Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 17:09:27 -0700 (PDT)
From: Pete Bruno <farmboy7456@gmail.com>
Subject: Potter's Wheel 11

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 Eleven
A Punch in the Gut


		       Wednesday September 30, 2009

Barry opened his eyes.  He felt as if he was floating and he was very
happy.  He hadn't seen Skipper since before he was wounded.  He was
standing next to the bed, talking about how lucky Barry was that he was
going home. Barry couldn't understand why Skipper was saying
that. "Skipper, you will have to come and visit me when I get home," Barry
said.

"I wish I could Bazza, but you were the lucky one.  Don't worry though, I'm
very happy here.  I just wanted you to know you will be fine. It will be
some time before we can have a beer together," Skipper said.  Barry could
see the love and caring in his mate's eyes.  He felt the warmth spread
through his entire body.  And then Skipper was gone, but he still felt the
warmth in his hands.  When he focused, he saw Matt smiling at him, causing
him to giggle.  Then he felt his left hand being squeezed and when he
looked, he focused on Jim's smiling face.  He immediately felt angry that
they made Skipper leave!  Then he was happy that they were there, before he
swung back to being agitated.

"What the hell are you two doing here?" he demanded. "Who's watching the
boys?  Why are you two here?" His head was spinning.  He loved that they
were there and he was angry at the same time that they made Skipper leave.

"Where else would we be baby?  Our partner just had an operation, we
wouldn't be anywhere else.  The boys are with George and Frank, there're
fine," Matt said.  And then Barry remembered with an awful stab of pain
that Skipper died in the attack that had injured him and he began to cry.
His emotions were swinging wildly, an effect of the anesthesia.

"I'm sorry mate. I'm just not sure about things right now."

"You're fine baby," Jim said. "Mack will be in soon to speak to you so just
relax. By the way, who is Skipper?"  Jim asked but before Barry could
answer Mack walked into the room.  He gave the guys a tight smile and Matt
felt his stomach lurch.  Something about Mack and the way he was carrying
himself made Matt uneasy.

"Well I'm glad you're looking so well," Mack said attempting to appear
cheerful but failing miserably. He took a deep breath before continuing.
"Bazza, the surgery went fine.  There is no other way to say this.  I'm
sorry; there were anomalies in your blood work.  While we successfully
removed your gallbladder which was necessary, we discovered that you have a
tumor in your pancreas and it is cancer."

Jim and Matt both held Barry's hand tighter.  Jim actually had tears
running down his face.  Barry looked up and smiled.  "Steady mate, it will
be okay.  I've been through worse.  I have survived a roadside bomb, I've
eaten your cooking, and you have met my mother," he said attempting to
lighten the mood and succeeding, causing everyone to chuckle.  "So tell me
Mack, how long do I have?" Barry said amazingly calm.

"I think you have a great chance.  As far as staging we are calling this
only stage two.  We think you will have a great chance of a full recovery."
At this point, Matt lost it and Jim moved around to the other side of bed
and held him, whispering that he needed to hold it together for Barry's
sake.

"Barry, I'm sure you have good insurance and I know that you guys really
don't have to worry about money.  While I'm sure we could help you here, I
have a suggestion.  I would like you to go to the Anderson Cancer Center at
the University of Texas in Houston.  You will need an operation called a
Whipple procedure to remove the tumor.  I have a friend who is on staff
there. They have a new procedure that shrinks the tumor before the
operation and makes it easier to remove without damaging surrounding
tissue.  They also have an integrative program with conventional cancer
care and focus on physical, mind-spirit, and healthy diet.  I hope you will
give it some thought," Mack said, looking hopeful.

"Look guys, it was a gift from God that we found this early. Your chances
of survival are much greater since it appears that the tumor has not
metastasized. I'll get the contact info for you and be back in a flash,"
Mack said and hurried out the door.

Barry looked at his two lovers and smiled. "Guys, things are going to be
alright. Skipper told me so.  He must know what he's talking about because
he's up there," he said smiling and pointing to heaven.  "So I don't want
you guys being sad, we have to get moving.  First thing, can we get Finn to
the house right away?  There are some things I want to take care of," Barry
said firmly, extremely calm for someone who just learned he had pancreatic
cancer.

