Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2007 15:09:38 +0000 From: David Lee <dlee169@hotmail.com> Subject: Tales from Bentonville Ch. 69 Tales from Bentonville, Chapter 69 By David Lee Warning: This story contains scenes of love and sexual interaction. Much of this involves males with other males. If the reading or possessing of such material as this is illegal in your country, state, province, county, municipality, etc., please leave this site immediately and do not proceed further. If you are under the legal age to read this, please do not do so. It is not my intention to offend anyone or to get you in trouble. The author retains all rights to this original story. Please do not publish without explicit authorization from me. Disclaimer: This story is completely fictional. Most of the places mentioned, and none of the characters exist in real life. Some may possess physical or personality characteristics of people I know or have known. But if you see yourself in this story, your imagination is better than mine! "Tales from Bentonville" is a romantic story centering on the lives of high school kids. Lovers of other ages may appear, but not normally in a cross-generational sense. References to sex with under-age kids may be made for the sake of the story line. However, I feel that child molestation is a crime and should not be glorified or tolerated. This is my fifth attempt at writing fiction. My other stories on Nifty include: "Zeke" (August 29, 2005), "Always and Forever" (March 25, 2004) under High School, "Brad and Alan's Canoe Trip" (April 23, 2004) under Camping, and "Jacob and Jacques" (May 30, 2004) under High School. Some characters from previous stories may have cameo roles in this one. However, you need not read them first. Our only reward for contributing to Nifty is your e-mails. Please write if you like the story. Please include the name of the story in the title of your e-mail. I get a lot of spam! Finally, thanks and hugs to Tim, Tom, and David who edit for me so that there are fewer mistakes! dlee169@hotmail.com Tales from Bentonville, Chapter 69 With only one day left on the ship, Dane and Colt had to spend their gift certificates quickly. They were headed toward the shopping area when Frankie caught up with them. "I thought that I might find you here," he laughed. "I can steer you toward some of the better buys. Some things are really marked up, but others are pretty good bargains." The boys found some small souvenirs to take home for their parents and grandmother and a couple of little soft toys for the twins. Then, they looked at the jewelry. Frankie asked the girl behind the counter to bring out a special tray of rings. "I think that you should consider a matched pair of these. They are very high quality for the money." The guys studied all of them and eventually settled on two simple, but elegant matching bands. They would have to add a little of their own money to buy them, but it would be worth it. "You have excellent taste," Frankie commented as he nodded his approval. "We've been thinking about rings anyway because a couple of buddies came back from Belize with beautiful ones last year. These are perfect for us," Dane said. "By the way, if the captain of a ship can marry a hetro couple, do you think that a lead dancer could marry a gay couple?" "I guess that it would be as valid as most gay ceremonies," Frankie smiled. "Do you want to do that?" "Actually, we would love to, but I think we should wait until the rest of our family can be there and our best buds too." Colt answered for them. "You kids are incredible! You're out to your whole family?" "Yeah, everyone is pretty comfortable about it now, even though we're first-cousins. Believe it or not, grandma is great about it. In fact, she was the first to really know about us." "And I'm guessing that the red-haired cutie is your father," Frankie said to Colt. "You look just like him - other than hair color. He must have been a young daddy." "Yeah, he was about my age. Whoa, I can't really imagine doing what he did to make me! But, I guess he was trying to prove that he wasn't gay." "Well, he could pass for straight," Frankie observed. "But my gaydar went off the minute I saw his partner." "Roger is a bit campy sometimes," Colt admitted. "But we have come to love him a lot. He's really a great guy although he does mother us -- which isn't all bad." Frankie laughed at the boy's correct assessment of Roger and bid the two of them adieu. He had other duties that were pressing on his time. He had gotten someone to cover part of his job for him so that he could help the boys shop. -------------------------------- All too soon, it was time to pack up suitcases and put them outside the cabin to be picked up by the porters. That evening, Dane and Colt shared a lounger on the "adult" deck and looked at the stars. There was no one else around to chase them off or wonder why they were there. They exchanged many kisses and gentle caresses. In that soft, pleasant air, they pledged their love to each other and slipped the new rings on each other's fingers. It was a commitment ceremony even