents feed us little ones."
	"How many little ones are there?" I said.
	"Two older than me and two younger, and momma may be pregnant
again."
	"What does your daddy do?"
	"He's a janitor at Sorrel Enterprises' main building.  Wants to
transfer to maintenance but says there's never any openings.
	"What's your name?"
	"Manuel, Manuel Rivera."
	"And your father is?"
	Raphael Lopez-Rivera.  Do you think Longston will win tonight?"
	"Of course, one of our seniors could pick all of us up in one hand
and juggle us like we were tennis balls."
	Suddenly I felt my hand being squeezed and I turned to see Jeff's
eyes opened and focused on the doll.
	"My Winnie?" he whispered.
	"Your Winnie Jeff.  Do you like him?"
	"Love Winnie, mom read Winnie to me.  Where am I?"
	"In the hospital, but you're getting better."
	I felt something around my legs and saw Manuel punching the call
button.  One of the other boys got up and ran out of the room.  He returned
almost at once with Dr. Montoya and Stya.  The doctor went to the other
side of the bed and started checking the monitors and Jeff's vitals.
	"Manuel, Tony, Lew, get back in your beds.  How many times do I
have to tell you the floor's too cold to sit on with your bare buns?"
	"Yes Dr. Randy," they said and did as told.
	My eyes followed them back to their beds, their naked boy buns
momentarily distracting me.  I heard a small cough, turned and saw Stya
smiling at me.  I blushed and turned back to Jeff and the doctor.
	Dr. Randy Montoya had turned his full attention to Jeff.  I started
to move away but Jeff shook his head and said no.
	"It's OK Jon, oh your cousin gave me full access to a fund he
established."
	"He say anything else?"
	"He loves you, and be careful with your heart and money," Stya
said.
	I looked at the other three boys and knew what both my dads meant.
	I could see the bruises beginning to fade, and his normal
complexion returning.  He was still way to thin but Jeff seemed healthier,
and the doctor confirmed that when he finished checking him over.  Stya and
I stayed until Jeff fell asleep, still clutching Winnie to his chest.
	They were out of Winnie dolls when I got to the gift shop so I sent
the last three Tigger dolls to his roommates.

	Erik and Ton Ton, Joe and his family, and Stya and I went to the
big football game.  Longston was the home team and our seats were at the
top of the stands on the thirty-yard line.  OK, so Founder's Field isn't
Giant's Stadium and the top was only row twenty.  It was a great game, and
we won on a last minute field goal 22-21.
	Everybody came over afterwards to celebrate, but Joe stayed when
his brother and parents left.  A little while later Eric and Stya went up
to bed.  And I said bed not sleep.
	Some totally unfunny movie was on Comedy Central and Joe and I were
snuggling on the floor.
	"This isn't fair," Ton Ton said.
	I picked my head up from Joe's neck.  "What isn't fair?"
	"Our dads are upstairs together.  Soon you two will go up and I'll
be alone with nobody to have sex with but my fist."
	"Antonio, you're much too young to be talking about sex," Joe said.
	Ton Ton leaped on top of Joe and started throwing punches which
landed on me or the couch as often as their intended target.  "Don't ever
call me that, never, never, never," he said over and over.
	He let up for a moment, I grabbed him and pulled him on top of me.
I brought his mouth to mine and kissed him, his tongue shoved its way into
my mouth, and I felt the pent up need in him and took hold of his buns.
	"I'm sorry Ton, that wasn't nice or fair," Joe said as he rubbed
the younger boy's back.  "Do you want to come upstairs with us?  There's
plenty of room in the bed for three."
	Ton Ton broke the kiss and looked at me.  I nodded and smiled.  He
took his tee-shirt off and brought his mouth to mine again.  As Joe stroked
his back I slipped my hands under the band of his sweat pants, nothing but
bare skin.
