Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 09:18:20 EST
From: Tulsadriller7@aol.com
Subject: Tales from the Ranch, Chapter 33/?

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 33: Joey's Weekend
     Saturday morning everyone slept late.  Joey was the first to
wake up, probably because Mitsy had nosed her way out the
partially ajar bedroom door.  She didn't find any activity in the
house, so went back to Joey's room and hopped up on his bed.  She
nudged his arm, which was lying across the pillow next to him.
Joey came to, scratched her ears, then got up to let her out the
door so she could go to the yard.
     Craig was aware of the front door opening and closing, then
heard it again and realized that Joey had gotten up to let the
dog out and back in.  He rolled over to look at the clock on the
bedside table.  It was 8:30.  He didn't know when he'd slept that
late without being ill.
     Rolling back to face Dale, he realized that his lover was
slowing coming out of his sleep.  The sheet was down far enough
that it exposed their hardons.  Craig really wanted to play for a
little bit, but he had to pee in the worst way.  Dale fully came
to as Craig slid out of bed.  He grabbed his hand and pulled him
back for a good morning kiss.
     "I've got to pee - really badly," Craig said.
     "I do, too," Dale said, getting up to follow him to the
bathroom.
     Dale brushed his teeth while Craig peed, then they traded
places.  Afterward he wondered why they had done that since most
times they peed at the same time, then used both lavatories to
brush their teeth and then wash their faces.  Chalk it up to
still being sleepy.
     They each pulled on their boxers from yesterday to wear to
the kitchen.  Joey had fed Mitsy and was trying to figure out how
much coffee he should make and how much ground coffee to put in
the basket.  This time Joey was the one who was completely naked.
     Dale couldn't help but admire his little brother -
correction - their son.  They certainly were brothers, Dale
noticed.  Joey wasn't circumcised and his cock appeared to
present evidence that he was very well hung for a 14-year old
teen.  Dale wouldn't be surprised if Joey didn't turn out to be
taller than he, himself was.
     "Morning," Joey told them.
     "Good morning," Dale said, trying to sound cheerful.
     "How do you feel today?" asked Craig.
     "Good.  I think I went to sleep as soon as I got in bed,"
Joey replied.
     "Joey, how tall was our father?" Dale asked.
     "Six foot and a half inch," Joey said.
     "Do you know how much he weighed, before he got sick?"
     "Yeah, he was about 185, sometimes a little more.  You and
he are pretty close to the same size, except that your shoulders
are broader and he was heavier in the waist."
     "Well, I'm curious about one other thing.  I notice that you
and I aren't circumcised, was Dad?"
     "No, and." Joey blushed . "he had a big dick, too," he
giggled.
     "Guess it definitely runs in the family," Craig said, poking
Dale in the stomach.
     All three of them laughed.
     "Sorry, I didn't mean to get personal, but you wonder about
strange things sometimes," Dale told them.
     "It certainly was easy to see that the three of you were
related and, Joey, I hope you have family pictures that we can
have framed, if they aren't already," Craig said.
     "There's some that are, but there is a great big box that
aren't," Joey told them.
     "Don't let them get lost," Dale reminded him.
     Craig helped with the coffee, showing Joey what had to be
done to fill the reservoir on the coffeepot and the amount of
ground coffee to use.  Then he got orange juice and milk out of
the refrigerator for them to drink.
     Dale checked the refrigerator, also, and discovered that he
had the ingredients for making biscuits and sausage gravy.  There
were also things he needed for scrambled eggs; green onions,
mushrooms, green peppers and some tomatoes he could seed and chop
up.  As he was working in the kitchen, preparing a simple
breakfast, he felt like he belonged to a real family for the
first time ever, and it was his family.  He and Craig were "co-
Dads" and Joey completed their family unit.
     He had Craig open the package of biscuits and put them in
the oven when it was heated and set Joey to scrambling eggs in
the microwave.  He took care of frying the sausage and making the
gravy.
     "We need to go to the ranch sometime this afternoon to get
another gallon of milk, unless the two of you want grocery store
milk," Dale teased.
     "Don't you dare buy any more of that awful stuff," Joey told
them.  "It's a wonder I didn't die from having to drink that.
Yuk!" he said, making an awful face.
     "I take it that's a 'yes' vote?" Dale asked, his eyes
twinkling.
     Craig spoke up.  "Joey, when Dale gets a look like that and
his eyes twinkle, watch out because one or the other - or both of
us - are going to be in trouble."
     Joey, of course, didn't understand so Craig told him that
whenever that happened, Dale was up to some devilment and it
usually resulted in the other person being on the receiving end
of a big joke or being teased with the joke being on them.
     Craig was also glad that Joey seemed to catch on.  He
wouldn't have to explain the "virginity" story.
     * * * * *
     After they finished breakfast, Dale decided that they needed
to sit down and have a long talk about the coming week and things
that were going to have to happen.  So Craig cleared away the
breakfast dishes and poured more coffee for himself and Dale.
Joey usually only drank one mug at the most.
     "We've got to make plans about the things that are in your
house in Houston, Joey," Dale said.  "Anything you want to keep,
we'll bring to Williamsport.  Whatever we can put here in the
apartment, or store - within reason - we'll do so, but the rest
is going to have to be sold.  Have you started a list of things
you want to keep?" Dale asked.
     "Just a minute," Joey said, going to his room to get his
notebook.
     When he returned, Dale and Craig discovered that the first
five or six pages were filled.  Craig was amazed to see that
Joey's writing resembled Dale's, very neat and legible.  He
wondered what Joe's writing looked like.
     Joey's list was long, yet simple.  He wanted to keep all his
clothes, of course, but didn't care about any of the furniture in
his room.  He had an extensive collection of models, mostly ships
and aircraft he had assembled.  Pictures.  He didn't care about
any of the furniture in the house, except for his desk and chair.
He wanted the big screen TV suggesting they put it in the living
room and put that one in his room, as well as the VCR and a CD
player with a tuner and speakers.
     The list really didn't have a lot on it although Dale
thought at first it was long.
     "What about clothing that Joe had, can you wear any of it or
do you want it?" Dale asked.
     "I'd have to look at it, but I think all the pants are too
big, but maybe there might be some shirts," he said.
     "The reason I'm asking is that we need to take everything
you want as soon as we can because the house needs to be sold and
we need to get someone in to sell the furniture and other items
you don't want," Dale told him.
     "Is there anything that you and Craig want?" Joey asked.
     "I don't know without looking," Dale told him.  Maybe there
are a few things.  Some of the tools in his shop, but they would
have to be stored.  We didn't look very carefully in the kitchen.
I didn't really look at his clothing, but as you said, most of
the pants would be too big."
     Craig spoke up.  "What about the car?"
     Dale answered, "We have two options.  We can bring it back
here to Williamsport to sell because we can get more money for it
here than trying to get a quick sale in Houston, or Joey could
have it to drive after he's 16.  He's eligible for a learner's
permit now."
     "So it would be sitting here for two years, unless we drove
it, or let Joey drive it while we were supervising?" Craig asked.
     "That's about it," Dale told them.
     "It's a nice car, but I'd rather have something more
awesome," Joey said.
     "Like what?" Craig asked him.
     "Oh, a Camero or maybe a Firebird or a Grand Prix," Joey
said.
     "I see your point.  We might as well sell it?" Dale said.
     "Would you be disappointed in me?" Joey asked.
     "No, of course not.  We'll sell the car and put the money
away for a couple of years, then find a car that you want to
drive," Craig added.
     "You guys are great!" Joey said, giving them each a high-
five.
     "We just need to agree on some things before we start this
process.  We can't get in the middle of something, then have you
change your mind about something, like keeping all of the
furniture," Dale told Joey.
     "I know, and I understand that.  I think I'm just interested
in some personal things that I like," Joey replied.
