Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2002 18:13:56 EST
From: Tulsadriller7@aol.com
Subject: Tales from the Ranch, Chapter 21/?

Disclaimer:  The following story is a work of fiction.  If you
are offended by descriptions of homosexual acts or man/man
relations, please exit this page.

TALES FROM THE RANCH
Copyrightc 2002 by Tulsa Driller 7.  All rights reserved.

This is a story of men who have two common interests.  You will
see that they love the land where they live and work, but it is
also the story of young men who love other men and their coming
of age in a culture of prejudice and misunderstanding.  It is a
story, which deals with difficult and often disturbing issues
but, nonetheless, issues which must be confronted in today's
world.

This is a work of fiction and in no way draws on the lives of any
specific person or persons.  Any similarity to actual persons or
events is entirely coincidental.  This work is copyrightedc by
the author and may not be reproduced in any form without the
specific written permission of the author.  It is assigned to the
Nifty Archives under the terms of their submission agreement but
it may not be copied or archived on any other site without the
written permission of the author.

PLEASE:  In a perfect world AIDS doesn't exist.  My characters
have unprotected sex.  I hope you use proper precautions because
I'd like you to be around the read the last chapter of this
story.

Tales from the Ranch
Chapter 21:  Friday was a busy day
     Friday morning dawned clear and warm.  Jason had set the
alarm for 15 minutes ahead of their usual time to wake up.  He
had laid out clothing and camping items the night before and had
packed and repacked his backpack three times.
     As soon as he awoke, he remembered something else he wanted
to take with him, so had gotten that out of the closet he shared
with Kevin.  By the time he stuffed another polo shirt in, there
wasn't room to add anything else without using a shoehorn.  He
had way more stuff than was needed, but this was his first
experience in camping with the Boy Scouts and although he had
been told he only needed two changes of clothing, he was way
beyond the "Be Prepared" motto of the Scouts.
     It was time to start to get Kevin into "wake up" mode.  He
gently shook his shoulder and said, "Kev, it's time to wake up.
Come on, it's Friday.  Only one more day of school this week."
     Surprisingly, Kevin seemed to be more awake than usual after
the first attempt to get him up.  He rolled over and rubbed his
eyes.
     "What are you doing?" he asked Jason.
     "Finishing packing my backpack for the campout."
     "Again?" Kevin asked.  "You did that three times last
night," he added.
     "I thought of another shirt I wanted to take," Jason said.
     "You've already got more clothes that you are supposed to
take."  He then recited the list that Jason had been given.
Kevin knew it because Jason had repeated it so many times.
     "A cot, sleeping bag and an optional air mattress.  Heavy
shoes or boots, at least one pair of denim pants, underwear,
socks, shorts for if it's hot, two shirts, one short sleeve and
the other long sleeve and a light jacket.  You will need
toothpaste, a toothbrush and deodorant and any other toiletry
items.  And you're supposed to give them $10 toward food and take
any snack goodies you want."
     Jason opened his backpack and emptied it again.  He settled
for what was on the list with an extra pair of Levis and two
extra pair of heavy socks.  Amazingly, there was room to spare in
the backpack after he repacked it for the fourth time.
     "Thanks, Kev.  I guess all the extra stuff I was going to
take would make me look really dumb, wouldn't it?"
     "I don't know about dumb, but you have to hike a mile and
that backpack will get heavy before you get there," Kevin said.
     "Thanks, anyway.  Hey, we've got to get ready for school."
     With that Kevin went to the bathroom while Jason put the
extra clothes back in his drawers and closet.
     * * * * *
     Eddie Thompson woke up at his usual time and got ready for
his morning run.  It looked like it was going to be a beautiful
day.  He looked at the outside thermometer in the kitchen window.
70 degrees at 6 a.m.  'Perfect,' he thought as he did his
stretches outside the house.
     He had been gone about 40 minutes when the alarm rang on
Tom's side of the bed.  He stretched himself awake, rolling on
his right side.  He could smell the "Eddie scent" on his pillow
where Eddie had rested his head behind Tom.  He wished he could
package it and take it with him to give himself a good whiff
several times during the day.
     Tom got out of bed and the package from the uniform company
was still on the chair beside the double dresser in their
bedroom.  When he'd asked Eddie what it was, Eddied just got a
big grin on his face and said, "You'll find out soon enough."
The package was still sealed.  He wanted to open it, but knew he
shouldn't.  Eddied wouldn't be mad, just that it would spoil
whatever the surprise was.
     He quickly shaved, then stepped into their large shower.
The hot water felt good and he wished Eddie were there with him.
He started to get hard as he soaped his groin and back under his
balls and ass crack.  He was tempted to take care of it, but
decided it was more fun with his lover.
     Back in their bedroom, he pulled on a pair of boxer briefs
and a pair of brown crew socks.  He chose a pair of beige slacks
and a beautiful green print shirt that Eddied had given him for
his last birthday.  Putting on his shoes, he was ready to go to
the kitchen to start the coffeepot.
     Surprise, the coffee was ready to drink.  Eddie must have
made it before he left on his run.  Tom was just pouring himself
a glass of orange juice when Eddie arrived from his run.  They
exchanged a kiss.
     "Ummm, you smell good. and all sweaty, too," Tom said after
taking a deep sniff.
     "So do you," he said as they kissed again.  "Nice cologne."
     With that, he proceeded to strip off his running clothes,
dropping them in the laundry chute in an alcove of the kitchen
where they would fall into a basket next to the washing machine
in the basement.
     Tom was watching the strip show, and felt his cock twitch.
He thought Eddie was a hunk and was glad he belonged to him.
     * * * * *
     Craig stirred as Dale reached over to turn off the alarm.
It was 6:15.  Both were wide-awake as soon as the clock buzzed.
Usually Dale's internal clock woke him up, but it felt so good to
be cuddled up to his lover as they slept, that he could very well
have slept a lot longer this morning.  They still had about 15
minutes before they really had to get started for the day.
     After a tentative kiss, they discovered neither had morning-
breath.  Wrapping themselves around the other, they started their
morning with lips and tongues engaged in a passionate kiss.  They
had each awakened with morning wood, and this just made them
harder.  They soon were poking each other in the groin and the
stimulation of that caused each to start leaking precum.  It
didn't take very long before their actions caused a slick mess,
which soon became so sticky they were almost cemented together.
Having your pubic hair stuck to your lover's cock wasn't exactly
the greatest feeling in the world.  They managed to disentangle
themselves.  Craig headed to the kitchen and Dale to the
bathroom.  While Dale was brushing his teeth, Craig set a glass
of orange juice on the counter for him.
     Craig started his own ablutions and was through shaving at
the same time Dale was.  Of course they each had to admire Dale's
new mustache, which was really filling out nicely.  Craig thought
it made him look even more handsome and sexy than before, if that
were possible.
     They crawled into the shower together and decided that they
would save the sex play until another time.  It really was more
fun in bed when they could take their time.
     As they were drying themselves, Dale asked Craig, "What
would you like for your birthday?  I'd really like to get you
something special that you wouldn't buy for yourself."
     Craig had to think about that.  "You know, I'm going to have
to think about that.  My first impulse is to say that I've
already received it, meaning you."
     Dale blushed a little.  "You can have me anytime you want,
but I'd really like to do something special for you, or get you
something really nice."
     "Let me think about it today and see what I come up with,"
Craig answered.
     "Okay," Dale said.  He reminded himself to think about it
also.  He might come up with something that Craig didn't think
of.
     "Do you still want to eat lunch together?" Craig asked.
     "How could I turn down an invitation like that?  Of course I
do," Dale told him.
     "I'll have to come out to the ranch when Ray calls me for an
inspection.  That should be before noon.  Then we can eat after
that."
     "Sounds good to me," Craig replied.
     After dressing and eating a toasted bagel with cream cheese,
they exchanged another kiss and Dale was out the door on his way
to work.
