Family
"Home is the place, when you have to go there, they have to take you in." -Robert Frost
Joe and Tyler were just about to hit the shower when there was a knock at the door. Joe asked, "What do you guys want?"
"We are wanting to take a shower," Michael said.
"Tyler and I are just getting ready to take one ourselves."
"Can we...?" Michael started and then there was a long pause.
Joe opened the door a crack and asked, "Can you what?"
"Can we join you?" Ian said shyly.
Joe said, "I don't know if this is a good habit to get into."
"It won't be a habit, but we want to talk to you before going to Uncle Dave's," Michael said.
Then Ian added with a smile, "Besides what happens in Tulsa, stays in Tulsa."
Joe looked at Ian and said, "Nothings going to happen in Tulsa young man."
Ian dropped his eyes in embarrassment and Joe regretted his tone. Joe relented and said "Okay," and opened the door. As Ian walked in Joe grabbed his arm, looked him in the eyes and said, "Hey, I wasn't scolding you and I am not upset with you."
The smile returned to Ian's face and he grabbed Joe for a hug. Feeling Ian's naked body against his, Joe said to himself: steady guy, he's your ward, and more importantly his is your nephew's love."
In the shower, Tyler said, "Whew, you guys are ripe. What did you do last night?"
Ian and Michael blushed.
Joe laughed, and said, "If you guys show up for brunch with those droopy eyes and those `I've been fucked silly grins,' the family will know just what you did last night."
Now, Ian and Michael were blushing from head to toe.
"So, Joe asked, "what is it that you want to know that couldn't wait until later."
Michael said, "We want to know if you and Tyler are boyfriends."
Joe said, "Yes, but I still don't get why you had to ask that in the shower."
Ian and Michael were both laughing, finally Michael said, "Ian bet me that Tyler's cock would twitch when you said yes."
Joe asked, "So did it?"
Both boys started to laugh and nodded yes. Now it was Tyler's turn to go full body red.
After a moment, Michael said, "Uncle Joe, you cock twitched too."
Joe was not embarrassed, looked at the boys and simply said, "Of course it did, I am fucking the hottest athletic stud in Oklahoma."
Tyler grabbed Joe in a hug and gave him a deep kiss. When Joe and Tyler parted, both were beginning to chub, and neither cared that the boy saw."
When Joe, Tyler and the boys arrived at Dave's and Carrie's, the adults were talking in the kitchen. Charles took one look at Michael and Ian and began to sing the OSU fight song. Michael blushed and Ian looked confused.
David laughed and said, "Ian, every time Charles think about Oops having sex, his mind goes into to overload and he starts singing."
Now Ian was also embarrassed. Carrie put her arm around Ian and said "Don't let David bother you, he did the same thing whenever one of his daughters went on a date."
Finally Ian asked, "Why does everyone call Michael Oops?"
Now it was Charles' turn to blush. Cooper, Michael's older brother who heard the question said, "I can answer that question." Then he called for Jerod, Michael's other brother, to join them. He put Michael between himself and Jerod and then it dawned on Ian. There was a definite gap in ages.
Charles stepped behind Michael and put his arms around him, then said, "Best gift we didn't know we wanted." Charles then grabbed Ian into the hug and said, "I just didn't know he was a twin." Ian and Michael looked at each other and laughed.
Then Michael said, "Of course mom was not excited when the doctor referred to me as a geriatric baby. That's the term for a pregnancy over the age of thirty-five."
"Michael Sinclair, you know I don't like people to know I was old when I had you," Mindy said. Everyone laughed.
Tyler smiled and looked at Joe and said, "So, you would be a geriatric....." Joe shot Tyler a look of daggers ...."uncle."
"Nice save boy," Joe said, then gave Tyler a big kiss. Charles and David both began to sing the OSU fight song and everyone started to laugh.
Carrie said, "While we're on the subject of saves, David and Charles, you two have some children with whom you need to make peace. Mindy and I have agreed that there will be no food until you work this out."
