Date: Wed, 10 May 2017 17:14:33 +0000 (UTC)
From: jim ford <sojourn1950@yahoo.com>
Subject: Change of Heart chapter twenty-one

If you're still reading this let me know.

Jim Ford

Sojourn1950@yahoo.com



This story is fiction.

The characters are adults in adult situations.

Warnings: The only person you can ever hope to truly know is yourself.
Trust no one; use condoms.

If you are not of legal age or in a jurisdiction in which this document is
illegal. Go away!

This is my story. Please respect the copyright. If you enjoy it, let me
know.



Please donate to Nifty. Surely these tales are worth, at least, the price
of taking one or two of your kids out to dinner. You know what I mean the
kind where they invite you, but you always seem to get the check. Except
your birthday or Father's Day. You know the dinner where you ask their
opinion about opening up on Facebook about being gay and maybe embarrassing
your children and your redneck relatives. Then they assure you everybody
you know or care about already knows, 'so what's the BFD'? Then you tell
them about some of the ignorance displayed through your relatives posts on
FB. The ones extolling the virtues of.... well you know. The kind of dinner
where no one opts for dessert, but you all shift to the local coffee shop,
where you again pick up the tab. Then the discussion shifts around to
movies you haven't seen, tv shows you never watch, and snippets of music
that you find surprisingly tolerable. By the end of the evening your all
caught up on their lives and loves and grandkids. But, driving home you
realize you could have invited them all over, cooked, let them cleanup,
made a pot of coffee and had the same discussions, let the grandkids fall
asleep while the grown ups talked longer and not spent a small fortune.




You slap your forehead as you realize, you could have made two tax free,
anonymous donations to Nifty... Besides, Nifty is certifiably more
stimulating than Facebook. Hey, wipe that cu..., er, I mean wipe that grin
off your face, you know it's not fake news.

Author's Note: Yeah! Christmas is here! Well, kinda, sorta. Please let me
know you're opinion. If you think emails are not important, you missed the
2016 presidential election. If enough folks comment, I'll stop my elaborate
pleas for donations I don't get a cut of anyway.

Sojourn1950@yahoo.com

Chapter twenty-one

Sheriff Daniel Lovan had a busy Christmas Eve. Raymond had told him of
their plan to ensnare Fire Chief Bumpkis using video surveillance. His
wasn't convinced that the videos could be used as evidence, even if the
bigoted bastard was a thief. Still, a man who would steal money donated to
charity, especially a Christmas charity, was worthy of special
consideration. If he was careful, a legal confession would negate the use
of the video evidence. Bumpkis would be facing up to ten years in prison
for theft and two years for each count of forgery. He called his folks to
explain he might be late for supper.

By six o'clock he had video showing donations made by individual members of
the Adams family. The serial numbers of one hundred dollar bills, totaling
$15,000.00, were clearly displayed. The next segment showed Bumpkis and
Bill Jordan dividing up the cash into pre addressed envelopes. Each
envelope had over three hundred dollars. Each flap of the sealed envelopes
bore the initials of both men.

Having watched the video several times, Sheriff Lovan understood each step
Bumpkis took. The man moved with surprising efficiency. First, he divided
the envelopes into two stacks according to a list showing who would deliver
each envelope. His stack was noticeably thicker. No envelope was left
untouched. Those that he had set aside for Bill to deliver, contained
enough smaller denominations to simulate the original thickness. He didn't
hesitate to scrawl his and Bill's initials on the newly sealed flap. The
envelopes he was to deliver contained either a solitary twenty dollar bill
or else he simply took the cash and discarded the empty envelope. Daniel
was able to calculate that Bumpkis netted almost $27,000.00.

No wonder the man was constantly soliciting funds. Daniel had contributed
many times to the canisters that went up at cash registers around town,
just before Thanksgiving. Everyone in the Sheriff's office had been
encouraged to donate into their dedicated canister. Daniel had slipped in a
check for $100.00, that he knew had already been cashed. Some businesses
posted pictures in their windows showing fake checks depicting thousands of
dollars donated. It was a major local charity.

