Matt and CJ left the small Delaware beach town in the first week of May. The winter chill was seeping slowly out of the ground and spring rains had already turned everything in nature a pale green around them. CJ had few regrets about leaving, but it was his favorite time of the year along the East Coast. Now they were committed to the journey, and all the wonderful unknowns ahead.

There had been a round of farewells with a few old friends and Matt had closed up his place in DC. To help keep Danny abreast of their travels, CJ had installed a mobile phone in the bus so they would never be out of touch. Danny assured them the bus was stocked and ready to roll and his only regret was not going with them.

CJ knew that without Danny this thing would never have gotten off the ground. But he had repaid the kindness by making that small arrangement for the summer. After that, well Danny would have to do the rest.

In only a few weeks, Bobby would join Danny for a summer that might prove the best thing for them both. CJ had introduced the two friends the week before at a dinner party he threw just for the occasion.

The exclusive Capital Hill restaurant had sparkled but nothing compared to the gleam in Bobby's eyes when he finally met CJ's good friend from the Eastern Shore. As he expected, the two hit it off and CJ felt confident that a relationship would develop. Danny confirmed this later when he told CJ tearfully that the boy reminded him a little of Todd, his fallen comrade in arms. But that seemed to be ok, he added, he could handle it now.

Now they were headed down the Eastern seaboard, taking short turns at the wheel to get used to driving. The vehicle was a wonder of comfort for passengers and driver alike. CJ decided he had made the right choice. Travel like this should be fun and at least this way they wouldn't be tired out after a few days on the road.

Early on they had mapped out a route that would take them down through the southern states before turning west through the middle lands. This allowed them to avoid the twisting roads in the worst part of the Appalachian mountain chain Danny had warned them about. The dear man had procured a wonderful state by state map and had marked the routes carefully, including possible stopovers for the night. CJ was sitting at the table with a US map, an almanac of American cities and a pile of books on the various Native American cultures found along the way. They had done their research well.

"It seems like once we cross the Piedmont area in the Carolinas and get into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains there aren't too many routes we can take with this big baby," CJ said as they slid along the highway.

"Danny said we should stick to the map wherever possible but he has also marked a few side trips if you want to take it easy," Matt replied from the driver's seat.

"Oh, easy is the only way we are going to do this thing, my friend. If we do about five hundred miles a day our destination is only about a week away. But I'll tell you Matt, we do need to stop and see some of the sights, hell, we may never come this way again, ya know? For instance, how about Indian burial mounds or Cherokee Indian village sites? This book shows some of the locations in western Carolina, not too far off our route either."

"Well that sounds fine to me too, where do you think we should stop first?"

"I thought maybe we could make it into Tennessee today but why hurry, let's stop in North Carolina for a look see at the mountains," CJ said. "There's a large population of Cherokee there, even have a county named Cherokee down past Asheville. We could stop and see the burial mounds, sound ok?"

"Ok, let's do it, "Matt replied, "Like you, I don't think we should rush this trip."

They drove out of Virginia by late morning and spent six hours traversing North Carolina, picking up a late lunch east of Asheville. They had stopped for fuel off the interstate and Matt had a conversation about the area with two of the long haul truckers he met at the lunch counter.

"What did you find out about places to camp?" CJ asked.

"They suggested a few good places if we get off the main highway. Just about 60 miles away we hit reservation lands, but I don't think we want to drive in there with this thing. Maybe we can find a spot before we hit the Tennessee border," Matt said.

And so they left the main highway. The map displayed a small campground symbol by the town of Beeson's Corner. The mountains loomed around them now and they decided it was worth a look.

Spring had already arrived here weeks before and the trees were green with leaves and wild flowers grew along the edges of the two lane road. CJ drove now, looking carefully at the narrowing roadway and for any signs that he wasn't supposed to be here in something this big.

Driving slowly through the twisting valley, they passed a firehouse, several shops and the town's gas station. Finally they saw the campground sign pointing straight ahead. They passed an old looking school complex with a well kept ball field. The grass was just being mowed, at least they now knew what the town's priorities were.

Just past the trailer park and down the road they came to a small camp ground, it wasn't much, but it was deserted. CJ walked into the office with a grin and was out ten minutes later with a smile on his face.

"Well, that was easier than I thought. The lady in there welcomed me very politely, got us a clean spot to park and even an electrical hookup. It looks like they don't get too many visitors this time of year, mostly hunters in the fall. I was worried that we might find it hard to fit the bus into someplace this nice, guess business isn't very good."

