Date: Sat, 8 Sep 2012 19:29:28 -0400 (EDT)
From: Aragon76@aol.com
Subject: Keeping It In The Family: Chapter 3

Chapter Three

"How are you doing today Michael? You feeling any better after your
haphazard sleepless night last night? I hope Trent was some help?"  Michael
sunk a little deeper into the chair and sighed. Even if Sarah had told
Trent to sleep with him, he was still embarrassed that she knew they slept
together with Trent holding Michael.

"Last night helped a lot when Trent came in and slept with me. I think it
helped me just stop and breath enough to get some much needed sleep. I'm
starting to get things sorted out in my head. At least up to this point,
I'm pretty sure that I won't be going home for a little while, even if my
Mother is okay with me being gay. I think the tension between my parents is
going to go on for a while and they need their time to figure out where
each one stands and how they are going to resolve their differences,
providing my mother is on my side. If I find out differently, then it looks
like you'll have me until at least graduation. I have to finish high school
and figure out how I'm going to get into college."

"I want you to really slow down Michael. I think it's hard for you to do
that isn't it?"  Michael just looked up at her, unsure of what to say.

"I think you've been too hard on yourself in the past couple of years. I
believe the gay issue has been hanging over you like a lead weight and it's
still there but it's different now. You need time to adjust to knowing that
your parents know. Give them time, and do the same for yourself. They
aren't the only ones that are in turmoil. It's not as a matter of knowing
or not knowing anymore, they know now." Sarah got up from the seat she was
sitting in and came around to sit next to Michael.

"I know you're going through a hard time. I want you to know that Clay and
I are behind you. And if it works out for you and Trent, then we're behind
both of you.  If things don't work out with you two, then you're still
welcome here for as long as you want or need to be. We both mean what we
said about staying here until you finish college. Clay wanted all of his
kids to go to college. That's not going to happen, cause two of the older
girls didn't want to. They wanted to get married instead, which is fine
with us.

If they decide to go later we'd still help them.  I know school is
important to you as does Clay. That being said please don't worry about
school. You talk to Clay when you are ready to go to school, Michael. I'm
going to tell you now so you have time to process it and think about
it. Clay is going to want to make sure you go and I am more than happy to
agree with him on this one. Too many things have happened in your life,
it's time that some good things come your way. A father who doesn't have a
good relationship with his son or daughter has lost a valuable piece of his
life."

"I don't know. That's a lot to ask and you two are not responsible for...

"

"We know we aren't responsible Michael. Please hear me out. You're going
through so much and we both know from what you and Trent have said that you
going to school is very important to you. Trent told us Monday night that
you had problems at home with your father. We were a little prepared when
you showed up Tuesday night with Trent. So this isn't an overnight
decision.

As a matter of fact, it's only just begun for all of us. I just want you to
know that we are here to help you get through this tough time, however long
it takes, and Clay is very concerned that you could sidestep college for a
while and try to make it on your own, which is understandable.

Nonetheless, we don't want to see you struggle when it isn't
necessary. Would you at least agree with me on that one?"

Michael was holding himself in check. "Yes I do."

"Then I want you to just remember that for now. And not worry about
anything else. Just know that you can go to school without the worry and we
really want to see you go Michael, both of us."

He knew if he didn't stop this conversation he was going to lose it and
then he'd be a basket case. He didn't want to do that. He was trying so
hard to be a man, however, inside him he was still the little kid who
couldn't hold on much any longer.

"Thank you for everything. I never expected anyone to do something like
this for me in my whole life. I didn't think there were people in the world
that cared..." Michael just couldn't hold back, his emotions had been so
raw lately. Sarah leaned over and let her mothering instincts take over,
pulling Michael against her so that he would just let it out. There was a
knock on the door.

"Is that you Trent?"

"Yes Mom."

"Come in." Trent could hear Michael and his heart just melted, knowing he
was in pain again.  He knew Michael was stressed out over everything going
on at his house and he was trying to make it seem like it wasn't bothering
him as much as it was. But Trent knew better. He just hadn't been able to
get Michael to open up to him yet. His mother got up and Trent sat down and
took Michael in his arms.

"I'll be in the kitchen, Trent, when you come out." Trent nodded to his
mother. He just held Michael and let him cry. It was breaking his heart
that he was so unhappy.

"Come on buddy, it's going to be all right. I promise. We'll just sit here
until you're ready to get up. No matter what, I'm here for you, just so you
know that right?"  Michael just nodded his reply and kept holding on, he
wasn't crying as much as he had been.  Everything in the past couple of
days was just catching up to him and he was fighting so hard to be tough,
but his world had fallen apart. And all of a sudden he was just feeling
helpless and lost.

"It's going to be all right, Michael, honest, I'm not going to leave you,
I'm going to stay right here for now until you're ready to move." Trent
adjusted himself so that he could hold Michael better than he was. Another
twenty minutes elapsed before Michael moved.

"Thanks Trent, I feel a lot better. I'm sorry. I guess I've just let this
build up since the other day."

"It's all right, Mikey. I'm here for you. Whatever you need me to help you
with, I'm more than glad to help you whenever you need it." Holding Trent's
hand Michael followed behind without question. As they entered the kitchen
Sarah instructed them to sit down.

"Dr.  Davis is coming over, he's our neighbor next door here, Michael. I
want you to talk to him for a few minutes and tell him what's going on. I
told him the basics of what's been going on but I want you to just talk to
him. I asked him to give you something that will help you calm down and
help you sleep. As a mother I would be doing the same for my children."

"He's a nice guy Michael, do what mom is telling you to, I like this guy.

I've known him a long time, he's always been honest and up front with me
when I've needed a doctor to just talk to about anything."

"All right, I will, I guess something might help me to not feel so
hopeless."

"I'm glad you feel that way, Michael, he'll be here in a few minutes."

The back door opened slowly and Dr. Davis entered the room. He crossed the
room and Michael was taken aback by the fact that the Doctor stood about as
tall as himself, perhaps even shorter. Michael was very conscious about his
height and he didn't find many grown men having his height. At least it
seemed that way to him. He looked comfortably dressed, wearing pants with
way too many pockets on them and a casual gold shirt that matched the pants
in color.  Reaching his hand out to Michael he made his own introductions.

"I'm Dr. Drew Davis Michael, glad to meet you. Sarah called and said you
might need some help from me. Why don't we go into her office and we'll
talk for a few minutes. Then we can determine if that's really true or
not."

Dr. Davis headed for her office and Michael turned to follow him.

"My sister is coming, Trent. Will you take care of her until I'm done with
Dr. Davis and don't tell her I'm talking to a doctor. She'll just worry and
I don't want her to?"

"My mother and I will take of Mandy, Mikey."

"Thanks."  They both went into her office. Michael was beginning to feel
like this room was problem central, if you had a problem you went here to
get it solved. He was beginning to wonder just how bad his problem was,
since Trent's mother called a doctor without even asking him. His stomach
was in knots just like it always did with most situations that made him
feel distressed.

"Sit down, Michael. Sarah gave me a very rough outline of what's taken
place in the past few days. But just let me say what I've gotten out of
what she has said to make sure we are both on the same page.  That okay
with you?

"

"That's fine."

"She told me that basically your father has found out that you're gay and
he has thrown you out of the house. You've landed here as a place to stay,
Trent is your current boyfriend, your sister and you are close and she's on
her way over here now. And you believe that your mother knows that you're
gay and she isn't talking to your father at the moment and you haven't
talked to either of your parents since this has developed. Correct?"

"That's it exactly, she hasn't left anything out.  Except Mandy and I are
close because we're twins."

"How are you feeling about all this, because I know what it means to be
adopted by the Sanders. They are very generous with their wealth and
sometimes people are very reluctant to accept their kindness, even though
they mean well."

"I do feel awkward about that but Sarah has assured me that anything from
here on out I am to feel comfortable enough with myself before they buy
anything else for me. She did kind of explain a few things today to me
because we had a chance to talk for a few minutes, and although I'm not
totally okay with it, at least at this point I'm okay with what they have
given to me."

"I guess you've been talking to your sister every day since this took place
so you know how your parents are reacting?"

"Yes, I'm pretty sure that my mother is okay with it, but she's not talking
to my father at all. And she asks my sister what's going on because she
knows that we talk every day. I give her messages through my sister. All I
have said at this point is that I'm safe and I'm okay. But I haven't talked
directly to my mother and I think until I know some things I'm not going
to. I'm still uneasy about what she will say. I need to know more before I
talk to her."