The Sheriff made a mental note to ask Raymond about the quality and
quantity of the cameras used. They seemed to be everywhere in Bumpkis'
life, with big screen clarity and many, with real time, remote, zoom. Each
camera had continuously updating date and time stamps with sound so good
that it picked up the, more than occasional, fart. Fire Chief Bumpkis was
his own reality show... with a lot of gas. Daniel wanted to know how they
were installed in the man's workplace, home and even his cars without him
knowing or suspecting. Any video surveillance he initiated would require a
court order. On top of that, his equipment, compared to this, was medieval.

The Sheriff watched as Bumpkis stashed the stolen cash, along with the
original envelopes in two, obviously pre-staged, gift wrapped boxes.

When all was ready, Bumpkis called Bill back into his office. He asked who
would be accompanying Bill. He made a show of then calling in Fireman
Johnson and Larry, his cousin by marriage, who would go with him. The
Sheriff got the impression that Bumpkis was saying that cousin Larry was a
better Fireman than Johnson because Larry was volunteering his own time.

Bill would bring Johnson back to the Firehouse, before going home and
Bumpkis would drop Larry off at home after they had completed "Santa's
rounds". Bumpkis wished the men a merry Christmas then advised them to "get
a move on, poor people are in need."

Even in the video, Bill appeared a little on edge. Daniel thought the man
wanted badly to ask questions or maybe just punch the fat man in the
nose. Bumpkis must have also noticed. "You got a problem Jordan? I made
notes of how you already ignored and disrespected me today.

"It was disgusting. The way you sucked up to them faggots. Like you was on
their side. If I didn't know you had a wife and kids, I might think you was
one of them preverts. No decent, god fearing Christian family man can abide
by their kind of disgusting behavior. You better do some serious thinking
over the holidays about your future with this department. Either you need
to get in line or git out. You understand me Jordan?"

Larry snickered, Johnson looked very uncomfortable and Bill simply nodded.
It was clear to the Sheriff that Bumpkis did not allow anyone to challenge
his authority. Bumpkis apparently accepted the nod and turned to gather his
envelopes and packages. Daniel noticed something he had missed in earlier
viewings. Bill Jordan got an almost evil grin on his face as he stared at,
what Daniel now saw was, Bumpkis' visibly red left cheek. He jotted down a
note to ask Bill about it.

The video then picked up in the Fire Chief's car. There was enough footage
to show that the fat Fire Chief never got out of the car. Larry would
simply run up to the door and hand over the envelope to whomever answered.
It didn't take long since most of the intended recipients were never
visited. Once the deliveries were completed, Bumpkis handed Larry two one
hundred dollar bills. "You don't go gittin shitfaced jes cause you got some
foldin money. This new Sheriff ain't like the old one. You get caught
drivin drunk now, and you could wind up losing your job and going to jail.
If'n you go out drinkin you get a taxi. You hear me boy?"

"Yes sir, Chief. I'm gonna get me a couple of six packs and be set for the
holiday". Sheriff Lovan had no doubts, just by hearing Larry's voice, the
man would soon be tying one on. Most likely he wouldn't be doing it at
home, alone on Christmas Eve, not likely. Larry would try to find some slut
to share his good fortune and some holiday cheer.

The video showed the Fire Chief drove directly to the Chevrolet dealership.
Less than an hour later Bumpkis left the dealership and drove to his
preacher's house. Daniel didn't recognize the residence, it was identified
by subtitles on the video.

The video then showed a nicely furnished office. The Reverend Jonas
T. Fishback was closing the door to his office. "Well Brother Burl, I take
it you have completed your annual mission of mercy. The families I listed
for your charitable beneficence have been appropriately blessed."

"Preacher, I took it upon myself to share a little extra with you this year
and a little less with my brother in law, the Mayor. Seems like His Honor
likely won't be reviewing our Fireman's Fund like he done in the past.
They's a move afoot to call for him to resign. I reckon this investigation
into the last Sheriff is shining him in a bad light. This temporary Sheriff
ain't likely to turn a blind eye to any complaints about how we distribute
our charitable proceeds."

