Harvard Comes To Montana

"Harvard Comes To Montana" - Chapter Nineteen

By Griz

Umgriz@protonmail.com

*** The following story is a work of erotic fiction. If you are under the age of 18 or if this type of fiction is prohibited in the location where you are reading this, do not read any further.

All characters and names are creations of the author. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Please show your support for Nifty, a great organization that gives opportunities to all types of authors to express themselves. To find out how you can contribute, go to donate.nifty.org/donate.html ***

The bar of soap wasn't new and large when Marc and I stepped into the shower, but by the time we got out, it was too small to hold onto. I had no doubt the house's septic system drain field was flooded, and our well level dropped a few feet. I'd try to intercept the July power bill before Mom could see it.

Marc and I didn't take fresh underwear with us into the bathroom, so we streaked down the hall to avoid our naughty nudism being discovered by Anders and Eva. Safely back in the bedroom, I closed the door and pulled Marc up against me. Yeah, we'd been doing that for twenty minutes in the shower, but that was different! We both had moisturizers, but in yet another first for each of us, we had someone else to apply it. Marc was such a polite man.

"Is this right?" "Is that enough there?" "Okay so far?"

And I tried to be.

"Yes." "Umm.....keep rubbing.....there....." "OH, yeah."

Moving my hands on Marc's body was enjoyable last night in his bed, but it was dark in there. I did my best to channel Helen Keller and `read' Marc's body, and that was enjoyable. So was this! What skin I could see nestled in all that luscious man mink was nice and shiny now. I leaned forward and pressed my face right between his pecs, which seemed molded just perfectly to my not-small face. I inhaled. And again. A third time.

"Hey! Careful down there! You're gonna snort the hair right off my chest!"

"I'm glad Nancy Reagan isn't here."

"I thought I saw a poster of her and Ron on the back of your closet door."

"You did. My dart board is behind it."

"Not a fan, I take it?"

"How many would still be alive if he had done for us what he said he `wished' he could've done for Ryan White?"

"Wow, you do know history."

"Because I don't want it repeated."

"Let's not discuss politics....."

"Oh, don't tell me you bat for the other team."

"Nope. 100% gay."

"Wait.....what does that have to do with.....oh, I get it. One metaphor and two topics. Sheesh. You're clever. Anyway, yeah, no politics. We can occupy our mouths toward a better end."

"I'd kinda like my mouth on your end."

"`Kinda'? Let me know when you're certain."

Marc moved me backwards to let me know he was certain, still in our embrace, and eased me down on my back on top of a family heirloom quilt covering my bed. `Oh, god.....don't look, Dead Relatives. Or.....if you're gonna look, let me know how we did. Hold up score cards like they do at the Olympics......'

We moved on top of the bed so we were able to stretch out completely. Marc moved himself up on one elbow and looked down on me. That smile was hypnotic. With his free hand, he lightly caressed the skin on my chest, all the way from my collarbone down to my belly button (Innie, by the way. I have two Innies. Tee-hee.....!).

Then he wandered lower. And lower. He was going down my body while my pulse was going up. Right through the dense, blond hair that insulated Paco from the cold Winters. Marc stopped and smiled up at me, teasingly. I raised my head and looked at him with an expression mixed of Did I miss that with the soap?' and What the fuck? Don't stop now!'

Marc just giggled and leaned forward over The Area In Question. His hand retracted just as his tongue extended. It was nicely choreographed, really..... Anyway. Starting at the base of my dick, Marc moved his tongue slowly back and forth, circumnavigating my personal profile of Florida. Up higher and higher he moved, but he slowed down as he went. Agonizing, but brilliant!

It wasn't just the tongue; that was only part of it. It included the handsome face the tongue came out of. But wait, there's more; his body connected to that face! Oh, DAMN, that body. But.....seriously: my main attraction to Marc after the first day of knowing him was the 100 yottabyte-powered central processing unit between those nibble-worthy ears.

A good face can last awhile, but gimme a good mind that can last a lifetime. I wanted to focus on the long run. Yeah, I know; we just met, really. But I still knew my end goal in life, and I wasn't going to waste time, tears and cum on anyone who pushes the buttons in an elevator and then looks for a can of Coke to drop out somewhere.

Yeah, true: Marc was the handsomest man I'd ever seen to that point in my life. Judging from the online reactions to the fair earlier, I was not alone in that assessment. I had no doubt that Lady GaGa, Madonna and Kylie Minogue were at that very moment trying to fire up their private jets to Lewistown with contracts for Marc to appear in their next music videos. GaGa's and Kylie's would be interesting, no doubt; Madonna's, though.....I don't know if I'd want to watch my boyfriend in a five-minute AARP commercial, no matter how dancey.

And Hollywood? All those Chrises would become the former flavors-of-the-month, and a brand-new DC or Marvel Comics character would be invented from the ground up for Marc. I imagined, though, that if he had any say in the matter, his superhero name would have to evolve from Mr Darcy' or Atticus'.

But Marc wasn't meeting airplanes or agents at that moment. The tip of his tongue was seducing the tip of my terrifier. (Okay, I tried to make that work; I really did.) Just seeing that was stirring my loins. I rolled my eyes in the back of my head and Marc saw me, giggling. Then again, he stopped abruptly and frowned slightly.

"What?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out."

"Well, unless it's a national security quantum physics problem, stop with yer figuring and get back to busy on Paco's figure."

"Jeff, did you lose some weight today?"

"WHAT?! I don't know! I worked, yeah, and only ate breakfast and that big, juicy, fat hot dog, so technically, yeah; I probably did. Why do you ask that, and why now??"

"Because your tattooed foreskin is gone. I wanted to read for myself `Welcome To Fergus County and Have A Nice Day'. It was dark in my bedroom last night, but I just thought you were cold and nervous. The only logical explanation is that you lost a lot of weight today. Of course, I might've misunderstood you initially, and in reality, your tattoo artist also prints nanometer microchips for Apple. Are you feeling okay?"

"I think it's a good idea to not tell you HOW I'm feeling right now, but I'll tell you WHAT I'm NOT feeling: a swallow-to-the-base, saliva-dripping, brain-oxygen-depriving kiss on my Polish Pudenda."

"Sorry. Your mom popped into my mind. She's a woman of real strength, that Marie."

"DON'T TALK ABOUT MY MOTHER RIGHT NOW! When she said you were `Family', she meant she was fine with you dicking her youngest. She was not, I assure you, insinuating herself into his sin."

"Oh. Damn, I'm really bad at reading the room tonight....."

Inside, I was laughing from start to finish, and I was trying to suppress it. It worked as well for me as it would for `Old Faithful' to hold its breath. Mark was laughing, too. We were both rolling around on the bed, doing our best not to wake up the house with our tearful, joyful laugh-ful night. Soon we were panting and trying to breathe. No matter what could be said of Marc and me, I knew for certain no one could say we were boring. Or mature, for that matter.

We weren't tired, either; but in a few hours, I needed to be up to meet The Crew who would arrive earlier for their second day. I guess I hadn't really thought carefully enough about my schedule for tomorrow when we were at the fair tonight. In an instant, priorities shifted, and Anders and I had family obligations and assurances to extend to Eva and Marc. Now, though.....fuck. I wanted the space-time continuum to pause and breathe so I could just exist uninterrupted with my man.

I turned on my side toward Marc and placed my hand on his chest. I could feel it rise and fall. I could feel his warmth. I sensed his heartbeat. Marc is mine. He smiled at me.

"Hey, Babe."

"Yes, Boyfriend?"

"Don't you have some farmin' to do very, very soon?"

"Sure do, Pardner. I know....."

