Date: Fri, 01 Apr 2005 16:29:33 -0700
From: Roy <roynm@mac.com>
Subject: Phalen, Chapter One (in the College Section)

This story was originally posted in February, 2005 in the College section
on Nifty.  This new version "fleshes-out" many of the characters and seeks
to address items I felt were lacking in the original. The essence of the
story remains the same.

----------

This story contains portrayals of homosexual acts and lifestyles. There may
be references to, or explicit descriptions of sex between consenting
adults.

If homosexuality, sexually explicit language, or swearing offends you, or
if reading material that contains these topics violates any law or personal
or religious beliefs, please leave now without reading any further.

If you are under 18 years of age, you may not read this story because it is
against the law.

This story is entirely fictional, and any resemblance to actual persons are
completely coincidental.

Roy
roynm@mac.com

----------

Phalen, Chapter One

The clamor of my fellow students faded as I headed outside into the bright
light.  In three years I still hadn't become accustomed to the Arizona
sunshine, nor to the heat.

"I love this place," I thought, looking at the palms and flowering plants
that cover the campus.  I couldn't begin to describe the smells . . . The
orange trees had finished blossoming a few weeks ago.  Their scent was only
a pleasant memory. The olive tree blossoms were now taking center stage.
Later, something else would follow in a seemingly endless progression of
color and fragrance.

"Everyone seems oblivious to all this beauty," I thought as I strolled
across campus. I grew up in Finland, a beautiful country, though totally
alien to my current surroundings.  Arizona was wonderful -- the desert, the
heat -- everything. It was spectacular.

My name is Jeff. It's Jeff Layson actually. I'm a senior studying
architecture at Arizona State.  I had just finished a three-hour
presentation, which capped a grueling six-week-long design project. The
presentation had gone well, and I was pleased.  I was however, beginning to
experience the typical post-project letdown.

Architecture students face unique challenges.  I've not met any other
student who must work eighteen hours or more a day for weeks at a time, to
develop a solution to a single problem.  Then when each of us has reached
the breaking point, we face a jury panel of experts to explain and defend
our design.

The jury's job is to make us learn to think on our feet, responding to
different questions and viewpoints while using our solution as the basis
for the response.  I learned early on that if a panel senses that you are
not absolutely convinced that your solution is the best, they would eat you
alive.  Some of my classmates had been reduced to tears by sleep
deprivation and the unrelenting pressure of the jury.

After the panel is through with you, it's your classmate's turn to put you
through the wringer.  Someone I knew said that they felt "folded, stapled
and mutilated," after finishing their critique.  I didn't feel that bad,
though I was exhausted both mentally and physically, and my week's work had
yet to begin.

I noticed Brad, one of my classmates follow me out of the architecture
building.  "Great presentation Jeff," he said, as he slapped my back then
headed off to enjoy Spring Break.

I waved my thanks to his retreating figure.

During the past few days all he talked about was the trip to Mexico he and
some guys were planning.  He was continually talking about how he wanted to
get some sun. "There's plenty of sun right outside the door," I often
thought, as he would describe his plans.  "On the other hand, Mexico *did*
have the ocean and the beach. We didn't have *that* here."

"I'll bet Brad's butt looks great in a swimsuit," I thought, watching him
stride away.  I didn't even want to imagine what the suit's pouch might
contain. "On the other hand maybe they're going to a *nude* beach," I
smiled as my daydream continued.  "Nah, Brad would surely have said
something about that."

I shook my head. "Get back to reality Jeff."

I was going to move into my new house this week.  I had worked on the
house's design for a long time, approaching it as I would a school project.
I was so proud.  It was my first real project, as well as my first house.
None of my classmates knew that the project I had spent so much of my free
time on was my own place. It was probably just as well. I didn't want to
face a group of jealous classmates at my next presentation.

The semester had been tough for me, juggling both my class load and
overseeing construction at the building site.  Progress on the house had
gone slowly, frustrating me at times.  I had spent years dreaming of living
in the house, and I wanted to see it finished quickly.  I often wondered if
"real architects" had as many problems and delays as I did during those six
months.  I knew, of course, that they did.  It was just that I had never
experienced those frustrations before.  "Still," I thought, "I've gained
some valuable experience *and* a new house besides."

"Jeff, you just standing there enjoying the sun or what?" laughed Thian, as
he walked up to me.  I had met Thian a few weeks earlier, when he asked to
share my table during lunch, and I had instantly fallen under the spell of
those light brown eyes and blond hair. Since then he seemed to go out of
his way to speak to me.

"Hey, what's happening?" I said returning his smile. I had fantasized about
Thian often, since that first encounter.  I had learned that he and his
twin brother Kerin were on the school's gymnastics team.  "No wonder Thian
has such a great body," I thought.

It was a turn-on to merely watch him. Every move was like that of a dancer,
fluid and controlled. It was also difficult not to notice the muscles
rippling underneath his clothing. "This man was definitely fantasy
material."

"No," I responded to his question about the sun.  "I'm in a bit of a daze
really. I just finished a big presentation.  It takes a little while to
come back to reality after one of those," I said nodding toward the
architecture school.  "I was also thinking about my move to the new
house. I've got lots of work to do and I'm exhausted before I've begun."

"Steady Jeff," I chided myself. "Rein in those thoughts or you'll embarrass
yourself."

"That's right!  This is the week you move in isn't it?  Hey, if you need
some help Kerin and I don't have anything special planned.  We'd be happy
to help out. Give us a call --- that is if you think you can put up with
Kerin's antics."  I just smiled.  I had yet to meet his brother.

Thian spoke often of his brother. Even in a brief conversation, Kerin's
name appeared prominently. I had never known any twins. Maybe I was
witnessing a bit of that "special bond" that they are said to possess. I
found it difficult to imagine two people that look exactly like Thian.  The
thought made my knees weak.

We exchanged cell numbers as he explained that his brother was a big
clown. "That's really the only way that one can tell us apart.  He's always
cracking some sort of lame joke.  Just the fact that he's having fun
though, makes other people laugh along with him. I tend to be a little more
serious. Kerin calls me 'intense'," his brother's name again making an
appearance.

 "Thanks for the number Jeff," he said as he stuffed the piece of paper and
its number into his pocket and started on his way.  "Maybe I'll call you to
see how things are going with the move."  He smiled as he walked off,
turning around to wave.

"Damn, I thought. I love a beautiful smile.

