Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2005 12:16:48 +0100
From: Peter C <Peter_Co@web.de>
Subject: A new beginning - part 2

The following story was originally written for a german website and
later printed in my first book "Der Neuanfang". After I translated my
story "Never saw a miracle" into english and getting lots of good
feedback, I decided to translate this story, too. So please accept my
apologies if the language isn't as smooth as in stories from "real"
english speakers ;-)

The story is set in Germany, so of course there are a few things
unfamiliar to people from other countries. If there are any things you
don't understand, please feel free to ask me about it. I love getting
emails anyway :-)

There are two other stories of mine published here on niftys:

"Never saw a miracle" in the gay/highschool section

and

"Different" in the gay/no-sex section

If someone is interested in reading the original german story, it's
here:

http://www.nickstories.de

Look for "Peter's Stories".

But now let's the play begin...

*-*-*

A new beginning -- part 2

Copyright 2001-2005 by Peter_Co@web.de

After a walk of a few minutes, suffering from the cold and the icy
winds, I pushed bell at Katjas house. Seemingly she'd waited for me
directly behind the door, the sound of the bell hadn't even died away
when she opened the door.

"Finally, Danny, there you are! I'm so glad you could make it. Thomas
told me about your little problem with the family affairs."

"Are you really glad to see me -- or only to see what I brought over in
these bags?"

"That's not very nice of you, asking me such a silly question. You
already know the answer. Give me the bags and get los, you can pick
them up tomorrow."

"I'm always surprised by your warm-hearted welcomes, Katja. By the way,
that's Tim, my future brother. I thought it was a good idea to bring
him with me, I hope it's okay. Tim, this dishelved person is Katja, our
not very friendly host for the evening. And if she doesn't rescue us
from the cold immediatly we'll go back home where it's warm and comfy."

"Forget it, Danny. You only are allowed to go back home after
installing that electronic stuff. Your little brother is cute, he can
stay as long as he wants. You only have to tell me who to match him up
with -- girl or boy."

That's what I call putting your foot in it. Poor Tim started to turn
red and pale alternately.

"Don't listen to her, nobody takes her seriously. And Katja, your
trying to play matchmaker didn't work with me -- why do you think you
could do better with Tim?"

"That's easy, he's much cuter than you."

"Okay, that's it. You want a party without music -- you'll have one.
Tim, how about a nice evening at home, watching videos and drinking hot
chocolate?"

"Oh no! No, Danny! You said yourself that nobody takes me seriously!
Please, please stay and install the music stuff. I'll do anything you
want! Should I call a callboy for your evening? Or get a few of the
boys to play strip poker with you? You only have to ask!"

"I guess I could do it. And about that wish: I'll take a raincheck this
time. Come on, Tim, out of the jacket, we have work to do."

Katja was jumping up and down happily.

"Yippie! I knew it. You're still my favorite queer."

"Thank you very much!"

Suddenly she put her left hand infront of her mouth.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry, Danny! I hope Tim already knew it, or was my
mouth to fast again?"

"He already knew it, but only for an hour or so."

She looked quite relieved.

"Good. I have to take care of a few thinks, you know where everything
is, right?"

"Yes, I know. Are we the first to show up?"

"No, Jurgen is already preparing the grill, and Lisa has manned the bar
together with her boyfriend. I think the first guests will show up in
half an hour or so. That's enough time for you to get everything ready?"

"No problem, it isn't the first time."

Katja left us, and together with Tim I started to connect the installed
speakers with the wireless receivers. That done we went upstairs for
Katjas room to install the transmitter. I was just opening the door,
when our host came running up to us.

"Wait, Danny, my hi-fi set doesn't work, we have to use my brothers."

"Does he know about his luck yet?"

Katja and Ralph, her 15 year old brother, had a complicated
relationship. I was quite sorry for the poor guy, having to live in the
same house with Katja every day, year after year was like an undeserved
punisment for him.

"No, but he's not at home anyway, he's staying at a friends. Just go in
and do what you have to do. I'm off again!"

