Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 07:33:51 -0400
From: Vance Lister <vlista20@hotmail.com>
Subject: Shane

                         Chapter 17


     Tad started buying things for Thanksgiving dinner a week and a half
before the actual event.  Shane who had been grocery shopping with him
every week since school started picked on him as he picked pumpkin pie mix,
chocolate pudding for cream pie and graham crackers for crusts off the
shelves.
     "You have to make sure you are ready Shane.  You don't mess around
with the holidays at our house.  One missed side dish or dessert could set
Don off in a rage that could last til Christmas."
     Shane only laughed harder not at all able to picture Don in a rage.
Tad turned to him grinning.  "I need flower, confectioners sugar and
regular sugar."  He pointed to the other end of the aisle.  "You think you
can handle that?"
     Shane nodded and took off up the aisle.  A minute later he returned
with the goods and dropped them into the cart.  "So who else comes to
dinner?"
     "Aaron and Jason are coming down with one of their students."
     Shane's eyes lit up.  "How come you didn't tell me that sooner?"
     Tad shrugged and grinned.  "You didn't ask.  I was beginning to think
you could care less about our grand thanks giving dinner."
     Leaning over the back of the cart Shane looked at him guiltily.  "Well
I do care.  I'm actually kinda excited."
     "Don't imagine you ever celebrated before did you?"
     Shane shook his head.  "My dad always went and got the free food
baskets down at welfare but we never had a thanksgiving meal.  He just
cooked up the turkey and ate it.  Then have the other stuff whenever he
felt like it."
     "He didn't share the turkey with you?"
     "No," Shane scoffed.  "He'd wolf it all down himself.  He was a big
ole pig."
     "Well he was a lot of things.  None of them good."
     Shane laughed and nodded his head in full agreeance.
     "So how was practice tonight?
     "Good, coach says I'm ready for the first meet.  But that's not for
another three weeks.  I'm nervous as hell but excited at the same time."
He absolutely loved practices and really liked everyone else on the team.
And though it meant facing Derek every day in the locker room after
practice, since basketball practice was the same time as swim practice that
was the only draw back and the benefits far out weighed that one bad part.
     He still got to stay out of study hall to swim with Seth and they both
got an extra hour of practice.  The first hour was unsupervised however and
they spent a lot of it most days just goofing around.
     He followed Tad out of the aisle and up to a freezer piled high with
Turkeys.  "You are gonna get that now too?"
     "Well yeah, they're frozen.  Best get it while the pickings are good."
     "You're such a good mom Tad." Shane snickered into his hand while Tad
whacked him upside the head with his list.  "Okay smart ass.  How big a
turkey do you think we gotta get?"
     "Well," Shane held out five fingers.  "We are gonna have six people.
Say when you go to the restaurant you usually have a choice between a ten
and fourteen ounce steak so we'll go with ten since they'll be so much else
to eat which mean we'd need 60oz.  There are 16 ounces in a pound."  He was
so busy doing his math he did not notice Tad having all he could do to keep
from laughing.  "We'd need a little over a three pound turkey."
     He looked over at Tad who was no longer able to hold in his laughter.
His own eyes widened in amusement.  "What's so funny."
     Tad composed himself and leaned on his hand over the freezer he looked
back at Shane chuckled one last time then shook his head and re-composed
himself.  "I like your reasoning Shane.  I even like your math.  But I
don't think there is such a thing as a three pound turkey."  He glanced
back down at the turkeys.  "See you gotta take into consideration that the
bones weigh quite a bit.  Plus you have to think of Turkey soup, turkey
sandwiches and turkey pot pie to have as meals the rest of the week.  See
only the most experienced Holiday planners know the wonders of leftover
Turkey.  All the possibilities."
     "Well then I'd say we need a fifty pound turkey."
     "That's closer." Tad laughed and started looking them over.  He hefted
one up and set it in the bottom of the cart.
     "Holy crap Tad that's huge."
     "27 lbs.  You are gonna have turkey coming out your ears by December
1st."
     "Can't wait." Shane clapped his hands together firmly then put them
back on the cart and pushed it along behind Tad.
     They turned the next corner nearly running right into a woman's cart.
"Scuse me ma'am." he looked past her and his eyes nearly popped out and
rolled across the floor seeing Derek was with her.  He sort of froze there
while the woman looked at him funny and Derek looked at him with the usual
pitiful look he usually had on his face.
     "Come on Shane." Tad called over from a few feet away.  "We've got
provisions to buy."
     Shane swallowed hard the sudden look of shock on the woman's face only
making him more nervous as he figured she knew exactly who he was from his
name being said plus his reaction of freezing right there in front of her.
     He quickly turned his cart and pushed it around the woman's giving
Derek a wide girth as he hurried up to Tad.
     Iona Kirk hurried out of the aisle then turned to Derek.  "Was that,
that boy you went out with?"
     Derek swallowed hard and nodded.
     "He lives here now?"
     "Yes ma'am."
     "Does he go to your school?"
     "Yes,"
     She looked at him sympathetically and rubbed his arm.  "How come you
didn't tell me?"
     Derek shrugged and she shook her head.  "God. That must be hard.  For
him more then you I imagine."
     "I know,"
     She looked back down the aisle at Shane who quickly turned his head
when he saw her looking.  She did not in any way condone what her son had
done and felt very sorry for the boy he'd done it too.  She felt bad for
them both now that she knew they had to face each other every day.  Derek
was totally wrong in what he had done but in her mind he had paid for it
and was certainly very sorry for it.  She knew though there was no way he
would ever be able to make it up to Shane.  Nothing could ever be done to
make what Derek had done to him right.

     Shane was on his way to English the next day when Jimmy ran up to him
in the hall.  He grabbed Shane by the wrist and drew him out of the main
stream of traffic.  "Shane I gotta ask you a huge favor." he looked
desperate and Shane immediately felt fearful that something had happened to
Kenny.
     He nodded. "Sure Jimmy what?"
     "Well, me and my dad go away everything Thanksgiving.  We go to his
parents and he don't want any of them knowing I'm queer so he won't bring
Kenny.  Kenny won't stay at the house if I'm not there. He needs a place to
go.  Last year he was supposed to stay at Tim's."  Jimmy leaned against the
wall and took a deep breath looking like he'd been running for a while.
"He didn't want to be a burden though." He shook his head sadly then looked
back at Shane.  "He stayed in some damned abandoned ware house all week."
     Shane's heart trembled hating to think of poor Kenny out on the
streets when everyone else was sitting around with their families enjoying
the holiday.
     "I think though.  That he just may stay with you." Jimmy smiled warmly
and squeezed Shane's wrist tighter looking like he was about to cry.  "He
really likes you man.  Shane this and Shane that.  You are all he talks
about anymore."
     Shane smiled totally flattered.
     "I can't stay home with him.  If I do my dad will get pissed and kick
us both out.  He doesn't ask much of me so I figure I can oblige him with
this.  But I can't leave Kenny in the lurch.  He needs to have a good
Holiday too.  He deserves it more then anyone."  Jimmy smiled again.  "Well
except maybe you.  So anyways what I'm beating around the bush here about
is..."
     Shane held up his hand.  "Don't worry about it Jimmy.  I'd love to
spend thanksgiving with Kenny and I'd love for him to spend the week at my
house." he was absolutely sure Tad and Don would have no problem with it as
he'd told them a lot about Kenny and always said they'd do whatever they
could to help the kid if he ever needed it.
     "I got one more favor." Jimmy said looking very pleased with Shane's
offer to help.
