Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2003 13:09:22 EST
From: Tulsadriller7@aol.com
Subject: Tales from the Ranch, Chapter 32/?

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 2003 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 32:  Getting settled
     Craig parked on the side street so they could go in a door
that would take them past the Sacristy and flower room.  They
could hear the organ when they entered the building as Paul was
practicing.
     As they walked into the chancel area, in front of the
communion rail, Paul reached the climax of whatever organ work he
was playing and the trompettes on the west wall could be heard
above full organ.  Joey was mesmerized.  He could tell that the
building was huge.  The nave was dimly lit and one could see the
flickering of the votive candles, but he knew the small church he
had been attending in Houston was tiny compared to this church.
Craig steered him over to the organ console so they could watch
Paul play.  Joey had never seen an organ so large before and the
pipes in the organ facade above the chancel seemed to tower over
them, reaching toward the roof, which was quite high.
     The organ started a decrescendo and by the time the piece
was finished, the organ sounded more like a whisper in
comparison.  Paul ended the music and swung around on the bench,
greeting Craig, who introduced Joey.
     "Welcome to Williamsport and St. James Church," Paul said.
     "Thank you," Joey said.
     Paul could tell immediately that he had a resonate baritone
voice and hoped he could sing on pitch and read music.  They
needed him in the choir.
     "Have you sung in a choir before?" Paul asked.
     "I was in junior choir at the church I went to in Houston.
They didn't have enough kids for a youth choir and wouldn't let
us sing in the adult choir.  I was in mixed chorus in middle
school the last two years, but my schedule this year wouldn't
allow it," Joey answered.
     "Great.  Do you mind if we do some vocal exercises so I can
see what your range is and what your voice sounds like?"
     "No, it sounds like fun."
     Paul started him in on some simple exercises where he sang
the same note, starting softly, louder and louder, then gradually
softer.  Next were scales, singing up and down.  Joey had a wide
range and his upper notes were clear.  Paul was overjoyed and
hoped Joey was interested in the choir.  Craig was amazed at what
he heard although he professed that he knew nothing about music,
except to know what he liked when he heard it.
     He glanced at his watch.  Time to get to class.  He told
Joey goodbye and thanked Paul in advance for taking him home,
making sure Joey had his key.
     "Can you read notes on the staff?" Paul questioned.
     "I don't always know what the note names are, but generally
I can tell the interval from one note to another.  I learn
quickly though," he proudly said.
     Paul started him on a couple of easy Anglican chants,
singing along with him, then allowing him to sing alone.  It was
almost perfect the first time through.  Paul handed him another
piece of music, written for a tenor and bass/baritone.  Paul took
him through the piece once by himself, then again with Paul
singing the tenor line with him.  Again, it was almost perfect.
     "If you are interested in singing in our choir, I have a
place for you," Paul told him.
     "This is where Dale and Craig go to church, isn't it?" he
asked.
     "Yes," Paul said.
     "Then I want to," he answered.
     Paul took him through a couple of more exercises, then gave
him a copy of "O Zion, haste" that he had arranged for the men
and boys' choir with a baritone solo.  It was the hymn tune
"Tidings" that was in most denominational hymnals.  Joey was
familiar with the tune and gave it all he had, with Paul
supplying a magnificent organ accompaniment.  He loved this hymn
and allowed his voice to soar up and down, crescendos and
decrescendos observed by both organist and soloist.
     Neither realized that several of the men and boys had come
in and were standing across the chancel from where they were
working.  When they finished, a handsome round of applause was
given them.
     Paul swung off the bench grabbing Joey's right arm, raising
it above his head like he had just been declared the victorious
winner.  "Isn't he grand?" Paul crowed.
     More applause.
     Joey was introduced to those who had arrived early.  Paul
told them he was going to be living with Dale and Craig and would
be starting as a freshman at Davy Crockett High School, probably
next week.  The people crowded around Joey, offering him
congratulations and a welcome, shaking his hands and pounding him
on his back.
     They were a friendly bunch of boys, wanting to know about
what sports he liked, what teams he rooted for and other things
young men were interested in.  Paul let them visit and by 6:55
most of the 22 singers were there, so he got their attention the
remind them to get settled in their places in the choir stalls,
putting Joey in the section with 3 other, rather weak baritones.
He hoped Joey would give them confidence in singing their part.
     The first music to be rehearsed was the three hymns for the
Sunday solemn high mass.  Paul realized that he needed to have
the choir process up the aisle so Joey could get a feel for how
it was done, so he had the choir file out of the stalls and walk
to the back as if they were singing the recessional hymn.  As
they were going to the front door, Paul turned on lights in the
nave so they could see to read music.  Joey was in total awe of
the inside of the building.
     As Paul was returning to the organ console, Joey's mate in
the procession told him to watch the men and boys in front of him
and follow them into the stalls, but being sure to bow toward the
altar after they ascended the three steps into the chancel.  Joey
was a little confused about what he had been told, but had no
problem when he got there.
     Paul played the hymn all the way through, then the choir
started the first verse, not moving until the second verse
started, then filed into position two at a time, going down the
center aisle.  The sound of the organ filled Joey's head, along
with his fellow choir members singing.  He felt elated as he
slowly moved down the aisle.  He watched those ahead of him as
they climbed the steps, saw them bow, then did the same himself
when the time came, walking to the entrance to the row where he
was to sit.  After the third verse, the organ started a big
crescendo as the choir stood in place.  Then it was time to start
the last verse of the hymn.  The organ seemed to be roaring above
them.  The boy sopranos started singing a descant.  It was the
most glorious thing Joey had ever experienced.  Tears came to his
eyes and he almost felt weak, even though elated.
     When the hymn was over, he turned to the young fellow on his
left and mouthed, "Wow!!"
     The next music was the other two hymns for the service, then
the communion hymn to be sung after the choir received communion.
     Paul took them through the Missa de Angelis, the music for
the ordinary of the mass.  It was plainsong in nature and in
unison, but the choir was stopped several times for corrections,
Paul admonishing them to watch him.  From where Joey was sitting
they had to watch Paul in a mirror above the back row of the
opposite choir stalls.  After Paul was satisfied, they practiced
the Mass Propers; the chants that changed each Sunday, along with
the Psalm that was sung between the Old and New Testament
lessons.
     The last music handed out was anthems for upcoming Sundays,
Thanksgiving and one Advent piece.  The choir generally worked
about 8 weeks ahead on music.  The anthem had already been chosen
for Sunday, of course.  It was the piece Paul had Joey sing
earlier, "O Zion, haste".  Paul announced that he was asking Joey
to sing the baritone solo on the third and fourth verses and the
other 3 baritones started applauding.  The rest of the choir
laughed.
     The choir knew the anthem since they had been rehearsing it
for several weeks.  Paul started the accompaniment, and then
directed the choir to come in at the appropriate place.  The
first verse followed the traditional hymn harmony, the second
verse was sung a' cappella, then the organ came back in,
modulating up to a new key.  Joey had the solo and the choir was
softly singing harmony behind him.  He was looking in the mirror,
following Paul's direction and realized that Paul was trying to
get him to sing louder, with more force.  As his volume
increased, so did the choir.  After the third verse the organ
went into a wild modulation, Joey thought going down to a new
key.  The choir started softly, building to the point where
Joey's solo started again, this time alternating with and joining
a bass voice.  The boy sopranos were singing a beautiful descant,
the choir was singing a different harmony and the organist was
adding more and more organ.  The choir reached the end of the
vocal score and the organ went on for what seemed to be another
half page, then a great Amen.
     Paul was elated.  Joey was weak.  The choir knew that
something great had happened.
     The rest of the rehearsal seemed to go slowly, although Paul
had the full attention of everyone.  The anthem for five weeks
away needed quite a bit of work on the parts for the tenors and
basses.  The rest of the anthems received only a run-through, but
were in the folders so the choir could start learning them and
getting familiar with their parts.
     Rehearsal was finally over with about 8:45.  Again everyone
told Joey goodbye and said they would see him on Sunday.  Several
offered him a ride, but Paul said he would take care of it
because they needed to find vestments for him to wear on Sunday.
     Paul turned off the nave lights, and then led him to the
choir room.  It was set up for rehearsal, but not often used.
