Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2012 20:11:36 +0000
From: David Lee <dlee169@hotmail.com>
Subject: Tommy and Tanner, Chapter 71

Tommy and Tanner, Chapter 71

Warning:

This story contains scenes of love and sexual interaction between males of
similar age.  If the reading or possessing this material 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 the copyright, and any other rights, to this original
story.  You may not publish it or any part of it without explicit
authorization from me.

This is not my first attempt at writing fiction.  My longer stories on
Nifty include: "Always and Forever" (March 25, 2004), "Jacob and Jacques"
(May 30, 2004), "Zeke" (August 29, 2005), "Tales from Bentonville"
(November 16, 2008), and "Second Chance" (September 24, 2010) under "High
School" and "Someone to Watch over Me" under "Beginnings" in the gay male
section.  There are a few short stories also: "Brad and Alan's Canoe Trip"
(April 22, 2004 under "Camping", "Of Angels and Dragons" (November 8, 2008)
under "Camping", "A Christmas Tale" (December 22, 2009) under "High
School", "Brazil Affair" (October 1, 2010) under "Beginnings," "Seth's
Gift" (October 10, 2010) under the Science Fiction/Fantasy category, and "A
Technological Christmas" (December 23, 2011) under "Beginnings."

I am listed on Nifty under the category of "Prolific Net Authors" which
will make it easier for you to access earlier stories.  Some of these
stories are also posted at: www.storylover.us along with those of other
writers that may interest you.

My only reward for contributing to Nifty is your emails.  Please write if
you like the story.  Please include the name of the story in the title of
your email because my email service sometimes puts them in the "spam" file.

Thanks and hugs to Tom and David (boxerdude) who edit for me so that there
are fewer mistakes!  They not only proof-read, but make other valuable
suggestions.

Finally, David has a new site that is hosting a number of authors.  It's
at: www.saberpeak.com.  My first story, "Always and Forever," is posted
there.

David
(dlee169@hotmail.com)

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

Tommy and Tanner,
Chapter 71

The four campers awakened early and made breakfast from the pancake mix
that required only the addition of water.  There was syrup and butter left
from yesterday and, by chance, four eggs.  Tommy carefully fried them
sunny-side up to lay on top of their stacks of pancakes.  When they'd
eaten, everyone felt adequately nourished for the morning ahead.

After cleaning up their utensils, they bathed in the pond and put on shorts
and T's.  They had brought along ankle-high waterproof hiking boots to wear
while moving rocks and they thought these would be perfect for the job
ahead.

Once dressed, they packed up their camping gear and carried it to the car.
It was going to be really full on the way home.  The guys in the back seat
would likely be holding sleeping bags on their laps.  But that was doable
for the short trip.

They had scarcely completed their tasks when Hank's pickup came into view
followed closely by a cement truck.  While the driver set up a series of
chutes to funnel the cement mixture as closely as possible to where they
would begin, Toby brought out rubber boots for the boys to put over their
shoes.

"These will protect those nice hikers," he said.  "If you find that some
cement has splashed inside, turn on the pump or go back to the pond and
wash it off quickly.  I know those Merrell's aren't cheap!"

The boys gratefully accepted the gear and got ready to work.  With various
tools that Hank had brought, the guys spread the mixture as rapidly and
smoothly as they could.  The operations began toward the dirt embankment
beneath what would be the front of the cabin and continued toward the back
where the walk-out basement would be level with the ground.

After all of the cement had been spread around in place, the guys used a
long, straight board to squeegee it until it was level with the forms.
About the time they were done, a second truck came with a load for the
patio/parking slab.

Hank had brought along a gasoline powered generator to hook up to pump Lee
had purchased for getting water from the old well.  It provided enough
pressure to clean up tools and mist the concrete so it wouldn't set too
quickly.  By noon, this part of the operation was finished.  The concrete
would have to set for at least a day before the forms could be set up to
pour the walls of the basement.

It was slightly after noon when the work was finished for the day.  Hank
insisted that the guys follow Toby and him to a small café in a little
town on the way back to Middleton.  It was the kind of place where almost
everything was made on site so the meals had a homemade taste.

The food turned out to be delicious, and Hank picked up the check.  He
invited the foursome to continue working at the cabin when they were
available.  All they needed to do was let him know before they came out so
they wouldn't be wasting their time.  They all said that they'd do their
best to schedule it in.

----------

The boys had felt they would be busy enough with their lawn business, but
were not about to turn down the opportunity to learn some beneficial
building skills and to be able to put Hank down as a work reference in the
future.  Besides, he was paying them a decent hourly wage for the time they
put in, and the mowing business was always iffy because it depended on
having adequate rain.