Daniel knew preacher Fishback only by reputation. He was known for his hell
fire and brimstone sermons, denouncing everything from premarital sex to
sexual equality and gay rights to lax treatment of immigrants to the
Democratic Party as a whole. He insisted, giving women the right to vote
had brought about the beginning of the "end times".

The preacher was unimpressed. "Burl I always appreciate any increase in
gifts to god. But, I think you are underestimating Brother John Claven. You
have known him longer than I have, but I've seen him walk through deep shit
like he was wearing teflon waders. Hell, the man was more than once facing
jail time, guilty as sin, and come out smelling like a rose. I'll take the
money but if you're thinking of cutting him out, I'd think again. This was
his idea in the first place. He's already got a Deputy in his pocket he's
gonna run for Sheriff. You should just keep on doing as he tells you."

The rest of the video shows the preacher counting money from the envelope
Bumpkis had given him. As he counted out more than a few one hundred dollar
bills, the preacher's smarmy smile grew bigger. "Brother Burl, you have
done well and the lord will surely bless you for your efforts." They shared
a chuckle and Bumpkis headed out.

His next stop was at the Mayor's house, again indicated by subtitles, but
no one answered the door. Bumpkis waddled back to his car and made a call
on his cell phone. His voice changed. Daniel figured they had tapped one or
more of the cell phones involved. "Burl, I been waiting for your call. You
got to bring the cash to Mabel's house in Fort Worth. My son in law is
deployed and she was alone. So we decided to uh, have Christmas with her
this year, uh, sort of short notice."

Bumpkis harrumphed, "You just plain hiding out. You'se afraid the Sheriff
left evidence linking you to the kickback y'all been gittin' from them
coyotes. And what about that teacher, you two kinda roughed him up pretty
bad after you found out some of them wetbacks been talking about your pet
coyotes. I got it on good authority, he was butt fucked pretty rough before
being beat and left for dead. Good thing he never come out of that coma.
You better he's hope they don't look to you or the Sheriff for a DNA
sample.

"I figure you'll be staying with your daughter until subpoenaed or actually
charged. Tell you what, use your daughter's car, you come back here and
meet me at the diner and I'll hand over your share. Just call me when you
get close and I'll let you have it in the parking lot. You don't even have
to get out of the car. So nobody's gonna even see you."

Sheriff Lovan called Joe Adams, "Mr. Adams I got the videos. I wanted to
ask how well you know the folks at the Chevy dealership? If we could find
out what he was doing there, it could help tie up some loose ends."

"Danny, how many times I got to tell you. I am still your Uncle Joe.
Especially now that you and Raymond are thicker than fleas on a dog's
backside. I already talked to Ray Spencer down at the Chevy place and he's
willing to help you in anyway he can. Up to and including turning over some
suspiciously familiar hundred dollar bills. Seems our esteemed Fire Chief
just bought his wife a brand new four wheeled Christmas present.

"I watched them put those videos cell phone recordings together... er, I
mean, uh, I received a copy of those same videos through my email. Of
course you realize they are from an anonymous source. I mean, uh, I have no
idea who sent them, most likely some concerned citizen."

"Good grief"! Daniel's deep voice chuckled, "Uncle Joe, I always knew you
were an honest man, but hell far, sir, you can't lie to save your life.
I've seen three year olds caught with their hand in the cookie jar lie
better than that. I'm sure the State Attorney General has my phone tapped.
I personally think what y'all did was a service to the community."

After the chuckle subsided Sheriff Lovan continued, "I better let the Texas
Rangers know what we got going on. They'll want to talk to the Mayor once I
arrest him for receiving stolen goods and collusion. I think I'll let them
investigate the teacher and human trafficking. They got better resources
and deeper pockets.

"I don't know who the anonymous person or persons that set up all those
high tech cameras and tapped those cell phones was, but I hope he knows I
am very grateful. Hell, Uncle Joe, I could use a man like that on my
staff."

It was late by the time the Mayor and Bumpkis were locked up. The Mayor
insisted on talking to his lawyer before answering any questions. Bumpkis,
on the other hand, tried to argue his innocence. He told the Sheriff, if
there was any mishandling of funds it was all on Bill Jordan. He was
elaborating on Jordan's nefarious nature when Daniel had him take a seat in
the waiting area next to one of his Deputies. Bumpkis argued that he was an
upstanding, god fearing citizen who had done nothing that could possibly
deserve being handcuffed like a common criminal.