".....That we can resume all this and more soon."

"Thank you."

"Your first harvest. I get it, or at least as much as I can. I just know it's vitally important to you to be successful at it."

"My first boyfriend, too. And it's also vitally important to me to be successful with him, too."

"I think those two are mutually compatible, Jeff."

"Me, too. Which side of the bed do you want?"

"The one you sleep on. I want to drift off with your scent enveloping me."

"Well, I move around in bed a lot, so you'd have to try pretty hard to get away from the aroma of `Eau de Farm Boy'. Get in where you are; you'll see. Or smell."

We moved under the sheet. No blankets; not necessary for two men snuggled up together. Before I turned so my back would be nestled against Marc's chest, I moved my hand to the side of his face.

"I like you."

"I like you."

We kissed and I rolled onto my other side. Marc's arm wrapped around me, and he pulled me close. We made adjustments with our legs to accommodate each other, and within seconds, I was relaxing. I might get only a few hours of sleep, but like everything else in my life that Summer, I was going for quality, not quantity. Well, except for the even

tie

as regards

Bernese

puppiezzzzzzzz......

My watch alarm buzzed me. It awakened Marc, too. Right against the side of his torso. When we opened our eyes, we saw how we were positioned at the moment. Marc was on his back, one arm over his eyes. His legs were spread apart. I was lying on my stomach, my head on Marc's chest, and both my hands holding his sides. If the weight of my chest on his stomach and bladder bothered him, then he endured it in his sleep so I could be right where I was.

I shifted up to my elbows and smiled at him. Marc yawned and stretched and smiled back. I stood up and scratched the back of my head. I actually felt rested, and no aches or pains anywhere. Marc rolled over onto his stomach, baring the beautiful backside of his. I leaned down and kissed the back of an ankle, and worked my way up his leg.

"Ohhhh.....! Ten more minutes of that, please."

"You can stay here all day, if you want; but the kisses have to go to work with me."

I returned to sharing the last kisses as they approached the northern end of my boyfriend. I was now above his knees, smooching those hamstrings that seemed like iron to my lips. I held the last kiss. Marc sighed.

"I can't stay here without you. I'd be a total slacker. The farm and the farmers are working, and the scary hairy NeoTownie lounges in bed all morning."

"Yeah, you have a dilemma to go along with your myriad diplomas."

"This is so cozy and comfortable.....your deep, soothing and sexy voice is not inspiring me to be anything but a slug, Babe."

Drastic situations call for drastic measures. I reached for his ass, but didn't touch the cheeks until my face was close. I suddenly pulled his ass apart and launched my tongue right at his hole, burying my face in the valley between those fur-forested hills and giving him the loudest smooch I could.

"HOLYFUCKWHATDIDYOUJUSTDO?!??!"

"I inspired you."

"You came close to having to peel me off the ceiling! Damn! Okay, okay! I'm awake!"

We both laughed and Marc extended an arm to me. I grasped and helped raise him up and out of bed. He pulled me close to him and embraced me, and kissed the side of my neck. Aw......that's nice, I thought. We showered about five hours earlier, and my sheets were changed just Friday. I would wait to shower again, but for now, I needed to wash my face and brush my teeth. Marc dressed in the same clothes, but no button-down shirt this morning. Just the t-shirt.

We made our way to the bathroom and stood side-by-side, brushing or teeth and smiling in the mirror. Goofy guys looked back at us. They were so cute. I hoped they'd go through many days and many tubes of Colgate together. After brushing, we went back and picked up whatever electronic leashes we would need for the day.

I started to make the bed up, and Marc joined me on the other side. It made quick work, and the bed looked all ready for us to fuck up again later. The quilt was back on straight, too. Oh---how'd we do, Dead Relatives? Any decision from the judges? No? Not yet? You want to see the event repeated, just to be sure? Well, okay, then! Who am I to judge the judges? We'll do it.

I saw at the end of the hall that Anders' bedroom door was open, and no lights on. That was a fair indication he wasn't in there. We made our way down the stairs and into the kitchen. Hmmm.....no Mom, no Eva. I reached for two mugs and opened the fridge for cream. Marc poured coffee for both of us, and topped off my brother who was standing at the sink, looking out the window up to the county road above us. He smiled and shook his head when he saw us.

"Holy Moly. So THAT'S what was under that white shirt last evening. Maybe if you'd been wearing just the t-shirt, Junior would've turned and run screaming. Damn."

We laughed. Marc seemed comfortable.

"Might've saved time, but that would've let him off easy."

"Yeah.....well, last night is last night. Speaking of last night, Little Brother: did you see these??"

Anders reached out and squeezed Marc's bicep. I laughed, and they did, too.

"Oh, we've met."

"I'd be sorely disappointed in you if you hadn't!"

More laughs, more coffee, more `damn, I'm loving today already'.

"Hey. Where's Mom? Eva still upstairs?"

"Oh, no. They're long gone. They left an hour ago for `Common Grounds'. Mom wants to spend the day with Eva and just be with her in case someone or something triggers her. I suspect they're also gonna be experimenting up a storm of flour and sugar together in that kitchen."

"Wow. I'm kinda surprised Eva wanted to go in today."

"You know the rules: `If the horse bucks you off, get back on and show it who's boss'."

"Perfect. Good for both of them. Do we have anything to eat here?"

Anders turned red and laughed at me.

"What...? You're still hungry?"

Took me a minute, but I got the joke. Marc turned red, too, but laughed along with us. If Marc heard us last night, then HE could hold up the score cards. Welcome to The Asylum, Marc. This is how we do.

"I'm a teenager. I'm always `still hungry'. THIS TIME, though, for whatever I can find in this fridge."

"Why don't you both sit down and I'll fry up some eggs and sausage patties. Jeff, you make the toast. Marc.....well, you just go ahead and sit there, looking all intimidating."

This day.....! Oh, my gosh. I hoped it would continue this way. Smiles and laughter, and a big farmer's breakfast, too.

"Maybe instead you point to drawers and cupboards, and I'll get the table set. I can contribute somehow."

I did just that, and Marc moved effortlessly between Anders and me. It was really something to watch. He'd lived alone his entire adult life, but he was cognizant of other people in the room and what they were doing. Concerted, or maybe just accidental, harmony. I was almost sorry Mom and Eva weren't here, too; but there was someone who had to get right back up on Life and ride.

I doubted it would take her just one day, but with The Team here, Anders and I could take care of Harvest. I've never been more sure of anything than that. Anders and I can keep Farm W moving forward, one too-dark-and-too-early morning after another.

We ate and laughed through Anders' breakfast and worked together to clean up after ourselves. A dozen eggs between three men! You poor chickens.....expectations for production are getting higher with more people here now. Maybe you'd get have it easier if a you were runnin' away from foxes, instead of us. The clock advertised 5:45. The Team should start rolling in any time now. Anders said he'd take care of getting them situated today. I'd take care of the morning chores.

Marc asked how he could be useful on the farm that day. Anders and I looked at each other and were actually thinking about that. Another willing pair of hands would not be turned way. I had an idea.

"Marc, you rode in Massachusetts. You can groom, detail their stalls, all that?"

"All that."

"Then will you please handle the horses today? Turn them out into the little pasture. You know where the tack room is. Just a hackamore will do for gear. Fresh straw is in the loft. Two bales in each stall. Clean their water troughs and fill them. Hay and some oats in their mangers, too. That'll cover the horses. If you have more time this morning, you're welcome to ride out with us and check on The Team as they work their magic."

"Sounds like a good day to me!"