"Okay," David said reluctantly. Then he yelled, Sinclair family meeting in the dining room now.
Mindy grabbed Tyler and Ian and said, "Come with us. You don't want to be part of this drama." Mindy took the two to the patio where the rest of the Sinclair in-laws, special friends, and children were huddling to be clear of the fireworks.
Charles grabbed Joe and said, "Come on."
"But, I want to go with them. They are going to have more fun."
"Oh no, you're a Sinclair, and, well, we're going to need a peacemaker."
When all the Sinclair family were gathered, David said, "This meeting of the Sinclair family is being called because there is a communist conspiracy afoot."
David's daughter Gracie jumped up and said in an irritated tone, "I am an environmental scientist. I have a doctorate. If you continue to call me a communist or degenerate my profession I am out of here."
David looked down at the table. Then he looked at Gracie and said, "I am sorry, and I am being a jackass."
Gracie gave a half smile and said, "I know daddy." There was a bit of laughter.
David continued, "Gracie and Jerod want Sinclair Oil to diversify into alternative energy. I am firmly against it because we are a petroleum company. Digging up old dinosaurs to burn is what we know, and what we do well."
Then David called on Charles, "I am less adamant than David, but in principle I agree with him. The expertise of Sinclair oil is in oil exploration and production. We have thousands of employees, retirees, and investors who depend on us turning a profit."
Then it was Gracie's turn, "I understand that, but the world is facing a crisis like we have not seen in human history. Climate change is real, it is the result of human activity, and we need to take action now to avoid the worst consequences for the planet."
Jerod then took the floor, "I am proud of Sinclair Oil and the Sinclair legacy. We have helped to fuel the greatest industrial society in history. However, I also want to leave a livable world to my children and grandchildren. I know that Sinclair has been built by digging up old dinosaurs, but I don't want the company to become a dinosaur that no longer can survive in the new reality we are facing. The fossil fuel industry is in its final stages of life, we need to evolve or die."
For the next forty-five minutes the debate was intense and sometimes heated, finally Charles said, "Okay, this is the reality, there are three people sitting at this table that have votes on the Sinclair Oil Board of Directors: David, myself, and Joe. I have noticed that Joe has not said anything and that frankly concerns me. What are you thinking Joe?"
Joe looked at Charles and David, "Do you believe that climate change is real and being driven by human activity."
After a long pause, Charles said, "Yes, I've read the evidence. It is hard to deny that humans are seriously damaging the climate." David nodded in agreement.
"So we aren't debating the reality of climate change," Joe said. "We are debating how Sinclair Oil should respond to climate change. If we look at the tobacco industry as a lesson in what not to do, I think we might start to see what we should do."
"I don't blame tobacco companies for deaths from smoking in the 1940's because no one knew the health risk of cancer. But they are responsible for the deaths that resulted from their cover up of the facts about smoking once the risks became known. They are responsible for buying politicians to protect their profits rather than the public health. They are responsible for advertising that hooked kids. They are responsible for manipulating cigarettes to make them more addictive. For me, tobacco became evil when it knew the truth, but put profit over people. I don't want Sinclair Oil to be the next tobacco company. We know the truth; the question is: what will we do with the truth?"
"So what do you suggest," David said with a bit of edge.
Joe looked at David and said, "I am not the oilman at this table, but from what I have read, in the short term we need to use natural gas as a transition fuel since it is less harmful. Sinclair Oil needs to work to insure a secure and available natural gas supply."
"I also think we need to be honest with our consumers, investors and the public about the dangers we face from climate change. That also means cutting ties with politicians and right-wing media outlets who are climate change deniers."
"I don't know whether getting into alternative energy makes sense for Sinclair Oil, but I would like Gracie and Jerod to make a presentation at the next Board of Directors meeting about their ideas for transforming into an alternative energy company. I also would like to know what research Sinclair Oil is doing on non-fuel uses for petroleum. I do know that there are other uses for dead dinosaurs than burning them."