     "Anything Jimmy."
     "Well he's real funny like I said about what he considers charity.  He
doesn't want to be anyone's charity case.  So can you not tell him I asked.
Just say you heard I was going away and ask him where he's staying. He'll
make something up but act real sad and say oh I was hoping you'd want to
come and stay with me."
     Shane grinned loving how well Jimmy knew him and how hard he tried to
see his needs were met.  "No problem."
     Jimmy threw his arms around him and gave him a big hug.  "God Shane
thanks so much.  You are saving my life here."
     Shane hugged him back.  "Anytime Jimmy.  I like Kenny a lot, I like
you a lot.  I'm glad to help."
     Jimmy squeezed him tighter then let go of him as the bell rang.  "I
wont forget this Shane.  I will forever be in your debt."
     Before Shane could tell him there was no need he was off and running
back down the hall.

     He did not get a chance to talk to Kenny til Sign language class.
Kenny looked depressed like he had that morning in art only difference was
now Shane knew why.
     The teacher droned on and on and finally set them to work signing
different things to each other.  "I heard Jimmy was going away for
Thanksgiving. You going with him?"
     Kenny shook his head his eyes studying his hand that was propped up
with his elbow ready for some signing.  "I'm going to my Aunt's."
     Shane nodded putting on a depressed face.  "You go there every year?"
     "No, first year.  Last year I stayed at Jimmy's and before that I was
at home."
     "Did you celebrate at home?"
     Kenny shrugged then shook his head.  "My dad wasn't much for
holidays."
     "Yeah mine neither.  In fact this year will be my first official
Thanksgiving."
     Kenny looked him in the eye and Shane could see pain there. "I'm sorry
about that."
     "What did we discuss about apologizing to each other for those
things?"  Shane asked grinning.
     Kenny grinned back. "Sorry," He smacked himself in the head then shook
his head.  "I mean I'm not sorry, who gives a shit."
     Shane laughed and the teacher told them to quiet down.  Shane leaned
closer and talked quieter.  "I was asking cause I thought maybe you hadn't
celebrated before either.  I thought it might be fun for us to celebrate
our first thanksgivings together.  You could spend the week at my house, we
could help Tad make all the food.  You know really get into it."
     Kenny looked down at the floor and started rubbing at his eyes.
     "Why you crying?" Shane asked knowing full well why but not wanting to
blow Jimmy's cover.
     Kenny shook his head refusing to look up.  "Well maybe I could get out
of going to my Aunts.  I never liked her much."
     Shane grabbed him by the wrist. "So you will?" He asked excitedly.
     Kenny looked up at him and smiled.  "I'd really love to."
     Shane hugged him tightly.  "Oh I'm so glad.  We are gonna have so much
fun.  God I can't wait."  He really couldn't wait.  He loved Kenny like a
brother and was really looking forward to getting to act that way for a
full week.

     Derek walked up to Shane again in the locker room before gym.  "You
living with that guy?"
     "What guy?" in his excitement over Kenny who was again in the toilet
stall he forgot all about the run in at the grocery store last night.
     "The one you were with last night."
     "Oh, yeah,"
     "That's great.  I'm glad you aren't living with your dad anymore.  How
did that come about?"
     "My dad kicked me out.  Tad and Don took me in."
     "Two guys?"
     "Yeah," Shane grinned which nearly made Derek fall over as he'd not
seen anything but a stone face from Shane since the first day of school.
"Mr.  Mason's gay did you know that?"
     Derek's eyes widened and he chuckled.  "No I had no idea.  So you live
with him then?"
     Shane nodded.  "He's great.  Tad's great.  I'm real happy now."  He
didn't like how nice he was being but over the weeks of Derek timidly
trying to talk to him every day he was wearing down.  His hate was turning
more to dislike something at least tolerable.
     "I'm real happy for you."
     "Me too.  Was that your mom?"
     Derek nodded trying to hide his elation that Shane was actually
talking to him and not yelling.
     "Your dad told me you was living with her.  Said she put you in some
anger management type thing."
     "Mental hospital."
     Shane looked him in the eye.  "Really?"
     "Well," He looked down at the floor and shrugged.  "Yeah that's what
it was.  I was there for six months."
     Shane stepped over the bench and sat down heavily.  "Just cause of
what you did to me?"
     Derek sat down across from him.  "Isn't that enough Shane?"
     Shane rubbed the back of his neck.  "Well no Derek.  I think that's
pretty harsh."
     Derek's heart seemed to melt all over the floor wondering for the
millionth time how he could have been so fucking dumb as to throw away
someone as wonderful as Shane.  "It wasn't one of those places that had
bars on the windows or anything Shane.  It was more like a college dorm
except instead of sitting around and jawing the shit you sat around and
talked about what the heck is the matter with you."
     "I'm sorry Derek.  I didn't know, it really doesn't change much.  I
still will never forgive you for what you did.  But maybe I shouldn't be so
rude.  I guess you've probably suffered right along with me huh?"
     "I've suffered a lot Shane.  But I deserved it. You didn't.  I don't
want you apologizing to me.  That will only make me feel worse."
     Shane grinned and stood up he patted Derek on the shoulder.  "Well
then I can only say one thing."
     Derek looked up at him Shane's touch sending bolts of electricity
through him.  "What?"
     Shane grinned wider.  "I'm sorry."
     Derek shook his head and chuckled.  "Okay I opened myself up for that
one."
     Shane laughed.  "Yeah you did."

     That night at dinner Shane asked Tad and Don about Kenny.  "See he's
got no place to go.  Last year he holed up in a warehouse.  Jimmy's all
upset he doesn't want him doing that again this year."
     "Shane."
     "It's just that Kenny ain't ever celebrated thanks giving either.  I
think he ought to join us cause it's gonna be real special."
     "Shane."
     He nodded at the mention of his name then continued.  "And it's gonna
be cold out all week.  And he just shouldn't sleep outside."  Don smacked
his hand down on the table Shane jumped so he dropped his fork full of
potato on the floor.  "I'm sorry," He said leaning down and picking it up.
"It's okay, I'll just tell Jimmy..."
     "Shane stop." Don squeezed his shoulder and laughed.  "I told you five
minutes ago now that he could.  You don't have to keep trying to talk us
into it.  We'd love to have him here."
     Shane blushed and grinned shyly.  He put his elbow up on the table and
pressed his forehead into it.  Don rubbed his back while he continued to
chuckle and smiled over at Tad.
     "I was just nervous.  I knew you'd say yes.  I just hated to ask."
     "Don't ever hate to ask us anything Shane.  You can always ask us
anything.  We may not always say yes.  But you never gain anything by not
asking." he sat back and rubbed his hands together.  "And as far as Kenny
staying here. Well I think we'd always say yes to that.  You two sound like
two peas in a pod."
     Shane grinned again.  "He's my best friend."
     "What about Seth?"
     "Well that's complicated."
     "You and Seth are getting along aren't you?"
     "Oh sure," Shane had never explained to them just how their
relationship worked but saying what he just said he owed them somewhat of
an explanation.  "Seth and I are more then best friends.  We are more
like," he waved his hand around trying to find the right word.  "Surrogate
boyfriends.  Sam is my boyfriend but Seth fills in when Sam's not around."
     Don looked real confused.  "You and Seth have sex?"
     "Well yeah, but it's more then just that.  It's like we are family."
He laughed a little bit.  "He calls it an incestual family.  But that's
really what it's like."
     "And he calls me a hippie." Tad said with a laugh.  "You guys and your
communal love that's total hippie."
