Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 09:15:07 -0700
From: Ben Ezra Jacobson <ben_ezra_jacobson@yahoo.com>
Subject: Chapter 2 of The Moose Head Lake Kidnapping

THE MOOSE HEAD LAKE KIDNAPPING
by
Ben Ezra Jacobson

Chapter 2

     The first week flew by.  We had caught and eaten so much fish...that I
did not think I could eat another.  Sam and Keith had fried the fish, baked
it with salsa and black beans, grilled it with honey mustard and chopped it
and made fish cakes.  I think we had fish every day for seven days.  Enough
already, I thought.  No more fish for awhile.

    Our host, Charley Bivens, paddled his canoe over to see us on a Monday
morning of the second week and asked if we needed anything from town?  Yes,
I had told him.  We needed beef, pork, chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers and
chocolate.  He laughed at me.

     "What's the matter there Ron...you tired of fish already," he asked.

     "Yes," I said.  "Even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches sounds better
than any more fish for awhile.  I am on fish over load."

     "Those things cost money up here," he had responded with a chuckle.

     "I've got money," I replied.  "My parents were always generous with
allowances, gift checks, birthday checks, Christmas checks.  Money always
took the place of their time with me."

      Everyone looked around, uncomfortable with the bit of personal
knowledge that I had just blurted out.

     "Sorry," I said.  "I should not have told you that...but it is true.
I have money and I'll spring for anything that is not fish."

     Charley laughed, "Enough to get in the sea plane and fly into town?"

     My heart leaped up into my throat.  Damn...I had not considered that.
I would have to fly in the plane.  I turned to Sam.

     "If I go in the plane, will you come with me," I pleaded.

     "Yes," he responded, "if you want me to."

     "I do," I responded.  "I am so afraid of flying...but if you go with
me, I think I can handle it."

     "How soon do we have to be ready, Mr. Bivens," I asked?

     "That depends on how soon your pilot wants to leave.  What do you say
Jim?  How much time do they have before you need to leave?"

     Jim looked at his wrist watch.  "If we are in the air by 9:30...we
will be in town by 10 AM.  You can get your errands run and we will meet
back at the wharf at 2 PM and a half hour flight back here.  I can delay
the return by up to an hour if you want."

     "But Jim, if we have fresh meats...they will need to be purchased just
before we leave so they won't spoil."

     Our pilot laughed, as did everyone else.

     "Ron...up here, you do not buy fresh anything.  It is always frozen or
canned.  If you want fresh chicken, beef or pork...you have to get it from
a local farmer," he said.  "I have several large coolers that we can pack
your frozen things in, with ice and they will still be frozen when we
return.  I will promise you that."

     "OK," I said.  "Sam and I will be on the docks at 9:30 to catch a ride
with you.

                                         .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

     "You got your seat belt fastened, Guys," our pilot, Jim Cooper asked?

     "Sure do," I responded.

     "Me too," Sam replied.

     "Here we go then," Jim said as he started the prop plane engine.

      After sufficient warm up, we started down the lake, picking up speed
and suddenly we were air born.  I noticed that with Sam next to me...I was
not so scared.


      "I owe you a big Thank You," Sam said to me as we looked down on
Moose head lake while Jim made his pattern over the area and then headed
south.

     "What for," I asked?

     "The professors all bet me $5 each that you would not do it," he said.
"I double dog dared them to double their bets...and they did.  When we get
back...they owe me $70.  I'm going to give it to you to help pay for the
supplies that you want."

    "You scamp," I said with a laugh.  "Did you really?"

     "Sure did, and they bought it.  Man did they buy it."

     "Well, you don't have to give me the money if they pay you.  The food
is my treat," I answered back.

     "Never the less," said Sam... "I want you to have it."

     He leaned as close as he could while Jim was talking on the plane's
C.B.

     "Besides, I have better ways of collecting from you," he whispered
with a wink.

     "Any time," I responded.  "And I mean it."