In the not too distant future, Tucker would be old enough to drive and
Tommy and Tanner would turn the mowing business over to him for the most
part.  They hoped by then to have some kind of steady summer employment or
perhaps an internship.  In the mean time, they could get someone to
transport the riding mowers for the younger boys.  If their parents were
unavailable, they might enlist Michael or Lance.  Even Herbert would
probably come to their rescue in a pinch.

----------

It turned out that Michael and Lance were available to sub for them on the
day when they went to Arlington Heights to have lunch with Mason's mother.
It had been very difficult to schedule a time when all of them could get
together.  Since both Michael and Lance had an afternoon free in the middle
of the week, they were happy to help them out.

Brenda had extended the invitation to include Devin since he was an
integral part of the relay team, not knowing he was Andy's boyfriend.  Had
she been aware of their relationship, she wouldn't have hesitated in
inviting him.  Either way, it all worked out.

When the four of them were ushered to her table by the hostess, they felt
like it was déjà vu.  Although Brenda had mentioned that Greg
resembled his younger brother, the boys weren't entirely prepared.  The
young man with her, who rose to his feet for the introductions, looked like
an older version of Mason.

"This is my son, Greg," she said as she welcomed each of her guests by
name.

"Wow, this is amazing; you look so much like...  Oops, I'm sorry." Tommy
said, apologizing for blurting out without thinking.

"Yes, the resemblance to Mason is striking," Brenda.  "You need not feel
you're offending Greg or me.  I didn't tell you that he would be here
because I wanted to see your reactions.  You have just validated what I
already thought.  Greg knows I'm not trying to bring back his brother
through him, but it is comforting to realize that he has filled a void in
my heart."

"Mom has been wonderful to me," Greg enthused.  "I love my adoptive family
to the max, but it's like having closure to know my biological parents too
and to love them for the sacrifice they made in giving me up so I could
have a good life.  We've been getting together almost every month.  It's
amazing how many things we have in common.  My parents who raised me often
come along too!"

Their conversation was interrupted by the waiter who came to ask their
choice of drinks.  The topic that came up after they'd put in their orders
involved mainly high school and college sports.  Greg had competed in track
all four years of his university experience.

At the end of their extended mealtime, Brenda thanked each boy for coming.
When she shook hands with Devin, she expressed how much she had enjoyed
meeting him.

"I'll think of you like another son, as I do Andy, Tommy, and Tanner.  I'm
so glad you were willing to join us."

"Thanks for including me.  I didn't realize you'd know that I'm Andy's
boyfriend."

"That's wonderful!" Brenda exclaimed.  "Actually I didn't know, but thought
it would be nice to have the whole relay team together.  I'd read your name
in the paper often enough to feel like I should know you."

"I wish you the best in your relationship," Greg told Devin.  "I've met
several very happy same-sex couples in college and since.  I'm glad you can
get married or at least be domestic partners in our fair state now."

"Thanks," Devin grinned, as he squeezed his boyfriend's hand.

----------

When the sidewalls of the basement had cured sufficiently, the men and boys
set up forms to hold the concrete that would be poured to create the floor
of the cabin and the ceiling of the basement.  Of course reinforcing rods
were set in place first.  With the completion of this phase, the
bunker-like shelter was nearly ready to occupy.  All that remained to be
done there was the installation of a steel door and exterior shutters.

After that concrete had cured, the foam block molds to form a grid-work of
concrete and re-rod went up rapidly.  A few days later, the main floor and
ceiling had been poured too.  The gabled roof came next.  Hank and Toby
used engineered beams that would give optimum headroom to the attic story
without compromising strength.  When the shingles were added, windows and
doors installed, the cabin could be used for sleeping while the interior
and exterior faces were being completed.  The cabin would be finished well
ahead of schedule.

Of course all of the boys connected to Peter and Lee were doing at least
some things to help with the project.  Hank and Toby were patient teachers,
so the boys were learning as well as helping.  In the case of the older
guys, their contributions were rather valuable.

----------

June was quite a busy time for everyone, balancing jobs and other
responsibilities along with working on the cabin and having time for
goofing off.  Almost before they knew it, July was upon them and it was
time for the Torrance brothers to head north to the Boundary Waters.  Tark
sent them in the minivan so there'd be plenty of room for their gear.  They
would be taking camping equipment despite the fact they'd be renting
similar things from the outfitter in Ely.  That was so they'd have
accommodations on the trip to and from northern Minnesota.  It would cut
down on expenses and break up the long drive.  Tark was almost certain his
sons would take a side-trip to visit the nude beach in Wisconsin on their
way home and would probably want to camp near Mazo Beach where they'd been
before.

