Spirit of Grace

In the following story, all of the characters are totally fictive and the setting is real. For whomever it would be illegal, immoral or prohibited for any other reason whatsoever to read a story about love between two young men is kindly requested to refrain from continuing. A free picture album illustrating this story (pdf) is available upon request at maringiustinian@gmail.com. Please remember to help Nifty stay online by sending your contributions, using the link https://donate.nifty.org/. This being said, I hope you enjoy the tale.

SPIRIT OF GRACE

by Marin Giustinian

England, then Portugal, Summer, 1998

Adrian Russell was a young, handsome, and fairly arrogant student in Philosophy at Cambridge. He had just finished his forth year and was packing to fly back home to Porto, Portugal where his wealthy English family had been producing port wine for the past four generations.

John Miller was Adrian's roommate and fellow student in Philosophy. Even though they were good friends and enjoyed wanking together from time to time, they were not exactly lovers.

Adrian was undecided as to what he wanted to do later on: More studies? Go to work? Live an adventure?

John was decided to continue his studies in the School of Divinity and perhaps become a church Minister like his father.

The day before leaving, each to his own home, the two young men took a late June afternoon walk along the River Cam, just to relax a moment or two after packing.

"I'm going to miss you, John," said Adrian as they strolled in the slanting sun, "You know you are always welcome to come to my home in Porto."

"I know..."

"This summer, maybe I'll sail over to the Azores. Want to come along?"

"Azores! That's in the middle of the ocean, isn't it?" replied John, cringing.

"No, it's only about eight days out of Porto."

There was an awkward silence before John spoke.

"Adrian, there's something I've been wanting to tell you..."

"What's that, man?"

John stopped and took a long look at Adrian.

"What do you want to tell me?" insisted Adrian, smiling.

"I'm sorry, Adrian, but I can't accept your invitation. I like you a lot! That you know... but I need for us to split and no longer see each other," bluntly stated John.

"Split?"

"Yes, split for good," stuttered John.

Adrian shook his head, then almost shouted, "Bollocks! Why?"

"You've been a great friend and also the most gorgeous human I've ever seen. That's why I've sinned, surrendering to sexual temptations. I know that I was never able to refuse your caresses and I actually enjoyed wanking you... and you wanking me... but..."

"So where's the problem?"

"Don't be naive! You know that anything sexual between two men is a sin. It's in the Bible. It used to be against the law! Every time we did it, I felt guilty, dirty, and was terrified at the idea of being caught. That would have been a disaster for me and my family. So, let's leave our relationship where it started, and ending, in the room we shared and shall no longer use."

Adrian felt like he wanted to vomit. Sex wasn't a problem for him. He liked John. It was natural! He had studied Greek philosophy. He knew Plato's Symposium by heart, where love and sex between men was a virtue, an art, uplifting the soul. Of course he knew that homosexuality was still a problem for the weak minded or the bigots, but even if John was a preacher's son, Adrian had always thought of him broadminded... He was always willing to be enticed into some good healthy fun shooting off together.

Another long silence.

"Adrian... say something," implored John.

"John... I thought you were a part of my story, but you've decided to be only a chapter. I can't argue with God..."

John stopped. Adrian shrugged, then uttered, "However, would it be a sin for you if we kissed?"

"Here?"

"There's nobody around. At least here we won't end up naked, wanking each other like mad again."

John grabbed Adrian's head and passionately kissed him as tears brimmed in his eyes. Adrian held John against him, thrusting his tongue into John's mouth. John gasped, then moaned, melting in Adrian's arms. John then whispered in Adrian's ear, "This is our last night together... Maybe we could... you know... go back to the room and sin just one more time. I have the rest of my life to repent."

Adrian laughed out loud, then put his arm around John's shoulder, and replied, "If you insist, Reverend Miller!"

Adrian flew home alone. He wasn't too affected by John's need to refuse him. He knew that poor John was refusing himself even more. It was sad, but there was nothing he could do.

His mind was set. He had to sail to the Azores. However, the more he thought about it, the more he realised it would be unsafe to do it singlehandedly. That's when it dawned on him that Adélio Silva, son of the family's gardener, could be a suitable hand aboard.

The lad was sixteen, smart, spoke excellent English, and had already helped Adrian refitting and sailing Bel Ami the summer before. Of course, Adrian considered Adélio more as a servant than a companion, but if he could do the job, that was all he needed.

Adrian was met at the airport by the family chauffeur and was driven to the estate. Entering the house, he was greeted by his mother who gave him a big hug. He then rushed up to his room to unpack and take a shower. He wanted to be presentable for his father when he came home from work.

In spite of the summer heat of Porto, he pushed open the heavy window shutters and inhaled the strong, delicious scent of the garden as it filled his nostrils, his room, his heart. He spotted Senhor Silva working by the pool, then he saw Adélio with a rake in his hand. The lad, having heard the shutters slam against the wall, had glanced up at the open window and waved, his face beaming, his fair hair gleaming in the sun. The Silva family was from a small, isolated village in the Minho, the Northern province of Portugal. The original inhabitants of the region were blond Celts. Adélio Silva was a perfect example.

"He's really growing nicely," mused Adrian, waving back.

Adrian stepped out of the shower and took his time choosing his dinner attire. He was closely shaved, scented, and happy to be back home. He loved growing up as a lad in Porto. The small British community was like a big family. The proof was that he spoke nearly no Portuguese. He never had to. Be it at the yacht club, the cricket and tennis club, the grammar school, or with the house employees, everything was in English. But the sun, the air, the atmosphere was definitely not English, and the nearby ocean was warm and welcoming. He was suddenly impatient to go down and see how Bel Ami, his thirty-six foot schooner and gift from his grandfather, was doing. Looking at the photo of his boat on the wall, he said to himself, "Bel Ami, 'beautiful friend' in French. What a perfect name..."

During his four years in Cambridge, the only person Adrian had actually befriended was John... He shrugged again, sighed, admiring himself in the mirror. He went down for 'happy hour' in the parlour, impatient to hug his father.

When Adrian walked into the parlour, his Dad grabbed him in his arms, exclaiming, "Welcome home, my handsome young man, and congratualtions for your brilliant academic success. Finally we have a philosopher in the family!" proudly exclaimed Gordon Russell as the others applauded.