I wasn't happy about stepping into Ralphs privacy without him being
here and knowing it, but a man has to do what a man has to do. I went
to Ralphs room and opened it with force, stepping into the dark room.
My hand found the light switch, and a bright halogen bulb jumped to
live, blinding my eyes a bit. But not enough to not realize that Katja
was totally wrong about her brother staying at a friends. He was here,
in his room, laying on his bed -- and it looked like wasn't alone! I
couldn't see much in this heap on the bed, but there were a few blond
hairs which didn't match his own brown ones, and the last time I'd seen
him he didn't have four feet! He was dressed completely, but the
position of his body didn't leave much to interpret anymore. The little
rascal had nerves! Party preparations in the whole house, and he was
having fun with his girlfriend! The youth of today. But I guess he
wasn't happy about my storming in.

"Shit! Who's that! Get out!"

Now I was in a little dilemma. Did he want to know who disturbed him --
or did he want me to leave the room? My curiosity won out.

"It's me, Danny. Your loving sister said that you're not at home and to
install the wireless transmitter to your hi-fi set."

Ralph still didn't move.

"She never asked me!"

The little uproar attracted Katjas attention.

"What's going on here? Ralph? I thought you were out at your friends!"

The boy on the bed slumped down.

"Danny, give me two minutes, okay? And get that stupid bitch out of my
hair!"

That was the least I could do for him.

"Okay."

I left the room, pushing Katja out of it. When we were out I closed the
door, positioning myself infront of it, blocking the way for her to go
back in.

"That little bastard! What has he to do here?"

"Hm, just to remind you: this little bastard lives here, infact this is
HIS room. WE are the ones who don't belong in it."

"And what will we do know? He'll never allow me to use his hi-fi set!"

"Maybe you should've asked him before, you fine speciman of a big
sister?"

At this moment the door bell rang.

"Take care of your guests, I'll try my best to solve the problem here.
Ralph wont get more willing to help us if he has to see your face again
soon."

"Okay, I count on you. And later I want to know everything about that
hussie he played with in his room! I'm responsible for him, our parents
will jump in circles."

"Come on, Katja. Your brother is growing up. God, they both were
totally dressed, nothing did happen. And do I need to remind you of the
stunts you did when you were 15 yourselfs? Now move, go to your guests,
  I'll take care of this."

She gave me a doubtful look, but with a shake of her head she went
downstairs to the house door, were the bell was now ringing constantly.
I turned to Tim, who was leaning at the wall, grinning at me.

"I have to say that being together with you is quite entertaining."

"I told you that you'll enjoy yourself."

Tim started to answer, but at this moment the door of Ralphs room
opened a bit, and Katjas brother stook his head out of the room.

"Danny, could you come in for a moment? Alone?"

I looked at Tim, he shrugged his shoulders, so I went with Ralph. His
guest had rolled up under a blanket, only a little bit of his blond
head showing, and I heard a quiet sobbing. Looking at Ralph a little
more closely I noticed, that his eyes were a little reddened too, and a
few streaks of tears were visible. He sat down on the bed, trying to
soothe the bundle under the blanket, softly patting the hidden head.

"Thanks for kicking Katja out."

"No problem. I'm really sorry for storming in that way, but she said
that you're out for the night."

"My plans changed a bit."

"You don't need to justify your being here, that's something I have to
do! But come on, it's not THAT bad. I mean, you're old enough to have a
girlfriend, aren't you? How about introducing her to me?"

Ralph gave me haunted look, then he turned to the still softly sobbing
bundle, took it in his arms and dragged it slowly in a sitting
position. The blanket slid down, revealing a tearful face. A tearful,
cute face. The face of a boy!

"That's Christoph, my boyfriend. Chris, that's Danny, a friend of my
sister. You don't have to worry about him, he's really okay. He is..."

He stopped in mid sentence.

"You can say it, it's not like I make a secret out of it. I'm gay
myself. And if I count one and one togehter I'm not the only gay boy in
this room now. By the way, Christoph with f or with ph...?"

"With ph..."

"How cute, everything fits perfectly. Ralph with ph... and Christoph
with ph...."

Slowly small smiles showed up on their stressed out faces.

"Now how should we go on?"

I thought about how to answer Ralphs question.

"Is there an other way to leave this part of the house? A back door or
something like that?"

"No. I mean, we do have a back door, but we'd still need to go down and
through the living room."

"Shit. What about the window?"

