Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 08:45:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: Pete Bruno <farmboy7456@gmail.com>
Subject: Potter's Wheel #12

This work fully protected under The United States Copyright Laws © 17
USC§§ 101, 102(a), 302(a). All Rights Reserved. The author retains
all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the Author's consent. (See
full statement at the beginning of Chapter One.)

Author's Note: Thanks to all of you who have written to tell how much
you're enjoying the story, I hope you stay tuned.  For all the readers
enjoying the stories here at Nifty, remember that Nifty needs your
donations to help them to provide these wonderful stories.  How about
sending them $5 Bucks, just think of it as buying a hot magazine!


The Potter's Wheel
Chapter Twelve
Why?

			  Friday October 2, 2009

"I can't fucking believe you didn't tell me about this!!  Whoever this is,
fucking following you all around campus, he knows where you live and I
live. You are not walking anywhere by yourself again," shouted Billy as he
sat reading the text messages stored in Jasmine's phone.

"You better watch how you speak to me or I'll be the one calling my
brothers," Jasmine threatened.

"I'm sorry, Jas," Billy said. "I just can't believe you didn't come to me
with this."

"Your reaction just now is one the biggest reasons," she said icily, giving
him an evil glare.

They had returned from shopping and Billy had continued to press Jasmine
for an explanation.  When she finally explained what was going on and
showed him the texts, he went ballistic.

"I can't believe you didn't trust me," Billy said quietly but with anger
still in his voice. "Why didn't you trust me?

Jasmine moved over and sat next to him and put her arm around him. "It's
not that I didn't trust you.  I really didn't think much of until recently.
More than that, I didn't want you to get all twisted about it.  The last
thing I wanted was to have you worried about this, missing class and study
time to be my bodyguard."

Billy was not mollified. He stood quickly and turned to face his
girlfriend. "So, we have to do something about this.  First thing is to
call campus security," Billy said quietly but forcefully.

"Okay, I'll admit it's starting to freak me out," Jasmine said just as Mike
entered the family room.

"I take it from the shouting that you told him about the texts," Mike said,
earning him and nasty look from Jasmine.

"What the fuck!" Billy shouted. "You told Mike but not me?" Jasmine jumped
to her feet and pushed his chest with her finger.

"What is your problem? Look Billy, you don't own me.  I didn't go to Mike
for help over you.  He just caught me when I had just received one and was
freaked out.  All I did was ask him not to tell you just yet because I knew
you'd freak out—you know what, fuck you, I'm out of here," she screamed
at him.  She grabbed he purse and coat and stormed out the door leaving
Billy standing there in stunned silence, watching her leave the room and
then heard the door slam.

Mike was also standing, stunned at what had just happened. Billy turned on
him and rushed him.  He grabbed Mike by the sweatshirt and began screaming
about interfering in his relationship.

"I thought we were fucking friends.  I can't believe you'd do this.  Why
didn't you tell me what was fucking was going on?" He demanded.

"Because Jas asked me not to.  She was afraid you'd go all cowboy on her,
and sorry man but I kind of agreed," Mike said, not backing down.  "So
what, now you're pissed and want me gone?"

"I certainly don't want someone I can't trust living with me," Billy spat.

"Fuck you then, I'll be gone in a week," Mike said angrily then added, "You
know for somebody who's so fucking smart can be pretty short-sighted at
times.  You have managed to lose your girlfriend and best friend all in one
day," Mike said calmly and then left Billy standing in the family room to
stew.  He was just about to call Trey and bitch to him about what was going
on when his phone rang.  Seeing it was Matt calling, he answered with as
normal a voice as possible.

"Hey big brother, what's up?"

"Just a few things," Matt said.

Twenty minutes later Billy was heading to his room digesting the news he
had just heard.  He was quite upset by it, having become quite close to
Barry since he arrived.  As he was passing Mike's room, he looked in and
saw Mike sitting on his bed working on his laptop.  He stood there for a
minute wanting desperately to talk to Mike about the news, but he still
felt betrayed.  Thinking about what Barry was facing and of how many times
he had gone to Mike with his problems only to be helped sort out his
feelings, he decided to apologize.  Before he could knock on the door, Mike
looked up.  "What the fuck do you want?  So maybe you had a chance to think
of a few other things to accuse me of?" Mike spat.