I started off across campus toting my laptop bag.  "I'm going home," I
thought as my spirits continued to increase. "I don't have to see my
roomies again! No more all night parties with squealing girls.  I wouldn't
have to get up in the morning and face a house full of empty bottles and
bleary-eyed partiers.  Yep, I'm going home for the first time," I thought
smiling as I envisioned a naked Thian ready to jump into my pool.

I'm not really sure what I expected would happen if Thian were standing
naked in front of me.  When it came to sex, I was curious but terrified at
the same time. I felt as if I was facing a brick wall that I wanted to
breach, but was afraid of what might be on the other side.

Being intimate with Thian was a fantasy that I yearned for, especially at
night, laying alone in bed. My imaginary Thian was kind and gentle in his
lovemaking. He didn't take advantage of me, call me names, hit me, or force
me to do things I didn't want to. My fantasy was everything my ideal sex
partner should be. My actual experience was exactly the opposite.

As a six year-old, I learned all about sex, and that year-long experience
shaped my life. I learned that sex was something one forced on another. It
was rough, and painful and left a person feeling dirty and confused.

My sexual education began when my first grade teacher and another man raped
me almost daily. They never left physical marks on me that would give them
away. The only marks they left were psychological.

Before entering primary school, I had many friends. When the abuse started,
I began shutting people out of my life, isolating myself so I wouldn't be
hurt any more.

I especially avoided adults. My parents never seemed to notice how I
shuddered on those rare times when they would hug me. They never asked why
I no longer had any friends.

I believed that friends were only waiting for a chance to hurt me. People
who did notice me saw a moody boy that never laughed, and easily cried.

I was afraid to tell anyone about what was happening to me. While they were
raping me, my teachers told me that I was a "bad boy" and I was being
punished. My older brother Pat was always being called a "bad boy" by my
parents. I didn't want to be like him, but as hard as I tried, I never
could figure out what I had done wrong.

My teachers warned me that if I told anyone about what they did to me they
would tell everyone how bad I had been.  In the mind of a six year-old
their logic made sense.

Each night I would tell my cat, Kissa, what was happening to me. My brother
made fun of me for naming my cat Kissa, because in Finnish the name means
cat. I liked the name and she didn't seem to mind.

I could talk to Kissa because she couldn't hurt me. She would sit on my lap
and listen.

Then one day my mother told me Kissa had run away. I couldn't believe
it. Now I had no one to talk to. I was completely alone.

Without Kissa to listen to me I cried myself to sleep almost every night.

When I entered second grade, my old teacher and his friend were gone. The
new teacher was nice and I tried to be good, but I never knew if she had
friends that were going to punish me.

As I grew older I realized the twisted arguments the teachers had used to
keep me from telling someone about what was happening to me. At the same
time I also began to realize that I was attracted to other boys my own age.

I was devastated. I *knew* those men had done this to me. If I gave in to
my growing sexual needs, I feared either that I would be hurt or that *I*
would hurt someone, and become as bad as my teachers.

My solace was my grandfather. He was "safe" because I only communicated
with him by email. I was able to write of many things that I told no one
else. He learned of my dreams, but never of my secret. He nurtured by
growing interest in architecture, and would always take the thoughts of a
young boy seriously.

It was he who suggested that I apply for a scholarship at an architecture
school in the States. He knew I wasn't happy where I was, and thought a
change might be good for me.

I applied to the school he recommended and was pleased when I was accepted
and was granted a full scholarship. I could finally leave all the bad
memories behind.

I told my parents of the scholarship and of my plans to go back to the
States. My father looked up from the newspaper and congratulated me. My
mother didn't acknowledge that I had said anything. I wanted to leave
immediately, but still had to graduate from high school.

A few days later my father knocked on my bedroom door and asked if he could
come in.

He sat on a chair facing me, our knees almost touching. I didn't know what
to expect. This was a new experience for me. We both sat for a few moments
in silence, then he reached out and took both my hands in his.

"Jeff, I want to tell you how sorry I am for not being there when you were
growing up. I know that you've been unhappy for a long time, but I never
knew how to approach you. Parents are expected to know how to do these
things, but I'm sorry to say, I don't, and you have suffered because of
it. What I should have done long ago is come to you like this and ask how I
could help. I'm sorry I didn't do that. If you'll let me, I would like to
begin a new relationship with you. I'm proud of you and want to do better
by you."

I watched my father as he spoke to me. It was obvious that he was
struggling to say something to convince me of his sincerity. It was through
his touch rather than his words that I was convinced. I could almost feel
the pain he was experiencing. I remember wondering if he could feel my pain
as well.

He had been talking to me with bowed head. When he finally looked up, I
could tell that he *did* feel my hurt. As tears ran down my cheeks, I
remember thinking that what we had just experienced in a touch was much
more significant that the words he was speaking.

We looked into each other's eyes a few moments longer, continuing our
silent conversation. Then he blinked and again looked down, perhaps
realizing the depth of my hurt.

While my father sat in front of me holding my hands, looking into my eyes,
I realized that I shouldn't blame him or my mother for not coming to the
aid of their six year-old son.  I had tried to handle everything myself and
had not asked for help.

"More than anything, I want you to be happy," he continued. "I hope you'll
find the happiness that you're looking for back in the States. I just ask
one thing. Please don't leave and shut me out. Whether you realize it or
not your mother and I love you dearly."

He looked up at me again and swallowed a couple times before
continuing. "Jeff, would you give us a chance?" he said standing up and
drawing me into the embrace that I had been in need of for twelve years.

He held me until I stopped sobbing, then kissed me on the cheek.

As he was closing the bedroom door he looked back at me with tears of his
own and said, "Jeff, I'm going to miss you." Then he closed the door.

This was the father that I never had while growing up. I couldn't forget
the things that had happened to me as a child, but when he said he loved
me, I believed that I could somehow overcome my past, and still have a
connection to my father.

The culture shock that I experienced when I arrived in the States was
amazing. I was born an American yet I knew nothing of America. The entire
society was so different from what I was accustomed to. I knew nothing
about sports, for instance, or popular music, U.S. history -- or dating
rituals. Everyone around me had grown up learning these things.  I felt
even more isolated than I did at home. I knew, of course, that I wasn't the
only foreign student on campus, but it was things that I personally
experienced every day that mattered most to me. The fact that I
increasingly felt drawn to men only made me feel my isolation more. Even
with these obstacles, I still believed that I had been given a fresh start
and that it was up to me to make the best of it.

