Rob

This is a fictional story. It is based on the few experiences and many fantasies of the author. If you are really into graphic sex, it may not satisfy your purpose for coming here. If you like to hear of real love and real teen angst, with a little sex thrown in, you are in the right place. There may be some amount of graphic sex between males. If this is objectionable to you, or you are legally too young to be here, you are cordially invited to press your back button.

Characters:

Robert E. Lee Balser

Denny (Dennis Andrew Miggs), 20

Robert F. Balser, Rob's dad

Donna Balser, Rob's mom.

Roger, Rob's attorney

Nana, The Balser's housekeeper

Garth Roth, 22

Randy Small, 24

Bob, Denny's Brother 3 years older

Gail, Bob's wife

Jack, Denny's oldest brother, 9 years older

Emma, Rob's boss.

Jack's son's, Jacky, Bobby and DennyToo

James Miggs, Denny's dad

Carol Miggs, Denny's mom,

Ray, Denny's dad's Deputy D.A. friend

Tad Newliegh, the new roomie

Jacob Smith, Rob's former "Landlord"

Linda Smith, Jacob's wife

Chris & Craig, partners, Rob's roomies.

Seth, Chris's Brother

Luke, Seth's partner.

Etta, The Smith's housekeeper

Donny, Works with Rob

Timothy -- Donny's brother

Rod -- the flight attendant

James (Red) Rod's friend

Carrie Smith, Jake's sister

From Chapter 16:

"But - "

"Oh for heaven's sake, stop saying `But'! The thing is I LOVE what you got me. Do you love what I got you?"

"Yes." He said seemingly studying the leather on the seat.

"Are you sure? I mean with the Silver Cloud, if we broke up, you could almost sell it for enough to retire on!"

"Shut up!" He said to me and he kissed me. I kissed him back. He then leaned over and unzipped my pants and -- well you can probably guess the rest.

"Careful Sweetie!" I said. "You get any of that stuff and the leather, and this truck is -- is -- is -- is -- ah -- ah - ahhh -- oooo -- uhhh -- OHHHH! I guess it's yours now!!"

Chapter 17

"Hey, it's Christmas day, Mr. Balser! Take it home and we'll deal with the details later." The salesman said.

"Thanks, Marc!" I said.

"Oh, and Marc?" Denny added. "Will you please see about sending that heap we drove here to the glue factory -- I know you can't put it on your lot!" Denny had a wide grin on his face as he drove his new truck out of the dealership, toward his parents' house. At times I worry about his comparable youth. But at times like this, it makes me so happy!

"I don't know how I'm going to explain this to my parents!" He said, still grinning.

"Nothing to explain. We needed a bigger car that was dependable."

"We?" He said. "Is it ours or is it mine?"

"It's yours! It'll be in your name. Just as the Vette is in my name. But do you ever drive the Vette?"

"All the time! Rob! I was only kidding. You can drive MY truck any time you want!" He said as he drove up and parked at the curb outside his parents' house.

Mr. Miggs came out. "Oho! So you decided to test drive some cars for Christmas! How did you get them to let you take it by yourself.?"

"Rob knows the salesman, Dad. And -- er -- umm -- I'm not taking this back. This is mine -- er -- OURS!"

"Really!?" Said my dad. "Good form, Boys!"

I had to laugh to myself at the look that elicited from Denny's dad. He looked like he might have said something more, but decided against it. I could see the relief on Denny's face.

"Where's Red -- er -- James?" I asked.

"He's still asleep." Mr. Miggs said. "He must have had quite a nite!"

"Yeah." Denny said. "I'll go wake him up. "I don't think he'll wanna miss Mom's desserts!"

"Well, you can wait until you've shown me your truck, can't you?" Denny's dad said.

"I'll go check on James, Denny. You take your dad for a ride." Denny threw his dad the keys, and opened the door for his mom, as she climbed up into the passenger side. Denny got into the backseat.

I went to Denny's old room and peeked in. James was lying on his side, facing the wall. I tiptoed over and leaned over to see his eyes staring at the wall. I put my hand gently on his shoulder. "Hey, buddy, are you ready for some dessert?"

He blinked a couple times and swallowed hard. "I'm not too hungry."

"Have you slept at all?" He shook his head. "James, what's wrong?"