"When did you realize you were gay, Michael?"

"I was eleven when I began to understand that my attraction was to men and
not to women. I realized that everything the other guys were talking about
was how I felt about boys instead of girls. And I knew it was something
that I just couldn't come out to tell my parents. My father is a Major in
the Army, so that just made things worse when it came to me even thinking
about telling them. My plan was to just get through high school and have
them help me through college before I told them, as long as I could hide it
that long. But the other day he started on me about not standing up for
myself, which wasn't even the problem at the time, and I was at the end of
my rope.

Trent doesn't know this but it was because of our relationship that I
snapped. Not that anything was said that I had a boyfriend, but for the
first time in my life I had someone in my life that mattered to me and my
father was making me feel, well, he was making me feel worthless again."

"So did he throw you out or did you walk out first? How do you perceive
that period of time and everything that was going on at that moment? As I'm
sure this was highly emotional moment for you and him both.

"I would say that it's fifty-fifty. No, now that I think about it: I walked
out in the middle and he threatened me not to open the door or I couldn' t
come back. Then I just walked out and for a while I just walked and
walked. When I stopped and realized I didn't know where I was, the only
option I had was to call Trent, who at the time I was really mad at, but I
didn't know who else to call since I'm new to the area. So I broke down at
that point and called Trent and he came and got me. And I think since then
I've been trying to process everything and I'm not doing very well. I'm
beginning to feel like I'm losing it." Dr. Davis looked at Michael and he
smiled.

"You're very astute for a person your age and as far as how you are
handling yourself in this situation. Most kids your age would act out or
have emotional problems that they wouldn't be able to identify within
themselves.

I think you know what the problems are and you are able to articulate them
very well. That being said, I think I would like to put you on two
medications for a short term, I don't think you're going to need them long
term.

You're too much in control of yourself for that. I want to put you on
Cymbalta to help you not feel so helpless or hopeless. And at night I want
you to take Xanax right before you go to sleep so that you will sleep
through the night. That was another thing that Sarah told me about you: she
knew for sure last night you had a really hard time sleeping, so the Xanax
will take care of that.

"These aren't going to weird me out or anything?" The doctor laughed.

"No, Michael, they won't, the Xanax will make you sleepy. Don't drive while
taking them.  You can take one during the day but only if you feel stressed
out, cause it will help calm you down.  Other than that you won't feel
anything. If you do feel weird as you put it: let me know and we'll try
another prescription. I live right next door. If you need me just call me
and I' ll come over or you can come over to my house. Here's my card, all
my phone numbers are on there. Don't be afraid to use them. And what we've
talked about is between you and me, Michael, I won't be discussing any of
this with Sarah or Clay unless you say that it's okay."

"Thanks Dr. Davis that makes me feel a lot better already, believe me, I
really do feel better. And it is okay to tell them but only if they ask,
okay?" Drew Davis shook his head that he was fine with that.

"Sometimes that's all it takes but I still want you taking those pills and
each one is the lowest dosage I can give you. So don't worry, like I said,
you won't be on them long."  The two of them got up and left the office.

"Let me know how it's going, Michael, and if you need me just call, I'm
right next door."

"Thanks Dr. Davis."

Mandy was sitting at the table talking with Trent and Sarah and was having
a cup of coffee with Trent. They were just sitting there talking. Michael
went over and hugged Mandy.

"It's good to see you Mikey." Mandy stood up and hugged her twin brother
and didn't let go immediately. Michael held on as much as she did.

"It's good to see you too, Mandy. That was Dr.  Davis. He's put me on two
prescriptions for short term until I relax some more and I feel better
about things and the way they are going. One is to calm me down and the
other is to help me sleep. I feel better just from talking to him."

"I talked to Mom since we talked, Mikey, and she told me to tell you that
she understands and doesn't have a problem with you being gay." Michael
wanted to cry all over again and then he thought about it and just bit his
li p and refused to give into the tears this time. He had had enough and
just wanted to stop for a while. But it was a relief that at least his
mother was being accepting. On top of talking to Dr. Davis and knowing this
piece of information it made Michael feel even better. His shoulders felt a
little lighter.

"Let me run upstairs and get changed into my bathing suit, Mandy, come with
me. You can change in the bathroom upstairs. Michael took Mandy by the hand
and told her to just follow him and off they went to Michael's bedroom.

Michael watched Mandy's face as they went through the living room and up
the stairs to his bedroom. He opened the door and let Mandy enter first.

"Wow, Michael, this is your bedroom?"

"Mandy, this isn't even half of it.  The Sanders have given me so much and
they want to help me. For some reason Trent's father seems to think I
possess some kind of special quality that impresses him. It hasn't happened
yet because I have put my foot down but he wants to put me through school
and buy me a car, Mandy! Clay and I are supposed to go car shopping next
Saturday. No car payment, the car will be paid in full and the insurance
covered.

I only have to pay for gas. You see all these boxes and computer? Clay and
Sarah went out and bought these yesterday, it's all mine. But I've told
them no more until further notice." His sister looked at him with
disbelief.

"I'm not kidding and Trent is still supposed to take me shopping for
clothes, which includes two tailored suits and a bunch of other things to
go with the suits.  There's more but we won't go into it, but it's another
reason I've had this little meltdown the past like twenty-four hours. I'll
explain more about it later but consequently after seeing and talking to
Dr.

Davis I do feel a lot better. I'm going to get those filled tonight before
I go to bed. I want to make sure I have the ones that are supposed to help
me sleep. If it hadn't been for Trent sleeping with me I would have never
slept last night." Mandy looked at her brother and raised her eyebrows.

"Don't worry, it was Sarah's idea and she gave Trent the okay.

Evidently, it something that has happened with the boys when they were
growing up and Sarah just felt that it was necessary for Trent to help me
get some sleep. Nothing happened, so get your mind out of the gutter, my
dear big sister.

" Michael poked at her sides to attempt tickling her but she could move
quicker than him so Michael wasn't able to tickle her as much as he wanted
to. He like to call her his big sister because he told her it meant that
she was older than him, thus making him the baby of the family. Mandy would
call him little brat sometimes.

"Everything you see in here is mine Mandy, the Sanders have been so nice to
me. Sit down and we'll talk for a minute. Actually, go in the bathroom and
put your bathing suit on and as soon as I have mine on I'll knock on the
door so you know it's safe to come out.

"So Dad still isn't saying anything, is he, Mandy?"

"No, I won't lie to you. Mom has come around, Michael, but it's going to
take Dad longer, which doesn't surprise me and you can't tell me that you
are either. It's going to take him some time with Mom working at him the
whole time. I don't know how much patience she'll have with him, Michael,
before she tells Dad to fuck off. And I think if he doesn't come around
soon enough, Mom will do just that, Mikey." Michael looked at his sister in
surprise.

"I hope not, Mandy, I don't want to see them get a divorce over me, but
that's their decision, not mine. I wouldn't expect Mom to walk away from
him because he can't accept the fact that his son is gay.  I think it would
bother me knowing I was the cause of the divorce but on the other hand if
me being gay makes them get one, I wonder just how strong their marriage
was to begin with?" Mandy and Michael just stared at one another and
shrugged their shoulders.

"Come on, sis, and we'll go swimming at the indoor pool. Wait until you see
this one, you mouth is going to drop the floor, I promise, Mandy, just
wait. Remember the grand piano you saw sitting in that little living room?"

Mandy nodded her answer.  "Trent can play classical music without sheet
music, Mandy, he's really good.  Actually he's better than good. He said he
just doesn't want to play professionally. I do know that he plays at some
bar for tips, the music teacher from school saw him play there and that's
how Trent got into the school band."

"Wow, I'm impressed that he plays so well. Shit, I'm surprised that he
plays and can play classical." They got changed and headed back down the
stairs and Mandy gazed across the massive size living room. For its size
Mandy was surprised at how much of a comfortable laid back feeling you got
from the room itself. Nothing was overdone or too ornate. She got the
feeling it was a spot you could kick off your shoes wherever you sat and
put your feet up on the oversized coffee table. You got the same feeling
throughout the house. Nothing was ornate or obtrusive.  Mandy was jealous
of Michael and wondered how he had gotten into such a situation, that
hadn't been living here long enough for Michael to have found this guy and
then somehow hooked up with him. This had only begun after Michael met
Trent. Mandy still wasn't sure what had transpired that day after school
between her father and Michael. She felt that her brother wasn't telling
her everything.. She followed Michael until they reached the kitchen.

