Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 18:07:00 EDT
From: Bwstories8@aol.com
Subject: The Castaway Hotel-Book 7, chapter 17

Legal Notice:
The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts.
The story is a work of fiction and has no basis in reality.

Don't read this story if:
**You're not 18 or over,
**If it is illegal to read this type of material where you live,
**Or if you don't want to read about gay/bi people in love or having sex.

The author retains copyright to this story.  Placing this story on a
website or reproducing this story for distribution without the author's
permission is a violation of that copyright.  Legal action will be taken
against violators.

I wish to extend my thank you to Emoe57 for his editorial assistance with
this chapter, and Art, the real Vinnie and John for their additional input
on each chapter.

E-mail responses to the stories, story suggestions, or other 'constructive'
comments or advice may be sent to: bwstories8@aol.com.

              *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Although the boys in these stories have unprotected sex, I strongly urge
all of you out there to be smart and protect yourselves from various
sexually transmitted diseases by using condoms when having intercourse.

              *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

The Castaway Hotel-Book 7-by BW (Young-Friends).  Copyright 2004 by billwstories
Chapter 17 - More time with Ted.                  February 2004

Ted's Aunt Jane arrived around 5:00 Friday evening, to pick him up.  We
knew she was going to stay overnight this time, so I'd set it up with the
Spences to have her sleep there, but we were all going out to dinner with
her first.  However, the minute we heard her car pull into the driveway,
Ted bolted from the house and raced to greet her.  He barely let her get
out of her car before he was hugging and kissing her on the cheek.  "Aunt
Jane, Aunt Jane...I love it here.  I wish I could stay with Pop forever,"
he gushed.

"Pop?" Jane questioned, looking from her nephew to me.

"Yeah, he lets me call him that, cuz he didn't think it would be right to
call him dad, like I wanted to," he explained, his words falling off his
tongue so rapidly that we were all surprised she understood a thing he
said.

"Very interesting," she chuckled, looking at me again.  "I take it you two
hit it off then?"

"Oh, yes," Ted answered for me, thinking his aunt was talking to him.  "I
got along great with everyone, and this is Sammy and Graham, my new
brothers," he announced, with equal conviction.  "We got along the best,
although I really like everyone here."

His aunt was looking at him quite oddly, watching him carry on and
listening to his comments.  Finally, she interrupted him.  "Josh, where is
my Teddy?  This can't be the same depressed boy I brought here the day
after Christmas," she teased, causing him to look around to see if anyone
was going to tease him about her pet name for her nephew.  When he saw no
one snickering or mocking him, he returned his attention to her.

"Oh, Aunt Jane.  It's me, but the only difference is I know I'm loved when
I'm here.  I wish Dad loved me like Pop does."

"He does love you, Teddy, and so does your mother.  How can you say that?"
she asked, looking at me, as if I put these ideas in his head.

"Jane, that's exactly what I told him," I assured her. "Didn't I, Ted?"

"Yes, I know everyone says he loves me, but he never shows me he does.  He
looks at me like he's disgusted with me, he avoids me like I have some sort
of contagious disease, and the only time he ever talks to me any more, he
just screams and tells me everything he thinks is wrong with me."  I think
his response convinced Jane I had nothing to do with his attitude.

"Teddy," she said, "if you want, I'll talk to your parents when we get
back, to see if I can make them understand how you feel."

"I doubt it will do any good," he replied, dryly.

"Would it hurt for me to try?" she persisted.

"No, I guess not," he conceded, though not looking terribly convinced it
was worth the effort.

"Okay, then give me a chance to do that," she told him, looking hopefully
in his direction.  "I think they'll make some changes, once they understand
this isn't just a teenage rebellion thing."  Ted rolled his eyes after she
said that, though he had turned his head so she couldn't see what he'd
done, and then I invited her to come inside, so we might have a cup of
coffee and chat.

