Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2006 21:41:56 +0000
From: Steve Thomas <stevethomas535@hotmail.com>
Subject: Just-a-Normal-Boys-Dreams, Ch. 21

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 might
not be very pure either! There may be graphic sexual encounters at times
between men, so if this offends you, you are invited to retreat.  If you
are too young or it is otherwise illegal for you to be reading this kind
if story, shame on you for reading it - - please stop here.  If not, - -
ENJOY!

Cast of characters:

Jack Smith -- uh -- that would be me

Billy -- Jack's closest brother, 3 yrs older.

Will Smith -- My dad

Vivian Smith My mom

Art -- Jack's oldest brother, 9 yrs older.

Ralph Gilmore -- a new friend - deceased

Stacy Whitworth -- a catalyst/friend

George Toliver -- old grade school buddy

George Toliver, Sr,  -- (duh!)

Cynthia Toliver -- (Mrs. Duh!)

Jim -- George's cousin

Uncle Jake Smith-- Will's Brother

Aunt Lindy -- Uncle Jake's wife

Seth Gary -- One of Jake and Lindy's other nephews

Etta -- The Jacob Smith's housekeeper.

Jake Smith Jr. Jack's cousin

Colin -- Jake's partner

Carrie Smith -- Another of the Smith cousins

Al -- Carrie's Partner

Chris Gary -- Seth's older brother.

Craig -- Chris's partner

Mario -- Old high school friend

From Chapter 20:

The drive up highway one was as beautiful as it had been earlier in the
fall.  It rained once and by the time we got to Carmel, it was very
foggy.  We checked into the Normandy Inn carried our few things to the
door.  I unlocked it and opened it and stepped back to let Jim enter.

Jim preceded me into the room and stopped cold and gasped.

His cousin was seated on the bed!  So much for my suspicions.



Chapter 21

George arose from the bed and said, "Welcome, Cuz!  Welcome Jackamo!"

Jim dropped his suitcase and stared, mouth wide open.  I had taken one
step into the room.  I backed out, turned, looked up and closed my eyes.
I had to make a quick decision.  I was so completely torn.  What George
did was so wrong!  My first impression was to run.  But then I had to
decide -- run to where?  Out of the Inn -- or into George's arms.
Neither seemed the right choice.

George stepped to his cousin and hugged him.  I took a further step
away.  I thought some more:  This is just not fair!  Can George read my
mind?  Does he know the turmoil he put me in?  Is he forcing me to make a
choice?

"Hi George."  I said, evenly.  When he rushed me, I offered my hand to
him.  He shook it and tried to pull me in to a hug.  I stepped back.
"You guys can have the bed.  I'll sleep on the floor."  I said.

That stopped George.

"I'll get a bus back tomorrow."  I said.

"Jack!"  They both said together.  "No!"

"Jack -- please don't go.  If anything, I'll go!"  said George.

"How'd you get up here?"  I said almost icily.  I hated myself --
hating my pride -- hating my - - stupid morality!

"I rented a car!"  He said.

"Let me guess: with your dad's credit card."  I said sarcastically.

"Jack, Please!"  He said.

I backed further away from the door and then turned around and walked
away.  Something hit me on my back and jangled to the floor.  I looked
down.  The Porsche keys.

I looked at them and then back to Jim and George.  George's eyes were
full and wet.  "Don't take the bus!"  He closed the door.  I left the
keys on the floor of the hallway and walked out of the Inn.

I walked toward the front desk -- and then out the door to the street.  I
turned right and walked slowly -- and blindly -- toward the ocean.  It
was a long walk.  It was still quite foggy.  When I got to the sand, I
put down my suitcase.  It was eerily quiet down at the ocean.  Even the
sound of the surf was muffled by the dense fog.  I sat on my suitcase.
My breath came out like a chugging of a locomotive, laboring to get a
large load in motion.

I rubbed the tears from my eyes.  Am I being too emotional?  Am I being
to judgmental?  My suitcase twisted and I fell face first into the sand.
I felt cold, but I had a coat on.  I pulled it up to my ears, and that
left my midriff exposed.   Then I started to audibly and agonizingly
sob.  I pulled myself into a fetal ball.

