Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:03:48 +0000
From: Steve Thomas <stevethomas535@hotmail.com>
Subject: Growing up Joshua, Chapter 26

Growing up Joshua This is a work of pure fiction, but based on the author's
feelings,beliefs, and in some cases, experience.  Come to think of it -- it
mightnot be all that pure! There may be graphic sexual encounters at
timesbetween males, so if this offends you, you are invited to retreat.  If
youare too young or it is otherwise illegal for you to be reading this
kindif story, shame on you for reading it - - please stop here.  If not, -
-ENJOY!  Cast of characters:

Joshua Alan Black II
Barbie Warfield -- my mother
Dennis Warfield -- my stepfather

Richard -- My favorite Cousin
Ray and Raul -- Richards' younger brothers.

Nate Willows  -- My first roomie.

James Meriwether -- Mid-year Transfer

Seth Gary -- My therapist.
Luke  -- Seth's partner. (Lukamaiola Makamakahaiiolioli)

Jake -- Seth's Cousin
Colin -- Jake's partner
Uri -- Jake and Colin's Son
Ursula -- Jake and Colin's Daughter

Chris -- Seth's brother
Craig -- Chris's partner

Rob -- Seth's "big brother" (not really, but ... )
Denny -- Rob's partner.
Greta -- one of Rob' and Denny's 4 kids.

Uncle Jake Smith -- Jakes father and the Smith Patriarch
Aunt Lindy -- Jakes Mom
Etta -- The Smith's housekeeper

Ren (Lawrence) Smith Family Friend
Lenny (Leonard) Ren's partner.

Bobby -- Colin's brother


>From Chapter 25:

Luke and I were the only ones in first class, on the flight back.  Bobby
and Ren went to LAX, while we went to Dallas, then on to Milwaukee.  We
kissed and cuddled all the way -- no cameras -- and the attendant -- a guy
-- said he wished he could find a guy to be in love with -- as obviously as
we were!

When it was over, we parted "lovers no more, friends forever".  Easier to
say than do!

Chapter 26

Melancholy.

That's how some may describe what I felt.  I wondered ... "Is it my age?  I
know that I can never have either Luke or Seth, but why is it I always fall
for someone I can't have?"

I did a lot of introspection.  Seth said I could talk to him about it
... or not.

"The good news is -- you don't have any destructive feeling -- right?"  He
asked me -- when I decided to finally open up.

"No.  Not destructive.  And obviously, I didn't retreat back into myself
like I did last year.  I think I'm over that."

"I think you are too, Josh."  Said Seth.  "Or I wouldn't have put you in
that position.  Sometimes we have to gamble.  I hope you can forgive me for
gambling ... when it was you that had to pay."

"Oh, I wouldn't change anything!  Seth -- I love you and -- well, I love
both of you and - if what Luke and I did -- make you guys closer -- I'm
happy.  And you know what else?"

"What's that, Josh?"

"Being here ... with you two in the next room ... and seeing you together
in the house ... I think that it really helps me stay in reality -- even if
it sucks sometimes."

"Probably most of the time -- right now -- huh?"

"(Sigh!) Yeah ... uhhm - you didn't HAVE to go out of your way to point
that out!"

Seth grinned.  "But -- that's my job!"

"You suck!"

"Yes ... I do!  But you don't need to concern yourself with my
proclivities!  Um -- well, as you said -- your surfing safari served both
Luke and I very well.  I suppose we should at least make the videos
available to you -- if you want them.  I don't advise it, under the
circumstances."

"You know -- I'd like to know that I could have them if I wanted them.  But
not now, at least."

"Well, they'll always be available if you want."

"Have you -- um - "

"Oh yeah!  We like some porn sometimes anyway.  Those are not only hot --
but my sweet lover is in them."

"And -- it doesn't hurt you to see him with - - someone else?"  I asked.

"A little, actually.  But besides the fact that he's with someone I love --
probably way too much -- the good it has done far outweighs the downside.
And you can probably guess what else it makes me crave."

"I don't even want to think about it."  I said, unconsciously rubbing my
crotch.

"I know.  But we've seen to much consternation from our friends trying
that.  Threesomes seldom work -- as a steady diet.  They can be fun for a
time, but I've never seen it work out happily.  It nearly split Colin and
his brother up ... and it DID split up Colin and Jake -- for awhile."