There were chairs on risers and a nice grand piano. A large music
library was housed in the room along with several cabinets
containing robes, one of which contained cassocks and surplices
that were unassigned.  Paul pulled out a cassock and held it up
to his back.  Not enough room in the shoulders and too long.  He
went two sizes larger and to a shorter length.  That looked like
it was going to be okay, so he had Joey slip it on and zip it up.
It was fine, a little loose, but better than tight.  Some of the
boys were growing quickly and had to have larger robes every few
months.  Paul selected a surplice and helped Joey put it on.
Perfect.  He led him to a full-length mirror and allowed him to
look at himself.  Joey was impressed with his appearance.
     Paul explained the rules for dressing:  Any kind of shirt
was okay, but the collar could not stick up above the collar of
the cassock, it would have to be rolled down or tucked inside.
No sneakers unless they were solid black.  Black dress shoes were
best.  They were to wear dark pants and dark socks, black being
preferred.  They were to be in the choir room and robed by 10:10
so they could rehearse, as Paul had to be through so he could
start the organ prelude at 10:50.
     Paul put tags on Joey's vestments and wrote the numbers on
the chart, then showed him where his hangers were in another
cabinet.
     The only question Joey had was about receiving communion.
Paul told him that anyone was allowed to receive communion, then
took him to the communion rail to show him the proper way to hold
his hands to receive the wafer, then how to take the base of the
chalice to guide it to his lips.
     "Just watch the young men on either side of you and bow when
they bow and turn toward the altar when they do.  I'll ask them
to help you," Paul told him.
     Paul drove Joey home.  "Are you going to tell Dale and Craig
that you're singing a solo on Sunday, or do you want to surprise
them?"
     Joey thought for a moment.  "It'd be kinda neat to surprise
them, don't you think?"
     "Yeah it would, but we need to put your name in the service
folder so others will know who you are, but maybe Dale and Craig
won't see your name until the anthem starts.  By the way, what is
your full name?"
     "Joseph Dale Sullivan, Jr.," Joey said.
     "Okay, do you want me to put it in the folder that way, or
do you want to be listed differently?"
     "Why don't you just put 'Joey Sullivan'?  That's what
everybody calls me."
     "Okay, Joey Sullivan it is.  I'm really glad to have you in
the choir.  You have a good voice and a lot of natural talent.
I'll help you work to make it even better."
     "Thanks, Paul."
     They pulled into the parking lot.  Joey asked, "Do you want
to see my dog, Mitsy?  She's a Sheltie."
     "Sure, they are beautiful dogs."
     "I'll run upstairs and let her out because she needs to take
care of her stuff, so we'll be right down."
     Paul told him he would wait by the car.
     "Within two minutes Mitsy came bounding down the steps with
Joey right behind her.  She immediately headed for her place on
the grass.  After she was through, she came to Joey, who was
standing beside Paul.
     "She is beautiful," Paul said.  "Hi Mitsy."  He rubbed the
top of her nose and scratched her ears.  He'd like to have a dog,
but that was the one thing where George had put his foot down and
refused to give in; Paul's having a dog.
     * * * * *
     Paul returned home to the rectory, greeting his lover, the
Rev. George Tikker with a kiss and a hug.  George was in his
sitting in their lounge room with a laptop computer, working on
the homily for next Sunday.
     "How was choir this evening?  Did Joey Richards show up?"
     "His last name isn't Richards, it's Sullivan, but yes, he
did show up.  I can't get over how much alike he and Dale look,
it's probably like looking back to when Dale was in high school.
     "That's right, they have the same father, I guess I didn't
realize they might not have the same last name," George said.
     "Well, let me tell you, that young man has a voice that
won't quit.  I'm using him for the baritone solo on Sunday's
Offertory Anthem instead of the whole section.  He hasn't had
much training, but he sure has a lot of natural talent and seems
to sense what he should do," Paul told George.
     "I know you've been worried about that section ever since
Bob Page left for college."
     "Yes, and although his name will be in the service folder
for Sunday, we're not going to tell Dale and Craig that he's
singing the solo.  We're going to surprise them."
     "They will be proud, I can assure you," George said.
     "I certainly would be, I hope this works out for all of
them.  I don't know Dale and Craig very well, but they should be
wonderful people to have for a role model, regardless of whether
Joey is straight or gay."
     "Any indication from him?" George asked.
     "No, none.
     "Have you given any thought to inviting a small group of
kids over to meet Joey and get acquainted with him?"
     Paul replied, "Yes, I need to start calling tomorrow.  I was
thinking about having a mixed group of about a dozen on Saturday
about 5 o'clock, would that work for you?"
     George pulled his planner out of his pocket.  "Nothing
except hearing confessions from 4:30 to 5:30, but you can start
without me."
     "If we do it earlier, we get into things the kids are doing
in the afternoon, and later we get into family functions and
their going out on dates.  Friday is not good because there's a
home football game at 7:30.  The guys that are playing football
can't be here."
     "Go ahead with the Saturday evening date, and don't forget
to invite a few adults, too, especially Dale and Craig," George
told Paul.  "And I promised Dale and Craig that I'd try to meet
Joey and get acquainted if he decided that he needed to talk to
someone."
     "I've been meaning to ask, how many people are coming to
confession now?" Paul asked.
     "Oh, about 12 to fifteen.  It's taking them time to get used
to the idea.  It was the same thing when the vestry approved
installing the holy water fonts.  Most people ignored them.  A
couple of weeks ago one in the Lady Chapel was dry and three
people complained about it."
     Paul laughed.  "The priest over at St. Margaret's should
come over here for lessons on how to be a Catholic Church.  I saw
him downtown the other day and he was dressed in Levis and a
Grateful Dead T-shirt.  You would never know he was a priest."
     "Well, a lot of people criticize me for wearing a cassock
and biretta on the street, but they know who I am.  The funny
thing of it is that the non-members are always quick to comment
on it and seem to like it.  It's kind of like the nuns wearing
modern dress instead of the old heavy habits."
     "I know, a nun is a nun is a nun."  Paul laughed, George
joining him.
     "And besides, my clerical garb seems to get me a lot of
respect in bed."
     George grabbed Paul and gave him a very passionate kiss,
which was returned with a great deal of gusto.
     * * * * *
     Dale and Craig turned down the offer to have coffee with
Jerry and Louis, saying they had company and maybe next week
would work better.  They arrived home, wondering if Joey was
there, as they didn't know how long choir lasted.
     Mitsy greeted them at the door as she'd heard the key in the
lock.  Joey was sitting at the dining room table doing his
homework and had a question about an Algebra problem for Craig.
Again, Craig worked the problem, arriving at the same answer.  It
was just a difference in the way the solution was reached.
     Joey had some history questions for Dale, who answered two
with no problem, but the third one needed some research and there
were no books in the apartment to look it up.  Craig realized
that they might have to buy a set of encyclopedias and wondered
if his parents still had the set from when he and his sisters
were in school.  Then he realized that if they did have them, it
was a good chance they were ten years out of date.
     "How was choir practice?" Craig asked.
     "Great.  That's an awesome church and the organ is terrific,
too," Joey said.
     "Did you pass the audition to sing in the choir?" Dale
asked.
     "Yeah, Paul said I'm a high baritone and he needed me in the
section," Joey said, not telling the rest of the story.
     "Good.  Did you meet any of the other boys?" Craig
questioned.
     "Yeah.  Several will be in my class at Davy Crockett High.
They are great guys."
     "Okay," Dale said.  "We'll go visit the high school tomorrow
morning to see about getting you enrolled and get a class
schedule - that is if you want to move here and live with Craig
and me."
     "There's no doubt about that, you're my two new Dad's and
I'm going to like living here in Williamsport and especially with
you."
     Dale walked up to Joey and put his hand on his shoulder,
with Craig doing the same on the other side.  "I'm glad you feel
that way.  Craig and I will be here for you and you can count on
us to do whatever we can to help you."  He squeezed Joey's
shoulder.
     "Hey guy, we're going to be good together.  You're a neat
young man and we'll be here for you," Craig said, giving him a
squeeze, too.
     Joey got tears in his eyes, then stood up and turned around
to face his two new Dads.  "Thank you.  I love you and I want you
to love me, too, because I don't know what I'd do without you."
     It was an emotional time for the three, but it seemed to
solidify their bond with each other.
