Date: Fri, 08 Sep 2000 13:41:53 -0400
From: Sequoyah <pendor@mailcity.com>
Subject: ASP-28

		    A Special Place--Part Twenty-eight

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				Disclaimer

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

			     About This Story

A Special Place continues to develop new characters and circumstances.
Depth of characterization rather than fast pace characterizes the story.
Thanks to all those of you who have written and especially those who have
just discovered the story.

Thanks and much love for the two sons ASP has given me. You are very
special!! The wizard will come to OZ with his Dorothy!!

J best wishes and prayers as you discern when your journey leads you next.

If you are interested in Hopi overlay rings, look at
http://www.hopimarket.com/.  An ASP fan is having one designed based on
ASP. Personalized designs are available at this web site. BEWARE imitation
American Indian crafts!! Many so-call Native American crafts are made in
China!!!

To all who have written, my sincere thanks and appreciation. As always,
your comments and encouragement are welcomed!

The A SPECIAL PLACE Timeline---The Year is 1995

Luke's Attempted Suicide--Mid-March
Family Meeting without Luke's Parents--April 1
Easter and David and Margaret's Wedding--April 16
Student Body President Election--April 21
Prom--April 22
******************************* Part Twenty-eight gets you to here.
AP English Exam--May 10
AP Calculus Exam--May 11
AP Physics Exam--May 17
AP Music Exam--May 15
AP Art Portfolio Due--May 12
Recital/Concert and Art Exhibition--May 21
Graduation--May 27
Matt's and Luke's Birthday--May 31
Everything else---TBA

Sequoyah


			     Copyright Notice

This story is copyright by the author and the author retains all rights.
You may distribute, copy, or print this story however you like, PROVIDED
this copyright notice remains intact and you do not change the story in any
way. Also you may not charge any fee to anyone to distribute or access this
story.

		 A Special Place--Part Twenty-eight--Luke

    When Matt and I walked outside, Paula and Sheldon were standing on the
front porch; Paula was leaning against a porch column while Sheldon faced
her. It was obvious Paula had been crying and Sheldon looked mostly
indifferent. "I'm ready to go," he said, "Paula, you want to go with us?"
Paula started shaking her head then said, "No".

    "Well, bye then," Sheldon said, as he turned and walked off the porch.

    The ride to town was done in complete silence. Sheldon sat in the back
seat, not speaking. When we arrived at the bus station, Sheldon got out and
said, "Thanks for the weekend, guys. See ya," turned, walked into the bus
station and didn't look back.

    Matt turned the car around and we started back home. "I don't know what
in the hell is going on, Matt, but Sheldon is a son of a bitch. He was a
complete asshole the whole time he was here. Sure wish we hadn't spent the
money to get his shitty ass here, get him dressed up for the prom queen and
give him every opportunity to have a spectacular weekend."

    "I don't know what is going on, Luke, but I can tell you one thing:
we've got a hurting woman on our hands."

    "That's for damn sure. Why did that jerk have to mess up a whole
weekend?"

    "Maybe for Paula, Luke, Babe, but my weekend wasn't messed up in the
least." Matt turned to smile at me and I grabbed a quick kiss. "Hey, I'm
driving," Matt said in mock horror.

    "I know. You're driving me nuts. God, I love you, Matthew Sarang Hanun
Pomul Greywolf."

    "About half as much as I love you, Luke Hans Yonghon Tongmu Larsen!"

    "Don't think so. Infinity doesn't have a half. You know that!" I looked
at the light of my days and laughed. "You know, this damn Jeep was not made
for lovers," I said as I tried to reach over to kiss Matt again.

    "Doesn't matter, we're home and my bed is."

    At the foot of the stairs, Matt suddenly swept me off my feet and into
his arms. I put my arms around his neck and kissed him again and again as
he carried me to his room. When we got there, Paula was lying in the middle
of the huge bed, curled in a fetal position, crying. Matt stopped, put me
down, and we walked to the bed. Everyone else was sound asleep as Matt
asked in a soft, tender voice, "Want to talk about it, Paula?"

    "No, not now. Later. Right now I would like for you guys to lie down
with me. I hurt."

    Matt walked to the far side of the bed, lay down beside Paula and put
his arms around her. I lay on the other side and Paula put her arms around
me and said, "Thanks guys." I started stroking her hair and saw her
gradually relax. In only a few minutes she was asleep.

    Matt raised his head slightly, looked into my eyes and mouthed, "I love
you."

 I smiled and mouthed "I love you too."

    The next thing I knew, Greywolf was at the door taking pictures. The
flash eventually got everyone awake--not without a lot of groaning, I might
add. Greywolf said, "I thought we really needed some after pictures to go
with last night's before ones. That was last night wasn't it? It's 3:00 in
the afternoon and David and Margaret will have lunch ready at 4:00. The
downstairs bathroom is free."

    "Paula, after everyone has had a chance to pee, you, Eugene and Larry
take the downstairs. Luke and I and Mary Kathryn and Michael will take the
upstairs since my stuff is up here. Linda and Bill, you can split or if
not, use the upstairs," Matt said.

    "What do you mean, split?" Bill asked.

    "Yea," Linda said.

    "It's the slow and easy menu," Michael said. "Where is it, Matt?"

    "In the drawer of the night stand," Matt answered, grabbed my hand and
said, "Michael, give it to Bill."

    When Luke and I finished with the ritualistic morning bladder emptying
and returned to the room, Bill was looking at the menu. "Finish it later,"
Michael said, headed across the hall, "unless you can hold it." Bill put
the menu on the bed and rushed across the hall behind Michael. By the time
they had finished, Linda and Mary Kathryn were back from doing their ritual
downstairs.

