Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2001 18:05:39 -0500
From: Sequoyah <sequoyahs-place@home.com>
Subject: ASP-42

		      A Special Place--Part Forty-two

				 Warning!

     The usual warning applies: This story contains sexually-explicit,
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				Disclaimer
  This is a work of fiction, any coincidence is just that, a coincidence.

			 Copyright Notice Reminder

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				 Postings

A Special Place is also being posted at http://go.to/gaywritersguild. Check
it out.  A website from which the real music from the concert--and
"More"--can be downloaded is located at
http://aspecialplace.50megs.com/. If you have problems, download Winamp.

			      About the Story

Welcome all new readers! Brave souls who start a story which is already 40
chapters long and still going! Surprising the number of gay fathers whohave
recommended it to gay sons and gay sons who recommended it to their mothers
and fathers. Also pleased at straight clergy who are reading the story
having had it recommended by gay friends. It's apparently doing what it is
suppose do--be a good read and worthwhile educating.

For SAH and GT, living sons of Oz and in memory of Hank who would have been
fifty this week had he not taken his life, unable to accept his worth as a
gay young man.

Your letters are much appreciated. Write Sequoyah at the new e-mail address
sequoyahs-place@home.com.

Sequoyah

		   A Special Place--Part Forty-two--Luke

When we arrived at the school, Ms. Jones met us with a huge smile on her
face. "I thought you'd get here a bit early," she said. "Matt, thanks for
loaning the organ, even if you didn't know it was yours." As we left the
house, Greywolf had handed me a small toolbox and, while Matt went wild on
the organ, I affixed the brass plate to the side of the instrument.

Five minutes after Matt started playing, I saw Paula, Eugene, and the
entire chorus and ensemble start sneaking out from backstage. Obviously
they had been tipped off by Fr. Tom. Matt was still unaware of their
presence when he started playing the Gounod "Sanctus". He hadn't finished
more than a bar or two when the ensemble and chorus joined in, scaring Matt
out of his wits. When he turned around, all started applauding and
cheering. Their cheers soon changed to Lakota war whoops.

The whole group got into the music for graduation full swing and was having
a great time until Ms. Jones said, "Ok, enough. It's time to get dressed
for the big show." We left the auditorium and went to the room set aside
for the chorus and ensemble, where the seniors got into their graduation
gowns. Michael and all the Fellowship were there, waiting for us. When we
were dressed and ready, Ms. Jones held up her hand for silence and said, "I
want you to know I am very proud and honored to be your principal. The
people in this room have made Independence High School what it was intended
to be. I am eternally grateful to all of you. Now--let's get this show on
the road!"

Graduation and commencement--an ending and a beginning had started.

Matt and the ensemble took their places and started playing--and they
didn't play "Pomp and Circumstance". I noticed that the daughter of Mother
Loud-mouth was in line. I guess Mommy had decided graduation without "Pomp
and Circumstance" was better than no graduation at all. The faculty marched
in behind Ms. Jones and Mr. Allan, all dressed in academic regalia--gowns
and colorful hoods. Immediately behind them were Derrick in his cap and
gown and Michael dressed in the unofficial school uniform. The two young
men, of course, marched directly to the stage with the administrators and
faculty as did I. As soon as everyone was in place, the senior members of
the ensemble joined their classmates while the underclassmen went to their
reserved section. Eugene and Paula, of course, sat with the honors students
as both, along with Larry, were wearing honors insignia. Matt came on stage
and sat beside me. I wanted to reach out and grasp his hand, but refrained.

After Ms. Jones welcomed the audience to the 1995 graduation exercises of
Independence High School, Derrick went to the podium and said, "Ms. Jones,
Mr. Allan, faculty, students, parents and friends, today a long-standing
tradition of Independence High School is being broken. Traditionally, the
president of the student body has introduced the valedictorian and
salutatorian. But a young man, a sophomore, broke another long-standing
tradition at Independence this spring. Rising seniors, as if by divine
right, have always run for student body president for the coming year. This
year, a sophomore ran for the office and not only won, but won by a
landslide. He won because he had shown what a leader is, and that was
recognized by his fellow students. The student body president-elect has,
through his leadership, done more for Independence High School and the
community than, I suspect, all the past student body presidents--myself
included--have done. It is my expressed wish that he, not I, make the
introductions this year. Michael Andrews."

As Michael stood up to walk to the mike, the entire senior class stood en
masse and started applauding, and soon the entire audience joined
them. Michael nodded in acknowledgement of their applause, but it didn't
stop. A few seconds later, he held up his hand for silence but the applause
went on. The faculty had remained seated until Ms. Jones stood and started
applauding. She was immediately joined by the entire faculty. Michael
turned and looked around at them and started turning red. The applause
continued and Michael said what Michael always says: "Holy
shit!". Fortunately, he was still facing away from the mike and the
applause drowned out everything, but Luke, Greywolf and I knew what he said
and all three cracked up. Finally, Michael leaned into the mike and said,
"Enough already! I have a picnic to attend when this is over and I'd like
to make it before dark!" The audience laughed heartily, but gradually
stopped applauding and sat down.