We were upstairs, but maybe there was some kind of ladder or flower
grill.

"Underneath my window is the drive in of our underground parking -- now
way to get down in one piece."

Slowly I ran out of ideas. In the meantime the bell ringed again and
again, more and more of the guests showing up. And blabbermouth Katja
surely told everybody about her brothers immoral behaviour. I guess
there was no way of smuggling the loverboys out of the house unnoticed.

"You ever thought about coming out? If not, I'm afraid that's the
moment to do so."

"You can't be serious! That would be our end!"

"It wasn't the end for me. And the folks outhere all know about me."

"But it would be my end, my sister will take care of that."

"Does anybody know about you yet?"

"My parents."

These were the first words I heard from Ralphs boyfriend.

"About you two being a couple, or only about you?"

"About both of us."

This answer surprised Ralph.

"What? You told your parents about us? Why?"

"I had to do it. They know about me being gay for quite a while now,
and they noticed that I spend so much time with you, so they put one
and one together and asked me straight out. If they hadn't asked me I'd
never told them, but I can't lie to them. Can you forgive me?"

He stared at his boyfriend with big puppy eyes. I'd never be able to
stay mad at such a sight, and I guess it was the same for Ralph.

"Okay, okay. But it will take a little time to get used to it. When did
this happen?"

"Two weeks ago, after the weekend you slept over."

"That long ago? And they never said anything! They even smiled at me
and allowed me to sleep over again!"

"As you see, Ralph, it's not that bad. And you know that your parents
don't have a problem with me."

He still looked doubtful, but not as much as before.

"As for now I'm afraid you have only two possibilities. You can try to
sneak away -- but I'm sure you'll be seen. And as soon as you're away
the gossip will start -- without you being here to defend yourselfs. Or
you can go out with your heads up, don't say anything before someone
askes you, but then you say the truth. Your decision."

The two caught "sinners" looked at each other in silence for two
minutes. Then they nodded, hugged each other and stood up. Ralph took
the lead.

"Okay, let's face the music."

I stopped them before they reached the door.

"Wait. I think you should at least wash your faces before you go down,
you're not quite presentable at the moment. The bathroom is directly
across the corridor, right?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Just a moment."

I stook my head out of the door and beckoned Tim to come over.

"Could you look around the corner and see if the air is clear?"

Tim gave me a question look, but did as I asked him. He looked around
the corner and showed me his raised thumb. I opened the door of Ralphs
room und pushed the two boys in the corridor.

"Move it, before someone shows up. You have 5 minutes, then you're back
in your room. Then we take care of the technics, that'll give you a few
more minutes."

Ralph and Christoph dissapeared in the bathroom and I heard the key
being turned. That's something they should have done with the door of
Ralphs room -- before they started to make out!

I went over to Tim, who stared at me with his eyes wide open. I grinned
and shrugged my shoulders.

"Did you know this before?"

"No, I was as surprised as you're now. But they're a cute couple, don't
you think?"

"Hm. In any case they were lucky that you found them out -- and not
someone else."

We talked for a while, and I told Tim what we would do next, then we
heard the key turning again and the bathroom door opened. The boys
hurried back into Ralphs room, and I followed them, dragging Tim with
me. When we stepped into the room, the loverboys were sitting close to
each other on the bed, but jumped apart when they noticed Tim. I
grinned.

"Just stay together, Tim is cool."

Ralph looked at Tim.

"Is he ... your boyfriend?"

"My future brother. He knows about me -- and now about you, too. But now
we should take care of the music -- if you're okay with us using your
stuff."

"Do I have a choice?"

"Yes. Just say no and the deal is off."

"I believe you. But I guess it's better to not let the guests hanging
without music. I don't need anymore people being mad at me."

I nodded and started to connect all the necessary cables. I was just
done when it knocked on the door, the door was openend and Thomas
stepped in.

"Katja sent me to look for the music. How much longer will it take? And
of course I want to see the girl who turned that little Casanovas head."

Thomas looked through the room, but couldn't find any girl.

"What, you've alread smuggled the little lady out of the room? Good
job. Katja will flip out."

We four looked at each other, the corners of our mouths started to
twitch, then we broke out laughing -- even the little loverboys fell in.
Thomas on the other hand looked dazed.

