All rights reserved. Other than downloading one copy for personal enjoyment, no part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, except for reviews, without the written permission of the author. As in real life, the sexual themes unfold gradually and are kept to a realistic level. Comments on the story are appreciated and may be addressed to the author, Dwight Wilson, at adm2780@yahoo.com
This story contains descriptions of consensual sexual contact between males, adult and minor. As such it is homoerotic, designed for the entertainment of mature adults. If you are not of legal age to read such material, or if the subject matter would create irresolvable personal moral dilemmas, please exit now
Note: I would like to thank Colin and John for their continued support and patience while I try to write this story. Their support and efforts at editing and correcting my errors contribute significantly to the reader's pleasure.
Like 'feel good' stories? Go to Adult/Youth section and try "Brad's Idol" or "Never Take Love For Granted". One is another of my stories, the other is written by a talented friend.
Chapter Forty-Five: New Horizons
As Arthur and Jeremy entered the pool, Arthur was aware that Jeremy was just a beginning swimmer and used the opportunity to spend more time holding the boy to make him feel secure. The goal was for the boy to learn to trust again. The more time Arthur spent with Jeremy, the more dumbfounded he became by the idea that anyone would take a child like this and have them enslaved to pay a debt. He knew that Daniel had gone through the same experience, but to actually see and care for a child in that predicament gave Arthur a different perspective. It also gave him a deeper respect for Daniel and his adoptive father.
Arthur spoke to the boy in a gentle, even tone. "Jeremy, do you remember what I showed you the last time we were in the pool? So you remember how to balance yourself so you float on your back?" Jeremy turned to Arthur with a confused expression.
"That's okay, Jeremy. We'll go over it again. Let's stand down here in the shallow end of the pool so you'll feel safer."
Arthur stood in the shallow water and waited for Jeremy to join him. Arthur placed a hand in the middle of the boys back and encouraged him to relax and lean backward. Arthur continued to speak to the boy hoping the sound of his voice would encourage Jeremy to relax and learn to trust him.
"That's it, Jeremy, you're doing real well. Now, I'm going to lower my left hand so I'm no longer supporting your legs. You'll feel your legs sink a little, but don't worry. I'll be right here to support you. I'll show you in a minute how to adjust so your legs don't sink quite so deep. Right now, just relax." Arthur could feel the boy trying to take deep breaths and exhale slowly. He made sure Jeremy knew he was there and his hand was under the boy, protecting him from going under. Arthur knew the worst thing that could happen at this time was for the boy to trust him, and then for Arthur not to be there.
"You're doing fine Jeremy, just keep relaxing. Close your eyes and let your mind and body float. Pretend like your floating on air without a care in the world. Now, what I want you to do his arch your neck back just a little and slowly bring your arms up over your head. Leave your arms in the water and let them float above your head in a wide circle. Let them move up until you feel comfortable; don't force them so high that you have to work to keep them there. As your arms move up you'll feel your legs rise in the water." Arthur continued to talk to the boy. He rubbed a hand over the boy's chest, then flicked some water off that had settled on the boys' eyelids. Arthur stood patiently, waiting on Jeremy's breathing to return to an even, relaxed rhythm.
"Okay, Jeremy, you're doing fine. Now, you're going to feel my hand move away from your back, but the tips of my fingers will still be touching you. Can you feel the tips of my fingers touching?" Jeremy nodded. "Okay, I'm going to remove my thumb and little finger. See, you're still floating all on your own. Good boy. Now, I'm letting my fingers drop down and you'll be floating without any help from me. Just relax, I'll still be here. Now, Jeremy, I want you to open your eyes and look straight up. When you feel comfortable, twist your head and look on each side of you."
Jeremy lay on the water for a moment, and then opened his eyes. Above him was a bright blue sky and only a couple of small clouds that looked like oversized cotton balls floating along. Jeremy continued to look up; he couldn't remember the last time he was allowed to just lay back and watch the world go by. He tried looking out of the corner of his eyes. When he looked to his left, he could barely make out the figure of a man; a man he knew was Arthur. Jeremy twisted his head, without lifting it, and saw Arthur smiling at him. Jeremy looked for only a moment before he returned the smile.