As they had in the past, the guys packed carefully so they'd be prepared
for all kinds of situations, but with the minimum weight for the portages.
Their scout training and previous experiences helped a lot.  They pared
down so there wouldn't be unnecessary duplicates.  One tube of toothpaste
and one tiny bottle of environmentally safe body wash could be shared by
all of them.  They were brothers after all.  Tim said he'd skip shaving for
the time they were gone because he didn't necessarily want to share a razor
with his middle brothers, knowing what they'd be using it for!  Tommy and
Tanner decided to bring one to keep their balls baby-smooth.

They camped in northern Wisconsin at a free park on the way up.  It was
pretty primitive, but not nearly like what they would be doing the next
week.

The guys ate on the road instead of cooking, but did have a small campfire
to roast marshmallows over before turning in for the night.  As usual, Tim
and Tuck shared one tent and Tommy and Tanner the other.

Since they'd retired early, they also arose early and drove for about an
hour before stopping for a big "country" breakfast.  Their noon meal in Ely
was a lighter one.

----------

In the early afternoon, they met up with Eric, Josh, Dane, and Colt at the
outfitters facility.  Having kept in contact by cell phone, both parties
arrived within a few minutes of each other.

>From one of the workers, they got the rundown on which meals were to be
consumed on which days to make sure the more perishable food was used early
in the trip.

Next, they got an orientation with maps and a GPS so they could plan where
they wanted to go.  It was decided that Josh and Eric should be their
leaders for navigating the lakes since they were the most familiar with the
area.

They were all shown how to shoulder the Kevlar canoes despite the fact that
most of them had experience in portaging.  Tuck proved that he could handle
a canoe despite being the youngest member of the crew.  He was almost as
big as anyone else and certainly didn't lack strength.

Following the orientation, the guys were shown to their sleeping quarters.
They were housed in an eight-bunk cabin that would allow them all to be
together.  It was only a short walk to the shower and toilet facilities.

Since they had part of the afternoon still ahead of them, they decided to
tour the wolf center.  Josh and Eric had seen it on their first trip, but
were happy to go again.  The rest were eager too.

They learned a lot about wolves and the how many people misjudged them and
their place in the order of things.  The guys found themselves donating a
few spare bucks to help in their preservation.

It still wasn't time to eat their evening meal, so they checked out a
number of the shops in Ely.  At the leather goods store, several of them
purchased belts that would go with their jeans and looked like they'd
probably last a lifetime.  Other than that, they didn't find any souvenirs
worth spending their money on.

There was a restaurant housed in a cool old building that looked like it
had been a livery stable.  Josh took several photos of it while the rest
held his place in line for a table.  He managed to get some good ones in
the 15 minutes or so that elapsed before they were seated.

The menu was varied and not terribly expensive, so the guys were pleased
with their choice of eateries.  Everyone had a salad, knowing there
wouldn't be much in the way of greens for the better part of a week.

Back at their cabin, the guys did one last check of their gear to make sure
what would be going with them and what would remain in their vehicles.
Since Dane had driven a car with a trunk in it, he invited the guys from
Illinois to stash bulky valuables there so they wouldn't be visible in the
van.  The outfitter would keep their billfolds and small items in his safe.

----------

Everyone got up early the next morning in order to take a quick shower in
time to eat the breakfast that was provided.  They wanted to enjoy their
food without being rushed, but not be so leisurely that they'd delay the
driver who would take them to their departure point.

Once they were transported across the first lake, they were on their own.
Civilization, for the most part, would be a distant memory for the next
week.  The guys piloting the motorized craft reminded them of the time
they'd pick them up when their trip was over.

The first portage was a short one, so the guys who were not carrying a
canoe loaded up with an extra pack of gear in addition to their personal
packs.  It was only a matter of minutes before they were paddling into an
area that was both peaceful and beautiful.

Although they took it easy the first day, they did cover quite a bit of
distance.  Josh and Eric were eager to get to their favorite camping places
before those were claimed by someone else.

It was unseasonably warm and everyone had stripped down to thin shorts with
nothing under them.  With a strong enough backlight, most of the guys'
personal equipment showed up like silhouettes on a window shade.

Dane and Colt held back about going bare-ass since there was at least one
member of the group under 16 and they weren't sure how he would react.  The
issue resolved itself when Tuck exclaimed that he for one was getting an
allover tan if possible.  He took off his shorts and proceeded to lie
face-up on his towel with no hesitation.  Everyone else followed suit.

