Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:09:06 -0400
From: Sean E <ekidky@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Bully and the Bullied - Part 12

DISCLAIMER: If you shouldn't be reading this - then don't get caught!  This
is a short story involving boys who are coming-of-age and the things boys
get into, including sexual situations, confused feelings, etc.  It is my
first attempt at fiction, having written only one other series based on my
experiences growing up, titled "Life's Road of Discoveries" (also found on
Nifty in the [Young Friends] section, early 2008).

This series has no basis in truth, whereas all characters and situations
are fictional - any resemblance in real life is purely coincidental.  Based
on an era from the mid-1970', it will spread out over 12-14 chapters (Yeah,
I missed my original estimate of 9-10, as I have some more things that need
to happen before I conclude it.  :o)

It is my sincere hope that those of you who take to this and read it
through will enjoy it.  As always, any feedback is welcome (to
EKidKy@hotmail.com).



The Bully and the Bullied
Part Twelve -- When Life's Curves Slow You Down
----------------------------------------------

    "Carolyn, there is no need to worry about this for a while. I know how
things are right now, and trust me, there is no real pressure pushing you
people.  You'll find something and when you do, we'll work it all out on
our end."

    The elderly woman sat back in her seat and took advantage of the moment
to relax, releasing a sigh as she stretched.  Picking up a nearby cup, she
took a sip of the now lukewarm, weakened coffee.  It was mid-morning, and
as usual the office was cramped with various social workers and their
clients.  Desk space and handlers was at a premium, and to compound matters
more the waiting area was filled with more people waiting in queue.  She
had already seen to four cases that morning, and she had a docket that
piled 18-inches high on her desk - all of cases that needed to be addressed
that day.  A quick glance at the stack made her shake her head; the
workload never eased, and the system seemed to only be getting worse.

    She observed the woman sitting across from her closely.  Carolyn had
brought Jeremy in that morning to meet with various people, all seemingly
needing something different.  Whether it was information, papers to be
signed or other similar tasks - they all required his direct attention
since he was now the only surviving member of the Riddle household.
Counselors, handlers, public defenders and others met with him one-on-one,
all to resolve issues that were outstanding with his placement and his
recent ordeal.  There would now be no trial, no prosecution or payment in
lieu of the circumstances, of course; nothing that would really signal any
closure for the boy.  He would live the rest of his life alone, with
memories that would scar his heart and head for years to come.  'No, not
alone,' she reminded herself as she watched Carolyn relax somewhat in her
seat.  This woman, and her family, was doing their best to see to it the
boy had a chance to live something of a normal life in what few years he
had left before he reached an age of accountability beyond what the state
could provide for.

    The elderly woman wished there were others in the world like them,
willing to open their homes and hearts as much.  Although no two children
were alike, some needed to learn what love and patience afforded an
individual - and how much of a positive influence it could have on their
lives.  Jeremy had just left for the bathroom, leaving the women to small
talk, and the first subject broaching the situation had been a remark about
being concerned how much time they had to find a new place to live.  The
household was far too small to accommodate the group, but they had not had
any success as of yet finding roomier quarters.

    "I know that Mary, but he is getting a little nervous about it, no
matter how much I try to assure him, and I have to admit, finding a new
place is a lot harder than I thought it would be."

    "Well, I won't lie to you, the question has come up before my
supervisor, but I sat down and explained the uniqueness of the situation,
and she told me point blank to just keep a close eye on it and we would
give it some time - which is exactly what I intend to do."  She paused
before leaning forward.  "It's a good sign, in a sense, that he seems
concerned about it.  It says to me that he must really like living with you
people.  Given how unstable things have been for him for so long, he is
probably worrying about keeping this as stable as he can." She leaned back.
"That is a rare occurrence in this business, let me tell you!"

    Carolyn blushed, but nodded.  "He has been great with everyone.  He
talks more freely now, and seems to be genuinely interested in fitting in.
He's -" she paused, reflecting on her choice of words before finally
finishing, "He just seems happy."

    "I believe it.  The housing is not a problem right now, so just try to
get the boy to ease up and relax a little.  I take it you've been going
through the realtors."

    "Linda has, but so far the costs have outweighed what we can afford to
deal with altogether, at least for anything in decent shape."  She eyed the
woman.  "Don't get me wrong, we're not THAT poor, especially considering
the fact we now have some combined resources, but still - it seems most of
the houses we've found are way over priced, fix-me-up types for which we
just don't have the resources or know-how to deal with."

    The social worker nodded.  "I understand what you mean; I've been in
the same boat there before."  A thought suddenly occurred to her, and she
rose from her seat.  Crossing to a counter at the far end of the room, she
picked up a stack of envelopes and browsed through them.  Seconds later she
smiled as she extracted one and returned to her desk, handing it over to
Carolyn.

    "What's this?" she asked as she opened and withdrew the contents.  Her
eyes studied the paper on briefly before opening wide with surprise.  "Is
this - for Jeremy?"

    The social worker smiled.  "I told you it would take a little bit to
get it set up, but the state generally comes through pretty quick in cases
like these."  She nodded toward the envelope.  "That is probably two months
payment combined, along with an extra dividend because the boy is getting
specialized care.  I know what you're thinking, right now he is getting
specialized therapy and other care under a different program, but the state
considers you still have expenses, such as time off from work,
transportation, and other things, too.  The dividend will probably continue
for about 5 or 6 more months, then it will return to a more normalized
amount."

    Carolyn's was almost speechless.  "I had no idea; I mean... do you
realize how much is here?  What am I supposed to do with, I mean..."

    Mary smiled.  "Tell me, does the boy have any clothes to speak of?
Have you been having to buy him any specialties while he's lived there?"
Carolyn hesitated only seconds before shyly nodding her head.  Mary
continued smiling - thinking for once here was someone who could genuinely
appreciate the irony of the situation.  "I will tell you something you
probably already know: when this whole idea was first introduced that
morning in that basement room, I did not think a lot of it.  We've tried
this experiment in the past, and it more often than not has failed,
sometimes drastically.  Most adults come into this thing with fostering for
the money, and very few really care for the child or children at any
length.  I mean no offense honey, but when you see that happen as much as I
have, and this boy obviously needing more, how shall we say, nurtured care,
I guess, well..."

