It is the privilege of an author to take a story in any direction, but then if the readers are ignored it fails to meet the purpose of the work, and that is to entertain. I want all of you to enjoy this story, it's why I write.

But you will have to forgive me if I find a new purpose in this story for my expanding thoughts. What was to have been simple is now growing complex as I view the characters and their impact upon one another. I'm not even sure I can conclude this story in less than a dozen chapters or more, the scope has suddenly widened.

If you do not care to become involved in such a long work then seek milder entertainment elsewhere on the Nifty pages. I am committed to crafting a worthy story, as I hope everything I write meets that same standard.

Although I already know how this story will end I am going to enjoy the long ride there just as I want you to. For somewhere in my mind these characters now have a new life, I can only hope their journey is worth your patience and consideration.

I started awake and looked up into Tally's face. I had no idea how long he had been staring at me but I smiled. He leaned down and kissed me, running his fingers through my hair, and then he pulled back.

"Mornin sunshine, it's time to get up," He said.

"Morning? Is it time for church?" I asked.

Tally giggled. "Nope, it's four-thirty, time for chores to begin ... you comin?"

I had agreed to work with him just to see what things needed doing in the early morning hours. I regretted that enthusiasm now, four-thirty?

"Yeah, I'm coming ... Jeez, you're already dressed," I said.

"I'm just used to it, you will be soon enough. Put your hoodie on, it's cool outside," Tally said.

I rolled out of bed and searched for my pants. Tally stood there admiring me as I pulled on my jeans.

"Lord but you have a nice body," Tally said.

"Look who's talking, you're all muscle," I replied.

Tally laughed and squeezed the lump in his overalls. "Yeah, and I know what muscle you like best," He taunted.

I pulled on a T-shirt and grabbed my hooded sweatshirt, we were off. Tally led me out the kitchen door and down towards the barn. It was cool out, but not far from sixty degrees. I could hear the sound of livestock in the barn, but I wasn't prepared for the sight that greeted me.

The barn itself was the hub of several buildings, and Tally took me through the large empty structure towards the back.

"This stays pretty empty during the summer; hay doesn't start to come in until late August. Then you won't be able to get around in here. We bale and pile most of the crop; it stacks right up to the roof in here. The rest gets rolled and we store that in the sheds out back."

"What's the difference?" I asked.

"A man can move hay bales, you know, the rectangle shaped kind. In winter we can load up a bunch of them and take them out for the cows in the field. The rolled kind is just too big for a man to move, it takes a tractor, but you can store them up easier by machine than you can by hand," Tally said.

I followed him through a door at the back of the barn and we were in the first of several milking sheds. A whole line of cows in metal enclosures stood down either side of the shed, maybe thirty to a side. I could see the pipes running overhead ran to the far end where huge stainless steel tanks stood to receive the milk.

Many of the cows were already hooked up to hoses that were taking the milk from their udders and into the pipeline. I notice they all seemed to stand there chewing contentedly, but I didn't see any food.

"They don't eat in here I guess," I said.

"No, there are strict rules for milking operations. Food is a source of contamination; we can get fined if this shed doesn't stay spotless."

I could see the cows were standing on a concrete surface which gently sloped towards the middle of the shed. There were cow patties here and there, things I figured I would become very familiar with in the next few months.

Jim and Brad were working the line, checking the cows to see who was done. One by one they opened the gates and a lone cow would wander down the floor between the rails and exit through the far end.

"The cows seem to know how this all works," I said.

"Oh yeah," Tally agreed. "That milk builds up all night long and they seem to enjoy getting milked every morning, the pressure must feel pretty uncomfortable. But they know when it's done all they have to do is walk down the shed and out the door because we have a bale of sweet hay out there for them to nibble on."

Jim waved and walked over. "Mornin, Tally showin you the ropes?"

"Yes sir, this seems like quite a milk factory," I said.

"Sure is, pretty expensive for all this equipment but with a hundred or so dairy cows it's the best way to go. Maybe you can help Tally when the last cow is done," He said.

"Sure, be glad too," I replied.

An hour later the cows were all milked and Jim and Brad started at one end and sterilized the hoses before hanging them up. Tally and I started at the other end with shovels and a wheelbarrow. The cows didn't leave much behind; they weren't in here that long. And once we were finished Tally walked over to a reel attached to the wall and began to pay out hose.

"When Dad comes down in the morning he fires up the boiler first thing, and then lets the cows in." He took a pair of thick waterproof gloves out of a cupboard and put them on. "You better stand back, this water gets pretty hot."