     * * * * *
     The previous evening, Nolan Nichols had signed out of the
dorm before John picked him up.  Nolan actually signed out for
the entire night, but took a pass card in case he wanted back in
the dorm while the door was locked between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.  He
didn't intend to spend the night there.
     John had picked him up about 6:20, having showered and
changed clothes before leaving for the college.  Michael had
asked John if he wanted to eat with them, but John had declined.
He hoped John wasn't mad at him and Pat because of Pat's refusal
to become involved in some sex play with John.
     Although Michael enjoyed what he did with Pat, it was pretty
juvenile stuff compared to what he and John had done.  He'd
gotten Pat to suck him off once after he had sucked Pat.  Even
though Pat enjoyed it, almost enthusiastically, he thought Pat
had some kind of hang-up about it.  When he asked Pat about it he
had simply replied that it was okay to jackoff together, but the
other stuff they had done was queer.
     By the same token, Michael thought that it was "queer"
because Pat wanted to sleep in the same bed with him and cuddle
up to sleep, but wouldn't do anything more than help the other
get their rocks off.
     Michael wanted to resume what he and John had started, but
was afraid that he would make Pat mad, or that if John had found
someone else to play around with, then Michael was still stuck
with living with Pat.  Right now he couldn't figure out a
solution and didn't want to tip his hand that he had seen someone
else in John's room.
     After John picked Nolan up, they went to Tony D's to pick up
a pizza he had ordered ahead of time.  On the way back to the
motel he stopped at a convenience store to pick up a six-pack of
beer.
     As luck would have it, Michael needed something out of his
car and walked out the door of their room to get it as John and
Nolan arrived in John's car.  He waved to them, then watched as
they made their way to John's room with the pizza and beer.
Although he didn't have a claim on John, he really wanted to be
in Nolan's place right then.
     * * * * *
     Although the two fellows had a hard time keeping their hands
off each other, they decided they should eat the pizza while it
was still hot.  They talked about their days and Nolan told John
that he had signed out for the night, but had a pass card to get
back in the door after it was locked.
     "Neat," John replied.  "You can spend the night, but I'll
have to get up earlier to drop you at the dorm so I can get to
work on time."  He then thought that he'd have to go buy a
sandwich to take to work with him instead of fixing one in
Michael and Pat's room.
     He then had another thought.  'What if Nolan and I become
really good buds?  What about the move into the new ranch house?
I can't take him there to spend the night.'  That was a lot to
think about.
     Nolan did end up spending the entire night and they played
around with each other for a couple of hours, widening their
sexual activities.  At one point they fell asleep for a couple of
hours, then awoke only to start over again.  The night was spent
with them playing around more than sleeping.
     John set the alarm for 6:15.  That would allow both of them
to shower and him to take Nolan back to the dorm before going to
work.
     Michael was unhappy because not only did John not come to
fix a sandwich, he didn't bother to tell them he wasn't riding
with the two of them that morning.  He'd have to have a talk with
John to find out what was going on.
     * * * * *
     Dale met Jason and Kevin at the end of their driveway and
had about 5 minutes to talk to them before the bus arrived.  Dale
really enjoyed the chance to visit with the brothers.  They were
smart and well behaved and interested in what went on at the
ranch.  Dale's thought turned to the fact that these boys could
be his bosses in a few more years.
     Dale had news for the two that during the afternoon a truck
was to arrive at their campsite to unload tents.  Also that their
sleeping bags, cots and mattresses would be transported to the
site, too.
     Jason clearly was beside himself at the thought of the
campout.  The school day was going to be a long one for him.
     "Hey, fellows," Dale asked.  "What's going on with the Riley
twins?  Are they still giving you trouble."
     "No," Jason replied.  "They had to go to the school
counselor.  They've been back in class, but don't say much to any
of the other kids.  Most everybody is glad and stay clear away
from them."
     "I hope you stay away from them, too," Dale said.
     "No way am I gonna have anything to do with them," Jason
said with Kevin agreeing.
     "Mr. Harris makes them sit in the front seat of the bus and
not talk to the other kids, too."
     "Just watch out for them and stay out of their way," Dale
replied.
     About that time they could hear the bus before it came
around the curve, stopping in front of their driveway.
     Both boys gave Dale a hug, which he returned.
     When they got on the bus, one of the boys asked, "Why did
you give that guy a hug, he's not your dad?"
     "Yeah, why was that?" another boy added.
     "That's Dale.  He's our ranch manager and our pal.  He's a
real neat guy."
     The second boy spoke up.  "I wouldn't even hug my dad, let
alone somebody else's dad."
     That made Jason mad.  "Well, for your information I give my
dad both hugs and kisses - and he returns them, too."
     "You're getting to be too big to do that.  That's little kid
stuff, like Kevin might do," the first boy said.
     "For your information, our family all loves each other and I
don't see anything wrong with giving my mom and dad hugs and
kisses - or my grandparents, either."
     About that time Wade Harris turned around.  "Take your seats
boys, you'll make me late and I can't drive while you're standing
in the aisle."
     They sat down about five rows behind the two boys who had
questioned them, both feeling sorry for the other boys because
they didn't get hugs from their parents.
     * * * * *
     Dale parked in his usual spot and then four other vehicles
came up the driveway almost immediately.  First was John in his
car by himself.  Then Ray Evans in his pickup, followed by Pat
and Michael in Pat's car, then the other pickup belonging to
Ray's company with three workmen in it.
     He thought it was strange that his three men had arrived in
two vehicles because they always rode together, but dismissed the
idea because John must have to do an errand during his lunch hour
or after work.
     Dale had them sign their timesheets, reminding them that
they would be paid that evening before they went home.  Michael
and Pat loaded up the supplies they thought they would need, took
the cell phone off the charger and headed to the field in the
pickup assigned to them.  John stayed behind to start cleaning up
the two mowers and rake so they could be stored.
     "If you need help getting those detached from the tractors
or moving them around, give me a nod and I'll come help," Dale
told him.
     John seemed like he was in a really good mood, so Dale
decided to wait until he was through cleaning equipment before he
told him to clean out the horse barn and cow stall.  This was
supposed to be a job that rotated among the men, but he knew John
had cleaned just last week.
     He remembered to call Mrs. Wood to tell her that he would
not be eating at the house today, and then walked out to check
the two fuel tanks.  It looked like they could get by for another
week without a refill.  They certainly didn't need it today but
on Monday he was going to start the three men plowing some of the
new ground they were buying.  He then went upstairs to their
supply storage area.  It appeared that he needed to order more
diesel fuel filters for the tractors and they could use another
dozen spools of baling wire, but there was no reason to order
that until next season.  It would just tie up money sitting on
the shelf.
     About that time, two flat bed trucks arrived from the West
Texas Hay Company.  Dale met the drivers and the two men who were
with each.  Mort had made arrangements for payment at the time he
sold the hay and Dale confirmed that there would be a count of
bales from both sides to establish the billing.  The drivers had
been told that it would probably take 6 loads to complete the job
so it was agreed they would pick up two truckloads today, two on
Saturday and two on Sunday.  He got into his Blazer and led the
trucks to the field where they would be loading the hay.  Pat and
Michael were making good progress and it appeared that they would
be through baling hay before the day was over.  That was good.
The truckers wouldn't have anything to complain about.
     * * * * *
     Craig arrived at his office.  After working for a couple of
hours he called LeGourmet to order a picnic lunch for the next
day.  He talked to Tricia and told her what he wanted.  She made
several suggestions for an entree and various dishes to go with
them.  He told her he would like to be able to pick the lunch up
about 10:30 and she agreed that it would be ready.
     Craig had the contract that Phyllis Richmond had given Dale
the previous afternoon.  He showed it to Don, who went over the
figures, then got out the paperwork she had given him.  There was
a big discrepancy in the realtor's commission and the net that
Dale would receive was almost $1,000 less than Don's paperwork
indicated.  He was livid.