    "I remember your reaction that morning, somewhat anyway.  How come you
didn't object to it with the judge?" Carolyn asked, curiosity getting the
better of her.

    "I almost did, but then something strange happened - you're two boys
jumped right up there with you ladies and began making a pretty convincing
argument - all on their own."  Seeing the puzzlement, she leaned forward.
"You see, in most cases where this fails it usually boils down to one of
two things: either the couple gets the foster child for mechanical purposes
like I said, meaning they get them for the money and the added benefit of
doing all sorts of work around the house.  The other reason they fail
though, is because there are other siblings in the house they can't get
along with.  Sometimes its from spite or jealousy, but often it is just a
clash of personalities that comes from two different worlds.  That morning,
I was surprised hearing about how your family had already established a
rapport with Jeremy.  As I watched and listened, I thought to myself it was
strange seeing the acceptance there - especially given Mr. Riddles violent
history at school in recent years.  I took a chance and supported it
because I figured that was half the battle already won.  It is very rare to
have a situation like that."

    Carolyn nodded in understanding, her eyes becoming moist.  "I don't
know what to say."

    Mary smiled as she handed over a form to be signed.  "You don't need to
say anything.  I imagine you people are making ends meet, but with that
money you should be able to breathe a little easier.  When you get in the
new house, the boy will most likely need some furniture and other things.
At his age, anything you can do to establish some stableness for him to
build on will work wonders, trust me.  Find him a hobby to get into,
decorate the room, whatever it takes.  If he ends up sharing the room with
the other boys, then give him a corner or something to call his, and help
him build something for himself.  As long as the money is loosely spent for
him - and that includes groceries, medicines, clothes, shoes, school
expenses and the like - no one is going to audit you.  If you want, start a
savings account after a while and let him learn the value of banking
somewhere along the way."

    She paused, watching the other woman sign the release form.  "You'll
get another check in about 4-5 weeks, and then they'll come monthly.  It's
acceptable that you get to keep some of it - you are, after all, his
guardian and looking out for him in terms as for the state - but just don't
spend it on anything major for yourselves.  You need to also make sure you
give him some of it directly - all foster children are supposed to get a
weekly allowance, although like I said earlier, many of them don't."

    At that moment Jeremy returned and Carolyn rose to her feet after
slipping the envelope inside her purse.  She leaned over the desk toward
the woman, making eye contact that truly expressed her gratitude to the
handler while she extended her hand.  "Thank you, I'll make sure it's used
rightly.  Do you know of anyone else we need to meet while we're here?  I
think you were the last one on our list."

    Mary stood and took the offered hand, shaking it gently before turning
and doing the same with the younger teen.  "Nope, that's about it I think."
Turning to Jeremy, Mary smiled warmly at him.  "Mr. Riddle, if you have any
more issues or questions, then please call me.  And stop worrying about
your housing situation.  You guys will find something before long, I am
sure of it."

    Jeremy returned her handshake and then followed Carolyn as they exited
the building.  "That wasn't too bad I guess."  He studied the smile on
Carolyn's face.  "What? Did something happen in there?  Did the old bat get
a picture of me in pull-ups or something?"

    Carolyn laughed out loud at that.  "No, you silly grump!"  She looked
back across at him as they reached their car and unlocked the door.  "But
you might want to be careful, that old 'bat' as you called her, is going
out of the way quite a bit for the both of us, you know."

    Jeremy got into the front seat then nodded.  "Yeah, I guess so, I'm
sorry."

    Carolyn settled and hooked her seat belt.  Glancing at her watch she
sat their briefly, thinking aloud, "It's a little too early for lunch.
Want to go over to the shopping center for a little bit?"

    Jeremy shrugged his shoulders.  "I guess, if you want to.  Don't you
have to go to work though?"

    Carolyn shook her head.  "Not today kiddo, I asked if I could take the
day off and spend it with you.  Besides, I've been putting in so much time
lately; they owed me a little breather I think."  She did not mention that
her boss had taken a liking to the teen and his situation as well, and
actually encouraged her to take the day on his behalf.

    They passed the time quietly making the short trip across town where
only minutes later pulled into the parking lot of Wal-Mart.  Parking near
the front of the lot, Carolyn turned the motor off and then began rummaging
inside her purse.  Within seconds she found the item she was looking for,
which she promptly extracted and handed to the young teen.  His eyes lit
up.  "What's this for?"

    "Oh, it's just a little spending money.  It's something I've been
meaning to do for a while, but the way everything has been, well, you know.
I'd give you more except I really don't have a lot of cash right now."

    Jeremy stared at the $20 bill as if it were alien in some way, and then
attempted to give it back.  "I don't need it mam, just keep it."

    Carolyn shook her head.  "No, no, it's yours kiddo.  I think from now
on we're going to start giving you an allowance anyway.  I give Michael
money every month, just not always at the same time.  I think Linda is
planning to start doing the same for Thomas, too."

    "But he, I mean he's your son..."  Looking at her quizzical expression,
his voice betrayed his confusion.  "I mean, I'm not - he's, like..."

    "So?  You're our family now, too."  She smiled warmly at him.  "Jeremy,
I know you're getting tired of everyone telling you what you have to do or
not do - I'd be going bonkers I think if I were in your shoes.  But here I
go again, because I'm going to tell you this again and again until you
realize it and believe it: you're here to stay, you're welcomed and loved
and wanted.  Okay, so maybe you're not here by blood, but you're still here
because we WANT you here.  And right now, I'm going to tell you what I told
Linda and Thomas: you have to stop thinking about this as all being
something temporary.  You're going to be 18 in a few years and by law,
you'll be considered an adult and then you can move on if you want, on your
own.  But kiddo - that's years away, and until that time comes, you're here
with us, and we're going to take care of you.  That means," she leaned in
for emphasis, "that we are going to be goofy and crazy at times, but other
times we're going to be here for each other."