    "Dibs on the bathroom," Michael said, grabbed Mary Kathryn by the hand
and rushed across the hall.

    "Remember there are other people waiting!" Matt said.

    "And only so much hot water, sister mine," I added.

    "We'll heat it up for you, brother mine," Mary Kathryn responded.

    "You mean to tell me Mary Kathryn and Michael shower together and are
still virgins?" Bill asked with a puzzled look on his face. "And you and
Matt do this stuff and are too?"

    "Unless something happened at the falls last night with Michael and
Mary Kathryn--and I suspect it didn't or we would have heard about it from
both of them by now--the answer to your questions is 'yes'."

    "Man, I find that hard to believe. Well, maybe I don't. To tell you the
truth, since I became THE basketball player, I have had so many girls throw
themselves at me and I was so horny that I could get a fuck just about
every night I wanted one. Quickies in the back seat of the car, in the
bushes. Just wham, bam, thank you ma'am. And you know something, I usually
felt shitty afterward because I know I was just using a warm, moist hole
for my cock. Just fucking. I got my rocks off and I won't say I didn't like
that but, to tell the truth, it was just that--getting my rocks off. It
just wasn't fun. Some of this stuff sounds like fun!"

    Matt laughed, "You want to get Michael going? When he comes back, ask
him if he fucks, but be prepared to run."

    "Why?"

    "Because the first night we all used the Slow and Easy Menu, Michael
said he'd like to go down the hall and fuck Mary Kathryn. Matt and I had
been told by Greywolf that lovemaking was what it was about and that
covered a lot of things--expressing love--but that fucking was what you
just described."

    "So we both got on Michael's case big time, but he got even. I said
something about his not wanting to sleep with a faggot and he almost busted
me one," Matt laughed. "We are very careful about two things around
here. One, using the word fuck to describe something you do with someone
you love and two, using lovemaking to mean ONLY intercourse--thus the Slow
and Easy Menu."

    "Where did you get this?"

    "Dr. Bailey--Margaret Andrews now, I guess--gave it to Matt and me
along with some shampoo, soap and massage oil. See, when we told the family
we were in love, Greywolf asked that we put off having intercourse until we
are eighteen. He didn't tell us or beg us not to. He just asked us if we
would. Given all the family--that's the big family--was doing for us, we
agreed. One day I saw this medallion in Mr. Swartz' shop and got one for
each of us as a reminder of our promise--not really to the family so much
as to each other. Mr. Swartz did all the beautiful engraving on them. They
have long chains which means..."

    "Don't they get in the way when you're... ah... playing around?"

    "Making love? That was the idea and the answer is 'Yes!'."

    "Man, you're going to think I'm a fool, but I think I have missed out
on something."

    "Interesting thought coming from a non-virgin," I said as Michael came
out of the shower, whistling.

    "Man, I love kissing perky nipples," he said as he went to the closet
for a shirt and to the chest for boxers and shorts.

    "Nothing like it," Matt laughed as Mary Kathryn came in, a towel
wrapped around herself.

    "Would you guys mind giving me some time to talk to Linda?" Bill asked,
still holding the menu.

    "Not at all. I'll roust Larry and Eugene out of the guest room and send
them downstairs. You and Linda can talk in there while Matt and I have our
shower playtime and Paula and Mary Kathryn can get dressed. Michael, I
guess you'll just have to wait downstairs.

    "Be there in a minute," man of mine," Mary Kathryn said, grabbing a bag
she had left yesterday.

    Bill went to the guest room, knocked and, when he was told to come in,
asked Larry and Eugene if they would go downstairs for their shower so he
could talk to Linda in the guest room. Soon two sleepy eyed studs came out,
grabbed towels and went downstairs. Bill and Linda went to the guest room
and Matt and I went to the shower.

    There really was going to be a problem with hot water unless we were
careful, so we wet ourselves down good and soaped each other well, kissing
and rubbing against each other all the time. We rinsed off, dried each
other and left the shower. "Would have liked a bit more playtime," Matt
said, holding me tightly and giving me a real good morning kiss.

    "Do you think I don't agree?" I asked as I returned his kiss.

    When we got back to my room, Paula and Mary Kathryn were gone, I assume
downstairs. Larry and Eugene hadn't started getting dressed and were making
out big time. "Ok, studs, break it up and get dressed, food's waiting."

    "Who needs food," Eugene laughed, "when I have Larry to eat on."

    "Don't go there, Lover," Larry replied, giving Eugene the evil eye.

    The four of us were getting dressed when we heard Linda giggling and
saw her and Bill walking toward the bathroom, holding hands. "More perky
nipples are going to get kissed, I bet," Matt laughed.

    "Bill better be careful or he'll get the Orie treatment," Luke
laughed. "I think Linda meant it when she said she'd sideline him if he got
out of line."

    Finally all four of us were dressed. I brushed Matt's hair and he
braided it, then he worked on mine. When we were finished, Bill and Linda
came out of the bathroom, each wrapped in a towel. "No-one told me to bring
clothes for today," Bill said, "so I guess I'll just have to wear what I
wore last night."

    "I bet you could wear Michael's clothes."

    "Not a big help since I'm not at Michael's."

    "Michael and Luke both have clothes here. In fact, we all three have
clothes at all three places. Look in the closet and find a shirt. Michael's
shorts, socks and boxers are in the second drawer of the chest."

    "Boxers? I feel like I'm hanging out."

    "Look in the first drawer. Maybe you can wear my size. I have both,"
Matt said.

    "Silk bikini briefs?" Bill exclaimed as he held up a pair of bright red
ones.

    "Looks like something for the cheerleaders' stud to me," I laughed.

    "Ok, I know I can't go back, but can I have a new start?" Bill asked,
very seriously.