Well, that was settled, and unexpectedly, too. My farmboyfriend! Just as we were reviewing the map, the two team vans turned off the county road. Excellent. They can get out to their combines in the field and be ready to go when the Helen, Randy and Todd arrive. Anders was going to ride the ATV up to the county road and wait for the drivers so he could just lead them right where we'd need them. The house phone rang, and being the closest, I answered.

"Farm W, Jeff. NO, not `Jeffrey', Mom! Yeah, everyone's up. Had breakfast and everything. The Team are just getting here, but no trucks yet. Helen was planning for another early start, but it's not 6:00 yet, so she's not late. Okay, great. You sure? I could dispatch Marc in for the pizzas. Yeah, he's going to do some of the morning chores. Horses. Yeah, he rides; Western and Dressage. I think he knows his way around a horse and its home, and his offer was welcome.

In general terms, how's it going there? Oh. Damn. Are they supporting or just gawking? I hope that's how they'll all be. I'm glad you went in with her. Yeah, no doubt! Bring us the rejects when you come back! Cinnamon rolls, guys! WOO-HOO! Okay. Hey, can Eva talk with Anders a moment? I'm sure it'll be quick. Okay, Mom; later!"

Although my brother didn't ask to speak with Eva, I knew he'd want to. He smiled when I handed him the phone. Eva was already on the other line.

"Hi. Yeah. You all right? No shit. That line must back up all the way into town. Well, he won't be anywhere near you, Eva. Dan sent me a text after you left. Junior will be arraigned Monday, and on enough charges to keep him in jail, possibly without bail until his trial. I don't know. You might. The prosecuting attorney might, but how about you get through this day, and we can talk this evening when you get home? Okay. All three of us send you love and hugs and support.

Just remember: you're not there to be a roadside attraction. Yeah, well, if you put it that way, I guess you are. Still: if someone even looks cross-eyed at you, refuse service with your usual beautiful smile and invite them to trade elsewhere. Okay. Bye."

Well, that was that. I highly doubted anyone would cause any grief for Eva, but there would no doubt be some drama tourists come through. As long as they paid politely, life would go on. Should someone make the unfortunate mistake to be unkind, my mom who knows everyone in the county will call `em out by name, threaten some public shame, and if that fails, she'll tell them in no uncertain terms to get the fuck out of there and don't come back. Mom's fierce!

I heard an air horn blast twice. The trucks were here. Anders jumped on the ATV and took off up the drive. Right on schedule to start the second day. Just a little more Barley to go, and then we bring in the Wheat. I turned around to see Marc smiling at me. I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his Statue of David waist.

"What're you grinnin' at, Farm Hand?"

"Grinnin' at my boyfriend the farm co-boss. You brothers are so organized and controlled. It's impressive to watch, really! You are able to do all this in your Teens and Twenties. You're an amazing team. You two are going to grow so well as you grow old. I'm going to enjoy watching it."

"Sounds like you're plannin' on stickin' around, in one way or another."

"`Yup', as the locals say."

We leaned forward into a slow and just-a-little-more-sensuous kiss and lingered on each other's lips for a moment afterward. Marc pulled his head back and looked deep into my eyes.

"Horses need me."

"They can have you.....for awhile. Don't get too comfortable. I don't want to have to battle Bolt and Stan for equal opportunity with my Boyhand."

"ERRMMM.....yeah, that doesn't really work. Try again."

"I got it! Too early to use right know, but as soon as the temperature drops, you'll be the `Farmer-Warmer'!"

"Oy! BOO! Well, let's not fret over this right now.....we both have work to do. If you don't see me physically, honk whatever horn a few times to let me know you're riding out."

"Yeah, of course. I'm glad you're here, Marc. I'd really like my man to see what I---we---do here."

"I'm happy to be included. Horses. I'm off."

Marc smiled and walked out the kitchen door toward the barn. Was that.....whistling? Yer just too adorable for words, Marc Taylor.

Anders came back to the barnyard on the ATV. He dismounted and came back into the kitchen while I made a list of chores and responsibilities.

"Helen says she knows where to find The Team and will line up with Miguel on the lead. Eight hours, give or take. The second section is all flat and no water obstacles. I wish we could've got a fourth truck for this harvest."

"Next year. I was thinking, actually, that we should someday consider buying our own grain trailers and build a big equipment shed for them. Do our own harvest, lease them to the neighbors or anyone who needs `em, and then just worry about the drivers and their tractors. They're always looking for work, year-round. You have your CDL too, right? Multiple axles?"

"I am clear to pull a double, but that's beyond my abilities. Not a bad idea, actually. Down the line. Maybe we discuss again when YOU get your CDL."

"Just waiting for my eighteenth birthday. I've already been studying the manual for laws and regulations."

"Whose tractor you gonna use?"

"Already talked with Rand Senior. I'm welcome to theirs, as long as I refuel it. I can use one of the hog haulers, too. He's the one who gave me the whole trailer-buying idea.

"They're great neighbors. I'm glad we're upwind of them, though."

"No argument from me! The Sangers, though.....I suppose they're used to it by now. Wouldn't surprise me if it turned them all into vegetarians, though. Anders, how're the dogs this morning?"

"Oh, fine. I feel badly about penning Lola Cola in, but we can't keep Barn Owl out. I just can't see any other options that'll give her more space and Old Cat a much-deserved rest."

"Heh.....he's gonna need his energy when those pups ween. OC will be chased from twelve different directions and unable to escape. Keep your phone camera open and ready. Our supplemental fortune is going to be to post videos one after the other and reap the advertising money rewards."

"Oh, yeah! Poor OC! You're such a brave cat.....for now."

"You and I aren't exactly stupid, Anders. We can think of a way to get the Bernesers some fresh air and open access for Lola Cola. Once her collar is off."

"LeVar is coming this afternoon to check on her. I'm hoping those sutures have done their job and dissolved so the collar can come off. I'm sorry she got spayed by way of a medical emergency. I would not have responded well to anything bad happening to her."

"I get it. She's okay, though. Any ideas on what to do with some of the pups?"

"I'm going to have them all registered, since I have Lola Cola's and Darwin's papers. It'll take awhile, but I'm going to create a website just for them, as well as get them on all the Bernese Club websites in the States and Europe. I think a lot of the attraction will be due to the pictures of her and the pups born and raised on a farm.

Maybe I can advertise them as organically farmed'. You know, you actually give me an idea: I'll put up a couple of Pride flags on the website and advertise the pups as The Gay-Friendliest Breed, raised on a Gay-Uncled Farm!' Your people are the ones with the money; I could double the adoption fee."

My `people', indeed. I'd argue his implementation of that marketing strategy, but I couldn't argue the logic. Hmmm.....a Swiss Bernese Mountain Dog IS the canine drag queen, I think.....

We laughed and I showed Anders my list. He added a couple of things to it, and then we numbered them in terms of priority. I liked his way of thinking: heavy and challenging stuff this morning, light and easy later so the evening will be relaxing. Relaxing or not, I'm gettin' in that hot tub!

"Big Brother, if I may ask, what're you gonna do about your apartment in Bozeman?"

"Oh. That. Well, I was thinking about that, actually. So, you might've noticed recently, there has been a recent turn of events. Like, in the past eight hours....."

I had to think about that one for a moment, and counted backwards from 6:30AM.

"Oh, of course. Yeah. I didn't say it last night because Eva seemed to feel safe and comfortable, but I'm gonna guess----or suggest---that Eva's in now."

"We need to talk about it. Yeah, of course I want that, because I have this protective, defensive force shield I need to be for her. She already feels better being around us. But maybe it's not right for her to live here. She was with her parents until she graduated. While she was waiting for me to grow the fuck up, Junior worked his dark arts on her mind, and suddenly she was living with him.