That Deputy dutifully ignored Bumpkis as he watched a video on his iPad. A
video showing Bumpkis taking the money and paying off Larry, giving the
preacher his share and talking to the Mayor regarding theft, assault, rape,
human trafficking and murder. Bumpkis saw it all in living color as his own
color faded to a whiter shade of pale.

The subsequent questioning was like watching dominoes fall. Neither ever
mentioned the videos. Bumpkis confessed and sang like the proverbial
canary. He told how the Mayor helped him falsify his qualifications to get
the job of Fire Chief. How the Mayor and Rev. Jonas Fishback had devised
the plan for taking the money shortly after his getting the job. Together
they had been bilking the Fireman's Fund for the last three years.

He told how the old Sheriff and the Mayor forced him to cover up four
different cases of arson for insurance fraud. He cited the rough dates of
the fires as well as all those involved and even complained he was only
paid the paltry sum of $500.00 for each of his official findings. He was
convinced the Mayor and the old Sheriff had gypped him.

By the time Bumpkis was through and Sheriff Lovan had informed the DA and
the Judge. It was decided that the Mayor, the Fire Chief and the preacher
were to be held without bail. It was deemed that flight to avoid
prosecution was a real risk since they each had access to untold sums of
cash.

Daniel's parents were still up when he called the second time, even though
it was almost eleven. When pressed he only offered that the Mayor, the Fire
Chief and Reverend Jonas Fishback were under arrest and being held without
bail. A complete list of charges would be forthcoming. He considered
calling Raymond but figured he was already asleep.

Thinking of crawling into bed with a naked Raymond got his cock to swelling
so he started thinking about how close it was to 6:00 am. He was sure that
Raymond was well aware of how busy and long his day had been. Right now
Daniel would rather lose his left nut than miss out on alone time with
Raymond. As he turned into his parents drive, he focused on what it must be
like to actually have a nut cut out while you watched. His hardon was soon
a distant memory.

When he entered the house his Dad gave him a hug. His Mother waved from the
kitchen where she was heating up some leftovers, while chatting on her cell
phone. His Dad led him into the living room where a chilled pitcher of
eggnog awaited. "You know she worries about you, now, almost as much as
when you were deployed. The only good thing about your job is when she gets
some juicy gossip to share. I think it earns her points with her bridge
club and her quilting society and the mailman. Which reminds me, make a
real fuss over her Christmas present for you. It's a king sized quilt. She
worked real hard on it. She'll mope around all next year if you don't gush
about how great it is. Put some drama into it. I used to think that
automatically came with liking to suck cock. Now, I know better."

Daniel nearly choked on his eggnog. Was his father trying to tell him
something. "Dad you know I really like mom's homemade quilts. They kept me
warm all the time I was growing up. I've had one on my bed ever since I was
born, except for boot camp. I'm not worried about liking the quilt. I'm
more concerned that she might try to embellish what I tell her about
official business. I don't tell her anything I wouldn't tell the general
public. It's just that I sometimes tell her first.

"And Dad, uh wha..., what's this about "liking to suck cock"?

Glancing toward the kitchen, his Dad offered, "Now Son, you know your
Mother and I never tolerated lying. And in that vein..." He chugged his
eggnog and then refilled his glass. "Like I was saying, shortly after you
came out to us... well I got to talking to Fred about you and what him and
me used to do before we discovered girls and well a little Jack Daniels
later we learned that, uh, er, it could still be fun after all these
years. We're not planning on leaving our wives. It just that..." At this
his father actually giggles. "It's just that, uh, we turn each other on. I
felt I had to be honest with you. I don't know that I'm gay, but..." He
giggled again and whispered in an almost drunken slur. "But, I am a
cocksucker. Not as good as Fred, but he'd argue that point."