Billy's anger returned and he forgot about apologizing. "No, but Matt, Jim,
and Barry will be here on Sunday night.  Barry's sick and has to go to Fox
Chase—so try not to cause any scenes while they're here."

"You've got a lot fucking nerve, you know that?  You're the one causing
scenes.  Believe me, you won't even know I'm here until I find a place to
go," Mike said and then got up and shut the door in Billy's face.


                                                                                Saturday
October 3, 2009 Barry woke Saturday morning, disappointed that he too
hadn't received a visit from Skipper in his dreams.  He had told Matt and
Jim the story of his friendship with Ryan "Skipper" Bell, Friday night
after the boys were in bed.

He and Skipper had met in their junior year of high school and became fast
friends.  No one was surprised when they joined the Army at the same time
and worked a deal with the recruiter to go to basic together.  It was more
amazing that they had managed to stay together all through their MOS
training and after.  Then ultimately being deployed together and were
sitting side by side the day their Humvee hit the IED.

Skipper was kind of a loner and quirky, but he and Barry had hit it off
from the start and became very close very fast.  There was never anything
remotely sexual about their relationship.  It was just pure friendship,
even love.  And it had been Skipper who had taken the brunt of the blast
because he always insisted on sitting by the window.

As he lay on his back staring at the ceiling, he could feel the heat from
Matt's body, very close but not touching.  The thought of Skipper coming to
comfort Ryan didn't really surprise him.  Skipper was always there for him
so it was no surprise that he would look out for his son.  He wished he
could he talk to Skipper just once and say thank you for taking care of his
boy `Why couldn't you come to me Skipper, I would love to say good bye and
thank you for taking care of Ryan,' he thought as a tear rolled down his
cheek.

It was quiet at breakfast on Saturday morning.  Barry stayed in bed and
Matt brought him a tray with tea and toast and went over a few plans for
the next few weeks.  Meanwhile, Jim and Derrick were making breakfast for
the boys.


After eating, Matt hustled Ryan in to the bedroom. Barry was going to read
him a story and keep him busy while Jim and Matt explained to Derrick and
the boys what was going on with Barry and of their leaving for Philly.

When they told them the news, Derrick burst into tears and the boys looked
confused.  So the guys took their time to explain that Barry needed to have
an operation and while it is serious, the doctors thought that Barry would
make a full recovery.  Then to lighten the mood they changed the subject
and told the boys about the triplets.  The boys knew Tina was having a baby
but didn't realize there would be three babies; two boys and a girl.  That
bit of information changed the mood of the boys.  Soon they had their bags
packed and went in to say goodbye to Barry.  Derrick was taking them to the
Frank's for the weekend.  Their dads and Barry would be joining them on
Sunday for a goodbye luncheon.

Just after lunch, Jim and Matt were relaxing by the pool after getting
Kelly, Ryan, and Barry down for naps.

"I'm worried that Barry is not recovering as fast as he should," Matt said
handing Jim a beer.

"Remember what Mack said last night," Jim said, "he thought all things
considered he was doing well." Mack and John had come to pick up Buddy for
the weekend and wish Barry good luck.  He was good with Barry's choice of
Fox Chase.

It was still quite warm so the guys had stripped down for a swim.  They had
just surfaced from their entry dive and saw a worried looking Grant
Belgrade standing at the edge of pool.

"Hey Grant," Jim said with a smile.  His cock also twitched since there
hadn't been much sex at the house for the last few days.

"Hi guys. Hope you don't mind the interruption but I need some advice,"
Grant said.

"Sure, strip down and join us," Matt said.  He enjoyed the show and like
Jim he was horny as hell and the sight of hunky Grant getting naked made
his cock chub, even underwater.  Grant dived in and swam over to where Matt
and Jim and surfaced.

"So what's up buddy?" Jim asked.

"My wife is demanding a divorce and wants me out of the house.  I was
wondering if you could put me in touch with Finn.  I don't want to do
anything until I speak to him," Grant said.

"Well that is wise move," Jim said.  "How about bringing the boys to
Frank's place tomorrow.  We're having a kind of going away luncheon."  Matt
saw the confused look on Grant's face and took the opportunity to explain
recent developments, and what they had planned for the future.

"Hey, I just thought of something," Jim said.  "How would you like a
part-time job?" Jim asked and laughed the look at Grant's face.  "Whatta
you think Captain?  Grant can move in here, we'll probably up in Delaware
for a year or more. He can be like a caretaker."