     He reached over and patted my knee while Jim was looking out the left
window.  It seemed like our flight was over almost as suddenly as it had
started.  We landed in the harbor and eased up to the long dock where a
dock hand tied the pontoons.

     "You guys know you have to walk a plank to get onto the dock.  If you
fall in...you have to walk back to the camp," he grinned with a big smile.

     "Sure Jim," Sam said winking at me.  " He is as full of shit as a
Christmas Goose.  That's reason everyone likes him so much."

    We both walked the plank to the dock with out any spills.

     I had heard that the people of Maine were quiet and not terribly
social, but I found them to be very kind and quite friendly.  Perhaps the
difference was how I reacted towards them.  My parents, the professors, had
always been aloof.  I was not.  It never seemed to amaze me what a smile
and some manners could do to open doors.

      I invited Sam to join me for lunch.  He knew of a restaurant called
THE LUMBERJACK in town.  The place had all kinds of lumber camp memorabilia
hanging on the walls.  The waiters and waitresses all came to take their
customers orders wearing red and black plaid flannel shirts and black ball
caps.  It was quaint and the steaks that we ordered were very good.  After
leaving the restaurant, a nap sounded better than grocery shopping...but
that was the reason for the trip.  We got a cart and pushed it through the
grocery store.  I bought what I thought would be a two week supply of
meats, some cheeses, potatoes for baking and a lot of chocolate items.
When we got back to the dock, Jim, true to his word had coolers for most of
the frozen items.

     "I should have told you to go light on the food stuffs.  We want to be
able to take off," he jested.

    "Jim, you had eight of us plus yourself...  in flying to camp.  Now you
have two of us plus a little bit of food.  I'll bet you can do the job in a
proper manner with plenty of lift left," I chided back.

     "You do, huh?  Well, I sure can't put anything over on you, can I
professor."

     He gave the bill of my cap a slap knocking it down over my eyes, all
in good humor.  We got the food loaded and the supplies.  Jim extended his
hand to help us on board.  Securing the door.  He started the plane's
engine and gave it the run through in preparation for take off.  The tie
lines were tossed back to the dock hand.  He waved all clear.  We started
taxing into the harbor.  Even with all the coming and going of sea
planes...there is always a group of looker's on who waved as we rose out of
the water and started the test pattern before heading north to camp.

     Sam and I talked about getting the food to the cabin.  Would it take a
few trips to carry it up there.  As luck would have it.  Charley Bivens was
waiting for us with a small boat.  We loaded the food and climbed in.  He
took us right up to the wide dock where the others came to carry up the
supplies.

     That night Keith fixed barbecued pork roast with mashed potatoes, a
barbecue style gravy and an assortment of vegetables.  He had acquired some
apples from an obliging orchard near by and had made several large apple
pies.  We did not know until our return that he also had acquired a 20
pound block of ice from a local ice house and had got the old oaken bucket
ice cream churn out of his storage barn.  Apple pie and ice cream.  Life
was good.

     Keith set a pot of coffee on the table to have with the ice cream to
help prevent brain freeze.  While he was at it, he said to the professors,
"OK you guys...you said you were going to do it...so cough up the dough."

     Biff's dad, Dr. Biffle explained.

     "Ron...your gesture to add to the food larder is noble to say the
least, but we all bet that you would not get on the plane.  I guess that
Sam knows you better than we do and we have been around you all your life.
Any way...we owe Sam $70... and Sam, here it is."

     Professor Biffle handed him seven well worn ten dollar bills.

     Also, we saw that you spent $120 of your own money for food supplies.
We all chipped in $20 each for the food you bought.  So here is $140...the
extra for your lunch and trouble to go get the supplies."

     Everyone at the table applauded.

     "Gosh Dr. Biffle, I can't accept your money," I responded.

