Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001 17:11:17 -0400
From: Sequoyah <sequoyahs-place@home.com>
Subject: ASP-54

		     A Special Place--Part Fifty-four
				 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

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
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			    Additional Posting

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/.

There is a very active Yahoo group devoted to A Special Place. You can
reach it at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sequoyahs_Place . Although I read
all the postings to the group, I still welcome mail at
sequoyahs-place@home.com.

				 Thoughts
 And, as always and eternally, thanks to the "Sons of Oz". Peace my sons!

Sequoyah

		  A Special Place--Part Fifty-four--Matt

By the time Michael and Mary Kathryn reached the kitchen, Mom had added two
places at the table. She and Dad had prepared a huge salad from the fresh
vegetables from the garden and that, along with several cheeses and
crackers, was lunch. As we ate, Michael and Mary Kathryn told us how much
they had enjoyed the drive with Taequo and meeting Al and Chris. "Taequo
said he would probably see us in a week or so. Anyone know what that's
about?" Michael asked.

The question was first met by silence as Dad and Red Hawk glanced at each
other. Luke and I knew what was coming, but kept quiet. Finally Red Hawk
spoke, "Yong Jin, I think we need some dessert." Mom smiled and prepared
bowls of ice cream covered with fresh strawberries. As we started eating,
Red Hawk said, "Michael, your brothers have, I think, overcome the bad
spirit which would have destroyed their relationship and almost cost Luke's
life. Of course, you can't blame it all on a bad spirit since they brought
some of it on themselves by their distrust of each other. I think at least
that has been handled and will not be a real problem in the future. At
least, in that regard, the future is up to them. But they, as you, are
destined to be medicine men--healers of spirits--and that is not
finished. As a matter of fact you are way ahead of them. You know your
guardian spirit. They have yet to meet theirs. For you it happened in the
sweat. That's an unusual occurrence. In fact, I never knew it to happen
that way before. For most, and for your brothers, it will happen, if it
happens, on a vision quest."

"While your brothers are making their quest, I will instruct you in some of
the ways of a medicine man. Actually, I will continue your instruction
since it started when you learned the sweat lodge ceremony. Then, when the
quest is over, Taequo will join us for the celebration."

"What about Mary Kathryn?" Michael asked. "We've already been separated for
most of the summer and another couple weeks doesn't seem like a great deal
of fun."

"Mary Kathryn, how do you feel about that?" Mom asked.

"Well, obviously, I don't like the idea at all! Seems everyone gets time
with Michael except me."

"Guess you need to learn that's the way it's going to be," Red Hawk
said. "Sorry, Mary Kathryn, but your man doesn't belong just to you, but to
the whole world. And the world will place demands on him neither of you
will welcome. But I don't have to tell you that yours is a special man who,
by the way, is in love with a very special woman. In fact, I was toying
with the idea of asking Jens and Gabrielle if you could come along and
spend time with Singing Sparrow, a very powerful medicine woman. While the
men are engaged in their work, she could conduct an Ishnata Awicalowan
ceremony--a preparing for womanhood ceremony--for you. It's all about
preparing a girl to be a woman. I think it's time, especially in the light
of who you have chosen to be your soulmate."

Dad and Red Hawk told us what they had been thinking in terms of the next
couple of weeks. "We'll take four or five days to drive to the Black Hills,
Indian style--no interstate highways, no motels," Red Hawk said. "When we
reach them, Matt and Luke will do their vision quest while Michael and Mary
Kathryn undergo instruction."

"Since there will be five of you, you'll need to take our
four-wheel-drive," Dad added. "The Jeep would be too small and David's van
wouldn't handle some of the places Red Hawk will be dragging you, I
suspect."

When the two Indians had finished, Michael asked, somewhat pitifully, "Do
we have any choice?"

Red Hawk answered quietly, "I don't know. Do you?"

The Gang of Four started looking at our plates, heads down, saying nothing,
avoiding looking at each other. Finally, Mary Kathryn said, "The answer is
yes and no. Yes, we could choose not to go and no, we will not make that
our choice." She had said all that was to be said on the subject.

The table cleared, we discussed the trip. "Today's Monday," Red Hawk
said. "We need be in no rush. We'll leave Wednesday morning--early." We
then talked about what we needed to take. "You'll need to take a lot less
than you think," Red Hawk said, "if you're like most white folks. Most
think you have to take everything including the kitchen sink!" We soon
learned what he meant when we got the tent from the garage. "That's too
big," he said. "We'll get a couple of tarps in case it rains. They are
small compared to that tent." He finally gave us a shopping list of things
to get and Michael, Luke and I headed for town to pick them up.

While we were gone, Mary Kathryn called her mom and told her the latest
news. Gabrielle said she would talk to Jens, but for Mary Kathryn to go
ahead and get ready. Mary Kathryn also told Gabrielle the family was
gathering for supper Tuesday night before we left. Michael called Margaret
and talked with her. He had planned to talk with his dad, but David was out
on a run. I thought it was great that Michael felt as though Margaret was,
indeed, his parent, and could make a decision for the family as well as
David could.

When we got back with everything Red Hawk had put on the list, he said,
"The rest of today and tomorrow is yours. You might want to see your
friends tomorrow and let them know what's happening." Michael told me and
Luke that he had kept Bill posted on what had been going on, and that they
had decided to let those who were not here know very little--for fear they
would worry and ruin their summer. Bill, of course, had told Linda
everything since she was also in town. I guess they would be the only two
we'd see before we left.

Luke had suggested we sleep at his place that night. I told him that, while
I was more comfortable at his place than I had been, I still wasn't as
comfortable with him there as I was at my place. "I guess it's not just
Jens, but Mary Kathryn is just down the hall and we don't have to be as
quiet at my place as at yours."

"True," Luke said, "but since Red Hawk came, we have seen little of Mom and
Dad. I'm afraid they feel left out." Luke was right of course.