"I think we should walk back to the little store we passed and see what this little spot on the map is all about," Matt suggested.

"Good idea, maybe we can chaw some tabacky over the pickle barrel, do ya think?"

"Lord, CJ, what a weirdo you are sometimes."

So they set up in the nearly deserted campground then took a walk up the road and past the school complex. Several guys were out lining the baseball diamond.

"Hey, maybe we'll get to see a game," Matt suggested.

"High school boys playing ball, dangerous ground," CJ laughed.

Mr. Beeson, the store owner, fire chief and mayor of the town welcomed them, even if they were damn Yankees. They had a leisurely chat over the pickle barrel in the ancient building which served as a community store and meeting place.

Matt wandered the store, examining the small tins of remedies and unknown substances sitting on the dusty shelves. Beeson was quite a character, having spent his whole life within these mountain ranges, except for the time when he went off to WWII.

"Yep, there are quite a few Indians living right over there in the trailer park and lots more living up in the hills. You don't want to go wandering alone up there though, mighty touchy about their property, ya know," Beeson said. "Yep, they all come into my store for their supplies." He added the last remark with a wink.

"Oh," CJ said, "guess they need food same as everyone."

"Yep, sure do buy a lot of sugar...and yeast too," Beeson said.

CJ knew that the old man was alluding to moonshine makings but he didn't want to get into a gabfest with this character any more than he had to.

"Uh, do you fellers want to see some authentic burial mounds?" Beeson asked.

"Yeah, that would be something," CJ said, "How do we go about arranging that? Can you get us a guide? I don't want any trouble with the people up in those hills."

"Well I'll see if I can get young Jackie to take you up Smoky Hollow tomorrow. He's a good kid, probably the best in town. I'll warn ya, it's a hard climb up to that meadow but the view is real pretty," Beeson said. "I'll send the boy over to your campsite in the morning; just you give him a few dollars for the effort, won't ya. Help his momma pay off her debts to me, it will."

"Ok, thank you, Mr. Beeson, I'll look for the boy in the morning," CJ said.

Matt had to purchase a half dozen little things he'd found under a thick layer of dust, more trinkets to add to his collection. CJ guessed that some of the items were fifty years old but Matt only had to pay a few dollars and then they scooted out of there before Beeson started to talk again. After supper they listened to some music since the television didn't work very well here in the mountains, and both were in bed by ten o'clock.

Saturday morning dawned bright and cheery. CJ awoke to the smell of coffee from the pot Matt had just brewed. There was also another sound, like the tittering of birds outside the bus.

"What is that noise? Sounds like a whole flock of birds in the trees," CJ said with a yawn.

Matt parted the side curtain and started up from his seat in the kitchen.

"Oh my, CJ, there must be a dozen Native American women sitting at the picnic tables around the campsite. Wait, there is one boy out there too."

The boy was tall and lanky, and quite stunning. The chiseled features of a strong well formed face with intense brown eyes and thick, black hair. CJ could see the Cherokee blood in him but it was somehow diluted, one of the parents wasn't a native he was sure.

The boy introduced himself as Jackie Morningstar and said that Beeson had told him they were interested in the burial mounds. He was wearing a light jacket with a ball team logo splashed across the back and both men exchanged knowing glances, their young guide was a real cutie.

"You must be the pitcher, those long arms are made for throwing a ball, am I right?" CJ asked.

"Yeah, got a game to play this afternoon," Jackie said. "We better get goin if you want to spend some time up there on the mountain."

Matt had made them all a lunch and filled a canteen of cold water. CJ laced up his hiking boots and noticed that Jackie was wearing only worn tennis shoes.

"Don't you need heavier shoes for the hike?" CJ asked.

"Naw, I walk like a cat," Jackie smiled in return, "I know every rock on that mountain, and most of their names too."

"The rocks have names?" Matt said," But who named them?"

"Oh, I don't mean like granite or basalt," Jackie said, "I mean the names they were given by the ancient ones, my ancestors."

"Fascinating," Matt said, "will you share these secrets with us?"

"It's no secret," Jackie said. "The land here stood before time was recorded, the rocks have lived here forever and their ancestry is no secret to the Cherokee. I learn in school about the Continental Shelf and the pressure of the plates that pushed the mountains up all along the eastern seaboard. But the rocks have a certain power to my people and naming them makes the Cherokee see and feel that force. The use of that power is the only secret we possess, but I'm sure you gentlemen don't believe in such things anyway."