     * * * * *
     They went to bed after having some ice cream and discussing
their day.  Joey expressed his thanks to Dale for everything that
he had taken time to show him and to be with him that day.
     They went to bed; Craig making sure that Joey's alarm clock
was set correctly.
     "Do you want me to shut the door?" Craig questioned.
     "Why don't you just pull it almost closed?" Joey replied.
     "Night," Craig said as he left the room.
     * * * * *
     Dale and Craig stripped down to their boxers, then shed them
as they crawled into their own bed - after making sure their door
was closed.
     They rolled to the middle, ending up with Craig lying on top
of Dale and exchanging kisses.  They were both horny and it felt
good to be able to feel the other's body, rubbing, pinching and
massaging the other.
     Craig was really getting off, feeling his lover's body below
him.  They were both hard and started humping their groins
against the other.  That action had its desired result.  The
precum they started leaking made it easy for their cocks to slide
against and beside the other.  Dale managed to roll them onto
their sides, then swung himself around to where they could engage
in giving their attention to each other's cocks.  Both were
hungry for that clear lubrication the other was producing and
devoured the object of their ardor to the root.  They started
humping into the mouth that was making them feel so good.  They
were at the banquet table and each was starved.  It didn't take
long for each to experience that tingle from deep within.  Hands
searched the other, and then fingers ended up teasing the
entrance to their sphincters.  Both could feel the other grow a
little more as the feeling became more intense.
     Suddenly, almost without warning each was emptying their
load into the other.  This wasn't really a case of them making
love, this was a case of primal need, to suckle the nectar needed
to strengthen themselves, to swallow the other's love offering.
     * * * * *
     Joey was keyed up from the day, remembering and replaying
the day's activities in his mind.  He was going to miss Joe,
after all they had been best Buds for all Joey's life, and it
made him sad to think that he was soon going to be just a memory.
But, he was thankful that Dale - and Craig - were willing to
provide a home for him.  Somehow, he knew deep down that he loved
them and they, him.  There was a feeling of security in being
here.  He knew that his two new Dad's loved each other and he was
comfortable with that.  He was sad that his real father had never
experienced what Dale and Craig had, but it was something none of
them could do anything about.
     He had told Craig to leave his door slightly ajar.  Being in
his own room in a strange house didn't bother him, but he was
used to the noises the house he had lived in made all the time
with wood swelling and shrinking, pushing and pulling as the
temperature changed.  This place was too quiet, probably because
of the concrete construction.
     Joey thought about Dale and Craig and wondered what they did
behind the closed door of their bedroom.  He'd seem some of the
gay videos his father had, although he had watched them when his
father wasn't home, not as he'd told Dale and Craig.  He was
curious but was not terribly turned-on by some of the stuff he'd
seen.
     However, he was curious about his own body and the fact that
he seemed to be maturing much sooner than his classmates.
Certainly in the showers after gym he had a chance to compare
himself with other's his own age.  He was in the 9th grade, just
past 14 years old.  The previous summer he had sprouted a lot of
hair on his chest and abdomen to join with the already impressive
bush above his cock.  His legs were hairy and he thought that was
neat because there were other boys in his gym class that barely
had pubic hair.
     Thinking about that got him hard and he started rubbing his
hands over his body, reveling in the sensations he was causing
himself.  His cock was already an impressive 7-inches and he was
uncut.  He didn't know how that had happened, because the only
other kids in his class who hadn't been circumcised were two or
three Mexican boys.
     He liked to run his finger around the inside of his
foreskin, behind the head of the crown and gather the white
smegma on his finger.  It was kind of a funky flavor, but he
eagerly licked it off, then went back to see if there was any
more.  Then he remembered Jason and Dale showing him how to milk
Star, the cow.  He wondered if the same action that he used to
get milk would work on his dick.  With a little experimenting he
got himself into a rhythm, squeezing and milking his cock, using
his fingers to enhance the feelings he was getting.
     Whether it was from being horny and not having a chance to
jackoff for several days, or the newly discovered way to handle
his cock, he was soon ready to shoot.  He didn't have a towel or
sock to catch his wad and the feeling was too good to get up to
go get something, so he allowed it to spew forth as he came in
his hand and on his chest and stomach.  Without thinking, he put
his hand to his mouth and licked it clean.  Finding that the
taste wasn't bad, actually somewhat neutral in taste, he removed
as much of the remainder as he could and ate it, too.
     He rolled over; feeling relaxed and elated, and was soon
asleep.
     * * * * *
     Thursday morning Dale woke before the alarm rang.  He was
spooned behind Craig, his cock resting between his cheeks.  As he
became aware of what was going on, he started to stiffen which
must have felt good to Craig because he wiggled around on the
bed, pressing himself back against Dale, who started massaging
his nipples.
     "Uhmmnn."  Dale heard Craig making noise.
     He decided that Craig was at some point between being asleep
and waking up, so decided to help the process along by kissing
his shoulder, then licking up to his ear.  That had the desired
effect as Craig stretched, then turned his head and whispered,
"Morning, love."
     "Morning yourself.  Did you know that you are beautiful when
you wake up?"
     "I only know that you feel good," Craig whispered back.
     "Why are you whispering?" Dale inquired.
     Craig giggled.  "Because we don't want to wake up the
children."
     With that, he flipped around so they could kiss.  They each
had a mild case of "morning mouth" but didn't let that bother
them.  It seemed to go away pretty quickly as their dry mouths
produced saliva.  They enjoyed being with each other, fondling,
giving the other little pecks on the face and humping against
each other.  Although both were hard, there wasn't any urgency to
do anything except what they were doing.
     "I love you," Craig said quietly.
     "I love you more," Dale said.
     "You know we're pretty amazing?" Craig asked.
     "No, why?"
     "We've only been married about a month and already have a 14-
year old son."
     They laughed together.
     "No birth pains and we escaped sleepless nights, toilet
training and puberty, too," Dale said.
     "I think he's going to get along fine with us.  He's a smart
boy, seemingly well-adjusted and seems to like us as much as we
like him," Craig said.
     "Well, I just hope and pray that Joe's death doesn't change
all of that.  I guess we'll see just how well-adjusted he is in
the next week or so," Dale told him.
     "Me too."
     "I'm going to call Jay McCormick this morning and see how
Joe is getting along and what's going on with him.  You know we
never did see a doctor to talk to, but Jay said that the
agreement was that there be no intervention or treatment, so
guess the doctor didn't need to see us," Dale said.
     "I would guess there probably hasn't been much change, or
Jay would have tried to contact you, but I agree that a phone
call is in order."
     Dale hadn't turned the alarm off, so it started buzzing.  If
they slept or stayed in bed that long, it didn't leave them much
time to get ready to start the day.
     * * * * *
     Joey woke up quickly when the alarm rang on his bedside
table.  It took him a minute to realize where he was as the light
came into the room on a different side than he was used to.  Then
he remembered he was in Williamsport.  As he stretched on the
bed, he rubbed his chest and abs, idly scratching; discovering
dried cum had matted some hair.
     He pulled himself up and out of bed, going to the bathroom
to pee, then brushing his teeth and starting the morning routine
of shaving and showering.  As he pulled his briefs on, he
realized that he'd better find out what to wear since Dale had
mentioned going to the school to see about enrollment.  Since
he'd seen both Dale and Craig running around the apartment in
just boxer shorts, he didn't bother to add more clothing.  As he
pulled his bedroom door open, he thought he heard someone in the
kitchen, so went to look.
     Craig was just pouring mugs of coffee for himself and Dale.
He didn't have any clothes on so Joey could see his slender,
muscular body, trimmed only by light brown hair above his cock.
Craig heard Joey and was immediately embarrassed to be seen
running around the apartment like that, but then realized they
were all mature men and had nothing to hide from each other.
     "Sorry, I didn't think to put some shorts on.  Not used to
having you here yet," Craig said.
     He was eyeing Joey, also, thinking that he was a younger
version of his lover.
     "Do you want some coffee this morning?" Craig asked.
     "After a bit.  I was wondering what I should wear today.
Dale said something about taking me to see about enrolling in
school.  Do I need to wear dress clothes?"
     "I would think that whatever you're comfortable wearing.  A
lot of the kids wear denim jeans and boots or athletic shoes and
polo shirts.  Some wear chinos, but I can't think they would wear
dress clothes unless they had something special going on."