    "Sure you can. I'm sorry. That was a poor joke. No offense intended."

    Bill put on the red briefs which were a bit small, but sure gave him a
super stud front, walked over to me and, awkwardly, hugged me and said, "I
know that, but I really do want to turn over a new leaf. Man, Michael is
right, playtime is fun time and I have missed out by just fucking. And I
think I have missed out by being standoffish about hugging. Being a
shithead macho-man sure carries a big price tag, I'm thinking."

    Bill finished dressing and when he had finished, Linda came out of the
guest room dressed to kill and had a smile on her face I hadn't seen
before. She walked up to Bill, stood on tiptoes and gave him a light
kiss. Bill blushed!!!

    When the Fellowship of the Rings arrived at Michael's, everyone greeted
the newlyweds. Lunch at 4:00 in the afternoon revealed again the amazing
capacity for food of teenagers, except for Paula who didn't eat enough to
keep a bird alive. She tried hard not to be a wet blanket and would have
done a good job except she had eight people who were sharing her pain
without saying so. When lunch was over, Bill offered to take Paula home,
but Matt said we would so he could have time with Linda. "You two may want
to talk some more," he said. Michael was walking Mary Kathryn home and
Larry and Eugene were going to home or homes in the newly christened
Bunnymobile. I had called the sheriff's department and made arrangements
for us to meet there at 8:00. When I asked if that was too late, the
officer said there was no rush because the alleged perpetrators weren't
going anywhere. I wondered what would have been necessary for him just to
say criminals.

    As Matt and I walked with Paula to the Jeep, Matt asked, "Paula, do you
want to talk about it?"

    "I think I need to," she replied.

    "With me or Matt or me and Matt?"

    "I'd like to talk to you both. On the drive home?"

    "If you like, you know where we all go, but maybe that's not the place
for you."

    "I think it is. I really do."

    "Ride or walk?"

    "Do you mind walking?"

    "Not at all," I said. "Until last week, we always walked. The gate was
put in for David's and Margaret's wedding." Matt snagged a blanket out of
the Jeep as we walked past, and he and I took Paula's hands and walked with
her to the falls in silence.

    When we reached there, Matt spread the blanket on the ground and the
three of us sat down; still no-one spoke. Paula sighed several times and
said, "First of all, I want to thank you two for bringing Sheldon here. I
was so surprised and happy when he walked out. You two are so kind and
loving and thoughtful and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the
love you showed me by getting him here on prom night. And while I'm at it,
Luke, you gave me a prom I'll always remember. I was so proud to be on your
arm when the king and queen were announced. And in spite of the fact that I
knew well I was not who you wanted there, you still treated me like a
queen. You are a beautiful man with a beautiful spirit. And so are you,
Matt."

    "Well, I believe I was promised a good night kiss, which I didn't get,"
I said. Paula reached over and kissed me lightly on the lips and smiled,
but it was a sad smile. "I really want you two to remember that I really
appreciate what you did in spite of how it turned out."

    "Ok, it was obvious Sheldon wasn't with the program from the time he
walked out of the room at Millie's. I know his ticket was for 2:00 because
Luke and I purchased it and sent it to him. He had to exchange it for an
8:00 one," Matt said.

    "Ok, the whole story. You are right. When I kissed Sheldon at Millie's
he didn't pull away, but he wasn't very interested either. When I kissed
him, I knew he had been drinking..."

    "Thank goodness he didn't go with us to take the girls home," Matt
commented. "We took a breathalizer test as evidence that none of us had
been drinking when Orie and his crew tried to... well, I was going to say
kill us and I thought they were."

    "You saw how he drank at Millie's and she certainly did. I was
embarrassed. When we came to the falls and there was no beer, he pouted
about that. Then he started complaining because we were with a bunch of
fags. I was ready to strangle him at that point and told him so, but he
started pouting more. The final straw was when he insisted on having
sex. When I told him no, he said, 'Look, Paula, I don't know what your
problem is. I came all this way to be with you tonight because I thought it
would be fun. Then I find out there's no beer, you're with a bunch of fags
and you won't fuck. What the shit is going on?' I was so angry I didn't
know what to do. Then when everyone decided to go skinny dipping, I thought
he'd come around. Instead he said, 'You expect me to get naked among a
bunch of faggots or you to get naked and us not fuck? What kind of
goody-two-shoes are you?' I told him I'm the kind that doesn't fuck and
doesn't plan on fucking. With the right person with whom I am in love, I
expect to make love big time, but just fucking is out. 'Well, shit,' he
said, 'I could have saved myself a trip and been screwing Saturday night as
I usually do. I have no trouble getting a piece of ass when I want it from
a girl who enjoys my big cock in her pussy.' I was sick to my stomach, but
decided I wasn't going to ruin a beautiful night for people who knew what
love meant so I joined in the swim. I guess Sheldon decided he may as well
pretend he was a part of the party so he finally crawled into the water
like the snake he is. When we finished swimming, he started the 'I wanta
fuck' bit again and I told him if he didn't forget that, he wouldn't have
anything to fuck with when I finished. 'You can bet on one thing,' he said,
'I'll be out of this shit hole as soon as I can. There's a bus at 8:00 and
I'll be on it.' I told him I hoped so and that he'd never show his face in
Concord again. 'You can bet on that, goody-two-shoes,' he said. This
morning he told me he had a high school crush on me, but he was seeing and
fucking--he got right in my face to say that--an older woman--the assistant
manager of the store where he works--'and she's not interested in all that
silly love talk and hand holding, she just likes for me to fuck the hell
out of her and I like it!' So that's the story."