"Well, why don't we make it extra special," I suggested. "Let's prepare
dinner for them."

"Great idea," Luke smiled. "Really a great idea." Before we left for his
place, we went to the garden and gathered fresh vegetables and a basket of
strawberries. "Shortcake, please?" he said, as we finished picking the
berries.

"Whatever you want, Lover," I said and kissed him.

"Well, how about shortcake first, THEN what I want?"

"Agreed."

When we got to Luke's it was already 4:30. Jens and Gabrielle usually got
home about 6:00, so we planned an early dinner. As we were getting the food
prepared for cooking, Michael and Mary Kathryn burst through the front
door, stopped just inside the hall where we could see them, and Michael
grabbed her and pulled her to himself, starting a tongue duel. His hands
slipped under her shirt and cupped her breasts as she grabbed his cheeks
and pulled his hips to hers. Luke "accidentally" dropped a pan and the two
sprang apart as Michael said, "Holy shit! What are you two doing here?"

"If you weren't so busy with my baby sister," Luke said, "you'd see we're
cooking. I can't imagine what you two would have done had we not been
here."

"I can imagine it and I was," Michael said. "Now you've messed it all up."

"Good thing, from what I saw," I commented.

"Actually, we came in so I could change. Michael and I are going to his
place for dinner."

"Then we need only prepare for four," Luke said. "And does that mean Matt
and I have the upstairs to ourselves tonight?"

"What do you think?" Mary Kathryn answered. "I have until midnight before I
have to be back, but I'll be back then so you two better get all the loud
groaning and heavy breathing done by then. Back in a minute, Golden Eagle,"
she said, dashing upstairs.

Michael laughed and chased her up the stairs saying, "I'm not letting you
out of my sight".

They came down a few minutes later. Mary Kathryn had changed into a smart
sundress and I realized she was one beautiful woman. "And Michael is no
ugly boy himself," I thought. The two ran out of the house, Michael chasing
Mary Kathryn again. Through the open front door, I saw him catch her and
again plant a passionate kiss on his lady love.

Their playful spirit was catching, and Luke and I were having a grand time
cooking and playing. I had put the shortcake in the oven and set the timer,
then turned and started preparing whipped cream for it. Luke grabbed me
about the waist from behind and nipped my ear. When I turned, I smeared his
face with whipped cream. Not to be outdone, he grabbed a handful and
covered my face with it, saying, "This is a game two can play". I smeared
his face with more, then he leaned over and started licking the whipped
cream from my face. "Turn about is fair play," I said as I licked his
face. The game became lick a little and kiss a lot. I doubt that dinner
would have been ready had the oven timer not gone off. I took the shortcake
from the oven, covered it with fresh berries and put it in the fridge. When
I looked, Luke still had whipped cream on his face and, as I started to
lick it off, Gabrielle arrived. As she walked into the kitchen she said,
"Looks like something pretty kinky is going on here," and laughed.

Luke placed a glob of whipped cream on his mom's face and then licked it
off as he said, "Now that's real kinky!" Gabrielle laughed and asked, "Is
there any left for dinner?" I looked, and realized I'd have to whip
more. But it had been fun!

Jens arrived a few minutes later and said, "Something sure smells good," as
he walked into the kitchen. Gabrielle still had whipped cream on her face
and Jens grabbed her and licked it off. Luke and I started laughing and
Jens turned red.

"Now who's being kinky?" Luke asked.

"Just cleaning up your mother," Jens said. "You guys doing dinner?" Jens
asked as he walked over and hugged Luke, then me. I still found it strange
that Jens was as open with his affection as he was, after being the stoic
one so long.

"Sure are. It'll be ready by the time you two freshen up, so don't start
anything!"

I got the food ready for the table while Luke got it set. We had set a
beautiful table, fit for a mom and dad. Jens and Gabrielle were back soon
and we had dinner. During dinner, Jens asked about what had been going on
and the trip we were taking. Luke said, "Dad, I can't explain it all. I
don't understand it all. I mean, it's a mystery, a lot of it is. And I
don't mean a mystery like you'll find out in the end. I mean a mystery,
well, like the Blessed Sacrament." I looked at Jens quickly to see his
reaction, expecting it not to be a good one.

"I think I understand, Son," he said, "but let's have coffee and talk some
more."

Luke and I served coffee and the shortcake in the den, and we talked about
all that had happened and how much of it was just, well, mysterious. "I
certainly can't explain how Michael ended up with his chest pierced," Luke
said, "but he did, and it's there for all to see."

"I can understand how Red Hawk might have herbs and things which got Luke
and me back on our feet, I mean doctors might have done the same thing," I
said. "What I can't explain is what happened to me--us--in the sweat. Now
we're told that Michael, Luke and I are, somehow or other, linked, and Luke
and I need to do a vision quest."

"I have heard Greywolf's story of his quest," Gabrielle said. "It's not
something I understand, but I know Greywolf and when he said something
happened to him, something happened. I guess we'll just have to learn to
live with mystery."

"Don't know that we have a choice," I said. "To tell the truth, I suspect
everyone lives with mystery. Most just deny it or don't see it."

"No doubt you're right," Jens said. "Anyway, Red Hawk got you two back in
the land of the living and that's enough for me. You're leaving Wednesday?"

"Yea. I thought we'd go tomorrow since we have very little else to do
before we leave, but Red Hawk said we needed to see our friends before we
leave. Of course, only Bill and Linda are around, but I guess we'll spend
time with them tomorrow, then be off early Wednesday after having dinner at
our place tomorrow night."

"Thanks for dinner and the conversation, Sons," Jens said. "I've had a
rough day and am going to bed early." I saw him wink at Gabrielle and the
two got up and left the room. Luke and I made short work of cleaning up
and, as I was putting away the dishes, he dashed upstairs. A few minutes
later he came back with a bottle of oil, popped it in the microwave and
winked at me. "Slow and easy tonight, Dark Angel, but we don't have to stop
at the end of the menu!"