He turned on his back and looked deeply into my eyes. "You -- you -- should have let me - - die! I wanted to die." His eyes filled with tears.

I wiped away his tears with my hand, then stroked his head. "Nothing is that bad, James. It will pass."

"I doubt that. My life sucks -- always has."

I didn't know what to say. I know that nothing is so bad that anyone should kill himself. But I didn't know what was bothering him, so it was hard to deal with. "Listen, we'll take this a day at a time, k? If you're not ready to move in a week, then we'll move you later. But we need to talk, James. Come on out and have some dessert, and then we're going home."

I extended my arms and he almost jumped into them, and lay his head on my chest and said, "Why can't I find someone like you -- or Denny?"

"You will, James -- you will! The bathroom is right across the hall. Wash your face, and we'll have some dessert -- Denny says his mom's desserts are impossible to pass up! Then we'll go home. Oh! You get to ride in Den -- our -- new truck."

"K."

Dessert was actually desserts. Pumpkin pie, cherry cheese pie, mince pie, some Icelandic concoction that was a family tradition, and hoards of cookies! James did like these. He also liked the new truck. When we got home, we all sat in the living room saying nothing. The TV was on, but no one was watching it. Finally I turned it off and said, "Okay, let's talk. James, the short time you have been here, both Denny and I have gotten attached to you. We like you a lot. One of us will stay home with you tomorrow unless you can convince us you will not try to hurt yourself again."

"I'm not going to do anything." He said.

"I hope not, but we have to be sure. James, I didn't save you this morning. You vomited before the pills all dissolved. The doctor said you would have slept it off. So first of all, you can't give us any credit for saving you.

He looked up at me with a pained expression. "I wanted to think you saved me!" he complained. Again his eyes filled with tears. "Why couldn't you just let me think that?" I had to think about that for a moment. Then Denny said,

"James, we thought we were saving you -- or at least we hoped we were. I drove my old car and Rob held you in his arms. Do you remembering him yelling at you to keep you awake?"

"No. You really did try to save me?"

"Of course we did!" Denny said.

"James, we would have done anything necessary. Can you -- WILL you -- tell us why? Why did you think that taking those pills was better than living?"

He took several big gasping breaths, then started. "When I was 5 years old, I was drowning in a neighbors pool. My dad was right there. But he had just gotten out, and dried off. I hollered for him. He just looked at his friend who was next to me and calmly asked him to grab me. Why didn't my daddy save me? Why? He never paid much attention to me. My mom was a whore. They were divorced when I was seven. She got custody of me, and there were at least a dozen guys who she brought home, each time asking me to call him "Daddy". I only wanted one daddy - my own!"

"And how often did you see your dad?"

"Every other weekend. And it wasn't long before he found someone else. They got married. She had four children, two older and two younger than me. That was the end of any close relationship with my dad. His "other children" were more important to him!" James said bitterly. One of those others was a boy two years older than I. He was closest to my age, so I had to always sleep with him. He sexually abused me."

"Oh my God!" I said. "What did he do?"

"He started out by jacking me off. Then he sucked me. He never asked me if I wanted to. Before long he made me suck him. When he matured -- and his dick grew -- he decided that he should fuck me. And he did."

"And you didn't like it!"

"I DID like it! I loved him! Then when he was 14, he stopped. He decided he liked girls. He kicked me out of his bedroom. He said he needed his privacy."

"And you never told anyone about this?"

"Hell no! They wouldn't have believed me -- or else he would have turned it around and said that I was the pervert!"

"James -- how old are you?" James, just looked at the floor. "James? Tell us your age."

"I'm -- 16." My heart sank. Well, I was happy that Denny had not actually done anything with him! He looked young, but not that young.

"What happened with Rod, James. Why did he kick you out?"

"I loved him. I really did. But I had too much competition with James."

"Competition?"

"Yes! HE loved himself more than I loved him. And it was increasingly obvious that he didn't love me at all. Or anyone else!"

"James, it seems to me," I started, "that you don't have any problems. Everyone else in your life has the problems. You just happened to get stuck with some sucky people."

"But now YOU want me out too."

"James, I told you, you could stay as long as is necessary. But Denny and I are in love. And we need our own space. See?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"And James?"

"Yes?"