As my freshman year of college progressed, I found myself being accepted by
my classmates, and I became friends with many of them. I was still afraid
to let down my guard, even with people I considered friends, lest those
friendships become intimate. It was a strange situation. I was doing
everything I could to prevent intimacy, yet being intimate with someone was
exactly what I wanted most.

Friends told me that they couldn't understand why I didn't "hook-up" with
someone. One of my female classmates told me once, "You're a nice guy Jeff,
and you've got a cute accent.  All the girls love your green eyes and black
hair.  Face it Jeff, you're a fantasy for most of us." I just blushed at
her description and wondered if I was a fantasy to any of the men in my
class as well.

After my lunchtime encounter with Thian he became the first person that I
hoped I might become close to sexually.  He was a nice guy who seemed to
find something attractive in me as well.

He had become my favorite masturbation fantasy. Thinking of masturbation I
realized that I had not shot off in days. "That's probably why I'm so
horny," I thought as I turned down my street.  "Those damn school projects
really screw things up.  There's not even enough time to beat off!
Foregoing masturbation, in order to study must be the mark of a dedicated
student."  I smiled at the notion that all the guys from class were, at
that very moment, rushing home to relieve themselves.

For weeks my masturbation fantasies had centered on Thian.  I would dream
of caressing his chest then teasing his nipples between my thumb and
forefinger until they were firm. I fantasized how I would like to tease his
cock, running my fingers down the underside, then over his balls and
between his legs to his pucker.

My dreams never went beyond foreplay though.  If I tried to think of having
actual *sex* with Thian, or anybody else for that matter, I ran into the
brick wall of my primary school memories. I told myself that foreplay was
enough. It would have to be enough until I could break down the wall.

A person I took to be my next-door neighbor waved to me as I approached my
house.

"Hello!" he said, breaking into my erotic daydream.  It took me a second to
get back to reality.

"Hi, how ya doing?"

"You must be our new neighbor. I'm Larry Weston," he said, extending his
hand. "Welcome to the neighborhood.

"Thanks, I sure am glad to be here. My old roommates are having some sort
of big celebration party because of Spring Break, so I decided to stay at
my new place tonight, even though it's empty."

"Are you a student?"

"Yeah, I'm a senior at ASU. I'm majoring in architecture. This is my first
real project."

"You designed this?" he said, gesturing to my house. I nodded.

"Are you going to be living with your parents?" Larry asked.

"No, they live in Finland.  My grandfather died recently and left me enough
money and orders to build my 'dream home'. So this is it," I said pointing
to the house next door.  He was an architect, and the two of us
collaborated on the design. My grandfather is the main reason I'm studying
architecture.

"I've not seen many designs like yours in Phoenix," Larry said.  "Is it a
particular style?"

"Yes, it's called New Mexico Territorial. My grandfather lived in New
Mexico and I fell in love with the forms when I visited him once.  Designs
in this style normally have a simple facade facing the street, and open up
to courtyards once you're inside. That type of thing is typical in places
like Italy and Spain. My house does the same thing.

"Would you like a tour?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'd love it."

I admired my neighbor as he ran to tell his wife where he would be.  He was
obviously accustomed to outdoor sports.  He had the long legs of a runner,
which were shown off by a pair of very brief jogging shorts.  "Those shorts
should be banned in public," I mused as I watched the muscles of his butt
bunch with each stride.

"What a package he must have," I thought as he jogged back to join me.
With each stride I was sure that the shorts wouldn't be able to contain his
balls.  This man was definitely a hunk.

"Ease up Jeff," I said to myself.  You're giving this guy a tour, not
taking him to bed!"

"I noticed that you're wearing a university t-shirt," I said as he got back
to me, and we began walking to my house. "Do you teach?"

"No I'm a lawyer, though I did graduate from ASU.  My son will be a
freshman next year.  He's going to ASU on a baseball scholarship."

"No kidding? I'll have to go to a game to cheer for him.  I've never seen a
baseball game."

He looked at me as if I was from another planet.  I could see that it was
impossible for him to imagine someone who had never seen a baseball game.

"I grew up out of the country," I said. "Hockey was the big thing there.
Before coming to the States I never heard of baseball.  My favorite sport
has always been swimming. I run once in awhile but not seriously. I guess I
wouldn't be called a great sports fan.  Maybe that's because I don't know
anything about what I'm watching."

"Phalen will clue you in about baseball. In fact he'll probably tell you
more than you want to know about the game," he said laughing as we walked
up my driveway. "Oh, by the way, Phalen is my son. He's the main reason
I've paid so much attention to your house. He's been out here bothering the
contractor since construction started, asking questions. He's probably as
familiar with the place as you are," he said with a smile.

"If he's at home maybe he'd like to join us for a look around."

"He should be home shortly. He's at a ball game right now.  I'll give
Helen, my wife, a call and ask her to send him over if it's okay with you?"

"Sure, I'd love to show the place off," I said as I went about unlocking
the door and turning off the alarm, while he called his wife.

I knew Larry would be surprised when I opened the door. I wasn't
disappointed. "Oh man, we're still outside! I thought that this was the
front door."

"This is one of the courtyards I mentioned," I explained. "Most of the
rooms face either a courtyard or the backyard. They make the house feel
much bigger than it really is," I said, finally leading him through the
front door into the house.

"Wow!" Larry said as we went in the door.  "The place is so open. I love
the brick floors. I noticed that you have also brick around the top of the
outside walls. Is that typical of this type of architecture?

"Yes it is, just like the wood detailing around the doors and courtyard
windows."

What's this?" he said gesturing to the room we were standing in.  His
attention had been drawn to the high ceiling and clerestory windows. The
fans were turning slowly providing a light breeze.

"I call it a sunroom, because of all the windows in the clerestory and as
well as the French doors leading out to the courtyard.  I wanted a place
where I could put some tall plants and they wouldn't die for lack of sun.
Besides Phoenix means 'sun' to me. I'm accustomed to long dark winters. I
want my house to be open to the outdoors and the sunlight.

I pointed to the fireplace at the opposite end of the room. "It seems
strange to have a fireplace in Phoenix, I know, but growing up in snow
country, I had to have a fireplace in my house.

"It's almost as important as the sauna."

"Is that how the word should be pronounced," Larry asked.

"Yes it is. Most people pronounce the word (SAW-na). The correct
pronunciation is like (SOW-na)."