"Are you okay, Boy?"  I didn't even look up, but shook my head.

"I'm fine -- just fine!"  I said.

"Want some coffee?"  I sat up.  I shook my head no.   I looked up and
saw kindly face maybe ten or twelve years older than I.  "Oh -- that
looks like the face of a broken heart."  He said.  "Can I help?"

"No -- thanks."  I said.  "I just need some time to -- to - <<SIGH>>
think."

"You do that.  I'll be right over there on the bench."

"Please -- don't!"  I pleaded.  "I'll be okay."

He walked off into the fog.

"Smart move."  Said my old friend, Ralph.

"I'm asleep again?"  I said.

"Guess so!"

"I'm cold and damp!"

"Are you?  Wish I was."

"Huh?"

"You keep forgetting.  I can't feel a thing!  Dang I miss that!"

"Ralph -- I have to wake up!"

"Want me to yell at you?"

"You can try."  I said.

He opened his mouth to yell and it came out like a far off echo.  "Wake
up, Jack.  Jack, wake up!"  I felt my shoulders being shaken.  I opened
my eyes.  Kneeling over me was George.  "Damn, guy!"  He said, "Jim
and I have looked all over for you."

As I came awake enough to feel how cold I had grown, I started to shiver
almost uncontrollable.  I looked fearfully up into George's teary eyes.
He laid down on top of me, instantly warming me and also almost
suffocating me.  I started to cough.  He took some of his weight off me.

"You found him!"  Said Jim.

"And none too soon.  He wasn't even shivering.  He could have died any
time from exposure."

"You could have died, Jack.  What were you thinking?"  George said.
"Go back and get the rental car, Jimmy!  The keys are on the dresser."

I heard Jim's running footsteps fade out of earshot.  "Jack -- I love
you!"

Even at this time, I had presence of mind enough to say, "Now's not the
time, Jord- George!"  I said, disgusted.

He put his lips on mine.  I turned my head away.  He put his warm face
next to mine.  That felt good.  He must have had two days of stubble.
That felt good.  "He really IS sorry, Jack."  Ralph's voice echoed in
my head.   "You're gonna be okay."  He said over and over.

I opened my eyes again and I was in bed and it was dark.  Did I dream the
whole thing?  I could see that Jim was spooned in front of me.  I
relaxed.  Then I felt it.  Someone was also behind me.  I guessed it
wasn't a dream.  It was wrong, but it felt so right.  And -- something
imperceptible had changed -- inside me.  I squeezed up closer to Jim.
"I love you," I whispered in Jim's ear.  He breathed deep, shuddered a
little and kissed my hand which was next to his face.

I woke up later and it was light.  I was alone in the bed.  I heard
sounds coming from the bathroom -- whistling.  I turned over and closed
my eyes.  I didn't want to wake up.  I didn't want to face whatever was
coming.  I felt a deep pain -- more like an ache -- in my chest.  I
closed my eyes, but sleep was done.  I opened my eyes again, and out the
window was the parking lot.  The sun was high enough that I knew it was
well past breakfast time.

I spied the rental car.  I arose from the bed.  I walked to the window.
I looked all around the parking lot.  I couldn't see the Porsche.  I
scarcely had time to wonder what that could mean when he came out of the
bathroom..

"You're finally awake!  We wondered if you'd ever wake up."

I turned and saw the skinny, tall body that I hoped was there.
"Where's your cousin?"  I said, not even willing to say his name.

"Halfway back to Downey by now -- is my guess."  Said Jim.

"But -- his car -- I mean the rental car -- isn't it in his name?"

"We went out this morning.  We tried to wake you.  You weren't
budging.  But your breathing was easy and deep, so we determined you were
okay.  We went to the dining room and had breakfast, then drove to the
Avis agency and George put me on as a driver.

"He never came back to the room.  I'm sorry, Jack.  I knew what was
going on.  But I had no idea it would affect you like it did, or I would
never have agreed to it.  I guess I was thinking mostly of myself..