There were warm family hugs in all directions. The forth and fifth generations of British expats in Porto had lost most of their cold English 'touch-me-not' demeanour, much to Adrian's pleasure each time he returned from school. He had been a boarder from the age of thirteen and then roomed with John in a small off campus student flat. He had been away from home a long time, but there were the Christmas and summer holidays which, in fact, were enough to fill his heart.

There were questions about John. Adrian explained that the time had come for them to go their separate ways. There also was the inevitable question about a possible girlfriend in sight. Adrian gave the same elusive answer, "I'm waiting for the right person to show up... I've got time!"

After dinner, he found a moment to speak with his father in the garden. For Adrian, his father was a guide, a source of love, and his very best advisor.

Gordon had been 'forced' by his own father, as his grandfather before him to take over the vineyards and winery. When Adrian was born, Gordon swore he would never force his boy to do the same. Of course, he taught his son the art of being a gentleman, assuring him all the affection a father could give. He intuitively knew that Adrian was gay and quite wisely did nothing to thwart his son's intimate nature. After all, he bore the name of Adrian, the Roman Emperor who was crazed with love for his divine Antinoo. Attentive to his son's deepest calling, Gordon was always disposed to listen and give him all the support he might need.

That evening in the garden was such a moment.

"Ah, it's so nice to be back home, Dad!"

"It's nice having you back too, my boy."

"I needed to have a chat with you, just the two of us, to get a few things straight in my head."

"That's what fathers are made for, Adrian... What's on your mind?"

"A thousand and one things, Dad."

"Start with the 'one thing' first, we'll take time later for the thousand others," suggested Adrian's father.

"I want to sail over to the Azores, cleanse my head from four years at Cambridge, see new sights, and hope that something turns up for me to make up my mind about what I can do with my life."

"Good idea... I approve."

"But I don't feel secure enough to sail Bel Ami that far all by myself."

"I wouldn't feel secure with you going all that way by yourself either. Do you have a companion in mind?" wisely replied Gordon.

As they sat together by the pool. The evening was warm, the air was scented with the fragrance of jasmine, smooth as velvet. Adrian explained that he had asked John and told him the reason why he had refused. His father listened, then spoke, "Your freedom of mind and body can only get along with others as free as you, my boy..."

"I know and I'm glad John and I didn't go any further in our relationship. We're still growing, but not growing in the same direction."

Gordon nodded and then inquired, "Do you have an idea about another sailing companion you could ask to come with you to the Azores?"

"Well, he's not exactly a companion. He's more a servant, but I think he could do... Adélio Silva."

"Our gardener's son?"

"Yes"

Gordon thought a minute or two and then replied, "As for me, if his father can get along without him, I think it's an excellent decision. Now you must ask the lad first and if he accepts, obtain his father's permission."

"I'm glad you approve, Dad!"

"Why shouldn't I? By the way, how are you doing money-wise?"

"I think I'm fine..." replied Adrian, shrugging.

"You'll need to equip Bel Ami and have her totally checked, including the motor. You should invest in a wind-vane for overnight sailing as well... I want you to make an estimate of how much you'll need in the islands, etc. Once you get that done, you'll tell me how much more I should put on your bank account. I don't plan to finance you all your life, but for the time being, I'm glad to do what I can."

"Thanks, Dad! You're great!"

"Is there anything else we need to take care of for the time being?"

"Yes, Dad! A hug!"

The following morning, after breakfast, Adrian went down to find Adélio and his father working in the rose garden. Adelio's naturally fair skin and blond locks seemed to glow in the early slanting sun. Dew glistened on the roses. Adélio gave Adrian a respectful smile as his father, Sehnor Silva exclaimed, "Welcome back home, Senhorzinho Adrian."

"Thank you! It's good to be back. And you, Adélio, you've really grown since Christmas."

"Thank you, Senhor," replied Adélio blushing a bit.

"May I interrupt your work for a minute or two?"

"Of course you may," replied Sehnor Silva.

"I'm planning to sail to the Azores leaving at the end of the month and I would like to hire Adélio to come with me as my second... that is of course, Senhor Silva, if you don't need him here."

Adélio gave his father a pleading look in silence. Senhor Silva scratched his head, looked up at Adrian, then at his son.

"Queres fazer marinheiro com o Adrian? È um trabalho sério..." (Do you want to be Adrian's sailor? It's serious work...)

"Sim, Pai!"

"Senhorzinho Adrian, you know my boy. He's a good boy. Thank you for asking him to work for you. I give Adélio my permission to go with you. How long will you be gone?"

"When does school start?"

"Adélio stopped school and must go to work... maybe with you..."

"We'll see..."

Senhor Silva turned to his son, saying, "Adélio, o que acha disso? Diga algo ao Sr. Russell!" (Adélio, what do you think about this? Say something to Master Russell)

Giving Adrian a hearty smile, Adélio stated, "You will be my Captain and I will be your 'servo' (valet) under deck and 'marinheiro' (sailor) on deck."

Adrian held out his hand. Adélio took it. The deal was sealed.

"Senhorzinho Adrian, my boy is yours. Be kind," declared Senhor Silva.

"I shall be very kind, Sir! I'll have my father's secretary draw up the necessary papers. We shall see each other later for that. Can Adélio accompany me to the boat this afternoon?"

"I said that he is now yours to command. You give him your orders and he'll be there."

"Perfect! Adélio, finish your work this morning with your father and be at the gatehouse at 2:00 PM. We'll go together to inspect Bel Ami!"

"Yes, Sir!"

Adrian said to himself, "That was simple enough... I like being called Captain, Sir, etc."

He rushed back into the house. His father had not yet left. Adrian told him that all was in order for Adélio to be his crew mate.

"Well done, Son. Your mother was planning to hire him since he's now finished with school. Tell her to put him on the house payroll."

"And for the legal papers, etc.?"

"You tell the director of the yacht club to take care of that. I've got to run now. Have a nice day, my boy. See you this evening."

Adrian suddenly felt responsible, really responsible. For the first time, his father had slyly avoided saying what he usually said, "I'll take care of that..."

As Adrian climbed the stairs to his room, he said to himself, "I must make a list of everything I have to do now, on my own."

The list was long!

At lunch, Adrian and his mother had a good talk as well. She, of course, repeated several times that she was going to be worried to death with her son sailing out to sea with a young, inexperienced lad. Adrian had to remind her that he was an experienced sailor, that he had his offshore skipper's license, and that he knew what he was doing.

"I'm quite pleased that you hired Adélio to come along. He's a bright young man, well mannered, and very respectful. I hope you'll teach him to be as much of a young gentleman as you are. These Portuguese are quite kind, but lack the polish that we English bring them. Please correct Adélio's horrible foreign accent."