What a speech, CJ thought, this is one damned bright kid. The lesson was interrupted when Matt snagging the canteen strap around his foot and fell down the steps of the bus into the grass below. There was a loud snickering from the ladies gathered outside but Matt was on the ground holding his foot and CJ knew he had sprained his ankle. Several of the ladies came over and offered to assist Matt with his foot.

"No ladies," Matt said," I assure you that it's fine, just a little swollen, a small embarrassing accident." To CJ he whispered," Get me back up the steps, it hurts like hell."

Jackie and CJ carried Matt to the couch and sat him with his foot propped up on a chair. The ankle was swelling and needed an ice pack, CJ went for the ice and Jackie carefully removed Matt's boot.

"Would you allow my mother to help you with this?" Jackie asked.

"Is she a doctor?" Matt asked

"Sort of," the boy replied, "She's the mid-wife and knows a lot about broken bones and such."

Matt was getting surly. "I'm not having a baby."

"Well, I'm sure she could provide some comfort, Matt," CJ said as he lay the ice pack beside the swelling foot.

"I know she would be helpful, at least let her ease the pain," Jackie said.

"Alright," Matt said, "it hurts like hell now."

Jackie left the bus to fetch his mother who sat among the ladies outside. CJ decided that maybe the hike should be cancelled but Matt insisted that CJ take the boy and visit the mounds, no reason they should both suffer for his clumsiness.

"I'm sure the ladies will enjoy seeing how we live anyway," CJ said, "Give you a chance to find out about their lives too. Sure you'll be alright if I go?"

"Yes, I'll survive, go have some fun and I mean it. How could you resist a hike in the woods with a cutie like that? I'll be fine as long as they don't pack my foot in herbs and roots or whatever native medicines they use."

"Ok," CJ said," we won't be long, I promise. You stay off that leg. We'll stay right here until you're better. It may take a few days for the swelling in that ankle to go down."

CJ exited the bus and met Mrs. Morningstar waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

"Thank you so much, ma'am," CJ said," I'm afraid he's a little grumpy after that fall."

"Have no worries," Jackie's mother replied," I'll make him some tea to calm his spirit."

"You may invite the other ladies inside if you wish," CJ said, "I'm sure they're curious about how we live."

"Yes," she replied evenly," that would be nice. We don't get many visitors around here"

Mrs. Morningstar had blushed that their secret desires should be so transparent but she smiled and took the steps one at a time. Jackie was waiting for CJ and they started to walk, taking steady purposeful strides towards the base of the tree line across the field. The mountain loomed above and CJ could tell it wasn't going to be an easy climb, but he was in shape for it he figured.

"How often do you climb up here, Jackie," CJ said.

"We don't get many tourists around here, Mr. James, but I get up there a couple times a week myself, mostly just to find some thinking room."

"Let's cut the Mr. James thing, call me CJ, ok? You must be almost an adult yourself by now. Got any plans for the future?"

"Thanks, CJ," Jackie said," I don't get to talk with many outsiders, and not many of them are as well educated as you. I turned eighteen three months ago, thanks for noticing."

CJ pondered that response. This kid was certainly more aware of the world than his peers in this small town. As if reading his mind, Jackie filled in the answer.

"I've got a lot of books on world history and such," Jackie said, "Reading has really been my only way out of this place. There are so many things I want to learn about the world beyond these mountains. I know school here hasn't given me much in the way of an education. The teachers sometimes seem as dumb as most of my classmates."

They had reached the tree line and Jackie pointed out the dirt road they would follow for a while until they had to really climb. CJ could see several small homes tucked away in the recesses of the cliff face. Hope these people were friendly, he thought, but Jackie's casual self assurance made him relax now.

"How about college," CJ said," have you decided to go on and finish your education?"

"I guess," Jackie said," Now don't laugh, but despite the poor teachers I've had that's what I want to do, teach history. "

"A noble profession, young man. I don't think I'd have the patience to stand in front of a classroom every day myself. I think you'd be a good teacher."

"What makes you say that?"

"Just the way you carry yourself," CJ said. "You speak with a wisdom that seems beyond your years and I've only known you for less than an hour. How's that for my first impression of you?"

"You expect me to answer that?"