When we got upstairs, I saw Luke had covered his bed with a couple of large
beach towels. How long had it been since we had given each other a massage
with warm oil? I couldn't say exactly, but it had been too long, much too
long.


		  A Special Place--Part Fifty-four--Luke

I had told Matt it would be slow and easy tonight, but with no stopping
until we were ready. I had been thinking all day that Matt and I had
forgotten just how great our loving had been before we had the limits
removed. Sure, there was always foreplay but, before, all we had was
foreplay and it was long and great. While he finished putting the dishes
away, I dashed upstairs, grabbed beach towels for the bed and got the
bottle of massage oil that had been neglected too long, and took it
downstairs and nuked it. When the microwave timer rang, I grabbed the oil
and then swept Matt into my arms and carried him upstairs. As I climbed the
stairs, Matt had his arms wrapped around my neck and kept kissing me. I
loved it!

When we reached my room, I kicked the door closed and walked to the bed and
lay Matt down on it. He lay there, his hands behind his head, smiling at
me. I reached down and took the bands from his hair, lifted him and removed
his shirt, then his pants, socks and shoes. I started to massage his foot
when he raised up, grabbed me around the neck and pulled me onto the bed,
where he immediately started undressing me. As soon as my shirt was off,
his mouth covered a nipple as he loosed my shorts and started sliding them
down my legs. Since I still had on my shoes, he had to stop, take them off,
and then complete the task of undressing me. We wrapped ourselves in each
other's arms, our tongues dueling, our bodies pressed together. Matt rolled
on top of me, his hair cascading over the two of us. How great it felt! How
wonderful to enter that private world we enjoyed so much, the world filled
with the fragrance of my Sarang Hanun Pomul!

Finally, I managed to crawl from under him and said, "On your stomach,
Lover Boy!" When he did as I asked, I grabbed the warm oil and poured a
stream down his back and legs, rubbed it over his body until he was
covered, and then started massaging his shoulders. How I loved the feel of
his beautiful dark skin under my hands! I moved down his back, finally
reaching his round cheeks which I massaged, occasionally slipping my
fingers into his crack and touching his magic place. Matt was making
purring noises like a contented cat as I continued down his body and
legs. I took each foot into my hands and gave it special treatment. Before
I finished, I started tickling the bottom of his foot and kissing it. Matt
was giggling and groaning at the same time.

"Ok, Matthew Sarang Hanun Pomul Greywolf, on your back."

"You just want to see what you've really done to me," he said in what he
intended to be a pouty voice, but it came out with a giggle.

I laughed, "Unless things have really changed, I KNOW what I have done to
you--and I have just started". I poured a stream of the still-warm oil on
his chest and stomach, and covered Chili Pepper with plenty before covering
the front of his legs. As I massaged his chest, I had to stop from time to
time to kiss, nip and suck a nipple. When I reached Chili Pepper, it was
obvious that my massage had Matt super-hot, as he was literally streaming
precum. For fear I'd spoil what I planned for later, I avoided Chili Pepper
but did massage his thighs, and frequently reached up to rub the oil around
his man's tool and his balls, again reaching far enough to touch his
rosebud. When I reached his feet, I again massaged each one, kissing and
fondling each in turn.

"Enough, Luke!" Matt said. "I'm ready for some action!"

"Hey, what happened to slow and easy?" I asked, but knew that there were no
"No Touching" rules and I knew my Matt! He reached down and took Little
Luke in his hands and coated him well with warm oil. He handed the bottle
to me and raised his legs toward his head. I knew exactly what he had in
mind, so I poured another stream of oil into his crack as he spread his
cheeks, then I started working my fingers into his magic place until I had
three fingers inside my Dark Angel.

Matt was groaning and twitching, pushing his hips upward, encouraging my
fingers to enter him deeper. Finally he said, "God, Luke, I'm ready. I'm
more than ready. I want you and I want you now!" I entered my Sarang Hanun
Pomul slowly, gently and, as I did, he pushed his hips up against Little
Luke until I was buried inside him. As always, once inside I was still, but
Matt was having none of that as he started moving his hips up and down as
well as from side to side. Realizing that he was--indeed--ready, I started
moving in and out of him and, with each thrust, Matt's hips rose to meet
mine. I was in absolute heaven! When I knew that I was on the brink, I
stopped and lay atop Matt, kissing his beautiful lips. He was an absolute
savage with his kisses! Matt had always been hot when we were making love,
but this time he was simply wild. Finally, I once again thrust deep into my
love and he grabbed my cheeks, pulling me as deep as possible inside
himself. He raised his legs further, giving me even more access to his
magic hole and, as I thrust in, he grabbed my hair and pulled my mouth to
his, his tongue doing wonders inside my mouth. This time there was no
holding back! Matt took his hands from my hair, grabbed my cheeks and
pulled me deep inside, his hips rising to meet mine as I saw flashing
lights and a thunderbolt shot through my body. I thought I would never stop
cumming inside my Dark Angel. Pleasure swept over me in wave after wave and
I continued to pump man's seed into him. Finally, I collapsed on his body
and he held me close, kissing my face, my hair, my eyes, as he said over
and over again, "Yonghon Tongmu, I love you. I have always loved you and I
always will love you." I was close to exhausted--after all this was the
fifth time we had made love, complete with sex, today--but I could feel
Chili Pepper hard against me.

Matt reached for the bottle of oil and, when he got it, he frowned. "It's
too cold," he said. I wondered what he would do, but he grabbed a robe from
my closet and dashed downstairs. He hadn't bothered to tie the sash, so the
robe was open and his Chili Pepper--MY Chili Pepper--stood proudly before
him. I laughed, and hoped Mom and Dad were engaged in their own love-making
when he got downstairs. He was back in a flash and disagreed when I told
him he had given me more pleasure than I could have possibly have given
him, and tried to prove it as he made use of warm oil--and Chili Pepper!

