Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 05:29:57 +0100
From: Nick Brady <y2kslacker@mail.com>
Subject: Nicks Story - Chapter 19

Nick's Story -- Chapter 19

This story is about growing up in Tulsa.  Part of the story involves sex
between boys so you should be 18 to read it.  Please send comments to
y2kslacker@mail.com and make donations to Nifty.

Copyright 2014 - 2015, Nick Brady, all rights reserved.

------------------------------

Jack wasn't in his room so I checked the second floor and found him
scraping paint in one of the vacant apartments.  I felt a little guilty
bugging him when he was so busy but he smiled and looked glad to see me.

	"Hey, I thought I got rid of you for awhile."  He called to me.

	"Yeah, I guess I'm like the bad penny that keeps showing up."

	"What's up?  You look worried."

	I sat down on a paint can and shrugged my shoulders.  "I don't
know, I'm OK I guess but Tony is busted and Joseph's mother is giving him a
hard time."  I told him about what Joseph told me about his mother's
drinking and how I had to leave suddenly.  "It wasn't him, it was his mom I
think.  Me and Joseph are doing great."

	Jack laid down his paint scraper and sat down on the floor next to
me.  "She gets real moody sometimes.  You have been over there a lot, you
might need to cool it for awhile."

	"That would suck.  We like to be together.  It's like we make each
other happy."

	Jack looked sympathetic.  "I understand but you don't want to get
between Joseph and his mother.  She can get pretty crazy.  If she is
aggravated with you, she might take it out on him."

	"He said she gets mad and throws stuff, dishes and things.  He said
sometimes he has to go in his room and lock the door when she goes on a
rampage."

	"It sounds like things are getting worse.  Alcoholism is a terrible
disease.  I don't know that much can be done until she realizes herself
that she has a problem.  Sometimes families do an intervention but that
would require Dr. Anderson to take the lead and he may not want to do
that."

	I was confused.  "But he is a doctor.  Why wouldn't he want her to
get well?"

	"It is not as simple as taking a pill.  She would have to go to a
rehab program and AA meetings. That's embarrassing for anybody, especially
someone of her social standing.  There is a stigma associated with
alcoholism.  'Nice' people don't like to admit to that sort of thing.  It
could happen but its tough."

	"So you mean there isn't a solution to this?  It's really hard for
Joseph.  He has tried to keep his mother's problem hidden from me even, and
we are really good friends.  What has to happen?"

	"Well, it is generally understood that the alcoholic has to 'hit
bottom' which means it has to get so bad that the alcoholic has to accept
that there is no other solution except to accept treatment.  Sometimes that
means it has to get really bad."

	"How bad does it have to get?"

	Jack shook his head.  "That depends on the individual.  For some
people it means getting arrested for drunk driving, or getting very sick,
or hurting somebody."

	"Hurting somebody, like hurting Joseph?"  I felt scared.

	"I hope not Nicky.  But sometimes that happens."

	"Man, I am beginning to appreciate my nice boring family."  I said.

	"You're right Nick, it really sucks.  Let's hope it doesn't come to
that.  But you want to be careful that you don't add to the problem.  You
might try to talk to Joseph about the situation.  I don't know who he feels
he can confide in but he might be willing to be honest with you.  But
remember to respect his privacy.  This really isn't your problem to solve.
Just be his friend."

	I felt kind of teary.  "But I love Joseph.  It is kind of my
problem if he is hurting."

	Jack sighed.  "I don't know what to tell you.  If there is anything
I can think of I will try to help, but it's not up to me.  But I am your
friend and Joseph's too.  Let me think about it."

	"Thanks Jack.  I don't expect you to fix things, I just needed to
talk to somebody.  You're kind of my big brother."

	Jack stood up, stretched, and gave me a hug.  "I love you Nicky.
Maybe the best thing we can do is to be loyal friends for Joseph and
support him any way we can."