     About that time Dale came into the kitchen, mostly dressed.
He was wearing Levis, boots and pulling on a polo shirt.
     He looked at both Craig and Joey, then smiled.  "Do we have
a new 'at home' dress code that nobody told me about?" he
laughed.
     Craig turned red and Joey didn't know if he should be
embarrassed or not.
     "I forgot that we have a child in the house now," Craig
teased.
     "I needed to know what I should wear today so I didn't put
on the wrong thing.  You said we were going to the high school
sometime today."
     "Just teasing, guys," Dale said.  Then, looking at Joey, he
added, "We sometimes don't wear a lot of clothes around here, so
if it bothers you, let us know."
     "No, it doesn't bother me.  Dad used to run around in his
shorts of a morning and sometimes I do, too.
     "To answer your question, Levis or wash pants are fine and a
pullover shirt.  You'll look like 90% of the kids if you dress
that way," Dale told him.
     Joey went to his room and was back again in just a few
minutes, dressed in Levis, athletic shoes and a polo shirt.  "I'm
going to take Mitsy out, so I'll be right back.
     They were ready to eat, Craig having gone to their bedroom
and pulled on a pair of boxers and chinos with a polo shirt, too.
     Joey fed Mitsy while Craig poured coffee for each of them.
Joey only drank a half-cup, but wanted orange juice and milk.  He
poured the milk they brought from the farm the previous evening,
and then tasted it.
     "Wow!  This is sure different.  It even tastes thick," Joey
said.
     "It's a lot different from the grocery store milk, isn't
it?" Dale asked.
     "Yeah, no comparison."
     Craig spoke up.  "They filter, separate, homogenize,
pasteurize and do whatever else to it that they can and I swear
that you can see through the 2% milk because when you pour it, it
looks thin and watery."
     Dale had forgotten to tell Craig about Joey having learned
to milk Star, so told him of the lesson.
     "It was neat.  I didn't know that was how cows gave milk."
     "Believe me, be glad there's only one cow to milk morning
and evening at the ranch because I'm not sure I'd want to milk
very many more by hand.
     "You mean she has to be milked of a morning, too?" Joey
asked.
     "Yeah, she will give between two and three gallons of milk a
day," Dale answered.
     While they were eating their coffee cake, Dale decided to
call Jay McCormick to see if he was in his office yet.  He was.
     "Jay, this is Dale Richards.  Joey and I wanted to check to
see how our father, Joe, is getting along."
     There was silence for a couple of minutes while Dale
listened.
     "Okay, what should we plan on from this end?" he asked.
     More silence.
     "Okay, thanks for the information.  We'll talk it over and
I'll call you back."
     He hung up the phone and Joey and Craig looked at him with a
question in their eyes.
     "He's staying about the same.  His urine output has actually
increased but they said he's drinking more fluids probably
because the body senses some dehydration and that makes him feel
thirsty.  He did say that the jaundice is getting worse, meaning
that the poison level in the blood is increasing.  However, the
doctors seem to think that he will be in pretty good shape into
the weekend."
     "Okay," Joey said.  He was relieved, as was Craig.
     "Now, young man, I need to get out to the ranch and get the
day started, then you and I will come back into town and go to
the high school."
     They left the house after Dale made sure he had the school
records they needed.  Craig promised to come home at noon to let
Mitsy out.
     * * * * *
     Jason and Kevin had just arrived at the end of the driveway
to wait for the school bus when Dale and Joey drove in.  Dale
parked his vehicle so he and Joey could visit with them while
they were waiting.
     "Hi Joey," Jason said.
     "Hi Dale, hi Joey," Kevin echoed.
     "Hi Guys," Dale laughed.  "This could go on all morning,
couldn't it?"
     "What?" Jason asked.
     "Everybody greeting everybody," Dale said.
     Joey liked Jason and Kevin.  Dale was right, they were neat
kids who seemed to be mature for their age and if they had a lot
of money, they didn't flaunt it.
     "I really like your place here," Joey said.  "We rode the
horses up the river yesterday, then went to see the horses they
were loading up.  Then when you guys showed me how to milk the
cow and gather eggs was really, really neat.  I've never been on
a farm before and this place is awesome.  Dale showed me how to
drive a tractor and plow, too."
     Joey was clearly excited.
     "My Dad said that next summer after I'm twelve, I can help
in the fields, too," Jason proudly said.
     "Maybe Dale will let me work here, too," Joey said.
     Dale smiled at both of them.  "I'm sure we can find plenty
for both of you to do, if you really want to."
     "I do," Jason said.
     "So do I," Joey replied.
     Kevin was feeling somewhat left out.  His brother would be
old enough to work around the ranch and this guy, Joey, who he
hoped could be a friend was going to work, too.  He wondered what
he was going to do for a friend and something to keep him busy so
he wouldn't be lonely.
     About that time they heard the school bus coming over the
hill and it stopped where all of them were standing.
     "Have a good day at school," Dale called as they got on the
bus.
     Joey echoed what Dale had said as the two got on the bus and
waved back at them.
     As they were getting in the Blazer, Pat, John and Michael
drove in, this time in John's car.  Dale was glad to see that
they were all riding together again and wondered if there really
had been a problem a couple of weeks before.
     He and Joey followed them up to the barn/office and parked
in front.  The other men iced their cooler to keep their lunches
cool and fixed ice water to take to the field with them.
     Dale got their timesheets out.  "When the three of you have
completed plowing the section where you're working, go on to the
one next to it, and if you get halfway finished with that today,
one of you, and I don't care who, bring your plow back up here
and hook up a disk harrow and starting working where you've been
plowing."
     They loaded up the things they needed, pumping three 10-
gallon cans full of diesel fuel they would need to refuel
sometime during the day.
     Dale and Joey watched them drive off to work.
     "Let's go look at the house and see how they are getting
along today, then we can go to school," Dale said.
     "Okay," Joey replied.
     They walked the short distance to the house, Dale
discovering that they had poured the remaining concrete yesterday
so there were sidewalks to each door.  Ray had two men covering
windows on the outside and a paint crew was getting equipment
ready to spray the outside walls.  The pre-primed wood was a gray
color, but the finished house would be a light green.
     Dale and Joey went inside.  Two of the men were sanding
sheetrock on the first floor and the other two were putting a
third coat of mud on the walls on the second level.  At the rate
they were going, they might be ready to paint the inside
tomorrow.  Dale, of course, was most impressed with the inside of
the house and thought the men were lucky to have a nice place
like that to live.  He'd been to the Starlight once when one of
his men had forgotten something the previous summer and thought
it was a pretty dismal place to live.
     Joey had a lot of questions about the house and the
construction project and Dale answered them the best he could.
     Dale told Joey to get in the Blazer, that he needed to get
something from the office.
     They started to Williamsport and Dale showed Joey the second
high school.  Davy Crockett High School was across town, close to
where they lived.
     They parked in the visitors lot and went in the main
entrance.  The sign pointed to their left for the administrative
offices and they walked through the door marked Student Services.
A young woman asked if she could help them.
     "I'm Dale Richards and this is my brother.  He will be
transferring from Remington Middle School in Houston to
Williamsport, so we need to see about getting him enrolled and a
class schedule."
     "What year are you?" the woman asked.
     "9th grade," Joey answered.
     "Okay," the lady said.  "Go down the hall to the next door
and I'll meet you in that room in a minute," she indicated,
pointing to her left.
     Dale and Joey did so.  The room had a desk with several
chairs in front of it.  The lady introduced herself as Betty
Armstrong and told them she was the records secretary.
     "Joey's school was kind enough to send a copy of his school
records with us, but said they would send official records when
you requested them," Dale told her, handing the envelope over.
     "Good.  That speeds up the process and allows him to get up
to speed right away without us having to wait for these."  She
looked them over.  "Actually, these will be all we will require
here."
     "I see that you've been on the honor roll every semester
since the 5th grade."
     "Yes," Joey proudly said.
     She looked at the classes he was currently taking.
     "Our school system is a little different here, but I think
all of the classes you are currently taking are available here."
She called some information up on the computer and asked a few
questions as she went through the classes Joey needed.  "What
activities are you interested in?" she asked Joey.
