PROFESSOR KENYON - 10
Copyright 2007 by Carl Mason
All rights reserved. Other than downloading one copy for strictly personal enjoyment, no part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, except for reviews, without the written permission of the author. However based on real events and places, "Professor Kenyon" is strictly fictional. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. As in real life, however, the sexual themes unfold gradually. Comments on the story are appreciated and may be addressed to the author at carl_mason@comcast.net
If you would like to read additional stories by this author, please turn to the "Authors/Prolific Authors" link at the beginning of the Nifty Archive.
This story contains descriptions of sexual contact between males, both adults and teenagers. As such, it is homoerotic fiction designed for the personal enjoyment of legal, hopefully mature, adults. If you are not of legal age to read such material, if those in power and/or those whom you trust treat it as illegal, or if it would create unresolvable moral dilemmas in your life, please leave. Finally, remember that maturity generally demands safe sex.
CHAPTER 10
(Revisiting Chapter 9)
To avoid a major travelogue, let it be simply stated that they saw a zillion of the top sights, including ....
The favorites? It was a three-way tie between going up to the observation deck in the World Trade Center (the view in all directions was simply unbelievable), New York City food, and a photo shoot that Kenyon had arranged as a birthday surprise for Brad. It took place at one of America's top modeling agencies, an agency that specialized in athletic-type models. Parenthetically, Dakota also gave the agency one of his "favorite" votes. As he sat on a bench in the lobby waiting for Brad, one of the photographers walked by. Stopping, he looked at the boy intently before saying, "I would like to see you again in a few years. You are going to be a very handsome young man." (Believe that it made Dakota's day!)
Fortunately, this was basically a train trip. That is, everyone was able to sleep most of the way home!
(Concluding Our Story - Anxious Moments)
Professor Kenyon had just finished teaching a class when the Department secretary buzzed him and transferred a call from Dakota's principal at his Middle School. Mrs. Lanier wondered if Professor Kenyon might stop by her office. Arranging a meeting for 2:00 pm, he motioned for a student who had been waiting for him to come into his office. His concern about Dakota's return to public school had to be controlled until he could work through a wild morning.
The Professor was shown into Mrs. Lanier's office promptly on arriving at the school. His concern mounted as he noticed that the Assistant Principal, Dakota's guidance counselor, the Student Council president, and a nervous redhead slumped into a chair had already arrived. Mrs. Lanier took care of introductions and then began when everyone was seated comfortably. "Professor Kenyon, I don't believe you know about a new program we have instituted throughout the District. It's called "Citizen of the Month". On the theory that one day's or even one week's behavior doesn't tell you much, we monitor behavior for an entire month. It's very rare that a new student is considered for this award - which, of course, is the reason why I called and invited you to be present. The point is that Dakota's citizenship for the first month of school, beginning in mid August at Orientation and lasting until the 14th of this month, has been exemplary. In addition to meeting all standards for personal behavior, he has also been of great help to his peers and the faculty. For instance, he volunteered to serve on the Student Council's Activities Committee and gave generously of his time before and after school to sign up interested students for various clubs and activities. Further, his spirit at sports events has been so...distinctive that students in the stands insisted he come down in front and function as a cheerleader. Last week he was elected Head Cheerleader. We are very pleased to name Dakota Kenyon our first Citizen of the Month and award him a check for fifty dollars. Dakota, come forward and accept your prize!"
The tall, gangling eighth grader blushed crimson, almost tripped over the chair as he unwound himself from it, and shuffled forward in acute embarrassment. He received his envelope and was helped to don his Head Cheerleader's sweater, white with red stripes around one arm and an angry-looking groundhog pictured on the lower left pocket. Dakota managed to thank and shake hands with everyone concerned. Mrs. Lanier said she realized that the Professor would have to get back to the University. If, however, he wished to spend a few minutes with his son, he was welcome to use the small conference room next to her office.
