The following fictional story deals with sex among males. If you are offended by such material, are too young, or reside in a location where it is not allowed, please depart. Though not observed in this story, care enough about yourself and humankind to practice safe sex.
The author retains all rights. EvanBradley33@Yahoo.com
Chapter 9 Jimmy Construction Site
Hal and the Coopers were a little late arriving at the construction site. In spite of Drew's protests, Hal had insisted on following him home, making him promise that he'd stay there, taking it easy for the day. It left Drew feeling that at last he had someone who really loved him because the guy wanted to take care of him. As Hal returned to the pickup, he had a smile on his face that revealed all he was feeling to Bobby and Angie. Hal was remembering the 69 that Drew and he had had that morning, desperate to reclaim their bonding from the night before. Angie noticed that Bobby was grinning fully, no reservations apparent. She wondered when the two of them would get around to discussing Hal and Drew. Probably sooner than she imagined, for she'd already figured out some of the other male couples in the Winston Construction Company.
The Coopers dropped Hal off at the construction site as they headed out to collect the furniture, computer, and supplies for the office in the trailer. Hal gave them some downloads from MapQuest for a couple of used office furniture stores and the computer store where he had an account. He had opened the trailer and then joined the crew in the house under construction.
Hal offered his greetings for the day, but he couldn't suppress that smile prompted by images of Drew and his making love. He explained that they had followed Drew to his home to make certain he arrived okay. Upon hearing that news, the guys swapped glances, aware of the implications of THAT kind of smile.
Reminiscent of Hal's teasing the crew after questions about his first night spent with Drew, Levi started singing, "With a wiggle and a walk and a giggle and a squawk," as Hal was walking across the interior of the Haynes home, evoking instant laughter from the crew.
"So what was sex with Drew like?" asked Tonio.
Still grinning, Hal thought of an answer. "Like being eaten alive by a horny fox terrier," Hal laughed. He felt pride in being able to answer the question that way.
"A real dog, huh?"
"Not in the way you think. More like my ex's fox terrier. Stephanie called him Jamesford Berkshire Something or other - you know those pretentious names they tack on purebreds. Well, she may have been his owner, but once Steph and I married, he latched on to me, made me his owner. That dog was smart. I called him 'Jimmy.' Pissed Steph off every time she heard it. I think she thought she needed a purebred dog so everyone wouldn't miss the fact that she was a purebred."
"You were married?" Jamal asked, amazed.
"A big mistake," Hal said, shaking his head as though he were having trouble believing it. "She had money, social standing. Little orphan Hal was flattered that she'd set her sights on him. And my other ventures to find love hadn't worked out," he said, dropping his head while those listening frowned, especially Jamal, shook their heads, or found a sudden interest in the wooden floor as Hal had done. They knew his remark referred to several of them. "When it all began to go sour, I realized that Jimmy was her trophy dog and I was her trophy husband." He immediately thought of Gwen Thomas, Russ Thomas's trophy wife and the trophy home Winston Construction Company was planning to build for Dr. Russ. Made him wonder why people needed trophies.
"Steph loved to play Jimmy and me up in front of her girlfriends, saying Jimmy was her purebred dog and I was her purebred husband. Some of them would hit on me when they could, but Steph watched me closely. I wasn't really interested anyway." After a few moments of reflection, he said, "If I was watching a game on TV, Jimmy was lying right there beside me or in my lap - if we could get away with it. If Steph called him, he'd raise his head, but he wouldn't go to her. Man, she hated that! Made us both pay for it."
Hal paused a moment. "I know that dog loved me. Don't know why. Maybe he needed a buddy too. After all, he's just who he is. That purebred stuff means nothing to him." Hal smiled at a memory. "Jimmy was loyal. He'd always be waiting for me when I came home. He was either up in the picture window looking out, or he was sitting beside the driveway. He'd wait until I had turned the engine off before he bounced around to my door. And that dog bounced as much as he ran. Now that I think of it, he really only bounced around me." Hal laughed loudly. "He was so happy to be with me that he didn't wag his tail; actually, he wagged his ass."
"Oh, we know a raft of males who do that around you," Ted teased.
After throwing a grin Ted's way, Hal continued his tale: "When I worked outside, Jimmy was right there with me, my bud. He was very attentive, observant. He loved it when I'd take him to a park or out in the woods for a walk, which occurred more frequently as the marriage wound down."
