Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 10:29:09 -0400
From: Sequoyah <pendor@mailcity.com>
Subject: A Special Place--Part 11

		       A Special Place--Part Eleven

Warning!

           The usual warning applies: This story contains
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				Disclaimer

          This is a work of fiction, any coincidence is just that, a
coincidence.

			     About This Story

     Some have noted that this story is didactic, an observation which
simply acknowledges what was stated from the beginning. The attempt, at
least, is to do some teaching and educating in the midst of what, I hope,
is an entertaining story of young, and not so young, gay and straight,
romantic love. I hope and trust the didactic does not become overpowering
and that the romance stands at the forefront, but I also hope, as many have
written, the story connects in a way which helps in the fight against
intolerance, loneliness, and, above all, suicide.

     Also, thanks to all who have written criticism and/or words of
encouragement and a special thanks to those who have shared how the story
has touched their lives. That's what it's all about!

     And again, a thousand thanks to SAH for his editing skills.

     "A Special Place" is also being posted on Authors Without Websites:
http://www.TeenBoyAuthors.org/aww/.

			A Special Place Part Eleven

     When we were ready, we went to get Michael since his dad was at the
hospital picking up Dr.  Bailey. When I yelled, "Anybody home?" Michael
answered from his room. I ran up the stairs and into his room, "Whoa! Who's
the stud now?" I asked. Michael had on a dark green silk shirt--loose, but
which still managed to show off his build--with off-white jeans. He, too,
had gone for the "show off the ass" look rather than the "may fall off the
ass at any minute" one..  Michael had eyes which appeared sometimes blue
and sometimes green, depending on what he wore. The green shirt made his
eyes appear a startling green.  His hair, like Luke's, was blond, but
darker. He truly was a sharp looking young man. I knew that inside his
great body was a heart too big even for someone his size.

     Michael had taken his mom's illness and death hard--I mean who
wouldn't?--and for a time after he was told her cancer was terminal, he
overcompensated by putting on super jock airs. He, as all the Gang of Four,
is an honors student, but his grades took a nose dive then and he was,
generally, an asshole. We all talked about it, but didn't know what could
be done. David was so involved with Elizabeth that he unintentionally
neglected Michael. Good old Mom, with her usual wisdom and concern, took on
the challenge and started calling him Teddy Bear when he was around the
house. One day when he was being a super ass in her class she said, "Teddy
Bear, if you don't behave yourself and get to work, I'm going to bust your
bare butt as I have done in the past."

     Michael said, "Fuck you, Old Lady!" and stormed out of the room. Mom
ignored it at the time and when she got home, Michael was sitting on the
front steps.  As Mom approached, Michael ran, threw his arms around her and
cried until he ran out of tears. Mom just held him close until he stopped
crying then gave him a kiss on the cheek and said, "I think I know a
handsome young man who could use something to drink."  When they got into
the kitchen, Mom gave him a soda and sat and listened as he poured his
heart out. From then on no one saw super jock again. Also Mom and Dad both
made a special effort to see that Michael was cared for and loved.

     The loss of his mother had matured him rapidly, but with his maturity,
he had kept his wild sense of humor, which he had practically from the time
he learned to talk, and his concern for others. In fact, he became, if it
were possible, more caring and loving. "If anyone is good enough and
deserves Mary Kathryn, then it has to be Michael, "I thought to myself as I
stood in his room admiring him for who he was. "I really love this kid and
had the greatest respect for him," I said to myself, thinking about what he
had been through and what a great human being he had become.

     "Hey, Matt, where are you? You look as if you're on another
planet. Thinking of Luke?"

     "Actually, to tell the truth, I was thinking about you?"

     "Hey! Whoa! I'm taken!"

     "Gee, and I was hoping to add another conquest to my record," I
laughed. "No, I was just thinking about all you have been through and how
you never lost your concern for other people and what a fantastic and
wonderful human being you are. I really admire, appreciate and love you,
Lil Bro."

     He gave me a hug and say, "Thanks, Bro."

     "And you are a knock out. You can take that from someone who is in
love with the most handsome, most beautiful man on the planet. You better
watch it or Mary Kathryn will crawl you bod when you walk in the door."

     "I can always hope! But we better go or the family will wonder what
happened to us."

     When we arrived at the Larsens', Mom and Dad were met in the living
room by Jens and Gabrielle. Gabrielle said the kids were in their
rooms. Well, the fact was they were both in Luke's room and as soon as
Michael and I walked into the room, Luke kicked the door closed and Michael
and I were attacked by the Larsens. When Michael and I escaped the lip
locks Mary Kathryn and Luke had placed on us, Michael said, "And I though
wild 'breeds' were aggressive.  I'm not sure I CAN handle this wild woman,
Matt."

     "Yea, know what you mean. Maybe we need to try again and see if we can
take this kind of aggression." With that words, I grabbed Luke and gave him
a real french kiss, which he obligingly returned. When we came up for air,
Michael and Mary Kathryn were still at it. "Luke, we're going to have to
really get into shape so we can go without breathing as long as those two.

     Still holding Mary Kathryn to himself, Michael looked up, grinned,
"Matt, I guess you have to breathe because your Larsen doesn't take your
breath away the way mine does!" and kissed Mary Kathryn again.

     "Sorry to break up a good thing, but I think I heard David arrive so I
guess we best abandon the passion pit and go downstairs."

     "Sad to say, but I guess you're right, Luke," I said, grabbing a quick
kiss which had to last for awhile.

     As we passed the window overlooking the front, we crowded around and
watched as David walked around the car, opened the door and helped
Dr. Bailey out. When she was out of the car, they walked toward the porch,
still holding hands. "Hand holding is hot stuff, right?"

     I got three immediate "yeses" and then we all looked at each other and
there was a four- way high five and shouted "YES!" from the Gang of
Four. Seems Project David and Margaret was moving faster than we dared
hope.

     When we got downstairs, David and Dr. Bailey had just entered the den
where my parents and the Larsens were. Jens was pouring glasses of wine for
them when we walked in. I noticed four empty glasses on the table. "Tonight
is a real celebration," Jens said as he handed glasses to David and
Dr. Bailey and asked, "Michael, Matt, would you like wine?"  We all nodded
and Jens poured four glasses. We had been allowed to have wine on special
occasions since we were in grade school. It may seem strange but none of us
drink other than with the family. It's something special for special
occasions, not a way to show how grown up we are.