    He smiled at her, genuinely impressed.  "I don't know, I mean, I don't
know what to even call you ladies and stuff, I mean-"

    "You call us whatever you want that makes you comfortable," she replied
while grabbing her purse.  "Come on, we got some shopping to do."

    "Th-thanks."  What little money Jeremy had ever held in his life was
what he could scrape together doing odd jobs for people - and none of them
included anything even close to this amount.  In a sense he wasn't even
sure what he should do with it, so as he got out of the car he pushed the
bill deep into his left pocket.  As they entered the store, he asked shyly.
"What are we looking for, anything in particular?"

    Carolyn shrugged.  "Not really.  We need to get you some more clothes -
REAL clothes, I mean. The stuff you have is okay, but most of it is
thread-worn or just plain worn out.  I take it your Dad never brought you
anything much home."

    Jeremy shook his head.  "Most all of my clothes were hand me downs he
got from somewhere."

    "Well, I think we can take care of some of that now, unless you want
Michael and Thomas along. I'll warn you though, Michael does NOT like
clothes shopping," she added, rolling her eyes.

    Jeremy laughed.  "I might not be much better, mam."

    She put an arm around his shoulder, steering him towards the men's
section.  "Well, try to stomach it a few minutes at least and we'll find
you something you like."

    - + - + - + -

    Linda Wilson had just finished a rather long, grueling day in the
clerk's office.  She exited the building slowly, standing on the sidewalk
and searching her purse for the keys she needed.  While digging through her
belongings, she was surprised to hear someone call her name out from behind
her.  Turning, she instantly recognized the man as he approached.  "Why
hello there! Mr. Mathews, right?  I mean, you're the Mathews boy's father,
if I remember right?"

    He laughed.  "Yes - Austin and Kevin.  You and I met briefly the other
day when I came to pick them up.  I'm Carl," he added, extending his hand,
which she took and shook firmly.

    "It's good to see you again Carl, I'm Linda.  What can I do for you?"

    "Well, I went down to the hospital a little bit ago to try and find
your friend Carolyn, but they told me she was off today.  One of the girls
there told me I would find you here though, so I came on over.  Looks like
I just barely caught you in time."

    Linda nodded, although curious at as to why. "I usually get off at
4:30, but I'm running a little late today."

    "Then I guess I really did luck out.  Listen, I don't want to keep you,
but I was wondering if I might get you ladies to come over to the office in
the morning.  I know it's a Saturday, but I'd like to show the two of you
something I think you might find interesting.  It's a house coming on the
market but hasn't been advertised yet.  I don't want to sound callous, but
given what Austin has told me you guys are pretty cramped at the moment,
right?"

    Linda rolled her eyes.  "That is an understatement!"  She looked the
man over thoughtfully.  "We HAVE been looking lately, but everything is so
high we've been rather discouraged."

    Carl Mathews nodded, smiling at her.  "Well, this one might work out
for you a little better.  It belongs to an elderly couple up in Riverview
and they haven't been able to use it the last couple of years.  You see,
they were getting up in years and needed some additional care and, with no
family, they moved into an assisted living community.  They thought at
first it was going to be temporary, but their health has declined since
then and they've decided it might be best if they just put it up for sale."
He narrowed his eyes at her somewhat.  "Mind you, I'm not saying it's
perfect, but I went out this morning and took a look at her.  It's really
not in too bad of shape - a little fresh paint or wall paper, maybe some
carpet and she will look a lot better than you think.  Outside and
structurally it's a very sound and solid house and its sits on about 2
acres, so there is plenty of yard space, garden area and so forth."

    "Really? How big is the house itself?"

    "Well, its a sort of ranch design that has a wrap-around porch, and
it's got three bedrooms and 2 baths. It has a half-finished basement, so
there is a lot more room than what you might expect.  The rooms downstairs
could be converted into bedrooms with little to no trouble, I believe."

    Linda was intrigued.  "That sounds - interesting, really.  What time
did you want to meet?"

    "Whatever is convenient for you ladies; I'll be in until around 11:00
or so."

    Linda studied.  "We were planning a surprise birthday party for Michael
tomorrow evening, and I think your boys were going to come over and even
spend the night perhaps."  Seeing the look of surprise on the man's face
made her laugh.  "We borrowed a couple of tents from my boss here, and I
think the boys were planning to set them up over by the creek on the
backside of the place.  It's not too far from the house, and the stream is
pretty safe I think.  I walked over there earlier this week; it's actually
a pretty decent spot."

    "That sounds like a fun adventure.  You say it's the boy's birthday?
Maybe we should wait until some other time then, like Monday-"

    "Oh, no! I didn't mean it that way at all!  I was just thinking it
might be better if we did it kind of early, like 8:00 to 8:30 or so.  Would
that be all right?

    "That would be fine!"  He made as to leave her.  "I'll see you ladies
tomorrow then, around 8:30 or a little before."

    As they parted, Linda suddenly felt a strange excitement build within
her.  Was it possible?  Or would it be another disappointment.  'Good Lord,
we've had our fair share of them,' she thought to herself as she turned to
find her vehicle and head home.

    - + - + - + -

    When Michael first awoke the next morning, the sun was already above
the horizon outside their window. The air was unusually thick for this time
of year, causing him after a moment to throw back the single sheet he and
Thomas had been using.  Without even looking, he had a vague impression
that Thomas had just left for the bathroom, and he felt suddenly he
understood why.  It was one thing to awaken with a need to answer the call
of mother nature; it was another, however, when the night before you
consumed an excessive amount of iced tea that needed to be gotten rid of -
in a hurry.