"Finally, I am guessing that Gracie and Jerod are not the only Sinclairs who think the company needs to, as Jerod put it, evolve." Joe then turned to Gracie and Jerrod, and said, "I am immensely proud of you guys. I know it is hard to speak truth to power, especially when the powers are people you love, and," Joe looked at Charles and David, "who love you."
David looked at Joe and said, "Damn you Joe Bartlett, when did you transform from a jock into a sage." He then looked at Charles and said, "What do you think?"
Charles looked at his children, nephews, and nieces, "Is Joe right? Do you guys agree with Gracie and Jerod?" What he saw was a lot of nodding heads. Charles then turned to David and said, "I think we need to listen." David nodded in agreement.
Instantly the Sinclair kids ran around the table to hug Charles, David, and Joe. David's eyes welled up with tears when Gracie said, "Thank you daddy. I love you so much."
When he regained control of his emotions, David said, "Someone go tell Carrie and Mindy that peace is made, and it's time to eat."
When the kids were gone, David gave Joe a hug and said, "Thank you."
Cindy and Mindy had created an amazing spread of food, and Charles and David manned the omelet station. Joe and Tyler assumed the role of drink servers. It was a tradition for the older generation of Sinclairs to serve the younger generations at holidays.
Tyler whispered to Joe, "So why am I serving? I am younger than many of your nieces and nephews."
Joe whispered back, "Because you are getting fucked by a senior member of the clan, and I want everyone to know your status, that you're my man." Tyler smiled.
The afternoon was spent relaxing, visiting, and playing in the pool. Tyler was a hit with the younger members of the Sinclair clan. Michael, Ian, and 2coop tried to dunk him, but Tyler's athleticism and strength was too much for boys who were themselves nearly drowned in the effort.
Joe was enjoying the fun from the safety of a lounge chair, when Carrie sat down to chat. She said, "Thank you for brokering a peace deal this morning."
"I'm sure they would have figured it out without me."
"Not Gracie and David. She is just like David. Those two have always staked out positions and then defended them to the death. Neither can lose an argument with the other, and compromising is losing. It was one thing when they were arguing vanilla v. chocolate ice cream, but now that it's become political, it is bad."
"I see."
Then Carrie changed the subject, "I hope I'm not out of line, but you and Tyler seem, ... how do I say this, closer than when we saw you this summer."
Joe smiled, "Yes, I have fallen for the boy. I don't know if it is love or lust."
Carrie looked toward Tyler who now had 2coop on his shoulders and was chicken fighting with Michael and Ian. "He is one hot man. I am sure there is a fair share of lust, but I suspect there is a lot more love than you want to admit to yourself."
"I think you're right. It's just that he is so young. I hate feeling like I am the creepy old guy hitting on the vulnerable kid."
"First," Carrie said, "you are not an old man; second, you are definitely not creepy. You seem to have a way of relating to younger people that erases the age gap. That is a true gift."
"Thanks, I hope that is true, because there are only two other people I have ever felt as connected to as Tyler."
"So," Carrie said, "Mindy and I were wondering whether to add Tyler to the Sinclair family listserv?"
"Is this your subtle way of asking if I have asked Tyler to marry me?"
"Maybe," Carrie said with a smile as she waved for Mindy to join them.
"Oh, I see," said Joe, "this is a setup to squeeze information out of me."
Mindy sat down and Carrie said, "Joe is just getting ready to spill the beans."
Joe laughed, "I have not asked Tyler to marry me. We've only known each other for three months. Asking now would be a bit soon, don't you think?"
"Hell no," Carrie said, "I and David had only known each other for two months when he asked me to marry him.... Of course I was pregnant with Garrett when he asked." The three laughed.
"Look Joe," Mindy said, "you've already decided what you want, so it won't matter whether you ask him now, or in a month, or a year, it's going to be the same question. As for Tyler, from what I have seen and the boys have told me, he is sitting on pins and needles waiting for you to pop the question. 99.9 percent of the time, I would say cool your heels and make sure this is right. However, in this instance, I am asking why the hell are you dragging your heels?"