"I'm glad you feel protective of our house staff, Mum, but remember we are the foreigners here."

"Oh, don't be silly, Adrian..."

Adrian and Adélio found Bel Ami in good shape. She needed to be aired out, put aground, scraped, and repainted with anti-fouling under the waterline. Inside, she needed to be entirely scrubbed and polished. That would be Adélio's job. Adrian inspected the sails, the rigging, had the motor tuned, the filters and pumps changed. He checked the batteries for the motor, radio, and the running lights. They decided they could handle the night watches sleeping three to four hours each and didn't install a wind-vane.

After two weeks of working on Bel Ami, she was better than new. Adrian invested in a better shortwave radio and VHF as well as a new sextant and a set of charts of the Azores. With Adélio, they composed their menus and did the shopping for their supplies.

On July 22, 1998, they said good-bye to their families and friends. At 6:30 AM, the following morning, they met on Bel Ami, waved good-bye to their respective parents, and cast off. Once outside the mouth of the river Douro, they headed west southwest at 252° on a good starboard broad reach. The north wind was fresh and the sun delightfully warm. The sea seemed to breathe all the serenity of summer. Adrian opened his arms. Adélio smiled. They finally hugged. Both exhaled a sigh of contentment as they slightly melted into each other's embrace. They said nothing; all was understood.

Cruising at a comfortable five knots, the miles slid by into a silken afternoon. They were still slightly heeling to port, gently rising and falling in the long Atlantic swell. Adélio was at the tiller when Adrian said, "I'm going to go change into my favourite summer sailing attire and go naked in a pair of cut-offs. I hope you don't mind, Adélio."

"None at all, Sir. May I undress some myself?"

"Of course!"

A very fair untanned Adrian came back up with a bottle of sunscreen in his hand. He spread the lotion on his hairless legs, then his arms and chest.

"Could you do my back, Adélio?"

"With pleasure, Sir."

Adélio slathered Adrian's shoulders and back, massaging them with his free hand.

"That feels so good, Adélio! Thanks!"

"It's my job to make you feel good, Sir."

"Go and change. I'll do your back too."

"Thank you, Sir!" exclaimed Adélio, skipping down the companionway.

The lithe ephebe reappeared in the cockpit, clad only in a pair of old, flimsy, nearly transparent cotton drawstring pants. His lightly tanned skin gleamed in the sun like soft satin. Adrian was moved, admiring the lad, facing the wind. The shivering outline of his gracile penis was in perfect proportion with his handsome body.

Adrian's hand trembled a bit as he spread the sunscreen on Adélio's back.

"Do you want me to do your frontside as well?"

"I can do it myself, Sir..."

"No, let me do it," immediately replied Adélio.

"Very well, Sir," uttered Adélio, turning around.

Adrian took notice of Adélio's obvious state of arousal as he anointed the youth's chest.

"I always like to complete what I undertake. Lean down and let me do your face as well," stated Adrian.

Adélio obeyed. Adrian dabbed sunscreen on Adélio's forehead, cheeks, and finished with the tip of his nose. Adélio giggled as Adrian caressed his face all over.

"Your touch is gentle, Sir."

"I hope so, Adélio. It's a pleasure touching such a perfect face."

"Can I do your face as well, Sir? Yours is even more beautiful."

"If you want!" replied Adrian, a bit surprised by Adélio's boldness.

Feeling he had done something wrong, Adélio apologised, saying, "Excuse me, Sir. I didn't mean to be disrespectful..."

"I don't mind at all. In fact I'm glad you took the liberty to return the favour..."

Still seated at the tiller, Adrian turned, facing the wind. His fluffy light hair blew in the breeze. Adélio stood, slightly leaning on Adrian's shoulder. His slender fingertips gently caressed Adrian's smiling face.

"That is so relaxing, Adélio!" mumbled Adrian.

Both were totally oblivious to the intimacy of the situation, their bodies slowly swaying together as Bel Ami clipped along under the sun.

There are moments of grace that seem to escape the tyranny of time. This was one of them. When Adrian opened his eyes, meeting Adélio's dreamy gaze, he shivered, his leaking cock straining in his cut-offs.

"Thank you, Adélio."

"You are quite welcome, Sir," replied the lad, standing, his loose pants tenting.

The afternoon slid along in the breeze. They took turns at the tiller. Adrian went down and turned on the radio. It was time for the Portuguese marine weather forecast. He came back up, took the tiller, and asked Adélio to listen and translate.

Adélio did as told and a few minutes later he returned topside.

"Captain, the weather forecasters say we are in a period of anticyclonic weather with a moderate breeze and sea from the north. The zones concerned include West Portugal and Azores."

"Comfortable sailing in view, Adélio!"

Adélio appeared topside with a bottle of Douro wine, two glasses, and two bowls of rice and lamb stew he had prepared for dinner.

"I didn't know you were also a cook, Adélio..."

"I didn't either," laughed Adélio.

Adrian noticed that he didn't say, 'Sir' at the end of his reply.

"Delicious... simple, tasty, and... and good, like you!"

Adélio's giggle was his only reply.

With the setting sun a chill fell upon Bel Ami. Here and there, tiny evening stars slowly emerged in the twilight sky. Adrian and Adélio, clad in their sailor's smock, admired the magic of the night slowly overtaking them from behind as the dwindling sliver of day disappeared in the West.

"Adélio, you've done a lot of work today. I want you to now go and try to sleep some. I'll come down and wake you up for your watch around midnight. At four, I'll take the tiller again and let you finish your night."

"Very well, Sir."

Adélio's berth was on the port side. He stripped and slid into his sleeping bag. In a matter of minutes, he was sound asleep.

Adrian, suddenly felt a surge of mixed emotions as he sat, alone in the night. The sky was an array of stars, the waters, an undulating black mirror. The wake gurgled, mumbling in an unknown tongue, ancient secrets of the sea. He thought about his complicated existence at Cambridge, about his 'supposedly superior' social condition, and his confusion as to what he really wanted in life.

Then he told himself that it was stupid to waste his time trying to understand such trivial matters. He released his soul, letting it soar into the night, his face remembering Adélio's magic fingertips. He licked his lips, enjoying the taste of salt. He realised that he was at peace, and the peace he felt was simply the presence of Adélio's joy being by his side.