"Seems to run in your family!"  I said, not hiding my venom.  As soon
as it escaped my mouth I regretted it.

"I know.  I deserved that.  Jim, I love my cousin so much.  I wanted to
help him to -- well -- to even get you -- if that was what he really
wanted.  I was devastated by your reaction -- but not as devastated as
George.  He left here a pretty broken boy.  I'm still torn."

"Torn?"  I said, my heart immediately thawed from his impassioned
speech.

"Jack -- I liked you a lot -- even before you said that to me last
night.  After that comment, I dreamed and -- dreamed some more.  And it
wasn't George in my dreams, Jack!"  He paused.  "What I am wondering -
- is - - was that said in a moment of delirium, or a moment of clarity?"

I was still looking out the window.  "It was real when I said it."  I
admitted.

"And -- now - - ?"

"I dunno."  I said, then turned to him.  He had on a towel, and his
hair was still wet and formed curls on his forehead, and touched the tops
of his ears.  "Jim, I am still angry -- at both of you -- for tricking
me that way."

"I don't blame you.  I thought about nothing but that after you left --
up until you said you -- what you said to me before going back to sleep.
Jack, until that time, I could not sleep.  I was so tired from our long
drive and then all that happened last night.  I was physically, mentally
and emotionally exhausted.  But I could not sleep.  Until you -- said --
that."

"And George?"  I said.

"What about him?"  He countered.

"Are you still in love -- er -- interested in him?"

"I've had some time to think of that too.  That's the one good thing
that may have come from this disaster.  I finally am convinced that he
doesn't -- nor did he ever -- want me.  It hurts to admit it and -- of
course I still love him.  That doesn't just stop overnight.  But -- as
to your second question - - no!  I'm not any longer interested in him.
I AM interested in YOU.  After what you said to me last night in your
delirium - "

"No!  It wasn't delirium!"  I protested stronger than I realized.

"Jack, I need some time.  I never thought about -- um -- loving -- um --
you.  I could -- and -- maybe -- am starting to.  But I saw how hurt
George was -- losing you.  I am so afraid -- of that.  I've been hurt in
other ways -- not the least of which was never getting a return on my
love toward George.  But he never left me.  He just never accepted me.
He was -- as I said -- broken -- when you left him."

"Jimmy,"  I said, as evenly as I could muster, "I didn't leave him.
He left me.  I was very hurt -- well YOU know I was! -- when he left and
married that whore.  But -- not as hurt as I felt when he tried to worm
his way back -- only because she left him.  What hurt me most was - "  I
choked up, "was turning him away -- in the park -- and again here.  GOD,
Jim!  If anyone understands how YOU feel -- I do!  It's different, but
the same all at once!"

"So -- where do we stand now?"  He asked.  "Are we still dating other
people -- or - "

"I can't possibly think that far or deep right now."  I said, walking
toward him.  I reached out and he took my hand.  We both pulled one
another into a chose hug -- well - - as close as his bunched up towel
would allow.  But the smooth skin of his chest felt soothing.

"I'm starved!"  I said.

"Lets go eat, then."  Said Jim.  He flashed his cousin's credit card
at me.

"Nope!"  I said.  I flashed my own.  "And the first place we're going
is the Avis agency.  I'm putting the car -- or `a' car -- on my own
card."  I said.  "This is still a way for him to control us."

"Jack, I don't think that's so.  He felt so bad - "

"All the more reason.  He has to stop using his dad's credit to save
HIS patoot!"

"But YOU don't have a job!  How - "

"This is only to be used in an emergency.  My dad would agree that this
is an emergency."

"George reinstated the hotel reservations that you cancelled."

"I can't help that.  For all we know, that's where he went."

"Omigod!  I never thought about that!"  He said.



"Hi Dad!"

"Are you and Jim having a good time?"

"Not really.  It's too long a story to tell on the phone right now.
But we aren't going up to Santa Cruz and Frisco as we planned.  I'm
sorry but I'll have to use the credit card a little more than I planned,
but -- we're just going up to Pismo and then coming home."