"Ms. Jones, Mr. Allan..." Michael did the proper introduction and then
said, "I am deeply honored at Derrick's gesture. While some wonderful
things have happened at Independence this year and I may, in some way, have
provided some of the leadership which helped bring them about, I take
credit for them in no way. Others also have been leaders who stood for
right and brought about changes. But without those who chose to follow good
leadership, nothing would have happened. Leaders are leaders--for good or
bad--because they have followers. Any good that may have been accomplished
came about because good and decent people made wise choices in the leaders
they followed."

"I take special delight and am doubly honored to introduce the 1995
Independence High School valedictorians. There is no salutatorian. I am
told that Ms. Jones and Ms. Norman used every conceivable means of
calculating grades to be able to choose between the two men who will
address you today, but each time came up with the same result, a tie."
Michael turned toward Ms. Jones, smiled, and said, "I could have told you
that. There is no way to choose between my brothers. Well, actually, you
could have chosen the older over the younger. While they have the same
birthday, one is fifteen minutes older than the other--and reminds us of
that when it is to his advantage!"

"The criterion for choosing valedictorians is simply grade point
average. Given the fact that grades are now calculated to the second
decimal point--utter foolishness since the original grade is a whole number
and we all know or will know about significant numbers before we get out of
the ninth grade--it is amazing that two students would end up in a tie. It
is more amazing that the grade point average of these two men is 4.00, a
perfect one." Michael again turned, this time to look at Matt and me, and
said, "If they only knew how far from perfect you two are, but I won't
tell!" The audience loved it.

"As you will be told again later, their hard work and discipline as
students is not going unrewarded. Both--along with Larry Watley, Eugene
Willingham and Paula Wright--have received full scholarships to Oberlin
College, not a mean feat. But in addition to the usual full scholarship,
the five had also received a scholarship to pay for their books and fees."
There was thunderous applause at Michael's announcement.

"Grades make them valedictorians, but grades do not make a man or woman. It
is other qualities which make them worthy of honor and respect as men and
women. Personally, they have shown me qualities of love and concern, care
and responsibility my entire life. They were patient when I wanted to learn
to ride a bicycle, learn to swim, drive a car and in a thousand other
things. They have demonstrated their love, sometimes tough love, throughout
my life. When I was wrong, they let me know it. When I was right, they
supported me without question. And that is far more important than grades."

"The same has been true of their relationship to Independence High
School. Their contributions to life here are well known. I need only
mention the state and national recognition they brought to
Independence--recognition given to no other school in this state, past or
present. The concert and exhibition held a few weeks ago, for which these
two men were responsible, received state and national radio and TV
coverage. In connection to that, I am sure Paula Wright and the chorus,
together with Eugene Willingham and the ensemble, would demand I mention
the fact that their groups were invited to be a part of what was to be a
recital by one of the valedictorians--a one man show. When he learned the
chorus and ensemble would not be having a spring concert, rather than keep
his recital as an ego trip, he asked that they become a part of it, making
it a concert the likes of which Concord had never witnessed. Surely these
two deserve to be honored by Independence for putting this school and this
town on the map."

"For these, and reasons too numerous to count, I am deeply honored and
humbled, overjoyed and delighted, to present to you my brothers and the
1995 co-valedictorians of Independence High School, Matthew Sarang Hanun
Pomul Greywolf and Luke Hans Yonghon Tongmu Larsen."

I took a minute to recover from Michael's introduction, especially with his
adding Yonghon Tongmu to my name. Matt looked at me and smiled, reached out
for my hand and the two of us walked to the podium.

Matt turned to Michael who was now seated behind us and said, "Thank you,
Lil' Bro. Glad you could find something nice to say about us." We all three
had huge smiles on our faces.

Matt started our speech.

MATT: "Ms. Jones, Mr. Allan, faculty, parents--especially our parents David
and Margaret Andrews, Yong Jin and Patanka St. Michael Greywolf, Gabrielle
and Jens Larsen--and friends.

The human soul, it has been said, is divided between good and evil, right
and wrong, prejudice and love, bigotry and acceptance, between, if you
will, darkness and light. Darkness and light--these are in constant battle
to determine whether life and the human spirit will prevail over death and
nothingness. This year--especially this spring semester--has seen the
battle between darkness and light raging in our school and our community.

LUKE: While the war between darkness and light will never be over so long
as there are human beings on earth, darkness fought well in Concord and
Independence High School this year. And light is winning.

