It was about three that afternoon when I arrived back in Asheville, but I didn't want to see my parents yet. Mom always set Sunday dinner out at six so I still had a few hours left. If I gave in to the desire to tell them my plans today it would be better if I did it right after dinner. That gave them overnight to think and we would certainly spend all day tomorrow talking about it. But even talking would be hard now.

I could only think of the sorrow I had cause Tally by leaving, if only for a short while. That feeling had brought me to tears, my sobs born of guilt. I should have known he would react like that. Tally was the one precious thing in my life and I had left him hurt and sad. I had no other way to express my shame except to cry for him. And there was only one place I could seek comfort.

I turned right on College Street instead of left; Stan's house was four blocks down. His dad was out washing the car and he waved at me as I pulled up.

"Evan ... how was your trip?" He asked.

"Real fine, Mr. Beale, very relaxing," I replied.

"Stan and Freddy are out back," he said.

"Thanks," I replied, and walked up the driveway.

Stan's dad was just about the coolest adult I knew here. Having a gay son didn't faze him in the least; he had been supportive from the day Stan came out. But when Freddy slid into Stan's life the whole family had to adapt, and they did it for Stan. Now Freddy lived with them, his own parents being less than kind about their feelings.

I rounded the corner into the back yard just in time to hear Stan curse. I saw the hammer in his hand and almost laughed, Stan was not good with tools. They were building a new dog house for Baby, the latest in a long string of huge mutts the family took on.

"Evan ... ," Freddy yelled when he saw me and ran over for a hug.

Whereas Stan was slim and blonde, Freddy was his opposite. For a gay guy it was amazing, the boy was a total jock. Freddy had been on the wrestling team at our high school. His swarthy body and long black hair belied the soft heart beneath that gruff exterior. I had been envious of Stan for over a year, now things were different.

Stan dropped the hammer and came over for a hug and a kiss. "How was it?" He asked, and then he paused. "OK, something happened ... tell me."

He could always read me like a book and when I smiled Stan broke into a huge grin.

"I met a boy and ... I'm in love," I said.

Stan whooped and Freddy grabbed me, lifting me off the ground like I weighed nothing. I squealed at the pressure and Freddy let me down, he'd almost broken a rib the last time he hugged me like that. Stan grabbed my hand and led me over to the back porch, pushing me down on the steps.

"Tell me...tell me," He said. "Who stole your heart?"

"His name is Tally, Talbot Winslow ... he's fifteen, Stan. But I know I'm gay now ... Oh God, he's wonderful."

"Fifteen ... oh sweetie. This sounds crazy, are you sure?" Stan said. He looked concerned, but all I could do was smile.

"I'm very sure. I love him, Stan ... I'm moving in with his family."

"Jeez, that's amazing," Freddy said. "How can you do that?"

"I'm going to work on their farm ... " I began, and it took me most of an hour to explain everything. They both listened with patience, but I knew there would be a million questions. The most satisfying moment I observed was when I told them how Tally had been the first to express his love for me. Stan glanced over at Freddy and I saw them share the feelings I was talking about.

" ... and I cried most of the way here," I ended, and they both moved over to hold me. I felt relieved; my closest friends now knew my biggest secret. It would serve me well when I faced my parents tonight.

"So, when do we get to meet Tally?" Freddy asked.

"I'll bring him in town, always good to get the country boy off the farm," I said, but I had another reason.

Presenting Stan and Freddy to the Winslow family would not be a good experience. Not that they came off gay at first glance, but over time it became apparent. They were just so comfortable with one another; I couldn't take the chance ... not yet.

I had never been uncomfortable like this before, and even now it felt strange to be having these thoughts. Standing up for Stan back in tenth grade had seemed like an act of friendship. I had reveled in kicking a little ass for his benefit over the years until Freddy came along. Only a fool would mess with Freddy...but now...no, I had too much to lose.

"I don't envy you telling the judge about ditching your college plans," Stan said.

I gave him a weak smile. "Yeah, this will be a tough one," I agreed. "I can't come out to them guys; it would all be too much at one time. But you understand I hope, I can't be away from Tally, and Granny is on my side so far."

"Yeah, that's more than a little weird. Is she all right? I mean, is she dying or something?" Freddy asked. About what I would expect from a doctor's son, everyone was motivated by sickness.

"Jeez, Freddy ... where the hell did that thought come from?" I asked.

