Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2011 20:26:45 -0700 (PDT)
From: Joe Collins <joecollins7420@yahoo.com>
Subject: The Cabin by the Lake 4

If this story is prohibited in your area, you are underage or gay sex
offends you, then please leave. If you are looking for hard core sex, you
won't find it here. This story is fictional and so are the characters.
However, the setting is a real and is located in Central Oregon. It does
sit on the edge of the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. Please feel free to
email me and be sure to include the title in the subject line

Now just sit back and enjoy!

The Cabin by the Lake

Chapter 4

On the evening of the third day, Dennis was just getting ready to serve the
dinner meal when a fast riding man came into view of camp. Dennis
immediately recognized Terry. A thousand thoughts started running through
his mind. Why would Terry be coming in such a hurry and why wasn`t he with
his group?

"Dennis, I received a phone call from your dad. Evidently you don't have
service or your phone is turned off. Kevin has had a severe heart attack
and is in intensive care. Your dad doesn't think it will be long before he
goes and he would like for you to come home immediately. Stan is going to
complete our scheduled outing by himself and I am going to take your group
so you can go. So I guess we will see you when you get back. Time is a
wasting and I don't think you have any to spare."

Dennis just sat down on a log and started sobbing uncontrollability. Kyle
sat down on one side of him and Jennie on the other and they took him in
their arms. All of this had a very calming effect upon him.

Soon, he was able to talk. "I have to get ready to go. Sorry, Guys, I would
love to stay and finish the week. I can't and I will be leaving you in good
hands. So enjoy the rest of your time," Dennis said still sobbing.

"Dennis, I would like to go with you. I know that you are in no condition
to drive by yourself," Kyle said. "We can take turns driving but I want to
start out. Kevin must be very close to you. You are a complete basket case
now."

"Kyle, I think that is a very good suggestion. We will keep both of you and
Kevin in our prayers. If there is anything we can do just give us a phone
call." Jennie said calmly.

"Kyle, I really appreciate your offer. I know that I could never make it on
my own. Kevin is my second dad. He and Dad are partners and have raised me
since I was 7. He is such a young man to be having heart problems. Thanks
Jennie. I will make it up to you guys later. You can have another week on
me. Kyle, Shall we get our things together and get on the road?"

"Dennis, I will get your horses saddled while you are getting ready. I have
the pickup and camper all ready for your use. I think going out South
Century Drive would be the best way to go. When you hit the Willamette
Highway go out to Eugene and take I-5 south. I don`t know how much cash you
have, so I put a credit card and some money in the jockey box. You should
be ok."

"Thanks, Terry! Kyle, let's get a move on. Jennie, relax a little. I won't
let Kyle go over 85 miles per hour. Just kidding, we will be careful and go
the speed limit," Dennis said . "This old man likes to run around in the
nude. So clothing will still be optional."

In just a few minutes the boys hugged everyone, said good-byes, and were on
their way.

"Well, Boys, take all the time you need. I think that we'll manage without
you. Give all our love to your dad and Kevin. We will have all of you in
our prayers. Good luck and be safe. Watch out for the other guy. You know
there are all kinds of nuts out there," Terry said giving each boy another
hug.

After another hug from John and Jennie, the boys were off. Dennis and Kyle
pushed the horses a little faster than they normally would. Dennis wanted
to get off the trail before dark and it would be close even traveling at
the faster pace. The boys reached an area that Dennis knew they would have
cell service and called ahead and had Loretta throw something together for
the boys to eat. Dennis didn't want to get started and have to stop soon
and order something to eat. She said she would have Richard take it down
and leave it on the front seat of the pickup.

They arrived at log house and found the food waiting for them. Loretta had
fixed enough for at least 10 people. One thing for sure, they would not
have to worry about going hungry.

Dennis ran upstairs with Kyle close behind. "Kyle, I am going to put some
of my things in the suitcase for you. We are the same size so that won't be
a problem. Why don't you take this suitcase and put some underwear and
socks in it. Middle drawer in the dresser. I am going to make a dash to the
bathroom and get what we will need from in there. I think that we will be
out of here in 10 minutes."