As soon as the Professor shut the conference room door behind them, he looked at Dakota and said, "I wonder if you know how proud I am of you - not only that YOU behaved, but that you made a contribution to others. Nice going, son!" Big Red shuffled his feet and mumbled something unintelligible. "Do you have anything to add?" "Yeah, Dad," responded the youngster," I didn't do what I did because of any fifty dollars. I didn't even know about it until earlier this week." The Professor nodded and spoke, "I do have one question. The Principal referred to you as 'Dakota Kenyon'. Don't you use your legal name here at school?" Hanging his head, his lips trembling, the boy growled that his name was "Kenyon," that I was his father, and he didn't want anybody thinking anything else! The Professor stood silently for a moment before putting his hand on the redhead's shoulder and saying, "That's what you really want, is it?" At that point the lanky twelve-year-old broke down and, in tears, buried his head in the Professor's chest. Holding him, kissing him on top of his fiery red hair, the Professor wondered how a broken-down academic, fast approaching middle age, could ever have been so lucky.
(Back to Lake Luck)
Preparations
Brad was no less involved in the early days of the new University year. (The student can choose to study during any three of the four quarters - or in all four if he has superhuman physical and mental stamina - but New Years in Academe always occurs late in August or early in September.) Everyone was back - including a new Swedish exchange student who was an accomplished gymnast. Brad suggested that it was a good time for the men's gymnastics team to have a cookout. (After agreeing enthusiastically, the team immediately chose him as the program chairperson, which gives one more indication of the dangers of volunteering!)
There were plenty of backyards in which the event could have been held, including his own, but he really wanted to do better. Thus, he went to Dr. Hall and asked if the gang might use the cabin at Lake Luck. The good professor was entirely open to the idea, as long as his basic rules were observed, i.e., leave it as you left it, and replace anything used. As a matter of fact, he even offered to conduct an adaptation of a Native American sweat lodge ceremony if the boys would build a simple lodge beforehand.
A few days before the event, Brad, Phil Baker and Sandy Fowler (team members), Bjorn Nilsson (the Swedish gymnast), and Dakota went up to the lake to work on the lodge. A large circular hole was dug in the sand, the edges reinforced with large stones. Saplings were then cut down (in areas where their absence would actually help the growth of the remaining trees), stripped of leaves and branches, their bases dug deeply into the soil while the rest of the sapling was bent to be lashed together with plant ties at the top. A heavy rope was run around the outside of the lodge to take some pressure off the saplings.) The domed roof was then covered securely with heavy canvas. An entrance was chosen, as was a repository for hot stones. In fact, a dozen large stones were identified when they reinforced the lower walls of the lodge and set aside. It was a full day's work, but when finished, they had to admit that it looked pretty good. Their last task was to cut wood for the fire that would heat the stones and bundles of branches to whip the backs of those who wanted "the full treatment." Bjorn became quite excited. He kept jumping around and muttering something in Swedish. When he calmed down a bit and was able to use his English, he commented that their lodge was definitely related to the Swedish bastu, the Finnish sauna, and the Russian banya. They had, he asserted proudly, a real treat in store for them! Dakota and one of the team members came several hours early to start the file and get the stones warming.
Colors of the Evening
Most of the boys arrived over a period of 30-40 minutes. Coach Sam was with them. Though springs kept the water in the lake extremely cold, it was a beautiful warm evening with a big moon in the sky. (Dakota was elected an honorary member of the team and invited to stay for the entire evening. A BIG grin signaled his enthusiastic acceptance!) Professors Hall and Kenyon came together about an hour and a half into the evening...before food was served. The guys weren't there long before Jeff Anders (another of the team members) spoke to Phil, the team captain, wondering if this couldn't be a "clothing optional" affair. The guys let out a cheer and agreed to the idea unanimously, even though Phil reminded everyone that "clothing optional" meant that one could keep his clothes on as well as take them off. Either was ok. Not many minutes had passed before some absolutely spectacular young athletes - beautiful, strong, happy - were wandering around among the trees. Coach Sam had decided to strip down right along with his boys. In truth, he gave away very little to them physically. "At least you're easy to spot," Brad called out to Dakota as they passed. "Why's that?" Dakota asked. "You're the only hairy one in the bunch. Dakota roared with laughter and yelled that Brad was envious. Bjorn, the Swedish exchange student was another sight. Bjorn was a couple of inches shorter than Brad and quite compact. In truth, however, his most outstanding features were his hair and his skin. His extremely light blond hair, for instance, simply glowed in the moonlight, hair that was perfectly complemented by a pale but highly muscular body that Brad swore would need no oil to make it glow. Man, oh man!
