Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2008 19:01:49 -0800 (PST)
From: firehose Joe <firehosejoe@yahoo.com>
Subject: Chapter 24 To Thine Own Self Be True

"This above all: To thine own self be true, for it must follow as dost the
night the day, that canst not be false to any man." Shakespeare (Hamlet)

Though the theme of wrestling will be a key component in the early chapters
and a continuing theme, the story is about relationships and being true to
oneself. Thanks to TalonRider for assistance proofing the story.

Please do not distribute to other sites without permission of the
author. Comments can be sent to firehosejoe@yahoo.com

From the previous chapter:

"Are ya quite sure what you're gettin' into, boy? I think we both need to
be clear about how we'll do this thing. Agreed? We'll talk more tomorrow."
Liam said then added, "In private, I usually wrestle in by shoes and a
jock. Wear what you want. I'll see you tomorrow." With a handshake they
parted company.

Chapter 24

Alejandro parked and waited at the front of Bears Den and waited in the
warmth of his car. He was early by ten minutes. A few minutes after their
agreed upon time, Alejandro got out, locked up, and walked to the front
door to try the handle.

It opened and he went in to be greeted by Liam's "Mornin' lad!" Dressed in
grey sweats, matching hoodie and wrestling shoes, Liam was stretching on
the nearby mat.

"Morning, Liam. Where'd you park? I didn't see any cars nearby." Alejandro
asked as he walked in.

"Around back, lad. Been coming since the place opened. Occasionally come by
and do some minor repairs so I have my own key." Liam said as he leaned to
his side continuing to stretch. "You dressed or do ya need to change?"

"I'm good. Just need to strip and change into my shoes." Alejandro said as
he began to undress.

"`Sa bit cold but soon enough there'll be body heat to keep us both warm,
right boy?" The last words were muffled as Liam, sitting, bent forward
stretching his quads.

`Damn', Alejandro thought. He was impressed and knew he needed to stretch
so he removed his outerwear and unbuttoned his shirt. On the mats, he began
to limber up. He was surprised at the extent of Liam's stretching. For a
muscled, compact man he seemed to have an impressive range of movement.

Completing his warm-up, Liam sat quietly, not in any rush, observing
Alejandro. Finishing his stretching Alejandro sat.

"Liam, how's this going to work?" Alejandro asked.

"Simple boy-o. We're gonna strip, yur gonna get your arse beat and then I'm
gonna get off." Liam said with a big grin. Even though he felt a ball of
ice in his gut, Alejandro couldn't help but smile.

"Ok. That's the short version." Alejandro said with a bark of a laugh.

"Oh, so you think there's more to this, lad?" Liam said with a twinkle in
his eye.

Alejandro felt himself blush not knowing how to continue. "Um, Liam. ah"

"Out with it boy-o. What's so hard to say?" The twinkle remained.

"Nicco told me I'd need to, um," Alejandro started.

Liam interrupted, the smile never leaving his face. "This has nothin' to do
with Nicco, lad. It's between you and me. Understand?"

Marshalling a bit of false courage, Alejandro continued, "What I'm looking
for is someone to train with, not someone to `beat my arse', as you
said. Aren't those the particulars you said we'd talk about."

With an eyebrow raised, Liam considered him for a minute. "Ok lad, tell me
what you want, other than a good arse beatin'. I know you've come to the
club, and from what Nicco said it got your juices flowin'. Is that what
this is all about?"

"Liam, I don't even know how to talk about this. So make all the fun of it
you want but hear me out. Ok?" Alejandro said watching for reaction. Liam
nodded for him to continue.

"Yes to your question about my visit to the club and what Nicco said. I'd
never been anyplace like this or so turned on by wrestling. Everything I've
done has been with my University Club or with a couple of other guys I've
paid to train with."

Unconsciously biting his lip he continued, "Liam I feel like I'm making a
fool of myself here." He paused then continued. "I stayed hard all
night. When one guy offered to give me a match, I wanted to strip and hit
the mats. I'm sorry I didn't. At least I wouldn't feel so awkward right
now."

Liam cocked his head, the smile still playing around his lips. Alejandro
continued, "After getting over my embarrassment, I told Nicco what I
thought I wanted. That's why I'm here.

