Date: Tue, 25 May 2004 12:36:05 EDT
From: Bwstories8@aol.com
Subject: The Castaway Hotel-book7, chapter 19

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 19 - Saying good-bye to a father and friend.      February 2004

Ricky was thrilled that Little Ricky wanted to spend the night with him,
but all the boys gave Little Ricky special attention and treated him with
kid gloves.  No matter how wild and rowdy the boys can sometimes get with
each other, they are always the first ones there when one of them needs
help or support.  How could I not love the lot of them when they do things
like that?

Nothing sexual went on between the two boys, all my Ricky did was hold and
comfort Little Ricky the entire night, letting Little Ricky know he was
loved and accepted here.  I did go in to check on our guest several times,
to make sure he was coping okay, and he seemed to be doing just fine,
snuggled up against his idol.  Seeing him like that just reassured me that
things would work out fine for him, if he stayed with us.

The next day we had some things to take care of, beginning with Jake and me
calling into work and taking a few days off.  After that, while the boys
were still sleeping or beginning to stir to life, Jake and I sat around
discussing how we might handle the situation with the farm.

"I think Ricky wants to keep it," I told Jake, "so I don't think selling it
would be an option."

"Josh, how could he possibly manage to run that farm alone?  It took all
Albert and he had, with our help, to keep it going as it was."

"I'm not sure, but I will consider all viable options."

"Like finding someone else to run it for you?" Jake asked, sincerely
thinking that might be the best way to go.

"Yes, we could get someone else to operate it.  Maybe one of the neighbors,
but I'm not sure if they'd have the time or be willing to assume those
responsibilities."  We both sat there contemplating how we might work this
out.

"You said Ricky just wants to keep the farm, right?" Jake wondered.

"Yes.  He said it had too many memories to let it go to someone else and he
still wants to go out and work there once in a while.  He enjoyed the life
on the farm, no matter how hard it seemed."

"I have an idea," Jake offered, while looking as if he was almost hesitant
to volunteer his suggestion, "but I'm not sure what you or Ricky might
think of it."

"Well, go ahead an spill it," I told him.  "I think we're both open to
nearly any suggestion that would allow the farm to operate and stay in the
family."

"Okay, then.  Here it goes.  What if you have the Castaway Foundation buy
the farm, hire a couple to operate it and run a home for children who need
a safe home and would enjoy living and working on the farm.  That way,
Ricky can still go out and work there when he wants to, it wouldn't be
turned over to strangers, as we'd still indirectly control its operation,
and it would help other needy children."  I thought about his suggestions
for a few seconds, before I responded.

"Jake, I think that's an absolutely brilliant idea.  A group home/farm that
would meet all the requirements we'd set and provide a multitude of
benefits.  I think that is positively inspired.  I'll talk it over with
Ricky, but I think you've just found the answer to his problem."  Jake
seemed pleased that I was so upbeat and accepting of his proposal, but I
was truly impressed by the genius of his suggestion.  I wasn't merely being
nice or stroking his ego, and I sincerely meant what I told him.  This put
us both in a better mood and now I could talk this over with Ricky, before
the calling hours began.

Ricky was equally impressed with the idea and told me to go ahead and do
it.  I told him I'd have the farm appraised and the Foundation would
purchase it at a fair price and put that money in a trust for him, like I
had done for all the other boys.  He asked if he could help hire the couple
who would run the farm, and I told him he could, and he was beginning to
feel a little better about the tragedy that had befallen him.  However, I
was afraid the harsh realities of his father's death would come crashing
back upon him when we attended the calling hours in another hour or so.

We all got dressed and ready to go to the funeral home, but we weren't all
going together.  I was taking Little Ricky with me, and we were going to
stop and pick up Arlene on the way.  I wanted them to have a few minutes
alone with Albert, before everyone else began to show up.  Jake and Frankie
would drive the rest of the family down in a half hour or so, when they
would join up with us.

Arlene wanted to know where we were going, so I told her we were going to
see Albert.  This seemed to confuse her, and I could tell this was not
going to be one of her better days.  "Where is he?" she demanded.

"Arlene, don't you remember what I told you about Albert yesterday?"  She
looked befuddled and didn't respond, so I broke the news to her again.
"Arlene, Albert had a heart attack and passed away yesterday, so we're
going to the funeral parlor to see him."  She still didn't respond or
acknowledge my comments, and I noticed Little Ricky rolling his eyes again,
knowing none of this was getting through to her.  When we arrived at the
funeral home, Little Ricky and I stood on opposite sides of her and guided
her inside, eventually going in and standing in front of the casket.

