Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2001 16:53:47 +0000
From: Ben nobody <ben_sc@hotmail.com>
Subject: Berto's Roses- Part XXII Beginnings

Berto's Roses

By Ben

Part XXII

"Mama sent me to tell you that your...our meal is ready."

"Thank you, Berto. I'll be right there." I grabbed the towel after he
turned and left the bathroom. I dried myself and wrapped the towel around
my waist, walking into the bedroom. Berto was standing beside my table
looking at all of my computer gadgets and gizmos.

"Have you ever used a computer, Berto? Does Bob let you use his?"

He turned towards me. "I have used them at school, but Mama will not allow
me to go into Mr.  Roberto's room. So, I do not use one here. How will you
get yours to work" He picked up a cable and looked at the connector.

"I'll hook it up after we eat. Would you like to help me?"

"Si, Senor Ben. I would like that very much."

"Okay, let me get dressed, and I'll be with you and your Mama in just a
minute."

Berto left the room and I got dressed. I walked in and sat down at the
table. Manuella sat to my left and Berto sat across from me. I had to be
careful not to look to intently at him under the watchful gaze of his
mother. It was another fine meal with grilled chicken and yellow rice. Many
fresh fruits and, of course, tortillas.

We had lively conversation throughout the meal. Berto was excited about
going to school and about helping me set up my computer. Manuella asked me
about the plans for the house and seemed agreeable to most of them. She
suggested that I add a studio at the end of the carport so I would have a
place to paint and to work with my computer that would not take up so much
space in my room. It was an excellent idea, and I told her I would talk to
Bob about it tonight, or tomorrow, if he got in too late.

"Oh, he will be in very late, Senor Ben. When he goes out with Senor Mack,
he eats things that are bad for him and he drinks too much, too. He is not
well and he should know better." Manuella gave a stern, angry look and
shook her head, her chubby arms crossed over her huge breasts.

This was more confirmation of Manuella's dislike for Mack. Glancing at
Berto, I could see he shared the sentiment as well. While I didn't much
care for some of Mack's remarks, and he was definitely not, "my type", I
still wondered just what they had against him. Ah, well.  That had nothing
to do with me.  They had their reasons.

We cleared the table and Manuella actually let me help! I even dried the
dishes for her. It made me feel more like part of "the family". These were
good people and I liked them very much. After everything was put away I
suggested to Berto that we water the roses before it got too dark.

We lugged the watering can back and forth and I decided that I would start,
as soon as possible, measuring and designing the sprinkler system.  I
wasn't about to drag that damned thing around any longer than I had too. We
finished up in about forty-five minutes and went inside to my room.

Berto and I began connecting cables between the computer tower and the rest
of the equipment.  We started by identifying each cable and component and
finding the right socket on the back of the PC.  Berto volunteered to crawl
under the table and had the cords back and forth.  He was hesitant to hook
them up, but I assured him I would watch him do it. He seemed to feel okay
with that.  As I passed the cables to Berto (and vice versa), I looked down
at him. He was working with his hands and arms above his head while lying
on his back on the cool floor.  This caused his shirt to ride up, exposing
the lower part of his flat belly and his black, wispy "treasure
trail". This disappeared at the top of his thin white shorts.

I should not have been watching him, like that. What was it about this kid
that grabbed my attention so strongly? Of course he was cute-hotter than
hell, but it wasn't just a physical beauty which called to me. Berto had a
certain quality, and unspoiled...well, sweetness of character. I enjoyed
being around him. I liked teaching him, sharing with him, learning from
him.

We got it all hooked up and I turned it on. I didn't hook it up to the
Internet yet because I wasn't sure just how to do that. I assumed that
there was AOL available, but I would have to check with Bob to see just
what I should do.

Berto was so anxious he was like a child at Christmas. I decided that I
would start by printing his picture, as I had promised him. I got the
adapter connected to the camera and the last photo I had shot came up on
the monitor. I showed Berto how to view the pics while I dug around in my
boxes for some photo quality paper.

He flipped through the frames of himself and finally settled on one that he
liked. It wasn't my personal favorite, but Berto was quite photogenic, so
there were no bad ones. I loaded the printer and showed him how to
print. It always impressed me how easily young people adapt to using a
computer.  There is no intimidation at all. They just go for it, and Berto
was no exception.

I had a good printer and some great paper, so the print turned out very
nicely. Berto was so pleased with it that he took it to his mother. He
returned shortly and asked if he could print another one. I told him he
could use the computer any time he wanted to. There wasn't much I would
deny him.

We looked around and I showed his some programs for word processing and
business/accounting programs. I showed him some drawing packages and he
seemed very interested in them. I told him I would show him how to use
them, later on.

I also showed Berto some AutoCAD drawings and explained that I would be
making some measurements tomorrow and drawing up plans for the work on the
house. He volunteered to help me and I promised to show him when I was
drawing the plans.