MATT: Looking back, it began when the bigotry and prejudice of students in
this school and this town drove a young man to utter despair because he was
different. Daily taunting, name-calling, shunning was his life at
Independence. But his despair was not enough to satisfy darkness. Bigotry
and prejudice led three other young men, classmates of his, to beat and
rape him. Raped and beaten because he was different, he was rejected by his
parents because he was gay. Beaten by his father to a point near death,
thrown out of his home, he was, literally, left in the street to
die. Darkness had won a victory at Independence, a victory which found
tacit approval by the Concord community when those guilty of the act were
given no more than a slap on the wrist for their deed--they received
probation. Yes, darkness claimed a major victory.

[As Matt said those words, I looked at the seated seniors and saw the three
weeping openly and wondered if we had made the right decision.]

LUKE: But light was not defeated. A kind uncle rescued Gregory, took him to
another state where he could enter a new school and have a new and better
life.

MATT: But darkness was not finished. It was not satisfied with the its
victory. It demanded more and it won more. In one way or another, students
at his new school learned Gregory was gay and the abuse and harassment
started afresh. Again, he was hounded because he was different until
finally, in utter despair, he saw no way out except the final--and dreadful
way--he took his own life. Gregory was a sacrifice to the hatred and
bigotry so loved by darkness. Yet even that was not enough to satisfy
darkness. An administrator at this very school, in announcing to the
student body Gregory's final desperate act, proclaimed Gregory should have
expected what he got because of his choice of lifestyle. How could anyone
believe Gregory chose to be hounded, literally, to his death? And how did
his lifestyle warrant his death? The proclamation by the administrator
implied, if not gave, his approval to the acts which drove Gregory to his
death. Darkness celebrated and laughed at the foolishness of his servants.

LUKE: But darkness did not win. Yes, Gregory was dead, a sacrifice to
hatred and prejudice, a sacrifice which cost the world we know not what and
can never know, for Gregory is dead, but darkness did not win. The
administrator who had said Gregory should have expected what he received
was immediately challenged by Patanka St. Michael Greywolf. Greywolf's
challenge galvanized Michael Andrews, a sophomore, into action and he began
an immediate student protest, a protest which led to the dismissal of the
administrator. Further, Michael called upon the students of Independence to
acknowledge their complicity in Gregory's fate. He called for a service of
public repentance by the students of Independence, a service which was
attended by most of the students of this high school. Those who gathered
were students, such as myself, who had essentially stood by in silence when
Gregory was hounded by abusive words and taunts in the halls and classrooms
of this school--classrooms in which we were supposed to be learning what it
means to be concerned human beings in a world of diversity. Darkness was
not laughing. Light was shining for us all.

Further, since Gregory's body had been cremated without ceremony, Michael
called for a memorial service for him. The cost had been high--as it always
is. In this case it cost the life of a young man of unknown potential, but
light triumphed.

MATT: But darkness and evil had not finished. The battle between darkness
and light is not like a ball game--win or lose, it comes to an end--no, the
battle continued. The same three young men who had attacked Gregory once
again attacked some Independence students. Now legally adults, their
probation was revoked and their attack was so outrageous they were charged
with many serious offenses including attempted murder. Seeing nothing but
emptiness in their future, the three tried to take their lives. Darkness
had won a major victory and he laughed.

LUKE: But not for long. Fortunately, the three young men were not
successful in their suicide attempt. Alive, they revealed a well-known
pattern. They abused because they had been abused. Perhaps out of fear at
first, they revealed that they had been tools of a man who claimed to
represent all that was right and good and holy. They had been victimized by
one who claimed to serve light, but was a true servant of darkness. The
young men who had beaten and raped Gregory had been raped and abused by a
man who condemned those of us who are different. Their tormentor was a man
who operated a child pornography business netting him hundreds of thousands
of dollars. They were not only the victims of his sexual abuse, but also
caught in his web and forced to make pornographic videos distributed world
wide. Darkness had a powerful servant, but the young men chose to serve
light. And because some people care and serve light through providing
mental hospitals, the three were sent to the state mental hospital for
treatment, and then to a halfway house where their treatment
continues. Maybe we complain about taxes, but your tax dollars worked
serving light, seeking to repair the damage done to the three young
men. Because of their treatment, they are here today. They have a hard road
ahead--no-one said living in the light was easy--and darkness has already
exacted a tremendous price from them. It took their childhood, but light is
winning their future for them.

MATT: But the three were not the only ones who suffered from the darkness
of that man. Eugene Joyce, simply because he took part in the service of
repentance and memorial for Gregory, was beaten and left to die by his
father--a father whose mind had been poisoned by the very man who had raped
the three and who had also raped Eugene. Don't you know darkness was joyous
at the possibility of destroying one as talented as Eugene? Darkness was
pleased.

LUKE: But darkness was not to have the four. All chose to serve light at a
high cost to themselves. They all testified against the man who had
victimized them. Their abuser will be a very old man before he sees the
world--if he ever does--except through bars and razor wire. And justice is
not finished with him yet. Light prevailed.