"I thought you got lost somewhere, Mikey, I was going to send out the
troops for a search and rescue for you two, glad to see you made it back in
one piece."

"You know you're really pushing it today mister. I may be short but I have
this incredible reach that a certain person has given me permission to use
when I see fit and she's sitting reallllyy close to you Trent. It wouldn' t
take much for me to request for her to make you stand still while I give
you a shot upside your head, now would it, Trent?" Michael laughed, as did
Sarah. Trent bolted out of the kitchen towards the stairs, head for the
pool.

"Missed me, missed me, now you gotta kiss me." Trent chanted the childish
tune over and over for Michael and Mandy to hear.

"I hope you can hide at the bottom of the pool, Michael, you have no other
place to hide once I get in there."

"Oh sure, all talk, that's all you are Little Buddy! Just a breath of hot
air." Mandy was laughing at their childish behavior.

"So help me, Trent, there's a head shot in your future, you're very real
near future."

"Mandy, you gotta help me, he's going to throw me in the pool, help me,
Mandy, please hurry." Trent popped out from behind a large rubber tree
plant, which was across the pool at the other end of the room. Michael took
off running towards Trent. The intercom popped on and you could hear Sarah
say she hoped Michael wasn't running in the house again.  Trent and Michael
looked at each other and laughed. Trent pointed at Michael for having been
caught. Trent had learned how to run in the house without pounding his feet
on the floor, he just didn't let the heels of his feet hit the floor.
Michael began to circle and Trent kept the distance between them. Mandy
dove into the pool and swam around while she watched her brother be happy
with another guy, his greatest dream coming true. She couldn't remember the
last time she had seen him happy like this. Trent was the first one of the
two to jump in. Michael waited for him to get close enough and he jumped on
him. The three of them laughed and splashed each other for a while. Mandy
was surprised to see Trent take Michael in his arms while he was leaning
against the side of the pool. Michael leaned back into Trent and Trent
kissed Michael's neck.

"Okay, you two can get a room.  No, never mind that idea, there are too
many rooms in this house as it is. What was left of the afternoon the three
of them horsed around and played in the pool. Before long Mandy made her
excuses that it was time for her to go.

"Listen, Mikey, I gotta go, I need to be home and then I'm going out
tonight with some friends I've made, you two are welcome to come along if
you want to."

"Thanks sis but Trent and I are going to spend the evening watching a movie
or two. We need some time together and do some talking, but thanks for
inviting us.  I'm glad you came over today. Come on and I'll take you back
to my room." The three of them gathered all their belongs and headed for
the other side of the house. Trent went into his room and Michael and Mandy
into his.

"Listen, Mikey, if you need anything, all you have to do is call. I keep my
phone on at night in case you need me. So I don't care what time it is, all
you have to do is pick up the phone." Michael hugged Mandy and they just
held each other both silently understanding that it was the beginning of
the end to their close sibling relationship. They would always be twins but
not in the same way it had always been. In the past few days their personal
world had shifted away from a world reserved for twins. That bond was
beginning to slowly open and the fabric of their souls would never be the
same.


"I know Mandy, you always have my back, and you always have. You don't know
how much I have hung on to knowing that. You are the only one that has
always been there for me, maybe with any luck this will work out for Trent
and me. It's only just begun for us but college is coming and that's going
to be a lot less time together and only if I get into a college that's
close enough for me to commute every day. I know there are a lot of them in
this area. But getting into one of them that would be good for me is
another matter entirely. I'm afraid to even say where I want to go because
I don't know how I would even be able to do it. Well, I do, if I accept
what the Sanders are offering, but I don't feel comfortable enough at this
point in time to accept that." Michael hung his head, folded his arms
across his chest and just rocked slowly back and forth.

"It's going to work out, Michael, I'm not sure how at this point but I just
know that something will happen to make it all work out.  Come here and
give your big sister a hug and a kiss and I gotta fly." Mandy and Michael
exchanged hugs and gave each other a kiss on the cheek and walked their way
out of the house.

"Be good, kiddo, and I'll see you later, keep in touch this weekend and I
'll see you in school." Mandy pulled out of the driveway and waved out the
window as she pulled away from her little brother.  She was worried about
him and knew how tired he looked. Mandy tried to convince herself that he
just needed some time, time to think and be away from his father and
mother, mostly his father. Michael watched her drive away and wondered how
she could drive back to that house and live with the man they called "the
major"

since he was old enough to remember. He couldn't even remember having ever
called his father "The Major" in front of their mother.

Michael stood there, leaning against the stonewall that encircled the
driveway. He looked around at the size of it and wondered just what he was
doing here and how long was he really going to stay. His whole life` he had
been taught to take care of himself, the major had taught them not to take
handouts or accept gifts like the ones the Sanders were handing him.

Everything came with a price, his father had told him repeatedly as he grew
up.

What was he going to do? He had already accepted them in their eyes. What
was it going to cost him to repay them for what they had already done for
him?

He just looked out on the manicured landscape seeing its simplistic beauty.

He began to think about all the work that went into making it look this way
and all the time and effort.

"I know this is corny, but a penny for your thoughts." Michael was startled
and jumped a little at the sound of Trent's voice.

"Yes, you're right, it is corny but worse than that, haven't you heard of
inflation? Is that all I'm worth: a penny for my thoughts, I'm disappointed
I'd thought for sure I might be worth a buck or two." Trent walked behind
Michael and put his arms around him, resting his chin on Michael's
shoulder. He kissed Michael's ear whispering in his ear.

"I just want to remind you that I love you and that it's all going to work
out. Now for two bucks, tell me about those thoughts you were thinking
about when I interpreted them. And don't hold back on me Little Buddy."

"Why do you insist on calling me that Trent?" Michael hit Trent on his arm
as he asked.

"I just think it's you Michael and I like it, think as it as an
affectionate term instead of just calling you Michael all the time. Don't
tell me to stop either, cuz I won't, you know."

"Why are you so difficultly cute?" Michael leaned his head forward turning
to look into Trent's eyes and all that did was have him looking into an
amazing color of a blue green sea. Michael had noticed that Trent's eyes
shifted in color. From a sky blue you could fall into an almost clear green
that reminded you of highly polished glass.

"Because Little Buddy you make it easy for me to be that way." Trent held
Michael and leaned back against Trent's chest and they both laughed.

"You're such a bullshitter, Mr. Sanders." Their jovial banter continued for
a little while. Michael avoided thinking about his earlier thoughts. He
didn't know how to really tell Trent what he had been thinking about. It
was just the way he was brought up. Just like Trent was brought up in his
style of life. They just came from such different worlds. Trent was used to
what he currently had, Michael knew that, when he grew older, these things
would become important to him too. Trent knew in the back of his mind that
he had to struggle for a few years until he got his trust fund, but Michael
didn't have that luxury. What made it worse was that Trent really believed
that money didn't matter to him. Right now it didn't but by the time he
turned of age to receive that, he would be thinking differently and Michael
knew this. Why didn't Trent see this as a problem?

"Okay, you don't have to tell me everything, Michael, just tell me
something about what your crazy brain was talking to you about. Can you do
that much for me, I'm trying to make you understand that I want to help
you, but if you don't let me into that head of yours at least, I won't be
able to help you at all, okay Mikey."  His heart felt every word that Trent
said to him.

"I know Trent, I know. Just know that sometimes it takes me time to talk
about some things. I'm half afraid that if I say something now that maybe I
shouldn't be worrying about or even thinking about, you won't want to stick
around or maybe we'll get into a fight. I know I worry too much
sometimes. I just can't help myself during those moments. I don't know when
I'll ever learn not to, but everything seems to be in my face and I'm
really trying hard to not let it be, so just give me a little time okay,
Big Boy?"

"I'll give you all the time you need, Mr. Evans, I'm not going anyway, and
that's something that you have to get used to. Think you can do that for
me? At least try to get used to all of this, because I think it's so in
your face that it's all you see with me."

"No, that's not fair of you to say. I do know where you're coming from,
believe me, I do. I just think sometimes you don't think about where you'
re coming from and how people look at you differently because of that."

Michael was becoming edgy with the way this conversation was going because
it certainly wasn't the way he wanted it. And it was for this reason that
he didn't want to get into what he was thinking about with Trent just then,
he needed time to think.

"Look, Trent I don't want to fight with you over this issue now, so let's
just drop it. I want to spend tonight with you watch a movie and relax. I
do want to talk to you tonight about us. But not about money, not tonight,
please."