"Nicco worked me over pretty hard, or at least it seemed so to me. What I'm
wondering about is whether, um, damn this sounds so weak." Alejandro looked
down and quickly back up to meet Liam's gaze. "I'm wondering if I've got
what it takes to face a guy on the mats without the rules that are assumed
with college wrestling. Hell, I know I don't have what it takes right
now. I'm getting bored with what I've been doing. I'm wondering if I'm
getting in over my head here.

"What I saw last Saturday, well, I wanted to be in the middle of it. I
wanted to be tied up with a guy, rolling on the mat, my dick hard, just
letting it all go! Does any of this make sense to you?" Alejandro asked
hoping he'd not further embarrassed himself.

Liam considered him for a moment as if wondering what to say. "First, Nicco
wouldn't have bothered me if he thought you were a waste of time. Yeah, he
did give you a bit of a goin' over but nothing like you could get from some
guys I've fooked around with. There're some mean bastards out there who'd
like nothing better than to take a pretty boy like you apart and leave you
on the mat for dead.

"As I said last night, I don't workout, or train. I fight, or if you
prefer, wrestle. It's the way I learned comin' up as a lad myself. Bein' a
bit shorter than other lads I found more than a few times I was on the
loosin' end of a fight. As I grew into some size and put on some muscle, I
determined that I was going to learn to not only defend myself but
thoroughly pummel anyone who mistakenly thought they could pick a fight
with me to have a bit o' sport.

"That you've been a bit uneasy about this has been obvious. I remember the
feelin' all too well. But it'll pass once your get a few fists to your
gut." Liam said, laughing.

"So how did you learn to fight?" Alejandro asked.

"Well now, there were some young men I worked with when I was an apprentice
brick layer. Nice lads and they seemed to like me even though they teased
me from time to time about my size. They were big and tough. Occasionally,
as we were workin' and on our lunch, I'd drop a few hints about learnin' to
fight sayin' how tired I was of being the one who was the brunt of the
jokes about my size. One of the lads, one I worked with most of the time,
held me back at the end of the day and asked if I was serious.

"After I explained the situation and why I wanted to learn to fight, he
said he'd take me on. For the better part of the summer, we'd get together
once a week and do a bit of brawlin'. It was a mix of boxin' and
wrestlin'. That's how it started for me and it's the only way I know how to
teach you anything. So, there we are. Your choice lad, either strip down or
get out of here."

Liam could see the determination in Alejandro's face and he smiled until
Alejandro started to ask another question.

"One last thing I want to ask, Liam."

"Are you attemptin' to wear my ears off my head, boy? Either you're gonna'
do this thing or not. Now let's get with it." Liam said with some
irritation.

"No. I want an answer before we do anything." The voice was stern enough
that Liam looked at him, waiting.

"I know Nicco isn't here and this is between you and me. What happens at
the end when you've finished beating on me? I mean, um, do you plan, ah,"
Alejandro didn't know how to finish without thoroughly embarrassing
himself.

Liam smiled broadly, knowing exactly what Alejandro was wondering. "Don't
worry laddie, I'm no rapist. I'm not gonna fock your arse, that is unless
that's what you want. Then I'll be more than happy to oblige. Nor am I
gonna' rub all over ya' like some damn cat till we both cum.

"What I'm gonna do after I've beat you down, is straddle ya', pull out my
meat and jack all over ya'. Mark you with my cum, that sort of thing." Liam
said as he cupped his crotch with his hand.

"Now if you're done with your questions it's time for a bit of a tussle
that is unless you've changed your mind." Liam said as he stood.

Feeling a healthy level of both fear and respect, Alejandro, slid off his
pants and put on his wrestling shoes. Standing, he took off his shirt as he
watched Liam strip off his sweats and hoodie.

Mesmerized, Alejandro looked at the man facing him. He realized, except for
Nicco, he'd only wrestled boys before – well guys his own age. Liam was
solid. His body wasn't shaped and toned; it was muscled from hard work. His
neck was short, solid, and topped shoulders that were sloped rather than
square. The muscles evident under the skin were substantial and rounded.

Liam's upper arms seemed to merge from the powerful mass of his
shoulders. His bi and triceps were rounded and thick. The forearms bulged
below the elbow as they tapered to his wrist. His hands were small but
thick. His fingers short, almost stubby.

Covered with a moderate coat of reddish brown hair, Liam's torso was a mass
of solid flesh. His pecs weren't gym-toned slabs of muscle; instead the
muscles seemed mounded, almost bunched under the furry skin. His nipples
were small, the nubs insubstantial.