Eugene, in spite of his nightmare and his father's condemnation of him as a
liar, testified. Light had found, in him, a willing servant. Eugene was
adopted by a loving woman, Millicent Willingham, and as a result is not
only graduating with honors today but also, together with Matthew Greywolf
and Paula Wright and the chorus and ensemble of this school, won honors no
other school in this state has received. Eugene rose from the depths where
darkness tried to keep him. Light was victorious.

MATT: But darkness was not defeated. As Concord and Independence were
celebrating the victory of light brought about by the concert and
exhibition, darkness struck again. Operating out of hatred and prejudice,
again with minds poisoned by the same man who had raped the young men and
who had made himself wealthy selling child pornography, four young men and
four young women plotted to destroy the work and life of Luke Larsen. Their
leader slashed a painting in the exhibition while yelling slurs against the
artist. When Michael Andrews again stood up for what is right and sought to
prevent the destruction of the painting, he was slashed so badly there was
little hope for his survival. And darkness laughed and laughed as Michael
lay dying.

LUKE: But Michael's death was not to be. Students and parents of this
school lined up to give blood because there was not enough to save
Michael. Literally gallons of blood were shed for Michael, shed as surely
as if it had been shed on the battlefield--and it was. It was on the
battlefield between darkness and light. Students maintained a vigil, a
vigil marked by candle light when night came. Light was shining in the
darkness. Darkness discovered light had many warriors at Independence High
School.

MATT: These are but some of the battles darkness has fought. Defeated in
major battles, darkness, as always, becomes more subtle, more cunning,
using small attacks to undermine light. When LaTisha Gregory took a stand
against those who had slashed the painting and Michael, racial slurs were
hurled at her. She was called "nigger", a coach--a so-called leader of
young men--encouraged the vandalism of campaign posters, a student was
attacked because he was gay. Subtle so-called jokes, slurs, name-calling
and put-downs are still heard in these halls--and will be until the
warriors of light demand they stop. Darkness is ever with us.

LUKE: But so is light. LaTisha has a major scholarship to study jazz, the
coach has been dismissed in disgrace, the student attackers have learned a
painful lesson about violence. [I looked at Eugene and saw a huge smile on
his face and on Larry's as well. Randy and Sandy were practically laughing
out loud. Ben and Marc were looking very sullen.] Shortly you will learn of
the accomplishments of the students graduating today. There is little doubt
that this graduating class has been given more and larger scholarships than
ever given to a graduating class at Independence. There is no question this
class will set a record for SAT scholars. Every student in the careers
program has received a job offer and/or apprenticeship. The present is a
witness to the victory of light this year at Independence.

MATT: But the war is not over. As surely as Independence exists next year,
there will be new battles. Hatred, prejudice and bigotry do not take a
holiday. Darkness waits for the smallest chance to attack. Darkness smirks.

LUKE: Yet as this class graduates, we leave behind mighty warriors of
light. We leave an administration which will not tolerate hatred and
bigotry, a dedicated administration which has already demonstrated it will
not tolerate darkness, doing battle against it whenever it appears, an
administration which will give all the support it can to the light. We
leave behind a faculty which has witnessed what it can do and knows it
cannot do less in the future. We leave behind a student body president who
knows well the power of darkness and who has demonstrated his stance as a
warrior for right. And this is most important of all, we leave behind a
student body which has shown through difficult times that those who
question the values and responsibility among the youth of today are fools,
tools in the hands of darkness.

MATT: Darkness has fought a good fight this year at Independence and will
continue to fight. Never forget that. Never forget that.

LUKE: But light has triumphed! And light will triumph in the years to come
because we know it can and we know it must. Thank you.

There was deadly silence then the audience went wild. Michael hopped from
his chair and ran to the podium to hug both of us. Ms. Jones was right
behind him. The seniors, who had been applauding wildly started war whoops
and when I turned to look, Jake Hilliard, Danny Elrod and Buddy Johnson
were running toward the stage. They ran up the steps three at a time and
all three embraced me and Matt, crying for all they were worth. Matt and I
hugged them as the seniors and other students continued the war whoops.

Once Ms. Jones got order restored, Ms. Norman started announcing the
scholarships and apprenticeships. While I had mentioned them in my speech,
I was bowled over when I heard them named one by one. Independence's
seniors had, indeed, set an amazing new record.

The rest of the ceremony was just the usual--giving out awards--of which
there were many--and diplomas. Matt returned to his new toy and the
recessional marked the end of the graduation ceremony. An ending had just
taken place. Suddenly I realized I was in unknown territory. Matt walked up
to me and said, "I feel like that little kid I was twelve years ago when
the next day was my first day at school. I had thought about it, been told
about it, but I was frightened because it was new and unknown."

"So do I, Sarang Hanun Pomul, so do I."


A Special Place--Part Forty-two--Matt

A soon as we could get away, Matt and I, Eugene and Larry, Paula and Jacob
left school and headed for my place. When we got there, the rest of the
Fellowship had already changed into shorts and shirts for the picnic. We
five seniors rushed upstairs and did the same. When Mom saw us she said,
"You have changed! We all wanted pictures of you seniors in your caps and
gowns at the falls."