"Could someone tell me what's going on?"

Well, we couldn't let him stand in the dark.

"Thomas, the one on my left is Tim. I already told you about him."

"Ah yes, the swimmer. Nice to meet you. Good idea that Danny brought
you. And who's that beside Ralph?"

Katjas brother grabbed Christophers left hand, took all the courage he
could muster and answered.

"That's Christoph. He's the one who turned my head."

Thomas gasped for air like a fish out of the water.

"That's ... I ... I don't believe this! Danny is searching for a
boyfriend for years, and those two little rascals are a couple?"

On his face was a big smile.

"Well, congratulations. Ralph, I hope you know that half of the girls
in your class will fall into depression when this comes out."

I had to agree with this, both Ralph and his boyfriend really were very
cute. If they weren't just a little to young for me I'd byte myself in
the butt for not making a pass at Katjas little brother before he was
caught by Christoph.

With the next question Thomas brought us back to reality.

"And what happens now?"

Together we told him of our plans. He made a serious face, then he
nodded.

"Danny is right, that's the best solution. I don't think you'll have to
be afraid of any reactions, the folks at the party are hand selected.
We take care that only those show up who are okay with Danny. We don't
want some stupid, intolerant asshole disturbing the fun by insulting
one of our best friends."

This was news to me. I sometimes wondered why at these parties
everything went well. Never did someone insult me or even gave me nasty
looks, and those from our school who couldn't resist making fun of me
or even worse never showed up at these parties. Now I knew why! And I
realized that I had even better friends than I ever dared to hope for.

Thomas brought me out of my musings.

"Danny, here are a few cds, you really should start the music before
hordes of mad people show up. I'll show Tim around and introduce him to
the others."

With these words he gave me a bag full of cds, grabbed my surprised
future brother by the hand and dragged him out of the room. I shrugged.
If he says so... I took the bag of cds, a colorful mix up and down the
charts of the last few years.

"It's your hi-fi set, Ralph, put them in."

He nodded, than he put 5 cds in the changer -- giving us a long time
without needing to put more music in. Three minutes later music was
heard in the whole house -- and now it was time for us to go down into
the lions den. But before we did so, I had one more thing to say.

"Listen, boys, I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds, but ... you do
know about safer sex, don't you?"

Even a ripe tomate would be jealous of the bright red showing up on
their faces! They nodded a little embarrassed.

"Good. I just wanted to be sure that you don't do something stupid.
Let's go now. And remember: mingle with the people as if nothing ever
happend."

"Okay. And Danny? Thanks."

"My pleasure. Now move!"

Pushing the still unsure couple out of the room and then downstairs we
reached the party zone. Between other guests I discoverd Thomas' oldest
sister -- agewise a good match with my two charges. I didn't know if
they knew each other, but this was a good time for them to meet each
other. I softly pushed Ralph and Christoph in their direction.

"Hi Caren. Talked Thomas into taking you with him again?"

"Hi Danny, you know that he can't refuse me anything. By the way,
that's Patrick, my boyfriend. Patrick, that's Danny. He's the unlucky
guy who has to keep my brother out of trouble."

And what a difficult job that was! Thomas sometimes had some very
strange habits, like the time he found it a good idea to insult three
skinheads who accidently pushed him. He could thank me for being there
and being able to negotiate. I just say karate. Thankfully this
happened on a class trip far away from home, so we've never seen them
again. But back to the present. A boy with fire red hair gave me his
hand.

"I guess you're quite busy with doing so, at least if I can believe all
the things Caren told me about her brother."

"Well, it's not THAT bad. By the way, these boys are Ralph and
Christoph. Ralph is the poor guy who has our beloved host Katja as his
sister. Or do you know each other already?"

Caren smiled at the boys.

"Ralph I've seen before, but Christoph? I don't think so. You don't go
to our school, do you?"

"No, I go to the same school as Patrick. We already know each other."

The two loverboys were in good hands, so I was able to move on.

"Okay, guys, have fun, I'll do my rounds."

I left them to their own devices, trying to find Tim in the crowd.
There he was, at the other end of the living room. Thomas was just
introducing him to a bunch of our friends, and Tim looked quite
comfortable. I decided to leave him in Thomas' hands a little longer.
Slowly I became hungry, and I decided to walk to the kitchen. On the
way there I was stopped by our host and her boyfriend. I greeted
Karsten and tried to move on, but Katja had other intentions.