	I hugged Jack tight.  "I know, but somehow that doesn't seem like
enough."

Back downstairs the football game was winding down on the TV.  I plopped
down next to Kevin and watched the last 5 minutes of the game.  It seemed
like the last 5 minutes of a pro football game usually took about half an
hour.  When the game was over Mom was putting dinner on the table and we
gathered around sniffing the air.

	"Would you like to offer thanks Nicky?"  Mom asked.

	"Sure."  I said, and we bowed our heads.  "God, thank you for this
day, thank you for this food, and --- thank you for this family.  Amen."

---------------------------------

Monday morning at school I locked the 10-speed to the bike rack and charged
inside with my helmet and rucksack, tossed them in my locker, took the
things I needed for my morning classes and made it to my first period room
on time.  School was going OK.  I had always liked school.  I liked to
learn new things and enjoyed the friends I had at school.  I know some kids
said they hated school but I was OK with it.  Like what else was I going to
do all day?

I sat with Steve at lunch.  He was playing 9th grade football and a lot of
the guys from my baseball team were playing with him.  I thought about
playing football but it really wasn't my sport.  I didn't think I was big
enough for football.  I could run pretty fast but didn't have the passion
for it.

Baseball was my sport.  Growing up in an apartment building there were
never many kids my age who lived in my neighborhood.  Little League brought
us together for baseball and that was what I liked.  During 6th hour
Physical Education we played basketball inside if it was cold or wet.
Basketball was OK but I was too short to get in close for many shots at the
basket.

If it was nice outside we played soccer.  Next to baseball I liked soccer
best.  It didn't matter if I wasn't a big kid, and I was fast and agile
enough to work the ball down field and sometimes get it in for a goal.
Maybe I would try to play Soccer with a school team.  Maybe soccer but
baseball for sure.  Today was nice outside and so today was soccer.

After school I grabbed my helmet and ran for the flag pole to see Joseph
standing there.  "Hey!"  I called.

	"Hey!"  Joseph replied with a big smile.

	"Nice to see you."  I said, "How is everything on the home front?"

	"About the same I guess." and he shrugged.  "I'm sorry I was abrupt
with you yesterday.

	"That's OK, we had a nice day."  My concern showed a little in my
voice.  "Was everything OK with your mom?"

	He glanced away then back at me.  "Oh fine.  Well, maybe not so
fine.  Mother was very cross."

	"In what way?"  I asked.

	"Oh Nicky, I don't want to tell you."  He looked distressed.

	"Why not.  I thought we didn't have secrets."

	"It's not that, I don't want to have to say this, but Mother thinks
you spend too much time with me.  She said you were keeping me from
practicing my music, which really isn't true."

	"Oh."

	"You haven't done anything, I think she just wants something to be
cross about.  Maybe I have been too happy lately and she feels guilty or
something.  I don't know."

	"So maybe I shouldn't come over after school?"  I asked.

	Joseph looked very sad and I could see tears filling his eyes.
"Maybe that would be best, just for a little while."

	"Damn!  I am going to miss seeing you after school."  I said.

	"Me too."  Joseph nodded his head sadly.  "But I should see you at
choir on Thursday night, and at church on Sunday."

	"Sure."  I tried to smile.  "I can ride the cool 10-speed bike my
best friend gave me."

	"Oh Nicky ---" Tears ran down Joseph's cheeks, then he turned away.
"I can't be seen like this."  He looked to the curb and saw Alice sitting
in the Lincoln.

	"I'm sorry Nicky!"  and he ran to the car.

I watched the big car pull away and stood there for a minute, thinking
about what I should do.  Finally I got on my bike and rode up to 36th
street then all the way over to Peoria.  I pulled into Weber's and got a
big frosted mug of root beer, sitting on the little bench next to the
building to sip it and think of when Joseph and I first came here.
Thinking of how much fun that was and how happy he had been.

	"It's just not fair."  I said to no one in particular.  I sat for
half an hour until I finished the mug, then slowly rode home.