He held out the hose and I saw a pressure head attached at the end. He went over to a set of valves on the wall and turned on the first one. A blue liquid started streaming out of the hose and Tally aimed the head towards the stalls, then he turned on the second valve.

Steam shot out of the head and Tally began spraying it back and forth over the floor and railings. The smell of the hot disinfectant got a little overpowering but Tally didn't seem to mind. He hosed everything down from the walls towards the center where a drain ran the length of the shed. And after about a twenty minute wash the place looked immaculate.

Tally turned off the valves and I helped him roll the hose up. He walked back to the door by which we had entered and shut off another valve and threw a few switches.

"All done," he said. "We get inspected couple times a month. First the government folks and then the dairy service, they like to see clean."

"I guess someone comes and takes the milk?" I asked.

"Yeah, a truck will be here sometime this mornin; they take it all, pasteurize it and do the distribution too."

"What would I be doing in here once I start working?"

"Same kind of thing, we rotate jobs so none of us gets bored. I'll show you how to handle a cow once you get started. They can get stubborn sometimes and if you aren't careful you'll get stomped. You just have to watch where you put your feet that's all."

The sun was up by the time we stepped out of the milking shed. The cows had all wandered off towards the pasture and only a few stayed behind to nuzzle at the remains of what must have been a bale of hay. For the most part the cows ignored us, aware that we were no threat to them since they weighed about four or five times what we did.

Next we fed the chickens and collected a half bucket full of eggs. Tally left a few hens sitting on eggs; they were the breeders he explained. Lord knows I couldn't tell the difference, they all looked like regular chickens to me. But they all scurried after the feed we threw down and Tally had me stand back to watch the fun.

Chickens did have a pecking order, some were bolder than others but trying to dominate the whole yard was impossible so all the chickens managed to get fed. But Tally laughed at the antics some of them displayed and I understood that he'd been around them so long they each had a personality he recognized. And then there were the roosters.

Tally said they had three at the moment, each with their own little harem of ladies. The males stood apart in opposite corners of the yard, and Tally said they were very territorial.

"Do they fight over the ladies?" I asked.

"All the time, they're just like people. If one feels so much as slighted by another they fight, and sometimes the loser has to give up a lady here and there. But today's loser is tomorrow's winner; they're all pretty evenly matched."

"So what's next," I asked.

"We take the eggs to Granny and grab a coffee, it's almost seven."

"It is?" The time had flown past; no wonder there was never enough time to get all the chores done.

Granny had a smile as we stepped through the back door with the eggs.

"Good mornin, did you sleep well?" She asked.

"Sure did, you didn't warn me Tally snores," I said.

"Do not," Tally threw back.

"I thought there was a bear in the room."

"He does snore, mostly during summer, and during harvest when the chaff is in the air from all that hay. Doctor says he has a touch of hay fever, damn shame for a farm boy." Granny said.

"I got some pills," Tally admitted. "But they taste like sh ... they taste bad."

"No swearin in my kitchen, boy" Granny said.

"I didn't say it, Gran ... I know what happens when I do," Tally said. He turned to me. "I have to wash the floor cause Gran says I get that ... stuff all over the place when I curse. Ha, see I didn't really say it did I?"

Granny smiled. "No, you're a good boy ... most times. You want some coffee Evan?"

"Please, I drink it black," I said.

"So do I, Tally takes his milk and sugar with a little coffee in it."

"Yeah, coffee is nasty stuff," Tally said.

"That's why I made you boys chocolate on the trip, coffee is for grownups. My daddy wouldn't let me have it until I was sixteen," I said.

"Well wash your hands and I'll get you both some," Granny said.

Tally ran the water in the sink and washed his hands, offering me the bar of soap when he was done. Jim and Brad came in after that and we all sat at the table drinking our coffee. Pretty soon there was toast and jam, and bowls of cereal.

Rick and Barry came in and went through the wash up ritual; they had been down feeding the pigs and I was pretty sure I could smell something on their boots. Sam joined us and finally the whole clan was assembled.

"Sunday breakfast is sorta grab what you can," Tally said. "We pig out after church."

"I have my coat and tie out in the Jeep," I said.

"Naw, just put on a clean shirt, this isn't some strict Baptist church, just working folks go there. You get all dressed up at your church?" Tally asked.

"When I go, yeah," I said.

Granny looked across the table at me and shook her head. "God doesn't care what you wear long as you come, Evan. You can drive Tally and me, we'll be home before the men get finished talking."