It was getting late and we were getting tired, although I was reluctant to
part company with Berto.  He was such a lively, interesting person. He
absorbed information like a sponge and always wanted to try out what I had
explained to him. I told him that experience is the best teacher. I told
him to feel free to do anything he liked and if he had any questions or got
stuck, to just let me know.

Berto thanked me for the pictures and for showing him how to hook up and
use the computer. He gave me a strong hug and I, again, had to resist the
urge to kiss his perfect lips. "Good night, Berto. See you in the morning."

"Buenos noches, Senor Ben. I am happy you are staying here. Even if I am
going to university, you will be here whenever I come home."

Another hug. "You can count on it, Berto. And I'll take good care of your
roses. I promise."

Berto closed the door behind him and I sat down at the computer. I flipped
through the pictures again and went to the beginning file. These were the
shots of Ricky and Jose making love. God, what gorgeous men!

The light from the huge fireplace shone on their skin, and the shadows were
deep. Looking ad Ricky's cock disappearing inside his lover's ass was
extremely stimulating.  This was particularly true when I remembered just
how great it felt having him inside of me.

I hadn't realized that I had taken so many pictures of them. I boned up in
no time, and I was feeling VERY horny. I pulled off my shirt and pants,
then moved the mouse to my left hand. I softly stroked my hard cock as I
continued looking at the shots.

Using my fingertips, I stimulated just the head until I just couldn't stand
it any more. I grasped the shaft hard and jacked vigorously to an extremely
strong orgasm.  I caught the spooge in my t-shirt and just collapsed back
in my chair.

After recovering, I hauled my ass out of the chair, put my clothes in the
wicker hamper and came back into the bedroom. The screen saver was on so I
switched of the monitor and crawled in bed. I was asleep in no time and was
awakened by the sound of Bob and Mack noisily climbing the stairs to the
third floor. I checked my watch and it was 3:30. Manuella was going to be
pissed off for sure.

Waking with the sun, I took a long, hot shower and dressed comfortably for
the day ahead. I wanted to get started with the measurements around the
house as soon as possible. Of course, it was impossible to avoid SOME sort
of breakfast. Manuella would consider it a major insult, but she was
learning that I preferred light meals early in the morning, with coffee and
little conversation.

I grabbed some paper, pencils, a clipboard and a 100 foot measuring tape
and walked to the carport. I looked around for Berto, but didn't see him
yet. I figured he was in the garden again. I did some preliminary sketches
and took some of the shorter measurements, but I really needed help with
the longer ones.

I started looking for Berto and finally found him in front of my computer,
playing a game that I had shown him the night before. It was then I
realized that I had left the photos of Ricky and Jose showing when I went
to bed. Shit! There was no way that Berto could have missed them.

I was trying to formulate some sort of response in case he asked me about
them, but he just looked up and smiled at me. "Good morning, Senor Ben. I
am winning!" Yeah, I thought, he was winning my heart. "Congratulations,
Berto. Do you mind if I watch you?" He looked back at the screen and
continued his play while he shook his head.

Presently, he finished with a score that pleased him very much. He stood
and asked if I was ready to work on the plans. I told him I needed his help
with some measurements and he apologized for playing computer games while I
was waiting for him.

"Its okay, Berto. I am glad you took some time to have a little fun. You
work very hard around here and you are very good at what you do.  We have
plenty of time to get this done. By the way, what day do you leave for
school?"

"I will be leaving in five days-on Tuesday. I will take the bus to San
Augustin to the University."

"Really? I didn't know you were going there for school. I could visit you
there. That's where my friends live."

"The ones in the pictures?" He asked as he switched of the monitor.

I blushed deep red as he looked at me. "Uh, yeah...yes. Ricky and Jose.
Ricky's father is an important businessman in San Augustin."

"He is Senor Chavez? I know of him. He has much money, no?"

"He does indeed, but he is a very nice man, with a wonderful sense of
humor.  He has given me a list of people to help with the house.  His home
is enormous and very beautiful. Ricky has his own house on his father's
property."

" He lives with his lover... what is his name? Jose?"

Another blush from me. "Yes that's right. And Jose is a pilot. He took me
for a tour in Don Chavez's airplane. He flies like you drive!" I poked
Berto playfully in the ribs and he laughed melodically.  He was such a joy
to be with. I knew I would miss him when he went away next week.

We walked out to the carport and made our measurements and I sketched away.
We moved to the patio and made the necessary sketched there too. I wanted
Carlos to have the plans as soon as possible so I could get his estimate
and we could start putting feet to my plans.

After making our final measurements for the bathrooms, we returned to my
computer and I drew up the plans while Berto watched closely. I let him do
some simple stuff and he was a fast study. We had everything drawn and were
printing the plans when Bob knocked at the open door.

