Date: Wed, 23 May 2012 07:06:40 -0500
From: Keith Yates <farmerboykeith@hotmail.com>
Subject: Devyn's Struggle 30

This is a fictional story involving sexual acts between two or more men.
If this offends you, why are you here?  If you are under the legal age to
read sexually explicit material then do not read any further.  This story
in no way represents any person living or dead.  Any resemblance to any
real person is purely coincidental.

For those of you who have read my previous stories The Coach's Office
(Athletic section), Jake's Tale (College Section) and Rick's Barn (Rural
section) you will find this story a bit different than those.  I hope you
will give it a chance and if it isn't what you are use to from me then
don't worry as there will be additions to Jake's Tale and Rick's Barn that
you might find more interesting.

Character List

Devyn Roberts -- Main character

Judy Roberts -- Devyn's Mom

Frank Roberts -- Devyn's Dad

Brent Watson -- The boy across the street and Devyn's new friend

Linda Watson -- Brent's Mom

Richard Watson -- Brent's dad

Sue Henderson -- Devyn's Girlfriend?

Tracy Rogers -- Brent's Girlfriend?

Matt -- Works at Devyn's father's construction site and is gay.

Bryan -- Matt's partner

Tom fisher -- Man who befriended Devyn

Henry -- Devyn's first client.

Russell -- Devyn's most physically abusive client

Todd -- New boy Tom brought home.

Roberta -- Devyn's Grandmother

Hannah -- cop that arrested Devyn

Dean -- Hannah's partner who also helped arrest Devyn

Joe -- Hannah's Brother and Devyn's new guardian

Ben -- Hannah's husband

Travis -- Hannah's Son and Joe's Nephew

Julie -- girl from school
Sam -- Boy from school

Stacey -- girl from school

Charlie -- Boy from School

Ethan -- College student interested in Joe.

Chapter 30

It took weeks before things were not so tense on the farm.  Lee had shown
up to take pictures of Devyn's injuries.  Joe told him about Barkley and
Lee was very sympathetic.  Lee obviously understood the emotional
connection Joe had formed with the canine.

Devyn had been sore for days and it took even longer for the bruises to
fade.  It was hard for him to not jump at unexpected noises.  He kept
expecting to see Tom breaking into the house.

"He won't be back here," Joe said.

"I know that," Devyn said.  "I just can't help it."

"I know," Joe said and pulled the teenager into a hug.

One thing Devyn had noticed was that Joe was much more touchy feely the
past few weeks.  The man was always patting his back, rubbing a shoulder or
pulling him in for a hug.  Devyn didn't mind at all it was just not exactly
the relationship Devyn had been use to with Joe.  Oh Joe had always been
warm to Devyn and they had hugged but not on an daily basis like they were
now.  Devyn hoped and prayed that maybe Joe was starting to have stronger
feelings for him.  Maybe that Joe was even beginning to think of him as
possible boyfriend material.

One thing Devyn had been worried about was Todd.  He had wondered how his
friend had cooped with what Tom had done to him.  He had voiced his
feelings to Hannah.  "I just don't' know how Tom found him.  I don't
understand how Tom found me for that matter."

"Tom was a much more resourceful man than any of us thought," Hannah told
Devyn on the phone.  "He had quite the net work of people feeding him
information about vulnerable kids.  You were not his first boy and neither
was Todd.  It appears from what I have uncovered that Tom had been paying
someone in the juvenile court system for information about kids.  His
contact would keep an eye out for boys that were in a situation where they
could be used by him.  He just happened to find you a different way.  That
is how Tom found Todd and I am sure it is this contact that gave or sold
Tom the information about you.  "

"Wow how horrible for someone to sell information like that," Devyn said.

"Yes," Hannah agreed.  "He was a despicable man."

"I hope he doesn't get out this time," Devyn said.

"Oh, he won't," Hannah said.  "He ended up in front of Judge Hall this
time.  He will be going away for a very, very long time."

"That is great," Devyn said.  "that is the kind of good news I could use."