We were, of course, covered with oil and, after recovering from some of the
hottest love-making we had ever had, started sliding over each other,
laughing our heads off! There was a lot of kissing, grabbing and hugging
going on when, suddenly, Mat slid over my body and fell to the floor. That,
of course, started another round of giggles. I reached down to pull him
back on the bed and he pulled me to the floor instead. Realizing we were an
oily mess, I stood and tried to pick Matt up, but he kept slipping from my
grasp. He finally stood on his own, grabbed my hand and we raced across the
hall to the shower.

As we played in the shower, Matt said, "Luke, I have missed showering with
you. It seems ages since I did!" I kissed him and then started soaping his
hard, beautiful, dark body, paying careful attention to Chili Pepper. I
took the shampoo, which now always had the fragrance of Matt--which I loved
so well--and started washing his long, black hair. When I had finished, it
was his turn to soap me and wash my hair. It was taking a while for us to
finish, as there was much stopping for play! When we were clean, we kept
playing--just kids' playing--in the shower until, suddenly, the water
started turning cold.

After we had dried each other, Matt picked me up and carried me across the
hall. When he reached the bed, he held me in one arm while he stripped the
towels from the bed and laid me down. We wrapped ourselves in each other's
arms, lying facing each other and drinking in the beauty of our lover's
eyes. We were just enjoying each other without words, and the stillness
between us, when I realized we had not closed my door as Mary Kathryn came
down the hall, stuck her head in my door and said, "Ok, quiet time now you
two!" and laughed. I was ready to jump out of bed and close the door, when
she pulled it to and said, "Goodnight, Brothers".

Our love-making had left both of us warm, drowsy, contented and, before we
knew it, we were asleep--and slept until Dad called up the stairs
announcing breakfast was waiting.

After breakfast, we all went to Michael's to decide how we would spend the
day. He had already called Bill and we decided we'd all meet at Uncle
Michael's. Michael had called him to ask permission and he was delighted to
have us come over since we hadn't seen him since we got back. "Bill asked
if Buddy and Danny could join us and I told him to ask them," Michael said.

"Where's Jake," I asked.

"I think that's why Bill wanted Danny and Buddy to be included," Michael
said. "He was pretty mysterious about it."

When we arrived, Uncle Michael and John had prepared lemonade--which sure
was welcome as it was turning out to be a very hot July day. We went to the
gazebo, where we told everyone what had happened and what we would be doing
the next two weeks. Needless to say, there were a lot of questions!

No-one asked about Jake until we had finished our own stories and then Matt
asked, "Where's Jake?" Danny and Buddy looked at each other, and Danny
finally nodded and Buddy said, "We're not sure. All three of us were
released from the half-way house and found a small apartment we could
afford. Everything seemed to be going ok, except Jake became more and more
strange. Finally both Danny and I noticed a sports car we thought we
recognized, parked across the street from the apartment one evening when we
came from the hospice. Jake had night duty and left after we had
eaten. Sometime later, Chelsea called and asked if something was wrong
because Jake hadn't shown up. I guess both Danny and I suspected what had
happened, but didn't want to believe it. Danny took Jake's shift and, when
he came home in the morning, Jake was on the living room couch. He was out
of it big time. We finally got him into bed and, when he came around, we
asked him what was up. He told us it was none of our damn business and he
was sick of dealing with dying people, having no money and no fun. After
that, he was generally gone when we got home from school and, if he was
there the next morning, he was usually stoned on something."

"Buddy and I really knew what was going on, but we didn't want to admit
it. Finally, he missed an appointment with his probation officer and when
the officer called the apartment, Jake wasn't there. He hasn't been back
since. The car, we are both sure, belongs to a john who has given Jake
money, clothes, expensive gifts--and a lot of alcohol and drugs. We both
suspect--know--he's run away with the guy. We aren't sure what we should
do. His probabtion officer keeps calling and we just keep telling him we
haven't seen Jake, which is true. Yesterday, the officer came over and put
the screws to us and we told him what we thought. He's stumped because we
don't know the john's name--Jake just referred to him as my sugar daddy--or
anything else. All we know is the kind of car he drives. I'm afraid for
Jake. I know the guy is into some pretty kinky stuff, but what can we do?"

The answer, of course, was nothing. "Jake has made his choice," Danny said,
"and I'm afraid he'll have to live with it."

"Or die from it," Buddy added. It was sad, but what could we do except
agree. Mary Kathryn changed the subject and asked the two how they were
doing. Both actually found working in the hospice not enjoyable, but
fulfilling. "I can handle it most of the time," Danny said, "but we had two
kids, I mean really young kids, die--and that hurts. Both, however, have
given me a real appreciation of life and that has meant the world to me."
Buddy agreed.

Uncle Michael and John served lunch, and we just kinda lazed around and
talked about first one thing and then another. Both the guys were enjoying
college. "I never thought I'd like school, but I am. I'm taking general
courses now, but am thinking about starting a nursing program this fall,"
Buddy said.

Danny wasn't sure what he wanted to do, but was enjoying the classes he
had, especially a literature one. "And I'm taking an art class,
Mr. Stephenson, and I really love it. Don't think I'm very good, but I
enjoy it for myself."

Mid-afternoon, the two had to leave. Buddy had an early evening class he
needed to study for, and Danny was on night duty at the hospice. After they
left, we talked about the change in them and then about Jake. "I think Jake
will end up a statastic," Michael said, and we all agreed.


		  A Special Place--Part Fifty-four--Matt

It was time for us to start packing for the trip, and Bill and Linda
decided to come with us. When we had everything together and started
packing the four-wheeler, Red Hawk said we might need the sleeping bags
tonight, so we left them out. When we finished, Bill and Linda hugged us
goodbye and said they would see us in a couple weeks.