     "A toast," Jens said. "Here's to families and friends and especially
to the family in this room.  May our friendship remain strong
forever. Skoal!"

     "I'd like to propose a toast." As glasses were raised, Michael said,
"Here's to failure, the one failure in Luke Hans Larsen's life which
brought him back to us!"

     Luke was practically in tears, but proposed the next toast, "Here's to
love, the love of family, of friends, of strangers without whom I would not
have failed.  And in particular for the special love which David and
Dr. Bailey, and especially Matthew, gave me when I thought I wanted to
die."

     "You're getting dangerously close to revealing too much, Luke, my
love," I thought.

     The room became very silent as we all thought about why we were here
this evening. It took Mary Kathryn to lighten the mood. "Here's to us: the
family, together and whole and complete with a new member--here's to us and
to Margaret!"

     "Dad, does this mean I have a new, older feminine figure in my life?"
Michael grinned.

     "Watch it, Michael," I thought, "or YOU'LL give away too much. Then I
was reminded of the fact that maybe Luke and I had already given away far
too much.  I was suddenly brought back to the present by Mom.

     "It means Margaret is part of the family, whatever that means now and
in the future.  Welcome, Margaret," Mom said. "Welcome to the craziest
group of people you're likely to meet anywhere."

     There were other toasts and the Gang of Four actually drank a second
glass of wine, unheard of in the past, but tonight was the most special
occasion the four of us could remember.

     After the toasts, we went into the dining room for dinner.  The food
was great; Gabrielle is practically a gourmet cook and we all loved having
dinner at the Larsens'. The mood was very festive, a real celebration of
having Luke home and well. When desert was served, Dr. Bailey said, "Matt
once told me there was a story behind how these three families became
one. He promised I would hear it sometime. It seems this is a good time for
that, not just for me, but as a kind of reminder of who we... you..."

     "We," Mom said.

     "Of who we are," Dr. Bailey finished.

     "I guess we'll have to use a short version or we'll be here all
night," Jens said. "But while I'm the host, I'll have to defer to
Greywolf. Lakota are the best story tellers and this is a real story.
Greywolf."

     "Well, I'm not sure even a short version won't keep us here all night!
So I'll just do the bare essentials." We all laughed because it was a story
we had heard a thousand times, but as all good stories, one we all enjoy
hearing again, even if were only the bare essentials.

     "All three of us males had been in ROTC in college: David in the Naval
ROTC, Jens in one of the few Marine ROTC units and I in the Army. We had
all finished college: Jens in accounting, David in pre-med and I in
physics. As soon as we graduated, we received our commissions and were
assigned duty. After training, I was sent to Korea where I met and married
Yong Jin. Jens was sent to Germany where he met and married Gabrielle. Poor
David was left in the States and apparently found no one. Actually, he and
Elizabeth had met during his last year in college, but he thought it would
be unfair to get engaged with his leaving for the Navy and facing med
school afterwards. Marriage was definitely out of the question at that time
so they more or less broke up. Michael almost wasn't to be and think what
that would be like." I glanced at Mary Kathryn; she was looking at Michael,
smiling.

     "After Jens and I finished our overseas tour of duty, we were assigned
to the Pentagon. There we met David. He was going to school at night to get
his RN since he had decided he was more interested in becoming an emergency
nurse than being a doctor.  The Larsens and the Greywolfs lived off post in
two pretty terrible apartments. David lived off post as well and had a
great little efficiency. Jens found a triplex for rent and we decided that
by scrimping and being very careful, we could afford to rent it or at least
pay the rent. It was hard because both Yong Jin and Gabrielle were in
school finishing up their degrees and could only work part-time and
military salaries, even for junior officers, was pretty poor."

     "David had became a kind of perpetual visitor and when we pooled our
resources for a dinner together every Saturday night, David was always
there. When David discovered we had the triplex, he asked about renting the
third unit. We were delighted to have someone to share the rent, but were
puzzled as to why he wanted to give up his place for a more expensive
one. He gave no reason, but told us early in the week he wouldn't be at the
Saturday dinner because he had a four day pass and was going home."

     "Late Sunday night he appeared at our door with a beautiful young
woman and introduced her as Mrs. David Andrews. It seems that several
months before, David had contacted Elizabeth and they had been
corresponding on a regular--daily if the truth be known--basis. When we got
the triplex, he took that as a sign to propose to Elizabeth, got his four
day pass, went home and married her. At the time we had about a year to
serve and to finish our schooling."

     "Well, we spent about as much time together as we did apart and when
the time approached for us to be separated, we all were very unhappy about
breaking up. By that time we called the six of us the family. David, again,
solved the problem. He had leave coming so he and Elizabeth went home and
when they returned, David told us he had found three adjoining farms for
sale.  Of course, we didn't have any money, but David, being from
Lexington, knew people there and in Concord who agreed to purchase the
farms and rent them to us until we could get VA loans. I certainly didn't
want to go back to the res, Jens had no family to speak of and what family
David had lived near enough..."

     "Sometimes too near," David interjected...."

      "...It seemed the perfect set up. David made all the arrangements so
we all came here without having seen the places. When we looked over the
farms for the first time, it was amazing. Each of us immediately knew which
farm belonged to whom, even though only David and Elizabeth had seen them
and we had never discussed the question."

     "The first Saturday we were here we had packed a picnic lunch and gone
to the river. After we had eaten, we decided to walk up the river and that
was when we discovered the falls.  Almost from the beginning they became a
kind of symbol of the family. When the kids came along and reached the age
where some thought skinny dipping was no longer to be permitted, I
introduced the Lakota custom of crossed stick indicating a locked
entrance. In short, the falls became a place for struggling with things,
confessions, meditation, celebrations, all the things that hold the family
together and sustain its members." Dad suddenly became quiet as we all had
just been reminded Luke had gone to the falls to end his life.

      "Anyway," Dad continued, "in a year's time, Yong Jin and Gabrielle
discovered they were pregnant and Matt and Luke were born on the same
day....

      "Yes, but I'm the oldest," I had to add. Luke was holding my hand
under the table and gave it a hard squeeze. Usually when our births were
brought up he gave me a punch on the shoulder.

     "A little over two years later, Michael and Mary Kathryn were born. We
had, all six, wanted a troop of kids, but it was not to be, but since we
didn't get quantity we got quality." With those words, Dad raise his glass
and said, "Here's to the four greatest kids in seven countries and, thank
God they are all still here!" The family, including Dr.  Bailey, responded
"Hear! Hear!"