     "You also need to keep some things that belonged to Joe -
and I may do the same myself, even though I didn't know him, but
we need to keep some personal things of his to remind us of who
he was.  Because he gave us our heritage," Dale said.
     "When do you want to do this?" Craig asked.
     "Not before the middle of next week.  I think we need to
think about things and not make any decisions we might regret
later," Dale said.
     "That's fine.  We can decide if we can get everything in the
Blazer and the Oldsmobile, rent a one-way truck, or rent a
trailer.  We need some idea if we need a third driver," Craig
said.
     "Okay, Joey, you continue to make notes and if you think of
anything that Craig or I might be interested in, please let us
know, okay?"
     "Sure, Dad," Joey said, smiling a big smile of his own.
     Craig's first thought was, 'Oh no, two of them that can give
me trouble, and probably at the same time.'
     "Anything else we need to talk about this morning?" Dale
asked.
     Both Joey and Craig nodded their heads 'no'.
     "Okay.  What are we going to do the rest of the weekend?"
Dale asked.
     "Don't forget the party that Paul and Fr. George are having
for Joey this evening," Craig said.
     "I did remember that," Dale said, "and thank you for
reminding me because we need to call Paul to tell him that Dad
died last evening."
     "I'll take care of that right now," Craig told them.
     "Then, it's 10 o'clock.  We've got until about 4 o'clock to
do whatever we want to do today," Dale said.  "Any suggestions?"
     Joey spoke up.  "You said something the other day about
driving west of Williamsport to look at the hills we can see from
the west windows."
     "We could do a 'day trip' and head down to Johnson City, see
the LBJ Ranch, then on to Fredericksburg and back north to Lake
Buchanan and back home.  We can easily do that in the time we
have and still be back in time to clean up for the party," Dale
said.       "That way Joey can see some of the east end of the
Hill Country and see some history, too."
     "How about San Antonio?" Joey asked.
     "We really need to make a three day trip out of that," Craig
answered.  "There's a lot to do in that city and there isn't any
use going for a short time, you just can't see enough."
     "Okay, just asking," Joey said.
     "That's fine," Dale answered, "you had no way of knowing.
I've only been to San Antonio once myself and we barely saw more
than the highlights in a day and a half."
     "Go take your shower and we can probably leave here in about
a half hour," Craig told Joey.  Then he went to the phone to call
the rectory, talking to Fr. George.
     * * * * *
     Dale and Craig were shaving, preparing to get in their
shower.
     "You're a great mother," Dale teased.
     Craig knew Dale wanted to make a big funny joke, so decided
to play along.
     "You're not so bad yourself," Craig said.
     "Yeah, but you noticed it was you who gave in on the car.
He's already learned that his mother is weak and will agree to
anything," Dale said, pinching Craig's nipples.  "Now, I've
probably lost total control and it's all your fault," Dale said,
giving Craig a tonsil-dusting kiss.
     "You give me another kiss like that and I won't care who's
fault it is," Craig said when he could finally break the kiss.
     "See, I could probably have my way with you," Dale leered.
     "I can guarantee it, but do you want our boy to find us
fucking in here?" Craig teased.  "You're a bad example for him.
Besides, if I went to the bathroom in the middle of the night and
got lost I could end up in the wrong bed and never know the
difference."
     "Pervert!  Pervert!" Dale said laughing, as he adjusted the
shower temperature.
     They laughed about that as they soaped and rinsed the other.
     * * * * *
     Without anyone checking, all three of them ended up in the
living room, dressed almost alike:  Levi 501's, cowboy boots and
polo shirts, although each were a different color.  Two of the
men were hunky look-alikes and the other was a hunky blond.
     They took Craig's car and really enjoyed the day.  It was a
wonderful mid-October Saturday and the middle of what might be
called Indian Summer except that they hadn't had a frost yet.
Regardless, it was a perfect day to be outside.
     Dale and Joey, being history enthusiasts, enjoyed the LBJ
Ranch and artifacts displayed there.  The next stop was the
Admiral Nimitz Museum at Fredericksburg.  Dale would have loved
to spend more time, as there were some great World War II
historical items to look at.
     There was little traffic on any of the roads that day.  Many
of the families who liked to camp were already at the area lakes
or parks having camping facilities.  And, surprisingly, there
were few people with children in the two museums.
     They ate lunch in Fredericksburg.  It was a Bed and
Breakfast type of place that was open to the public for lunch.
This was really the first time Dale and Craig had taken Joey
anywhere the table was set formally and required polite table
manners.  They had nothing to fear, somebody had shown him why
there were more than the usual three pieces of flatware to a
place setting.  He knew why there was a salad fork, butter knife
and soupspoon.  There was no reason to comment about it.  Why
call attention to something that was already correct, although
both Dale and Craig would like to have known more about this.
There must have been something in Joe's background and upbringing
that caused him to pass knowledge of excellent table manners on
to his son.
     Dale had come from a family that ate as much with their
fingers as by using a knife and fork, but he had read several
etiquette books that explained and defined table settings and the
reason for the various pieces of flatware.  He probably could be
as comfortable at a formal dinner in a tux as eating pizza at
Tony D's.
     It was an easy, relaxing day for the three men.  They
enjoyed being with each other and there was a comfort level they
had reached in knowing more about each other.  Craig very quickly
discovered that Dale and Joey shared the same sense of humor and
he enjoyed being the victim of their teasing, pretending to be
hurt at the appropriate times, then giving back what they had
given him.  Although none of them said it out loud, all were
thankful for each other's presence.
     Lake Buchanan was a beautiful area.  There were boats
available to rent, but there really wasn't time to explore the
area by water.  That would have to wait for a time when they
could devote the day to it.  Craig's parents had owned an 18-foot
powerboat at one time, so he could have been the skipper with no
problem.
     They arrived back in Williamsport just before 4 p.m.  Joey
let Mitsy out and she zipped down the stairs, him following.
Mitsy and the other dog in the complex used the same area of
ground for their "bathroom" and it was out of the way, actually
in an area where people couldn't walk without having to climb
over a flower border.
     Just as Joey reached the ground, Mitsy was getting in
position to take care of her needs.
     "Get that damn dog out of the flowerbed," Joey heard a women
yell.
     She was loud enough that Craig heard her from the 5th floor,
as he hadn't shut the door, so he went out to investigate.
     It was Mrs. Ernst from unit 3-B.  She was standing on the
landing outside her apartment.  She obviously had been waiting
for Joey to take Mitsy outside, as she wasn't dressed to go out.
This woman was always the first to complain about anything,
whether real or perceived.  Right after she moved in, she had
taken exception to the fact that Craig had backed his car into a
parking space, unloaded some heavy flowerpots and bags of sand
and topsoil to put on his balcony.  He didn't have a hand truck,
so had to carry the 50-pound bags of dirt one at a time and the
flowerpots individually, too.  She chastised him for backing into
the parking space, then leaving his trunk lid open.
     "Is there a problem, Mrs. Ernst?" Craig asked, coming down
the stairs to where she was standing and still yelling at Joey.
     "Who is that person that's letting his dog use the flower
beds?"
     "That's my son," Craig said, deciding he wasn't going to put
up with her usual tirade.
     She looked at Craig.  "You're not old enough to have a son
his age.  Why are you lying to me?"  She was starting to get
irate.
     "I'm one of his legal guardians," Craig told her, stretching
the truth a little as his name wasn't on the custody papers.
     "That's another thing.  Do you have permission for more than
just one person to live in your unit?  I seem to remember that
you lived by yourself when I moved in."
     "Ma'am, unlike you, I own my apartment and am not subject to
any rules you might have in the rental agreement with your
landlord.  There are no general building rules for apartment
occupancy or having a dog.  The only thing our homeowners
association covers is the outside appearance of our units, namely
the balcony.  If you will look, there are two chairs, a table and
two large pots of foliage and blooming flowers on mine."