The only time she has truly been on her own has been since she opened `Common Grounds'. She's an independent business owner, getting more successful by the week. Maybe that's what she needs, more than anything; to feel in control of her life and future on both sides of the counter."

"Maybe. Yeah, you and Eva probably do have a lot to talk about. Well, in the meantime, I'll do all I can to help her feel one of the family. I mean.....she is as far as Mom and I are concerned....."

"You're fishing, you not-so-little little fucker!"

Anders snapped my butt with the kitchen towel in his hands. More laughter between brothers is always a good thing. So are a few serious conversations, here and there.

"Wellll.....Anders, from the time she met you when you were kids, she's had one thought on her mind as far as guys were concerned: marrying you. Everyone knows it. Because you didn't do it the day after her graduation, Junior seized on it and played it to her like you abandoned her. She was vulnerable and alone. Her story is a common one around here. A young woman will marry the first guy who asks her, because that offer might never come again from anyone else. I think that's common to most rural communities, if the kids in it don't see themselves creating their own future and goals."

"Deep. Are you just guessing this? I know you're insightful as fuck and mature way beyond your years, so I doubt you ever have to guess anything."

"No, not guessing. Dad, Mom and I have been Eva's most regular regulars. A couple of times I'd stop after school on my way home and talk with her. She didn't betray you emotionally. She was never angry with you. She carries a lot of guilt for not trusting you do get your own life in order before asking her to join it.

She believes everything that she endured during Junior's reign of terror was all her fault and well-deserved. All three of us tried to dissuade her from thinking that, but she was beyond thinking. She built a new religion, Aleksy; nothing but instilled and perpetuated guilt and shame. Eva has been praying daily for your Second Coming. And although she struggles to feel she deserves it, here you are."

Anders had tears in his eyes. I was getting that way myself, but if my family are upset, I'm upset. He took off his glasses and dried his eyes with the towel. If I stayed there another second, I would be observing a meltdown, which was not my goal to create. Outside we were reaping crops, a relative short time in coming from seeds planted at another time. Inside, my big brother was seeing what had grown in his long absence from here.

I realized I'd forgotten my watch on its charger so I went up to get it. As I passed into the living room, I patted and squeezed his shoulder. Watch on my wrist, I ducked in to brush my teeth and then returned to the kitchen. No Anders. Probably out in the barn with Lola Cola. Nope. A note on the kitchen table underneath the pepper shaker.

"I'll be back."

Okay, `Arnold'. Go save the World, Big Brother; or just one heart beating rapidly for you to finally, finally, finally give her the assurance, strength and love she needs so she can stop kneeling and suffering in the Church of the Poisoned Mind.

Because I wasn't sure when Anders would return, I reviewed the list to see if re-prioritizing would be necessary. I wasn't sure how long Marc would stick around here today, but if he wanted to get through the morning with us and if we're down to just him and me during it, I'd be very happy and appreciative for his help. You know, though, don't you; I'd be happy and appreciative if Marc stuck around me, here or there.

He goes off whistling to care for horses he's never ridden and to freshen up their nighttime homes, only a relatively few hours after doing extreme pest control at the fair grounds the night before. I wondered how many boyfriends and husbands who witnessed the very important Lesson Number One taught last night were aware they'd just been given a free refresher course for something any boy should be raised fully well knowing already.

6:45AM, Sunday. Second day of the harvest going well and according to plan. I was sure Mom wasn't worried about a daggonned thing here. She wasn't one to worry. In fact, I don't remember Mom ever using that word. The closest she got was to `express concern', and only then if absolutely necessary.

I logged onto the phone app that linked me to Miguel's combine camera, mounted on top of the cab. The benefit was not only for the farmer, but the owners of the harvesting company. GPS coordinates, weather conditions, even an acceptable view of crop conditions were all something we could see on demand while attending to other agro matters. Dad didn't like it. He felt it was spying on business partners. Also, he just liked being out in the fields. I might strive to strike a balance between the two; I can't smell the heavenly aroma of Rye through my iPhone. It could, though, give new meaning to `Netflix and Chill' by some alone time with my boyfriend and keeping an eye on what I hoped was money rolling in.

If what I was seeing was real, The Team were ahead of schedule. The Sun was up and bright enough that I could get excited by what I saw. I took a few screen shots and sent them to Anders, reminding him to check out the progress on the app. He responded about five minutes later with a smiling cowboy emoji. Mom then called me.

"Hi, Mom. Yeah, isn't that amazing? Maybe Miguel had another gear added to the combines or something. Yeah. We talked. You don't have to; I'm fine here. Marc offered to handle the horse chores this morning. Yeah, well, he's not getting back to town without me! Unless he wants to go running on yet another road in Fergus County----this time in tight jeans and cowboy boots.

Well, if you're coming, do you think you might kinda-sorta bring some of those factory-rejects cinnamon rolls? You're the best mother on the planet. That's five or so hours away. Yeah, of course no one will deliver pizzas this far. I can go get them myself and drop Marc back in town. Oh.....I don't know. He might. I'll check with him. If so, he'll need a change of clothes. I have nothing to lend him that'll put up with the stress and abuse he'd give it. Okay, see you, Mom. I'm glad Anders went in. We'll talk."

I could hear Anders and Eva in the background. Anders was at the window taking orders. Fantastic. So Eva was making the drinks and Anders was the face of the day with Mom returning. That'll detour any customers' thoughts about seeing the train wreck aftermath.

My big brother is a stud. An inches taller than I am and about the same weight. I want to be clear about something: I believe whole-heartedly that if Anders had responded to Junior last night, the results would've been the same. I meant it when I said, `Marc just got there first'. But even if Anders weren't a farm boy stud, weighing half what he did and a foot shorter, Junior would've known his mistake, and it wouldn't be made a second time.

I decided now was a good time to go see Marc's progress with the ponies. They certainly didn't spook when he and I took them out to the little pasture. He also didn't come back in the house within five minutes and say he couldn't do the work, which I couldn't imagine Marc saying about any job, ever. The step outside was incredible. The air was fresh and clean, with a slight breeze from the East. Despite not a lot of sleep, I felt energized and happy that The Team were, at least for then, ahead of schedule.

I got to the barn and saw beyond it where Bolt and Stan were, grazing and swishing their tails around. I needed a haircut, and I thought it was time they got some tonsorial attention, too. August, after planting. I went into the barn, and there just melting my heart into gelatinous goo was my Marc, sitting in Lola Cola's stall, right on the ground, giving love to Mama and Puppy Dogs alike.

OC was so unconcerned that he took the opportunity to let someone else oversee his charges while he gave himself a bath atop a straw bale. He was working his ears when I walked up, and he didn't even turn to acknowledge me. That settles it: the next duck heart you get from me, you traitor, will be after you've begged for it.

I didn't want to interrupt what were obviously fifteen happy mammals in a barn going about their day. I got my phone out of my rear pocket and got a couple of shots for Marc to send to his friends back at Harvard.

"Hey, Boyfriend; did you get sidetracked by attention-seeking critters?"

"Hey, Babe. Nah, although I could have, easily. Anyone this adorable deserves unlimited attention."

"I'll remind you that you said that when I'm trying extra-hard to be adorable."

"You don't even need to try; you just are extra-adorable, without effort."

"Awwww.....thanks, Boyfriend. Damn, your jeans might get really funky, sitting on that straw. It's on my list today to refresh the Bernese Bed."

"Oh, it's already done. I took care of that after the horses' stalls."

"Um, you did both, uh, all three stalls?"

"Yeah, and the troughs and mangers. Everyone is ready for the day. The only one I didn't get to is Sebastian, although we said `hi' to each other when I wheeled all the old straw out behind the corral."