"Sure, why not. I have an opinion about you and I'm sure you've already formed an opinion about yourself over the years. Go on, tell me why you sell yourself so well."

"This may really sound presumptuous, you know. I relate to people well. I don't talk down to other kids or put them off with my knowledge. I try to understand their point of view instead of putting them down."

"An excellent quality in a good teacher," CJ responded, "Where did all this come from? You didn't lean that from books."

"Maybe, some of it I did. I have an old set of encyclopedias my Dad left behind. I've read them cover to cover. The knowledge in there exposed me to all kind of things that only feed my desire to learn more. The school library here is kinda poor as you might guess."

The trees were slowly closing in on them now as the road became a dirt track winding around the side of the hill. CJ could see a clearing ahead and as they reached it he could see their destination, or at least where he thought they were going.

"That's Old Man Mountain over there in the distance," Jackie said as he pointed," He's the tallest around here. Over there you have Rock Glen cliffs, lot's of climbers in the summer when the Appalachian Trail is crowded. It runs across that ridge up there where I sometimes get to meet people when I'm out climbing."

"Jackie, can I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure, I guess," the boy replied.

"Your mother is Cherokee, what about your dad?"

"He's dead now," Jackie said. A long silence lingered before the boy continued.

"He wasn't a nice man, but he was an Army man, through and through. He died when I was seven." Jackie paused again and took off his jacket. He lifted the bottom of his T-shirt to reveal a faint scar across the flat ripples of his stomach. "I got that when he threw me through the storm door on the trailer, I was only five at the time."

"Oh Lord," CJ said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up your problems from the past. I apologize."

"Naw, it's ok. I'm over those feelings about him. He was a drunk that beat my mother and abused me. I figure you can't pick your parents, there's no guarantee when you're born. I have the best mom a guy could want, that counts for everything."

"Damn," CJ said, "you're one of a kind Jackie."

They were walking side by side down the road and CJ put his arm on the boys shoulder with affection. To his surprise, Jackie returned the gesture as they strolled down the path.

The easy way now ended and Jackie turned up hill. The summit of the mountain loomed far above and CJ hoped that wasn't their destination but he knew it would be. The surefooted boy clambered from rock to rock across the open face of the hill and soon they were once again under the cover of the sparse trees.

The heat of the day was increasing and CJ begged for a stop to remove his jacket and slurp some water. Jackie tied his own jacket around his waist and removed his shirt as well, stuffing it in the waistband of his jeans. CJ watched the muscles on the boy's back ripple as he flexed them during the next hour of their climb. Focusing strictly on the task at hand CJ didn't realize just how high they were until Jackie called a halt. They had reached a small outcropping of rock in the face of the hill.

"Let's sit here a while so you can catch your breath," Jackie said, "Your face is all red."

"Hey, watch it kid," CJ shot back," I work out and I'm not that old."

"No offense intended CJ, I'm tired too."

Like hell, CJ thought. The boy hardly looked winded. They sat looking across the valley and Jackie pointed out the tiny speck of the bus sitting in the campground. From his backpack, CJ pulled the canteen of water and they both drank sparingly. CJ also unloaded his camera and took a shot of the valley with the bus in the distance.

"Mind if I take a photo of you?" CJ asked.

"Does that thing have a timer?" Jackie said. "You can take a photo of us both that way."

CJ propped the camera on a rock and quickly sat next to Jackie as the faint click of the shutter reached their ears. After packing things away they resumed the climb. This time Jackie led him across the face of the hill on a steep path.

"See that boulder ahead?" Jackie said. "My mother calls it the Turtle Stone because of its shape. The turtle carries the weight of the world on its back in our legends."

"Your mother climbs up here?" CJ said.

"Sure, all the time. She gets herbs and roots for medicines. Besides we sometimes come to make sure the mounds haven't been disturbed. Several years ago some guys climbed up here with shovels and made a mess looking for artifacts. Assholes left their truck on the fire road and we called the sheriff. The state has laws about digging in graveyards so they were arrested."

"I don't know how anyone could even find the mounds up here?' CJ said.

"It's not that hard I'm afraid. The county roads go by fairly close on the other side."

"You mean we could have driven up here," CJ said.

"Sure," Jackie said, "but I thought you wanted the scenic route."

CJ groaned as they reached the crest of the hill and looked down the other side. He could see a small meadow over to their left and among the trees was their destination. They walked around the burial mounds for a while. Jackie explained about the different groups of Native Americans that had occupied these territories.