"Thanks for breaking the ice, dude," Colt said to him.  "We always go naked
as much as possible on camping trips unless it's way too cold."

"So do we," Tuck grinned.  "I think all the guys in our family are natural
born nudists."

"Cool!" Colt responded as he and Dane walked nude down to check the
temperature of the water.

The lake was rather chilly, but the young men found a warm spot in a
shallow area where the sun was working its magic.  Before long, they were
all splashing in the water like a bunch of little kids.

Josh got out first to begin laying kindling and logs for a fire.  He had a
pretty good blaze going by the time the rest joined him.  They stood around
warming themselves and joking about shrinkage.  No one had any reason to
feel shy about their attributes.

Everyone retired at dusk after the dishes from dinner were all cleaned and
put away and their food packs were securely hanging between trees to
prevent animals from getting into them.

The mummy-style sleeping bags weren't conducive to sharing, but most
couples lay in them with the open zippered side facing each other.  That
allowed easy access to each other's body.  Tim and Tuck were the only ones
who didn't at least cuddle.  Sometime in the night it cooled off enough
that the guys zipped up their bags for warmth.

----------

Early to bed and early to rise was the order of the day.  All the guys were
eager to be on the lake again before there were many others around.  Their
destination was a spot where Eric and Josh had spent several night when
camping with their dads.  It could serve as an ideal base camp for several
interesting day trips, including one to Eddy Falls where Josh had
photographed Eric nearly naked in the water several years before.  Many of
these spots had special meaning for the two of them because it reminded
them of their first feelings of love for each other.

By mutual agreement, tent mates would canoe together on the long stretches
of the trip, but would change with others for the shorter jaunts.  It
seemed like the best way for everyone to get acquainted better.  Josh and
Eric knew Dane and Colt the best, but had also become close to Tommy and
Tanner.  Paddling with others they didn't know as well would promote more
bonding among all of them.

They were thankful for their good fortune in being able to get their
favorite place right away.  The guys who had been camping in that spot were
loading up to leave at the very moment our boys arrived.

"You're just in time," one of them joked.  "We had to stay at another site
for a night waiting for this one to open up.  It really has everything –
privacy, a good supply of firewood, a great place to dive into the water,
and even a decent crapper that isn't a very long walk.  But be sure to take
spray when you use it or the skeeters will bite your ass!"

"Did you go skinny dipping?" Tuck asked.

"Well, duh!"  another young stud answered.  "Getting naked is half the fun
of camping out here in the wilderness.  We shouldn't even pretend to be
civilized when we're far from civilization!"

"That's a fact," Tuck agreed.  "I just wondered if everyone felt the same."

"Everyone does.  It doesn't matter if girls or families get close enough to
see you bare-ass.  No one takes issue with it."

Before long, they had their campsite squared away and had prepared a lunch
to take with them to a small island not far away.  It was formed of rocks
that projected rather high into the air and so had challenging trails to
climb.  The day's activity would be exploring it.

The guys found a level place not far from where they tied up the canoes and
ate together.  After lunch, they broke up into couples to explore and were
going to meet back at the canoes by 2:30 in order to have time to fish
before supper.

Some of the trails were more challenging than others.  Naturally, Tuck
chose one of those to prove that he was as much a man as anyone in the
company.  Tim went with him as his protector, but Tuck didn't view him as
such.  For him, it was brotherly companionship and nothing more.

Tommy and Tanner took a different route that was a more leisurely climb but
offered great views of the surrounding water and trees.  It also provided a
few rather private spots which they appreciated for their breaks.

On the way back to their base camp, the guys spread out to fish.  Dane was
with Tuck, Tim with Josh, Colt with Tommy, and Tanner with Eric.  Their
conversing was done in quiet tones so as not to frighten the fish away, but
they all did enjoy getting to know each other better.

Tuck was the first to get a nibble on his line.  Dane watched the boy
playing out the fish and decided that he didn't need to make any
suggestions.  Tuck seemed to know what he was doing.  A couple of minutes
later, Dane got a bite too.

Some of the others were also having great luck.  When they all got back to
camp, there was enough fish for a great dinner.  Since the steaks were
still partially frozen, the guys decided to save them for the next night
and feast on trout.

The first order of business was to shed the thin shorts they'd worn all
day.  They had all agreed to be nude as much as possible.