	When I walked into the living room Kevin was in his place on the
sofa. "Hey." He said.  I didn't answer but walked sullenly into our
bedroom.

	After a minute or so he followed me in and stood in the doorway.
"How are you, Sunshine?"  he asked.

	I felt like saying something hateful but just said.  "I've been
better."

	Kevin sat on his bed and waited.  "What's up?"

I wasn't sure what I should say.  I wanted to tell somebody and I trusted
my brother, but I didn't want to be disloyal to Joseph.  Finally I opted
for honesty.

	"Joseph's mother says I am there too much, that I interfere with
his music. But that's not true.  The problem is that she drinks all the
time and gets mad about nothing.  She is a real bitch!"  Then I wished I
hadn't said that.

	Kevin's eyebrows went up and he looked surprised.  "Wow.  I didn't
see that coming."

	"Well she is!  I haven't interfered with his music.  I do homework
while he practices.  We just like being together."

	"Oh, I believe you.  I just wouldn't have guessed that she was a
drinker.  Is she like, like an alcoholic?"

	"Maybe I shouldn't be telling you this but yeah, that's what Joseph
says.  He says she drinks all day then gets nutty.  She cusses and throws
stuff.  He says his father sort of disappears and leaves Joseph to deal
with his mom."

	"Wow.  That really sucks."

	"That's what I said."  I looked at Kevin.  "You can't tell
anybody."

	"No, that's not my story to tell."  He said.  "I'm sorry Nick.
That must be tough for both of you."

I didn't say anything but looked at the floor and nodded my head up and
down. Kevin leaned back against his wall and looked at me with a sad
expression on his face.

	I was trying really hard not to cry.  I was 14 after all.  "Joseph
said we could see each at choir practice and at church but that I shouldn't
come over after school for awhile."  Then I just shrugged.

	"I'm sorry Nick.  I don't know what else to say but I do feel bad
for you."

	"I know Kevin.  I don't either.  I wish I did."

	He looked thoughtful.  "Hide and watch, brother.  Things will work
out for the best.  They always do"

I laid back on my bed and closed my eyes.  After a few minutes I looked up
and Kevin was gone so I got up and went into the bathroom to pee.  I felt
really shitty and decided to take a shower before supper.  I stripped off
in the bathroom and adjusted the shower.  Stepping in under the water I
thought of Joseph's big double shower and how lucky I thought he was.  He
was right, I was the lucky one.  I had Jack, I had Kevin, who did Joseph
have?  A drunk for a mother and nobody else in the house.

It wasn't fair.  I felt kind of resentful at his father.  It wasn't fair
bailing out and leaving Joseph to deal with his mother alone.  I guessed
maybe Alice was there.  What would he do without Alice?

I stood there thinking so long that the water began to cool off.  I soaped
and rinsed quickly, turned off the water, grabbed a towel and dried off.  I
pulled on some gray sweats and a pair of white socks and went into the
living room where Kevin sat watching the news.  I sat in silence glad that
he was there.

Supper was pork chops, rice with gravy, and steamed broccoli with grated
cheese melted on it.  It was good that I was OK with broccoli.  Dad
complimented me on being in the choir and I reminded him that he promised
to sit on the front row.  I think he was hoping I had forgotten that.
After supper we all sat in the living room and watched the usual Monday
night stuff on TV.  I excused myself, went to bed early and fell asleep as
soon as I hit the pillow.

----------------------------

The week went by slowly.  My usual routine of riding over to see Joseph
after school was interrupted.  I didn't want to go home right after school
because I didn't want to talk to my mom about Mrs Anderson and her
drinking. I just didn't want to talk about it.  I began to ride around on
my bike and kill time on the way.  I rode by Woodward Park and looked at
the rose garden.  Since we had not had a freeze yet there were still some
flowers blooming, and people were walking around, walking dogs, couples
holding hands, squirrels running up and down the oak trees.  I looked into
the Garden Center and the Historical Society occupying two old mansions
next to the park.  I goofed off until after 5:00 then took my time riding
home.