	Ton Ton lifted his hips and I slipped his pants past his hips.  Joe
moved and finished removing them.  My lover put my hands on our young
friend's back.  I saw him spread Ton Ton's cheeks and start rimming him.
	The boy moaned as he felt Joe's tongue enter him.  He broke the
kiss and unbuttoned my shirt.  Gently kissing my chest as he spread it
open.  His left hand went to my right nipple and his mouth started sucking
on my other breast.  But that wasn't what was leaking.
	"Suck me Ton, suck me," I said.
	He didn't have to be told twice.  Without dislodging Joe, who was
still eating out his asshole, he lifted himself up so I could slide myself
up to where I could release my throbbing prick and feed it to his hungry
mouth.  With the care and speed taught him by his brutal father and
brothers Ton Ton quickly swallowed my cock and started licking it.  He said
something I couldn't make out.
	"Did he say 'fuck me'?" Joe said.
	Ton Ton nodded his head.
	"Looks that way," I said and ran my fingers through the boy's long
black hair.
	Joe finished stripping, slicked his hard cock up with some saliva
and quickly entered Ton Ton.
	Ton Ton lifted off me and moaned with delight.  I grabbed his erect
nipples and pulled him back down.  First he licked the precum from my slit
and then slowly swallowed me.  When his lips touched my pubic hair I filled
his throat with my seed.
	Ton Ton kept sucking on my cock as Joe kept fucking him in ever
faster and harder strokes.  When Joe finally filled his ass Ton Ton sucked
my rod so hard I had my second orgasm in ten minutes.
	When Joe pulled out I lifted Ton Ton off me and brought his rigid
three inches to my mouth.  I licked every inch from his balls to the tip of
his penis and when I took him into my mouth he came so hard and so loud I
was positive Eric and Stya would be running down the stairs to see what we
were doing.
	But then I figured they knew.  "You ready to go upstairs now?" I
said.
	"Carry me," Ton Ton said.  I got rid of the rest of my clothes and
picked him up.  Joe gathered three sets of clothes in his arms and followed
us up.  He likes watching me climb stairs.  Says my ass is sexiest then,
even covered.

	Monday was the start of Thanksgiving week, and the beginning of my
first real holiday season.  My thoughts though were occupied by a couple of
big tests and Jeff.  The tests were in English and Biology.  Dick Halsey
has been really demanding the last couple of weeks.  He had us reading the
Canterbury Tales in the original. OK not as old English as Beowulf, which
we're reading over Christmas, but hard enough if you can't get the rhythm.
	In biology all we have to do is dissect a frog, a real one.  The
downside of being a wealthy private school is we all get our own, no
sharing.  We've also been told if we heave over the frog we just have to
clean it up and get back to work.
	I will not bore you with the gruesome details.  But I didn't throw
up, somehow.

	As I stumbled into architecture right after my biology test on
Tuesday my teacher, Mr. Zephyr, told me to report to the office
immediately.
	"Does he have to sir?" Betty Collins said.  "He's been helping me
with my project and I need his help."
	Mr. Zephyr handed me the note.  Grandpa Sheriff was waiting.
"Sorry Betty, you'll have to figure out where to put those windows
yourself.  I'll check them tomorrow, promise," I said and hurried out of
the room.

	"Grandpa Sheriff, what's up?  Everybody OK?" I said as I entered
the office and saw him talking to Dr. Gilead.
	"Mr. Sorrel, you know better than to interrupt," the headmaster
said.
	"Sorry."
	Dr. Gilead nodded and they talked for another couple of minutes
before Stya's dad walked over to me.  "I need your help Jon."
	"Sure, what?"
	"Bubba Jones has gotten a lot of incriminating comments from Jeff's
father, which he's given an affidavit for.  He's willing to testify with
nothing in exchange, which is great.  We showed Mr. Aaronson and his lawyer
the statement but they're still denying it."
	"So where do I come in?" I said.