Once in the house, Ted led her to the family room, to chat in private, but
after that conversation had ended, she joined Jake and me in the dining
room.  While Jake went to pour her a cup of coffee, she decided to spill
her guts to me.  "I had no idea he felt that way or that things were so bad
for him at home," she admitted.  "I thought his problems just stemmed from
being gay, but now he tells me it's been bad for years and that it just got
worse when they discovered he was gay.  When I asked him why he didn't tell
me this before, he said it was because it would have only made things worse
for him and he didn't have any other choices.  Now, he thinks he can come
here and live with you, if his dad throws him out."

Of course all kinds of things went through my mind as she told me this, but
I thought what I had to do first was convince her that he felt that way
when he arrived, not because of anything I had said or done.  Jake returned
with her coffee and a plate of snacks just then, so I allowed her time to
fix her coffee and select a treat before I responded.

"Jane," I began, once she was set, "I hope you don't think I tried to turn
him against his family?"

"Oh, no," she blurted out, but then she began to blush.  "Well, maybe a
little at first, but not since I've had my little chat with him.  I'm not
sure if he didn't want to put me in the middle, felt I'd just take his
parents side, or just thought it was an utterly hopeless situation, but he
did explain he kept quiet intentionally."

"I'm glad that's clear," I sighed, feeling relieved.

"Josh, I can't tell you how grateful I am for the change I see in Teddy,
and I wasn't joking outside.  He IS a totally different young man than I
brought here.  The day I picked him up, he was moody and upset.  Even
though I knew he was looking forward to meeting your boys, he hardly spoke
to me during the whole trip.  He's told me more since I've been here than
the total of all of our conversations over the past couple of years."

"Jane, I think just being with my boys, hearing their stories, and seeing
how they are now kind of got him thinking about his own situation.  I think
he's worked out his own strategy to improve things unilaterally, without
discussing it with anyone else."

"I understand that, and I'm not questioning how it happened, just that he
is so upbeat now because he has hope and feels loved - and that came from
you.  Almost every sentence he spoke during our conversation included
something about you.  He idolizes you, loves you, and wants to stay here
with you."

"I'm sorry, Jane.  I didn't mean for that to happen."  I felt I owed her
that apology.

"Sorry?  Are you nuts?  That's the miracle I was hoping for.  I thought it
would be one of your boys who might bring it about, but just because he's
fixated on you - there's nothing wrong with that.  He's obviously needed a
strong and loving father figure, which he isn't getting at home, so I
couldn't be more thrilled that he's bonded with you."

"Whew!  You had me worried for a minute, but I'm glad you feel that way."

"Josh, if I could, I'd leave him here until the situation improved for him
at home, but I know his father would go ballistic if I did that.  I did
promise Teddy that I would help him with this though, and if that doesn't
work, I'll see what I can do to have him come live with me, or live with
you, if you'd be agreeable to that?"

I was stunned.  I didn't see that coming at all.  "Jane, I would never turn
my back on him, and I've told him that, but I'd rather see him work things
out at home."

"And so would I," she cut in quickly, "but if that doesn't happen, I know
he'd prefer to be here with you, rather than me."

"Just see what you can do, and if that time comes, just call me and we'll
work something out."

"Thanks, Josh.  You don't know what that means to both of us."

Our conversation about Ted's situation ended there for now, but I knew it
would most likely come up again.  Jane was spending the night and we were
going out to dinner too, so there would be plenty of opportunity.  I took
her over to the Spence's, so she could get settled in, cleaned up, and
changed, and then I told her I'd see her at the restaurant, as she would
ride with the Spences.

When I returned home, I walked in the door, only to be leaped on by one
excited kid.  "Aunt Jane's going to help me talk to my parents, and if they
don't want me any more, maybe I can come back here and live with you!"  He
seemed more like an excited twelve-year old, rather than someone who was
seventeen.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves again," I cautioned him.  "There are many
factors involved, and many other options to be considered, and coming here
is near the bottom of that long list."  His joyful face suddenly soured.

"You mean you don't want me now?" he pouted.

"Ted, that's not what I said or meant," I corrected, hugging him against my
body.  "I want what's best for you, and I truly believe that means patching
things up with your parents.  If that doesn't work, well, there are still
other options, but I'd bring you here in the blink of an eye, if I was
convinced that would be best."  His face started to brighten again.