"It's a mistake to label these ancient peoples as coming from different tribes," he said, "They were pretty much the same except they had themselves set up as separate societies, each with their own forms of leadership and identity. Some were strictly hunter-gatherers while others farmed their food. Archeologists call that the Woodland Period of our history. "

"Fascinating," CJ said, "it's amazing to finally see these things. Like you, I read a lot but it never satisfies like actually being there."

"Well the Cherokee have been here for centuries, but there were others here before us. The mound we are going to see is very old, from the time before my people. The Kituwah is what we call our territory, our native land, and we are pretty close to the center of it here. My great-grandfather was a healer in the Aniwadi. In English that would translate as the Wind Clan, he was a chieftain in the last century. My mother seems to have inherited many of his gifts in the spiritual sense, she is a good healer."

"Wow, you already are a history teacher, thank you for telling me," CJ said.

The sun had really warmed up the morning and CJ realized that they were fast approaching noon and that within a few hours they would have to return so Jackie could play in his ball game. The heat felt good after the morning chill but they both craved the shade of the trees. Jackie led them across the meadow past where they had ascended and into the trees again. CJ could hear the sound of water flowing and they soon reached the source.

The small brook ran clear and looked very cold as Jackie led him around some rocks and into a small quiet cove. There was a neat arrangement of boulders that enclosed the site surrounding a fairly good sized pool of water. This place seemed to be a camp site as CJ could see the remains of a fire pit and a lean to made with sticks and dried grasses. The shelter was set back into the rocks. The whole place was isolated and hidden from the meadow that they had just crossed.

"Who uses this place?" CJ said.

"I built the shelter," Jackie replied, "This is my little hideaway. Thought we might need a place to sit and eat lunch. Care for a swim?"

"Jackie that water must be freezing."

"Sure is cold, but it'll get the blood flowing and the rocks are warm enough to sit on, give it a try?"

Without waiting, Jackie started removing his clothes. CJ realized the kid was going to strip naked in front of him. He seemed so straightforward and unafraid of just about everything. Jackie was stripping off his pants before CJ could even begin unlacing his boots. The boy was naked in a flash and CJ looked up in time to hear the yell and catch a glimpse of cute buns before Jackie hit the water.

"This is crazy," CJ said to himself. But he dropped his boxers and sprinted into the water. The chill of the stream fed pond made his gonads shrivel up and his brain screamed. He sputtered to the surface and watched Jackie stroke back from the far side.

"Shit," CJ screamed, "this is freezing."

Jackie laughed but he too looked cold. They didn't stay in long. Scrambling up the gravel sides of the pool they sat against the rock face of the largest boulder, feeling the heat at their backs.

The only towels they had were their T-shirts and after a brief wipe down these were spread on the rocks to dry. Jackie didn't seem the least bit concerned about being naked. By now CJ had glimpsed just about every inch of the boy's body and found it a welcome sight.

"I suppose the Cherokee find nudity acceptable?" CJ finally asked.

"Damned if I know," Jackie said, "I've never swum naked with anyone else before, is this uncomfortable for you? I go naked up here all the time."

"No, I don't feel strange about it," CJ said, "I find the male body exceptionally fine, and yours is a prime example."

Now why had he gone and said that? Lord, just imagine this boy strutting around nude up here all the time. Oh, wish I hadn't thought about that. The boy had stretched out on his back with his arms folded behind his head. His body glistened with droplets of water clinging to the creases here and there. The slim torso was interrupted by the faint line of hair from his navel that plunged into the ample bush surrounding his un-circumcised cock.

As the warmth of the sun re-entered his body, Jackie's cock began to stretch back out to its full, generous length on his belly. CJ didn't dare lay out the same way quite yet, he was hiding his budding erection.

"I won't argue with you about that," Jackie finally said. "Guess I can't either since I've never seen a woman naked except in pictures."

"Oh, eighteen and never been kissed?" CJ asked.

"Pretty much. Honestly, CJ, I've never really been interested."

"Why would a striking young man like you...?" His voice trailed off, what could he think. Was this kid telling the truth?

Jackie sighed, "I started coming up here when I was about twelve. I'll be honest about it, I was looking for a quiet place to think and, you know, jerk off. I brought along things like old Playboys my dad had left behind but they never turned me on half as much as this place seemed to do all by itself.