"Wait! Where are you off so fast?"

"To the kitchen, my dear. The slave labor you poured over me made me
hungry. So if you'll excuse me..."

"Not so fast! I want some answers. Who was the bitch who seduced my
little brother?"

"That's something you have to ask him himself. By the way: who did you
tell about it?"

"Only Thomas and Karsten. And Jurgen. And Lisa."

"Nobody else?"

"No! But why do you care?"

Hm, this did sound a little better than I expected. If I acted fast I
just might be able to swear all of them into silence, avoiding a big
scene for the poor loverboys.

"Katja, listen carefully. I don't want you to tell it any more people."

"What? Since when have you such an interest in my brother?"

"Did you understand?"

I guess she noticed that I was deadly serious, so she gave in.

"Okay, okay, I got it. I wont tell it anymore."

"Good. Karsten?"

"Hehe, keep me out of it. I don't care what the little heartbreaker has
done, my lips are sealed."

"Fine. Now I have to catch the others."

I forgot my protesting stomach for the time being and searched for the
others who already were in on the secret. At the bar I discovered Lisa,
giving out drinks with her boyfriend Mike. Pushing their customers
apart I made my way to them.

"Hi Lisa, Mike."

"Hi Danny. Want something to drink?"

"Not now, thanks. Mike, could I kidnap your girlfriend for a moment?"

"Okay. It isn't as if I'd need to worry about her being together with
you."

I gave him a cheeky grin.

"Don't be to sure, maybe I just discovered my bisexual side."

With these words I dragged a surprised Lisa into a quieter corner.

"I've heard that Katja told you that we caught her brother in a ...
well ... in a slightly compromising situation."

"Oh yes, she told me, and if you ask me: she shouldn't blabber this
out! I hope at least can give the poor boy a rest."

Nice to see that I wasn't the only one being a little disgusted with
her.

"Don't worry, I came to you to swear you into silence, but I guess that
wont be necessary at all."

"That you can count on. The poor little guy is punished enough with
having Katja as his sister. But another thing: Thomas introduced us to
your future brother. God is he cute! And so shy! If I know you
correctly, you've fallen for him instantly."

Great, now I'm the one with the red face!

"Am I so obvious?"

"Only to us who know and love you. And looking at this little cutie I
can understand you! Even I could go for him in a weak moment. And if
you EVER tell Mike I said this I'll deny everything!"

"To late, I've already stored it on my little dictaphone for later
usage. So, I have to move on, trying to limit the damage."

I left Lisa to her bartender job, letting my eyes wander through the
masses. Now at least 50 people were present and I decided, not to
volunteer for the housecleaning after the party this time. My next stop
would be Jurgen at the kitchen, but before I could direct my steps
there, somebody tugged at my left arm, I turned, and there were Thomas
and Tim.

"Here, you can have your brother back. I showed him around a bit, but
now I want to look for a nice girl for the evening. So if you'll excuse
me..."

He started to walk off, but I hold him back.

"Wait, before you go. Katja only told you, Karsten, Lisa and Jurgen
about what happened upstairs, and I want it to stay this way. I'm on my
way to seal the last lips, so please, don't tell anybody, okay?"

"No problem, I'll be silent as a grave."

"Thanks, and good hunting."

Off he was, and I was left alone with Tim, who made quite a happy
impression.

"Enjoying yourself, little brother? Or do you regret that I dragged you
here with me?"

"No, really, I like it here. The people are friendly, I like the music,
and I start to realize what I've missed over the last few years."

I smiled, this sounded much better than the small heap of self doubt I
came to know earlier the day.

"Good. Now listen, I have one more person put to silence about Ralph,
and conveniently it happens that this person is in charge of the food
supply -- I'm quite hungry now. You want to come with me or mingle a
little more?"

"I'll join you, I'm hungry myself. But only if I won't be a burden to
you."

"Nonsense. Let's go."