     "Course you can boy...and you will.  You know, we sort of kidnapped
you so you could spend the summer with us and have some fun.  Your parents
wanted you to be with us because they knew you would be safe...but even
more so than that, they knew we would provide you the support that they
have not been able to do.  You are part of our family, Ron.  You are an
important part of our family...and we want to see that you are well cared
for.  Forgive us, if we have offended you in any way, and trust us to take
good care of you until your parents are reunited with you in late August."

     Again, everyone at the table applauded.  Even Keith and Sam.

     A few tears leaked from the corner of my eyes.  I tried to wipe them
away with my hand, but they continued to slip out.  Brian...Biff, handed me
a handkerchief from his pocket.  I wiped my eyes again.

     "When you have some time Ron, I would like to talk to you about some
other things.  No hurry, just when every you feel up to it," Professor
Biffle said.

     Turning to the rest of the group, he said, "You know, Ron will be
seventeen on July 7th.  That is a few weeks away...but I think we should
start preparing now on how we are going to initiate him into
pre-adulthood."

     The cheers went up.

     Hugh stood up.

     "Ron...I have to return to campus in a couple of days.  My wife and I
are flying to California for the Christening of our first grandchild.  I
won't be here for your birthday...but if you will permit me...I have an
early birthday gift for you."

     Hugh walked to the mantle piece and took down a book.

     "As a literature professor these many years, I want to give you an
autographed copy of Charles Dickens' DAVID COPPERFIELD.  It belonged to my
grandfather...and I want you to have it.  I have others for my daughter and
however more children she might have.  This book is for boys...and I think
you should have it."

     Everyone applauded again.

     "Oh Professor... it must be worth a fortune.  I couldn't possibly
accept such a generous gift," I replied.

     "Yes you can, my boy.  It would please me greatly if you would.  Years
from now...when you are retiring from your chosen profession...you can pass
it on to one of your descendants or give it to a museum or something," Hugh
replied.

     I got up and threw my arms around him.  He hugged me back.

     "I am so honored sir," I said.  "So very honored, indeed."

     Hugh flew out on Wednesday.  We all hated to see him go.  He was the
oldest of our group and yet, in his quiet and calm way, he seemed to keep
us all centered on having a good time.  We relaxed and enjoyed each other's
company.  I found out by the week end that all the rest were going home
except for Professor Biffle, Brian (Biff), and Dr. Tristan Fordham.
Dr. Fordham was an old bachelor who loved the great camps and fishing.  He
agreed to stay as long as we wanted him.

     Charley Bivens dropped by and we talked about moving to a smaller
cabin but no one had booked the Loon Lodge for July...so we decided we
would just bare the brunt of the cost and stay put.  The two professors
each kept their own respective rooms, but I asked Biff if he would mind if
I moved into one of the other rooms with Sam.  Of course he did not
mind...knowing the reason for doing so.  He suggested that we take the
vacant room over the kitchen because it had one large bed.  We did so with
as little fanfare as possible.

     A few days before my birthday, Mrs. Biffle flew in with her sister
Beatrice.  Beatrice was given the other bedroom with a full size bed and a
good lock on the door and Mrs. Biffle moved into her husband's room.  We
all called Beatrice, Miss Bea.  Biff called her Aunt Bea.  She was a robust
sort of lady with a great sense of humor.  She brought a good deal of life
to the party.

     Mrs. Biffle and Aunt Bea helped Keith plan a birthday party for me
that was real nice.  Dr. Biffle had found a time when he could talk to me
alone...and he told me that they were coming in.  He said that he wanted
them to be my family for the summer...and if I was not happy at home when
autumn arrived...I was welcome to come stay with them.  Oh, I almost
forget.  Mrs. Biffle brought a classmate of Brian's to spend the rest of
the Summer.  His name was Jin and had been a foreign exchange student the
previous year.  He and Biff would be freshmen in college this year and they
were going to be roommates.  Biff was very excited to see his friend.
Later I realized why.  Jin took my spot in Biff's bedroom.

     The day of my birthday, the Biffle's had a cook out and invited some
of our neighbors to join us.  We cooked burgers and hot dogs and everyone
who came brought something to share.  Although Sam was working during the
party, he kept popping around the corner to be sure I was having a good
time and not brooding over the fact that my parents were in Europe,
indifferent to my birthday.