    Within a minute the bedroom door opened and sure enough, Thomas
returned strolling across the space where he groggily got back in the bed.
Michael opened one eye then wearily rubbed both as he swung his legs out
and onto the floor to take his turn.  Within minutes he returned, closing
the door behind him and crawling back into the bed.  At first he snuggled
up to his friend, who responded with a smile, but as the minutes passed he
had to roll back.  They had been sleeping together now for some time, each
becoming accustomed with the other in ways that only added to their already
inseparable bond.  Their bodies seemed to find naturalness with the other
that most of the time complimented how much they trusted each other.
Neither was afraid to lie next to the other, or drape an arm or hand over
their friend; their legs and other extremities in contact to the other
passed as nothing, instead providing a level of comfort even subconsciously
as they slept.

    There were exceptions, however, and this particular morning seemed to
highlight the most obvious one that they presently faced.  Although the
window was open, no air stirred outside in the dead calm that was gradually
brightening under the sun's rays.  The fan sitting there drew in the
morning breath of the world, but it was heavy with humidity and heat.  That
was why he reluctantly had to roll away.  The heat Thomas's body generated,
with his own, was too much for him to comfortably stand.

    The silence was broken when Thomas spoke.  "Why is it so hot in here?"

    Turning his head to his side, Michael observed his friend and grimaced.
"I dunno, heat wave I guess."

    Thomas grunted.  "Make it go away."

    "How am I supposed to do that?" Michael giggled.

    Thinking about it a second, Thomas ended up simply shrugging his
shoulders.  "I don't know, it's your birthday, make a wish or something.
Maybe if you run naked all day someone will take pity on us."

    That made Michael laugh, as well as pickup an extra pillow from the
floor and throw it at his friend.  "Anyone saw me naked would just have to
go see a shrink."

    Thomas, either because he was still waking up or because he was just
being thoughtful, looked at his friend with baleful eyes.  "No they
wouldn't... now, if they saw Kevin's ass, that's a diff story."

    Both burst into giggles at that and had to fight to keep the noise
down.  Michael finally rolled onto his back and whispered.  "I dunno, I
thought he had a cute bubble butt."

    "What?! Where did THAT come from?"

    "What? Bubble butt? Heck if I know, just... it sorta looked like, you
know, round and puffed out some or something!" This caused Thomas to lose
it, grabbing the pillow and shielding his face as he laughed hysterically.
Michael grinned and rolled over close to his friend, where he waited for
him to regain control before whispering.  "You saw it to, didn't you?"

    Thomas finally nodded.  "Yeah, but I wasn't as close as you were, and
no, I didn't notice it any."  He grinned wickedly at his friend.  "Did you
do that on purpose? You know, were you TRYING to see his ass or something?"

    Michael grinned back. "No! It was Austin who grabbed his shorts,
remember?"

    "Oh yeah, that's right!"  They fell into silence as they stared at each
other, both smiling and remembering the day and what had unfolded.  "I
think he was trying to un-pants you though."

    Michael was dubious.  "No way!"  He thought about it for a second.
"You really think so?"

    Thomas shrugged his shoulder.  "I dunno, but you gotta admit, it was
pretty bold to stuff that hose down the front of your shorts!"

    Michael nodded.  "You ever notice how much smaller he is than we are,
yet we're all the same age almost?"  When Thomas nodded, he added.  "Have
you ever, like, maybe wondered..."

    "Wondered what?"  When Michael blushed, Thomas pressed the advantage.
"Come on, tell me!  It's not like you've ever been afraid to tell me
anything before."

    Michael shyly lowered his eyes.  "I dunno, I mean, I wonder what HE
looks like... You know, down there."

    Thomas grimaced.  "Yeah? I have to, a little."

    "No shit?"  The surprise was profound.

    "Yeah, no shit - heck, I even wonder about his brother sometimes too.
You see how hairy his arms and legs are and stuff?"

    Michael nodded.  "Yeah, I noticed. Look at his underarms sometime,
too."

    "I don't have to, I've already seen them. If that's any indication of
other places, then I bet-

    "Yeah, a big dick and big bush to go with it."

    That caused Thomas to giggle.  "Yeah."  He observed the grin on his
friends face, and then lowered his voice. "Umm, Mike..."

    "Yeah?"

    "I'm getting horny over here."  He said it in almost a whisper.

    "Finally? Man, I've been horny and hard all night!" He reached out and
took Thomas's hand, guiding it down underneath him before he pushed through
the upper band of his briefs and inside.  There he put his friend's hand on
his hardened member and then rolled back, sandwiching it between himself
and the bed.  Thomas wiggled his fingers, feeling around as he cupped his
friend.

    He did that for a minute before rolling close to his side and
whispering in his ear. "I know you probably want to mess around some, but
umm, think you can hold out a while? Like, till tonight or something?"

    Michael groaned as he closed his eyes.  "Ugh, we can't tonight, I mean,
we're gonna be camping, remember?"

    Thomas's face broke into a grin.  "I know."

    The look and the thought made Michael suddenly look up.  "You're
thinking something devious, aren't you?"  The knowing look that returned to
him made him raise his eyebrows.

    - + - + - + -

    "Happy birthday to you!  Happy birthday, to you!"

    As everyone sang around him, Michael's chest swelled with pride; he was
now another year older, at least on paper.  He didn't FEEL any different
than he did the day before, but inside he was happy.  He was in the room
with his friends gathered round, a group of people he had come to respect
immensely within the last year or so.  He stared at the cake and the
candles that lit up half the room it seemed.  Where some people might have
blushed, he found that he was relaxed in this crowd.  As they finished, he
took a deep breath and extinguished the group without any trouble.  Only
then did he slightly blush as they cheered.  "Thanks guys," he offered in a
meek voice as the others clapped and carried on.  Thomas, closest to his
side, clasped his friend hard on the shoulder and then soon joined the
others as they moved to grab plates and napkins.

    As had been tradition between he and his Mom since before he could
remember, he cut the first piece for himself - a rather large double-sized
slice that drew a brief frown from his mother before she started laughing
and shaking her head.  Soon the others were all sharing the extra rich
chocolate dessert with him along with some homemade ice cream.  As they sat
around the table, Michael eventually leaned back and observed his friends
for a moment yet again.  Before long his gaze turned toward the corner of
the room where a small table had been set up and boxes placed there from
only moments before.  Picking up his plate, he rose and walked over to
admire them closer.