"No problem, Yong Jin," Luke said as he slipped on his gown and once again
tried to balance his cap atop his blond Afro.

"By the way," Michael said as we left the house, "I learned nothing was
planned for Jake, Danny and Buddy--their parents have more or less
abandoned them--so I invited them to our picnic. They weren't sure they
would come...."

"Would you?" Bill asked. "That would take a hell of a lot of guts. I mean,
don't get me wrong, I hope they come. A lot of people are going to have to
reach out to them if they are to make it, but it sure won't be easy for
them to show up at a celebration where the people they might see as having
put them in jail will be."

"Yea," Linda said, "but if they have made any progress at all, they know
that our pressing charges against them was their only hope for
salvation". It's easy to forget most of the time that Linda has a good
brain, then she comes out with an insight like that.

"Well, if they decide to come, Ms. Jones will be bringing them."

One of the nice things about living where we do is that there is little
traffic so we felt free to hold hands and walk down the middle of road
toward the falls. The gate put in for David's and Margaret's wedding was
kept closed except when necessary. When we reached the fence, we all
crawled through rather than open the gate, only Matt and Paula getting
their gowns caught on the barbs. As I bent to untangle Matt's gown I said,
"Better a throw-away gown, Lover, than your face," and kissed him.

When we reached the falls, all the parents wanted to make pictures and we
were posing first one place and then the other. Everyone was careful to not
get too much in the picture because the four guys looked kinda silly with
bare legs below their gowns. But leave it to Millie--she kept having us
move back and when she made a picture said, "I think I'll have that one
made into a poster and call it 'Barefoot Graduates'". Well, we were
barefoot. We had kicked off our shoes as soon as we reached the falls.

Mom, Gabrielle, Margaret and Millie had started getting the food laid
out. Paula's and Larry's moms were helping. Soon people started coming
in. When Dr. and Mrs. Walker arrived, they were carrying two gift-wrapped
packages. "You can put those on one of the tables over there," Millie
said. I looked where she pointed and there were a couple tables with name
tags for graduation gifts. Before the day was over, it would be piled high.

Suddenly I had a sinking feeling. I turned to Luke and said, "Luke, I
forgot to give..."

"We forgot to give each other our birthday presents! Damn!"

Greywolf heard us and laughed and said, "From the looks on your faces the
next morning, I doubt that very seriously". I blushed and Luke
laughed. "Seems each of you gave yourself to the other. Pretty big birthday
present I should think. Save the other for Thursday night and the party."

"Makes sense," Luke said. "You know, Sarang Hanun Pomul, we forgot just
about everything that night!"

"I did, everything except you."

All this was said as the five of us got lined up in a cap and gown,
barefooted receiving line as people came. Chelsea and Gladys gave each of
us a hug as they came down the line. Fr. Tom said to Jacob, who was
standing behind Paula, "Young Man, I understand you have captured the heart
of the prettiest and most talented woman in the graduating class. You are
to be commended on your taste in women." Jacob blushed and Paula
laughed. Uncle Michael and Mr. Stephenson shook hands with all us men and
hugged Paula, giving her a kiss on the cheek. I was surprised to see
Mr. Fox. He was with a beautiful young woman he introduced to us as
Ms. Paris then said, "So all the stockholders of the Oberlin Five, Inc. are
here. Some serious investing you are doing. Think you might do some for
me?" he laughed. Several other people came, some friends of Paula's I did
not know. Several teachers came. When Mr. Mitchell came, Luke said, "The
man deserves a cheer." We were happy to oblige. Ms. Norman came with her
husband. Strange how you never think teachers have a life outside of
school. Mr. Allan was also with his wife--a real looker. In all I guess
about fifty people showed up in addition to the Family.

It seemed we had done our social duty when Ms. Jones appeared, followed by
Jake, Buddy and Danny. The three seemed hesitant, but when they reached us,
we greeted them like long-lost friends. I'm sure all of us were thinking
about Bill's statement that if they were to make it, people had to reach
out to them. And, man, it did take guts to show up.

"Ok, one more picture, then we eat," Millie said. "You three, borrow a cap
and gown and get over here by the falls." The three complied--I mean Millie
had spoken, what choice did they have?

The food--need it be said?--was excellent. Soon older and younger adults
fell on it like a plague of locust. I mean it was almost 5:00 and we hadn't
eaten anything after the church reception. Soon everyone was groaning from
having eaten too much. People were sitting down in groups talking, then
getting up and moving to a different group. Luke and I were sticking close
together. I saw Jens smile at us once and, when we walked over to him, he
said, "I guess no-one would know you were on your honeymoon from the sad
look on your faces," and laughed.