The midnight green trees, the filtered, almost silver moonlight on water and land, the large fire in which the rocks were beginning to glow with a rosy hue, the naked young men in the very prime of their lives...the occasional hoot of an owl. What a magnificent picture!
Dinner & Program
As everyone free began to play a little soccer among the trees, Brad and his crew got the chicken cooking on the grills. Simple but tasty was the motto: BBQ'd chicken, potato salad, a fruit salad, French bread, soft drinks, cookies, and coffee. Only a few minutes before it would be ready to serve, the two faculty members walked through the darkened trees into the firelit circle. The team captain explained the clothing decision - which did seem to relieve the two men. Nevertheless, after greeting everyone, they went into the cabin to come back a few minutes later. Dr. Hall had found two full- length bearskin robes (in something less than mint condition) that he and Kenyon had donned - with nothing on underneath. The good-natured reaction ran from snickering to outright belly laughs!
Dinner was a tremendous success. (At least when they were finished, there was nothing left save a few well gnawed bones. Trash was immediately put into a large sack and transferred to the back of a Jeep. The grills were allowed to finish and cool.) As soon as everyone had been allowed a few minutes to stretch, Brad and Phil began the program. Phil greeted Bjorn officially, welcomed him to the team, and gave him a University cap. He also recognized Dakota and provided him with a cap of similar design. (Both boys were well pleased.) Phil then turned the MC job over to his Program Chair. Preceding his first introduction with a few words on Professor Hall's work in the philosophy of religion, he indicated that the Professor would conduct an adaptation of a Native American sweat lodge ceremony. Dr. Hall stood to booming cheers.
Then, indicating that the chairperson of a program had certain prerogatives, he introduced Professor Kenyon. Firstly, he noted his father had received word earlier that day that his latest book had been accepted for publication. Secondly, he announced that this was his father's birthday. At that point, Dakota walked out of the cabin and over to the fire, carrying three colorfully-wrapped presents which he presented to the Professor, who stood to tremendous applause and cheers. Coach Sam yelled out, "Just know that the big package is from the team!" Kenyon looked at his naked shoulders (which were all that was showing) and laughed, "Thanks, Coach. Before the evening is over, I bet you'll be trying to steal this bearskin in return!" Naturally, the audience broke into loud guffaws and more cheers. Asking Brad if he might say a word, he raised his hand to quiet the crowd. He then said that he had planned to make his next comment privately, but after this evening, he realized that the team was very much a family. Thus, he would tell them that he had asked both Brad and Dakota to be his sons and that they had accepted his invitation. Having received their approval, he would immediately set the legal wheels in motion. For a moment, he stood there in the flickering firelight, his head bowed, one arm around Brad's shoulders, the other around Dakota's. The gang exploded with heartfelt goodwill as the boys leaned into their dad and threw their arms around his waist.
The Sweat Lodge Ceremony
As soon as he could get control of his emotions, Brad brought Dr. Hall up front to tell the gang more about his part of the program. "Water is central to life," he began. "It changes everything, even the hardest stone. The change that is needed tonight is turning towards each other instead of away from one another. If we celebrate together, we heal together, we laugh together, we live and love together. Tonight, I would have you think about what the 'team' means to you - and what you mean to the team. Bring respect, sincerity, humility, the ability to listen and slow down, and courage to our celebration and you will find the wisdom and power you need to grow as an individual and as a team.
"However different from the great cathedrals and other religious buildings you may have seen, everything you see about you is highly symbolic," Dr. Hall continued, moving over to the nearby sweat lodge and standing beside it. "The interior represents the womb of Mother Earth; its darkness, human ignorance; the hot stones, the coming of life; and the hissing steam, the creative force of the universe being activated. The entrance faces east, the source of life and power, the dawning of wisdom. The fire you see before you that is heating the rocks is the underlying light of the world, eternity itself.