"All right, Little Buddy, we won't, I promise." Trent turned Michael around
so that he was looking at him eye to eye. He leaned down and kissed him and
wrapped Michael in his arms. He slid his tongue into Michaels' mouth
slightly, prying to gain entry. Michael tried to fight him, a little. After
a few more seconds Michael pushed Trent back enough for him to end the
kiss.

"Now why would you want to go and do a thing like that?"

"Because you can't control yourself and we're standing in the driveway, not
in the house or in a bedroom where it's a little more private."

"What kind of an excuse is that, Michael? We're in my yard, oops, our
yard. No one can really see us from the road, no one is around and I'm not
going to take your clothes off out here and fuck you on the driveway. That
would hurt. Although bending you over this stone wall right now sounds
really hot and tempting and man, could I drill you a new asshole in that
tight butt of yours." Trent grabbed Michael quickly and pulled him back
into a hug and used both his large hands to envelop both cheeks of
Michael's ass.

"See what I mean, there you go right away talking dirty getting yourself
all boned up. I can feel it, you know. Don't play games with me Stretch!"

"Yeah...  mmmm... you got something I'd love to stretch right about
now. Oh... I 'm sorry did I say that out loud on accident?" Michael pulled
back from Trent and flicked his finger right against Trent's growing member
and hard.

Trent's hips recoiled from the unwanted attention to his dick and Michael
just laughed. "That just took the big out of Big Boy." Michael laughed and
Trent rubbed at his crotch to make it feel better.

"I'm getting hungry. When do you think we'll eat? I need to go to the
Pharmacy, will you take me?" Trent looked at Michael with a devilish grin
on his face. "It's going to cost you."  Michael backed up about a foot from
Trent and he poked him in the stomach a few times really hard and Trent
started laughing. "I'm sorry, it's going to cost me what?"

"Stop, okay, come on, let's go inside and tell Mom we're going and then
we'll see if she needs anything and you ask Joshua if he needs anything. I
always ask him but they never ask me to pick up anything at the market."

Trent took Michael's hand and they walked into the house. Trent pushed
Michael towards the kitchen and swatted his ass as he passed by Trent.
Without thinking it just came out of his mouth. Michael looked at him and
rather loudly said, "It's not your ass yet."

"MICHAEL EVANS and TRENT SANDERS! Michael wanted to die and turned about as
red as a fire engine. Trent totally lost it and fell on the floor, laughing
hysterically.  Michael's hands flew up to his face to hide himself from
Sarah's glare. He heard her begin try to suppress her giggle and he began
to breathe.

"It's a good thing Clay didn't hear that or you'd both probably be in
trouble."

"He did hear it." Saying so as Clay rounded the corner and walked into the
kitchen. Now Michael really wanted to die and Trent was holding his sides
they hurt so much from laughing so hard. He stopped walking and as the
scene before him unfolded, he also joined in the laughter. It lasted all of
about five minutes.

"I can say that I'm sure it was unintentional, Michael." Clay wrapped his
arm around Michael's shoulder and he felt better immediately. "I heard you
had a rough night and morning today, Michael. First of all, can I call you
Mike? I prefer the shorter version of your name." Michael shook his head in
agreement. "I'm concerned that you're getting too stressed out, so I
promise to ease up on you, you tell me when you're ready to make the next
step. My wife says my eagerness sometimes can be overwhelming and I know
she' s right, so you let me know when you're ready, okay?"

"Yes, sir, I promise I will." Taking him by surprise Clay wrapped his arms
around Michael and gave him a hug. "I don't want you having any added
stress and if I can help do something to fix that problem and reduce that
stress than I promise you I will. You're probably still covered by your
father 's insurance, but just in case: here's your new medical card for
medical insurance, this will cover you anywhere you go and if you have a
copay of any kind, tell them to send the bill to me. Your prescriptions
shouldn't cost you anything when you get them filled.  So, before dinner
why don't you two go and get those two filled that Dr. Davis gave Michael
earlier?"

"Do you need anything at the store Mom?"

"No I don't think so, do you have money on you in case the medicine costs
Michael anything? If not charge it on the card if you have to." Trent stood
at the door waiting for Michael to come out of the kitchen. Two seconds
later Michael came from the kitchen with a piece of paper in his
hand. Trent took Michael's hand and the two of them were out the door.

"Did they actually want something?

"No, its my prescriptions and I do need a few things for myself is that
okay with you?" Trent was surprised by Michael's attitude a few seconds
ago. He was happy and laughing. Trent thought it might be quite a ride to
the store.

Neither said anything as they got into the truck. Trent pulled out of the
driveway and started down the street. At the stop sign he pulled over.

"First of all, would you please put on your seatbelt and second what's the
matter. I can feel and it feels like you are wound up like a violin bow, so
what's the matter. I'm not moving until you put the belt on and then start
talking to me and tell me what the problem is." Trent was trying to be
patient with Michael. He knew he was still on edge but the switch was just
too quick, something made the switch flip over. Michael sat there after
putting the seat built on.

"I told you, I don't want to talk about it right now, Trent and that's the
end of the conversation. Now let's go or take me home, those are your
choices.  Discussing anything is not an option so don't even go down that
road in any way, shape or form, does that make it perfectly clear?" Michael
wasn't even looking at Trent. He was just looking forward not seeing
anything. Trent put the truck in gear and pulled up to the stop sign. The
ride to the pharmacy and parked. Michael got out of the truck and walked
into the store. Trent stayed where he was. About a half hour later Michael
came out and got back into the truck with his prescription and a few bags.

Trent didn't move and just sat there looking at the wall in front of him.

Now he was going to be the one that didn't say anything and waited to see
what happened. It took Michael about five minutes.

"Are we going to go back to the house or do you want me to walk?"

"Yes we are going back to the house, no you aren't going to walk and we
aren't moving until you tell me what the fuck I did to get the treatment I
just got on the way here. And we ARE discussing, NOW does that make it
perfectly FUCKING clear? With his eyes opened wide and his mouth agape
Michael just looked at Trent in disbelief. The two remained silent as each
searched the other for a common ground to start talking. Michael hung his
head.

"I owe you an apology, Trent. I'm sorry. I promise to discuss this whole
conversation after dinner while we watch television or watch a movie okay?"

Michael put the bags in the back seat and crawled over to Trent.  "Will you
drive me home please? And can I kiss you to say I'm sorry, so I know you
won't be mad at me? I don't like making you mad and I didn't do it on
purpose, I really didn't." Trent leaned in to Michael and they gave each
other a kiss. Michael started to move but Trent put him arm on Michael's
leg to hold him in place.

"I can't help you if you don't let me in, Babe, that's all I'm going say to
you for now, and you're right: we'll talk about this later.  Let's just
forget about it for now, okay?"

"Okay, now take me home, Big Boy, and please."

"Your wish is my command, oh Little Buddy." Trent kept his hand on
Michael's leg the whole way home. Michael kept his body as close as he
possibly could all the way.

"I'll get the bags when we get out, Mikey, you just wait for me to open
your door, okay? Hey... I love you."  Michael smiled demurely. Trent
scooped up the bags with one hand and walked around to let Michael out of
the truck. They walked into the house and Trent put the bags down and
pulled out Michael's prescriptions. Reading each one he opened the Cymbalta
and handed one to Michael.

"Go and take this. I read up after the doc said he was giving you them.

They're going to take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to start
working. Do not stop or forget to take these Michael, all right?" Michael
took the pill and headed out to the kitchen to get something to drink.

"I'm going to run these bags up to his bedroom and I'll be right back down,
tell him, oh never mind I'll tell him." He picked up the bags and as he
passed the kitchen, yelled in to Michael that he was taking the bags up and
coming right back down to sit at the table.

"Come on, Michael, sit down, dinner will only be about ten minutes from now
according to Andy and he's usually pretty prompt." Sarah looked at Michael,
just to see how he looked after a day of rest and a visit with his
sister. She had thought he looked a little better than he did this morning,
his eyes didn't look so sunken in and dark.

"How did you like your day off? Sarah tells me that you got to skip school
today and just kick back, sleep late. Must have felt good." Trent chimed in
as he walked back into the dining room.

"It was awesome Dad, we didn't do anything all day, sweet, it was just
sweet."

"I have to agree with him, at the same time I hate missing school, always
makes me feel guilty when I know there's really nothing wrong with me."

"I disagree, Michael, you're always going to have some place to be, some
place to go, a schedule that you have to keep.  But there are times when
you just have to say: the hell with it all, kick up your heels and relax.
I do admire your commitment to that philosophy and understand how that
feels.