"On June 15th of the year when I was fifteen, I ran into this guy out climbing and brought him here to swim. It was real hot then too and after the swim, well we jerked off together. He was just some college student and after we were done he just took off. I liked that a lot, in fact I still have dreams about it."

By now Jackie's cock had started to move across his belly as the thoughts he expressed excited it into action. CJ was sitting with his knees drawn up and his cock was already at full attention.

"Is that what you want to do?" CJ asked.

"If it's ok with you. I just felt it would be alright asking you. You're different."

"Yes, I know," CJ said, "Jackie, it's alright with me too. I've only been with a woman once and I hated it."

Jackie turned his head and smiled, "I thought it might be like that with you too."

Jackie's hand encircled his cock and finished stroking it into full hardness. To CJ it looked like a huge sausage sticking up from the boy's belly. Fully erect it must be damn near ten inches long. Lord, how these lanky boys are hung.

Side by side they lay, hands flying. I must be the amateur at this, CJ thought, I'm coming. Jackie seemed inspired by CJ's ejaculation and edged closer, laying his free hand on CJ's stomach. CJ heard the boy's breathing get harder and small grunts issued from the Jackie's throat. The boy arched his back and moaned in sweet pleasure as he came.

Jackie rolled on his side until their faces were only inches apart. He could feel the boy's sweet breath on his face and he drank it in gratefully. They lay, eyeball to eyeball until finally CJ pushed forward and kissed Jackie on the lips.

The spell was broken and the boy rose to his feet and plunged back into the pool. CJ followed, all fear of the cold dispelled. They swam apart for a while and it was Jackie that swam towards him first. He came right up to CJ who stood in the shallow water.

"Do you think I'm gay, CJ?"

"How could I know the answer to that, Jackie? Do you think you are?"

Jackie smiled and again their faces were so close they breathed the same air. The boy leaned forward and kissed CJ on the lips. And then they both had to get away from the water's chill and lay back in the sun.

"I only love my mother and my aunts as women," Jackie said. "I guess I've known that guys attract me for some time now, even before the college guy came along. I look at the other guys in the shower at school, I think about guys I see here and there in pictures. It's just that I never had a real live guy kiss me like that. It was astounding, wonderful. Kiss me again, please."

This time it was a stronger kiss, as the boy poured out all the feelings pent up inside. The kisses led them deeper down the path of their emotions and CJ taught the boy how men could please one another. Jackie surrendered his body to those desires and soon learned more than any book would ever teach him.

It was a small town ball game that afternoon. Lemonade and popcorn, a poor small town, but Mom and apple pie all rolled into the great American pastime. Jackie's team won the game by a narrow margin but it was all due to his efforts on the mound.

The boy had quite an arm and even though CJ and Matt knew beans about baseball it seemed that the whole town was out supporting the home team. Just the thought of the boy's slender body under that uniform sent CJ's mind reeling. He still had not found the opportunity to tell Matt about the passion they shared on the mountain.

Jackie left the dugout and walked over to them followed by his mother. They had a brief chat about the game and Mom seemed pleased that the men had come to see her son play. The boy was going off with his team mates to celebrate the win and as they formally shook hands good bye, CJ noticed the boy's cock bulging in his jockstrap. What...again?

"Thanks again CJ," Jackie said," I'll talk with you later. Bye, Matt"

Mrs. Morningstar stood there as the cars pulled away, waving at her son.

"I must thank you for your kindness to my boy, Mr. James. You paid him too much just for showing you the mountain."

"No, Mrs. Morningstar," CJ said, "Your son gave me a good history lesson as well and I can't thank you enough for taking care of my wounded friend here."

Matt grimaced as he moved his leg. He was still unstable on the crutches Beeson had come up with but he was learning.

"He seems like a good kid, Mrs. M," Matt said," maybe he has a future in baseball?"

"Oh, I don't see that in his future," she replied, "he spends all his time with that nose in books. He says that he wants to study and become a teacher, but you know college is so expensive. A good boy my Jackie, but I think he has few friends at school and there have been fights with his cousins. I think he is too shy for the girls."

Since the return from the mountain CJ had noticed a warm camaraderie developing between these two. Jackie and CJ had walked back down the mountain on the county road to find the bus full of laughing women. Matt was enthroned in their midst looking happy as a clam with his foot propped up and the herbal tea flowing.

"Well, he has a lot of growing to do," CJ said," I'm sure he will become a fine man. But I also think he deserves the chance to go to college. Uh, Matt, will you excuse us for a bit."