Matt had regained his composure and said he would go out and call him right
away.  Jim began to help Barry get dressed.  Before Matt got out the door
Barry called out, "Matty, Jim, I don't want anyone but Finn to know about
this just yet.  Just tell everyone else I need to take care of a legal
matter ASAP."

"Sure buddy, anything you say," Matt said as he left to room to make the
call.  Mack returned with the information and the name of his friend the
oncologist.  He gave Barry one last quick check and told him he could get
dressed with Jim's help and head home.  Barry should spend the rest of the
next two days resting.  Matt returned as Jim was helping Barry dress and
told them that Finn would meet them at the compound after dinner.

When Tim entered the house he could hear the music, sweet and
melodic. Derrick was at the piano practicing his audition piece for the
Curtis Institute.  It was Chopin's Tristesse, http://youtu.be/ikBD3DcSGFM
so Tim quietly sat on the loveseat and listened until he struck his finally
note.

"That was beautiful," Tim said, startling Derrick who spun around on the
bench and smiled at his estranged boyfriend.  "Hey buddy, I'm so glad to
see you," he said as he got up and walked towards Tim with his arms
outstretched.  Tim stood and accepted the hug, but only a hug.

"The piece is called Tristesse by Chopin.  I'm planning to use it for my
audition at Curtis."

"It's beautiful but strikes me as a bit gloomy," Tim said.

"Very perceptive, it's French and means sadness," Derrick said, looking
quite sad himself.

"Do you think we could talk?" Tim asked, taking Derrick's hand and leading
him to the loveseat.

"Sure, but before you say anything, it was entirely my fault."

"Yes, well not entirely your fault.  Scott had a lot to do with it."

"I'm so sorry baby, I love you so much.  I don't know why I did it."

"I know why.  Your cock was hard and he was convenient and he was cunning.
Look, I've been having quite a few conversations with my dad, Uncle Frank,
and your dads.  What I've learned is that we need to take a break." The
look on Derrick's face was one of panic and Tim noticed and quickly grabbed
him and hugged him tight.  "It's alright buddy, we are young, both in age
and our sexuality.  I think it may too much to ask for us to be exclusive."
He noticed the look on Derrick's face and hurried to finish his point.

"Look, I do love you and I know you love me.  But we have never had
relationships before.  This is all new to us and we need do a little
growing up before we decide that we will be exclusive."

Derrick looked as if his world was ending. "What are you saying?  Are you
giving up on us?"

"No, I'm giving us a chance!  Face it Derrick, we have no experience,
nothing to draw on.  Not to mention, we're guys who think about sex every
ten seconds."

"Five seconds," Derrick said with a smile, and then frowned, "so what do
you want to do?"

"I think we should still date, we can be friends with benefits.  In the
meantime, if we meet someone and want to get to know them, we won't be
under any pressure.  Look buddy, we have four long years of school ahead of
us and we are going to meet a lot of people.  I don't want to give up on
us, but at the same time I don't want to set us up to fail.  We have enough
on our plate with studying," Tim said, looking hopeful.  Derrick was quiet
for a moment and then smiled as he hugged Tim and just held him for a few
minutes before releasing him.

"You know, I think you are wise beyond your years," Derrick said smiling.

"I agree!  So can we get to the benefits part now?  It's been a while and
I'm about ready to burst," Derrick said while laughing and pulling Tim up.
The boys ran all the way to Derrick's bedroom.



Jim had just gotten Barry settled in bed when Matt came in with Ryan
holding his hand. He smiled at his Dad and then looked up at Matt, "Uncle
Matt, can I give my dad a hug?" he said in a quiet voice.

"Sure buddy, but you have to careful not to hit him?"

"I know, I can't touch him where he has stiches," Ryan said with authority
as Matt lifted the boy up onto the bed.  He crawled on his knees and hugged
Barry around the neck and kissed him. "Hi Daddy, I'm glad you're home.
I've been waiting all morning for you."

Barry hugged the boy back and kissed his forehead.  "I'm glad you're here
too and I'm happy to see you too," Barry said and hugged him again.  "Hey
bud, how did you know I had stiches?" Barry asked.  Ryan looked down at his
hands as he rung them.  Barry knew his son and that he was scared to answer
him.  This was the way he would act when he would ask Barry about his
mother, "It's okay, you can tell me," Barry said quietly.