Arthur watched the boy, he enjoyed seeing the boy smile. After a couple of minutes he stepped forward and placed his arms under the boy, cradling him. When Jeremy felt the strong arms under him he wrapped his arms around Arthur's neck. Tears formed. The boy felt relieved and happy, but he wasn't supposed to cry. Slaves were not allowed to show emotion. Arthur felt the convulsions in the boy's body.
"It's alright, Jeremy. Sometimes we need to just let it go. It's alright, let it go." Arthur caught himself before he said anymore. He was amazed at how quickly he had become attached to the boy. He knew he almost said "^Ålet it go, son". Would that be too much for the boy to handle right now? While he held the most precious of all gifts, Arthur himself wanted to cry for the boy. Arthur just stood there holding the boy until he felt him settle down.
Linda watched the man and the boy in the pool. She saw Jeremy wrap his arms around Arthur's neck and begin to cry. Her heart broke for Jeremy. How she wanted to reach out and hold him, to comfort him and let him know that they would protect him and he didn't have to ever worry about being hurt like that again. She felt a mother's desperation to protect and nourish. She felt a mother's ache, knowing that for the moment, she needed to let Arthur work with the boy. Her time would come. While the tears ran down her cheeks she smiled when Arthur moved the boy behind him. Jeremy held onto Arthur's shoulders as they dove down. When they surfaced at the other end of the pool, Jeremy laughed.
Linda continued to watch the two males in her house as they became young boy and big boy. It would be difficult to say which enjoyed their time in the pool together more. Finally, she gathered their snack of crackers and fruit on a tray and headed outside. When she set the tray on the table she turned to look at Arthur. He motioned towards his clothes, which she gathered and then headed back inside. Before she entered the house she heard Jeremy call to her.
"Ms. Linda?" was the faint call she turned to. "Thank you."
"You're welcome Jeremy, the pleasure is all mine." She answered while giving him a slight bow. Her effort was rewarded with the first real smile from the boy as she stepped back inside.
"Come on, Jeremy. I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. This little snack is all we're going to get to carry us to supper time."
Arthur climbed out of the pool. He deliberately did not retrieve a towel from the guest house, but allowed himself to be sun dried. Jeremy climbed out of the pool right behind him. Arthur reached for the snack tray and settled back on a chaise, placing the right leg on the chaise and allowing the left to hang over the side. When he sat down, he patted the area his left leg would normally go, for Jeremy to sit. Before sitting, Jeremy reached for a fresh diaper.
"Jeremy, you don't need that. You'll be fine, come sit down and enjoy the snack before I eat it all myself."
"Sir, but, suppose . . ." Jeremy tried to explain.
"Don't worry about it. Nothing will happen that the water hose can't take care of. You don't need that with me."
Jeremy tentatively sat on the chaise. Arthur knew the boy was afraid he might soil something, particularly Arthur, and be in a lot of trouble.
"Jeremy, we only ask you to use that inside because we don't want you to sit inside and be afraid something will happen that would get you in trouble. We both know what your problem is and in a little time, it will cure itself. Have you been doing the exercises that Dr. Mike talked to you about?"
"Yes, sir. They helped some, but I don't know how much." Jeremy replied.
"Didn't Dr. Mike give you something to test the strength and closure?"
"Yes, sir. But, I don't know if I'm doing it right." Jeremy answered looking down.
"If you weren't sure, why didn't you ask for help? You know that's why we're here, to help you."
"Yes, sir. It's just that . . . well . . . you see . . "
"I know, a guy doesn't like to ask a lady to check the size of his back door opening. Is that it?"
Jeremy turned crimson red, "Yes, sir. Well, sir, you see, Dr. Mike also gave me something to test the strength of the muscle back there, but I can't tell when I have it right and what it's doing."
"Jeremy, after we have our little snack here, would you like for me to go into the guesthouse with you and we can test the strength of the muscle back there?" Arthur asked, trying to be sincere and not laugh.
"If you don't mind, sir." Jeremy answered, again looking at the floor.
Nothing more was said. Man and boy sat on the chaise and finished their snack. The boy kept looking up at the man. Arthur knew what the boy wanted and tried to leave him an opening to lean against him, but Jeremy wasn't quite ready. When they finished eating, Jeremy went to the guesthouse.