Luke looked over to where Mr. Mitchell was standing alone for the moment
and said, "Matt, I think this would be a good time to thank
Mr. Mitchell". We walked over and Luke said, "Mr. Mitchell, there is no way
Matt and I can ever thank you enough for your faith in us but, even more
than that, I'll never forget you admonishing us to take time just to enjoy
being alive. That's meant a great deal to me especially
since... well... well... since I tried not to live. Calculus I might have
been able to live without, but that lesson I..."

"We," I interjected.

"We needed to endure all that has happened since you first gave it to
us. Thanks." Luke grabbed Mr. Mitchell in a bear hug which he returned,
then I hugged him as well.

"A teacher lives for such moments," he said. "They are rare, but worth the
wait." Mary Kathryn suddenly yelled, "Hey, you guys going to open presents
or what?" None of us needed a second invitation. There were all kinds of
gifts.

Millie gave all five of us huge down parkas with fur trimmed hoods. We put
them on over shorts and stood, barefooted. Everyone started
laughing. "Laugh now," she said, "but next winter in Ohio you'll love me to
death. I've been there!"

One gift was addressed to the Oberlin Five and Paula got to open it. It was
from all our parents and was a real nice digital camera. "We expect
pictures from you all next year," Paula's mom said.

When we had opened all our gifts, there were three packages left. They were
addressed to Danny, Buddy and Jake. Mary Kathryn handed the packages to
them. They seemed stunned for a moment, then started opening the gifts
slowly. Inside were three very nice watches, all different. "Who're they
from?" Mary Kathryn asked.

"The card just says, 'Good luck and we're pulling for you.' It's not
signed," Danny said. "Thanks to all of you for everything."

"Ok, folks," Paula shouted, "It's time to get... " she paused and started
taking off her clothes! I think all the Fellowship was standing with their
mouths open as she continued, "in the water!" She started laughing like mad
as she revealed a swim suit which showed off her stunning figure. Jacob
gave a wolf whistle, stripped off his shorts--also revealing a swim
suit--and the two of them raced to the top of the falls where Jacob grabbed
Paula for a passionate kiss just before they dived into the basin.

"If you forgot to bring swim wear," Greywolf said, "I think you might find
something that fits in one of the baskets over here. Women to the cane
brake to the right, men to the left." Matt and I had to dig out trunks from
the basket. Danny, Buddy and Jake were standing back, but Luke tossed them
trunks and soon the basin was full of young and old.

Michael was standing in the water when David and Margaret walked in. "Guess
Mom won't be doing any diving anytime soon," he said. "My two sisters are
showing right well, don't you think?"

It was pretty obvious that Margaret's figure had started undergoing a
significant change.

All the kids were diving from the top of the falls except Michael. Luke,
Jacob, Bill and I were waiting for Michael to get out of the way below,
when Danny, Jake and Buddy came up. Luke said, "Glad you guys decided to
come. I know it wasn't easy."

We all dived and, when we got into the basin, cut-to-the-chase Michael
said, "Glad you guys showed up. I know it took a lot of guts."

"Yea, it took more than I thought I had," Buddy said. "I wouldn't have
except Ms. Jones kept insisting. She said we had to begin to associate with
people again and knew that it would take guts and some real
determination. But it also took a lot of heart and forgiveness for you to
invite us."

"Well, that's what it's all about, I think," Michael said. "Maybe we can
talk about that. The adults will be leaving soon."

"I think we would like that," Buddy said after reflecting for a minute or
two. "I would anyway." About that time, the adults did start leaving and
Ms. Jones asked, "Are you guys ready to go?"

"I guess it'll have to wait," Buddy said. "Sorry, because now seems a good
time and place."

"It is," Michael said. "Here's where we come to be alone and think, or come
to talk out things. Yes, this is a good place."

"Ms. Jones," Bill said, "Linda and I can take the guys home if that's all
right.'

"I'm not sure. I had to sign them out of the halfway house. I'm not sure it
would be permitted."

"I'll call and see," David said. He was never far from his pager and cell
phone. The guys gave him the number and he called. He talked for several
minutes, then still holding the phone he said, "Couldn't get permission for
you three to go back with Bill, but if an adult will take
responsibility..."

"May I use your phone?" Chelsea asked, and took it when David nodded. "I
want to talk with these guys anyway."

While Chelsea was on the phone, Greywolf walked to the edge of the basin
after he got dressed and said, "Think you fellows could load everything?
David and Yong Jin have gone to the house to get the vans so we can carry
stuff back."

"Sure," Bill answered for all of us, and we climbed out of the water and
started gathering up things. By the time we had the first load to the
meadow, David and Mom had the vans waiting. We quickly loaded them, then
Bill said, "We'll walk to the house and help unload."

"You can do that later," Greywolf said, "Why don't enjoy the falls a bit
longer? Matt, remember you have to move the furniture in the den so there
will be a place for the organ."

"We'll all help," Jacob volunteered.

"Well, take your time at the falls. It will still be here when you finish."