     Luke was teary-eyed and, to tell the truth, so was Mary Kathryn,
Michael and I. Luke started to wipe his eyes with his napkin and dropped
it. He bent over to pick it up and when he came up from under the table, he
gave my hand another squeeze, looked at me and winked. I managed to drop my
napkin and when I looked under the table saw that Mary Kathryn and Michael,
David and Dr. Bailey, Mom and Dad were all holding hands. Gabrielle's hand
rested on Jens knee.

     "Thanks for telling me that story. I feel privileged to be included in
such a group of friends.  And while I only knew her through my work at the
hospital, I know all of you miss Elizabeth very much. She was a wonderful
lady."

     "Indeed she was and we do miss her, but we think it's time David moved
on in his life and it looks as if the family is willing to accept you as a
real inside member," Luke said, cutting to the chase as always.

     "Luke!" Gabrielle exclaimed. The Gang of Four cracked up and was soon
joined by all except David and Dr. Bailey, both of whom were blushing like
teenagers.

     "Well, I guess we can adjourn to the den for coffee," Jens said.

     "Not just yet," David intervened. "We have a little surprise for you
and Gabrielle. We know you both have been through a very trying time and
that tomorrow proves, once again, that not all April Fools are fools since
one man was wise enough to fool a beautiful German fraulein into marrying
him on April Fools' day. We want you two to celebrate and forget about
things here for a weekend. The cabin at the lake has been stocked, you have
reservations for dinner tomorrow night at the lake lodge and a choice of
times for Mass at St. Peter's on the Lake. And, to be honest with you,
we'll not take "no" for an answer.

     Jens was speechless and Gabrielle had tears in her eyes as she leaned
over and kissed him. I had never seen her do that before in all to time I
have been around the Larsens. I wonder where Luke learned to like kissing
so much. "Thank you so very, very much. That cabin is very special to
us. The last chance we had to be alone together was there. I guess it's
been a couple years now. The kids are old enough to take care of
themselves...."

     "They may be, but that's not the way it's going to be. All four are
going to stay with us," Mom said.

     "What's going on here?" I wondered.

     "There's another little surprise in the works," Dad said.  "David and
Margaret , I've taken the liberty of making reservations for dinner and the
theater for you two in Lexington Saturday night. Since you'll will be
coming home late, we'll babysit for both families."

     Luke gave my hand another squeeze and I thought to myself, "Is this a
test or something?"

     "That's awfully nice of you, Greywolf, but I am on duty tomorrow night
and I think you are too, aren't you, David?

          "Well, I think both of you were, but not now. I talked with
Dr. Walker and he is seeing that your duty is covered, Margaret, and the
ogre of ICU has roped someone into taking David's duty. When we decide to
railroad someone in this family we do it right. Now, Jens, we can adjourn
to the den."

     "Mom, we'll clear the table and when we finish, can we go to the
falls? It's such a beautiful and warm night it seems a sin to waste it,"
Luke said.

     "If it's ok with your father."

     "Sure, since you are all together."

     I was suddenly tempted to be a bit of a devil and said, "David, if you
and Dr. Bailey. . . .

     "Matt, what do you call your dad in the classroom?" Dr.  Bailey asked.

     "Mr. Greywolf, why?"

     "And at home?"

     "Dad or Greywolf. What are you getting at?

     "Luke, how about you?"

     "Mr. Greywolf at school and Greywolf at home. Why?"

     "Well, I think if I'm going to be around, we can drop the Dr. Bailey
bit. You know when it's appropriate. Otherwise, I'm Margaret, ok?"
      "Ok, Margaret. David, if you can forego the coffee, why don't you
show Margaret the falls in the moonlight? She has never seen them."

     "Sounds like a good idea," Mom and Gabrielle said together.

     The table was cleared in record time and as soon as Margaret had
exchanged her heels for a pair of Mary Kathryn's sneakers, the six of us
were walking toward the river.

     The moon was bright and the night warm as we walked. As soon as I
thought we were safe, I took Luke's hand in mine. Throwing caution to the
winds, he moved in front of me and, walking backwards, faced me and gave me
a Luke's special kiss. Out of the corner of my eye I saw that Mary Kathryn
was a full-blooded Larsen and had done the same with Michael.

     "I guess it's the hormone thing," David said, laughing.

     "Maybe it's just the moonlight," Margaret said and put her arm around
David's waist. David put his around hers and they, too, were walking
close. The Gang of Four just couldn't resist. We met in a circle, gave each
other high fives and shouted, "YES!"

     When we reached the path to the falls, David crossed the
canes. Usually that was for privacy, but the family had long ago realized
that sometimes you need to talk and you need things kept confidential. So
the second Rule of the Canes was, "What happens behind the canes is sacred
and not to be repeated except when keeping quiet endangers someone." I
guess, come to think of it, David could have pleaded that rule when he came
after me when I ran out of Luke's room...and when we came to the falls and
found Luke.

     The falls were unbelievably beautiful in the moonlight.  David and
Margaret sat on the sand near the entrance path while Mary Kathryn and
Michael went in one direction and Luke and I in another. Soon there were
three couples sitting on the sand, holding hands and saying nothing. It was
a priceless moment. The beauty of the place reflected our loves and I was
sure now that there were three loves in this special place. As if to
confirm that, I saw David kiss Margaret's hair as she leaned her head on
his shoulder. Luke had, of course, unbraided mine.

     I laughed and pointed at Michael and Mary Kathryn who were making out
big time. "I think you're letting your little sister show you up, Lover." I
had hardly gotten the words out of my mouth when Luke grabbed me and pulled
me on top of himself. A cascade of hair, again, created our private world
and our lips met, our tongues dueling. Luke started unbuttoning my shirt
and started kissing my chest, for the first time kissing each of my
nipples. "God, Luke, I am so hard I hurt. I want to make love.... "suddenly
a medallion fell across Luke's chest. "Damn, slow and easy strikes again,"
I whispered.

     Luke laughed, then shouted, "Remember Michael, Mary Kathryn, slow and
easy!"

     "Man, you sure know how to ruin a moment," Michael called back. "Dad,
are you and Margaret on a slow and easy track, too? If so, we need help
from your years of experience."

     By then all six of us were giggling like mad. "I don't think my
particular position on that matter is any of your business, Son."

     "He'd better be because I've been taking lessons on how to handle men
from Mary Kathryn, " Margaret said.