"Do you believe in God?"  I asked.

"Of course.  There are too many things I don't understand.  I can always
attribute them to God -- can't I?"

"You mean like all the sad things that go on around the world -- that and
the seemingly grossly evil people?"

"No."  He said.  "I mean like all the good things that I see happening, and
all the good people who remain good -- even when those bad things are
happening to them -- like you.  You're such a good person -- and mostly on
your way to becoming a good man.  Yet there have been so many things that
could have turned you in to the most negative person in the world."

"And then there's your own story."  I said.

"Yeah.  I should be dead -- several times."

"And yet here you are -- helping others like me."

"Have you read the Bible?"  Seth asked me.

"Parts of it -- not much."

"I don't often get into this with clients, but you are so much more than a
client -- to us -- to me!  Before Jesus started his mission, he had to
endure many things.  It is told as a simple story, but I think he had to
endure a lot more than the story says.  I don't think any preacher worth
his salt can be of much service to others unless he has experienced some of
what his parishioners experienced.

"You mean he learned by experience?"

"Some experience -- enough to have empathy for us."

"Why does he allow bad things to happen -- like the devastation from
firestorms or hurricanes?"

"I'm glad you said `allow'.  I don't think he usually makes things like
that happen.  But I don't think we are here for the here and now."

"Huh?"

"I think this is just a temporary stop off for us.  How we react here may
determine what we will get in the next world."

"World?"

"World -- existence -- heaven -- call it what you like.  Some people react
in ways that will not get them very far in the next -- existence.  We get
very concerned about thousands dying in a natural disaster, and want to
blame God.  But when a man causes it -- like Hitler or Stalin -- then all
of a sudden -- it's not God's fault any more.  That doesn't make sense to
me.  God allows us both good and bad experiences.  Who knows?  Maybe he
carefully chooses where he sends people, depending on what he knows about
them before they are born."

"How can he know anyone before they are born?"

"Some say he knows everything.  He knows how we will react to certain
things."

"Do you believe that?"  I asked.

"No -- not so much like that, anyway.  I think he knows how we'll PROBABLY
act, because he knew us before we were born -- here."

"Wow.  You mean like he knew us -- somewhere else?"

"Oh -- somewhere else -- or some other dimension -- or something.  And when
we are born here, we carry all the memories of that other place -- or
whatever -- in our DNA -- or something -- but we can't access it.  But we
have certain things we've preprogrammed into us -- that will make us
`probably' react in certain ways.  Some react very badly -- and do much
evil in the world.  Maybe they will get something less in the next place --
than someone who -- say -- chooses to return good for evil."

"Do you believe in the Devil?"

 "I think maybe he is one who was evil in the place we came from.  So God
allows him to torment us -- if we let him.  He's just another bad person --
but from another dimension or place -- before this existence."

"Who will win -- in the end?"  I asked.  "God or the Devil?"

Seth smiled.  "I don't think the Devil has any power to win.  God didn't
create him evil, but God knows that when he creates anyone, they have the
choice to be good or be evil.  But I think all the power is on the good
side."

"Why?  How can you say that when it seems like most in the world are evil?"

"Do you really believe that?  I don't.  I believe that most people are
good.  If most people were evil, then maybe the devil WOULD win.  But I
think most people want God to win -- and they want to be on the side of
good.  They just get sidetracked sometimes -- maybe.  Why did you ask about
God -- anyway?"

"I just feel -- sometimes -- that there is something -- outside myself --
that is protecting me -- I mean besides you.  Someone led Dennis to find
you for me.  Maybe you aren't the one to save everyone.  Maybe you're only
here to save a few of us, who can relate to you -- and your experience."

"Maybe -- I'd be very open to that explanation."

"Do you think he made us gay?"  I asked.

I don't think he made us straight or gay -- any more than he made us evil
or good.  I just think we are what we are based on that prior reality that
I think we may have come from, maybe combined with what happens to us here
... maybe."

"Does Luke believe like you do?"

"Luke has his own beliefs.  They don't exactly coincide with mine, but they
don't exactly conflict either.  We just accept each other as we are.  I'm
not sure about the things I have told you -- they are mostly just
impressions that I have gathered from my own life.  Maybe each person has
his own reality.

