I was torn in two. Tally was in my arms and Granny just sat there watching us. I was still numb over what she'd revealed and it really wasn't fair. I knew something that would tear the family apart and yet I had to acknowledge this bundle of love in my arms. Why had she done this to me? Was this another test?

She wouldn't lie to me; there was something wrong with her. Now I had to carry it around in my head ... and my head alone.

"What brought you back so soon?" Tally asked.

I tried a smile. "You did. I just had so much stuff ... are you finished working?"

"I've had it with cows today," Tally said. He turned to his Granny. "Dad says we might have a lot of hamburger real soon if she does it again."

"Your Daddy won't do anything to that old cow, she's mother to darn near half the herd," Granny said.

"Yeah, maybe. I gotta put the tractor up ... you stayin Evan?"

"Nope. You go finish and get cleaned up, I'm takin you back in town with me. I need help with all my stuff."

"OK, back in a flash," Tally said, and he ran out the door. I stood looking out the window as he drove the tractor off towards the equipment shed.

"You can't let on, Evan," Granny said from behind me.

I turned to face her. "No ... I won't, but you have to give me greater responsibility for your chores. Is the doctor giving you any medications?"

"I have some pills supposed to make my heart stronger," Granny said.

"Is he a good doctor, should you see someone better?" I asked. "I know a great doctor in town; his son is one of my closest friends."

"I've been seeing Doctor Biddle most of my life, he knows me pretty well."

"I mean a specialist Granny, someone who knows all about this thing you have ... a heart doctor."

"All they'll want to do is operate; I can't see all that fuss doing me any good. Don't worry yourself about it."

"Don't worry? That's all I'm gonna do is worry. I agreed to keep your secret ... now you've got to agree to something too. I can't face Tally with this on my mind all the time; I want you to go see a real heart doctor. I'll find one for you and take you there myself. This family depends on you ... we have to do everything we can."

Granny smiled. "You are such a stubborn boy. I suppose, you won't give me any peace until go see this doctor will you?"

"No ... I mean, this isn't just about you or me, Granny. I love that boy out there, it isn't fair to him."

Now she laughed. "You really now how to get me movin, don't you? Neither if us wants to see Tally hurt ... OK I agree."

I nodded as the back door opened and Tally returned. I led him upstairs and told him to shower.

"You're having dinner at my house, but first I want you to meet Stan and Freddy."

"Oh ... you told them about me?" Tally asked. "What did they say?"

"They're interested in meeting you," I said.

"Um, they know how old I am, right? Does that bother them?"

"No Tally, you're not some little kid, they know that. Uh, I sorta told them what you did to me up at Indian Rocks. In no way do they believe that was kid stuff, trust me."

"You told ... ?"

"These are two guys we can trust and ... I'm very proud of you, Tally. I want to tell everyone how much I love you, but I can only tell them. Stan likes you already because you got me to believe in myself, he's been trying to do that for years."

Tally smiled. "You did the same for me."

I took him in my arms and we kissed ... at least until I got a good whiff of cow off the boy.

"Go shower, mister ... you smell like a heifer."

Tally dropped his overalls and wiggled his bare butt at me before he ran off to the bathroom with a laugh. God, he was so sexy. I knew Stan had his concerns about Tally's age, but that would change once they met. Stan knew me better than anyone; he would see Tally through my eyes and understand.

It was almost one o'clock by the time we arrived back in Asheville. Once again Tally looked hot in a pair of board shorts and a pale blue T-shirt that accented his eyes. His broad young muscles filled out that shirt so well I could barely keep my eyes off of him. My thoughts had turned sexy once again and Tally knew it. I would probably never fully understand how well he knew me by now.

We parked in the driveway at Stan's and I heard them banging away in the back yard once again. I followed the path back through the garden gate and Tally followed along behind. Stan and Freddy had the roof on the doghouse and were nailing shingles across the top when we appeared.

"Hola," Freddy yelled and he smiled when he saw Tally. Stan's reaction was broader as he smiled and then gave me a nod, he understood.

"Tally, this is Stan, and that big guy is Freddy."

Freddy gave Tally a handshake but Stan just leaned in and hugged, Tally hugged back.

"My, aren't you just a handsome creature," Stan said.

Tally blushed and we all laughed. I slid my arm around his waist and Tally leaned into me. Here we could be ourselves and that seemed to make me possessive. For now I knew what Stan enjoyed with Freddy, Tally made me feel whole.

"That's quite a dog house," Tally said.