Dennis headed toward the bathroom, Soon they piled into the pickup and were
on their way. Dennis was familiar with driving in this area in the early
evening. "Kyle, you will have to watch for animals crossing the road. This
is the time of night when all the deer are out in full force. I will help
you all I can. Just be on your toes and watch for their eyes in the
headlights."

After a bit, they switched places and Dennis drove. When they reached an
area which had good reception, Dennis pulled to the side of the road and
called his dad. It was a good thing that they had stopped because Dennis
would have wrecked for sure if he had been driving. Jim told him that Kevin
had been placed in hospice and it was a matter of time. Jim told him to
come directly to the hospice center and to call and he would come out to
meet them.

After several hours of continuous driving, Dennis and Kyle pulled into the
parking lot and Jim was waiting as he said he would. It was very evident
that Jim had been by Kevin's bed the whole time. He had not shaved and had
a straggly beard, which was very unusual for Jim. Jim rushed to Dennis and
collapsed in Dennis' arms. Between Kyle and Dennis they were able to get
Jim inside and sit him in chair. The lady behind the desk called a nurse to
come out. After a short time, she had snapped Jim back into reality. Jim
told the nurse that Kyle and Dennis were his and Kevin's sons and she gave
both permission to go back at the same time.

Dennis ran to Kevin and hugged him close. He reached in his backpack and
took out a book and read Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham. When he finished
Kevin opened his eyes, smiled and was gone. Jim, Kyle and Dennis just held
Kevin and had a good cry.

Finally the nurse who was watching on the monitor came in, marked the time
of death and removed all the tubes. "Take all the time you need. I will be
just out side the door if want me. I was watching on the monitor and I
heard you reading `Green Eggs and Ham.' May I ask why you chose that
particular children's book?"

"When I was a young boy and got sick, Kevin would always read me `Green
Eggs and Ham' and it always made me feel better. It was my way of telling
Kevin that I loved him and was there for him. He looked at me and smiled. I
knew he understood and that he could now go in peace."

"That is the most touching thing I have ever heard. You did good son. Just
look how peaceful he looks. I know that he is looking down and smiling with
pride. Part of my job, is counseling those left behind. Even though you all
have tears rolling down your faces, I can tell that you have found an inner
peace. Would you like for me to call a chaplain for you?"

"Yes, Please, I have the phone number listed on the form that I filled out
when I brought Kevin in. Please call Pastor Baker for me. Thank you."

Pastor Baker stayed for about ½ hour and then left. He told Jim that he
would stop by tomorrow at 1:00 and that they could make memorial service
arrangements. Now all that was left was to go home.

"Dad, I am sorry but I forgot to introduce, my fiend, Kyle. I was so shook
up seeing Kevin lying there in bed that I forgot my manners."

"Dennis, Kyle and I understand. We took care of introductions while you
were reading to Kevin. I forgot all about `Green Eggs and Ham' until you
were talking with the nurse. Way to go, son. Promise me that you will do
the same for me when my time comes."

"I promise! Dad, you will have to wait until I get over Kevin. I can't go
through this again soon. So you can't die on me for a few days yet."

"Dennis, I like how you are handling this in such a mature manor," Kyle
whispered.

"On the outside maybe, but on the inside I am about to come unglued. I
think the worse is yet to come."

"Dennis, I came with you and I am in it for the long haul. Don't hold it
inside. Just let it all out. I will catch both you and your dad if need
be. I won`t let either one of you hit the floor." Kyle said.

"Thanks, Kyle. You have been a life savior! Thanks!" Dennis said.

"I appreciate it also that you are here for Dennis and me. I hope we can
return the favor. I think you are one of the best and cute also. Dennis
knows how to pick keepers," said Jim.

"Dad, don't go getting ahead of yourself. Kyle and I have known each other
for 3 days. Give it a chance to work. I would say that he is more than
cute. He is one the best looking guys that I have ever seen," Dennis
said. Kyle turned many different shades of red. He was however, enjoying
all the attention that he was getting because he was grinning from ear to
ear.