It will be a major part of your life as you move forward, Michael,
especially in business. I have a question and it's just a simple
question. I'm not trying to read into or have any other purpose than mere
conversation, just telling you that, so you won't get the wrong idea. I
know what you want to study in college. Have you given any thought as to
where you'd like to go, Michael?"

Michael heard what he said but couldn't help feeling that he was asking
this for reasons other than he claimed. He hated the way he thought
automatically sometimes.

"I don't know yet. I have a wish list and a might-be-better list. I have
three or four on each list." All the while Michael thought he knew the next
question out of Clay's mouth was going to be what's number one on your wish
list. "But right now I'm just thinking whether I should stay in this area
or move to another city to give my parents some more time to be away from
me and let them work it out about how they are going to deal with Trent and
me. Mostly me though."

"Well don't worry about it for now, just let time go by but I am glad to
hear that you have a list made of potential schools. If you have any
questions that I might be able to help you with, just ask me and if I don't
have the answer we'll work on getting one." Michael thought for sure that
Clay would ask him for the names of schools he had on his list. In a way he
was glad that he didn't ask.

"What are you two boys up to tonight?" Trent deflected the answer to
himself.

"We have decided to stay home and watch a movie or two, maybe order a pizza
later on, unless Andy's still here. Then I'll have him make us something
but he might be gone by that time. Depends on when this bottomless pit
needs refilling." Trent laughed at himself and patted his stomach at the
same time, looking down at it and extending it at the same time. Andy began
to bring out dinner for every one; he got assistance from one of the others
who work in the house. Michael couldn't help but be impressed and awestruck
at the idea that as long as he lived in this house this was the
norm. Dinner was good and done with before he knew it. Michael couldn't
remember sitting down to a dinner and being this relaxed and
comfortable. Every one participated in the conversation, including Randy,
Yvonne and Danny. Michael was most impressed with Yvonne, who was smart and
had a quick wit about her.

She certainly could dish it out to her older brothers, just as fast as they
could deliver it. Several times she had caught Trent and Randy off guard
and with pinpoint accuracy verbally assaulted the both of them. Much to the
delight of her mother and father he noticed. Michael wondered what it would
be like to sit down with every one of the family here. He had never had
dinner at a house like this and he was sure this was normal. Perhaps
because of the number in the house that this occurred, he didn't know, he
just knew that he liked it and looked forward to more of them.

Trent and Michael excused themselves and went upstairs to see what movies
Trent had in his room and then they were going to head to the movie room as
Trent called it.  When they got to it, Michael was sure they could sell
tickets. It seemed like a theater but more comfortable. They had couches
and reclining chairs in a big semi-circle and then a few recliners in front
of them. He wasn't sure how many could sit there but he knew they could all
sit there tonight and no one would be uncomfortable. Trent grabbed a
blanket out of one of the closets and threw it on the back of the couch.

"What do you think we need a blanket for, sir." Michael looked at Trent
with a knowing look.

"Don't even think it, that's not what I got it out for. I got it out
because sometimes this room can get cool when you're just sitting in here,
especially at night. I have turned up the heat just a little. I got it in
case you got cold so you'll have something to wrap up in, smart ass."
Michael felt a little guilty because by the tone of Trent's' voice he
thought he was wrong about his assumption. The major's tape recorder
clicked on in Michaels' head. It said: don't assume anything, it only makes
an ass out of you and me. And the machine got quiet again. Michael now felt
like an ass.

"I'm sorry Trent, I didn't mean that." Trent looked at Michael and could
read his face.

"Don't apologize to me for that, Michael, usually you'd be right, you know
the kind of horn dog I am. But this time I wasn't. But don't ever apologize
to me, Michael. There was a movie made years ago, I couldn't tell you their
names, it's like ancient, but there was a line in the movie and it was:
love means never having to say you're sorry. I know the movie took place in
Boston but I don't remember the rest. I can only remember the line because
my mother and I talked about it and it left an impression in my head. I
know it sounded corny but when you think about, isn't it true? If you're in
love with someone and you respect him or her as they do you, then you
shouldn't be doing anything that you're going to end up apologizing for."
Mic hael was touched by his sentiments and talking about the movie like
that.

Especially after the little fight they just had going to the pharmacy.

"That was sweet, Trent, and I would say you're right about that. Think we
can always be like that?"

"I don't see why not." Trent sat down in the corner of the couch and
Michael leaned against his chest and stretched his legs out across the
couch.

"Trent, what do you want to do when we leave high school? I know you want
to be a carpenter. Are you going to go to some kind of college that teaches
you that kind of thing?"

"I'm not sure yet, Michael, I know I probably should, but part of me just
wants to get into the field and start working. What if after I get started
working it I decide it isn't what I want after all? Then what am I going to
do? At least working in the field I won't have wasted the money on
college.'  "Trent, you never waste money on college, unless you get half
way through and quit. Then it was a waste of money.  But that's another
good thing about going to college it gives you a taste of what you want to
do and if you change your mind, you can change your major and you won't
have lost your credits or wasted money." Trent just looked at Michael,
unsure of why he wanted to talk about this.

"Why the interest in this?" Michael didn't want to push Trent but he wanted
to know what he was planning for after school, is working what he really
wanted and not going to school, didn't he realize how important school was
for them?"

"Because I'd like to know what you're planning for your future, Trent, I
don't want to see you struggle. You're smart and I'm not trying to talk you
out of being a carpenter but they have degrees you can get that give you
better paying jobs than just being a carpenter."

"What do you mean by just being a carpenter?" Now Michael knew instantly
that Trent was pissed off at him.

"Trent I didn't mean anything by it, I'm just trying to explain to you that
a degree in the construction industry will get you further as you get
older. You'll get into positions of not just building, but learning to run
a business in that field, being the big cheese and having people do what
you want. Like what about opening your own construction company one day. I
think it's something you'd be good at and by going to school you'll have
the knowledge you would need. Plus you would learn how to read blue prints
and how to build houses like I know you want to, please don't be mad, I
just want you to be more than just a carpenter. I'd be really proud to go
to school with you, Trent, and see you get a degree in some part of the
construction industry. More than that I'd like to see you open your own
company someday and have your company build our house if we're still
together." Michael was fidgeting and was nervous wondering if Trent
realized what Michael had just implied.

"What do you mean by if we're still together? Do you know something I don'
t? Are you trying to tell me something about us, why wouldn't we be
together? Are you going someplace and you aren't telling me yet?  Are you
going away from here to go to school? You aren't leaving me, are you?"
Trent felt sick to his stomach; all these thoughts were running through his
head at a million miles an hour. He scooted to the front of the couch and
turned to face Michael.

"Slow down Trent, I'm not planning on going anywhere, no, I'm not leaving
you." Michael watched as Trent almost crumbled before him and it almost
broke his heart.

"I'm just wondering what your plans are with your life Trent, like where do
you see yourself in ten years' time? And where do you see us?" Michael held
Trent's hands as he watched the man he was falling deeper in love with
kneel before him. He could see that he was concentrating on his thoughts
and what he had to say exactly. Time seemed to slow down coming to a
standstill.

"First of all I see you and me together in ten years, Michael, there is not
even a question in my mind about that one. Second, I see myself working in
the construction field. I think I would like to have my own company to
build unique houses. I haven't shown these yet but I have some drawings and
layouts of houses done that I have never shown anyone. I want you to look
at them and tell me what you think."

"I'd be honored to see them, Trent, go get them and you can show them to
me."

"You won't laugh at me will you, some are kind of sketchy but those were
made when I was young and as I got older you can see the improvements in my
drawings. Just wait here. I have to run up to my room to get them. Be back
in a few seconds, just hold that spot right there." He pointed a spot next
to him on the couch. Trent sprinted up and dashed out of the room.  It didn
't take him long to return and with him he had a long cylinder tube that he
emptied the couch and sat next to Michael. He rolled out the papers and
flattened them so Michael could see them without them rolling up.

"This is one of the first drawings that I did of a house I liked. It has
changed over the years and this is the one I want to live in some day with
the man I love."  Michael knew from his tone that these drawings meant a
lot to Trent. He handled the drawings like they were precious pieces of
art.

Michael was impressed as Trent slowly flipped each page pausing between
each one so that Michael could inspect each one.

"Does your father know what you want to do in your life, Trent?" Trent hung
his head and kind of mumbled his response.

"You haven't told him have you, Trent?" Trent shook his answer in the
negative.

