Ambush

The following fictional story deals with sex among males. If you are offended by such material, are too young, or reside in a location where it is not allowed, please depart. Though not observed in this story, care enough about yourself and humankind to practice safe sex.

The author retains all rights. No reproductions or links to other sites are allowed without the author's consent.

EvanBradley33@Yahoo.com

Chapter 42 Faltering Forward

When they arrived at the hospital, Troy, Susan, Cody, Drew, and Justin played a perplexing game of tag, attempting to locate Emily and Riley. At the Emergency Room, they learned that Riley had been sent to X-Ray. After trekking through a maze of corridors to X-Ray, they found that they had just missed them. The receptionist told them that Riley was taken to a hospital room, for the attending physician wanted him to remain in the hospital overnight for observation. She gave them directions to the main reception area, where Riley's room number could be identified for them. The receptionist there sent them to the Pediatrics Floor. At the desk there they were referred to Riley's room, 524.

When they peeked though the door, Riley was lying in bed, looking sleepy as he lay against the raised top half of the bed, one side of his face clearly swollen and colored by a large purple bruise, and a purple ring circled the outer side of his eye. He was listening to his mother, who was leaning on the rail on the side of the bed opposite them, talking softly to him.

When Riley saw his brothers, he began whimpering, holding out his arms. Troy, Drew and Justin shot into the room to his side, reaching over the bed rail, gently hugging and kissing him. Susan moved around the end of the bed over to Emily, putting an arm about her waist as they watched the brothers talking softy to Riley. Now that his brothers were present, Riley revealed himself to be a confused, frightened, little boy. Riley had no memory of what had happened - just waking up in the emergency room with his head hurting. He quizzed them about the cause. Wanted to know why his father was mad at him. Wanted to know if Roy hated him. It bothered Troy terribly that this little innocent was hurting and frightened. He wanted always to protect him from such fear, knowing now that he could never achieve that goal.

The three brothers, in turn, inquired how Riley felt, where it hurt. When the immediate questions had been answered, Cody moved up to the bed. Again, Riley held out his arms for a hug from Cody. Troy's eyes twinkled with happiness, especially when Cody held Riley in a hug and they whispered back and forth into each other's ears. Then Riley called for Susan, smiling at her as she leaned down to hug and kiss him. Emily choked back a sob, relieved to see her youngest son revive under the love and attention offered by his brothers, Cody and Susan. When Susan pulled back, Riley was grinning. "You smell good!"

Drew laughed. "Well, I guess we can go home now. The boy's obviously recovered all his senses if he can react that way to such a beautiful woman." More laughter, especially when Drew slammed his mouth shut upon realizing what had popped out at the end of his comment. It only increased his blush when Susan stepped over to him, kissing him on the cheek.

"Hey," Justin remonstrated. "How come you're leaving me out?" Susan bestowed a trophy kiss on him also. Troy was beaming at his brothers. This was the way he always wanted life to be for them, especially after the evening's traumatic events. Love, acceptance, good spirits.

Just then they heard a little voice: "Hey, how come you're leaving me out?" as Riley mimicked Justin. The brash Riley was returning. Susan stepped to the bed, leaning down to give him a kiss on the cheek. Riley had other ideas. He turned his head just in time to take Susan's kiss full on the lips, putting his little hands on her cheeks and pulling her lips against his.

Troy's eyebrows shot up. This wasn't a peck on the lips. It was a "Riley version" of a grown-up kiss. 'How'd that little imp learn to do that?' he wondered. 'We're going to have to limit the number of chick flicks he watches.' Susan pulled back. The look of shock on her face was priceless.

Now everyone was laughing harder, given Troy's reaction. "Hey, Bro, that's MY girlfriend," Troy protested, moving over and putting an arm around Susan. Riley, grinning big time, looked slyly at Cody, who, catching onto Riley's message, stepped up beside Susan and said "And MY girlfriend." Susan was cracking up, setting Riley off into giggles.

Justin was shaking his head in disbelief. "Can you believe that?" he muttered to Drew. "I think we may have to take lessons from Riley in the kissing department,"

"He doesn't seem sick to me," Drew muttered back. "When we came in here, he was whimpering. Now he's smooching Susan up. I think he's a little con man. I may borrow his approach to women."

Clever enough to press an advantage when he saw it, Riley repeated his earlier request to stay overnight with Troy. Troy looked up at his mother. "My guess, Riley, is that I'll be moving back where you live." Emily shook her head yes. "Yippee!" Riley started to yell until his head reminded him that it was tolerating nothing boisterous. He'd immediately pressed his hands to either side of his head until the pain subsided, sinking slowly back onto the bed. He spoke softly, "But I want to stay overnight at your other place too. Can't we have movie nights there, eat lots of pizza, and go play basketball on Saturday morning? Evan won't care. He likes us."

"Yes, dear," Emily responded, "Evan asked me just last week if you boys could have more overnights with Troy." Troy shot his mother a puzzled look, noted right away by Susan and Cody. Clearly, they'd missed a recent step that had transpired in Emily's life. Why was she seeking Evan out and for what conversation? Evan had said nothing to Troy about it.

"Later," Emily said softly to Troy.

But her intention didn't work, for Justin, like Riley, sensing that it was the right moment for pressing for answers, popped off with, "Mom, does Dad have a girl friend? Will he go stay with her tonight?"

The flush spreading up Emily's cheeks surprised her. Why would she react that way in her sons' company when she hadn't in Evan's? And she wasn't certain whether Justin was worried about his father's having someplace to stay or needed some clarification of his status. "Yes, he has a girl friend," Emily stated. A questioning look still marking Troy's face, she explained, "I sought advice from Evan when I realized that your father was involved with another woman. That's when we discussed your return home, Troy." Susan looked sympathetically at Troy, for she understood everything in a trice. If Troy were returning home, it could only be because Roy wouldn't be there, a situation marking a major break.

His mind following Susan's, Troy asked, "Are you divorcing Dad?" His face displayed no emotion.

Emily sighed in defeat. It had been a long, emotionally draining evening. "I might as well tell you boys now while we're all together. I've already seen an attorney. I was going to file for a divorce after I had a chance to talk to your father. But this evening's events will change that timetable dramatically. I don't wish your father ill. I don't hate him or anything like that although I'm angry with him. I also feel sorry for him." She paused. "I don't want you boys looking on your father as the enemy. But he won't be returning home except to collect his belongings. I don't like adding yet another court date in his life, but these issues must be resolved now." She blew Troy's mind with her next statement: "I apologize for our not being able to hold our marriage together for you boys. But it takes more than one person focused on the same goal to do that."

All the boys looked somber. Emily continued, looking at Troy: "After some thought, I asked Evan to serve as a sounding board to clarify some of the issues in this situation. Evan has experience in this area. He was an excellent choice. He listened while I talked myself through decisions. He asked good questions to direct my thinking. He referred me to an attorney, whom I've consulted and like a lot. I asked Evan if he'd mind if you returned home, Troy. He said that he knew you'd want to." She pulled Susan and Cody into her glance. "I also told Evan that I thought you'd want to keep your bedroom there too so that you could stay there some nights. Evan was relieved." Now she looked at her other three sons. "I don't know what you boys did to Evan, but he wants more overnights and movie parties with you guys."