"One spring I'd taken him out to Samuels National Forest. Jimmy would walk or run along side me when we were outdoors. Once in a while, he'd stampede off after some sound or scent, but he never strayed far from me. When we were walking along, he'd look up at me as if to say, "It doesn't get any better than this, does it, Hal? Two buddies hiking together?" We were walking along a forest path, entering a clearing. All of a sudden Jimmy grabbed the cuff of my jeans, stopping me, growling, pulling me back. I thought, 'What the hell! Jimmy's never growled at me.' He kept pulling me back. I thought he was playing a game. When he had stopped me, he dashed forward, skidded to a halt, and started barking like crazy. All of a sudden I saw this long form shoot out of the leaves and branches littering the ground, aimed right at Jimmy. He jumped way back. A damned Copperhead! Jimmy had detected it, stopped me from tromping right over it. As you may know, Copperheads are mean. They lie in wait even when they feel the vibrations from a human's footsteps. I about had a heart attack because Jimmy would run up nearly right on that damned snake, trying to force it back so that it wouldn't come near me. I was so afraid he would be bitten. I called him back sharply and picked him up and we detoured around that snake. I hugged my buddy like crazy for saving me from a venomous bite because that was what he was doing. And he knew I loved him even more for it. Started licking my face like crazy, telling me he loved me." Hal sniffed back tears.
"In some ways, Jimmy and I were alike. He was a hard worker too. Ever watch a fox terrier digging down in a hole out in the woods? Man, what concentration! What energy! Frantic energy!" Hal exclaimed, his eyes shining with tears, his face controlled by a huge smile. "Kinda like Drew last night."
The crew members shared smiles. "When Steph and I divorced, I asked for Jimmy. Fat chance! I even offered to buy him - Rich probably remembers all the negotiations. I had him talk to Steph about it because at that point she acted as though I were poison. Not even Rich with all his charm could get her to sell Jimmy. I'd made a mistake: I'd let her know how much I needed Jimmy. No amount of money would be enough for her to allow the two of us to be together. It broke my heart when she took him off to Ohio."
Glances were traded among the crew. Nothing was said. They knew it was good for Hal to spin this poison out of him. "I always saw myself with a big bruiser of a dog just like me. But here I was, admiring the energy, intelligence, and loyalty of this little nervous bundle of fur. Never will forget the first time I got a boner holding Jimmy and loving him."
"Oh, man. Don't tell me the 'Life and Times of Hal and Jimmy' is going to take a turn toward bestiality," teased Ted.
Hal put his hand on Ted's shoulder and shoved him away none too gently. "Bite me."
"Give me a chance," he shot back, eliciting a grin from Hal.
Hal continued, "Just so you know how are important you are to me, I don't let just anybody see this side of me. Only special people are allowed to see this Hal Winston." They worked in silence for a while, reminded of the close connections and good spirits they'd built and shared together. Suddenly, Hal started reminiscing again. "I loved Jimmy's attention to me, and I loved protecting him and caring for him. You know how most dogs hate baths? Jimmy loved it when I gave him a bath. He'd sit there so patiently. He'd look up at me with those eyes of his brimming over with appreciation. Hell, with love! He'd sit still while I got a towel to dry him off. He'd lick my hand when he was all dry. His 'thank you.' I sometimes have dreams about Jimmy and me out jogging or walking in the woods. I miss that fella. Haven't seen him since the divorce," Hal's voice fell off until it was nonexistent, lost in memories. "Guess I never will."
"How long?" asked Ted quietly.
"Four years."
"What do you miss most?" Ted kept questioning.
"I've always been proud of my size." Hal grinned. "My size everywhere." The others snickered.
"Yeah, we know about that," Kenji said, smiling. Max issued a snort of derision.
"But I got to be turned on by holding that little bitty powerhouse in my arms. And no more jokes, but half the time when I held Jimmy, I'd be on the bone. It's something about my size in relation to his and caring for him and knowing he returned it 150%. Then the importance I held for him. I was the center of his world. Not Steph. He chose me. I didn't choose him. I can't explain it better now. Finally, it was just that feeling we both had when we were together and having a great time."
"We know that feeling too," said Ted.
"Yeah," said Levi.
"You could get another dog," Jamal suggested.