"I think you will find someone -- soon." Something seemed to make me say that. I somehow felt confident saying it. I didn't know why. But once I said it, I felt like it was at least partially my responsibility to make it happen.

Apparently my confidence was also felt be James. "You think so?" He looked up at me hopefully.

"I do think so. Tell me this, bud, did Rod know you were 16?"

He looked down. "That's why he kicked me out."

"How long did you -- um -- stay with him?"

"Um -- about 4 months."

"And did you -- um - "

"Have sex with him?" James finished. I nodded. "Yes. He taught me everything."

"Were you experienced before you met him?"

"No -- except my step brother."

"How did you meet Rod?"

"It was in a gay bar. Roddy came in right after I did, and as soon as I sat down, he asked me if I wanted to sit with him -- at a table."

"And you said yes?"

"Yes."

"Pretty brave, I'd say."

"He was in his uniform. Very sexy looking -- and very cute."

"Did you lie to him about your age?"

"N -- no. He never asked."

"But you said he kicked you out because of your age."

"I was talking about school -- I never finished -- and I goofed up and let him know my age."

"So -- if you goofed up -- you weren't EXACTLY lying, but you were keeping it from him, huh?"

"I -- guess." He looked scared.

"Okay, Dude, that's enough. It's all right. You're not in any trouble. "You're a good kid, I can see that. I'm staying home to get you some help tomorrow, so - "

"You mean you don't trust me to be alone."

"I mean I am going to stay home to try to help you out -- nothing more." I lied. "Hey, kid -- do you want to sleep with us tonight?"

"I still think you don't trust me out of your sight. But I'd like that." He said. Guess my lie didn't work very well.

"Can I take a shower?"

"NO!" I immediately shouted. He flinched. "Just kidding, Big Red! Of course you can!" He smiled and then laughed.

"You got me on that one!" He said

While he was in the shower, Denny said to me, "Whew! You know how to handle a situation!" I shrugged.

"He's going to need more -- professional help with all the crap he's had to deal with. I just don't want him trying to off himself again."

"Rob, I just can't believe what I was thinking!"

"What?"

"While you were thinking like an adult, I was I guess thinking like a teen!"

"Why is that?"

"I was thinking after what we did in Santa Barbara with the guys there -- that we could cheer him up by doing some of that with him! GOD! How wrong could I be?"

"Denny, I don't believe that Rod lived with him for four months and didn't seriously wonder about his age. The kid is -- well -- a KID! I'm going to call our attorney tomorrow - "

"You mean, `we' have an attorney?"

"Our family attorney. It's the same corporate attorney that helped me when I got in jail."

"Oh."

James came out of the bathroom, a towel around his hips. Why hadn't I been more perceptive before? He even had a young teen's physique. I could see the lust in Denny's eyes. I grabbed Denny and pulled him out of the room. "Call us when you're ready!"

"Ready?" James answered.

"For -- bed -- like, when you have your PJ's on!"

"K."

When Denny and I came in, he was already in the bed. We had gotten out our jammies too. We turned the lights out and climbed in the bed next to him. I lay on my back in the middle. Denny was tummy down, with his head on my chest. As I heard both of them breathing slower and slower, I reached over and took his hand. He seemed to sigh in his sleep, as he rolled over and hugged my arm. He kind of hissed, "Ssssnight, ssss -- daddy - sssss."

I softly cried myself to sleep.

" - - -yeah Dad. 16. Yep. Okay. Thanks."

Denny was gone to school. I called my boss and explained the situation, and she understood that I needed to stay with the kid. James was still asleep. I think that the sleeping pills were still in his system. I went in to wake him up. I knelt down next to the bed and touched his shoulder gently. "Time to get up, Big red!" I said.

He opened his eyes and smiled at me. "My dad used to call me that when I was little."

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean - "

"NO! It's okay. I like it. It's the second time you called me that!"

"Dr. Culbertson called this morning." I said.

"Who?"

"He was the doctor that saw you in emergency."

"Oh. What did he want?"

"He made an appointment for you to see another doctor."

"A shrink?" He looked worried

"'Fraid so." I said.

"I don't wanna see a shrink!"

"I'll go with you."

"Really -- you'd do that for me?" He looked incredulous -- and pathetic.

"Did I say I would?" It wasn't a question.