    Several opened cards were spread along one side, along with a plastic
model, a board game and a couple of books.  Although each were cool, what
had brought oh's and ah's from everyone was when he opened his present from
Thomas.  It was a new picture, a piece of artwork framed in old wood and
ready to hang in his room.  Insofar as he knew, it was the first drawing
Thomas had attempted to do since he had lost his notebook.  The drawing was
made up of a collage of five images containing different groupings of the
five of them.  Each of the five corners held smaller images of the people
in their family: Michael and his Mom, Michael and Thomas, the five of them
together, including Jeremy, and then one of Thomas and his mother.  It was
the center though that brought the most attention, for it was a large
drawing of him, sitting in the swing on the front porch -- thankfully fully
clothed.  The detail was exquisite, one which they all couldn't help but
admire as they praised the young man for his work.  The drawing was
lifelike, one which his mother envied and immediately requested he make
another one sometime just for her, which he promised to do.

    As he looked on, his thoughts turned to all the other drawings his
friend had constructed before, and for a wistful moment he wished the
sketchpad had not been lost.  How his grandparents, rather his grandfather,
could throw away and destroy such a personable artifact escaped him.  That
pad had been a good part of Thomas's life for a long time.  It had been an
important part of defining who he was, giving him an escape from all the
pressures of life around him, filling a void that no one else - at least at
the time - could fill.

    He and his friend had actually talked about it while lying in the dark
one night. Thomas had shrugged his shoulders then as he lay close.  "Meh,
it's gone, there is nothing I can do about it.  Besides, i don't really
miss it so much anymore."

    "But - it had some really good things in it, it was really cool, you
know?  Your poems, the sketches - all that stuff, they were a part of you!"
Michael had argued, disbelieving how easily the boy let it go.

    Thomas had thought about it a moment before staring into his friends
eyes and replying.  "I know, but to be honest - I don't need it anymore
though, Mike, because now I got you."

    The memory made Michael smile, and he was still smiling when he felt
another hand on his shoulder.  Turning he saw Linda standing beside him,
admiring the print.  When she didn't speak, he glanced up at her.  "Did you
help him?" he asked her, his voice barely above a whisper.

    "No, not really," she replied in equally low tones.  "I was going to,
but he wanted to do it all just for you.  I ended up helping him work it
into the frame, but that was about it."  She was smiling at him.  "He
really does a pretty good job, doesn't he?"

    "Ohh yyeaaahhhh," Michael replied, beaming.  They finally turned from
the table and peered at the others, who were now horsing around and choking
in laughter as Kevin, in some weird way the two never figured out, suddenly
had chocolate icing dripping from his nose.

    - + - + - + -

    "Man, this is awesome!" Kevin exclaimed. They had just arrived at the
bank of the stream where the tents were setup.  "Who thought of this? Wow,
we're really away from everything out here, too!"  He looked around at the
gentle bank that broke away from the water's edge for several hundred feet.
The clearing was banked at the edge with a slope that ran parallel to a
field bordering above them.  The slope leading edge, however, was beneath
the field, thus creating an ideal location close to some large trees that
outlined the little cove.

    The shielded clearing contained two dome tents, each easily capable of
comfortably holding three to four people.  It had already been established
the three younger teens would share a tent while Jeremy and Austin shared
the other that night.  Because the lay of the slope leading up to the
stream shifted in direction, the two tents were pitched about 20 feet
apart, a distance that assured each would have plenty of privacy from the
other if needed.

    Although Michael could at times be rather sentimental, in general his
easy going nature took most things in stride when it came to accepting the
natural order of things around him.  Still, when he stopped for a moment to
gaze out over the stream and listen to the water that flowed along, there
was a certain quietness about it all that made him pause and appreciate
what lay before tem, even in the extreme heat that had settled in on this
day.  He turned as Thomas finally caught up to the two.  "Wow, you guys
really planned this?"  As Thomas nodded, he shook turned back to the
stream.  "This is really cool, man. Thanks!"

    Kevin nodded in agreement.  "You bet it is!  Wait till my bro gets to
see it!"  He sniffed the air.  "Hey, it even smells nice out here, you
know?"  He looked at the other two boys before wrinkling his nose.  "You
two better NOT fart me out of that tent tonight!"

    All three laughed at that as Michael finally broke from his reverie and
walked up to one of the tents.  "Which one is ours?"

    "Either one," Thomas replied.  "Just pick one, I guess."

    Michael looked at the other one then shrugged his shoulders.  He set
the gym bag down inside and kicked off his shoes before removing his socks.
As the other two boys watched he wiggled his feet and toes in the grassy
slope, then stood up and peeled his t-shirt off, revealing a mostly white
chest and belly underneath. "Ah, that's a LOT better!" he exclaimed as he
lay it inside on top of his stuff.

    "Good grief man, you don't have to blind us you know!" Kevin grinned as
he walked by.  In like manner he tossed a couple of bags he was carrying
inside and followed suit, removing his shirt and revealing instead a rather
tanned torso.  "Yeah, you're right, it is better, as long as the mosquitos
don't start sucking me dry."

    "With that hide of yours?  They would dull their needles before getting
to anything!" Thomas quipped, good-naturedly.  Like his two friends, he
also followed suit and revealed a whitened interior much like Michaels.
When he saw Kevin staring at him, he sheepishly hung his head "I know, I
know...  Sorry, we don't get out in the sun too much, I guess."

    Michael spoke up.  "Yeah, I'm kinda, I dunno, shy around his Mom and
stuff."

    Kevin shrugged his shoulder.  "I don't think you guys look so bad -
white as sheets maybe, but yeah," he giggled.  He move up between the two
and pulled them together close enough he could drape an arm around each of
their shoulders.  "Okay, what do you guys want to do?"