"Why haven't you told him, Trent? He needs to see what you've done here.

For someone with no training these are pretty good and the layout of each
one is awesome. With a little work and polish which school can provide you'
d be awesome, Trent. You could make a name for yourself, I know you could.

You have to show these to your Dad and tell him what you want. I know your
father will help you, Trent. If he's willing to help me, then there's no
way he won't help you."

"You don't understand him like I do, Michael, you haven't known him long
enough like I have. Don't get me wrong. I love my father, I really do, but
there's an unspoken expectation of what I should be doing with my life when
it comes to my father."  Michael understood what Trent was talking about
all too well.

"You're talking to the guy that has a father who is the master of
expectations. Trent, I'm just asking you to trust me and show him these and
talk to him about going to school to do this, if this is truly what you
want, then you have to tell him and show him these. You have to promise me
that you' ll do that for me, please."  Michael could see the hesitation in
Trent's eyes. "I'll go with you if you want me to, I'll stand by you,
Trent. Just like you have held my hand, I'll hold yours but sometime in the
next week I want you to show him those, promise me?" Michael held his gaze
as he locked eyes with Trent.

"All right, Little Buddy, I'll promise to try but I'm not saying that I
won't need your help. I'm probably going to need it.  I know my father is
kind of hoping that I will take over the family business all of my brothers
don't want to and even though I know I don't have to and he's never said I
have to, it's just an unspoken expectation, like I said before."

"All right, then you just tell me when you want to do it. But you have
until Thursday night since tonight is Friday, okay?" Trent felt kind of
relie ved knowing that Michael was willing to stand by him and even when he
showed his father, he felt like he had a mission to complete. He just hoped
that he wouldn't disappoint Michael in the process.

They talked during the movies they watched and had a great time just being
together and enjoying each other's company for the night. They fell asleep
towards the ending of their second movie. Trent was the one that got them
off the couch and headed up the steps towards their bedrooms.

"I'll see you in the morning, Little Buddy, tomorrow we are going horseback
riding, screw work, we are both calling in tomorrow and enjoying this time
which we won't have that often so we might as well enjoy it while we can,
even if it is only for two days. I promise we'll do something special for
spring vacation, we'll go someplace nice and spend a few days having fun."

Trent hugged Michael hard and kissed him good night. As usual Michael
melted into Trent as soon as he started kissing him and he felt his mouth
being invaded. Michael pushed and then spun Trent around and pushed him
towards his bedroom.

"Get your ass in bed and forget that tonight, buster, don't even think that
thought process through, it isn't going to happen." Trent mocked Michael
with a groan of displeasure smiling the whole time. They both hit the bed
within minutes of each other and both were out just as quickly. Michael was
hoping that his conversation with Trent had help build his confidence some,
so that Trent would tell his father without Michael's help, but he wasn' t
so sure that Trent could do it. How was he going to handle Trent if he
didn't go to his father by Thursday dinnertime? Michael knew this was
something that Trent could do and really would be good at it especially
after the drawings he had seen.

The boys slept in Saturday morning until almost eleven. Sarah was glad that
Michael had rested without the use of his new pills the doctor had
prescribed. As much as she liked Drew Davis, she didn't want to see kids on
prescriptions of any kind. She felt bad for Michael. It was too sad that
his father felt the way he did. She was beginning to think about the
possibility of talking to Michael's father directly and if it would do any
good. She remembered talking to two other parents after Trent declared that
he was gay.

She knew it helped then but this was different, Michael's father was a
Major in the military and she knew that his career was most important to
him.

She knew what kind of man he was from the way Michael had talked to
her. She wasn't so sure it would work.

After showering and getting ready to go, the boys came down for breakfast
and just to hang out for a little while until they went horseback riding.

Michael was still nervous about going riding. He was intimidated by the
size of horses. Trent was beginning to realize just how much Michael was
leery of riding an animal that size. As they sat there having coffee and
watching the television, Michael was unable to sit still.

"What's your problem, Mikey?"

"What do mean?"

"You're jumping around like a fish out of water." Trent took Michael's hand
and looked at him trying to read his face. Something was eating him and he
wanted to know what it was.  He wanted to help Michael, no matter what. He
hated seeing him in distress of any kind.

"Come on, Mikey, just tell me what it is, it can't be any worse than
telling Coach that we were gay. Nothing can be as serious as that, unless
there 's something you aren't telling me. Is there?"

"Is there what?"

"Is there something you aren't telling me? And in about five seconds I'm
going to be the one that smack's somebody up side the head, if that
SOMEBODY doesn't tell ME what is going on." Trent shook Michael's hands to
make his point.

"I feel like an idiot if I tell you, you're going to think I'm a wuss and I
hate feeling like that, Trent, and I hate being in that position. And I
know you're right and I should just tell you."

"Well, then just tell me. Everyone is gone now; even Joshua and Andy aren'
t here at the moment. So there is no reason for you to not tell me."

"Okay, as much as I hate to admit this... oh shit, Trent, I feel like a
little kid right about now."

"That's why I call you Little Buddy."

"NOW is not the time to use that name, Trent, you're not helping me that
way." Michael was getting pissed now with the name. He was going to have
Trent retire that name, permanently. Trent could see that Michael was deep
in thought, perhaps he had gone too far in pushing Michael this time.

"Sorry, I'm just trying to help you Michael, please believe me, I just want
to help." Trent rubbed Michael's hand's hoping it would help him relax.

"I'm afraid of going horseback riding, Trent, and I don't mean just a
little, it's a lot more than that." Trent started quietly laughing and
Michael got pissed.

"IT'S NOT FUNNY, TRENT NICHOLAS!"  Michael purposely used the name that he
knew Trent didn't like but he wanted Trent to know that this wasn't funny
to him, he was afraid of horses. They were huge animals and in Michael's
perspective being short Michael saw them differently than Trent did. And
this was something that Trent wasn't taking into consideration. Trent was
tall enough to almost look directly into the horse's eyes at the same
level.

Michael had to look and reach up to pat the horse's head if he wanted to.

Trent looked at Michael and could see the frustration in his eyes.

"You know what: let's go for a little walk for a few minutes." Trent got up
and took Michael by the hand and pulled him from the chair.

"Come on, let's go and take a closer look at the horses. We are going to
work on your being afraid of horses because I don't want you being that
way. I love horses, Michael, and I want you to enjoy them as much as I
do. I don't want you being afraid of them, because then you won't enjoy
them and it's something I want us to do together. And some day I want us to
have our own horses when we have a place big enough." Trent just kept
walking, pulling Michael along and not allowing him an option of
stopping. As they neared the stable Trent began to feel resistance from
Michael. He stopped where they were.

"Will you wait right here for me and not move, just watch me?" Michael just
looked at Trent, unsure if he wanted to go through with this or not.

"Okay, tell you what: just go over to the table on the patio and sit on the
table and watch me?" Trent wanted to give Michael some extra space. He
turned Michael around and pushed him towards the patio.

"Go on, just sit on the table. I'll be back in a few minutes." Michael
walked towards the table and Trent headed toward the barn. A few moments
later Michael watched Trent bring out a bench from the barn and placed it
by the fence and returned to the barn. Trent turned and held up his finger
to indicate that he would be back in a minute. About five minutes later
Trent walked out with one of the horses and led him to the fence by the
bench. He came out of the pen and walked over to Michael.

"I want you to come with me. The horse can't move he's tied up. I want you
to come with me and stand on the bench so that you'll be taller than the
horse, will you trust me on this one and just come with me. I'll hold your
hand the whole time?" Michael nodded his consent. Trent took his hand and
walked towards the pen and helped him step up on the bench. Michael was
looking down at the horse.

"What's his name?" Michael was watching the horse as he gently lifted his
head and looked at Michael.

"His name on paper is Kings Domain, but we call him Danny for short."

Michael laughed and looked down at Trent.

"Hey, you're shorter than me, Squirt." He couldn't help but laugh as he
reached down and put his hand on Trent's shoulder. Trent smiled.

"I want you to think about the horse in the same way that you're looking at
me now. Notice how he doesn't look so big anymore?" Michael looked and
noticed that he was looking down at the horse and he didn't look as
threatening.

"Now I want you to get down at this end by the horse and just stand by the
fence. I'm just going to move the bench away from right here. I'm not going
anywhere. And just reach out and pat the horse gently by his ears. He won
't bite you. Danny is very gentle, that's why I brought him out here for
you. Michael stood there just patting Danny in the same place but nowhere
else.. The horse seemed to sense Michael's apprehension and stood still
looking at Michael while he gently stroked him between his eyes.