"Now what are you doing this weekend," Hannah asked him.

"Just working on the farm with Joe," Devyn answered.

"Is he still depressed over the pup?" Hannah asked sympathetically.

"Yes," Devyn said.  "He hasn't quite gotten over that."

"I think Travis and I will drive down there for the weekend.  I think it is
time for Joe to see his nephew and maybe we can cheer him up a bit."

"That would be great," Devyn said.


Joe had been a little depressed since Barkley's death.  Devyn understood
that Joe had lost a companion and it was hard to pull Joe out of the funk.
Devyn had tried being cheerful and doing his best to make Joe feel better.

"You know," Devyn began over dinner on Wednesday night, "I talked to Ethan
today."

"Oh," Joe responded.

"Yea, he invited me to the campus on Friday.  They have this thing for
prospective students.  He thought it would be good for me to go and see if
maybe I wanted to go to college there."

"That sounds like a good idea," Joe said taking an interest.  "You need to
go to college and that is a really nice school."

"Yeah, so how about we both go over there on Friday," Devyn said.  "It
would be an excused absence for me and you could do with a day off from the
farm."

"I guess that is true," Joe said.

"don't worry," Devyn said," you won't be bored.  I'm sure that Ethan will
be happy to hang out with you."

"Won't he have classes," Joe asked.

"I guess not," Devyn said.  "It was his idea."

"Hmmm," Joe said thinking.  "I don't want to give him the wrong
impression."

"He knows exactly where he stands," Devyn said.  "That doesn't me he
doesn't like you and won't want to hang out with you.  Give him a chance.
He is a good guy and he likes you."

"Okay, I'll do it then," Joe said.  "We will go over and spend the day
there."

"Great," Devyn said.

After the morning chores on Friday, both Devyn and Joe cleaned up and
headed to the university.  Devyn was hoping that Ethan might be able to
pull Joe out of his funk.

They met Ethan at the Student Union and then Joe and Ethan walked Devyn to
the prospective student orientation.

"You two have fun," Devyn said.

"We will," Ethan said.

"So what would you like to do?" Ethan asked Joe after Devyn left them.

"You don't have to hang out with me, you know," Joe said.

"Hey, I know I don't have too, but I do want too."  Ethan's voice was
sincere.  "How about we walk over to this local coffee shop.  You can have
some breakfast and some coffee."

"How did you know I didn't have breakfast?" Joe asked.

"I know these things," Ethan said.  "Plus Devyn mentioned something about
leaving early and not eating."

Joe followed Ethan across the campus and down a couple of blocks to a
coffee shop.  "What will you have?" Ethan asked.

"Just a regular cup of coffee," Joe said.  "I'm not really too into all
that fancy stuff."

"Okay," Ethan said.  Grab a table and I'll get the coffees."

Ethan quickly returned with the drinks and breakfast for them both.  "The
food is actually good here," Ethan said.  I wasn't sure what you wanted, so
I got a couple of things that I like and you can have whichever you want.
I also brought a couple of fattening breakfast sweets for a sweet guy."

"Are you saying I'm too skinny?" Joe asked taking a plate of food.

"Nope, but you know it would not hurt for you to add a little too your
frame.  You look more lean than the last time I saw you.  It's nice to give
a guy something to grab."

Joe looked at Ethan and lifted an eye brow as Ethan grinned.

"I hope you understand..."

"Yes, yes, I know," Ethan said.  "Devyn already told me to not get the
wrong idea."

"But you are?"

"No, I know exactly where I stand," Ethan said honestly.  "I would like
there to be more, but if we are just friends, then that is what we are.
Sometimes great relationships develop from friends."

"You aren't going to give up are you?" Joe asked.

"Not that easily," Ethan said.

Joe smiled and lifted a fork full of the breakfast to his lips.

"Now that is attractive," Ethan said.  "You should smile more.  You have
very sexy lips."

"Joe popped the food into his mouth and chewed.

"mmmm," Ethan said.

"knock it off," Joe said laughing.