"Yea-a-a-a-ah," Riley softly chanted as he pumped his right arm gently in the air, evoking smiles from the group. The moment was too grave for a stronger reaction from them.

Suddenly, Emily's cell phone called through the air. She dashed to her purse while Troy, Cody, and Susan swapped glances and smiles. Their relationship would not be a casualty of this night's events and the changes those events would engender. Their wordless conversation was not lost on Drew and Justin, who, in turn, traded glances full of meaning.

Emily had begun talking into the phone, giving information about their location in the hospital. She signed off and walked over to the group. "Boys, the police officers who came to the house will be here in a little bit to take a statements from you. Riley, they want to take pictures of your face and to pick up the attending physician's report on your condition." She pulled them all into her glance. "I'm staying here with Riley tonight. Troy, could you stay at home with Drew and Justin?"

"Of course, Mom. But I better call Evan."

"Yes, please do, and relate this evening's events to him. And tell him that I had an appointment with Miles this week."

"Miles Forbisher? Evan's attorney?" Troy asked.

"Yes," Emily answered. "Miles will be representing me in the divorce."

Pausing only a few seconds, Troy asked, "What did the doctor say about Riley? In case Evan asks."

"Riley has to stay here for observation tonight. He has a concussion. I'll be able to take him home, probably tomorrow afternoon. He has to stay home from school the rest of the week." Riley pumped the air with his arm again. "But he can go back to school on Monday." The pumping arm fell.

"Okay." Troy pulled out his cell phone and sauntered out into the hall, calling Evan.

"Emily, if you don't mind," Susan began, "I'll return home with Troy and clean up in the kitchen so that you won't have that facing you tomorrow."

"Oh, my gosh! I didn't shut anything off under dinner," Emily exclaimed, her hands clasped against her cheeks as she contemplated a domestic horror.

"Don't worry, Mom," Drew said, placing a hand on his mother's shoulder. "Justin and I shut everything down. But we didn't clean anything up. We didn't know what to do with it."

"Thank you, boys. And thank you, Susan. I appreciate not having to come home to a mess." Suddenly, Emily looked stricken. "Oh dear, I haven't even thought about work tomorrow or the rest of this week. I'd better make some calls now. Will you all please excuse me?" She followed Troy out into the hall with her purse, containing her address book and cell phone.

Roy Morgan sat in lock-up, bewildered by the evening's events. It wasn't just what had happened at home. Somewhere in his memory there was a disconnect between what had occurred before he must have hit Riley and what had happened afterward. About all he remembered was being surprised to see Riley on the floor. He hadn't meant to hurt him. Then everything seemed to explode in all sorts of directions. He couldn't believe Emily called 911. How could she do that? She loved respectability. 'She won't have any of that now,' he gloated. He imagined the folks on Alford Drive would give the Morgans and their home a wide berth from now on. Well, she'd brought it on herself, overreacting like that. He felt that the evening's events were Emily and Troy's fault. They were to blame for getting everyone on edge. That damned fag son of his! Try as he might, he could never understand how he could have a queer for a son. Roy was too virile. Besides, jocks were never fags.

Roy was also vexed by what happened after he'd been processed at the jail. He'd phoned Ben Tanner, a lawyer with whom he chatted sometimes at the firm where he worked, but Walt was out for the evening. He thought maybe Ben wouldn't charge him as much or might even represent him for free. At least help get him out of jail.

Roy'd called Tricia to see if she would arrange for bail, but when she heard what had happened, she gulped, apologized, and said she couldn't be involved with him anymore, and rang off. Damn! He hated to lose her. She must be more timid than he imagined. He couldn't think of a good reason for her to be so touchy about what had happened. After all, it meant that they could have been together, free and clear of his wife and family. She'd craved his dick. He'd made her thrum with pleasure in bed. How could she do without that in the future? He'd never understand women.

Tricia was the respectable, classy girlfriend, the one he was proud of. He'd met her at a trendy bar where a bunch from the office had gone to celebrate a guy's birthday. She'd been sitting in a booth all alone, on the rebound, he'd learned. He was surprised how easy it was to seduce her. She was one of those single college graduates who'd established a successful career before looking for romance. Now she was finding it difficult to locate romance. He smiled. She had been downright desperate. He'd really poured on the charm. She'd been tipsy. Before he knew it they were in her bedroom screwing. She'd been delighted with his body and dick. It was nice to be worshipped by a woman again. Better than the prickly porcupine he'd had at home. He'd fucked Tricia three times that night, surprising even himself. He decided that his marriage and family had inhibited his sex drive, all the more reason to step out occasionally. 'Use it or lose it,' he thought, chuckling. For a few weeks, it was as though Tricia couldn't get enough of him.

When their relationship was cooling a little, he'd met Bunny, a waitress at a truck stop cafe out by the Interstate on the western side of the city. She was bold, brassy, and built. Though young, she was twice divorced and hungry for a man. There wasn't much in her head - she was a bimbette! Not only could she sling hash, but she could also sling her big tits and pussy. He liked it that she really directed their lovemaking, all focused on him. Again, he felt worshipped. Bunny knew how to appreciate a man. And did he ever perform for her.

Bunny was the most wanton woman he'd ever known, including all the women he'd bedded in college. She'd bought him thongs, which she wanted him to wear all the time when they were at her home. But he was never allowed to stay in a thong for long. They'd fucked all over the house. She wasn't a nympho, but she was headed in that direction. However, he couldn't take her just any place socially. She was beautiful, but she wouldn't fit in with the couples at social events at work, he decided. Still, he wouldn't be alone with Bunny dancing attendance upon him. He could always shop around for a replacement while Bunny helped him get his rocks off.

A malicious smile crossed his mouth. He was imagining Emily's reaction when she learned that he'd had TWO girlfriends. How lurid - a husband who had a wife and TWO girlfriends. He chuckled. It faded to a smile and then nothing. Hell, Emily would divorce him now. He groused to himself yet again that it was too bad she made the bigger salary. He concluded that as soon as he made bail, he'd better go to the bank and clean out the checking and savings accounts - unless she beat him to it. He might be able to create a nest egg of several thousand dollars.

Roy had called Bunny to ask that she come to the jail to help arrange bail. She said she would arrive there after her shift, which wasn't over until midnight. She didn't say anything when Roy told her what had happened. He'd stay with Bunny until he could decide what to do. He didn't think he wanted to live with her for very long before he found himself a small apartment. Nothing too big. Then he'd have an excuse for not having the boys over often. When he found someone better, he didn't want the hassle of moving out of Bunny's house. Maybe she'd allow him to maintain a secret relationship even after he had a public girl friend.

He was glad Bunny could help him with the bail. If she hadn't been able to, he might, out of desperation, have had to call that queer, Logan McDonald, the head of the Legal Department at work. Roy couldn't stand him. The women in the office were always going on about his honey-colored hair, high cheekbones on a square face, narrowing down to a smaller square chin. Broad shoulders, probably 5' 11". Sharp dresser. The women at work complained about what a loss it was that Logan wasn't straight.