"Now take my hand and come with me." Trent led Michael over to the gate and
had him open it and walked him inside and closed it.

"Now I want you to walk over to Danny with me and just do the same thing
you just did, just pat his nose and down the side of his neck. You don't
have to do anything else at that point, just pat him and talk to him, he
likes being talked to."  Michael followed behind Trent a few steps but
continued walking towards Danny.  Once they stood next to him Trent took
Michael's hand and placed it on Danny's neck. Trent stood behind Michael
and kept his hand on Michael's as he stroked Danny's neck. After a few
moments he let go and let Michael do it himself and slowly he backed up a
few steps from.

Michael held the bit and Trent began to back up a little and slowly began
to walk around Danny until he was on the other side. Michael looked over
and realized that Trent had gone around.

"See that, you see how gentle and how quiet he is?"

"He's really soft isn't he?" Trent chuckled "Well, yes, you could say
that." Now came the big step.

"I want you to sit in the saddle now Michael. I'll leave Danny tied to the
post. You won't go anywhere, he's just going to stand here like we're doing
now. Michael's eyes got bigger, but he didn't tell Trent he wouldn't.

Trent came back around to help Michael if he needed help getting up.

"Put your foot in the stirrup and with one hand hold on to the horn on the
saddle." Trent pointed to the horn. "Use the horn to hold on to and pull
yourself up and help throw your leg up and over and sit your fine ass in
the saddle." Michael laughed as he looked at Trent.

"Can you do anything without bringing sex into the conversation?"

"No, but that's beside the point. Now put your damn foot in the stirrup and
do what I told you to do. I'm right here and if I see you need it, I will
help you. Now get up there and in the saddle, Mister." Trent stopped
laughing as he kept pointing at Michael to get on the horse.

"I don't know about this, Trent, are you sure he's not going anywhere?

What if he moves around while I'm trying to get up there?"

"He won't. Danny is very patient and calm.  It's another reason I brought
him out here for you. I wouldn't bring Flashback out here for you, he's a
handful even for me and I know what I'm doing, I just have to get on him
and let him know whose boss. Now you can do this, Mikey, I know you can and
if I didn't think you could, I wouldn't make you get up there. Now come on,
I'm right here. Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

"Then come on. I'll be right here to help you if I see you need it."

Trent just looked at Michael and kept his gaze locked into Michael's eyes.

Michael grabbed hold of the horn and put his foot into the stirrup. After a
few seconds he squatted down a little and used his weight to help lift him
up and got his foot over the saddle and sat down.

"All right, Mikey, that was great. You did that like a pro. You looked like
you've done this before, that was great, Michael." Michael beamed and sat a
little taller in the saddle. He felt like a million bucks, sitting on this
huge animal beneath him. Holding the horn he reached down with his other
hand and patted Danny, telling him he was a good boy for letting him get up
without a problem.

"Now, we are going to walk around the pen and I'm going to hold the reins
and you just hold the horn for now while we walk. When you feel comfortable
just relax your hands and put them by your side. A horse knows when your
uptight and then can tell when you're tense. So when it comes to riding you
need to learn to be relaxed.  When you ride, it will be a good experience
for both you and the horse, I promise." Danny pulled the rein from the
fence and began walking around the pen.

"Now I'm going to let go and give you the reins. When you want to steer the
horse or lead him, just pull the reins to the right or left, depending on
which way you want to go. Obviously in the pen you're only going one
direction. When you want the horse to go, you use your heels to kick him in
the sides and just let your feet follow the way the stirrup will pull your
feet back and up a little. That's the spot you want to kick them. The
harder you kick them the faster you'll get them to go. Also by kicking and
yelling at the same time you can get them to take off faster. For now just
test yourself in the pen. Danny won't run in the pen because he knows he's
in a limited space, but you can get him to walk just by doing what I told
you. Try gently kicking him and then increase that kicking motion until he
moves."

Danny gave the reins to Michael and stepped away from rider and horse.

Michael looked at Trent and took a deep breath and gently kicked
Danny. Nothing happened.

"Try harder."

"I won't hurt him, will I?"

"You aren't going to hurt him, Michael, trust me, you're too worried right
now to hurt him. Just do it a little harder this time." Michael tried again
and Danny just picked his head up quickly and moved around. Trent nodded to
Michael for him to do it again. The third time worked for Michael and Danny
began to move. Michael grabbed for the horn with a look of surprise on his
face. Trent laughed at him as he watched him begin walking.

"That's it, Mikey, you did it! See how easy that was? Now keep going around
I want you to keep walking him around a few times."

"Are you sure? How about just once?"

"No, you can't do it just one time. I want you to do it at least six times
around the pen. If you want him to go faster, just kick him and he'll trot
in the pen but that's as fast as he'll go. If he starts to trot for you
when you kick him I want you to stand up a little using the stirrups to
lift you up off the saddle a little, but only if you want to let him trot
with you." Trent watched Michael trying to determine if he wanted to let
Danny trot or not. He decided to wait.  Walking was good for now. After
four laps Michael turned the corner and tried kicking Danny a little harder
but nothing happened, he tried again with the same result. Michael knew he
had to kick harder but feared hurting the horse. He didn't care what Trent
said.

He did his six laps just walking Danny and himself but he realized that he
was comfortable and no longer was as afraid as he was before they began.

"How do I get him to stop?" Trent walked into the pen. As they got closer,
he told Michael to gather the slack in the reins and then after that to
pull up hard on the reins and just tell Danny to stop and he would. Michael
pulled up on the reins gathering the slack and pulled the reins taunt.

"Stop, Danny!" Danny stopped right next to Trent. Trent reached up and held
on to bridle.

"You did great, Michael, you looked like you were enjoying yourself. I see
you tried to get him to trot. He didn't want to do that for you?"

"Well, I couldn't bring myself to kick him any harder. I felt like I was
going to hurt him if I kicked too hard."

"Don't worry. This being your first time I think you were great. Now I want
you to dismount. Use the horn for leverage again. And just do everything in
reverse of what you did to get on. Michael stood up and thought for a
second and did like Trent had said and dismounted from Danny.

"Yes!"  Michael felt great. He had done what he thought he would never
do. Trent took Danny by the reins and pointed him towards the barn and
patted his hindquarter and told him to go home. Danny began walking towards
the barn and Michael watched in amazement as he watched.

"That's so cool, does he do that all the time? Or is it just you that he
listens to?"

"No, he'll do it for anyone. If you ever go riding by yourself and get lost
in the woods, just tell Danny to go home with a gentle firm voice. Let go
of the reins and hold the horn and he'll bring you back to the barn.

Works every time. So anytime you want to go riding, just tell someone in
the barn to saddle him up and go and when you get back just bring him to
the barn and the guys will take care of him for you."

"Thanks for being patient with me, Trent. I would have never gone
probably. Thanks, Big Boy, I mean it." Michael put his arms around Trent
and just let his head rest on his chest. Trent just held him close to him
and gently rocked side to side. Michael closed his eyes and totally relaxed
and Trent could feel his body let go of the stress he had earlier.

"I could stand here all day, Buddy, you know that? You feel really good,
just lying against my chest like this."

"Me to, Big Boy."

"Since you said you'd call me `Buddy' now and not `Little Buddy', you can
be Big Boy and I'll just stay with Buddy, I like that better and I won' t
call you Trent Nicholas anymore. Sounds good to you?"

"That sounds fine, Mikey, I like Buddy just as much. Now how about we go
inside and get ready to go riding, I think you're ready to go now. What
about you, if we just walk? Do you think you want to go? I promise: no
running, and we'll have a good time. I have a surprise lined up for you."

"What surprise, what have you done, Trent Nicholas?"

"Oh ouch he used the dreaded two name call me on the carpet name. I'm so
shaking in my boots, Buddy." He poked Michael in his sides and he began
laughing and hitting Trent to get him to stop. But Trent wouldn't let
up. By now they were rolling around on the ground wrestling more than
tickling each other. Michael didn't have a chance against Trent's height
and weight advantage. Within a few minutes Trent was straddling Michael's
hips and had his arms pinned down.

"Now tell me exactly what do you think you're going to do to me, Mister?
Think you can beat me?  What did you just call me? Oh yea, Big Boy, that's
right. Well, Mikey, I'm going to be nice and let you up because we know
that I won already. And you are going to promise to be good, right?"
Michael nodded his head yes with a gleam in his eye. He had other
ideas. Trent began getting up off his hips, still holding his arms. As he
got up further he released Michael's right hand slowly.