     "That animal is using the flower beds to poop in and I'm not
going to put up with that," she said, getting more irate that she
had been challenged.
     "Do you walk where the dog is going to relieve herself?"
Craig asked.
     "Nooo."
     "Then I suggest that if you aren't going to walk there, you
have no cause for complaining.  Jared Maxwell has a dog, also,
and the two dogs seem to share their bathroom space with no
problem.  The only problem I see here is that you are meddling in
something that doesn't concern you."
     Dale had walked down the stairs to the point where he could
hear the confrontation, but stayed back out of sight.  He was
proud of Craig.
     About that time, Mitsy came bounding up the stairs, followed
by Joey.
     "Where's the damn dog's leash?" she all but screamed.
"Surely we have a leash law here or certainly the city should
have one."
     Joey was bewildered.  Mitsy found Dale on the stairs above.
He sat down to play with her, petting and rubbing her snout and
ears.  She was enjoying every minute of it.
     "Go on upstairs, Joey, we're about through here," Craig
said.
     Joey started on up the stairs.  Dale and Mitsy joined him in
going to their unit.
     "I'm going to complain to the homeowners association.  I
think you are in violation of the rules about having pets and the
number of people that can live in an apartment."
     "I hope you do, in fact I'd be glad to put in a good word
for you, about how vigilant you are, checking what goes on around
here."  He hoped she would get the message that he thought she
was nosey.
     "This isn't over, yet," she yelled, going back inside her
apartment and slamming the door.
     Craig entered their apartment.  Dale was waiting for him.
Joey was feeding Mitsy and putting down a fresh bowl of water.
     He put his arms around Craig and kissed him.  "What's wrong
with that woman?" Dale asked.  I've seen her looking out from her
balcony doors when I arrive home or leave.  I always wave at her
so she knows I see her," he laughed.
     "She must not have anything to occupy her time.  She doesn't
have a car, so someone must take her shopping for groceries and
her other needs.  I think her son may own the unit, but I don't
know for sure.  We have a very informal homeowners association,
more of a formality actually.  One of the Williamson's companies
owns the building and manages it, although we actually own our
units.  We pay a nominal maintenance fee for mowing, trash,
outside repairs and water for the lawn.  To my knowledge no one
has ever filed a complaint about anyone else doing something they
shouldn't.  I don't think she'll get very far.  If there was dog
poop on the lawn, she might have a valid complaint."
     Joey was upset.  "She's not going to make me get rid of
Mitsy, is she?"
     Dale put his arm around Joey, squeezing him.  "No.  Don't
worry about it.
     Craig said, "I'm going to talk to Jared and let him know
that she's complained about our dog, so he can be prepared for a
tirade from her."
     He walked over to the balcony door.  "His car isn't in the
parking lot," but I'll catch him later.  Don't worry about
anything, Joey, just make sure Mitsy goes where she usually
does."
     They cleaned up and changed into nice, casual clothing for
the party Paul had arranged for Joey.
     Although they could have walked, they took Craig's car in
case they decided to eat out after the party.
     There were already several cars in the parking lot, but that
was usual as several groups met at the church; it was during time
for Fr. George to hear confessions and the ladies from the altar
guild were arranging flowers and preparing for the 8 a.m. mass
the next day.
     They went to the parish hall, and then took the stairs to
the basement where the "Teens Den" was located.  The church youth
group met in this large room that had a small kitchen next to it.
There were two pool tables, a couple of dart boards, a ping pong
table, foosball, a couple of pinball machines and a jukebox for
listening and dancing.  The room was equipped with a couple of
soft drink machines with canned drinks being available for 25
cents each.  The room had been equipped with donated items and a
fund drive.  The maintenance and replenishment of the facilities
were part of the church budget.  It was a very comfortable room
and frequently was booked for birthday parties and other teen
gatherings.
     There were 5 other kids there when they arrived.  Dale and
Craig were surprised that Tom and Eddie were there, too.  They
greeted each other and introduced Joey.
     Paul spoke to Joey, took him in tow to make sure he met the
other young people who were still arriving.
     Tom and Craig helped put the snacks on a table.  There were
several kinds of chips, dips and cheese as well as thin slices of
roast beef and ham, deli buns, a veggie plate and a tray with
quarters for those wanting soft drinks.
     Paul gave Eddie two bottles of wine to open and showed Dale
where the wine glasses and plastic cups were kept.
     The next adults to arrive were Mark and Trudy Kelly.  Craig
knew them slightly as Mark ushered at church from time to time.
They had twins, a boy named James and a girl named Marilee who
were Joey's age.
     Shortly after that Doyle and Brenda Booth-Fields came in.
He was a guidance counselor at Fillmore High School in
Williamsport.  Their daughter was Wendy Booth and she was a
basketball cheerleader at Davy Crockett High.
     Dale poured several glasses of wine for those adults who
wanted one.  Shortly after that the Doctors Hugh and Glenda
Graham arrived with their two boys, Wesley who was 17 and Kent
had just turned 15.  Hugh was a medical doctor in general
practice and Glenda had a PhD in English History, but hadn't
taught since the family moved from Little Rock to Williamsport
about five years before.
     Altogether, there were 15 young people there, eight guys and
seven girls.  Two pool games were started and the jukebox was
turned on.  Dale was thankful the music level was such people
could still visit, but allowed some of the kids to dance.
     He and Craig welcomed the opportunity to meet some new
people and get acquainted with them, especially in their new
status as parents as they needed to know others who had children
Joey's age.
     Father George arrived at 5:30, after hearing confessions.
For some reason, the party really seemed to kickoff at that
point.  There was just something about him that people were
comfortable with, yet he seemed to take charge of any group he
was in.  He had the ability to make people feel they were the
only guest he was entertaining, yet gave his attention to
everyone else, too.
     He greeted Dale and Craig and offered his condolences.  Dale
got Joey's attention and nodded his head to indicate he was to
join them.
     "Joey, this is Father George Tikker, our rector and a very
good friend," Craig said.
     "I'm very pleased to meet you, Joey.  I'm sorry to hear
about your father, but I know that Dale and Craig will do their
best for you."
     This was the first time Joey had seen Fr. George and
immediately thought he was the most wonderful minister he had
ever met.  He was immediately comfortable in his company.
     "When the party is over, let's go to my study and visit for
a little bit, if you have time," Fr. George said.
     "Sure, we don't have any plans except maybe to go out for
dinner a little later," Dale told him.
     One of the pool tables was available and Fr. George
challenged Joey to a game.  They were pretty evenly matched.
Joey was amazed that a priest would play pool; just as he was
surprised the adults were drinking wine at a party in the church
building.  During the game, Fr. George asked Joey lots of
questions and Joey was thrilled he was paying attention to his
accomplishments and what he was interested in.  The minister at
the church he'd attended in Houston hadn't ever paid any
attention to him except to shake his hand as he left the
building.
     Fr. George told Joey, "I understand that you and Paul had a
great time at choir rehearsal on Wednesday night.  He's really
thrilled you are going to be in the choir and I know that Dale
and Craig are going to be mighty proud when they hear you sing
tomorrow morning."
     "Thanks, I know I'm going to enjoy choir and I'm going to be
in Mixed Chorus at school, too."
     The hour allotted for the party passed all too quickly and
it was actually almost 6:30 when the group began to break up.  It
was a friendly group of people and no one questioned that fact
that Joey was Dale's half-brother and that he and Craig were his
"Dads".
     Joey got on well with the other kids and told them he would
be starting school in another week as they had things that needed
to be accomplished in Houston during the coming week.  Several of
the kids shared classes with him and he was looking forward to
becoming better acquainted with all of them.