     Don looked over at Tad then back at Shane.  "That doesn't seem like a
good thing to me."
     Tad smacked him on the arm.  "Remember Johnny Marco?  What do you
think that was all about.  It's the same thing these guys are doing and we
turned out okay."
     Shane looked over at Tad.  "What are you talking about?  Whose Johnny
Marco?"
     "This kid that Don and I palled around with in highschool.  The three
of us were like a couple.  The same way you, Seth and Sam are."
     "And Matt."
     Tad chuckled.  "And Matt." he said with a wave of his hand like maybe
he should have known that.  "It's no big deal Don.  God you are an old
stodger sometimes."
     Don sighed then grinned as well.  "You are right.  I had nearly
forgotten about old Johnny.  God I am old." He smacked his hand against his
forehead then ran it down his face.  "And a little jealous." He said
looking over at Shane.  "If I were your age again I'd have walked over
broken glass to hop in bed with someone as hot as Seth."
     Shane put his hand over his mouth and laughed heartily.  "You got the
hots for Seth?"
     Don grinned and shook his head.  "No I said if I were that age.  I
ain't no cradle robber.  He is a very attractive young man though."
     "You should see the size of his...." Before he could finish Don cuffed
him upside the head.  "I don't need to know that Shane." He said laughing
right along with Tad and Shane.


                              Chapter 18


     On Friday afternoon after practice Kenny with a bag full of clothes
walked with Shane to Tad's shop.  "You sure they don't mind me hanging
around."
     "Sure I'm sure Kenny.  They are both really great.  You are really
gonna like them."
     "I don't know," Kenny said wearily.  "I don't like adults too much."
     "Well I didn't like anyone too much up until like six months ago.  All
you have to do is meet a few nice ones.  And believe me Tad and Don are
both real nice."
     Kenny kicked at rock sending it sailing down the sidewalk.  "Well they
must be to not care that I'm gonna stay there a week.  So I'll try not to
hide in your room the whole time."
     Shane put his arm over Kenny's shoulders.  "Well I sure would like it
if you didn't hide in my room the whole time.  We live right on the ocean.
You and I can go play on the beach with my dog.  We can help Tad cook, we
can rake leaves and jump in them."
     Kenny turned and looked at him oddly.  "Aren't we a little old for
that?"
     "Way I figure it Kenny is that we didn't get to do those things when
we were young so we gotta do it now.  Just as long as we maintain some
level of maturity in public."
     Kenny grinned and leaned into Shane.  "Okay, I think that sounds like
a great plan."
     Tad was polishing an antique brass lamp when they walked into the
store.  He wiped his hands on a rag and walked over to them.  Shane
introduced them and Tad shook his hand.  "It's nice to meet you Kenny.  You
sure your up for a week in our crazy house?"
     Kenny grinned.  "I hope so."
     Tad squeezed his shoulder totally seeing why Shane thought he was so
cute.  He was as small as a minute with big bright green eyes and curly
blonde hair.  "We'll have a good time.  I need more assistant chef's to
help me cook.  You know how to cook Kenny?"
     "Little bit."
     "Oh great.  So I can hire you on?"
     Kenny grinned again.  "I'd like that."
     "Why don't you two go back in my office and get your homework done.
That way you don't have to worry about it all week."
     Shane nodded and led Kenny to the back office.  They went through the
motions of doing their homework for the next hour but mostly sat around and
talked.  Tad gathered them up at 5:30 and they drove home.
     As they pulled into the driveway Shep charged up to the car.  "Oh
Shane."  Kenny said dreamily from the backseat.  "That's one gorgeous dog."
     Shane beamed from ear to ear glad someone else thought he was gorgeous
too.
     "What's his name."
     "Shep." Shane said with a laugh.  "I'm not too creative."
     "Hey." Kenny said pointing out a finger.  "So that must be why your
email address is Vshep."
     "Sure is.  I wasn't too creative there either."
     "Oh please." Tad shook his head and chuckled.  He looked back at Kenny
as he parked the car.  "Took him two hours to come up with it.  Like he was
making some life altering decision."
     Shane laughed and shoved Tad at the shoulder.  "You better not
embarrass me all week."
     They got out of the car and Shep did his usual greeting to Shane then
sniffed Kenny from head to toe while Kenny patted his head.  "He sure is
nice."
     "He's very nice." Shane led Kenny to the house.  "I'll tell you just
how nice later on."  He hadn't really told anyone that he probably wouldn't
be alive if it weren't for Shep but he'd told Kenny a lot of things he
hadn't told anyone else.  The same as Kenny had told Shane a lot of things
he'd told no one else.
     "Don's not home yet?" He asked as they walked into the house.
     "No there's parent teacher meetings over at the school."
     "Poor guy," Shane shivered.  "We're gonna go up and get Kenny settled
in my room okay?"
     "Sure I'll start dinner.  You like spaghetti Kenny?"
     Kenny rubbed his stomach and nodded eagerly then followed Shane up the
stairs.  Inside his room Kenny looked around his room with a gaping mouth.
"Wow Shane this is real nice." he walked over to the computer and ran his
hand along the CPU then wandered over to the wall and checked out the
pictures.  "Sam's even cuter then I remembered."
     "Sam's hot." Shane said dreamily as he dropped down on the bed.
     Kenny walked over to the other bed that had been set up just for
Kenny's stay and set his bag down.
     "I cleaned out the top two dresser drawers so you can put your clothes
there."  Shane pointed over to the dresser and sat up.
     "You didn't have to do that."
     "Well I did." He chuckled and Kenny smiled warmly at him then got up
and unpacked his clothes.  When he was done he took a flying leap onto
Shane's bed.  He pulled Shane back down and hugged him tightly.  "I'm so
happy Shane.  I'm so glad you wanted me to come stay with you this week."
     Shane hugged him back.  "I'm glad you wanted to come.  You and I can
be brothers this week.  I've always wanted a brother."
     Kenny chuckled in his arms.  "You mean a nice brother."
     "Yeah," Shane chuckled too having forgot for the moment that he did
have a real brother.
     Kenny kicked off his shoes and rolled over onto his back on the bed.
He stared up at the ceiling a big smile on his face.  "I always wanted a
brother too.  I know it's corny but couldn't we pretend even after this
week that we are brothers.  Just between us you know?" He asked looked over
at Shane a little nervously.
     Smiling widely Shane nodded.  "Well sure, I think that's a great
idea."
     "After all." Kenny smiled too.  "We pretty much had the same dad."
     Shane laughed and rolled onto his back too he held Kenny's hand and
they both laid in silence staring at the ceiling both feeling very content
just to stay in each other's company.
     Tad walked in five minutes later and handed Kenny the phone.  Kenny
took it and thanked him then put it to his ear grinning happily as he knew
it could only be one person.  "Hello?"
     "Hey babe.  I just wanted to check up on you make sure you were where
you were supposed to be."  It was Jimmy of course.
     Kenny laughed softly.  "I'm being good."
     "So you think you'll be okay there this week?"
     "Oh sure Jimmy, I'm already having a real good time.  Shane and me
where gonna be brothers." He clapped his hand over his mouth and looked
over at Shane who was grinning now still looking up at the ceiling.  He
moved his hand off his mouth a little.  "Don't trust me with any secrets
Shane." He said laughing while Shane laughed right along with him.
     Jimmy laughed on the other end of the phone.  "He'll be a great
brother Kenny I'm very happy."
     Kenny rubbed his hand a long the arm that was holding the phone and
looked like he was pretending to be hugged or something.  "You guys out
there already?"