Liam's abs showed no definition, though Alejandro was sure it was a solid
wall of strength. His jock was full, though his cock appeared short and
stubby due to the cold air. His legs were short, thick and powerful
looking.

Watching Alejandro's visual appraisal Liam said, "I'm not pretty to look at
like you are boy-o but I am man enough to beat ya' and mop up the mats with
ya'. Now, enough talk. Let's fight!"

Liam began to circle with his hands raised. He was crouched like a spring
ready to launch. There was deliberate intent with his speed and aggressive,
offensive attitude. Alejandro matched him in stance and movement.

When Liam made his move, it seemed a blur to Alejandro. At first Liam's
hand was raised, fingers spread as if in challenge. Alejandro was caught
off guard when Liam dove toward his legs, grabbed Alejandro's thick hairy
thighs, whipped him off his feet and slammed both their bodies to the mat.

"Ooooffff! The wind was force out of Alejandro as he hit the mat with
Liam's weight atop him. His back muscles hurt as they smacked the floor. He
felt a thrill and feeling of panic surge through him. The sound of their
grunts and his back hitting the mat echoed through the empty room

With the speed and fierceness of a bulldog, Liam scrambled his legs to tie
up Alejandro.

Growling, his chest filled with the lust for the fight, "Remember, ya asked
for this!"

While securing Alejandro's head in a vice-tight head lock Liam pressed
Alejandro's face into the middle of his chest. "Yeah, I could eat you for a
snack you little fooker!"

"Ugghhhh!" Alejandro bridged explosively to no avail. He could feel the
thickness of their muscles encased in Speedo and jock. As he concentrated
on freeing himself, he felt fire building his gut. He might lose but he'd
sure go down fighting.

Liam used the bridge to bring his legs up into a scissors around
Alejandro's waist as he pressed their heaving chests together. "Got ya now
ya little fooker!" It was so hot to have a well muscled piece of young meat
to play with. Liam smiled as he tightened the scissors, "Yeahh, try and
escape!"

Rolling both of them, Liam, on his back, was able to hammerlock Alejandro's
arm. "Ah, ah, uhh!" Alejandro gasped as the pressure and pain on his arm
and elbow increased.

Though everyone Alejandro had wrestled previously had been in good to great
shape, Liam was like a force of nature, his own personal storm of masculine
intent. He wondered if sex with Liam would be similar, forceful and
demanding.

Rolling them partially to their sides, Liam pressed his hard chest into
Alejandro's face, holding his head in place. "Ya like that lad? Like those
man pits?"

Liam wanted to force Alejandro's face into his sweating pit and feel the
boy's tongue digging into his pit hair. Freeing his hand from Alejandro's
neck and reaching behind, he grabbed the wrist to maintain the
hammerlock. Liam could feel his cock surge as he continued to dominate this
pretty boy. "Fookin' yeah, you're getting' me hard boy-o!" Liam growled
deep in his chest.

Liam continued to roll them and landed some quick hard punches to
Alejandro's ribs. Lifting their bodies, Liam released his scissors and with
his free hand hooked Alejandro's leg pulling him into a tight cradle.

Secure in his hold, Liam spread his legs for balance and rolled his weight
on top of Alejandro. Liam reveled in the smell of the sweat as well as the
feeling of slickness against his skin. "Damn it; get off me before you kill
me!" Alejandro shouted as he wondered when his spine would snap so great
was the pressure. His face grimaced, his chest straining for air, as he
heard the low chuckle in Liam's chest.

"So what do ya' think laddie? Enjoy wrestling with a real man? Don't worry
your head, I won't hurt ya' too bad." Liam laughed a deep chuckle realizing
how turned on he was by this young piece.

"You've got all the strength Nicco said, but not much good it'll do
ya'. I'm gonna wear ya' down while I play with ya' some. Then I'll finish
ya' off." Liam said, the chuckle gone, replaced with a matter-of-fact
voice.

Toeing up a portion of his solid bulk, Liam pushed forward increasing the
pressure on Alejandro's furry chest. Beginning to see spots in his vision
from lack of oxygen, Alejandro pushed hard against the building
pressure. The blend of raw fear and growing anger taunted him.