     Tom and Eddie volunteered to help Paul clean up the kitchen
and little bit of food that was left.  Dale, Craig and Joey
followed Fr. George to his study to visit.
     Fr. George sat on the end of his desk and indicated the
others sit on either a divan or chairs in front of the desk.  He
started in by saying, "Joey, I'm very sorry about your father,
but I'm very glad you are going to be living with Dale and Craig.
They are fine men and I know they will be fair to you and help
you with any problems you might have.  And. you are most welcome
to come talk to me anytime you want.  I want you to know that
anything you tell me will be kept in confidence and I will be
glad to discuss anything you want to talk about, should you feel
you want to come to me."
     "Thank you, Father.  I really appreciate that.  I know my
two Dads think a lot of you and I'm very pleased to become
acquainted with you."
     Fr. George was pleased to hear Joey refer to Dale and Craig
as "my two Dads".
     They discussed the things that had to be accomplished in
Houston during the next few weeks.
     "Dale, Joey, have you made any consideration for a funeral
or memorial service for your father?" Fr. George asked.
     "No.  He wanted to be cremated and we're allowing that.  I.
and Joey, too, I guess. haven't talked about it."
     "If you would like for me to help you with it, I'll be glad
to do so," he told them.
     That gave Dale an idea he needed to discuss with Joey and
Craig before he said anything to Fr. George about it.
     Fr. George stood up, indicating the meeting was over.
"Let's have a prayer before you leave," he said.  All bowed their
heads as Fr. George asked for guidance and protection for each of
them and that their lives together be blessed.  He ended the
prayer by making the sign of the cross over them with a
benediction.  "Amen," all responded aloud.
     As they were walking back to the car, Joey asked, "He and
Paul have British accents, don't they?"
     "Oh yes, they've only been here about three years.  He told
us he couldn't decide if he spoke English with a Texas accent, or
Texan with a British accent," Craig said.
     Joey thought that was really funny.  "He's a really cool
guy.  I didn't ever think that a minister would play pool. or
that he would allow people to drink wine in the church building."
     "You have to remember that our church is more liberal than a
lot of churches.  Fr. George loves to have a great time and tries
to see to it that everybody else does, too," Craig said.
     * * * * *
     They decided to stop at the grocery store and pick up deli
items for their dinner.  They bought fried chicken, greens and
vegetables for a tossed salad, twice-baked potatoes, pasta salad
and ice cream for dessert.
     Arriving back at their apartment, Joey was going to let
Mitsy out.  "What if that crazy woman throws a fit again?"
     "Don't worry about it, just ignore her and Dale and I will
take care of her if she decides to yell at you," Craig told him.
     Joey ran up the stairs and soon Mitsy was in the yard, in
her favorite place.  Joey was right behind her; Dale and Craig
were waiting in the yard.  There was no visible sign of Mrs.
Ernst.
     When they went upstairs, Dale remembered to check the milk
supply.  There was enough for Joey to have a glass in the
morning, but he definitely needed to remember to go to the ranch
tomorrow afternoon and told both of them to remind him.
     Dale put the chicken in the oven at a warming temperature
and put the other things away.  Craig fixed drinks for the two of
them, offering Joey a soft drink.  He decided on Ginger Ale.
They settled down in the living room, Dale and Craig together on
the love seat with Joey sitting in a chair across from them.
     "What do you think of Williamsport, so far?" asked Dale.
     "Oh I really like it," Joey answered.  "People are nice,
there seems to be a lot to do and I especially like the ranch.
That's a neat place.  Then the school isn't too big.  The town
seems like a big neighborhood, but a lot more friendly," Joey
answered.
     "Are you sure you want to live here with us?" Dale asked.
     "Not a doubt about it.  You guys are cool.  I don't care if
you are gay because I know you love each other and you love me,
too.  I just hope I can make you proud of me."
     "We are proud of you, Joey," Craig answered.  You are smart,
especially polite, have a good sense of humor and are
appreciative of things people do for you.  I don't think we could
ask for anything more."
     "Joey, if anything bothers you, please come to us.  And, if
you think you can't talk to us for any reason, then go to the
church to see Ft. George.  He's a wonderful counselor and will do
everything he can to help you, but you have to give all of us a
chance, okay?" Dale asked.
     "My Dad and I were best pals forever because we didn't have
anybody else.  I'm pretty sure that we always told each other the
truth about things.  You guys are going to be my new Dad's, but
you're kind of like older brothers, too.  I think we'll all get
along good together."
     "That's what we want to hear," Dale said.  "As long as all
of us respect the other, there won't be any problem."
     Craig fixed Dale and himself another drink.  When it was
getting to be about time to eat, Joey set the table and they sat
down to eat.  Instinctively, they joined hands, Craig asking the
blessing.  This was the beginning of them doing this at every
meal they ate together, each taking turns with the prayer.
     * * * * *
     Dale and Craig had terrific sex after they went to bed.  The
strain of the past week hadn't left them much time for
themselves.  This was a time they could relax and slowly bring
the other almost to the edge, then calm down before starting
over.  They loved each other's bodies and couldn't get enough of
the juices they produced during their attentive foreplay.
Finally they swung around on the bed so they could bury each
other to the root.  They were like a fine-tuned machine, the
operator pushing the right buttons to make it purr along.  Each
could tell the other was about the same place they were and
worked together to climax at the same time.  Draining the other,
they finally broke apart to rejoin and share the harvest each had
produced.  Mixing it together, they finally swallowed their share
of the tasty cocktail of love.
     The next thing they knew it was 8 o'clock in the morning.
     * * * * *
     Joey was too tired to even think about his body or anything
else that had happened that day.  When he awoke the next morning
he decided that he hadn't even been aware of Mitsy hopping up on
his bed.  He went to the bathroom, then pulled on his briefs to
go to the kitchen.  His Dad always wore briefs, but he decided
that he wanted some boxer shorts like his two Dads wore.  He made
a mental note to asked if he could try a pair of theirs as they
were all about the same size in the waist, Joey being a little
more slender.
     * * * * *
     Dale decided to make waffles for their Sunday morning
breakfast.  There were frozen link sausages in the freezer.
Craig got out the waffle iron and had poured juice for he and
Dale.  They had each drunk about half of their glass when Joey
came into the kitchen to feed Mitsy, who had already been outside
- and there hadn't been any yelling from Mrs. Ernst.
     "Good morning," Joey said cheerfully.
     "Good morning," both Dale and Craig answered.
     "I'm fixing waffles and sausage this morning, do you want
anything else?" Dale asked.
     "No, that's fine.  Some juice and a little coffee to go with
that will be fine," Joey said.
     "What time do you have to be at church this morning?" Craig
asked.
     "We're supposed to be robed and ready to rehearse by 10:10.
     "I'll see to it you are there by 10 o'clock, unless you want
to go earlier," Dale told him.
     "No, I think that will be okay."  Joey told them about the
requirements for dressing and wearing their choir cassocks.  That
wasn't any problem because Joey had black pants, socks and shoes
with him.  A polo shirt would be fine since the collar wasn't to
show.
     "We go to the parish hall for coffee hour after the mass, so
you can meet us there," Craig said.
     After they had breakfast, they cleaned up.  Dale took Joey
to church so he was there in plenty of time, and then went back
home to dress.
     He and Craig exchanged a great "good morning kiss".
     "Hey, we're alone, the kids are gone," Craig teased.
     "Yeah, but maybe we can play around later.  I don't think we
really have time for everything I want to do to you," Dale teased
back.
     "You're probably right, but we need to go since we haven't
been to church here for three weeks and we want to be there for
Joey's choir debut," Craig said.  "He'd be disappointed if we
weren't there, and so would I."