On Thursday evening it was chilly so I put on a jacket and rode up to
Trinity for choir.

	I was early and waited in the hall until Joseph came in at 6:45.
"Hey!"  I said.

	Joseph gave me a big smile and said "Hey yourself!"  Then he looked
both ways and seeing no one gave be a big hug.  "Oh, it is so nice to see
you.  I've missed you."  He whispered.

	"I've missed you too."  I hugged him back.

	We scooted into the rehearsal room and sat down together.  For the
moment we were alone.  "Is your mother still pissed at me?"

	"I guess not.  We really haven't talked much other than the usual
pleasantries.  She is back to her usual routine."  He pantomimed tipping
the glass.

	"How do you deal with that?"  I asked.

	"Years of habit."  He said.  "I practice my music and stay out of
her way."

	"Does that mean I can start coming over again?"

	Joseph looked a little sad, "I think we might leave well enough
alone for awhile.  Although I do miss you terribly."

	"OK, whatever you say."  Hesitating, I admitted.  " I told Jack
what happened.  I had to talk to somebody."

	"Of course.  I would trust Jack with anything.  Beside, he may have
a clue already."

	"What can you do?" I asked.

	Joseph looked down and shrugged his shoulders.  "I really don't
know. I don't think I can do anything."

Mrs Tailor came in and flopped a stack of music down on the piano, ending
our conversation.

It was about 8 weeks before Christmas and we had to start working on all
the special music for Advent and Christmas.  This wasn't Jingle Bells and
Frosty the Snowman sort of music but more complicated traditional church
music. It was very pretty but totally foreign to me.  This would be a
struggle for me but at least I was doing it with Joseph.

On Saturday I went up to see Jack.  I rapped on his door and waited for an
answer.  After a few minutes I could hear him thumping around and the door
swung open revealing a sleepy looking Jack in an old flannel bathrobe.

	"Hey."  I said.  "Did I wake you?"

	"You used to bring coffee."  He replied with a growl.

	"I can get you some."  I offered.

	"Oh come on in, I have a coffee pot."  He stumbled into his kitchen
and started filling a percolator with water.  "Do you drink coffee?"  He
asked.

	"I don't know.  I never tried it.  It smells good when it is
cooking though."

	After a few minutes the pot stopped rattling and he poured two
cups. He put milk and several spoons of sugar in one and handed it to me.
"Try this."  He said, and sat down on his sofa.

	I sat next him and blew on the hot liquid, cautiously sipping a
little. "It's not bad.  Kind of like funky cocoa."

	"It's an acquired taste.  So what can I do for you?"

	"I guess I just wanted to see you.  I can't visit Joseph any more.
At least for awhile.  I feel really bad for him but I don't know what to do
about his mom."

	"Are you looking to me for an answer?"  Jack seemed a little
grouchy.

	I sipped on my coffee.  "Is there an answer?"

	"Eventually.  My understanding is that people who drink like she
does don't usually get better.  They get worse until something drastic
happens. Either they get in serious trouble, or their health fails and they
are driven to sobriety, or they die.  It's not a pretty picture."

	"Jeez, that sounds bad.  I feel sorry for Joseph."

	Jack told me, "It's a family disease.  It's hard on everybody.  She
probably thinks she isn't hurting anybody by her drinking but she is
putting Joseph and his father through hell."

	"What can I do?"

	"Nothing.  Just be his friend when you can and support him.
Sometimes all we can do is be a friend."

	Jack leaned back on the sofa.  "Speaking of friends I found out a
little about Tony."

	"What?  Is he OK?"

	"You know I am friends with his brother Pablo, right?  This is just
between you and me, OK?"

	"Of course!"  I promised.  "You can trust me to keep secrets.
What's up with Tony?"