"What's Albert doing sleeping in the middle of the day?" she asked, to no
one in particular.  "Albert, get up," she told his corpse, thinking she was
merely waking him up.

"Arlene, he's not going to get up," I told her.  "He's not with us any
longer.  That's just his body."

"Nonsense," she told me.  "Albert, get up and get in your work clothes.
I'm sure you have chores that still need to be done."  I looked over at
Little Ricky and her outburst seemed to be tearing him up inside, because
he had this pained expression on his face and was nearly ready to breakdown
and begin crying again. I moved over to his side of Arlene and stepped
between them, putting my arm around him and pulling him against my body, as
I held firmly onto Arlene's arm, so she wouldn't wander off.

"Are you okay?" I asked him.  He nodded, but I didn't believe his response.
"I knew this would be hard enough if your mother understood what was going
on, but I can see how much more difficult this is making it for you.  As
soon as the others arrive, I'll have someone else stay with your mother, so
I can stay with you.  Please, Little Ricky, just let it out of your system.
It will make it a little easier on you later.

I guess my words did the trick and Little Ricky began to let himself begin
to express the grief he had been holding inside.  He began to sob into my
chest, which caused Arlene to look at him.  "What's wrong with Richard?"
she asked.

"He's just sad because his father died," I whispered to her softly.

"Poor dear," she stated.  "When did that happen and how?  Did I know his
father?"  I knew I didn't have time to go into this with her, because
Little Ricky was the one who needed my assistance at the moment.

"Yes, you had met him," I explained, "but I guess you must have forgotten."
That seemed to suffice and she left the subject alone again.

Ricky continued to cry, letting his pain go, and once his tears began to
subside, he walked closer to the casket, reaching out and touching his
father's hands.  He stood there touching him like that, looking at his
father's face and saying his silent good-bye.  After a few minutes of doing
that, he bent forward, kissed his father on the cheek, and I heard him
whisper, "I love you, Dad, and I'll miss you," before he moved away.  He
turned back to me, buried his head back into my chest and began weeping
again.  I just held him and encouraged him to let it all out.

Arlene stood quietly as all this happened, as if she weren't even there or
aware of anything that was going on around her.  Shortly thereafter, Jake
entered and asked if he could do anything or if he should allow the others
to enter yet.  "Yes, you may let them in, but if you would, I'd like you to
look after Arlene, so I can spend some time with Little Ricky.  Jake
nodded, went and told the others they could come in, and then he came back
and took charge of Arlene, while I took Little Ricky to a small sitting
room in another section of the funeral home.

As we went in, I sat in a chair and pulled Ricky down on my lap.  He leaned
his body against mine and settled in.  "Do you want to talk about it?" I
asked him.  He shook his head.

"Sometimes it helps to get things out in the open," I advised him.
"Talking about it can help to ease some of the pain."  He studied my face
for a few seconds, before he responded.

"I know he's gone and there's nothing I can do to change that," he
admitted, "but I still feel sad.  I'll probably never get over missing him,
but I know the hurt will start to go away a little at a time.  I'm okay,
Pop, especially knowing you're here for me now and I have lots of brothers
who love me too.  They proved that yesterday, especially Ricky.  He was so
nice to me last night and he helped a lot."

"I'm glad to hear that, my boy, and you're right - we all do love you.  I
know I'll never replace your dad, but I'll do the best I can to help you
from this point on.  I am as proud of you as he was, and you mean as much
to me as any of the others, so we'll both have to adjust and make things
work the best way we can."  I could see more tears streaming down his
cheeks, so I reached up and wiped them away, and he forced a little grin.

"Those aren't tears for my father this time," he explained.  "Those tears
are because you make me happy again.  I love you, Pop."  After saying that,
he kissed me on my cheek and nuzzled his head against my neck, with his
arms wrapped around my head and shoulders.  I'm not sure how long we sat
like that, but when he was ready, he let me know.  "I think I'd like to go
back in and spend some more time with dad, if you don't mind," he
announced.