Daniel stared blankly at the man who had taught him how to fish, ride a
bike, play baseball and drive a car. A man he had always respected, who had
been his role model and hero. Daniel had to admit his Dad and Fred had been
in some of his early jerk off fantasies. He'd never imagined them together
and now that he thought about it... it was kind of hot, in a creepy kind of
way. Both were ruggedly handsome, tall and in good shape. The more he
considered the situation, the more he thought it was just another
expression of their lifelong friendship. He was lucky in that Fred had
always been like a second father. Fred was the next person he came out to,
after his folks. Fred's response was simply, "Son, if anybody gives you any
grief about it, just you let me know." Then he hugged him.

Daniel was surprised at how hungry he was. He ate almost everything his
Mother put before him. His Dad sat at his usual `head of the table' and
munched on a cookie and sipped his eggnog.

Daniel finally groaned and pushed his chair back from the table. "Thanks
Mom, that was so good, but if I eat any more I'll bust. As it is, I feel
like I need to be wheeled outta here. I'm sorry I got here so late. Right
now, I'm so tired I feel like I'm about to keel over. If y'all don't mind,
I'm gonna hit the hay. I'll be out early in the morning. I got some
business to take care of, so I got to be up and gone by 5:30."

His Mother, standing beside his chair with a serving spoon in hand, studied
him sharply. "Does this "business" have a name? Are we gonna meet him
anytime soon?"

"Margaret May! Leave the boy alone. If he wanted to share that with us, he
would've already done it." Turning to his son, he said, "Danny boy, we can
tell someone has got you a little happier than usual. We could, both of us,
hear it in your voice over the phone, these last few days. Tonight, the way
you move, the way you talk, you got more energy than you've had since you
were a kid. Ever once in awhile you get a dreamy kind of look come over
you. Just know that if you've met someone, we just want you to be
happy. He's welcome here anytime."

The night was taking on a surreal quality. It was shock enough, learning
that his Dad sucks cocks, on the DL. Now, they're telling him, they think
he's in love. Not since he was a kid...

Daniel shook his head in a double take. "Mom, Dad, I just met someone who I
knew and liked a lot when I was a kid in school. We drifted apart and now
he's back and wants to get to know me again. He treated me bad back then
and I'm just not sure I can trust him again. It's gonna take some time. I
don't want to get his hopes up, nor yours nor mine either, for that
matter. I think bringing him around before I'm sure would send the wrong
message."

Standing, Daniel hugged his Mother. His Father stood and pulled him into
his arms. "Just know that we are here for you. You're a man, a decorated
veteran and the County Sheriff, but you're still our son and we love you."

Daniel swallowed the lump in his throat and fought back the tears. "Thanks
Dad, I love y'all too."

Soon he was stripped down in his old bed, where he used to jerk off
fantasizing about the man he would see in the morning. He knew it wouldn't
take much to rejuvenate those fantasies and rub one out. Instead he rolled
over and let sleep take him.



	    ///////////////////////////////////////////////////



Jeff and Paul met Rosarita as she was exiting the family room. Paul glared
at her knowing smile. He thought to himself, `that damn Mona Lisa was a
bitch'. He consoled himself imagining the feeling of his ever tightening
grip on Rosarita's throat as he throttled her. Maybe he should do it before
she could utter one of her humiliating barbs.

A truly warming smile lit up her face as she moved to him and hugged him
tightly. "Relax, it's Christmas Eve and you're among family and
friends". Just as he was about to return her embrace, she spoke
softly. "Besides, Maria was asleep and never heard what must have been two
water buffaloes mating in the master bedroom."

As she was about to pull away, Paul crushed her to his body and whispered
back, "Well, I just hope she slept through what sounded, to me, like cages
of hyenas and monkeys being tossed around by an angry bull elephant. Except
monkeys don't usually scream..." His voice shifted into an unbearable
falsetto, `ooh, ooh, more Fred, harder, faster, deeper'. In hindsight, it
definitely sounded more like a female hyena. In heat!"

Jeff, fearing all out war, intervened. "Alright you two, pull back the
claws. Maria is watching "It's a wonderful Life". Don't interrupt that
concept with a harsh dose of bitchiness. You guys should try to be a little
more synergistic and a lot less antagonistic. No one's keeping score, but
if they were, my side would win". He pulled Paul into his arms while
looking sternly into Rosarita's eyes and asked, "So, what's for dinner?"