Even if I didn't knew my way around in the house, the direction to the
kitchen would be easy to find. We just had to follow the wonderful
smells of steaks and fried sausages. Guided by ower noses we reached
the kitchen, where we found Jurgen and a big electric grill with lots
and lots of nice smelling things on it. Unfortunately there where also
a few other people -- they had to go before I could speak with Jurgen
about the Ralph incident.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, hygiene inspection. If everyone
expect the cook please would leave the room for a while."

Grumbling quietly the unwanted audience left the room. Jurgen was
grinning at me expectantly.

"Salve, keeper of the meat pot!"

"My salutes to you, o master of the good sound!"

A few years ago we both played roman senators in a school play -- and
still we loved to remember these times.

"Now, mr. hygiene inspector, what can I do for you? And who's that you
brought to my kitchen?"

"That's Tim, my brother."

"Nice to meet you. But why did you push everyone out? Surely not
because of Tim."

"Of course you're right. Listen... I've heard that Katja told you
something about her brother..."

"Don't remind me! That old gossip mouth doesn't know when to keep her
food opening closed. If we'd tell about everything we've experienced
with her... We could make daily soap out of it and make lots and lots
of money!"

"I guess that means that you won't tell anybody else?"

"Never. It's Ralphs show, and Katja is the last person to have any
right to judge him and play the moral apostle."

"Good. Now after that's clear: what can you offer us concerning our
empty stomachs?"

Jurgen didn't do things by halves, he brought everything he found in
his parents butcher's shop. Three minutes later Tim and I sat at the
kitchen table and started at our plates, filled with steaks and
sausages.

"Mr. Inspector, am I allowed to let in the other customers again?"

"Let them in."

*.*.*

The remainder of the party went as usual: lots of music, dancing, more
or less meaningful conversations, good food and drinks. With the
exception of two beer I stayed with the non alcoholic drinks, and Tim
was careful with his drinking, too. My plans to look for cute boys was
thrusted into the background by the events of the evening, and I wasn't
in the mood for it anymore, too. The evening went from party into real
work.

At some point Katja showed up and dragged me into a little storage
room. I had the feeling I knew what was coming.

"God damn, Danny, you should have told me!"

"What about?"

"About Ralph and his ... his friend! What a fool I look now!"

"Why? Is it so bad that your brother is into boys? Suprise: I'm too!
You didn't care until now."

"I don't care that Ralph's gay. Not much at least. But this Christoph
was to sleep over, and now I need to solve this problem. You don't know
how to reach his parents? Their phone number?"

"Katja, I didn't know him before today. And what do you need their
phone number for?"

"Come on, I have to call them. They need to get him, he can't sleep
over!"

"Rubbish. When you were fifteen you had friends staying over, too. And
your parents were okay with it."

"That was something completely different?"

"Was it? I don't see any difference."

"And what do I tell our parents?"

"YOU have to tell them nothing. If somebody has to tell them anything
it's your brother. As long as you don't blabber it out he just has a
friend sleeping over -- and not for the first time. When the boys are
ready they'll tell your parents themselfs."

"And I shall say nothing, just ignore the whole thing?"

"Why not? And how often Ralph had to meet your boyfriend of the night
at the breakfast table?"

"Okay, okay! If you say so. But from now on I'm not the responsible
one. If our parents find out and make terror I'll tell them that you
are responsible for it. And now I have to take care of my guests!"

I grinned, she was at 180. But I wouldn't let her bad mood soil my
evening.

Around midnight the first guests started to leave, and half an hour
later only the few were left who volunteerd for the cleaning. Katjas
and Ralphs parents allowed these parties from time to time, but they
expected the house being clean when they came back from their evening
out -- that would happen around 2am. Lisa, Mike and Jurgen took care of
the kitchen and the dishes, Thomas (who spent the evening with a girl
from our school) was fighting with the vacuum cleaner, some others were
moving furniture. Tim and I removed the radio receivers, Ralph and
Christoph were nowhere to be seen.