     "This is the second time that she's tried to screw someone
on a deal of mine.  I happen to have all of the paperwork from
that deal, too.  So, Phyllis Richmond is going to get reported to
the Realtor's Association this morning.  If we are right about
this, the contract she gave Dale is null and void and I'll deal
with him directly.  There won't be a realtor fee and I think Dale
and I can come up with a deal that allows me to pay less and him
to receive a little more because of her dishonesty."
     Craig was elated.  "No wonder she wanted the contract signed
on the spot yesterday afternoon.  She didn't want to take "no"
for an answer."
     Don went to his office to call the president of the
Williamsport Realtor's Association.  They spent about 15 minutes
on the telephone.  He came back out of his office with a big grin
on his face.
     "Craig, it seems like this isn't the first time this has
happened.  She's always claimed it was an honest mistake in the
previous 5 times that they know of.  However, we don't know how
many times she's actually gotten by with it."
     "I had to deal with her when I bought my condo.  I didn't
have any problems, but she certainly was pushy."
     "I talked to Wes McOwen, who is President of the Realtor's
Association.  He's going to call Gus Douglas and talk to him.
Mz. Richmond may be in for a big surprise."  Don laughed.  "If
that woman had balls, she'd have to wear jockey shorts to keep
them from banging against her knees when she walks."
     They both had a good laugh over the idea that if she had
balls, they would be big ones.
     "Tell Dale just to tell her that he's been busy and hasn't
had a chance to look the contract over yet."
     "Will do.  I'm going out to the Bar-W to check on the
construction before they start pouring basement walls, so I'll
pass on the information."
     Don had some sketches for the proposed shopping center that
he had completed and had asked Craig to start putting the
dimensions into the computer system so they could get some rough
drawings started.  That took him about 45 minutes and he was just
finishing up when Ray Evans called him.
     "We're within an hour of getting the forms set.  Do you
think it's okay if I go ahead and tell them they can deliver
concrete at 1 o'clock?" Ray asked.
     "I don't see why not.  I've never had any problems with you
on rebar and preparations before.  I can get away from here in
about 5 minutes, so will come look it over right away," Craig
answered.
     "Okay, see you then," Ray replied, then hung up.
     Craig left notes on both Don and Sherry's desks that he was
going to the Bar-W to check on the construction project.  He
wasn't sure where Don was, but Sherry had traded some time off
this morning for working another day on her part-time schedule.
He knew she would be in to prepare checks for payment of bills
later in the afternoon.
     As he drove in the driveway at the Bar-W, he noticed that
Dale's Blazer wasn't in its usual place.  He was going to drive
on back to the construction site when a young fellow (Craig
hadn't met John before) came around the corner from the area
where the farm equipment was stored.
     He rolled his window down and asked, "Do you know where Dale
is?"
     John replied, "He took out of here about 10 minutes ago.
Something about checking on something up the road at the cattle
operation."
     "Okay, my name is Craig.  If he gets back here in a few
minutes, tell him that I'm at the construction site."
     "Will do, Craig," John answered, wondering whom this good-
looking man was.
     Craig thanked him and drove on back, parking next to Ray's
pickup.
     The construction crew was down to just two panels to set in
place and tie together, so it was easy to see that the amount of
rebar being used was correct.  Everything was tied together
properly.  Next Craig walked around the basement area, checking
the plumbing, which would be covered by concrete when the floor
was poured.
     "Looks good, Ray.  I knew there wouldn't be any problems on
this job."
     "I have the first load of concrete scheduled for 1 o'clock.
We're going to take an early lunch hour and then be ready to go
to work when they get here."
     "Good.  I'm going to lunch with Dale then maybe we can watch
them get started."
     'Lucky you,' thought Ray.  Then he asked, "Where are you
going?"
     "I don't know yet.  We didn't decide this morning and he's
up at the cattle operation headquarters right now."
     "I'd invite you to come along, but since you don't know when
Dale is going to be back, we'd better get our lunch out of the
way."
     "Fine with me.  Maybe next week sometime," Craig said.
     "Works for me.  We'll be taking the forms off on Monday and
should be ready to pour the basement floor on Tuesday.  Then
we're ready to starting framing."
     "If the weather holds, you are really going to zip through
this project, aren't you?"
     "No bad weather in the forecast, so every good day is just a
chance to get that much more accomplished before bad weather,"
Ray answered.
     "I hope you can sail right along," Craig said.
     About that time they saw Dale drive in, then talk to John.
A couple of minutes later, Dale walked back and joined them.
     Ray greeted him and shook hands.
     Craig wanted to kiss him, but knew he couldn't.  He settled
for squeezing his arm and saying quietly, "Hey guy."
     "Hey, yourself," Dale replied, his eyes sparkling and his
face showing how happy he was to see his lover.
     Before Craig couldn't say anything more, Ray asked Dale if
he and Craig would join him for lunch.
     Craig gave a little "yes" nod with his head and Dale agreed.
     "I'm ready to leave anytime and my men can go as soon as
they set that last form in place and tie it together.  I've got a
bunch of junk in the cab of my pickup, would one of you fellows
drive?" Ray asked.
     Dale quickly volunteered and they headed to the barn/office
to get in his Blazer.  Ray crawled in back and Craig got in the
passengers seat.  With Dale driving they headed out the driveway.
     Ray said, "This is a nice vehicle and smells new.  Did you
just get it?"
     "Yeah," Dale said.  "It's one of my new perks for trying to
run this place."
     "How do you like your new job?" Ray asked.
     "I think I like it better as each day goes by.  I honestly
didn't understand why they wanted me to take this on, but they
told me they wouldn't take no for an answer.  I really don't know
anything about the cattle and horse operations, but we have
experienced managers in that area and they are cooperative.
Guess as long as I don't try to reverse their decisions, I'll do
okay," Dale laughed.
     "Dale, I've known Marty and his parents since we were in the
third grade together and we've been friends all this time.  My
company has done a lot of construction and remodeling since I
went into business about 15 years ago.  He has never asked me for
a bid, just called me to do the work.  He knows that I have to
make a fair profit, but that I won't hold him up.  I'm sure that
friendship aside, if he ever felt I was cheating him, that would
be the end of me doing anything for the Bar-W.
     "I think you are in the same situation.  He knows you are
honest, will ask questions when you don't have the answers.
Obviously you have done a good job since you started here.  I
know you worked here in the summers when in high school and while
you were going to college, then came on here fulltime after that.
     "You got promoted to foreman a year later.  That speaks well
for both for you and the fact that you work hard; but also for
them in recognizing a natural talent when they have it right in
front of them."
     Dale was a little embarrassed at the praise, but knew Ray
was sincere.
     "Thank you, too, for having faith in me.  I owe Craig a lot
for helping me realize who I am and what I can so.  I'm really
lucky to have him to love me and support me."  With that he took
Craig's left hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss.
     "That will have to do until I can properly thank you
tonight," he told Craig, smiling his 1000-watt smile.
     "Lucky dog, both of you," Ray said, giving each a pat on the
shoulder.  "Hey, since I'm buying, let's go to La Pi¤ata   Have
you ever been there?"
     Craig had, Dale hadn't, but knew where it was.  They were
ahead of the lunch crowd so were just getting their orders when
the restaurant started to get busy.  They enjoyed the
conversation and good company of the others while they ate.
     As they left the restaurant, Dale and Craig thanked Ray for
the meal and chance to become better acquainted.
     They arrived back at the Bar-W, right behind Ray's crew who
had gone to a fast food establishment.  They hadn't much more
than gotten out of their vehicles when the first truckload of
concrete arrived.  Dale walked down to watch them start, as he
really had never seen them pour anything other than a flat
surface like a floor or driveway.