Arthur went into the house to retrieve the tool Michael had left to help Jeremy measure how much the muscle has strengthened and constricted. Cone shaped and made of a flexible material, the tool was about five inches long with a ridge every inch and was easily inserted. At each ridge Jeremy had to try and hold the tool with his sphincter muscle. Arthur had to insert the tool and pull until the end cap popped out.
Jeremy lay over Arthur's lap. Arthur inserted the tool to the second ridge; Jeremy couldn't hold it. Arthur then proceeded to the third ridge; Jeremy was able to hold the tool in. This signaled progress since Jeremy was barely able to hold the tool on the fourth ridge when they first started. Arthur had Jeremy hold the tool on the third ridge twice; twice the cap popped. When Jeremy could hold the second smallest ridge, he would be able to function without a diaper. After inspecting Jeremy little pucker, Arthur patted the boys cheek and told him he was coming along fine. Jeremy dropped to the floor between Arthur's legs; he was on his knees and sat back on his ankles.
"Sir, would you like for me to please you?" Jeremy asked while staring at the floor. Arthur realized the boy had reverted to his slave training.
"Jeremy, do you think that is why I had you come in here?"
"Sir, my former master said I was one of the best cocksuckers he ever had. My former master said that was my purpose in life, to be a good cocksucker and please men. Sir, please, I just wanted^Å"
"Jeremy, come here." Arthur reached down for the boy who now stayed in a fetal position and appeared frightened. "Jeremy, if you would like to please me, all you need to do is talk with us and let us help you. Do you understand?" Jeremy stared at the floor and began to shake.
"Jeremy, I don't need to have sex with you for you to please me. All I want is for you to have a chance at a decent life and let us help you do that." As Arthur spoke, the boy began to cry; Arthur held him close.
"Mr. Arthur, I don't know what to do; I'm scared. When I was made a slave, they beat me. Sometimes, I didn't even know why. I learned to be a boy toy for men and got good at it. The people sometimes were nice to me, even. At night, they gave me something to eat and nobody was allowed to bother me. Then one day they said I was worn out and no good any more. They sent me away and the man said I was goin' to be recycled if nobody bought me. I wasn't sure what that meant, but I knew it was bad. I don't know what to do now." The boy continued to cry and Arthur held him closer.
In the house, Linda was listening to everything that was said in the guesthouse. Arthur had turned on the intercom system without Jeremy knowing. As she listened she didn't know if she was sad or angry. She knew she was actually both and wanted to strike out at somebody or something for doing such a young child this way.
"Jeremy, when you first came to us, things seemed to be going so well. Then a few days ago something happened. Won't you trust me? Tell me what happened and let me help you."
"Sir, if I tell, then somebody could beat me for talking about a free boy."
"No, Jeremy, I promise you that no one will beat you. You are a part of this house now and we don't do that. But, if you don't talk to me, I can't help you." Arthur sat back, holding the boy, and waited.
"I was outside working in the flower bed in front. It was the day you went to work early. I was pullin' weeds and picking up dead leaves so the flowers would look nice. Some boys came by and started callin' me names and teasing me."
Arthur waited for the boy to continue, then encouraged him. "What did they call you?"
"They said I was 'diaper boy' and a pussy baby. They knew I was a pussy slave and said I was a bitch; that I had ta do what they said. One of 'em grabbed the front of his pants and stuck it out at me and told me to come suck him off. When I started to leave they said they was gonna tell on me and I'd get a beatin' for not doin' what they wanted." The boy cried and was trembling but was trying not to cry too hard.
"Jeremy, you do understand that no one is going to beat you, right?" Jeremy nodded. "Can you tell me what the boys looked like, or did you hear one of them call another boy by his name?"
"I heard one of 'em call a boy Ted, he was the boy wanted me to suck him off."
"Ted, eh. Was he a boy just a little taller than you with kind of dirty-blond hair. His hair looks like somebody put a cereal bowl on his head and cut around the edges? Would you know these boys again if you saw them?"
Jeremy had to laugh a little at what Arthur was saying to him. "Yes, sir."