     "I wanted to try out for the debate team, but that was full
and the schedule they gave me didn't allow for glee club or mixed
chorus.  I also play soccer and baseball."
     "Okay, let's get started on the enrollment process."
     She typed in Joey's name, and then asked for the
Williamsport address and phone number.  Then she realized that
Dale's last name was different.
     "You said you were brothers?"
     "Actually we are half-brothers and I have the papers
designating me as Joey's legal guardian right here."
     "You certainly look like brothers," she replied.
     They smiled.
     "When will you be starting classes here, today?" she asked.
     Dale spoke up.  "Joey is visiting here this week to make
sure he wants to live in Williamsport and has decided that he
does.  Our father is in the hospital and is very ill right now.
There are a number of things which have to be accomplished in
Houston, but we think he should be ready to start school here
sometime next week, or possibly the week after."  Dale shrugged
his shoulders.
     "But the main thing is I felt we needed to get the process
started here so he could start when the time is right."
     "We usually don't have this happen, but I understand what
you are wanting to do and that is fine.  We just ask that you
give us a couple of days notice before he will be attending
classes."
     She finished the enrollment process on the computer, then
printed out the information Joey would need, his class schedule,
locker assignment and other information.  Dale wrote a check for
his enrollment, books, activity fees and several other things
requiring money.
     "Here's your schedule, Joey.  First period is English I,
then Algebra, Science, then lunch.  In the afternoon, you'll have
History, Mixed Chorus, Computer Lab and Gym.  If you are
interested in debate, that club meets after school, as it's only
available to 9th graders as an extra-curricular activity."
     She gave him a listing of groups that met after school in
case he was interested in checking them out.  They included
Yearbook, the various athletic teams, Glee Club, Debate,
Volunteers in the Community and 4-H.  The school didn't sponsor
the last two programs, but did provide meeting space for those
activities and participation did go on your school record.
     They were ready to leave and Dale told Joey he would meet
him in the hall.
     "I really appreciate your help on this," Dale told Mrs.
Armstrong.  "Our father is not expected to live and Joey has
class assignments with him that he will turn in to his teachers
over the weekend.  We need to get him moved and settled, although
I don't think that's going to be a problem, it's just that it's
200 miles from here to there and I hate to bring him here while
our father is still in the hospital."
     "I understand," she said.  "This is an unusual circumstance
and you've done the right thing in starting the process of him
attending school here.  Since he's an honor roll student and at
the top of his class, I'm sure he won't have any problem in
catching up once he starts school here, and he may even be ahead
of some of the classes."
     Dale shook her hand, saying goodbye and going out to meet
Joey.
     "Well, Bud," said Dale, putting his arm around his shoulder
and giving Joey a squeeze, "I guess you're ready to start school
here whenever you want to."
     "I guess the big "IF" is Dad, isn't it?" Joey asked.
     "Joey, I'm afraid so and this isn't easy for me, either.
You have to consider that I've had zero contact with him all my
life and I didn't even know you existed until Monday morning.
We've been thrown together, whether by design or fate, I don't
know.  But, regardless you are here with me and Craig is a factor
in this, too, because he's my partner.  We're both here for you,
you know that, don't you?"  Dale gave him another squeeze.
     "Yeah, and I love both of you guys.  You're cool and I know
you will help me.  I don't know if I'm gaining two new brothers
or two new Dad's, but I'll do my best not to disappoint you."
     "Joey, just be yourself and we'll help you get past the
bumps in life."
     By this time they were getting in the Blazer.
     "Now, let's go see what John, Michael and Pat are up to and
what they need to get their work done."
     * * * * *
     They ate lunch with Mrs. Wood, Marty and Chris today.  Marty
had to go to Austin to pick up some documents regarding the
ranch, rather than waiting for Express Delivery the next day, so
invited Joey to ride along with him.
     They played with the pups for a short time after lunch, then
Dale had things that needed to be accomplished.  He was glad for
Joey having a diversion with Marty inviting him to ride with him.
     He called Craig before heading to the fields where his men
were working.
     "Hi guy," Craig said as he answered the phone.
     "Sherry must have told you I was on the telephone," Dale
responded.
     "Yeah, she's pretty sharp," Craig said.
     "Do we still want to do something about getting bicycles?"
Dale asked.
     "That's fine with me, it really wouldn't hurt if we got some
exercise like that anyway, because I haven't had time to workout
for two weeks," Craig said.
     "I agree and it's been almost the same with me.  Since I
took this job, I haven't been loading hay bales or carrying stuff
around.  There is a weight bench up in the barn loft, but I
haven't had time to go up there, either."
     "Well, I don't want a fat, sloppy lover, so guess we'd
better get our exercise any way we can - and bed doesn't count,"
Craig giggled.
     Dale laughed, too.
     "Marty invited Joey to ride into Austin with him this
afternoon as he has to pick up some documents his attorney needs.
Why don't you meet me at The Bike Shop in about an hour and we'll
see what they have to offer?"
     "That's fine, I'll see you at what. about 2 o'clock?"
     "Works for me."
     * * * * *
     Craig had barely hung up from talking to Dale, when Sherry
told him that his mother was on the phone.
     "Hi Mom, how are you today?"
     "We're okay, Craig.  How are you fellows?"
     "Well, we've had a really hectic week, starting on Monday
morning."
     Craig told her what was going on ending with, "I don't know
if Dale and I have gained a little brother or a new son."
     "Craig, regardless of what you call each other, I know that
this will work out for all three of you.  Joey is lucky that you
and Dale are willing to step forward and take care of him."
     "We really like him, he's smart and seems to be well-
adjusted, and so at least we don't think we have to deal with a
hostile teen."
     "So, when do we get to meet our first grandson?" Doris
asked.
     "I don't know, a lot of things hinge on when Joe dies.  Joey
and Dale want to be with him, and they don't know if he will last
past the weekend or not, but we are going to Houston on Sunday
afternoon, regardless of anything else as we need to bring Joey's
stuff to Williamsport."
     Craig explained about selling the house and furnishings
along the problems that would cause, simply because they were
about 200 miles away.
     "You fellows know that if you need my help, all you have to
do is ask.  Dad has plenty of vacation accumulated, so he could
help, also."
     "Thanks mom, we may have to take you up on that.  I'll be
sure to let Dale know."
     "Take care, Craig.  We'll be thinking of all three of you
and please tell Dale and Joey 'hello' for us."
     "I'll do it.  And. I'll let you know how things are going,
too."
     They broke the connection.  Craig felt thankful for his
wonderful family.
     * * * * *
     Paul Rathborne made telephone calls to twelve students that
were either in the church youth group or his choir, inviting them
to a "get acquainted" party for Joey Sullivan on Saturday
evening.  He also invited four adults besides Dale and Craig so
the adults would have someone to talk to.  They decided to have
the party in the "Teen's Den" at the church so they could take
advantage of the pool tables and some of the other games that
were there.  He came up with a list of snacks to take and the
adults could have wine, too.
     All but one accepted when they called back that evening to
confirm the invitation.
     * * * * *
     Marty had a great time getting acquainted with Joey.  He
seemed to have Dale's quick wit and same sense of humor.  Upon
seeing Joey, he remembered having seen Dale when he was in high
school when Marty was acting as a student advisor in a mentor
program.  Dale wasn't in his own group, but he knew he was in the
class.  It was amazing that they looked so much alike and Marty
wondered if they resembled their father.
     The trip to Austin only took a little over 35 minutes to
drive.  Marty parked in a downtown-parking garage next to the
building where they needed to go.  They took the elevator to the
35th floor of the Bank of America Building, where the attorney
was located.  The documents he needed were to complete the sale
of the three sections of land the Bar-W had recently purchased,
the ones Dale's crew had worked the previous week.
     Joey walked along, interested in the building and all of the
offices listed on the directory.  He waited in the reception area
for Marty to see the attorney and sign some of the paperwork for
them.  The other signatures would be applied when he met with his
attorney back in Williamsport.
     He found some magazines to occupy his time, but wished he'd
thought to take his schoolbooks with him that morning.
     Marty was back in about 20 minutes and they left the
building together.
     "Have you seen the state capitol building?"
     "No, I've never been to Austin before," was Joey's answer.