    Although he probably thought nothing of it, the contact between them
did not escape either of the boys on each side.  All three wore only
cut-off jeans as they sided up close with one another.  Both Thomas and
Michael had grown to like Kevin as the boy opened up more to them over the
past several weeks.  Perhaps, like Jeremy, he was one many people misjudged
after all.  His choice of friends in the past notwithstanding, the boy had
truly been shocked at what had almost come to past.  It was a wake-up call,
one which he had heeded and was now trying to find a better foothold in the
world without the dependencies he had lived with.  This was a different
Kevin than they had watched in the last couple of years, and they saw it
both on the surface and underneath.

    Michael grinned as he looked out over the stream, and then moved over
to the edge of it with Kevin still locking the three of them together.
There they stood staring for seconds before Thomas grunted and put a
tentative step out into the water.  "Hey!" he exclaimed.  "Not bad at all!"
He broke away from his friends and started wading out into the water.

    The others followed, agreeing after they stepped in that the cool water
did indeed feel awesome as it ran over their feet and ankles.  The water
was crystal clear, ranging in various depths ranging from less than a foot
to more than four feet as they moved to the center, where deeper pockets
had eroded over the years.  For a while they all three explored the
immediate area, migrating slowly downstream.  Before long they found the
pockets and chasms along the center widened, and they began moving to one
side until they reached a point where they could no longer wade without
getting their cutoffs wet.  It seemed the water moved slower here, and as
they paused Michael noticed a mischievous expression cross Thomas's face.
"What?" he asked in a low voice.  Kevin still a few feet behind them was
trying to wedge something out of the stream just beneath the surface.

    Thomas glanced at the other two before looking about the clearing they
had moved into.  ""Umm, pretty secluded here, don't you think?" he asked.
There was a thicker line of tree's that stretched on both sides banks of
the stream, creating a more dense setting than where they had come.
Michael glanced about and then nodded, shrugging his shoulders as he turned
back to his friend.

    Thomas, however, was moving over to the nearest bank while he cleared
his throat.  "Umm, Kevin, how would you feel about us going swimming?"

    Kevin glanced up before standing upright, abandoning his excavation
task.  It took a second, but he eventually broke out into a big grin as
comprehension dawned on him.  "You mean, like... skinnin?"  He looked about
only seconds before he continued.  "Fine by me but, I dunno, what about
Mike?"

    Michael, for all its worth, was having a blond moment.  "Huh?"  He had
only half caught what they were saying, totally missing the 'skinnin'
reference.  As he looked up, perplexed, both of the other boys laughed out
loud before Thomas moved back and grabbed his confused friend's hand.

    "He'll be okay with it, trust me," he replied as they reached the edge
of the bank.  There Thomas unsnapped his shorts and then in front of the
other two he hooked and pushed down one leg at a time, catching both the
cut-offs and his briefs.  To Michaels surprise, comprehension finally
dawned on him on what he had missed out in the exchange as Thomas finished,
tossing the garments up onto the safety of the bank.  Before he could say
anything, Thomas turned and faced the both of them, rushing back and
submerging himself now into the deeper water.

    Michael's surprise had given him pause, and he wondered then whether
this was something Thomas had planned or not.  They had talked before of
going camping some during the summer, but he had been unaware of their
plans for this night until only the evening before, when Thomas had let the
surprise slip.  Grinning wickedly, he turned to find Kevin with the intent
of retorting when, to his surprise, the boy had already beaten him and was
tossing his clothes onto the opposite bank.

    "You gonna stand there or are you coming?" Thomas's voice called from
the middle of the stream.

    "Yeah, you gonna stand there or are you too grown up to skin with us?"
Kevin taunted good naturedly.  Michael was smiling as he unhooked the
button for his cutoffs, but hesitated before shucking them.  He and Thomas
were close to each other, brothers by every practical means of te word.  He
didn't mind getting naked around him at all, but Kevin - as fast as their
friendship was growing, he wasn't so sure.  That is, until he realized the
boy had already stripped before them and was swimming towards his best
friend.  Kevin wasn't exactly in their inner circle, but he was placing a
certain amount of trust in them, and that realization made Michael smile.
He stripped and then moved slowly towards the other two.  He chastised
himself briefly for missing the opportunity to check the younger Mathews
brother out, but then resolved if he got the chance again he wouldn't be so
hesitant.  As he walked into the deeper pocket, he noticed Kevin had
turned, and that the other ten's eyes were checking him out.  He steeled
himself to keep from blushing, but purposefully took his time in joining
them.  He approached and gradually sank into the water until it reached
chest high, coming to a stop on a few feet from the others.  He fixed his
gaze on Kevin, and noted the softened expression the other boy's face held.

    "You really meant that stuff last week, didn't you? About trusting us -
me and my bro."  The remark was a statement of fact, one which made them
both smile.

    "Yeah," Michael replied. "You do too, I guess."

    Kevin began working his way a closer.  "You guys are funny, kind of,"
he remarked, exchanging glances with first one and then the other.

    "How so?" Thomas asked.

    "I dunno, it's like, you don't seem gay or anything, but yet you're
like, comfortable I guess, with each other I mean.  Like, really close -
almost like Aus and me."

    Both Michael and Thomas exchanged looks, and Thomas saw something
unsteady, unsure in his friend's eyes.  Michael - the one always calm,
collective and thoughtful, the one always with words to inspire and help
people, to see inside them and feel out what they needed - was at a loss.
Thomas found that strange, but he already knew, from the many talks they
had already, that his friend did have insecurities.  They just never showed
themselves often, and right now he felt they were on raw display as he
smiled at him, trying to reassure him.  Thomas thought back to the day they
had hugged, and how uncertain he had been in the exchange with him.  He
also remembered the day they both got in te shower, and how uncertain and
fearful he had been at first.  Of what he wasn't sure anymore - but
whatever it was, it must have felt different and weird to him.  The
surprise was that, even though he had wished for some things, to find
Michael also wished for some of it, and the way Michael had opened himself
up - heart and soul - to reach out to him... In ways he still to that day
never fully understood, but was so happy that they had their friendship
with each other, he felt truly blessed.