"Good. Because, tomorrow morning, young man, you and I are going to work in the front. They will be able to see you and I'll be waiting on them. If we don't see them tomorrow, we'll try again the next day and every day till we find them."
Linda heard all she could handle. When the talk got quiet she walked out to the guesthouse. Stepping inside, she stopped a couple of paces away from the men. When Jeremy looked up to her, she took a deep breath to avoid crying and held her arms out to the boy. Jeremy sat in Arthur's lap and then looked at Arthur, who encouraged him to go to Linda. He stood and stared for a moment and then melted into the front of her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and cried for all he had lost and, hopefully, found.
Arthur sat in his study thinking about the time he spent with Jeremy that afternoon and talking with Daniel.
"Daniel, it was what you suspected. He had a name for one of the boys and I have a pretty good idea who the others are. Tomorrow, we'll work out front and hope they come by. As soon as they say something, I'll be having my own talk with their parents."
"This afternoon, he and I spent quite a bit of time together. It took some work but I think he's beginning to accept us. I set the intercom so your mother could stay in the house and hear what was being said. Towards the end she came out and held her arms open to him. He wrapped his arms around her and finally turned it loose. Right now, he's laying across her lap while she uses talcum to rub his back. Linda said she used to do the same for you. Watching that kid this afternoon I just can not understand how in the hell anyone could even think of enslaving a child. Anyway, we'll deal with the situation. You said you had other things you wanted to talk about?"
Daniel knew that Jeremy was in capable hands. In some ways he envied the boy. Jeremy would enjoy being with Daniel's mother during a period in his life that was denied to Daniel. Jeremy would also receive a benefit not denied to Daniel, a loving and caring father. Daniel sometimes wondered if he would ever have the privilege of being the loving father. Daniel failed to appreciate that he was the loving father figure to over one hundred 'sons'.
"Arthur, I received some papers while I was in Orlando. The papers pertain to the father and uncle of six boys we have here. When we first spoke with them we learned the boys were enslaved by the father of two of the boys. They worked in underground sex shows and evidently made quite a bit of money. The father and an older brother were killed in an accident. When the estate was probated, the will set the boys free and made them beneficiaries of the estate. Now, here's the part that will get to you."
"The deceased father had a brother with two sons who was appointed representative of the estate. Let's refer to him as the uncle. The uncle also had two sons that he enslaved to work in the show. A sales contract was drawn to make things legal and the payment was made with a demand note. Of course, the note was to be destroyed and the boys set free. The uncle changed all that, using his own sons. He demanded payment on the note and took every dime out of the estate. The boys were declared indigent and turned over to the state. Luckily, we got them in the first group."
"Now, the papers I have establish that the note was a fraud and the paperwork created just so the boys could be called slaves and work in the sex show. We've located the uncle/father and a good portion of the assets. We need an attorney to represent the boys, assuming they agree to let us proceed, and recover their money. The boys will stay with us, but the money will be deposited to a trust fund for their future."
"Daniel, once the papers have been verified, I can make a couple of calls and get good representation for the boys. You'll have the hard part of talking to those boys and letting them make a decision whether to have their father put in jail. Now, for some reason I was under the impression there was something else we needed to discuss?"
"Just one more issue, this time." Daniel responded with a light chuckle. "We have two new boys here, they're from England. They lost all of their family in an accident a few days ago. We've contacted the British consulate and everyone's trying to figure out what to do for them. My problem right now is that I'm their guardian and I want them to have legal representation and file suit against the company that owns the truck that hit them."
"Daniel, I'm assuming you have all the official papers. I know several really good civil attorneys in Orlando. I'll make that call when I call about the other boys. Will that work for you?"
"There's one more thing, Arthur." Daniel paused only a brief moment. "Thanks for everything; Jeremy, mom, and the boys."
Jeremy knew Arthur was sitting only a few feet away and would not allow any harm to come to him; he was nervous none the less. Jeremy knew he was a slave. He also knew a slave did not challenge a free person. They may only be boys near his age, but they were free boys. Every few minutes Jeremy turned to look over his shoulder and reassure himself that Arthur was there. Arthur smiled back and let Jeremy know everything was alright.
"Hey guys!" a young voice called out. "Looka here, if it ain't 'diaper boy'. Hey! What's up diaper boy? Ain't been potty trained yet?"