"My dad says old people get these feelings, they want to leave things right before they go. It's just this Granny is supporting a gay relationship with her grandson as if she's worried about his future because maybe she won't be around much longer."

Stan and I both laughed, Freddy had the strangest thoughts. I'd seen no signs of sickness in Granny; she was a strong and sometimes intimidating, at least to me. She loved Tally and just knowing he was gay would be enough to make her protective.

All too soon it was late and I had to go for dinner. They hugged me and wished me well, I would need a little courage to get over this hurdle and they both knew it. I watched them get back to work on the dog house.

"Uh, Stan ... don't forget to cut an opening so the dog can get inside," I laughed.

"Jeez, what an idiot I am ... Freddy, why did you let me get this far without telling me about the door?" Stan groaned.

"Uh ... sorry, I thought you knew."

I kept on laughing as I walked down the driveway, what a couple of clowns. High school had been full of their antics; it had been a time of great pride in the friendship we shared. They were both off to Appalachian State this fall; the relationship would keep them together.

I had been in high gear my whole senior year; grades came foremost as I prepped myself for college. The self motivation had energized me; I thought I was on top of the world and then I met Tally. How little I'd really known myself, but a boy had shown me the truth.

Tally had agreed to everything I'd laid out the other day. I would tutor him until his grades went from C's and D's to A's and B's. I didn't want him to be the perfect student, just the best his expanding mind would allow. And if college seemed right for him then we would go there together, the romance would continue no matter what.

It would assure Granny that she had made the right choice in allowing me into Tally's life and home. She would understand that loving her grandson was the best thing I could do for him. And maybe if she came to understand our transgressions his progress would lighten her guilt. I knew she would forgive Tally; I was the one that had to worry.

I drove the Jeep onto Pine Street and pulled into the driveway next to my father's Caddy. I saw the smudges on the hood and knew I would be out washing the car tomorrow evening when he got home. I had taken pride in washing the judge's car; I always wanted him to present a good image for the community.

I hefted my bag from the back and walked around to the kitchen door. Mom was at the stove and smiled when I came in.

"Hello honey ... how was your day?" She asked.

"Wonderful, the Winslow family is a great bunch of people. Hmm, something smells good."

"Your father wanted pot roast, he gets pot roast."

"Can I help you do something?" I asked.

"No, it's all done, thanks for asking. Why don't you go wash up and see if your father is about ready to sit down, the table is set."

My well organized mother, she was always one step ahead. I washed up and went in my room to change my shirt and thought of something. There in the back of my closet was the footlocker and I slid it out into my room. I spun the combination lock and heard it snap open, and then I lifted the lid.

The faces inside smooth clear plastic sleeves stared back at me, my comic book collection. My Uncle Harry had bought me my first collector's edition Superman, and then had given me one almost ever year until he died. I felt sad whenever I looked at them, but he had done it for a reason.

"This will all be worth a fortune some day, be careful with them," He'd said, and I had. I had been to a collector's show in Charlotte last year with a list of the ones I had. After two hours of talking to the men sitting behind the tables I had to sit down, I was in shock.

The collection my uncle and I had amassed was then worth over eighty thousand dollars, I just couldn't believe it. I had told no one, I didn't dare. This was Uncle Harry's legacy to me and I shut the lid gently. Tomorrow I would select a few of them for Tally's birthday present.

Not the best or the most valuable, but a selection he would like. This would be a test to see if he could maintain a thousand dollars or more in collectables. I would explain their market value, the ones I had sealed in plastic had never been touched. I would give Tally a half dozen comics and a pair of latex gloves. He could read the comics if he handled them carefully.

Dinner went just fine, my father was in a good mood and I told them more about the trip and the farm. Over coffee and dessert I told them what was on my mind. My mother grew silent, my father smiled.

"You really think being a farmer this fall will awaken you to some new potential?" He asked.

"I think it will give me perspective," I said. "I've never know such devout people, God and farming are their core values, it's such an uncomplicated view of life."

My father nodded. "Farmers are the backbones of our nation, always have been. I just didn't think you'd ever find it attractive, I'm just not sure why you're doing this."

"I've spent twelve years in school, the last four getting ready for college. I understand the value of a university education; I'm just not ready to face that task. Cooking is something I understand, but now I don't think some fancy education in French cuisine is what I want.