Their boss, Bruce Corbett, and Logan often took long lunches together. Roy was surprised that the firm was facing so many legal issues that such long working lunches were required. He'd noticed several times, when they gathered for a birthday drink at a bar, that Bruce and Logan left together. He couldn't see why a married man like Bruce wanted to spend so much time with a queer like Logan. He'd thought a couple of times about dropping into Bruce's office to suggest that he get rid of Logan. But he finally decided that it would look odd for someone from the Marketing Department, who rarely worked with anyone in Legal, to suggest that the head be fired. He bet Bruce hadn't even caught on that Logan was a fairy. Bruce would be grateful to him for saving his reputation. He just had to find a good excuse to clue him in.

It never occurred to Roy that by connecting with a lawyer in his firm, he would ensure that the stories about him would immediately begin circulating around the firm and, as Evan Halsey had warned, out into the city. Or that Bunny had other connections who knew people who knew people who were acquaintances with individuals in Roy's firm or had heard of or were acquainted with Roy.

By the second day, the news was all over Templeton High School. Troy couldn't imagine how the grapevine picked up the story so quickly. His puzzlement testified to his seldom realizing how popular he was among the student body, how big events in his life were news. He certainly wasn't telling anyone anything about the Morgans' troubles. He knew Cody didn't carry tales. And he knew Susan wasn't telling anyone. Maybe it started where his dad worked. Emily was still home with Riley. He couldn't see Emily telling anyone at work yet about what happened with Riley. He was ashamed for and of his father. He'd wondered if people looked down on his family and him because of what had happened. Odd. He didn't feel that way when his dad kicked him out. There would have been more reason for shame then. So why now? In a flash of insight, he realized that being kicked out of his home reflected only on him, but recent events in the Morgan family reflected on all of them.

Students kept coming up to Troy, asking how Riley was. Troy's teachers wanted to know if he would be moving back home with his family. Troy could tell that they assumed Roy's residence would no longer be with the Morgans. He knew they wanted to ask about his mother's plans, but politeness kept them from doing so.

Many used the occasion to demonstrate their respect for Troy, and that helped balance his feelings of shame. LaRonda brought a ball cap with Riley's name and "Morgans' Sluggers" stitched on it. Her younger brother Jar-el helped her pick it out at the big mall. 'Now when did she have time to do that?' Troy wondered.

Tony and Angela brought a get-well card for Riley. "There's a gift certificate inside," Tony explained earnestly. "At your movie party, I remembered Riley's asking if he'd eaten at our restaurant. So now he can be host to his family." Angela had winked at Troy when Tony handed him the card.

Evan handed Troy a card as well. "I used the computer to create one of those punch cards we used to get at birthday parties when I was a kid." He grinned shyly. "I used to love getting them. They were from the local drug store. There were X's all around the edges. Each one was worth a dime or a quarter, just enough for a Coke or candy bar. When a kid used one, they'd punch a hole where the X was. These X's are for overnights for Riley."

Troy grinned. "Why do I think your gift amounts to drumming up trade?"

"Trade?" Evan responded with a little attitude.

"Ensuring that Riley will visit you a lot?" Troy replied.

Evan turned away, but not before surreptitiously flipping the bird at Troy. Troy laughed aloud, pleased that he'd gotten a rise out of Evan. Jeremy and Kenny had placed movie passes inside their card for Riley, promising to escort him themselves.

LeKeisha had a card for Riley. "Tell him he gets a big kiss from me when he sees me." Troy, Susan and Cody immediately started cracking up. "What?" LaKeisha asked, her brow wrinkled.

"Boy, are you in for a surprise," Cody gasped. "Roland had better watch out. Stud Riley will be on the prowl."

When they related the details of Riley's kissing Susan, LeKeisha's eyes grew in size. "He was French kissing!" Susan exclaimed.

"What?" Troy asked in surprise. Cody delivered his trademark lascivious grin. "Tongue?" Troy asked, disbelief clear on his face.

"Tongue," Susan verified.

"I can't believe this. Young guys have to work up to tongue, but my little brother is into tongue by the third grade?" Troy exclaimed.

Susan's laughter bubbled up. "Your little brother bears watching," she said.

"Something tells me he's been watching his big brother plenty," LeKeisha teased.

"He picks up things quickly," Susan observed to LeKeisha. "You'll have trouble keeping up with him if you aren't careful," she warned Troy, grinning all the while.

"I always knew you Morgan boys were dangerous, the kind my mama warned me about!" LeKeisha commented as she walked away, shaking her head and smiling.

The stream of gifts and cards continued throughout the day. Kate Williams handed Troy a card as she made her rounds in the cafeteria during lunch. She also asked about Emily. Troy found it difficult to finish his lunch for the interruptions and questions about Riley. Kathleen Burge found him then, giving him a card. Troy suspected there might be some dollar bills in some of the cards. Ron Hamilton had him stop by the desk after chemistry class. He handed him a small gift bag with apples, oranges, bananas, and a couple of granola bars along with a card. Byron Okata and Sherry Westbrook, Paul Hartford and Beth Walker, Jared Paine and Valerie Cunningham, Wendy Fielding (and Shane McComber, her college-aged boyfriend) had brought Match Box cars for Riley along with cards. Recognizing coordinated gift-giving, Troy smiled, knowing that Riley's book bag would always house a few Match Box cars from now on - unless his teacher confiscated them, that is.

Riley had made a haul! Troy asked Susan and Cody to help him truck all the gifts and cards to his car after their last class, inviting them to come watch Riley wade through the cards and gifts after he and Cody finished basketball practice. When they were stowing everything in the back seat of Troy's car, Burt Graham, Jonah Stedman, Denton Cooper, and Greg Dunwoodie drove up in Burt's car. The four alighted, greeting everyone and inquiring about Riley. Jonah handed Troy a big wrapped box with a big bow on top. "What's this?" Troy asked.

"Riley's very own basketball with his name on it," Jonah answered proudly.

"Oh man, he's going to love that," Cody exclaimed. Then to everyone's surprise, Denton handed Troy a card. Troy looked at the name on the front of the envelope. "To my mom?" he asked Denton.

Immediately, Denton ducked his head, stammering out, "I . . .I figure . . . your dad is taking off. . . .When you're lonely. . . it hurts. You think nobody knows . . . knows how you're feeling, I mean. . . . I just wanted her to know . . . that someone hoped she wouldn't be lonely . . . that someone understood," he rushed to finish and move all those eyes off of him. They looked in amazement at Denton. No one expected such sensitivity from him. They also had a new appreciation for Denton's past, which had given him more than a passing acquaintance with loneliness. And they had all been so focused on Riley that no one except maybe Susan had given any thought to Emily's situation.

Greg put a hand on Denton's shoulder. "Nice gesture, Man. Wish I'd thought of it," Greg said. Troy strode over and gave Denton a big hug and then kissed him on the cheek, increasing his embarrassment but leaving him with a big smile on his face. Susan shook her head in agreement with some interior monologue playing in her head, generating mysterious plans.

Troy and Cody had to excuse themselves to make basketball practice on time. After practice, Dave Hernandez made a point of calling Troy over to ask how Riley was and how his mother was handling the situation. He too handed Troy a card and a little box. "What's in it?" Troy asked. "A coach's whistle," Dave said shyly. "Oh Man, he'll be blowing that thing all over the house," Troy said, faking injury, "driving us crazy. We're going to get even with you next Saturday," he promised archly. "I'm going to make certain he brings it to basketball practice and blows it every time you shoot." Dave flipped Troy the bird, causing Cody to crack up. Dave also asked a couple of polite questions about how Emily was holding up any help. Dave had met Emily and talked to her after ballgames several times, so they weren't complete strangers.