if it was very private. It didn't matter to the boys because even without the presence of witnesses, they meant what they had said. "I'm gonna keep this ring on all the time unless I'm doing something that would mess it up -- like working under a car or whatever." Colt stated. "Me too," Dane agreed. "I suppose that we may be outing ourselves, but I don't care anymore. I'm not going to hide it if someone guesses." "Me neither." -------------------------------- The cold of a Midwest winter was especially noticeable to anyone who had been close to the equator for a week. The group getting back from Belize found themselves shivering while awaiting their transportation from the airport even though they were inside the glass doors. Rhys had arranged for a couple of limos to accommodate everyone comfortably. It was a pleasant way to get home. Once inside the vehicles, the shivering stopped. Dane, Colt, Roger, and Wade were picked up by Greta in her SUV which was still quite warm from the drive to the airport. She loved hearing about the dance contest and made the appropriate sounds of approval about the rings the boys were wearing. She said that DJ and Ellen were waiting at their house to hear all of the highlights of the cruise as well. -------------------------------- School began again midweek. It was great to see everyone, but it was going to be a long haul until spring break when the kids could have some free time again. Joel, Alex, Allan, Dane, and Colt were all subject to a little good-natured teasing about their tans. None of them had distinct tan lines although their butts were a shade lighter than the rest of their bodies. After all, they had had to keep their suits on some of the time. A number of guys didn't think it strange to be tanned all-over because they had spent part of their time in tanning beds trying to get darker. Few had the monetary means to travel to a warm climate over break, but most could afford some sessions at a salon. At lunch on the first day back, there was the usual amount of catching up and sharing of gossip. Everyone seemed to have had a great Christmas. Some of the couples seemed closer than ever. Dane nudged Colt as they looked toward Dave and Dustin. "They are going to out themselves before spring," Dane whispered. Colt nodded in agreement. Their buddies seemed to have gone to a new level in their relationship. Colt wondered if they had "gone all the way" as some of the kids called intercourse. He would love to know, but he couldn't very well ask. The big bit of gossip in the rumor mill was that Gavin and Paige had hooked up. That is exactly what the kids called it. They didn't say "dating" or "going together" because anyone who knew either one of them suspected that it was all for sexual gratification rather than affection. -------------------------------- At least part of what kids assumed was true. Gavin was getting his jollies on a regular basis. Paige was enjoying that part too, but she remembered the size of Cory's equipment and knew that Gavin had been "shorted." But, Gavin had access to liquor, and sometimes some weed. Paige could continue to flatter him about what a great lover he was until she found something more satisfying. She didn't let him know that she had handled better. Of course, Gavin had changed in the locker rooms with Cory and Dan, so he had no illusions that he was gigantic. Anyway, he was enjoying the free nookie that Paige provided and wasn't about to worry over anything that might jeopardize that. Gavin did carry a grudge against Cory and Dan for being able to keep the team in a winning mode despite his departure. He suspected that they were gay, but as yet had no way of proving it. If he could find out for sure, he would ruin their lives! -------------------------------- Over the holidays, Dave and Dustin had had some opportunities to practice their new-found intimacy. It was becoming increasingly difficult for them to hide their love for each other. They dreamed of a time and a place in which they could freely express that affection without the threat of being beaten up. Walking down a school hand in hand wasn't possible yet, but they could imagine it. It was at one of the wrestling meets that Dustin's dick would not behave. He was in the process of pinning his opponent when he popped a woody. What made it happen was the sound of his Dave's voice cheering him on. (It reminded Dustin of Dave's urging him on when they made love!) He managed to refocus enough to pin the other wrestler, but the bulge in his singlet left nothing to the imagination. He was embarrassed, but managed to keep his head high when the ref held his arm up as a sign of victory. The coach understood how unruly young cocks can be and threw him a towel which Dustin used to wipe the sweat from his face and then let it hang in front of him as he hurried to the bench. Dustin's mother was there sitting near some other ladies from their town. Mary was really getting back to normal. She now accompanied Gary to all of Dustin's meets. Her neighbor, Mrs. Franz was shocked at Dustin's appearance. "That's disgusting! You need to buy that boy an