    Matt and I were silent as Paula fell silent. Finally she said, "Guys, I
was in love with Sheldon. You knew him. He was kind, loving, gentle. We had
fun together and talked about our future together. I don't know who this
creature is that showed up in Sheldon's skin. I don't feel like we have
broken up--I've been through that a couple times-- instead I feel like
someone I loved has died. That's it. I feel as though Sheldon is dead. I
feel as much that way as I did when my dad died. But he wasn't around after
he died. Sheldon's body was still there after I realized the Sheldon I knew
was dead."

    Paula started weeping softly and Matt pulled her to himself and said,
"Cry it out, Lady. Cry it out." When Matt said that, the dam broke and
Paula was crying her eyes out. I moved closer to her and Matt and I both
had her wrapped in our arms. I started stroking her hair and Matt was
singing some tune softly, and Paula cried great cries and Matt and I were
both weeping softly with her.

    It was minutes before Paula's tears stopped, and Matt and I still held
her as we watched the river in silence. She finally said, "I'm ok now. I
know I have some grieving to do. I've been there, but Sheldon is dead,
dead, dead. And I'll tell you one thing: if the choice is between friends
and fuck partners, friends win hands down," she smiled.

    "Even if they're faggots?" I smiled back.

    "Even if they are men and lovers. We've about had enough with the 'f'
word this week," she said, slapping me gently on the cheek, then kissed me
again, then Matt. "I think it's time we got downtown to deal with another
bunch of jerks," she said and added, "Thanks guys, you are true friends."

    "We try to be," Matt said. When we stood up, I grabbed the blanket and
Matt and I put our arms around Paula's waist and we walked to Matt's
place. When we got there, Paula said she was ready to go home and asked
both me and Matt to go with her. When we reached her place, she walked in,
grabbed her mother and started crying again. Ms. Wright motioned Matt and
me to chairs while she held her daughter close, looked at Matt and me and
raised an eyebrow.

    "I'm afraid Matt and I are to blame," I said. "As you know, we got
Sheldon here for the after the prom party and that was a mistake."

    Paula looked up and said, "No, it was not a mistake. Had you not done
so, I might have gone on thinking there was a Sheldon I loved. Mom, he is a
complete jerk asshole." Matt and I looked at each other; we had never heard
Paula use such language. "He is no more the man I knew before he moved than
is the man in the moon. I told Matt and Luke it was as if the Sheldon I
knew was dead--he is dead--and I'll have to get over his death. I don't
know, and don't want to know, the Sheldon who was here this weekend."

    We talked with Paula and Ms. Wright about what had happened to Sheldon
for a few minutes and then she asked about the prom. Even Paula's face lit
up when she started talking about the prom. "Mom, Luke and I were the prom
king and queen!" We talked about supper at Millie's and what we faced in a
few weeks with Oberlin and about the night at the falls. I was afraid Paula
would be upset again, but she wasn't.

    When she mentioned our swimming, Ms. Wright said, "where did you get
something to wear in the middle of the night?"

    "We were born wearing it," Paula laughed, a real Paula, charming laugh.

    "Paula!"

    "And I'll do it again if I have the chance. It was wonderful." Her mom
was obviously pleased that the whole weekend had not been ruined for Paula.

    "Luke, I've got to go. I have to be at the sheriff's office shortly,"
Matt said. "See you Monday--ugh, tomorrow," he said to Paula. Ms. Wright
had a strange look on her face and Matt said, "We're clear. Paula can tell
you all about it."

Even though I wasn't involved in the Saturday night mess, I was with Matt
so I went to the sheriff's office with him.


                                                A Special Place--Part
Twenty-eight--Matt

    When we arrived at the sheriff's office, we were met by four deputies
who took Linda and Bill, Larry and Eugene to separate rooms. Luke and I sat
waiting for a few minutes when the sheriff came in. "Sorry I'm late, we've
got something else going on," he said. "Were both of you involved in
Saturday night's adventure? I thought there were only five."


    "You're right, Sir. I'm Matt Greywolf. My friend is Luke Larsen," I
motioned to Luke.

    "Nice to met you, Son," the sheriff said, extending a huge hand to
Luke. "You must be Jens and Gabrielle Larsen's son."

    "Yes, Sir," Luke answered, shaking hands with the big man.

    "And there can be little doubt you're Greywolf's and Yong Jin's son,"
he smiled, again extending a hand.

    "Yes, sir," I answered. "I think I'd have a hard time denying that," I
laughed as I shook his hand. "I'm Matt, Matthew Greywolf."

    "One of the bad things about my job is that I seldom get to meet decent
kids. If I'm not careful, I begin to think all are like that bunch locked
up upstairs. Again, I'm sorry I'm late, but we have had a crew of lawyers
here all day trying to get those six out of jail and then something else
broke. Not free to talk about it, but it would be worth your while to see
the eleven o'clock news. Well, Matthew..."

    "Matt, if you would, Sir."

    "Ok, Matt, if you'll come into my office. The four rooms we usually use
for getting information are in use." When we got inside, the sheriff asked
if I wanted a lawyer and if I objected to having the conversation
recorded. I told him no to both questions and he asked me to identify
myself with my full name and then to tell him what happened. From time to
time he stopped me and asked a question, so it was half an hour before he
was satisfied. "Thanks for coming in," he said. "I am extremely pleased
no-one was hurt. Few people realize that when a bottle is thrown out of a
car, it is traveling at the speed of the car plus any extra speed the
thrower gives it. It could have done major damage as is evidenced by the
windshield of Mr. Willingham's car. You're lucky--since this happened--that
it hit the edge of the window first. By the way, do you mean to tell me
Millie Willingham gave that new son of hers that car?"

    "I'm not sure, Sir. She says the Easter bunny brought it."