	"I need a statement from Jeff and he's too scared to give it.  One
of the other boys in his room brought you up, and I almost wrote myself up
for not thinking of you myself.  Will you come with me, Detective Burr and
the stenographer?"
	"When?"
	"Now OK?"
	"Sure, could you just ask somebody to get word to Joe not to wait
for me and I'll call him when I get home?"
	
	Manuel and Lew were still in the room when I got there but there
was another boy in Tony's bed.  Manuel and Lew jumped out of bed and
thanked me for their Tigger dolls.  I looked over at the third boy.
"Jamie, he's a good kid," Manuel said and I just nodded.
	"Done."  He smiled and I reminded myself to talk to someone about
helping his dad.
	Finally I turned to Jeff who'd been sleeping when I entered the
room.  The commotion had finally woken him.
	"Jon?  Is that you?"
	"Yes, I told you I was going to watch out for you.  How you
feeling?"
	"Better, but still a lot of pain in my stomach?"
	"What did Dr. Montoya say about it?"
	"Haven't told him," Jeff said.
	"What!" I must have shouted it because everybody ran into the room.
I waved the doctor over.  "Do you tell him or do I?"
	"Please don't," he said.
	"Jeff I told you I was going to watch out for you, and that means
doing what's right.  Doc, he says his stomach's hurting him real bad."
	Dr. Montoya sat on the bed and started poking Jeff's torso.  At one
point he screamed and shook so horribly I gasped and reached my other hand
out to Grandpa.
	"Sheriff, I know how important this is but I've got to get him into
surgery fast."
	"I understand, his getting better comes first."
	"Jeff, will you answer one question from your friend?"
	He nodded, "I know you do right thing for me.  Just scared."
	"Who beat you up?"
	He shook his head violently.
	"You saw the scars on my back.  My half-brothers did that to me.
They were sent far away where they'll never do it to me again.  You tell us
and the same thing will happen to who did it to you."
	"Promise?" Jeff said.
	"I swear," I said.
	"I swear on my badge," Grandpa said.
	"My daddy did it.  First he did my mommy and after he pushed her
down the steps he started doing it to me."
	I held his hand and kissed him as a different doctor gave him a
shot.  Jeff's breathing eased and he closed his eyes.  "He's asleep, we
have to move him now," the doctor said.
	I stood up and we watched them take him out of the room.  When he
was out of sight I turned to my grandfather.  "Did I do it right?"
	"Perfectly, nobody can say you put any name in his mouth.  I'm
proud of you Jon, as always."
	"Jon, Sheriff," Lew called.
	"Yes Lew," I said.
	"Yesterday we were talking about our illnesses after Jamie moved in
and Jeff told us the same thing then.  That his daddy had beaten him for
years, other things too.  But he made us promise not to tell anyone."
	"I heard too," Manuel said.  I turned to the new boy who also
nodded.
	"Guys, this isn't just the Sheriff, he's also my
foster-grandfather.  He's going to have to get hold of your parents but if
they say it's OK will you make a formal statement about what Jeff told
you?" I said.
	"Yes," they all said.
	"Thanks boys, we all really appreciate this.  People like Jeff's
father are animals and should be put away for a long time.  But one thing
I've got to tell you.  If anybody tells you something like this and wants
you to keep it a secret, don't.  If you know somebody's hurting someone
else, or themselves, you'd be their best friend by telling.  Even if they
never talk to you again.  Do you understand?"
	All three nodded.
	"Jon, why don't you wait here while I try and put things together,"
Grandpa said.
	"Tell us about the football game," Manuel said.
	"Yeah," Lew said.
	"What game?" Jamie said.
	I was halfway through the fourth quarter when Grandpa returned with
Lew's parents, but we made them wait till the winning field goal was
soaring through the goal posts for the second time and I was leading three
boys in hospital gowns running around the room screaming, "we won, we won."
	When the boys were back in bed Lew's father put his hand on my
shoulder.  "Kid, thanks, that's the happiest I've seen him in a long time.
Will his statement really help the other boy?"