     Marty drove them to the Capitol Building complex and easily
found a parking place.  They entered the building and Joey was
clearly impressed with what he saw.
     "My Great-grandfather, Senator Philbrook Williamson was
elected to the state senate for the first time shortly after this
building was completed in 1888.  Some of the black granite used
in the building came from the Bar-W Ranch, however, the red
granite came from Granite Mountain which was once part of the
ranch, but was traded for some other land when Williamsport was
still a new town, over 140 years ago."
     Marty felt like a tour guide.  "Some of the oak and walnut
came from trees harvested from the Bar-W ranch.  They were the
tallest trees in the area.
     "A good portion of the limestone and all of the black
granite used in St. James church came from the present stone
quarry several miles on up the river from where you and Dale were
yesterday.  There hasn't been any stone taken out of that quarry
for many years, though."
     "That's awesome!" was Joey's reply.
     They walked to the elevators to ride to the third floor
where they could get a closer look into the interior of the dome.
By walking around the rotunda opening, they were able to see all
of the wonderful artwork in the dome.
     They walked through the halls of the building on the three
main levels, taking an elevator down to the next floor when
finished on that floor.
     "We'll have to come back sometime when there is time to go
through the museum and see all of the artifacts they have which
have been gathered from all over the state.  There's a lot of
history in this building," Marty told him.
     "I can see that.  I remember from taking Texas Geography and
History that Texas has had a lot happen over the many centuries
since a written history was kept," Joey said.  He was obviously
pleased that he remembered that bit of information.
     "You are right," Marty agreed.
     "Thanks for bringing me here, Mr. Williamson," Joey told him
as they were returning to the car.
     "You're welcome, Joey, and it's okay to call me Marty.  Even
my father objects to being called Mr. Williamson.  He'll probably
ask you to call him Martin when you meet."
     "Okay. Marty," he hesitated as he said it.
     They talked about school, living in Houston, Joey's father,
and many other subjects on what seemed like a short ride back to
Williamsport.  Marty was impressed with Joey and dropped him off
at the office/barn after making sure Dale was there, even though
his Blazer was parked in front.  He could have taken a pickup to
the field for one reason or another.
     "Did you have a good trip?" Dale asked as he walked through
the door.  He was getting ready to order more seed wheat for
planting the new field and was trying to figure out how much they
had on hand.
     "Yeah, Marty took me to see the Capitol Building.  That's an
awesome place.  Did you know that some of the stone and lumber
used to build it came from this ranch?"
     "No, I really didn't.  And since I like history, I'll have
to find out more about that since this ranch supports me."
     "Marty said that some of the granite and limestone came from
the quarry upriver from where we rode yesterday," Joey said.
     "There's a quarry up there.  I don't think any rock has been
taken out for many years.  From what I've been told, there isn't
much left up there to be able to get big stones.  It's pretty
well depleted."
     "Can we go there?  I've never seen a quarry before," Joey
asked.
     "No, it's too rough, unless you hike in.  I've been told
that you can't get there by horseback because of some of the
narrow areas you have to crawl through.  There used to be a wagon
trail, but it's grown over, too.  If you want to see a quarry, we
can go to the Granite Mountain Quarry.  They still take a little
rock out of there, but mostly for small applications and
monuments.  It's getting pretty well depleted of quality stone,
too."
     "Oh."  Joey was clearly disappointed.
     "Hey, Bud.  We'll find something to entertain us that we can
all do together.  Go look in the back of the Blazer."
     Joey went outside and was immediately back in the office.
     "You got bikes for you and Craig?" he asked.
     "Yeah.  They're all checked out, licensed and ready to ride
so I thought we'd explore the town a little this evening and help
you find your way around," Dale said.
     Joey walked up behind Dale, putting his arms around his
shoulders.  "You guys are the best," he said.
     Dale was placing his order for seed wheat when Michael,
Patrick and John came back from the fields.  "How did you get
along today?" he questioned.
     "We're about to finish plowing the second section and Pat
has gotten almost a third of the first field ready to plant,"
Michael answered.
     "Good, I'm going to order seed to be delivered tomorrow
morning and you can probably start planting on Monday morning,"
Dale told them.
     He got out their timesheets and they wrote in their times
before leaving for the day.  After they left, he calculated their
hours, and then faxed the sheets to Morris Johnsmore's office so
payroll checks could be prepared.
     "Let's go home and try out our bicycles," Dale said.
     "Al-right!" Joey said, giving Dale a high-five.
     * * * * *
     Craig had stopped at the grocery for a few things, getting
hamburger for grilling later, along with salad greens, potato
salad and baked beans.  They could have an indoor picnic after
they returned home from their bike ride.
     He let Mitsy out after he carried the grocery sack to the
kitchen, putting things in the refrigerator.  She was right back
up the stairs in three minutes time.  Craig had left the door
open so she could get in while he changed his clothes.  She went
to the kitchen and shoved her empty food dish around to let Craig
know she would like to be fed.  Craig laughed.  It reminded him
of the schnauzer he used to have when he was growing up.  That
was Smokey's trick.  He was just filling Mitsy's food dish when
Dale and Joey arrived home.
     Craig and Dale kissed each other then Craig asked them about
their day.
     "Marty took me to Austin this afternoon.  He had to pick up
some documents from an attorney's office at the top of the Bank
of America Building, then he took me to the State Capitol
Building and showed me around there, too.  He told me that some
of the stone and wood had come from the Bar-W Ranch."
     "Hey, neat trick.  You got your boss to baby-sit for you,"
he teased.
     Joey started to protest, then realize he was being teased.
"Yeah, he's a good babysitter, though."
     Mitsy had inhaled her food so Joey let her outside once
again.
     "While I'm thinking of it, I had the key for the basement
storage copied, so here's your key to put on the ring with the
door key.  The door key will also open the door to the basement,
so why don't you get your bike out and we'll be ready to go in a
few minutes."
     "Okay, but I need to use the bathroom first," Joey said.
     "We'll wait," Dale told him.
     They were kissing again when Joey came back in the room.  It
seemed a little strange to see two men kissing, but it didn't
bother him.  He had never kissed anyone on the lips that he could
remember and wondered what it felt like.  Joey didn't realize
that it was a deep French kiss, nor the effect that it was having
on his two Dads.
     He heard Mitsy scratching at the door, then she barked to
let them know she was there.
     Dale and Craig broke their embrace and each discretely
adjusted their Levis as Joey headed to the door.
     Joey ducked back in to get a dog treat for Mitsy, then
joined Dale and Craig as they went out the door.
     The bikes were lying on the floor of the Blazer with a large
sheet of cardboard between them to keep them from scratching each
other.  Joey went to retrieve his bike while Dale and Craig
unloaded theirs.  Dale took the cardboard to the dumpster after
Craig helped him cut it up into smaller pieces.  By the time he
was through, Joey was there with his bike, which was red.  Dale's
bike was yellow and Craig's was blue.  Although all were 10-speed
Schwinn bikes, they had standard handlebars so they could ride
sitting upright.
     "We'll show you the way to go to school from here and then
the small mall and take you downtown, too," Craig suggested.
     "Lead on, Columbus," Dale laughed.  He was glad they had
gotten bicycles.  He hadn't ridden one since he started the
beginning of his junior year in high school.  All of a sudden it
wasn't cool to ride a bike when you were 16 years old.  He
couldn't remember seeing bike racks at the school this morning.
     They rode the five blocks to Davy Crockett High School in
about 3 minutes time.  There were bike racks there.
     "Do you want to ride your bike to school, or walk?" Dale
asked.
     "I ride my bike now, but it's about 2 miles from the house,"
Joey answered.
     Dale commented, "I was just wondering if you had a bike
lock?"
     "Yeah, that's another thing I need to make sure I bring,"
Joey said.
     Joey was riding on ahead of them about 50 feet, so Craig
took the opportunity to tell Dale that his mother had called him.
"She thinks we'll be good parents," he said, laughing.
     "We will," Dale said.
     "She also said that if we needed help with anything, moving
Joey up here, cleaning out the house, anything, that she and Dad
would be glad to help us," Craig said.
     "That's really nice of them.  We may have to take them up on
it," Dale said.
     "She means it, or she wouldn't have volunteered," Craig
answered.