As sleep began to claim its rights, Adrian secured the tiller and went down. A beam of moonlight lit the cabin. Adélio's sleeping face, bathed in the pale silver glow, was to Adrian's eyes a pure marvel.

He hesitantly touched the lad's shoulder. Adélio startled, then smiled seeing Adrian leaning over him.

"Time for your watch."

Adélio nodded, slipped out of the sleeping bag, dressed in a flash and awaited his orders.

"Steady as she goes. Keep an eye on the freighter coming down from the North. In case of any problem, don't hesitate to wake me up."

"No problem, Sir," replied Adélio as he disappeared into the night.

Adrian smiled having seen that Adélio slept nude and decided to do the same.

On the third day out, the wind picked up speed. Sailing became a bit more spirited and both were excitedly happy. They took a reef in both the mainsail and the mizzen, the starboard list made life somewhat more complicated aboard... and it was fun! The sun was still there, hotter than ever.

Anointing each other with the sunscreen had become a ritual. That morning, Adrian stated, "Adélio, I want to do you first."

"Very well, Sir. Could I ask you permission to be naked? I don't have shorts and my pants keep my legs terribly white."

"Permission granted!"

Adélio stripped and took the tiller in hand. Adrian sat behind him and slathered the lotion on his back. Adélio's stance with legs spread gave Adrian ample space to cover Adélio's buttocks, thighs and calves. With the speed of Bel Ami, Adélio felt better holding the tiller with both hands, sometimes having to correct course after slapping into a wave. Adrian then came around and took care of Adélio's face, chest and then knelt to do his sex and the front of his thighs.

The pitch and roll of Bel Ami, made Adrian lurch a bit as he spread the lotion. Adélio laughed as Adrian enjoyed handling the perfect erect, uncut cock and withdrawn balls. Adélio's small, tidy bush of pubic curls glistened in the sun.

When that was over, Adélio shouted as he pulled on Adrian's shorts, "Sir, it's your turn now!"

Holding on to the tiller, Adrian heartily complied, stepping out of his cut-offs. Adélio joyfully anointed and massaged Adrian's shoulders and back, then kneaded the tense buttocks until they relaxed. Then he circled Adrian's thighs, brushing from time to time his dangling balls. Then repeating Adrian's gestures, he took pleasure anointing the face and chest. The motion of the boat occasionally unbalanced Adélio, as he knelt and began massaging Adrian's crotch. A string of crystal clear precum was oozing out of Adrian's cock. Adélio gathered it into the palm of his hand and mixed with the rest of the sunscreen, he rubbed the mixture on Adrian's thighs.

"Adélio, I'm sure we're the happiest and handsomest fellows on earth."

Adélio was suddenly struck by Adrian's comment. He stood, swaying with the boat and asked, "Sir, did you say, 'fellows'? Am I your fellow, your 'companheiro' now?"

"For me you are my companion, Adélio. Am I your companion too?"

Adélio looked a bit stunned. He glanced at the tiny whitecaps dancing on the waves, then at Adrian, and with tears swelling in his dark smiling eyes, replied, "Yes I am, Adrian! I am your companion as long as you want me."

"As long as you want me too, Adélio. Companions have to both agree to stay together."

"I understand... Let me take the tiller, Adrian. I want Bel Ami to feel how happy I am!"

Adrian enjoyed for the first time feeling the wind on his naked body. He made his way forward and stood holding onto the foremast, his long hair dancing in the wind.

On the sixth day out, entering the zone of the Azores, the wind slackened. On the seventh day, São Miguel was in sight. On the afternoon of the eighth day, they tied up at the visitor's pier in the port of Vila Franca do Campo. They were given a space to moor for two nights at a dock for pleasure boats. They took the key to the showers, and indulged in shampooing and scrubbing themselves into two brand new young men.

Once back in the boat, as they were dressing with their best civilised clothes, Adélio said, "Now that we don't have watches to make, can we take the double berth in the alcove and sleep together? We can be bedfellows too, can't we?"

"Do you know what can happen between us, naked in the alcove together, Adélio?"

"I hope I know!" giggled Adélio.

Adrian broke out laughing, grabbed Adélio in a hug, and gave him a big, wet kiss in the neck.

"So do you hope I'm hoping the same thing?" coyly inquired Adrian, holding Adélio's hands in his.

"I think so..."

"Okay, zip our sleeping bags together and stash the stuff in the alcove. You can put them in the chests under the midship benches. Then let's go find a nice little restaurant. I'm starved for grilled meat, fries, and cold beer..."

"And ice cream too!"

"Then once we're full, we'll hurry back and enjoy a long, sweet, night...skin to skin..." stated Adrian.

"Yes! A long, sweet, sweet night of fun together... I'm ready... ready for anything with you, Adrian!"

The restaurant was called 'O Churrasco' specialised in charcoaled steaks. Adélio and Adrian were treated like princes.

Spirits were high as they dined on the medium rare steaks served with fries and tossed salads. From time to time, as they enjoyed every bite, they just looked at each other, chewing, smiling like morons. For dessert, they indulged in a gigantic ice-cream covered with chantilly cream. Adrian paid, making reservation for dinner the following evening.

The night was soft and balmy with a semi-tropical scent in the air. As they walked back down to the harbour nothing was said. Adélio giggled a few times as their shoulders bumped. Adrian at one point put his arm around Adélio's waist, drawing him close.

"Happy?" whispered Adrian.

"In heaven, Adrian!"

Once inside the cabin, clothes flew everywhere. Adélio jumped into the alcove beaming in anticipation of being held in Adrian's arms. Adrian lit the copper oil lamp hanging over the table and turned the wick down low. A soft breeze flowed through the open hatches. He pushed his hair away from his face and crawled into the alcove. Both remained immobile for an instant, their hearts beating in unison as they held each other. Adrian gently slid his moist erection alongside Adélio's straining cock, both leaking precious precum.

Adélio quivered as Adrian nibbled his earlobe, then kissed his neck, caressing his flaxen hair. Adélio whimpered, as Adrian's lips met his. The kiss for both was like silent lightning, sending shivers of delight throughout their bodies. Adélio slid down Adrian's chest, kissing, licking, inhaling the unique scent of their male arousal. Adrian gasped when Adélio began to suck his glans, then his shaft, squeezing the base with his long, slender fingers. Adélio hummed as he slurped the precum now flowing from Adrian's slit.

Adrian's mind became a whirlpool of images, fears and delights. He had never experienced such bliss. John's timid wanking had never conveyed such tender... firey... tenderness!.