    "Damn! I sure would hate to run into that rabbit in the dark. Must be
one helluva rabbit," he laughed.

    "'Bout Millie's size," I grinned, and the sheriff let loose a huge
belly laugh.

    "Then I know I wouldn't want to meet him in the dark if he's like
Millie! Sure wish there were some way I could spend more time with good
kids. I'm sure missing a lot. Thanks again for coming in and I don't think
you will have to worry about those six for a while." He rose, extended his
hand and, after we shook hands, he led me out of his office.

    The others had finished as well and were standing waiting for me when
two officers came in with Rev. Jonathan McBride of the Temple of
Praise. The Reverend was in handcuffs and shouting, "I demand a lawyer."

    "Take him in the back, fingerprint him and put him in a cell after he
has called his lawyer," the sheriff said. "Remember, Matt, watch the eleven
o'clock news. Bye, kids, and thanks again," the sheriff said, holding the
door for us.

    As we passed David's, I noticed his van was not outside or in the
garage. When we got to our place, the whole family was there. "What's going
on? Luke asked as we walked in the door.

    "I'm not sure," David answered. "A former member of the Temple of
Praise who left before I did, called and said I should watch the eleven
o'clock news. Also, we all wanted to hear a report from your visit to the
sheriff's office, so we just sorta met half way--at the Greywolf's. How did
it go?"

    "Fine, I guess, all we did was give statements. By the way, the sheriff
also said to be sure to watch the eleven o'clock news and while we were
leaving, the Rev. Jonathan McBride was brought in--in handcuffs, screaming
for a lawyer." Mom, Margaret and Gabrielle brought sandwiches and drinks
into the den and we all settled down to eat and wait for the news.

    "I told David and Michael I was glad to arrive when there was some
activity going on," Uncle Michael laughed, "but I had no idea just how much
was going on. Who is this Jonathan McBride?" David explained who he was and
that he had stayed in the Temple of Praise until he couldn't stand the
blasts against gays any longer. By the time Uncle Michael had been filled
in on the situation, it was time for the eleven o'clock news.

    The anchor opened by saying, "Good evening. We have late-breaking news
from Concord. As we reported last Friday, six Independence High School
students and the head football coach were arrested on charges related to a
break-in at the school and vandalism. The six students, who were out on
bond, were re-arrested Saturday night on charges related to an attempt to
drive two cars, driven by Independence students, off the road and to
attacking the five students in the cars by throwing beer bottles at
them. Three of the six had been given a suspended sentence by the juvenile
court earlier in regard to the rape and abuse of Gregory Burnette. Gregory
has since committed suicide and WLEX broadcast a penitential service for
Independence High School students combined with a memorial service for
him. Michael Andrews, who initiated service, was running for student body
president when the break-in occurred and his campaign posters defaced with
derogatory words. Matthew Greywolf, organist for that service was injured
slightly on Saturday night by one of the thrown beer bottles."

    "This afternoon, a judge revoked the bond of the six students and
started the process to revoke the suspension of the three's sentences. All
are now eighteen and subject to regular courts. Standing by at the Concord
sheriff's office is LaTasha Jackson, WLEX reporter, with the latest
developments in this case... LaTasha."

    "Stu, this case becomes more bizarre by the moment. After the judge had
revoked the bonds of the six students, parents and lawyers filled the
sheriff's department demanding their release. When Judge Harriett Snow
announced she would be attempting to revoke the suspension of the earlier
sentences of three of the students, she was asked what that would
mean. Here's her response."

    "It's very simple, if the suspension is revoked, the three will serve
their sentence. Originally it would have been served in a juvenile
facility, but they are now eighteen and will serve it with the big boys, as
they will any other sentence which might come as a result of these latest
charges."

    "Stu, shortly after Judge Snow made her statement, it is this
reporter's understanding that the three who had been involved in the rape
of Gregory asked to see the sheriff and a lawyer. At this time what
connection that might have with the events of Saturday night is not
known. Shortly after eight this evening, sheriff's deputies arrived here
with the Rev. Jonathan McBride, pastor of Concord's Temple of Praise, in
handcuffs. Other deputies were carting boxes of what appeared to be video
tapes, two computers, several video cameras and stacks of computer backup
tapes. The sheriff has promised a news conference in a few minutes which we
will carry live. Meanwhile, after the arrest of Rev. McBride, I was able to
interview the senior elder of the Temple of Praise, Elder Eugene Joyce, who
had been waiting outside the sheriff's office. Here is my interview with
him."

    "Elder Joyce, WLEX has learned that the Rev. Jonathan McBride was
arrested this evening. Can you tell us anything about that?"

    "I most certainly can. Rev. McBride was charged with possession and
distribution of homosexual child pornography. Nothing could be more absurd!
Rev. McBride has preached and worked against the spreading disease of
homosexuality among the young men in this town. He has encouraged parents
to be on guard against their young males being seduced into choosing that
devil-serving perversion. I am sure, when this is all cleared up,
Rev. McBride will be shown to be a shining Christian knight fighting this
creeping evil and that his arrest is the result of a conspiracy by
homosexual perverts and faggots."

    "Stu, the sheriff has just stepped outside and is standing there for a
news conference. Here's the sheriff."

    "Ladies and Gentlemen, I have a statement which I will read. Afterwards
there will be no questions. And I would remind you that, while arrests have
been made, all persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty. Here's my
statement."