"Skipper told me that you got stiches and I couldn't hug you hard," Ryan
said in almost a whisper still looking at his hands.  Barry's heart almost
stopped and then began beating rapidly. He looked up at Jim and Matt, who
were staring with their mouths open.  He took a moment to calm himself and
then took his son's hands in his.  Looking into his eyes, he asked a
question that he knew the answer to already but he couldn't get his head
around it.

"Alright buddy, can you tell me who Skipper is?"  Ryan's eyes grew wide and
then he smiled, "he's my guard angel," the boy said proudly.  Barry was
trying to process this.  He had never mentioned Skipper to his wife or son.
In fact, today was the first day he ever said his name out loud since he
was wounded.

"Do you dream about him?" Barry asked.

"No, he comes in my room and talks to me and tells me stories."  Then his
face got sad again.  "When mommy was mean to me and locked me in my room,
he would come and see me and tell me not cry and read me stories."  Ryan
said, his voice becoming smaller as if he was embarrassed to admit that he
cried.

"When did he start coming to visit you?" Barry asked.

"I don't know.  I think it was when me and mommy moved away from you." He
looked like he was concentrating, and then he smiled again. "He told me
last night that I was special and because I was such a good boy, I had
three daddies."

Barry shot a glance at Jim and Matt who were still standing by the door
looking shell-shocked.  He gave them a questioning look with his eyes and
they both shrugged.  They understood what Barry meant but were too stunned
to answer.

"Matt, could you get me my lap-top please?" Barry asked.  Matt brought the
lap-top over and sat on the other side of Barry as they waited for the
machine to boot up.  Jim joined the group sitting next to Ryan, who smiled
up at him and grabbed his hand.  Barry opened up a file with pictures from
Afghanistan that he had never shown anyone.  There was one of him and three
other guys in front of a Humvee.  The shot was pretty tight so it was easy
to see the faces of the men in their camos standing in a line with their
arms draped over each other.  "Okay sport, do you know any of these guys?"
Barry asked.

"Sure Daddy," Ryan said brightly pointing to the screen.  "That's you," and
then pointing to the man to Barry's right, "and that's Skipper.  That's
what he wears when he comes to visit me.  He told me his name is Ryan too
and that you named him Skipper but he never tells me why when I ask."

Tears were streaming down Barry's face as he listened to his son and
watched how happy he was when he talked about skipper. "Why haven't you
ever told me about his visits before?" Barry asked.

"'Cause he said it was our secret.  When he came last night, he told me
that it was okay now and that I could tell all three of my daddies. Skipper
said that I was a good boy and that I always had to be a brave soldier like
you and that I'm supposed to tell you?" Ryan had been talking a mile a
minute and then he seemed to have forgotten and then began to cry.  Barry
pulled him close.

"It's okay buddy, don't cry."

"But he wanted me to tell you and I can't remember," Ryan sniffed.

"Ryan, why don't you go play with Kelly for a while and maybe you'll
remember," Matt suggested.

"Okay Uncle Matt," Ryan answered and then looked puzzled. "Skipper keeps
saying I have three daddies, should I call you Daddy or Uncle Matt?"

The three men looked at each other communicating silently and then Barry
said, "Skipper is right, you have three daddies now so you call all of us
Daddy if you want."

"Okay," was all he said and scampered off the bed and headed off to play
with Kelly, leaving the three men in stunned silence, with Jim and Matt
staring at their lover.

"What?" Barry asked, "I'm just as shocked as you.  I haven't spoken
Skipper's name since I was wounded and I have never shown anyone these
photos."

"Whenever I've watched shows about this kind of thing, I always thought it
was just made up for TV," Jim said. "What are we going to tell the boys
about Ryan calling us dad?"

"Really dog face?" Matt exclaimed, "That's what you're worried about?  I
think the bigger question is how we explain that a dead soldier has been
visiting the boy."

"Maybe we should talk to Jewell. I mean she has proven to have the 'gift of
sight' as she calls it," Jim offered.

"Now you're using that pretty head of yours," Matt said and leaned over and
gave him a quick kiss and then one to Barry, "is that ok with you buddy?"

"Sure, you know if he hadn't picked out Skipper in the picture I would have
never believed this was real.  My first thought was that maybe he heard me
talking in my sleep and calling Skipper's name.  But how can you explain
picking out his picture?" Barry said.