"Remember: you promised and you wouldn't break your promise to me now,
would you? Because it will just be worse if you do, Michael, and that's my
promise to you."  Michael nodded his head again, agreeing with Trent still,
with a gleam still in his eyes.

"Okay, I'm getting all the way up now and don't forget: you promised. That
's like giving your word and I know you wouldn't break your word, Michael.

"The closer he got to letting go of Michael, the more hesitant he became.

For a moment he held perfectly motionless, gauging Michael's movements
while staring into his eyes, still unsure.

"Are you getting up or not, Trent, I don't feel like being on the ground
forever." Trent still saw the gleam in his eyes and his gut told him that
there would be retribution for him poking Michael sides. Of that he was
certain.

"Okay I'm going to get up because I trust you, Michael Wayne Evans, and you
promised..."

"Geez, Trent, how many times are you going to ask. Just get that sexy but
off my crotch before I pop a boner!" Trent couldn't help but start laughing
and let go of Michael because of his outrageous statement. It wasn't like
Michael to say something like that so loudly or boisterous. As Trent let go
of Michael, he pulled himself up off the ground and quickly pulled away
from Trent.

"You, Big Boy, are knee deep in shit. You don't know when, you won't know
how, but payback is a bitch!"  Michael was the one laughing now and bolted
towards the back door of the house.  Trent got up the rest of the way and
as soon as he took a step he fell, giving Michael an advantage in getting
away. Michael was in the kitchen and swirled around to lock the door.
Making sure that Trent was slowed down as he made his escape. He could hear
him at the back door, yelling to be let in and remembered that Joshua and
Andy wouldn't be in until later. As far as he knew no one else was at home
and he chuckled to himself as he ran up the stairs to his bedroom. He
locked his door and sat on his bed laughing at himself feeling the
adrenaline rush for escaping any further attempts of Trent's assaults. He
heard Trent at the top of the landing and he called out for him.

"Michael, come on babe, Michael, are you up here?" He could hear him, as
Trent got closer to his door.

"Come on, Mikey, talk to me. I'm not going to do anything, I promise. I
know you'll kill me if I do.  Come on, Mikey, let me in. I promise and no,
I' m not kidding, I really mean it."

"Trent, you are so full of shit right now, I can't even believe you're
attempting to con me into opening this door for you. I wasn't born
yesterday, you know. You're just trying to get me to open the door and the
more I think about it, the more I know I can't trust you Trent Nicholas
Sanders."

Michael chuckled quietly not wanting Trent to hear him. He had to contain
himself so that Trent wouldn't catch him laughing. He knew if Trent heard
him, he'd use against him.

"Go take a shower, Trent, and a COLD ONE would probably be the best idea
for you right now. You're such a horn dog, Trent, don't tell me you're all
innocent now. There's no one home so we're all alone and you thought I didn
't notice. Does that sum it up for you or do I need to draw a map for you?"

He bit his finger to keep from being heard. Trent stood there dumbfounded
at Michael's accusations. He hadn't thought of that, but he thought he'd
make good use of the information that Michael just outlined. How perfect,
no one was home and he knew that his parents wouldn't be home until
suppertime. Which meant Randy, Danny and Yvonne wouldn't be here. And since
Peter his older brother wasn't home from school by now he wouldn't be
coming home at all. Sweet.

"Mikey, that's crazy. I wasn't even thinking about that, you're the horn
dog. I planned for us to take the horses and go riding this afternoon. I
even had Joshua make us a basket for a surprise lunch on our ride. If you
don 't believe me, we can go downstairs in the kitchen and I'll show you
the basket." This would get Michael out of the bedroom, but now he would
have to be good, at least until he showed him the basket.  Perhaps it would
give him a chance to think of a plan to get into his pants another way.

"I'm not coming out there, Trent. If there's a basket, go and get it, and
show me. You can put it in front of my door.  Now go and get it."

"I'll be right back, Mikey, just hold that thought." Trent darted towards
the stairs, yelling at Michael to come out in the hallway and wait for him
to come back with the basket. Michael cautiously looked down the hallway,
praying that Trent had really gone downstairs. He tried to listen for any
noise that might indicate that Trent didn't really go downstairs like he
claimed. A few seconds went by and he could hear Trent in the living room.

"I'm coming, Mikey, I'll be there in ten seconds. I have the basket with me
to show you." Michael could hear him on the stairs and he moved back some
so that he had time to make a dash for his bedroom if Trent was lying to
him. At that moment Trent reached the landing and Michael could see him
holding the basket.  He was still dubious about Trent's intentions and
being home alone.

"Don't make any fast moves, Trent, or I'll be in my bedroom with the door
locked and we'll be right back where we started." Damn, Trent thought, he
was going to have to be on his best behavior and really sweet talk Michael.

"Look, here's the basket. I'm going to put it on the floor and go back down
the stairs a little so that you can still see me. Take the basket and see
what's inside. Just wait a minute until I move back." Michael watched Trent
as he went back towards the steps and the landing before stopping.

"Not there, go down a few more and lean against the railing where I can see
you." Trent left the landing and went down a few more.

"That's good.  Just stand right there and don't move. If I get a hint of
movement I'll be in the bedroom with the basket and enjoying it myself
while you're locked out, got it?"

"Okay, Mikey, I promise not to move and I'll even sit down so that if I do
move you'll have plenty of time to make it to your bedroom.  Now just check
the basket and you'll know I wasn't kidding and then you are going to owe
me an apology." Michael approached the basket slower than a turtle
moved. Trent was trying hard not to move a muscle. Michael opened the
basket and could definitely see that it was full of packages and plates and
silverware. He was having second thoughts about his initial thoughts and at
the same time he was a little disappointed that Trent was obviously telling
the truth about there actually being a surprise.  Michael felt like a heel
for having thought Trent was being devious this time.  Now he had to
apologize. Damn, he didn't want to have to do that.

"Well, I made a mistake and I see that you did plan a surprise, so I guess
we'll just have to go horseback riding now. And take advantage of your
surprise that you had... Hey, who made this? It couldn't have been you?"
Trent began standing up.

"Don't get up. I do not trust you just yet.  Now answer the question."

"I had Andy make it up this morning. I asked when we first came downstairs
this morning before he left. He left it in the side by side for us to get
when we would go horseback riding."

"What would you have done if I decided that there was no way I was getting
on a horse?"

"I had a good feeling that, if I helped you the right way, you would.

Michael, I wasn't always tall like I am now, and when I first took riding
lessons, I was afraid of the horses for the same reason you were and that's
because of how big they look when they are towering over you. The trainer
had me do the same thing I did to you today. He put me on the bench, had me
pat him, and then we did the hand on his neck thing and I left you alone,
which you didn't even notice when I first did it. The horse had your
attention and I used the time to come around and surprise you, just like
the trainer surprised me. By the time you were done, you weren't afraid
anymore.

Well, let's just say that your earlier fears had been dealt with. I
realized sitting in the kitchen this morning when you were talking about
your fears, that you were afraid of their size, but not of the horse
itself, so I knew, if I could do the same thing that the trainer had done
for me, you would be okay. At least, that's what I was hoping would happen
and fortunately it did."

"I'm grateful that you did that, Trent. I'm proud of you for thinking about
me like that. If my father had been here, he would have been yelling at me
to get my ass up in the saddle or I wouldn't need a place to sit anyway.

Never mind sitting in a saddle. Believe me, Trent, he would have made sure
that if I didn't get on the horse, I would get a beating for not obeying
him when we got home because I had embarrassed him in front of the trainer.

That's how he would have dealt with that. And believe me, I would have
gotten on the horse in the end because I might have been afraid of the
horse, but I was more afraid of him."  Trent's heart melted and any
thoughts he had about getting Michael in the sack went right out the
window. He got up and began walking slowly up the stairs.  Michael began
backing away, ready to fly if Trent moved an inch too quickly.

"I'm not going to get you, Michael, come on, bring the basket and we'll go
put it back in the fridge. I do want to go riding soon. Are you comfortable
the way you are or do you want to change? Oh, and my advice to be really
comfortable in the saddle for long walks: when you put your jock strap on,
put your cup in too. Usually, when I go riding I put mine on. Because that
way, if I want to run, I feel more at ease about the boys getting knocked
around." He took Michael's hand and grabbed the basket in the other and
they walked down to the kitchen."In that case, I think I'll go back
upstairs and redress. Are you all set or do you have to change."