Troy had asked Dave to the last two of the Morgan-Saxon Saturday Scrimmages, and Dave had appeared. The younger Morgan brothers liked him immediately. Being a coach, Dave couldn't withhold giving them pointers on their play. He made certain to treat Riley the same as his brothers and Cody, offering him playing advice too. He even scrimmaged with them, and when he was on the same team as Riley and Riley had the ball, following the others' lead, Dave lifted him to the basket. Riley was impressed that the "big coach" was working with them. When they left the ball court on the second Saturday, Troy noted that Dave seemed reluctant to part company with them, suggesting that they pick up a coke someplace. Troy had had to beg off since he knew his mother was holding lunch for the boys, but he told Dave they'd plan to do that next Saturday. He wondered if their Saturday meetings filled some kind of void in Dave's life.

As custodians of the academic year, the teachers at Templeton Senior High School could feel the end of the spring term barreling down upon them. They were hustling to complete their semester goals, which meant pushing students, who were susceptible to Spring Fever. In Evan Halsey's courses, that meant completing the semester's capstone assignment, research papers. Evan was pleased with the growth in writing skills among his students, but there were still some skills that needed to be finalized. He'd moved them from focusing only on writer-based prose to attending to format as a component of meaning. He'd been trying to nudge them on to producing prose focused on their readers.

To establish that perspective, Evan had pulled some examples from a writing assignment that would become part of the research paper. The excerpts, with no names attached, illustrated readers' need for more information. One of the examples came from Tony Francini. It was obviously produced in haste, meeting the "letter" but not the "spirit" of the assignment. It referred to a poem possessing a mystical theme without any supporting information. Evan commented on what torture it was for a reader tantalized by the title to try to make meaning with so little information. When Paul Hartford asked who was writing on that topic, Evan, watching Tony in the corner of his visual field, replied, "de Sade." Laughter rippled softly around the classroom.

Evan decided to have some fun not unrelated to the day's lesson. "If you guys can remember an allusion like 'de Sade,' why can't you remember some of the literary allusions that occur in the works we read?" He went on to explain how a writer might add some clarifying details in subsequent sentences to flesh out and support a reader's reaction.

"It's Tony," Byron Okata popped off. Tony's head spun about, his eyes nailing Byron, who had a grin plastered across his face. "He keeps us up to date on all the kinky stuff out there."

Angela quickly covered her mouth to hide a big grin. Tony cocked an eyebrow in challenge to Byron. "You're the one who wanted me to teach you what wasn't covered in Sex Ed." Then he grinned, having delivered a riposte.

"Naw, Sherry spotted lots of gaps in your information. She's the real teacher." Byron turned to Angela. "She wants to talk to you Angela; she thinks she can help you get more out of Tony, performance-wise." The class roared. For once, Tony colored. They loved it - Tony's taking some of the verbal knocks he was so skilled at handing out to others. Not many people got ahead of Tony when it came to smart-ass comebacks, but Bryon had clearly trumped Tony's reply.

Evan loved it - Byron was loosening up nicely. Probably due to Sherry's influence. He'd have to express his gratitude to Ron, for he had been the matchmaker for those two. However, his students' levity commanded the moment. "Gentlemen, and I use that term charitably, let's move back to the matter at hand. Let's focus above the belt, please. All eyes were on Tony, who, following Evan's request, turned around, staring at Angela's breasts. She blushed and crossed her arms over her chest. Again the class roared.

"Mr. Francini," Evan began, "the lesson - let's focus on the lesson! And since you are so alert today, why don't you explain for us the allusion 'terra incognita' in D. H. Lawrence's poem of that name, the allusion so casually dropped into this line of prose without any of the details I just mentioned." Tony grinned evilly. "And I don't want your triple-X version," Evan added just in time to head off a "blue" answer. Again, the class laughed.

Troy was glad that the class had ended on such a high note. He wanted to talk to Evan about not staying at his home the past few nights. He'd told Evan when he called from the hospital that he'd be staying at Emily's until life there settled down. But he'd had little opportunity to talk to Evan since then. He knew Evan was wondering what Riley thought about his gift card with all overnights he'd promised him. They hadn't talked about Troy's keeping his bedroom at Evan's. Susan and he had decided that it was a discussion best accomplished with Troy and Evan alone.

Troy wished that there were a more leisurely occasion when he could sit down with Evan, express to him how much he hated to leave his new home at 8416 Williston Drive, how grateful he was, but he needed to drop by Evan's that afternoon for some clothes, and he didn't want to run in and run out. He wanted to be certain Evan was there when he came by because it didn't seem right to leave signs that he'd been there for Evan to discover when he arrived home. Such a situation would imply feelings about Evan far more casual than Troy had ever harbored. He knew he had to talk to Evan now as class broke. Still, it felt as though he were using Evan. He hated that.

As Troy walked to the desk, he was thankful that his classmates were all moving out the door. When Evan saw Troy approaching, he smiled at him. "Hey, Evan," Troy began, "I wish there were a better time to ask you, but I'm buried now with school, basketball, and home - my other home, I mean." Evan shook his head in understanding. "Riley loved the card. He's already pushing to have an overnight at your place. And he's quite clear that Drew and Justin don't need to come. That was the issue that prompted Dad to hit Riley. Riley was telling him that he WAS staying overnight with me at your home, no matter what Dad said." A slight frown flickered in the corners of Evan's mouth.

Troy continued: "Mom told us at the hospital that she'd talked to you about Dad's being involved with another woman. I'm glad you helped her, Evan. She told you that I'd want to keep my bedroom at your place. May I? There are times when I'll want to get away - maybe study for exams, come in late from a party, you know." Uncharacteristically, Troy colored. "Oh hell, Evan, you know that Susan and Cody and I still need someplace to be together. We can't give that up. What I hate about this is that, now that I'm back home, it's like we're using you to satisfy our own needs. I don't want you to feel used, but I'd really like to maintain a presence at your place too. It's been great, Evan. Except for rarely seeing Mom and the boys, I've been so happy in your home. I'm torn two ways: I want to be close to my family, but I want to live at your home too. A little selfish, I suppose. My favorite teacher and my friend right there in the house with me when I need him. I guess instead of whining, I should feel lucky that there are two good homes pulling me."

Evan had been listening carefully to Troy, looking somber. 'It's happening again,' he thought, 'not being able to stay linked to someone I love.' He pushed the thought from his mind. "I wouldn't call it whining, Troy, not after all the stresses you've felt recently. I told you when you moved in that our home is your home. That room is yours for as long as you want it - no questions asked."

"I can't escape this feeling that we're using you, Evan. That I'm turning your home into The Quickie Motel - 'Pay by the hour.'"

"I have a suggestion," Evan ventured, "only if you're comfortable with it, of course."

"Yeah?" Troy asked.