     The truck backed into position and the driver had to work
the chute into the correct place to dump concrete into the forms.
In addition the crew working for Ray had to position guards and
deflectors to keep the concrete from overshooting its
destination.  Two of the men had long prods to stir the concrete
once it was in the forms to insure there were no air bubbles,
which would weaken the foundation.
     Dale didn't realize that pouring concrete was almost a form
of art.  He knew that between Ray and Craig's supervision, the
job would be done right.
     He had work to do, so told Ray and Craig "good-bye", that he
was going to his office.
     Craig followed Dale until they were about halfway to the
barn/office.  "Hey guy, I showed Don the contract on your house
and it's not what he agreed to.  This is just among the three of
us, but he called the Realtor's Association president and he's
going to talk to Gus Douglas.  This isn't the first time this has
happened on some of her deals."
     "Oh great, no wonder she wanted me to sign without reading."
     "If she calls, just tell her that you haven't had a chance
to look the contract over."
     "Will do.  I honestly expected her to call me at 8 a.m. when
I got to the office."
     "I'm going to go watch them pour concrete for a little bit.
I'll see you when you get home."
     "I'm already looking forward to it," Dale replied.
     * * * * *
     The first thing Dale needed to check was John's progress on
cleaning up equipment and getting it ready for storage.  He went
to the storage area.  John was just finishing the first mower and
ready to start on the next.  Dale checked, John had painted the
moving surfaces with grease and had scraped out the hay that had
accumulated and stuck to the housing.
     With a minimum of instructions, he told John that he was
going to the hayfield to check on the progress of baling and
loading bales of hay.
     Upon arriving at the field, he quickly determined that
Michael and Pat would be through baling hay before the day was
over.  That was fine with him as he could start them plowing two
fields on the land the Bar-W was acquiring.
     The hay crew was making good progress.  They had one trailer
loaded and were about half through with the second.  Dale walked
over to the first truck and did a quick calculation of the number
of bales that had been loaded.
     He flagged Michael down and gave him instructions about
moving the balers back to the storage area when they were
through, telling him to call him if he had any problems.
     As he was leaving the field, his cell phone rang.  It was
Mort, calling on Sam Jealso's cell phone.  Thank goodness he was
only telling him that he had a couple of invoices to add to the
envelope going to the accountant's office this evening.
     * * * * *
     Jason had been so excited today that the day had really
dragged on and on.  Even his favorite teacher and subject seemed
boring; except for the little play they did about the events
leading up to the "Battle of the Alamo".  Jason really thought it
was neat to play out the various parts assigned to his
classmates.  His role was as Jim Bowie and he was required to do
some research on the person and tell biographical facts, as did
the others who had been assigned roles.  It took over half the
class time for each to tell of the character they were
portraying.  The actual play was only about 10 minutes long and
then Tom Bryant led a discussion about the events for the rest of
the class.
     Tom asked the people who had visited the Alamo to raise
their hands.  Twenty-seven of the 31 children in the class had
been to the site in downtown San Antonio.
     [For those who don't know the history of the Alamo, the
famous battle of the Texas independence from Mexico took place
there, resulting in the Republic of Texas being formed in 1836
before it became part of the United States in 1845.  The Alamo is
actually a small building, built as a mission, housing a
monastery and church that was enclosed by high walls. The men
defending it during a 13-day siege chose to die rather than
surrender.  Davy Crockett and James Bowie were among the 182
Texans who lost their lives.  The building was almost torn down
several years ago, when rescued and restored as a National
Historical Landmark.]
     Tom had a passionate interest in the history of his state
and Jason was interested because his family had been tied to
Texas from the very beginning of statehood, with the town of
Williamsport being founded by Col. Purvis Q. Williamson.
     So, Tom's plan of making Texas history more meaningful to
the children in his 5th grade class seemed to be successful.
     For Jason, that class passed quickly as it always did.  His
next class was Phys Ed, his second most-favorite period of the
day.
     Jason and his friends, John Clark and Tim Cranston, were the
first to arrive at the locker room in the gym.  Eddie Thompson
was there to tell the boys to dress to play soccer that day.
That was fine with all three boys because it was a favorite game
of theirs.
     They were almost through changing clothes and Jason was
taking his basket back to be locked up when the Riley twins came
in.  This was the first time they had shown up for gym class for
several days.  Jason greeted them, but got no response.  What he
didn't know was that they had been warned that if they couldn't
say anything good to or about anyone else, they were not to talk.
They chose to be silent instead of participating in any
discussion which might include them.
     However, that didn't keep them from complaining to Eddie.
In the first place, both had forgotten the combination for their
locks, then the next thing was that they didn't have jerseys to
wear over their t-shirts.  Then they started to get loud when
Eddie gave a red jersey to Larry and a blue one to Jerry.  Of
course they vocalized their complaint about not being on the same
team.  They didn't want to learn to play soccer to begin with.
By drawing a red jersey, that put Larry on Jason's team.
     Jason and his two buddies didn't hear any of this because
they had already gone outside.
     Since there were enough players to only field three teams,
they rotated so each team would get equal playing time.  The
third team was given two basketballs and instructed to practice
free throws.  They hoops had been lowered to accommodate the
height of the 5th and 6th grade boys.
     Surprisingly, the Riley boys didn't cause any problems, they
just didn't participate; missing plays and when playing
basketball, not even trying to hit the backboard.  Eddie was torn
between disrupting the class to work with the twins or ignoring
them.  It was a moot point.   He ignored them.
     Soon, it was time to start sending the boys to the showers
and John was in the first group.  After five minutes, Jason's
team was sent.  That meant that the school day was almost over.
He was in the shower when the third group came in.
     Eddie took his position at the door to make sure all of the
boys took their gym clothes home to be washed.
     * * * * *
     At the Bar-W, John was through cleaning up the equipment and
went looking for Dale to see what he should do next.
     "I know we are supposed to rotate among you to clean out the
horse barn and area where the boys milk their cow, but I'm afraid
since Pat and Michael are still working, that it's up to you."
     "Don't worry about that, Dale, I'm glad to do my share.
Besides, it's not that bad of a job."
     "Okay, bud.  I'll see to it that you don't have to do it
again until the others have had to clean up twice each."
     * * * * *
     The bus ride home was uneventful, the Riley twins sitting in
the front seat as ordered and not talking to anyone.  Jason and
John discussed the camping trip and reminded each other that they
were to meet at the Methodist Church at 5 o'clock so they could
leave for the campsite by 5:30.
     * * * * *
     Kevin went to his friend Terry's house get his backpack
which had his clothes and other things he would need to stay
overnight at Kevin's house.  This was the first time that Kevin
had been in Terry's house.  Terry had two older brothers and a
younger sister.  The oldest brother, Bret was 16 and slept in a
room by himself in the basement.  The next older brother, Paul,
was 13 and shared Terry's room next to Bret.  All three shared a
bathroom.  The younger sister was 8 and had her own room on the
second floor.
     "Hi Mom," Terry said as they went through the kitchen.  "You
remember Kevin from Cub Scouts, don't you?"
     "Yes, hi Kevin.  I'll be ready to take you and Terry to your
house in about 10 minutes.  I need to get this casserole in the
oven so my family will have something to eat when they all get
home."
     "Hi, Mrs. Jenkins.  Thanks for letting Terry come spend the
night.  Jason's is going on a Boy Scout camping trip.  This is
the first time I've been able to have somebody stay over with
me."
     "That's fine, Kevin.  You boys are getting old enough to be
able to stay over at each other's houses.  Maybe you can come
over here some weekend when Paul is staying with a friend and we
have room for you."
     "I'd like that," Kevin replied.  Suddenly he felt more grown-
up with being able to have friends stay over and being able to go
to their houses, too.