"Agriculture is a whole new interest to me. I could get a degree and work for the state or plan crop production on a local level, both those thoughts have occurred to me. But I don't think anyone will take me seriously if I don't have hands on experience in farming. Jim Winslow is willing to hire me and says he'll teach me everything he knows, that's worth a year off from school any day."

"You're serious about this?" My mother asked.

"Yes, very serious. It's hard work, maybe too hard for a city boy, but I have to try it. I love everything about living in this state, now I want to learn what that means. From all I've seen these people have a viewpoint of life we should all envy, I want to be a part of that."

I knew they were having a hard time understanding all this, but I'd scored points in my argument. My father was wise enough to see that I'd already made up my mind. Being an only child I had grown up independent and he respected my abilities. My mom was the one I needed to convince, but cutting those apron strings was hard.

At some point parents have to let their kids go, it would have been the same if I'd gone to culinary school, I would be away for a long time. A house empty of children was a signal of impending age, no parent wanted to face that fact. My dad wouldn't retire any time soon, age worked in his favor as he sat behind the bench of justice. To mom it meant something entirely different.

My father sighed, knowing no matter what he said I wouldn't change my mind. He smiled and nodded his head.

"I suppose you'll learn a lot, just don't be sorry if it wears you out. I've never seen you back off a challenge Evan; it's not your nature...or mine. I expect your mother will get little comfort out of this unless you stay in touch and come in town for a visit and dinner occasionally.

"I never thought any of the Parsons would tend towards farming, but Harry spent a few summers working with horses on a farm, rest his soul. Maybe you take after him; he had a strong sense of himself just like you do. I'd like to meet these people at some point and see what attracts you so strongly."

"Sure, I think they'd like to meet you as well," I said. "How do you feel, Mom?"

"I'll miss you, but at least you'll be closer than Florida. Long as they're good Christian folks I can't object."

"When do you start?" My father asked.

"I'm going back Wednesday; I have a church picnic to attend on the Fourth. Then I'll meet a lot of other farmers. I really plan to make this a great educational experience, even if I have to shovel a lot of sh ... cow patties," I said with a smile.

My father laughed. "I imagine you will, if nothing else you'll have a strong back when this is all done."

"I got up at four-thirty yesterday morning ... " And I went on to explain the routine Tally had showed me.

"He seems like a fine boy," My mother said.

"I suppose I ought to be grateful he likes me, I'll learn a lot from him at first. It's strange, but his experience seems to outweigh his young age and he's a lot more of a farmer than I'll ever be," I said. "But I promised to tutor him in exchange for the farming lessons; I think that's only fair."

"No wonder they like you, is Tally the youngest?" My father asked.

"Yes, he has two brothers my age and one slightly older; they all work on the farm. Jim isn't sure which of them will take over the farm, but Dorothy owns the place since her husband died. She's the real connection; I want to learn everything she knows how to cook."

"So cooking still figures in your future. You have a lot of interests, Evan ... I suppose now is the time to indulge them all," My father said.

"Yes sir, I see it like that too."

I sat in my room after my parents were in bed; I had a million thoughts in my head but Tally was foremost. It was after ten, he would be in bed by now. I smiled at the thought of his gentle snores filling the room. Maybe he would dream of me as I was sure to dream of him.

Six wrapped comic books lay out on my bed, each of them matching one of Tally's heroes. It seemed like a silly present until I considered their worth. But Tally would understand as I slid the seventh wrapped present into the pile. It was a framed photo of me and my parents right after the graduation ceremony, the smile on my face quite evident.

As of now I had no photos of Tally, but I was bringing my camera. Capturing moments of his youth would someday allow me to look back on our beginnings; I never intended to lose the original image I had of him in my mind.

I went to bed with my belongings spread out on the carpet, tomorrow I would begin to pack. And now as I lay back in the darkness of my boyhood room I thought of Tally and how wonderful his body felt in my arms.

His very nature aroused me; there was just something so sexy about him. Maybe I had been like that three years ago, but I had never recognized it at the time. Tally's strong self assured personality made me look beyond his age. To us both fifteen was just a stepping stone into the future. I had to feel that way, there had to be a connection to that remote distant place called life. In many eyes I was a child abuser, but that just meant they didn't know Tally.

I had been the object of his seduction, his desires. My fleeting moments of doubt about his age had vanished when we lay down for love. His strength had overwhelmed me; I had been a more than a willing partner to his affections. The boy had given his virginity to assure our love, what greater sacrifice could there be?