"Not at all, my boy."  He got off my lap and then pulled me to my feet, and
we went back in to the room that held the casket.  Many people had arrived
while we were gone, and the room was now quite full.  Jake still stood with
Arlene, but John and Margaret Spence were with her too, valiantly
attempting to explain the situation to her and trying to help her
understand.  Several of Albert and Arlene's neighbors greeted us as we
entered, offering their condolences to Little Ricky and telling them what a
great man his father was.  Little Ricky thanked them and told many how his
father admired and respected them too, and various individuals offered to
help with the farm, if Little Ricky needed a hand keeping it going.  He
thanked them for their offers and told them he'd let them know what was
happening, but he advised them that for the time being, he wasn't sure what
was going to happen next.  They all said they understood and he had time to
make his decision, but they told him they'd be there for him, if he needed
them.

One of the farmers did offer a different outlook, however.  "Richard," he
told us, "it's going to be hard for you to keep that farm going.  I know,
because I'm about ready to give up on my own.  It's just not enough to
sustain my family any longer.  I'd offer to buy your farm and put it with
my own, because then maybe I could keep afloat, but both our farms are just
to small to be self-sustaining any more.  The thing is, I don't have the
money or the credit to be able to do that, so I guess we shouldn't even
think about it."  As we listened to what he had to say, it gave me another
idea.

"Would you be willing to sell your farm?" I asked him.

"Yes, that's what I was planning to do anyways," he responded.

"Well, in that case, I might have a proposal which might help both of you.
Richard and I have talked about the Foundation my family runs buying his
farm.  I was going to turn it into a group home for needy children and hire
a couple to supervise the operation.  The children would help out on the
farm, along with Richard and my family, to provide the necessary labor.
Would you allow the Foundation to buy your farm too?"  His face seemed to
brighten.

"Yes, I see no reason why I would refuse, if the price is right," he told
me, honestly.

"That's great, but I have another proposal for you too."  He looked
confused, but he continued to listen.  "I'd need Richard approval before
this could be finalized," I commented, seeing the puzzled look on Little
Ricky's face, "but would you, your wife and family be willing to stay on
and run the combined farm and take care of the children we allow to come
there?  And Richard, would that meet with your approval too?"  Little Ricky
gave me an emphatic 'yes' immediately, while the farmer looked thoughtfully
at me.

"Well, I'd have to ask the boss first," he said, looking over at his wife,
who was over talking to Arlene at that moment.  "She sure does love kids,
and we raised six of our own, but I'd need to find out what she thinks.
Actually, I think she'd love that idea, because we could stay on the farm
and she could have more children to pamper."  He grinned at us and then
went over to chat with his wife.

"This is going to work out awesome," Little Ricky told me, having
difficulty hiding his excitement.  "They are great people and the two farms
together would end the problem we had with making the farm big enough to
survive."

"I'm glad you approve, but now we just have to wait to see what they
decide," I advised him.

The rest of the calling hour went quickly and I noticed the farmer and his
wife talking excitedly on several occasions, and finally he approached me,
just as we were getting ready to leave.  "We want to know more details
about this proposal and find out what your Foundation is willing to pay for
our farm, but you might say we're interested in what you suggested."

"I'm glad to hear that," I told him, "and we will get in touch with you,
once we are passed the grieving stage."  He seemed to be fine with that, so
we parted company, but Little Ricky had an increased reason to be hopeful
that the farm would be saved and he could still be a part of what happened
there.

We went home in between calling hours, but Arlene went home with the
Spences.  They said they'd see how she was doing before the evening calling
hours, and if she was to the point where she might comprehend what was
happening, they'd bring her back, otherwise they'd keep her home and try
again tomorrow.  Little Ricky and I both thanked them for their help and
then they left, but not before Little Ricky gave his mother a big hug and a
kiss.

We had a bite to eat before we came back for the evening calling hours,
which went very much the same as the earlier session, but with different
people stopping by.  Everyone offered their sympathy and talked to Little
Ricky about his father and asked about his mother, and he explained that
she wasn't there this time because she wasn't feeling well.  That seemed to
suffice and they left it at that, as all of them were well aware of the
problems Arlene was having too.

When the evening session was over, we went back home and Little Ricky told
me that Ricky had asked him to stay with him again.  I asked him if that's
what he wanted to do and he said it was, so I let him go off with my blond
prankster, knowing Ricky wouldn't be pulling any stunts for now.  I told
Little Ricky he knew where to find me if he needed anything, and he said he
did, so I sent them off, hoping he'd have another good night.