"Wait.....I didn't tell you where that was! I figured you'd just pile the stuff outside and we'd get to it later."

"`Later' came early. I guessed that was where the used stuff might go when I didn't see any around the barn. I found some gloves on the tack wall. That was helpful. Those bales of straw must weigh....."

"At least eighty pounds each. Marc, you're amazing. I think you are a farmer who just also knows how to do a lot of other things, too. Anytime you want to put the puppy down and stand yourself up, I'll demonstrate just how adorable YOU are."

Marc laughed and stood up, and gave Lola Cola one last belly rub. She thumped her tail and woofed at him. Yeah, Girl......I woof at him a lot, too. Marc unfastened the net and looked back at Lola Cola, who was up and running out behind the barn. OC was done bathing, but his tongue was still in Scrub Mode; he stepped down from the straw bale and stretched, and proceeded to tongue-bathe the end puppy. Considering a cat's tongue is all barbed and spiky, I could imagine it might feel good on fur. I know my teen farmer tongue enjoyed the fur it was on this morning. Damn, that ass.....woof!

Marc and I stood not even six inches apart. I reached for his hands hanging at his sides and just held them. I smiled with my entire face at him. We had, other than some critters, the entire barnyard to ourselves. We could've picked up from where we left off earlier, and I so-so-so wanted to do that and more, but I'd just told Marc he was adorable. I wanted to just stand and adore him. We didn't move. No kiss. Just smiling into each other's eyes for a few minutes. It was some of the best love-making I ever had in my life, and with the first person in my life I liked enough to make love with.

At the end, we did share a kiss. Just a quick one that said,

"I like you."

"I like you."

I heard Mom's Expedition pull off the road. That thing needed a bath. All our ours did. When I was a kid, that became one of my regular chores. As I grew, the Tootsie Pop in my hand was replaced by a garden hose, and I was shown how to give the appearance that we had running water on our farm. Since Marc and I used enough water last night to wash all of The Team's equipment today, I'd wait until the well level rose again

Mom was smiling as she got out of her rig. Marc and I walked toward her. She opened the hatch and pulled out two beer flats with goodies in them. I reached for one and Marc, the other. Mom grabbed her purse and we went into the house. We parked the boxes on the kitchen counter and peeked at the bounty Mom brought home.

One box had a dozen huge cinnamon rolls. Tall, loaded with raisins, and covered in what I learned by the first of many bites was cream cheese frosting. In the other box were six little pies. Truly little; the size of large cookies. Mom said to wait until we could all be there to try those. Fine! Lemme at them rolls!

"Boys, this was supposed to be that Sunday picnic we talked about. I think we'd better call the Sangers and Kristi and postpone. Last night I forgot all about it, and when I was working with Eva this morning, I didn't see it being the right time for something like a picnic. I'll call the Sangers after 8:00AM and talk about another time. I'm sure Tom already told them about last night. They'll understand postponing this."

"Yeah, agreed. Marc, Mom is treating The Team to a pizza buffet lunch today. Noon, Mom? Noon. You want to ride in with me to pick them up? We can stop and get your a new outfit, if you would like to stay tonight."

"Yeah, I'll go in with you, but I still have some homework to do to prepare for the interview this week. I'd like to return for another future night, though; if that'd be all right."

Mom and I both smiled. She hugged Marc.

"I will tell you until you believe me that you are welcome here. You're part of this. I can't imagine what you'd have to ask permission or approval for, and I'm not going to try."

We both smiled. Little reassurances like that aren't just for Marc; Mom knew I was listening. Parents think that no matter what age their kids reach, they'll never fully believe them. If there's that tiniest shadow of a doubt, that's the reassurance for parents that their kids will still need them once in awhile.

Everyone needs reassuring. Eva needed it, and I think my big brother will provide that, and maybe eventually, sooner or later, Eva will see she's not with us because we are being kind. Marc doesn't know me well enough yet to need reassurances from me. I'll demonstrate those, rather than tell him. Maybe if I demonstrate them more, he'll need them less. He's worth the effort. We are worth the effort.

I still had a few chores to do. Mom said she'd milk the cow. I fed the chickens and hunted and found eight eggs. They were the lovely shade I'd like to tan to. I think if I ever got there, my skin would crack, just like the shells. Marc got into a stare-down with old Cock-A-Doodle. We're just visiting, you old rooster; Marc's amorous interests are outside of your chicken run. I promise.

I washed my hands and the eggs and took them in, parking them in the same old milk glass bowl in the fridge that'd been keeping them there at least since my dad was a boy. How many thousands of cackleberries had been in and out of that bowl was anyone's guess.

Mom logged onto the app to see The Team's progress. She agreed this was going well today. Our contract with Custom Combines harvesting company was not by the hour, but by the acre. Ten hours or two hours; whatever they needed to get the job done. Four days (my wager) or five, our crops would be in by next Sunday.

Holy fuck. This was Sunday. A week ago this very minute, Mom and I were rushing to Billings to meet Dad's LifeFlight plane. Anders was doing the same from Bozeman. I'd had a pretty unlikely and awesome time meeting Marc, who by Billings was only a fleeting memory as my mom, brother and I were presented with a new reality.

The following six days have been mercifully slow for me. I've laughed or cried in every waking hour of each of them. Marc and I were both experiencing our own renaissance. He came to visit Fergus County, but ended up moving here. I was suddenly thrust forward into partnering with my mom and brother to bring in our first harvest without Dad.

Every moment for Marc, every moment for me, were new, exciting, terrifying and wholly determined by the decisions we would make when presented with choices we didn't know existed. Thinking back on it later, I think that's why Marc and I moved smoothly with each other. We both were a little lost in the woods, but lost together. You learn to communicate really well when you don't know what to say, but the other guy understands you, just the same. That was Marc and me, in our first week.

"Mom, I'm gonna win my 50¢, you know. Miguel and Helen have their guys operating in perfect sync. I wish we could get those three trucks back here this afternoon and take in another section."

"Are YOU going to be the one to tell all of them they're pulling a twelve- to fourteen-hour day?"

"Well, they're getting pizza for lunch! I'd think that would inspire them to just, you know, keep going!"

"I sincerely hope you're joking right now....."

"I am! Marc and I are gonna ride out and make sure Noon is a good break for them. Are you calling in the pizza order?"

"Yeah. Seven `Meat-Lover's and three cheese. I know we could get the two-liter bottles of soda, but please by twelve packs of several flavors. We'll always use the rest eventually."

"I'll text you when I talk with Miguel and Helen. We'll go now. Probably back in 30 minutes or less."

"Jeff, that's fine. I need some time with you later. Ideally Anders, too, if that'll work for him. I don't want the Sanger situation lingering. Did you give any further thought about how to use their land?"

"I'll be honest, Teacher; I didn't do my homework."

"That's okay. We've had other things to think about. Just park that thought in the back of your noggin for the rest of the day, and if you get any inspiration, remember it for our conversation later."

"I will. I'll see if Marc or Cock-A-Doodle blinked first and we'll drive out."

"Oh, is he trying to go all alpha on Marc?"

"As he's known to do, yeah. Silly old bird. Roosters, cats and barn owls. We're an Old Folks' Home for little critters, but each of `em does their job for the farm. Back later!"

I smooched Mom's cheek and went back out to see Marc doing a little fence mending on the chicken run. Handy, my man. I told him the plan to go talk with The Team, come back here and then about 11:15 drive into town. That worked for Marc. We walked over and before Marc could walk to the passenger door, I handed him the keys.

"You ever drive anything bigger a Civic?"

"Well, yeah; your big truck Friday, remember?"