     They looked sharp when they were dressed.  Enough to turn
the heads of most everyone.
     Craig parked in the church parking lot and they went in the
front door.  Mark Kelly, whom they had met at the party the
previous evening was one of the ushers this morning and handed
each a service folder.
     Craig led the way down the center aisle toward the front to
sit on the fourth row.  He and Dale both genuflected as they
entered the row, pulling the kneeling pads from under their
chairs and knelt in prayer.
     * * * * *
     Joey's voice was in good form this morning and Paul was
pleased with what he heard from the entire choir.  They ran
through the anthem, Paul admonishing Joey to watch him for
dynamics as he sang his solo part.
     Paul left to play the organ prelude.  The choir walked
around the outside of the building to the front door this morning
since it was such a beautiful day.  In the case of bad weather,
they walked through the basement to the stairs taking them to the
narthex.
     The procession was gathering and Joey was all eyes, as he'd
never seen anything like the assembled group that was going to
process down the aisle.
     Jason was the thurifer this morning and Kevin was carrying
the incense boat.  Joey was very curious as to what Jason was
carrying as the incense wouldn't be added until the organ started
the processional hymn, so he didn't know it was full of hot
charcoal.
     Finally it was time to start the mass.  It was like
assembling a parade.  Jason ran the top up the chains, then added
three scoops of incense to the thurible.  Immediately you could
smell and see the sweet incense smoke.  He dropped the lid in
place and secured it.
     On the second verse of the hymn, the processional cross,
flanked by the two processional candles started down the aisle
behind Jason and Kevin.  The smoke from the incense was rolling
out of the censer as Jason was swinging it in an arc that was a
full 180-degrees.  The choir fell in behind, spacing themselves
two rows behind the choristers ahead of them.
     Joey was singing with gusto and remembered to bow after
going up the chancel steps, then following into the choir stalls
behind his seatmate.
     Craig and Dale saw Joey in the procession and nudged each
other.
     Joey noticed that Jason and Kevin were standing before the
altar steps and the acolyte's carrying the processional cross and
candles had stopped just inside the communion rail.  Behind the
choir was another processional cross, which he later learned was
the clergy cross.  Behind that cross were the officiants, the
Deacon and Sub-deacon who were wearing similar ivory and green
vestments.  There were additional acolytes and others who would
be helping with the mass.  The last person was Fr. George,
resplendent in a beautiful multi-colored robe, called a cope.
The choir was singing the last verse of the hymn, the organ
leading and the boy sopranos singing a descant.  Joey had shivers
from the experience.  Those who were robed stood in front of the
altar until the hymn was finished.
     Paul intoned the introit, the clergy genuflected, then Fr.
George started censing the altar, flanked by the Deacon and Sub-
deacon.  Joey, of course, had never seen anything like this in
the Presbyterian Church.
     The service proceeded, the choir singing the Gloria, then
the Psalm between the two scripture lessons.  After the New
Testament lesson, the choir sang the Gradual-Alleluia and
Sequence Hymn as Jason and Kevin led the processional cross and
candles, then the Deacon and Sub-Deacon down the chancel and out
into the crossing.  The Holy Gospel was announced, the book
censed and the Deacon chanted the reading.  Joey was impressed
with the ceremony.
     The mass continued with the Homily by Fr. George, who never
talked more than five minutes, the Nicene Creed, Prayers of the
People and exchange of the Peace.
     The choir chanted the Offertory proper while the Deacon
started preparing the altar for the mass to continue.
     Dale happened to glance at the bulletin.  After the
Offertory Anthem was Joey's name, as soloist.  He held his
service folder in front of Craig, pointing at Joey's name.  Craig
was as surprised as Dale since Joey hadn't said anything to them
about it.
     The anthem started and the hymn-tune was familiar.  Joey's
resonant voice seemed to fill the building with his solo on the
third verse.  The fourth verse was wonderful, as the harmony was
changed and the boy sopranos were singing way above everyone
else.  At the appropriate time, Joey's baritone voice joined and
alternated with the bass.
     This time it was Dale and Craig who had goosebumps and
shivers.  The music ended on a glorious note, with a grand "Amen"
being sung after the organ ending.  The Williamson families were
sitting right behind them.  Marty tapped each on their shoulders
when the anthem was over.  When they turned around, he gave them
a thumbs up and had a big smile on his face, as did the rest of
the family.
     Paul was proud of Joey.  Fr. George was kneeling on the
altar steps while the acolytes took his cope and replaced it with
the chasuble so he could continue the celebration of the mass.
He, too, was most impressed with Joey's voice.
     After the Offertory Anthem, the organ dropped to a soft
reprise of the anthem melody, building with more and more organ
as the collection plates were carried down the aisle and placed
on a brass tray, then presented to the priest.  Jason and Kevin
had walked out at this point and the top of the thurible was run
up on the chains and incense pellets were added.  The ceremony
resumed and it seemed as if everything in the sanctuary was
censed, the altar, the priest, the officiants and the acolytes.
Then Jason and Kevin moved out into the center of the chancel,
swinging the censer toward the choir, moving on down to the
chancel steps and doing the same for the congregation.  By the
time that happened, it seemed as if the organ was at full volume
and you could still hear the trompettes on the west wall soaring
above it.
     Joey was careful to watch the others in the choir to copy
their actions in bowing, standing, sitting and kneeling.  He was
impressed at the ceremony at the altar and especially enjoyed
hearing the priest chant.  When it was time for the Sanctus-
Benedictus, one of the acolytes rang a bell that was sitting on
the altar steps.  He had to find out what all of this ceremony
and ritual was about, but he loved it.  He knew there was a deep
devotion and reverence that he had never seen before.
     The mass progressed on through Communion and he followed the
person next to him to the communion rail to receive the bread and
wine as Paul had shown him.  'Wow, real wine!' he thought.  Later
when the choir was singing the communion anthem, he was aware
that Dale and Craig were standing in line, waiting their turn at
the rail.  Both gave him a big smile and a thumbs up.  Marty gave
him the gesture of his thumb and index finger in a circle,
holding his other fingers up to indicate perfection.  Joey was
very proud and got tears in his eyes.
     Others in the congregation who knew Dale or at least had
seen him at church couldn't help but wonder who the young fellow
was who looked like him but had a different last name.
     Soon the mass was over and the choir processed to the west
door.  Joey could feel nothing but elation as the choir walked
around the side of the building to get to the area where the
choir room was.  Most of the kids in the choir congratulated him
by either patting him on the back, giving him high-fives or
shaking his hands.
     "Man you saved the baritone section today," Ted Lewiston
told him.  "Ever since Bob Page left to go to college, we haven't
had a leader.  I'm really glad you're here and I know the rest of
the choir is, too," he told Joey.
     Another one of the boys, Hal Shaw, approached Joey.
"Somebody told me that you and Dale Richards are brothers?" he
asked.
     "We're half brothers," Joey told him.  "Our Dad died on
Friday evening and I'm going to be living here with him."
     "Cool.  I'm glad you're here.  One of the guys said you play
baseball and when I was in little league, Dale was one of our
volunteer coaching assistants.  He's a neat guy."
     "Thanks," Joey said.
     "Come on, let's go get something cold to drink and some
cookies," a young fellow by the name of Pete told him.  "I'll
show you the way."
     * * * * *
     Dale and Craig seemed to be the center of attention by a
number of people who made themselves known to them and expressed
their thanks that Joey was singing in the choir.  Marty was
especially vocal about it.  "I don't know when I've heard the
choir sound better and Joey just gave it that extra special push
to put it over the top," he told Dale and Craig.
     "Thanks, Marty," they both told him.
     About that time Joey arrived in the parish hall with about
10 other boys out of the choir.  He made his way to Dale and
Craig, who each gave him a hug in turn.