"What happened?"  he said.

"<<SIGH!!>>  George showed up.  Anyway, he's no longer here, and we're
gonna try to make the best of a very bad situation."

"I see.  I don't really see but -- I trust you, Son.  You can stop by
your Uncle Jake's on the way home.  I'm sure they will be glad to see
you again."

"That's the plan, Dad.  And thanks!  I love you."

"Love you too!"

"My parents really are pretty nice too, but with so many kids, they
can't EVEN afford to let me do stuff like that."  Said Jim.

"Mine couldn't always.  I'm the only one left at home.  My brothers
tell me I'm too spoiled!"

"Are they jealous?"

"Naw!  They spoil me too!"

"Lucky!  What a wanker!"  He teased.

"Yeah, but not now.  Did you hear that!??"  I said as my tummy
protested loudly.  "Let's go eat!  I just had to call my dad first."

"Cool.  This place has a nice place to eat."

"Did you notice the prices?"

"Oh.  It's not cheap -- or it wasn't for breakfast."

"Then it won't for lunch either.  I saw a deli about a block from here
-- toward the beach."

"Okay!"

We ordered hot sandwiches to go, plus some hot chocolate, and walked
toward the beach.  It was cold, of course, but it was sunny.  We found a
concrete picnic table at the nearly deserted beach.

"We'll have to come back here when it's warmer."  Jim said idly.  I
guess he saw us still dating by summer.  "This was completely fogged in
when George left."

"I'm sure that didn't cheer him up any."  I said.  "I wonder if
those islands out there are anything like Catalina."

"Catalina IS one of those islands."

"Huh?  You can't see Catalina from here!"  I said.

"No, but I think it's considered part of the Santa Barbara Island
chain."

"You know more than - "  I was stopped cold by a guy that was seriously
staring me down.  He looked vaguely familiar.  He smiled then walked up
to us.

"I guess you found a place to warm up, huh?"

"Do I know you?"  I asked.

"You were lying down here last night, I - "

"Ohhh!  That was you!  I'm afraid I was kind of out of it last night."

"I thought you were.  But I didn't want to press you too much.  I
returned with a policeman, but you were already gone."

"Oh!  I'm so sorry!  I hope you weren't too inconvenienced!"

"Not at all.  It helped to fill the boredom."

"Well, thanks, anyway!"  I said.  "I'm Jack, by the way.  Jack
Smith.  And this is my -- er -- friend -- Jim."

"Nice to meet you both." He said extending his hand.  "I'm Terrence.
I wish John were here.  He'd have loved to meet you too."

"John?"  I said.

"He's my -- er -- used to be -- I mean -- John died last week.  He was
my domestic partner."

"Oh!  I'm so sorry!"  I said.

"What did he die from?"  Asked Jim.

"They said it was natural causes.  He was pretty frail -- even when we
were younger."

"How old was he?"  Asked Jim. I was embarrassed.  I could never have
asked such personal questions of someone who was grieving.

"John was 69.  Not excessively old, but as I said, he was pretty
frail."

Jim's mouth dropped open.  "How old are you??!!"  I wanted to crawl in
a hole.  I made it a point to remind myself to talk to Jim later!

"Me?  I'm 45."

"NUH-UH!"  Both of us exclaimed together.  But upon closer inspection,
I saw some gray hair that didn't show up last night.

Clearly pleased by this, Terrence said, "I get that a lot.  Can I tell
you something kind of personal?"

"Of course!"  I said, feeling that Jim had certainly already given him
that right.

"I don't quite know how to begin.  Since John passed away -- you are
the only people that have asked me anything about John.  You can't know
how lonely that is.  I think mostly that people are scared or intimidated
to bring up anything related to John and me.  I appreciate it so much
that you have talked with me in this manner."

I looked at Jim.  I expected to see him beaming -- with pride or
something.  He wasn't.  He was looking intently at Terrence.  He spoke
again.  "Terrence, I lost a brother to leukemia two years ago.  I know
exactly how you feel."

I leaned back from Jim.  "I never knew that!"