     "Which lesson? The leave 'em aching on the hall floor or the see how
quick you can get 'em panting?" Michael called back, followed by loud
panting sounds, then "Ouch!" It was clear Mary Kathryn had struck again.

     Luke and I continuing exploring the touch and feel of each other until
David called out, "Well, if you guys can get things under control, I
suspect we better get back."

     Reluctantly, all six of us got up. As Luke covered my mouth with his,
he buttoned my shirt.  He held his arms around my neck as I quickly braided
my hair.  When we were all presentable, the six started walking toward the
house. Knowing that there probably wouldn't be another opportunity, Luke
and I stopped just before leaving the cane brake and held each other tight
for a long, long, deep and, yes, lustful kiss. As our lips parted, Luke
said, "Sarang Hanun Pomul, there is no way you can know how much I love
you."

     "Yonghon Tongmu, my love for you is a vast as the heavens and then
some," I said as we looked into each others eyes. I saw a reflection of the
stars overhead in Luke's bright eyes.. With a tender kiss which expressed
not only our love for each other as lovers, but also our love and respect
for each other as friends, we ended a time of freedom and turned toward the
house, remembering to drop hands when we could be seen. I noticed that
Michael and Mary Kathryn did the same.

     All six of us had walked in silence for a short distance when that
song took over. Walking backwards, facing Luke, I said, "Yonghon Tongmu"
and started singing,

                    More than the greatest love the world has known
                    This is the love I give to you alone

     I was surprised when Margaret took David by one hand and Luke by the
other. Michael, being the sharp one, quickly caught on to what was
happening and grabbed his dad's hand and then Mary Kathryn's. I caught
on--finally-- and grabbed Luke's.

     "Now, Matt, where were we? 'More than the greatest love the world has
known...'"  Margaret started singing. I was surprised when David knew the
words and added his resonant bass voice. By the time we had finished the
song, Michael, Luke, and Mary Kathryn were stumbling along. Margaret then
told us we'd have to have the song "lined out, an African practice brought
here by slaves. I'll give you the words and then you sing them. 'More than
the greatest love...."'

     By the time we got to the house we were singing to our loves at the
top of our lungs, swinging hands and it all looked perfectly innocent! We
didn't stop and when we got inside Greywolf and Yong Jin started dancing
and singing. Gabrielle, laughing, joined the singing and even Jens managed
to sing a line or two. When we finally finished, Jens said, "I think I'm
going to have to keep a tighter control on the wine...."

     David responded, laughing, "No, it's the moon. Lunacy, you know."

     "Well, I guess we better break up the party since Jens and Gabrielle
will want to start for the lake early tomorrow," Dad said. "Luke, do you
want to spend tomorrow morning in the lab? I'm keeping it open from eight
until noon."

     "Well, I actually wouldn't say I would like to, but I will say I
certainly better and thanks for having it open. Can I hitch a ride with
you?" Dad nodded his agreement.

     "Mom, Dad, would it be all right if Mary Kathryn and I walked Matt and
Michael to the Greywolf's and David can pick Michael up on his way home. It
is still a beautiful night and I'd like to spend a little more time
enjoying it."

     "I don't see why not," Mom said, "do you have any objections, Jens?"

     "No, no, none at all. Just remember you've got to get up tomorrow as
if it were a school day, Luke."

     "Thanks, Dad, Mom," Luke and Mary Kathryn said.

     "David, why don't you let Michael sleep over at our place so you don't
have to bother coming after him?"

     "Fine with me. How about you, Michael?"

     "Well, I'm not too sure. If I do that I'll have no idea when you get
in and you and Margaret may just be setting this up so you can play around
all night. As the other male in the family, I have to keep things
respectable. But then again, I take it you are working on that second
feminine figure problem, so I guess it's ok."

     If there had been a blushing contest on that one, Margaret and David
would have been declared a draw. David gave Michael a punch on the shoulder
and said, "You devil, I think you'd better stay out of my reach tonight."
The Gang of Four cracked up and the elder Greywolfs and Larsens were just
as bad.

      We all said good night and as soon as the three couples who had been
at the falls got to the front porch we once again started singing at the
top of our lungs. Mom and Dad joined in and we all sang "More" all the way
through before David helped Margaret into his car as Dad helped Mom into
ours. It was a beautiful moment and one that I knew I would always
treasure.

     Maintaining a bit of caution, the Gang of Four walked down to moonlit
road arm in arm, something we had done since we were allowed to go from one
house to the other by ourselves.

     When we reached the house, the porch light, which was always on, was
out. As soon as we were in to shadows of the porch, the Gang of Four became
the Pair of Couples. Without discussion, Michael and Mary Kathryn went to
one end of the porch, Luke and I to the other. As Luke embraced me, his
lips covered mine and his tongue brought the sweetest of my Yonghon Tongmu
into my mouth. Our kiss became more and more passionate, more and more
lust-filled.  Luke had pressed my body against the wall and his hips were
pressing into mine. I could feel his hard manhood pressing against mine. He
unbraided my hair again--I think he is going to wear it out. He filled his
left hand with my hair, pulling me closer to him while his right hand
unbuttoned my shirt again. As soon as it was unbuttoned, his lips planted
kisses on my nipples. I realized I was streaming precum as I pulled his
shirt up and ran my hands up and down his powerful back. The feel of his
bare skin was driving me wild as were his lips on my nipples.  "Luke," I
whispered, "I want you so bad.. I need your body to love and if you don't
stop, I'm going to...."

     "Me, too, Beloved Treasure." One hand still in my hair and the other
around my waist, Luke licked a path down my chest then looked up at me and
smiled. In his teeth was my medallion!

     "Luke, one of these days I'm going to strangle you! What a way to
destroy a moment!"

     "Had the moment not been destroyed, you'd have had some explaining to
do when you walked in with the front of your jeans announcing what the
moment was like!"

     "Well, I'm not so sure they won't announce something anyway."

     "Matt, Man, I love you so much and tonight has been so perfect, but it
can't end with breaking trust. I want you--all of you--your body as well as
you heart, as much as you want me. Little Luke has been hard for so long I
ache. Precum has soaked my briefs and jeans. I ache for you really
ache. Tonight has been so perfect. It has been so perfect, so very, very
perfect. But, because we are who we are, this perfect night has to end with
less than we want, but what we want even less is our first time to be a
quickie on your porch."