"I'm thinking that could work, good thinking Dog Face.  What about you
Grant, are you interested?" Matt asked.

Grant gave them a smile for the first time since he'd arrived, "I think I
would be.  Let's talk after I speak with Finn.  By the way, is the sauna
hot?"

"No, but I think the three of us could heat it up pretty fast," Jim said
winking at Matt.  In no time the three were climbing out of the pool with
half-hard cocks leading the way.  As soon as the door was closed Grant had
a hard cock in each hand.

"Come on guys, I need to be fucked, and fucked hard," Grant said getting on
his hands and knees.  "Come on guys, fill me at both ends," he said before
taking Matt's hard cock into his mouth, causing his knees to buckle.  Jim
wasted no time getting Grant ready before sinking in balls deep.

Twenty minutes later, Grant had two loads in him and sprayed one on his
chest.  He had ended up on his back with Jim holding up his legs while Matt
fucked his ass hard.  When Jim gave him a hand up, he gave them each a
kiss, "Thanks guys, you don't how much I needed that."

"We're here to serve," Jim said with a smirk.

                                                                                   Sunday
October 4, 2009 Frank's house was full by 1300.  Besides the family, Grant
and the twins, Colonel Marks and the Doc had been invited.  Drew, Nadine,
and their two children were there along with Nadine's parents.  Barry was
anxious to speak to Jewell about Skipper's appearance.  After lunch was
over, Matt found Jim and Barry to meet Jewell in Frank's office, "Thanks so
much for meeting with us Jewell," Matt said.

"So, you think you have a ghost visiting your little one?" She said with a
raised eyebrow, "Tell me about it."

Barry told her the story of his friend Skipper from the time they met in
school until discovering that he had been visiting Ryan at night when he
was crying or scared and reading him stories.  He also told her about Ryan
knowing that he was named after him and that he picked him out of group in
a photo.  "He calls him his `guard angel', I'm not sure if he is an angel
or a ghost," Barry concluded.  Jewell had listened without interruption and
when Barry was through she gave him a warm smile.

"Sorry to disappoint you boys, but he is not a ghost.  Your friend is an
angel. He has been sent by God to help your son—and you."  Jewell got up
and crossed the room.  She held Barry's face in her hands and closed her
eyes. "You haven't told me you're sick." Barry's eyes got wide as Jewell
continued, "it's not as bad as it could be, and you've made the right
choice in hospitals," Jewell continued as Barry began to shake with
emotion.  How could she really know these things—and if she could, it
meant she was right about Skipper. His friend was really appearing to Ryan.

Jewell released Barry and stepped back.  She asked that the four hold hands
and, looking directly into Barry's eyes said, "You will not have an easy
time; you will be very sick at times but I see an abundance of white light
around you which means you will most likely come through this, but I cannot
promise.  Only God knows what the outcome will be.  That is why your friend
has been sent, he is here to help you and your son.  God has sent him so
you will know you are not alone, and to help you be strong in your faith.
When you are feeling your worst, you will be able to draw strength from
God's love."

Tears were streaming down Barry's face as he listened to Jewell. He spent
most of his time since his diagnosis worrying about what would happen to
Ryan if he was unable to beat the cancer.  He hadn't thought much about
what he was really facing or the sickness and pain that he would endure. He
also hadn't given much thought to how it would impact the people he loved,
Jim and Matt especially.

"No need for tears, Cherie," Jewell said wiping his tears away with a
tissue. "God never gives you more than you can handle, you should know that
after surviving your last trial.  And this time he has not only sent Matt
and Jim, God has sent one of his angels to help," she said pulling him into
a hug. "Just remember that when the pain begins to become too much, draw
strength from it."

It was a very warm day and Ryan wanted to go to the beach and look at the
waves.  Barry was feeling stronger so he agreed to take him for a short
walk.  When they crossed the dune crossing he noticed that the high tide
had cut into the beach leaving a shelf as it receded, and also a large
tidal pool.  Barry sat on the "shelf" and Ryan headed straight into the
tidal pool, the water coming half-way to his knees.  He had found a small
plastic boat apparently left behind by some other child. He was having a
good time pretending that it was a ship in a storm as he made waves by
jumping up and down.