Tally smiled. "Yeah, I was gonna pack some food and take Evan to Indian Rocks before he has to go."

"Oh that's fine, he'll get a nice view of the whole valley up there," Granny said. She smiled at me and I just knew what she was thinking.

It felt strange to be sitting here amidst this family and know that one of them knew what Tally and I shared. But although Jim and Sam were in the room, Tally seemed to defer to his granny in most things. There was no doubt that she controlled life in and around the family, it seemed a given.

I suppose with both parents busy working all day that Granny had become the source of everything for the younger ones. These were all her children in some way, she was the giver of love and discipline as the kids grew up. It wasn't hard to see the deference all the boys paid her, and now I felt just like one if them.

Tally and I washed up and changed, he was dressed much as he had the day before when meeting my parents. With his hair brushed out I thought he was simply beautiful. A sweet face surrounded by golden locks only served to accent his eyes. No matter where I looked on his face I was always drawn back to those eyes.

The boy expressed his feelings in those eyes, and as I stared at him I saw them soften. We stood there in the middle of his room and looked at one another. I knew he wanted to tell me not to go home, to stay with him.

I could only imagine how lonely he must have felt before I came along.

"Tally ... I won't forget about you for one single moment this week, but I have to go. It's not going to be easy on either of us. But you know I'm coming back and I won't get a moment's rest until I see you again. God, I am so crazy about you it hurts."

Tally smiled and moved right up against me. I put my arms around him and just held him. He laid his head against my shoulder as we rocked back and forth. I knew the moment was serious; Tally was expressing emotion and nothing more.

At some point this morning, as I watched him work, I realized it was time to give up thinking of him as a boy, we were equals. He did a man's work and made love like a man, there was strength in everything about him. Leaving him was the last thing I wanted to do.

But my parents would be waiting. We would sit down for dinner and I would tell them my plans. My mother would be shocked and try to talk me out of it. My father would start the questioning like only a counselor at law could do, but I would win.

Turning eighteen had given me the power to control my own life. I could set my own goals, feed my own ambitions and move out into the world. My parents were helpless to stop me. Tally would win...he already had. For even as a fledgling adult I recognized a chink in my armor, Tally was in control of my life. This wonderful creature in my arms was my future.

A knock on the door. "Evan, Granny's ready to go." Sam yelled out. Tally didn't move, he was lost in thought.

"Coming," I yelled back, and then softer, "Tally?"

He sighed and lifted his head. "I was listening to your heartbeat and wondering what it will be like growing old together."

"Tally," I said grinning at his words. "Old? We haven't even finished young yet."

"But we will grow old together won't we?"

"Tally, you will be there when I take my last breath, I promise. Today all this seems so new, I feel that too."

"And tomorrow? I want to spend all my tomorrows with you Evan."

"You will, I'll only be gone a few days at most. Granny is waiting; we have to go down Tally. And after church we'll have a wonderful picnic and we can talk about this, OK?"

Tally sighed and then kissed me before he smiled. "I'm still going to miss you."

"Then think about all those tomorrows. A few more and you'll be fifteen; I can't wait for that to happen."

"Are you going to give me a present?"

"Yes ... anything special you want?"

He gave me the most evil grin I'd ever seen on that sweet face; he didn't even have to speak the answer.

"OK ... OK," I laughed. "But I do have something else in mind too."

"Oh? What is it?" Tally asked.

"Can't say, you aren't fifteen yet."

"Aww, not even a hint?"

"Nope ... Granny is waiting," I said.

Church was a small brick building with a set of double doors at one end and a large parking lot. Jim said the building doubled as a community center when they needed meeting space and I could believe that, it didn't look like a church to me.

The First Baptist Church in Ashville was an imposing edifice just down the street from my parent's house. Long rows of wooden pews lined the space and on Thursday nights we could even hear the sound of choir practice because of the grand organ someone had donated.

Here there was an upright piano set to one side and no choir, all the members sat in metal folding chairs. A bare bones church was one way to describe this place, but then Granny had assured me God didn't hold to fancy trappings.

"My husband helped found this church," She said as we drove into the parking lot. "That was back when we used to meet in someone's parlor or gather on a front porch. Reverend Layne came along a few years later and the men folk spent three years building this one."

"So you do have a paid preacher, I wondered," I said.

"Paid ... well most times. He has a wife and two children so we managed to get him a small house just outside of town. The man is a blessing and a fine example of what a preacher ought to be. He works at the hardware store rest of the week."