He had never been in a Corvette before. He sat down in the seat and looked around the interior. "Cool!" He said. It was all I could do to NOT show off for him.

When we got to his appointment, the psychologist tried to convince him that he should talk to him alone. James would have none of that! Finally, he relented and let me sit in. I wasn't much impressed. When we got back home, Denny was there. "Short day?" I asked.

"I've got a 2 hour break, and was wondering how our champ is!" James beamed when Denny called him that. "Where've you been?"

"To a shrink!" James said. It was clear that he wasn't any more impressed than I was. That night my dad called. The shrink was court ordered. Our attorney knew him. He was not much impressed with him either.

I told Dad about all that happened last night. He said he would take care of it, and quickly excused himself. I was left wondering what that meant. The next morning my mom came to stay with James. It reminded me of when Denny's mom came to stay with him. When I got home, Mom told me how impressed she was with James. After she left I asked him,

"I was wondering, Big Red, how you were able to buy that drink at the restaurant."

He grinned. "I walked up to the sluttiest girl I saw and asked her to buy it for me. She did, and then I disappeared."

"You're bad!" I said.

"I could have gotten it myself, but I don't like questions." He was so sure of himself!

"What do you mean?" I asked. He showed me an I.D that said he was 21. "I think you better give that to me. You are officially a ward of the court for the time being, and I don't think they would think kindly of it if you were found with it. He frowned and handed it to me. "You aren't even here legally, but my dad is working on something. OH! Is this your actual birthday?"

"Yeah."

"And what year?"

"1988."

"So, actually, you won't even be sixteen for 3 more months! Yeah, I don't think you want to be caught with this at all. No telling what the court would do. They may send you to juvenile hall -- or back home!"

"Oh my God, NO! I don't want to go back there!"

"Where?"

"Back to my parents! My dad hates me -- beats me -- and my step dad -- -- he fucks me -- if it's the same one that was there when I ran away! I'd rather get beat!"

Wow this kid is a regular Jekyll and Hyde. When he is afraid he turns into a little boy. When he is not, he is suave and sophisticated.

"Don't worry, my dad won't put you in danger. And trust me, he's got the best attorneys!"

When Denny got home, we went out to eat at In-And-Out Burger. I knew James would like that. He seemed more comfortable there than at Flemings. Well, more himself. I was beginning to see the young man who was buried somewhere between the suave, sophisticated man and the scared little boy. And I liked what I was finding.

When we got home, there was a message to call my dad. I did so outside, on my cell phone. "Hello?"

"Dad! What's up?"

"Everything is arranged."

"What? What's everything?"

"James is going to be a ward of the court, and in the custody of a Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Balser."

"What?" I said. Then it hit me. "WHAT?!!"

"After spending the day, your mother wants to adopt that boy."

"ADOPT? Is that possible?"

"Well, we would be foster parents at first. And we would have to get permission from his real parents to adopt him. He could get himself liberated from them, but then we couldn't adopt him. He would then be considered an adult. Neither your mother nor I think he's really ready for that."

"He's pretty smooth."

"Yes, just like yourself at that age. He can act very grown up, but then the next moment be a little boy."

"I know. I've noticed the same thing. Sometimes I still feel that way!"

"Rob -- how do you feel about this?"

"About - - you taking in James?"

"Yes. Your mother was concerned that you may have some -- er -- opinion about it."

"I -- guess I do." I said. "You have taken care of me, and loved me and though I missed having a brother -- or sister, I couldn't have asked for better parents. What you do as far as adopting -- or having other children in any way -- is not really my business.

"Now, I suppose that you are wondering how I feel regarding the inheritance. Dad, There is plenty to go around. You've already taken care of me for life, and you have shown me the respect of trusting and letting me decide what I would do with what you have given me. I appreciate that trust. You have loved me even though I have chosen to follow my gay feelings. What more can I ever ask of you?

"And now you want to give me a little brother! What can I say about that? You have abundance enough to provide as you have for me, for a dozen more children. You have chosen to trust me. So I choose to trust you. And I'll do my best to love my new little brother!"

"What about Seth?" Dad said. "You have felt for some time like he was your little brother. Will this change that any way?"

"I don't see how. I feel like ALL those guys are my brothers. Seth was immature -- still is to some degree -- and he needed -- and needs some guidance. He looks to me for that, and for that I am both grateful and humbled. I take it seriously Dad. But Seth does have other siblings."