	"Yes, Jeff's dad has to be punished.  It'll also send a message to
other kids it's all right to squeal when their friends are being beaten," I
said.
	"Go ahead Sheriff.  Lew tell them everything truthfully.  You may
have to stand up in court under oath and repeat this," Lew's father said.
	By the time Lew was finished Manuel and Jamie's parents were there
too, and gave their consent.  It really made me feel good to see their
parents cared enough to come visit them after work.
	When all the statements were done I hugged the three boys and left
with Grandpa.  By the elevator I saw it was eight and I realized I was
starving.  Then another thought crossed my mind.
	"Grandpa, does dad know where I am?  I forgot all about it with," I
said and waved my arms.
	"He should be downstairs, I called him after they took Jeff down to
surgery."
	"Thanks, will they let you know how he is?" I said.
	"Of course, and I'll call you in the morning, promise," he said as
the elevator doors opened.
	
	The detective and stenographer declined our invitation to eat at
the McDonald's inside the hospital.  As we ate we brought dad up to date.
We were finishing our ice cream sundaes when Dr. Montoya came in.
	"Dr. Montoya," Grandpa said.
	The man looked liked he'd aged ten years in the couple of hours
since he'd left with Jeff.  A lump grew in my stomach and I couldn't talk.
I looked at dad.
	"Doc?" Grandpa said.
	"He's alive, and when he recovers I'm going to kill him.  His
stomach was full of blood from internal bleeding.  Another couple of hours
and it might have been too late.  Jon can you explain why he didn't say
anything?"
	"Sure, if you complain about what he's done to you he's only going
to punish you for complaining.  You learn to accept your place and do
what's needed to stay alive.  Even when you really don't want to."
	"But I'm here to help him."
	"But you must have had a reason to leave his stomach hurting, and
you'd beat him if he complained."
	"That's nonsense!" Dr. Montoya said.
	"You know that Doc, I know that.  But kids like Jon and Jeff, they
have to be taught again and again.  It took Jon months before he completely
trusted my love and kindness," Stya said.
	"I don't know if I'll ever understand," the doctor said.
	"Don't try, just get him healthy and ready for a new and better
life," I said.  "And the money in the fund is there for any mental therapy
he needs as well.  If a couple of extra dollars can help the other three
just doctor the bill doctor."
	"Your awfully free with your cousin's money, but thanks."
	"They all helped Jeff tonight, it's the least we can do to thank
them," Grandpa said.
	"Shit, one more thing.  Is the gift shop still open?" I said.
	"Yes, another ten minutes," Dr. Montoya said.
	Stya handed me a twenty and I ran out of the restaurant.  They were
out of Tigger dolls so I sent Jamie a Piglet.

	When Stya and I got home I tried to study for my English test the
next day, but just couldn't.  Pictures of Jeff under the surgeon's knife
turned into him being under his father's fists.  I had to remind myself of
what I'd told Ton Ton that day in the cabin.  It wasn't Jeff's fault.  It
wasn't Ton Ton's fault.  Most importantly, it wasn't my fault.
	I made myself relax a little but still couldn't study.  Stya was
watching a movie on TV when I found him.
	"What's on?" I said as I sat on the couch.
	"Not a clue," he said and raised his arm.  I put my head on his lap
and he held me.  "You finished studying?"
	"Can't."
	"We'll both stay home tomorrow.  I'll give you a note to take in
Monday."
	"Cool."  We finished that movie, and another, and another before we
finally went upstairs to sleep.  But don't ask me anything about any of
them.

	Joe's Great-Aunt Celia always had the family over for Thanksgiving,
and Stya and I were told in no uncertain terms that we were family.
Problem was Grandma wanted us over there too.  Through delicate
negotiations we arranged for Aunt Celia to serve at one and Stya's parents
to serve at seven.  Which suited Grandpa fine, since the second football
game would be just about over then.