     "I know, Luke, but, Man, you make me so hot. I beginning to think I'm
just one big hunk of lust. I dream of making love to you and my Chili
Pepper demands that it be now."

     "So does Little Luke. I know it's difficult not to lust after someone
as perfect as I am, but you'll just have to control yourself, you wild
Lakota Korean 'breed I love more than life itself."  With those words,
Luke's lips again covered mine in a long, loving, deep kiss which I
returned one filled with love, but with lust turned way down.

     As we ended our kiss, Luke called out, "Ok, Little Sister, get your
clothes back on, we've got to go home." As Michael and Mary Kathryn walked
back toward the steps, I noticed that he too had something pointing out
that some pretty heavy making out had been going on. And that's hard--pun
intended --when you're wearing tight jeans. Of course, even in the
moonlight, the wet spots on three jeans front were clearly visible and told
the same story.

     Soon the two Larsens were walking down the road in the moonlight I
noticed they were holding hands as Michael and I went inside.

     When we got to my room, I was anxious as to how Michael would feel
about our sleeping together. While he did not sleep over as much as Luke,
he did often. He too, had clothes in my closet. But now that he knew about
my relationship with Luke, even though we were both still virgins and he
knew it, I wasn't sure. He and Luke had slept over so often that after the
three of us got some size on us, Mom and Dad had bought me a new king-sized
bed. So we continued sharing my bed--sometimes two, sometimes three. But
again, now was different....

     "Michael, if you don't want to sleep with a faggot...." and that was
as far as I got before Michael blew up.

     "Matthew Sarang Hanun Pomul Greywolf, if I ever, ever hear you use
that word or any other derogatory term for yourself or for Luke, I'll beat
the living shit out of you! Man, I am not kidding. I am so pissed that I
could do it right now! You are my bro whom I love, admire and adore. You
are in love with the brother of the woman I love with every fiber of my
being and whom I love as I love you. You are my brother, Matt, and nobody,
nobody, is going to use words like that about you or Luke, not even you or
Luke!" Michael was so upset he had tears in is eyes and I felt lower than
dog shit.

         I walked over to him and put my arms around him and started crying
too. "I'm sorry, Michael, so very sorry. I was trying to be funny because I
didn't know what else to do. I wanted you to have a way out...."

     "Out of what? Are you any different today than you were yesterday,
last week, last month, last year? Maybe in some ways because you're in love
with a wonderful, magnificent guy and you're happier for it, but you're
still my bro. Matt, I'd trust you with my life. You're my friend, Man."

     "Michael, what can I say other than that you have to be the best bro
any man has ever had and I love you dearly."

     "Matt, I think I may be number two in the bro department because in my
book, you're number one. But right now that we have that settled, my balls
are killing me."

      I laughed, "Mine too. Welcome to the slow and easy club and the
results of what happens when slow and easy gets hot and heavy for too
long. You have first crack at the bathroom and don't yell too loud when you
get relief."

     "But what's wrong with me, Matt, I hurt."

      "Some call it having blue balls, others stone aches. It comes from
having a hardon too long without release. So are you going or what?"

      "I'm gone," he said as he shot out the door for the
bathroom. Meanwhile, I waited and ached.  Not only is this love thing
complicated, it can give you a real pain!

     Michael soon reappeared and said, "What a relief!" as I made a beeline
for the bathroom.

     Without giving it any further thought, Michael and I undressed and
crawled into bed. "God, it has been a wonderful night, Matt," he said as he
snuggled up against me and wrapped his arm around my chest. Nothing unusual
about that. All three of us hugged each other when we slept, but it made a
huge difference to me. It reaffirmed Michael's acceptance of me and my love
for Luke.

     "Good night, Matt, Bro.

     "Good night, Bro Michael.

     Within minutes we were both in dreamland and I was sure he was
dreaming of the Larsen who were the center of his universe and the love of
his life as Luke was of mine.

                                                         A Special Place
Part Eleven Luke

     As Mary Kathryn and I walked down the road toward home, we held hands
just as we had done when we were small kids. We walked in silence for
sometime.  I was in more than a little pain from my making out with Matt. I
had heard guys talk about having stone aches, but had never had the
"pleasure." As we walked, the pain gradually grew less until I knew that I
would survive.

      "Luke, wasn't tonight one of the most wonderful you have ever known,"
Mary Kathryn asked.

     Thinking back over all that had happened, I had to disagree a
bit. "No, Mary Kathryn, it was not one of the most wonderful nights I have
known. It was THE most wonderful night of my life.  And not just because
Matt and I did the heaviest making out we have ever done, although that
would have made it the best, but also because of you and Michael and your
playful love. I really love how you two can make out and play like two kids
at the same time. You have something to teach me and Matt there. And
because it looks pretty definite that David has found someone to fill a big
hole in his life. I have always known and loved David and I loved Elizabeth
and miss her very much. But Margaret Bailey is one of the most loving,
giving people I have known and she deserves someone as great as David--and
Michael--and they deserve her."

     "Didn't you enjoy singing that old song? I guess most of the stuff I
listen to just doesn't talk about love, real love, the way that song does."

     "'More than the greatest love the world has known/ This is the love I
give to you alone' I sang.  Yea, I guess most of what I listen to doesn't
quite match that."

     "And Mom and Dad surely seemed more alive tonight than I have seen
them in, perhaps forever. I know they will have a grand time at the lake."

      "Yea, and I bet Dad doesn't have aching balls because he doesn't get
to finish what he starts!"

     "Luke, you're awful," Mary Kathryn laughed.

     "You can say that because you only give pain in the balls, not get
it." It wasn't in the balls, but Mary Kathryn gave me a punch to the
shoulder that left a blue spot the next day.

      When we got home, Mom and Dad had a suitcase sitting by the front
door and the lights in their room were out. Mary Kathryn and I were very
quiet as we walked upstairs. When we reached the top of the stairs, Mary
Kathryn stopped and said, "Luke, I think your love for Matt and his for you
is beautiful and magnificent and wonderful and right. I know that too soon
it will cause a great deal of heartache for our mom and dad, at least Dad
because I think Mom knows and will accept, if not approve, of it. But I
want you to know that I am happy for both of you, intend to stand by you,
because I love two and I know that it's wonderful and right. Good night,
brother mine."

     "Good night, sister mine. Thanks and I love you very much," I said as
I kissed her on the cheek.