"Good morning, party animal!" I said. "How are you feeling today?"

"Just a touch of a headache. I behaved myself last night. I had to drive
home. Mack is a hell of a steamer, but he likes to have a good time."

Berto's expression visibly clouded at the mention of the little lawyer. I
made a mental note to talk to him and find out what was going on. We showed
the plans to Bob and he was impressed. He also liked the idea of a studio
attached to the carport.

Berto wanted to show off his computer skills and started the program for
viewing and printing the photos. I jumped. "Uh, Berto, wait a minute..."
But it was too late. The screen was filled with the photo of Berto in the
garden-my favorite one of him. I breathed a sigh of relief.

Berto printed it out and I suggested that we put it in a frame and give it
to his mother so she would have it while he was at school. I happened to
have several in a box. We found one that we thought she would like and,
after trimming the print to the right size, placed it in the frame.

Maneulla yelled for Berto, so he rushed out, picture in hand. He returned
in a few seconds to inform us that lunch was ready. We followed him to the
table where he excused himself. Bob sat down and I did too, wishing that
Manuella and Berto would join us. We ate and talked about the plans,
Carlos, Internet providers and the status of our legal papers.

"When Mack wakes up, we'll print everything and sign it. The money can be
taken care of with a couple of phone calls. Have you gotten a plumber to
come out yet?"

"Nope, I was waiting to get the plans drawn, so he could have something to
go by. Don Chavez gave me a couple of names to call. I will get Berto to
call for me after lunch."

"Sounds good. I doubt that Mack will be up before siesta, and your plumber
certainly won't be around until late afternoon. What about Carlos?"

"I'm not sure if he has a phone or not. I will ask Bert. I might have to go
get him."

The telephone rang and Manuella waddled in carrying the cordless set. "It
is for your, Senor Ben."

"Hello?"

"Hi Ben, it's Jake. I just wanted to let you know what my travel plans are.
I will be in San Diego on Tuesday afternoon. Is that okay?"

"You bet, man. I'm looking forward to it. What airlines and flight will you
be on?

"I lucked out and managed a hop from Jacksonville. I'll be flying into the
base. Can you pick me up?"

"I'll be there. Just tell me what time. I'll find the place."

"The schedule has me there at 3:35, but you know military flights. It could
go either way."

"I'll be early, then. You're worth the wait, my friend. It'll be good to
see you. I've missed you."

"Me too. See you on Tuesday, buddy, Bye."

We hung up and I thought about something. I was going to be driving right
past San Augustin on Tuesday. I asked Bob, "What time does Berto have to be
at school on Tuesday?  I have to pick Jake up in San Diego in the
afternoon."

"I'm not sure, but I think it's in the morning. The bus leaves here around
5:30."

"I'll ask Manuella. I might as well take him since I'm going up that way
anyway." I walked to the kitchen to talk to Manuella. She was all for
it. The timing worked out perfectly and she confessed that she felt better
about Berto going with somebody that he knew and trusted.

With that settled, I procured Bob's truck for that day and told Berto about
me taking him. He looked a little relieved. "I was afraid Senor Mack might
be staying until then and want to take me."

"Um, Berto...Could you tell me what's going on with him. Why do you and
your mother dislike him so much?"

"I don't know why Mama does not like him. I think maybe She does not think
he is a good person for Senor Bob to be with."

"That makes sense. What about you?"

Berto looked at his feet. "When I was sixteen, Senor Mack found me alone in
the garden. He...he touched me."

Uh-oh. "Where did he touch you, Berto?"

"On my butt and on my pinga. I did not want him to do this to me. I told
him to stop." He looked up at me with shame in his expression.

"Oh, Berto, I am so sorry. I hope you understand that you didn't do
anything wrong."

Berto nodded. "I do not trust him, Senor Ben. I try to avoid him and never
be alone with him."

"I can't blame you for that. Nobody has a right to touch somebody like
that, unless they are invited to do so."

Berto looked up. "Oh no, Senor Ben. I did not. I do not want HIM to touch
me!"

"It's okay, Berto, I believe you. I'll talk to Bob and make sure that Mack
doesn't bother you again.  Even if I have to insist on a new lawyer."
"Please, Senor Ben. I do not wish for Senor Roberto to know of this. I am
embarrassed and Senor Mack is his friend. It might cause problems and Mama
and I might have to leave. PLEASE do not tell him, Senor Ben!"

He was pleading and his eyes were filled with tears. He had grabbed my
shoulders and looked up into my face. I promised him I wouldn't say
anything and his expression changed to relief again. He hugged me and
thanked me over and over.

More to come, folks. Thanks for continuing to read and for your great
messages to me. Let me hear more from you. ben_sc@hotmail.com.  If you
haven't read any of my other stories, check them out under the "Authors"
link. Look for "Lyle Benton".