"Oh, that's right. Heh. Well, drive mine. We can cut through the fields and you'll get to see some of our land."

Marc smiled, took the keys and we both climbed in, a smile never leaving Marc's face.

Until he saw the stick shift.

"Oh. Um, about that....."

"Problem, Boyfriend?"

"Depends if you want to get us out of this parking spot or not."

"All right. I hadn't thought of that. We'll save that for another day. Switch places with me and we'll be off."

Marc moved right from behind the steering wheel and I moved left. We met in the middle of the wide bench seat. There we smiled at each other, and well, you know what they say: `make hay while the Sun shines'. I turned myself so I was facing Marc, straddling his thighs, my knees against the back of the seat. I moved my arms around his neck.

I moved my face forward, tilted slightly so I could get and give a kiss, and Marc's musk drifted right into my head. I would pass out any moment if I didn't roll the windows down. I had no intention of rolling the windows down and letting my man's scent escape. Marc's hands found my hips, and the moment he touched me, combined with the olfactory assault going on at present, and I got erect faster than I think I ever had before. A spontaneous opportunity with Marc turned out to be what we both wanted the night before, but for which we had no time if we were also going to sleep.

Marc's hands moved from my hips to my ass, and he pulled me toward him. I reciprocated in kind, and we squished each other hard. If I'd known we were going to do that, I'd have grabbed some lemons out of the fridge and put `em between us, catching the juice for lemonade to go with the pizza.

"Fuck, Babe.....you belong right there. You sitting on me, looking at each other, the kisses.....and the obviously very erect dicks that would be happy to greet each other, were it not for some denim in the way.....fuck, I'm so hard right now."

"You're telling me everything I'm thinkin', Boyfriend. Kiss me again; I know I'll cum just from that."

He did, and I did. That orgasm rocked me and I saw stars. Probably a whole thirty seconds of work. I didn't know if I should cheer that fact, or hang my head in shame. Whatever my reaction, Marc was at fault. That man's kisses were magic and lethal at the same time. The last one also presented me with a problem that would be obvious the moment I stood up. I hunched back a moment and looked down. Sure enough, Paco was pointed at my right thigh, and the seam down the side of the jeans' leg had a big, ol' wet spot that I wouldn't ever be able to explain away. Marc saw it, too.

"Oops! What do we do now? I can't run up to your room and come out with a pair of Levis for you with your Mom seeing and wondering what's up! By the way----that was impressive."

"Fuck. Seriously. Oh, wait; I know. I'll go in the barn bathroom. I keep a few changes of clothes in there, in case I get really filthy in the field. Just a moment; I'll be right back."

As I moved back into position to open the door, my phone rang. I pulled it out of the back pocket and answered the call, not even looking to see who it was.

"This is your mother."

"Uh, hi, Mom."

"Are you boys going out in the field, or should I just go ahead, myself?"

"What?! Oh, shit. No, we'll go.....I need to use the bathroom first.....in the barn, I mean."

"Next time, either move your truck behind the barn first, or wait until dark. Really, Jeffrey!"

I was so embarrassed! BUSTED----by Mom! I said goodbye, for lack of anything else to say, and looked at Marc. He heard the whole conversation and had obviously been waiting until the call was over. Then he exploded in laughter, and a moment later I joined him. Tears in our eyes and red on our faces. That went on for awhile, and once we ran out of breath, I made my way out of the truck to change my jeans. Marc smiled and waited for me, checking his phone for text messages or emails while I was in the barn. I returned a couple of minutes later, climbed in the truck and off we drove to see The Team.

"Jeff, aren't you glad I can't drive a stick, after all?"

"Yeah, I am! GOD, that was intense. Explosive, too. I'm surprised I didn't knock a hole in the side of my jeans. Your kisses pack a heck of wallop, Boyfriend."

"You're not some innocent bystander, yourself. You positioned yourself just right for me to feel everything you were doing on top of me. I can say quite honestly: I'm no longer a vehicle virgin. I've had sex in a truck."

"Well, not really; you were present for an orgasm, but it wasn't yours. Hmmm.....we need to take care of that so your assertion is technically valid. I have an idea....."

Marc wanted to know my plan, but that'd just have to wait. For now, we were driving East and I pointed out details along the way. I showed him where the fence line was that ended our property, before some great- started buying up land during the Depression. The farm grew a lot in the years following the original homestead's genesis.

We drove past a very old house in the distance, nestled in huge, old cottonwood trees. I pointed it out that it was the house of the owners of the property we bought in 1933. We had never done anything with it past 1957, and it had sat semi-protected but derelict since then. I'd been in it with Dad once, but he forbade me to ever go in it again.

He suspected there were skunks, porcupines and bats living in there, and if I were in there and got on the losing side of a battle with any or all of those, it'd be a long and very uncomfortable walk home. He also explained the rapidity among any of those. That scared me more than anything, and I've honored his direction since. Someday that old house would have to come down, but not today.

A few minutes later, we got to where The Team were. I saw Miguel's lead combine about half a mile away from my truck, so we waited the few minutes it would take for him to meet us. He honked to say he saw us there. Helen's boys were following the other combines. The air was heavy with dust, but it smelled incredible. There was still plenty of time for plenty to go wrong, but thus far, we were aces. I reached for Marc's hand and held it in my own, moving my thumb across the back of his.

I smiled when I explained to Marc how the timing of everything is crucial to the next steps in the farm's year: planting, tilling, equipment maintenance, checking each cow individually, fixing the fence, moving the irrigation pipes around and checking them, testing the soil for pH and other issues, and all in an order than can change by the day.

Marc had questions which were actually pretty logical for a Townie to ask. That made me feel good, because talking with him about the challenges a farmer faces on his land would not be an uphill battle. He was already understanding some things in theory that he might see later in practice, personally. I had every intention of exposing him to the entire farm operation, and I didn't think I'd meet much resistance to that.

Miguel caught up with us, and when he stopped, they all stopped. Helen came from her truck to meet Miguel, Marc and me. I pitched the lunch idea, and both agreed with the time, and were grateful for the offer. That doesn't happen everywhere. I mentioned that before, I know; I repeat it because it bears repeating: take care of your animals, tools, family and business partners, and any one of those will help you take care of the others.

Mission accomplished, The Team fired back up and continued, and I called Mom as we rode back in.

"Are you boys behind the barn, or did you actually do some work?"

"MOM! Oh, my GOD, Mom!"

"Okay, I'll stop. I had no idea it'd be this much fun, though! Anyway, what's the word?"

"Noon is fine. I told them we'd set everything up in the shade by the house. They've got a lot done. We're coming back, and Marc will get his stuff and we'll go. Besides the pizza and stuff, do you need anything from town?"

"No, I don't think so. Marc, Honey; this is just me thinking, but at some point, put together a couple of outfits and stuff and bring them with you next time. You'll always have something here if you decide to stay for awhile."

"Thanks, Marie; that's nice of you. I'll do that. Thanks for having me last night and today. This is an amazing operation. I had no idea what all goes into growing food on this scale."

"Someday we'll take you out to King Colony; you can see a big operation in motion. See you boys in a few minutes. Jeff, I called the order in and already paid for it. Get the soda at 7-11 or Town & Country, whichever. Use the farm card, not your own money, Honey."

"I will, Mom. Order of operation: Soda, Marc home, pizza."

"Always so organized. Bye."

We were back at the house, and we parked in front. I ran in the barn to get the big blue plastic portable trough for the cans of drinks and ice, put it in the bed of my rig, and then went into the kitchen. Marc went right up to our room to get his things. I talked with Mom for a moment, and Marc and Mom exchanged a hug.