Freddy laughed. "You have no idea how hard this was to make. At least we have a door in it now."

"Baby will appreciate that," I said. "Has she tried it out yet?"

"Nope, we were waiting for you guys to help us move it," Stan said.

"Move it where?" I asked.

"Into her pen of course ... uh, oh crap, Freddy. How the hell are we supposed to get it inside? It's too big for the gate."

"Maybe we should have built it in there in the first place," Freddy said.

"We can just lift it over the fence," Tally suggested.

Freddy smiled. "You and I are the only muscles here, think we can do it?"

"Screw you, Freddy ... Stan and I aren't weaklings," I said.

Speak for yourself," Stan said. "The damn thing is heavy."

"Never know until we try," Tally said.

We each took a corner and walked it over to the fence. Baby stood back like a smart dog as we lifted it up on the fence railing. Tally and I ran around to the gate and went inside, grabbing the house just about the time Stan let go. We almost lost it there but Freddy showed up and steadied the damn thing. Together we all lifted it down and slid it in the corner. Baby approached and walked around it, then lifted his leg on a corner and peed.

We all laughed. "Everyone's a critic," Stan said, and then Baby slid inside, turned around and stood looking back out at us.

"He likes it, look at him smile," Tally said.

"Dogs smile?" Freddy asked.

"Of course, all animals have a sense of humor," Tally said.

"The voice of experience," Stan said.

We sat on the back porch and listened to Tally tell us about cows and their sense of humor. "They come off pretty dumb most times but they do love to trick you. If you get in a closed stall with one be sure and stay out from between them and a wall. I had one cow press me into the wall and lash me with her tail when I was little.

"My grandfather made us all learn how to milk a cow by hand in case the machines failed. That means you have to sit on a stool and strip the milk out by hand into a bucket. But first you have to cover your hands in udder balm, it's a lube ... " There he grinned. "Now you know why farm boys are such great jerk off experts."

We laughed. "A cow will allow you to pull on her udders because it gives her relief from the pressure inside. But they get annoyed if you don't do it right. Then she'll move over and push you away if she can. Only thing to do is head butt the cow in the flank to show her who's boss. Evan will learn about that soon enough."

"Evan milking a cow ... never thought I would see the day," Stan said.

"He's got strong hands, I bet he'll do just fine," Tally said. And then he blushed, realizing what he had just said.

"I'd rather put my hands on you than a cow," I said. And with that I leaned over and gave Tally a kiss. Stan and Freddy sat quietly, watching and learning just how deeply we felt about one another. The moment ended and Tally sat back with a smile, his hand sliding into mine. He looked radiant and more than comfortable in what we shared.

"You think I'm too young for Evan?" Tally asked. His eyes stayed glued to Stan's, knowing I cared what my best friend thought.

Stan nodded. "I did ... but I don't think that any more. I never thought age meant much, only the feelings inside. I think you and I had those feelings long before Evan and Freddy understood what it meant for themselves.

"I've known Evan for a long time, and he's the kindest person I ever met, you made a good choice. But he's always doubted himself and the different feelings he's had for years. I couldn't tell him he was gay, he had to learn that for himself ... and now he has."

Stan the philosopher smiled. "I think he owes you a lot, Tally. I can tell what loving you means to him, all I ever wanted him to find was someone of his own. As for age, I don't think Evan feels much older than you right now. This way you'll grow up in life together, for love has a way of making us think better things about the way we live."

Tally gripped my hand and I looked into his eyes. "Yeah, I owe Tally a lot," I agreed.

"I'm sure you don't have to go back to your parents house for a while, why don't you hang out here?" Stan said. "I'm gonna drive Freddy to work and run a few errands for my mom. I bet you'd like a little quiet time together."

I nodded and they got up to leave. We all exchanged hugs and Tally kissed Stan's cheek. All of us knew this was the beginning of our own little circle of friends, and best of all Tally felt accepted.

The porch offered little relief from the July heat, but it was so peaceful sitting here looking out across the yard. I could feel Tally's affection building as he cuddled in my arms.

"They're so nice, you have such good friends," Tally said.

"Your friends now. Stan is pretty straight up with is feelings."

"How did they meet?" Tally asked.

"At school, Freddy was on the wrestling team, a real jock. Stan told me he saw this kid watching him in the cafeteria and it made him nervous. Over the years some real jerks gave Stan a hard time and he was pretty sensitive about it. So when he saw Freddy looking at him he thought it was going to happen again."

"Yeah, Freddy sure doesn't look gay at all," Tally said. "Stan does."