     "Well done, I'm proud of you," Dale said.
     "You really surprised me and it sounded wonderful," Craig
told him.
     Other people gathered around to introduce themselves and
tell Joey how much they appreciated his singing this morning.
     Shortly afterward Fr. George and Paul arrived in the parish
hall.  Both headed to where Joey was standing, talking with Dale,
Craig, the Williamson families and several others.  Somehow, Fr.
George managed to get the gathering quieted down when he and Paul
went to the stage, leading Joey between them.
     He flipped the switch to turn on the microphone on the
podium.  "Good morning," he told the group and the people
responded, "Good morning."
     "Paul and I would like to make sure that all of you know
this young man who sang the baritone solo during the offertory
anthem this morning.  His name is Joey Sullivan and he's moving
to Williamsport from Houston to live with Dale Richards and Craig
Bastian who are his new parents.  I'm sorry to tell you that
Joey's father passed away on Friday evening and we want Joey and
Dale and Craig to know that our thoughts and prayers are with
them.
     There was a round of hearty applause from everyone in the
room.
     Several people that Dale and Craig didn't know made it a
point to introduce themselves, telling them how pleased they were
and that they would look forward to hearing Joey sing again.
Both Dale and Craig were so proud they were about to bust their
buttons.
     Fr. George and Paul led Joey to the table to get punch and
cookies and each gave him a squeeze around the waist as they were
standing beside him.
     "We're glad you're here," they both said.
     Joey seemed to be the center of attention and was enjoying
every minute of it.  Dale and Craig each knew that Joey's
participation in the choir would ease his transition to
Williamsport.
     Finally the crowd had dwindled to the point they could leave
to go home and they walked to the car, arms about the other.
Joey climbed in the backseat and Craig drove.
     "That was quite a surprise, Bud," Dale said.
     "A really great surprise," Craig echoed.
     Joey was still elated.  "That was the most beautiful church
service I've ever attended.  I don't know what it was all about,
because it's way different than anything I've ever seen, but
there seemed to be so much beauty with the music and vestments
and reverence at the altar."
     "That's the way it struck me, too, the first time I went to
church with Craig.  Maybe we can be in the Inquirers Class
together because I'd like to learn more about the church as I'd
like to be baptized and confirmed, then I think Craig and I would
like to have our union blessed by Fr. George."
     "Wow, you mean like 'get married'?" Joey questioned.
     "Well, as nearly as it could happen.  There would be no
legal recognition by either the church or the state, but Fr.
George has a quiet ceremony that he will perform where we can
exchange vows and rings.  It's just not something to talk about
to everyone as there are a lot of people who would be upset if
they found out about it," Craig told him.
     "Okay, but I want to be there when it happens," Joey told
them.
     They each thanked him and promised that he would be part of
it.
     When they arrived at the apartment, Joey ran upstairs to let
Mitsy out.  Nothing more had been heard from Mrs. Ernst.  Jared
Maxwell's car was in the parking lot, so while Dale was in the
yard with Joey, Craig walked up one flight and knocked on the
door of 2-A .
     Jared immediately opened the door.  Craig had met him once
and they saw each other to wave at from time to time, but really
didn't know each other.
     "Hi, Jared, I'm Craig Bastian from 5-A and I wondered if I
could ask you a question?"
     "Sure, do you want to come in?"
     "No, I was just curious to know if you've had any problems
from Mrs. Ernst upstairs about your dog using the flowerbed as a
bathroom."
     Jared started laughing.  "Yes, about once a week.  I have to
admit that to begin with my dog was using the lawn and I was
picking up the waste and tossing it in the flowerbed.  Then I
think that another dog smelled it and started marking it as his
territory.  Since them, my dog has been going there all the
time."
     "My partner and I now have a teenage boy living with us and
he has a Sheltie by the name of Mitsy.  She's been using the
flowerbeds, too.  Mrs. Ernst took exception to it and told me she
was going to talk to the Homeowners Association because there
were too many people living in my apartment and we weren't
supposed to have a dog," Craig told him.
     "Homeowners Association?" Jared laughed.  "We don't really
have one, do we?"
     "Not really, it functions only to see to maintenance on the
outside of the building and we pay our dues for mowing, watering,
landscaping and trash.  We don't even have any officers."
     "You had me worried there for a minute.  I thought maybe she
could do that," Jared said.
     "No, but I just wanted to warn you that she's on the
warpath, but it sounds like you've already had dealings with
her," Craig said.
     "Yeah, just yesterday right after 3 o'clock when I came home
for a little bit to let Fritz out, then I had to leave again."
     "That explains why she accosted Joey when we got home just
before 4 o'clock.  You got her upset and she took it out on us,"
Craig giggled.
     Jared laughed.
     About that time Mitsy came bounding up the steps, followed
by Joey and Dale.  Craig decided to make the introductions.
     Jared, this is my partner, Dale Richards, and our son, Joey
Sullivan.  And this is Mitsy."
     All of them shook hands with each other, looking the others
over carefully, exchanging greetings.
     Jared had seen Dale a couple of times and was surprised at
how much Joey looked like him.  He didn't think they could be
father and son, Dale didn't look old enough, but Craig had
introduced the teenage boy, Joey, as their son.  That was
interesting.  He had to assume that Dale and Craig were gay, but
wondered how the boy fit into the picture.  That was fascinating,
he thought and decided that he wasn't the only gay person living
in the complex now.
     "Thanks for the information on your dog, Jared.  I hope
we'll see you soon," Craig told him.
     They said their goodbyes and climbed the stairs to their
unit.
     * * * * *
     "Who's getting hungry?" Dale asked.  "Joey, you should have
worked up a mammoth appetite with your effort this morning."
     He and Craig were standing, arms about the other while
talking to Joey.  Craig reached toward Joey, pulling him in to
join them in a hug.  "We're really proud of you and it sounded
great.  I had no idea that your voice was that good," Craig told
him.
     "I didn't know it was, because I've never been more than a
section lead before, but Paul got all excited at choir practice
the other evening and gave me that piece to try out on.  Well,
you know what happened.  It turned into a vocal solo and a duet
with the bass."
     "We're glad you enjoyed the experience and hope you continue
with the choir because we sure heard some great comments about it
this morning at coffee hour," Dale told him.
     "I did and I want to continue to sing and I'm looking
forward to the mixed chorus in school, too," Joey said.
     "Good, because I'm sure they will appreciate you there,
also," Craig told him.
     "Dads," Joey said.
     "Yeah. Yes." they answered.
     "I want to know more about the church service.  I mean, I've
never seen anything like it before and I want to know about some
of the things that happened, like the incense and all the bowing
and kneeling and the music."
     "I can help you with some of that, but why don't we see if
Paul will talk to you, also, because he can tell you the reasons
for a lot of it and explain it better than I can," Craig said.
     Dale agreed.
     "Okay!" Joey said, excitedly.
     "Now. about food," Dale said.
     "You talked me into it," Craig laughed, joined by Joey.
     "Let's change into something more comfortable, Joey, you're
okay, and go to the buffet at the Cattleman's Hotel.  I
understand they have a really good one and the big rush may be
over by the time we get there," Dale suggested.
     They went to their rooms to freshen up and get ready to go
eat.  Joey was the first back in the living room.
     Dale and Craig exchanged several passionate kisses while
they were taking off their suits and putting on Dockers and polo
shirts.  "You keep doing that and I won't be able to zip my pants
up," Dale said, grinning from ear to ear.
     "Can't keep the children waiting.  Don't want him to know
that his Dad is a real horn dog," Craig laughed.
     "Not just one Dad, but two.  How lucky can the kid get?"
Dale teased back.
     "I don't know, but I think he is very lucky we stepped in to
help him and I know that we are lucky to have a well-adjusted
teen who is appreciative of what we are doing.  Joe raised him
well and it's too bad that he won't be around to see the rewards
of his efforts," Craig said quietly.