    "It's okay Mike," he whispered softly before turning his attention to
the other teen.  "We are comfortable, Kev - we're best friends.  We trust
each other."

    Kevin nodded.  "Yeah, I know, I can see it in you.  Don't worry guys,
honest, I think it's cool, really."  He mused for a second, before lowering
his voice and addressing Michael.  "You look like you've got a big one," he
stated timidly.

    Thomas giggled.  Glancing down into the water, even through the
reflection of the skyline above them mixed with the ripples of the water
flowing by, he could tell his best friend was partially aroused.  Relaxing
a little, Michael cocked his head slightly to one side as he watched the
smaller boy with curiosity.  "No bigger than his," he replied, motioning
toward Thomas.  "Besides, I figured you got a good look last week."

    Kevin blushed then hung his head a little.  "No, I wanted to, but..."

    This surprised Michael completely.  "You did? But - I mean,
you... you're brother-"

    "I know, but honest, I mean, uh..." At first he was hesitant about what
he should say, but seeing both Thomas and Michael watching him with
curiosity, he finally shrugged his shoulders.  "Aw, hell, yeah - I was kind
of just curious and stuff, I admit it, but I didn't mean to, like, you
know... it just kind of happened.  Besides, even when it did, I really
didn't see anything, just the top of some of your pubes mostly."

    Michael grinned at the smaller boy.  "I- You mean, you wanted to
though? I mean, even if you were just - just curious? It's okay, honest!"
he hastened to add as he saw the boy begin to blush even more.  He moved a
little closer and softened his voice.  "I said it last week, I didn't care,
and I mean it."

    "But... you hesitated while ago, like when we stripped and stuff,"
Kevin replied, still hesitation in his eyes.

    "I know, and yeah, but only because I - well, I don't know, I'm sorry,
it's not like I'm afraid of you or anything.  Honest.  I just, I don't
know..."  When he couldn't explain himself any better, he tried a different
track.  "You're 13, right?"  When Kevin nodded, he continued.  "You have a
small body."

    The smaller boy rolled his eyes. "Yeah, tell me about it!"

    "Why? What's so bad about that?" Thomas joined in, addressing the
smaller boy.

    Kevin shrugged.  "Nothing I guess, it just makes me more vulnerable to
creeps and stuff."

    Michael shook his head.  "I don't think so, I think it just matters who
you count on as your friends."  He smiled.  "So, you really didn't see me
then?"

    "Nope, not until just now - honest."  There was a silence between them,
until he saw they were both looking at him.  "What?"

    Thomas grinned as he worked his way closer. "So we were, umm, kind of
wondering too."

    "Yeah? What?"

    "Well, like maybe what you looked like too."

    Kevin laughed.  "Come on, you guys got the full moon last week!"  He
saw them smile but there was something else in their faces that also look
serious.  "Seriously?"  When Michael nodded, he glanced around and then
slowly worked within just a couple of feet from them.  Being at the edge of
the pocket he was able to get some footing beneath him where he could stand
up and emerge from the water. "Okay, I'm not afraid - here ya go," he said
simply, displaying himself in full view for both boys.

    As with most boys, Kevin looked no different in respects to his
packaged essentials, but unlike most there were parts that made him
definitely different insofar as both Michael and Thomas were concerned.
His body was somewhat smaller, but more muscular and refined for his size.
He had a smaller patch of developed pubes, but they were much darker and
dense around the base of his member which, in the time since he rose from
the water, had started to stiffen and rise.  The torso and belly lowered
smoothly from his rib cage to his navel; the sides at his waist outlined
the upper edge of his hip bones, which leveled and indented to form a
distinct set of v-lines leading to his groin.  There, Michael was surprise
to see he was much very much like Thomas, though in a smaller way, in that
he was uncircumcised.  Unlike his friend, though, Kevin's extra skin seemed
to hang off the end a lot longer as it closed down from the tip.  His
scrotum was actually quite sizable in proportion to the rest of his
package, and he giggled as he saw their eyes bug out while studying him.
He turned around slowly, giving them a full view of himself, and Thomas
immediately saw what his friend had meant by the term 'bubble butt'.

    "Wow Kev, cool!"

    "Yeah," Michael added, to which the other boy completed his turn and
blushed.  He stood there a few more seconds before moving back and lowering
himself into the water.  "Okay, thanks guys."  He studied them a second,
then giggled.  "So, did you get an eye full?"  He grinned as the other guys
laughed.  "Honest guys, it's cool.  I don't care.  I'm not anything special
anyway."

    Michael waded over to him and put a single arm around him.  "No, you
are special, and I'm glad too, really.  I'm sorry I hesitated and stuff."

    Kevin returned the gesture before looking over at Thomas, only a few
feet away.  "How about you? I mean, I've seen him now, but... can I see
you, too?"

    Thomas grinned.  "You really want to see me?"  When Kevin nodded,
Thomas stood up and worked his way out of the water until he only inches
away.  In like manner he turned slowly so as to display himself, ignoring
the full boner that was set up just above the surface of the water.  Kevin
nodded appreciatively, taking the boy in.  "Finally! Someone like me!"

    Michael wrinkled his nose.  "Huh?"

    Kevin pointed toward Thomas's groin as the other boy slowly settled
himself back into the water.  "His dick is uncut, like me!  Most everyone
I've seen or anything is like you, uncut."

    "Most people ARE uncut, unless you go overseas to England or Germany or
places like that, I think," Thomas replied.

    "Yeah," Kevin agreed.  "Not that I go looking at peeps dicks for stuff
like that on purpose, but..."

    "I know what you mean," Michael replied. "That's sort of the way me and
Thomas are, we were like, just curious and stuff and then..."  He didn't
continue, suddenly feeling like he may have led himself somewhere he didn't
want the conversation to go.

    Kevin, on the other hand, didn't mind.  "Yeah? Well, can I ask you guys
something? And I mean, it has to be totally between us, no one - not even
my brother - can find out, okay?  It's personal - really personal stuff."