"One thing I know for sure, though: Each of us is the center of his own
universe.  We can try as much as we can, but egocentrism is our existence.
If not, we would cease to be.  If I do a lot of good -- a lot of selfless
acts -- because I believe I'll be rewarded -- then it's still ME that I'm
looking out for, isn't it?"

"Do you think Ryan next door has any chance of being gay?"  I said.

"Haha1 That came out of the blue, didn't it?  Well -- with both of his dads
being gay -- you'd think he would, but I've known him since he was a teen,
and though he has a very healthy attitude toward us -- he's as straight as
anyone I know!  I might say a lot more, but I have another client in five
minutes.  I need to study his chart.  We'll talk some more.  But the short
answer to your last question is ... You WISH!"  He laughed.

"Can I ask one more question?  You can think about it and answer later.
We've talked about it before, but -- what do you really think about
brothers ... or cousins ... ?"

"I don't have any problem with it -- other than they have to live with
whatever family repercussions that come up -- because of family prejudice.
You -- still think about him a lot don't you?"

"Who?"  I asked.

Seth put his hand on the back of my head and brought me eye to eye.  "If
you have to ask, then the question was moot.  I know your brother has his
own hang ups.  I am referring to your cousin.  You still think a lot about
Richard -- don't you?"

I looked anywhere but in his eyes for a moment, then answered, "How can you
know these things?"

"It's not rocket science.  I saw how you reacted when you came back from
Sacramento.  I saw your hurt -- when you were asked not to come to the
second reception.  That kind of hurt doesn't just go away.  That's another
reason I felt you needed a diversion.  Okay, get outa here!  Donny deserves
my complete attention too."

I walked out of the office and came face to face with a gorgeous boy -- I
think he was a boy.  "Hello!"  I said, maybe a little too admiring.  This
kid was maybe 17 -- possibly a little older, had perfect skin, and what
looked to be totally natural, stunning blond dreadlocks cascading down his
face.

"Hello."  he said, barely audible, never once looking up and quickly
disappeared into the office.

"That one is a near basket case."  Said Luke.

"Wow!"

"Donny was referred to Seth by the county -- five years ago.  He was
sexually abused by both parents when he was a preteen, and then his mother
did an about face and completely ignored him when he started through
puberty.  His dad then -- while intensifying the sexual abuse, started to
physically abuse him as well.  He never touched his face, but he mutilated
every other part of his body -- the parts that can hide under clothing."

"Oh my God!  Where are the parents now?"

"Oh, all the county did was take Donny away.  That's one thing about
Vermont -- they don't much go for punishing sex offenders.  That's why
Seth's abusers were set free so quickly and when he met them on a ferry
boat -- they pushed him into the ice cold lake, Both he and Chris nearly
died from that.  The guys are put away for life now, but not until they
killed someone.  They just don't see sexual abuse as bad as other abuse,
somehow."

"What about the physical abuse?"

"It was Donny's word against theirs. They seldom take the word of the child
here.  Not reliable, they claim."

"What will happen to him when he turns eighteen?"

"Who -- Donny?"

"Well -- yeah, - "

"Donny is 23.  He seems young because he lives most of the time in a
regressed state.  The County no longer pays, but Seth will not just send
him out to be devoured by the wolves."

"The wolves?"

"Well, as you might guess, he's gay.  And there are too many places where
kids and adults meet around here.  The Smith's have a big bash once a
quarter.  Open party.  There is a code of conduct that is expected, but
anyone can come.  It`s sometimes quite a freak show.  But Seth encourages
it.  He has saved a few from the wolves -- just by observing the wolves
... and the sheep -- there."

As we talked, we could see Seth chatting with Donny through the window.
Donny never once would even look Seth in the eyes.

"Do you think that it bothers him that we are out here?"

"Probably just the exact opposite.  "He probably feels more secure knowing
there might be someone out here."

"Might be?"

"With the lights off as they are out here, neither of them can see us.
Donny is afraid to be alone with anyone, male or female.  He lives in a
group home, and I can guarantee you, there are two people waiting for him
out in the car."

"Is Seth's therapy doing anything at all?"

"Oh yeah.  When he first started coming here, it was months before he would
talk to Seth without his group home `parents' in attendance.  Seth finally
got enough trust that he let them wait -- at first right out here, and then
out in the car."