After they left, Red Hawk asked me and Luke to go for a walk. We walked
along the river below the falls and, when we reached Luke's and my special
place under the willows, he said, "This, too, is a sacred spot". We both
nodded and the old Indian smiled. He talked about the vision quest,
something we both had known about since we were kids because we both had
heard the story of Dad's quest. Red Hawk talked in very vague terms about
what he saw in our future, but said nothing specific. I soon got the
feeling he was beating about the bush and said so.

Red Hawk grinned like a little boy caught snitching cookies and said,
"Well, there is something you need to know and I suspect you haven't been
told. You know that during the quest you will fast." We both nodded. We had
talked about how Dad had managed to go without food and water for a week,
since we first learned about it. "There's another fast. A fast from sex."

"That should be no problem since we will be separated," Logical Luke
responded.

Well, actually..." Red Hawk was, it seems, reluctant to finish what he
started. "We will leave tomorrow on a journey leading to your quest which,
I am sure, will end with a vision and a feast celebrating it. During that
time--I mean as soon as we begin the journey tomorrow--no sex."

"Wait just a minute," Luke practically exploded. "After being separated for
four weeks and living through a week of sheer hell, we have made love, I
mean REALLY made love--you know--and now you want us to give it up for
another week or two? You've got to be kidding!"

"Think you two are men enough to do that?" Red Hawk asked.

Luke and I were both silent for a long time. Finally, I leaned over and
kissed Luke and answered, "I guess if we have to, we can. Right, Babe?" I
looked at Luke and saw him nod, but he was definitely not pleased at the
prospect. Neither was I!

Luke suddenly got that look in his eye, gave me his special wicked grin and
said, "Dark Angel, Red Hawk didn't say no love-making, just no sex". He
turned to Red Hawk, grinned and asked, "Right? Does that mean anything we
did before we were eighteen is ok?"

"Don't know what you did before you were eighteen, well, actually I
do. Greywolf told me about your promise and that you kept it. So,
yes. 'Course, it's going to be hard to draw the line now that you have
stepped over it, but you're men. You know what you need to do. But no-one
said anything about the time between now and when we leave," Red Hawk
laughed his deep belly laugh. "And I think this old Indian better get the
hell out of here."

Red Hawk was barely out of sight before Luke was all over me. "Not wasting
any time, are you, Yonghon Tongmu?"

"Hell no!" Luke said, stopping his undressing of me just long enough to
look into my eyes as he answered. Luke was practically ripping my clothes
from me, his hands running over my now-bare body, sending goose bumps over
me. Luke was so busy I found it hard to get his shirt and shorts off. His
eyes sparkled, sending me into sheer ecstasy.

Our love-making grew more and more intense, our tongues doing battle, our
hands rubbing each other's hard body. Our love-making started hot and
furious and only increased in intensity. We had never tried giving and
receiving pleasure with our mouths at the same time because we had wanted
to focus on our lover, but today was different. This time, before Luke
could take Chili Pepper into his mouth, I turned around and placed my mouth
on Little Luke and then his hot, hot mouth covered Chili Pepper. Luke was
sucking and licking Chili Pepper, sending waves of pleasure through my
body. I did the same as my hand moved up and down his hard, beautiful
manhood. From time to time, we held the other's manhood in our mouth, but
stopped to gaze into our lover's eyes. Maybe Lucas had been right after
all. Maybe you can give and receive pleasure at the same time. Perhaps he
meant that maybe you can receive two kinds of pleasure at the same time,
for surely having Luke in my mouth was pleasure--different, but just as
intense--as was having his mouth pleasuring Chili Pepper.

I knew Luke and I were both giving as well as receiving, focusing on the
other as much as on ourselves when he slowed down as my breathing started
to become ragged. I knew I was about to go over the edge when he slowed
down and I increased my suction and moved my hand up and down Little Luke
faster. Suddenly I felt a blast of Luke sweetness in my mouth as I was hit
by a surge of pleasure. Stars shot before my eyes and shiver after shiver
shook my body. Finally, out of pleasure beyond my imagining, I gasped and
lost consciousness. When I came to, Luke had turned around and I was
looking into the blue, blue depths of the most magnificent eyes in the
whole world. A special Luke smile covered the face of my Yonghon Tongmu,
bringing one to my face. "God, Yonghon Tongmu, how could we ever have
thought that our love wasn't perfect," I asked. "How could we ever have
doubted that what we have is special beyond belief?"

"Guess being madly in love doesn't mean you can't be an idiot from time to
time," he answered.

We lay side by side, drinking in the face of our beloved. I reached out and
started stroking Luke's wonderful hair. I knew that long hair wasn't the
fashion any more, but it didn't matter. I loved the golden halo of tight
curls covering the head of my Bright Angel. As I stroked Luke's hair, he
pulled mine over our bodies. Moving over him, my hair covered us and, once
again, created that very private world in which only the two of us
existed--for the second time in much too long. After we had exchanged
numerous kisses, I rested my head on Luke's chest and we both fell asleep.

I was awakened by a tender kiss. As I opened my eyes, I saw my Bright Angel
before me, his golden hair glowing in the sunlight which filtered through
the willows. We lay, our naked bodies in the dappled sunlight, and talked,
again, about what we had gone through and what we faced. Luke was resting
on an elbow, his face above mine, when he said, "Sarang Hanun Pomul, Red
Hawk has said we can make love as we did before we turned eighteen. Do you
think we can do that? Do you think we can make love and not cross the
line?"

"I don't know. Do you think we can? I mean make love and stop before sex?"

"Dark Angel, I can if that is all I can do. But, I mean, it's about loving
and being loved. and if we have to have a 'beyond this there be dragons'
point, then so be it. Right?"

I could only nod. We talked a while longer and then I said, "But, Yonghon
Tongmu, we haven't started our journey yet!" Thank God for the endurance of
eighteen-year-olds because we proved, once again, that there could be
wonderful sex after long foreplay!