After they left, I brought Jake up to speed about the other farmer and his
wife and he seemed excited that things were coming together so quickly.  I
told him nothing was definite yet, but it was encouraging, and he said he
understood that, but he now had more hope we could pull this off, as he had
doubted what success we'd have when this first came up.

It was a long night for me, not only because I was checking in on Little
Ricky and worrying about how he and Arlene were holding up, but I was
excited about the possibility of opening a group home on the Becker's farm.
I couldn't get over how appropriate it would be to honor Albert by using
his homestead to care for other children who needed help, the same way he
had done for Richard.  I will run this by Little Ricky first thing in the
morning, but I think I will suggest we call it the 'Albert and Arlene
Becker Farm-Home for Children.'  Still having this wonderful plan whirling
around in my mind, I finally fell asleep, but that idea stayed with me the
whole night.

When I awoke the next morning, I couldn't wait until I saw Little Ricky, so
I could mention my idea of the name with him.  He and Ricky slept in late
that morning, but when they came downstairs, I fixed them breakfast and
then sat with them while they ate.  After giving him a chance to wake up
completely and fill his stomach at least partially, I decided to broach the
subject.  "Little Ricky, what do you think about calling the farm the
Albert and Arlene Becker Farm-Home for Children?"  He thought about that
briefly before he answered me, but I knew his response before he spoke,
because a grin had started to spread across his face.

"I think that would be perfect," he told me.  "That would honor both my mom
AND my dad, and maybe she'll even be able to understand that, if we tell
her about it when she's acting normal again."

"Yes, she might, and I hope she does," I added, knowing that Arlene's
understanding would mean as much to Little Ricky as naming the farm in his
parents behalf.  We went on to discuss other things after that, and then we
went on to discuss his room arrangement, seeing he'd be living with us now.

"I think it's time we talk about getting you settled in," I told him.  "We
do have one open room, since Kevin moved in with Vinnie.  In fact, it was
Ricky's bedroom when he first moved in here with me."

"Really?  Neat.  Is it close to Ricky's room now?"  I could see the look of
anticipation of his face.

"Yes.  Actually, it's just across the hall from Ricky's room."  He began to
smile.

"The one in the corner?  The one with the old cars on the wallpaper?"

"Yep, that's it."

"Ricky showed me that room and told me it was his once.  He also told me
that would probably be the room you'd give me, unless you moved people
around."

"He did, did he?"  I made a face.  "Must be that little brat thinks he
running the place now," I told him, trying to sounded angry.

"Oh, no, he wasn't telling me that's where I WOULD be, just that you MIGHT
give me that room," he responded, looking worried that he'd gotten his idol
onto my 'shit' list.  I decided it would be best to let him off the hook
and I began to chuckle.

"I know, and I was just pulling your leg.  You didn't get your older bro
into trouble, so you can relax."  I could actually see his body slump in
relief.

"Dang, you had me scared that I got you mad at Ricky," he told me.

"I know, that's what I wanted you to think," I explained, "but then I
realized I was being cruel, so I stopped teasing you."  He looked at me
funny and then punched me in the arm, playfully.

"That was mean of you," he admonished me.  "I always thought you were
nice."

"You mean the boys haven't told you about my mean streak?" I asked him,
giving him my best unbelieving look.  Little Ricky studied me for a few
seconds, and then began to scold me.

"You're teasing me again, aren't you?  You'd better cut it out or I won't
like you any more."  I feigned a pout, causing him to giggle.

"Oh, I could never stop liking you, Pop," he explained, in an effort to
reassure me.  "You're stuck with me now.  I'm like a cheap pair of
sunglasses, so you'll never be able to get rid of me."  He gave me a wicked
grin and I admired is analogy.

"If you say so, and it's a good thing too, because I'd never want to get
rid of you anyway."  After spending some more time with my newest son, I
took him back to the farmhouse.  I did this so he could pick up more of his
belongings, and a few more things for his mother, so they could both settle
in to their new homes.  We dropped his mother's things off at the Spences,
and we stayed a while so Ricky could spend some time with her, but she
didn't even recognize who he was today.  This pained him considerably, but
he still spent time with her and then we discussed the situation on the way
home.

"I hope you don't let that get to you," I began, trying to keep him from
personalizing the pain.  "She still loves you when she's herself."

"I know it's not because she doesn't love me any more or anything like
that," he told me.  "It's just her sickness that makes her forget, but it
still kinda hurts."

"I can understand that, and I'm glad you realize it's her illness that's
causing the problems, not either of you."  He nodded in agreement, and I
reached over and squeezed his leg again, letting him know that things were
all right, at least as much as we could control.