Matt's eyebrows went up but he shrugged and hobbled back to far end of the bleachers to watch the guys breaking down the refreshment stand.

Mrs. M and CJ sat on the bleachers as she worked her hands nervously in her lap. She obviously had many things on her mind and so CJ let her go first. Somehow he just knew the conversation would be important.

"Jackie is a kind boy," she said. "He doesn't like the fights but his cousins are bad, nasty boys. I find this hard to talk about, Mr. James. They don't think I hear what they say to him. The names they call him. They think he is a pansy boy."

"I believe the word you seek is gay. They think he is gay? Is there something else you can tell me? Why do they think this?"

"One girl wanted to have sex with him, a very bad girl too, very stupid. Jackie says no as he should and now they call him… gay, that isn't right," she said. "I know he is a quiet boy but why do they call him these names? I wish he had a good father to help me. My husband was an evil man, Mr. James. I don't think that Jackie would ever tell you the truth about him."

"No, maybe not," CJ said, "he just mentioned that his father had been in the Army and was now dead, I thought he had died in Vietnam."

"I am very proud of my boy, Mr. James. I owe him my life for what he did."

Tears shown in the woman's eyes but she bravely continued her tale.

"The man came home on leave from the Army. I didn't know but he had been discharged for beating up another soldier. He drank a lot in those days and abused the boy and me for the smallest of things.

"I was sitting on the couch in my living room when he suddenly went crazy. He put a gun, a pistol to my head and started cursing. He said he was going to kill me. Jackie was in the kitchen and screamed when my husband pulled the trigger.

"The shot went behind me but I ducked forward before he could fire the gun again. That's when I heard the blast of the shotgun. Jackie had grabbed it from the kitchen closet and came through the door just in time to see me slump forward. He thought I had been shot and calmly blew that man's head off his shoulders from ten feet away."

"Oh, Lord," CJ said. He could think of nothing else except the warmth of Jackie in his arms that morning. How had the boy survived such a trauma?

"Yes," Mrs. M said," I prayed hard at that moment. Not for the man who had tormented us for so long but for my son."

"How…" CJ could barely speak, "how did he feel about his actions. Killing someone like that, even under those circumstances. How terrible for him."

"He was in a boy's home for six months until the hearing. The court said it was self-defense but made him go into Asheville and see a doctor. The sheriff would come here once a week and drive him there. They were all very nice to us.

"Jackie saw that doctor for two years until finally the man came here to talk with me. He said Jackie had accepted what he had done as necessary to protect me. Killing to save my life brought him no grief for the man he shot. The abuse heaped upon us made it happen, his father had created the situation and it was Jackie who finally closed the door on that part of our lives."

"What a wise decision," CJ said, "does he talk about it at all?"

"Not any longer," she replied, "his spirit is healed. I have told you all this because of what I see in his face today. You are the first man he looks at directly, eye to eye. I see in his eyes that he has given you a key to his heart, it is his choice and I accept that."

"I understand," CJ said, "he made himself vulnerable to me and that is something I don't take lightly. It's a responsibility and until now I can see you have carried that weight alone."

"Good," Mrs. M said, "I need all the help I can get. I know now that Jackie needs the affection of a man and if that makes him happy, my spirit will be calm. I see in his heart you have become that man, Mr. James."

She knows what we did on the mountain, CJ figured, but how could she?

"I guess I have, Mrs. M, I want to help him. He poured out his dreams and aspirations to me up on that mountain. He has all the desires of any normal young man, to learn and succeed. But I can't stay here you know, I have stopped here only for a short time. But I can assure his future in the world and I will. No matter what, I won't be far away."

The woman smiled now," I know you can. Your friend Matthew talked a little too much under the influence of my herbs today."

"It figures," CJ said," he is a sucker for a good cup of tea. But to help Jackie, let me pay for his school. I have more than enough for my needs and it's about time I started considering that my wealth could make the difference to others."

"To do these things for my son, you must be a kind man in your heart. The Earth Mother, giver of rainbows will guide you, Mr. James. You will go where you are needed. "

"Yes," CJ said," I'm just beginning to understand that."

"In many things my people are closer to the earth and the wisdom it teaches us. I must tell you that my whole life I have seen the path ahead in my dreams. It is not something I have ever shared with a white man before, including my husband. But I can see you wish to understand and have begun this journey to seek knowledge.