	"Pablo says that Tony and Carlos are in Juvenile Custody, kind of
like kid jail until the court decides what to do with them.  Their father
is in serious trouble, maybe in jail, maybe deported back to Mexico.
Anyway he is probably going to be out of the picture as far as the boys are
concerned.  Tony was the one arrested but with the father in jail that puts
Carlos in the same boat with Tony."

	"From what I know about their father they are better off without
him." I imagined.

	"I think you're right.  Once he is gone they will need some place
to live.  Pablo is the person the police are talking to because there isn't
any other adult in the picture, and Pablo is a responsible guy."

	"Where will they go?  Can they stay with Pablo and Juan?"  I asked.

	"Probably not.  The court will want them to have counseling and
have some restrictions on where they can go.  Pablo is hoping they will get
put in the Tulsa Boys Home."

	"What's that?  Is it like an orphans home?"

	"No, not really.  Maybe some of the boys are orphans but they are
there for different reasons.  A lot of them have gotten into trouble not
because they are bad kids but have been in a bad situation.  The rules are
strict but enforced with compassion.  They get counseling and good care.
It is a good place from all I hear and the boys that go through there have
a lot of chances for education and training.  Tony and Carlos would be
lucky to get to go there. It for sure would be a better situation than with
their father."

	"So is that what will happen?"

	"That might be their best bet.  Since they haven't gotten in
trouble before and were pushed into stuff by their father they shouldn't be
sent to a maximum lock up.  They might even go to a foster home but I think
they would be better off at the Tulsa Boys Home.  It is up to the court."

	"If they go to the Boys Home can people go and visit them?"

	"Like could you go visit Tony?"

	"Yeah, he is still my friend even if I don't hang with him any
more."

	Jack shook his head.  "I don't think you could visit the Home but
you might see him at school.  They still go to the Tulsa Public Schools
although they go and come with supervision.  It depends on where they go to
school. The Boys Home is located in the same district that you are so they
might be in the same schools as you and Kevin."

	"It would be scary to be locked up not knowing where you were going
or what was going to happen to you."  I tried to imagine being in that
situation.

	Jack gave me a serious look.  "You know with a little bad luck you
could have been in there with them."

	"How is that?  I didn't proposition a cop.  I wouldn't ever do
something like that."

	"Maybe not, but you told me that you and Tony slipped into one of
his favorite little hiding places near the river and did anal sex with each
other.  The cops likely had been watching Tony for some time and might have
followed you guys into the bushes to check on what you were doing.  You
think they would have patted you on the ass and sent you home to play
nice?"

	"Damn, I never thought about that."

	"Why do you think I gave you such a hard time about hanging out
with him Nicky?  You were in danger."

	"When you told me about that I stopped hanging out with Tony.  I
took your advise Jack."

	"I'll give you credit for that.  I'm glad you stepped back or you
might have been together with Tony in Juvenile.

	"No kidding.  That would be hard to explain." I admitted.

	"Well, that is what is called an educational experience." Jack
stood up and took my coffee cup.  "Excuse me kiddo but I've got things to
do. I'll see you later."

	"Will I see you at church in the morning?"

	Jack laughed.  "Yes I guess so.  I am getting to be a regular.  I
never figured you would rope me into going to church."

	"See, I am a good influence on you."

	"You are a mess is what you are.  Get out of here."

--------------------------------

Sunday morning I fixed myself a bowl of cereal and rode my bike to
church. I got there early and parked in the back.  I went into the practice
room to find Mrs Tailor banging out some music on the piano and sat down
hoping to see Joseph.  Before long he came walking in with a big smile on
his face.+

	"Hey!"  I called to him.

	"Oh Nicky.  I am so glad to see you.'

	"You look happy" I said.

	"I have some interesting news."  He said with a grin.

	"Let's hear it."

	"My parents have gone to Oklahoma City today and will not be back
until later this evening.  Do you think you can come over after church?"