After dinner, we went to the final calling hours, and the funeral service
would be held the following day, after lunch.  Things went pretty much as
they had before, but the Spences didn't bring Arlene again, as she
continued to have another bad day.  Little Ricky spent more time with my
other boys today, though he did go up to say another moving good-bye to his
father, before we went home.

When we got back, Little Ricky seemed to need my attention, as he either
sat right beside me or on my lap throughout the rest of the evening, so I
tried my best to comfort him and give him all my love.  When I felt it was
time for him to go to bed, he balked at leaving, so I asked him what was
wrong.

"I'm just missing my father really badly tonight," he advised me.  "Would
you stay with me a little longer?"  He now looked at me expectantly, hoping
that I would say yes.

"Sure, how long would you like?"

"All night, if it's all right with you?" he asked, meekly, holding his
breath again, afraid I was going to say no.  "I really need you right now,"
he explained, "so I know I'm not all alone.  I know it sounds kinda
childish, but I need you to hold me and I'm afraid to have you let go.  I
have a feeling if you do, you're gonna leave me too."

"I won't leave you, but I do understand how you're feeling.  Let me go
clear things with Jake, so he knows what's going on, and then it's just you
and me, all night long."

"You mean that?"  He was looking pleased, yet confused, as if he thought I
might be teasing him again.

"Yes, I mean that.  I'm just going to let Jake know what's going on.  It
will only take a few minutes.  Okay?"

"Yes," he said eagerly, "just don't be gone long."

"I won't."

I walked out, found Jake, and explained the situation to him.  "He really
needs me," I continued, "even more than Ted did when he was here."

"I understand," Jake said, reassuringly.  "Besides, I wanted to spend a
little more time with Shannon too, before he went back to college.  I'll
spend the night with him and you can stay with Little Ricky in our room."

"Thanks for being so understanding, Jake.  I really do love you."  I gave
him a hug and a very passionate kiss, to show him how much he meant to me.

"Hey, let's not start that," he protested, jokingly, "or I might not want
to leave."  I hugged him again, and he was grabbing some things out of the
room, as I went back to tell Little Ricky.

"Okay, everything's all set," I announced, causing him to jump up and start
dancing around joyfully.

"Are you going to stay in my new room with me?" he asked.

"No," I shot back, causing him to display a worried look.  "That room has
bunk beds, so I don't think that will do.  You can sleep in my room with
me."

"But what about Pop Jake?"  I hadn't ever heard him refer to Jake that way
before, but it kind of pleased me to know he was accepting Jake the same
way he'd accepted me.

"He's going to spend the night with his son, Shannon.  He wanted to spend
more personal time with him too, before Shannon went back to college."

"Really?  I didn't force him out?"

"No, he would have probably done this anyway, if not tonight, then maybe
tomorrow.  All you did is make him pick tonight, instead of some other
day."  He looked relieved.

"I don't want to piss him off or cause problems for you and him."  He
studied me now, trying to make sure I was being honest with him.  Once he
was sure I was, he began to relax.

"Do you want to stay in here longer or do you want to go to bed?" he asked
me.

"That's up to you, my boy.  Which would you rather do?"  He thought for a
second.

"Can we find a movie on TV?  I'll sit on your lap and watch it with you, if
that's okay with you?"  He made a funny face, halfway between a questioning
look and a grin.

"That sounds fine to me," I told him, so he searched for a movie, while I
went to get us some refreshments.  When I got back, I got comfy in my chair
and then he came over and sat across my lap and made himself comfortable
too.

"This is nice," he purred, as we began to concentrate on the movie.

He actually fell asleep before the movie ended, but I watched it to the
end, just holding him and enjoying the fact that he felt so at ease with
me.  When the movie was over, I had to wake him up, because there was no
way I could lift him and get out of my recliner at the same time.
Groggily, he followed me to the bedroom, but then I sent him off to the
bathroom first, to brush his teeth and pee.  Soon, he came stumbling back,
though still half asleep.  I knew I would never replace Albert as his
father, but at least I could lessen his loss a tiny bit.

"Do you mind if I sleep in my underwear," he asked, when he returned, "or
do you want me to go get a pair of pajamas?"

"Whichever you prefer," I answered.

"Then I'll just sleep in my underwear, so I don't have to run upstairs," he
announced.