      I was learning a lot from Matt and even though I was ready for sleep,
I say a prayer of thanksgiving for him and his love, for the family and its
new addition, Margaret. I offered thanks for the beauty of the night and
especially for the river and what it meant to all of us. I then thought of
how, as much as we wanted it to be otherwise, both Matt and I had reminded
each other of slow and easy, convinced that my loving God understood how
difficult it was. I gave special thanks that Michael and Mary Kathryn had
found in each other someone to love who was as good, loving and caring as
they. Finally I did ask for something. I asked that my parents would
understand and accept me and Matt and our love even if they could not
approve. I gazed out my window, recalling the wonderful evening the six of
us had spent in the moonlight as I fell asleep.

     My alarm went off earlier than I wished as it always did. I put on my
sweats and jogged to the Greywolfs. When I looked through the window, I saw
Matt and Michael, sleeping arm in arm.  Jealous? Why?  Because Michael was
where I wanted to be, but was not? Michael was sleeping peacefully in the
arms of the man I loved and in whose arms I would one day sleep. They were
my brothers, far closer I suspect, than most blood brothers.  I smiled as I
thought about the love among the Gang of Four, not only the love of lovers
between Mary Kathryn and Michael and Matt and I, but also the deep, deep
love of friends among the four of us. As I watched my two brothers
sleeping, also darkness and light, the soft morning light from the yet sun
which was just below the horizon illuminating their handsome faces, I was
almost overwhelmed with my love for them.

     Finally I couldn't resist. I shouted, "What's going on here?"

     Michael sprang straight up in bed and said, "Shit!" He too has a dirty
mouth.

     Matt simply smiled and say, "Good morning, Yonghon Tongmu, Light of my
World."

     "Good morning, Yonghon Tongmu, Joy of my Life."

     "Good Lord, what do we have here? You sound like my British lit
class!" Michael shouted as he raced for the bathroom and released a stream
into the toilet.  He, as was our habit, didn't bother closing the
door. Matt wasn't waiting and joined Michael.  When they finished, both
grabbed a toothbrush.

     When they finished, Matt came from the bathroom, of course still
naked, and instead of grabbing me as expected, he slowly took me into his
arms, placed his hands on each side of my head and gently drew me to
himself for a morning kiss. Slow, tender, loving, passionate, the kiss
continued as I felt as though I had been transported into a land of pure
light. When Matt finally broke his kiss, he whispered in my ear, "Luke,
Yonghon Tongmu, I love you. I can think of no other words to add. There is
nothing beyond that. Luke, Yonghon Tongmu, I love you."

     Wrapping my arms about Matt's neck, under his hair which I so adored,
I said, "Matthew, Sarang Hanun Pomul, I love you." We, then, exchanged
another soft, loving kiss. Ending the kiss, we placed our foreheads
together and gazed into each other's eyes. It was as though we were
floating in some delightful place. Our moment was broken by Michael.

     "Hey, you two, I'm being left out."

      Matt was obviously in a playful mood because he grabbed Michael, who
was as naked as he, and gave him a huge kiss on the mouth. Michael began
sputtering and wiping his mouth with the back of his arm the way a small
child does to "wipe off a kiss."  Suddenly all three of us were laughing
like crazy. As the two of them put on their sweats I realized that with a
morning exchange expressing our love to each other, neither Matt nor I had
gotten hard. I first thought it was because Michael was present, but then I
realized that I was so transported out of this world that I was not
conscious of anything or any one except Matthew and the wonderful world his
kiss created for me. Maybe there are expressions of love for your lover
without lust after all.  I was jarred out of my thoughts by Michael's
"Well, Luke, are you going to stand there daydreaming or you running with
the two most handsome men in seven countries?"

     The three of us climbed out the window, down to trellis, and jogged to
the road where we started serious running. The sun had almost cleared the
horizon as we ran toward morning's light. I had expected to have to call
for Michael and Matt to stop at the end of David's pasture because I knew
that was my limit, but Michael reached the corner first, shouted "One
mile!" and turned to start running back. I managed to get a bit farther
than I had yesterday before I had to slow down. When I did, Matt kept pace
and soon we had slowed enough to hold hands. Michael continued running full
steam. When he reach Matt's house he kept right on running, maybe even
faster. "Now what's Michael up to?" I asked.

     Matt started dying laughing. "When are your parents leaving for to
lake?"

     "You know Dad is a super morning person. He gets up around 4:30 most
mornings. I suspect they were on to road while I was still asleep. I
noticed the suitcase they had packed was gone when I left. Why?"

     "And you want to know what Michael is up to?" As we continued walking,
I saw two figures emerge from our house and head toward us at top
speed. Mary Kathryn can't keep it up for a long, long distance, but on a
short mile or two run, she could outrun any one of the guys. Since Michael
was warmed up, he was managing to keep up pretty well, but just to let him
know who was boss, Mary Kathryn ran ahead of him, turned and ran backwards,
motioning him on.

     "I can tell you I'm glad I don't have to tame that one," I laughed.

     "What makes you think Michael wants her tamed?" Matt asked.  "I see
little evidence that he wants her any way other than the way she is."

     "And that the way it should be, isn't it?" I asked. Matt nodded
agreement.

     By the time we reached the front walk, Mary Kathryn and Michael were
waiting for us. The four of us grabbed hands as we went inside. Now how did
Yong Jin know there would be two Larsens to feed? I don't know, but she had
a breakfast laid out which more than adequate I thought.

     "Mom I thought you'd sleep in since Dad is going to school to open the
lab today," Matt said.

     "I figured I needed to get up to prepare breakfast for you and your
Dad and our guest. I also had a feeling that you and our guest might pick
up some lost or strayed children and drag them in for food," she laughed.

     "Are we running a restaurant as well as a bed and breakfast?" Greywolf
laughed as he came into the kitchen where breakfast was laid out on the
kitchen table. After he had given Yong Jin a good morning kiss, long and
passionate I observed, but without any obvious lust, he joined us and said
grace. The "amen" was a kind of signal for what must have looked like a
plague of locust descending up the food.

     After breakfast, Michael and Mary Kathryn left for their respective
homes. Greywolf and I kissed our respective loves and left for school. Matt
was going to work on one or both of the compositions he was writing for his
recital.

     Things went extremely well in the physics lab. There were two other
students making up labs, Eugene Joyce and Larry Watley. I didn't know them
extremely well, but had enjoyed being lab partners with one or the other on
several occasions. Since a couple of the experiments they needed to make up
were the same as two I had to make up, we joined up and got them done much
quicker than I would have been able to do myself. A couple times they
apologized when they started laughing at an inside joke.