I parked the Jeep and saw several men gathered off to one side at the back of a pick up truck. They waved when they saw Granny and she nodded in return, and then we walked inside. Plain white walls, drop tile ceiling, linoleum flooring ... no, nothing fancy at all.

It took a while for everyone to settle in; it seemed that the gathering was almost as social as it was religious. Jerry and Tally got together and whispered about something until the rest of the Winslow family arrived. All together we took up an entire row by ourselves.

I knew why I was here besides the obvious fact that Granny wanted me here. I was trying to feel a part of this family and that meant Sunday as well. I had dropped into Tally's life so suddenly; I could very well be a distraction from the normal things in his life. Nothing would get us discovered faster than changing the routine; it would be like waving a red flag at the rest of the family.

I was beginning to think that Granny was more involved in my relationship with Tally than what had at first seemed to be a mildly supporting role. Her acceptance of me was all conditional; I was beginning to discover that fact. The no sex rule when she knew how full on horny a boy like Tally could be and now church on Sunday.

I was being carefully controlled, molded into a person that Granny wanted as, for lack of a better word, Tally's consort. It only displayed an abiding sense of concern and love for the boy, something I could relate to. But it left me wondering at her motivation.

That little speech she had given me in the kitchen, the comments about God and love in the Bible, it was all starting to make sense. Yes, Granny was there for us, mainly because of Tally, but she had some feelings about me as well. The only thing it left me wondering was if she were hiding something would I even know?

A tall slender man got up from the first row and stood before the forty odd folks seated around me.

"Welcome friends. Today is God's day and I am glad to see all these familiar faces once again. For despite the near drought conditions we endured last year, God has seen fit to bless us this summer and make the earth bountiful.

"A man stopped by the hardware store this past week and expressed wonder at the height of the corn this early in the year. I told him that the corn grows because God sees the hard toil and sweat of the farmers in this valley. He laughed and said it was probably because the fertilizer was working so well and the rain this past spring had made the seeds germinate early.

"I could only agree, he was right, but then I asked him who he thought spread the fertilizer and planted the seeds. He said it was you, the farmers who did these things, and I agreed with that as well. So where does God fit into all that he asked me, and so I told him my thoughts.

"God brings life to the earth. A family of farmers takes pride in the soil and thus becomes partners with God. A man or woman who puts their hands in the soil, cares for it and plants good seed will reap the bounty, and that is all part of God's plan ... "

I could see heads nodding in agreement, the preacher was talking a language these folks could understand. There was nothing complicated about his theology, a farmer already understood his relationship to the land. They didn't want fire and brimstone from this man, just reassurance that what they were doing was all well and good.

The Winslow's had a huge piece of land, a fine example of a farm. And yet I didn't see any signs of wealth about the place, it must cost a fortune to maintain. Land poor was a term I'd heard my father use before and I imagine Jim figured his life in cost per acre as apposed to profit.

But he maintained a legacy passed down to him and worried about the future. Brad seemed the most obvious choice to take over the farm; Rick and Barry were my age and would struggle with their thoughts for a while longer. Tally would not be a farmer.

Despite all the hard work he put in I was sure the boy felt it was more like giving his family their due and nothing more. We had not discussed his future and I was more than a little curious about his thoughts. For no matter what Tally chose I was going to support him, I believe he knew that now...and so did Granny.

Maybe that was why she took such an interest in me, I was Tally's way out. Not that the Winslow family were unaware of the greater world around them, but I was on the outside looking in. And if Granny pinned her hopes for Tally on me then I could not fail the boy, I didn't want to. If anything he was a responsibility I gladly welcomed and Granny understood that.

" ... and with that pride you folks will reap the reward of God's everlasting love," the preacher said. "For those words in the Bible speak to us on many levels. The command to go forth and multiply, be fruitful and multiply, speaks to us of home and family. It also applies to the work a farmer does with his crops. Praise God ... Amen."

I had missed most of his sermon, or was it just a spiritual chat the preacher was having with his congregation? My mother would be appalled; she believed religion ought to be shouted to the heavens as if God's hearing was failing. No, I couldn't agree with that, this preacher had the complete attention of his audience.

There was a discussion about summer events after that final Amen. I began to see that the preacher was a storehouse of social and community events as well. Being involved at that level allowed him to be a greater part of his congregation, a wise decision on his part.

The church was planning a picnic on the Fourth of July and I realized that was next week, I would be here. And a week later Tally would turn fifteen. Not the most important birthday in a boy's life but still an event that held greater significance to him now that I was here.