     The boys went downstairs to Terry's room to get what he
needed.  Terry had also included some Nintendo game cartridges
and a Star Trek video, not knowing if Kevin had it or not.  Terry
proudly showed him his baseball card collection and Jason was
impressed.  Then Kevin discovered the collection of model
airplanes and cars.
     "Some of these belong to Paul and some are mine.  Bret gave
us some of his cars, too, 'cause he'd rather collect airplanes
and ships.
     Terry grabbed his backpack and they returned to the kitchen
just as his mother was closing the oven door.
     "Boy's, I'm ready to go.  I've got to get back here to take
Paul to the church with his stuff for the camping trip.
     They headed to the driveway where the family sedan was
parked and got in.  It didn't take them very long to get to the
Bar-W ranch.
     Jason already had his camping gear piled on the patio
outside the kitchen door.  Marty had called Chris to arrange for
Dale to take Jason to the Methodist Church, their point of
departure for the weekend adventure.  His meeting in Austin had
gotten started late.
     Chris saw them drive in and went out to greet Mrs. Jenkins.
     "Hello, Mrs. Jenkins.  I'm Chris Williamson."
     "It good to meet you, Chris, please call me Beth."
     Beth Jenkins was surprised at how friendly Chris seemed.
She had often seen her around Williamsport, but had figured that
with her wealth she might be standoffish, at best.  This woman
was dressed like she'd been cleaning house.  Beth knew the family
had a woman who lived with them, to cook and clean so she was
surprised.
     "I appreciate you being able to bring Kevin and Terry out
here this evening.  I think we have Jason ready to go camping.
This is his first time, so I'm sure he's taking much more stuff
than he really needs."
     "Mom, this morning he unpacked all the stuff that wasn't on
the list," Kevin informed her.
     Terry and Kevin were getting out of the car as he said this.
     "Bye Mom," Terry said.
     "Bye, Terry.  You boys have a good time."
     "Beth, one of us will be glad to bring Terry home tomorrow
afternoon.  What time do you want him to be home?"
     "Would 3:30 work okay for you?" Beth asked.
     "I don't think that should be a problem.  My husband is
going to help with the camping trip, but he's not going to stay
out there.  One of us will have him there at 3:30."
     "Thank you, I really appreciate it," Beth said.  "Goodbye,
Chris, it was nice to make your acquaintance."
     "Yours also, Beth.  Have a good evening."
     As Beth drove out the driveway, her thoughts turned to how
nice Chris seemed to be.  She had expected a "society woman" and
Chris seemed to be a happy housewife, like herself.
     * * * * *
     Jason got his chores done and was just finishing when Kevin
and Terry arrived.  Kevin still had to feed the chickens and
other poultry and gather the eggs.  Terry had never been on a
farm before and was impressed with Star, the family cow and with
the horses in the corral.  Terry didn't realize that eggs came
from chickens.  For the fact that he lived in a farm community,
he was largely ignorant.  This was a good evening as there were
23 eggs in the nests.
     Kevin had been watching an area in some tall grass close to
the chicken house.  One of the geese had a nest where she had
been sitting on 8 eggs.  Four of the eggs had hatched since he
had been there the night before.  Terry, again, had no idea that
eggs of any kind could be hatched and could produce baby chicks,
ducklings or goslings.  The goose didn't want anyone bothering
her new family and hissed at Kevin as he approached.  About that
time one of the ganders came around the corner and tried to run
the boys away.
     "Watch out, Terry, they can be mean sometimes.  We don't
have any problems with the chickens or ducks, but the geese are
very territorial and they also make good "watchdogs" as they make
a lot of noise if someone bothers them.
     Terry was very impressed with what he had seen of the farm
animals.  "We used to have a couple of sheep and a goat for a 4-H
project Jason was doing.  Next year it will be my turn to have
something like that as a project."
     "You mean you have things like sheep and goats for pets?"
Terry asked.
     "Sure.  Sheep are neat."
     "Wow, I didn't know that."  Terry was in awe.
     About that time Sandy (their collie) came back from making
her rounds, pursued by the mad gander that was chasing her and
hissing up a storm.
     Both boys thought that was funny, although Kevin thought the
gander was a little too protective of their territory.
     He showed Terry where they kept the eggs and milk, then
Terry wanted to go back to look at the horses again.  Kevin got
out a bunch or carrots and some sugar cubes so they could give
the horses a treat when they fed them.
     "Do you get to ride them?" Terry asked.
     "Sure, but I'm not big enough to saddle them by myself," he
said.  "Jason can saddle his horse and mine, but he's not big
enough to get the others ready to ride."
     "I've never been on a horse, except for a pony at the
petting zoo in Austin.  Then he was hooked to a big wheel-thing
that only let us go 'round in a circle."
     "Maybe you can come back some evening or on a weekend when
somebody can help us saddle the horses, then go with us.  Okay?"
     Kevin felt a little sorry for Terry because he lived in town
and didn't have all the neat things he had on the farm.
     * * * * *
     The courier from Morris Johnsmore's office arrived about
4:30 with the payroll checks and some computer printouts of
information that Dale would have to have Mort go over with him.
It had to do with inventory, cattle and horse sales, sale of
timber and oil and projected budget items.  Dale thought this was
where he really needed help, trying to understand the finances of
the operation.
     The phone in the office rang and Dale answered it.  It was
Phyllis Richmond and she was not a happy camper.
     "I've been trying to call you all day and there was no
answer.  You don't even have the courtesy to have an answering
machine."
     Dale saw a tinge of red as he was listening to her tirade.
"Well, Mz. Richmond, I'm sorry, but this is what we call a
'working ranch' and that's what we do here, is work.  I'm sorry
if you are incon." He was interrupted.
     "I'd like to come out and pick up that contract so we can
get this sale finished.  Now that I know you are there, I'll be
out." Dale interrupted her.
     "Mz. Richmond.  I've been busy today and haven't had time to
look this over.  I'll have to get back with you on Monday.  Have
a nice weekend." And he hung up.
     Phyllis Richmond was really annoyed now.  She didn't know if
Dale was ignorant or what his problem was.  Most people who were
selling property wanted to get the deal closed as soon as
possible so the buyer didn't have a chance to back out.  She
would deal with him on Monday and she intended to make him look
stupid when he did sign the contract.
     Dale got in his Blazer and made a quick trip up the road to
the cattle and horse operations headquarters to leave the payroll
checks for the men who worked for Sam and Lee.  After telling
them that he had to take Jason into town for his scout campout,
he was back at the ranch in 10 minutes time.
     * * * * *
     Pat and Michael had just pulled into the equipment storage
area, Pat driving a hay baler and Michael following in the
pickup.  Dale told them to go back to get the other baler and
asked about the loading of the hay.
     "They left with the two loads about a half hour ago.  We
were just finishing the last of the baling.  They said they would
be back about 9:30 or so tomorrow morning."
     "Thanks," Dale said.  Here are your paychecks and I'll leave
the timesheets on my desk for you to sign out at 5:30.  John is
cleaning the horse stalls and the three of you can start cleaning
up and greasing the balers so they can be stored.  I've got to
take Jason into town, so I won't see you until Monday morning.
Have a good weekend."
     Dale took John's paycheck to him, telling him to start on
the hay balers when he was through, then reminded him to sign out
before they left.  He wished him a good weekend, also.
     * * * * *
     Jason was getting impatient, but knew Dale would get him to
the Methodist Church on time.  He was happy when he saw him come
back from the equipment storage area.
     "I'll be right there," Dale yelled to Jason from across the
yard.
     He disappeared into the barn/office for a minute, then got
in his vehicle and drove up to load Jason's gear.
     "Hi, Jase.  I bet you thought the day would never be over,
didn't you?"
     "Yeah.  I can hardly wait for this.  I think it will be a
lot of fun."
     "Well, the weather is supposed to be perfect.  There's
nothing worse than going camping when it's cold or raining."