"Stan has always been more comfortable with those feelings than anyone else I know, he never sticks it in your face but most kids at school knew about him. Stan has always been pretty good at knowing what people think about him just so he can stay out of trouble. But Freddy worried him, after all he was this huge jock and everyone in school knew him.

"So imagine Stan's surprise when Freddy showed up at our lunch table one day and asked if he could sit with us. At first I thought he was there because Marsha Burke was one of our friends and sat with us every day, she's a very attractive girl and was pretty popular in school. But Freddy was polite to everyone, especially Stan.

"He joined us every day after that and we accepted him; I think that's what made him relax. Having a popular jock at our table was strange at first but Freddy didn't play that role with us at all. He was in my English class and Stan's math class. He began to talk to me before and after class, but the subject always seemed to turn towards Stan and what he thought."

"He had a crush on Stan, wow," Tally said.

"Yeah, it didn't take a dummy like me long to figure that out, but I didn't know what Stan would think. I was beginning to see Freddy as a smart, soft hearted guy no matter what he did on the wrestling mats. So Stan and I started to go to the wrestling meets to support our new friend and it was there that I came to realize what Stan thought of the big guy."

"Oh, they wear those tight little uniforms," Tally giggled and I nodded in agreement.

"The uniform sure did look nice on him and Stan made a few comments in that direction. Being a friend I told Stan what I thought about Freddy's feelings and Stan just about died. He did have some feelings for Freddy, but neither of us ever thought the boy was gay. Boy were we stupid.

"So summer came between our junior and senior year and Freddy started working at McDonalds. All of a sudden Stan had this thing for cheeseburgers and I knew why. Two weeks after school ended Stan threw a yard party here, right out there in grass. I knew he wouldn't so I invited Freddy to attend and even offered to pick him up which he agreed to.

"He was pretty shy when he got in my Jeep and made a wise crack about how he'd never been to a party with a guy before. And I just laid it right out there, I said I was taking him so he could spend time with Stan. I really thought he was gonna cry and it all came out, he was in love with Stan but afraid of the feelings.

"Freddy couldn't have told a better person, so I said that Stan had feelings about him too because it was the truth. That night it was incredible to watch the two of them grow closer and it made me so happy."

"But you didn't have someone to love; didn't that make you feel bad?" Tally asked.

"Yes, but I loved Stan so much it was just great to see what he and Freddy had going. I didn't think of it as being jealous of Freddy, Stan and I were never really lovers, it was different. After that Freddy was always there and I came to know him so much better. Senior year was hell for them both and Freddy got a lot of crap from the other jocks about being close to Stan.

"One damn fool called Freddy a fag in the locker room and I heard all about it, the whole school did because of what Freddy said. He backed that guy up against the wall and gave him hell instead of a fist. Freddy came out right there and told the whole locker room that he was gay and if they couldn't deal with it then fuck off.

"Jeez, that was brave."

"No one ever picked a fight with Freddy, would you?" I asked.

Tally shook his head. "Hell no, that would be crazy."

"I guess everyone else agrees with that, no one ever gave him crap to his face about being gay, and after that no one said anything to Stan either. And then last Christmas Freddy's family found out and his mom couldn't deal with it so Freddy moved in here. Stan's parents have made him feel like one of the family."

I smiled at Tally. "You want to see Stan's room?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's hot out here ... I need to take some clothes off." His grin said the rest.

The coolness of Stan's basement allowed us to cuddle on the bed and slowly the clothes came off until I had a familiar naked body in my arms. Life at the farm would rarely allow us to share moments like this, I was just afraid of taking risks. Tally rolled on top of me and I spread my legs.

"No ... not yet, I'll cum too fast," Tally said, his cock pressing down onto my belly.

And so we began a slow passionate dance of kissing and rubbing, something I was beginning to appreciate as the best kind of sex as it allowed me time to gaze up into his eyes. For there I saw his true feelings about me and my heart felt nothing but joy.

Stan was right, I owed Tally a lot. He gave me so much I would never be able to repay ... but then I didn't have to. Being in love like this cancelled all debt; our time together was an investment. The vision of him reaching out for the moment and groaning with pleasure at release was all I needed. His face was filled with happiness, and I shuddered with delight knowing I had brought him to this point, and then I joined him in bliss.

In typical Tally fashion this was only the beginning, I was astounded at his endurance. When time allowed Tally would be a consistent lover, taking me into the heavens time and time again to match his performance. I'd be a fool to stop him; it was all just too good for my ego.