"You have one of those in your house?"

"Sure, no Finnish home would be without one. Traditionally, a person is
supposed to go directly from the sauna and romp naked in the snow and beat
ones-self with birch branches. Since we aren't likely to have any snow, I
figured I wouldn't plant any birch trees. I plan on just jumping into the
pool."

Larry didn't recognize my feeble attempt at a joke, but continued on his
'self-guided' tour. "I'm getting an education," he said smiling. "Birch
branches?"  I nodded.

"Sorry Larry, once I start talking it's difficult to stop me. It's that
architect-thing, you know? We all have big egos and like to show off." I
said with a wink.

"I'll bet this will be really comfortable once you get some furniture in
it," Larry continued as he walked around the living room, and wandered over
to look at the back yard.  "Cool, a lap pool.  You told me you were a
swimmer.  This sure is a great place."

"I was wondering why the high walls in the back yard?" he said as we walked
outside. "Are you trying to hide something?" he joked.

"Just my naked body," I said, watching for his reaction.  "I hate clothes,
much to my mother's chagrin. She had a terrible time keeping me dressed.
Nudity's not such a big deal in Finland as it is in the States.  She
thought nudity was fine as long as it wasn't she, my father or me that was
nude," I laughed. "I decided that I would put up high walls so I wouldn't
scare the neighbors, but also because of the pool.  I don't want someone
jumping the wall and hurting themselves."

"A nudist, huh? That's really cool," he said surprising me with his
response. "I went to a nude beach with the wife once. She hated it. I
thought it was hot!  --- Say, you don't have wild nude parties with
screaming girls and things, do you?" he said looking suddenly worried.
"This is a pretty quiet neighborhood."

"No, no girls screaming. And if I have any parties, I'll make sure and
invite you, so you won't wonder what's happening on the other side of the
tall walls," I said smiling.

"That's great!  I'll bring the beer. I guess I won't have to ask what to
wear," he said laughing and slapping me on the back.

"Hello, is it okay if I come in?" we heard someone shout as we came back
inside.

"That's Phalen!  Come on in Phalen," Larry shouted.

I stopped dead in my tracks. Larry's son was one of the sexiest men I had
ever seen. Thian paled in comparison. Phalen entered the house wide-eyed,
trying to see everything at once, oblivious to both his father and me.

"Hey Phalen," Larry said as he put his hand on his son's shoulder and
guided him over to where I was standing. "I'd like you to meet Jeff, our
new neighbor.  Jeff, this is my son, Phalen."

"Hi Phalen, I'm glad to meet you," I said as I offered him my hand.

When he realized that I had spoken to him he turned. "Oh wow," he said so
low I could barely hear him. He took my hand in a firm handshake, giving me
a smile that would melt your heart.

I swear I felt sparks when we touched!  He was drop-dead gorgeous. His
black hair looked like he had just stepped from the shower, and his blue
eyes sparkled with amusement.  He knew that I was having a difficult time
looking away.

This silent communication went on for just a second, while Larry rambled on
about something.  I don't think Phalen was listening to his father. I knew
I wasn't.

Phalen was slightly shorter than my six-foot height and was obviously an
athlete.  Today, he was wearing a pair of shorts only a little less
revealing than his father's, and a t-shirt. The shorts were tight enough to
show off a nicely rounded butt, while the t-shirt covered his wide
shoulders and a couple of firm nipples.  He wasn't an over-developed body
builder.  He was just about perfect.

I was brought back to reality by my cell ringing.  It was a buddy that I
had made arrangements with to help me move.  He told me that he was going
to have to cancel.  Something had come up.  I closed the phone, wondering
how I was going to handle things.

"Is everything okay," Larry asked.  "You look as if someone gave you some
bad news."

"That was a friend of mine. He was going to help me move my stuff, but
called to say that he had to cancel.  I'm just wondering who I'll be able
to scare up at this late date."  I thought to myself that maybe Thian would
be willing, but he had volunteered only to "help", not stay for a few days.

"I'll help you," said Phalen. "We just started Spring Break today, and I
was planning on just hanging out. I'd be happy to lend a hand."

Larry looked pleased that his son had made the offer.  "Good going Phalen,
if you hadn't offered, *I* was going to volunteer you to help," he said
jokingly, giving his son a playful punch on the shoulder.

"Watch it dad!" Phalen said becoming animated as he returned the
punch. You're dealing with a big-time jock here.  You know we can take down
anybody.  Just don't tempt me," he said before he broke into heavy
giggles. I could tell this was a long-standing joke between the two.

I looked on, admiring the interaction between father and son.  It was so
alien to my own experiences.  I was jealous that my father and I had never
been that close.

"Time out!" Larry called as his cell rang.  He looked at the ID and quickly
said, "gotta go guys, the office is calling. Thanks for the tour Jeff. See
ya later big-time jock," he said waving to us as he jogged out the front
door.

"Hey bud, your father's been telling me what a great guy you are. I'm glad
you were able to come by," I said trying to get him to relax a little. He
seemed fine when his father was here, but the second Larry left he seemed
to become quiet, watching me with those blue eyes. "I understand you've
been bugging the contractor to explain things about the house."

"Yeah, well I wasn't actually bugging him -- but I was over a lot. I just
love watching things get built," he said giving me another one of those
smiles.

"Oh shit. I'm in love!"

"Well, the place is finished, and you're welcome to ask all the questions
you want. Let's take a look around.

"You know, this is the first time that I've seen the house without all the
contractor's equipment in it," I rambled on. I wasn't sure if I was talking
to cover my shyness, or to get him to relax. "My old roommates are having a
party tonight so I've decided to stay here and rough it until my furniture
starts showing up tomorrow.

"Uh -- the contractor said the owner designed the house. Are you an
architect?" he said starting to look around again.

"No, I'm a student, though I plan on being an architect. This is my first
project.

"What are you going to do with this much space? This house is like one of
those lofts I've read about. Do you have a roommate?" he asked as we walked
towards the bedrooms.  "Three bedrooms?"

"I'll use the big one as my bedroom," I said.

"This is my office," I said stepping into the adjacent room. "That's why
there are so many electrical, telephone and computer outlets. A
computer-wiz friend is going to set it up for me.  The third bedroom is for
guests."

"Oh, wow, you've got water in the pool!" he said getting excited as we
headed back into the living room. "Can we go outside?" He was obviously
overcoming his shyness.