     I fixed my plate and sat down in an Adirondack chair.  The food was
good.  Biff's Aunt Bea came over and sat down next to me.

      "Are you having a good time, Honey," she asked?

     "Yes, Ma'am...I am," I replied.

     "There is something troubling you, I fear," she suggested?

     "Does it show," I asked?

     "Well, it does to me.  Can I help?"

     "No, ma'am," I answered her back.  "I doubt that you could."

     "Would you be willing to give me a chance," she asked with a kind
smile.

     "You see..." I started, " The Biffle's have sort of adopted me for the
summer.  My parents are in Europe.  Both of them are professors.  They have
very little time for me.  They've really never had much time for me.  I've
been pretty much on my own, since age ten.  The Biffle's have invited me to
come stay with them when my parents return, if I feel neglected."

     "Yes, dear... I know."

     "Well, there is something you don't know ma'am," I started to say, but
hesitated.

     "You are in love with that nice young camp guide, Sam," She returned.

     I looked at her with surprise.  How perceptive she must surely be.

     "Yes ma'am," I whispered, " I am."

     "Well, it won't come as a surprise that he feels the same way about
you," she said.

     "How do you know that," I asked?

     "I've lived a long time, Ron.  I can spot love between two people very
easily.  You love him and he loves you.  You might be surprised to know
that you are not the only two young men up here that feel that way about
one another."

     "You mean Brian and Jin," I asked?

     "Yes...I do," she responded.  "And my sister and Dr. Biffle know it
and are OK with it.  There main concern is that Brian is happy and
successful."

     I smiled at her.

     "They want the same thing for you dear," she said.  "Open your heart
to them Ron.  They are totally sincere in you becoming part of their
family...if you should choose to do so."

     "Thank you, ma'am," I said, "extending my hand to shake hers.

     She chuckled and said, "Now, I am Aunt Bea to you too."

     "Yes, Aunt Bea," I said.

     The rest of the evening was much more cheery.  I ate too many burgers,
too much potato salad and too much cake...but what a great evening it had
been.  Back in our room, I stepped out of my clothes and crawled into bed
next to Sam.  He kissed me and held me close to him.

     "Ron...I have a particular question to ask you."

     When the Biffles go home... would you stay here with me if I asked you
to.  You could be part of my family too.

     "What's brought this on," I asked?

     "I heard Miss Beatrice talking to you about coming to live with them.
I don't want you to go.  You could finish your last year of high school
here with me.  I could get us an apartment or a trailer...and I would work
and you would go to school...and graduate this next year.  You could come
join Keith and me and work for Charley Bivens running the great camps."

     "Gosh Sam...there is little that I would rather do...but professor and
Mrs. Biffle are set on me coming to stay with them if my parents are too
busy for me.  Right now...I need parents.  You understand, don't you?  If I
were twenty, like you, I'd jump in head first...but right now, I need a
little more direction in my life."

     "Yeah, I guess I do understand.  It is going to be hard to get along
without you being here," Sam replied.

     "Well, we haven't left yet.  Let's just enjoy the time we have
together now...and let the future take care of itself," I suggested.

     "Right now, I would like to focus on some intimate time with you," he
said.

     "Sam, I have something I want to ask you about.  When we arrived, you
spoke with a broken English... but I find now that your English is as good
as mine...what gives?"

       "The tourists expect us to be Indians.  They also expect the
stereotype communication like the television and movie Indians.  My father
was a graduate of the University of Maine."

      "Was," I said?  "Is he still living?"

      "No...he was killed a few years ago in a hunting accident.  That was
when I quit school and went to work."

     "I'm sorry to hear that, for two reasons.  One that he is gone and the
second that you had to quit school.  Were you a senior in high school?"

     "No, I was a freshman in college.  I went two quarters when my father
was killed.  Since then I have worked and supported my mother and
siblings."