The first bag was filled with the receivers, only the transmitter was
missing, so we whent upstairs to Ralphs room. Remembering the situation
from before, this time I knocked on the door. Nobody answered. I
knocked again a little louder -- same result. Now I pushed down the door
handle, almost expecting the door to be locked, but no, it went open.
The two missing boys layed on the bed, fully dressed, sleeping snuggled
up into each others arms. What a cute picture. I decided not to remove
the transmitter now, it would have made to much noise. I only switched
off the hi-fi set and turned back to the boys with an amused look. I
didn't want to disturb them, but still I thought it would be best to at
least pull off their shoes. I did so carefully, than I took the blanket
from the floor and spread over the two sleeping boys. Finally I softly
stroked through their hairs, quielty said "Sleep well" and tiptoed out
of the room. Tim was waiting for me at the door, I grinned and layed my
index finger at my lips before I closed the door.

"I guess we shoud leave now. I'll get the transmitter tomorrow."

Tim was watching me intensly, his head a little slanting.

"Danny?"

"Yes?"

"I think you're the best big brother anyone could wish for."

If this was a hollywood drama I'd break out into tears now. Well, to be
honest, I almost did. But I was able to keep myself together, and we
went downstairs. There we said goodbye to the others, and I warned
Katja to not disturb the loverboys upstairs. After putting on our
jackets and shoes we went out into the cold night.

What were we glad when we reached our warm house! Who ordered this
artic cold? Ten minutes after 1am I locked down the house and we got
rid of the warm clothes. Tim looked at the bag with the radio receivers.

"Do we need to install them now?"

"No, the transmitter is still missing, and who knows when mom will show
up here anyways."

"Thank god."

"You're tired? Want to go to bed?"

"To be honest I'd like to have short shower again. My clothes and my
hair are smelling of cigarette smoke, and I've sweat a bit.

He had danced with a few girls, and there really were many smokers at
the party. I sniffed at my fleece shirt and pulled a face.

"You're right, that's a good idea. You go first now, not that you have
to wait for me again that long."

We went upstairs and Tim dissapeared into the bathroom. Shortly later I
heard the water running. I went to my closet to grab a nice warm
pyjama, when the phone started ringing.

"Thom."

"Hi Danny."

"Hi mom. How was your evening without the little pests?"

"I almost said boring, but of course it wasn't. We had a really nice
evening. I hope you too. Everything went well?"

"Of course. Tim enjoyed himself and found a few new friends."

"Reinhardt will be very happy about that. Wait, he just came up to me
and wants to speak with Tim. Can you give him the phone?"

"Sorry, he's showering. Can I take a message?"

"It's not important, he just wanted to hear from Tim himself how he
survived the evening."

"Tell him to stop worriyng. Now, when should we expect you tomorrow?
Any plans for the day yet?"

"Knowing you you want to sleep in, and according to Reinhardt the same
goes for Tim. So I guess we'll pick you up around noon and go for
dinner somewhere. That's okay for you?"

"Sure."

At this moment Tim stepped out of the bathroom, wearing only a smile
and a towle.

"Wait, mom! Is Reinhardt still near the phone?"

"Yes, why?"

"Tim just came out of the shower, I'll give him the phone."

I did so, grabbed my pyjama and went to get my shower, so I didn't hear
what Tim spoke with his dad. When I came back 10 minutes later, Tim was
in his bed already.

"Everything okay with your dad?"

"Yes. He thanked us for the nice evening. Well, for the nice evening
without us."

I chuckled.

"Maybe we should keep the two appartments. We stay here, and our old
folks at yours."

"No, I don't think so. An evening without dad is okay, but I'd miss him
in the long run."

"I guess I'd miss mom too. Did he tell you the plans for tomorrow...",
I took a look at my watch, "I mean for today?"

"He did. We can sleep in!"

"You can, but I have something to do before they show up here."

"What?"

"Getting the transmitter from Katja.  I guess I'll go there around
11am, that way I'll have enough time to take care of that."

"Can I join you?"

"Sure, if you want. But we'll have to get up around 10am, I won't go
out without breakfast."

"No problem. You have an alarm clock?"

"Yup, I just have to adjust it."

When I was done I switched of the lights and went to my bed. On the way
there I passed the window.

"Can I open the window a bit? I'll sleep better with fresh air. If it
gets to cold we can close it up again."

"No problem, I can't sleep well with the window closed."

Good. I opened the window, than I layed down in my warm and cosy bed,
snuggling up with my pillow and blanket.

"Good night, Tim."

"Good night. And thanks again for the nice evening."

"It was my pleasure. And now sleep fast and well."

*.*.*

To be continued in part 3