"Okay, I understand.  I was just scared you'd changed your mind."  I gave
him a squeeze, just to prove I hadn't.

"How could I not want to keep you, if I got the chance?"  He gave me a very
special grin, instantly melting my heart and making me want to keep him,
regardless of any other issues, but I knew I had to do what I thought was
best for him.  "Ted, or do you prefer Teddy?" I teased.  He just gave me a
very threatening look, silently warning me never to ask him that again.

"Ted, I was only teasing, but not about being willing to take you in, if
that's what's needed."  He was getting playful again.

"I know, Pop, but I really do love you.  I can talk to you, come to you for
help, tease you, and that's just so far, but I could never do any of those
things with Dad.  I know I'd be so much happier, if I could come live with
you."  He gave that pleading look of his again, as if he knew that was the
way to get to me.

"But if things improve at home, maybe you'll feel differently about that
too."

"Maybe, but I doubt it."

"Just don't count your parents out yet," I urged him.  "They may love you
so much they might even surprise you."

After convincing him that I'd never abandon him, I sent him off to shower
and change, while I filled Jake in on everything that had happened over the
past twenty-four hours.  He let me know that he knew how Ted felt about me,
but he said he was worried that Ted was falling IN love with me, not just
loving me as a father.  I told Jake I was sure that wasn't the case, as Ted
had never even hinted at anything sexual, and when I brought the issue up,
Ted confirmed there was no interest, so Jake didn't need to worry.  I'm not
sure I convinced Jake of that, but I would watch for signs of that nature,
just to be sure.

I began to let the other boys know they should be getting ready too, if
they planned to go out to eat with us, and then Jake and I started cleaning
up as well.  I had planned on a fairly extravagant affair, at one of the
better establishments, to repay Jane for all she did for Cody and Graham
those final few days of Cody's life.  I told the Spences this, so they
could dress appropriately and make sure Jane did too, but it was harder to
get the boys in their good clothes sometimes, as they preferred the more
casual look.  However, I had warned them, in advance, that they wouldn't be
allowed to go, if they weren't dressed to my standards.

As it neared the time to leave, I held my inspection, correcting the few
problems I found, but everyone had done as they were told.  Sammy and
Graham had even gone to special lengths, doing something different to their
hair, using special colognes, and they must have taken great pains in
selecting what they thought would be the most appealing combinations of
clothing.  I immediately knew why they did this, even though I knew neither
boy considered himself gay, but maybe bi.  I'm sure Ted was totally
oblivious to the fact that their efforts were for him.  To the boys
chagrin, Ted announced that he was planning to sit between his Aunt Jane
and me, if I didn't mind.  I told him that would be fine, which I think he
took to mean that he would be my shadow for the rest of the evening.  He
was right beside me, no matter what I was doing, and he climbed into the
front passenger seat of the van, when I went to drive my share of the
family to our destination.

At the restaurant, he was clinging to my arm, almost like a date, but I
determined it was because he was afraid we'd get separated, or that he
might possibly get lost in a place that was strange to him.  Whatever the
reason, I didn't make a big fuss about it, and none of the other boys did
either.  When we sat down to eat, he sat on my left, and Jake took the seat
to my right, but Ted made sure his Aunt Jane was also where he wanted.  I
could see the disappointment on Sammy and Graham's faces, as they watched
Ted throughout the entire meal, but I could also tell they were scheming to
correct this perceived wrong.

Jane had gotten along very well with the Spences, so they sat on the other
side of her, and I spent much of my time thanking her for all she had done
for Cody and explaining to everyone else how special she was.  I believe
Ted was most impressed listening to what I had to say.  Even though he had
been close with his aunt, I think this made him begin to see her in an even
better light.  Before we left the restaurant, everyone had made sure they
either thanked her or made some other appropriate comment about what she
had done, but it was Graham who was accompanying her as we walked out.  He
even rode with her and the Spences back to our house, as I had invited
everyone to come there for dessert.