    "Saturday night, six teenagers were arrested on a number of charges
growing out of an attack on two cars carrying Independence High School
students from the school's prom. The six, who had been suspended from
school as a result of a break-in and vandalizing at the school earlier
were, of course, not allowed at the prom and, in fact, were only out of
jail because they had posted bond. This afternoon, when Judge Harriet Snow
announced she was seeking to revoke the suspended sentences three of the
six had received earlier in juvenile court the for rape and abuse of
Gregory Burnette, the three asked to see a lawyer and me. While I cannot
and will not go into the details of our conversation, the three implicated
the Rev. Jonathan McBride of the Temple of Praise in pedophilia and child
pornography. Accordingly, Judge Snow granted a search warrant and deputies
searched the reverend's house and removed from it several hundred video
tapes, video cameras, computers and many computer backup tapes. At this
point all I have to say concerning this is that the reverend is in jail
under $150,000 bond and the FBI has been called in." Reporters started
shouting questions and poking their microphones in the sheriff's face, but
it was soon clear his only addition statements would be "I won't comment on
that."

    "Holy shit!," Michael exclaimed. "Sorry ladies--but Dad we listened to
that son of a bitch--sorry ladies--for years while he ranted and raved
against homo-sex-uals going to hell, seducing young boys, corrupting the
youth of the land and all the time he was running a porno business, kiddie
porn business for God's sake. Hanging's too good for him. And just what do
you think those three in jail had to do with it? What about them?"

    "I worry about that", Margaret said. "It certainly seems they were
involved in some way and they could be in trouble in more than one way."

    "Yes. If they became involved when they were younger... well, I must
confess that if they have been involved for some time, I feel sorry for
them," Greywolf said, very quietly.

    There was a stunned silence in the room then David said, "I'm sorry,
Greywolf, it never occurred to me you would see another side to this. Not
very sensitive of us."

    "Didn't expect you to make a connection. Didn't myself at first, then I
had another flashback."

    "Flashback? What are you talking about, Greywolf, I don't understand,"
Gabrielle looked puzzled as did Jens.

    "When Matt told us he was in love with Luke, I reacted very badly, not
because I felt there was anything wrong with their love..." Matt had walked
over to his dad, sat on the arm of his chair and placed his arm around
Greywolf's shoulders. I did the same. "I had a flashback to my youth,
something which hadn't occurred in a long time. Everyone here knows the
story except you and Jens since you had been sent off to the lake," Dad
smiled weakly, then told Jens and Gabrielle what had happened to him as a
youth.

    "That sure puts a new perspective on this situation, Greywolf." Dad
said.

    Needless to say, school Monday was abuzz, not with the prom, but with
the events of Saturday and Sunday. Well, that wasn't quite true; Luke got a
lot of attention from the girls. Paula was not lacking in attention
either. Guys who I dare say never knew she existed, were trying to get her
attention. Obviously she was not on the top of the world, but definitely
not crushed for having lost Sheldon with his new personality. Of course,
she was grieving for the old Sheldon who, she said, was dead. Because of
Paula and Luke, our table at lunch was a focus for students, but there was
also speculating about what was going on in Concord. Aside from all the
gossip and speculation, school settled down to a routine.

    Monday through Wednesday, Luke took the Jeep and went to his studio. I
stayed, to work with the brass and percussion ensemble. About the only real
change to be noticed was that Bill and Linda were definitely becoming a
couple. Linda had dropped the dumb bond cheerleader act, but that didn't
mean she had stopped talking. She, obviously, was right: some things were
just natural for her and talking was definitely one of them.

    Not only was Luke leaving school to work in his studio, but also he was
working late every night--often, I'm sure, well into the morning. About the
only time I saw him was the morning run and our trip to school. After all
the excitement, and some pretty exciting times together, our lovemaking was
a few kisses in the morning. Not that there was anything wrong with those
kisses, it was just that they were too few, and there was nothing else to
go along with them.

    While school may have settled in a routine, things had not settled down
in Concord. Everyday lunch involved a discussion of the news from the night
before. Monday night covered a protest by members of the Temple of Praise
led by Mr. Joyce. They, of course, maintained that the Rev. Jonathan
McBride was innocent and the victim of a plot by faggots, homosexuals and
their supporters. Mr. Joyce was extremely vocal in condemning the police,
the school board, administrators of Independence High School and
devil-worshiping so-called Christians. There were two or three hundred
protesters demanding the release of Rev. McBride and the resignation of the
sheriff. The protesters were carrying signs, singing hymns, kneeling in the
streets praying and trying to prevent anyone going into the sheriff's
office. Finally, the sheriff had to call in help from Lexington to control
the mob.

    Needless to say, Eugene was livid. "How can that man carry on like
that," he asked. "He has to have seen the boxes of tapes, the cameras and
all the other stuff."

    "You know as well as I do," Larry replied, "he sees and hears only what
he wants to see and hear. Look what he did to you," Larry continued, "not
because you were gay, he didn't know that, but because... well, because."

    Tuesday's lunch discussion revolved around the report that Jake and the
other two who had raped Gregory had been sent to the psychiatric wing of
the hospital in Lexington for observation and protection. In a news
conference, the sheriff said Jake, Danny and Buddy has tried to hang
themselves in their cell and, had Orie and the others not called out, they
would been successful.

    "I guess that's what Greywolf and Margaret were talking about," Luke
said.

    "What?" Linda asked.

    I then told the Fellowship of the Rings about my dad being sexually
abused as a child and how difficult it had been for him to overcome it. "I
guess most people never really recover fully. In fact, Dad had a flashback
when I told him about my love for Luke and I thought he was going
to... well, I don't know what I thought he was going to do, but I was
scared."

    "It's terrible, being sexually abused. And it's also terrible being the
abuser." Larry said as huge tears started running down his face.

    I could see Eugene extend his hand under the table and take
Larry's. "It's over, Larry," he said softly, quietly, tenderly.

    Bill and Linda were looking very, very confused. "I sometimes wonder if
it will ever be over. I was trying to cover up something as I'm sure those
three guys were. I know what it's like to think suicide is a grand
solution," Larry said in a whisper.