Meanwhile Barry stared out.  The sea was relatively calm; small waves
rolling slowly in and spreading foam across the wet sand.  But every once
in while a good-sized wave would crash onto the shore.  He thought how much
that matched his life, periods of calm and then one big wave crashes over
him.  With that the enormousness of what he was facing washed over him just
like the last big wave that hit the beach and he felt the tears falling
from his eyes.  Deep in thought, he felt a presence next to him and turned
to see Skipper sitting next to him smiling.  He reached out and took
Skipper's hand and as soon as he felt the warmth of his touch, he felt
peaceful and calm.  He closed his eyes and let it wash over him.

"Why are you crying Daddy, do your stiches hurt?" Ryan's small voice asked,
bringing Barry back to the present.  When he opened them he saw Ryan
sitting next to him holding his hand.  He gave his son a big smile, then
grabbed the boy and hugged him, "No buddy, nothing hurts as long as I have
you."


                                                                                  Monday
October 6, 2009 The plane landed at the FBO in New Castle, Delaware and
when the guys emerged they saw Jim's brother-in-law Sean waiting for them.
They hadn't seen him for quite some time but he was kind enough to pick
them up and take them to Philly.  He had recently re-located to Delaware
himself and was going to set Jim up with his Realtor.  As they made their
way north Rt. 13 to 495 and then 95 to bring them to Philadelphia, Jim
remarked on the amount of traffic.

"Delaware has grown quite a bit since you left Jimmy.  If you guys are
looking for any kind of acreage you'll have to go south of the canal," Sean
said, referring to the canal that sliced the peninsula in half connecting
the lower Delaware River (a major shipping route) with the Chesapeake Bay.

"Well, we definitely want our privacy," Jim said, "the boys will still want
a pool and you know they don't like wearing suits."

Sean snickered, "Neither do their daddies."

When they arrived at Billy's, they found the house empty. Frank had given
them a key and the security code.  The first thing Matt noticed (besides
how beautiful the place was) was that the house was neat as a pin.  It sure
didn't look like the typical college students' home.  Barry wanted to lie
down so Matt helped get him settled into the master bedroom while Jim and
Sean sat in kitchen catching up.  Matt had just joined them when Billy came
in the back door.  He greeted everyone with a hug but Matt got the feeling
something wasn't quite right.  A quick glance at Jim let him know that he
noticed it too.  Billy excused himself, saying he had studying to do, so
the three guys made their plans for looking at properties on Wednesday.

Barry's first appointment at the hospital wasn't until Thursday.  Matt had
convinced him that if he was feeling up to it, he should join them since he
would be living there as well.  In reality, the house would be titled in
his and Jim's name only.  Finn thought this would help establish them as
civil partners for the adoption.  Matt had no problem with the plan, he
just joked with the other two that he was half Italian and half Chinese so
they better try and fuck with him as he tapped the side of his nose.

By 1800 Barry was awake and Sean had left.  The house was quite, Matt was
surprised that Jasmine had not shown up.  He also thought it odd that
Billy's roommates were nowhere to be found.  He figured they would want to
meet Billy's brother and, well, brothers-in-law.

Matt went to find him.  He was going to invite him to dinner and found him
in the study working on his laptop.  "Hey kiddo, we were looking to head
out to find something to eat.  Would you like to join us and show us a good
place?" Matt asked.

"Sure, just give a few minutes and I'll meet you downstairs," Billy said
without much enthusiasm.

"If your roommates and Jasmine are available, we would like them to join us
as well," Matt offered.

"Not much chance of that happening," Billy said a bit churlishly.

"Is there a problem?" Matt asked.

"Nothing that concerns you," Billy replied rudely.

"Hey buddy, that was a bit uncalled for.  I was just trying to be
supportive.  So let's be clear, the one thing Barry doesn't need right now
is added stress.  He is facing a long hard battle.  If our being here is a
problem, let me know right now and we will find other accommodations," Matt
said firmly.

"It's not like that," Billy said quietly.

"Well then maybe you should tell me what it's like, so we all know where we
stand," Matt said.

"Jasmine broke up with me, and Conner and Mike are moving out," Billy said
looking almost as sad as Matt had ever seen him.

To be continued...

I receive many emails complimenting me on how well edited and easy to read
my story is, the credit goes to Jim for that, he works very hard to make
this story readable.  Now most people are lucky enough to have the help of
one dedicated person, and now I have two.  You can also now thank Steve;
from the land of OZ.  By the way, we love to hear from our readers; but
when you email us @ farmboy7456@gmail.com please make sure you put the
title and the site name in the subject line.