"I don't talk about it much.  No one ever asked me how I felt about it,
either."

"Do you two want to come to my home for dinner tonight?"  Terrence
asked.  My place is only about a block from here."

"Oh, I'm sorry," I said.  "We're driving up to Pismo tonight."

"That's a very short drive.  And -- oh!  Where are you staying there?"

"We were gonna camp out in the car on the beach."  I said.

"Oh!"  He said, and looked worried.  "Um -- we also have a place at
Arroyo Grande.  It's minutes from Pismo.  Would you like to stay
there?"

"You have two places?"

"John and I never gave up our homes.  We just stayed at whichever we
wanted at any given time."

"We can't ask you to do that for us!"  I exclaimed.

Terrence got a faraway look and a tear formed in one of his eyes.  "I
was hoping that you might do it for me."  He said, quietly.  I'd drive
up and open it up and we could talk some more -- and then -- if it was
okay with you, I'd stay there tonight too."

Terrence looked pathetic -- as one would be in his situation.  But beyond
that, he was well built and looked extremely well kept.  Still, I was a
bit nervous.  Jim didn't say anything.  "Tell you what.  You guys talk
it over and please at least call me and let me know."  he said, and he
gave us his card.

"M & M Architectural design"  It said.  "Terrence and John Moynahan,
Architects."

"So -- you guys were married?"  Said Jim.

"No.  John is my uncle."

"OHhhhh!  Jeez!  We thought -- I mean I thought - "

"You thought correctly.  He was my partner, business and - - domestic --
as I said.  But before that he was my uncle -- which is why we kept
separate addresses.  It was easier for business reasons."

"Terrence, we'll discuss your offer.  We were planning on some alone
time before heading home, but -- well -- we'll call you, okay?"

"Fair enough."

"My Cell number is on the back."  He said.  But call the main number
first.  I'll probably be there."

He waved and walked on to wherever he was heading before we met.

"I could tell you are a little weirded out by this."

"Well, seeing his business card helps -- a lot."  I said.

"Did you mean that -- about some alone time -- with me?"

"We'll have alone time -- I guess -- if no other time, in the car
driving."  I said.  I knew that wasn't the type of alone time that Jim
was referring to.  "So -- yeah, I was kind of stalling, excusing us --
to talk about this."

"Okay."  He said.  He tried to hide his disappointment.

"So -- do you trust this guy?"  I said.

"He seems like the real thing.  I sure didn't think he was 45!"

"No!  And that gives me reason to trust him too."

"Why?"

"Oh, just a gut feeling maybe, but - - older people -- that are bad --
don't usually look that good.  Their evil seems to age them faster.
Have you ever noticed that?"

"I -- I'm not sure.  I mean, my `gut feeling' is to trust him.  Maybe
because of my experience with my brother, or -- "

"And, by the way -- Are you -- um -- over your hurt -- from your
brother?"

"I don't know what that means.  I don't know that anyone completely
gets over -- something -- like that."

"I guess I know what you mean.  I hardly knew Ralph.  And yet he still
haunts me!"

"Funny way to phrase it."

"I dunno sometimes if it's real or just my dreams.  He tells me
sometimes what it's like -- being dead."

"Bizarre!"

"Anyway -- should we take him up on his offer?"  I said.

"I think we're safe -- I really do!  And -- there's two of us."  Jim
said.

"He looks pretty fit, but I agree.  I doubt it's a concern."

"So do you want to call him back?"  Jim said.

"I guess.  Uh -- what if he wants something -- extra -- for his
hospitality."  I said.

"Well, he said -- oh!  Huh?  What do you mean?"

"Do you think he would want some -- um -- sexual comfort -- for his
trouble?"

"Maybe we should let him know up front that we aren't up for that."

"I'd feel weird asking."  I said.

"Let me call."  I keyed in Terrence's number and handed my cell phone
to Terrence.

"Hey, Terrence!  This is Jim -- who you met this afternoon."

"Oh!  That was fast!  I just walked in the door."

"We kind of decided we'd like to spend the evening with you."

"Do you mean to stay with me in Arroyo Grande?"