     As they were loading Jason's backpack, cot and sleeping bag
in the Blazer, Kevin and Terry were coming back from the
outbuildings after having had the "grand tour" which took them
out to the new crew living quarters.
     "Hey, Dale, that new house they are building is awesome.  I
hadn't been out there before."
     Kevin then introduced Dale to Terry, saying, "This is Dale
Richards.  He runs the ranch for us, but he's also our big
brother, too.  He helps us do a lot of things."
     Dale offered his hand to Terry, who happily shook it.
"Pleased to meet you, Terry.  I hope you enjoy your stay here at
the ranch."
     "I already am.  There are lots of neat things to see and do
here.  I got to see the baby geese, too."
     Jason broke in.  "Do we have some new babies?
     "Yeah," Kevin said proudly.  Four of the eight eggs have
hatched and the old gander didn't want us around.  He even chased
Sandy away."  Sandy had come back with the boys and all three of
them were petting her.
     "We've got to get Jason to town.  I'll see you fellows
later.  Nice to meet you, Terry."
     "Goodbye," they all said, almost at once.
     * * * * *
     As they drove off, Jason told Dale, "Thanks for taking me
this evening.  I guess Dad got held up in Austin at a meeting."
     "I'm glad to do it, Jason.  Your dad's meeting started
almost two hours late, but he has to be there because it's ranch
business.  He'll be out at the campsite tomorrow to make sure
everything's going okay."
     As they arrived at the church parking lot, it looked like
the staging ground for a war.  Whoever was in charge must not
have done this before, as it didn't look very organized.  He got
out of the Blazer and handed Jason his backpack.  He took the cot
and sleeping bag and they headed up to the area where things were
being loaded onto a pickup.
     Dale decided that it was pretty well organized after all.
It was the fact that the scouts were excited and running around
in different directions that made it look otherwise.  They were
directed to the pickup where the Wolf Patrol member's stuff was
to be loaded.  Dale knew the fellow driving the pickup and they
exchanged greetings.  The fellow had a son on the little league
team Dale helped with.
     With the arrival of the last member of their Patrol, Fred
Moxley, the Wolf Patrol was ready to go to the campground.
     "Dale, one of the parents hasn't shown up yet.  Would it be
possible for you to take some of these boys out to the camp?"
     "Sure, are you driving this pickup?"
     "Yeah, we're ready to leave now."
     "Okay, I'll follow you."
     Jason was surprised that they drove directly to where the
tents were to be set up.  He thought they were going to have to
hike for a mile.  They got to the campsite and one tent had been
set up.  It was the tent where they would store the food and
first-aid kits.  The members of the Wolf Patrol were the first of
the scouts to arrive, except for the Scoutmaster and a couple of
other men who were helping him.
     Dale greeted the men to see if they needed help and was told
they had things under control.  Scott Maxwell had his Patrol get
three tents off the truck and move them to the area he selected
to set them up.  Since Dale wasn't needed, he left to go back to
Williamsport, after waving goodbye to Jason, who was off on his
first great Boy Scout adventure.
     * * * * *
     Dinner that night at the Jenkins home was a quiet one.
Terry was staying the night with Kevin and Paul was at the Boy
Scout campout.  That left Bret Senior and his wife, Beth, along
with Bret Junior and Sally to eat together.  Bret Junior had
never been an exuberant boy, instead his parents thought him an
unhappy child, but wouldn't try to find out why.  If you didn't
admit it, maybe it would go away.  Paul and Terry had always
dominated mealtime talk with their school and church activities.
Sally was always quiet, too, probably because she never had a
chance to talk and her parents didn't push she or Bret Junior to
contribute to the family time.
     "I met Chris Williamson when I took Terry and Kevin home
this evening.  I was surprised that she seems to be such a down-
to-earth person.  I'd always figured her to be a "society
matron", I guess," Beth said.
     "Don't sell her short," her husband said.  "She and Marty
have a lot of money and pretty much get what they want done in
this town."
     "She doesn't strike me as being pushy."
     "I didn't say she was 'pushy', just that they control the
town, or certainly the people who run this town."
     "But don't they give a lot of money away, like to charity
and their church?"
     "Oh yes, but it's not always in the best interests of the
community at large."
     Bret worked as an accountant for Morris Johnsmore's company
and was familiar with the Williamson's family finances, knowing
where the money came from and where it went.
     "I probably shouldn't say this, but that ranch is just part
of the goldmine the family owns.  It generates a lot of money and
makes a lot of profit because they don't have that many
employees.  I think there are only about 20 or 21 employees and
they have thousands of head of cattle and horses and have just
bought another 1200 acres of ground to expand the ranch again.
     Then, in addition, they own controlling interest of the Bank
of Commerce and they own a property and development company,
which generates a lot of money every year.  So, there's not much
that goes on in Williamsport they don't have a finger in.
Marty's on the school board and is on the board of Goodwill and
has been chairman of the United Way, as well as his father."
     Bret was on a roll.  His wife had never seen him as agitated
as he was at this meal.  She wondered if he'd had a bad day.
     "The thing I don't understand is that they are big
Republicans in this state and give a lot of money to that party,
but they are more liberal than most Democrats.  They even gave a
bunch of money to that fag group that meets at their church.  Of
course, that's to be expected since their priest is a fag, too"
     Bret Junior's ears were taking in all the information his
father was telling, but it was the last bit of what he said that
really got his attention.  "Fag group".  He wondered what that
meant.  And what church?  What priest?
     The Jenkins family belonged to Victory Temple, a very
fundamentalist group that had no denominational ties.  Instead,
for a minister they had a poorly informed bigot who held forth
the idea that very few people - and that included most people in
his own congregation - would ever see the inside of heaven.  The
message of "God Loves Everyone" didn't ever play in that church.
The God of that congregation was one of a God who was seeking
retribution for any sins committed, or just supposed.  The
minister, Brother Jimmy Bob Jones, liked the idea that if God
didn't punish you for your sins, he himself would.
     What members of the Victory Temple congregation didn't know
was that although he appeared to be very happily married to his
wife, they didn't have sex because the Reverend Jimmy Bob thought
women were unclean.  Instead, Jimmy Bob liked little boys that
were between 10 and 13 years of age.
     Bret Junior had been a victim of Reverend Jimmy Bob and had
been a happy child until he was first molested at the age of
about 10.  That was the time he clammed up and quit communicating
with his parents or anyone else.  Then, when he first started
sprouting hair above his cock, Jimmy Bob dropped him with no
explanation.  Bret Junior was one very confused 16 year old.  He
had liked what Jimmy Bob had done to him, but then he went to
church and heard him condemn what they had been doing.
     "Homosexuality is a sin!" he would shout from the pulpit,
garnering shouted "Amen's" from his congregation.  He had all of
the Biblical reasons why this was so, as well as a few dozen more
that he had thought up himself.  Of course, he himself was
without sin.  In his own mind he was exempt from all this because
he was a man of the cloth.
     Of course homosexuality was just the tip of the list of what
were sins in his eyes.  Wearing too much makeup, clothing that
was too tight or too short, sex outside marriage, sex before
marriage (in his case - sex after marriage) and anyone who didn't
attend his church were also condemned to hell.  The man was a
real piece of art.  Loved by his followers and laughed at by
those who weren't.
     Paul Jenkins had escaped the clutches of Reverend Jimmy Bob,
because a friend had warned him about what was going on.  Paul's
friend, Fred Moxley, had told his parents about being approached
by Jimmy Bob.  They didn't bother to confront him; they simply
started attending another church.  The information provided to
Paul scared him and he avoided Jimmy Bob, even when his parents
tried to get him involved in church work crews or youth groups.
Of course, Paul was watching out for his younger brother, Terry,
too.
     Paul had tried to talk to Bret Junior about Reverend Jimmy
Bob, but Bret refused to discuss the subject at all.  Paul was
just trying to find out if his older brother had ever been
approached.