It was arranged for Chelsea and Gladys to take the guys back to what would
be their home for the foreseeable future, the halfway house, and she came
over to the edge of the basin.

"Guys, I've been hatching a plot and would like to talk to you."

"We also wanted to talk to the others," Danny said. Soon all three of them,
the Fellowship and Gladys and Chelsea were sitting on blankets on the
beach.

Danny opened the conversation, "I guess what I wanted to say--what we
wanted to say--to you guys--and Paula, Linda and Mary Kathryn--is that we
are sorry for what we tried to do to you. We have been in pretty intensive
therapy and gotten a lot of shit--pardon ladies--straightened out. Buddy,
Jake and I have all talked about why we did what we did and I think we know
why--that doesn't excuse it or change it or make it right. Also, it doesn't
mean we don't still have some of the same irrational thoughts and
feelings."

"Yea, we were all filled with rage over what had been done and was being
done to us and we felt helpless against McBride so the rage got directed
elsewhere--where it didn't belong. Today I saw all your friends--old and
young--around you celebrating your graduation and when I saw how happy your
parents were, I felt rage rising up in me--against you. I found myself
becoming enraged because you had everything and I had nothing. You were
being loved and I was hated. Didn't make sense that I was enraged against
you folks, but I was. The difference was that I recognized what was going
on inside and was able to stop it. Sometimes I still can't," Jake said
quietly.

"Eugene, I find it very hard not to direct my rage at you,' Buddy
said. "You were in the same boat with us and you escaped. That makes me
feel weak and rotten. Why couldn't I have been strong enough to escape? But
it wasn't to be." He, then the other two, started telling us about the
whole rotten mess with McBride. Unlike Eugene, he had been giving them
drugs and alcohol when they were mere kids--with predictable
results. McBride had them right where he wanted them. Suddenly the three
were telling us horror stories of how they were abused. The videos often
showed them, they said, being absolute animals to each other because that's
what McBride's customers wanted, but they stuck together because they were
all they had. McBride pimped for them, often giving them to older men who
were into every kind of perverted sex. It got so graphic that suddenly I
was sick to my stomach. I jumped up and ran into the cane brake where I
started throwing up my guts. About the time I was going into dry heaves,
Chelsea appeared. She had a wet towel which she applied to my forehead and
gradually I stopped heaving.

"I guess I'm just a wuss," I said.

"No, you're a sensitive human being whose sensitivity hits him in the
stomach. Matt, I'm sorry you had to hear all that... well... I guess I'm
not. When a person gets a boil, it has to be lanced and drained of the pus
and corruption inside. I know those three guys have spilled out the same
sick mental pus in their therapy sessions, but I suspect there is a major
difference between that and pouring it out to your peers and to those your
mental and emotional illness has hurt. I think all of you have done them a
great favor, allowing them to purge themselves of an infection of the mind
as powerful as any of the body. Frankly, I have seen just about everything
I thought, but I'll admit, I haven't come as close to being sick as I was
today in years.... Are you ready to go back?" I nodded.

When we reached the group, Mary Kathryn, Linda and Paula each were holding
one of the three, all of whom were bawling like babies. As the three
women--man, we were lucky to have three such strong women in our
midst--held the three former tough guys, stroking their hair, Danny, Buddy
and Jake gradually calmed down. Strange as it might seem, I noticed all of
us guys were sitting quietly, patiently. Sometimes, I guess, a woman's
touch is what is needed and we knew it.

The three finally gained control of themselves and Chelsea said, "Fellows,
I have talked with the director of the halfway house and with your
therapists and all agree that if you are willing, you can work in the
hospice. It won't be easy. You'll be dealing with people who are dying and
know it. You'll be doing some pretty unpleasant work--changing diapers on
adults, cleaning them when they soil themselves, feeding people who can't
do it themselves. But I think you might draw strength from those who are
facing certain death, but who are dealing with who and where they are so
you can learn who you are and where you choose to be headed. You'll still
live at the halfway house, but one of you will be on night duty and sleep
at the hospice--if you get any sleep. In return, the hospice will pay you a
small, very small, stipend to get what you have to have. And a bit
more. Your therapy will be paid for as long as you need it--Judge Snow has
seen to that--but you'll need money for college. A generous supporter of
the hospice had agreed to pay your expenses at Lexington Community College
so long as you maintain passing grades. Of course, getting to Lexington
would be a problem, but the college holds extension classes in Concord. You
can take courses here for the two years needed to get your associates'
degree, then you'll be ready to move on. I don't want an answer now. I want
you to talk about it among yourselves, think about it on your own and spend
some time at the hospice--we have two patients already and I am sure more
will come soon. When you have made your decision, one way or the other, let
me know."

Again, silence. Finally Danny asked, "Why are you all doing this for us?"
His voice was filled with suspicion.