"Don't speak of it as MY home. Speak of it as OUR home even if you spend some nights on Alford Drive. I've noticed that a shift in your thinking has occurred. Before your moving back home, you called our place your home, even with your brothers. When you moved back there, I think you saw yourself returning to an old path. It doesn't have to be that way, you know. Jeremy and Kenny have two homes. Why can't you?"

Troy was silent for a bit, mulling Evan's point. "I'd never realized that I had moved right back into my old perspective on Alford Drive. I COULD have two homes. Mom's certainly okay with that. She's never made a distinction at all between your place and my former home. Okay, I'll try it. I wish I could think of a way to repay you for all that you've done for me - more than I can even identify."

"No pay required. You've given me more than you realize. It's more personal than I care to explain, so let's just say the account is balanced and closed. Okay?"

Troy grinned, looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was around, looped an arm around Evan's neck, and pulled him into a hot kiss. When he pulled back, he was beaming. "You're still going to get lots of those," he promised.

A week after his chat with Evan, Troy was worrying about Emily. In high-stakes divorce cases, Miles Forbisher had learned that it paid to have a private investigator nose around. The most beneficial information to his clients usually emerged. That was how he'd learned about Roy's two girl friends. Miles had had to pass on the information to Emily, which he hated. He could see immediately that it fell on her like a boulder. Emily had withdrawn into herself. Well, it had been a shock to all of them. It made Roy seem a Bluebeard. A single girl friend was one thing. But more than one made an entirely different statement, one for which Emily was unprepared.

Despite the burdens she bore, Emily still went to work as comptroller at her corporate employer, and she was still a warm, loving mother, especially after the trauma the family had experienced. She doted on Riley, and paid special attention to them all. She would spontaneously hug Troy, thanking him for giving up his former independence to return home to help out. But he'd catch her standing at the window, looking out pensively. Or if the boys were talking a lot at the dinner table, she'd withdraw into herself. She didn't go anywhere but to work and to the locations where she discharged her duties as a "soccer mom."

Emily had a cordial, polite relationship with her parents, but nothing more. Something was amiss there, Troy knew. He thought his grandparents' distance was due to his father, who'd probably sounded off too many times from his narrow perspectives. Troy had never heard what his mother's family had thought about him when Roy had kicked him out. All in all, Troy doubted his mother's family had liked Roy's perspective on Emily's role and obligations.

Emily had a "let's go shopping" kind of relationship with her sisters and sisters-in-law, but she wasn't really close to any of them. Even when they talked on the phone, she was listening to them share aspects of their lives. She talked about her family only to answer questions. Usually, they called her. She called them only if they had difficulties or illness in their lives. Ever since that disastrous night when Roy had hit Riley, she'd started declining invitations to go shopping with his aunts, to attend the wedding and baby showers that occurred frequently in a large family with a herd of nieces and nephews, or to meet for lunch. Troy couldn't entirely blame her for that. His aunts were being persistent in trying to find out about Roy, his girl friends, the divorce, Emily's plans, new men in her life, and the like. As Susan observed, Emily was not a "woman's woman, who loved the company of women. She was a man's woman.

Troy had thought about suggesting that Susan sound his mother out, but he wasn't certain his mother would feel comfortable talking to Susan about such issues. Susan was too near in age to Roy's girlfriends. He'd wondered if Emily had talked to Evan or anyone about her loneliness, but he didn't think so. His mother was not one to talk about herself personally to her own family, and he didn't think Evan and his mother were all that close.

At Troy's ballgames, Emily sat alone, for Riley wanted to be with Drew and Justin, who were more than willing to include him when they sat with their friends or Troy's and Cody's buddies. They had discovered that cute Riley like a magnet to cute girls their age. Riley was popular with all their friends. Even more so Troy's and Cody's.

Troy thought he had noticed Coach Hernandez looking for Emily in the crowd before a game started - at least Troy thought that was what he was doing. He always stopped scanning the crowd when his eyes moved to the location where Emily was sitting. At Drew and Justin's basketball games, Troy, Susan, Cody, and Riley remained with Emily, making it a family occasion. She seemed a little more relaxed, more outgoing at those times. He remembered Denton Cooper's sensitivity to his mother's potential loneliness, taking himself to task for not trying to change her circumstances. But he didn't know what to do. Troy was frustrated. In fact, it was getting so that he couldn't stand it.

One evening, when he was with Susan, Cody, Jeremy, and Kenny at their diner hangout, Troy blurted out his frustration. Susan asked for details, which Troy related. "Emily needs another man," Cody said simply. The group at the table stared at Cody, surprised at his response. "Think about it," Cody exclaimed. "You told us once that Emily's a man's woman, Susan. That's what defines her. Her man. Look how long she let Roy ride roughshod over her. She has no man now. She's feeling lost."

"Yeah," Troy muttered, "she said something like that once - women in her family were raised to think that way. But who is there for her?

"Do you know any eligible men where your mom works, Troy?" Jeremy asked.

"No, Mom never talks much about work. In our house, her job wasn't important - only Dad's. To him, the only important thing was her bringing home a second paycheck - and it was a big one. For all I know, she may have earned more than he did. In fact, she makes enough that she was thinking about not asking for child support. I told her Dad owed it to us. If he weren't going to be spending it on his sons, then she'd just be giving him that much more money to spend on his chippies. And even more reason to forget his obligations to us. I saw a little fire in her eyes when I said that. I suggested she bank his payments for our college if she didn't need them. Even she knew Dad wouldn't be coming up with college money for us."

"Well, who is there who would be a good match for your mom?" Susan asked. Silence ensued.

All of a sudden, Cody began snickering. "What?" Troy asked. Cody's snickers changed to chuckles. Again, Troy asked, "What?"

Cody made certain he had their full attention. "Hunky D-a-v-e Hernandez," he said, drawing the first name out. They swapped glances.

"Be still my heart," Troy whispered. "Dave would be such a good match for Mom. It could work."

"Coach Hernandez is interested?" Kenny inquired.

"Oh yeah, I think so. He had lots of questions about Mom when the story started around school," Troy replied. "You've heard him, Cody. When he plays basketball with us on Saturday mornings, he always asks about Mom."

"Always," Cody responded. "That's what gave me the idea. I think ole Dave could develop the hots for Emily."

"You crude dawg," Susan drawled, playfully punching Cody in the gut. He quickly grabbed her hand and pulled it to his lips, giving it a passionate, sloppy, wet kiss and then gently licking a couple of fingers." He could feel Susan beginning to tremble, giving rise to a smile on his face. He loved it when he aroused an inner reaction in contrast to her cool exterior. Made him know beyond a doubt that she loved him. Susan's reactions usually put a bone in his dick. This occasion wasn't an exception.

"Where's a bucket of water?" Troy asked, looking around as though he might spot one on the premises. "We've got to cool this boy down." Susan began chuckling.

"I can't help it," Cody exclaimed. Looking stricken, he stated emphatically, "We NEED a night together." Susan and he looked at Troy. Jeremy and Kenny listened spellbound, waiting for verification of what they and others had long suspected.

"R-i-g-h-t," Troy answered. "I've been needing it too. It's just that I've been helping out at home." He thought for a bit. "We better make it a week night. If it's on the weekend, Mr. Riley Morgan will insist on being included." He looked slyly at Susan. "Since he's already giving tongue when he kisses, I don't want him anywhere near you two if we're being amorous." Troy shared in their levity.