     "I know and believe me, I couldn't do this by myself.  I
don't think I would have even considered attempting it.  So,
thanks for being my pillar. and Joey's, too," Dale said tenderly.
     "We're going to be a good family, maybe a little
unconventional for Williamsport, but from what I've seen of the
people at the party and at church this morning, no one seems to
be concerned that Joey has two dads," Craig said, giving Dale
another peck on the cheek.
     "Well, I'm sure that we're bound to have some static from
somewhere because we have a lot of bigoted people in this town,
so we just need to be prepared if any of us encounter a problem,"
Dale added.
     By this time they were dressed and although their dicks may
have been a little plump, they were able to zip up their pants
with no problem.
     * * * * *
     The buffet at the hotel was delicious.  Dale hadn't realized
that a Baron of Beef was the main meat entree, although there was
fried chicken, ham and pork loin, too.  A Chinese family ran the
restaurant, so there was a good mix of oriental offerings as well
as the standard American buffet fare.  The salad bar was huge,
having everything from tossed greens and all the trimmings to
potato salad, pasta salad and fruit salad and all the
garnishments to go with them.
     After they were seated, they ordered iced-tea, then told the
waiter they would go through the buffet line.  Craig led the way
to the salad bar before tackling the main serving line.
     While they were eating, several people who had been at
church came up to speak to the men.  Dale and Craig didn't know
any of them, except that their faces were familiar.  Each had
nice things to say to Joey, who was pleased to be recognized by
people he had never seen before.
     * * * * *
     After they left the hotel, Dale drove out to the Bar-W so
they could get another gallon of milk.  Jason and Kevin were out
on the lawn with their dogs, Brandy and Ginger, trying to teach
them to fetch.  They ran toward the barn with the pups running
and tumbling after them.  Of course, everyone had to play with
them.
     "Hi everybody."  The boys greeted them.
     "Hi," was the greeting returned to them.
     "Good job this morning," Jason told Joey.
     "Yeah, it was awesome," Kevin added.
     "Thanks," Joey answered.
      "How come you're here on a Sunday afternoon?" Jason
questioned.
     "Dad wanted to get more of the good milk from your cow,"
Joey answered.
     Jason was a little puzzled.  "Uhmm. Dale. I'm confused.
When we met Joey the other morning, you told us he was your half-
brother and that he would be living with you and Craig.  Then
this morning, Fr. George said that you and Craig were Joey's new
parents.  Then he called you 'Dad' just now."
     "Yes guys, you'll probably hear Joey calling both of us
'Dad' from time to time.  Actually I'm Joey's legal guardian, but
the three of us are really a family now," Dale answered.
     "I still wanted to be able to call someone 'Dad' since my
real father is dead, but it's not fair to call Dale 'Dad' and
leave Craig out, so I'm going to call them both that," Joey
explained.
     "That's cool," Jason told them.
     "I'll be right back," Dale said, going into the milk house.
He returned a few minutes later with a gallon of milk and a
carton containing another dozen eggs, putting them in the back
seat.
     In the meantime, Joey was asking Jason and Kevin about their
parts in the morning mass and about the thurible and how it
worked.
     Jason was proudly explaining.  "The usage of incense is
based on Psalm 141, 'Let my prayer be counted as incense before
thee.'
     "It's used to symbolize the rising of the prayers to heaven,
to purify thoughts and as an offering to God as well as a
benediction to the people," he said.
     "It also adds to the solemnity of the mass as a visual
reminder of the prayers of Thanksgiving," Craig added.
     "I've never seen anything like it, except maybe pictures on
TV of a funeral of an important person, or something like that,"
Joey told them.  He smiled.  "But it did seem like they were
putting a parade together in the back of the church this
morning."
     "Wait until the Bishop visits," Jason said.  "Then it really
gets complicated."
     "Wow!! That must really be something, then."
     "It is," Kevin said, trying to enter the conversation.
     The pups were having a great time because there were five
people to pay attention to them and it seemed like they were five
pups, one for each person.
     "How's the housebreaking project coming along?" Dale asked.
     "Great.  We started leaving them out of their cage when
someone is with them and so far there haven't been any problems.
They are learning that they have to be brushed everyday and we
let them sleep on the bed with us, too," Kevin proudly said.
     Craig picked up on the "sleep on the bed with us, too"
phrase, but didn't say anything about it.
     Meanwhile, Joey was having a great time with the dogs.
"They remind me of Mitsy when she was a little pup," he said.
     "Yeah, Dad said you had a really neat dog," Jason said.
     "She is," Joey said, "and she sleeps on my bed with me,
too."
     Craig spoke up.  "I want to go look at the house.  That way
I don't have to come out in the morning to give Ray a bad time
about it."  They set off to the house, the pups tumbling along.
They were still learning how to bark and that made them all the
more loveable for their clownish ways.
     Dale was impressed as all of the inside walls had been
painted either a light blue, light green, beige or a rose color.
The paper covering the windows had been removed, but the wood
trim for the doors, windows or baseboard hadn't been installed
yet.
     Jason and Kevin hadn't been in the house since the sheetrock
had been completed, so they were really amazed at the progress.
     Craig said, "They will probably start installing cabinets,
plumbing fixtures and hook up the wall outlets and ceiling lights
next.  He's going to have this completed easily by November 1st."
     They walked through all of the rooms on each floor.  Dale
was very pleased that the Bar-W would be able to offer their
permanent help a nice place to live.  Marty had indicated that if
this met with success for Dale's crew; they would build similar
houses for the men who took care of the cattle and horses.
     "Are you ready to go back home?" Dale asked Craig and Joey.
     "Yeah, I am," Joey said.  Craig voiced his assent.
     "Let's hit the road, then," Dale said.
     "Maybe you can come back and we can ride the horses again,"
Kevin said.  "We don't get to go very often and the horses need
their exercise."
     "We'll see what we can do.  This is going to be a busy week
for us because we have to get all of Joey's things moved to
Williamsport from Houston and get him ready to start school, too.
He's had too much vacation," Dale said, giving Joey's hair a
tousle.
     They piled back in the Blazer to go home after telling
Jason, Kevin and the pup's goodbye.
     * * * * *
     While Joey was taking Mitsy outside, Dale asked Craig, "Are
we going to the Dignity/Integrity meeting this evening?"
     "I'd forgotten that it was this evening, but it's fine with
me."
     "Do you think it would be okay to take Joey?" Dale asked.
     "I don't know why not, but let me call Paul and find out
what he thinks."
     "Okay," Dale said.
     Craig went to the telephone, punched in the number of the
rectory.  Fr. George answered the phone.
     "Father, it's Craig Bastian."
     "What can I do for you?"
     "Tonight is the Dignity/Integrity meeting, isn't it?"
     "Yes, at 6:30.  Are you and Dale going to be able to join
us?"
     "We're planning on it, but needed to ask if we could bring
Joey?"
     "I don't know why not. in fact it might be good because Alan
Zimmer from Austin is going to talk to us about gays adopting
children.  I know that your circumstance are a bit different than
that, but you've just been through an assignment of custody and
you might be able to answer some questions from first hand
experience."
     "Okay.  We'll find out if he wants to go with us, but
thought we should ask if he's welcome first," Craig told him.
     They exchanged goodbyes, saying they would see each other a
little later.
     Joey came in with Mitsy about the time Craig hung up the
telephone and nodded his head 'yes' to Dale.
     "Joey, we belong to a group of people, a club that the
church sponsors and we meet once a month.  It's a social
gathering of gay men and women and we usually have a cocktail
hour with snacks and then a short business meeting and program.
Would you like to attend with us this evening?"
     "Sure, will there be anybody there that I already know?"