"Yeah, but -- we have a concern."

"Okay.  What?"

"Well, when my little brother died -- Well, - um -- I mean -- no one
really -- um -- gave me much comfort -- and stuff.  It all went to my mom
and dad.  Even Mom and Dad didn't see how I was -- hurting."

"I can understand that."

"Terrence, what I'm trying to say is that I found my comfort in --
pleasuring myself."

"Oh!"  Terrence said.

"I was just -- I mean -- Jack and me -- we don't feel like we can -- do
anything like that while we're with you."

"That's okay -- really.  I can't say it didn't enter my head, and
last night, if your friend had let me, I would have given him some
comfort of that nature -- but only if he wanted it.  But after meeting
the two of you -- I can see you care deeply about each other.  I
wouldn't try to inject myself into your relationship."

"So -- what will we do, I mean, when do you want to meet us -- to drive
down?"

"Can you guys come for dinner at my place here, first and then you can
follow me up to John's place?  Hmph!  I guess it's my place now!"  He
paused. "I can show you some pictures of John and me, and some of our
travels.  We traveled a lot!"

"What time for dinner, Terrence?"

"5:30 suit you?"

"5:30 it is!  See you then!"  Jim hung up and handed me my phone, and
without any hesitation, said, "He said he could tell that we care deeply
about each other."  Jim looked at me as if for an answer.

"I'd say that would be a fair estimation of how I feel."  I said.

We walked back to the Normandy Inn and had a rather "fun" shower.  Jim
was pretty tired from lack of sleep, so he wanted to take a nap.  I
wasn't the least bit tired, having slept long hours last night.  I
massaged his back, neck, and some other nether parts, not including his
erogenous zones -- except his wonderfully smith, but boney butt!

"We're gonna have to get some meat on these bones!"  I said, as I
squeezed his butt cheek.

He giggled.  "My mom's been trying to do that for years!  Let's just
think in terms of you someday putting some meat IN them someday!"  He
joked.  But I got the feeling it was not all joke.  I didn't say
anything more, but moved back up to his back, neck and shoulders.  His
"joke" made my insides quiver and started some wood going, but at the
same time, I was somewhat disgusted and -- sick.

I kept idly and gently rubbing his back after he was asleep.  His breath
was slow and deep when my hand slipped back down to his butt.  When I
gently squeezed it, he breathed a little heavier momentarily.  When I
pressed my hand deep between his crack, my boner flexed hard.  When I
brought it up to my nose - - it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
He breathed deep again and turned on his side, revealing that his wood
was up and hard too.  I wet my finger in my mouth and ran it around his
corona.  He opened his eyes and smiled drowsily and went back to sleep.

I turned on the TV -- low -- and watched that for a time, then went out
to the pool.  The air was not exactly frigid, because it was completely
surrounded, by the motel on one side and the parking garages on the
other, allowing no wind to enter.  But the temperature was not over 60,
I'm sure.

But the water temperature was in the upper 70's at least.  I was the
only one in the pool, so I swam laps.  I didn't keep track of how many
laps I swam, but rather got caught up thinking about what had just
occurred.  I had felt a shift last night as the three of us were sleeping
and I woke up, firmly spooned between Jim and his cousin.

"I love you.,"  kept echoing through my head.  I had not said it
consciously.  It just came out almost unbidden.  As I swam, I tried to
give it some meaning -- or get some -- from it.  I tried to remember if I
ever actually said it to George.  I think I felt it.

I went back to the bedroom and Jim was still sleeping.  There was about
two hours until we were to be at Terrence's for dinner.  Swimming had
worked up a good appetite for me again, and also the thinking I was doing
worked up another appetite, that was especially whetted when I came in
and saw my friend curled up with his back to me, still breathing deep.
His smooth skinny form made me swallow hard.  I tiptoed past him and went
in to rinse off the chlorine.

"Sneaking a shower without me huh?"  He said, climbing in with me.
"Jack, I really wanna suck your dick!"  He said boldly.  "That massage
you gave me -- including running your hand into my crack -- really gave
me some horny dreams!"