And as I lay there with thoughts of Tally in my head I waited to become aroused ... and nothing happened. I had become so absorbed in giving myself to him that nothing else mattered. I would wait and offer it as proof of my total supplication to his will. And I dreamed of the golden boy on his rope swing as he dropped into my insignificant life and made me whole.

I was awake before dawn; my bedside clock said four- thirty eight. I began my packing and slid the boxes to the side when I was done. Coffee seemed like a great idea, I would even cook my parents breakfast ... it had been a while since I did that.

The kitchen was dark as I prepared the coffee pot and started it percolating. I walked out the front door and stared at the lightening sky. Tally would be in the cow shed minding his chores; I was here picking the morning newspaper up off the sidewalk.

I set the kitchen table and placed the paper on my father's chair, and then I smiled. Our family tradition was that dad got the paper first, handing off the local section to my mother and the comics to me. At some point we all swapped around while the coffee was consumed. Mom would cook breakfast while we all discussed the news. Tradition, it had a whole new meaning now.

Awaking to Tally's eyes looking down at me, a kiss to start our day and the chill of the farmyard before dawn. These were going to become my moments of tradition, things I would always value. The squeak of the floor in the dining room caught my attention, and then my father walked in the kitchen in his bathrobe.

"I thought it was you," He chuckled. "Getting used to the early morning hours are you?"

"Work starts before dawn, at least here I get coffee first," I said.

My father picked the paper up off his chair and sat down. He folded it in half and set it aside, which was a surprise.

"I think the Winslow family is getting a good deal in you," He said. "I expect Tally will benefit most."

"He's a great kid, Dad ... I do have feelings for him."

"I noticed ... you always wanted a little brother and I'm sorry it never happened. We could have adopted, but by the time we got around to thinking about that you were already in school. In some ways it wouldn't have been fair to you, a new baby in the house would only have distracted you from what you needed to accomplish."

"I turned out fine, I don't regret a minute of my life these past eighteen years," I said.

"Well Tally is used to having older brothers; I imagine you'll get along just fine. Is he planning to follow in his father's footsteps?"

"No, I can honestly say Tally will not become a farmer, even his Granny knows that. I'm not sure what he wants to do, but his family will support him ... just like mine supports me. Thanks, Dad. I didn't know if I was going to hurt your feelings last night, there was no easy way to present all this."

"You did a fine job, I think even your mother will agree," He said.

"Agree with what?" My mother said, pushing through the kitchen door.

"Evan's presentation about shoveling cow patties," My father said, and we all laughed.

"We'll have to dig out your winter gear," My mother said.

"Mom, its July ... we have plenty of time for that. I'm just taking along all my working clothes and summer stuff. The long johns can wait a while."

"You ask Mr. Winslow what you need for winter and I'll take you shopping."

"He'll probably need some high boots for what he'll be stepping in," My father chuckled.

"I think they provide those for their workers," I said.

"What plans do you have today?" My mother asked.

"I want to catch up with Stan and tell him good bye for a while, he got onto Appalachian State."

"Good, I'm sure that makes his parents happy. Stan's always been such a nice boy," My mother said.

I showered and slipped out of the house by eight, my father had already left for the courthouse by then. I remember a few times in past years when I had sat in his courtroom awaiting a recess so he could sign something or another. Those moments had been boring beyond belief; I don't know how he did it every day.

"Everyone seeks justice for a wrongful act, or a perceived wrong, at some point in their lives," He once told me. "Sitting in that seat has taught me more about the nature of human beings then you would ever believe. But I see their anger and frustration, and sometimes I feel the same way. Being a good judge means never having to say sorry and that means I have to sit patiently and wisely before considering my opinion."

I learned my powers of observation from him. Our discussions taught me patience and perseverance; I used all those things when dealing with other people. On the other hand Stan taught me gamesmanship; he was by far the sneakiest person I knew.

I parked on the street and slid in the back door of Stan's house. His parents were off at work and the guys would still be asleep since Freddy had the afternoon shift at McDonalds. Stan had scoffed at that job when Freddy first took it, now he was an assistant manager and they treated him well.

Stan didn't work, preferring to feed his computer addictions online most of the day. He somehow had money but I never asked, it was only speculation but I think he was doing internet porn from his bedroom. But Lord knows, he had the body for it and people would pay a lot for a glimpse of him naked.