Once our guests arrived, I set out the cake I'd ordered earlier, so people
could read the message I had the decorator place on it.  It read, 'Our
special thanks to our living angel, Nurse Jane.'  She hadn't seen it, until
I asked her to make the first cut, and she paused after reading those few
words, as she dealt with her emotional response to our sincerest
appreciation.  Eventually, she began to cut it and we passed around the
pieces, but while everyone was eating, she made a secretive comment to me.

"Josh, we're even," she told me.  "Whatever you think I did for Cody,
you've more than made up for with Teddy.  You don't need to do any more."
I understood what she meant and I knew she understood how we felt, so I
just nodded, to let her know I agreed.

Throughout the evening, Jane got to get acquainted with our extended
family, and by the time things were breaking up and everyone was heading
home, I think she'd had a chance to speak with almost everyone.  When it
came time for her to go back to the Spences, she stopped to talk to me one
more time before she left.

"Josh, I can't believe how much support you have from all of these
wonderful people.  If I was impressed before, I'm ten times more impressed
now.  How in the world did you bring all of this together?"

"Luck.  Blind luck," I told her.  "Some of these wonderful people were
friends before I began to take the boys in, but the rest happened to find
us, more than we found them, and it was a lucky thing they did.  They have
been invaluable and each of them has helped in so many different ways.
Each has taken a personal responsibility for various boys, should anything
ever happen to me, and I don't know what I'd do without Jake."

"Yes, I can tell you two are very close."

"I hope that doesn't bother you," I told her, with a little bit of concern.
Although she had been so open-minded in the past, I wasn't sure if that
same level of acceptance would apply to Jake and me.  However, I soon
discovered my fears wear unfounded.

"Josh, I think it's wonderful that you found someone, especially someone as
caring and loving as Jake appears to be.  You both set fine examples for
the boys and Teddy told me if he came to live here, he'd have two dads."
She let out a little chuckle after saying that, but then she read the
questioning look on my face.

"Don't worry.  We've talked more, since I first arrived, and he's explained
to me that you feel he has to try to work things out first, but I'm warning
you, if I don't see things improving, I'll let you know.  As much as I love
my nephew, I have to admit he'd be better off with you, than with me.  As
much as I adore him and want to protect him, he needs a man's influence and
love.  I could never give him that.  We won't force you to take him in to
live with you, but I do hope you'd at least seriously consider it, if
things don't work out for him.  I see how much you love your boys, and I
know you'd learn to love Teddy the same way."

"I have no doubt about that, for I already do love him and I would take him
in, but I want him to try his hardest to see if he can mend things with his
father.  I truly believe that's what he really needs."

"I know you do, Josh, and thank you for caring about him like you do.  I
can see how much he loves you.  It pours from his eyes when he looks at you
and radiates from his whole being when he's around you."

"That may be another problem," I admitted.  "Jake thinks Teddy is IN love
with me, not just loves me like a father."  She thought about that for a
few seconds, before she responded.

"That may be true, but I can't say for certain."  She looked thoughtful,
but nonplussed.  "I don't think that would be a problem, though, because
he's also told me about a couple of the boys too, boys he thinks might like
him a lot.  So, even if he does have a teen crush on you, he is considering
other options, but he hasn't mentioned you in that same way.  He just talks
about 'Pop' and how much he'd love to be your son."

Her words gave me some comfort, knowing I wouldn't have to deal with
possibly breaking his heart, and hopefully things were under control.  We
talked a little longer, before she left with the Spences, but by that time,
I think we had a pretty good understanding of each other and what we
expected or wanted for Ted.

Without my knowledge, Jake and Ted had agreed to let Ted stay with me again
tonight, but it was Jake who informed me of this fact.  "Josh, I'm going to
stay with Shannon again tonight, so Ted can spend his final evening with
you.  It seemed very important to him, and I didn't think you'd mind, so I
told him it was fine with me.  He said he came to me first, to make sure I
understood and wouldn't be jealous, and I think I misread the boy.  From
all he's said, you're just a father figure to him and nothing more.  I hope
you don't mind that I agreed to this without checking with you first, but
he really needs you, and this will be his last chance, unless his parents
allow him to come visit again."