Adélio's lips and tongue worked magic. Seizing Adélio's head, Adrian pulled him up, face to face, and began covering his mouth with kisses. Then he flipped around and dove down, swallowing Adélio's sweet slim cock directly into his throat, never gagging, as if it was always meant to be there.

Adélio yelped, then sucked Adrian's cock as deep as he could, his tongue twirling, his head bobbing. All their unconscious, pent up lust that had accumulated during the crossing was now released, blazing in a melding fire. Adrian hummed with Adélio's sex in his throat, driving the lad mad with thirst for semen.

Instinct guided their fingers to each other's anus, caressing, prodding, entering, triggering a simultaneous, mind-blasting orgasm, filling their mouths and throats with gush after gush of sweet, creamy semen.

Fulfilled, Adélio scrambled around and crawled up on Adrian's panting body. Grabbing Adrian's head, he kissed his gasping mouth. The residual cum on their tongues mingled into a sacred nectar, feeding each other's soul.

Adrian slipped out of the berth and extinguished the lamp. When he crawled back in, Adélio whispered, "Sleepy?"

Adrian whispered back, "No," pulling Adélio's hand onto his still erect cock.

Adélio began to stroke. Adrian did the same. Gazing into each other's moonlit eyes, beaming, they massaged, pulled, twisted and jacked ever so gently, rubbing the tips of their noses together, their toes teasing each other's feet. They took their time, pleasing each other late into the night. Again they gasped, spewing cum into each other's hands. The scent of fresh semen filled the alcove as they breathed each other's breath, never releasing their sticky grip. Adélio's softening cock slowly slipped out of Adrian's opening hand, both peacefully asleep, tenderly enlaced.

Morning broke in all its glory. When Adrian woke up, he saw Adélio lighting the fire under the kettle for coffee.

"Good morning, handsome!" declared Adrian.

"Bom dia!" echoed Adélio, rushing to jump on the berth.

Locked in an embrace, they rocked each other to and fro in the disheveled mass of open sleeping bags.

"How do you feel after last night?" asked Adrian.

"I feel like I want to enjoy you even more. I hope I wasn't too... you know... too awkward."

"Awkward? I'm the awkward one. Your experience is amazing."

"What experience? That was my first time and I'm SO HAPPY it was with you!"

"I don't believe you."

"My Mum told me that if your heart feels free, it happens all by itself!"

"That was my REAL first time too. All I'd ever done before was wank some with my roommate at the University. No real bonds, just relief. With you I'm discovering a whole new world."

Adélio snuggled up close to Adrian and said, "You are my whole new world."

The morning was spent with shopping. Walking into the rather nondescript town they passed in front of the window of a little sports shop. Adélio stopped and said he wanted to go in. He tried on a pair of navy blue surf shorts and a white, tight t-shirt. Modeling for Adrian, he asked, "How do I look?"

Laughing, Adrian replied, "Adélio, whatever you wear, you're always beautiful."

"Why don't you buy the same for yourself? I think it would be fun for us to have our uniform together, No?"

"Why not?"

Cambridge was far away, almost inexistent. Leaving the shop, they were a matching example of masculine no-nonsense elegance!

The grocer loaned them a trolley to carry their supplies of food, and drink back to Bel Ami. While Adrian stashed their purchases, Adélio returned the trolley. Then Adrian gave Bel Ami a full scrub-down while Adélio did the laundry. It was close to 1:00 PM when they went to eat a snack at the café on the quay.

"I think we need a tender nap together... don't you, Adrian," stated Adélio as they returned to the boat.

"I think we really need one..."

"We have the same needs, don't we?"

"More than that, Adélio."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean we really get along well together..."

Adélio was giggling with glee as they stepped aboard.

There's something special about lazy sex in the afternoon. Adélio and Adrian slowly explored each other's bodies, savouring the scent of intimate flesh, the slick feeling of fondling balls in the palm of the hand, gazing at the light playing in a string of precum on the tip of a finger. To a certain extent, they were melding into each other, relishing the delights of surrendering to each other, uniting.

Each explored the body of the other with the tips of their tongues, their lips, their heartbeats. They writhed enlaced, licking the sweaty cleft between the buttocks, teasing the anus, sucking a testicle. 
Little by little they surrendered to the surging crescendo of lusting thirst. They began licking each other's cock, sucking the glans, coiled together like two doves in a nest. With a finger inserted deep into each other's hole, they massaged the nut inside. They drank the tiny spurts of fluid precum as they sucked.

A sudden rumbling sensation rose from deep within, pulling their balls up into the pubis. They jolted, spasmed, churning in the inevitable eruption.

Orgasm!

Multiple jabs, cocks spewing white jets of liquid fire deep into each other's throats.

They licked their lips, beaming, then laughing, they hugged.

"Caramba!" shouted Adélio, "Amor! Amo-te muito! Love! I love you, Adrian! Keep me forever... Please!"

"I love you too, Adélio. We belong together!"

Adrian suddenly realised what he had just said. He took a deep breath, smiled, and uttered, "Yes, we belong together..."

"Hold me tight, Adrian."

Enlaced, unconcerned by the passing hour, casually caressing, kissing each other in silence, they realised that their love was now an acknowledged reality. A world of their own was opening before them -- a world to create... together.

Neither Adélio nor Adrian realised how very generous they were one for the other. Adélio's uncomplicated simplicity had eroded Adrian's 'natural' arrogance to the point of making it vanish. Love despises selfishness. Only the illusions of love create problems; in order to flourish and grow, true love tolerates only the basic essentials of togetherness: tenderness, devotion, and sexual ardour. Their love for each other had happened, just like that! It was their blessing, their grace, their destiny...

After another sumptuous dinner at "O Churrasco", they simply fell asleep together, ready to set sail the following morning to Terceira Island, a hundred and some miles west. The weather forcasted sun, moderate breeze and whitecaps from the Northeast. Good fun in view!

They left Vila Franca do Campo at 6:00 AM. Three hours later they sailed out of the lee of São Miguel and headed northwest catching a good stiff wind on a close starboard reach. Bel Ami jubilated, splitting waves.

Taking turns at the tiller, adjusting the sails, they sped through the day into the night, hoping to arrive before noon in Angra.

Adélio was the first to see the seven thousand foot summit of Pico Island emerge in the pale dawning light just a bit south of their course.

Adrian was slumbering with him in the cockpit. Adélio squeezed his shoulder.