     "Yeah been here a couple hours.  Hetero boy in action here."
     Kenny laughed and shook his head.  "Well don't knock up any girls.  We
don't need you paying child support."  Jimmy laughed right back.  "Boy you
are having a good time aren't you?"  It was not a very common thing for
Kenny to crack jokes at all.
     "Yes, Jimmy.  I guess you found me a good place this time." He clapped
his hand over his mouth again. There was silence on the other end and Shane
was looking at him peculiarly.  Kenny looked over at Shane.  "Well I guess
I can't keep any secrets tonight."
     "Did Shane tell you?" Jimmy asked sounding very surprised.
     "No, in fact he did a real good acting job.  I just know you Jimmy."
He squeezed Shane's hand tighter.  "I just went along with it cause I
really wanted to stay with him."
     Jimmy laughed into the phone while Shane grinned wider.  "You're a
runt Kenny."  Jimmy said.
     "I know but you love me."
     "I sure do, more then life itself."
     "And I love you."
     "Oh Thank God."
     Kenny chuckled gripping the phone tighter.  "Thanks Jimmy."
     "No thank you Kenny, now I don't have to worry about you freezing to
death all week."
     Kenny grinned over at Shane who was staring back at the ceiling.
"I'll stay right here where it's warm and there's a big ole dog to protect
us."
     "I'll call you every night okay?"
     "Sounds great."
     "Okay, I better go now, don't want the relatives to get suspicious."
Kenny chuckled again.  "I love you."
     "I love you too Jimmy."  As soon as he hung up Shane was on top of him
straddling him and pinning him in with his knees while he tickled his chest
and stomach.  Kenny laughed and kicked and squirmed but he was no match for
Shane.
     "You trying to make a fool of me boy?" Shane laughed out as he
continued to tickle Kenny whose face was bright red he was laughing so
hard.  "I put on my best performance of my life and you don't fall for it
for one minute?"
     Kenny though he didn't think it was possible laughed even harder as he
fought against Shane's tickling hands and writhed around on the bed like a
snake caught in a trap.  When his face turned even redder and a vein stuck
out on his head Shane got off him thinking he might explode or something.
It took a few minutes for Kenny's laughing to die down.  When it did he
rolled onto his side and wiped at his laughing tears his face returning to
it's pale white color.
     "It wasn't your performance it's just Jimmy.  As if he'd go off and
leave me without having a place for me to stay.  This year he didn't say
much about finding me a place so I knew something was up.  Then you come
along with all this first thanks giving crap and I put two and two
together."
     Shane's mouth fell open and he pretended to look hurt.  "First thanks
giving crap."
     Kenny let out a laugh.  "Well not that it's really crap." he shook his
head and buried his face in the comforter.  "I didn't mean that."
     Shane cupped the back of his neck.  "I know Kenny, I was just
kidding."

     About halfway through dinner Don showed up.  Shane introduced him to
Kenny who looked even more like a little boy with his napkin hanging out of
his shirt collar so he wouldn't get spaghetti on his shirt.
     Don shook his hand talked to him for a minute or so then threw off his
jacket and sat down at the head of the table with Shane on one side and Tad
on the other.  The way they always sat at the table.
     Kenny didn't talk the whole meal unless he was asked a direct
question.  After dinner he and Shane did the dishes. "Don't forget Shane
you gotta show me that year book so I can see you used to look like me."
     "The way you are telling secrets tonight?"
     Kenny laughed his hands full of suds.  "I'll be good.  I'm dying to
see it."
     They cleaned up the kitchen then went into Don's office where he was
sitting behind his computer.  "Don can I look at last year's yearbook?"
     "You are gonna show someone your old year book?" He asked in total
shock.
     "Yes," Shane rolled his eyes and grinned.  Don reached behind him and
pulled the year book off the shelf.  "You are very honored Kenny." he
grinned over at Kenny.  "No one has had the honor of viewing this."
     Shane snatched the book out of his hand and told him to shut up while
he laughed then took off up the stairs with Kenny.  "It's so thin." Kenny
said as they sat down on the bed and he looked it over.
     "There was only a hundred kids there.  Not many pages to fill."
     "Holy crap a hundred kids?  That's real small."
     "Very small."  Shane flipped it open and went to the pictures of the
under class men.  He found the page he was on then held it up to his chest.
"Now you have to take an oath." He held up his right hand and though it got
Kenny laughing he held up his right hand too.
     "Repeat after me."
     Kenny nodded and took a deep breath to try and stop laughing.
     "I Kenneth...what's your middle name?"
     "I don't know." he said shaking his head.
     "Okay well I Kenneth Salisbury....."  He stopped while Kenny repeated
it.  "Do solemnly swear..."
     "Do solemnly swear......."
     "That the contents I am about to view....."
     "That the contents I'm about to view......"  Shane waited for his
laughing to die down again.
     "Is of utmost confidentiality....."
     "Is of utmost confidentiality...."
     "And I will never reveal to anyone the atrocities I shall view...."
     Kenny laughed his ass off and it was a good minute before he was able
to repeat it.  When he did Shane handed him over the book and pointed out
the picture and Kenny laughed his ass off again.
     Shane cuffed him in the head and Kenny contained himself.  "My God
Shane you weren't lying.  You look like hell."
     "Of course I weren't lying.  You think I'd make up being a wretch."
     Kenny shook his head and looked closer at the picture.  "This is so
sad."
     "Well why in hell are you laughing so much."
     Kenny grinned.  "I just can't believe it's you." he looked up from the
book and over at Shane.  "You look nothing like this now.  Wow." he looked
back at the book and shook his head.  He looked through the other pages
spending some time looking at the group shot of the basketball team.
     The phone rang and Shane snatched it up thinking it was the time Sam
usually called.  "Hello?"
     "Hey love muffin."
     Shane smiled instantly warming up at the sound of Sam's voice and
cradled the phone between his head and shoulder.  "How are you?"
     "Lonely.  But hey I'll be there in like a month to spend a whole week.
I'll be raw again so you'll have to take care of that."
     "No problem at all.  You still haven't found any gay guys there?"
     "None I'm gonna stick my wanger in." Sam chuckled.
     "Yeah Sam we don't need it falling off." Kenny looked up from the
yearbook and smiled then stuck his fingers in his ears which Shane again
pulled back out.  "would you stop that." He snickered.
     "That Kenny?" Sam asked.
     "Yeah,"
     "Let me talk to him."
     Shane shrugged and handed the phone over to Kenny.  Kenny looked
confused and mouthed 'what.'  "He wants to talk to you I don't know why."
     "Ahh hello?" Kenny said nervously into the phone.
     "Kenny how are you?"
     He smiled.  "I'm good.  How are you?"
     "Lonely.  And a little jealous you get to spend the week with my
boyfriend."
     Kenny chuckled.  "I'd be jealous too if I were in your shoes.  You
like Maine?"
     "Oh it's alright.  I miss Shane though so it's hard to enjoy my
surroundings.  How you and Jimmy getting a long?"
     "Wonderfully."
     "Good, you two make a good couple."
     Kenny laughed.
     "What's so funny."
     "We are the weirdest looking couple in the world."
     Sam laughed too.  "Looks don't mean nothing Kenny it's how great you
too get along."
     "Well okay then.  I can believe that we are a good couple then."
     Sam and Shane talked for a few more minutes then Shane hung up the
phone.  He and Kenny played computer games the rest of the night and went
to bed around eleven.