"I don't know."
"Then figure it out Joe Bartlett," Carrie said. "That boy deserves better than to dangle in mid air. As my granddaddy from Arkansas used to say: it's time to shit or get off the pot."
Joe laughed and Mindy and Carrie each gave him a kiss on the cheek.
During the pitch tournament Joe and Kendra, David's oldest daughter, were partnered together. Since there were an odd number of teams, there was a bye in each round. During a bye Joe had time to get acquainted with Kendra. Kendra was 32, painfully shy with a stutter, and strikingly attractive. She also had a Masters of Music in Piano Performance from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Kendra was very talented and in addition to teaching at several Oklahoma music schools, she played organ and piano Sunday mornings for a large Episcopal Church in Tulsa.
"So Kendra, will you be playing for us tonight," Joe asked.
"I try to avoid doing that now that I'm an adult. I always felt like a show pony when I was a kid and had to play at family gatherings. It was like: look at Kendra! She can't talk, but boy can she play the piano."
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you felt like that."
"It's okay. I never really told anyone. Well that's not true. I finally told your mother and she put an end to it. When Aunt Martha made a rule, nobody questioned it. Did you know that in junior high I started going to her house and playing a private concert every Saturday afternoon?"
"She told me that," Joe said. "It made her very happy, and I have wanted to thank you for that kindness."
"It was something I wanted to do. After I played, we would have tea and talk. Do you know that when I was with her I never stuttered? In fact, talking to you, I don't stutter. I think it is the combination of strength and genuine interest in others that make both of you so calming that whatever causes my stutter just takes a vacation."
Joe blushed and didn't know what to say.
"That's another thing you and your mother have in common, you just do the right thing without thinking about it," Kendra said. "Like this morning, you knew how to make peace as if it were the most obvious thing in the world to do. Seeing Gracie and daddy hug after an argument was a miracle moment."
There was a moment of silence then Kendra changed the subject. "Tell me something about Ian. I wanted to talk to him today to make him feel welcome, but really didn't know what to say."
"Actually, aside from Michael, you and he have the most in common."
"No way, he is such a conversationalist. He seems to be able to talk to anyone. Plus, he is genuinely charming."
"What I mean is that you are both musicians. Tyler plays a variety of instruments, including the piano. He also writes music and would really like a career in music."
"I see. That is interesting," Kendra said.
Just then Mindy announced the pairings for the next round of the pitch tournament. As it happened Joe and Kendra were paired against Ian and Cooper. The game ended quickly when Joe got a great hand and shot the moon. There was a break in the tournament, and Cooper and Joe went to find some beer and snacks. Cooper and Joe were talking about the Cowboy's prospects for the upcoming NFL season when Joe noticed Michael looking around.
"Lose something?" Joe asked.
"Yeah, I don't see Ian."
"I think he ran off to pursue his first love," Joe said.
"Not funny Uncle Joe."
"Follow me," and Joe led Michael to the music room.
When they got close, the sound of classical music drifted down the hall. Joe and Michael stopped at the door and listened to Ian and Kendra playing a piece together, the First Movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony, as a piano duet.
When they finished Kendra said, "Y-you've never played that piece b-before?"
"No," Ian said. "Of course I've heard it. I mean everyone has heard it even if it's just cartoons. But, I've never played the piece."
"Th-that's remarkable. Y-you have and a-amazing t-talent," Kendra said.
Joe and Michael both began to applaud and Ian and Kendra were all smiles.
Joe said, "The tournament is at the break and they are serving drinks and snacks."
On the way back to join the family, Kendra said to Joe, "He's an amazing talent. If he's interested, I would like to work with him. I have a couple of days free a week and I could drive to Salt Fork for the lessons."
"I will ask him," Joe said. "But I'm 99 percent sure the answer is going to be yes. Of course, you may have someone trying to hitch a ride with you."