We stood in the shower and it was my turn to lean on the wall. Thank God Tally wasn't Freddy's size, but he sure knew how to use the tool he had. Never in my wildest imagination had I ever conjured up an image of myself on the receiving end until Tally. Now I wanted to give him the pleasure and he was all too happy to take it.

I could close my eyes and imagine what it would be like to be fucked in the rain; we would have to try that as well. But as winter set in I didn't think we would spend much time in outdoor practice. Necessity would make our sexual moments short and to the point. My Jeep, the barn ... no matter that our love making would be just as sweet, but we would remember these long slow times and pray for a quick spring.

The insistent pounding in my backside came to a groaning stop as Tally clasped my waist and pulled in tight, filling me with his seed. His hot breath against my back was arousing, fuck, everything about him was arousing. It was then my pleasure to bathe him, since nothing excited me more than a Tally covered in soap suds.

This give and take between us was comfortable; I especially enjoyed making him giggle as I washed certain parts of his body. Granny would understand even if she didn't want to know what we were about. Tally loved being touched, and caressing him was about my favorite sport. It showed in the way my cock sprang to attention and Tally wasn't about to pass up an opportunity.

His soapy thighs rode my middle as he impaled himself on me once again. There was something about this position that thrilled us both. The bathtub was barely wide enough but we made it work. Just being able to run my hands across his chest, shoulders and arms made me feel the effect I was having on him.

One day I wanted to see him solo his way to an orgasm, it would probably be about the most sensual thing I could ever watch. But it meant forgoing the taste of him or the pleasure of his warmth spreading through my gut ... yeah, it would have to wait.

His motion soon took me over the edge and I groaned my way into an orgasm with his fingers pinching my nipples. They would ache for hours after we made love, a constant reminder of how good he could make me feel. Just the feel of a shirt brushing against that tender flesh would make me catch my breath ... and think of Tally.

I was obsessed with him and everything about him, Tally knew this. It reminded me of a song my father played on his record player when I was a child, a mere baby. Did they still have those things? My dad was obsessed as well with singers from the sixties, the generation before his. But I didn't know them at the time; I was just taken by his love for them and my own for him.

Neil Young ... Sugar Mountain. "Oh to live on Sugar Mountain, with the barkers and the colored balloons ... " Neil sang. I loved balloons atthat age and ingested my fair share of sugar. But now I got the meaning of the song like at no other time in my life. Tally was my mountain of sugar, my joyful youth personified. "Can't be twenty on Sugar Mountain," Neil sang as the song faded. I wouldn't be leaving there any time soon; Tally was my key to staying young forever.

And the song faded as Tally lay down on my chest in surrender to the feelings we shared. Yes, I was obsessed. Our day would continue but I would carry this moment in my mind forever, I'm sure Tally felt the same way. I would have to find that song and play it for him, he would get it too.

Clean and sexually exhausted we emerged into the afternoon heat to find Baby sitting on the back porch. I looked across the yard and laughed. Yes, the dog house was big enough; he'd jumped on the roof and over the fence. I led him by the collar back inside the fence, then Tally and I moved the dog house to the middle of the yard.

"Sorry Baby, I can't let you go," I said.

"You never say they to me," Tally laughed.

I smiled. "The let you go part or the baby?"

"Do you want to call me your baby?"

"I would ... I think that sometimes," I admitted. "I never had a boyfriend before but I think we zoomed right on past that ... I guess I could call you baby, would you mind?"

"It does come off pretty gay, doesn't it? But when we're alone ... call me anything you want."

"OK, lover. It does feel like we're about to get married or something, doesn't it?"

"Depends, do I get to play wife?"

"No way, we're pretty equal in the bedroom. But I like it like this, I hope you do too," I said.

"This is Evan Parsons, my husband," Tally said. "That sounds kinda strange, not sure you feel comfortable with that either."

"Yeah, but you are my other half ... the better half," I said.

"Maybe, but I want the whole thing," Tally laughed.

We arrived at my parent's house with time enough to pack some more things into the Jeep before my mother got home. I had the birthday present in a box inside a suitcase; no way was I going to reveal that surprise for another two weeks. My mother got home just as we finished the packing.

"Hello Tally, so glad to see you again," She said.

"Me too, Mrs. Parsons. Evan says you're working over at the church."

"Oh, I volunteer there, I don't ask to be paid. They're just nice people."

"My family painted the Reverend's house last spring, that was a lot of fun," Tally said.