     "Yes, do you remember Tom and Eddie who were at the party
yesterday evening?"
     "Yeah, the schoolteachers?" asked Joey.
     "That's right and also Fr. George and Paul will be there.
The meeting is in the rectory, the house the church provides for
them to live in."
     "They're gay?" Joey asked, surprised."
     "Well, they say they are," Dale laughed.
     "That's cool," Joey answered.
     "There were about 15 men and women at the last meeting,"
Craig said.  There is a lawyer from Austin who is going to speak
to the group about gay men and women adopting children.  The laws
vary a lot from state to state, but it's becoming more and more
common," Craig told him.
     "You mean like the two of you and me?" Joey asked.
     "Well, not quite the same.  We didn't adopt you, although I
guess we could if you wanted us to.  In your situation, Dale has
legal custody and no one could take you away without a court
battle.  Since you don't have any other relatives that wanted you
to live with them, I don't think that will ever be a problem,"
Craig said.
     "Well, I hope not because I'm not leaving," Joey told them.
     "There's just one thing we ask of you," Dale said.
     "What's that?"
     "Well, this isn't a secret club, but there are some who are
not comfortable with people knowing they are gay for various
reasons.  Sometimes it's because of their job, or their family
causing them trouble.  So anything you see or hear has to be kept
in confidence.  You can talk to us about it, but only in the
privacy of our home," Craig said.
     "I understand that.  Dad and I had that agreement because of
his job.  He knew he could get fired if people at work found out
he was gay, or that they might give him a lot of trouble about
it."
     "Okay, that's no problem, but we just felt we needed your
understanding before taking you."
     "You got it," he said.
     * * * * *
     Several churches had printed a notice that the local
Dignity/Integrity group was having a meeting at the St. James
Rectory on Sunday evening at 6:30.  There was no comment about
what the group was, just the meeting time and place.  The group
had asked that it be announced that way as those knowledgeable
about the name would understand and others wouldn't pay any
attention.
     The minister of Faith Assembly Church was a friend of the
Reverend Jimmy Bob Jones.  He called him to report "that group of
fags that you hate so much is having another of their meetings at
the house where the fag priest of that cathedral lives."
     Of course, Rev. Jimmy Bob was interested.  This could be his
chance to find out who attended the meeting, and then announce
their names all over town.  In the process he would receive the
accolades for having exposed the group, thereby gaining the
respect in the community he thought he deserved.
     He enlisted the help of his disciple and church treasurer,
Bret Jenkins, Senior.  Jimmy Bob was smart enough to realize that
his new royal maroon Cadillac might draw attention, so told Bret
to bring his family minivan.  They would park a couple of houses
away and use binoculars to better see faces.  So, at 6:10 p.m.
they were parked down the street two houses where they could see
people coming from the St. James parking lot and also those who
might park a little closer.
     The first two people to arrive were Tom Bryant and Eddie
Thompson.  They parked in the church lot and walked two houses
from the opposite direction.
     "Oh man, I can't believe this," Bret said.  That's one of
the middle school coaches and he also coaches in the City Little
League Program.  The other guy is a history teacher in the middle
school."
     "See, I told you that the liberal school board that Marty
Williamson runs hired faggots to teach in the school system.
Those guys even have the gall to live together," Rev. Jimmy Bob
said.
     They didn't know the next people to arrive, all women.  They
were Patricia Wilson, Stacy Bauer and her significant other,
Joyce Morris.
     The two "detectives" didn't know what to make of the fact
that women were going to the meeting.  Women weren't fags, but
Rev. Jimmy Bob remembered that some women were lesbians and liked
to get it on with other women.
     Ray Evans, who was one of the owners of "Home Builders
Corporation", parked in front of the house.  He was well known to
Jimmy Bob because he had done some remodeling at the Victory
Temple.  He told Bret who he was and Bret remembered that they
hadn't been able to pay him, yet, as money was so tight.
     Greg DeFazio parked his car right behind Ray's pickup and
Ray waited at the sidewalk for him so they could walk together.
They embraced each other, and then continued up the sidewalk to
the porch.
     "That's disgusting," Bret said.
     Dale was driving the Blazer and parked across the street,
headed the other direction.  He, Craig and Joey got out and
started across the street.
     "I was right about him all along!" Bret said excitedly.
     "What?" asked Jimmy Bob.
     That tall guy who was driving is Dale Richards.  He's the
fag general manager of the Bar-W Ranch.  I don't know who the
blond guy is, but I think they live with each other.  Dale
brought the kid to our office the other day and introduced him as
his son and signed him up for their group insurance plan.  If you
ask me, it's probably somebody they've recruited and are going to
train to be a fag."
     "Well, they do look enough alike to be brothers," Rev. Jimmy
Bob said.
     "That's probably why they recruited him, they can pass him
off as being a relative," Bret said.
     Bret didn't realize that he was resting his foot on the
brake pedal and causing the brake lights to flash on the van.
They were so engrossed watching Dale, Craig and Joey that Bret
didn't realize someone had parked behind his van.
     The two women were in Tricia Sutton's car and got out.
Marilyn Kolb, who was a Lieutenant in the Williamsport Police
Department, had just gotten off duty at 6 p.m., so was still
wearing her uniform.  She was curious about the flashing brake
lights and as they started up the sidewalk going toward the van,
Marilyn realized that the man in the passenger seat was watching
Dale and the others through binoculars.  She stopped and took
Tricia by the arm, and they walked the other direction.
     "What's wrong?" asked Tricia.
     "Those guys in the van are spying on the people who are
coming to the meeting and the guy in the passenger seat looks
like Rev. Jimmy Bob Jones, who makes a lot of trouble for
everyone who doesn't see things his way and he particularly hates
gay people," Marilyn told her.
     "What can we do?" Tricia asked.
     "I'm going to call in and ask that they send a couple of
patrolmen out and we'll shake them down."
     She was still wearing her radio and called the dispatcher.
"We have two suspects in a Plymouth minivan, Texas tag number
853B-098, parked in front of the house at 807 Buchanan.  They
appear to be spying on people attending a meeting at the St.
James Rectory.  Request two patrol cars from opposite directions
to block their exit.  Will stand by," she said.
     "Roger on that," the dispatcher said, then ordered two units
to the scene.
     Before the patrol cars arrived, Mark Clarke, Joe Hervey and
RJ Barton arrived separately, parking in the church lot and
walking across to the rectory.
     Rev. Jimmy Bob and Bret were so busy trying to identify
those people that they weren't paying any attention to anything
else that was going on around them.  RJ looked familiar to both
because he worked at the Texaco station, but neither knew his
name.
     Then, riding down the street on his bicycle and up the
sidewalk of the rectory came Bret Jenkins, Junior.
     "Oh SHIT!" exclaimed the two men, almost together.
     At that moment patrol cars arrived from both directions,
blocking the street with all lights flashing.  Three patrolmen
got out of the two cars, joined by Lt. Marilyn Kolb.  All four
officers approached the van with guns drawn.
     * * * * *
     (to be continued)
     * * * * *
     Author's Note:  I would appreciate your comments, criticism,
suggestions, and anything else that you would care to say.
Although I set out to answer every Email I received from readers,
I've fallen behind.  Chapter 32 produced more mail than any other
chapter and seemed to touch  everyone.  Many of your wrote to
tell me of your experiences with the death of a loved one you had
been estranged from.  All were very touching, but I did not get
all of them acknowledged. 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
     Also, in rereading some previous chapters, I discovered that
Rev. Jimmy Bob Jones because Billy Bob Jones in a couple of
chapters, just as Ray Evans was introduced as Roy Evans in the
first chapter.
     My special thanks for proofreading help to Paul Daventon,
who has taken time to help me catch some of the more obvious
errors.