"I know, Jake," I said soothingly, "and I don't mind.  In fact, I
appreciate your being so understanding.  I think it's very big of you to
have even considered it, knowing that you thought Ted's intentions might be
more than they appeared.  I love you, Jake, and thanks for just being such
a fantastic guy."

As we finished cleaning up after everyone left, I kept turning around and
bumping into Ted, who was voluntarily giving us a hand.  He would grin at
me, each time I looked at him, and he was always doing some sort of a task
close by to where I was working.  I knew Jake was right and Ted did need
this one more opportunity to spend time with me, so I would do my best for
him.

Once everything was finished, Ted followed me to my bedroom, but he didn't
seem sure if I knew he was supposed to spend the night with me.  "Is it all
right for me to stay with you tonight?" he asked, timidly.

"Yes, Ted.  Jake told me about your conversation with him, so you're more
than welcome here."  He began to relax and lighten up.

"Okay, I wasn't sure.  I didn't want you to be mad that I didn't ask you
first."  He looked a little apprehensive again.

"No, not mad, but I do hope you will come to me first, in the future."  He
nodded that he would.  "So, shall we go to bed then?"  He didn't respond
immediately.

"I don't want you to think me weird or anything, but could I ask you a big
favor?"  He looked worried that I wouldn't agree to this, and I had no idea
what he might ask, but it did seem to be very important to him."

"You may ask me anything, and I'll listen to what you have to say, but that
doesn't mean I'll always do what you want.  If it is reasonable, I may do
as you ask, but if I see any problems or illegalities in your request, then
I'll tell you that too.  So, what did you want to ask me?"

He didn't look very confident, but he did manage to gather up enough
confidence to pose his question.  "Would you mind if we didn't go to sleep
right away?  I'm not sure what I want exactly, but I know I enjoy being
alone with you like this and I just don't want it to end right away, by
going to sleep."  I could tell by the look on his face how important this
was to him, and his body posture told me he was nervous that I wouldn't
agree with his request.

"Sure, if that's what you want to do, but I'm not sure I understand why."
I looked at Ted, to see if he might respond.

"I'm not sure I understand either, but last night you made me feel good,
like I was your son, but it ended way too soon.  I want that feeling to
last longer tonight, that's all."  His eyes were pleading with me, like he
thought I'd think he was nuts and not go along with his request.

"Okay, that sounds fine to me," I began, "I'm in no hurry to go to sleep.
So, do you want to take your shower tonight or in the morning?"

"Can I wait 'til morning?"

"Sure, I have no problem with that.  Why don't you get ready for bed then,
while I turn down the covers?"

"Okay," he responded, taking off his clothes, until he was just in his
underwear.  While, he was doing that, I pulled the covers back, getting it
ready for him to slide in.  Once we were both ready, I gave him his next
instruction.

"Hop into bed," I advised him, lifting the sheet and quilt for him to crawl
underneath.  Once he was in place, I tucked the covers in around him, and
kissed him on the forehead.  He looked at me, bewildered.

 "Aren't you going to sleep with me?" he wondered.

"Eventually, but you said you didn't want this to end too soon," I advised
him, "so, we'll do something a little different tonight."  He looked
confused.

I crawled on the bed beside him, on top of the quilt, began to stroke his
face and hair, and then I began to tell him a story.  "Long ago, in a far
away land, where kings and queens still ruled, there was a lonely young man
who longed to have a family of his own.  He had been taken during a battle,
when a neighboring kingdom had raided his village, and since that time he
had been forced to live as a slave, working for a wealthy family.

"He hated his life, not just because he was a slave, but most of all
because he had no family and no one to love him.  He would watch his
master's children and the children of other wealthy families, and he would
see how they were loved and adored, which caused him to long to be loved
and cared for as they were.