But Stan had a bladder problem, he pissed like a racehorse. I stopped in the kitchen and ran hot water over a dishcloth. Sneaking down the basement stairs I approached the bedroom. Freddy was on his stomach but Stan always slept on his back. Peeling back the covers I lay the warm dishcloth over Stan's crotch, covering his morning hard on.

The effect was almost immediate, Stan began to pee. I stood back against the wall and counted ... when I got to six Stan's eyes popped open and he sat up.

"Fuck ... damn it," Stan groaned and then he looked own at the dishcloth. "Evan," he yelled, "I'm gonna kill you."

He stumbled out of bed and decided he had a more urgent need and veered off towards the bathroom. I walked over and sat down on the bed next to Freddy, admiring his muscular butt.

"You did it again," Freddy moaned, looking up at me.

"Yup, got him with a full bladder this time."

The shower started running and I got a reprieve from Stan's wrath, if only for a while. I lay down next to Freddy and he hugged me. "You're such a brat, I love you too," He said.

Freddy and I had never done anything, but we talked about doing it. Stan was his full time man; no one could come between them. Last Christmas I had spent the night over here and watched them fuck after they thought I was asleep. I gained greater respect for Stan after that, Freddy was hung like a horse. I wondered what they would do if Tally and I did it in front of them.

Stan came back from his shower and pounced on me, Freddy tried to fend him off and we all started laughing. Freddy ended up with a huge stiff one after our tussle and Stan and I both stared at it.

"Jeez, Stan, you deserve a medal for handling that," I said.

Freddy just lay there with it pointing straight up towards ceiling. "Nine inches, yup ... Stan is the man for me." Freddy said.

"Wanna sex him up with me?" Stan asked.

"Me? God no, I've sworn off sex for a week after what Tally did to me yesterday," I said.

"Oh? Your boy has talent?" Freddy asked.

"He's a frickin genius. He took me up to this place called Indian Rocks and ... "

By the time I was halfway through relating our sexual activity both of them were laying side by side with erections and hands sliding up and down. I'd never known I could turn someone on with the way I described sex, but it seemed to be working here. Should I continue or just leave them alone for a while?

" ... and then Tally ... um, maybe I just better leave you guys to finish up," I said.

"No, don't stop yet," Freddy groaned.

"Yeah, tell it all, sweetie," Stan grinned.

"OK ... well after Tally sucked my nuts out through my cock I was wasted, but he wasn't finished yet. He raised my legs and shoved his tongue up my butt ... "

Stan was stroking in earnest, Freddy was much calmer in his approach. I had no doubt that by the time I finished they would be shooting cum all over the place. Kinky bastards, but it was fun to watch. I was watching their pleasure with dispassionate feelings, I wasn't even hard.

"So then he scooted up and shoved his cock up my ass. I was already out there in la la land from the blow job and then he did this to me. I remember thinking the boy had planned every move so carefully, I was gonna get the fucking of my life."

The bed was shaking from their efforts and I was bouncing up and down along with them. Without a thought I reached over and began to play with Freddy's nipple. He groaned and started stroking harder. It was like watching a telephone pole get greased as his pre-cum drooled out all over his hand.

"And then Tally came, spewing his spunk in my guts, it felt amazing. I was so turned on I was half hard and Tally started working me back up. He knows I have sensitive balls so he went after them and I freaked when he shoved a couple fingers back up my butt."

Stan was almost to a climax, I remembered what that looked like from years past. His balls were pulled up tight to the base of his cock, his back was arched and his eyes were shut tight. Every ounce of his focus was on that feeling deep inside, Stan was a star masturbator.

"Needless to say my cock got hard as hell and I can't begin to tell you why after what he'd already done to me, so he hopped up in my lap and sat on it. The heat of his ass set me back on fire and I was already exhausted ... "

Stan issued a huge groan and began to spurt. He always had the most amazing hydraulic power behind his ejaculations. One after the other they came shooting out, equally long and equally strong, like measured squeezes timed to give him the greatest pleasure.

"So my cock took almost ten minutes to respond but I finally came and it felt like my nuts were turning inside out. Then the brat squirted his cum on my belly, not so much but still amazing as hell."

Freddy was almost there and Stan grinned up at me as that huge cock went off like some kind of cum cannon. The first spurt went up almost four feet followed by at least three more. Freddy was silent during the shooting phase but he groaned when it was done.

OK, this had all felt pretty silly except for the results. Maybe they had been bored and I was entertaining. It was strange to have watched my two best friends jerk off, I felt like a little kid again.