     Kenny crawled into his own bed after going to the bathroom and getting
his pajamas on.  Shane shut out the lights and crawled into his bed.  They
lay there in silence no more then five minutes before Kenny spoke up.
     "Shane?"
     "Yeah?"
     "You think maybe I could sleep over there with you and Shep?"
     "Sure Kenny if you want."
     There was a rustling of blankets then Kenny crawled in beside him in
bed.  "I ain't gonna try and make a move on you Shane.  I just don't like
sleeping alone."
     "Okay,"
     "I guess I got spoiled sleeping with Jimmy all the time."
     Shane smiled into the darkness and rubbed Kenny's chest.  "Well my bed
is plenty big enough for the three of us."

     The next morning Shane woke up to a face of blonde curls.  Kenny's
head was on his chest and his arm was wrapped tightly around him.  Shane
grinned over at Shep who was still sound asleep as well with his head up
beside Shane's on the pillow his tongue hanging out of his mouth and
drooling all over the pillow like usual.  Shane reached up his hand and
pulled at Shep's tongue which was how he usually got him awake.
     Shep drew his tongue back in and his eyes flickered open.  The tongue
shot back out and started licking Shane's face.  "It's cold in here Shep."
He shivered seeing goose bumps on his arms.  Kenny stirred and stretched
out then lifted his head off Shane's chest.  He looked around for a minute
forgetting where he was then rolled onto his back.
     "Sorry," He said chuckling with embarrassment.  "I like to snuggle
too."
     "Well you are a good snuggler." Shane chortled.  Shep got up and stood
over Shane then started licking Kenny's face which got him laughing and
wriggling on the bed.
     "Your dog is quite forward."
     Shane pulled Shep away.  "He gets excited."
     "Tell me what you were saying yesterday about how good a dog he was?"
Kenny pulled the blankets up around his shoulders and propped his head up
on the pillow.
     "He saved my life really." Shane said scratching the underside of
Shep's chin.  "When I was real little he protected me from bullies and when
I got kicked out of my house on freezing cold nights he shared his house
with me.  The cop that found me in his house that morning said he'd put
food in front of my face.  I was all unconscious so I didn't know it.  But
Shep had taken some food out of his bowl outside and put it in front of my
mouth."
     Kenny rolled onto his side and propped his head up on an elbow.  He
reached over and scratched the side of Sheps neck.  "So you had him a long
time?"
     "No, not really.  He was a neighbor's dog.  I lived in a trailer park
Shep lived at the first trailer when you first come in.  I stopped and
played with him every day.  When I came to live here I was real depressed
at first.  Tad and Don wanted to cheer me up so they went and bought Shep
from his owners.  And it did cheer me up."  Shane lifted his head and
kissed Shep on the nose.  "He was always my best friend.  I'd hate it if he
weren't here with me now."  He looked over at Kenny and laughed.  "You cry
a lot."
     Kenny grinned and wiped at his tears.  "It's just so nice.  A boy and
his dog."  He turned his nose towards the air and whiffed.  "I smell
bacon."
     "We have a big breakfast on Saturdays and Sunday.  Tad loves to cook.
I call him a good mom.  It bugs him but he thinks it's funny."
     Kenny grinned, "They both seem real nice."
     "They are both very nice.  I lucked out getting to live with them.
They are the best parents anyone could ask for."
     "Sometimes I like to pretend Jimmy's my dad.  He knows it and though
it creeps him out he plays along.  Not when we are having sex of course."
Kenny chuckled and turned a little red.  "Like when I go home before him
he'll walk in and say.  "Son I'm home."  I come running out and jump in his
arms.  And he says something like 'how's my boy?'"
     Shane grinned feeling a little like crying himself at how sweet Jimmy
was with Kenny.
     "It's kinda sick isn't it?"
     "No it's not." Shane gripped Kenny's forearm.  "I think it's real
sweet.  It's hard to believe Jimmy can be so sweet him being such a jock."
     Kenny laughed and nodded. "I know, I had always hated Jocks back in
Utah.  But here they all seem pretty nice.  I turned Jimmy down like ten
times before we actually went out.  I thought sure he was just messing with
me.  I'm sure glad I came to my senses."
     "You know what he did last Christmas?"
     Shane propped his head up on an elbow and smiled over at him.  "What?"
     "He played Santa.  Not really cause I was sleeping but he filled my
stocking and signed all the presents from Santa." Kenny grinned dreamily.
"So when I got up the next morning it looked like Santa had really come.
He even made me make cookies for him and set them out on a plate." he
covered his mouth with his hand and laughed a bit.  "He ate them and drank
the milk.  Even left a note thanking me for the cookies."  Kenny put his
hand on Shane's.  "don't ever tell him I told you all this, he'd be
embarrassed as hell."
     Shane grinned and shook his head.  "I won't tell.  Isn't his father
ever home?"
     "No, he lives with his girlfriend mostly.  He just shows up now and
then and makes a fatherly appearance.  Jimmy and I both like it that way
though.  It makes it like we have our own place.  Like an old married
couple or...." he shrugged.  "Like father and son sometimes."
     "He always makes a real big deal out of my birthday too.  Last year we
had our own little party wore party hats blew those streamer things and ate
a huge cake between us both.  Then he had another party that night and
invited all the guys.  I hope we can adopt a kid someday cause he'd just be
the best dad."
     Tad hollered up the stairs that breakfast was ready.  Kenny and Shane
got up and went down where the table was filled with bacon, sausage,
waffles, syrup, butter and juice.
     "You gotta hurry, eat and get ready Shane you need to be at Max's in
an hour and a half."
     "Ahh come on I thought since I had company I wouldn't have to go."
     "Good try.  But you have to go.  Kenny and I can go to the grocery
store while you are there."
     Kenny looked over at Shane.  "whose Max?"
     "My shrink." Shane grumbled.  He liked Max but still didn't like
having to see a shrink.
     After they ate Kenny and Shane both took showers, got dressed and
walked outside with Tad.  Shep went out with them.  "I think he wants to go
with us today."
     "Well we'll only be in the store like half an hour, he can come if he
wants."
     Shane nodded and looked down at Shep.  "Go Pee."
     Shep barked then tore off into the woods.  Tad seeing Kenny's look of
shock patted him on the shoulder.  "One smart dog huh?"
     Kenny nodded wide eyed.  "I haven't seen a dog that knows English
before."
     "He's a genius dog." Shane said looking at him.  "Just like his
owner."  He laughed heartily at his own joke.  Though his grades had
improved a lot since having glasses he had yet to achieve and A.  But
instead of getting all 70's he was mostly up the high eighties now giving
him an average of 87 which was a B.  Something Don insisted was something
to be proud of.
     Shep bounded back out of the woods and Shane opened the back door for
him.  "Kenny you can sit up front.  Otherwise he'll walk all over and lick
you."
     "I don't mind."  Before he could argue more Shane got in the back
seat.  Kenny looked at Tad who smiled and shrugged then he walked around
the car and got in the front passenger seat.

     The next day Kenny and Shane got up early they had breakfast then
headed outside with rakes and Shep.  The sky was dark, the day looking like
it was gonna rain any minute.  The wind was cold and they were bundled up
in jackets with borrowed scarfs from Tad and Don.
     The trees were bare but the lawn was covered with their leaves.  They
worked side by side raking them all up.  "This sure is a lot of work for a
few minutes of jumping." Kenny said grinning who had worked up a sweat
despite the cold day.
     "Well you want to bulk up don't you?"
     Kenny nodded.  "This will help?"