athletic supporter! That show was obscene." "That show was optional," Mary quipped. "If it offends you to see a virile young man, then you should look away." Dave, who was sitting in front of the Fagan's, nearly fell on the floor laughing. He was convinced that Mary was indeed healed. She was not only laid back about Dustin's "problem," but she was defending it! This was a great evening. He could hardly wait for a chance to share the information with his lover. Later, when he had the opportunity to give Dustin a congratulatory hug, Dave whispered that he had some great news. He also stuck his tongue in Dustin's ear for a nano-second. Somehow, Gavin saw enough of the exchange to suspect what was going on. When the boys got home late that night and were stripping down for bed, Dave asked Dustin to put his singlet back on so that he could enjoy the sight he had seen in the gym. Dustin obliged. Dave began to softly chant: "Do it, Dustin, do it!" Then he watched with pleasure as Dustin's cock began to swell as it had earlier in the evening. As it reached full size, Dave knelt in front of his lover and began to run his tongue around the outline. The scent of Dustin's sweat lingered in the fabric making Dave all the hornier. He licked and sucked while Dustin moaned and squirmed. Moments later, Dustin squirted a load right through the fabric. Dave "vacuumed" it out and swallowed it. Dustin pulled Dave up to a standing position and kissed him passionately before dropping to his knees and sucking Dave through his micro-fiber brief. The results were much the same. Both boys wiped the rest off with their discarded T-shirts and fell into bed. -------------------------------- The following day, there was a hastily put together assembly to honor the achievements of the wrestling team after their showing in the meet the night before. The principal had anticipated a win, so he had some of the program already in place on his computer. The basketball team was also honored because of their recent string of victories. Gavin was particularly pissed that things were moving along well despite his dramatic departure. Later in the afternoon, he saw a chance to even the score by getting at someone. He saw Dave walking alone in the hall heading from his band lesson. Okay, this wasn't Gavin's primary target, but he would do. This guy was definitely a queer who needed to be taught a lesson. Gavin was the very guy to do it. "Where do you think you are going, fag?" Gavin demanded. "I suppose you are going to meet Dustin for some hot sex." "If I am, whose business is it?" Dave countered. That was the wrong answer as far as Gavin was concerned. Dave should have been intimidated by someone Gavin's size. So, he hauled off and hit Dave in the stomach. While the younger boy was doubled over, Gavin threw a punch to his jaw. About that time, some of Gavin's minions came around the corner and joined in the "fun." They kicked Dave in the ribs and abdomen. Dave felt like his guts were being rearranged. He threw up all over. Colton came on the scene at that moment and laid Gavin out cold on the terrazzo floor. He had no idea where the force came from, but the adrenalin rush gave him the power to nearly lift the taller boy off his feet when the punch landed on his jaw. Gavin's buddies might have gone for Colton in retribution, but the principal and a counselor arrived on the scene and the boys fled. Colton quickly explained to them what he had seen and the action that he had taken. "I'm sorry. I've probably screwed up my wresting career for this year, but I couldn't let them hurt my bud. God, they could have killed him!" "Don't worry," Mr. Haggerty said. "I know you well enough to be sure that you are telling the truth. You won't be off of the team for coming to the aid of a student who was being assaulted by several other guys." With the wail of the ambulance siren, word about Dave's condition spread around the school. Dustin came on a dead run just as his lover was being put on the collapsible gurney by Darrin and another attendant. "I've got to go with him," he cried. "I don't have my pickup here." "Sorry, that's against the rules," one of the medics informed him. "Let him come along," Darrin insisted. "He's not a relative and if you let him ride along, I'll have your job," the other man retorted. "It's okay, Darrin," Colt assured him. "I'll give him the keys to my car. We don't want you to get in trouble." "I don't think he's in any condition to drive safely," Mr. Haggerty said. "Why don't you call Dane on your cell and get him to drive. I would let you go, but I want you here when the sheriff arrives. Your story is going to be important in this case." Within a matter of minutes, Dane was speeding down the highway toward Cosgrove following the ambulance. He was careful to hang back most of the time, but when it came to traffic lights, he scooted in behind the rescue squad whether the light was green or red. Dave was seen quickly because the medics had called ahead with his stats and general condition. Dustin jumped out of Dane's car almost before it had come to a stop. He accompanied Dave to the emergency