"How often does he come?"

"Three times a week -- but he can only abide 15 minute sessions.  He's the
main reason Seth won't go away with me for more than a weekend once in
awhile.  When Seth went to you in Milwaukee, and decided to stay a week --
he talked to the kid every day -- to affirm and reaffirm that he'd be back.
He'll never do that again."

Luke and I stayed in the front room talking for the time Donny was in the
office.  When he came out, Seth said, "Donny -- this is my friend, Joshua."

"Hello."  He said again, quickly and almost a whisper.

"Donny, Joshua is only nineteen."

"Oh."

"You can look into his eyes, Donny.  He's a very nice man.  He's much
younger than you are!  I want you to look into his eyes."

Donny shot me a lightening fast look, then his eyes went back to the floor.
"Remember what we talked about, Donny?  If you want people to trust you --
you must look them in the eyes."  Look at Luke.  You know him."

Donny did the same with Luke as he had dome with me.  "Donny -- I want you
to try it again.  I want you to look into Joshua's eyes while I count to
three."

Donny's hands went to his face.  Seth gently pulled them down.  "Joshua has
the kindest eyes I've ever seen, Donny.  Give it a try."

Donny slowly -- fearfully raised his eyes up my body.  He stopped only
momentarily when he came to the large bulge in my pants, but his expression
didn't change.  When he got to my eyes, he peered into them like he was
looking through me. "Donny -- you're doing it again.  Look into his soul --
not past it."

He suddenly looked like he recognized me.  "One -- two -- three" Seth
counted slowly.  "You see, that wasn't so hard -- Donny?"  said Seth.  He
kept looking into my eyes, then seemed to let his eyes wander across my
face then back to my eyes.  I heard Seth whisper, "Oh this is good!"

"Do you want to tell Joshua anything, Donny?"  He shook his head.  "Okay --
you did well, Donny.  Thank you for trying so hard."

Never once during this time did Donny look away.  The he did something
unexpected.  He pulled his tee shirt slightly over his shoulder to re veal
where (I could only assume) his father had burnt him with a cigarette.  I
couldn't help it.  It brought tears to my eyes.  Then he also started to
tear up.

Suddenly he tore for the door.  "See you in a couple days, Donny!"  Seth
hollered.  Donny waved, but didn't look back as he opened the big front
door.  The he froze a moment, turned and looked at Seth.  He jabbed his
finger at me, his expression never once changing.  "You wanna see Joshua
again?"  Said Seth.

He quickly nodded without looking up and slammed the door.

"I guess he likes you!"  said Luke.

"He trusts him."  Said Seth.  "Donny saw something in Josh's eyes -- or
something -- that he trusts.  I know that with Josh's history -- he would
not betray that trust!"  Said Seth, sounding almost like a warning or
... admonishment.  "Um -- do you think you'd like to help me with Donny a
bit?"

"I -- g-guess."

"It'll be good fodder for later work that that you do in university, if you
decide to follow that line.  I advise you to keep copious notes."

"I -- um -- yeah, I can see that.  And you don't have to tell me, Seth: I
know that anything sexual is out."

"Yes -- even innuendo could be detrimental -- even if he initiates it
... and he might.  He has with me."

Trudy came in.  "Your sandwiches are ready.  They're on the kitchen table,
with some hot soup.  There's lemonade in the fridge.  If you want, I'll
slice some tomatoes too, and there's potato salad there as well."

"You're eating with us -- aren't you, Trudy?" Asked Luke.

Trudy smiled sweetly.  "No -- Ryan is taking me out to dinner tonight."

"Nice!"  Said Seth.  "Special occasion?"

"None that I am aware of.  He just told me to wear something nice."

"We'll be checking for stains on his knees when you return!"

"Ohhh!  Ha ha!  I don't think we're that serious yet!  Marriage is the
furthest thing from Rye's mind!"

"I think you better get his opinion on that one!"

She turned red and said, "Well, anyway -- your dinner is ready.  I need to
get back home and get ready!"

"Have fun!"

After she left, Seth said, "I happen to know that Rye IS popping the
question tonight.  He was over here asking if I know about any rituals that
Russians have that he should know about.  I told him that a formal
`on-the-knee' approach was always nice -- and of course to ask her father."