"Adrian, look over there, the highest peak in Portugal. The sun has just touched the summit."

Adrian sat, rubbed his eyes, and then exclaimed, "Unreal! A single mountain in the middle of the ocean! Awesome!"

"And there, in front of us, I think I see Terceira on the horizon."

A pale pastel morning greeted them with caressing warm breezes.

"Enjoy the rising daylight, Adélio. I'm going down and cook us a hearty breakfast! It's my turn now."

"Your turn?"

"From now on we'll share our jobs together. You're my mate, no longer my sailor boy!"

"Mate, give me a good morning kiss!"

The wind held and with it so did Bel Ami's lively pace. Adrian and Adélio lazed together, cuddling in the cockpit. Eleven o'clock wedding bells were ringing as they tied up at the guests' pier of Angra do Heroísmo.

The harbour master came down to register them. Adélio explained that they would be there for a few days and asked if they could use the facilities for laundry and shower.

Adélio then translated to Adrian what the Captain had replied. "Since we stay only a few days we can use the berth behind the welcome berth. There might be some swell, but if you don't mind, you can take it for free. The showers and laundry facilities are 50 Escudos per day."

"That's almost free too!" exclaimed Adrian, adding, "Let's go find a nice little 'tasca' (a small inexpensive eatery) for lunch."

The charming old colonial city was a splendour to their eyes. The elegant parks, shops, town houses, and churches created a very peaceful, old world atmosphere.

"This city is way more beautiful than Porto and Lisbon combined," declared Adélio.

"Don't mention drabby old Cambridge!" replied Adrian.

As they strolled, they came upon a small, ornate church-like building. Adrian was very intrigued. Vast tall windows covered the facade as well as the two sides. In front, there was a triangular pediment with a crown on the peak. The sculpture of a dove hovered over the entrance door. Seeing an elderly lady passing by, Adélio inquired, "Bom dia, senhora, faça favor, o que é este edificio?" (Good day, Madam, please, what his this building?)

"Meu belo joven, é o Império do Divinio Espirito Santo!" replied the lady smiling. (My handsome young man, it's the Empire of the Divine Holy Ghost!)

Intrigued, Adélio questioned her a bit more and learned that in the Azores, there was a cult of the Holy Ghost. She explained that the three persons of the Holy Trinity didn't appear at the same time and in the same place. She told him that God the Father's land was in Palestine. Later, God the Son came and his land was further west, in Rome and at last, the Holy Ghost's land was still further west: the Azores! Each neighbourhood had its Império where the people gathered to worship the Holy Ghost. She finished by asserting that the Holy Ghost was the most powerful person of the Holy Trinity.

Adélio thanked the lady for her lesson and then explained to Adrian what he had learned.

Adrian was fascinated.

"I like that point of view concerning the divine forces in our culture. Like the beliefs of the Quakers, the Holy Ghost gives no orders, has no doctrine. They say that the Holy Ghost sets us free from earthly powers and gives us a direct, physical connection with the Divine.

Adélio listened, nodding his head, not really understanding.

Adrian tried the door. It was open. Taking Adélio's hand, Adrian said, "Let's go in."

The inside was even more ornate than the outside. As they stood there, facing the altar, and the Dove suspended overhead, both Adélio and Adrian felt love surging through their bodies, making their cocks swell a bit. Adélio nudged Adrian's shoulder. A warm, radiant silence filled the small 'Império'.

Adélio whispered, "I'm erect..."

Adrian replied, "Me too..."

"My grandmother told me that the Holy Ghost is our advisor. He reveals to us the path to follow in our lives. He doesn't use words. He speaks to us in our feelings, in our hearts, and in our flesh," uttered Adélio.

Then touching his crotch, he added, looking at the Dove, "Adrien, is He speaking to us now? Is He now telling us that our love is the right path for each of us?"

"I think it's clear, Adélio... I'm sure it is, because I feel it is too. I'm shivering."

"Me too..."

They both bowed and went outside.

Suddenly Adélio started giggling.

He exclaimed, "The Holy Ghost is very funny... and really clever, Adrian!"

"What makes you say that?"

"Listen, the slang word for 'cock'... you know, penis or dick in Portuguese is 'pomba', the same word for dove. The Holy Ghost guides us with our cocks!"

"I'm not sure your reasoning is theologically correct, but for me... and the Holy Ghost, I can assure you that your cock is gifted with perfect spiritual insight!"

On their way back down to the port, Adélio asked, "Do you feel that the Holy Ghost wants us to welcome our 'pombas' in each other?"

"The dove shows the way."

Bel Ami gently rocked in the small swell of the bay. Once inside, Adélio and Adrian rinsed each and stood, wet and very erect, smiling at each other in the cool breeze flowing through the cabin,.

Stepping up close, Adrian asked, "Do you think it'll hurt, Adélio?"

"I don't care since it's you! We can use the sunscreen to help entering..."

"And we must take our time relaxing each other's hole."

They were silent as they towelled off.

Adélio smiled at Adrian and suggested, "Let's flip a coin to see who receives the Spirit in him first."

"I take tails," stated Adrian.

"Okay," replied Adélio.

Adélio tossed the bottle of sunscreen on the bed in the alcove while Adrian took a coin out of his purse.

"You flip it, Adrian!" whispered Adélio, his cock quivering with expectation.

Adrian flipped the coin in the air. He caught it and slapped it on the back of his hand. Both immediately looked.

"Heads..." exclaimed Adrian, "Be gentle, mate! Take your time. Give me a kiss!"

"I wanted you in me first..."

"The Spirit of Grace decided otherwise!"

"You're right! Let's begin."

Bel Ami gently cradled them as they laid enlaced, silently caressing each other with infinite tenderness. It's funny how the most positive moments in life are both joyful and solemn. They both 'knew' that they were living a decisive moment, a moment in which they would surrender their most intimate selves to the other and receive from the other his most intimate offering.

Adrian turned, laying front down, his legs sprawled, his muscular rump relaxed. Adélio laid coverning him, nibbling his ear lobe, kissing him in the neck. He slowly slid down Adrian's spine. He gently separated Adrian's firm buttocks, exposing his twitching anus. Adélio licked, darting his tongue into the opening hole as Adrian discovered, humming, brand new delights. Nothing savage, nothing domineering happened. Adélio anointed his cock, then rubbed Adrian's anus with sunscreen. Adrian guided Adélio's cock, urging him to slowly push in.