     "Where are they now," I asked?

     "They live about ten miles from here.  Charley pays us good money for
the summer.  In the winter, I do the skiing circuit.  It really pays well
because of the cold weather work."

     "That's another reason I should not stay with you here.  I would
interfere with your work," I chided.

     "Possibly," he responded, "but you would keep me warm at night in
bed."

     I laughed as he dove under the covers.

     With Mrs. Biffle across the hall and Aunt Bea down a room, there was
no shouting during sexual excitement.  Sam turned in the bed and pulled me
over top of him.  With my balls hanging in his face, I was an easy suck.  I
went down on him and found that I really liked the 69 position.  He slowly
moved around to the erogenous parts of my body until I was so hot and
sensitive that I did not think that I could last much longer.  When he put
a lubed finger into my ass and tickled my prostate gland...I fired giving
him a mouth full.  I rolled over on my side out of breath and afraid to say
anything for fear that I would scream out with excitement and pleasure.

     "Get up on your hands and knees, Ron.  I want to tickle your innards,"
he said with a slight whisper.

     He lubed his penis with Vaseline and then anointed my pucker before
sliding in.  I could not see my wrist watch on the bed side stand...but he
must have enjoyed himself for a good half hour before filling me up with
hot semen.  He too was exhausted afterwards.  I slipped into the bathroom
adjoining our room to drain and to pee.  When he returned from the
bathroom, he slid as close to me as he could get.

     "Don't go, Ron.  Stay here with me."

     I drifted off to sleep with his arms around me.

                            .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

     Professor Biffle asked me a few days later, how I was doing.  I gave
him some vague answer about hating to see the summer end.

     "You are wanting to stay here with Sam, aren't you." he asked?

     "Well, that is what Sam wants," I replied.

     "But I am asking you what you want, Ron," Dr. Biffle asked again.

     "I need someone looking after me a little bit longer, Dr. Biffle.  I
need to go home with you."
      "What if I could arrange for Sam to come on to the university staff
as a maintenance worker.  He could go to school part time and still get his
degree while he worked on staff," he said.  "I asked him what he makes in a
month and how much he sends to his mother for his siblings.  We surely can
do much better than that."

     "I think that would be great," I replied.  "He has been reared here in
Maine.  He may be unwilling to go home with us."

     "That is true... and if that is the case, we know where we stand,
don't we?"

     "Yes, Sir... we would.  If he will come with us, perhaps I could work
part time somewhere and help him."

     "No Ron...you have enough to focus on finishing your Senior year at
high school and moving on to college.  If Sam thinks enough of you to come
home with us... it must be with the understanding that you finish your
education."

     "Yes, Sir."

      I spoke to Sam that night while we shared our bed.  He mused the idea
in his mind and said that he would sleep on it and let me know shortly.  We
were already into the first of August and would only be at Loon Lodge
another week and a half.  I hoped he would think well of it in a timely
manner.

                             .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

     Sam put a few more logs into the fire both in the great room and the
dinning room fire places.  It had been raining for several days and the air
had become cool.  This morning we were having some lightning with thunder.
I had always liked the stormy days because it gave time to read and
practice piano.

     Keith and Aunt Bea were in the kitchen fixing breakfast.  The sausages
that they were frying in the skillet emitted a wonderful aroma throughout
the lower part of the cabin.  I could smell coffee on the stove.  It
smelled good, but I never cared for the taste.  Mrs. Biffle had lit some
scented candles that smelled like pumpkin pie and spice.  We had a
potpourri of scents that were very stimulating to the nostrils.  Keith
called us all to the table to eat.  Biff and Jin came down from upstairs in
jeans and sweat shirts.  The way that Biff was bulging...it was obvious
that they had been interrupted in the middle of some sexual play.