Both men were sweaty. Liam pulled Alejandro's face into his pit rubbing the
edge of it against Alejandro's face. "Don't worry lad, I'll generate some
real man sweat for ya' before we're through." Liam imagined having the boy
stretched out in his bed wanting to ravage him but knowing that would have
to wait.

Liam slid his bulky, sweaty, thigh beneath Alejandro's outstretched leg and
lifted it as he shifted his weight, effectively rolling Alejandro's body on
top of itself. He continued to rest his weight on Alejandro's upturned
body.

Liam watched Alejandro gasp as his face turned blood red from the pressure
on his chest. He dropped Alejandro's legs and as they fell, Liam released
one arm from the neck and drove an elbow into Alejandro's exposed
plexus. The pressure against his lungs was undeniable. Alejandro felt his
lungs explode as the air rushed out.

His body arched forward in its spasm of pain, Liam spun his thick legs
across Alejandro's face. Grabbing a fist full of hair, Liam lifted and
scissored Alejandro's neck and rolled him to his gut while pulling
Alejandro's face fully into his mesh enclosed crotch. He dearly wanted to
rip off his jock and feed this boy his man meat.

"Like that boy-o. Here's some real man meat for ya' to smell and feel. With
that Liam grabbed two fists full of Alejandro's hair and lifted his face
further up into his now bulging crotch.

"Bet you'd like to get a taste of that wouldn't ya' lad? Wouldn't ya!!"
Liam growled loudly as he adjusted his scissors, pulling Alejandro's face
in close and tight. Using the leverage of Alejandro's hair, Liam pulled
himself up, contracting the mass of muscle in his abs. With his heels and
his hands he manipulated Alejandro's head as he humped his face.

Alejandro responded viscerally. Opening his mouth he greedily broad-tongued
the engorged mesh. At the same time his imagination played with him. He
imagined he was in a maze, struggling for a way out while enjoying the
seeming impossibility of escape.  Alejandro knew he had to fight this
somehow and began to try to stand. Getting his quads under him he finally
had leverage to lift himself. Mid way up Liam twisted his powerful body and
as Alejandro fell, Liam rolled atop him breaking the scissors hold while
continuing to press his crotch into Alejandro's face. Turning quickly, Liam
drove his fist into Alejandro's plexus and then into his gut as he rolled
off Alejandro's sweaty, furry, heaving chest.

Standing over Alejandro, Liam squeezed his cock as he watched him
recover. This was going to be fun. Too damned bad the boy hadn't said he
enjoyed a good fuck. When this was done Liam knew he'd be in the mood to
pound that piece of ass. Perhaps another day; but he knew he'd get some
satisfaction at the end of this bit of sport.

When he regained his feet, Alejandro's mind was ravaged with a blood lust
for revenge. He was more wary of the speed and strength of the man he
faced. He knew that to wrestle aggressively he'd make mistakes and lose. If
he maintained a careful defensive posture he'd likely lose. Smiling to
himself, he admitted with grim humor he would certainly `get his arse beat'
as Liam had promised.

For the better part of the next hour, Liam's attacks and punishing holds
continued unabated save for brief periods of rest for Alejandro to recover
and get some water. Their bodies were sweat slick. The aroma of their man
scent filled the space around them. True to his word, Liam broke Alejandro
down, punishing him systematically till he lay semi-curled up on the
mat. Liam stood astride him looking down grinning as his chest heaved and
sweat ran rivulets down his torso.

"Don't tell me you're throwin' in the towel now boy-o. We're just gettin'
warmed up good." Liam toed Alejandro's chest and turned him to his back,
feeling his lust rise in him. Alejandro's eyes were only slits as he gasped
open-mouthed for air and quietly moaned with pain and fatigue. In a
symbolic gesture of finality, Liam reached down grabbing a fist full of
Alejandro's hair and pulled him to his feet. Hooking an arm high between
his legs and around his neck, Liam picked him up and spun him several times
before slamming his body to the mat.

Grabbing the waist of Alejandro's Speedo he stripped them down to his
ankles. Kneeling astride his chest, Liam gave into his lust as he pulled
out his turgid muscle. Throwing his head back he began to fist his meat
roughly while twisting and pinching his nipple.

A moment later he leaned his body back as he felt his seed swell into his
cock. With a succession of deep grunts, his abs and buttocks clinched
driving the white, hot, man cream high to land on Alejandro's face and
chest.