     "Well sure, your arms are burning aren't they?"
     He nodded.  "Yeah and my stomach."
     "Well as far as I can tell when it's burning it's cause your are
working the muscles, the more you work them the bigger they get."
     "Is this really how you got all your muscles?"
     "Well not this exactly.  I mowed the lawn cut down brush.  Cut
firewood.  Made a garden.  A flower one and a vegetable one.  The vegetable
one had to be tilled everyday that took muscle."
     "Okay then," Kenny said nodding as he continued to rake his little
heart out.  "I'll follow your lead."
     They spent two hours getting nearly every leaf into their pile.  "It's
higher then my head." Kenny said looking up at it and tossing his rake off
to his side.  Shane tossed his over by Kenny's.  "Okay you gotta go back
aways then run straight for it and jump in."
     Kenny put his hand on his chest.  "Me first?"
     "Well yeah,"
     He shook his head and grinned.  "No way you go first."
     Shrugging Shane said. "Okay," then ran off down the lawn Shep bounding
off beside him.  "Okay count to three." He hollered over to Kenny.
     Kenny counted to three then yelled go.  Shane took off across the lawn
just before reaching the pile he jumped and put his arms out straight just
like he was diving.
     Kenny watched in open mouthed amazement as Shane and shep completely
disappeared in the leaves.  If had not been for Shane's laughing he'd have
thought he'd jumped into another dimension or something.  Half a minute
later Shane crawled out of the pile with leaves sticking out all over his
hair.
     Kenny pulled them out.  "Well was it fun?"
     "Oh yeah Kenny you gotta try it." he walked over grabbed a rake and
refreshed the pile.  "Okay go ahead."
     Kenny still looked weary but walked across the field and turned
around.  Shane counted to three and shouted go.  Kenny took off at a run
though not a very fast and somewhat nervous looking one.  He dove into the
leaves and a second later loud very joyful laughing rang out through them.
     He crawled out his face brighter then Shane had ever seen it.  "I
gotta do it again."
     "Well of course."
     "You go first." He motioned Shane across the field.  Each time Kenny
went he went a little faster til finally he was not scared at all and ran
with all his might flying high up into the air before he jumped into the
pile.
     Shane was walking across the lawn when Seth's car pulled up into the
driveway with both Seth and Matt inside. Kenny looked at the car wearily
and turned to Shane where he'd stopped halfway across the lawn.  "looks
like we are caught."
     "I know," Shane said a little wearily himself not really having wanted
anyone to see them in their time of extreme immaturity.  It didn't last
long though cause as soon as Matt got out of the car he bolted across the
lawn and dove into the leaves himself.
     Shane looked over at Kenny and it was obvious he was feeling as
relieved as Shane was that Matt was obviously as immature as they were.
Seth walked over grinning from ear to ear.  "Jesus guys. That's like the
hugest leaf pile I have ever seen.  The champion of all piles.  Can I go
next?"
     Shane nodded happily.  "Sure thing."
     They all took turns for another hour until Tad came out and told them
all to go in for lunch.  He looked at Seth and Matt in particular when he
said therefore inviting them too.
     They all sat around the table to plates of grilled cheese sandwiches
and Cream of broccoli soup.  Matt and Seth sat on one side of the table
while Shane and Kenny sat on the other.  Tad and Don sat at both ends.
     "You looked like you boys were having a blast out there." Don said
after swallowing a spoonful of soup.
     "Tons of fun Mr. Mason." Matt said excitedly looking very much like a
happy little boy who'd just mastered bike riding.
     "You don't gotta call me Mr. Mason here Matt.  We are not at school."
     Matt blushed slightly.  "Sorry habit."  Don smiled he felt very sorry
for Matt that year he had very few friends, no friends that were guys as
the whole school new of his sexual orientation and were just as hateful
about it as they had been the year before.  Matt had been to his office a
dozen times already for fighting.  Matt was not the type to sit back and
take any insult and had beat up half the school already.  Some fights he
won, some fights he didn't.  Even today he had a bruise on his face from
his most recent fight.
     He'd called Matt's mother about maybe letting him transfer to Cliff
Side.  Seth had even offered to pick him up every day.  But his mother had
refused saying she wasn't gonna pay any tuition for another school when he
could go to Prescott for free.  She seemed to be under the impression that
Matt brought it all on himself just by 'choosing' to be gay.
     He didn't push it.  Matt had less then a year left and was one tough
kid.  He'd not taken it too badly when his mother refused the request and
still kept his spirits up especially today since he was not in school.
     Seth looked over at Shane.  "I brought those tapes my dad did of the
swim meets.  Want to watch them after we eat?"
     "Sure," Shane looked at Kenny.  "That okay?"
     "Yeah of course."
     They all sat on the couch in the livingroom.  Seth manned the remote
control and snuggled into Matt.  "Try not to get too excited here Matt." He
said rubbing his hands down along Matt's chest.
     Matt pulled his hand away and chuckled.  "Well don't touch me like
that Seth."
     Kenny leaned past Shane and grinned over at Seth and Matt.  The two
had always been his favorite couple though he didn't see them together
much.  They'd been together forever and got along so well all the time.  He
figured they knew each other inside and out from how well they communicated
with each other.
     Seth narrated about half of the first tape before he and Matt started
making out ferociously on the couch.  "Do you guys need to go upstairs?"
Shane asked after a half hour of it.
     "Well okay." Seth chuckled stood up from the couch grabbed Matt's hand
and they both ran off up stairs.
     "Aren't Tad and Don gonna be mad?" Kenny asked in amazement.
     "Nah they don't care."  Shane waved his hand like 'no big deal.' Truth
was he wished he were up there with them.  But didn't feel quite right
about that with Tad and Don there besides he was not gonna leave Kenny all
alone.
     Matt and Seth returned about half an hour later with big smiles on
their faces.  "Have a good time?" Shane asked grinning at them.
     "Great." Seth said slapping his hand down on Shane's thigh.
     "Did you get my bed all gross?"
     Seth covered his mouth with and hand and snickered.  "Little bit.  But
we sponged it off."
     Kenny made a face.  "Gross."
     Laughing Seth reached over Shane's shoulders and mussed up Kenny's
hair.  "God Kenny you've got awesome hair.  I'd kill to have it.  It's so
soft."
     "Well don't kill me please Seth."
     Seth nudged Matt.  "You gotta feel it man.  It's just like velvet or
something."  Matt reached over Seth and Shane and ran his hands through it.
"You know what it feels like?"
     "What?"
     "That silky stuff that's in those green pod things?"
     Kenny started chuckling.  "Silk weeds?"
     Matt pointed over at him. "Yeah that's it.  Next time you cut your
hair can you give it to me I want to make a blanket out of it."
     Rolling his eyes Kenny grinned.  "Oh okay Matt." He said
sarcastically.
     "I'm serious man."
     Seth held up the remote control and paused the tape.  "This is that
guy Shane.  The one whose class B diving champ now.  He's your biggest
competition.  Only competition as far as I can tell."
     He resumed the tape and Shane leaned forward and watched him closely.
The guy was damn good.  Shane could see little difference in his dives then
in the dives he'd seen on the Olympics.  He sat back after watching three
of his dives and shook his head.  "Damn that guys is awesome."
     "You look just as good Shane.  I'm sure you'll give him a huge run for
his money."
     Shane shook his head.  "I don't think so Seth."
     "Does Tad and Don have a video camera?"
     "Yeah why?" Shane asked looking at him sideways.