     So, the mention of the word "Fag" got his attention.  He had
enjoyed it when Reverend Jimmy Bob had played with him and he
liked it when he was allowed to fondle the minister's big dick.
Did that make him a fag?  Why had Jimmy Bob suddenly wanted
nothing to do with him?  Was there someone out there somewhere
who would understand what had happened that he could talk to?
     Although Beth Jenkins didn't approve of the conversation at
the dinner table, she didn't dare say anything to her husband.
He agreed with the Reverend Jimmy Bob that the wedding vows of
"love, honor and obey" meant just that.  The one time that she
had argued with her husband, she couldn't leave the house for
several days because he had slapped her hard enough that she had
a bruise on her cheek.  If he demanded sex, she had better be in
there bed with no excuses.
     Bret Senior was just getting wound up.  "Their foreman at
the Bar-W Ranch is retiring and they promoted one of the guys who
works there to take his place.  He's a fag and lives with another
guy who's a fag.  Makes me wonder why the Williamson family loves
fags," he ranted.
     Beth Jenkins tried to introduce a new subject.
     "I thought Chris Williamson was a nice person and she's
going to bring Terry home tomorrow afternoon.  You know, she
could have just told me to pick him up.  I think that's a real
credit to the kind of person she must be."
     It didn't work.
     "The next time they have a "fag meeting" at that cathedral
the Williamson family belongs to, we ought to go see who attends
and make their names known around town.  That should put a stop
to that!" Bret Senior declared.
     The picture was becoming clearer now to Bret Junior.  He
knew the Williamson family attended St. James Episcopal Church.
He'd always wanted to go see what was inside the building because
it was so beautiful on the outside.  He'd heard that they had a
pipe organ that had cost almost a million dollars.  Wow!  That
was a lot of money.  He was going to have to figure out a way to
get inside the building.
     The ringing of the telephone brought about the end of the
dinner conversation at the Jenkins household, because the call
was for Bret Senior and it was his parents.  He would hardly give
Beth's parents the time of day, but she knew he would be on the
telephone with his parents for about 2 hours.
     Bret Junior helped his mother clear the table and wash
dishes.  For the first time in several years, he realized how
much he loved his mother and felt sorry for her.  He just wished
he could talk to her about what had happened with Reverend Jimmy
Bob Jones and the earlier conversation at the dinner table.
     * * * * *
     Dale arrived at home only a few minutes later than his usual
time.  Of course, his lover was glad to see him and he was glad
to see Craig.  They wound themselves around each other,
exchanging a kiss that wouldn't quit.  That had the expected
results of making each get hard.  They loved it.
     "I missed you this afternoon, but I couldn't figure out how
to stay around to be with you," said Craig.
     "No more than I missed being with you, but I had a lot of
things that had to be accomplished this afternoon, so the time
passed quickly.  Now I know why Marty bought me the Blazer.  I
wasn't around the ranch enough today to get anything done.  I
think all the running around I did today must have taken a half
tank of gas."
     "Do you want to go out, or eat in?" Craig asked.
     "Do we have anything to eat here?" said Dale.
     "I did stop and get some steaks and baking potatoes, but if
you don't feel up to it we can order a pizza or go out."
     "I'd settle for spending the evening at home, looking at you
and thinking how lucky I am," Dale said.
     "Well, that's down to two choices.  Order in or fix
something here," Craig told him.
     "Do we have anything to make a salad?" Dale asked.
     "Yes, but if we order from Tony D's we can get a salad
that's ready to eat."
     "Let's do that," Dale said.  "I think I'm ready for one of
your wonderful drinks."
     "Hey, we haven't had pizza since the night we discovered
each other," Craig laughed.  "Do you think I could get lucky
again?" he said, leering at Dale.
     "And you don't even have to get me drunk to 'do it'," Dale
laughed.
     They both thought that was funny.  And, they each thought
they were the luckiest guy in the world.  Both of their worlds
had taken quite a turn, and it was for the better for each of
them.
     "Do you realize that we will be in Ft. Worth a week from
tonight?" Craig asked.  "Next week we'll be on our honeymoon," he
teased.
     "If it gets any better than the last two weeks, I don't
think I can stand it," Dale said.
     "I can guarantee that it's going to get better.  We haven't
even gotten started yet," Craig told him.
     "I know what will make me better.  You fix drinks and I'm
going to go take off my Levis and boots and get comfortable."
     Craig headed toward the bar and Dale went to their bedroom
and shed all of his clothes except for his briefs.  On second
thought, he pulled those off and put on a clean pair of boxers.
He hoped that Craig would do the same when he was through mixing
drinks.  Next he went into the bathroom and washed his face.
Already he felt like a new person.  He went back to the living
room just as Craig was starting toward their bedroom with two of
his special martinis.
     "Wow, you really did get comfortable, didn't you?" he asked.
     "Yeah.  Why don't you do the same?" Dale replied.
     "I will," Craig said, handing a drink to Dale.  They
silently 'cheered' each other, then Craig handed his glass to
Dale, going into the bedroom himself.
     "Did you notice that Mrs. Hopkins was here to clean today?"
Craig asked.
     "No, I hadn't even looked around except to put my dirty
clothes in the laundry hamper."
     "I hope she didn't wonder why we had 'crusty' sheets," Craig
giggled.
     "They may not have been too crusty, remember we've been
using a bath towel on the bed.  Now we just have crusty bath
towels."  Dale was laughing.
     "Right.  Much easier to disguise," Craig said, snickering.
     "Does she even know that two people live here, now?" Dale
questioned.
     "Yes, I told her last week because you were so worried about
your dirty clothes.  As it has turned out, with your job change
you don't even have dirty clothes anymore."
     By this time Craig was through changing his clothes and he
took his drink back from Dale.  They each had another sip, and
then locked their lips together again.  That had its expected
effect. Still kissing, they rubbed each other to full hardness.
     "You feel so good," Dale told his lover.
     "Mmnn. so do you," was his reply.
     Dale led the way to their favorite place to sit on the love
seat.  He sat with his back in one corner with his right leg
along the back.  Craig sat in front of him, turned at an angle so
they could caress each other and look into the other's eyes.
Dale put his right hand on Craig's right shoulder and pulled him
closer so Craig's left cheek was against Dale's chest.  They
enjoyed just being together.  Although it was erotic for them to
rub against each other, they were just enjoying the closeness of
each other.
     Dale set his glass on the coffee table, then took Craig's
glass and set it beside it.  "Did you have a chance to do any
thinking about what I can get you for a birthday present?"
     "Actually, I did."
     "And."
     "I don't know if I should suggest this or not."
     "Tell me anyway."
     Craig took a deep breath.
     "We love each other, right?"
     "Yes."
     "And we want to be together, don't we?"
     "Certainly."  Dale was a little puzzled about where this was
going.
     "What would you think about us buying rings to wear. to show
our commitment to each other?"
     "I'd be honored to wear your ring."
     "I was afraid that you might think this was too soon."
     "I don't think it's too soon.  I know that things have
happened quickly for us, but I don't think I'll feel any
different about you next week, next month or next year."
     Craig leaned up to exchange another kiss.
     " I think that's what I'd like, for each of us to wear the
other's ring.  Kind of like claiming each other as our own."
     "I think that's a great idea.  I like that idea. that you
belong to me and everybody else will know it," Dale said, tears
in his eyes.  "And that I belong to you."
     They exchanged another kiss.
     "Do you know that I feel that you are the only person who
has really ever loved me?" Dale asked, his eyes starting to
overflow.
     "Oh, hon, you know that your mother and grandparents loved
you."
     "Maybe so, but. I don't know. it's just not the same as our
love for each other is."
     "There's a big difference. at least I think so. between
romantic love and the love you have for your mother and family,"
Craig tried to reassure him.
     "I know what you are trying to say, but I've always had the
feeling that my mother thought she missed her opportunity to get
away from her parents and leave Williamsport, because of me."