	The weather had been overcast ever since the night we'd found Jeff
but the sun broke out for Thanksgiving.  Observing what dad assured me was
an old Maskovitz tradition we had breakfast in bed while we watched the
Macy's parade from New York City.  I'd seen the parade on my tv at home
other years, even watched it on a giant screen with surround sound in a
deserted Macy's last year.  But this was special.
	As soon as the parade was over we showered and got dressed,
separately.  As I've said before the lover part of our relationship has
ended and left us as friends, and parent and child.  Parent and child, I
still get a lump in my throat when I say that.
	We got in the car and headed across town towards Aunt Celia.  She
lived in the Mt. Bev section, but in the older section past my father's
house.  Older section, older money, dad explained.  We drove through the
gate and up the long, wide driveway and pulled behind the first car we came
to.  The house was huge, maybe not as big as my father's but it just seemed
so massive.  It appeared to be cut out of solid rock with huge pillars and
statues carved into the facade.  The oak front double doors were at least
ten feet high and wide.  Don Werner, Joe's father, answered the door and
showed us in.
	"You were getting the old lady worried," Don said.
	"It's only 12:50, we're not even on time yet," Stya said.
	"She's getting to the stage where if you're not a half-hour early
something's wrong."
	They talked as we walked down the hall and into a large, glass
enclosed room.
	"Child, you'll have them thinking I'm senile," Aunt Celia said from
her chair.  "Come here Jon."
	I went and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.  "Thanks for
inviting us Aunt Celia."
	"My pleasure boy, you know you're looking more like your mother
every day.  The way your hair hangs and shines, your eyes.  She'd be proud
of you."  She stopped and brushed a tear from my eye.  "Now don't start
that, a smile will do nicely instead."
	I smiled and turned to look at the other people in the room.  An
old man was making his way over.  He was about Aunt Celia's age and used a
cane, though it seemed more as an aide than really being needed.
	"Celia, I know I promised to wait but I can't.  Is this really
Jonathan?" the man said.
	"Yes it is Paul, Jon go get a chair please."
	I found a small chair alongside a table by the wall and started to
bring it over.
	"Not that one, it's a little too old to be sat on.  Even older than
me.  Bring the one by the fireplace."
	I blushed and gingerly returned the original, which turned out to
be part of an almost three hundred years old set worth that many thousands
of dollars, and brought the suggested one.  I helped the man into the chair
and turned to go look for Joe.
	"Stay Jon, I'd like to properly introduce you two," Aunt Celia
said.
	"Get on with it young lady, I'm not getting any younger you know."
	She took the man's hand and gave it a light squeeze.  "He's one of
the few who can honestly say that.  Paul this is Jonathan Sorrel, Jon this
is one of my oldest and dearest friends, your Great Uncle Paul Giladee.
	Speechless I found myself reaching out to touch his face and then
taking his outstretched hand.  "You're really related to me?  You knew my
mother?" I finally said.
	"From the day your grandparents brought her home from the hospital.
And I remember when she brought you home as well."  He stopped talking and
brought a picture out of his jacket pocket and handed it to me.  It was a
picture of me as a small baby, my parents and grandparents.  I recognized
them from the album Lamont gave me for my birthday, but this one hadn't
been in it.
	"Can I," I said.
	"That's why I brought it.  I've got stories to tell you but they'll
wait for another time."
	"Yes sir, can I ask one question though?"
	"You just did, but go ahead," Paul Giladee said.
	We all laughed.  "My mother, was she and my father happy together?
Did they love each other?"
	"Oh yes, oh yes.  It was a marriage of love, not an older man
looking for a trophy wife.  Robin would never have settled for that and
your father was never as happy before or after those too few years.  Now go
child and find your young man."
	I blushed and gave my Uncle a quick kiss on the cheek and headed
off with my prize in my hand, and my mind.
	I found my way to the other side of the house by following the
noise of kids playing and talking.  In a corner of the room I saw Joe
talking to another boy about our age.  He seemed familiar but at first I
couldn't place him.  Joe took his foot off a chair and motioned me to sit.