	"I don't know why not.  I rode my bike this morning."

	Joseph gave me a wicked smile.  "Oh do come over.  I am ready for
us to be together."

Mrs Tailor took us through the service music then we put on our robes and
went into the sanctuary to go over the anthem with Mr. Meldrum the
organist. Just before the service started we all went to the entrance to
process in through the Nave.

The procession was always one of my favorite things.  First came a boy
dressed in a white alb carrying a tall brass cross on a wooden staff, then
two more boys with lighted candles, then the choir, then the clergy with
the priest at the end.  It was sort of the first shall be last sort of
thing. When the choir came to the choir stalls at the sides of the chancel
we took our places with the clergy and servers going on to the sanctuary
and the altar.  It was like a parade that brought all the participants to
their proper places.  When the processional hymn was finished the service
began and I had a chance to look out at the congregation.  There on the
left side about half way back was where Jack usually sat with Joseph's
family if they were there.  But I didn't see Jack and wondered if he had
decided not to come after all.  As I looked around I spotted him sitting on
the very front row, and to my surprise he was sitting with Mom, Dad, and
Kevin, all smiling like Cheshire cats.  It looked like my father had made
good on his promise.

After the service Jack had steered them into the parish hall for coffee,
punch, and cookies by the time Joseph and I had disrobed and made it in to
see them.

	"You made it, and on the front row too."  I gave Mom and Dad a hug.

	"A promise is a promise." Dad chuckled.  "But if I thought you
would actually sing with the choir I might not have said the very front
row."

	"The music was very nice."  Mom assured me and Kevin gave me a
thumbs up.

	"Is this the first time you have been here?"  I asked.

	Dad answered, "We were here for a performance of Christmas music
one time but that was years ago.  It is a beautiful old church, very
traditional."

	"It is wonderful to have you here." Joseph said.  "Did you enjoy
the service?"

	"Oh yes, it was lovely."  Mom assured us.  "I can't believe that
Nick is singing in the choir."

	"He is coming right along." Joseph boasted on my behalf, then
added, "If you don't have other plans, would it be alright if Nick were to
come over to visit with me for a little while before he rides his bike
home?"

Permission was granted and Joseph and I were inwardly jubilant.  I glanced
at Kevin and caught a sly wink.  We made some small talk then excused
ourselves.

	Joseph wondered.  "I thought for a moment that your father was
going to suggest going to lunch."

	I laughed, "If he had suggested it then he would probably have had
to pick up the tab.  Six dinners might have been more than he wanted to
spring for."

	Out in the parking lot Alice was waiting in the Lincoln.  "I will
see you at the house."  Joseph waved and jumped inside.

I trotted around to the back where my bike was parked and peddled off to
Joseph's house.  They beat me there but Joseph was waiting on the back
steps.

	"Where is Alice?"  I wondered.

	"She is making some sandwiches for us then she will conveniently
disappear."  Joseph said with suppressed excitement.

Sure enough there was a plate of ham and cheese sandwiches on the kitchen
table, another plate of chocolate chip cookies, and cokes in the fridge.
We made short work of them all.

 	"So Alice is our friend?"  I wondered.

	"You can be sure of that.  If you are finished can we go up?"  We
were in his bedroom in a flash.

	Once in Joseph's bedroom he quickly locked the door and turned to
take my shoulders and kiss me enthusiastically.  "I have missed seeing you
more than you can know."  He mumbled between kisses.

	"Hey you old horn dog."  I giggled with pleasure.  "I have created
a monster."

	"I seem to have become addicted to you."  He started to unbutton
his shirt as he sat on the bed.  I decided to join him.

	In a minute all our clothing was in a pile by the bed and we were
pressed together with our hips moving from side to side.  "I want us to
make love again."  Joseph said earnestly.

	"Whose turn is it?"  I asked with a chuckle.