"Oh God, you need to write porn," Freddy said.

"You read porn?" I asked.

Freddy laughed. "Stan is porn, who needs to read about it."

Stan batted his eyelashes and blew me a kiss. "That's Mr. Porn to you, wise ass ... how did it go with your parents?"

"Pretty cool, they think they understand but really know nothing. I will be Tally's roomy for a while."

"You don't do anything in their house do you?" Stan asked.

"I blew him last night; we can't do anything else except hug and kiss."

"You could always bring him here, we'll share the bed in shifts if we have to," Stan said.

I smiled. "Might come to that, I don't want to take any chances with him and the family."

"Sounds like Granny is who you need to watch out for, just be careful."

"I don't know whether I like fucking him or getting fucked better, it's all pretty awesome," I said.

"If he loves you that much he'll like being on the bottom a lot more of the time, Freddy loves giving me the pleasure, don't you sweetie?"

Freddy smiled and allowed spit to drool from the corner of his mouth. "Me like sex," He growled. "Igor wants sex."

"And I end up with Igor the pervert," Stan laughed. "God, we both need a shower now."

I sat in the kitchen while they showered and thought about ... OK, that was it. I was going to run back to the farm and drop off a load of stuff. Tally was coming back with me to help with another load, the one in my balls. Stan and Freddy would clear out so Tally and I could spend the afternoon in bed. I would finish my packing and then we would go home.

Was this all crazy? What would Granny think of me if I hurried back and snatched her little boy away? But I did have a lot of stuff; this would seem pretty convincing. I could bring my computer to tutor Tally and books, lots of books. The Jeep would be loaded and we could come back for my clothes ... what would my parents say?

I missed him and I was in love, what better reason was there? I ran down the stairs and walked right in the bathroom. Stan was bent over in the tub, his hands braced on the wall and Freddy was fucking him like a mad man. Oops.

"Sorry, I have to run home and pack some stuff. I'll be back later ... hopefully with Tally."

"Oh ... Jeez ... yeah," Stan groaned and Freddy just smiled and waved, what a goof.

I backed into the driveway at home and started lugging out boxes; the Jeep was filled in no time. I was sure my mother was over at the church doing something so I drove up the street and went in looking for her. She was in the office addressing envelopes for a church wide mailing.

"Mom, I'm gonna run some stuff back out to the farm." I laughed. "Why didn't you warn me I had so much junk?"

She smiled. "You've been collecting a lot of things, Evan ... will you be home for dinner?"

"Count on it, I might bring Tally back in town to help me with the rest."

"Tell him he's welcome at our table, such a nice boy," My mother said.

"Bye, Mom, I'll be home this afternoon."

"Bye, dear"

I felt elated, I was going home to Tally. Once again I felt that tightening in my chest, just the thought of seeing him made my heart pound. I took the road carefully, knowing I would get no mercy from the judge if I caught a speeding ticket. And then came the turnoff and I sped on the back roads until I reached the Winslow farm.

The yard was deserted when I pulled up and set the brake. Of course, they were all working. I walked behind the house and went up the kitchen steps. On impulse I opened the door and stepped inside.

Dorothy looked up from the table and smiled. "My goodness, has it been a week already?"

"No," I laughed. "I just started packing and the boxes filled my Jeep so much I can hardly see out the windows. Sorry, I should have asked to borrow a pickup."

"Lord Almighty, what are you bringing over?"

I sat down across from her. "I brought my computer and some school books; I thought tutoring Tally was important enough to bring all those things. I'll go back for the rest later on."

"Did you settle up with your parents?" She asked.

"Yes, in fact my father thinks it's a good idea. I suppose he thinks if I fail as a farmer then college will seem easier."

She laughed. "I think you'll do just fine. Tally missed you last night; I don't think he's been this miserable since he discovered Santa wasn't real."

"There's no Santa?" And we laughed together.

"They're all up at the north pasture; one of the cows got stuck in the gate again. I sometimes wonder why God didn't give those creatures a lick of common sense. Now they're tying mesh across the opening to keep her head inside. Tally will see your Jeep pretty soon and come thundering in here."

"Maybe he can ride back with me, I could use the help. Oh, and my mother has invited him to dinner if he stays. I think my father wants to come and visit with you," I said.

"Oh, goodness, we never had a judge in the house before," Dorothy said.