"Oh -- wow!"  I said.  "And he never even gave me a chance!"  I laughed.
"I'd like to pop something for him!"

"It would have to be his cherry!"  Said Luke.  "As far as we can tell,
they're both virgins."

"Who is her father?"

"Like Rye, she has two -- Rob and Denny."

"Oho!"  I said.  "That has to be an ideal situation!"

"Why's that?"  Asked Seth.

"No mother-in-law!"

"Oh, she has a mother alright!  Those kids' mothers live in casitas behind
the big houses.  The kids stay with them a lot when they are small, less as
they get older.  Colin and Jake, and Rob and Denny -- none feels like they
can be a mother to the kids.  The kids' mothers had given them up to an
orphanage, when their biological dads were killed in one of the wars
following the collapse of the Soviet Union.  The women were too
impoverished to care for the children."  Said Luke.

"Not only that -- but the two women are sisters, so the kids are all
related!"

"How many are there again?"

"Jake and Colin have two, and Rob and Denny have four."  Continued Seth.
"They thought about having Craig and Chris take 2, but Rob didn't want the
siblings split up - "

" -- and Craig and Chris were not necessarily really to adopt."  Said Luke.

"We don't need to be judging people like that, Luka!"  Said Seth.

"Who's judging?  WE'RE not ready, are we?"

"You're gonna make a great Daddy some day, Lukamaiola Makamakahaiiolioli!"

"I'm not so sure!"  Said Luke.  "And -- you almost sound like a Hawaiian -
- Haole!"

"Luke's afraid he will revert to the man his father was.  That's not gonna
happen, Luka!"  Said Seth, then turned to me, "Luke's father -- as well as
Luke himself -- was in the line of the kings."

"Hah!  Do you know how many can claim that?  Let me tell you a lot of my
relatives still use that ploy regularly to control their children: `You
should not act that way; you are in the line of the kings!'  they say.  I
was an embarrassment to my father -- even though no one knew!  Thank God he
never became King!"

"From what I have read, the Hawaiian royalty were very wonderful people."
I said.

"Yeah, as long as you don't look too close.  Before the white man came, any
baby that was not beautiful would be tossed into the sea.  I probably would
have been sacrificed -- they did that too!"

"All of which has no bearing on how good a daddy you will be -- when that
time comes!" Reiterated Seth.

"We better get out to that soup before it becomes vichyssoise!"  Said Luke.

While we ate our sandwiches and reheated soup, there was a knock at the
back door.  "Come on in, Carlos." Said Luke.  "Carlos is about the only one
who uses this entrance -- he or Ryan -- and Rye usually calls first!"

Carlos stepped in and removed his cap.  "I feeneesh weeth Jack and Ryan's
work.  Deed you say you wanted something donn?"

"Carlos!  Good!  Yes, I noticed some mildew or something in the eaves on
the north side of the house.  It may need to be sprayed.  You remember
Joshua?"

"Si! Y mas!"  He grinned at me.  Hola, meester Joshua!"

At my dumb look, Seth said, "He more than just remembers you!"  I looked at
him and he gave me a delicious smile that I remembered from the first time
we met.  We both blushed.

Luke quipped, "I think that Joshua may have something that needs fixing up
in his bedroom, Carlos!"

Carlos looked at me expectantly.  I was flustered.  "Oh -- er- ahah!  I --
um -- well, I could probably find something!"  We all laughed.

"I weel spray for the mildew.  I think the swallows are all gone -- do you
want me to knock down their nests?"

Luke gave Carlos several more tasks to complete, and he was out the door,
but not before flashing me another of his winning smiles.

"I think he likes you!"  Said Luke.

"He is pretty cute!"  I said.  "But he looks a little old for me.  I think
Rye told me he was 30."

"Something like that.  But there's something else that Luke is not telling
you."

Luke laughed and added, "Well, his 4 kids and wife live way across the
county!"

"That's good to know.  I won't hit on him."  I said.  "Obviously he seems
to be a little bi ... He doesn't need that kind of temptation."

"Or ... maybe he's just smart enough to know what his employers like!"
Said Seth.  "By the way, Donny sometimes gets his caretakers to just bring
him by to hang out.  When I have another client, I send him upstairs to
watch the tube.  He gets morose seeing me with anyone else."