"Hmmm. Rob, If your mother and I died somehow in the near future, and it is possible - "

"Yeah, Dad! We all gotta go sometime!"

"Seriously. If that happened tomorrow -- would you want to provide for your other `brothers'?"

"I -- guess so. The Smiths are well provided for anyway - "

"But could you be discriminating against them because of that?"

"No, I guess not. But you know what?"

"What, Son?"

"I think I'd put it in a trust -- one they knew nothing about -- until they became thirty."

"And when the first one turns thirty? Then the rest would know -- right?"

"Okay -- when the last one turns thirty!"

"That would be James. I know that Jake and Colin are closing in on thirty now. Should they wait until they are nearly forty?"

"Dad, you're not gonna die tomorrow!"

"But these are the things you have to be thinking about. They are the things I am thinking about. Are you going to make Denny your beneficiary?"

"Of course!"

"Have you?"

"We're not -- uh-"

" -- married?" He said. "In reality, you never will be, unless you move to a state that sanctions gay marriage. Do you want to wait for that time to make sure he is provided for?"

"Dad! I don't wanna think of those things now!"

"But don't you see? You really need to. That is part of the responsibility of having as much as you -- we -- have."

"I -- guess."

"Okay, enough said. When do you want James to move down here with us?"

"Were you going to ask him?"

"No. He probably won't want to lose the autonomy he has had for a while. The fact that his parents never reported him gone does not change the fact this he is a child. At first he will be a foster child. Foster children don't choose. And at his age, he really doesn't know what's best for him anyway."

"I guess that's right. Well, I told him he could stay until the first of the year. But we need to tell him something. He expects to be making a deposit on another place."

"I didn't say you could not tell him -- only that we need not ASK him. TELLING him is what we WILL do. Why don't we run down there tonight."

"Okay."

"We'll be there in an hour!"

"Bye dad! I love you!"

I went into the house. "My parents are coming over." I announced.

"What for?" Denny asked.

"Business. They want to tell us something about what they found out about James."

"Me? They are gonna tell us about me?"

"Yeah."

"What -- did they - "

"We'll just wait til they get here." I said. Poor James looked petrified. But I determined he could stand it until they get here. He definitely was the little boy for the next hour. He begged for me to tell him what I knew. I was wishing I hadn't said anything.

When they got here, they came in and my dad told James that his attorney had been working with the youth authority, and that some temporary decisions had been made. James went running from the room, holding his mouth. He obviously lost his In-And-Out Burger in the bathroom, and returned looking lost, scared and angry all at the same time.

"And did anyone think to ask me for my input in these `temporary decisions'?"

"Not really." My dad said noncommittally. "By law, you are a minor child and can't decide for yourself. But there are some recourses you can take."

"What?" He demanded.

"James!" I started.

"It's okay, Rob." My dad said. "James has every reason to be upset. James, one of your options is to file for emancipation. That means you can legally be made responsible for yourself if you can prove to a judge that you are competent to care for yourself."

"I've been caring for myself for the last 4 ½ months! And in reality a lot longer -- even though I lived at my mother's house!"

"I know you have, James." My dad answered evenly. "And as I said you can choose that route. But in the mean time, you have to stay somewhere, with adult supervision. As a ward of the court now, you are eligible to be a foster child."

"I don't wanna be no fucking foster child!" He ranted. I expected my dad to recoil in some way. He didn't. He let the boy vent. "I've been caring for myself for the last two years. I don't need any God damned slummy, money grubbing foster family telling me when to come and go and when to go to bed!"

"Are you finished?" Dad asked.

James looked down and said to the floor, "Yeah."

"Okay." Dad continued, "Mrs. Balser and I have agreed to invite you to stay with us while you decide what you want to do. Well, it's not quite an invitation, since you cannot at this time refuse it. We have gotten ourselves approved as foster parents. But we would like you to view it as an invitation, James."

James already knew that my parents were wealthy. He looked confused, and then said, "Really? You would -- er -- take me in -- like that?"

"Yes James. And it won't be unconditional. There will be rules. Bedtimes, rules about language, school attendance, and unfortunately, at least at first, we have been compelled by the county to monitor your comings and goings -- where you spend your time. But it's temporary for now. James, we want you to consider the idea of staying with us -- instead of getting yourself emancipated. You don't have to make that decision right away. Just consider it. Okay?"