Exhausted by our afternoon of love-making, we lay together a while longer
then, without speaking a word, picked up our shirts and shorts and walked
to the falls.

Before we reached them, we heard voices, Michael's and Mary Kathryn's. When
we walked out of the willows, our sister and brother were playing in the
basin. They had not seen us and, just as we approached, Michael grabbed
Mary Kathryn and planted a passionate kiss on her mouth, his hands cupping
her butt, pulling her hips to his.

"Unhand my baby sister, you cad!" Luke shouted. Michael didn't break his
stride as he lifted one hand and shot Luke a bird. Luke and I joined the
two lovers frolicking in the water.

After we had swum for a while, the four of us lay, naked, on the beach,
talking about the latest turn of events. Suddenly Mary Kathryn raised up on
an elbow and asked a question I had wondered about: "Do you think that
after I'm prepared for womanhood it means... I mean... you know...."

Michael laughed and then turned red. "Well, if you're a woman, I guess it
means you're a woman. I mean that you do woman things." He blushed
again. "But what I want to know is, do medicine men have sex with such a
woman?"

Mary Kathryn gave him a real slug on the arm and said, "I don't know about
that, but if you, medicine man, have sex with any other woman than this
one, you'll be a very dead medicine man!"

"Well, I think a medicine man can have sex with a woman but you, medicine
man, better not have sex with my baby sister!"

Michael hit Luke on the shoulder and soon the two of them were wrestling on
the beach. I never expected to see the day when our younger brother could
take either of us on, but that day had come. Michael grabbed Luke, hoisted
him into the air and raced to the basin and tossed him in. Luke could hang
on to Michael just long enough to pull him into the basin as well.

When the two rejoined Mary Kathryn and me, we became very serious when she
said, "You know, times like these for us are very near their end. I welcome
the future, but I am sorry to see the present go." After a long silence, we
started talking about things we remembered from our growing-up years. Mary
Kathryn finally said, "We have to be four of the luckiest kids in the whole
world". We all agreed.


		A Special Place--Part Fifty-four--Margaret

Mary Kathryn had called earlier to tell me that we were having supper at
the Greywolfs', and Greywolf had called later to tell me what was going
on. "I tried to get David, but he is out on a call," he had said. After I
had talked with him, and gotten some clarity on what the Gang of Four would
be doing, I began to wonder just what preparation for womanhood involved
for the Lakota. As I did, I realized that there was another preparation
that needed to be taken care of and made a decision, but I needed to talk
with David before I took any action. I left word in the ER for him to see
me as soon as he came in.

David came to my office shortly after I had left word. I was with a patient
when he came and, as soon as I was finished, I found I had a few minutes
before my next appointment. David and I sat in my office and I was ready to
get right down to business, but David had other ideas. Finally, after
several passionate kisses, I said, "David, you know how I hate quickies and
that's where you're headed".

He laughed and sat down as he said, "That's a down payment on a longie! But
what's up?"

"David, this is one of those times when I find Dr. Bailey and Michael's mom
in conflict." I told him about Mary Kathryn's going to the Black Hills and
undergoing the ceremony called Preparing for Womanhood. "I'm not sure where
the preparation ends and the being begins, but I think Michael and Mary
Kathryn may see it as permission to have sex. Don't get me wrong. I'm not
sure I approve. After all, they are only sixteen, but I'm also not sure I
disapprove. What I am sure about is that we will not make that decision for
them."

"Just what are you getting at, Margaret?" David looked puzzled.

"What I am getting at is that I'm not ready to be a grandmother or you a
grandfather. I think someone needs to talk to Mary Kathryn about birth
control and you need to talk to Michael."

"I have, many times, but I will again if you like."

"Well, you know better than I whether you need to or not, but what about
Mary Kathryn?"

"I see your point. Don't you think Gabrielle has talked with her?"

"I'm sure she has, but how much...?"

"Well, if I were you... if I were you, I'd chicken out and say nothing, at
least as far as Jens is concerned. Mary Kathryn is still his baby
girl. Talk to Gabrielle and take your cue from her." As David finished, his
pager went off and he was out the door. I wondered if that was planned!

I asked the nurse to send in the next patient and have the receptionist
call Gabrielle and ask her to come over.

After two more patients, the receptionist called me to say Gabrielle was
waiting. When she came in she said immediately, "I hope nothing is wrong,
Margaret. I'm not ready for another crisis!"

"Neither am I!" I joined in her laughter. "I'm hoping to avoid another." I
then told her what I had been thinking and what David and I had
discussed. "I don't want to overstep my bounds," I said, "but I also want
to be as helpful as possible."

"I have had a good mother-and-daughter talk with Mary Kathryn several
times. I was prepared to blame Michael if... well, you know... but she set
me straight on that," Gabrielle laughed. "Takes after her mother, I guess!
It is obvious to me that Michael and Mary Kathryn are both pretty mature
for their age. Both are so much in love it's frightening at times, and both
are generally very responsible, but hormones are hormones! Well, I say they
are both mature for their age, but I'm not sure that was true before the
summer. Mary Kathryn has really changed and matured this summer. She is now
definitely a woman and no longer a silly girl--well, most of the time. On
the one hand I hate to see her leave childhood behind and take on a woman's
responsibility and, on the other, I love the young woman she has become. I
know that sooner or later she and Michael will become sexually active--that
sounds so clinical. Sooner or later they will express their love through
sex--and I know that is what it will be, along with the lust, expressing
their love. I wish it would be later but, again, she is her mother's
daughter, if you know what I mean." Gabrielle blushed. "Unlike Jens, I
suspect, I know they will make the decision, not us. But I'm doing all the
talking and you asked me over."

"Well, you've answered part of my question. What I wanted, after I was sure
you knew Michael and Mary Kathryn would sooner or later--and, I agree, it
will be sooner--begin to make love without restrictions... what I wanted to
ask was your and Jens' permission to prescribe birth control for her."