Arthur could hear the sounds of other boys laughing. He looked at Jeremy and saw the fear and hurt in the boy's face. Jeremy just stood where he was, not moving.
"What's wrong diaper boy? Cat got your tongue?"
"Hey, Ted," another boy called out, "maybe he ain't gotta tongue. Maybe he ain't got no teeth, neither."
Arthur heard a sound like the boy drew his lips over his teeth and made gumming sounds. He continued to listen, the sounds letting him know the boys were moving towards the gate. Arthur sat patiently, waiting for the boys to step in front of the gate. When the shadows on the ground said the boys were there, Arthur activated the automatic opener. Whatever the boys thought caused the gate to open, they didn't think about it and took a few steps towards Jeremy. Too late, they saw Arthur approach from the side.
"Good morning, boys. Nice morning for a walk, isn't it?" Arthur glared at the four boys who stared back at him with a look of shock, similar to a trapped animal that knows there is no way out. "You were coming in, don't stop, come on in."
"Mr. Arthur . . . uhhh . . . that is . . . we . . . uhhh . . we didn't mean nothin'. Honest! We was just funnin' a little."
"You know, guys, I wouldn't want to interrupt your fun. In fact, I think it's be kind o nice if we shared some of that fun; maybe with your parents?" When Arthur said that the boys knew there was going to be big trouble at home. "Ted, as for you and your brother John here, well, I happen to know your Dad is home now. Why don't we just walk back to your house and have a little talk. As for you other two, tell your parents I'll be calling them shortly. Shall we go?" The smile on Arthur's face was not real, it was to hide the anger he felt deep inside.
Arthur spent more than an hour talking with Ted's father who had sent the boys to their room. The boys tried to listen to what was being said but it was no use. They knew that the longer the conversation went on, the more serious their situation became. Finally, they heard the front door close and expected their father to walk in. The boys had been working hard to come up with a good story to keep them out of trouble. The boys sat on the edge of the bed and waited . . and waited . . and waited.
Ted finally found the nerve to leave the room and find his dad. "Dad?" Ted spoke tentatively when he spotted his father sitting at the kitchen table. "Dad? Are you mad at us?"
His father took a deep breath before answering. "Where's your brother?" John stepped out from behind his older brother. "Boys, at the moment I'm not mad with you." The boys started to relax, one fear being eliminated. Their reaction was premature. "I'm too hurt and disappointed in both of you to be mad with you. Right now, the best thing you can do is stay in your room. I don't want to hear any television, computer games or music. You might try reading a book. Hopefully, you have one that will teach you something about human compassion and respect. We'll let you know when it's time to eat."
"But, Dad, we was just . . ." Ted saw the look on his father's face. "yes, sir."
The boys dragged their feet, dejected, as they returned to their room. Closing the door behind them, John looked at his older brother and simply said "dumb ass."
"Listen, bro, don't be callin' me anythin'. You're just as guilty as the rest of us. You stood there callin' him names just like the rest of us. Maybe I just outta smack you a good one."
"You do and I'll tell Dad, then you'll really have your ass in a sling. Whatta we goin' ta do now? We gotta stay in here all day!"
"Well, bro, I don't know 'bout you, but I got some readin' material." Ted reached under his mattress and pulled out two copies of Playboy and two magazines that John hadn't seen before. When he reached for the new magazines, Ted jerked them away. John saw enough to know there were lots of pictures of naked people in 'em, and they weren't girls. John looked at his brother and smiled.
Both boys did has they were told. The computer remained off, the television and videos were not touched and there was no music. However, the boys did entertain themselves with Ted's magazines. As the afternoon wore on, both boys read themselves into a state of excitement. At least, to the state that an eleven year old and a thirteen year old could reach. Sometime during the afternoon both boys had managed to get naked. Each lay on their bed playing with themselves while reading the new magazines that contained not only lots of naked pictures of men and boys, including men and boys doing what looked to be very naughty things, but also contained erotic stories. The boys were so engrossed in their reading that neither one heard nor saw the door to their room open.
Ted was the first to realize someone had walked in on them. He sat up in shock, his hand still wrapped around his raging thirteen year old stiffy. He tried to hide the book behind him. "Dad!!"