Dane and Colt were the fastest at cleaning fish, but everyone participated
to some extent.  It was Josh and Eric's turn to cook and they knew exactly
how to fry the fish, having had the experienced last time they were there.
The batter mixture was the same type as before because they'd used the same
outfitter.

While they were getting ready to prepare the fish, Tommy and Tanner dug out
the dried veggies and rice to cook, but used the last of the clean water in
doing so.  The other guys went out well away from shore in two canoes to
get more to bring back to purify by boiling for cooking or decontaminate
with the SteriPENs for their canteens.

Since they didn't have cooking duties, they used the time to wash
everyone's shorts near the area where they'd tied up the canoes.  After
dinner, they'd do the cleanup as well.

When everyone had eaten his fill and the cooking and eating utensils were
washed and put away, they sat around the campfire reviewing the day's
events and planning for tomorrow.  All of them were feeling sated and
mellow and were ready to go anywhere their leaders desired to take them.

Josh wanted to go to Eddy Falls to make sure they got it in.  He talked in
dreamy tones about how he'd photographed Eric nearly naked in front of
them, in a somewhat erotic, but not pornographic pose.  He was trying to
feel out the other guys about having their pictures taken in a similar
manner.

Tuck spoke up first.

"I'd love to pose if that's okay with you.  I'm old enough to decide."

"If you're naked, you'll have to be submerged to your waist or that thing
is gonna look like a fishing pole sticking out," Tim teased.

"Damn straight!"  Tuck giggled.  "Maybe I should tie a line on it and see
if I can reel in a big trout."

"Better pray it's a small one so he doesn't pull you wiener off!" Tommy
giggled.

"My dick's probably stronger than yours is because I wrestle!" Tuck shot
back.

Dane and Colt probably laughed the longest and loudest.  They didn't know
Tuck well at that point and had no idea that he could dish back as much
teasing as came his way.  They began to think of him as a peer and not
someone's kid brother.  In a way, he reminded them of how they were at 15
when they met.  They wondered if anyone thought they were as cute and
personable at that age.

----------

Eddy Falls was all that Josh had bragged it was, and more.  Everyone fell
in love with the place.  When they got there, two canoes were tied up near
the natural stone landing.  By the time they had their canoes beached
nearby; four girls were coming down the steep trail evidently heading out.

They all waved and smiled.  Had the group of guys all been straight, their
tongues would probably have been hanging out.  As it was, Tuck assessed
them with a happy smile wishing he could get to know the youngest of the
group.  Tim was too much in love with Melody to give them more than a
passing glance.

The petite brunette who had caught Tuck's eye addressed the rest of her
group with a teasing line that let the guys know they were appreciated.

"I told you girls we were too early and that the scenery would improve
later, but oh no, you wanted to be here near sunrise.  Damn!"

The other girls giggled and the guys grinned in return.  No need to tell
them that they'd have had very little chance to meet the guy of their
dreams on their canoe trip.

Josh had brought along a camera and tiny folding tripod which he set up as
soon as the girls were out of sight.  He also had a small sketch pad in a
Ziploc bag along with a few pencils which he would use later if the
opportunity presented itself.  His immediate aim was to take photos of all
of them together in whatever state of dress or undress they had in mind.

For the first several pictures of all as a group, they pulled their shorts
down to their pubes and submerged their bodies in the water just enough to
hid the fact that they were wearing anything.  Josh set the self-timer and
quickly got into position by Eric.

The next shots were of couples together.  They chose to pose completely
naked for those.  Even Tim and Tuck stood with their arms around each
other's shoulders in a show of brotherly love.

Tommy and Tanner wanted one of them kissing.  Being pressed together, their
dicks were hidden, but when they pulled apart, it looked like they had a
couple of light-sabers projecting from their crotches.

"I'll get you some fishing line," Tuck joked.  "You guys can catch our
dinner!"

Everyone laughed.  Neither of the boys being teased showed any
embarrassment.

The guys explored the falls area for a couple of hours.  They were pulling
out to eat at another spot on the way back to camp when more people were
coming to the falls.  It had been great to see the area without anyone else
around.

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

Author's notes:

Thanks to those who emailed since last posting: Lars H, Walt S, Wayne,
Rutabaga, Ott H, Jim C, Bob, Trish R, Paul R, Tom A, Bill T, Jim W, and
Steffan F.  Your encouragement keeps me going!

Don't forget to donate to Nifty if you can afford to do so.  That helps
them keep going too!

Thoughts and prayers for my gym buddy who had a section of his right
pectoral muscle removed because of a malignant cancer.  Remember guys, we
can get breast cancer too in some cases, so don't put off having a lump
checked!

David