"Okay. -- no promises?"

"Nope. No promises -- either way."

"Huh?"

"If we decide that it is too much for us, we are not bound to keep you. But I hope it works out that we become great friends, and that you'll want to stay. If you stay, it will be as our son."

James looked at me and then back at my parents. "So -- Rob -- will be -- like -- my brother?"

"Yes. And since Rob told you that you could stay with him until next week, you are free to do that, if you want."

James looked at me, then at Denny, back at me then said positively to my dad, "Would it be okay to come home with you tonight?"

Dad looked at me and then back at James. "Of course. But I assumed - "

"I think I've been too much trouble for them already. I think they would like to have their privacy back."

My dad looked at my mom and smiled almost sadly. I immediately knew why.

"Hey, Big Red, you don't need to leave yet! We don't have any plans for New Years, and w were hoping that you would be with us for New Years Eve. I wanted to take both you and Denny to the Rose Parade in Pasadena New Years Day. And if you like football, the Rose Bowl."

"Really? You wouldn't mind?"

I looked over at Denny. He responded, "Not at all! We want to get some good out of you before you leave us!" Denny giggled. I hoped I knew what he was referring to.

After my parents left, I explained to both Denny and James, that older people like their privacy too. When the children leave home, parents have a degree of privacy that they have not had since the children were old enough to wonder what went on inside mommy and daddy's bedroom. In other words, now my parents will have to give up some of their own autonomy to accommodate a teenager again.

"OH!" James said. "You mean they can't make as much noise as they want to?"

"Heh! If I know my mom, they won't do ANYTHING if she knows you're in the house!"

"Damn! I don't wanna fuck up their lives!"

"That's the kind of language my dad was talking about. You need to stop all the profanity altogether."

"That won't be easy. Even my mom uses that kind of language."

"Tell, you what." I said. "You can start practicing here. And actually, I don't care for that kind of language either."

"But I can't help it!" He said.

"Tell me this. Did you ever use foul language in your classrooms -- to your teachers?"

"N -- no."

"And in juvenile hall -- when you knew that the person in authority was listening -- did you use it them?"

"Hell no!"

"Then you have demonstrated that you CAN help it. I don't like it when you cuss. So get used to not doing it. I'll remind you."

He looked skeptical. "Well, I'll try."

"Good! And -- another thing, Big Red."

He smiled when I said that. "What?"

"You lived with Rod for nearly four months, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Well -- um -- I assume that the two of you had a lot of sex -- if he taught you everything, as you said."

"Um -- well -- yeah."

"Don't expect my parents to just allow you to be promiscuous. You need to be responsible."

"What -- er -- what does that mean?"

"I'm not even sure, myself. Lots of kids are sexually active at your age. They were when I was your age, too. I wasn't! But you already have been, so I don't imagine you will want to give that up. My advice is to take it easy. Don't have sex with someone casually. Only if you know them well, and I would rather it be only with someone you care for."

"Hmmm." He pondered. "Safe?"

"You know what safe sex is. And it's just as important if it involves a girl."

"Don't worry -- it won't!"

"Well, things sometimes change. Just be careful -- and be prepared. Remember -- whoever you have sex with, you're having sex with every one of their past partners!"

James yawned. "I know. I'll be careful."

"I know, it's been a long day. We'll talk more before you leave." He had an "Oh goody" smile on his face. "I think I'm gonna like this big brother thing!" I said, and I grinned at him. He grinned back.

Later on, in bed, Denny said, "Damn -- er -- Dang, Robby! And to think I wanted to show James what we were doing with Seth and Luke!"

"Yeah. And if we had not found out, I might have given in. I have a very difficult time saying no to you!"

"You mean like now, as I am peering into your eyes, and licking my lips?"

"Yeah, that. And also the fact that you are stroking something else down below!"

Our conversation took a predictable turn, and we made sweet love -- quietly!

Notes: Ever rescue a kid in an untenable situation. I have -- several. It is one of the most gratifying experiences that a person can have. Any comments may be addressed to Steve at s4d@hotmail.com.

Thanks and love, Steve

Bottom line: Love will Rule in the end.