I smiled. "He's just a nice guy when he's not wearing that robe. I suppose if it weren't for him I never would have met you folks, he put me in that canoe."

"Your family is welcome any time, just give me some warning so I can cook them a decent meal."

"Yes ma'am, I will."

"As for Tally, be nice for him to have a sit down meal with your folks, maybe he'll remember his manners. I think having you here is a blessing, Evan and not just for Tally. We all get to set in our ways and you've livened the place up a bit."

"Thank you, Dorothy, I feel like I have two families now. Oh, what are the plans for Tally's birthday?"

"I always make him a chocolate marble cake, that's his favorite. He tries to steal a few sips of cider from his dad and sometimes gets away with it, and then we have dinner. Did you have something else in mind?" She asked.

"No, I just didn't want to interfere with any traditions, it's one of the things I love about being here," I said.

"I expect you'll get him a present, I already thought of getting him another poster but he doesn't have any wall space left. What were you thinking about getting?"

"I already have it and Tally will learn something from it as well. I'm giving him the comic books to go with his heroes."

"Oh ... he has comic books," She said.

I smiled. "These are very special comics, very old and very valuable. My uncle started me collecting when I was about six, rest his soul. I just figured out their real worth last year and it was pretty astounding."

"Comic books are worth money? Who would believe that?"

"Dorothy, my collection is worth over a hundred thousand right now, I have hundreds thanks to my uncle."

"Oh my, you're rich ... and you plan to give them to Tally?"

"A few, just to see if he can handle the idea of keeping them safe and watching them rise in value. I won't bring the collection here; I'm just going to give him six for now."

She smiled. "That's very clever; Tally needs to learn the value of money."

"He'll just need to find a warm dry place to keep them; the paper in those things is pretty sensitive to moisture. The one's I've chosen for him are probably worth about five thousand right now."

"My heavens, then he can keep them in the safe," Dorothy said.

"You have a safe?"

"We needed a place for the deeds and tax records, a farm produces a lot of paper, but there's plenty of room. If he wants to look at them he can just ask." And she paused, her eyes staring into mine. "You must really love him, Evan ... I know he loves you."

Again I blushed, she'd blindsided me once again. There was only one way out, the truth.

"I do love him, he's just an amazing young man," I said.

Dorothy smiled. "I know you see him that way; I guess I still want to see the boy. He's been mine to raise for all these years, and I still remember the little boy. But now when I look at him I see more of what you do, and best of all I see you in his heart.

"I would give Tally the world if I could, he's worth all that. Now he's yours, I see that too. It's a great responsibility to love someone; you know that more than he does. But Tally will learn from you, I've taught him about everything I can."

"No, don't stop teaching him Dorothy. The values and traditions in his life all come from you, he needs that strength," I said.

She smiled, but there was sadness on her face. "I will for as long as I ... can I trust you to keep my secret, Evan?"

I nodded, afraid to even speak ... what was going on?

"I have a weak heart my doctor says. I'll be sixty-two this spring, but he says I won't live the long life I should. I won't drop dead tomorrow, so wipe that look of fear off your face."

I reached across the table and took her hand. "I'm so sorry ... all this work and your heart ... no wonder you're so tired all the time. Does Jim know?"

"No, and I won't tell him ... not yet anyway. You're so young, I'm sorry to be telling you this at all ... but I wanted you to know why I think you are so important for Tally's future. The boy was sick with grief when his grandfather died. I just want to be sure Tally has someone when God calls me up yonder."

I know she saw the tears in my eyes; this was terrible news for everyone. But to trust me alone ... poor Tally. And the tears rolled down my cheeks, I was helpless to stop them. I got to my feet and knelt beside Dorothy, placing my arms around her in a hug. She lost that sad look and I felt her fingers run through my hair.

"You're a special young man, Evan ... God smiles on such as you. Now you understand, I'll help you if you help me and we all come out winners. Tally is someone we both can love and I'll know he's in good hands when I go. You just love him the best you can, that's all I ask."

We both heard the sound of the tractor enter the back yard. I got up and ran the water in the sink and splashed it on my face, it would not do to have Tally see my tears. I nodded to Dorothy as I heard his steps on the back stairs and then he was through the door in a flash.

"Evan ... you're back," Tally yelled and he threw his arms around me for a hug. I looked over his shoulder and saw Dorothy's smile. And suddenly she meant a whole lot to me, she was my friend and my Granny too.

On to Chapter Seven

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