As I did the boy smiled and my jaw dropped.
	"I see you two have met," Joe said.
	"Yes, and while your outfit that night had charm you do look a lot
better today."
	"Thanks, it's Paul, right?" I said.
	"Amazing after all this time.  Actually it's Robert Paul Giladee,
Cousin."
	"Cousin!  This is too much, Aunt Celia just introduced me to my
Uncle Paul Giladee and now this," I said.
	"Grandpa Paul," Paul said.
	"Any other surprises?" I said.
	"John, Christopher, Mary, come here now," he said.
	"Do we have to?" the smaller boy said.
	"Yes, just for a minute, promise."
	The three trotted up and looked at their big brother.  I stared at
the younger boy, he looked just like me in some of the pictures.  These
really were relatives.
	"Is this the new cousin you told us about?" the older boy said.
	"Yes, though at fifteen he really isn't new.  This is Jonathan
Sorrel, and down the ladder it's John, Mary and Christopher."
	"Why haven't we met you before?" Mary said.
	How to answer this one?
	"His mother died a long time ago," Joe said, "and she was your
Aunt.  Jon's evil stepmother wouldn't let him see anybody from his mother's
family."
	"What happened to your stepmother?"
	"I escaped from her evil clutches and like Cinderella I'm living
happily ever after," I said.
	"Can we go play?  The minute's up," Christopher said.
	"Go," Paul said.
	When they were gone he turned to me.  "Sorry, I didn't think they'd
do more than say cool and bye."
	I moved my chair between my love and my cousin and they spent the
remainder of the time until lunch pointing out other kids and occasional
adult and how they were related.  It slowly dawned on me that there were
connections between the two families.
	"Joe, are we related?" I said.
	"Yes, but we don't have to worry about any incest taboos.  I think
it goes back to Aunt Celia's parents or grandparents generation, and then
there's another overlap somewhere in our parents' generation.
	I leaned over and kissed him, "incest taboos?  We break enough
taboos without having to worry about those.  Not that I give a damn."
	"Neither do I," Joe said and returned the kiss.
	"I guess everything I heard about you two is true," Paul said.
	"Yeah, we're lovers and we do a lot more than you and I did Cousin.
I hope it doesn't bother you," I said.
	"No, to be honest I enjoyed that blow job and you two being gay
doesn't bother me a bit.  Besides if Aunt Celia and Grandpa Paul don't mind
nobody in any branch of the family is going to say anything negative," Paul
said.
	All of a sudden a black mop of hair was in my face and giving me a
kiss.  "Hi Jon, Joe," Ton Ton said.  "Who's this?"
	"My cousin Paul on my mother's side," I said
	"Cool, hi Paul, I'm Ton Ton and Eric Werner's my foster dad."
	"Cool, welcome to the family kid."
	A single tone sounded and in seconds we were the only ones left in
the room.  "I guess that means it's dinner time," I said.
	"No, that's for the kids, and that means you Ton Ton, Joe said.
	"OK, see you later."  Ton Ton ran out of the room like he hadn't
eaten in weeks.
	"At fifteen we move to the grown-up table thank God.  Let Lucy be
in charge of the brats this year," Joe said.
	"Serves her right after all the years she's been the biggest brat
of them all.  But let's turn off everything that needs turning off," Paul
said.
	It was a good thing we did, because otherwise there would have been
lots of drained batteries and dead games after the meal.  Out of habit Joe
turned the lights off as we left the room when the double tone sounded.  I
followed Joe and Paul past the kids' dining room, through the room where
Aunt Celia and Uncle Paul had been and into a massive dining room lit with
six large chandeliers, filled with enough tables for a couple hundred
people.
	Joe checked a chart on the table and whistled.  "We're at the head
table."