     "I know.  Your parents are really great people and we may
have to ask for help because there is a lot to do.  Right now we
have to depend on Jay McCormick to help and guide us and he has
plenty to do at the hospital without worrying about us."
     "What about Arlen Fischer?" Craig asked.
     "He got all the legal work done, but didn't give me any
indication as to his willingness to help find a realtor or people
to handle a sale - but maybe I didn't talk to him about it
either.  There was too much going on in the short time he was
with us," Dale said.
     "Do you think we need to take a pickup with us as well as
your Blazer, or rent a truck after we get there and bring it back
here on a one-way rental?" Craig asked.
     "I don't know.  We need to talk to Joey and see if he has
been working on his list.  We're going to have to bring the car
back here because I think we can get a better price for it than
trying to sell it in a hurry in Houston."
     "You've got a point there.  It's too bad Joey can't drive,
we might be able to use the extra driver," Craig added.
     "Yeah."  Dale was in deep thought.  He needed to call Jay
again tomorrow and see if he'd thought of anyone he could
recommend as a realtor and someone to handle the sale, as they
had discussed.
     They rode in silence for a few minutes, then Joey dropped
back to ask some questions about the part of town they were in.
It was a residential area and most of the houses dated from the
1880's to somewhere around 1925.  It was a good mix of
architectural styles.  Craig happily answered the questions and
pointed out some of the interesting trim on the various houses,
explaining the reasons and giving him other information.
     Joey thought that Craig was great because he took the time
and patience to answer his questions and explain all of his
answers.
     "Joey, you've spent the better part of two days with Dale,
would you like to go to work with me tomorrow and see what I do?"
     "Sure.  That'd be great!"  Joey was enthusiastic.
     It was getting close to 7 o'clock and was time to go back to
the apartment so they could have a bite to eat.
     * * * * *
     Craig took Joey to work with him the next morning.  Sherry
was always in the office for the full day on Friday and she was
taken with Joey.  She could tell that he was going to be a real
stud, like his brother, and that he was smart, too.
     Don was equally impressed.  "If you and Dale are going to
have him to take care of, you really lucked out as parents.  Most
kids his age are pretty hostile toward anyone in authority and
that includes everyone from school teachers down to parents, who
are at the low end of the totem pole, and just about everyone
else in between."
     "Don't we know it?" Craig agreed.
     Craig showed Joey how the computer and plotter they used to
draw plans worked.  Joey had, of course, never seen a plotter
that could handle such large sheets of paper.  He was impressed
with that and the ease with which changes could be made to plans
as Craig showed him the old way they used to do things, where
many times it was easier to start over than to erase and correct
drawings.
     They did make a trip to the Bar-W to look at the new crew
quarters.  Dale wasn't around, and Craig wasn't about to bother
him by calling his cell phone.  Dale had a lot to do and they
might have to be gone a good part of the next week, anyway.
     The sheetrock people were virtually through, so it was time
for the painters to come in, mask off the windows and spray the
walls and ceilings.  The next step would be woodwork, hooking up
outlets, hanging light fixtures and floor coverings.  Then
fixtures and appliances would be next.  Craig estimated that it
would take another three weeks to finish the work unless Ray
either had extra help or there might be a delay in delivery of
some of the appliances or equipment.
     Ray's set of blue prints were in the kitchen, so Craig took
the opportunity to show Joey how to read blueprints (in this case
- white prints) as he had a tape measure with him, so he could
easily show him how the drawings translated into the actual
measurements.
     Joey was impressed and had a lot of questions.
     "Have you given any thought as to what you might like to do
after high school, you know, a career path?" Craig asked.
     "I've thought about being a school teacher, but think maybe
I'd like to do it at college level.  I know the teachers in
junior high and high school have a lot of trouble with kids and
can't discipline them.  It's a lot different in college, because
it's up to the student to learn and the teacher needs to make it
interesting for them."
     "What subjects are you interested in?"
     "Either math or history.  One's a science that you can't get
along without and the other is something we need to know about
our past to help guide our future."
     Craig thought, 'What a smart young man.'
     "You are right about both.  I had to take a lot of math
courses to get into my profession because we have to be able to
determine area, both square and cubic, as well as compute
acoustical properties and for heating and air conditioning, not
to mention lighting properties and insulation needs."
     "I never thought of all that, but architecture is something
that holds the world together, isn't it?" Joey asked.
     "A lot of us would like to think that it provides harmony,
and it does.  Look how structures have changed over the
centuries, from caves and mud huts, to brick and wood, to steel
and synthetic materials.  Each has allowed us, man, to extend our
realm, to have larger unsupported areas and to be able to build
higher.  A hundred years ago, six or seven floors was about as
high as a building could go, then steel was used for a building's
skeleton and all of a sudden a hundred floors or more were
possible."
     Joey was excited at what Craig was telling him as no one had
ever taken the time to explain things like this to him.  However,
he had to remember that he was a 9th grader and many boys his age
hadn't had the chance to be exposed to what Craig was telling
him.  Career counseling usually started about the 10th grade.  He
was thankful to have Dale and Craig to be his mentors as well as
his new Dads.
     It was getting close to noon, so Craig took him to the Bib
'n Rib Barbeque Restaurant on the south edge of town.  He and
Dale had been there once and thought the food was good.  The
floor was covered with sawdust and wood shavings to provide a
rustic atmosphere, he guessed.  The ribs were the house
specialty.  Craig didn't know how they fixed them, but they were
so flavorful that they didn't really need any extra sauce on
them.  They each ordered a combination plate, then split an order
of the ribs.  It was a good thing the restaurant supplied paper
bibs because they needed them.
     While they were finishing lunch, Craig's cell phone came to
life.  It was Dale.
     "Where are you and what are you doing?" Dale asked, sounding
very terse.
     "Just finishing lunch at the Bib 'n Rib and getting ready to
go to the apartment to let Mitsy out," Craig replied.
     "Jay McCormick just called.  Joe. Dad. is starting to go in
and out of consciousness and he recommended that we come to
Houston as soon as possible.  He indicated he probably wouldn't
last the night."
     "Should we get ready to leave, as in now?" Craig questioned.
     "Yeah.  I'm giving Marty a key and he's going to see to
Mitsy's needs and probably take her back to the Bar-W with him so
Jason and Kevin can take care of her.  If not, then he'll see to
it that she's fed and let out.  I'm just leaving the ranch and
will be at the apartment in less than 10 minutes."
     "We're ready to leave here as soon as I pay the bill," Craig
said.  "See you in a few minutes."
     He looked at Joey.  "That wasn't good news as you may have
guessed.  Your Dad is starting to slip in and out of
consciousness and they think we should leave for Houston
immediately."
     Joey got tears in his eyes and put his arms around Craig to
be comforted when they got up from the table.
     Dale was just getting out of his vehicle as Craig parked his
car.  Joey ran up the stairs to let Mitsy out while Dale and
Craig conferred.
     "I guess that we can get there around 4:30, unless traffic
is really bad.  What do you think we need to take with us?" he
asked Craig.
     "Clothes for a couple of days.  There's no reason we can't
sleep at his house, is there?"
     "That's a good idea because Joey can stay with us and be in
familiar surroundings," Dale said.
     "Everything is clean, Mrs. Hopkins was just here this
morning to do laundry and all the clean things will be out on the
bed.  It won't take long to put it in a suitcase and things to be
hung up can go in a garment bag.
     Mitsy had come down the stairs, followed by Joey.
     "Did Mrs. Hopkins put your clean clothes on your bed?" Craig
asked.
     "I don't know, I didn't go in the bedroom," Joey replied.
     "We'll wait for Mitsy, you lay out the things you want to
take - maybe for a couple of days and put them in a suitcase.  If
you have anything to hang up, there is extra room in our garment
bag," Craig told him.
     Mitsy followed Joey.  Dale and Craig took the stairs two at
a time, too.
     "I need to call Don and let him know where we're going to
be.  Do we have enough cash for a couple of days?"
     "I think so, I've still got almost $300 from our trip to
Dallas that I didn't put back in the bank."
     "That should be more than enough because we each have credit
cards with us, anyway.
     Clean clothes were on the beds and they pulled out the few
other things then needed and were packed in a short time and
ready to leave.
     Dale was glad he had topped the fuel tank in the Blazer that
morning.  That would save them a little time, also.  He started
out driving, and then he and Craig traded just before they got on
I-10.  All three of them were quiet, contemplating what they were
facing.