"hey making you laugh is all part of the service," Ethan said.

The two men slipped into a comfortable conversation about themselves with
each of them asking questions and sharing.  It started as a bit one sided
but soon Ethan got Joe to open up about himself.

"So your father didn't understand your being gay?" Ethan asked.

"No, not at all," Joe said.  "I guess his reaction was similar to Devyn's
father..: He even kicked me out like what happened to Devyn.  I was just
lucky that I had a good friend and then found an even better friend who
took me in and let me stay with him for a while."

"That is good," Ethan said.

"How about you?" Joe asked.  "I mean how did your family react."

"They were sort of surprised, but they accepted it.  There was no drama
like with you and Devyn.  My dad said he would rather I be interested in
girls but only because of how hard life might be for me.  Mom, well she is
still hoping for grand children.  But she is oaky if my future man and I
adopt or whatever just as long as she gets to be grandma."

"That is great," Joe said.  "You are lucky."

"Your dad must have forgiven you or came to terms with it.  I mean you got
the farm and all."

"Actually he never did come to terms with it.  He left everything to my
sister.  Hannah however was always supportive and understanding.  She split
everything fifty fifty.  She believed that is how it should have been."

"that is one heck of a sister," Ethan said.  "I would like to meet her
sometime."

"Maybe you will," Joe said.

Those words made Ethan's heart skip a beat.  It let in a ray of hope that
he had not felt until that time.  He was falling more and more for Joe and
he was hoping that the man might let him into his life and his heart.

The two left the coffee shop and strolled over to a nearby park.  They
walked in the shade and continued talking and learning more and more about
each other.

Joe discovered that Ethan was smart, caring and silly.  He was easy to talk
to and easy to be around.  Joe felt no pressure with the younger man and he
could see himself enjoying spending more and more time with him.

The two ended up walking back to the campus housing.  "this is my building
here," Ethan said.  "I have 3 roommates."

"Wow that must make things cramped," Joe said.

"come on up and take a look," Ethan said.  "they are like small apartments.
Much better than the freshman dorm."

Ethan lead Joe up the stairs to the second floor and to his apartment.
They walked into the small living / dining area with the small galley stile
kitchen to the left.  Two other doors opened off of the living area.

"My bedroom is on the left and the two other guys have the one on the
right.  I'd show you the bedroom, but Allen is probably sleeping.  He has a
night job, so he sleeps a lot during the day."

"Hmmm, and here I almost thought you were inviting me up for..."

"Just what kind of guy do you think I am," Ethan said pretending to be
shocked.  "I am not that kind of boy.  You have to buy me dinner first."

Both men broke out laughing.

"You are a nut," Joe said.

"well, I hope you like a good nut."

Joe lifted his eye brow at the double antandra.  "you are bad."

"Yes he is," a tousled Allen said coming out of the bedroom he shared with
Ethan.

"Hey Alan," Ethan said.  "this is Joe."

"Hi," Joe said.

"Dude," Alan responded.

"You could have at least dressed a little bit," Ethan said.  "We do have
company."

Alan was wearing only a pair of boxers as he walked to the kitchen.  "He
doesn't mind," Alan said.  "And I know you don't.  You like the show."

"whatever," Ethan said.

"So is this the man you have been seeing how semester?" Alan asked sitting
down on the couch with a bowl of cereal.

"Joe is just a friend," Ethan said.

"Too bad," Alan said.  "He's a nice lookin' dude."

Joe felt his face growing red.  It had been a long time since he had been
around guys that were this comfortable with each other.  Especial guys who
are also gay."

"Ah, I made him blush," Alan said grinning.  "He is even cuter."

"Knock it off," Ethan said a little annoyed with his roommate.

"Oh come on dude, you think he's cute.  You are so into him."

"Alan!"

"Okay, okay," Alan said.  "don't get your panties in a bunch."  Ina more
serious tone Alan told Joe, "Ethan is a good guy and I do think he likes
you quite a bit.  You could do worse than to date him."

"What makes you think I am even gay?" Joe asked.