"Enough's enough!" Jeremy declared. "You guys are a threesome, right?"

"Yes," Susan answered. "I'm lucky enough to have two handsome lovers."

Awed, Kenny asked, "You do it together?"

"It's hot," Troy answered, reaching over and squeezing the back of Kenny's neck, his signature gesture for expressing fondness for someone.

"Oh, man," Kenny cooed, impressed and excited.

"Down, Boy," Jeremy said, pulling Kenny back against his chest and sliding his arms around his waist.

"But Daddy, they play kinky," Kenny mimicked a little boy.

"Hm-m-m-m-m," Cody hummed. "Now who is it who does this scene where a daddy makes it with little Kenny Walters in his boyhood bed?" Jeremy and Kenny broke up over that. "And you call a threesome kinky?" Cody charged.

"What we do isn't kinky," Jeremy said. "Just sexual research."

"Let's get back to what we can do for Mom," Troy advised. "Mom's old fashioned: she won't date while she's still married. That really limits what can happen for her until after the divorce. I know Mom. Even then, she won't do anything. We have to jump-start a life with a man for her. How can we do that?"

They were silent. "Oh-h-h-h-h-h-h," Kenny sounded, drawing everyone's attention. "I know. It's a perfect setting. Your mom and Dave will be together, but no one will consider it a date."

"What?" Troy asked eagerly.

"At the reception after Jeremy's adoption, Evan and my mom had a long conversation. She wanted to know how she could get Jeremy and me to spend more time at home. Evan gave her some suggestions. One was to have a party and invite our friends so that they could get to know my parents and home. Mom's pushed me a couple of times to set a date, but everything has been so busy. We could do that now. It could be a spring get-together - something innocent like that. Mom's good at coming up with those themes. Maybe a 'pre-seniors party' since that's what we'll all be next year."

Kenny took a moment to check his line of thought. "I could put my mom up to inviting your mom, Troy, since you guys are such close friends to Jeremy and me. I'd tell her we want Dad and her to get to know some of the adults who are important to our friends and us. And we could invite Dave because he plays basketball with you guys on Saturday. Besides, they've gone to some Templeton games with their friends, so they'd be delighted to have Dave in their home. Mom and Dad will insist that Evan attend. Mom already said she's going to hire Donna Merton to cater the event. You know we'll ask Ron Hamilton. Probably Miles Forbisher and Jim Belton because my parents met them at the adoption reception. I think they were intrigued by them. We could invite Kate Williams and Dr. Sorenson. Heck, if I know Mom, she'll invite Judge Feldman too. There will be enough adults there so that it won't look like your mom is dating anyone."

"It'll work," Troy exclaimed. "It'll at least break the ice for those two. A couple of weeks later I could ask mom if we could have Dave for dinner since he's helping us with Saturday basketball.

"You should invite Ron and Evan too," Susan suggested.

"Yeah," Troy answered, "good idea. Then after the divorce, I could persuade her to have dinner to pay Miles back for all his help. We could invite Dave again."

"And if we're getting them together this often, I think Dave will step in and create his own tasteful opportunities to keep your mom company," Susan concluded.

"I wonder if Mom knows Evan and Ron are a couple," Troy asked.

"Well, if she hasn't figured it out, you can tell her," Susan suggested. "From having been around her, I don't think that that would be a problem for her, would it?"

"Naw," Troy answered, "she has a brother who's gay, Uncle Brent. She won't stand for anyone treating him rudely when the family's together. It's about the only time I've seen her assert herself with her other brother and sisters. It's so rare that when she did the first time it happened, they were stunned. Nobody gave her any guff. Not even her brother and brothers-in-law. My granddad started to say something and she cut him right off. Even Grandma didn't challenge her. Funny I didn't realize then how strong Mom was."

"Sounds like a plan," Kenny said. "I'll talk to Mom tonight."

The idea had formed gradually in Kenny's mind after Cody had teased Jeremy and him about their kinky sex scenarios. When they made love, they occasionally assumed roles in a scenario, a hangover from his relationship with Robert Martin. Even more, they were the impetus for their ambushes of Evan Halsey at the beginning of the academic year, occasions about which Jeremy had interrogated him in detail when they'd taken up with each other. Kenny figured out a clever way to make a new one happen. He'd dropped an invitation in the driver's seat of Jeremy's car.

"Hey, Stud! I'm a street hustler. Seen you driving

up and down my street, your dick hard, cruisin' me.

Wonder your tongue wasn't hangin' out as much as you

wanted me. The other hustlers on my street talk

about you. We think you're a virgin. What a laugh!

A long, tall, hot hunk like you a virgin. Let me

make you feel real good. I want to shove my nose

into your crack, and when I'm drunk on your man smell,

I want to eat your ass out. Then I want to eat your

dick. Come to 8416 Williston Drive at 3:30 on

Wednesday afternoon. Walk in the front door. You'll

find me behind the door at the end of the hall off

the living room. Come on in. You won't be sorry.

Lance, the boy hustler!"

Of course, Jeremy would recognize his own address. The idea of playing the role of the prostitute thrilled Kenny. He knew Jeremy would love his role as a John too.

A half hour before the appointed time, Kenny had driven to Jeremy's and let himself in with his key. He'd gone to Jeremy's bedroom, dressing in the costume that he'd gathered over the last couple of days, turning back the sheets on the bed, and making other preparations. Right on time, he heard Jeremy enter the front door and walk down the hall. It was all Kenny could do to stifle a laugh when he heard Jeremy's determined tread, signaling that he was closing in on prey. The door swung open.

When his eyes first took in Kenny, Jeremy's nostrils flared. Looking back over his shoulder, Kenny stood there in white nylon shorts so tight that they were hiked up his ass. The shorts left about two inches of his lower ass cheeks bare, the part where his ass began to pooch out. Finding the effect beautiful and exciting, Jeremy was on the bone instantly. He wanted to lick that exposed part of that hot ass.

In the absence of underwear, Kenny's nearly hard, fat dick and balls moved back and forth in the shorts as he slowly turned and moved, his sexy hips swaying. Kenny's dark bush was visible through the thin nylon. The shorts accentuated Kenny's slim, shapely legs, which appeared longer because of the white athletic anklets and simple tennis shoes he wore. He had cut a white muscle tee off right at the bottom of his pecs. The material flared slightly from his white skin, accentuating the straight lines of his torso, allowing occasional glimpses of his dark nipples. The thick hair in his pits peeked out under his arm, an effect that always turned Jeremy's crank.

Taking in the sight of his sexy lover, Jeremy had begun breathing faster and deeper. He dropped his book bag, easing the door shut. "Virginal white?" he snickered. "Little street boy wants me to make him a bride? Take his throbbing cherry?" he sneered.

When Kenny moved near, Jeremy whispered, "Hot costume. Don't lose it; I want to see it again." Kenny slowly removed Jeremy's jacket, allowing only his fingertips to brush against Jeremy's body. Kenny walked close enough that their bodies didn't touch but that their body heat and scent moved over each other. Kenny couldn't stifle a low moan when he pulled Jeremy's shirt off, his eyes riveted on sexy chocolate aureoles. Kenny leaned in, ever so gently licking them, making them harden and peak. Jeremy moved his hands up to touch Kenny, but without breaking his concentration on Jeremy's nipples, Kenny warned softly, "No hands, sexy John, until I say."