I smiled, Tally knew how to make my mother happy and church talk was safe ground with her. We followed her into the house and sat down at the kitchen table.

"Your father is bringing home some steaks, so maybe you can set up the grill about five," She said. "Evan is quite a cook, Tally."

"Yeah, he said he learned by watching you. My Granny does all the cooking, she'd never let me touch anything."

"Well it's a good thing for a young man to know, at least until he gets married."

Tally looked at me and smiled. What could I say? My parents were never going to see any grandchildren which would be a blow to my mother. There were so many things that kept me from revealing the truth about myself; Tally was now top of the list. I decided we needed to get out of her way for a while and took him out to the front porch.

"I understand, no one is gonna be happy when they find out about us," Tally said. "Except maybe Granny, I haven't figured that out yet."

What could I say? "I think she's just happy for you. Like most grandmothers she just worries about your future."

My father was home by six so Tally and I washed his car while he grilled the steaks. I had planned to have him home by nine, even if I did want him to stay the night we wouldn't be able to sleep in the same room. My mother had made up the guest room, I was not going to sleep here if he was across the hall.

The chat at the table was about Tally and his family even though I tried to steer the conversation away to keep pressure off the boy. But Tally handled my father's inquisition quite well, something I wasn't always able to do.

"You seem very mature for someone so young," My father finally said.

"I guess the work made me grow up fast because my father gave me a man's responsibilities to handle," Tally replied. "But I think I stopped being a little kid when my grandfather died, it was very hard to handle because I was only six."

I distinctly heard my mother gasp and saw the sadness in my father's eyes. Tally had really won them over and I prayed for dinner to end. And then my father placed his napkin on the table, we were done.

"I'd love to see your farm someday." My father said.

"Sure, Evan already told me that and I asked Granny. She wants to make you a dinner some Sunday," Tally replied.

"Oh, I don't want to be a bother ... "

"No sir, no bother at all. Evan is like family already, plenty of room at our table, you just say when," Tally said.

"That's very kind, Tally, I'll do that," My father said.

"I guess I better take Tally home, they have to work in the morning," I said.

"It'll be late, maybe you should stay there tonight," My mother suggested.

"Yeah, think I will," I said.

I kissed my mother and hugged my father. Tally couldn't resist, he did the same. I was beginning to understand that Tally had broken through my father's shell; he really liked the boy now. It was all good; maybe I could trade on that goodwill when the time came.

Tomorrow I would return and finish my packing, spend the night and say my good-byes. One more day and then I would trade my quiet existence for the love of a farm boy. It felt right; my life would change for the better.

Tally was all talk and smiles on the way home, but I hated driving back roads in the dark. Having him along gave me added responsibility; it made me even more cautious. But finally we came to the driveway and I was grateful to be here.

By the time we were done unloading it was almost bedtime and there was a stack of boxes along one wall in Tally's room. It seems Granny had gone to bed early and I remembered that I had to ask Dr. Maitland about getting her an appointment. It would mean questions from Freddy, but I would tell him to keep it quiet. If Tally found out I would face a whole bunch of questions I didn't want to answer.

We washed up and slid into Tally's bed to cuddle, sex wasn't even a thought tonight. I rubbed his back and listened to the sighs of contentment, and then he was out.

I lay there remembering the way Tally had handled my father, it was only another sign that this boy had more courage than I did. My whole life my father had been an intimidating figure, the source of praise and punishment. I could look back now and see his intentions; he was trying to build my character.

But now ... now his son was gay. I worried about his image in the community because of my decision; it was the one thing he had pounded into my head over the years. If I shamed myself by bad behavior then I brought shame on him. He was very conscious of his public image; I had to be as well.

Being gay was outside the box he'd built around my life, he would feel it shameful. But this was me, it was my life not his. I could never reject Tally because of my father. Either I stood up and fought for what I needed or I would have to hide in shame. I wasn't ashamed of Tally in any way, far from it; I wanted to shout his name from the rooftop.

It would be years before I could declare that love, but I would. Even now as I lay here beside him I felt the pain of loving him, every breath felt labored. I just couldn't believe he was mine. What had I done in my short life to deserve such a bounty? He was perfect in every way, it humbled me.

Tally would think these thoughts were silly, maybe he'd be right. But I had worried about things my entire life and now I had this ... this love and I doubted myself. Could I give him everything he needed? I had to try.

All the hugs, kisses and sex we shared meant nothing if I didn't fulfill Tally's every need. I was blessed; Granny understood the meaning of those words. God had never appealed to me in any great way ... maybe that was changing. Would it make me more worthy if I did?