"Let me say a few words about what you are about to see. There were several Indian approaches to sweat bathing, but the so-called 'hot rock method' was the most popular among the Indians of the eastern woodlands. The young men who build this lodge proceeded as did their Indian forebearers. (That's right...their ancestors. All men are brothers!) They drove pliant boughs or saplings into the ground and bent them over to form a low domed framework about 4-5 feet high at the center. They are lashed together with plant ties at the top. The original lodges, of course, were covered with blankets or skins, but our tarps will do. When you enter the lodge, you will find a depression dug in the center to cradle the rocks that are heated outside and brought in on forked sticks. You will sit around the edges of the lodge on the floor, facing the firepit. Steam is produced by sprinkling the rocks from a straw broom with warm water and herbs.
"And now," Hall said, "let's begin." Walking over to the lodge, he pulled the entrance flap up and welcomed the boys. He held a simple tray on which sage smoldered. Slowly, he wafted the smoke over each boy with an eagle feather as he entered. As they filed in and found a place, he began quietly chanting a simple prayer to the Great Spirit (in English). Thunder rolled in the distance. "Let us take just a moment to commune with ourselves," he intoned. "Ask what you would like to change in yourself - and the help you need to accomplish it. Ask what meaning the team has for you - and what you would like to contribute to it. And then remain silent. After a short time, Hall strode to the entrance and lifted the flap. Within seconds, a second bear-robe-clad figure began bringing in the heated stones. The boys notice that they had been thoroughly cleansed of any smoking embers. In their red glow, it was now possible to see dimly in the lodge. Hall again chanted a short prayer in English. Then raising his arms, he flung a mixture of warm water and herbs on the rocks. At first, he used a small bowl; thereafter, he dipped a small straw brush into the water container and sprinkled it on the rocks.
A hissing noise filled the lodge that soon was filled by clouds of steam and the light odor of herbs. As prayers, chants, and the hissing of water thrown on the rocks continued, the boys felt the heat and humidity increasing. Hall began to pass a "talking stick" around the circle. Holding it, each participant had opportunity to speak, to pray, to ask for guidance and forgiveness from the Creator and the people they had hurt. Coach Sam, for instance, gloried in the fact that this particular team had become a family, a family that helped each other and made a fine contribution to campus life. To give an example of one team member's comments, the Swede stood silent for a moment and then said sadly, "I owe you guys an apology. Not long before I left home, I was partying with my friends and listened to a lot of insults about Americans. In fact, I made some myself: raw, ignorant, filled with bullies, little regard for the other guy, and the like. I see now how wrong I was, and I apologize to each of you. I've found brothers here who will be part of my life forever. I shall try to give you reason to think well of me." As Bjorn finished, there was a slight stirring. In the faint light of the stones, we could see that the guys next to him had their arms around him - and he around them.
By the time that the talking stick had passed about half-way around the circle, the heat in the lodge was getting...intense. Further, the sweat was absolutely pouring down our bodies in buckets! After a couple more of the guys had spoken, Dr. Hall said that it was time to take a short break. We should be a little careful when we went outside. Some participants became a little dizzy. We could get rid of the sweat by rolling in the cool sand and/or jumping off the small dock into the waters of Lake Luck. On the way out of the lodge, one could take one of the small whisks of leafy plants that had been prepared and use it to slap at one's body.
Guys hit the extremely cold water with a scream! (Parenthetically, Professors Hall and Kenyon and Coach Sam watched them like hawks, making sure that they were safe in the water.) Shivering, they soon climbed out, to receive a thick towel draped around their shoulders and a swat on the rump. Rather quickly, the boys reentered the lodge to find that a new supply of red-hot stones had been placed in the pit. Strangely, the atmosphere was even more positive than it had been earlier. Everyone was totally into the experience and, it can be assumed, felt extremely good physically. Hall began the second session (or "round") with the boys who had not yet spoken. He then told the company that if the heat was close to being too much for them, they should take another break, cool off a bit, and return. With that, he poured a sizable amount of water and placed new herbs on the stones. The amount of steam was immense; the effect on the temperature, marked!