Adrian held Adélio's buttocks in his hands. Adrian's anal ring squeezed Adélio's cock. The motion of the swells moved their intimately connected bodies together. Adélio's cock throbbed, leaked, slightly churned inside Adrian. Adrian's deepest muscles squeezed it, massaged it, drawing the loving presence deeper inside him.

Adélio clawed Adrian's shoulders. His pelvis instinctively began to push and pull. With each thrust, waves of ecstatic thrills surged through Adrian's connected body.

Adélio lost control. He quaked, trembled, then howled as his first genuine orgasm hit him. He shot his cum deep inside Adrian, over and over, grunting, panting, his eyes wide open, his mouth agape, drooling. Adrian's anus spasmed, strangling Adélio's spewing cock.

Then a panting silence filled the cabin. Adélio collapsed on Adrian, and slowly slid off, his softening cock slipping out. The afternoon breeze hummed in the riggings. Slowly they both gathered their wits, covering each other's face with kisses. Adélio mumbled, "Fuck me, Adrian. I need you to fuck me."

"Now?"

"Now!"

Adrian was still spellbound by the wonders he discovered with Adélio losing himself inside him. A savour of semen had risen from inside him. Adélio's presence was alive in his mouth, filling him, exhilarating him.

Adrian's cock was now leaking. Adélio spun around and laid on his back, pulling his knees up to his pits, exposing his splendidly enticing round rump. He whimpered and hummed as Adrian anointed his hole, sinking his finger, then two inside.

Kneeling as in prayer, Adrian rubbed the tip of his glans, slathering precum as deep as possible into Adélio's winking anus. Adélio wiggled a bit, coaxing Adrian's cock to find its home inside him. Bel Ami continued to gently rock as Adrian leaned forward. Adélio took Adrian's head in his hands and pulled him to his mouth. Their tongues slithered together as Adrian's vibrant cock slid in. Adélio drooled, rolling his rump, moaning. Adrian began to fuck. Adélio wrapped his legs around Adrian's waist, cradling him, pulling him even more.

Their motion together undulated like the waves of the sea, never pounding, never driving in and out, but churning, rising and falling as they breathed together deeper and deeper. Surprised, Adélio shot his cum once more. It landed in Adrian's hair, on the face, splattering his chest. Adélio's clenching anus trigged Adrian's mindblasting orgasm. Like bolts of lightning, he exploded, blast after blast, deep inside Adélio's young, hungry body.

Adélio clawed Adrian's arse, laughing with the angels, satiated and filled. Adrian gasped, catching his breath, slowly coming back to himself. Spent, he collapsed, sprawling on Adélio's writhing body.

Whispering into Adrian's ears, Adélio muttered, "I saw stars! I feel... I don't know how to put it... I feel as if you were praying inside me."

"My stars, Adélio, were exploding! I love you, I love loving you, I love you for who you are in me -- and for who I am in you."

"Let's stay on this island," whispered Adélio.

"We can stay wherever wills the Spirit..."

The next day, they left early to sail around to Praia da Vitória. There are few enclosed bays with sand beaches in the Azores and Praia was certainly the most beautiful. Adrian and Adélio wanted to enjoy swimming in the warm water, the privacy of being at anchor to live naked aboard, and even make love outside as long as it didn't rain!

They arrived at noon, chose a beautifully secluded spot to drop anchor. They stripped. Adélio began furling the sails as Adrian inflated the tender. As they were fixing lunch. Adélio stated, out of the blue, "Adrian, I want to live with you all the time."

"I'd love for you to live with me."

"Then it's a deal?"

"It's a deal," confirmed Adrian.

Cutting the pork roast for the sandwiches, Adélio inquired, "What about your parents?"

"I'll think about them later... What about yours?"

"Yeah... later..." echoed Adélio.

The sun was gentle with spells of shade under the big fluffy clouds drifting in from the Northeast. They finished their snack.

"Adélio, I want you for dessert."

Grinning, Adélio replied, "I was thinking about you giving me dessert too."

They coiled together in the cockpit, sharing a long gentle fellatio, humming. Content and contented, they cuddled, kissed, and then covered each other with sunscreen.

"We'll need to buy some more sunscreen... and maybe some baby oil for the rest..." said Adélio as he rubbed Adrian.

"We can go ashore later for that and some razors and shaving cream. Do you need any?"

"Are you blind?"

"Well you are a bit fuzzy..." declared Adrian.

Once Adélio was greased up, he shouted, "Meet me in the water!"

There was a big splash followed by another with both lads laughing as they wrestled, sinking and rising in the transparent waters.

As they were drying on deck, a sleek, elegant whaleboat silently slipped by near Bel Ami. She was manned by two young fellows at the sails and an older one at the tiller. Adélio didn't bother to dress. He stood, admiring the boat. One of the whaleboat's crew waved and shouted, "Boa tarde!" (good afternoon!)

"Para vôces também! Belo barco... Parabéns!" (Same to you too! Beautiful boat... Congratulations!) The whaleboat dropped anchor in the shallows between Bel Ami and the shore and its crew waded ashore.

Later in the afternoon, after another swim, Adrian and Adélio dressed and rowed onto the beach to go shopping. They crossed the crew from the whaleboat and struck up conversation. Seeing that Adrian was British, they were polite enought to speak in English, with a rather strong American accent.

"There's a big American base here on Terceira. We all speak English that way!"

The tillerman introduced himself as Pedro Cardoso. He explained that he was training two new crew members. Also he told them that whaling had been prohibited several years ago, but the sport of sailing whaleboats, called 'botes baleeiros' was still very popular.

"I'm training them for the next race with our more mature crew. We sailed around Terceira. Ours is one of the boats from the 'Casa dos Botes Baleeiros' in São Mateu, a kind of museum and storehouse for whaleboats. As you saw, they are slim, swift, and easy to sail -- after a lot of practice!

A 'bote baleeiro" is usually forty feet long, narrow and low on the water. They carry one mast, halfway between midship and the bow with a large gaff rigged mainsail and a small jib forward. Like a gig boat or a yole, they are totally open with benches for the rowers. Built in light wood and manned by six to eight men with a 'master' at the tiller, they could rapidly sail to the hunting area where the whales were sighted. With the sails and mast lowered they would stealthily row towards the whale. The harpooner would stand in the bow with a harpoon attached to a rope, coiled in the bow. When the whale was struck, it fled. The skiff and the crew sped like mad behind the bleeding whale until it finally stopped and died. The carcass was then towed back to the whale oil factory for which the hunters worked.