"Sure, let's go."

"This is so cool!" he said as we stood on the pool's brick deck.  I've
always thought that this is like, the best back yard I've ever seen.  No
one I know has a pool!"

He turned around, taking in everything, "Outstanding, you've added a hot
tub too!  The contractor told me you had something special planned, but
then he put up those walls and I never saw what he was talking about. This
is awesome," he said turning around again.  "Man, I love this place. You
know, I used to dream that this was *my* house," he said as he looked down,
shy again.

"Hey guy, you can come over here anytime, and stay as long as you
want. You've most likely spent more time in the house than I have." I
smiled and patted his back while we went back inside. I wanted to touch
this man like no one before.

"You sure? I don't want to be any trouble, but it would be really cool.
Hey, I could lay out by the pool and you could bring me a cool drink
whenever I rang a bell or something," he said in the same teasing voice he
had used with his father.

"In your dreams. You'll have to get your own drink, but don't ask for one
tonight.  There's nothing here, not even a refrigerator. You'll have to
wait till tomorrow."

"Are you going to stay here, I mean tonight?" he asked wide eyed.

I nodded.

"Man, the place is empty.  Where are you going to sleep? What are you going
to eat?  I can understand roughing it, but this is too much!"

I just stood and watched the transformation that had overcome him.

Laughing, he turned and rushed from the room, calling back, "Yep, just as I
expected," he said returning from taking a look in a bathroom. "You haven't
thought this out dude. You don't even have any toilet paper!  What's the
plan?" he said as I tried to hide my embarrassment at my lack of
preparation.

"I obviously don't have a plan," I laughed. "I just knew that I wanted to
be away from my old place ASAP. I'll figure something out.  --- I know,
I'll call out for pizza, and ask them for lots of extra napkins! How about
that?

"Come to think of it, pizza sounds good.  Wanna join me?"

"Sure thing, but you need other stuff too.  You didn't bring anything?" he
asked incredulously.

"Just me and my laptop. I came here straight from class."

"Well, no problemo, I gotcha covered," he laughed. You call for the pizza
and I'll be back in a few, with the goods," he yelled as he ran out the
door.

I looked around the room.  "Damn, it sure would be nice to have a chair," I
thought, as I wandered into the sunroom, finally sitting on the floor, my
back against the wall. I ordered the pizza and stretched out my legs
looking around.  I loved the way the sunlight came in through the sunroom's
clerestory windows lighting up everything.  Like Larry said, this was a
nice room.

"If we ever have a cool night, I'm going to enjoy the fireplace too," I
thought. Someday I'm going to lay there in front a fire in the arms of
another man," I promised myself.  I leaned my head against the wall and
smiled. I was as contented as I could ever recall being.

"It's sad," I thought. "I don't have anyone to share my good fortune with."
I was still lost in thought when Phalen returned carrying an armload of
stuff.  "Surely, he hadn't had time to gather up all that. He's only been
gone a few minutes." I thought.

"Jeff, I'm back! And, am I loaded!" Dad must have had the same thoughts as
me, 'cause he had a whole shit-load of stuff waiting at the front door!
Look," he said as he pulled something out of a bag with a flourish.  Ta da!
Toilet paper.  Yep, Phalen's here to bring you all the conveniences of
home.

"Damn, what was dad thinking?" he said, half to himself as he continued
pulling things from the bag. "He must have been reading my mind. Everything
I was thinking of is already here. Look, he even sent over an air mattress
and a couple pillows, so you don't have to sleep on the hard floor," he
laughed.

"Two pillows?" I thought.

"And then there's this," he said as he held up a six-pack of beer, looking
at me strangely. Dad handed it to me as I was leaving the house and told me
to have a good time.  That's totally weird. He's never done anything like
that before. I mean, I didn't even know we had any beer in the fucking
*house*, and then he hands me a six-pack and tells me to have a good
time. Oh, and then he says, 'there's no need to hurry home'. I wonder
what's going on?"

"Well, let's not worry about it.  Let's have a beer! The pizza is on its
way."

"Way cool," he said as he high-fived me.  "Whatever's going on I like it."
He grinned at me as he opened one of the beers and took a drink.

"I'd ask you to have a seat -- if I had one to offer," I said.  "Unless
your dad hid a couple inflatables in one of those bags."

He comically rummaged around in the bags, declaring, "Nope, no chairs in
here, just the air mattress.  I'll try blowing it up, okay?" he said as he
took a couple more swallows of his beer.

I stood and watched him struggle. He kept crawling around on the mattress,
which he had spread out on the living room floor, obviously looking for a
way to inflate the thing.

"What's happening, Phalen? Can't figure which end to blow into?"

"Shit, he laughed, I guess I shoulda been in the Scouts or something.  I'd
probably have one of those how-to-inflate-an-air-mattress badges. It can't
be this difficult! This is worse than facing a left-handed pitcher," he
said laughing at his own joke.

I wondered what a left-handed pitcher was.

I give up, *you* do it," he said as he rolled onto his stomach, raising
himself up on his elbows and smiling.

"Phalen, I said squatting down and taking him by the shoulders.  "Have you
ever had a beer before?"

"Nope, he giggled.  You think I'm drunk?  I haven't even finished the first
beer. I can't be drunk!  No one gets drunk on half a beer --- do they?"  He
didn't wait for my answer, but started laughing again.

"Something more than the beer is going on here," I thought. "He seems
almost giddy."

"No, normally half a beer isn't enough to have this effect.  Your dad, said
you'd played in a baseball game before coming over here, right?"

"Yep."

"Did you have anything to eat after the game?"

"Nope," he tried to say seriously.  "You mean I'm drunk on half a beer?
Well, that explains why I feel so fucking good!" he crowed.  I haven't felt
this good in --- ever," he exclaimed, laughing harder.

"Let's go outside. I'm going to sit on the edge of the pool with my feet in
the water," I said. "C'mon, join me. We can talk while we wait for the
pizza.  Maybe you just need some air."

"Yep, air -- gotta love it," he laughed, following me outside.

Leaving the house, I noticed that the sun was close to setting, signaling
an end to the worst heat of the day. Even so, it was still warm, and I was
glad that we would be sitting in the shade cast by the house.

I sat by the pool and began taking my shoes off. "C'mon Phalen get those
trainers off and have a seat. The water's good."

"Trainers? You mean like, my shorts or something?"