Kendra laughed, "If Ian is half as passionate in bed as he is at the keyboard, Oops is going to be one happy boy."
At the end of the evening, Mindy announced that Jerod and 2coop had won and Carrie and Michael had taken second. Awards and honors for the pitch tournament and the golf tournament were announced. Joe's team won the golf tournament and received chocolate medals wrapped in gold foil. Tyler won the award for the furthest drive out of bounds, for which he received a safari hat and plastic machete.
Back at the apartment, Joe said, "We need to have a little chat about tomorrow."
Once everyone was seated around the dining room table, Joe said, "Tomorrow, Tyler and I are meeting Cooper and 2coop at D-Bat for some batting instruction, so you two will have a bit of alone time." Both boys smiled. "So don't do anything stupid."
"We will be back at 11:30 to pack up and leave. Before we leave Tulsa, we will get something to eat and then drop Michael off at his house. So before 11:30, you need to be packed, change the sheets on the bed and make it, and straighten up your room. Put the dirty sheets, towels, etc. in a trash bag and we will take them back to Salt Fork to wash. Oh, make sure you haven't left anything lying around that you would be embarrassed for the cleaning service to find. Do you have any questions?"
Michael and Ian both shook their heads.
"Good," Tyler said, "We don't expect to see either of you again until 11:30 tomorrow." Tyler got up and headed for the bedroom. Joe smiled and followed him.
Once the bedroom door closed, Tyler was on Joe like a starving man on a ham sandwich, and Joe was hardly more patient. They pulled at each other's clothes until both were naked, hard, and dripping. Tyler pulled Joe into the shower, turned on the water, and began sensually washing his lover's muscular body. Tyler marveled that Joe still looked ready to play college baseball.
Eventually, Tyler worked his way to Joe's cock. It was fully engorged and steel hard. Tyler licked the tip and a pre began to pool on his tongue. He swallowed before slowly taking Joe all the way to the base. Tyler paused as Joe's cock pulsed in his throat. Tyler sensed the approaching storm; tonight would not be a gentle rain. It would be an intense and consuming Oklahoma thunderstorm. Tyler's body tingled in anticipation of the coming tempest."
As a teenager, Tyler liked to stand in the yard wearing nothing but thin cotton athletic shorts and watch the late afternoon thunderstorm build on the horizon. Even then he knew there was a connection between sexual urges and the most powerful force on the Great Plains. However, it wasn't until he met Joe that he found such power embodied in human form. And, like the storm, Tyler was powerless to lessen its fury or change its direction. The thunderstorm held within it the power to wreak devastation or bring life-giving rain, so did Joe. Thus it was an act of trust for Tyler to give himself to Joe, not just physically, but emotionally. For while years of contact sports had toughened Tyler's body, his heart and soul were tender buds easily damaged.
Joe pulled Tyler to his feet and turned him to the shower wall. Tyler extended his arms and braced against the wall. Joe's cock found Tyler's yearning hole. The cock head rested against Tyler's pucker and everything seemed to stop, as if it were the calm before the storm. All that could be heard was the sound of water bouncing from the shower's stone walls. Suddenly, without warning, like the storm's first bolt of lightning, Joe pushed into Tyler taking his breath away.
Tyler moaned and twisted like an old cottonwood in the wind. Joe was unrelenting. Each thrust was like a clap of thunder shaking the world to its foundations. Tyler didn't run for the storm shelter. He stood in the yard facing the storm. Rain soaking his tight muscular body. Daring the storm to give him all it had, and Joe did.
Without warning, lightning lit the sky, and Tyler released a flood of cum onto the shower wall. Joe's entire body tensed and began to spasm as his cock exploded inside Tyler. In one final crescendo the storm broke, the energy was released, and soft rain replenished the soul.
After they finished their shower, Joe and Tyler climbed naked into bed and cuddled into each other. Joe wrapped an arm around Tyler and soon both men fell into the most wonderful and satisfying slumber. Neither stirred until the alarm woke them the next morning.