After his spasms eased, Liam squatted back letting his ass crack rest atop
Alejandro's cock. Despite the beating, seeing Liam jacking his meat,
knowing he was marking him made Alejandro's cock rock hard. Liam looked
down with a leer thinking how much fun it would be to play with this boy
the way he wanted.

Releasing the thought, with the back of a finger, he raked the cum off
Alejandro's face and wiped it on the mesh of his jock.

Tapping Alejandro's face with his fingers, Liam watched the
boy. Alejandro's eyes opened wider as he smiled at Liam. "The man's as good
as his word." Alejandro said with a slight smirk amid gasps for air.

"Promised ya' didn't I?" Liam's head was cocked to the side as he watched
Alejandro recover and his breathing beginning to ease. "You took a bit of a
beatin' boy. You doin' Ok?" Alejandro smiled weakly and slightly nodded.

Mocking Liam's accent Alejandro said, his smile widening, "I'd be doin' a
sight better if you'd get that fat Irish ass off o' me." Liam laughed
loudly, cuffed Alejandro on the chin with his fist and rolled to the side,
leaning on his elbow.

"I'm wonderin' if you'll be wantin' another beatin' anytime soon? This was
more fun than I'd thought it would be and I'd give ya a rematch anytime you
want."  They talked for a few minutes longer then headed for the showers as
their skin began to chill from the cool air in the room and their sweat.

As they talked about Liam's work, his growing up in a large first
generation Irish family, they let the steam and hot water relax their tired
muscles. Liam told of being on the road a good bit early on in his career
with the contracting company he worked for.

"I learned quickly not to be shy about asking where the gay bars were in
the larger cities. From there I found where the men's clubs were that
catered to the kinds of things I enjoyed. Before long, I found wrestling
clubs in places like New York, LA, San Francisco. That's where I learned
most of what I know. Bein' stuck in a city for a while can be a drudge or a
great opportunity.

"I chose to make it the latter. Once I became a Super, my time on the site
began to stretch. I've been here nearly 5 years now workin' one job and
then another that was commin' on its heels. I've gotten to know some great
guys and the Bears Den has been a home away from home." Liam said.

Alejandro and Liam wrestled regularly on Saturday morning for the next
several weeks. Alejandro found humor in being naked on a wrestling mat with
another man's cum on his chest in the morning and at night
spit-and-polished in a tuxedo at a formal reception. He'd never felt more
alive. Slowly he was finding balance for both his personal and professional
life and deriving increasing satisfaction from both.

Once during November, Charles accompanied him to Bears Den. By then
Alejandro had visited two more times and had wrestled several men he met
there. Charles found the entire scene surprisingly stimulating. That
evening in bed they struggled and grappled with each other for the dominant
position. Alejandro prevailed and lustily fucked Charles first, only to
return the favor later.

From late November on through the New Year, weekend evenings were busy for
Alejandro. At larger, public events Charles sometimes accompanied him. At
more intimate gatherings he continued to be the sole representative of the
family.

Alejandro had accepted two invitations out of town for the middle of
December. The Board of the Metropolitan Art Museum in New York was having a
gala reception and dinner to thank principle donors, and the San Francisco
Museum of Modern Art Board was giving a reception. Alejandro and Charles
attended the New York event staying for the first time in an apartment
Alejandro had purchased on the recommendation of his Real Estate Division.

He and Charles had made a buying trip to the city earlier in the fall to
furnish it. Everything from kitchenware to linens for bath and bed were
purchased in a whirlwind of morning shopping assisted by a professional
shopper.

Armed with detailed dimensions of the apartment, the afternoon was given to
case goods, upholstered furniture, bedding and accessories. A professional
shopper and interior decorator from the store accompanied them helping to
flesh out and finalize details regarding delivery and placement as they
went along. Charles had returned several weeks later to ensure that all
would be ready for their December trip.

Alejandro's secretary arranged with a catering firm to have the bar stocked
as well as the fridge with some cold and ready to heat snacks. The pleasure
they took in the new `digs' was most evident in bed. The poured concrete
and heavily insulated exterior walls allowed them a freedom to enjoy their
sexual exploits with no question as to the possible listening ears on the
other side of a hotel wall. After a particularly vigorous session they
padded nude across the thick carpet to the kitchen to explore the larder
for a snack.