"That's fine, I told him," and he quickly stripped and crawled into bed.  I
went to brush my teeth and urinate next, and then I came back in and
crawled in beside him.  I thought he was asleep, but as soon as I got in
position, he rolled over against me, threw his arm across my chest, and
whispered a very weak, "Night, Pop.  I love you."

"Sweet dreams, my boy, and I love you too," I whispered back, turning
slightly, so I could kiss him on the forehead.  He was soon breathing
gently and evenly, letting me know he was in a deep slumber, so I nestled
against him and quickly dosed off myself.

When I awoke the next morning, I knew the funeral was at hand and we had
much to do yet to get ready.  I talked to Little Ricky when we got up,
making sure he was mentally and emotionally prepared for what was to come.
You see, there is a harsh and drastic realization of the finality of death,
when you see the coffin lowered into the ground and begin to comprehend
that you'll never see that person's earthly form again.  I wanted to make
sure that didn't come as a big surprise to him, at the last minute, and
devastate him.  I thought it best to discussed it with him first.

"I hope you understand that they'll be putting your father's body in the
ground today.  I know you've always known that was coming, but sometimes
the meaning of it doesn't hit you until you actually see it happen."

"I know.  I've been thinking about that off and on.  I wish I could think
of something special to do, maybe like put something in with him, so he
always has it."

"That's not a bad idea," I said, encouragingly.  "Do you have any idea
what?"

"I was thinking of a picture, but I really wanted to do something more
special than that."  He looked upset that he couldn't think of something he
felt was appropriate.

"Why don't you write a letter to him on my computer, then you can keep a
copy for yourself and put another copy, and maybe even a picture, in with
him."

"Yeah, that would work fine," he beamed.  "I think I'm going to do that."
I took him to my computer and he spent the next thirty minutes composing
his masterpiece, rewriting several sections until he was satisfied he had
gotten out what he wanted to say.  I didn't bother to try to see what he
wrote or ask him if I could look it over, as it was a private
correspondence between him and his father.  Although I was very curious, I
did not push the issue, figuring maybe some day he'd find the desire or
need to share it with me, but I doubted that time would be now.  Therefore,
I gave him his space and respected his privacy.  I had him put his father's
copy in an envelope, along with the picture he wanted him to have, and I
told him he could place it in the casket earlier today or wait until
everyone had left, but before the casket was sealed.  He said he preferred
to do it when no one else was around, which I told him would be fine.

There was a short viewing before the service, but the minister did the
service at the funeral home instead of the church, because Albert wasn't
officially a member.  Arlene was there with the Spences, but I heard her
keep asking questions about where they were and why they were there, so I
understood she had no idea what was going on.  After the service, everyone
else left, but I stayed behind with Little Ricky, taking him up to the
casket to say his final farewell.  Carefully, he slipped the envelope under
his father's hands, and then he stroked his dad's cheek, as the tears
streamed down his face.  I stood behind him, with my hands on his
shoulders, just to let him know I was there for support.  After a few
hesitant seconds, he bent forward and gave his father a peck on the lips,
said, "I love you, Dad.  Bye," and then turned to let me know he was ready
to go.  We left and waited outside, as the combination of neighbors and
friends who had been asked to be pallbearers took up their role.  Soon, the
coffin was loaded into the hearse and we were on our way to the cemetery.

It was a long drive, because the cemetery was near the farm, so it took us
a while to get there.  Little Ricky rode between Jake and me, which kind of
upset my Ricky, because he wanted to sit beside his new brother.  However,
he accepted Little Ricky's decision and rode in the front seat of the same
vehicle, just so he could be close.  When we arrived at the cemetery, we
walked over to the open grave, as the casket was put into place, and then
we stood and listened to the minister give the graveside service.  When
that ended, I took Little Ricky back to the car and sat with him.  I
normally liked to stay and watch the grave closed up, but I thought that
would be way too much for Little Ricky to handle, so we drove off before
that was done this time.  I'd bring him back to his father's grave on the
weekend, to check things out, but for now we'd head home and start to help
him put his new life together.

                  *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

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
scrolling down to "BW".  This will give you the links for everything I have
posted there.

I also love to hear from my readers and get their reaction to my stories.
If you don't mind, please share whatever information you feel comfortable
with, because it helps knowing my readers better when I decide what to
write or how to gear it.  Please email me at bwstories8@aol.com and let me
know what you thought, so I can do even better in the future.  Thanks,
Bill.