Then Kenny began his patter. "I had you hooked when you read that note, Stud. Face it," he whispered as he lifted Jeremy's arm and licked his pit languidly, "Street boys turn you on. . . They appeal to your slutty side," he whispered as he moved to the other pit, repeating the same caresses. Slowly, his fingertips slid down Jeremy's side as Kenny began to walk behind Jeremy. There he stood on his tiptoes to brush his lips over the back of Jeremy's neck. "Hustlers are your Achille's Heel. . . . Can't leave'm alone." Now Kenny licked slowly up Jeremy's back, pausing to continue the patter. "One more dick you haven't seen. . . . One more ass you haven't grabbed . . . .one more hole you haven't filled . . . .one more body you haven't marked. . . . one more spirit you haven't claimed."

Kenny slowly moved back in front Jeremy. Jeremy emitted a loud breath when Kenny slid his fingers under Jeremy's belt, seeming to fumble with the buckle and belt but really teasing Jeremy and giving himself a rush as he felt the warm, smooth skin of his lover on the backs of his fingers, warmth that moved into his fingers and up his arms and into his chest. When he'd loosened the buckle and unbuttoned Jeremy's jeans, he slid his hands slowly onto his hips and under his briefs, moving his hands down Jeremy's lower limbs while pushing his remaining clothes off, allowing only his fingertips to graze Jeremy's long, runner's legs.

Jeremy's cock was steel, a drop of precum forming at the long piss slit. For his part, Jeremy couldn't tear his eyes away from the mound Kenny's hard cock was making in those tight shorts. Then Kenny dropped to his knees, moving in to look closely at Jeremy's seven- inches. Kenny held his fingertips close to the excited cock, but he didn't touch. Instead, he exhaled harder so that his warm breath fanned out over Jeremy's crotch, moving the hair in the pubic forest. He loved that bush - when Jeremy started fucking him, it tickled Kenny's balls until lube and their sweat matted it down. While Kenny exhaled, he ran his fingertips up and down Jeremy's legs with excruciating slowness. As he inhaled deeply to exhale more air, he was pulling in more of his lover's musk. He couldn't hold off a shudder, evoked by Jeremy's scent. Kenny's feathery ministrations evoked a little whimper from Jeremy. "Damn, you're good at this," Jeremy whispered, not to the hustler but to his lover.

Kenny knee-walked around Jeremy, using just his fingertips on the inside of Jeremy's long legs to signal that he wanted him to assume a wider stance. Jeremy complied, allowing Kenny to exhale across Jeremy's ass. Then he moved down between Jeremy's legs, looking longingly at the haired sack hanging there. The man scent of his lover was stronger now.

Then he began licks, using the tip of his tongue as he had his fingertips. Jeremy was groaning as though he were in pain. "You little street whore!" he exclaimed. "Talk about me! You need a man like me. You aren't complete without a stallion like me. . . . You were wrong in your note. . . . I'm no virgin. . . . Little whores like you are after me constantly. . . . You need cock, hard cock . . . big cock . . . hot cock. . . .You need a man to bend you to his will. . . .You want to surrender to a big-dicked stud. . . . You won't let me touch you . . . because you want to pretend to be in control," Jeremy taunted.

"Ou-u-u, those are good lines," Kenny whispered to his lover. After Jeremy's patter, Kenny used the tip of his nose like the tip of his tongue, moving it gently down Jeremy's crack. When he moved his nose up the crack, he stuck the tip of his tongue out so that it followed the same track. Kenny nearly giggled, watching the muscles in Jeremy's buttocks quiver spastically in response to the stimulation. Finally, he used his thumbs enough to pull the lobes of Jeremy's ass out so that he could exhale and then lightly tongue Jeremy's rosebud. Several times Kenny was rewarded with loud grunts as though Jeremy were in pain. Nothing could be more incorrect. As Kenny continued to nose and tongue Jeremy's backside, he moved his deadly fingertips through Jeremy's open legs to the front side of his ball sack, moving them along the underside of his hard cock where they became sticky with precum. Jeremy sounded out an "Ungh-gh- gh-gh-gh," in passion.

Suddenly, Jeremy spun about, unintentionally whacking Kenny across the cheek with his hard cock, leaving a smear of precum. Jeremy reached under Kenny's pits and pulled him upright but not against his body. "I'm taking control, you little two-bit hustler." With one hand he whipped Kenny's muscle tee over his head. Jeremy stood there, taking in his little lover's chest with its lightly defined pecs. He walked around behind Kenny. Ever since he'd entered the room, he'd wanted to run his fingers over those two inches of Kenny's exposed ass cheeks. He did, instantly sucking in a breath. He dropped to his knees, fulfilling his initial desire to pay lingual homage to that exposed flesh.

Jeremy couldn't see the smile of victory that spread across Kenny's face. "You cheap trick," Kenny wheezed out in passion. "Acting like the big stud. Yet my ass has enslaved you."

Jeremy grinned at the challenge, swatting Kenny's ass hard. "Mind your manners, whore!" he threatened. He unlaced Kenny's trainers from behind and then lifted each foot as he pulled them off. He left the white anklets on because he loved the look of a naked dude wearing them. Then he stood up and walked back in front of Kenny. He loved staring down into those blue eyes, studying the few freckles spread across his pert nose but even more the love shining forth. Kenny could never disguise it. Jeremy made his face appear menacing. He backed off. "Now you little piece of street trash, pull those shorts off slowly," mirroring his menacing look in his voice. "I want to see that trashy ass you peddle on the street." Kenny slid his thumbs under the taut waistband and moved the shorts down, having to wiggle his butt, eliciting a grin from Jeremy. The shorts were so small that Kenny had to push them all the way down to his ankles and off. As he stood upright, Jeremy's eyes drowned on the sight of Kenny's hard, fat, five-inch cock, surrounded with pubic hair already matted with precum. "You're as wet as a cheap whore!" Jeremy hurled at Kenny. He walked right up to Kenny so close that they could feel their heat but no touch. Kenny was looking straight up into Jeremy's eyes.

"Hold up the palms of your hands," Jeremy said threateningly. Kenny slowly obliged. Not being able to look away, Kenny watched as Jeremy slowly raised his palms until just his fingertips brushed those of Kenny's. Kenny gasped at the electric touch, then whimpered. "Just paying you back with one of your street tricks," Jeremy whispered. Then louder, "You street boys are all alike. So used to wagging your asses out there on the street to catch Johns' attention that you think you have all the power." Jeremy stood back enough to bend down and suddenly swipe his tongue across Kenny's lips, causing Kenny to start and whimper louder.

"Please," Kenny gasped. "Please . . . no more. Take me."

Jeremy laughed with bravado, all part of his persona. "It never fails to happen - street trash begging a real man to plunge his dick into his pussy." Jeremy just stood there, grinning.

"Please," Kenny whispered, not this time as a street hustler, but as Jeremy's lover.