"Oh dude," Alan said rolling his eyes, "first you are here with Ethan.
Second, I saw you checking out this bod, so I know.  You spent a little too
much time on this chest and this basket."  Alan moved his hand over his tan
chest and down to cup his cock and balls in his lose boxers.

"Hell," Ethan said.  "I have been telling you all term that your basket
isn't that impressive."

"Sure, sure," Alan said grinning.  "I thinks you protests too much about
how uninterested in it you are."

"Geez!" Ethan said in exasperation.  "He thinks he is God's gift to the
world."

"Well the ladies they like it," Alan said.

"they just don't know any better," Ethan said.

The three sat and talked and joked until Alan had to run off to class.

"Your roommate seems cool," Joe said after Alan had left.

"yeh, he is a good guy," Ethan agreed.

"But not gay?" Joe asked.

"No, he is straight but completely fine with having a queer roommate.  In
fact, I think he likes that I am gay.  It is less competition for him that
way."

"I never thought of it like that," Joe said.

"Devyn will be showing up in a little bit," Ethan said.  "I gave him
directions to here when we last talked on the phone and told him that maybe
I could get you back here to relax."

"You sure think ahead don't you."

"I try," Ethan said.  "So before he gets here..."

Ethan paused knowing that he was about to take a step that there was no
taking back.

"Yes," Joe said.

"Well, I want to..."

Joe smiled at how nervous Ethan had become.  The college student had gone
from all bullish confidents to uncertainty in a few seconds.  Joe let down
the walls that he had built around his emotions and leaned in close to
Ethan.  He slid his arm around the younger man and brought his lips to
Ethan's.  Ethan responded with enthusiasm as the two embraced and kissed
for a long minute.

They broke apart and looked into each other's eyes.  "I hope we can do that
again."

"Me too," Joe said.

Ethan leaned forward.  "No time like the present."

The two kissed again.  Joe's arm went around Ethan and his hand slid up and
down the younger man's strong back.

Ethan cupped the back of Joe's neck and held the man tight as the kiss grew
longer and longer.  They broke apart and dropped back down into their
respective seats.

"WOW!" Ethan said.

"You can say that again," Joe agreed.

They sat in silence for a long minute and then Ethan took Joe's hand into
his own.  "I want to see more of you.  I want us to really date."

"I think I already knew that," Joe said.

"So can we go out sometime?" Ethan asked.

"You know I am a lot older than you are."

"Stop being hung up on our age and you aren't that much older."

"So how about next Friday night?" Joe asked.

"Yes," Ethan said almost bouncing off his seat.

"It's a date then."

The door opened and Devyn came in with two other guys and he saw Joe and
Ethan holding hands.  He felt a wave a jealousy, but it was soon replaced
with happiness for is friend.

"Joe squeezed Ethan's hand briefly and then pulled away.  He looked at
Devyn who's lips quirked up into a smile.  Joe hoped his young friend was
happy for the way things had gone with Ethan.

"We found this kid lurking outside the apartment," the tall blonde guy
said.

"yeah," the other blonde said.  "He looked like he was waiting for someone.

"guys," Ethan said.  "that is Devyn and this is Joe.  These are my
roommates Mitch and Larry."

"So he was waiting for you?" Mitch asked.

"Sort of," Ethan said.  "He and Joe came over to look over the campus.  I
was entertaining Joe while Devyn went to the orientation."

"He can be a very entertaining fellow," Mitch said.

"He has been a lot of fun," Joe said.

"Hmmm," Larry said.  "Perhaps we should take the guy, um, Devyn and go grab
some..."

"No, we need to get going," Joe said.  "I have chores to get done."

Devyn and Joe left the college students and started on the long drive back
to the farm.

"So how did you like the campus?" Joe asked.

"It was nice," Devyn said.

"Do you think you would like to go there after you have graduated?"

"I picked up an application," Devyn said.

Joe heard the uncertainty in the teen's voice.  He took his eyes off the
road and could see a worried look in Devyn's eyes.  "Did something happen
today?"