"Because we think you can be redeemed and that's better than having three
people rotting in prison or a mental hospital costing the state money
rather than contributing to it," Gladys said. "Actually, it's just good
economics--as well as the right thing to do." Silence again, then Gladys
said, "Ok, fellows, you know what you've got to do. Now it's time Chelsea
and I get you back."

The three were profuse in their thanks for the afternoon and left, all
three a bit teary eyed. Who knows what will happen with them? I surely
didn't, but at least there was a possibility that they might become
worthwhile citizens and I felt good--still queasy--but good.

We all went back to the falls and it was obvious that Paula was in
command. All the women were skinny dipping. Needless to say, the trunks we
were still wearing were shed quickly. We all swam for another hour and then
got dressed and went to my place.

Since school was out, Mom and Dad said we should move the desks out of the
den to make room for the organ. We put them in the downstairs guest room
and decided that was all that needed moving. In spite of the fact that we
had eaten more than enough in the late afternoon, Mom prepared more food
and we all sat around the dining room table, laughing and talking about the
day. It had been a wonderful day for all of us. We were in complete
agreement about that. The talk got serious when the three guys came up, but
soon became light-hearted again until Michael said, "Commencement--a
beginning. But it's also an ending."

Again we were all lost in our thoughts for a time until Bill said, "Well, I
for one am ready for an ending and a new beginning. I don't think I could
have stood the pace much longer. My good God, how have we lived and stayed
sane for the past three months? I guess if I were a religious person, I'd
have to say that was the answer--good God. Even if I am not overly
religious, I guess I'd have to say that."

"Yea," Paula said. "How else would you explain it? But does it matter? Who
would believe it if we told them?"

"Well, I've got to run," Jacob said. "I know my dad has a ton of chores for
me this week--and we do have a party Thursday and break loose Saturday
night. Laters."

After the others had left, Michael said, "I've got to go. Today has really
been great, but I have about had it. Wild Woman, drive me home?" Mary
Kathryn's kiss was a positive answer. Only Luke and I were left.

"Sons, if you can spare the time, how about a glass of wine with your mom
and me?" Mom got glasses and we all four went into the den. "Matt, Luke, I
have been proud of you two all your life. You are, even allowing for my
natural prejudice, two very exceptional young men. I have heard a lot of
graduation speeches and usually I could recite them without having seen
them before the speaker stood up, but I have never heard speeches with the
power yours had. They will be remembered, I'm sure."

"I agree," Mom said. "It took real men to give them. I am sinfully proud of
you two."

We sat and talked, drinking our wine. When we finished the wine, we talked
some more. I suddenly realized that graduation had, for Mom and Dad,
changed our status in their eyes. Sure, they talked about our being grown
men, but now we were being treated as grown men. I liked it, but I also
found it sad. What about those times when I needed to be a little boy
again? I guess I'd have to wait to find out.

"Greywolf, do you know when the organ is arriving?" Luke asked.

"I suspect around 9 or 10. The movers were to be at the school at 8 to pick
it up. Shouldn't take long to get it ready to move the short distance it
has to be moved."

"Sunrise as usual tomorrow?" Luke asked.

"We could put it off to Tuesday," Dad answered.

"I would like to go ahead with it. Everything's changing. I'd like to keep
what I can unchanged."

"I would too, Dad," I said.

"Then it's sunrise as usual," Dad said. "I'll call Jens and David. I guess
that means early to bed or you two will play around the rest of the night
and not make it."

What Luke had referred to was a tradition the families established about
the time the two of us were born. Prior to that, each family had a garden,
but with David's and Jens' schedules--Gabrielle's and Elizabeth's as
well--their gardens were a real chore. Since Mom and Dad were out of school
for most of the summer, they offered to have a common garden. Dad had
always done a Lakota blessing of the garden when he started spring planting
and Jens had his own blessing, but when they started the common garden at
our place, both blessings were kept, but took place the day after school
was out at sunrise. Of course, things had been planted before the first of
June, but I guess a retroactive blessing worked as well as any.

After Jens and Dad did the blessing, Gabrielle, Mom and Elizabeth prepared
furrows and the men planted seeds. For the first time, as I thought about
it, I realized there was something very sexual about that. Since Mom had
been given a summer fellowship to study Hopi culture, corn was always the
seed planted in the symbolic blessing and planting of the garden. After the
ceremony, we all had breakfast together. This year, Margaret would
participate for the first time.

It was a great family tradition. The blessing and planting were, of course,
ceremonial, but sometimes I think it is ceremony which keeps us
going. During the summer, Mom and Dad, along with the Gang of Four, do most
of the work of tending the garden. But the entire family gathers once a
week to work together and share a meal afterward.

I was with Luke. I wanted the sunrise blessing of the garden this year,
perhaps more than ever before.

We said goodnight to Mom and Dad and went up to my room. After making
gentle, tender love, we lay in each others arms and talked about the
day. It had really been wonderful. Then, our hard bodies snuggled together,
we drifted off to sleep, two very, very happy high school graduates.

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