"Ohhh, shit." Was all that was heard from John.
"Well, I see my boys have been entertaining themselves. Been having a good time?" their father asked while holding his hand out for the magazines. Both boys, knowing they were in deep trouble this time handed over the magazines.
"Since you two seem to enjoy being au natural, why don't you just stay that way. Dinner is served, your mother's waiting on us."
"Dad, come on. You can't be serious. You aren't gonna make us walk out there naked in front of mom are you? Please!"
Smiling, there father simply said, "let's go boys and keep your hands to your sides."
"Dad, please. Don't do this. Think how embarrassed mom will get."
"Son, I don't think it's going to be your mom that gets embarrassed. Remember, she brought you into this world, nursed you and changed your diaper. You know, it hasn't been that long since the two of you went skinny dipping in the pool, do you really think she didn't see you?"
The boys walked into the kitchen, red-faced. Their mother had to turn away so they didn't see her laughing. When their father explained what he had caught them doing, she had to leave the room and find a towel to stifle her laughter. On her return she sat at the table as though nothing was abnormal.
"So boys, would you care to tell us about the stories you were reading, or were you just looking at the pictures? Who's first?" Their mom asked like it was part of their everyday conversation.
Both boys sat there, stunned, staring at each other. Their parents strained to maintain a calm composure. John quickly swallowed his dinner and asked to be excused, but was denied. Both boys sat at the table while their parents finished a very leisurely dinner. The boys knew their parents were deliberately tormenting them. They were surprised when their mom said they had to remain at the table while she cleaned the table off.
The whole family moved to the living room. The boys' mom sat on the sofa while their father sat on the love seat. Ted's mom patted the seat next to her and held her hand out for the boy. John responded to his father and sat in his lap. When Ted sat down his mother put an arm around him and pulled him close, getting him to lie down with his head in her lap looking up at her.
"Boys, I'm not going to lie to you. There's a couple of things happening that give us concern with both of you." Their mom began. "First, was this morning, but your father and you will deal with that issue. I just want you to remember that we expect you to show the same consideration and respect to others that you want shown to you. That may sound a little old fashioned, but it works." She paused to look tenderly into her older son's eyes and ran her fingers through his hair.
"Another thing I've noticed. You two are about the only boys around here that I haven't seen outside naked, playing. Most boys your age enjoy running around naked and feeling the warm sun, getting a nice tan. Do you realize that it's not necessarily the running around naked so people can see you that we care about? Does either of you understand what it really means?" Both boys gave her a puzzled look.
"Parents allow their sons to run naked because it's considered a sign that the boys are comfortable with themselves. It's a sign of being secure with yourself. Your father and I want you to understand that from now on, if we don't see you doing it sometimes, we're going to push it and make you do it, that includes going outside to play. It's important for you to be comfortable with yourself, and it's important for us to know that you are."
"Now, as for the magazines and what your father caught you doing."
"My turn." Their father interrupted. Both boys were happy he spoke up because this was getting very embarrassing for them. "Guys, you weren't doing anything that other boys your age don't do. It's only natural to be curious and want to explore the feelings your body can give you. I'm only going to say two things to you about that. First, if you have questions, I want you to feel you can talk to me openly. I'll never say or do anything to deliberately belittle you or embarrass you. Okay?" The boys nodded. "Second, next time you might want to be sure you lock the door?" Their father said with a smile while he patted his younger son's bottom and gave him a hug.
Ted reached up and hugged his mom.
Neither boy bothered to dress for the rest of the evening. Ted way lying on the sofa, his mother rubbing is back when the phone rang. The boys' father answered. They could hear enough of the conversation to know it was about this morning. When he hung up, their father returned.
"We're due at Arthur's house tomorrow at ten. The other boys will also be there with their fathers."
The boys were up early the next morning. They had all night to think about what might happen today. Neither boy was happy about having to face Arthur and the boy. There would be some form of punishment. They didn't know what the punishment would be, but they could take it. They also knew that after last night, things would work out.