     Even though Houston traffic was heavy, as always, they made
it to the V.A. Center in good time, about 4:15 and managed to
find a parking place in the closest lot.  They went to Jay
McCormick's office and he immediately came to the reception area.
     "You did make good time," he told them.  "I thought maybe
you would hit the wave of people leaving early on Friday to get a
head start on their weekend."
     "How's he doing?" Dale asked, avoiding chitchat.
     "Not well.  I talked to the doctor about 10 minutes ago.  He
had been asleep, but can be roused.  They don't know how much
longer that will be though.  He started passing a lot of blood in
his urine this morning and that is not good, of course.  They
sent a sample to the lab and are pretty sure there is no kidney
function at all, and very little liver function."
     Joey was standing between Dale and Craig and put his arms
around them.  They responded, doing the same.
     Craig and Joey started down the hall to the elevator.  Jay
took Dale's arm.  "His respiration rate is down as is his heart
rate.  His lungs are congested, as the heart isn't pumping the
fluid from them.  They have held back giving much pain medication
until you got here, although he's not complaining.  The doctor
seems to think that he's just holding on until he sees all of
you."
     "Did you call his aunt?" Dale asked.
     "Yes, she said she wasn't up to being here, but wished to be
notified when the time comes."
     By this time the elevator door opened and the four men got
on to go to the 5th floor.
     Dale and Craig separately gave Joey a hug.  All three had
tears in their eyes.
     Jay walked in the room ahead of them and headed toward the
bed.  Dale was shocked at Joe's appearance.  They hadn't shaved
him for a couple of days and that, coupled with the yellow,
almost green color, was shocking in itself.  His skin gave the
appearance of just hanging on his bones, mainly from dehydration.
     Jay walked to the bedside, taking Joe's hand and rousing
him.  When he came to, he was confused, and then saw Jay.
     "I have company for you, Joe," he said, motioning Dale and
Joey to the bed.
     "Hi Dad, Joey said, holding his cold hand.  "How're you
doing?"  Then he laid his head beside Joe's and gave him a hug.
Dale and Craig could hear Joey crying.
     Dale could tell that Joe's eyes were not focusing.  He stood
beside Joey and leaned over.
     "It's Dale, . Dad," he said.  Joe reached up toward the
sound with his hand, but Dale knew he didn't see him.
     Craig stood there, not knowing what to do.
     "Dad. we're here to be with you," Dale said gently.
     He could tell that Joe was trying to get his breath,
possibly to talk, but couldn't make any sound.  However, his
hands squeezed Dale's and Joey's.
     He tried again to talk and started coughing, as his lungs
were full of fluid.  They watched as he tried to take a deep
breath, and then seemed to choke and relax.  The monitor to
measure pulse, heart and respiration rate started beeping and
they could tell the lines were flat.  Joe had, indeed, waited for
them to get to his bedside.
     Jay had slipped out the door to summon a nurse, but she was
already coming in the room with a doctor behind her.  The doctor
walked around to the other side of the bed from where Dale and
Joey were standing.  He checked his pulse and listened with his
stethoscope.  His sad eyes looked at Dale.
     "You can stay as long as you like," he told them, noting the
time on Joe's chart.
     Dale laid Joe's hand by his side, then squeezed Joey's
shoulders.
     "He's gone, isn't he?" Joey asked.
     "Yes, son, he is," Dale answered.
     Craig walked up behind them, putting his arms around both of
them.  They stood like that for about five minutes.
     Jay was standing across the room, by the door.  When Dale
stood up, he came back to the bed.  "I'm sorry," Jay told the
three of them.
     "At least he knew we were here for him," Dale said.
     "He was waiting until we got here, wasn't he?" Joey
questioned.
     "Yes," Dale told him, he and Craig embracing him again.
     "Do you want to stay in here with him for a little while?"
Jay asked.
     Dale looked at Joey with a question on his face.
     "No, I don't think so.  We got here in time, though, didn't
we?"
     "Yes, Joey, we did indeed," Dale answered.
     The three men quietly left the room, taking Joey with them
into the chapel across the hall.
     Jay waited for them for the few minutes they knelt in
prayer.
     * * * * *
     They went back to Jay's office.  He had a couple of
questions for them.  One was to verify that Joe's wish for
cremation met with their approval and the other was to give them
a plastic sack that contained a ring, wristwatch, billfold, some
change and pocketknife.
     "Everything else has been taken care of.  When you select a
memorial stone or bronze tablet, be sure to let them know he was
a veteran as part of the cost is covered as a G.I. benefit."
     "Thanks," Dale said.
     "What are your plans, are you staying in Houston tonight, or
going back home?"
     Dale looked at his watch.  He was surprised that it was only
6 p.m.  The afternoon had seemed so long with the drive to
Houston and being at the hospital, he wouldn't have been
surprised if it had been 10 p.m.
     "We need to talk about this among the three of us," he told
Jay.
     They quietly discussed their options.  Joey said that he
didn't want to sleep in their house again, but that it was okay
to go there to get things if they wanted to.
     "I think we should just go back to Williamsport and decide
what we want to do tomorrow after we've had a good night's
sleep," Craig said.
     They agreed.
     "Joey, is there anything at the house that you want to get
this evening?" Dale questioned.
     "Not really," he replied.
     "I think we'll either get something to eat and head back
home, or eat on the way," Dale said.
     "Have a safe trip," Jay told them, shaking hands with each.
     "We'll be back next week," Dale said.
     "If you need any help with anything, let me know.  That's
why I'm here," Jay said.
     "Well." Dale hesitated, "we do need to contact a good
realtor who deals with property in that area, and also someone
who can handle an estate sale.  If we could call you next Monday
and get names and numbers, we'll appreciate it."
     "That's not a problem.  Actually I know people I can
recommend, but let me do more checking.  Also, the cremains will
be ready next week.  Shall I have them returned here to my
office?"
     "That would be fine," Dale said.  "I'll let you know what
our schedule is going to be before we drive back to Houston, and
thanks for all you've done for us and the comfort you've provided
in helping us through this."
     * * * * *
     Dale called Marty to tell him what had happened and that
they would be home late that night.  He asked him to just feed
Mitsy and let her out.
     The drive back to Williamsport was a quiet one.  Craig drove
to Lockhart, on US-183 where they stopped at an IHOP.  For
whatever reason, breakfast was comfort food and it was available
24 hours a day.
     Each of them ordered a variation of the Country Breakfast
and when the food was served Craig asked that they join hands and
he asked a blessing, for each of them, for their new family and
for Joe's eternal rest.  "Amen" was said by all of them.
     As they were eating, Dale spoke up.  "Thanks for driving,
Craig.  I don't think I was up to it and needed to think about
some things, so excuse me for being lost in my thoughts for the
last couple of hours."
     "I was thinking, too, Dad," Joey said, surprising both Dale
and Craig.  "Is it okay if I call you both 'Dad', maybe sometimes
Dad Dale or Dad Craig if I want to say something directly to just
one of you?"
     "Sure," Dale told him.
     "That sounds good to me," Craig agreed.
     "Well, Joe has always been my Dad and I still want to have
somebody I can call that.  Since both of you are kinda
responsible for me, even though Dale is my brother, I'd like to
call you both 'Dad' - if that's okay, I mean."
     Both Dale and Craig nodded their approval and each had tears
in their eyes.
     Joey stood up, went around to their side of the table and
gave each a hug.  "I love you guys and thanks for rescuing me."
     Both hugged him back, other patrons in the restaurant
probably wondering what was going on.
     * * * * *
     The three men arrived back in Williamsport about 10 p.m.
Mitsy, of course, was glad to see them.  Joey took her outside,
walking around the building to give each of them a little
exercise.  He went back upstairs and into the apartment to see
his two Dad's embracing each other, standing in front of each
other, their arms about the others shoulders and their heads
resting side by side.  Joey walked over to join them in a group
hug.
     * * * * *
     (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 postings, please let me know by
sending your request to the following e-mail address:
TulsaDriller7@aol.com
     Thanks for the overwhelming response to previous chapters.
I have received positive replies from all over the world.  My
special thanks for proofreading help to Paul Daventon, who has
taken time to help me catch obvious errors.