"At the time of the first new moon this year I had a dream about you. My people have lived here for ten thousand new moons, Mr. James, our roots go deep into the Kituwah soil. But Jackie stands apart from us in that half his spirit is of the white man and his future is in your world. I knew he would find someone in that world to guide him and I have seen that dream in your eyes.

"In time you will find what you seek, Mr. James. It will draw you forward until you know the moment has come. Your spirit is strong but I see another beside you, stronger and braver. You will feel the spirit take voice inside as you stand in the shadow of a great mountain to the west. The eagles above will guide you, but to find what you seek that voice must be answered. May the Earth Mother guide your steps."

There was a quiet knocking at the front door of the bus. It was past midnight and CJ had been sitting in the darkened living space thinking about Mrs. Morningstar's words. Her eyes had shown with an inner power, almost as if she had been seeing a vision. She knew him; it was as if she had looked into his very soul and given voice to his most inner desires. It had unsettled him for most of the evening. The knock came again.

He opened the door quietly as Matt snored away in his bunk. Mrs. M's tea had knocked him out quite effectively and CJ still had not found the chance to tell his companion about Jackie. The boy was standing outside, alone in the wet grass. The night chill made him shiver and he noticed that the kid was barefoot and wearing no jacket.

"Damn Jackie, you'll catch cold for sure."

"I have to talk with you, CJ...now."

They crept through the bus and back into the privacy of the bedroom CJ had constructed at the rear.

"What's up? Is anything the matter?" CJ asked, "In fact I was hoping you'd come by."

"I have to tell you," Jackie said, "I have to say that I didn't tell you the whole truth this morning. It's bothering me, I couldn't sleep."

"Why couldn't you sleep, Jackie?"

"It's about my father. I didn't lie to you, but..."

"Hold it, I know," CJ said," your mother told me this afternoon."

"She told you…?"

"Jackie, she told me that you where the bravest son a mother could ever have, you saved her life. She knows Jackie. I really think she knows what happened up on the mountain today. It's alright with her."

"How could she know, what did she say?"

"She told me about the name calling, and she used the word gay. Don't you see, this woman would move mountains for you with her love? Go with it boy, I only wish my mother had been as generous and understanding when I came to understand my sexuality."

"She really knows?"

"I had quite a talk with her after the game," CJ said. "She knew because of the way you looked at me. Can she really read us that well?"

"I should have known," Jackie said, "she is wise in the ways of the spirits and men would offer her no challenge. Oh, how wonderful, she knows. I had been dreading the moment, but now thanks to you..."

"No, thanks to you, Jackie. I learned today not to judge a boy by his appearances alone. I was stunned by the story she told me, as you might expect. But honestly, I am more amazed at the young man who sits here beside me tonight. A handsome lad with more courage to live life as he desires than anyone I've ever known. Even though I can't stay here with you now I plan to be in your life for some time to come if you'll allow me."

"I know you have to leave soon, "Jackie said," but what do you mean, how can you go and still be in my life?"

"I made a promise to your mother. I will put you through college. It's something I'm beginning to see as a trend in my life. Education should be free to all that thirst for it, and as a gay man you should understand that knowledge is our best defense against the stupidity of the world. But until it becomes free, I will have to pave the way, if you'll allow me. I can think of no other more deserving than you."

Jackie threw his arms around CJ and they celebrated the joy of the moment late into the night. In her bed, Mrs. M rolled over and smiled.

Two days later, Matt and CJ pulled off the interstate just outside of Nashville. CJ had finally finished the letter to Mrs. M detailing the plan for her son's education as they had agreed upon. In the letter he was also sending to Jackie was a list of the best schools he could recommend to get a degree in education.

CJ had called his lawyer to draw up an agreement to pay for the boy's schooling and board. Jackie only had to send the bills to the lawyer, no matter what he bought. The bills were to be paid promptly. CJ asserted to the lawyer that this was of vital importance and if the kid complained even once...well, heads would roll.

As he posted the letters, CJ noticed the bookstore. He browsed for a while, pulling some of his favorites off the shelf and stacking it all on the counter. Finally he threw in a full set of Britannica encyclopedias, a new set. Jackie needed to keep up on the world he was about to astound.

Even though they were moving on in their journey, CJ knew that the adventure with this Cherokee lad was just a beginning. Mrs. M had said he would find what he was seeking and CJ believed in her. Their family was growing, but he embraced the opportunity to love them all.


On to Chapter Five

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