"No, not your shorts, your tennis shoes. Where I grew up, that's what
they're called. I'm sorry. Sometimes I forget which words to use."

"Oh, trainers huh? I like that."

I watched as he bent over and began trying to undo his shoelaces.  "Jeff,
steady me, I feel like I'm gonna fall over."

"Smooth legs," I thought as he leaned against me.  "I love the tan."  While
he worked at his shoes, he glanced up at me.

Phalen's brief grin caused me pause. Our behavior seemed so natural and
innocent. "What are you doing Jeff?" I thought as Phalen continued to
struggle with his shoes, trying to maintain his balance.

He appeared to be losing his struggle with the laces.

"Phalen, stand still. Let me untie the laces. You're not going to be able
to slip those shoes off if they're tied. Do you usually have this much
trouble?"

"Nope, must be the beer."

He moved his foot closer to me then leaned over and grabbed my shoulders in
order to maintain his balance. His face was only a short distance from
mine. I could feel his breath, but I refused to look up. If I did, I knew
he would sense my confusion.

I fought down an instant of panic as his grip on my shoulders tightened,
but I automatically untying his laces.

I felt flushed and confused, yet I noticed that a nightingale's song joined
the evening sound of crickets, as I tried to breathe evenly.

Phalen didn't seem to notice my distress, as he sat down so close to me our
bare legs were about to touch.

"Um --- so, Phalen. Tell me some more about yourself. Your father told me
that you plan baseball. I've never seen a baseball game."

"What?"

"I didn't grow up in the States," I said in justification. "We didn't have
baseball. We had hockey mostly." I thought for a couple seconds. "I never
did like hockey. I hope baseball's better than that."

"Sure it is! I'll have to get you to a game.  I know! Let's go to a
Diamondbacks game!" he said getting excited

"Diamondbacks?"

"Yeah, they're the Phoenix pro team.  I'll explain everything.  You'll love
it. This is gonna be so cool!"

Phalen became excited as he described his plans to expose me to a baseball
game, and began moving his feet from side to side in the water causing
small waves. With each stroke of his feet in the water, we touched legs. I
almost flinched with the erotic pleasure of each brief touch.

When he paused to take a couple more swallows of his beer I asked him if he
was feeling any better.

"Yep, I'm damn good. I'm having the best time ever," he continued, still
obviously feeling the effects of the beer. "I'm sitting here with a totally
hot dude.  Why wouldn't I be having a good time?"

In the brief pause, when both of us realized what he had said, the pool
lights came on, casting their rippling light, letting me see Phalen's
shocked expression.

"Oops," he said as he covered his mouth.  "Sorry Jeff, I didn't --- well, I
--- um.  Fuck, I've just gone and spoiled everything!  I'm sorry, for what
I said."

"Sorry for what," I said turning to him and gently rubbing his back.  "I
think you're pretty hot yourself." I couldn't stop myself. I had to touch
him.

"What did I just say?" I thought. This entire encounter is getting out of
control. For an instant I thought of standing up, so I would have to stop
touching him. My body refused to obey, and I continued to rub his back.

"Wha --- You do?  Then you're not mad?"

"Who'd ever complain about being called, 'hot'," I teased, as he seemed to
relax a little.  "No, I'm not upset.  I think it's great."

It was my day for being interrupted though.  As I continued to rub my hand
over his back, the doorbell rang.

"Must be the pizza," he said quietly.

"Yeah, must be," I said without really thinking about it.  I just kept
rubbing.

"Do you think one of us should go answer the door," he giggled, still
feeling the effects of the beer, as he leaned into my back rub.

"Oh shit!  I guess so," I said as I scrambled to make it to the door before
the pizza guy thought he'd been stood, up and drove off with our dinner.

"Yum, this smells good," I said as I brought the pizza outside. Phalen was
absently moving his feet in the water, making waves.  "Let's eat. We can't
let this baby get cold.

"You still have enough to drink?" I asked as I sat the pizza down.

"I think beer would be better cold," he said with a grin. "Yum, pepperoni,
my favorite," he mumbled around his first bite of pizza.  "I didn't know
how hungry I was."

The moment of intimacy was lost as we both worked on easing our
hunger. While we ate in silence I wondered what I should do. I wanted to be
close to Phalen, but was afraid. What if things became intimate.  Would I
embarrass myself by losing my erection? And who knows what else might
happen?"

"By the way Jeff, where did you grow up?" he said interrupting my
escalating anxiety. "I noticed that you have some sort of accent and you
don't know anything about baseball, so I figured that you're not from
around here.  I can't guess where though."

"Well, I was born in Los Angeles, but my dad was transferred to Finland
soon afterward. I grew up speaking both English and Finnish.  I'm told that
I speak both languages with an accent.  Kinda makes me exotic, don't you
think?" I said as I raised my eyebrows in query.

"Jeff, you're crazy," he said as he punched me on the shoulder, pleasing me
by his touch.

"Yep, that would be me," I said. "Crazy Jeff with the funny accent."

"No, it's not funny," he said quickly. "I like it, even when I don't know
what you're talking about," he smiled, reaching down to the water and
splashing me.

Like I said before, "I'm in love."

"I'm not going to fight this," I thought. The longer we were together the
more at ease I was becoming. I even found that some of Phalen's playfulness
had rubbed off on me.

"Hey boy, don't start that kind of shit with the water unless you're man
enough to take the consequences! You just might find yourself over your
head, so to speak!"

"Over my head?  Yeah, right.  Like, who's gonna stop me --- you?" Again,
another splash of water.  "I'm a jock, ya know," he said in a low voice,
trying to be serious, then striking a pose to show me his biceps, again
breaking into a spate of giggling; spoiling the effect he was trying to
create.  "Guys don't mess with me unless they want to be taught a lesson
they'll never forget!" He was laughing so hard he could barely sit up, let
alone carry out his tough-man act.

"What kind of lesson is that, tough boy?" I said, playing along.  "You have
something you think you can teach me?  You may be some sort of jock, but
remember, I come from the cold north, where men are men --- and, um ---
and, everyone shivers," I finished, laughing, and splashing him back.

"I'll teach you what it means to shiver," he said as he reached over and
grabbed me, pushing me onto my back.  Caught by surprise, I wasn't totally
able to roll out of his way, as he attempted to pin me to the ground.
"Whoa, the tough jock missed," I taunted as I tried to sit up.  This time,
he was able to grab my arm and wrestle me onto my back, and directly on top
of the pizza.