    Bill said, "Look, this may not be any of my business and if so, say so,
but I don't know what's going on." Linda nodded agreement.

    "I'm sorry," Eugene said, "but I guess it's not something to talk
about. Sorry."

    "Yes it is," said Larry. "Linda and Bill are a part of us and they need
to know the whole rotten, shitty story," and very quietly told Linda and
Bill what was wrong. "Eugene and I have been getting professional help and
the Gang of Four, especially Michael and his dad, have been a tremendous
help but, at times, I still just can't handle it."

    Man, I didn't know how Linda or Bill would handle this latest
revelation. They sure as hell had been bombarded with one thing after
another in the past week. Well, I guess I should have known what Linda
would do now that I know who she really is. She reached over and pulled
Larry's head to her shoulder and said, "Larry, I know you hurt; you hurt
because you love. You just have to let the love you give and the love you
receive wash off the shit."

    Bill reached across the table and took Larry's hand and said, "Larry,
I'm here for you. I'll do anything I can to help you overcome this. I know
it can't compare to how you feel because you really hurt someone you love
but, man, I must confess I have really been feeling like dog shit since I
realized that even though the girls asked for it, I was an asshole when I
just fucked 'wham, bam, thank you ma'am'. When I see one of them in the
hall and they give me that smile, I want to say, 'Lady, don't you have any
love for yourself? Larry, in spite of what you did, you are still loved and
I know--I know--lovemaking for you and Eugene means more than sex. But I
want to ask you the same question: don't you have any love for yourself?
How can you really love Eugene if you don't love the man he loves enough to
die for? You need to think about that."

    I thought to myself, "YES!" The Fellowship of the Rings would be in
good hands next year!

    Not at all surprisingly, Wednesday night's news carried more of the
saga. Orie, Marshall and Mickey had been indicted on a whole string of
charges--both minor and major. Orie really got it socked to him because he
was driving. His lawyer was screaming and carrying on in a video clip
because Orie had been charged with assault with a deadly weapon, an
automobile, with the intent to kill. Judge Snow was ready to throw the man
out of court, and after she looked at some papers she said, "That's four
counts for each time he threatened those in the other cars. I'll make that
eight if you like since there were two cars he attacked--according to these
statements." Orie had additional charges of driving under the influence,
possession of open container in a moving vehicle--the list went on. The
other five were charged with assault with a deadly weapon--beer
bottles. Apparently all five had left nice, clear fingerprints on the
bottles. Another video clip showed Mr. McBrayer, lawyer for all three of
Orie's gang, asking that the three be released on bond so they could attend
school. Judge Snow looked like a patient mom who had just had her last
nerve stepped on. "Mr. McBrayer, I am a firm believer in education. I
certainly am." McBrayer's face lit up. "In fact I spent many years in high
school, college and law school. Now in spite of that, I may look like a
fool, but I have degrees, if you wish to see them, which suggest
otherwise. The last time these three were released on bond, they allegedly
committed enough crimes to spend the rest of their natural born lives
watching the sun rise over razor wire. I may be a fool, but I'm not a damn
fool. Bond denied. However, I have just about wrapped up this term of court
and I have time for their trial next week beginning... " She stopped,
looked at a book on her desk, and said, "Beginning Tuesday morning at
nine."

    "Your honor, that hardly gives me time to prepare the defense."

    "Suit yourself. I could use a few days off and I was only making an
offer. If you can't be prepared by Tuesday, you will have plenty of time to
prepare because the next session of this court will be in September."

    "I think I can be prepared Tuesday, your honor."

    "For your clients' sake, I hope so. Next case."

    Next day at lunch we were talking about the nightly news and Linda
said, "Man, that Judge Snow... I like that's woman's style!" and Mary
Kathryn gave her a high five.

    "Michael, don't you think we might give association with these two
women some more thought," Bill laughed.

    "Don't think I haven't," Michael grinned, looked around checking for
teachers, and kissed Mary Kathryn on the cheek. Bill started to do likewise
to Linda, just as Miss Glaze walked into the cafeteria, saw him, and her
"dental drill in the ear" voice shouted, "Young man!". Rather than a kiss
on the cheek, Bill laid one on Linda's lips, grinned and said, "I'm a
basketball hero. Everyone knows Glazie has the hots for anyone who can
handle more than two balls." Sure enough, she just turned and pretended she
had not seen him.

    Thursday, after the morning run, Luke and I showered together and he
had breakfast with my family. When we came down, Greywolf looked at Luke
and said, "Son, you look like death warmed over. You have black circles
around your eyes which would meet in the middle except your nose is in the
way. What's wrong?" I had commented on how Luke looked earlier and he
dismissed it, but he wasn't going to dismiss Dad and, if he did, he'd still
have to deal with Mom.

    "Nothing's wrong. I'm fine."

    "And I'm the Queen of England," Dad said. "What's going on?"

    "Everything's just fine. Well, actually, everything is great. Things
are going so well that I forget to go to bed. I know I look like... I look
pretty bad. I noticed that when I was shaving, but I just can't seem to
find a stopping place. I am almost finished with my exhibition and a major
piece involves techniques I have never tried before and I have finally got
the knack and I just can't stop."

    Luke had pushed Yong Jin's mama button hard! "Luke, you have recovered
from what some of us thought was... well, we didn't think you would make
it. I'm sure, since you are young, you think you are invincible. You're
not. You are allowing yourself to get so run down, you could easily end up
sick--very sick. Just exactly how much do you have to do?"

    "I know I can finish tonight and tomorrow night."

    "Well, that's not going to happen. You are obligated, I believe, to an
hour of playtime this afternoon?" Yong Jin was not above hitting below the
belt.