room. The nurses wouldn't let Dustin into the examining room despite his pleas. They said that no one except family was allowed. "But I am family," he cried. "I love this guy more than anyone in the whole world. If one of us was a girl, I'll bet you would let me in!" A kindly older nurse took the distraught young man aside. "I'm sorry, it is the rule and even if you were his girlfriend they would keep you out, but I promise you that I will let you in to see him the moment he is put into a room. He's hurt pretty bad, but I'm sure he will be okay. Why don't you go to the chapel and pray for him while he's in there? If you give me your cell number, I will call you the minute you can see him. I'm confident that all young people carry cell phones these days." Dustin grabbed Dane who was just coming in the door after parking the car. He pulled his friend toward the hospital chapel where the two boys knelt in prayer. Dustin sobbed and sobbed and Dane held his shoulders. His heart went out to his good friend. He wished that he could do more, but he knew that at least his touch was comforting to Dustin. As they were going back toward the emergency room, Dustin's cell phone rang. It was Nurse Crandall keeping her word. She said that Dave was being moved to second floor and that she had cleared it with the staff in that area that Dustin was allowed to go into the room. Dustin thanked her profusely for her understanding and asked if Dane could accompany him. "I see no reason why not," she exclaimed. "I think that a couple of good friends will heal him more than a whole pharmacy of pills." The boys ran up the stairs because they didn't want to wait for the elevator. When they got to the room, Dave smiled at them. Dustin thought that he looked beautiful despite his bruised face. Dustin carefully took Dave's face in his hands and planted a gentle kiss on his lips. He wasn't even conscious of the fact that there was a nurse and a doctor in the room. "Well, it looks like the reserves have arrived," the doctor quipped. "I think you are going to have a reason to get better, young man." Dave and Dustin both blushed. The nurse looked askance, but the doctor seemed laid back and comfortable. "You are one very lucky young man," the doctor continued. "You have some internal bleeding, but your spleen has been spared. The last kid who came in from an attack like that had to undergo surgery to remove his spleen and will be on meds for the rest of his life." Dustin and Dane stood there with tears of joy streaming down their cheeks. Neither felt any embarrassment over being able to show emotion in front of strangers. Dave's parents arrived moments later. They listened to the story of the assault and got the doctor's report firsthand. "This is just one more reason why this state needs to have an anti-bullying law on the books." Geoff Harrison declared. "I know that Mr. Haggerty will pursue this whether or not it's a state mandate, but I fear for kids in other places." Eventually, it was decided that Dane should go home. The Harrison's guaranteed him that they would tend to Dustin. They thanked him several times for looking after their son's boyfriend. "Please tell Colton thanks too," Dave added. "If he hadn't come along and cold-cocked Gavin, I might not have been this lucky. He probably saved me from surgery and a life of pill-taking." -------------------------------- Dane got home after the usual dinner hour, but found that Colt and Greta had waited for him before eating. He was touched that they would do that. Dane had to give all of the details that he knew. Then, he wanted to hear Colt's story. He was so proud of his guy that the buttons on his shirt nearly popped off. Colt told about how long it took Gavin to come to. He had worried that the boy was dead, but had been assured that there was a steady pulse. "I could have hurt him badly," Colt admitted. "I wanted to put him into orbit! I've never hit anyone or anything that hard. Jeez, I think my knuckles are still swelling." Sure enough, his hand was puffed up. Greta got a bag of frozen peas from the freezer to use as an ice pack while she searched for the real ones. After some digging, she found a couple of frozen gel-packs that could be used. She scolded him for not bringing it to her attention earlier. Dane shifted into a "nurse-mode" which was almost humorous. He waited on Colt hand and foot. Greta could scarcely suppress her smile at the sight. -------------------------------- Dustin didn't come back to Bentonville that night. He called home to explain the situation to his parents and then called Greta to tell her not to expect him either. Dave's parents signed a paper that he was to be allowed to stay with their son all night. By the time that Norma had a quiet discussion with the floor nurse over discrimination, all was worked out. While Norma didn't threaten to sue, she did remind the resistant nurse about a similar case in Ohio that had resulted in a hospital paying damages to a boy and his family. Dustin cuddled against Dave's back until the latter fell asleep from the pills he had been given. Then, Dustin moved to the sofa