"Maybe he won't since he seems to be interested in Josh."

"I wouldn't be so fast to make that jump, Luka.  But he definitely felt a
connection.  I'll ask him about it on Friday."

"Why does he come over here?"  I asked.

"The other guys in the group home hit on him a lot and his caretakers just
-- for their own sanity -- need to get him away from them.  He has to be
continually watched there.  But he is extremely respectful of space and
things when he's here.  And -- of course -- very quiet.  I'm hoping that
maybe you can draw him out a little.  I don't want you to try to be his
doctor.  You can just be a non-threatening friend.  He needs that.  To some
he seems mentally retarded.  He's not.  He's socially retarded."

I felt non-committal about school.  I knew that Seth wanted me to go.  I
never felt any bad vibes from him toward Luke -- for not further pursuing
his education -- and he didn't put pressure on me either, but it was clear
that he wanted me to do something.  And I felt like I wanted to, too --
just maybe not quite yet.

Ambivalence -- that's the word!  And I didn't quite admit it, but I missed
having someone special.  So even though I didn't jump all over Seth's
suggestion, I secretly -- not really even knowing why myself -- relished
the idea of helping Donny.

"Here's what's planned for today:" Said Seth, the next time Donny was due.
"I have an older guy that I have scheduled for 12:30 -- to 1:30.  That will
go overtime.  Donny is scheduled to get here at 1:00, so he'll have a bit
of a wait.  When he arrives, you be in the living room already.  Just make
small talk.  He'll probably answer in monosyllabic sentences.  That's okay.

Donny arrived.  I was already in the living room seated.  When he was let
in, after I knew he saw me, I got up.  "Hello."  I said.

"Hello."  Said Donny, quickly dropping his eyes to the floor.

"You're Donny.  I met you last week.  Do you remember me?  I'm - "

"Joshua."  He said, stealing a glance upward to me, past his eyebrows and
through the blond curls cascading down his face.  I immediately thought of
Tarzan's "boy" before outsiders came.  In that quick glance I saw fear,
interest and maybe something else.

"Yes -- you did remember.  I'm pleased.  I like you."  I said.

He didn't look up but I think there was a hint of a smile.  He seemed to be
studying his hands intently.  I started again, "Did you know that I am
seeing Seth too?"?

"Oh."

I think he's a good doctor."  I said.

"Uh-huh."  (Two syllables!)

"Are you from around here?"

"Uh-huh."

"I'm from Milwaukee."

"Oh."

"But before that I was from California -- Sacramento area."

"Oh."

"Have you ever been to California?"

"No."

"How about Wisconsin?"

He shook his head then said, "I was in new York once."

That was all I got out of him that day.  I was afraid to freak him out my
saying too much.  The next visit was pretty much the same, but there was
something different.  Seth told me later that he was dressed more carefully
than ever before.  "I expect he did that for you.  If he is in something
other than a plain tee shirt and old blue jeans next time, compliment him."

The next time he came it was one of those unscheduled visits.  I saw the
car from the group home from the second floor window.  I quickly pulled a
shirt on and went down and sat on the couch.  When he was let in, he came
in and this time instead of taking the chair on the other side of the room,
he came to my couch and sat -- on the other end of it.

"Hi, Donny."

"Hello - - - Joshua."  He said, letting his eyes meet mine as he said my
name, then back down to his hands, which were decidedly folded in his lap.

"You don't have an appointment today, do you?  I asked.

"No."

"You look very nice!  It's nice out -- would you like to go for a walk?"

He nodded and almost ran for the door.  When I didn't follow immediately,
he turned and stared at me.  I arose and followed.  He went out the door
and waited for me.  As soon as we were out the door, he took my hand --
like a two year old might.  We walked around the house and then over toward
Rob's and Denny's.  It was mid-day, so Rob's pool was full of several
screaming kids.  "Do you wanna go swimming?"

"No."

As we passed the pool area, he looked longingly, so I repeated my question.
"No!"  he said more emphatically.

"Okay.  I thought you looked interested, was all."

"No swim suit."

"Oh!"  I said.  "I have some boxers you can wear."

He looked deeply into my eyes, then said, "Not today."

"Okay.  What would you like to do?  Anything besides walking?"

He nodded.  "Horses!" and his face seemed more animated than I'd ever seen
it.