I let him.  When I came, he pulled off and it mostly got all over his
face.  But when he kissed me, it was also evident on his breath.  We
stood locked together in a passionate kiss for about 5 minutes, under the
hot shower.  We got out and got ready to go to Terrence's.

"Oh, thank you so much for coming tonight!"  Said Terrrence as he
opened the door wide for us.  His home was old, but it overlooked the
ocean, and the living room and dining room were glass walls, which were a
perfect frame for the oncoming sunset.

The furniture was old, but very well kept and the hardwood floors looked
spotless and shiny.  Where there was carpet, it too was spotless.  There
was an antique table in the dining room with a buffet to match.  Steaming
containers were on the buffet, and the table was set with fine china and
sterling silverware.  The glassware -- water and wine goblets -- were
lead crystal and had a delicate appearance.

"You are the first guests I have entertained since John left me.  I
cannot tell you how happy I am tonight."

"I hope we meet your expectations."  Said Jim, smiling.

Dinner conversation was -- I thought -- mundane.  Jim was much better at
talking to Terrence than I.  Maybe because of their losses, they struck a
chord or something.  Each seemed to know what to say to the other.  Both
had kind of gotten lost in the shuffle of the funerals.

Terrence's partner, John's overly assertive sister took over the plans,
accommodations, and everything having to do with the burial of her
brother.  Terrence said at the time he was numb and didn't mind the
intrusion.  But when it was over, he was left to himself -- completely to
himself.

They didn't have many friends.  They just liked to mind their own
business and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company.  But then John was
gone and all the memories and pictures -- of which he had thousands of
each -- were not enough.  Terrence and John's family put up with this
"silliness", as he put it, but could not understand that his loss was
as real as anyone who loses a spouse.  So they too just left him alone.

I was uncomfortable hearing all of this, told in 50 different ways, but
Jim listened and commiserated with him, telling him stories of his own --
similar, but not as poignant, because Jim did have his family.

After dinner, we followed Terrence to John's house in Arroyo Grande.
There, we found a whole new batch of pictures and each one reminded
Terrence of a story.  At about 10:30, Terrence said, "If you boys don't
mind, I think I'll drive back to Carmel tonight.  On getting here, I
have been dreading going to bed in his bed ever since we arrived.

"Please don't think me a bad host.  But maybe you have things you'd
like to do that you will feel better with a little more privacy -- hee
hee!"  He hugged us and again told us, "You can't possibly know what
this has meant to me!" He told us to stay as long as we liked, and to
leave by the back door and lock it on the way out.  Then he hugged us
again and left.

"Wow!"  I said.  "Jim, you were awesome!  I couldn't have done
that!"  I said, as we undressed for bed.

"What?"

"Terrence!  He was nice and all -- but -- It was all I could do to
stay.  If it hadn't been for you -- you seemed to be actually enjoying
it -- I would have made some excuse to get away."

Jim's eyes were fluttering fast.  He gasped and then started to cry.
When he was barely able to talk, he croaked, "That was my brother."  He
said, sitting hard on the bed.

"Huh?" I said, as I lay down on the softest pillow I ever felt.

After gathering some extra courage -- or something -- he said, "My
brother -- as far as I know -- wasn't gay.  But he didn't date girls
either -- he was too young.  But he had a sweet, mild spirit and
temperament so close to Terrence.  I can totally imagine that he would
have been like that."

Then he sighed big and lay his head on my chest and sobbed some more.
When he fell asleep, I gently moved him to face the other way, and
spooned him.  He hugged my arm and hand all night.

When we got up in the morning, we saw where we were.  It was an upscale
neighborhood of tract homes.  We showered and cleaned everything up as
well as we know how, and per Terrence's instructions, locked the back
door on the way out.

We went to Pismo beach.  It was before noon, and the overcast was burning
off.  We rented some ATV's for half day, and had hella fun tearing up
the sand dunes.  There were fenced areas for this activity.  There were a
few others doing the same.

We took the ATV's back and ate a late lunch.  I called Auntie Lindy and
asked if we could stay there for the night, and of course she scolded me
for even asking.