     I was happy for them.  I knew that he and Jin had been very close
friends since Jin arrived at our school as a foreign exchange student.  We
had heard rumors that Biff was gay...but he was so popular with all the
students, both the girls and the guys... that no one seemed to care.  I
have also learned that straight guys often have sexual interactions with
other guys and as long as you don't quit girls entirely...you are still
considered straight.  This summer, knowing Sam and talking with him has
enlightened me considerably about sexual things.  Perhaps, it is safe to
say that my knowledge of proprieties has increased many fold.

     After breakfast, Biff and Jin returned to their room.  It is logical
to think that they were going to finish what they had started before being
called to breakfast.  Sam and Keith cleared the table and started the clean
up process.  Dr. Farnham and Professor Biffle became engaged in a game of
chess and the ladies got out their knitting and were busily engaged in talk
about getting packed to go home at the end of the week.  I went to the
piano and played a few songs off the top of my head.  They flowed from
memory like water down an incline.  After a few minutes, Sam came over and
sat down next to me.  His shoulder was brushing mine.  As I played on, he
put his arm over my shoulder.  He felt warm next to me.

     "How you doing Sam," I asked?

     "I'm OK," he said with a sad inflection in his voice.

     "What can I do to cheer you up.  You sound low," I returned.

     "Want to slip upstairs for another quick fuck," he whispered in my
ear.

     "You bugger," I teased.  "What has it been, an hour and a half since
we last enjoyed that?"

     "Can't help myself white man, Indian love you," he whispered back.

      I stopped playing the piano and said, "Let's go upstairs."

     Back in the room, Sam embraced me and held me tight.

     "Dr. Biffle has invited me to go home with you.  He said that both of
us could stay with he and Mrs. Biffle... like live in their house with them
and share a bedroom with each other."

     "Sam...I would like that better than anything, but I also know that it
would be a hardship for you to leave your mother and siblings and to leave
Maine."

     "That could be tough," he said... "but my mom told me to do what I
thought best.  Dr. Biffle said I could probably triple what I make each
month here.  He said the university maintenance job would let me go to
school to continue my degree free as an employee, and have medical
benefits."

     "Big decision," I said.

     "Yes... very big decision," he said.  "I want to think it over very
carefully."

      "Anything I can do to help you with it," I asked.

      "Yes, hold me tight and just love me."

     I held him tight with my face pressed against his.  We stood that way
for a long time.  I expected him to want to get naked and enjoy each
other's bodies...but he said nothing of it.  He finally broke the embrace,
kissed me on the side of my face and quietly slipped out of the room to
return to his chores.

     At lunch time, our cook had made a big pot of Moose Chili.  I was not
sure I liked the taste of Moose meat...but it was surprisingly good.  Keith
had baked yeast rolls that were to die for.  As we sat down to the table, I
noticed that Sam was not there.

     "Did you send Sam on errands," I tried to causally ask?

     "Don't know where he went," Keith said.  "He mumbled something about
some chores to do and I haven't seem him since.  Under his breath he
mumbled something about `the little shit had better not leave him to all
the clean up.'

     It rained all day.  At times the thunder seemed to rock the roof.
Aunt Bea jumped every time the flash of lightning and thunder were close
together.

     "I sure hope it does not hit the cabin," she said.  "Here on the
island, we could be sitting ducks for electrocution."

     "That is not likely," Keith told us.  "The water is a better conductor
of electricity than solid matter.  The lightning will go down a wet tree to
the water before it will hit a wood cabin which is much closer to the
ground."

     We looked at each other and raised our eye brows.  Did he know what he
was talking about or was he just trying to keep us from worrying.  The sun
set around 7:00 PM.  We had become used to ignoring the clocks and
watches...but it was now getting very dark outside and Sam had not
returned.  Keith had become irritable having to do both his job and Sam's
in the kitchen.  Deep down in side, I think he was as concerned about his
young cousin as were the rest of us.

     Thursday was still stormy.  We hoped that the rain would stop so our
prospective departure would not be cancelled on Friday.  If the storm
continued...it might be necessary to drive back to Augusta if we could get
a caravan service on such a short notice.  We had two weeks until school
started back in Illinois...but there were things to do and preliminary
meetings to attend for the professors at the college.