Tally mumbled in his sleep and rolled over in my arms. No, if anything I worshiped this boy and all he meant to me. His soft breath on my chest was thrilling, even in sleep he held me enthralled. Our lives had come together to fulfill his wishes, my life had truly begun with his first touch. I couldn't bear to live without him, I wouldn't want to try.

The kiss on my cheek startled me awake and I smiled, opening my eyes to see ... Granny.

"Good morning, Evan. Sorry I was in bed when you arrived last night," She said. "Tally let you sleep in; it's six-thirty already."

"Uh ... thank you," I said. Jeez, Tally had let me go on sleeping in his bed ... and I was naked.

"Come on, you get up and I'll go fix you a coffee." She laughed. "You might need some clothes too."

I turned five shades of red as she laughed on her way out the door. I had fallen asleep in Tally's bed, what did she think of me now? I grabbed my clothes and stumbled my way to the bathroom. She had to know we had slept naked together ... .damn, we'd been caught.

But as I sat at the table nursing my coffee she said nothing about it. Instead she asked about how Tally had behaved at dinner the night before.

"He ... he just amazed me. I couldn't believe how well he handled my father," I said. "How does a boy that young ... what makes him so confident?"

"Tally has always been like that. I'm sure the feelings he had inside forced him to develop courage at an early age, I can't remember when he ever knuckled under, it's just not his nature. How did you deal with the feelings?"

"I didn't ... I denied them," I said.

"That's not right, God made you who you are, and he doesn't make mistakes. He did a fine thing when he created you, Evan."

"I think the same way about Tally," I said.

Granny nodded. "He agrees with me you know. The minute you left the other night he came into my room and we talked about you."

I blushed at the thought of what Tally might have revealed, but Granny smiled and placed her hand on mine.

"No dear, he didn't give away any of your secrets. Boys need to have their secrets, I understand that. Tally tried to explain his feelings for you, it was the sweetest talk we've ever had. His eyes shone with emotion, I could see the love he has for you in his heart. You know how I feel about Tally; I just want you to know I feel the same way about you, Evan. You're both special to me now."

"I love you too, Dorothy. It's why I want to take care of you, we both need you."

She smiled. "I guess we look at life differently. I'm not afraid of dying; it only means I'll join my husband in heaven. I don't fear God's promise of the hereafter. But I know there's no use explaining how I feel about that, you're so young, too young to know my thoughts."

It was my turn to smile. "Maybe I understand more than you think. Tally means more to me than anything; I want to grow old with him. You must have felt the same way towards your husband, I'm sorry it didn't happen."

"We had such good years together, hard times and all. I can remember it like it was yesterday, it makes life seem precious. And now I have my sons and grandkids to look upon, my husband lives on through them. You and Tally will only have each other, what will life bring you when the end comes around?"

I already knew the answer to that question. "I'll have a lifetime of loving him, nothing could please me more."

She nodded. "I hope that's enough, Evan ... I truly do."

Tally came through the kitchen door and smiled. "My ears are burning ... you talkin about me?"

"Constantly," I said. And Tally slid up behind and placed his arms around my neck. We both looked across the table at Granny.

She laughed. "Go on ... kiss him, I know you want to."

And Tally did, attaching his lips to my cheek for a moment. It was the first sign of affection we had shared in front of Granny and it felt liberating. "Did you sleep well?" He asked.

"Yes, at least you didn't snore," I said, and got a dig to the ribs in return. Tally danced away as I went to return the favor.

"You boys go wash up and I'll make you some eggs," Granny said.

"You sure?" I asked.

She nodded. "It will be my pleasure, but not if I smell that stinky boy for another minute. Tally go wash yourself and change those clothes if you please."

"Yes ma'am," Tally replied, and I followed him upstairs.

"You do have an odor ... like cow patties," I said.

Tally dropped his overalls and stood naked for a moment before laughing.

"I love it when you look at me like that, now who's the sex maniac?" Tally said.

"Granny woke me in your bed ... that freaked me out."

"When do you have to leave?" Tally asked.

"After breakfast, but I'll be back tomorrow morning bright and early," I said. "We have the Fourth to celebrate."

"Yeah, it's gonna be a fun day. Don't worry, I won't be upset this time, I know you're coming back."

"I told Granny I want to spend the rest of my life with you," I said.

Tally smiled. "I know you do ... I told her the same thing."

On to Chapter Eight

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