"Naw, it wouldn't be Jimmy. You know - something special forms in a certain time and place out of a certain need. That describes the two of us. I never should have married. I knew it almost immediately. I guess I was hoping to exorcise a lot of demons from my former life. A sudden sob shook Hal, surprising him, causing him to clap a hand over his mouth and look aside. He shook his head as though to deny what had popped from his mouth. Members of the crew shot each other veiled looks. After he'd calmed for a couple of seconds, he went on. "I was just marking time until Steph ended it. I was unhappy. But Jimmy stepped in and made life a hell of a lot more bearable. You see, he wasn't just a pet, a dog. He was a buddy. Like you guys," Hal smiled as he put a hand around the back of Levi's and Kenji's necks and squeezed while he shot a special look at the others that was equivalent to the buddy gestures Levi and Kenji had just enjoyed.
"Gee thanks," Levi retorted; "you're telling me I'm no better than a dog."
"It could be worse," Hal shot back. "I could be calling you my fluffy Persian pussy."
"Shit," protested Levi. They laughed as they returned to work - with numerous catcalls and sharp retorts about Levi's being Ted's "fluffy Persian pussy."
Ted Kortas
The month that followed the advent of the Coopers into Hal's "family" saw big changes. The Haynes home was nearing completion. Bobby fit in perfectly with the crew at the work site. Hal saw to it that the Coopers had the basics in furniture for their duplex. Hal was amazed that Angie's presence in the office had taken a burden off his shoulders, a burden of which he had been unaware. She made the business part of Winston Construction Company work like a charm. She didn't just buy furniture and a new computer. She made deals. It ended up costing much less than if Hal had been responsible for the purchase. He wasn't one for shopping. He just went out and bought what he needed, paying any price that wasn't way out of line. Angie was already saving him money.
Angie had called Cindy Newsome before she made her first appointment with an obstetrician, finding a new friend in the process. Cindy's recommendation led Angie to an obstetrician she liked, and there were no problems with her pregnancy. The guys would drop in the trailer to use the bathroom or snag a Coke (Hal wouldn't allow beer on the work site unless he brought it for an after-work celebration). But they really enjoyed visiting with Angie for a few minutes. Hal and Max had wondered if there would be a problem with the guys leaving work too much for that reason, but they also noted a heightened tone all around the work site. It was clear after a short time that no problem would occur. The guys were just visiting "their sister."
Hal and Drew were a regular item, spending all their free evenings together. Drew was seldom able to come to the work site, but he became one of the buddies in the crew. He had counseled Hal on the risks associated with growing his business to the next stage as Dr. Russ Thomas had encouraged. But Drew didn't tell Hal what to do. He precisely identified the positives and negatives of such a move. Hal actually had to press Drew to identify what decision HE would make if her were in Hal's place. "I'd go for it," Drew replied simply.
"Why?" Hal asked.
"Your business is mature enough to move to the next growth stage. There are always risks in transcending to a new stage, but they aren't huge risks at this point. You'll handle them. If you don't move your business along in its proper time, it will begin to stultify, lose its inherent energy - you know, the Law of Entropy. You won't notice the diminishment until the trouble signs pop up. Then you'll have to work strenuously to move it back to its former health - if it's not too late. If a catastrophic downturn in the economy occurs, Winston Construction Company just might not survive. If you grow more, you might even have the opportunity to consider a profit-sharing plan for the crew."
"You think I should do that?"
"It's a good way to discourage labor problems and turnover. Even more to the point, I know you, your heart, your love for these guys, for your family. You'd be helping to secure a good future for them. They'd be like partners in your success. You'd add another dimension to the term 'family.'"
"Looking into that crystal ball, how large do you see Winston Construction Company growing?" Hal, now absorbed in Drew's perceptiveness, asked.
"Larger than you'll eventually want. Then I expect you'll sell it to a couple of the crew - maybe all of them. Maybe you'll let them run it and you'll hire back on as labor. Or you'll start a sideline of your own."
Drew paused. Hal waited, wanting not just to hear more of Drew's advice but also to observe an aspect of Drew he'd never disclosed - a logical, analytical, critical side. "Besides, you're too young to coast. You are a good leader and a good businessman. There is too much you have to accomplish yet."
"Meaning?"
"I'm not criticizing in what I'm about to say." Drew paused. "Some lean, mean entrepreneurs would consider you foolish." Hal's eyebrows arched at the remark. "They would say you treat your employees too well. Waste capital helping them buy vehicles and make down payments on homes. The way you helped Bobby and Angie."