"Well after our experience with Jewell, I don't question any of it," Jim
said, "so what are we going to tell the boys?"

"Maybe we should wait until after Buddy leaves for the weekend.  Then we
can sit down with them and explain that Ryan feels just like they did when
they wanted to call us dad.  We'll keep it lite, and say he just wants to
be like his 'brothers'," Matt said. "I think it's time to tell them about
the triplets and give them time to get used to the idea."

"Sounds like a plan," Jim said, "and now," he said kissing Barry on the
lips, "I think we should let our man get some rest, I'm sure he needs it."



They let Barry sleep through dinner, the pain meds seemed to work.  Finn
and Frank had come earlier and entertained the boys until Barry woke up and
then Finn joined Jim, Matt, and Barry in his bedroom.

"Finn, I'm sure my guys have told you about my diagnosis," Barry started.

"Yes, I was very sorry to hear about it.  From what Mack says, it seems you
have a good chance for a full recovery," Finn said trying to remain upbeat.

"Thanks mate, but I need your help.  I want nothing left to chance.  I want
everything that can possibly be done to make sure that Matt and Jim have
control over my medical decisions.  If I'm not able to make them and that
they get custody of Ryan. I want to name them his guardians in my will,"
Barry said with urgency.

"Well the first issue is easily handled with a durable medical power of
attorney.  The second is a bit tricky," Finn said causing Barry to frown,
but Finn continued.  "The state of North Carolina law only allows parents
to nominate the guardian who will care for their underage child should they
die.  They are referred to as testamentary guardians because they are
nominated through the parents will.  Guardianship would have to be approved
by the court.  That being said, the courts will give the parents' choice
preferential treatment, although it won't necessarily approve the
nomination in all situations."

"Are you saying my parents could contest my will and be awarded custody of
Ryan?"  Barry asked getting agitated.  Matt and Jim looked horrified as
well. Considering how the last visit went, it would be almost guaranteed
that the Parson's would fight them.

"Yes, that is correct.  However there is another option: second parent
adoption.  There are states that allow a second parent to adopt a child
without the "first parent" losing any parental rights.  This way the child
has two legal parents and grants the adoptive parents the same rights as
biological parents.  Now this won't be easy but when Matt told me the news
I figured you would want to do something like this so I've been thinking
about it.  North Carolina will not allow this, but New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, and Delaware do.  You guys have the means to relocate, at
least temporarily, and set up residency in one of these states," Finn said.

The three lovers looked at each other, Barry looked tired and the anxiety
was apparent on his face.

"Then that's what we'll do," Jim pronounced.  "We can find a place very
similar to this in Delaware and live there.  We can well afford to keep
this place, and I only need to be at the Potter's Wheel once or twice a
month," he said, staying upbeat to help lessen Barry's anxiety.

"Why Delaware and not back to New Jersey where you grew up?" Barry asked.

"Because I know what real estate taxes are like in Jersey and I don't want
to pay them," Jim said emphatically.

"I can work from anywhere, as you know," Matt added. "With the plane,
travel isn't a problem.  Besides, Derrick and Tim will be heading up to
Philly in the fall as well."

"And there is one other thing," Finn continued. "I know that Mack has
recommended a hospital in Texas that is rated number one.  But I would also
like to mention Fox Chase Hospital in Philadelphia. They aren't rated #1
but they are in the top 30 in the country.  And they do amazing work and
have a number of cutting edge technologies and trials.  Not to mention it
will be convenient to living in Delaware."

"Right now, my only concern is keeping Ryan away from my parents," Barry
said looking back and forth between his two lovers.

"Bazza, we'll do whatever you want," and then choking back emotion, "the
only thing you need to think about is getting well," Jim said as he leaned
over and kissed Barry on the cheek.  Finn left the guys to discuss their
options.

About a half an hour later the boys showed up and knocked quietly on the
door, "Hey guys, what's up?" Barry asked.

"Sorry Uncle Baz, but we wanted to say goodnight.  Ryan has been bugging us
to bring him in 'cause he wants to tell you something," MJ said.

Ryan got up on the bed and hugged his dad's neck and then beaming with
pride said, "I remembered Daddy.  He told me to that you should read me my
Fox In Socks book tonight when I go to bed.  See Dad I remembered!!  Did I
do good?" The boy asked earnestly.