Jeremy immediately recognized the difference. But he wasn't giving up his role. "Plant your ass on that bed!" he ordered loudly. Kenny ran to the bed, rolling onto it, lying on his back, his feet spread wide apart. Jeremy turned and slowly crawled on the bed, walking across it on his knees. "Lube!" was all he said. Kenny reached into the nightstand, pulling out the Wet. He offered the container to Jeremy, who popped open the top, spreading the liquid across three fingers, which he used to anoint Kenny's hole. Putting a little more liquid on his fingers, he inserted one in Kenny's anus, moving it slowly, never allowing Kenny's eyes to move from his. Jeremy shuddered slightly due to the heat of Kenny's chute. When he had three fingers in Kenny, he held the tip of the container over his fingers and dribbled lube into the depression in the middle of the three fingers so that it ran inside Kenny. "Now, you little cheap prostitute. Tell me what you want," Jeremy hissed.

"Your cock. Your hard cock," Kenny answered immediately. "Jam your hard cock in me. Punish me for being sassy. Make me beg for your cum to repay you for my taunts. Master me!"

A smile spread across Jeremy's face. He reached under Kenny's legs, lifting them, directing Kenny to place a pillow under his ass. Holding Kenny's gaze in his own, he used the tip of his dick to tease Kenny's hole, pushing enough only to enter Kenny. After 30 seconds of the tease, Kenny was whimpering. "Please, stud, please. I need your cock," he begged. "You're right. . . . You're special. . . . You're hot. . . . Please," he gasped.

With expert hip action, Jeremy punched his cock into Kenny, who shrieked softly. "Oh . . . oh . . . You're so big. Man, your cock makes me feel so full."

Jeremy's eyes afire with lust, he pulled out and jammed his cock back into Kenny, aiming at Kenny's prostate. His mind held onto the feel of the spot when Kenny cried out in pleasure. Then he slowly pulled his cock out until just the head remained in Kenny, and he plunged back in, Kenny's prostate being the target for his dick. The width of Jeremy's hard cock somehow joined with the feeling of the tight walls of Kenny's chute, all linked with the long fuck tickle that Jeremy was causing. It was incredible for both of them.

The scenario had run long enough that Jeremy was on the edge. Kenny's silky chute felt so good around his cock. Somehow his lover's muscle ring ramped up the fuck tickle. Kenny loved feeling Jeremy's balls bump into and hit his perineum. The closer Jeremy came to climax, the harder his ball bag became, grazing that sensitive spot, increasing Kenny's climb toward climax. Then Kenny began clasping Jeremy's dick with his ass muscles. Throwing his head back and yelling like an ape in rut, Jeremy had to speed up. He felt the heat and electricity somewhere deep inside between his dick and his ass hole. He loved it when their fucking was this intense, when his orgasm felt like a gathering volcanic eruption.

Suddenly he heard a sneer, delivered in breathless gasps. "Cocksman, my ass! . . . .Come on all strong, . . . calling yourself a stallion? . . . No way. . . . You're using your cock . . . like a toothpick. Don't you know . . . how a conqueror . . . uses that tool?" Kenny was back in role.

"You cheap little fuck!" Jeremy shouted back at Kenny, pounding harder. He pulled his arms out from under Kenny's legs and slid them roughly under Kenny, pulling him up hard to sit on his lap but never missing a plunge. Kenny's eyes were wide with surprise, no longer knowing where the scenario began or ended. As Jeremy's jabs raised Kenny up, he responded, "Unh . . . unh . . . unh . . .unh." Jeremy felt the heat of his orgasm deep inside grow. He smashed his lips down on Kenny's, which slowed his cock-jabs only a bit. Now Kenny began a soft wail that grew in volume. Jeremy loved the feel of Kenny's trembling, knowing that his lover was heading toward a gigantic orgasm. Suddenly, Jeremy was there. Kenny felt his lover's cock expand so much that the fuck jabs were almost impossible, causing Jeremy to scream, his cum exploding deep inside Kenny. At the same time, Kenny felt his dick, mashed between their stomachs, explode. Now they both joined in a declining chorus of "Unh . . .unh . . .unh."

Jeremy pulled their sweating bodies tighter together. "Kenny . . . Lover . . ." he gasped. "Wow! . . . Man! . . . Oh . . . ." They kissed passionately, running their hands over each other in a frenzy of love, unable to let go of the other.

Having completed his last class for the day, Evan was walking down the staircase to the first floor of Templeton Senior High School on his way home. As he traversed the hall to the north parking lot, he ran into Jim Belton.

"Evan!"

"Jim! How are you?"

"Glad the day is over."

"Me too. Any plans?"

"Meet Miles and go to the farm. It doesn't get any better" he replied, smiling.

"Oh?" Evan asked archly.

Jim blushed. "Well, what you are thinking always happens at the farm. That's part of what's good about being there."

"We are talking about the hayloft, right?" Evan asked, continuing to delight in making Jim squirm.

"It's a big farm, Evan. Lots more places for fun than just the hayloft," Jim replied adroitly. "You look like your spirits need a lift. Are you and Ron going out tonight?"

Evan's smile faded. "Actually, I haven't seen Ron for a couple of days. Running too fast, I guess."

"I'll bet you a week's wages that if you two went out together, you'd feel energized."

"If only it were that easy."

"It is. I've seen you two together. I've watched both of you. Why, just since we mentioned Ron, your eyes have turned a little brighter."

"Yeah, right," Evan said skeptically.

"I'm not kidding, Evan," reacted somberly. "How is it now that Troy has moved back home?" Jim asked.

"Quieter. I miss Troy. Jeremy and Kenny divide their time fairly evenly between their parents' abodes. On nights when they aren't there, it's almost creepy. I hope Troy and his brothers will do another overnight soon."

"I've got a great idea," Jim exclaimed. "You and Ron come out to the farm Saturday morning. Miles and I are putting in our garden. We need some help. You guys can help us get it all done in one day. We'll share the produce with you over the summer. But while you help us, you'll feel the farm working its magic on you. If you are meant to be together, the farm will make it happen."

Evan couldn't help his skeptical look. "It won't work. I'm not agrarian, Jim."

Jim frowned. "I'm not taking 'no' for an answer," he said forcefully, causing Evan's eyebrows to shoot up. Jim had never talked to him like this before. "Be there at 9:00 Saturday morning in old clothes and shoes."

"I probably won't even see Ron before then," Evan equivocated. "Besides, I don't know how to get there."

"No, I'm not letting that be an excuse," Jim shot back, determinedly. "I'll talk to Ron. Give him the directions. Be ready for him to pick you up at 8:30 Saturday morning."

"Jim . . . " Evan began.

"You owe me," Jim cut Evan off, indicating with his face that he'd brook no argument.

Evan gulped. 'Damn,' he thought, 'Jim is sexy when he's forceful. He's right - I owe him.' Evan dropped his head. "Okay, you talk to Ron. I'll be ready."

Jim strode over, clapping his arms around Evan, whispering, "You'll see I'm right - the country, the quiet, the farm, Miles and me will focus you two on each other. Your plan has already worked. You're no longer taking each other for granted, looking at each other as just a way to get your rocks off. Tim's visit cemented the change. Miles and I noticed it right away. It's just that you've stayed away from each other so much that you haven't recognized what we already see. But you'll see it at the farm."

(To be continued.)