"Hey dude, I'm laying on the pizza!" I laughed, attempting to push him off.

"Yeah, right," he said.  "Some guys will say anything to keep out of the
clutches of super jock," he shouted, attempting to straddle me, keeping me
pinned to the pizza.

"Well, I'm not one of 'em," I laughed as I pushed him off of me and into
the pool.

"Whoa, shit," he laughed as he came up for air.  "Good thing I took off my
trainers, huh?" he said grabbing my feet and trying to drag me into the
water.

"C'mon Jeff, it's only fair.  I'm wet, you should be too!"

I didn't follow the logic of that, but I was able to break free of his grip
long enough to grab my wallet and keys and throw them far away from the
pool.  I then stood up and dived into the water.

Phalen swam up to me as I surfaced.  "You're too much Jeff," he laughed as
he tried to push me under.  As I was going down, I grabbed him and pulled
him with me.  We both came up laughing and behaving like a couple kids.

I was wondering if Larry was able to hear us.  I'm not in the house but a
couple hours and I'm in the back yard screaming --- with his son, no less.
So much for the quiet neighborhood.

I would not have recognized myself. This was the first time I had ever felt
totally at ease with another man. I was almost giddy with the reaction.

"Hey Jeff, what's this stuck to your back?" he said as he turned me around.
I looked over my shoulder in an attempt to see what he was talking about.

"Must be the pizza. I told you I was on top of it, but you wouldn't let me
up, remember?  That's what this stuff floating in the water is!  Hey,
Phalen, you made me get pepperoni in my clean pool!"

We were both laughing so hard, looking at the floating pieces of pepperoni,
I didn't realize that he had grabbed me and was urging me to take off my
shirt.

"C'mon Jeff, get out of that shirt, or you're only going to make a bigger
mess," he said as he tugged the shirt over my head and threw it over to the
side.  "There, that's better.  Turn around, let's take a look," he said,
gripping my shoulder.  "Nope, that's not all of it."

I looked back over my shoulder, but couldn't see anything other than his
serious expression.  "What do you mean, 'that's not all'?"

"Dude, you got those pepperoni's and sauce all over you!  Damn, you're a
mess.  Here, get out of those shorts. You're gonna pollute the water with
all that pizza sauce, then neither of us will be able to swim," he laughed
as he grabbed at my shorts in an effort to get them off.

"Hey Phalen, maybe we had better just quit for a few minutes," I
temporized, trying to figure out a way to hide my erection.  That was going
to be pretty difficult if he got my shorts off.  I wasn't wearing any
underwear, so there would be nothing left to the imagination.

He wouldn't be put off though.  "Nope, we gotta get these things off.  You
said *I* was getting your pool dirty.  It's not me.  You're the one that
was laying on the pizza," he laughed as he struggled with me to get my
shorts off.

"Well, okay, you sure you won't be shocked?" I said in mock seriousness.

"Shocked?  I doubt it.  What do you have under there anyway?  Hey Jeff,
hurry up, you're polluting the water," he laughed as he slid under water to
pull the shorts down my legs.  I just stood there and let him work, aware
of my rock hard dick, now bare in the water.

I stood still, not sure what to do.  All of a sudden, he surfaced with a
big splash grabbing onto me to keep from going over backward.  "Holy shit,
Jeff, you are freeking beautiful!" he yelled, throwing my shorts over to
the deck.  "Why no underwear? Not that I'm complaining.  I think it's hot."

"Hey guy," I said.  "This is getting a little intense for me."

"Oh, sorry, I thought you were having fun," he said instantly contrite.

"Shit Phalen."  I am having fun. I mean when you were underwater, wasn't it
obvious?  All you need to do is take one look and you'd see how much fun
I'm having.  I've got to tell you, I was so sexed-up after class today, all
I wanted to do was to hurry home and beat off. I still haven't had the
chance, so I'm pretty horny. -- I don't want to do something that both of
us might regret later, just because I want to get off. Let's quit, okay?"
There's nothing wrong with what we're doing, it's just that --- well --- I
don't know. It's just intense."

"C'mon Jeff, don't get all choked up on me.  Look, I'm having fun too," he
said grabbing my hand and placing it against his crotch.  "There, feel
that?  You think I'm going to freak on you or something just cause you're
hard?"

"Phalen," I said, not taking my hand away.  "I hate to admit this to you,
but this entire scene is new to me.  I'm not sure what to do."

"You mean you like girls? Or is this the first time you've been with a
guy?" he said quietly.  He still had a tight grip on my wrist as he pushed
my hand against his shorts-clad penis.  He was holding onto my shoulder
with his other hand to help keep his balance since he is shorter than me,
and couldn't stand on the bottom of the pool.

"It's the first time that I've ever done anything like this. Some stuff in
my past has prevented me from ever getting close to a guy. I'm
embarrassed."

"Stuff?" he asked.

I nodded, not willing to elaborate.

"Why be embarrassed with me?  I don't know about you, but I'm a freeking
virgin," he said quietly.  I've never even touched another guy and it's
about killed me.  I mean I'm so out of it, I don't even know the name of
the game."

"I'd never have guessed. You certainly got me out of my clothes fast
enough."

"Yeah, well, let's blame it on the beer." he said grinning.

"You know something I'd like to do?" he said moving closer to me.  "I'd
like to see if I can taste the pizza on your lips.  You think you'd like
that, sexy man?"

I immediately tensed-up when it became obvious that we were leaving
horseplay behind and were moving into sex play. All of my fears
returned. Could I do what I was longing to do? Would Phalen understand if I
had to go slow?

When Phalen touched me though, he was gentle. As he moved closer, the look
in his eyes was of lust not of domination, and his lips touching my neck
brought shivers of pleasure, where I had only experienced fear and pain
before.

"Fuck, yeah," I sighed, as he nuzzled my neck, gently licking his way over
my jaw and finally brushing his soft lips against mine.  I stood in the
warm water, holding him close as he slowly kissed me, becoming more
insistent with each passing moment.

"Oh Phalen, this is so good," I said while he again nuzzled my neck. "Thank
you."

"Oh babe," he whispered, as he played with my hair and licked one of my
ears.  "You're the reason it's great.  I knew from the moment I saw you
that I wanted to touch you," he said kissing me again.  "Why are you
thanking me?"

"You will never know how I've longed for a touch like yours," I said. "I've
never been touched like this before." I was beginning to relax enough to
enjoy what was happening.