"Margaret, to be honest, I think this better be women's talk. Don't get me
wrong, Jens loves Michael--I think as much as Luke. I'm sure in his
daydreams he already sees Michael as the father of his grandchildren, but
in the far, far distant future. Right now, if you approached the question
of birth control for Mary Kathryn, I'm sure he'd just pitch a Jens
fit. I'll speak to Mary Kathryn and tell her I wish they would wait, even
until they were married, but in my heart I know they won't. I wouldn't,
would you?"

"Do I need to answer that?" I said and rubbed my large
midsection. Gabrielle laughed.

"If you'll take care of the doctor details I would appreciate it. Seems at
this point Michael and Mary Kathryn are our only hope for grandchildren,
and I feel equally as strongly as Jens about Michael being the father of my
grandchildren. And thanks, Margaret, for your concern for my daughter as
well as your son. I'll call Mary Kathryn and ask her to come by."

"Would you ask her to drag Michael along?"

"Sure."

"You know, Margaret, sometimes I wish Luke wasn't gay. It's not because
there is anything wrong--or right--about the fact that he's gay, or because
he won't be giving us grandchildren. It's just that he would be spared a
lot of suffering but, since he is gay, I couldn't ask for a better soulmate
for him than Matt and, thankfully, Jens feels the same way."

"I understand how you feel."

Mary Kathryn called just before I saw my last patient, and said she and
Michael were on their way.

They arrived just as I was showing my last patient out. I had debated about
seeing Mary Kathryn alone and then the two of them, but decided that wasn't
a good idea. When they came in, both gave me a big hug. I was still
surprised at how easily Michael showed affection and was more than
delighted that he did. "Come into the office," I said. "I want to talk with
both of you before you go on your trek."

When we were in the office, I said, "The forthcoming Preparing for
Womanhood ceremony made me, I suspect, suddenly realize you were adults
and... I'll get to the point. To be honest, I wish the two of you would
wait on sex until college at least, and I don't want anything I say to
suggest otherwise. Having said that, I am realistic enough to know that
will probably not be the way it is. Given the reality of your situation, I
ask two things of you, Michael, as my son, and of you, Mary Kathryn as,
yes, a daughter. First, and this is very important, I ask that you make
your first time--and for that matter every time--special. Never let sex
become a thing in itself. I know from bitter experience where that
leads. Michael, be gentle, be caring, be easy." I then told Michael about
what Mary Kathryn's being a virgin meant for the first time. "But a woman
always appreciates her man being slow and easy, loving and caring, and
respects that in a man more than you realize."

"The second thing I ask of you is that you don't allow your love-making to
create a problem for you and the whole family. Someday I hope the two of
you will have bundles of children. You are the hope of the family in that
regard. It will be years before the children I am bearing will give us
grandchildren." I then told them about my talk with Gabrielle and wrote a
prescription for birth control for Mary Kathryn.

As I handed Mary Kathryn the prescription, she blushed and said, "Margaret,
the whole town will know!" She was right of course. Concord is a typical
small town in that regard.

"I'll take care of that for you," I said and then went to get what she
needed from my sample drawer. "I suggest you start now," I said. "It will
do no harm and you'll be protected. Michael, David will have another talk
with you. Don't know what he may say, but no method is foolproof and if you
want extra protection you can use a condom, as much as some hate them. If
you do want extra protection, or think you might, your Dad can explain all
about them to you."

One of those endearing, dimpled-cheek, wicked smiles spread across
Michael's face and he said, "I'm not too sure about that!" as he reached
over and patted my big tummy. I blushed and all three of us laughed.

We all stood and, as we did, Michael said, "Mom, I'm not sure when our
first time will be. We both know where--at least we think we do--but, rest
assured, I will do you proud in the way I treat my wild woman."

"Linda told me above all else to make our first time special and to do
nothing which would make it otherwise," Mary Kathryn said. "She said she
and Bill both now know the difference between their first time and their
first time together. 'The first time for both of us was just fucking,' she
said, 'and our first time together was making love, real love. It was not
just sex, but sex expressing our deep love for each other.' I take her
words very seriously."

"Peers can do more than parents in some things," I thought.


		  A Special Place--Part Fifty-four--Jens

I didn't know what to expect when I went to supper at the Greywolfs'. Mary
Kathryn had called and said we were having supper there to discuss some
plans for the Gang of Four. I certainly hoped there was not another crisis
brewing.

I had to work a bit late getting some reports done and when I arrived,
everyone was present, including Red Hawk. I had a hard time figuring out
what had gone on over the weekend. I think I would have dismissed it all as
hocus pocus except for two things. First, I would have had a hard time
explaining the wounds on Michael's chest unless what Greywolf, Taequo and
Red Hawk had said were true--and even then it was hard to believe. It was
still a mystery to me. But there were the wounds on Michael's chest and I
knew none of those involved would have hurt Michael. Then there were Matt
and Luke.

I had been sure Luke was beyond my help and expected him to need to spend a
long time in a hospital, and had even thought he might end up in a mental
hospital. I mean he was in really bad shape. I know one thing, the weekend
had made me realize just how much my son and his happiness meant to
me. Now, as I looked across the table at him, he was radiantly happy and
the looks he gave Matt told me why. I still couldn't understand how a
man--and especially my own flesh and blood--could love another man, but
there was absolutely no question in my mind that he did. I understood love
and knew it when I saw it, and I saw it between these two sons of the
family.

Before we sat down at the table, we had had a glass of wine--that is,
everyone except Margaret and Red Hawk. Margaret had not touched a drop of
alcohol from the moment she suspected she was pregnant. As she poured
herself a glass of juice, Red Hawk had asked for one as well. "This old
Indian has been sober for over thirty years after being drunk for almost as
long, and I know I'd fall off the wagon easily." He also said, "Luke, I
think your family has been very reasonable about teaching you how to
drink. You forgot that in that gay club. You forget it again and I will
kick your ass until you are sober, then kick it some more." Luke smiled a
somewhat guilty smile.