I had felt the pressure of his knee against mine for the whole service. I couldn't look at him for some reason, maybe I was afraid he would make me laugh or do something inappropriate. But as the preacher sat back down to signify the end of church I looked at Tally's face.

He must have spent the time thinking like I had for I saw the twinkle in his eye.

"You're going to be here for the Fourth, right?" Tally asked.

"Wouldn't miss it, you guys do anything special?"

"The whole dang day is special. Shootin contests, swimming at the river, a huge picnic and then we go into town. They have a parade, isn't much but the school band plays. Then come dark we all walk over to the baseball field where they set off fireworks. What do you usually do?"

"Fireworks mostly, maybe sneak a few beers. I'd rather be here with you," I said.

"Yeah, we can have lots of fun. So guess once Granny gets done talkin we can head home and put our picnic together," Tally said.

I smiled knowing full well that Tally had a lot more on his mind than eating leftover fried chicken. We would have full on sex no matter what Granny counseled. I couldn't feel guilty about it; Tally and I were fairly equal at what we did.

But I was still slightly overwhelmed by what Tally had done for me ... emotionally. He had brought my feelings out into the open and peeled away the mask I'd been wearing. All I had needed was his love to discover I was gay and any doubts I might have had been banished.

Granny finally finished talking to her lady friends and we said goodbye to Jerry and his family. The men were all gathered out in the parking lot, sitting on tailgates or leaning on fenders, it was their big social gathering of the week.

"So how did your parents take to the idea of you becoming a farm hand?" Granny asked out of the blue as I drove back towards the farm.

"Uh, haven't exactly discussed it with them yet, but they'll understand," I said.

Granny chuckled. "Not like you'll be wasting your time. My brother ran off to New York when he turned eighteen, off to see the big city. He came home about two weeks later and warned me to stay away from that sinful place.

"My husband and I went there one year; it's pretty impressive if you go for that sort of thing. Too many people in one place, too loud, too angry at the world. Makes a body glad to live a simple country life like this, think you'll enjoy our simple life, Evan?"

"I've seen Atlanta, went there on a school field trip two years back. I'm definitely not a city person. My folks took me to Washington when I was younger, I did like the museums and all that, but like you say too darn many people in one place."

"I've been to Charlotte but that's it," Tally said.

"We all don't become world travelers overnight, Tally. One of these days you'll get to travel, maybe Evan will take you around and both of you can see what's out there. But in your heart you'll always be a country boy and think of this as home," Granny said.

We arrived back long before the others and Tally started preparing our picnic basket. Granny sat at the table and watched with amusement, this was Tally's show. He packed some fried chicken, biscuits and a small tub of the slaw. Two Mason jars of tea also went in the basket.

"Done," Tally said, and then Granny added two forks and some napkins.

"Slaw isn't finger food, boy, and don't forget a blanket to sit on," She laughed. "You boys have a good time, I'm going to take a nap, see you when you get back."

We loaded the Jeep and set off towards the river. Tally gave me directions and ten minutes later we pulled off the asphalt onto a gravel road. The land here rose slowly and then we were in the trees. Tally spotted a good place to park and I pulled over. I boosted the basket and handed Tally the blanket, and then I followed behind him.

He led me up a path into the trees and I saw rock formations ahead.

"What is this place?" I asked.

"Grandpa said it was an old Indian burial site, but I never found any mounds like they have in other places. This is about the highest ground in the county so I imagine maybe Indians did have a camp or village here, dunno," Tally said.

We worked our way through the rocky ground and finally he climbed up the steep face of a boulder. I struggled along behind him and when I reached the top I stopped cold. There was a small flat area of leaves and grass, but beyond there was nothing.

The view stretched out for miles and the whole valley lay open before us all the way to the river. It was impressive and we both stood quietly for a moment to take in the sight. Tally dropped the blanket and I put down the basket, then he was in my arms.

I gazed down into his adoring eyes and saw a reflection of the passion I felt. Gently I brushed back the hair from his face and swept my fingers across his cheek.

"All morning I have done nothing but think about how much I love you, Tally. I owe you so much for being such a wonderful person, you mean more to me than anything else in this world."

Tally's eyes blazed in response and I leaned down to kiss him. His tongue caressed my lips and they opened to receive him. The moment was perfect as we grappled one another and came up with a collective gasp.

Tally tugged at the hem of my T-shirt and I allowed him to slide it up and off. His fingers caressed my chest and sides as we went back in for another passionate kiss. Then we undressed and spread the blanket.