It was 8:30 when Joe and Tyler pulled into the D-Bat parking lot and found Cooper and 2coop already there. 2coop was excited and all smiles; whereas, Cooper was still showing the wear of the weekend's activities. Joe had stopped for donuts, coffee and juice and he suggested they sit down and eat while he asked 2coop some questions.
Joe said, "Okay 2coop, I want you to answer me as honestly as you can." 2coop nodded. "First," Joe asked, "do you think your position play in the field is good enough to earn you play time."
"Yes, sir."
"So, why did you just call me sir, rather than Uncle Joe."
"Dad taught me to say sir to my coaches. Since you are coaching me now, I just think sir is what I should call you."
Joe looked at Cooper and said, "You've got one smart boy. He will go a long way." Cooper was clearly a proud father. Joe continued, "So, why do you think your play is good enough in the field to get more play time?"
"Well sir, I am the best catcher on the team when it comes to blocking wild pitches. I keep the ball in front of me and hold the runners on base. I can handle tipped balls for strike three. I find pop ups quickly and usually can run them down and make the catch. Also, I can cover a bunt and am not afraid to challenge a runner at home plate. The pitchers like the way I call pitches and umpires have commented that I frame the ball well and give them a good look at strikes. My weakness is that my arm is not strong enough to throw a rope to second without one hop."
Joe turned to Tyler and said, "What do you think of that answer assistant coach Simmons?"
Tyler looked like a deer caught in the headlights, but recovered and said, "I am impressed. 2coop clearly understands the catcher position. If he is really as solid behind the plate as he says, then I would definitely see him get play time."
Joe looked at Cooper and asked, "Is 2coop as good as he says?"
Cooper said, "Of course I am biased, but I have had other parents and coaches make similar comments about his play behind the plate. I also know that, while he isn't getting playtime in games, he is the primary catcher at practice."
"I am going to teach you how to be a contact hitter," Joe said to 2coop. "As a coach, I would rather have a roster full of contact hitters than power hitters. I know everyone wants to see home runs, but the truth is: home runs excite the fans, singles and doubles win games. So today we are going to focus on teaching you how to hit line drives up the middle and through the gaps."
Joe spent twenty minutes adjusting 2coops swing and stance, then they worked on hitting hard liners to the left and right corners of the front of the batting cage. After a while, Joe told Tyler to take over and he went to talk to Cooper.
"So, does 2coop's team have a good coach?"
"I don't know. He has a good record in summer baseball, but I suspect it is because he somehow manages to draft the best players onto his team, and leave the other teams scrounging for talent. A couple of coaches were upset that he picked 2coop in the first round when his team already had two returning catchers, and one is his son. I would have thrown a fit, but the guy is also an assistant coach at the high school we are planning to send the kids to."
Joe and Cooper sat for a while watching 2coop and Tyler work. Finally Cooper said, "I've got something to ask you, but I don't know how."
"I have found the easiest way to ask a question is to use words."
Cooper laughed, "Okay, you know Dana is from Medford. She is a farm girl at heart and Tulsa has never been her first choice for where to live. Last week, she got a call that her grandparents need some assistance, but Dana's mother can't really do it all by herself, and her father is still running the farm. We have offered to pay for nurses, but it's hard to find them in rural Oklahoma. Besides, her grandparents are not keen on a stranger in their house. So we are planning to move closer so Dana can help take care of her grandparents. Also, she wants the kids to experience the farm and rural life. I can work out of the Enid office, so it really won't change anything for me, except that dad won't be able to just pop in and pester me whenever he wants."
There was a pause and finally Joe said, "Did I miss the question?"
"Okay, here it is. Dana and I were talking last night and we were wondering if it would be a problem for you if we bought a house in the Salt Fork school district? We wouldn't want you to think we are butting in on your life, or expecting you to play favorites with our kids in school, or... I don't know, I just don't want to make it weird now that you are back in contact with the family. If you don't want us there... I mean, we can live in Medford ....It won't... we haven't told the kids."