    Intrigued, both Michael and Thomas nodded.  "Sure, fire away," Thomas
answered for both of them.

    Kevin lowered his voice to just above a whisper.  "You guys ever, like,
do stuff? You know, like mess around or anything?"

    Thomas looked at his best friend, unsure of what to say.  Michael
paused on briefly, reflecting once again on their new friend, trying to
search out how far he was - at least for himself - willing to go.
Everything he and Thomas had done to that point was between them, something
they shared.  Would they be betraying a bond by confessing to this kid why
they were so close?  He looked at Thomas with a question on his face.  He
couldn't speak for both of them, although he knew his friend and his heart
- this was a crossroads he couldn't take alone.

    "Umm Kev... I... we..." Michael stuttered, unsure of himself for once.
He took a deep breath and cast his eyes down into the water where they all
lay within inches of each other, sitting on the rocks underneath.

    "It's okay guys, I'm sorry I asked, it's none of my business," Kevin
interrupted, saving Michael from any further explanation.

    Thomas, however, felt that they had to tell him something.  There was
far too much at stake in their friendship now.  As he saw Kevin start to
get up, he put a hand on their friend's shoulder.  "Wait," he said.  Kevin
hesitated as he watched them both exchange looks.

    Thomas took a deep breath.  "We... do stuff, yeah."  There, he said it,
letting his breath back out.  "It's just, it's not that we don't trust you,
it's just-"

    "Something you don't really talk to others about, I know - I
understand, too," Kevin finished for him.  He relaxed and settled back
between them.  "I think it's cool, actually."

    Michael was surprised.  "You do?"

    "Heck yeah!  Makes for some cool fun sometimes!" This statement came
with a knowing look as he grinned at the other two.

    Thomas grunted.  "Do you? I mean, have you?"

    Kevin nodded.  "I've done some stuff, yeah..."

    "With who?"  This came from Michael, clearly beginning to relax more.

    The smaller boy shrugged his shoulders.  "Some guys, that's all."  He
didn't elaborate any further, and neither Michael or Thomas pressed the
issue.  After a moment Michael rose and separated from them, wading out
into deeper water where he began submerging and trying to swim.  For a
while Thomas and Kevin both just sat on the ledge and watched him.
"Thomas?"

    "Yeah?"

    "Is he always like that? I mean, I dunno... He's seems almost too nice
sometimes and everything."

    Thomas observed his friend for a minute splashing in the distance
before replying.  "I've never met anyone like him Kev, honest.  I just
know, he's been there for me unlike anyone ever has before.  I trust him -
I really, really do."

    Kevin nodded.  "I know - I see it in you guys, not like, a gay thing or
anything either - there is just something about it I think most people
would never understand, unless they saw you as brothers or something."  His
voice became distant as he added, "Kind of like Aus and me."

    Thomas turned his gaze to the kid.  "Your brother loves you, too - you
know that."

    Kevin wrinkled his nose.  "Sometime I know it too much.  To be honest
though, these last couple of months and everything, well..."  He glanced at
Thomas, ten tried to explain.  "Everyone at school treats me pretty much
like shit anymore, except for the ones I want to avoid, you know?  It's
like I'm a plague or something so ugly they can't stand to be around me.
It doesn't matter what you do or not do, it's like if you get a label..."

    "...the label gets you.  Yeah, I know what you mean, Kev."  Thomas did
indeed have an idea of what the other was going through.

    "Yeah... Aus, he's like, the only friend I have anymore, you know?"

    "No, you're wrong. You've got me, and Mike, and Jeremy, too."  Thomas
said it, smiling at the other.  "We're you're friends, too."

    Kevin smiled back before returning to his gaze to watch Michael in the
distance.  "He seems to have that weird effect on people, saying the right
things sometimes and what have you, you know?  Did you notice last weekend
how he was handling Jermz?  I was like, 'No way!'  But the more I watched
and listened, it was like - good."

    Thomas said nothing, having already had similar thoughts before.
Eventually he shrugged his shoulders.  "I don't know anything else I can
say.  He's just - well, he and his Mom both - they're just really cool
people.  He's kind of funny sometimes, but no more than I am, I guess."  He
grinned.  "It's like he's afraid of nothing sometimes.  Stripping and
walking over here while ago?  I would have never pegged him to do it, but
yet-"

    "Yeah, he did though.  His hangs pretty cool, too," Kevin added,
blushing.  "Were you guys seriously wondering about me?"

    Thomas laughed "Yep, we talked about it a little, both you and your
brother." He grinned even wider. "He told me you had a bubble butt."

    Kevin laughed.  "What the hell? What did you say?"

    Thomas laughed harder and explained the conversation, which had Kevin
laughing even more.  "You guys..."  He got a look in his eyes.  "Aus is
big, and I mean really big -- well, to me anyways, and I've seen him both
soft and when he's had a boner.  He also has a lot of hair... His ass is
kinda scrawny, though.  Well, you guys have a cute ass too, I guess - for
guys anyway.  At least you're more like me..."

    "You think so?"

    Kevin laughed but did not answer.  Instead, he leaned close to Thomas
and spoke softly again.  "Think you guys might want to mess around some
tonight?"

    Thomas studied the other kid for a second before he broke into a grin.
"Maybe..."

    Kevin grinned too, motioning his head toward the other boy still
swimming in the distance.  "You think maybe he might...?"

    Thomas got a knowing expression as he nodded.  "Oh yeah;
besides... it's his birthday..."

    "Oh yeah, that's right..."

    Thomas grinned at him, then got up and started moving to join his
friend in swimming.

    Kevin followed, thinking, 'Cool'...


(To be continued...)

---------------------------------

Comments to: EKidKy@hotmail.com
Other series by me:
   - Life's Road of Discoveries
     (www.Nifty.org, Gay-Young Friends section, Early 2008)
   - Terry and Sam - Short Story, Holiday Christmas Collaboration w/Ruwen
     (www.Nifty.org, Gay-No Sex section, Late 2008)