	"I don't know or care but I want you inside me."  He insisted.
"That seems right for me Nicky.  I hope that's alright with you."

	"Oh yeah, that works for me.  Where is your lube?"

The little jar of Vaseline appeared almost instantly and after sticking his
finger in it he handed it to me.  He greased his hole while I greased my
penis which had leaped to full attention.

	Joseph flipped over on his hands and knees with his butt tipped up
high.  "I want to do it this way like you did last time."

With no further discussion I positioned myself against his hole and began
to press in slowly.  He pushed back against me and I slid in until my pubes
were against his butt cheeks.  I wrapped my arms around his waist and
pulled him in tight laying my face against his back.  I pulled out as far
as I dared then drove in deep, humping with a steady rhythm.

Joseph began to moan and I pinched his nipples gently as I increased the
speed of my strokes.  He took my hand in his and shoved it down to his
dick. I took the hint and began to jerk him off with one hand while I
played with his nipples with the other.

	After a few minutes of this he began to chant "Oh, oh, oh!" and
shot his hot cum over my hand and onto the bed.  This was all it took for
me to start my orgasm and fill him with my juice.  After the first spurt or
two I froze as deep inside him as I could manage and emptied myself in his
ass.

	Now it was my turn to moan and kiss him between the shoulders.  "Oh
my God Joseph, I love you so much.  I can't be without you for even a day."

Even though I was spent I continued to pump in and out in an attempt to
make the moment last as long as possible.  Finally I softened enough to
make it difficult to stay inside and we fell apart.  He rolled out from
under me and we fell together belly to belly and kissed passionately.
Finally stopping to catch our breath we lay still and held each other
tight.

	"Are you OK?"  We both asked at the same time, then laughed.

	"Oh, never better."  Joseph said with enthusiasm.

	He held my face between his strong hands.  "Oh Nicky, you make my
life complete.  I can't imagine doing this with anybody else.  We just
can't let anything come between us."

	"I feel the same way Joseph.  I can't think about anything but
being with you.  And it's not just the sex part of it.  I really miss you.
What can we do?"

	"I don't know."  Joseph suggested, "But I remember Jack telling me
one time that things usually work out for the best, or at least the way
they are supposed to."

	"Jack gives good advice."  I agreed.  "You know what he told me?
He said I should pray about it."

	"Really?  That sounds so religious."  Joseph considered.  "Does
that really work?"

	"I don't know.  You're the one who always goes to church.  I guess
it couldn't hurt."

	"Maybe we should just pray that God will make things work out like
they are supposed to.  I'm not sure what to ask for."

	"That sounds reasonable."  I thought for a minute.  "Let's pray for
that."

	"OK.  But I'm not sure how to go about that sort of thing.  All I
know about prayers is that there are a lot of them in our prayer book."

	"Do you have a prayer book?"  I asked.

	"I was given one when I was confirmed, but I'm not sure where it
is. I think maybe it is in the living room in the big bookcase."

	"Well maybe you could try to look one up."

	"Yes, that's a good idea.  I will do that after you leave."

	"Are you trying to get rid of me?"

	"No, but it is 5:30.  What time should you be home?"

	"Damn.  I guess time flies when you are having fun.  Yeah, I better
get home.  So I guess I will see you at school tomorrow, at the flag pole?"

	"Yes, then I guess it will be Thursday at choir practice."  He
smiled. "Are you glad now that I talked you into joining the choir?"

	"Really!  That's the only time we get to see each other.  But we
can still check signals at the flag pole after school."

It took several minutes to sort out our clothes from the pile in the floor
but we both ended up wearing the same clothing we started out with.

	"Right."  Joseph said.  "Well, I will walk you out."  I gave him a
hug in the kitchen before we went outside.

We said goodbye and I rode off on the 10-speed, happy to have been with him
and sad that we had to part.  It took me less than 15 minutes to ride back
to my apartment and my normal, boring, wonderful family.


.......to be continued.


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