"He couldn't even play with the other children, because he was only a slave
and that wasn't allowed, so he became even more depressed.  He wondered why
he had been relegated to such a life and why he had been taken from his old
home.  Then one night another slave tried to explain the situation to him.
'The Gods have plans for us all and even though we sometimes cannot see the
reasons for their actions, a larger power is at work here.'  This didn't
seem to help the boy either and only befuddled him more, but things didn't
change for him.

"Months later, the king had a dream, but no one could tell him what it
meant.  He promised great wealth and power to anyone who could explain the
meaning of his dream, but still there was no one who could give him the
answers he sought.  Finally, the king issued a proclamation, which was read
aloud in every village, telling the details of his dream, to see if anyone
could advise the king as to the meaning of his vision.  No one could, until
he reached the village where this young boy was a slave.  As soon as the
boy heard the dream, he understood what it foretold and advised the herald
who had read it aloud.  The boy was immediately taken before the king, to
share his explanation.

"When the boy was brought before him, the king looked skeptically at him,
doubting such a young man could do something even his most powerful
advisers could not, but he decided to listen to what the lad had to say.
'So you can tell me the significance of my dream?' the king asked.  The boy
nodded.  'Then give me this information now, and you shall have whatever
you desire.'

"The boy looked at the king, swallowed hard, and began to tell him the gist
of his vision.  'Sire, is it not true that you saw a giant snake coming out
of the water, sneak up behind a bear and then devour it?'  The king nodded
his head in agreement.  'Then this is what I think it means.  Your crest
has a bear in it, symbolizing the strength of your line, and I believe the
bear symbolizes your kingdom.  The serpent that slithers out of the water
and devours the bear symbolizes an invading army which shall cross the
ocean and defeat your armies, if you are not prepared.'

"The king thought about what the boy had told him, saw the possibility it
was true, and advised his generals to prepare for such an attack.  When the
attack finally happened, the king and his army were able to defeat the
invaders and save his kingdom.  The king was so ecstatic about this that he
advised the boy his reward would be coming to live with the king and be
raised as his own son.  However, this was not what the boy wanted.

"After considering his options, he finally spoke to the king.  'Sire,
though I am honored by your offer, but you did promise I could have
whatever I wanted, didn't you?'  The king nodded.  'Then, there is another
reward I would much prefer.'  The king told him he wasn't quite sure he
understood why he would turn down his offer, but asked him what that might
be he wanted instead.  'I wish to be reunited with my own family.

"After asking the boy's parents' names, the king immediately sent some of
his warriors out to locate them.  After a couple of weeks of searching, the
warriors returned with the boy's parents and they were reunited.  The king
made the boy one of his advisors, gave the boy and his family a wonderful
home to live in, and the boy finally had what he wanted.  He was loved and
doted on, from that day forward."

After I finished the story, Ted thought about it for a while before he
looked up at me and spoke.  "Are you trying to tell me that will happen for
me too?"

"In a way, but I was also telling you that there are many things about life
we don't understand, and maybe we're not meant to.  Maybe there was a
purpose for the way your life turned out, and maybe there wasn't, but even
though the king offered to love and care for the boy, the boy preferred the
love of his parents instead."

"So, you told me this story so I'd try to work things out with my parents?"

"I told you this story to show you that you have more than one option to
any problem, so don't hurry to chose the most obvious, because that may not
be what's best for you.  The boy could obviously have been happy being the
son of the king, but he knew there was more that he wanted.  I hope you
take the time to determine what you really want too and do what's best for
you."

Ted nodded, and then laid back and got comfortable.  I continued to lie
beside him for several more minutes, giving him time to think about what I
had just told him.  Eventually, I got up, undressed and climbed into bed
beside him, spooning up behind him and drawing his body close to mine, as
if I were protecting a small child.  He gave my arms a squeeze and then
relaxed completely, and it wasn't long before he contently slipped into a
deep slumber.

                  *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

If you have enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me
at 'BW's Rainbow Youth Connection,' at http://bwsryc.gayauthors.org/

You can also locate my stories by clicking on the Nifty author link and
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Bill.