	The head table turned out to be five lined up in a single row along
one wall and we were at one end.  As I'd expected Aunt Celia and Grandpa
Paul were seated in the middle.  Stya and Joe's parents were there too.
Then Paul pointed out his parents sitting on Stya's other side.  Then I
realized it was Lamont sitting between Paul's mother and Aunt Celia.  What
was he doing here?  I stood and walked over.
	"Hi father."
	"Hi Jon, how you doing?"
	"Fine, and thanks for helping Jeff."
	"It's why I set that fund up in the first place.  I gave them a
million to help underprivileged kids and I find they haven't touched a dime
of the principal or interest.  But how are you handling facing another kid
like Jeff?"
	"Rough at times, blew off an English test yesterday, just couldn't
get into studying.  Mr. Halsey will have my head on Monday."
	"Should I," Lamont said.
	"No, dad and I will handle it, but thanks.  My 'cousin' Lamont has
helped a lot already and we appreciate it.  I'm surprised to see you here
though."
	"Aunt Celia invited me, and you do not turn her down.  Though she
didn't tell me she was going to introduce you to half the Giladee family."
	"I'm glad she did, it's so awesome to meet all these relatives.  I
told three of the kids they hadn't met me because my evil stepmother
wouldn't let me and I just escaped, like in Cinderella."
	My biological father just looked me in the eyes and I thought both
of us were on the verge of crying.
	"Young man, take your seat please, we are about to get started,"
Aunt Celia said.
	"Yes ma'am," I said and returned to my seat.
	"Lamont's your father?" Paul said.
	I turned to Joe who shrugged and smiled.
	"Only family knows, most people think he's my distant cousin, and
that's the way I want to keep it," I said.
	"But why?" Paul said.
	"Paul, you didn't ask too many questions that night and it was one
of your best qualities.  Outside of a nice cock."
	"As long as I got that out of you I'm satisfied."
	
	There was a clear ping and I saw Aunt Celia tapping the glass in
front of her.  The crowd fell silent.
	"Paul and I want to thank everyone for coming today.  Thanksgiving
is a day best enjoyed in the bosom of one's family, even if you don't have
much to do with them the rest of the year.  It is a day to remember the
blessings of your family and begin to put away the hurt and
misunderstandings dividing you.  It is also a day to enjoy the wonders of
the generations which follow us.  Today we are blessed with three young men
joining us in this room for the first time.  I would like everybody to
welcome Paul Giladee, Joseph Werner and Jonathan Sorrel as adult members of
the family."
	Joe and Paul started to stand and I followed suit.  We were greeted
by a round of applause.
	"I would also like to welcome back after too long an absence Lamont
Sorrel." Lamont stood, waved and sat.

	A team of servants served the first course and between mouthfuls
and talking with Joe and Paul I scanned the room full of faces.
Periodically I saw one man avert his eyes as I came in his general
direction.  His face rang a bell but for the longest time I couldn't place
him.  Finally I caught and held his eye, he nodded slowly and smiled.  It
was the guy who kept dropping the five dollar bills after looking at my
naked, shaved chest at the mall.  He'd never said a word nor indicated he
wanted anything more.  Silently I mouthed, "thanks for everything."
	"Your welcome, my pleasure," he said.
	We ate, we talked, time flew.  Periodically one of the younger kids
would wander in looking for a parent and go out.
	After the dessert dishes had been cleaned away Aunt Celia rose.
"Ladies, will you join me in the other room for coffee."
	The three of us looked at each other in puzzlement.  Aunt Celia was
the last one out the door and when they were closed Uncle Paul pushed back
his chair, loosened his tie and said, "finally I can breath again.  Move
closer men, let's not make the job too difficult for Krug and company.
	As the other guests moved closer to the front table the butler,
Krug I guess, and others handed out glasses and bottle of brandy and
cigars.  The three of us looked at our fathers and got four nods of the
head in return.  Stya and Lamont looked at each other and laughed.
	I didn't mind a bit.