Standing tall in the slightly reddish steam, the Professor assumed a somewhat larger than life appearance. He suggested that they focus on themselves during the rest of the session, considering what they wanted to carry away from the ceremony and asking the Creator for the help necessary to achieve it. Rather than prayers and talking, the time was theirs for meditation. Dr. Hall signified that the session was over by flipping up the entrance flap. Afterwards, many of the guys said that it was one of the more intense experiences in their lives and hoped that this was not the last time we would do it. Actually, they were pretty quiet when it was over, making their way over to the cabin, dressing, and taking off. A small team stayed and policed the grounds one more time.
Closing Up
Professor Kenyon and Brad were the last ones left at the cabin. (Dakota had gone home in the SUV that took the grills and a couple of boxes of supplies.) "That was a beautiful piece of work, son," Kenyon said as he shut the cabin door firmly and locked it. "Thanks, dad," Brad responded. "I guess you know that your opinion is always tops with me. (Pause.) It's still warm and the moon is bright. Are you up for a short walk along the lake?" "Always," Kenyon answered. They'd hiked about a mile when Brad interrupted their thoughts, saying, "Let's go up this little side trail, Dad. There's something I'd like to show you."
After a fairly steep twenty-minute hike, they came out on a little granite plateau overlooking the lake. "Does he who writes heavy books have any wind left?" Brad asked him mischievously. "You'd just might be surprised," Kenyon grunted, grabbing a heavy arm and whirling Brad into his chest. "Nah, no surprises here," Brad grunted, mimicking Kenyon, "but I sure as hell am exactly where I want to be!" "Stand still!" Kenyon commanded, as he unbuttoned Brad's shirt, pulled it out of his pants, and tossed it on the ground. Standing back, he simply looked at Brad's magnificent torso illuminated by the moonlight. "Glorious!" he whispered. Brad gave an aroused little laugh and said reproachfully, "I didn't tell you that you couldn't touch." "Good point," the Professor chortled, pulling the lad back into his arms. Slowly his hand worked down the lad's chest until it reached his belt, dipped underneath...and kept right on going. "Agh-h-h!" the boy choked and pushed himself further into the hand. "Easy," whispered the older man, undoing the belt and the top snap and pulling on the shorts until they dropped softly to the ground. "Is that a log from the cabin that I feel poking into me?" Kenyon inquired in his best W. C. Fields imitation. He grabbed the boy's muscular cheeks and pulled him closer, moaning, "What would I do if you insisted in wearing underwear?" The sandy-haired hunk just trembled and pushed still closer. "Oh, Dad, I love you so," he whispered in the man's ear. "Take me, please." Never one who had to be called to the table twice, Kenyon quickly stripped and took his love on the granite shelf. This, of course, only set Brad off...like an explosive charge.
It was about 3:45 am when the two reached home, but it could have been hours later. They wouldn't have noticed, for the starry-eyed pair was filled with a joy that only fulfilled love can bring.
(Retrospect)
Perhaps a week later, Professor Kenyon received a phone message from the Dean of Students Office, asking him to make an appointment. Realizing that the door to his office must resemble a revolving door at this time of year, John simply did as requested. When he arrived several days later, he was surprised to find both the President of the University and the Dean waiting for him.
"You've done it again, John," Dean Saunders began. "I've been telling the President of what happens when I give you my worst cases. In this case, I was telling him about Brad Colby, though I understand that you welcomed another lad into your home more recently.
"We're grateful, Professor, and we simply wanted to tell you personally," President Wilkins interrupted. "Enhancing life is what we're all about, though I know at times that it looks as if business factors dominate our actions. At the December graduation ceremony, I shall be presenting you with the 'President's Medal for Distinguished Service'. It carries a nice financial prize. More important are our thanks...and our continuing respect."
When the good Professor reached home, he naturally told Brad and Dakota what had happened. They were excited, though they already knew what kind of man he was. He paused as he was about to go upstairs. "There's one thing I have to tell you," he said with an evil leer. "I didn't say I'd adopt you two monsters because of the prize - but it helped! By the way, we go to Court in three weeks!"
THE END
Author's Note: Thanks for your company these past few weeks. It's been fun - and I've enjoyed speaking with many of you!
On Monday next, I hope that Nifty will be posting the first chapter of a new story, "Indomitable Spirit." It's never possible to tell exactly where Nifty will place it, but my best guess is "Gay/Adult-Youth."
Check it out. I hope to be talking with you!