"How'd you know about that? Who's been talking," Hal asked in mock displeasure.
Drew grinned mischievously. "Not telling."
"So what do you think, Drew? Am I foolish for helping the guys out?"
Drew looked down, telling Hal that Drew was about to disclose a very personal side of himself. "I think that you are one of the forces of good in the universe. A shaman. You were put in that role for a reason. You are fulfilling it. Maybe not in a direct-line fashion and maybe not according to your timetable or wishes."
"How do you know I'm fulfilling it?"
"Look at the good you create with your wealth. But it isn't just money. You give yourself too." He paused. "I know about the harem and you. I know these guys fell in love with others. But they didn't leave you behind although I understand your perceiving it that way. I certainly have when it's happened to me. Notice that they haven't moved away from you. In fact . . . they moved closer in, bringing you and me together. Bringing their special ones in to bond with you. Don't you know that you have your family now . . . your brothers and a sister? Goodness speaks for itself, Hal, and is its own justification. It's proof that you are fulfilling a role cast for you."
"Cast by whom?" Hal's eyes glinted with mischief, pushing Drew to disclose a deeper dimension of himself.
"God, you dolt!" Drew said, slugging Hal none too gently on the shoulder. Hal guessed the slug was punishment for digging deeper than Drew had planned to reveal. So Hal piled on Drew, mashing him on the carpet of Drew's living room where they'd been sitting, listening to music. They moved into a kiss so hot both of them felt their toes curl. It got even better before the evening ended.
Hal quietly bought the Coopers a membership in Murphy's Gym, so Bobby became a regular as well. Life seemed to be going well for everyone. And Hal was happy to have Drew in his life and to be a major factor in Drew's life.
One afternoon after Hal had learned that Russ Thomas had accepted the new bid that would allow an earlier start on Gwen's and his home, Hal had asked Ted Kortas to come over to the office. He was in the back room, which was now his office, when he heard Ted enter the trailer and greet Angie. They exchanged pleasantries, Angie asking about a screened porch he and Levi were adding onto their home in their spare time. After Ted caught her up to date, she told him Hal was waiting in his office, but she did it with such a deft touch that it seemed natural. As Ted walked in, Hal walked around the desk and pulled Ted into a hug, surprising the latter, making him wonder what was up. Hal squeezed him hard, holding him for a bit, making him remember those days when Ted had thought he'd found his man in Hal, those days before Levi came along and filled his world with a new level of feelings, excitement, satisfaction.
Hal still liked the feeling of Ted's beautiful, rough, Greek body. He breathed in his workday scent deeply. He placed a soft, chaste kiss on Ted's whiskery cheek, feeling his dick twitch when that stubble chafed his lips. Ted immediately returned the gesture. Hal pulled back, smiling, noting Ted's puzzled look. He gestured to one of the comfortable chairs Angie had chosen for the office. Ted flopped into the chair, watching Hal closely. Suddenly, Hal chuckled. "Don't worry, Ted, all is well." Hal paused a moment. "I'm calling a company meeting this afternoon before quitting time to make some announcements. I need to talk to you first before I make one of those."
Hal collected his thoughts momentarily. "Our bid to build a house for Dr. Russell Thomas and his wife Gwen has just been accepted. That allowed us to hire Bobby and Angie and another worker I'll take on shortly. The bid's acceptance is contingent on my running two crews, one here and one starting the Thomas home. That means I'll need a foreman here and one at the Thomas site. As you know, Max is our present foreman, but I'll send him to the Thomas site with a couple of guys to get things started there. I would like for you to be my second foreman. You'll remain here at this site, finishing up. If you accept, you'll receive a foreman's wage, of course. I don't know if this is a big deal for you or not, but I want you to think it over for an hour and then let me know whether you want to accept the position."
Ted just sat there, studying Hal. "Why me? After Levi and I became lovers, why would you do this for me?" Neither of the men seemed aware at the moment of the fact that their exchange was audible to Angie sitting a few feet on the other side of the open door.