	On the other hand, while the brandy and cigar tasted fine my
stomach minded them a lot.  I put the cigar away first but that didn't do
the trick.  But hey, I'm only fifteen and a couple of weeks.  Joe and Paul
weren't doing any better so we asked one of the servants to bring us sodas
instead.

	Ton Ton walked in, over to Eric climbed up on the chair next to his
dad and grabbed for Eric's glass.  Eric tried to stop him but the youngster
was too fast and took a drink.  His eyes widened and everybody started
laughing.  "Uh dad, you told me to remind you when it's time," Ton Ton said
when he'd recovered.
	I looked at my watch, it was 6:20, we had forty minutes to say our
good-byes, get our car and over to our second dinner.  Stya and Joe's
parents stood.  "Uncle Paul, gentlemen, it has been a pleasure.  However,
we have to head over to our second dinner, so on behalf of my brother and
my in-laws we bid you good-night and we'll see you at Christmas."

	Grandpa and Grandma did not have as big a crowd, but neither do
they have as big a house and there were people all over the place when our
caravan arrived.  In addition to the eight of us and Stya's parents, Stya's
older brother Boris was there with his wife and three kids.  Right behind
us came Stya's sister Leah with husband and her three in tow.  At fifteen
Joe and I were the oldest of the kids, which stretched down to Aunt Leah's
two-year-old girl.
	After the introductions were done and some chatting with my older
cousins Joe took my hand and pulled.  As we passed the front door I saw
Dr. Montoya had joined us and I ran up to him.
	"Hello Dr. Montoya, how's Jeff?" I said.
	"I'm fine thank you, glad to be here, this is my wife Flora, Flora
this is Jonathan Sorrel.  He's the one who finally got the hospital to use
that fund," Dr. Montoya said.
	"Pleased to meet you," Mrs.  Montoya said.
	"Sorry doc, pleased to meet you.  Your husband really puts his
heart into his patients."
	"Thank you Jon."
	"OK, now how's Jeff?" I said.
	"Much better, he's even walking to the bathroom by himself and
eating some soft foods.  All four residents of Pooh Corner say hello, Happy
Thanksgiving, and thanks," Dr. Montoya said.
	"Pooh Corner?" Joe said.
	"First Jon bought Jeff a Winnie the Pooh doll, then Tiggers for his
three roommates.  When one left and a new one came in he got that boy a
Piglet."
	"Cool," Joe said.
	"Speaking of cool," Grandpa said as he put his hand on my shoulder.
	"What Grandpa?"
	"Thanks to you Jeff's father has stopped denying everything.  His
lawyer and the District Attorney are working out a deal which will keep him
in jail a long time but avoid a first degree murder trial in the death of
his wife."
	"Cool," I said and gave in to Joe's continued tugging.
	He led me out the back door into the cool evening and to the swing
set that's been there since dad's childhood.  Soft lights over the deck
were the only illumination.  Joe checked to make sure nobody had followed
us, then pulled me into his arms and we kissed.  His hands roamed over my
back and ass and eventually inside my pants.
	Without breaking the kiss I unzipped his fly and pulled his rapidly
expanding cock out and started stroking it.  I wanted to kneel and suck it,
strip and be fucked by my lover's sex but there was no place private
enough.  I felt Joe's hand on my fly and spread my legs to give him easier
access.  He quickly had my cock out and matched my rhythm.  Tongues danced,
lips bonded, hands blurred, cum shot out further than ever before.  We
shook each other dry and reluctantly put our lover's penis away.  Finally
back in one piece we sat on the swings and gently swayed back and forth
while holding hands.
	"Happy?" Joe said.
	I kissed him hard.  "I'm always happy when I'm with you.  If you
mean about everything else today."
	"I do."
	"Yes, meeting my Uncle and cousins was really exciting and I think
helped fill a whole in me.  But being with you is what makes me happiest.
	We sat on the swings, holding hands quietly until Ton Ton came and
got us.