Seth met us when we came in, and took our bags and put them in our room.
Then he made us follow him to the kitchen, where Etta had left specific
instructions how to reheat a literal feast.  We went to bed happy and
full -- after talking for about two hours with Seth.  Luke was still in
Hawaii.  Seth thanked us for coming by.  Thanked US!  Hah!  We told him
of our experience meeting Terrence.  He congratulated us on a good deed
done, then scolded us.

"You need to be awfully careful about accepting invitations from
strangers.  And don't look at me as if I was your mother!  Sometimes
she's right!  But it seems you both had a good feeling about it -- so
you probably did the right thing.  And, I easily admit that I have had
some very bad experiences with strangers, so my view is jaded a bit."

Seth slept in the next room, but we left the door open and talked well
into the night.  I fell asleep while Seth and Jim were still talking.
When the doors were closed, it was like a fortress, with very little
sound coming through.  But when open, it was like we were in the same
room.

"Okay, you two sleepy heads!  I'm not showering alone thing morning!
And Etta expects us at 8:30 sharp for breakfast!"  Seth jolted us awake.

Seth was not as dark skinned as Luke, Luke being native Hawaiian, but he
had dark eyes, and a shock of longish dark hair.  He was small -- and
light weight.  The only thing he shared with his brother, Chris, were
gorgeous eyes!  And they could look right through you!

"Isn't that magnificent!?"  he said, standing looking out the glass
wall down toward the sea.

"Sure is!"  said Jim, obviously looking at Seth's small but well
shaped butt.

"Jim's admiring your ass, Seth!"  I teased.

"Good!  I work hard to keep it like that.  It's the only thing I can
keep up with Luke with -- physically.  He loves my butt!  Haha!"

Then he turned and his smallish dick was filled out, but still hanging
down.  He grabbed it.  "I wasn't much endowed here, but neither is
Luke.  I think a big dick is overrated."

"I have to completely agree!"  said Jim, who is even smaller than Seth
in that department.  And given that Jim is 6 foot tall, like me, it looks
even smaller.

Of course I had to get into the act.  I grabbed my own and it was well on
the way to filling with blood.  "I have to say -- I don't envy the guy
that has to suck this!"  I laughed.

"It wasn't so bad!"  said Jim, and then he turned crimson!  We all
laughed.

We got dressed and when we went down to breakfast -- cooked cereal, soft
boiled eggs and toast, and orange juice -- Etta said, "You boys drive
home carefully!  Still lots of holiday traffic."

"That's right!"  said Uncle Jake.  "And Jack -- I want you to be
thinking about coming here to go to the university.  Seth and Luke will
not be here much longer, I'm afraid.  Vermont -- and their brothers are
calling.  When I retire, Lindy and I may think seriously of moving east,
but that won't be any time soon."

"Thanks, Uncle Jake!"  I said.

"And I have a dream for you -- both of you."  Said Etta.

"A dream?"  I said.

"Yes.  But I can't figga it out.  But it was good -- you comin' into
sumting good."

We drove home midday to miss the traffic.  When we got home, mom gave me
a message.  "An attorney from Carmel asked for you, Jack.  Did you have
some kind of trouble.  He would not tell me what it was about."

"No -- no trouble, Mom."  I looked at Jim.  We went into my bedroom and
closed the door.  I dialed the number.

"Bell, Bell and Bell!" Said a female voice.

"Huh?"

"You've reached the offices of Bell, Bell and Bell, Attorneys at Law."

"I got a message to call this number."

"What is your name?"

"Jack Smith."

"One moment."

"Hello, Mr. Smith?  Mr. Jack Smith?"

"Yesss?"  I said.

"My name is Casey Bell.  Are you recently acquainted with Mr. Terrence
Moynahan?  I'm his attorney."

Notes:  What has out Jack gotten himself in to?  Only I know for sure!
And ... that could change by the next time I write !
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! (Evil laugh!)  Any comments are always
welcome, to Steve at stevethomas535@hotmail.com.  Thanks and love, Steve
(Muah-ha ha!)