Paul wasn't sure that choking Rosarita wasn't more appealing than
dinner. Fantasies about choking two different women in one day. He
wondered, `is this how serial killers get started'?

Feeling more than a little defeated, Rosarita responded, "Dinner tonight is
standing rib roast, mashed potatoes with garlic and thyme, creamed spinach,
and by special request sautéed asparagus spears. For dessert we have
baked Alaska, cherry pie, apple pie and of course pecan pie. There should
be plenty of leftovers. Please encourage everyone to try the baked Alaska
tonight, cause I'm not sure how it will stand up as a leftover."

She excused herself to the kitchen. Jeff watched her go, sighed and focused
on Paul. "She gave me some valuable council while I was trying to woo you
and did a great job decorating the house for Maria. But, the more she
aggravates you, the less I like having her around. If she's too much, I can
pay her full wages and send her home. We can manage. Maybe one of Ilya's
men won't mind cooking or cleaning."

Paul considered the option. "She's great with Maria. She does a great job
cooking and cleaning. I think she's like an older sister, not really
vicious, like you said, just aggravating. Honestly, I'll miss her when she
goes. Besides, I think I scored big time with the `female hyena in heat'."
I'm actually looking forward to a rematch. But, thanks for standing up for
your family, again." With that he pulled Jeff in for a rewarding kiss that
made both chub up.

They moved in the family room to join Sam and Dave who seemed to be just as
focused as Maria on "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (Of course! It was the
original cartoon version. Is there any other?) Sam and Dave looked up and
nodded hello.

Sam encouraged, "There's hot apple cider in the crockpot and eggnog in the
fridge. A little spiced rum, there on the counter, will make either one
perfect.

"We're all three off duty. Fred just took sandwiches, coffee and cookies
out to the guys on watch." Without waiting for acknowledgement, he returned
his focus to the tv. Jeff and Paul opted for some cider with the spiced
rum. Then became just as engrossed as the rest in watching Christmas
classics. Fred soon joined the crowd with a platter of ors d'oeuvres and
passed on a warning from Rosarita not to fill up on them. A warning that
one and all studiously ignored. Paul did limit Maria, insisting she should
carefully choose two, so she could enjoy her asparagus and the very special
dessert.

A discussion of what to watch next followed "A Charlie Brown Christmas
Special". It was a toss up between "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a
Wonderful Life".

Rosarita announced dinner. That only momentarily interrupted the vigorous
chatter. Each man was lauding the supremacy of his choice over the
other. Paul could care less, as long as either tonight or tomorrow he got
to watch the original, black and white, "Christmas in Connecticut".

Rosarita shared with Maria, it was just `testosterone talk'. A holiday
version of which professional football team was the best. That immediately
ignited an entirely new debate focused on the masters of the
gridiron. Rosarita assured Maria, she would understand once she got a
little older.

Everyone praised the chef for a truly glorious feast. It only took a little
encouragement from Jeff to make the baked Alaska disappear. The pies were
left untouched.

While Rosarita took Maria to get a bath and ready for bed, Jeff told Paul
about the Christmas present he had arranged for Rosarita. Paul understood,
only too well, the impact it would have on her life. He decided they would
quietly retire as soon as they read to Maria, "Twas the Night Before
Christmas". Then he would show his lover exactly what he thought of his
largesse as well as his large cock.

By the time they both reclined for the last time, on the horsehair
mattress, it was well after midnight. They wished each other a Merry
Christmas and kissed goodnight.

As he drifted off, Paul decided he would loudly complain at breakfast about
the herd of cattle that had broke free and bawled and carried on most of
the night just outside his window. Then he would pointedly ask Rosarita if
she thought they sounded like female hyenas. He smiled as visions of a
defeated Rosarita danced in his head.

Author's Note:Technically after midnight means it's Christmas... read the
fine print. I don't make the rules... oh, wait a minute... it's my story!
So, I guess I do make the rules.

Rule number one: readers will email after having read each
chapter. sojourn1950@yahoo.com

Rule number two: when in doubt, refer to rule number one.