Adrian and Adélio learned that the three men were on their way to take the bus back home. They planned to return the next day, Sunday. They were going to sail to their home port in São Mateu do Calheta, just next to Angra.

"Pedro, would you accept to race with us back to Calheta? It would be good practice for you young fellows there," suggested Adrian, with Adélio standing there, dumbfounded.

"With pleasure!" was his immediate reply as the crew eagarly nodded.

"Sails only. No motor, no oar." stated Adrian.

The crew looked at each other and then nodded again. Pedro agreed, "Once the race has begun, no motor for you and no oars for us."

Adélio spoke up asking, "What's your boat's name?"

"Espírito Santo... Holy Ghost in English."

"We'll keep an eye on Espírito Santo while you're gone!"

"Thanks a lot. See you tomorrow... departure at 3:00 PM. Okay?"

"Okay," replied both Adrian and Adélio at the same time, beaming.

That evening, they enjoyed a wonderful fish dinner, downing a pitcher of local wine. The night was balmy. The sky was cluttered with stars. Holding hands, Adrian and Adélio walked along the beach, talking about the race.

"Do you think we have a chance to win, Adrian?"

"The breeze in now blowing in from the South. We'll tack upwind sailing south. With our long keel and three sails, we can tack closer to the wind than they can. If we get far enough ahead before turning west, we'll have a chance to arrive in Calheta at the same time, maybe before, maybe later... On broad reach, they'll certainly catch up. All depends on our team work together."

"Teamwork like making love!"

"Talking about making love... It's a splendid night outside. I thought we..."

"Could do it under the stars!" exclaimed Adélio, finishing Adrian's sentence.

They laughed as they tossed the sack of baby oil, sunscreen, razors, foam, and a few other purchases in the tender. They pushed off, and rowed back to Bel Ami, admiring Espírito Santo on the way.

"Look at that boat's lines. A real beauty! It's going to be a tight race!" announced Adrian, adding, "By the way, do we flip a coin again?"

"No! You enter me first!" blurted Adélio like an order.

Adrian laughed.

Once tied up to Bel Ami, they scrambled aboard and stripped. Adélio went inside and returned with the baby oil and a cover which they spread on the roof of the cabin.

Covered in the rising moonlight, they revelled, making all kinds of love, late into the night.

The following morning, after a quick swim they fixed themselves a substantial breakfast, then deflated the tender and prepared Bel Ami for the race. Then they rested, doing nothing special until lunch time. Around 2:00 PM, just to celebrate the event, they washed each other with fresh water and dressed alike in their matching navy blue shorts and white t-shirts.

"There they are, Adrian!" exclaimed Adélio, pointing at Espírito Santo.

At a quarter to 3:00 PM, Bel Ami was straining on her anchor chain, facing the breeze, all three sails slightly shivering. Espírito Santo's crew was rowing her into starting position as well.

At 3:00 PM, Adélio hoisted the anchor and shouted, "Anchor free!"

Adrian pushed the tiller to starboard, Bel Ami hestitated, then heeled to port. Adélio trimmed the jib. The mizzen and mainsail clacked. Bel Ami began to pick up speed. With the momentum of her long lested keel, she stayed close to the wind. Espírito Santo was tacking further downwind.

Once they were out of the bay, the wind was stronger. Bel Ami stayed on her tack, and then Adrian shouted, "Come about!" Pushing the tiller to port, Bel Ami gracefully swung on the opposite tack. Adrian handled the mainsail sheet while Adélio took care of trimming the mizzen and jib.

"We're going to push her upwind as much as possible!" exclaimed Adrian. Bel Ami heeled picking up speed. She bucked, splitting the waves. Every now and then, spray drenched the deck and Adélio as well. Their strategy to tack often and hug the wind was working. Espírito Santo had to make long tacks, increasing the distance between her and Bel Ami.

Several tacks later, skirting around the Southeastern point of the island, Adélio and Adrian relaxed in a nice broad reach. Espírito Santo had chosen to round the point half a mile offshore and was slowly closing in.

As they passed in front of the bay of Angra, Espírito Santo left Bel Ami behind. She entered the port of São Mateu first, followed by Bel Ami five minutes later.

"Adélio, go fetch a bottle of port in the locker under the chart desk. We need to honour Espírito Santo's victory with the very best."

"You mean the thirty year old port?"

"Exactly!"

Bel Ami tied up alongside Espírito Santo. Adrian invited Espírito Santo's crew aboard for a toast. Like brand new old friends, each crew congratulated the other. During the evening, Pedro Cardoso said, "You guys could make a small fortune if you organised day cruises aboard Bel Ami. You two are damn good sailors, and good looking to boot -- and your boat's a pure work of art."

Adélio looked at Adrian. They both smiled as they nodded. The Spirit was there.

Adrian called his father.

"Adélio and I are going into business in Angra. There're enough tourists to give us work. We're going to take paying guests out for day cruises aboard Bel Ami. We plan to live aboard."

Gordon listened. His only reaction was, "And your studies in philosophy?"

"What I've just said IS my philosophy, Dad!"

"I understand, my lucky lad! Be good!"

Adelio called his father to say he was hired for life with Adrian.

"Parabéns, meu fliho, trabalhe con amor! (Congratulations, son, do your work with love)," replied Senhor Silva, leaving Adélio smiling and a bit bemused... Whatever, he was happy!

After obtaining all the necessary authorisations, they found an ideal mooring in the port of Angra. With the cooperation of the tourist office, they began their business.

Their poster showed Bel Ami with Adrian and Adélio, shoulder to should on the deck. The text just beneath the photo read:

Enjoy a day on the water with us. Desfruta de um dia no mar connosco.

By mid August, their day charters were quite popular, especially with the gay holiday makers. In November, braving the threat of high seas, they sailed to Horta, on Faial Island and made contacts for a new season beginning in April.

When Adrian told his father that they were planning to fly back to Porto for Christmas, Gordon exclaimed, "That's great news, my boy! Do you want me to make arrangements for you and Adélio to use the little guest house at the back of the garden. I'm sure Adélio's father won't mind since he's already given Adélio's room to their last daughter..."

Adrian heard his father chuckle.

"Great idea, Dad!"

"I thought you two would be happier that way!"

"You're always right, Dad! Always! I love you!"

A free picture album illustrating this story (pdf) is available upon request at maringiustinian@gmail.com.