As we ate, we talked about what we all had been doing at work, the fact
that Douglas and Janet would be joining us for a visit, before going on to
Ohio--the usual family chat kind of things. Then Yong Jin and Greywolf
served coffee and a great strawberry shortcake, and suggested we go to the
library.

As soon as we were settled, Red Hawk and Greywolf talked in some detail
about the seven ceremonies of the Lakota. I found it fascinating. Then they
focused on the vision quest in particular. "Matt and Luke need to do a
vision quest. They are ready to drive Red Hawk to the Black Hills and to do
their quest there," Greywolf said. He then told the family Michael would be
getting instructions as a medicine man while his brothers were on their
quest, then he fell silent.

Finally Red Hawk spoke, "Jens, if you and Gabrielle will permit, Mary
Kathryn will spend the time with a medicine woman and undergo the
Preparation for Womanhood ceremony." There was no question in my mind about
Luke going. Whatever it was he was into had made him alive again and I
wasn't going to raise any objections. Mary Kathryn's going--especially to
prepare for womanhood--was something else altogether!

"Luke is eighteen and can do pretty much as he wants. I don't think I have
much say in that anymore," I answered.

"He may be eighteen and think he can do what he wants," Red Hawk responded,
"but he can't. He's still your son."

"Well, I have no objection--in fact, I'm all for it after I have seen what
happened this weekend, which I still don't understand--but Mary Kathryn
preparing for womanhood... my baby girl..."

"For heaven's sake, Jens," Gabrielle said, "your baby girl has been,
technically at least, a woman for four years. Truth be known, you could
have been a grandfather to a three-year-old child by now! She's grown!"

I was stunned. I mean, I knew all that, but still it was hard to see Mary
Kathryn as a grown woman. I looked across the room at where she sat between
Michael's legs, his arms around her, and I think, for the first time,
realized that she really was a woman--and a very beautiful one at that! I
also thought about how she had changed over the summer. She had grown up
while I wasn't looking. "You're right, and of course she can go," I was
finally able to say.

"There will be a feast after the quest," Red Hawk said. "I hope all the
Family will be there. The Greywolfs, Gabrielle and I said, "Of course we
will."

"You can still fly, can't you?" David asked, looking at Margaret. She
nodded and David said, "Count us in too."

"I guess everyone thinks us old Indians just listen to spirits and drums,
but this one likes a lot of other music," Red Hawk said, looking at
Matt. For the first time in ages, Matt sat down and started playing. He
told us he had done an organ arrangement of "Yonghon Tongmu", and played it
for us. Finally, he played--you know what--"More", and the family had a
great time singing. When he finished, Red Hawk said, "Time these old bones
rested. Sacred ground tonight," and, with those words, he grabbed his pack
and started to leave but not before Michael asked if he could join him.

Before he could answer, Mary Kathryn asked, "Mom, Dad, can I join them?"
Both Gabrielle and I nodded, and she grabbed Michael's hand and they headed
for the door as Yong Jin called after them, telling them their sleeping
bags were on the porch.


		  A Special Place--Part Fifty-four--Luke

Matt and I said goodnight to our parents and as I hugged Dad tightly I
said, "Dad, thanks. Thanks for being my dad."

Dad hugged me very close and said, "Thanks for being my son and loving
me". He then hugged Matt and said, "Matt, thanks for loving my son and for
making him happy".

Matt looked Dad in the eye and said, "My pleasure, Jens, and thanks for
giving me the love of my life". He then turned to me and said, "To the
river, but not the falls," and the look in his eye told me where.

We hugged Yong Jin and Greywolf and, as we turned to leave, Yong Jin called
after us, "May your dreams be of each other!" Gee, this family can get real
mushy these days--and I love it!

Matt and I snagged our sleeping bags from the porch and walked, hand in
hand, stopping for some great kissing, to the place under the willows. When
we reached the willows, we zipped our sleeping bags together and lay on top
of them. The summer's night was balmy and we had no need of them as
cover. As soon as we lay down, we both started undressing each
other. Sometimes I think we should all go nude. It would save a lot of
time! Once naked, we started loving each other, first slowly and then more
passionately. Just like anything else, making love improves with practice
and we were discovering new ways of giving pleasure to each other. I could
drive Matt wild by moving my teeth carefully and gently over the head of
Chili Pepper. Likewise, he could send me into orbit with his fingers. We
certainly took our time, and made love as long as we could before finally
exhausting ourselves. Curled in each other's arms, we drifted off to sleep.

I was awaked by the morning birds, before daybreak, to see my beautiful
Dark Angel sleeping peacefully beside me. As I looked at him, I thought,
"This is how I want to wake up every day of my life," then remembered that,
as soon as we got to the Black Hills, we would be separated for our quests
but not for long. I smiled at the thought of having my Sarang Hanun Pomul
by my side for as long as I lived and that, I hoped, would be a long, long
time. And I was sure of one thing, I'd never again try to shorten that
time. As I watched, Matt stirred, his eyes opened and his smile melted my
heart. "Good morning, Light of my life," I smiled. In response, Matt pulled
my mouth to his and buried his tongue in it. This was living!

We had some time before we had to leave for the house and I was sure that
Michael, Mary Kathryn and Red Hawk would respect our time together, so we
made love in the dawning light. It was beautiful love, wonderful love,
star-spinning love. But good things always end and we got up finally,
dressed, picked up the sleeping bags and walked to Matt's place where Yong
Jin had breakfast waiting. Life was good, living was good, being in love
was good. I was happy.

******************************************************************************

There is more tocome--another wild ride--so patience! Write if you want to:
sequoyahs-place@home.com