that was in the room and lapsed into a fitful sleep himself. He awakened every time a nurse tiptoed in to check on Dave's condition. He was like a faithful watchdog. Some of the nurses got a kick out of it, but one thought that it was a sign that the world was going to Hell in a handcar. She had witnessed the kiss and rightly suspected that the boys were more than mere pals. -------------------------------- At lunch the next day, Colt was treated like a conquering hero. Word had spread quickly. Other than Gavin's close buddies, no one else felt sorry for him. He had been making an ass of himself since school began in the fall. Gavin was being held at the jail because he was 18 and therefore charged as an adult. His parents were out of town and there was no one to bail him out until they returned. He sat sullenly in his cell nursing the mother of all headaches. It embarrassed him that a smaller, younger guy had knocked him out cold. His cohorts were luckier in that they younger and had been released into the custody of their parents. However, those families were none too pleased with the actions of their offspring. There would be a hard road ahead for all of them. The conversation at the table turned from Gavin's predicament to the fact that Dustin was staying at the hospital in Cosgrove with Dave. "I think they are pretty close," Sara suggested. "I wonder how close. If they are gay and Gavin beat up Dave because of it, he will be charged with a hate crime for sure." Dane and Colt didn't dare even glance at each other for fear of outing their buds. It was difficult not to react, but they did send a sort of signal when their knees touched under the table. Carrie was watching them closely. Later, she sidled up to the boys and said: "Those are beautiful rings. Is there any significance?" Dane and Colt shared a momentary "look" and smile before Colt took Dane's hand in his and answered for them. "Yeah, is that a problem for you?" "Not at all," Carrie smiled. "I'm not going to say anything, but remember, you can always count on me, and Jerry too, if the nasty stuff hits the fan." The guys grinned all the way to their next class. One more person, possibly two, at school knew and didn't get upset. Wow, maybe they could eventually come out without the problems that Dave had just faced. -------------------------------- Dave was released from the hospital around noon. He spent the rest of the day in bed at his parents' house under the influence of prescription painkillers. Dustin gently held him while they both slept. Norma Harrison peeked in on them from time to time to make sure that they were fine. She smiled wistfully at the tenderness that her son's boyfriend exhibited. She was thankful that he had found someone who was worthy of his love. After dinner, Dave declared his intention to go back to school in the morning. He and Dustin were going to go to Greta's house, leaving around 8:00. Dane and Colt were coming to get them since they already had a vehicle at Greta's house and didn't have lots of room for one more. -------------------------------- If Colt had been the returning hero the day before, Dave had that honor on the day he came back. The kids in his homeroom actually stood and applauded him when he entered the door. He blushed furiously because he felt that he didn't deserve any recognition for being used as a punching bag. But his peers thought otherwise. They were all eager to help him get caught up on his work, run errands for him, or do just about anything else that he wanted. Dave was overwhelmed by the show of support. There was a rumor circulating around school that Gavin had beaten up on Dave for being gay. Some of the students believed it while others discounted it. However, it didn't make all that much difference because many of the kids had already labeled Gavin as a loser due to his theatrical exit from the basketball team. In band, Dave found that he couldn't blow his trumpet because of his cracked ribs. The director had him fill in on percussion and discovered that Dave had a great sense of rhythm. Dave could still participate in that capacity until he was fully healed. Greta was happy to have her boarders back. She was beginning to get almost as attached to them as she was Colt. They were about the same age as her grandsons and just as helpful and polite. It was truly like an extended family. -------------------------------- Author's note: Thanks to the following who wrote since the last posting: Don B, Stephen P, Carroll, Alastair, Jim We, Rad, Z-man, Daniel F, Jim C, Phillip V, Paul W, Tony W. Tim P, Joe, Tom H, David S, Tim, Paul G, Jacob, John R, and Bob L. I hope I didn't leave anyone out! I began reading: "Love in a Chair." So far, I like it. The author has promised a happy ending of sorts. Iowa is currently working on adding the words: sexual orientation and gender identification to our Civil Rights Law. I hope it passes the house. I'm sure that the governor will sign it if it does. There is hope! Hugs, David Ps: appreciate all of your prayers, thoughts, and positive energy. I will make a grand announcement when I am completely healed again.