During supper Daniel reminded the boys that the Captain and his friends would be arriving the next day and would probably have more boys coming to visit with them. Daniel explained to the boys that baseball teams would be formed and there would be a competition. However, in this competition there would be no losers, each team would receive a nice prize. The team that did the best would get a bonus prize.
"What kinda prize, Mr. Dan'l?" came from several of the boys. Others wanted to know how the younger ones could compete against the older boys.
"Relax, fellas. I'm not saying what the prize is just yet. I will tell you that you'll get to go on a trip and have a great time. For the team that comes out on top, the trip will be just a little longer. You'll have to wait till the end to find out where you'll be going." Daniel smiled as he listened to all the groans and how unfair that was.
"I know, poor boys, so mistreated." Was Daniel's not so sympathetic response. "As for the teams, we're dividing you up by age. The names of all the fifteen year olds will go in one hat, the fourteens in another, the thirteens in another, and so forth. The coach will draw one name from each hat so each team will consist of boys running the full age range. As for the five and six year olds, they get to be bat boys and water boys. They can play on more than one team."
"Does that mean they get more than one trip, Mr. Dan'l? If so, I'll volunteer for that." Called out ten year old Ben, eliciting laughter from the rest of the boys.
"We'll see Ben. Of course, all of you realize that I've reserved the privilege of chaperoning every trip so I will go on all of them."
"No way. . . Party pooper . ." came the good natured responses from some of the boys.
"Just remember this boys. These men are here to help you have a good time. Please show them the courtesy and respect they deserve? Also, I need to see Brian and Josh after supper."
Brian and Josh sat outside the mess hall waiting for Daniel to come out. Neither boy had any idea why he wanted to see them. When Daniel did come out, he spotted them and his expression became serious as he approached the boys.
"Boys, let's take a walk and talk." Daniel and the boys walked out towards the garden for privacy. "I'm not going to kid around with you; this is too serious. There's other boys affected, but the two of you have the hardest decision to make. We have papers to prove that your enslavement was bogus." The boys stopped and looked at one another, and then to Daniel.
"I know, technically both of you were set free when your uncle died, it was part of his will. The key here, though, is your initial enslavement."
"But, Mr. Dan'l, we wasn't ever really supposed to be enslaved. All that paper work was for show." Brian stated, confused.
"We know that, Brian. But, remember what happened when they probated your uncle's estate? You, Josh and the other boys were supposed to share in the estate."
"Yes, sir. But our dad said it took all the money to go to pay bills our uncle owed. Of course, our dad thought we was trash because of how the money was earned, but he really knew, Mr. Dan'l, honest he did. Things just got kinda screwed up, we never really understood all of it. We did understand we were out on the streets and what we had ta do. We never understood our dad hatin' us like he did."
"Boys, I'm not going to candy coat this for you. The money was taken under fraudulent circumstances. When you were enslaved and sold to your uncle, there was a demand note for the price. The note was supposed to be destroyed, but it wasn't. Your father presented the note to the probate court and demanded payment. He has your money."
The boys were initially shocked. Brian then became angry. "You mean our own father took the inheritance from us and then put us out to be sold back into slavery?" Brian asked incredulously. "That son-of-a-bitch; his own sons."
Josh simply stood still, staring at Daniel. The reality of what he was told either was not registering or was almost too much for the boy to accept.
"Boys, we can get at least some of the money back for you. Understand that it could mean your father may go to jail, actually he'd be enslaved for life. To do this will require your cooperation and Randy and Evan. They don't know about this yet. He's your father and you have to choose."
"Hang his ass, Mr. Dan'l. Before they do though, I'd sure like to have some things done to him for what he's put us through. He needs to be a pussy slave for every sadistic bastard we had to run from."
"Easy, Brian." Daniel placed an arm around the boy who was both shaking with anger and had tears welling in his eyes. "I've been trying to think of how to tell you boys about this without making it such a shock and upsetting everyone. There was no simple way. You both need to think about this for a while. Make sure when you make your decision, you don't do it out of anger or pure emotion. We can probably do anything from recovering the money to putting him in jail. We don't want to do anything without consulting you first."
"Mr. Dan'l," Josh asked sounding and looking lost, "what do you think we should do?"
End Ch Forty-Five
To Be Continued: comments welcome, contact Dwight Wilson at adm2780@yahoo.com