"No," Devyn said but did not elaborate.

"You know you can tell me anything," Joe said.

"I know," Devyn said but he did not volunteer any additional information.

"this only works if you actually tell me," Joe said patiently.  "Let me
know what is bugging you.  I might be able to help and if I can't, well, it
helps to share your problems."

"It is just," Devyn paused then started again.  "College costs a whole
lot."

"Is that all," Joe said relief flooding his voice.

"Is that all!  Do you know how much it costs to just go there.  It doesn't
even matter if I live there.  It is still nothing I could afford."

"Devyn," Joe said softly.  "I do know how much it costs.  I looked it up
online.  It is fine.  There is financial aid and college loans and we will
figure it all out.  I have been pretty good with money, so I am sure we
will be able to send you there or any other college you want to attend."

"You should not have to give up your savings to send me to college," Devyn
said.  "My, my, my parents should be doing that."

Joe could hear the tears under the words.  He could feel Devyn's hurt.  He
wanted to make the hurt go away, but he knew there were some scars that
would always hurt a little.

"You know Devyn, I love you.  Maybe they couldn't understand you being gay.
Maybe they don't understand that love comes before fear and prejudice.  I
know it hurts and I sympathize completely.  Maybe one day..."

"no," Devyn said shaking his head.  "they will never understand.  They will
never comprehend how they hurt me.  They will never know how much what they
did hurt."

"I know," Joe said softly.  He reached over and squeezed the back of
Devyn's neck and the then younger man's shoulder.

Devyn reached up and placed his hand on top of Joe's and squeezed.  "It
doesn't matter.  I will get thru it."

"Yes you will," Joe said.  "because you are one of the strongest people I
know and have ever known."

"Yeah, right," Devyn said sarcastically.

"It is true."

"How can you say that," Devyn said.  "Look at what I did.  Look at what I
let Tom do to me."

"Yes, that is exactly why you are the strongest guy I have ever known.  Not
too many people could go thru that and still be the man you are.  You are
one hell of a good guy."

"You really mean that," Devyn said surprised.

"You should know I do," Joe said.  "I have told you often enough that I
love you."

"I always thought you loved me despite what I went thru."

"Not despite what you went thru, but because of what you went thru and how
you managed to overcome it."

They reached the farm and Joe and Devyn slid from the cab of the truck.
Joe started towards the house but before he could take more than a few
steps Devyn cut him off and threw his arms around him.

Joe returned the hug and squeezed Devyn tight to him.  "What is this all
about."

"I just want you to know I love you.  I don't think you know just how much
I love you."

"I love you too," Joe said and squeezed Devyn a little tighter.

"We talked so much about me, that I didn't hear how your date went with
Ethan."

"It wasn't a date," Joe said.

"Oh, it wasn't," Devyn said.  "You went out and ate right?"

"Yes."

"you walked around and talked and got to know each other better, right?"

"Yes."

"You went back to his place."

"You know we did."

"You two kissed."

"How did you..."

"I didn't until now," Devyn said snickering.  "It was a date goof ball."

"You little," Joe said in mock anger.  "I'm going to kick your ass."

"gotta catch me first," Devyn said and took off running laughing as Joe
chased him.

Devyn darted around the side of the house and then around the back.  Joe
chased after him laughing as he threatened to plant his boot in Devyn's
back side.

Devyn charged up the porch steps and into the house.  Joe right behind him
and then.

"Surprise!" Hannah and Travis cried.

"hey!" Joe said surprised.

"It is about time you two got home," Hannah said.

Travis started signing rapidly.

"Yes partner, I surprised," Joe signed back.

Then Hannah hugged her brother and then Devyn.  "It is good to see you
two."

"You too," Devyn said.

"We waiting for ever," Travis signed.

"Yes, he has been very impatient for you two to get home."

"surprises for you," Travis signed.

"for both of us?" Devyn asked.

"YES!" Travis shouted in his slurred speech.

"Awesome," Devyn said.