     I said little all the afternoon but walked back and forth to the cabin
windows to look out for signs of Sam.  I saw nothing.  By the time that it
was bed time...I was almost wired.  Dr. Biffle came over and sat next to me
on the sofa next to the fireplace.  He put his arm over my shoulder.

     "Ron, this may be his way of saying good bye.  Some people just can't
bare the thought of parting.  It may have been too painful for him," he
said to me.

     I looked into his face and the tears started to flow...uncontrollable.
I got up and hurried upstairs.  He followed me to my room.  I covered my
face with my hands and cried.  Dr. Biffle held me in his arms until the
shaking stopped.

     "Your heart is broken now Ron, but it will recover.  Might I suggest
focusing on the good times you have had.  He may still show up.  Don't give
up the hope until we are in the air.  He may yet communicate what he plans
to do."

     "You're right," I answered back, "Thank you Professor."

     "You're welcome Son."

     The rain stopped in the night.  I did not sleep.  At times I walked
the floor.  Several times, I cried with my head under the covers.  At one
point...I did not know if I should love him or hate him.  He might not be
able to handle good byes, but a civil word would have been nice.  I grabbed
a shave and shower and dressed in casual clothes for the trip to Augusta
where we would travel by jet to Chicago and then by train to our home.  I
lugged my gear down the back stairs by the kitchen...hoping that I would
find Sam there making breakfast.  He was not.  Keith was there with Aunt
Bea helping.  She was her usual sweet self and he was his usual crabby
self.  How they worked together without a hair pulling adventure was
amazing.

     After breakfast, Charley Buesking came for the our luggage and gear
and placed them in the boat and took them to the plane which was bobbing on
the calm waters of Moose head lake.  He and Charley had the gear loaded
shortly.  There was a fog over the lake... but Jim Cooper, our pilot
assured us that it would be lifted enough to take off.  Once in the air, we
would fly above the fog to Augusta.

     We were all standing on the dock waiting to board.  Dr. Biffle
suggested one last photograph of us together.  Jim would take the picture
as we waved back at him.

     "I'm not very good at photography," he said.  "I always end up cutting
the feet off of the people or their heads."

    After the second try and a few `hell's' and `damns'... he said, "One of
you are going to have to try this again.  I think I have ruined both of
them."

     Dr. Biffle pushed me forward, "Ron... you're a camera sleuth...you go
take the photo for us.  If anyone can get it right...it's you."

     Reluctantly, I walked to the shore edge and took the camera from Jim.
Big clotz, I thought.  I'm not in the mood for this.  They all waved and I
snapped the photo.  They did not stop waving and smiling.  What the hell do
they think they are doing.  Aunt Bea caught my eye and pointed behind me.
I turned and there stood Sam with luggage in hand and grinning from ear to
ear.  I ran to him and threw my arms around him...not caring what any of
them thought.  He held me tight.

     "Where have you been," I whispered to him.  "I've been beside myself
with worry."

     He whispered back.  "My ancestors used to go to the top of Mount Kineo
to speak to the great spirit when they had a serious decision to make.  I
have been there since leaving you fasting and praying."

     "What did the great spirit say to you?"

     "I am suppose to go with you to the university.  My family will be
provided for by my income working there.  I will stay at Dr. and
Mrs. Biffle's house and if your parents do not want you, you will stay
there with me.  We will share a room and you will graduate from high school
and then go to college.  Biff and Jin will be there with us too."

     I threw my arms around him again and held him tight.  From behind, we
heard applause.  My face turned dark red when I realized that I had just
outed myself to the group...but then, as Biff's Aunt Bea had said...they
all already knew it anyway.

     Sam and I sat at the back of the plane.  The seats are closer together
there.  He held my hand as Jim took off and we climbed above the fog.  We
were flying south to Augusta with the sun over our left shoulder.  I love
sunshine.  It reminds me of everything good in life.