I walked him back to Rob's stables, and there was an Arab in one of the
paddocks.  As we neared, he snorted and ran back into his stable.  But as
if on cue, a big palomino sauntered out of another cubicle and into his
paddock.  When he saw us he snuffled his nose, and walked closer to the
fence.  "Hi there Scout."  I said.  His ears pricked up when he heard his
name.  I had never been here yet, but his name was inscribed on a wooden
plaque atop his cubicle door.

We walked up to the fence and Scout trotted over and snorted again.  Donny
put his hand out and Scout sniffed it and whinnied softly.  Donny looked
around almost frantically.  He spied some tall weeds near by and plucked
some of them.  He walked back and offered them to Scout.  He sniffed and
then retrieved the offered treat with his lips.

"The grass is always greener, Huh?"  Came a voice from behind me.  That
made Donny jump and he ran to my other side, startling Scout as well.
Donny was trying to hide from the intruder.  I recognized him as one of the
Ukrainian kids.  "Hi, you're Joshua!  I remember from the party.  I'm Uri."
He said in a slightly accented tongue. He peeked around me and said, "Scout
must like you!  She won't just take food from anyone!"  Uri was quite
stunning, and even blonder than Donny, with equally long curly locks.

"I think he's talking to you, Donny.  He says - "

"I know!"  Said Donny.

"This is Donny, Uri.  Donny -- shake hands with Uri."

Donny meekly and shyly walked out from behind me and Uri extended his hand.
"Donny's kind of shy."  I said, then to Donny I said, "Uri lives here."

"Actually I live next door.  But we all keep our horses here at Uncle
Rob's."

"It this your horse?"  I asked.

"Naw!  Mine's the chestnut Arab.  That belongs to my cousin.  She's afraid
of her.  Scout is pretty lonely."

"Really?"  I said.

"You wanna ride?" Asked Uri, looking directly at Donny.  Donny shook his
head nervously, and turned around.

"Have you ever ridden a horse, Donny?"  I asked.  Again he shook his head.
"If I lead the horse, do you want to -- ride?"

Donny looked deeply into my eyes, as if to be seeing if I was kidding or
not, then into Uri's.

"How good a rider are you, Joshua?"

"My neighbor back in California had a very spirited Black Arab that I rode
all the time -- but that was when I was 13."  I said.

"It's like riding a bike -- you don't forget.  And Scout is not that wild.
She's gentle -- that's why Uncle rob gave her to Veronika -- and she's big
enough for both of you."

I turned to Donny.  "You wanna ride?"  He broke into a grin and nodded
enthusiastically.

Both Uri and Donny seemed excited.  Uri was very happy that someone wanted
to ride Scout.  He went into the paddock and Scout followed him into the
cubicle.  In no time, he came out the stable door, with her all saddled up.

I took the rein and told Donny how to mount Scout.  "I think I'll just lead
her at first."  I said.

"She won't mind both of you on her."

"This is for Donny's sake."  I said.  "Hold on, Donny!"  I said.

I walked around and Uri said, when you're finished, just put her back in
her cubicle -- I'll unsaddle her."

"I can do that!"  I said.

"Good -- just hang her saddle on the partition opposite her cubicle.
You'll see where it goes."

I led Scout -- with Donny atop her -- all around the four main houses, then
when I led her around back of Seth's we saw the car from the group home.

"Shit!"  Said Donny.  The first time I heard him say anything so
emphatically.  When I led him on Scout to the car, the window came down.
His group home mother said, apologetically, "We have to take him home."
"Can I bring him home later?"  I pleaded.

She looked at her husband and said something.  She looked up at Donny.
"Would you like to stay a little longer -- and have -- this man -- being
you home?"  I laughed inside when she called me that!

Donny enthusiastically nodded.

"He needs to be back by five to get ready for dinner.  He'll be pretty
smelly after this, I suppose."

"Could he stay for dinner?"  I asked.

She looked at me suspiciously and said, "Just a minute."  She made a call
and then turned back and said, "He may stay -- but should be back before
ten."  And they left.

This was the first time I heard Donny laugh!

Notes: You can speculate all you want -- I don't know where this came from
but ... it seems to be working -- for me!  Any comments are welcome ... to
Steve at stevethomas535@hotmail.com.  Thanks and love, Steve