    "I was hoping I might skip that today," Luke said, looking at me for
support.

    "No way, Jose. You owe that to Mr. Mitchell and I have been starving
for your bod, Luke, my man," I replied.

    "The old guilt trip," Luke said.

    "Whatever it takes," Mom and I said together.

    Luke actually looked relieved. "Well, I'll take that and take tonight
off, but Uncle Michael and I were planning on starting the photographs for
the AP portfolio and the catalog Saturday and there's no way I'll be
ready. Maybe I can...."

    "Luke, could I be of help?" Greywolf asked.

    "Well, since I am not including photography in my portfolio, I guess
you could help Uncle Michael, and I could work Saturday morning, but isn't
this a physics makeup Saturday?"

    "Would be if it was needed, but it's not. Uncle Michael and I will
handle the photography."

    "Well, I'll have to set us a screen of some sort because I'm working on
one of my secret projects. But I can do that. So today will be free. Luke
looked at me and gave me his evil grin with full dimples.

    Thursday afternoon, when Luke and I came out of school for Mr. Mitchell
class, it was raining. "Well I guess that rules out the falls," Luke said.

    "Sure looks like it, I guess we just have to spend the time in my
room," I said as I looked at Luke and smiled.

    When we reached the house we both went upstairs to my room. "I have to
use the bathroom, Luke," I said and went across the hall when Luke went to
my room. When I finished and walked back across the hall to my room, Luke
had undressed and was lying, spreadeagle on his back, sound asleep. I
wanted to lie down beside him, but knew if I went to sleep I would not make
it to rehearsal at St. Mary's which Paula, Eugene and I decided we
needed. I moved my desk chair over to the bed and sat watching Luke
sleep. He looked so peaceful, relaxed and beautiful. I thought to myself,
"I am enjoying being alive and so is Luke. The difference is he doesn't
know it. God knows, he sure looks like he needs the rest. When the time
came for me to go to St. Mary's, I bent over Luke and kissed him on the
forehead ever so lightly so as not to wake him.

    I knew it would take the buses a while to get to St. Mary's, so I sat
watching Luke for several minutes after the end of school. When I went
downstairs, Mom was coming in the door. "Mom, when we got home I went to
the bathroom and when I got back to my room Luke was already sound
asleep. He is still asleep; should I just leave him sleeping?"

    "Of course. He said he would take the night off. I'll call Gabrielle
and tell her he's here. If he wakes up for supper, fine; if not, we will
just let him sleep. That's what he needs."

    I got to St. Mary's just as Paula and Eugene were warming up their
groups. "Sorry I'm late," I said.

    "We just started warming up," Eugene said, "and need a few more
minutes." Paula's group was doing vocal exercises and Eugene's were
practicing scales. Over all the noise, Paula shouted, "Matt, if you want to
do some exercises, go ahead." I went to the organ, changed my shoes and
started playing a Bach piece. Pandemonium reigned! After a couple more
minutes, Paula shouted, "Enough already!!!" In a minute silence
descended. "Ok, Matt, what do we need to do?"

    "Paula, Eugene, I see no reason for everyone to be here for the parts
which are all organ. Also, I think we need to look at the parts which are
all organ and ensemble or organ and chorus and divide practice
accordingly. AP exams are coming up shortly, and I know we all have a lot
of work at the end of school. If we divide practice, there are times when I
can practice alone, other times, chorus and organ, sometimes organ and
ensemble. That way we can get maximum practice, with minimal time for
everyone except me. And after all, this is a class for me, so I should
spend more time here. How about if we have chorus and organ on Monday,
ensemble and organ on Tuesday and everyone on Wednesday?"

    "Sounds good to me," said Eugene.

    "Excellent idea, I think," Paula agreed.

    "How does that sound to all of you?" I asked the groups. Heads were
nodding everywhere. "I guess it's agreed then," I said. "I'll see Paula and
chorus Monday, Eugene in the ensemble on Tuesday, everybody on Wednesday
and no more Thursdays unless we really need them." I think that was a wise
decision, because everyone worked harder than they had before. It put no
less work on me, but I was off a period a day, every day, to work on the
organ. The chorus and ensemble were doing this out of their love of music.

    We all worked very hard--very, very hard. Greywolf and Mr. Allen came
in to remind us that the time for practice was over--fifteen minutes ago. I
was very, very tired and wondered if Luke was still asleep as I drove
home. When I walked in, Yong Jin said, "I haven't heard a peep out of
Luke. I'm sure he's still sound asleep. I talked to Gabrielle and she said
Luke needed sleep more than food and if he was asleep at supper, let him
sleep. You might want to go up and check, but I suspect you'll find him
asleep." I walked up the stairs very quietly, looked into my room and saw
Luke, now on his stomach, still spreadeagle, sleeping soundly. My handsome,
beautiful man had utterly exhausted himself with his art. I really wondered
what his secret project was which was taking so much time and energy. I
guess I would just have to wait for the unveiling. Luke not only had agreed
with Millie, but also was delighted with the idea that his exhibition would
be shown twice: at the Saturday night for parents and friends and at the
open exhibition on Sunday. I stood at the door and watched him for several
minutes, then turned and went downstairs quietly. After supper, I went to
my room, sat at my desk and did the little bit of homework I had, looked
over the notes Paula, Eugene and I had made today and found I was very
tired and very sleepy. It wasn't really late but I undressed as quietly as
possible and lay down beside Luke. I was afraid I would wake him, but I
didn't. Without waking, he put his arm around me and smiled in his
sleep. Drinking in his beauty, feeling his love, I went to sleep, happy.

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Write Sequoyah: pendor@mailcity.com.