On the ride to town, Marc and I held hands and talked about the new week. He told me about a couple of the text messages and emails he'd received from Harvard and his associates there. Word was out that he would not be returning in September, and the general reaction was disappointment. His dean asked if Marc would sell or rent his condo, that in both cases a transaction would be possible and fast. Educators always needed a place to live, and Marc's was in an enviable neighborhood, in what used to be a hospital in the 19th Century.

"So, do you have a lot of stuff in it?"

"Everything in it. Whether I rent it out or sell it, I need to return. I'll hand over the keys to my classroom to the dean and clean out my tiny office. You want to come with me?"

"Damn, I'd love to go, but with all that's going on now, I don't see how I can even plan a trip to the edge of town. When do you think you'll go?"

"After the interview. Hired or not, I'm not returning to teach, so I still need to take care of logistics there."

"I know you're a big boy, but somehow I'm not excited about the prospect of you loading up a U-Haul and driving back here all alone."

"Yeah, not sure what to do about that. Everything that matters will fit in five banker's boxes, and I could have those shipped to Montana. Clothes would fit in two suitcases. My bike I'd probably just sell. Dunno."

"It was a week ago you and I met, Marc. So much has happened since then. Seems to me we've known each other a lot longer than seven days."

"A week already? I've lost track of time. It seems like one long day to me, and at the end of it, I managed to make myself notorious in my new town."

"You're a celebrity, all right. Anders sent me a text. Almost everyone wanted to know if you were at `Common Grounds' today so they could thank you for taking out the County Bully. Oh----the editor of the newspaper in town asked if either Eva or Anders knew how to reach you. Mom was right; they want a story."

"God, what is there to tell that everyone doesn't already know? Sheesh. I hope this doesn't get distracting, particularly for Eva and your family."

"YOUR family, Marc."

"Well, I can't really tell the newspaper that. I'm making this too complicated, I know. I hope it'll all just go away by itself."

I didn't respond, but in my head, I knew how this town and county think. This is the stuff of legend. Marc might as well have been the quarterback for Denver, winning three Super Bowls, and born and raised here. Junior has been a big problem, and it would take something even bigger than him to stop his negative impact on the community.

That something even bigger' wasted no time moving to town and making his own negative impact, right on the problem's face. I won't say the H-Word' to Marc, because I strongly suspected what his reaction would be if he heard it. He will hear it and wish he hadn't, so he won't hear it from us.

I wanted to buy a little extra time, so I asked Marc to find the phone number for 7-11 at the top of Main Street Hill. He did, and handed his phone to me. I rang the store.

"Hey, Ben! It's Jeff, from Biology last year! Yeah, you, too! I see you there all the time; do you own that place by now? Good! You'll be a natural doctor; no one paid attention in Biology like you did! Yeah, thanks! Ben, if you're able, will you gather about seven twelve-packs of sodas? All the big flavors, but two Cokes? Thanks. Yeah, I'm about ten minutes away. Seven bags of ice, too. I'm kind of on a time limit; that's why I'm calling ahead. Thanks, Bud; you're a great soon-to-be pediatrician! Just come back to Lewistown when you're ready to bring the babies into the world! See ya, Bud!"

"Babe, I'll help you get all that into your truck. I wish I could join you for the pizza fest. I like those guys. The way they memorialized your father was so respectful and good. That was something I will never forget."

"Same. Dad wouldn't have wanted them---or anyone---fussing over him, but for Mom, Anders and me to know he was so highly esteemed here? Nothing has been a comforting this week as his funeral Mass and the celebration of his life by The Team. Okay, thanks for helping me with this."

We got the soda and ice and moved back onto Main Street. Downtown was empty. The fair was over for another year, and everyone was done partying for awhile. I turned left at the bank and drove the four blocks to Marc's house, his hand in mine. When we got to his house, I turned off the truck and got out. Marc was looking at me with curiosity on his face.

I opened the back door of my truck and pulled out his stuff, and walked to the front door with it. I turned and smiled at him. I think he was beginning to get it. Marc unlocked the door and we got inside. The house was nice and cool, surrounded by big, shady trees. And so quiet in there, too. It helped that the house was on Ohio Street, which was an older, quiet neighborhood that no one really went to, unless they had a house there.

Like the last time, I kicked the door closed with my foot and then I hustled Marc backwards toward his bedroom, holding him in a kiss and embrace that probably would've looked supremely goofy to anyone looking through the window.

Marc's room was darker than the other rooms, since it faced North and had the trees right outside, too. I held both of us while I allowed Marc to fall back on the bed. He giggled in that deep, sexy voice of his.

"All that ice is going to melt, you know."

"I'm not here that long. Besides, I factored in some loss. That's why I bought more than I really needed."

While I explained my horny farm boy logic, I knelt down and pulled his boots off. Then I undid his belt buckle and unbuttoned his sexy jeans. Off they came, despite being a little (and gorgeously) tight on his legs and ass. Marc's hands went to the back of my head, but he didn't resist my advances or obvious intentions. I leaned forward and gently nuzzled his beautiful dick and balls behind the black cotton underwear. Marc moaned and let his head fall back on the bed. I guess there was a choice: watch it, or feel it. Which ever you do, Boyfriend, just relax.

I pulled his underwear down slowly. Marc raised his hips up in assistance. Once they were down and off completely, I licked up the inside of his right thigh, getting drunk on the sensation of the hair on his legs and the increasing aroma of his musk as I moved North. My licks became kisses, then kisses and licks combined. I also very gently reached for and caressed that lovely sack of perfectly-proportioned balls that hung down between his legs, resting on the bedspread below. Marc's cock was erect, and I could feel wetness from the precum that was nearly flowing out of it. Cum is a liquid all its own, and I loved every sensation of it. If I could lube my truck with it, I would.

My mouth reached his right leg's hip flexor. I moved inland and reached the hair surrounding The Goods. The Goodies. MY Goodies. My nose descended right through it and buried there at the inside crease where his leg met his trunk. Warm, moist, and it smelled like Man. The human equivalent of leaves having fallen from a tree, and the tannins released from them to fill the air with the scent everyone loves and gets for a brief time each year. Only Marc wasn't a tree, and this wasn't a leaf; and this wasn't for a week or two. This was something my boyfriend could share with me throughout the year, any time of day, regardless of weather. I'd make sure to do whatever was necessary to deserve and get it.

I liked where my nose was, and I shifted a little so I could like where my tongue wanted to go. Oh, yeah. I licked slowly up, up, up until I reached the source of that nectary precum. One kiss. Another lick. Then I engulfed the head of Marc's rigid cock and dropped my lips all the way back to where my nose had been seconds ago. Marc was, or part of him was, past my lips, safely past my teeth and partly in my throat. I didn't move. Marc gasped and his grip on the back of my head tightened. Resting for a few seconds, I flexed my tongue and the muscles surrounding my throat, squeezing him to any significant degree that I could.

He felt it. I felt him flinch, and he exhaled a couple of lungsful of air, right toward the ceiling. I had his attention, and now I'd have my afternoon delight. Slowly and giving any Kirby vacuum cleaner a run for its money, I moved up and down on Marc, enjoying the increasing taste of precum on my tongue. Each time I reached the head of his cock, there was more. That was exactly the flavor I was going for in concocting the lemon vinaigrette for my potato salad, but damn, if I could get it right, I'd be a billionaire from bottling that dressing.

I continued working Marc, knowing he could not resist for long. While he hadn't cum as fast I did earlier, he'd still finish up and have plenty of time after to do his homework. And I'd get back home before too much ice warmed up and the pizza cooled down. Although I couldn't talk at the moment, Marc sure could.