     "Cause you gotta see for yourself.  Not only to prove you are just as
good so you can just see how you look.  So you know what the judges see.
We can take the camera go down to the school and I'll tape some of your
dives."
     "Today?  It's Sunday?"
     "Well if you'd rather I could tape you in front of all the guys on the
team."
     "Come on Shane.  I think it'd be fun." Kenny spoke up.  "I haven't got
the chance to see you dive yet."
     "Me either." Matt spoke up.  Suddenly the three of them were clasping
their hands in front of their chests in begging positions.  Shane shook his
head and grinned.  "Fine. I'll go."
     They were at the school half an hour later.  Shane changed into his
Speedo then joined the others in the pool room.  Kenny and Matt both
started whistling and clapping so he did some poses for them in his suit.
     "Okay," Seth said picking the camera up off the bench and standing up.
"Get up there and strut your stuff.  First do that fancy cartwheel thingy."
     Kenny craned his neck and looked up at the incredibly high diving
board.  "You are gonna do a cart wheel way the hell up there." He pointed a
shaking finger up at it.
     "It's alright Kenny I haven't fallen once."
     "Well I figured that. You'd be dead if you fell."
     Matt put his arms over Kenny's shoulders.  "He'll be fine Kenny.  Seth
said he's as sure footed as someone with glue on their feet up there."
     Kenny took a shaky breath. "Okay but if I have to see you die then I'm
taking over your shrink visits."
     Shane, Seth and Matt all laughed and Shane headed over to the ladder
and made his climb up.  At the top he got his usual feeling of euphoria and
power he walked to the end of the board and let it build while he bounced
up and down then walked back to the middle.
     "All ready down here." Seth yelled with the camera positioned on his
shoulder.
     Shane nodded put his arms in the air walked forward a few steps did
his cart wheel landing hard he bounced on the board vaulting into the air
and tucked into a somersault position.  He rolled twice changed to a pike
position then rolled once more.  Straightening out about 10 feet from the
water he slid through the surface with hardly any splash at all.
     Matt stood up his mouth gaping open. "Holy fuck."
     Seth smacked his arm.  "I'm taping here."
     "But he's incredible."  He looked back at Kenny whose mouth was gaping
open. "Ain't he incredible?"
     Kenny only nodded feeling totally speechless.  Shane got out of the
pool and Matt hugged him tightly caring very little that it got him totally
soaked.  "My God Shane.  That was amazing.  You are awesome." He pulled
back and looked Shane over.  "And totally hot in those Speedo things."
     Kenny still speechless nodded emphatically in agreeance.  Shane did
three more dives all of which Seth got on tape.  They went home and Seth
played it. Shane himself was shocked at how good he looked.  That he
himself looked as good as those people he'd seen on TV.  If he didn't know
better he'd have thought Seth was playing a trick on him.  Like taping
someone else in a red Speedo and red swimming cap who was real good and
making him think it was him just to give him some confidence.
     He knew Seth wouldn't trick him like that though.  He knew this was
him on the TV.  He wondered if his father would be at all proud if he saw
it then buried the thought telling himself he didn't give two shits if his
father was impressed or not.

     On Tuesday Kenny and Shane got up early again.  They ate breakfast
then bundled up in jackets and scarves.  Shane went through the kitchen, he
handed one bucket to Kenny and kept one for himself.  He then filled the
buckets with all sizes of cups and bowls.
     "What in hell are you doing?" Tad asked having watched them as they
gathered their things.
     "We are gonna make a sand castle today." Shane said forth rightly.
"The best damn sand Castle these parts have ever seen."
     Tad grinned shaking his head as he stirred the pudding for the
chocolate cream pie.  "You gonna let us see this masterpiece when you are
done?"
     "Well I guess.  If it's good anyways."
     "You guys want a picnic lunch?"
     Shane's face lit up. "That'd be great.  This could take all day you
know."
     Tad nodded and quickly threw them together some ham sandwiches.  He
packed them some cheese and crackers, cookies and soda in a cooler and sent
them on their way.
     Shep followed them down to the beach his ball in his mouth as he had
this uncanny way of knowing when his ball would come in handy.  They walked
a little ways down the beach to the best looking packing sand and set their
supplies down.
     "You ever made one of these before?"
     "Never.  But I seen it done on TV.  I think we'll figure it out."
Shane looked up at the sky which still looked like it would rain any minute
but it had looked like that for four days and they still had yet to see a
drop.  It was even colder on the beach then it had been in front of the
house two days earlier but they were both well dressed for the weather.
And were both used to being in cold conditions from their many homeless
nights.
     "Okay," Shane put his hands on his hips and surveyed the situation.
He looked over at Kenny who was dancing in one spot to keep warm.  He
started grinning and shook his head.
     "What?" Kenny asked humorously.  "You are the one dragging me out here
in the freezing cold just to relive some childhood."
     "Not relive it dumb butt.  Relive it would mean redo."
     Kenny rolled his eyes and chuckled.  "You been seeing that shrink too
long."
     Shane laughed.  "Well you are the smart one.  What do we gotta do
first?"
     "Well if we are gonna build it tall we should dig out a hole to at
least cover the first quarter of the first layer." he made a rolling motion
with his hands.  "You know for extra support."
     Shane nodded and handed him over one of the shovels they had grabbed
out of the shed.  They set to work making about a six inch deep hole that
was about five feet in diameter.  "That should do it." Kenny said tossing
his shovel aside about 20 minutes later.  "Now we should take the big
buckets and fill the first layer with them."
     Shane nodded while Kenny picked his shovel back up and they spent
another hour filling the buckets then setting them down carefully in the
pile and banging the bottoms so the sand came out and held the shape of the
bucket.  They packed the mounds in tight.
     "I think we should fill the gaps in the middle with sand.  We'll still
have the turret shape on the outside no one will see the inside anyways."
     Shane nodded again glad Kenny was so smart.  He imagined if he'd made
one on his own which he'd been planning to do it would not come out half as
nice as he expected this one to.
     They talked and laughed for hours while they worked on their castle
talking about everything from swimming to cooking.  Shane told him more
about living with Tad and Don and Kenny told Shane more about living with
Jimmy.  They both decided they were incredibly happy with their new lives.
     They were working in the intricate details such as carving out windows
with sticks when Kenny looked down the beach and saw someone walking
towards them.  He looked over at Shane who was on his knees with his head
low to the ground working on a lower window.  "Someone's coming Shane."
     Shane's head shot up and around the castle.  His mouth formed a huge
smile and he jumped up.  He ran down the beach right into Aaron's arms.  "I
didn't think you were gonna be here til tonight?" he asked excitedly while
Aaron squeezed him tightly.
     "Well it's nearly night now." he held Shane out at arm's length and
looked him over.  "My God Shane you look wonderful.  What a stud."
     Shane grinned feeling himself blushing.  "I've been making muscle."
     Aaron squeezed his biceps.  "And doing a great job.  God you look so
different." he hugged him back and kissed his temple.
     After they separated Shane took his hand and led him over to Kenny and
the castle.  Kenny stood up slowly, wiping his butt off.
     "Kenny this is my friend Aaron."
     "Oh from New York?" Kenny asked smiling having heard an awful lot
about Aaron.
     Aaron nodded and shook his hand.  "It's nice to meet you."
     "You too, Shane talks about you a lot."
     Aaron smiled.  "Well I talk about him a lot too." he looked down at
the castle.  "Wow guys this is awesome."
     "We been working on it for like five hours.  Kenny really knows his
architectural business."
     Kenny smiled bashfully and ran his mittened hand over his hair.