"You are the next senior member of our crew. You've worked for me for several years. You know construction. You're good. The guys already look up to you. But you know how to be their buddy too. I believe you'll know when to be boss and when to be buddy. I know you almost inside and out. I trust you." Here Hal's eyes clouded. "I love and care for you" came out in a small, choked voice. "I love Levi too, you know." Ted slowly shook his head, a welter of feelings spilling into his mind and heart. He still loved this man. But he knew he'd hurt him, and he'd regret that all his life. Fate could be so unkind! Hal cleared his throat several times. "As Drew would say, it's time for you to move up to a new level of responsibility and growth." He leaned back in his new desk chair, signaling that his answer was over.
"That why you hugged me so hard?" Ted asked. Hal merely shook his head in the affirmative. "You know if Levi hadn't come along, you'd have been more than enough man for me, right?" Hal looked away, his eyes glittering, shaking his head up and down in little, impatient jerks. "I'm touched, Hal. I never imagined that you'd do such a thing after our history. I don't need to think about this, Hal, or talk to Levi about it. I accept. I'm honored to accept." Hal arose, reaching across the desk for a handshake. Leaning across the desk, Ted grabbed Hal's hand and pulled him roughly into a hot kiss, which they held briefly. When he broke it, his eyes were afire. "That's only a little of the 'thank you' I'd like to give. If I gave you that, though, Drew might clock me. Levi would be in line right behind Drew. Don't want to be double-clocked in one day." Ted smiled roguishly.
"Go tell your lucky man," Hal said, "but ask him to keep it quiet until the meeting."
"Sure thing, boss . . . buddy," Ted said, wheeling about and walking out the door. "Bye," he said to Angie, who blew him a congratulatory kiss, causing him to wink at her and wag his eyebrows as though to express his amazement at what had just transpired.
Brett Carter
While Hal was signing some letters and other documents that Angie had prepared for him, he heard someone enter the outer office. He walked up to Angie's desk. "Hi, I'm Brett Carter. I was wondering if any summer jobs would be available with Winston Construction Company."
'Young guy,' Hal thought, 'probably a college student wanting to earn as much money as possible in the summer. He handles himself well, smooth.'
"Are you a college student?" Angie asked.
"Yes, I'm graduating from State U in a few weeks."
"Wonderful! What's your major?"
"I have a self-initiated major in engineering and project management."
'Almost like me,' Hal thought, getting to be more interested because of what he was hearing.
"And you aren't heading off to a big job with that kind of a background?"
"I'm going to get my MBA first. I'm young, not tired of school, and the graduate degree is necessary in helping me prepare for the productive future that I've planned."
"Well, I'm certain Mr. Winston will want to meet you. You are in luck. He's in his office today. Let me introduce you."
Angie knocked softly on Hal's door before stepping in. "Hal, there's a young man who'd like to talk to you about a summer job. Angie stepped aside so that Brett could enter. "Hal, meet Brett Carter. Bret, meet Hal Winston."
It was like a gut blow. Hal thought he was looking at Richie Collins, now grown to adulthood! Richie probably wouldn't have been 6 feet tall as Brett was. But Brett had honey gold hair full of highlights. An oval face with a square jaw sporting the slightest cleft. He had dimples. His eyes looked just as calculating as Richie's, accented by gold-blond eyebrows. Great nose, ears flat against his head, white teeth, and a hint of an "eat-shit" grin. He had broad shoulders, pecs that pushed against his polo shirt, nice biceps, and veins snaking down his forearms. Slim waist, thighs that pressed against the material of his Dockers. Strong hands with long fingers. This young man knew his measure, lacking no self-confidence as he pushed his hand at Hal for a handshake.
Hal stood there for a bit, hurting, nearly drowning in all the feelings he'd had for Richie Collins. He noticed Angie looking at him with her brows knitted in concern. He quickly came to. "Have a seat, Richie," Hal invited.
"Um-m-m. My name's Brett," came the reply.
"Of course, my apologies. It's just that you remind me of someone I knew a long time ago." Hal didn't look at Angie because he'd told her about Richie Collins the day before when they were discussing Drew. He didn't want to see the concern on her face growing.
"I hope that's a good thing," Brett said, smiling.
"Very good," Hal replied. Angie was slipping out the door to return to her desk.
"Why construction for a summer job?"
"Several reasons. My parents insisted that I come home for the summer if I was going to graduate school. They pay for my education, but I have to come up with my own living and spending money. So if I'm going to be here for the entire summer, I'd like to keep busy and earn some money for next year. It also keeps me fit. And it's like on-the-job experience for my future."