     "You two must know each other very well," I observed.

     "Yea, the first day I started school here as a sophomore, Eugene
befriended me. I was a real runt then and was being picked on by a couple
of the jocks who beat up Gregory...." We all became very silent, deep, I
suspect in our own thoughts.  "Anyway, Eugene was a lot bigger than I and
had taken martial arts so he took both of them out in no time flat."

     "You were smaller than Eugene? I can't believe it. You must be three
inches taller and out weight Eugene by fifty pounds!"

     They both started laughing. "Yea, he was as big then as he is now. I
got a growth spurt that year and haven't stopped since. Also, Eugene got me
working out here at school and I filled out some."

    "I'll say. You're what, six two and weigh close to two hundred twenty
or twenty-five and Eugene is about five ten, five eleven and weighs what?
One seventy, seventy-five.

     "You should join the circus as one of those guess your weight
guys. You hit close enough in both cases. Anyway, we became best buds at
school, but seldom saw each other outside school or some school event
because Eugene lived in town and I lived in the country. Then, just after
Christmas last year, my dad just up and left me and my mom. He blamed it
all on m...my mom, but there was another woman. Since Mom worked in town
and we couldn't handle the farm alone, she sold the farm and we moved into
town."

     "Yea, and Larry had been so torn up by the whole mess that we didn't
talk about a whole lot else. In fact, when he said they were selling the
farm and moving, we were both so afraid we'd be separated that when Larry's
mom decided to move into town, we were just so happy we could still be
...buds that it was almost a month before we found out we only live a
couple blocks from each other. Now we practically live together, sometimes
at one place and sometimes the other."

     "That sounds like me and my two best buds. We have clothes at each
others' houses."

     "Who's that?" Larry asked.

     "Michael Andrews and Matt Greywolf, Mr. Greywolf's son. We live on
three adjoining farms out in the country. Maybe you guys would like to come
out sometime when I get caught up with the shit load of school work I have
to make up."

     "Yea, I bet you do since you were out so long. Sure glad you weren't
successful with the suicide attempt and seem happy now."

     "You are so right. Right now I'm almost as happy as I can even dream
of being."

     "Hey, I know Matt Greywolf." Eugene finally got in another word. "He
was in my music class last year. Haven't seen him in music this year
though. I heard he was doing an independent study and has to present a
recital for his whole grade."

     "You're right. In fact, he's home right now working on a composition."

     "You mean he writes music as well as plays?"

     "Sure does. He's doing two pieces for his recital. I think he's kinda
keeping it a secret since he's not played any for me, or the other two of
the Gang of Four, as we call ourselves."

      "Who's the other one?"

      "My sister, Mary Kathryn."

      "Wow, she is one foxy lady. And I loved it last year when she sent
the jock to his knees. And, if I may say so, the rest of the Gang of Four
are not ugly," Eugene said. Larry blushed. Was I getting vibes here?

       "Well, since we have nothing special to do until time to go, how
'bout we pitch in and help Luke knock out a few more experiments?" Larry
asked. Eugene nodded agreement and they pitched in, helping set up
experiments, recording data, and tearing down when an experiment was
finished, all the time we were taking our heads off about music, movies,
school, everything.  These two guys were good and they were fast. When
Greywolf came from his office to check on us, I had finished gathering data
for all the experiments I had to make up. Now all I had to do was the
calculations and write up the experiments.

     "I don't know how to thank you guys. It would have taken me at least
one more Saturday and probably two to get this much work done."

     "Glad to help a fellow out," Eugene said.

     "Don't worry about it. Actually getting to know you better was worth
it," Larry added.

     "How are you guys getting home? Did you ride bikes?"

     "No, it was a nice day so we walked over. We thought we'd get caught
up, then maybe catch the afternoon movie."

     "Gee, I'm sorry. You'll never make the movie now since it starts in
fifteen minutes. I'm sorry I messed up your plans."

     "It's time to go," Greywolf announced, "and I'll be more than happy to
drop you two off at the movies. Anyone who helps another student as you two
have helped Luke deserve to be appreciated. I'll drop you off and the soda
and popcorn will be on him!"

     "It was nothing, really. We had fun doing it and what's life about if
it's not about helping each other? Larry asked.

    "You are so right, Larry, but most folks don't see it that way,"
Greywolf responded. "But get a rush on or you'll be late for the movies."

     After we dropped off Larry and Eugene at the movies--they didn't want
to take money for sodas and popcorn, but I insisted, telling them that it
was something I wanted to do, not an obligation--we went home where Yong
Jin had lunch waiting.  Margaret and David were seated at the kitchen
table.

     "Where's...."

      "Matt's upstairs in his room. I called him when I heard you and
Greywolf arrive, but he doesn't seem to be responding. I suspect he's
working at his keyboard and has earphones on.  Want to check?"

      When I got to his room, Matt was oblivious to the world, working hard
at his keyboard. I walked up behind him and surrounded his waist with my
arms. I expected him to be startled, but he just looked up, smiled and
reached behind himself to pull my lips to his. After a short kiss, he sat
back down, removed the earphones and said, "Luke, you have been my whole
world for hours. I looked at the notation pad on his keyboard and read
"Yonghon Tongmu: Variations on 'More'." Apparently he had been busy for
there were several other pages of notation lying on the keyboard.

     "Matt, you mom called you to lunch awhile ago. Are you ready to eat?"

     "I'm ready to eat you with a spoon," he replied as he got up from his
bench. We once again embraced and headed down stairs.

     When we got to the kitchen, Mary Kathryn and Michael had showed
up. "Greywolf, did you put up a sign outside which said stray kids would be
fed here?"  Yong Jin laughed. Obviously she had expected the strays because
there were places set for them already.

     After lunch the table was cleared and we all went into the library for
the family meeting. I had expected it to be Saturday night, but Greywolf
had contributed to Project David and Margaret by arranging a night on the
town for the two.

Matt's dad was the acknowledged leader of the family so everyone waited for
him to begin. We all knew how Greywolf ran a family meeting. Everything was
as structured and organized as one of his physics classes. No horsing
around and no small talk.  Family meetings were serious business and this
one was very serious.

     "We all know why we are here so let's get on with it. Matt, Luke, you
have the family here, why don't you begin."