     "You know not many people have to wear winter jackets and scarves when
they make a sand castle."
     "Not many people are as cool as us." Shane said grinning.  "And I
don't mean literally." He held up a finger which really couldn't be seen
through his own mittens.
     Aaron looked around.  "Where's your constant companion."
     "Peeing.  He took off for the woods like two minutes ago so he may
actually be pooping."
     Kenny laughed from the other side of the castle.
     "Where's Jason?"
     "Up at the house.  With Justin."
     "Justin?  That the boy you were bringing with you?"
     "No it's an alien we picked up along the way." Kenny laughed again
though he appeared to be deep into his work.
     "How old is he?"
     "Your age.  He's straight so don't get any ideas."
     Shane shook his head.  "Well unless it's Sam you don't gotta worry
about that.  He don't mind spending his holiday with a bunch of queers?"
     "He stays with me and Jason every weekend.  He's used to queers.  His
Thanksgivings before were as enjoyable as yours so he's not too picky.
You'll like him I'm sure, he's real nice."
     "I think if you like him I'll like him." He said with a warm smile.
     Aaron grinned, "well then you should be all set."  Shep came bounding
back out of the woods and greeted Aaron with a big ole kiss on the cheek.
Aaron helped them put the finishing touches on the castle then they
gathered up their stuff and all walked back up to the house.
     Jason who was standing in the doorway to the livingroom walked over
and gave Shane a big hug.  "Wow Shane, you look wonderful."
     "I've heard that." Shane said turning red all over again.  He
introduced him to Kenny and they shook hands.
     Don walked out of the livingroom.  "Shane is it alright if Justin
stays in your room?  Since Kenny's not using that extra bed."
     "Sure," Shane looked into the livingroom expecting to see whoever this
Justin was but there was no one else in there.  Jason smiled at him.  "He's
in the kitchen with Tad."
     Shane nodded then turned into the diningroom and walked into the
kitchen.  The kid who had to be Justin was sitting at the island eating a
piece of pie.  He had dark blonde hair and a nice body.  His face was soft
and flawless with dark blue eyes and full kissable lips.  The boy was cute.
He was no Sam but he was still very cute.  Shane walked up to him and
extended his hand.  "I'm Shane you must be Justin."
     Justin nodded and shook Shane's hand.  "That's me.  So you are the
wonderful Shane." He said shaking his hands on either side of his face as
he grinned.  "I must say I'm a little jealous of you."
     Shane looked at him curiously.  "Why?"
     "Cause I think Aaron likes you more then he likes me."
     Shane looked even more curious and Justin started laughing.  He
clapped Shane on the shoulder and shook his head.  "I'm just fooling with
you man.  I think he does but I'm not really jealous."
     "Well if it makes you feel any better he talks about you all the time
too."
     Justin grinned.  "So then it's like we already know each other."
     Shane nodded and smiled already liking Justin.  Just before dinner
they all walked back down to the beach and checked out Kenny and Shane's
castle.  Tad took like five pictures, one of just the castle and four of
Kenny and Shane standing around it.
     In bed that evening the boys talked.  Kenny and Shane in Shane's bed
and Justin in the other one.
     "You got a girlfriend Justin?"
     Justin let out a somewhat bitter laugh.  "I go to a boy's school
there's no girls there.  I keep waiting for one to just appear but it's not
happening.  You got a boyfriend Kenny?" he knew Shane had one but had no
idea about Kenny.
     "Yes, he's visiting relatives in Delaware."
     "So I don't gotta worry about hearing any moaning over there?"
     Shane and Kenny both laughed.  "Well maybe if we have a nightmare or
something."  Shane was staring up at the ceiling the room was too dark to
see Justin on the other side.  Kenny was snuggled in beside him with his
head on Shane's bicep and his arms curled up in between them.  He was gonna
miss Kenny not sleeping with him when the week was over he was like a
moldable teddy bear and Shane loved feeling his warm body snuggled into his
all night long.
     "So what do you live in a dorm out there at that school?"
     "No big houses.  There are ten kids in each house with a house mother
and a house father.  It's set up just like a big, well, huge family.  I
really like it, cept the fact there's no girls."

     The next day the three boys spent the whole day in the kitchen with
Tad preparing food for the festivities the following day.  They were all so
excited at all the food they were gonna get to eat they hardly slept at all
that night.
     At two o'clock on Thanksgiving day they all sat down around the table
and gorged themselves on Turkey, potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato pees
green beans, rolls, breads, boiled onions and more.
     Aaron kept whispering something to Justin which got Justin blushing
every time.  After a few times Shane was dying to find out what was going
on and asked.  Justin blushed even more.  "He's picking on me cause at my
first thanksgiving I ate so much I threw up."
     Shane grinned then chuckled.
     "but I got to eat two thanks giving dinners out of it." Justin added
happily.
     After they ate they all helped clear the table and do up the dishes.
After wards they all sat around the dining room table again and played
monopoly.  Even though it was obvious either Kenny or Aaron would win less
then halfway through Shane enjoyed every minute of the game and every one
in his company.
     He felt happy in every fiber of his being and did not think of his
father or brother the entire day.  After playing two games of Monopoly they
had pie choosing from Chocolate Cream, Banana Cream, Pecan, Pumpkin,
Strawberry Rhubarb and Apple.
     "Geez Tad you out did yourself again." Don said as he cut himself a
piece of Apple pie.
     Shane wiped his hand across his forehead.  "Phew Tad, I guess we'll be
okay."
     Don grinned.  "What?"
     "He said that if he messed up the dinner or missed anything it would
send you into a rage that would last til Christmas."
     Don laughed and punched Tad playfully on the arm.
     "He's lying." Tad grinned.
     Shane sat back in his chair with his piece of Pecan Pie and shook his
head.  "Am not."
     "Well did I tell you that Shane thought we should get a three and a
half pound turkey."
     Shane turned bright red while everyone laughed.  "You are not very
nice." he said shaking his head though it was obvious he was not really
mad.
     "Too bad Shane.  Keep calling me mom and I'll bring up a whole bunch
of stuff that will embarrass you."
     Shane laughed along with everyone else this time. "Well you are a good
mom."
     Tad grinned and shook his head.  Kenny who as usual had his napkin
hanging out of his shirt laughed the hardest.  Shane wished he wasn't so
damn cute cause all he wanted to do half the time was just squeeze him
tightly.
     That night in bed he asked him why he always wore his napkin as a bib.
     "Cause I don't want to mess up my clothes." He answered sounding a
little embarrassed.  "Does it bother you?"
     "No I just think it's real cute." Shane ran his hands through Kenny's
hair, hair that he still could not get over the softness of.
     Kenny rolled onto his side and snuggled into Shane's side putting his
arm up over his chest.  "Jimmy got me my clothes.  I don't want to mess
them up you know?"
     "Sure, I understand. I wasn't picking on you really Kenny I was just
curious."
     "I know," he laid his head down on Shane's chest and was snoring
softly with in a couple minutes while Shane continued to lace his fingers
through Kenny's hair thinking about how wonderful his life was now.
     He wasn't sure exactly when he'd stopped hating himself he just knew
he no longer did.  He didn't love himself quite yet but was feeling pretty
good.  He knew it had a lot to do with many things.  First off the love he
felt from Tad and Don a love so palpable he felt it every single day.  He
also was very proud of the fact he was on the swim team and doing well or
as the coach said God Damn wonderful.  He had lots of friends and the best
boyfriend in the world.  He really couldn't picture life being any better.