"Want to hear something wild?" Hal asked. "I had a self-initiated major in engineering and business when I was in college."
"Way to go!" Brett said, leaning forward to High-Five with Hal. "I guess you heard me talking when I came in."
"Yes," Hal said. "When would you be able to start to work?"
"I have another three weeks of classes and then a week of final exams and commencement. I could be available in a month," Brett replied.
"You're hired," Hal said instantly.
Hal might not have been happy, had he seen through the walls of his office, that Angie was frowning. 'Why am I concerned,' she thought. 'That's easy. Hal is always more careful than this. I think he's all ready to hire Brett because, as far as Hal's concerned, Richie Collins has entered his life again. Still, why should I be worried?' she asked herself. She quickly realized her answer: it just didn't flow the way events usually did at Winston Construction Company.
Angie could hear Hal concluding his explanation about the two homes being built simultaneously and the need for more help. As Brett preceded Hal out of the office, he introduced Brett to Angie. "Angie, let's go over to the site for the company meeting. Brett, you come with us. I want to introduce our newest employee to our crew.
As they walked to the house, Hal and Brett fell behind, visiting about the city, Brett's parents, their home, and the like. Angie walked up the steps to the entrance, walking inside. When Max saw Angie entering the living room from the foyer, he called the guys together. Angie walked over to sit on the raised hearth. Bobby joined her, leaning over to give her a quick kiss. As the crew gathered, they noted the stranger with Hal. Hal didn't waste any time announcing that the Thomas bid had been accepted and that they would be working two sites. He recapped his explanation to Ted earlier that day, announcing that Ted would be the new foreman here at the Haynes site. Max would be foreman at the Thomas site.
General grousing and complaints followed the announcement about Ted, setting off a lot of good-natured ribbing. Hal explained that the new project had resulted in the Coopers' joining them, to which applause followed. "And I want to introduce to you the company's newest employee, Richie Carter. . . . Whoops! Sorry again, Brett. Make that Brett Carter, who's graduating from State U with a combined engineering-project management degree. But he's going back for an MBA in the fall. So welcome him to our group. He'll be joining us in a month.
Hal's slip using Richie's name made the guys more attentive and inexplicably wary. Each in his own way had had his brush with the ghostly Richie Collins. It left them feeling uneasy. They wanted Hal and Drew to be a couple. They felt like they had engineered Hal's salvation by hooking him up with Drew. Almost collectively they were thinking that maybe it would be a good thing that Brett Carter would be gone by the end of summer.
Brett
As Brett walked to his Jeep, the sun enlivened and the breeze ruffled his honey- colored hair, Max noted. There was a swagger in his walk and a sway in his ass as though he knew someone had his eyes on it. "Hot dude, isn't he?" Hal said softy to Max as they watched Brett climb in his Jeep and head down the street. Hal turned to walk back to the trailer.
Max stood staring until Kenji walked up. "You don't like him," Kenji observed to Max. "Is it the 'Richie Collins' thing?"
"That, and a couple of other factors," Max replied just as softly. "Here Drew and Hal are just settling in with each other and along comes this guy. He's a ambitious, you can tell. I imagine he accomplishes most of what he sets out to do. And I'll bet he knows how to co-opt people to assist him in securing his goals."
"Is that bad?" Kenji asked.
"Depends on the goals and how he co-opts people," Max answered.
As Brett drove away the Winston Company construction site, his mind was rapid- firing with reactions, impressions, feelings, and plans. 'Hal Winston is one hot hunk,' he thought. 'For some reason, I mean something special to him. And he seems unattached. What a great set-up - I get a summer job and can become the summer boyfriend of the boss. I have to find out more about this Richie. I can be Richie this summer. I give it two weeks at the outside before we're sucking each other's dick. I might be able to manipulate this situation into a bigger wage before the summer ends. It's going to be fun workin' and lovin' all summer with a hunk like that. Several of the guys seem like they are candidates for some hot sex too. I bet I can turn that Angie on. I'd love crawling into bed with her and her hubby. Never fucked a good-looking, pregnant woman before. That'd be a first. It could happen!' He could hardly wait for the semester to end. Now he was happy his parents had strong-armed him into spending the summer at home. They'd actually done him a favor.
(To be continued.) This chapter is dedicated to Patrick Young and his Jimmy, whose name is really "Max."