"yes, we brought cake," Hannah said.

"We love cake," Joe signed.

"And more," Travis signed.

"Like?" Joe asked.

Travis pointed at the living room and then clapped his hands.

Devyn looked at the living room and there standing in the doorway was Todd.
He was so surprised he didn't move for a long minute.  He just stood and
looked at his friend.  It almost felt like someone had come back from the
grave.

"TODD!" Devyn finally cried and ran to pull his friend into a tight bear
hug.  "I missed you.  I really missed you."

"I missed you too," Todd said.  "I thought you were gone forever.  That is
what Tom told me.  He said you got into trouble for doing bad things and
were not ever coming back home.  I cried and cried.  Then Tom hit me for
being a baby."

"Oh Todd," Devyn said.

"But you are okay," Todd said.  "You aint hurt."

"No, I am better than ever."

"way to go sis," Joe said smiling at his sister.

"Oh Todd is Devyn's surprise, but there is one for you too."

"there is?"

In the excitement of Devyn and Todd's reunion, Joe had not noticed Travis
scamper from the room.  He did however see him return carrying an almost
white puppy.  The puppy was struggling and wiggling and finally slipped
from Travis to land with a soft plop onto the kitchen floor.

"You didn't," Joe said.

"OH yes we did," Hannah said.  "It was Travis' idea.  He said it was time
for you to get a new dog.  He picked this one out of a bunch of about 50
that the APL had outside the store.  He said this one had to go to Uncle
Joe.

"thank you buddy," Joe signed.  He leaned down to pull Travis into a tight
hug and kissed his nephew's cheek.

"You like him?" Travis asked.

"I love him," Joe said scratching the dog's ears.

"Is it really okay?" Hannah asked.

"Yes Sis it is."

"It isn't too soon?" she asked softly.

"No, it isn't.  I probably would have gotten a pup at some point.  You know
how I am."

"Yes I do," Hannah said.  "You are a marshmallow."

"Yeah, like you aren't," Joe said and nodded at Devyn and Todd."

"Hey, it is good for both of them.  Todd was worried about Devyn and
couldn't seem to get over what Tom had told him.  I think this will solve
that problem.  The social worker agreed.  That is how I got Todd to come
with me.  We will all stay tonight and tomorrow and then head back on
Sunday.

"does Todd have a good home now?" Joe asked.

"Yes he does," Hannah said.  "His new foster parents are great.  He has an
older and a younger brother there.  I think he is in the best place he can
be right now."

"That is good.  Maybe Devyn won't have to worry too much about him then."

"Oh and they do not mind if Devyn wants to come for a visit," Hannah said.

"That is good," Joe said.  "I think he would like to do that."

"It might be good for one of the boys there to meet Devyn," Hannah said.
"He seems to be having some problems adjusting to being gay."

"Oh?" Joe said.  "Just how do you know that."

"I met them when I was there and...well after having a gay brother I know
some of the signs.  Plus there are some things Todd has told me...Oh don't
give me that look.  There was nothing inappropriate.  Just how his brother
looks at other boys and how he doesn't date girls.  Anyway, the signs are
there.  The guy just seems very deep in the closet over it."

"Well, maybe Devyn would be a good friend for him then."

"I think he would," Hannah said.

The weekend was too short and before Devyn and Joe were ready Hannah,
Travis and Todd were driving away down the road.

"You sister is amazing," Devyn said.

"Yes she is," Joe agreed.  "One of a kind."

"I am so glad that what Tom told me was a lie.  Todd seems really happy."

"Yes he does," Joe said.

"He asked me to come and visit him," Devyn said.

"You should do that sometime," Joe said.

The two went back into the quiet house with a little white pup running
around their feet.


Copyright 2012 by farmerboykeith@hotmail.com

Okay guys that is another chapter.  I hope you enjoyed it.  It is nice to
see that things turned out for Todd.  I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.
What do you think about Joe and Ethan?  Is it love?  Is it a possible
relationship for our favorite farmer?

Keep reading.
K Y