"Jim, your son is quite a catch himself. He is just one big oversexed
teenager who can't stay out the bed. I do think he has one of biggest sex
drives that I have ever seen. Don't get me wrong I am not complaining one
bit," responded Kyle. Now it was Dennis's turn to turn shades of red.

"Shall we talk about the weather?" said Dennis trying to change the
subject.

Memorial services for Kevin were scheduled for the following Saturday and
was to be held in the high school gymnasium. The crowd was expected to be
large. In lieu of flowers, contributions could be made to the high school
scholarship fund.

After the services, Jim, Kyle, Dennis and a few friends were sitting by the
pool just visiting. "Dad, Kyle and I really must go home. I have talked
with Terry and they have several full booking for the beginning of hunting
season. I told them that we would be coming home on Sunday. I really hate
to leave you here all alone," Dennis said as he started crying.

Kyle just moved in and took him in his arms. "That's it! Just let it all
out. You have to do a lot of grieving before you can start healing."

"Jim, you need to let go also. You won't be all alone. You saw all your
friends who showed up at the services. It is a good thing we had the
services in the gym. There is not a church here in Coos Bay that could seat
that crowd. We are not going to let you be by yourself. In fact you will
probably get tired of having someone around all the time but we are going
to be there for you. Are you sure you want to go back to the classroom on
Monday. You have lots of sick leave built up and you might want to have a
little time off," Jim's principal said.

"Tim, thank you for caring but I really think I need to be doing
something. The worse thing I could do is sit around here in the house and
remember. If it gets to bad at school, I can always change my mind. Those
kids are my life now and I know they will pull me through. Thanks!" Jim
said through all his tears. "I think the first thing, I have to do is put
this house on the market. I will look for an apartment tonight. I don't
think I can stay in this house. There are just too many memories here."

"Dad, Let go house hunting now. Kyle and I can help you move tonight before
we go home tomorrow."

"Dennis, I know that you are trying to help but I can't go off and leave
all our guest here." Jim said.

"Yes, you can, Jim, because no one will be here. We are all going out in
different directions and we will all be calling to see what we can
find. Just what did you have in mind?" Tim asked.

" I would like a one or two bedroom furnished apartment for the time
being. I can look for a larger apartment later." Jim said.

"Hey, I know just the place. My landlord has a small one bedroom house
right next door to his. It has been vacant so I will call and see if he has
rented it yet." One of the friends said.

"Sue, I know which place you are talking about. I'll cross my fingers while
you do the calling. See if we can come over tonight and look at it. I don't
want to spend the night here so if it is not available, I will go to a
motel."

"No, such thing. You can go home with us and we can put you in the spare
bedroom." Another friend said.

"Hey, Jim. The place is available. It has just been painted, new rugs,
Curtains and the kitchen and bathroom had been redone. He said you could
have it sight unseen if you want to start bringing your stuff over. I told
him we would see him if about an hour. Dennis, why don't you go to the
U-Haul place and get some moving boxes. Jim, do you have any boxes at all?"
Sue asked.

"Sure thing! There are several out in the garage. I have three suitcases we
can use for my clothes and toiletry items etc. Jim replied.

Dennis and Kyle returned with the boxes from U-Haul and the house became a
bee hive. Sue took over like a drill sergeant and things started
happening. Boxes were filled and when one was full, off it went to be put
into a pickup.

"Sue, I think we have every thing that I will need. The kitchen, bathroom,
laundry room and my bedroom have all been cleaned out. I will have to come
back over later and sort through the things and decide what I want to
keep. The rest will be given to Goodwill. If there is anything that any of
you may want, please feel free to take it. That does not include TV, stereo
or computer and equipment. I want to thank all of you for what you have
done. I really appreciate it. One of these days, we can all go the city
park and have a big barbeque all on me."

"Dad, May I have the picture that Kevin painted that is hanging above the
fireplace. That is the only thing of his that I would like to have." asked
Dennis.

"Dennis, you don't have to ask. Kevin left a will leaving everything to
you. His money is going to the High School scholarship fund. You and I are
to select the student or students who will receive a scholarship." Jim
said.

"Sue. Why don't you lead the way and we will all follow. It looks like we
will soon have this little job completed in no time at all." Dennis said.

TBC