"Connor, take a breath," Joe said with a chuckle. "First, I don't own Salt Fork, so if you want to live there you can. Second, I think Salt Fork schools are great schools, so I really think your kids would do well there. Third, neither Tyler or I will treat the kids any differently than we do our other students and athletes. Fourth, if you need help moving, Tyler and I are available."
Connor smiled and said, "Thanks Uncle Joe. I'm going to tell Dana to start looking for a house. Now, all we have to do is tell the kids and dad."
"Not Mindy?"
"Oh, mom already knows. She's the one who suggested we look at the Salt Fork school district."
"I see, Mindy has been scheming again."
Cooper laughed, "Yes, mom would have made a great strategist for the Pentagon. She alway has the intel and an innate sense for how to use it to accomplish her objectives."
Tyler and 2coop were finished with the battling practice and joined Cooper and Joe.
2coop said excitedly, "I am really crushing the line drives. I hope coach Carter notices. Thanks, Uncle Joe, for your batting lessons. You to Tyler, I wish you guys were my coaches."
Cooper asked, "Would you be willing to move to Salt Fork if Joe and Tyler would be your coaches?"
"Really! Is that close to Grandpa and Grandma Pfeiffer? Could I work on the farm next summer?"
"Yes we'd be close to grandpa and grandma, and I'm sure you could work on the farm."
2coop turned to Joe and Tyler and excitedly said, "Grandpa tells me that a summer on the farm will build my muscles and with you guys coaching me, I will be hitting the ball to the fence. Heck, I might even go out for football!"
2coops excitement had everyone laughing. Joe said, "Listen 2coop, don't start thinking you will get any special treatment just because Tyler and I are your uncles. You will have to work harder than the rest just to show the team there is no favoritism, and you will earn your position on the team just like anyone else. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir." said a smiling 2coop.
"Well we need to get going," Cooper said. "We need to talk to mom and the girls. Then I've got to talk to Dad before he hears it from someone else."
After goodbyes, Tyler and Joe went to collect the boys from the apartment. Lunch started well, but as the time of separation drew closer Michael and Ian got quieter. Finally, Joe said, "Enough of this. It is only two weeks until Michael comes to Salt Fork. So, either you guys put on a happy face or I'll have Tyler give you another sex talk."
Ian looked at Michael and both boys put on a pouty face and looked at Tyler. Joe nearly fell off his seat laughing and Tyler said, "Not funny!" However, the mood lightened and the goodbye was not tearful.
Joe pointed the truck West for the trip back to Salt Fork. Ian was fast asleep in the back seat before they left the city limits. The normally talkative Tyler was uncharacteristically quiet. At last, Joe broke the silence. "Is there something bothering you?"
"Not really."
"Why don't I believe you?"
"Well...back at the batting cages, ...you told 2coop he wouldn't get special treatment just because you and I are his uncles."
"You don't want to be 2coop's uncle?"
"No, I just ..."
"I see," Joe said, "You just don't want to marry me."
"What!? What did you say!? Wait, you're...you're asking me?!" Tyler put his face in his hands and his breathing became uncontrollable. Joe wasn't sure what was wrong with Tyler.
Suddenly Ian was awake and asking what happened. Joe quickly pulled over to the side of the road to help calm Tyler down. Joe was beginning to feel he had just made a big mistake. As soon as the truck stopped Tyler jumped out and leaned against the truck. Ian was still half asleep, confused, and a bit frightened. Joe grabbed an empty fast food sack off the seat and ran around the truck to Tyler.
"Here, breathe into this."
Eventually, Tyler calmed enough to say, "I haven't hyperventilated like that since I was a kid."
"I'm sorry Tyler," Joe said regretfully. "I should..."
Tyler suddenly grabbed Joe, gave him a kiss, then said, "YES! Yes, I'll marry you."
I hope you enjoyed this chapter of Quarterback Keeper. Also, please consider supporting nifty.org if you are able.