The sun was hot that day and our bodies became covered in sweat as we became aroused and the touches grew more frantic. Tally couldn't hold back any longer and slid his way down my body until his mouth could capture my cock. I pawed at him, trying to get him to turn around and let me have at him as well, he fended me off.

I just lay there, the most wonderful feeling traveling up through my body and saturating my brain. Tally seemed determined this was going to be his finest hour and I groaned my approval. His tongue seemed to be everywhere, his lips sucking and pulling at the crown of my cock. And then like a shrieking banshee I voiced my feelings as I exploded in his mouth.

The moment I was done Tally raised my legs and dove between them. Oh God ... no, and yes he did, his tongue slid up my butt hole. I felt weak, my body still absorbing the awesome orgasm when Tally scooted up and slid his cock into me. I was helpless to resist.

The mental impact of him fucking me sent me into ecstasy once again; Tally pounded my butt, so sure of his ability to please what remained of my senses. And then it was his turn to scream as he came, flooding my guts with warmth.

My cock had just gone through an amazing turnaround, I was half hard again and Tally seemed to count on that as he straddled my lap and sat down on it. My cock bent, it wasn't ready, and my body might not desire another erection for weeks. Tally grinned and grabbed my ball sac, inserting two fingers into my already cum laden hole ... OK, that did it.

He pounced on my renewed erection and sat down on it as my mind returned to heavenly thoughts. Tally had never worked me this hard before. Of course it was wonderful and this was all the product of his over active imagination, but he was giving me the message loud and clear.

Tally rode me for ten minutes before I even felt like making cum was a possibility and when I did the orgasm blew me away as he had intended. His own cock spurt a few drops, the only thing left in his balls ... and we were done.

I smiled up at him in a passionate haze. "OK, I get it ... nobody gives me sex like you do, you won ... you always win."

Tally collapsed on me and my cock died almost instantly, I was completely worn out. He lay there gasping and then started to laugh.

"God, if we ever do that again shoot me, OK?" Tally said, and then he sat up. "I just wanted you to remember why you're coming back, Evan."

"I might have to crawl home now ... you just ... I love you Tally, nothing is gonna come between us, trust me."

He grinned. "Now you understand, I do trust you ... I never loved anything more than you."

"Lord did we make a mess. Granny gets one whiff of us and we're dead men," I said.

"Nope, the river is between us and the house ... I'm just about tired of sitting in all this sun, wanna swim?"

We put our pants back on and nothing more, grabbed the basket and the blanket and slid down the rocks. Twenty minutes later we were parked by the river. Tally stripped right off and took the plunge, I was right behind him.

As I looked back at the bank I realized this was the place we had first met. The rope hung down from the branch of the tree and I recalled Tally whooping as he dropped into the water beside my canoe.

"This is a special place," I said and Tally nodded.

"I came up from under the water and there you were like a dream come true," Tally said. "You were so nice to me ... I could only hope ... "

"Dreams do come true, Tally ... thank you."

We lazed in the river a while, and then I knew it was time to go. Tally read my thoughts and his became sad. "I don't want to cry, Evan ... you won't be gone long."

"And now I have something to dream about, something exciting and wonderful. I need just a few days to tell my parents, tell Stan I'm in love and run back to you. I won't be gone long enough for you to cry, I don't want you to cry ever again," I said.

We dressed again, feeling refreshed in mind and body. Tally laughed when he remembered the picnic basket, we hadn't eaten a thing. I watched him scatter the food on the bank knowing the animals would have a feast tonight. I drove back up to the road and turned into the Winslow driveway.

I stopped the Jeep and gave Tally one final kiss. Good thing I had, the family was all outside in the yard. I thanked Jim and Sam for their hospitality and managed a hug from Granny. She looked in my eyes and smiled.

"Have a safe trip and come home soon," She said. Her words meant the world to me; this would be home for a long time to come, three years and twelve days to be exact. I shook hands with the men and hugged Tally. He managed a smile but little more.

"Be right back, OK?" I asked.

"Sure ... I'll be waiting," Tally said, tears gleaming in his eyes.

I managed to make it to the end of the driveway before I broke down, and with tears streaming down my face I turned right and left behind the only thing that mattered in my young life. I felt so miserable it was if my heart was breaking, but the feelings shocked me.

To start my new life I had to resolve the old one. Nothing in life had prepared me for a moment like this, leaving him behind was devastating. If I ever needed further proof of how much I loved Tally these feelings said it all. For through the pain I saw a glimpse of joy because when I returned he would be all mine...all mine.

On to Chapter Six

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