After a while, he pulled back slightly and sighed.  I opened my eyes and
looked up catching a twinkle in those blue eyes. "Hella good kisser, you
are Jeff," he said breaking a string of saliva that connected us.
"Couldn't ask for better."

"If you're so inexperienced," I said. "How would you know if I'm a good
kisser?"

"My dick is telling me," he said pressing against me. "Let's get out of the
pool.  I'm getting cold," he said.  "I want to lay next to you,
skin-to-skin and taste some more of your mouth.  Deal?"

"Good deal, Phalen, though I don't think I'll last long, if you're laying
next to me naked." Deep down I was wondering if I would be able to maintain
my erection. If something happened to remind me of my childhood, I was sure
I would go limp.

"That's cool, I'm 'bout ready to shoot just standing here, and I don't want
to do that.  I'd like to shoot off together, rubbing against each other, as
we're making out. Besides," he chuckled, "I won't be next to you.  I'll be
on top of you."

I was able to swim to the edge of the pool.  For Phalen, weighted down with
his clothes, swimming was more difficult.  By the time he got to the edge,
I was on the deck reaching out to give him a hand.

"Just a minute. Stand up and let me see what you look like."

I self-consciously stood up so he could see me naked.  My dick was sticking
straight out, drooling in anticipation of what was to come. "So far so
good," I thought. "Maybe I shouldn't worry."

"Absolutely freeking beautiful," he said, so only I could hear.  "Move
closer," he said pointing to where he wanted me to stand.  "Now, squat
down.  C'mon, squat down right here in front of me," he insisted, seeing my
hesitation.

I moved to where he had told me to stand and slowly squatted down facing
him.

"That's it babe," he crooned as he leaned over and licked the head of my
dick.  "Yum," he said licking his lips and smiling.  "Way better than pizza
--- for sure."

I stood up quickly.  "You can't do that again, or I'll shoot off in your
mouth."

"Time enough for that later. And believe me, big man, I'm looking forward
to it."

"You sure you've never done this before? You seem to know what you're
doing."

"Nope, this is a first. You're just inspiring --- most definitely."

"I'm yours," I teased.

"Yeah, and I hope to keep it that way," he whispered in my ear as he again
took me in his arms. "C'mere Jeff, help me get out of these clothes. Hurry
up, my balls are 'bout ready to burst!"

I wanted to take my time undressing him.  He had other ideas, bouncing up
and down on the balls of his feet in eagerness.  "Hurry up dude, I need to
get naked, quick! I'm going crazy here and you want to go slow.  Now's not
the time!"

"You're acting like you've gotta pee," I teased.  "All that bouncing
around."

Finally, he stepped out of his shorts and jock and stood there naked.  I
guess he realized that I had stopped to admire him, because he held his
arms out and turned around once as I admired his flat stomach and his penis
standing proudly from a dense black pubic bush, his muscled chest and round
butt.  I couldn't think of anything to say, he was perfect.

He didn't wait for me to say anything, "I can tell you like what you see,"
he said with a chuckle.  Now, let's get inside, I'm hurting here!  How can
you be so calm?" He rushed into the living room and began searching through
the bags Larry had sent over, looking for a towel.  "Ah ha!" he exclaimed.
"Dad, once again to the rescue," he shouted as he threw me a towel.

"Oh shit, I forgot about the fucking air mattress! I never did get the
thing inflated, and here I am 'bout to burst!  Help, Jeff!  You know how to
work this thing?"

"As a sexy guy I know, once said, 'no problemo.' All you have to do is turn
this dial and it inflates itself."

"How quick is it?" he asked anxiously, again bouncing up and down on the
balls of his feet.  I went over to take him in my arms, but he moved away.

"Back off Jeff!  You touch me and I'm gonna shoot.  I'm almost there just
looking at you.  If you touch me, I'm a goner.  C'mon, come on," he urged
the air mattress.

He was quite a sight, bouncing lightly, urging the air mattress on as it
slowly inhaled.  With each bounce his thick dick bobbed up and down.  When
the air mattress was close to being fully inflated, he faced me and said
seriously, "Dude, if the damn front door bell rings, or the phone rings, or
anything else happens, you're going to ignore it!  Hear me?  You are mine
tonight, and no way am I gonna to share you with anyone.  Got it?"

"Yes sir," I responded with a grin.

"Good, now get your cute butt over here and let's play."

He put his arms around me and we wrestled playfully until he was resting
the entire length of his body on top of me, our tongues doing battle.  Gone
were the slow and gentle kisses that we had shared a few minutes ago.  This
was frenzy, the final release of years of waiting for both of us.

Phalen grabbed my hands, twining his fingers with mine, pushing my arms
above my head.  I tensed as a reflex, but Phalen's aggressiveness was borne
of passion, not anger. He held me in place, continuing to kiss me while he
roughly ground our two dicks together.

It didn't take but a few moments before we both started gasping for breath.
We knew that we were close, and we became even more frenzied, as our
sensitized dicks rubbed against each other's.  Finally, Phalen thrust his
tongue deep into my mouth and moaned. He gave a few final lunges against me
and we both shot off; mixing each other's cum together as our passion wound
down.

Phalen continued a slow motion rocking, kissing my neck, then my cheek and
finally gently pressing his lips against my closed eyes.

"Jeff," he whispered.  "That was way awesome.  Better than I ever thought
it could be.  I could easily become addicted to you --- ya know?"

"You're way slippery dude!" I said imitating him.  "What do you think we
should do about it?

"I think we should lay here a little longer.  I don't want to get up yet."

"Who said anything about getting up?  I want to taste what we shot."

"Cool," he said, reenergized.  Quickly he moved off of me, turned around,
and we began to clean each other.  When he once again found my mouth, we
continued the long sensuous kiss that had begun in the pool.


~End - Chapter One ~

----------

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to comment on this story. I
love to hear from you and appreciate your input and your constructive
criticism.

There are a few words and phrases in Finnish that appear in "Phalen."
Computers whose keyboards are configured for the English alphabet are
unable to correctly reproduce a number of the letters in the Finnish
alphabet with their associated punctuation.  I have therefore chosen to use
the closest equivalent letters in the English alphabet.  To any Finnish
speakers, my apologies.

My thanks to Larry S. for his assistance with the Finnish language, and to
Evan Bradley and John Flemming for helping me make "Phalen" a better story.

Thanks for reading.

Roy
roynm@mac.com