"Yes you did.  How about you ask MJ to read you the story? Daddy feels
tired from the operation," Barry said with a smile and kissed his son.

After the boys left, Jim started to hum the theme song from the Twilight
Zone causing the other guys to chuckle.  "Well it looks like Skipper is
pushing me in the direction of Fox Chase and Delaware," Barry said.  "You
know, it's kind of comforting and spooky at the same time."

"So are you going to tell us about Skipper?" Matt asked climbing in bed
with Barry.

"Sure, but only for a bit, I'm getting a little tired."

                                                                                Thursday
October 1, 2009

Barry felt good when he woke in the morning, but not quite one hundred
percent.  Matt insisted he stay in bed.  The morning passed with visits
from Ryan and Kelly, a bit of studying and a visit from Finn.

"I have the medical powers of attorney ready for you to sign along with an
updated version of your will to you since you will nominate Jim as guardian
of Ryan.  This is just a temporary action until we can set you guys up in
residence in Delaware and start the adoption," Finn explained. "I also have
the name and number of my friend at Fox Chase for you, if you decide to
check it out."

While Finn and Frank were at the compound, they had a conference call
scheduled with Declan to review the findings of the audit.  Once everyone
was assembled in the office and pleasantries exchanged, Declan began his
report.

"Besides Barry's heads-up about the Cayman accounts, I had noticed in my
first review that the profits of the company were lower than they should
be.  With just a cursory reading of the books it appeared that operating
costs were also higher than normal, so that is where we began our search.

"It seems that there are a number of suppliers and service companies in the
accounts payable that don't seem to exist.  All of the invoices approved
for payment of the fictional companies were approved directly by Junior and
not the purchasing office," Declan reported.

"I knew he was living beyond his means," added Jim.

"It appears that Junior is using a very common embezzling scheme.  All of
the fictional company's addresses are located at various UPS stores and
Post Office boxes in three different towns.  All checks were deposited in
the fictional companies bank accounts that happen to all be in the same
bank.  My guess is that if we were to get a look at those accounts we would
find them nearly empty, with the money having been transferred to the
Cayman Islands," Declan concluded.

"So where do we go from here?" Matt asked.

"I have a suggestion," Declan said. "We have two choices: expose the fraud
now and let the owner handle it or continue on with the purchase as
planned.  After transfer of title we can introduce Junior to the new owners
and then really watch him squirm.  Of course we will then "discover" the
fraud, fire Junior turn him over to the FBI and file an insurance claim for
the monies that were not recoverable," Declan concluded.

"Declan, you think like a divorce attorney," Finn said with a chuckle.

"Hey, we can't let you guys get all the glory," Declan replied.  And so the
board unanimously approved the purchase and Declan's plan.

"I can't wait to see the look on that prick's face when we nail him," Jim
said in an uncharacteristically nasty tone.

"I'd rather watch the look on your mother's face when she learns her golden
boy is a bit tarnished," Matt said.

"You're right buddy, I want to make sure dad is there to enjoy the moment
as well," Jim said with a smile.



"I really hate shopping in this place," Billy complained to Jasmine as he
pushed the cart down the aisle of the Fresh Grocer.

"We only need a few things and it's not worth the gas to drive anywhere
else," she replied.

"At these prices, we could drive to Jersey and pay the toll and still save
money," Billy groused.  When he didn't get a response he looked at Jasmine
who was staring at her phone.  She had a panicked look on her face.  When
she noticed Billy staring, she shoved the phone in her pocket and started
to pick out apples.

"What's going on Jas?" Billy asked. "You have been acting weird lately and
it's always after you get a text.  I know something's up, so out with it."

"Nothing's going on, I just get prank texts now and then," she said
dismissively.

"Bullhockey," Billy said, "I want to know what's going on."

Jasmine grabbed him and hugged him, "It's nothing baby, just let it go,"
she said in the sexy voice she uses to get her way.

"Not this time sweet cheeks.  Either you tell me or I'm calling your
brothers," Billy threatened.  Now she really had a panicked look on her
face.

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me," Billy responded pulling out his phone.

Jasmine knew he was serious, "Okay, just not here. I'll tell you everything
when we get home."  Satisfied Billy continued pushing the cart and when he
turned the tight corner, ran into another shopping cart, he automatically
called out "Sorry about that," and then regretted it when he looked up to
see Keith pushing the other cart.

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.