     "I want to say about three or four things then I'll listen.  First,
all of you know why I attempted suicide and the results so there's no
discussion for this group about that, right? Second, I love Matthew Sarang
Hanun Pomul Greywolf with every fiber of my being and want to spend the
rest of my life with him. Third, I know that we face a hard road, smoothed
considerably by all of you for which I will never be able to repay you or
even express my thanks adequately. Finally, while I am almost convinced Mom
knows about me and Matt, my dad does not and what he will do when finds out
scares me half to death.  Also, I remembered today that Matt and I had been
very excited when we were accepted at our first choice of schools Julliard
and Ringling. Now the idea of his being in New York and me in Florida
really sucks. That's it for now.

     Matt then spoke up, "I must admit I really hadn't thought too far
ahead because I was too involved with the moment and having the man I love,
love me in return. When Luke asked Fr.  Tom about a commitment ceremony, I
was overwhelmed. Since that time I have been thinking about spending my
whole life with Luke Yonghon Tongmu Larsen. We already face problems and we
are going to need all the help we can get. You all have been so wonderful
to us already that I hate to ask more, but if we are to survive as a
couple--and that is the only way I can survive--we are going to need your
help and support. Since we have always had it, I know we will have it in
the future and for that I am eternally grateful.  I too, am almost certain
Gabrielle knows about Luke and me and I too, fear Jens reaction to learning
his son loves a man. That's it for me.

     "Well, Luke, you have a promise of two weeks before the question of
your suicide becomes open for discussion in your family. What is your
feeling about that?" Margaret asked.

     "Frankly, I'd like to put it off forever, but since that is not an
option, I'd like to get it over with because my life, and Matt's is on hold
until the question is dealt with."

     "Luke, I know Dad has a two day audit in Jackson Monday and
Tuesday. What I think you should consider is talking to Mom Monday
evening. I'm not almost sure she knows about you and Matt. I am positive
she knows. Since she hasn't gone nuts yet, it seems to me that she is at
least willing to accept reality whether she likes it or not.  Frankly, I
can't see her approving, but I certainly don't think she will reject you or
Matt. She certainly seems more open in expressing her love and affection
for both of us since you did the high dive bit.

     "What's your reaction to that, Luke? Or do you need more time to think
about it?" Greywolf asked.

     "No, I think Sis is right. Mom has gone out of her way to show me
affection and she has made some very strange remarks which, when I think
about them, can only mean that she either knows about us or thinks she
knows why I tried to kill myself.  Several times since I has been home she
has made statements such as, 'Luke, you are my beloved man-child'-- a term
she used when I was very young-- 'always have been and always will be
regardless.' I didn't know Dad was going to be out-of-town Monday and
Tuesday, but now that I do, I think it will be a good time to talk to Mom.

     "Just you or do you want someone with you?" asked David.  "You know
any or all of us are willing to be with you if you like."

      "I hadn't thought much about having anyone with me. I think if
several of us showed up, Mom would feel she was being ganged up on and I
don't want that.  Maybe Sis, but she's got her own situation to deal with
later so I think she better stay clear. I think I'd like Matt with me, yes
Matt, if you're willing."

     "Of course I'm willing," Matt responded immediately. He was sitting on
the floor between my legs and I realized I was so nervous I had twisted a
handful of his hair around my hand. If I was this nervous among friends....

    "Anything else need to be said about that? ... I guess your silence
answers 'no' to that. Next item, school."

     The rest of the family meeting went on for another hour, structured as
only Greywolf can structure something. When we were all talked out,
Greywolf had a prayer for me and Matt, for Mom and Dad and for all of
us. By the time the meeting was over, it was time for David and Margaret to
get ready and leave for Lexington. Greywolf and Yong Jin left to do some
things around the farm. "Matt, I'd like to go to the river. I need some
time and space to think about all that was said and decided."

     "That's ok. I'll get back to work."

     "What do you mean you'll get back to work?"

     "I'll get back to my composing so you can have the time and space you
need."

     "Matt, you make my time and my space; you're going with me."

     "You're sure you don't want to be alone?"

     "Not now, not ever."

     "You guys going to the river?" Mary Kathryn asked.

     "Yea," I answered.

     "Good. Be sure to cross the canes 'cause you two need time to talk and
think and to digest what was said here today."

     We grabbed the blanket from Matt's Jeep, joined hands, and walked to
the falls. Neither of us said anything and there was a solemnness about us
as we walked.  When we reached the falls, we spread the blanket and lay
back on it looking at the sky above.  For the next hour and a half we
talked about what had been discussed. Looked at objectively it seemed
pretty simple. In typical Greywolf logic, to whole situation could be
listed:

     1. Mom probably knew, but in any event, Matt and I would talk with her
Monday night, telling her about us.
     2. Based on what Mom thought, we would tell Dad as soon as
possible. David and Matt would both be present for that since there was no
telling how Dad might react.
     3. Academically, Matt was in excellent shape and I had made rapid
progress to regaining my 4.0. We should have no problems academically.
     4. Since we both had a whole semester's grade riding on a recital and
exhibition, we would talk to Fr. Tom about holding them together.
     5. We needed to appear as "normal" as possible at school.  Provided
the girls were clear that the date was just for the prom and knew we were
not using them--we probably should have dates for the prom coming up in
three weeks.
     6. The Greywolfs and Michael and Mary Kathryn would warn us when they
noticed anything which might give away our secret.
     7. We needed to think about next year. We had already been accepted to
our first choices for next year: Matt at Julliard and I at Ringling, but he
would be in New York and I in Sarasota, Florida.
     8. We both had planned to do a summer program: Matt the Music
Conference at The University of the South, Sewanee--St. Mary's was paying
the expenses of that expensive, but top- notch program--I Ringling's Summer
Art Camp. This would be important for our development as artists and a
trial separation. A kind of test for next year.
     9. David had suggested we look at different schools, even though it
was pretty late for applying, and consider joint programs since we both
were very good in science and math. Maybe our two arts and engineering.

     Yes, it all looked so simple laid out that way, but the list didn't
include all the emotions and prejudices and unforeseen events which made it
very complex.  Matt and I both felt completely drained emotionally and
physically when arrived but, as we gathered up the blanket to leave, the
falls had worked their magic. We both knew the future would be difficult,
but confidence in our love for each other and the support of family and
friends sustained and would sustain us. After a single soft, loving kiss we
walked back to Matt's home.

				    ***

Comments, suggestions, criticisms, personal stories are welcomed and
encouraged. Write to Sequoyah at pendor@mailcity.