     "Don't blame yourself.  It's not your fault.  And I have to
look on the bright side.  If you hadn't come along, where would I
be right now?" Craig questioned.
     Dale hadn't thought of that possibility.  "In that case, it
changes everything for me, too."
     "We are good for each other and I think we'll always be
together.  I'm so proud of you, hon," Craig said, reaching Dale's
lips for another kiss.
     Dale handed Craig his drink, then picked up his own.  They
each had another sip, and then exchanged another kiss.
     It just felt so good to sit together this way.
     "Where should we go to buy rings?" Dale asked.  "I'd like to
have some that are alike."
     "There is Mercier Jewelry here in Williamsport.  He has a
good reputation for quality merchandise."
     "Do you think he would have a problem with two men buy rings
alike?" Dale asked.
     "If he does, then he doesn't get a sale.  I'm sure he's had
much stranger requests for jewelry than ours is going to be.  Or
we can look in Ft. Worth and Dallas, but I'd feel better if
somebody could recommend a store there because I don't know who
has a good reputation."
     That's fine.  Let's go to Mercier's and see if he can help
us," Dale said.
     "Okay.  We have a fairly full day tomorrow, but we could go
early in the morning or later in the afternoon.  I'm supposed to
pick up the picnic lunch at 10:30.  Tom and Eddie are supposed to
meet us here at 11 o'clock and if you want to pick your new
clothes up, they are supposed to be ready sometime after noon.
We can call the store in the morning to see if they might be
ready earlier.  That could save us some time in the afternoon."
     "That sounds fine to me.  If I'm supposed to try the clothes
on, it would be nice to do it in the morning so we don't have to
rush around after the picnic.  We'll have to clean up after
riding the horses."
     "I know, but I'd lick you all over your body whether you
smelled horsy or not."
     "Don't be too sure about that.  It gets pretty rank even if
your clothes and body aren't touching the horse directly."
     "I'll be sure and check it out when we get back," Craig
leered at him, then leaned up for another kiss.  "Did I ever tell
you how much I love you?"
     "Uhmmm. I think so, but remind me again, will you?"
     Dale set their glasses down again and this time they
proceeded to show each how much they loved the other.  The action
soon moved to a more suitable location. the bedroom.  Dale would
still have loved to carry Craig into the bedroom just to surprise
him and he knew he was strong enough, but they were too close to
the same size.
     Settling on the bed after the quilt and sheet were drawn
back, they soon moved to a '69' position after laying on their
sides, facing each other and rubbing the other's body lightly.
They must have both been horny because it seemed like it was only
a matter of minutes before they came to a roaring climax, almost
at the same time.
     After draining the other, they moved into a position to
exchange the harvest of their efforts, mixing the cocktail in the
vessel their mouths made, stirring it with their tongues.  After
swallowing, they lay in each other's arms, enjoying the
afterglow, rubbing the other's body lightly, and exchanging small
kisses and hugs.
     Each was the reward the other had sought in looking for a
partner.
     * * * * *
     Finally they went to the bathroom to freshen up and putting
their boxers back on, went to the other room.  Craig called Tony
D's for a pizza and two of their wonderful salads.
     When the delivery boy brought their order, Dale answered the
door just in his boxers.  The young man saw Craig dressed (or
undressed) in the same way.  He was so busy looking at the two
hunks that he could hardly give Dale their order and count the
change.  He wouldn't have cared if he hadn't gotten a tip even,
looking at these two men was good enough for him.
     Dale carried the meal to their kitchen and Craig got up to
follow him.  They started laughing.
     "I think if you had invited him in, he would have forgotten
about delivering any more pizzas tonight," Craig teased.
     "Hey, guy, I've got all I can or want to take care of right
here, and don't you ever forget it," Dale told him.
     "I know.  I feel the same way.  I was just teasing you.
I'll bet the poor kid is down in the parking lot jacking off
right now."
     "I hope so," Dale teased back.  Actually the idea of them
making the kid horny was funny to both of them.
     * * * * *
     Scott Maxwell took charge of setting up the three tents for
his Patrol.  Jason and John Clarke were the least experienced of
the 8 boys and all they could be expected to do was to hold ropes
until stakes had been driven in the ground.  Scott was a good
leader and knew what he was doing, one of the reasons he had
almost fulfilled his requirements to earn his Eagle badge.  With
only the Wolf Patrol working together, they had their three tents
set up before the next Patrol arrived.
     The established routine was that no Patrol could be
transported to the campsite until all members were present,
unless arrangements had been made ahead of time with the
Scoutmaster and Patrol leader.  This was to instill a sense of
responsibility in the boys, that they were all expected to
cooperate with each other and that they had to depend on each
other.  This had created some problems in the past and it
probably would again in the future, but the thought was that if a
boy couldn't be held accountable for his actions, then he was not
Boy Scout material.
     While Wolf Patrol was making their fire pit ready to use,
Hawk Patrol had arrived and was beginning to set up their tent
close-by.  Jason's friend, Tim Cranston, was in that Patrol,
which only had 4 members, so all, would sleep in the same tent.
     In short order the entire troop had arrived.  There were 41
boys, divided into 7 patrols and sleeping in 12 tents.  There was
a Scoutmaster and 4 Assistant Scoutmasters.  They would sleep in
two tents a little ways away from the rest of the troop.  The
troop owned a "chuck wagon" which really was an aluminum trailer
with a kitchen in it.  Since they were getting a late start this
evening, the two men who were in charge of meals had pulled the
trailer to the campsite earlier in the afternoon and had made a
delicious beef stew and a fudge-brownie cake for dessert.  The
boys could have their choice of milk, lemonade or grape Kool-Aid
to drink.
     The Patrol Leaders lined all the boys up for the troop
chaplain to ask a blessing for the boys on the trip and the food
they were about to eat.  Tables had been set up and a Coleman
lantern had been set on each one.  As is usual, food always
tastes better when you are outdoors and this was no exception for
this group of boys.  Most had seconds of both the stew and cake.
     At noon the next day, they would prepare their own meals
under the supervision of the Patrol Leaders and assistant
Scoutmasters.
     Scouting had changed a lot over the years.  They had more
facilities than they used to with hot, soapy water to wash their
plates and eating utensils in.  They also had 5 Porta-potties,
which saved them from having to dig a latrine.  It wasn't as
"rough and tumble" as it used to be.  However the older boys
would experience "scouting the way it used to be" when going to
the big scout camps around the country.
     After eating, some of the boys went down to the river to
look around and several tried to show others the art of skipping
stones across the water.
     As it started to get dark, they gathered around the large
bonfire.  The Scoutmaster talked about the campout and what was
to be accomplished.  Most of the boys would be working on merit
badges the next day and help would be assigned to oversee and
help the boys with their work.
     Finally as it got dark, the older boys started telling jokes
and sharing stories, most of which were scary ghost stories, then
ended the evening singing camp songs.  Most of them were new to
Jason, but he learned quickly.  He was having a great time and
was looking forward to a visit from his father sometime tomorrow
and also from Dale and Craig and some friends who would be with
them.
     * * * * *
     (to be continued)
     * * * * *
Author's Note:  This is my first attempt at gay fiction, and the
only way I can learn whether or not I should continue is from my
readers' feedback.  I would appreciate your comments, criticism,
suggestions, and anything else that you would care to say.  All
Email will be answered.  If you wish to receive e-mail
notification of subsequent posting, please let me know by sending
your request to the e-mail address below.  Contact me at:
tulsadriller7@aol.com

Thanks for the overwhelming response to previous chapters.  I
received positive replies from all over the world.  My special
thanks to RW, whom I've known for many years and value his
suggestions.  Also for the proofreading help of Paul Daventon,
author of  "Turning the Page" found in the "Adult-Friends"
section of Nifty.  Please read it.