Alejandro decided he liked the arrangement and freedom offered by the
apartment as compared to the hotel. Over a glass of white wine and crab
stuffed mushrooms retrieved from the fridge and warmed in the oven, he and
Charles pipe-dreamed about similar places where he and Alejandro had
opportunity to travel.

It became a bit of a game with Alejandro. Working with the head of his Real
Estate Division, Alejandro identified the major metropolitan areas where
the family had interest and asked her to identify potential properties that
would, over a defined period of time, offer a significant return on
investment. Impressed with the result of her report, he shared it with
Charles. The result was an expanded list of places where Algara money might
be invested and that they would enjoy visiting.

It was a whim, Alejandro understood, but one that had its own logic. Real
estate holdings in Europe and the UK had realized outstanding paper
profits. Why wouldn't the same thing hold true in the States? Reminding
himself of his determination to enjoy the benefits of his money while being
a steward of that entrusted to him, it was easily defensible.

He was in no rush. As opportunities came available, he'd act on them,
usually with Charles' input. It was nice simply having someone to share
some of his life with. Though he knew an extended relationship was not
something either wanted, they still enjoyed each other's company.

Winter soon melted into spring as Alejandro worked to complete the
requirements for graduation. It was bittersweet. He was fulfilling the hope
placed in him by two generations and neither would likely see it
satisfied. His grandparents alive only in his memory, his father comatose
in a bed in his room, Alejandro in a small way dreaded graduation. It would
signify an ambiguous crossing of a threshold that provided no joy for him.

He'd determined not to attend the graduation ceremonies but Charles and
Frederick had intervened and insisted. It was so good to have even a brief
time to spend with Frederick that Alejandro agreed to participate in the
day. Charles arranged a small dinner party for some of Alejandro's friends,
Frederick and favorite professors as a graduation gift several days before
the event.

Frederick was spending the week with Alejandro so he was at the house when
Salvador died. It was mid morning. Alejandro was at his office. The nurse,
knowing that he and Alejandro were good friends, came down and asked him if
he wanted to alert Alejandro to his father's death.

Charles offered to cancel the dinner. Frederick offered to do whatever
needed to be done. They were both upset. Alejandro oddly was the person
comforting his two close friends.

He realized with some feelings of guilt that his father's death brought a
sense of relief. Salvador's lingering had been fatiguing. Alejandro hated
to admit it and said so only to Frederick as they quietly moved against
each other's bodies in Alejandro's bed. For the first time in more than a
year the house was now empty of staff and nurses. They talked long into the
night. Frederick brought Alejandro to climax the second time and they slept
intertwined against each other.

Alejandro refused to let his father's passing be a media event. He arranged
for a quiet Mass celebrated by the Archbishop with a private interment
following the service. Though the news had gotten out, Alejandro was
relieved that it was not the circus he'd feared it might be. Numerous
employees, some faculty, University administration and Board members
attended. Alejandro greeted them all then went to the grave site with only
Charles, Frederick and a few older senior employees who had know Salvador
most of his life.

The next day, donning robe and cap, Alejandro moved through the graduation
ceremonies partially numbed by the recent events. It was both an end and a
beginning for him. Frederick spent the next few days with him. They roamed
around the big old house, Alejandro telling tales of childhood and sharing
memories with Frederick who knew with certainty that his good friend was
finally beginning to process his grief.

As the days progressed, both Charles and Frederick kept close tabs on
Alejandro, occasionally checking in with each other to compare
notes. Alejandro returned to the comfortable and familiar, investing
himself in work. The process of assuming control of the businesses in fact
and in name occupied most of his time for the balance of the year.

Even with the staff trying to make Alejandro relaxed in his home, the house
became more burden than refuge. His grandparent's bedroom and dressing
areas had not changed save for the clothing being donated. His father's
personal effects had never touched Alejandro in any meaningful way. Dealing
with them was much easier.

One evening after the staff had departed while roaming through the house
once again he began to understand that he was living in his own museum of
sorts. The next day he asked his Real Estate representative to begin
looking for a property similar to those in other cities; only this would
become his permanent residence.

He steeled himself to the fact that there was nothing holding him or
protecting him. The year was 1968. Change swirled around him. The
predominant influence of his life was his grandparents who were molded by a
completely different era. At 22 years of age, he stood alone at a threshold
with his choices. It was freeing as well as frightening.


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