"Oh, BABE.....my god! HOLY FUCK! BABE-BABE-BABE SLOW DOWN!No, DON'T slow down!! WAAAAAIT!!! I'm not gonna last! Oh, holy fuck! JEFFFFFFFFF!!!!!"

I gave his cock one last deep-suction suck and slowly released his still-pulsing cock. Oh, it had nothing left to offer me, but it wasn't ready to calm itself down yet, either.

I had Marc's load of cum in my mouth. I was enjoying the taste and texture of Marc, and although I'd had it twice before the last time I was here, this is the one I was focused on the most intently. There was no equity in this act; I'd already released earlier. This was about Marc, and any pleasure I could give him. I told you a little bit ago that I wanted to demonstrate, rather than tell, significant information with him. I was satisfied I was successful in this demonstration, because he didn't argue or ask questions. He said only one thing.

"Marry me."

I knew he was really saying, `That was incredible, the best yet, and I want that always'. He was not proposing. I wanted the last word, though.

"Don't say that again unless you mean it."

Marc looked up at me with a worried look on his face, like he thought I was upset by his comment. I wasn't upset. I smiled at him and moved up to kiss him. He'd probably already tasted himself before, and it wasn't my goal to feed him or trade it back and forth. I sincerely wanted to kiss my boyfriend. He smiled back and nodded his head.

"I won't. I have no intention of doing that until I talk with your mom and find out what kind of dowry you come with."

"Oh! You think you're gonna get chattel property, do you! You can have one chicken and one Bernese puppy."

"What if I want only the chicken and Bernese puppy, and drive out sometimes to see you?"

"`Sometimes'?!"

"Yeah, like when I want to ride Stan; I'll send you a text message to have you get him saddled up, and I'll drive out, take Stan for a ride and wave at you. There. I'll have seen you."

"Is that what you think `Marry me' is gonna get you?!"

"No, it'll get me some more of what I just got, too. The way I see it, God gave you a mouth and throat, and God gave me a dick. There has to be a reason in Creation why one of those goes in' and the other is gone into'. Those shapes and abilities aren't just to look at, you know."

"So, let's review, shall we? We get married, and you get two animals, but only they live with you. Your husband stays out and works 5:00AM until 10:00PM, seven days a week on the farm, and when you're missing your horse, I rig it up for you, you go out and ride, then you go back to town until comes the day you want to do it again."

"You missed the part where you do your husbandly duty and my dick gets to do your mouth and throat. That's important, too, you know. Otherwise, yeah, you caught on. Good job!"

Marc patted my back patronizingly and smiled.

"Any other mysteries we need to clear up before you go get pizzas?"

"Yeah. Only one. Where I'll take your body so it'll never be found."

I followed that with some rib tickles and giggles, which Marc shared. He pulled me down on top of him and we shared a nice, deep kiss. He moved a hand to the side of my face and looked into my eyes.

"So if I mean it, I can say it?"

"If you mean it, you are obligated to say it."

"Only I say it, or can you say it?"

"If we get to a point that we both mean it but no one has said it, then we need one of two things: flip a coin or go to counseling about our communication problems."

"A coin costs a lot less.....and would deliver the same results as counseling."

"I'm not going to expect you to say it, Marc; I'm not even going to hope you'll say it. We have a ways to go yet. However, IF at some point you feel like it's the right thing to do in that Harvard-educated, thrice-published professor of history---also at Harvard---mind, then you should do the right thing. And I promise you that I'll hold myself to the same. Sound fair?"

"Very. Well, I think this has been a successful week for the two of us, upon reflection. We didn't get married, but we both got blowjobs and each other's underwear. I think we have a lot to show for our efforts, really."

"I have YOU to show for my efforts, really. My efforts to grow up as a good man, an intelligent man, a kind man, a sometimes funny man, all for the express purpose that those attributes would benefit me someday by meeting a man who has all those and more."

"What `more' could I have than those of yours?"

"Skimpy running gear and sexy black underwear. So you have all those, and you have a boyfriend who likes you."

"I like you."

"That's settled. I'm beyond the yellow brick road, so I'm goin' back to my plow."

"I'll walk you to the door."

We shuffled through the cool house, Marc's chest right up against my back, his arms around me. I got little kisses on my neck, which are always nice and welcome. At the door, I turned my back to it and pulled Marc into my arms.

"Thank you for coming home with me last night. Everyone there likes you as much as I do."

"As long as they don't express it the same way, everything will be okay between you and me."

"Agreed. Although seeing you with my brother would be kinda hot.....it'd be like watching myself, except a bigger, fitter, more masculine version of me."

"Nah, I'll pass. I don't want that fight with you, and I SURE as fuck don't want that fight with Eva. I'll do my work with Emil in preparation for the interview. It's going to be me more telling them about them and less about me telling them about me. I'm looking forward to it. I hope you'll have Wednesday evening open so we can celebrate or commiserate. Emil says I'm the final candidate to interview."

"Whenever they make the decision, that day's evening will be held open to acknowledge the decision and react appropriately. All of us. When one of us does well, Team W does well. Thanks for letting me come in for a moment or two of suck and spew."

"Oh, dear....."

"Well? What would you call it?!"

"Probably nothing! If it had to be referred to at all, it would be maybe `efficient effluent management'"

"Hmmm.....yeah, that's so much easier to say and understand than `blowjob'."

"You know what's even better and easier to say?"

"What?"

"I like you."

"I like you."

With a hug and a nice kiss, I left Marc's house to drive up to Pizza Hut on the top of Main Street Hill, where ten or so pizzas should be on their way out of the oven soon. I got there and parked, and made room on the second seat for the boxes. I went inside and talked with Patsy, who was in Anders' class.

"Hi, Jeff! You're here for those ten pizzas?"

"That I am, Ms Patsy! How're you doing?"

"Just fine today! Got to the fair and enjoyed the rodeo. Did you see any of it?"

"I did, but only one event. Trace Sanger riding bronc."

"Wasn't that amazing? He held onto that cinched-up horse and got knocked around, but he held on past the end. I liked that he waved to the crowd, and then also pointed out his little brother. Oh----your pizzas have about five more minutes. So Anders is back on the farm? Just for awhile? He's teaching in Bozeman still?"

"Anders is back, but he's here to stay. We are partnering on the farm the way Dad and his brothers did."

"Well, that sounds just the way it should; keeping things going and keeping the town and county alive. Jeff, did you hear about the brou-ha-ha at the fair last night? Some stranger smacked Junior Connor down! I heard about it afterward."

"Yeah, that was something, wasn't it? A little bit of excitement comes to the fair, I guess."

"That guy who went after Junior----whoever he is---is gonna get hit with a lawsuit for assault and battery. By Junior. I guess there'll be a criminal charge, the kind that decides if the stranger goes to prison, and then a civil trial where it'll be decided what damages will be paid. Junior is real mad, from what I hear.

He wants to sue his ex-wife and take away her coffee stand and all the profits, and then he's going to sue the other guy for everything he has. This little town never has exciting stuff happen here, and all of a sudden it's a flood of drama! Oh, the bell dinged. I'll get these cut and boxed up for you, Jeff."

Damn, I was so glad she stopped talking. Everything she said made sense, or at least was conceivable. Junior had legal rights to appeal and bring suits. My thought was, `this will be very injurious to Eva, having to go to trial and testify'.

Marc would have to testify, too; in Junior's trial and Eva's countersuit. He'd spend more time in court, possibly jail, than in his office. I hoped the jury wouldn't be selected until after my birthday so I had a chance to be called. Would I be a prejudiced juror? Who, little ol' Farm Boy Jeffy? Aw, shucks! Perish the thought.